Access Charges Research Articles

Trends in reader access and article processing charges among urology journals: A systematic review

ABSTRACT Introduction: This bibliometric study is designed to investigate the relations of urology journals with access types and article processing charges (APCs) to assess the changing paradigm in urology publishing. Methods: The three major databases: The Master Journal List directory by Clavirate Analytics, Scopus® and PubMed were queried for relevant journals in urology and subspecialties. Characterization of urology journals was undertaken, and citation metrics and APCs were compared across access types. A partial sampling was used to investigate the number of open access (OA) articles according to access types and correlations with both APCs and CiteScore. Results: Seventy-seven journals were included into the study. Gold and diamond OA journals comprised 35.4% of urology journals in 2009 and were increased to 49.3% in 2022. No significant difference was found for change in the CiteScore of 2017 and 2021 between the access types, F (2,63) = 0.152, P = 0.859, η2 = 0.005. A moderate positive correlation was found between APCs and CiteScore for both hybrid (rs [27] =0.431, P < 0.0005) and gold OA (rs [27] =0.489, P = 0.007) journals. The authors need to pay $1175 more to publish their articles in OA model in hybrid journals. The number of articles published in OA model by hybrid journals were not correlated with APCs (rs = 0.332, P = 0.078) but correlated with CiteScore (rs = 0.393, P = 0.035). Conclusions: A paradigm shift in urology publishing toward OA model has been occurring. Authors choose prestige, OA model, rapid publication, and less rigorous peer-review to publish their articles. APCs bear only moderate correlation with the citation metrics of the urology journals.

Dynamic structural analysis-based epitope prediction of Exendin-4 in aqueous solution.

The study of epitopes has a broad range of applications in drug discovery, vaccine design, and immunotherapy. In this study, an epitope prediction method was developed based on the dynamic structure of protein antigens. Solvent accessible surface area, charge, and root mean square fluctuation were introduced as the key residue property parameters. The epitope prediction algorithm was established by constructing a three-parameter complex metrics of seven-peptide groups. The method was applied to predict the epitopes of Exendin-4, an effective antidiabetic drug. The epitopes of both the natural and C-terminal amidated forms of Exendin-4 were predicted and compared in their folded and intermediate states. In the folded state, the epitopes of natural Exendin-4 (His1-Phe6 and Asp9-Val19) were found to be nearly identical to the epitopes of C-terminal aminated Exendin-4 (His1-Thr7 and Asp9-Val19). In the intermediate state, however, the epitopes of natural Exendin-4 (His1-Gly4, Phe6 and Lys12-Arg20) covered fewer amino acids than the epitopes of C-terminal aminated Exendin-4 (His1-Gly4, Phe6, Asp9-Val19 and Trp25-Lys27). The comparison with the results from other prediction tools demonstrates the reliability of our predicted epitopes of Exendin-4.

An incentivized scheme for electric vehicle charging demand management

The market share of electric vehicles (EVs) is expected to grow, necessitating infrastructure development to support this expansion. However, scientific literature predominantly focuses on charging infrastructure design, overlooking the importance of pricing strategies that can optimize their utilization. To address this gap, this study presents an integrated incentive scheme aimed at maximizing system utilization by effectively distributing the charging demand across stations. Moreover, a novel concept of Flex Accessible Charging Points (FLEX-ACP) is introduced, specifically designed to enhance accessibility and reduce waiting time for users with disabilities and seniors (UDS). The proposed framework utilizes an optimal charging network configuration, considering the number and locations of charging facilities, and then determines appropriate incentives at each station to minimize total waiting time. The problem is formulated as a bi-level optimization model, which is subsequently transformed into a single-level mixed-integer nonlinear program (MINLP). To solve this program, a combination of heuristic and branch-and-cut algorithms is employed. The developed models are tested through a realistic case study, utilizing real-world data from Salt Lake County in Utah.

