bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The cultural localization of video games in Iran
Authors: Zoraqi Amir Arsalan , Mousavi Movahede Sadat
Published: January 2024

Localization is the process through which products are tailored to the socio-cultural values of the
recipient locale. This study seeks to shed light on the practice of video games cultural localization in Iran by focusing on two
of the most prominent software localization and publication companies in Iran, namely Parnian and
Gerdoo. Furthermore, identifying the types of content considered inappropriate by the Iranian game
localization supervisory bodies constitutes another aim of the present study. To this end, six officially localized video games
are compared and contrasted with their original English counterparts. As for the results, the modifications were observed at both
diegetic and non-diegetic levels. Modifications revolved around the following themes: religious issues, socio-cultural issues, and
socio-political references linked to Iran’s legal and religious frameworks. Regarding the strategies, the localized video games
were modified by removing the cut scenes, applying graphical changes, and editing out the original soundtrack.
The spacecraft decompression problem
Authors: Atkin Keith
Published: January 2024

This paper describes the problem of determining how gas pressures varies with time inside a punctured pressure vessel. This would be of importance in the context of a holed civil airliner, or the case of a spacecraft struck by a micrometeoroid. The problem is approached both theoretically, and experimentally using a bench-top arrangement in which air is allowed to escape from a plastic bottle via a small orifice. Air pressure is measured by means of a pressure sensor linked to an Arduino microcontroller. The investigation would make an interesting and challenging student project, both theoretically and experimentally.
Superconductivity in kagome metal ThRu3Si2
Authors: Liu 刘 Yi 艺 , Li 厉 Jing 静 , Yang 杨 Wu-Zhang 武璋 , Lu 卢 Jia-Yi 佳依 , Cao 曹 Bo-Ya 博雅 , Li 李 Hua-Xun 华旬 , Chai 柴 Wan-Li 万力 , Wu 武 Si-Qi 思祺 , Li 李 Bai-Zhuo 佰卓 , Sun 孙 Yun-Lei 云蕾 , Jiao 焦 Wen-He 文鹤 , Wang 王 Cao 操 , Xu 许 Xiao-Feng 晓峰 , Ren 任 Zhi 之 , Cao 曹 Guang-Han 光旱
Published: January 2024

We report the physical properties of ThRu3Si2 featured with distorted Ru kagome lattice. The combined experiments of resistivity, magnetization and specific heat reveal bulk superconductivity with T
c = 3.8 K. The specific heat jump and calculated electron–phonon coupling indicate a moderate coupled BCS superconductor. In comparison with LaRu3Si2, the calculated electronic structure in ThRu3Si2 shows an electron-doping effect with electron filling lifted from 100 meV below flat bands to 300 meV above it. This explains the lower superconducting transition temperature and weaker electron correlations observed in ThRu3Si2. Our work suggests the T
c and electronic correlations in the kagome superconductor could have an intimate connection with the flat bands.
Effect of Solution Treatment on Mechanical Properties of Inconel 718 Alloy Formed by SLM
Authors: Jiang Jie , Gu Hai , Li Bin , Zhang Jie , Gu Yan
Published: January 2024

Based on SLM forming process, Inconel 718 alloy powder material was used to design and print test parts, and the test parts were treated with solution treatment. This article explored the effects of solution treatment temperature and time on the mechanical properties of Inconel 718 alloy. The results indicate that the solution treatment can effectively improve the tensile strength, yield strength and density of the parts. When the solution treatment temperature increases, the material brittleness becomes larger, and when the solution treatment time prolongs, the material toughness improves. The density of the material increased with the extension of solution treatment time and the increase of temperature.
Stress-Strain Behavior of Visco-Hyperelastic Polyurea under High Strain Rate Tensile Loading
Authors: Dai Lihui , Shan Yu , Liu Jiayun , An Fengjiang , Wu Cheng
Published: January 2024

This paper presents uniaxial tensile loading tests on polyurea to analyze the characteristics of stress-strain behavior under a high strain rate. The results verify the process of stress-strain behavior, which shows the non-linear and rate-dependent process of stress-strain behavior, should be divided into several stages: a linear elastic stage, a non-linear transitional yielding stage and a hardening failure stage. Three different constitutive models are used to predict the behavior of material. By fitting the test datas and calculating the Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), the visco-hyperelastic model is more appropriate to represent the mechanical behavior of polyurea under high strain rate. It also shows the material would transform from a rubber-like material to a glassy-like material under strain rates of 600s
−1 to 1500s
−1.
Preparation of [BMIM]HSO4@SiO2 Ionic Liquid Microcapsules and Application to CO2 Adsorption
Authors: Liu Qiaochu , Peng Fuchang , Wang Li
Published: January 2024

Carbon emissions are closely related to global climate change and have gradually become a focus of attention. Carbon capture is an effective way to reduce carbon emissions, ionic liquid microcapsules (ILM) have great potential as a CO2 capture material. [BMIM]HSO4@SiO2 ionic liquid microcapsules were prepared by in situ polymerization, and the microcapsule samples were characterized using thermo-gravimetric analysis & differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser particle size analysis and surface area analyser. The microcapsules on the CO2 adsorption properties were investigated. The results showed that the microcapsule particles have a smooth spherical morphology and uniform size, the average particle size was 146 μm. The TG/DSC showed the microcapsules have better thermal stability. From 273 K isothermal adsorption curve of microcapsules, the sample can reach the maximum adsorption capacity of 4.87 cm3/g STP (standard pressure).
A Basalt Fiber Density Measurement Method
Authors: Li Shuai , Gan Guorong , Lai Daohiu , Wang Zhengcui
Published: January 2024

