bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Waste Banks in Surakarta: Economic and Social Impacts on Sustainability
Authors: Darsono  , Rahayu W , Barokah U , Laia D H
Published: October 2023

This research investigates the socio-economic functions of waste banks in Surakarta, Indonesia, where the perception of waste’s economic value and environmental significance remains underdeveloped among some community members. Using a descriptive qualitative approach with 120 samples, the study aimed to map the social and economic roles of these banks and track their evolution. Results revealed that waste banks not only elevate community income but also introduce new communal activities, fortifying inter-resident relationships towards environmental conservation. Furthermore, through initiatives like sorting, recycling, and educational drives, waste banks have fostered heightened environmental cognizance, prompting a shift in waste management perspectives. Such interventions culminate in tangible reductions in waste generation and environmental preservation. These banks, therefore, serve dual roles: they reshape local waste perceptions while simultaneously providing economic incentives. For a holistic impact, governmental intervention through community empowerment programs supporting waste bank endeavors is recommended, underscoring the waste bank’s pivotal role in Surakarta’s sustainable development.
Gender Differences and Perceived Quality Influence on Organic Food Consumption in Indonesia
Authors: Rosyid A H A , Cahyasita D , Hilmi Y S
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate consumer behavior concerning organic food consumption in Indonesia in the context of sustainable development goals (SDGs). Using a questionnaire survey, we collected data from 296 respondents and employed descriptive research alongside Spearman Rank Correlation analysis for assessment. The results revealed that female consumers exhibited a stronger intention to consume organic food consistently compared to their male counterparts. Additionally, Indonesian organic food consumers hold a favorable perception of the quality of organic products, especially emphasizing the perceived health benefits. A moderate correlation was identified between the perceived quality of organic food and ongoing buying interest. These findings underscore the importance of understanding consumer demographics and perception in promoting sustainable consumption patterns in developing nations.
Village Funds in Indonesia: Impacts on Sustainable Agricultural Development
Authors: Penggalih P M , Saraswat Y , Hanjagi D W , Dewandini S K R , Lestari E S
Published: October 2023

This study examines the implementation of village funds allocated by the Indonesian government to boost agricultural growth in rural regions, with a focus on promoting sustainable farming practices among its 270.2 million populace. Utilizing a descriptive qualitative method and secondary data analysis, our findings underscore the crucial role of infrastructure development in improving access to agricultural production and distribution facilities. Although village funds have significantly bolstered the physical infrastructure facilitating farming operations, enhancing institutional frameworks, and spurring complementary agricultural ventures, our analysis indicates a disproportionate emphasis on infrastructure over human capital investments. As agriculture remains a dominant economic pursuit in rural Indonesia, it is vital that future allocations strike a balance between infrastructure and human resources. An integrated approach not only promotes food self-sufficiency and rural livelihood enhancements but also aligns with sustainable development goals, emphasizing the importance of empowering SMEs and the broader agricultural sector.
Evaluation of Non-Wheat Noodle Machine Design with An Ergonomic Approach
Authors: Mayasti N K I , Putra S A , Hanifah U , Taufan A , Indriati A , Rahman T , Novianti F , Novrinaldi  , Anggara C E W
Published: October 2023

Designing machines without involving the human factor can cause users discomfort, fatigue, and health problems. Ergonomic criteria when designing machines can increase user effectiveness. PT. Noang Prima Utama uses an extruder to produce pasta under the “LocaPasta” brand. Complaints of pain in the neck and back for 1-3 days due to standing position, bending down, and arms reaching forward for a long-time during production. The research objective was to evaluate the extruder design using the anthropometric method. Anthropometric data were tested for uniformity, data adequacy, and the determination of percentiles. Machine dimensions were compared with user anthropometer data for design improvement. When feeding materials into the hopper, the operator’s working posture needed to be more ergonomically adequate due to raised arms and pushing the material bit by bit (repetitively). The evaluation of the machine design based on anthropometric dimensions reveals several improvements. The redesigned extruder machine includes changes such as adjusting the footstep height to 27.7 cm so that the height of the setting box to 120.95 cm from the footstep (adjusting to standing shoulder height), allowing rotation of the setting box and the hopper height from the footstep is parallel to the standing elbow height which is 92.1 cm. With the implementation of the new prototype, the operator’s working posture no longer involves bending over while adjusting the machine, and the arms can comfortably rest on the hopper while feeding the material.
Case study on The Assessment of Air Quality and Pollution in a Sensitive Area of Bucharest
Authors: Deák György , Laslo Lucian , Enache Natalia , Sadica Isabela , Luminaroiu Lucian , Noor Norazian Mohamed
Published: October 2023