Optimal Placement of Charging Stations in Road Networks: A Reinforcement Learning Approach with Attention Mechanism

With the aim of promoting energy conservation and emission reduction, electric vehicles (EVs) have gained significant attention as a strategic industry in many countries. However, the insufficiency of accessible charging infrastructure remains a challenge, hindering the widespread adoption of EVs. To address this issue, we propose a novel approach to optimize the placement of charging stations within a road network, known as the charging station location problem (CSLP). Our method considers multiple factors, including fairness in charging station distribution, benefits associated with their placement, and drivers’ discomfort. Fairness is quantified by the balance in charging station coverage across the network, while driver comfort is measured by the total time spent during the charging process. Then, the CSLP is formulated as a reinforcement learning problem, and we introduce a novel model called PPO-Attention. This model incorporates an attention layer into the Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) algorithm, enhancing the algorithm’s capacity to identify and understand the intricate interdependencies between different nodes in the network. We have conducted extensive tests on urban road networks in Europe, North America, and Asia. The results demonstrate the superior performance of our approach compared to existing baseline algorithms. On average, our method achieves a profit increase of 258.04% and reduces waiting time by 73.40%, travel time by 18.46%, and charging time by 40.10%.

Grain Boundary Effects of Hierarchical Ni-Fe (Oxy)hydroxide Nanosheets in Water Oxidation.

The robust and scalable oxygen evolution electrocatalysts that can deliver high current densities at low applied potential is a great challenge for the large-scale industrial application in hydrogen production. Here, the preparation of a grain-boundary-rich Ni-Fe (oxy)hydroxide catalyst on Ni foam is reported using a scalable coating approach followed by a chemical precipitating treatment. This facile method effectively assembles the hierarchical Ni-Fe (oxy)hydroxide nanosheet in the ultrasmall crystalline domains (<4nm) with rich grain boundaries. The hierarchical nanosheet structure with the grain boundaries provides more accessible catalytic sites, facile charge, and mass transfer. Benefiting from the abundant grain boundaries in the hierarchical nanosheets, the as-prepared Ni-Fe (oxy)hydroxide electrodes deliver current densities of 500 and 1000mAcm-2 at overpotentialsof only 278 and 296mV for the oxygen evolution reaction. The prepared electrode also exhibits long-term durability at a high current density in alkaline conditions.

Design and Implementation of Solar Powered Mobile Phone Fast Charging Station for Campus

Abstract: The proliferation of mobile phone usage has become ubiquitous on college campuses, leading to a heightened demand for accessible and sustainable charging facilities. This research project aims to address this need by designing and implementing a solar-powered mobile phone charging station tailored to the unique requirements of a campus environment. By harnessing solar energy as a clean and renewable power source, the proposed solution aims to provide an environmentally friendly charging option for students, staff, and visitors. The project encompasses the design, development, and testing of a solar-powered charging station that integrates various components such as solar panels, charge controllers, batteries for energy storage, power management circuitry, and a user interface. The design process will involve careful consideration of factors such as power generation capacity, energy storage capabilities, user interface design, and system scalability to ensure an optimal and efficient solution. Efficient energy management is crucial for the successful operation of the charging station. To this end, the project will focus on implementing advanced techniques such as maximum power point tracking (MPPT) and battery management algorithms to optimize power generation, storage, and utilization. This approach will help maximize the efficiency and reliability of the charging station while ensuring a consistent supply of power to meet the charging needs of users. Additionally, the project will develop a user-friendly interface that enables seamless operation and monitoring of the charging station. The interface will provide real-time information on power availability, charging status, and system diagnostics, ensuring a user-friendly and intuitive experience for users. User feedback and input will be incorporated into the design process to enhance usability and accessibility. The implementation and testing phase of the project will involve deploying the designed charging station on the campus premises. Performance evaluations will be conducted to assess factors such as charging efficiency, reliability, and system scalability. Data on solar energy generation, energy consumption, and user feedback will be collected and analysed to evaluate the effectiveness of the solar-powered charging solution in a campus environment. The anticipated outcomes of this research project include the design and implementation of a solar-powered mobile phone charging station specifically tailored to campus usage. Furthermore, the project will deliver an advanced energy management system that optimizes power generation, storage, and utilization. The development of a user-friendly interface will ensure easy operation and monitoring of the charging station, enhancing the overall user experience. The research findings will provide valuable insights into the system's performance, efficiency, reliability, and scalability. Additionally, an economic and environmental assessment will highlight the benefits of adopting solar-powered charging solutions on campus, including reduced carbon emissions and energy costs. In conclusion, the design and implementation of a solar-powered mobile phone charging station for campus usage will provide an innovative and sustainable solution to meet the increasing demand for charging facilities. By harnessing the power of the sun, this research project aims to offer a convenient, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective charging option for mobile devices on campus. The outcomes of this research will contribute to the promotion of sustainable energy practices, reduce the carbon footprint of campuses, and enhance the overall campus experience for students, staff, and visitors.