In order to facilitate the calculation of the density of basalt fibers and to obtain the exact calculated values, 50 sets of volumetric measurements of basalt fibers and carbon fibers were carried out respectively using a syringe needle, then their mass was measured using electronic balance, finally 50 sets of density values were obtained for both fibers. It was concluded that the density of carbon fibers was within the normal range of values, while the density of basalt fibers was slightly lower than the normal values.
Rational Construction of Recyclable and Highly Efficient ZIF-67/Graphene Aerogels for Peroxymonosulfate Activation to Decompose Tetracycline Hydrochloride
Authors: Jiao Danhua , Tan Xia , Cai Xiaodong , Kong Fei , Wang Qizhao , Wang Rongrong , Zhang Daohai , Du Haijun
Published: January 2024

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) derived catalysts with improved recovery and reusability are challenging in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. Herein, a ZIF-67/graphene aerogel (Z-GA) heterostructure was rationally constructed via in situ growth method based on the synergistic effect: Co
x+ stabilized the PMS activation capacity and GA provided high opportunity for radicals and contaminants contact. The as-prepared Z-GA/PMS system exhibited outstanding performance for the tetracycline hydrochloride (TC) removal, good pH-stability ranging from 5.0 to 9.0 and excellent anti-interference capability. The quenching experiment and EPR tests co-proved the significant roles of reactive SO4
•- and 1O2 species in the TC degradation process. In addition, several contaminants were selected to certify the superiority of the Z-GA3/PMS and multiple water sources were employed to demonstrate the universality in the complicated water environment. This pioneering work demonstrated the feasibility of Z-GA/PMS system for effluent disposal.
Aerobic Fermentation Drum Temperature Field Study for Cattle Mattress Regeneration
Authors: Hu Chengjian , Cen Haitang , Song Yuwei , Miao Shujing , Li Wei
Published: January 2024

Aerobic fermentation is a key link in the regeneration system of cattle mattress material. In this paper, the three-dimensional structure of the aerobic fermentation drum was designed using SolidWorks software, and the discrete element model of the aerobic fermentation temperature field was established using Fluent software. The simulation analysis shows that the temperature inside the aerobic fermentation drum can be maintained stably between 60°C and 75°C by reasonably adjusting the feed rate, ventilation volume and drum speed, and the fermentation time of the regenerated bedding material can be adjusted from 8 to 22 hours, which can achieve continuous and stable feed and discharge production, indicating the feasibility and effectiveness of the aerobic fermentation process. When the feed rate is 2 m3/h, the ventilation rate is 180 m3/h and the drum speed is 0.3 r/min, a rated production rate of 48 m3/day can be met. The research has important reference value for aerobic fermentation process control and system design of cattle mattress material regeneration system.
Effect of Soil Amendment of Greening Waste on Leaching Loss of Soil Nitrogen and Phosphorus
Authors: Zhang Yushan , Li Linqing , Zhang Fan , Wu Xiaoqi , Liu Jingyu , Wei Jiayin , Zheng Jiayi
Published: January 2024

It is of great practical significance for comprehensively promoting the green development of agriculture to explore practical products for preventing and controlling nitrogen and phosphorus leaching. In this study, PVC soil column experiments and field experiments were used to evaluate the interception effect of soil amendments produced by green wastes on nitrogen and phosphorus leaching. The pH value, EC value, the nutrient contents of ammonium nitrogen (NH4
+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3
−-N), total nitrogen (TN), and available phosphorus (AP) in different soil layers and leaching solution were determined, and the interception effects of soil amendment on nitrogen and phosphorus leaching were comprehensively evaluated. The results showed that the soil amendments of green waste had significant inhibition and control effects on the leaching of NH4
+-N, NO3
−-N, APs, and TN. The interception mechanism of the soil amendments of green waste on nitrogen and phosphorus leaching was mainly to absorb a large amount of leaching solution and various forms of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients. The results also showed that the soil amendment of green waste had a certain nutrient content and buffering effect on acid and alkali and the main form of nitrogen leaching was NO3
−-N. This study provides a theoretical basis for the development of cheap and effective physical products to prevent and control nitrogen and phosphorus leaching from farmland.
Successful Water Quality Improvement Practices of a Campus’s River in Ningbo Based on Water Replenishment and Circulation Since Year 2017
Authors: Xie Honglei , Cheng Jianhua , He Yong , Hu Haolei
Published: January 2024