Monitoring air quality in urban areas is essential due to increased pollution and health hazards. In this study, the air quality in the busiest area of Bucharest’s central was assessed, and the main car-related pollutants, NO2 and PM10, have been examined in relation to the influence of meteorological parameters. During the measurement campaign, the monitored NO2 pollutant concentration values did not exceed the limit value (LV), and the measured NO2 exceeded this limit on day 1. Although the monitored NO2 concentrations had the same pattern as the measured NO2 concentrations; however, there is a delay in the amplitude of the values, which can be explained by the location of each measurement point in relation to the main source of pollution. The particulate matter PM10 showed exceedances of the daily limit values (DLV) in conditions of intense traffic, and the decrease in concentrations was related to the conditions of increased precipitation and humidity. In order to adopt the most effective measurements to reduce pollution in metropolitan areas, it is crucial to evaluate the air quality and identify the primary sources of pollutants.
Short-term Predictions of PM10 Using Bayesian Regression Models
Authors: Ramli Norazrin , Abdul Hamid Hazrul , Yahaya Ahmad Shukri , Noor Norazian Mohamed , Elena Holban
Published: October 2023

One of the air pollutants that poses the greatest threat to human health is PM10. The objectives of this study are to develop a prediction model for PM10. The Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) and Bayesian Regression (BRM) models were constructed to forecast the following day’s (Day 1) and next two days’ (Day 2) PM10 concentration. To choose the optimal model, the performance metrics (NAE, RMSE, PA, IA, and R2) are applied to each model. Jerantut, Nilai, Shah Alam, and Klang were chosen as monitoring sites. Data from the Department of Environment Malaysia (DOE) was utilised as a case study for five years, with seven parameters (PM10, temperature, relative humidity, NO2, SO2, CO, and O3) chosen. According to the findings, the key factors responsible for the unhealthy levels of air quality at the Klang station include carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulphur dioxide (SO2), and ozone (O3) from industrial and maritime activities, which are thought to influence PM10 concentrations in the area. When compared to MLR models, the results demonstrate that BRM are the best model for predicting the next day and next two days PM10 concentration at all locations.
Methodology for Identification of Areas with Possible Risk for Sturgeon Species Migration Disruption on The Lower Danube
Authors: Tudor Georgeta , Deak György , Arsene Miruna , Holban Elena , Monica Matei , Boboc Madalina , Raischi Marius
Published: October 2023

In the context of the continuing decline of the species belonging to the order Acipenseriformes on a global level, the anadromous sturgeon species sturgeon species in the Lower Danube have been affected by a significant reduction in historical migration routes and fragmentation of breeding habitats. This paper presents the stages of the methodology for identifying areas that present a possible risk of interruption of sturgeon migration in correlation with satellite images and daily values for discharge/water level databases. In order to determine the two ranges of values that characterize the extreme phenomena (high/low flows), a hydrological statistical analysis was carried out for the most extensive period of time covered by recorded data (January 2011 – May 2023) in the hydrometric station located in Calarasi, Romania. Based on the 4524 values from the series of average daily discharge values, the discharge hydrograph, the empirical curve of insurance/exceedance probability and the frequency and duration curves using 200 m3/s discharge steps were determined and represented. Correlated with satellite imagery recorded during the determined time intervals with extreme phenomena, there were identified areas with possible risk for sturgeon species migration disruption.
Agriculture: Innovations in Vertical Cultivation Systems for Community Development
Authors: Mohd Yusoff Muhammad Syamil , Ismail Azimah , Yusoff Norliana , Wahi Rafeah
Published: October 2023

This paper explores potential barriers to the adoption of soil-less, small-scale hydroponic systems operated through digital technology within gardening communities and related projects. It investigates whether these communities view a technology-driven approach to food cultivation as limiting. The backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic highlights interconnected challenges spanning food security, climate change, and economic turmoil. Disruptions in global supply chains and economic activities resulting from the pandemic have precipitated an economic crisis, income disparities, and increased food insecurity. Agricultural disruptions have exacerbated food security issues, while climate change-induced extreme weather events further jeopardize food systems. This economic crisis impedes effective climate change mitigation and adaptation. A holistic approach is crucial, integrating sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, and climate change strategies. Collaboration among governments, researchers, and communities is vital for enduring food security and sustainable economies. The Hydroponic Verticulture System (HVS), a modern urban agricultural technology, offers a practical solution that fosters urban farming, ensures food quality, and supports community engagement. A full tank of water or mixed organic material of 13.5 Liter with 5rm speed provided sufficient watering for effective nourishment and hydration throughout the vertical system. Furthermore, HVS contributes to climate change mitigation by reducing CO2 and increasing O2 levels through smart urban farming practices, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.
Performance On Nitrogen Rich Component for Composting of Food Waste
Authors: Zakarya Irnis Azura , Muniandy Somendiran , Tengku Izhar Tengku Nuraiti , Md Nasir Nor Anis Nadhirah , Mohamad Muna’amirah , Tudor Georgeta
Published: October 2023