A π-Bridge Spacer Embedded Electron Donor-Acceptor Polymer for Flexible Electrochromic Zn-Ion Batteries.

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) have drawn much attention for next-generation energy storage for smart and wearable electronics due to their high theoretical gravimetric/volumetric energy capacities, safety from explosive hazards, and cost-effectiveness. However, current state-of-the-art ZIBs lack the energy capacity necessary to facilitate smart functionalities for intelligent electronics. In this work, a "π-bridge spacer"-embedded electron donor-acceptor polymer cathode combined with a Zn2+ -ion-conducting electrolyte is proposed for a smart and flexible ZIB to provide high electrochromic-electrochemical performances. The π-bridge spacer endows the polymeric skeleton with improved physical ion accessibility and sensitive charge transfer throughthe cycles, providing extremely stable cyclability with high specific capacity (110 mAhg-1 ) at very fast rates (8 Ag-1 ) and large coloration efficiency (79.8 cm2 C-1 ) under severe mechanical deformation over a long period. These results are markedly outstanding compared to the topological analogue without the π-bridge spacer (80 mAhg-1 at current density of 8 Ag-1 , 63.0 cm2 C-1 ). The design to incorporate a π-bridge spacer realizes notable electrochromism behaviors and high electrochemical performance, which sheds light on the rational development of multifunctional flexible-ZIBs with color visualization properties for widespread usage in powering smart electronics.

Identification of Co–O–Mo Active Centers on Co-Doped MoS2 Electrocatalyst

Strategies for harmonizing the construction of an active site and the building of electron transport for a hybrid MoS2 catalyst are crucial for its application in electrochemical reactions. In this work, an accurate and facile hydrothermal strategy was proposed to fabricate the active center of Co-O-Mo on a supported MoS2 catalyst by forming a CoMoSO phase on the edge of MoS2, yielding (Co-O)x-MoSy (x = 0, 0.3, 0.6, 1, 1.5, or 2.1). The results show that the electrochemical performances (hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), and electrochemical degradation) of the yielded MoS2-based catalysts were positively correlated with the Co-O bonds, verifying the significant role of Co-O-Mo as the active center. The fabricated (Co-O)-MoS0.9 presented an extremely low overpotential and Tafel slope in both HER and OER, and it also demonstrated excellent BPA removal in the electrochemical degradation reaction. As compared with the Co-Mo-S configuration, the configuration of Co-O-Mo not only serves as the active center but also provides a conducting channel to facilitate electron conductivity with more accessible charge transfer at the electrode/electrolyte interface, which is favorable for electrocatalytic reaction. This work offers a new perspective for the active mechanism of metallic-heteroatom-dopant electrocatalysts and further boosts research on the development of noble/non-noble hybrid electrocatalysts in the future.