Rivers play a critical role in regional water quality, but from time to time concentration of surface water pollutants can easily exceed both national and local water standards. This study debates the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing the natural treatment potential of flowing river water by replenishing treated sewage effluent and forced circulating. The research combines field experiments and laboratory analyses to assess the impact of this approach on water quality. Theoretical simulation with one-dimension modeling recommended by China’s national standard of “Code of Practice for Computation on Allowable Permitted Assimilative Capacity of Water Bodies” (GB/T 25173-2010) indicates that the target campus river water’s cycle flowing contributes to the further removal of key pollutants from treated sewage, resulting in the improvement of campus river’s water quality downstream along its forced circulation. NH3-N and CODMn levels of the campus’s river water were notably reduced and met the planning water qualities as expected.
Numerical Simulation Study of Wind Field in Central and Western Hainan Province Based on Different Parametric Schemes
Authors: Zhang Yaoyun , Gong Junjun , Hu Zhilin , Xia Wenming , Chen Junjun
Published: January 2024

This study aims to examine how the mesoscale atmospheric forecast model WRF impacts the accuracy of wind field simulation in the central and western regions of Hainan. Nine different physical parameterization schemes were designed and evaluated using the historical reanalysis dataset from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). The evaluation was based on the first 7 days of January and July 2022, and the correlation coefficients successfully passed the 99% confidence level test. The results show that the optimal parameterization combination scheme of microphysical parameter WSM3 + boundary layer YSU + cumulus parameter GF in winter has better wind field simulation performance for Dongfang and Changjiang stations. The simulation results during summer were found to be slightly larger than the observed data. The optimal parameterization scheme was determined to be WSM3 + boundary layer UW + cumulus GF, with wind speed correlation coefficient higher than 0.7 for all three stations. The dominant wind direction was found to be consistent with the observed data, indicating a better wind field simulation effect. The study suggests that using the optimal combination of parameterization schemes can enhance the accuracy of wind simulation near the Changjiang nuclear power plant when using the WRF model.
Simulation of the effect of continuous casting tundish filter on removing inclusions in steel
Authors: Liu Yang , Chu Rensheng , Li Xin , Hao Ning , Wang Weihua
Published: January 2024

The control of inclusions in clean steel production is one of the key processes and a key factor determining the quality of high-end steel materials. The inhomogeneous hydrodynamic equations have been numerically solved to obtain a transient and multiphase field inside the caster tundish with filter to predict the inclusion movement track and percentage of inclusion removal during continuous casting process. The simulation result is validated with the samples taken during casting continuous process in X steelworks. The method of bulk-sample-electrolysis is taken to analyze the percentage of inclusion removal of the samples. The results imply: the inclusions through the filter are influenced on velocity and separated from liquid steel with high turbulence. Thus the inclusions’ residence time in tundish is prolonged, which causes the probability of inclusion removal increasing. The fluctuations on percentage of inclusion removal are found when the diameter of inclusions is less than 80μm. However, the fluctuation is not so severely for the inclusions of more than 100μm. The percentage of inclusion in tundish as 100 tones remaining in ladle is larger than that as 200 tones remaining in ladle. The percentage of inclusion removal is proportional to time. The filter can reduce the irregular inclusions to improve the quality of product.
A new tensile creep model for predicting long-term creep strengths with short-term test data for creep resistant alloys
Authors: Qiu Y Y , Dong Z , Song X L , Xiang Z D
Published: January 2024

The difficulties in using the conventional Norton creep model to rationalise short-term creep data and to subsequently predict long-term creep rupture strengths for creep resistant alloys are presented and analysed. The results of this study show that these difficulties can be resolved if a new tensile creep model that integrates the tensile strength at creep temperature is applied to rationalise the short-term creep data. This is illustrated with the creep and tensile strength data measured for a grade of Ni-based superalloy. Based on this new tensile creep model, the activation energy of creep determined is independent of stress and the stress exponent is not influenced by temperature. Consequently, the model constants obtained from the short-term creep data can be applied together with the Monkman-Grant relationship to make the long-term creep rupture strength predictions at different temperatures. The factors affecting the reliability of the predictions made by this method are also analysed.
Comparative study of the influence of charge shapes on the distribution of blast pressure on a structural unit
Authors: Punnappilly Sreekumar , Baskar K
Published: January 2024

Since limited research results are available in the area of blast wave interactions with structural surfaces, a comparative study is undertaken to ascertain the interaction effects of blast waves generated by exploding spherical and cylindrical charges on the surface of a concrete structural unit. The effective blast pressure experienced by a concrete unit is evaluated and its distribution across the front face is studied here for two distinct charge shapes, namely spherical and cylindrical. The finite element analysis is carried out for nine different scaled distances. Random forests algorithm was utilized to analyze the 450 observations to evaluate the results and build predictive models. The best models were selected based on standard performance indicators. For cylindrical charges, the aspect ratio was also factored in the analysis. The distribution of effective pressure indicates unique patterns for the two different charge shapes in the graphical comparison. The effective pressures caused by the cylindrical charge shape for the specific aspect ratios considered here are lower by 84 % on average compared to the effect caused by a spherical charge, which results from the distinct characteristics of blast waves generated by the explosion of cylindrical charges.
Up-conversion photoluminescence of transition metal chalcogenide monolayers under high pressure
Authors: Li Y Y , Tang T H
Published: January 2024