Nitrogen-rich components are crucial to achieving successful composting. The problem lies in the lack of comprehensive understanding and evaluation of the performance of different nitrogen-rich components used in composting food waste. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of nitrogen-rich components (NRC) (cow dung, tea leaves, and coffee ground) for composting food waste in terms of compost quality (temperature, moisture content, nutrients content, and plant growth height). The materials used in composting are 1kg of NRC, 1kg of black soil, 1kg of rice husk, 2kg of food waste, and 1 L of Takakura EM in every compost bin. A total of 4 composts were examined, such as compost A (cow dung), B (coffee ground), C (tea leaves), and D (blank). During the composting process, all parameters of the compost were examined, and data collected. Firstly, total nitrogen (N) content results for compost A, B, C, and D are 1.2%, 1.6%, 3%, and 0.7%, respectively, whereas total phosphorus (P) content in compost A, B, C, and D is 3.7 mg/L, 3.8 mg/L, 5 mg/L, and 3.01 mg/L. Lastly, the potassium (K) content in compost A, B, C, and D is 4.56 mg/L, 4.1 mg/L, 5.13 mg/L, and 4.6 mg/L, respectively. Based on the data analysis, Compost C is the most effective compost compared to other NRC compost.
Compatibilizers Effect on Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber with Polypropylene and Sugarcane Bagasse Composite for Mechanical Properties
Authors: Zainal Mustaffa , Santiagoo Ragunathan , Ahmad Razi , Mohammed Syakirah Afiza , Ahmad Abdul Ghapar , Vijean Vikneswaran , Amneera Wan Amiza , Melvin Allan
Published: October 2023

Compatibilizers effect on recycled acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBRr) with polypropylene (PP) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB) composite for mechanical properties is evaluated. Trans-Polyoctylene Rubber (TOR) and Bisphenol a Diglycidyl Ether (DGEBA) are used as compatibilizers in this study. Three (3) different composites (80/20/15, 60/40/15, and 40/60/15), with fixed filler (15 phr) and compatibilizers (10 phr) content, were carried out. These composites were arranged via melt mixing technique utilizing a heated two-roll mill at a temperature of 180°C for 9 minutes employing a 15-rpm rotor speed. Tensile and morphological properties were evaluated. The result shown average tensile strength dropped by 48.50% as the recycle NBR content rises 20 phr. Nevertheless, subsequent compatibilization reveals that the composites’ tensile properties were all greater than control composites. The morphology discovered validates the tensile properties, indicating a stronger interaction between the PP/SCB and recycle NBR composites with the addition of compatibilizer DGEBA.
Discrete elasticity exact sequences on Worsey–Farin splits
Authors: Gong Sining , Gopalakrishnan Jay , Guzmán Johnny , Neilan Michael
Published: October 2023

We construct conforming finite element elasticity complexes on Worsey–Farin splits in three dimensions. Spaces for displacement, strain, stress, and the load are connected in the elasticity complex through the differential operators representing deformation, incompatibility, and divergence. For each of these component spaces, a corresponding finite element space on Worsey–Farin meshes is exhibited. Unisolvent degrees of freedom are developed for these finite elements, which also yields commuting (cochain) projections on smooth functions. A distinctive feature of the spaces in these complexes is the lack of extrinsic supersmoothness at subsimplices of the mesh. Notably, the complex yields the first (strongly) symmetric stress finite element with no vertex or edge degrees of freedom in three dimensions. Moreover, the lowest order stress space uses only piecewise linear functions which is the lowest feasible polynomial degree for the stress space.
Knowledge sharing and innovation performance: a case study on the impact of organizational culture, structural capital, human resource management practices, and relational capital of real estate agents
Authors: Lee Chung-Chang , Yeh Wen-Chih , Yu Zheng , Luo Yuan-Chen
Published: October 2023

This study focused on the factors that influence innovation performance in housing agents. Based on a worldwide literature review on the topic of innovation performance, we defined relational capital, knowledge sharing at the individual level, and organizational culture, structural capital, and human resource management practices at the organizational level to carry out the analysis using hierarchical linear modeling. The survey subjects were housing agents in Kaohsiung City, Taiwan. A total of 1130 questionnaires were distributed to 113 agencies. Of a total of 444 collected surveys, 40 unanswered questionnaires were invalid and three with fewer than three answers were eliminated. The final number of valid questionnaires was 401. The response rate of effective questionnaires was 35.49%. The results show that organizational culture can indirectly affect innovation performance through knowledge sharing, indicating that there is a partial mediating effect. Structural capital can indirectly affect innovation performance through knowledge sharing, demonstrating a complete mediating effect. Relational capital can indirectly affect innovation performance through knowledge sharing, having a partial mediating effect. Human resource management practices did not have a confounding effect on innovation performance.
Employing electroporation for controlled drug release in targeted cancer therapy
Authors: Thompson Avery
Published: October 2023

High-voltage pulsed electric fields cause a controlled release of medications from loaded red blood cells, offering a powerful anti-tumor application.
Molecular noise-induced activator-inhibitor duality in enzyme inhibition kinetics
Authors: Panigrahy Manmath , Dua Arti
Published: October 2023