Railway liberalization, airport congestion toll, and infrastructure pricing: Modelling and numerical analysis for European and Chinese markets

Regulation on infrastructure pricing affects various aspects, including demand, social welfare, and investment in transport management, as well as intramodal and intermodal competition. This study develops a game theoretic model that derives the charges (set by the infrastructure operators) and fare prices (set by the transport operators) as well as the associated profit and welfare in equilibrium. Key analytical insights concern the joint effect of the product differentiation by the transport operators and profit/welfare orientation of the infrastructure operators. If the transport operator implements more differentiation between air and HSR, or the infrastructure operators are more profit-oriented, the transport mode becomes less sensitive to the access charge from the competing mode, but more sensitive to the access charge from the same mode. Furthermore, using publicly available data for European and Chinese markets, we investigate the effects of introducing HSR on-track competition and congested infrastructures through numerical studies. Key findings are that entry by an incumbent-owned compared to a privately-owned HSR generates more industry benefits but leads to a significant reduction in consumer surplus. A more profit-oriented airport operator leads to increased total welfare if congestion is sufficient high. Theoretical and policy insights are provided.

Metformin-Embedded Biocompatible Chitosan/Poly(vinyl alcohol) Beads with Superior Adsorption Properties toward Lead(II) and Levofloxacin

In this contemporary era, chitosan has gained exceptional attention as a sustainable biopolymer in the adsorption process due to its nontoxic nature, biocompatibility, accessibility, and pH-responsive active surface charge. This study developed a high-performance chitosan/poly(vinyl alcohol) adsorbent through metformin functionalization. The incorporation of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), along with the metformin-activated surface, remarkably ameliorated its physiochemical properties. The abundance of inter- and intrahydrogen and chemical bonds in the porous structure enhances the specific surface area up to 83.8 m2/g. Series characterization methods are utilized to investigate the adsorbents’ characteristics in all aspects and the removal performance. Furthermore, the key factors for the adsorption process, including the influence of pH, adsorbent quantity, time intervals, and preliminary concentration, were studied and optimized. The optimal pH was observed in the neutral moiety, which is crucial from an industrial perspective. Due to the presence of countless nitrogen and oxygen atom-containing backbones, the CS/PVA-Pr-Met biocomposite has demonstrated considerable adsorption capacity toward Pb(II) ions and levofloxacin with the highest adsorption capacities of 313.162 mg/g for Pb(II) and 2872.927 mg/g for levofloxacin concerning their molecular and ionic nature and various adsorption mechanisms. In accordance with the correlation coefficient and estimated parameters, the adsorption of Pb(II) and levofloxacin onto the beads mostly follows the pseudo-second-order kinetics (R2 ≥ 0.997) and the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model (R2 ≥ 0.995). The exceptional adsorption capacity coupled with the porous structure of the modified hydrogel beads has promising applications for efficient wastewater treatment

Editors' note: On rent extraction in academic publishing and its alternatives

In this editorial we introduce new members of our editorial team and the contents of this issue. In addition we discuss open access developments of the journal, namely our new license policy, which allows authors to choose a Creative Common license that best suits their needs or the requirements of their funders. This change in licenses makes our journal also compliant with the Plan S programme, which several large European research funders have signed, in order to promote open access publishing. We support such initiatives, but note that they are designed mainly to push large commercial publishers to publish publicly funded research in open access. While the Plan S is a welcome program, commercial for-profit publishers charge exorbitant charges for open access, usually paid for by the researchers' institutions. We note that these charges are a form of rent extraction, which produces little added value, as the commercial publishers rely on the free labor of researchers and publicly funded research to fill their journals' pages. More so, due to these charges the public ends up paying again for the research it funded in the first place. We argue that public support for both institutional and independent non-profit open access publishing is a socially more just and sustainable model.