The up-conversion photoluminescence (UPL) phenomena of transition metal chalcogenides (TMDCs) materials have been studied in the recent years, but high-pressure tuning effect remains unclear. In this work, we applied pressure to the monolayer WS2 by Diamond Anvil Cell (DAC). The PL and UPL of monolayer WS2 under ambient pressure and tuning from 0.96GPa to 4.48GPa were investigated using various excitation energies. We found that with the increase of applied pressure, the intensity of UPL decreased dramatically. Under the same pressure, the peak of UPL is shifted compared with that of normal PL. This tuning is promising for realizing photodetection by using of the up-conversion process.
Adsorption and diffusion behavior of oxygen atoms on Ti3SiC2 (0001) surface
Authors: Wang W , Wei B , Shi G P , Pang Z
Published: January 2024

Ti3SiC2 is the most typical 312 MAX phase, which has attracted more attentions in many fields. In this paper, the (0001) plane of Ti3SiC2 was built. The adsorption energy and diffusion path of oxygen atom at different sites were calculated by first principles. There are three different adsorption sites for oxygen atom on Ti3SiC2 (0001) surface. By calculating the adsorption energy of the three adsorption sites, it was found that the adsorption energy of the oxygen atom at the center site is the lowest. The diffusion path of the oxygen atom was simulated and showed that oxygen atom located at the center of Ti-Si tetrahedron after the diffusion into the bulk phase. The effects of solid solution elements on the diffusion activation energy of oxygen atoms were calculated. suggesting that the solid solution of V, Mo and W will greatly increase the energy barrier, thus preventing the inward diffusion of oxygen atoms.
Hoeffding’s independence test for an ion dynamics characterization in the octupole trap
Authors: Rudyi Semyon , Shcherbinin Dmitrii , Rybin Vadim , Ivanov Andrei
Published: January 2024

In the present work, we propose a rapid analysis of the trapped ion dynamics regimes. The Hoeffding’s Independence Test (HIT) mapping technique has been considered as a promising approach for the detection of dynamic regimes. As a model problem, we have applied the proposed method to ion dynamics in an octupole ion trap. We compare the results of HIT mapping with the results of direct calculation of the non-trivial Lyapunov exponent. The HIT mapping result well agree with a Lyapunov exponent mapping. The computational time for plotting the HIT maps was significantly less than the computational time for plotting the Lyapunov exponent maps.
Hot corrosion behaviours of the LaYbZr2O7 thermal barrier coatings in different corrosive salts
Authors: Yan Kai , Xiang Yong , Lei Yuehua , Yu Haiyuan , Sun Jian , Ren Jiarui
Published: January 2024

In this study, the LaYbZr2O7 (LYZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) were deposited by air plasma spray (APS) and were subjected to hot corrosion in the single V2O5 salts and the mixture of V2O5+Na2SO4 with different Na2SO4 content at 1000 °C. The reaction mechanism and corrosion layer evolution of the LYZ coating in different corrosive molten were comparatively investigated. After hot corrosion in the single V2O5 salt, the surface of the LYZ coating develops a dense corrosion layer, which could keep structural integrity with the extension of exposure time, indicating the LYZ coating showed higher resistance to the V2O5 corrosion. However, the dense layer failed to form on the surface of the LYZ coating in the V2O5+Na2SO4 mixed salts. With the increase of Na2SO4 content, the corrosion products formed on the surface of the LYZ coating gradually decreased, and the corrosion layer disappeared. The dominant reason for the difference was that the addition of Na2SO4 resulted in the acidity reduction of the mixed salts, which eventually caused a decrease in the corrosion rate. Compared with the single V2O5, the V2O5+Na2SO4 mixed salts showed higher penetration ability in the LYZ coating and could be more damaging.
Fiber configuration determines foreign body response of electrospun scaffolds: in vitro and in vivo assessments
Authors: Ma Qiaolin , Wang Xiaoyi , Feng Bei , Liang Chao , Wan Xinjian , El-Newehy Mohamed , Abdulhameed Meera Moydeen , Mo Xiumei , Wu Jinglei
Published: January 2024

Biomaterial scaffolds boost tissue repair and regeneration by providing physical support, delivering biological signals and/or cells, and recruiting endogenous cells to facilitate tissue-material integration and remodeling. Foreign body response (FBR), an innate immune response that occurs immediately after biomaterial implantation, is a critical factor in determining the biological outcomes of biomaterial scaffolds. Electrospinning is of great simplicity and cost-effectiveness to produce nanofiber scaffolds with well-defined physicochemical properties and has been used in a variety of regenerative medicine applications in preclinical trials and clinical practice. A deep understanding of causal factors between material properties and FBR of host tissues is beneficial to the optimal design of electrospun scaffolds with favorable immunomodulatory properties. We herein prepared and characterized three electrospun scaffolds with distinct fiber configurations and investigated their effects on FBR in terms of immune cell-material interactions and host responses. Our results show that electrospun yarn scaffold results in greater cellular immune reactions and elevated FBR in in vivo assessments. Although the yarn scaffold showed aligned fiber bundles, it failed to induce cell elongation of macrophages due to its rough surface and porous grooves between yarns. In contrast, the aligned scaffold showed reduced FBR compared to the yarn scaffold, indicating a smooth surface is also a contributor to the immunomodulatory effects of the aligned scaffold. Our study suggests that balanced porousness and smooth surface of aligned fibers or yarns should be the key design parameters of electrospun scaffolds to modulate host response in vivo.
Trilayer composite scaffold for urethral reconstruction: in vitro evaluation of mechanical, biological, and angiogenic properties
Authors: Abbas Tariq O , Parangusan Hemalatha , Yalcin Huseyin C , Hassan Mohamed , Zakrif Lubna , Zandi Nooshin , Pennisi Cristian P
Published: January 2024