Classical theories of enzyme inhibition kinetics predict a monotonic decrease in the mean catalytic activity with the increase in inhibitor concentration. The steady-state result, derived from deterministic mass action kinetics, ignores molecular noise in enzyme-inhibition mechanisms. Here, we present a stochastic generalization of enzyme inhibition kinetics to mesoscopic enzyme concentrations by systematically accounting for molecular noise in competitive and uncompetitive mechanisms of enzyme inhibition. Our work reveals an activator-inhibitor duality as a non-classical effect in the transient regime in which inhibitors tend to enhance enzymatic activity. We introduce statistical measures that quantify this counterintuitive response through the stochastic analog of the Lineweaver–Burk plot that shows a merging of the inhibitor-dependent velocity with the Michaelis–Menten velocity. The statistical measures of mean and temporal fluctuations - fractional enzyme activity and waiting time correlations - show a non-monotonic rise with the increase in inhibitors before subsiding to their baseline value. The inhibitor and substrate dependence of the fractional enzyme activity yields kinetic phase diagrams for non-classical activator-inhibitor duality. Our work links this duality to a molecular memory effect in the transient regime, arising from positive correlations between consecutive product turnover times. The vanishing of memory in the steady state recovers all the classical results.
Co-design optimization of combined heat and power-based microgrids
Authors: Wu Jiaxin , Chung In-Bum , Liu Zheng , Wang Pingfeng
Published: October 2023

With the emergent need for clean and reliable energy resources, hybrid energy systems, such as the microgrid, are widely adopted in the United States. A microgrid can consist of various distributed energy resources, for instance, combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The CHP module is a distributed cogeneration technology that produces electricity and recaptures heat generated as a by-product. It is an energy-efficient technology converting heat that would otherwise be wasted to valuable thermal energy. For an optimal system configuration, this study develops a novel co-design optimization framework for CHP-based cogeneration microgrids. The framework provides the stakeholder with a method to optimize investments and attain resilient operations. The proposed co-design framework has a mixed integer programming (MIP) model that outputs decisions for both plant designs and operating controls. The microgrid considered in this study contains six components: the CHP, boiler, heat recovery unit, thermal storage system, power storage system, and photovoltaic plant. After solving the MIP model, the optimal design parameters of each component can be found to minimize the total installation cost of all components in the microgrid. Furthermore, the online costs from energy production, operation, maintenance, machine startup, and disruption-induced unsatisfied loads are minimized by solving the optimal control decisions for operations. Case studies based on designing a CHP-based microgrid with empirical data are conducted. Moreover, we consider both nominal and disruptive operational scenarios to validate the performance of the proposed co-design framework in terms of a cost-effective, resilient system.
Charge carrier dynamics in conducting polymer PEDOT using ab initio molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Zahabi Najmeh , Baryshnikov Glib , Linares Mathieu , Zozoulenko Igor
Published: October 2023

As conducting polymers become increasingly important in electronic devices, understanding their charge transport is essential for material and device development. Various semi-empirical approaches have been used to describe temporal charge carrier dynamics in these materials, but there have yet to be any theoretical approaches utilizing ab initio molecular dynamics. In this work, we develop a computational technique based on ab initio Car–Parrinello molecular dynamics to trace charge carrier temporal motion in archetypical conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT). Particularly, we analyze charge dynamics in a single PEDOT chain and in two coupled chains with different degrees of coupling and study the effect of temperature. In our model we first initiate a positively charged polaron (compensated by a negative counterion) at one end of the chain, and subsequently displace the counterion to the other end of the chain and trace polaron dynamics in the system by monitoring bond length alternation in the PEDOT backbone and charge density distribution. We find that at low temperature (T = 1 K) the polaron distortion gradually disappears from its initial location and reappears near the new position of the counterion. At the room temperature (T = 300 K), we find that the distortions induced by polaron, and atomic vibrations are of the same magnitude, which makes tracking the polaron distortion challenging because it is hidden behind the temperature-induced vibrations. The novel approach developed in this work can be used to study polaron mobility along and between the chains, investigate charge transport in highly doped polymers, and explore other flexible polymers, including n-doped ones.
Self-stabilization of barchan dune chasing
Authors: He Nan , Lin Yuanwei , Zhang Yang , Yang Bin , Gao Xin
Published: October 2023

Barchan dunes migrate in swarms, with rich but not fully revealed self-stabilization mechanisms. The interaction between dunes is considered as one of the key reasons for these mechanisms. Contact-type interactions, known as collisions, have been widely studied, while non-contact-type interactions have received less attention. In this paper, a water tunnel experiment was performed to study the non-contact dune chasing. With the aid of numerical simulations, a general model was proposed to interpret the convergence of distance between two dunes chasing each other. The model consists of three factors: inter-dune repulsive vortex, embracing vortex downstream, and difference in dune mass. Then, we reported a scaling law, expressed as the relation between the normalized dune spacing and time, to describe the convergence of dune spacing, and develop a governing equation in the form of area summation to explain the violation of convergence by combining the above-mentioned three factors, both of which were verified experimentally. Our findings could help advance the understanding of the self-stabilization characteristics of dune swarms in nature.
Mathematical model of a hydraulic retarder based on Rankine–vortex dynamics
Authors: Huang Yong , Yu Liangyao
Published: October 2023