Multi-objective optimisation model and hybrid optimization algorithm for Electric Vehicle Charge Scheduling

ABSTRACT Electric vehicles (EV) are moderately defeating more roads and replacing pollutants of classical vehicles. Due to rising EV, it is imperative to provide charging stations. However, unscheduled EVs are left because of the unavailability of adequate energy or charging slots. This paper develops an optimisation aware technique for charge scheduling in EV. The first step is the simulation of EV in the Vehicular Ad-hoc Network (VANET) model. Here, the discovery of the changing request from EVs and accessible charging stations is performed. Then, the charge scheduling algorithm is called for scheduling the EV, wherein the charge scheduling algorithm is newly modelled using Jaya-based Multi-Verse Optimizer (JMVO). The proposed JMVO is devised by combining Multi-Verse Optimiser (MVO) and Jaya optimisation algorithm. Here, a multiobjective fitness function is newly devised with certain parameters, including charging cost, user preference, remaining power and distance parameter. As per the scheduling method, the EVs are allocated to the charging station. Then, the EV charging scheduling model attributes are updated to expose the method’s efficiency. The proposed JMVO outperformed with the smallest charging cost of 62.721, smallest fitness of 0.010, highest power of 2.605J and highest user convenience of 0.769. durgamahato379@gmail.com

Uncovering the Contributions of Charge Regulation to the Stability of Single Alpha Helices.

The single alpha helix (SAH) is a recurring motif in biology. The consensus sequence has a di-block architecture that includes repeats of four consecutive glutamate residues followed by four consecutive lysine residues. Measurements show that the overall helicity of sequences with consensus E4 K4 repeats is insensitive to a wide range of pH values. Here, we use the recently introduced q-canonical ensemble, which allows us to decouple measurements of charge state and conformation, to explain the observed insensitivity of SAH helicity to pH. We couple the outputs from separate measurements of charge and conformation with atomistic simulations to derive residue-specific quantifications of preferences for being in an alpha helix and for the ionizable residues to be charged vs. uncharged. We find a clear preference for accommodating uncharged Glu residues within internal positions of SAH-forming sequences. The stabilities of alpha helical conformations increase with the number of E4 K4 repeats and so do the numbers of accessible charge states that are compatible with forming conformations of high helical content. There is conformational buffering whereby charge state heterogeneity buffers against large-scale conformational changes thus making the overall helicity insensitive to large changes in pH. Further, the results clearly argue against a single, rod-like alpha helical conformation being the only or even dominant conformation in the ensembles of so-called SAH sequences.

Can the ladder of investment approach make on-track competition sustainable in the railway market? A study of asymmetric infrastructure access charges

The gradual liberalisation of the EU railway market, which began in the early 2000s, has entered its final phase with the formal opening of national markets for commercial passenger transport. However, the level of competition established in some countries is still not sufficient to increase passenger welfare. Based on the previous experience, this phenomenon stems from high barriers to entry for new operators, such as high sunk costs, relatively high infrastructure train access charges (TAC) for commercial passenger traffic, and competition between asymmetric participants, where the incumbent still dominates the market. One of the solutions to improve the conditions for entry is asymmetric market regulation, used in the telecommunications sector. The asymmetric access regulation is based on lower TAC for entrants than for incumbent for a limited period, which is part of the ladder of investment (LOI) approach. In principle, the current EU regulatory framework requires equal and non-discriminatory TAC for all railway operators which provide similar services in a similar market segment with similar infrastructure quality. Any deviation from this principle must be justified. In practice, infrastructure managers (IM) often charge much higher TAC than the marginal cost of using the infrastructure for long-distance passenger traffic because that market can absorb this higher cost. This does not leave much possibility for entry or survival of potential entrants in the passenger market segment. Therefore, this paper will present a duopoly competition model between asymmetric on-track competitors within the commercial passenger transport market segment. We will explain the pros and cons of the introduction of asymmetric access regulation as an essential package of market entry strategy to establish sustainable competition for commercial passenger railway transport services.