Regeneration of damaged urethral tissue remains a major challenge in the field of lower urinary tract reconstruction. To address this issue, various synthetic and natural biodegradable biomaterials are currently being explored for the fabrication of scaffolds that promote urethral regeneration and healing. In this study, we present an approach to fabricate a trilayer hybrid scaffold comprising a central layer of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) between two layers of chitosan. The chitosan/PLA/chitosan (CPC) scaffolds were fabricated by a sequential electrospinning process and their properties were evaluated for their suitability for urethral tissue engineering. The physical and biological properties of the CPC scaffolds were evaluated in comparison to electrospun PLA scaffolds and acellular dermis (Alloderm) as controls for a synthetic and a natural scaffold, respectively. Compared to the controls, the CPC scaffolds exhibited higher elastic modulus and ultimate tensile strength, while maintaining extensibility and suture retention strength appropriate for clinical use. The CPC scaffolds displayed significant hydrophilicity, which was associated with a higher water absorption capacity of the chitosan nanofibres. The degradation products of the CPC scaffolds did not exhibit cytotoxicity and promoted wound closure by fibroblasts in vitro. In addition, CPC scaffolds showed increased growth of smooth muscle cells, an essential component for functional regeneration of urethral tissue. Furthermore, in a chicken embryo-based assay, CPC scaffolds demonstrated significantly higher angiogenic potential, indicating their ability to promote vascularisation, a crucial aspect for successful urethral reconstruction. Overall, these results suggest that CPC hybrid scaffolds containing both natural and synthetic components offer significant advantages over conventional acellular or synthetic materials alone. CPC scaffolds show promise as potential candidates for further research into the reconstruction of the urethra in vivo.
Bioactive self-assembling silk fibroin–sericin films for skin tissue engineering
Authors: Byram Prasanna Kumar , Mukherjee Mandrita , Rahaman Motiur , Bora Hema , Kaushal Manish , Dhara Santanu , Chakravorty Nishant
Published: January 2024

The quest for an ideal wound dressing material has been a strong motivation for researchers to explore novel biomaterials for this purpose. Such explorations have led to the extensive use of silk fibroin (SF) as a suitable polymer for several applications over the years. Unfortunately, another major silk protein—sericin has not received its due attention yet in spite of having favorable biological properties. In this study, we report an approach of blending SF and silk sericin (SS) without the usage of chemical crosslinkers is made possible by the usage of formic acid which evaporates to induce β-sheets formation to form cytocompatible films. Raman spectroscopy confirms the presence of SF/SS components in blend and formation of β-sheet in films. In situ, gelation kinetics studies were conducted to understand the change in gelation properties with addition of sericin into SF. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and live/dead assays were performed to study cellular attachment, viability and proliferation on SF/SS films. The antibacterial properties of SF/SS films were tested using Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. The re-structured SF/SS films were stable, transparent, show good mechanical properties, antibacterial activity and cytocompatibility, therefore can serve as suitable biomaterial candidates for skin regeneration applications.
Air quality, health, and equity impacts of vehicle electrification in India
Authors: Peshin Tapas , Sengupta Shayak , Thakrar Sumil K , Singh Kirat , Hill Jason , Apte Joshua S , Tessum Christopher W , Marshall Julian D , Azevedo Inês M L
Published: January 2024

Ambient air pollution in India accounts for 870 000 deaths per year, including 43 000 from road transportation. Vehicle electrification could posit a sustainable solution. However, 3/4th of India’s electric grid is powered by coal, emitting large amounts of PM2.5, SO2, and NO
x
. This leads to uncertainty regarding the health benefits and distributional consequences from vehicle electrification. Our results show that if electric vehicles made up 30% of vehicle kilometers traveled, there would be 1000–2000 additional deaths each year under present day conditions. Higher increases in pollution exposure are seen in scheduled castes/tribes, poor, and rural populations particularly in high coal production states. Switching to net zero-emitting electricity generation for charging would reduce air pollution attributable deaths by 6000–7000 annually and PM2.5 exposure across all groups of population.
Limited comparability of global and local estimates of environmental flow requirements to sustain river ecosystems
Authors: Messager Mathis L , Dickens Chris W S , Eriyagama Nishadi , Tharme Rebecca E
Published: January 2024