Accurate theoretical models of actuators are crucial for researching autonomous driving in heavy-duty commercial vehicles (HDCVs). A hydraulic retarder is a widely used auxiliary braking device in HDCVs that prevents thermal failure of the main brake resulting from continuous braking. The working chamber and the control system are closely interconnected within the hydraulic retarder, forming a highly nonlinear system. Therefore, most mathematical models for predicting the braking torque of hydraulic retarders have separated the working chamber from the control systems, making it difficult to explain the differences between the hydraulic retarder's predicted and actual performance. This paper establishes a novel mathematical model incorporating the working chamber and control system analysis for a hydraulic retarder based on Rankine vortex dynamics. A functional relationship was obtained between the hydraulic retarder's braking torque and the rotor speed, control pressure, float chamber pressure, oil density, and characteristic parameters of the working chamber. The mathematical model has been verified through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and experiments. CFD results show the velocity distribution of oil vortex flow in the working chamber, and the variation laws of the fundamental parameters are consistent with the established mathematical model. The average errors between the mathematical model calculated and experimental braking torque are 6.3%, 9.5%, 11.8%, and 4.2% at control pressures of 2.8, 2.2, 1.4, and 0.6 bar, respectively, confirming the mathematical model's effectiveness. The mathematical model holds significant value for the design and development of hydraulic retarders and the control strategies of HDCVs with hydraulic retarders.
Gold nanoparticles aggregation on graphene using Reactive force field: A molecular dynamic study
Authors: J Hingies Monisha , Velachi Vasumathi , Maiti Prabal K.
Published: October 2023

We examine the aggregation behavior of AuNPs of different sizes on graphene as function of temperature using molecular dynamic simulations with Reax Force Field. In addition, the consequences of such aggregation on the morphology of AuNPs and the charge transfer behavior of AuNP-Graphene hybrid structure are analyzed. The aggregation of AuNPs on graphene is confirmed from the center of mass distance calculation. The simulation results indicate that the size of AuNPs and temperature significantly affect the aggregation behavior of AuNPs on graphene. The strain calculation showed that shape of AuNPs changes due to the aggregation and the smaller size AuNPs on graphene exhibit more shape changes than larger AuNPs at all the temperatures studies in this work. The charge transfer calculation reveals that, the magnitude of charge transfer is higher for larger AuNPs-graphene composite when compared with smaller AuNPs-graphene composite. The charge transfer trend and the trends seen in the number of Au atoms directly in touch with graphene are identical. Hence, our results conclude that, quantity of Au atoms directly in contact with graphene during aggregation is primarily facilitates charge transfer between AuNPs and graphene. Our results on the size dependent strain and charge transfer characteristics of AuNPs will aid in the development of AuNPs-graphene composites for sensor applications.
Generation mechanism and control method of countertorque in the bucket of a Pelton turbine
Authors: Zhao Haoru , Xu Bin , Tang Peng , Guo Na , Zhu Baoshan
Published: October 2023

The energy performance and efficiency of Pelton turbine units is the focus of attention in engineering. The countertorque of the bucket during the operation of the Pelton turbine will affect the above indicators of the unit. However, there is still a lack of systematic research on the generation mechanism of countertorque and control strategies. Numerical simulation and experimental research were conducted on a Pelton turbine. It was found that the countertorque of the bucket is generated during the initial contact stage between the jet and the suction surface of the bucket. At this time, the jet acts on the tip of the suction surface of the bucket, generating a force in the opposite direction of the bucket's rotation, resulting in the generation of countertorque. A geometric optimization method is proposed, which suppresses the countertorque by controlling the inclination angle of the bucket. As the inclination angle decreases, the countertorque, pressure, circumferential force, and entropy production rate of the bucket are effectively controlled. Compared to the original scheme, the optimal scheme reduces the maximum countertorque by 49.33% and improves the unit efficiency by 0.57%.
Accumulation of annexin A2 and S100A10 prevents apoptosis of apically delaminated, transformed epithelial cells
Authors: Ito Shoko , Kuromiya Keisuke , Sekai Miho , Sako Hiroaki , Sai Kazuhito , Morikawa Riho , Mukai Yohei , Ida Yoko , Anzai Moe , Ishikawa Susumu , Kozawa Kei , Shirai Takanobu , Tanimura Nobuyuki , Sugie Kenta , Ikenouchi Junichi , Ogawa Motoyuki , Naguro Isao , Ichijo Hidenori , Fujita Yasuyuki
Published: October 2023