A methodology for introducing an energy-efficient component within the rail infrastructure access charges in Italy

A methodology for introducing an energy-efficient component within the rail infrastructure access charges in Italy

Comparative Analysis of Track Access Charge (TAC) Calculation Using Full Costing and Pricing Methods for Cement Train in Java

Train operators that utilize state-owned railway infrastructure are obliged to pay a Track Access Charge (TAC). In Indonesia, the TAC formula employed is based on the full costing method. However, this TAC calculation formula does not currently accommodate the policies of multiple operators with varying types of train services and infrastructure. An alternative method for calculating TAC, known as the pricing method is available. In this research, TAC calculations were performed using both the full costing and pricing methods for freight trains in the Java region. From the TAC calculations using both methods, a comparison was made to determine the differences in the results, providing insights and references to the government in formulating policies and regulations related to the development of a relevant TAC formula for railway operators. The full costing method's TAC calculation is contingent on priority factors, while the pricing method's TAC calculation depends on axle load, axle count, unsprung mass, and train speed. Components of the pricing method's calculation directly influence the impact on railway infrastructure damage. In conclusion, the pricing method for TAC is considered fairer and more pertinent for all railway operators when making TAC payments to the government.

The Influence of the Electric Vehicle Charging Station on the Power Supply Network with Regard to Power Quality

The European Union (EU) aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and therefore a proposal has been accepted to improve publicly accessible charging and refueling infrastructure for alternative fuels. This will result in an increasing number of electric vehicles charging stations, which can negatively impact the power grid. Therefore, this paper investigates the impact of electric vehicle charging by a particular charging station on the grid from a power quality perspective. The charging station's harmonic components, reactive power, and power factor during different operating conditions are analyzed. The harmonic analysis for one period of supply voltage and current consumed by the charging station during maximum load, graphs of active power, reactive power, first harmonic power factor, and total power factor for different operating conditions are shown in this paper.

"Is it time to throw out the weighing scales?" Implicit weight bias among healthcare professionals working in bariatric surgery services and their attitude towards non-weight focused approaches.

People living with overweight or obesity (PLwO) can be stigmatised by healthcare professionals (HCPs). Reducing focus on weight is a proposed strategy to provide less threatening healthcare experiences. Given the lack of research on weight bias within obesity services, this study aimed to explore implicit bias among obesity specialist HCPs and explore views on non-weight focused approaches. Obesity specialist HCPs were invited to a webinar, "An exploration of non-weight focused approaches within bariatric services", held in October 2021. Implicit weight bias was examined using the BiasProof mobile device test, based on the Implicit Association Test. Poll data was analysed descriptively, and qualitative data was analysed using framework analysis. 82 of the 113 HCPs who attended the webinar consented to contribute data to the study. Over half (51%) had an implicit weight bias against PLwO. Most (90%) agreed/strongly agreed that obesity services are too weight focused and that patients should not be weighed at every appointment (86%). Perceived benefits of taking a non-weight focused approach included patient-led care, reducing stigma and supporting patient wellbeing, while perceived barriers included loss of objectivity, inducing risk and difficulty demonstrating effectiveness. Our findings indicate that half of obesity specialists HCPs in our sample of 82 providers, who are primarily dieticians and psychologists, have an implicit weight bias against PLwO. HCPs feel that a weight-focused approach within services was a barrier to patient care, but that there is a lack of alternative non-weight focused measures. Further research is needed into substitute outcome measures for clinical practice, also seeking the views of PLwO, and into interventions to address implicit weight bias. Johnson & Johnson funded the BiasProof licence and publication open access charge.

A methodology for introducing an energy-efficient component within the rail infrastructure access charges in Italy

A methodology for introducing an energy-efficient component within the rail infrastructure access charges in Italy

Electric Vehicles Charging Infrastructure Demand and Deployment: Challenges and Solutions

Present trends indicate that electrical vehicles (EVs) are favourable technology for road network transportation. The lack of easily accessible charging stations will be a negative growth driver for EV adoption. Consequently, the charging station placement and scheduling of charging activity have gained momentum among researchers all over the world. Different planning and scheduling models have been proposed in the literature. Each model is unique and has both advantages and disadvantages. Moreover, the performance of the models also varies and is location specific. A model suitable for a developing country may not be appropriate for a developed country and vice versa. This paper provides a classification and overview of charging station placement and charging activity scheduling as well as the global scenario of charging infrastructure planning. Further, this work provides the challenges and solutions to the EV charging infrastructure demand and deployment. The recommendations and future scope of EV charging infrastructure are also highlighted in this paper.