Environmental flows (e-flows) are a central element of sustainable water resource management to mitigate the detrimental impacts of hydrological alteration on freshwater ecosystems and their benefits to people. Many nations strive to protect e-flows through policy, and thousands of local-scale e-flows assessments have been conducted globally, leveraging data and knowledge to quantify how much water must be provided to river ecosystems, and when, to keep them healthy. However, e-flows assessments and implementation are geographically uneven and cover a small fraction of rivers worldwide. This hinders globally consistent target-setting, monitoring and evaluation for international agreements to curb water scarcity and biodiversity loss. Therefore, dozens of models have been developed over the past two decades to estimate the e-flows requirements of rivers seamlessly across basins and administrative boundaries at a global scale. There has been little effort, however, to benchmark these models against locally derived e-flows estimates, which may limit confidence in the relevance of global estimates. The aim of this study was to assess whether current global methods reflect e-flows estimates used on the ground, by comparing global and local estimates for 1194 sites across 25 countries. We found that while global approaches broadly approximate the bulk volume of water that should be precautionarily provided to sustain aquatic ecosystems at the scale of large basins or countries, they explain a remarkably negligible 0%–1% of the global variability in locally derived estimates of the percentage of river flow that must be protected at a given site. Even when comparing assessments for individual countries, thus controlling for differences in local assessment methods among jurisdictions, global e-flows estimates only marginally compared (R
2 ⩽ 0.31) to local estimates. Such a disconnect between global and local assessments of e-flows requirements limits the credibility of global estimates and associated targets for water use. To accelerate the global implementation of e-flows requires further concerted effort to compile and draw from the thousands of existing local e-flows assessments worldwide for developing a new generation of global models and bridging the gap from local to global scales.
An improved TDE technique for derivation of 2D turbulence structures based on GPI data in toroidal plasma
Authors: WANG 王 Weice 威策 , CHENG 程 Jun 钧 , SHI 石 Zhongbing 中兵 , YAN 严 Longwen 龙文 , HUANG 黄 Zhihui 治辉 , YI 弋 Kaiyang 开阳 , WU 吴 Na 娜 , HE 何 Yu 钰 , ZOU 邹 Qian 千 , CHEN 陈 Xi 熙 , ZHANG 张 Wen 文 , CHEN 陈 Jian 建 , NIE 聂 Lin 林 , JI 季 Xiaoquan 小全 , ZHONG 钟 Wulyu 武律
Published: January 2024

This paper reports an improved time-delay estimation (TDE) technique for the derivation of turbulence structures based on gas-puff imaging data. The improved TDE technique, integrating an inverse timing search and hierarchical strategy, offers superior accuracy in calculating turbulent velocity field maps and analyzing blob dynamics, which has the power to obtain the radial profiles of equilibrium poloidal velocity, blob size and its radial velocity, even the fluctuation analysis, such as geodesic acoustic modes and quasi-coherent mode, etc. This improved technique could provide important 2D information for the study of edge turbulence and blob dynamics, advancing the understanding of edge turbulence physics in fusion plasmas.
Optimization of heat treatment cycle for cast-Al6082 alloy to enhance the mechanical properties
Authors: Singh Pushpraj , Singh Raj Kumar , Das Anil Kumar
Published: January 2024

The present study focused on optimising the heat treatment cycle for the Al6082 alloy, which is commonly used in the aerospace, automotive, and construction industries. The optimisation process consisted of two steps: optimising the solution and artificial ageing treatments. The as-cast Al6082 alloy samples were solutionised at 480 °C, 495 °C, and 510 °C for 6, 8, and 10 h, respectively, and quenched in paraffin oil at room temperature (RT). The optimal solution treatment was at 495 °C for 8 h. The optimisation of artificial ageing treatment of the optimal solution-treated samples was performed at temperatures of 160 °C, 175 °C, 190 °C, 205 °C, and 220 °C for 4, 6, and 8 h, respectively. Microstructural analysis, mechanical characterisation, i.e. (tensile strength, % elongation, hardness, and impact strength), and fractography analysis of tensile samples were carried out. The results showed that the optimal ageing cycle was obtained at 205 °C for 6 h. Optimised conditions improved tensile strength (154 MPa to 280 MPa) and hardness (65 BHN to 102 BHN) while slightly increasing the impact energy. However, the % elongation decreased. The study emphasises the importance of optimising the heat treatment cycle to meet the desired properties and application requirements of the Al6082 alloy.
Theta frequency deep brain stimulation in the subthalamic nucleus improves working memory in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Salehi Narges , Nahrgang Simone , Petershagen Wiebke , Dembek Till A , Pedrosa David , Timmermann Lars , Weber Immo , Oehrn Carina R
Published: January 2024

Most research in Parkinson’s disease focuses on improving motor symptoms. Yet, up to 80% of patients present with non-motor symptoms that often have a large impact on patients’ quality of life. Impairment in working memory, a fundamental cognitive process, is common in Parkinson's disease. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) improves motor symptoms in Parkinson’s disease, its impact on cognitive functions is less well studied. Here, we examine the effect of DBS in the theta, beta, low and high gamma frequency on working memory in 20 Parkinson's disease patients with bilateral STN-DBS. A linear mixed effects model demonstrates that STN-DBS in the theta frequency improves working memory performance. This effect is frequency-specific and was absent for beta and gamma frequency stimulation. Further, this effect is specific to cognitive performance, as theta frequency DBS did not affect motor function. A non-parametric cluster-based permutation analysis of whole-brain normative structural connectivity shows that working memory enhancement by theta frequency stimulation is associated with higher connectivity between the stimulated subthalamic area and the right middle frontal gyrus. Again, this association is frequency- and task-specific. These findings highlight the potential of theta frequency STN-DBS as a targeted intervention to improve working memory in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Presenting a mathematical model of blood supply chain considering the efficiency of collection centers and development of metaheuristic algorithm in M/M/C/K queuing system
Authors: Karamipour Meysam , Kermani Mehrdad Agha Mohammad Ali
Published: January 2024