In various epithelial tissues, the epithelial monolayer acts as a barrier. To fulfill its function, the structural integrity of the epithelium is tightly controlled. When normal epithelial cells detach from the basal substratum and delaminate into the apical lumen, the apically extruded cells undergo apoptosis, which is termed anoikis. In contrast, transformed cells often become resistant to anoikis and able to survive and grow in the apical luminal space, leading to the formation of multilayered structures, which can be observed at the early stage of carcinogenesis. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms still remain elusive. In this study, we first demonstrate that S100A10 and ANXA2 (Annexin A2) accumulate in apically extruded, transformed cells in both various cell culture systems and murine epithelial tissues in vivo. ANXA2 acts upstream of S100A10 accumulation. Knockdown of ANXA2 promotes apoptosis of apically extruded RasV12-transformed cells and suppresses the formation of multilayered epithelia. In addition, the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) are elevated in apically extruded RasV12 cells. Treatment with ROS scavenger Trolox reduces the occurrence of apoptosis of apically extruded ANXA2-knockdown RasV12 cells and restores the formation of multilayered epithelia. Furthermore, ROS-mediated p38MAPK activation is observed in apically delaminated RasV12 cells, and ANXA2 knockdown further enhances the p38MAPK activity. Moreover, the p38MAPK inhibitor promotes the formation of multilayered epithelia of ANXA2-knockdown RasV12 cells. These results indicate that accumulated ANXA2 diminishes the ROS-mediated p38MAPK activation in apically extruded transformed cells, thereby blocking the induction of apoptosis. Hence, ANXA2 can be a potential therapeutic target to prevent multilayered, precancerous lesions.
Large sensory volumes enable Southern elephant seals to exploit sparse deep-sea prey
Authors: Chevallay Mathilde , Goulet Pauline , Madsen Peter T. , Campagna Julieta , Campagna Claudio , Guinet Christophe , Johnson Mark P.
Published: October 2023

The ability of echolocating toothed whales to detect and classify prey at long ranges enables efficient searching and stalking of sparse prey in these time-limited dives. However, nonecholocating deep-diving seals such as elephant seals appear to have much less sensory advantage over their prey. Both elephant seals and their prey rely on visual and hydrodynamic cues that may be detectable only at short ranges in the deep ocean, leading us to hypothesize that elephant seals must adopt a less efficient reactive mode of hunting that requires high prey densities. To test that hypothesis, we deployed high-resolution sonar and movement tags on 25 females to record simultaneous predator and prey behavior during foraging interactions. We demonstrate that elephant seals have a sensory advantage over their prey that allows them to potentially detect prey 5 to 10 s before striking. The corresponding prey detection ranges of 7 to 17 m enable stealthy approaches and prey-specific capture tactics. In comparison, prey react at a median range of 0.7 m, close to the neck extension range of striking elephant seals. Estimated search swathes of 150 to 900 m
2
explain how elephant seals can locate up to 2,000 prey while swimming more than 100 km per day. This efficient search capability allows elephant seals to subsist on prey densities that are consonant with the deep scattering layer resources estimated by hydroacoustic surveys but which are two orders of magnitude lower than the prey densities needed by a reactive hunter.
Character reference in Russian and Cypriot Greek by bilingual
children
Authors: Karpava Sviatlana
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the development of character reference by
bilingual Russian–Cypriot Greek children, in both Russian and
Cypriot Greek. In particular, it is focused on such referential
functions as character introduction, reintroduction and maintenance
in narrative production. Twenty-three bilingual Russian–Cypriot
Greek children (3–8 years old) participated in the study. Two
stories (card method of picture presentation), with a different
number of main characters (‘Cat’ story with four main characters and
‘Fox’ story with two main characters) and a different level of
cognitive complexity were used for narrative elicitation. Cypriot
Greek and Russian differ in terms of the way of encoding new/given
information and referential status of the character. Cypriot Greek
uses mainly local cues (definite vs. indefinite determiners), while
Russian uses global cues (word order, case marking). The results of
the study showed that bilingual children had a better performance,
use of indefinite NPs for character introduction and definite NPs
for character reintroduction in CG, but they had a better
performance for character maintenance and use of overt pronouns in
Russian. Story type, complexity and the number of the main
characters in the story influence the use of referential forms by
bilingual children, both in CG and in Russian.
Activation of referents in the bilingual mind1
Authors: Torregrossa Jacopo , Bongartz Christiane
Published: October 2023

This paper investigates reference production by bilingual and
monolingual children. We focus on the degree to which the activation
of referents is encoded by different types of referring expressions
among bilinguals and monolinguals. The study is based on forty-six
story retellings produced in German by twenty-five Greek-German
bilingual children and twenty-one monolingual children,
respectively. The activation of referents is assessed based on a
multi-factorial analysis of cognitive and linguistic factors that
are involved in the use of referring expressions. The results show
that pronouns produced by bilingual children tend to encode a lower
degree of activation of referents and to be underspecific. This may
be an effect of reduced processing speed experienced by bilinguals
in the mapping of the referent’s activation onto the use of a
certain referring expression. More in general, we account for the
observed differences between bilinguals and monolinguals in terms of
cognitive mechanisms underlying bilingual language production.
On the solvability of direct and inverse problems for a generalized diffusion equation
Authors: Ilyas Asim , Malik Salman A , Saif Summaya
Published: October 2023

This paper delves into both direct and two inverse source problems associated with a diffusion equation featuring integral convolution over time, while considering non-classical boundary conditions. The inverse source problems are shown to exhibit ill-posed characteristics in accordance with Hadamard’s definition. A bi-orthogonal function system is employed to express series solutions for the inverse source problems. By imposing specific conditions on the provided data, we establish the existence of unique series solutions. Several special cases of the diffusion equation are presented, depending on the nature of the memory kernel. Furthermore, to illustrate the findings regarding inverse source problems, we provide specific examples.
Electron phonon coupling and superconductivity in α-MoB2 as a function of pressure
Authors: Carmona-Galván M-A , Heid R , De la Peña-Seaman O
Published: October 2023

We have studied the lattice dynamics, electron-phonon coupling, and superconducting properties of α-MoB2, as a function of applied pressure, within the framework of density functional perturbation theory using a mixed-basis pseudopotential method. We found that phonon modes located along the A−H, H−L, and L−A high-symmetry paths exhibit large phonon linewidths and contribute significantly to the electron-phonon coupling constant. Although linewidths are particularly large for the highest-frequency optical phonon modes (dominated by B vibrations), their contribution to the electron-phonon coupling constant is marginal. The latter is largely controlled by the acoustic low-frequency modes of predominantly Mo character. It was observed that at a pressure of 90 GPa, where α-MoB2 forms, the phonon-mediated pairing falls into the strong-coupling regime, and the estimate for the superconducting critical temperature T

c
agrees well with experimental observations. When further increasing the applied pressure, a reduction of T

c
is predicted, which correlates with a hardening of the acoustic low-frequency phonon modes and a decrease of the electron-phonon coupling parameter.
Propagation of chirped solitons on a cw background in a non-Kerr quintic medium with self-steepening effect
Authors: Bouguerra Abdesselam , Triki Houria , Wei Chun , Lu Zhenbang , Zhou Qin
Published: October 2023

We study the existence and stability of envelope solitons on a continuous-wave background in a non-Kerr quintic optical material exhibiting a self-steepening effect. Light propagation in such a nonlinear medium is governed by the Gerdjikov–Ivanov equation. We find that the system supports a variety of localized waveforms exhibiting an important frequency chirping property which makes them potentially useful in many practical applications to optical communication. This frequency chirp is found to be crucially dependent on the intensity of the wave and its amplitude can be controlled by a suitable choice of self-steepening parameter. The obtained nonlinearly chirped solitons include bright, gray and kink shapes. We also discuss the stability of the chirped solitons numerically under finite initial perturbations. The results show that the main character of chirped localized structures is not influenced by finite initial perturbations such as white noise.
Reactions induced by 30 MeV 3He beam on 9Be : cluster transfer reactions*
Authors: Urazbekov B. A. , Issatayev T. , Lukyanov S. M. , Azhibekov A. , Denikin A. S. , Mendibayev K. , Janseitov D. M. , Penionzhkevich Yu E. , Kuterbekov K. A. , Zholdybayev T. K.
Published: October 2023

An experiment was conducted for studying the cluster structure of

Be induced by

He ions at an energy of 30 MeV. As results of the nuclear reaction 3He + 9Be, the differential cross sections for the exit channels – elastic, inelastic, α + 8Be, 6He + 6Be, 6Li + 6Li, and 7Be + 5He – were measured. Elastic and inelastic scattering data were treated within both the optical model and coupled channel method. A new set of optical potentials was considered for the elastic scattering. The deformation parameter

was established for the transition

. Cluster transfer reactions were analyzed via the coupled reaction channel method. The nuclear reactions with the exit channels 6He + 6Be, 6Li + 6Li, and 7Be + 5He were complemented by two-step transfer mechanisms. The contribution of each reaction mechanism were shown and compared with the findings of other authors.
AMGCN-L: an adaptive multi-time-window graph convolutional network with long-short-term memory for depression detection
Authors: Wang Han-Guang , Meng Qing-Hao , Jin Li-Cheng , Hou Hui-Rang
Published: October 2023

Objective. Depression is a common chronic mental disorder characterized by high rates of prevalence, recurrence, suicide, and disability as well as heavy disease burden. An accurate diagnosis of depression is a prerequisite for treatment. However, existing questionnaire-based diagnostic methods are limited by the innate subjectivity of medical practitioners and subjects. In the search for a more objective diagnostic methods for depression, researchers have recently started to use deep learning approaches. Approach. In this work, a deep-learning network, named adaptively multi-time-window graph convolutional network (GCN) with long-short-term memory (LSTM) (i.e. AMGCN-L), is proposed. This network can automatically categorize depressed and non-depressed people by testing for the existence of inherent brain functional connectivity and spatiotemporal features contained in electroencephalogram (EEG) signals. AMGCN-L is mainly composed of two sub-networks: the first sub-network is an adaptive multi-time-window graph generation block with which adjacency matrices that contain brain functional connectivity on different time periods are adaptively designed. The second sub-network consists of GCN and LSTM, which are used to fully extract the innate spatial and temporal features of EEG signals, respectively. Main results. Two public datasets, namely the patient repository for EEG data and computational tools, and the multi-modal open dataset for mental-disorder analysis, were used to test the performance of the proposed network; the depression recognition accuracies achieved in both datasets (using tenfold cross-validation) were 90.38% and 90.57%, respectively. Significance. This work demonstrates that GCN and LSTM have eminent effects on spatial and temporal feature extraction, respectively, suggesting that the exploration of brain connectivity and the exploitation of spatiotemporal features benefit the detection of depression. Moreover, the proposed method provides effective support and supplement for the detection of clinical depression and later treatment procedures.
SANDOZ LTD v BRISTOL-MYERS SQUIBB HOLDINGS IRELAND UNLIMITED CO
Authors:   Patents Court
Published: October 2023