In this study, a multiobjective model was devoted to the objectives of minimizing blood supply chain costs and minimizing the waiting time of blood donors for blood transfusion and minimizing blood transfusion schedule and increasing the efficiency of fixed and mobile centers in collecting blood. One of the most important constraints considered in the mathematical model is the capacity constraints of considering fixed and mobile blood facilities and management of the transfer of blood products to centers for collecting and distinguishing healthy and unhealthy blood. A multiobjective model was considered with the objectives of minimizing blood supply chain costs, the waiting time of blood donors for blood transfusion, and blood transfusion timing and increasing the efficiency of fixed and mobile centers in blood collection. The model findings were analyzed in order to validate the model on a larger scale, using the meta-innovative algorithm NSGAII and MOSPO. According to the research findings, we suggest that fuzzy uncertainty and fair distribution problem shouldn’t be added to the dimensions of the main problem, and further analysis should be done in this area. It was shown that the NSGAII algorithm’s performance was better than the MOPSO meta-heuristic algorithm.
A review on Zika vaccine development
Authors: Peng Zhe-Yu , Yang Song , Lu Hong-Zheng , Wang Lin-Min , Li Ni , Zhang Hai-Ting , Xing Si-Yu , Du Yi-Nan , Deng Sheng-Qun
Published: January 2024

Zika virus (ZIKV), which belongs to the Flavivirus family, is mainly transmitted via the bite of Aedes mosquitoes. In newborns, ZIKV infection can cause severe symptoms such as microcephaly, while in adults, it can lead to Guillain‒Barré syndrome (GBS). Due to the lack of specific therapeutic methods against ZIKV, the development of a safe and effective vaccine is extremely important. Several potential ZIKV vaccines, such as live attenuated, inactivated, nucleic acid, viral vector, and recombinant subunit vaccines, have demonstrated promising outcomes in clinical trials involving human participants. Therefore, in this review, the recent developmental progress, advantages and disadvantages of these five vaccine types are examined, and practical recommendations for future development are provided.
The beautiful game bringing families together: children’s and parents’ experiences of a family football programme
Authors: Fothergill Melissa A , Gill Gursharan , Graham Pamela L
Published: January 2024

Children are consistently not achieving recommended levels of physical activity (PA) despite it being a compulsory requirement of the national curriculum in England. Fruit and vegetable consumption also falls below recommended levels for both adults and children. With school PA increasingly being outsourced, football foundations (linked to professional football clubs) are now prominent providers of children’s PA. However, research exploring coach-led interventions in schools is limited with a particular gap in knowledge surrounding the qualitative experiences of children and parents/carers. The current study therefore aimed to explore the experiences of children and parents engaged in a 6-week family football programme. Family football is a free after-school programme engaging parents/carers and their children, to enhance their engagement in PA and healthy nutritional habits. A purposive sample of parents/carers and their children (N = 36) took part in qualitative focus groups to discuss their experiences of participating in family football. Reflexive thematic analysis revealed two themes: (i) healthy lifestyle facilitators and challenges and (ii) added value of programme participation. Children discussed programme content around nutritional practices and parents/carers discussed examples of where nutritional practices had improved at home, though some parents/carers and children highlighted persistent barriers to health improvement. Both parents/carers and children reflected on how the programme had enabled them to spend dedicated time with one another. The findings emphasize the significance of direct parent/carer involvement in school-based health interventions as well as the value of coach-led interventions in the enhancement of PA enjoyment, nutritional knowledge and connectedness of families within schools.
Enhanced Risky Choice in Male Rats Elicited by the Acute Pharmacological Stressor Yohimbine Involves Prefrontal Dopamine D1 Receptor Activation
Authors: Münster Alexandra , Huster Julia , Sommer Susanne , Traxler Corinna , Votteler Angeline , Hauber Wolfgang
Published: January 2024

Background

Acute stress alters risk-based decision-making; however, the underlying neural and neurochemical substrates are underexplored. Given their well-documented stress-inducing effects in humans and laboratory animals, glucocorticoids such as cortisol and corticosterone and the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine represent potent pharmacological tools to mimic some characteristics of acute stress.

Methods

Here, we analyzed the effects of the pharmacological stressors corticosterone and yohimbine given systemically on risk-based decision-making in male rats. Moreover, we investigated whether pharmacological stressor effects on risk-based decision-making involve dopamine D1 receptor stimulation in the dorsal prelimbic cortex (PL). We used a risk discounting task that requires choosing between a certain/small reward lever that always delivered 1 pellet and a risky/large reward lever that delivered 4 pellets with a decreasing probability across subsequent trials.

Results

Systemic administration of yohimbine increased the preference for the risky/large reward lever. By contrast, systemic single administration of corticosterone did not significantly promote risky choice. Moreover, co-administration of corticosterone did not enhance the effects of yohimbine on risky choice. The data further show that the increased preference for the risky/large reward lever under systemic yohimbine was lowered by a concurrent pharmacological blockade of dopamine D1 receptors in the PL.