H1 Patents — European patents — Revocation — Pharmaceuticals — Apixaban — Validity — Obviousness — Agrevo obviousness — Insufficiency — Plausibility — Common general knowledge — Assessing the disclosure of a patent specification — Technical contribution — Whether the claimed invention “worked”
Revolving around political connections: the negative effect of government venture capital backing on IPO valuation
Authors: Li Tan , Luo Jar-Der , Zheng Enying
Published: October 2023

We examine how government venture capital (GVC)—a specific type of political connection—affected initial public offering (IPO) valuation. Contrary to the well-recognized benefits of political connections in channeling access to financial resources in China, our analysis of 959 IPOs between 2008 and 2014 suggests that GVC backing lowers IPO valuation. This baseline effect is moderated by other sources of political connection (e.g. government ownership, state sector experience of top management team members, private sector partner status, and institutional environments). We argue that it is the negative signaling mechanism revolving around political connections that accounts for this observable pattern. This research enriches the signaling theory by uncovering signal emergence and analyzing the interactions between several signaling sources of political connection. Specifically, it contributes to a better understanding of political connections by specifying an undesirable consequence of state-led financialization, which has timely practical relevance as China’s capital market is steering toward a rule-based system.
Perioperative Mortality of the COVID-19 Recovered Patient Compared to a Matched Control: A Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Aziz Michael F. , Schenning Katie , Koike Seiji , O’Glasser Avital , O’Reilly-Shah Vikas N. , Sera Valerie , Mathis Michael ,   Multicenter Perioperative Outcomes Group Investigators
Published: October 2023

Background

Surgical procedures performed on patients with recent exposure to COVID-19 infection have been associated with increased mortality risk in previous studies. Accordingly, elective surgery is often delayed after infection. The study aimed to compare 30-day hospital mortality and postoperative complications (acute kidney injury, pulmonary complications) of surgical patients with a previous COVID-19 infection to a matched cohort of patients without known previous COVID-19. The authors hypothesized that COVID-19 exposure would be associated with an increased mortality risk.

Methods

In this retrospective observational cohort study, patients presenting for elective inpatient surgery across a multicenter cohort of academic and community hospitals from April 2020 to April 2021 who had previously tested positive for COVID-19 were compared to controls who had received at least one previous COVID-19 test but without a known previous COVID-19–positive test. The cases were matched based on anthropometric data, institution, and comorbidities. Further, the outcomes were analyzed stratified by timing of a positive test result in relation to surgery.

Results

Thirty-day mortality occurred in 229 of 4,951 (4.6%) COVID-19–exposed patients and 122 of 4,951 (2.5%) controls. Acute kidney injury was observed in 172 of 1,814 (9.5%) exposed patients and 156 of 1,814 (8.6%) controls. Pulmonary complications were observed in 237 of 1,637 (14%) exposed patients and 164 of 1,637 (10%) controls. COVID-19 exposure was associated with an increased 30-day mortality risk (adjusted odds ratio, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.38 to 1.91) and an increased risk of pulmonary complications (1.60; 1.36 to 1.88), but was not associated with an increased risk of acute kidney injury (1.03; 0.87 to 1.22). Surgery within 2 weeks of infection was associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality and pulmonary complications, but that effect was nonsignificant after 2 weeks.

Conclusions

Patients with a positive test for COVID-19 before elective surgery early in the pandemic have an elevated risk of perioperative mortality and pulmonary complications but not acute kidney injury as compared to matched controls. The span of time from positive test to time of surgery affected the mortality and pulmonary risk, which subsided after 2 weeks.

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Regulatory T cells and cardiovascular diseases
Authors: Hu Wangling , Li Jingyong , Cheng Xiang
Published: October 2023

Inflammation is a major underlying mechanism in the progression of numerous cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are typical immune regulatory cells with recognized immunosuppressive properties. Despite the immunosuppressive properties, researchers have acknowledged the significance of Tregs in maintaining tissue homeostasis and facilitating repair/regeneration. Previous studies unveiled the heterogeneity of Tregs in the heart and aorta, which expanded in CVDs with unique transcriptional phenotypes and reparative/regenerative function. This review briefly summarizes the functional principles of Tregs, also including the synergistic effect of Tregs and other immune cells in CVDs. We discriminate the roles and therapeutic potential of Tregs in CVDs such as atherosclerosis, hypertension, abdominal arterial aneurysm, pulmonary arterial hypertension, Kawasaki disease, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Tregs not only exert anti-inflammatory effects but also actively promote myocardial regeneration and vascular repair, maintaining the stability of the local microenvironment. Given that the specific mechanism of Tregs functioning in CVDs remains unclear, we reviewed previous clinical and basic studies and the latest findings on the function and mechanism of Tregs in CVDs.