Conclusions

Our rodent data provide causal evidence that stimulation of PL D1 receptors may represent a neurochemical mechanism by which the acute pharmacological stressor yohimbine, and possibly nonpharmacological stressors as well, promote risky choice.
Equivariant K-Homology and K-Theory for Some Discrete Planar Affine Groups
Authors: Flores Ramon , Pooya Sanaz , Valette Alain
Published: January 2024

We consider the semi-direct products $G={\mathbb{Z}}^{2}\rtimes GL_{2}({\mathbb{Z}}), {\mathbb{Z}}^{2}\rtimes SL_{2}({\mathbb{Z}})$, and ${\mathbb{Z}}^{2}\rtimes \Gamma (2)$ (where $\Gamma (2)$ is the congruence subgroup of level 2). For each of them, we compute both sides of the Baum–Connes conjecture, namely the equivariant $K$-homology of the classifying space $\underline{E}G$ for proper actions on the left-hand side, and the analytical K-theory of the reduced group $C^{*}$-algebra on the right-hand side. The computation of the LHS is made possible by the existence of a 3-dimensional model for $\underline{E}G$, which allows to replace equivariant K-homology by Bredon homology. We pay due attention to the presence of torsion in $G$, leading to an extensive study of the wallpaper groups associated with finite subgroups. For the first and third groups, the computations in $K_{0}$ provide explicit generators that are matched by the Baum–Connes assembly map.
Love, Money, or Fame? Determinants of Turkey’s Leader Visits
Authors: Balci Ali , Pulat Abdüssamet
Published: January 2024

High-level leader visits serve as credible signals in international relations, as they not only reveal the priorities of states in foreign relations but also convey messages to third parties. Observations of Turkey’s elevated diplomatic encounters with Iran, China, and Russia suggest a potential deviation from the West, while visits to Middle Eastern capitals are interpreted as evidence of Turkey’s Islamization. Beyond these individual cases, is it possible to identify a pattern of motivations that determine Turkey’s visit dynamics? By constructing a novel dataset from primary sources like official state documents, “Turkey Visits,” which spans the period from 1989 to 2022, this study aims to both characterize the distribution patterns of high-level leader visits and investigate the underlying factors that influence these patterns.
Exploring long-term breast cancer survivors’ care trajectories using dynamic time warping-based unsupervised clustering
Authors: Giannoula Alexia , Comas Mercè , Castells Xavier , Estupiñán-Romero Francisco , Bernal-Delgado Enrique , Sanz Ferran , Sala Maria
Published: January 2024

Objectives

Long-term breast cancer survivors (BCS) constitute a complex group of patients, whose number is estimated to continue rising, such that, a dedicated long-term clinical follow-up is necessary.

Materials and Methods

A dynamic time warping-based unsupervised clustering methodology is presented in this article for the identification of temporal patterns in the care trajectories of 6214 female BCS of a large longitudinal retrospective cohort of Spain. The extracted care-transition patterns are graphically represented using directed network diagrams with aggregated patient and time information. A control group consisting of 12 412 females without breast cancer is also used for comparison.

Results

The use of radiology and hospital admission are explored as patterns of special interest. In the generated networks, a more intense and complex use of certain healthcare services (eg, radiology, outpatient care, hospital admission) is shown and quantified for the BCS. Higher mortality rates and numbers of comorbidities are observed in various transitions and compared with non-breast cancer. It is also demonstrated how a wealth of patient and time information can be revealed from individual service transitions.

Discussion

The presented methodology permits the identification and descriptive visualization of temporal patterns of the usage of healthcare services by the BCS, that otherwise would remain hidden in the trajectories.

Conclusion

The results could provide the basis for better understanding the BCS’ circulation through the health system, with a view to more efficiently predicting their forthcoming needs and thus designing more effective personalized survivorship care plans.
Cystic fibrosis in the era of CFTR modulators: did the neutrophil slip through the cracks?
Authors: Witko-Sarsat Véronique , Burgel Pierre-Régis
Published: January 2024

Neutrophil abnormalities are present in patients with cystic fibrosis treated with CFTR modulators.
Persistence of Kii amyotrophic lateral sclerosis after the 2000s and its characteristic aging-related tau astrogliopathy
Authors: Tsuji Kazumi , Nakayama Yoshiaki , Taruya Junko , Ito Hidefumi
Published: January 2024

Kii amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a unique disease that occurs in the southern portion of the Kii Peninsula and exhibits a dual pathology of TAR DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) proteinopathy and tauopathy. The incidence of ALS in this region was very high in the 1960s, briefly decreased through the 1980s, but began increasing again after 2000 with a change of high-concentration geographic foci. It is unclear, however, whether the unique pathological features have changed along with the incidence changes. This study analyzed postmortem specimens from neuropathologically confirmed Kii ALS cases from the 1970s (n = 4) and those after 1999 (n = 12) from the southern Kii Peninsula or outside of the area. Our results confirm the continued occurrence of Kii ALS after 2000 in the southern Kii Peninsula and the preservation of disease-specific neuronal tau pathology, including the widespread occurrence throughout the brain and spinal cord, sparse neuropil threads, and predominance in superficial layers. Furthermore, we assessed the glial tau pathology of Kii and non-Kii ALS in accordance with the aging-related tau astrogliopathy classification method for the first time and detected a unique brainstem predominant appearance of gray matter aging-related tau astrogliopathy in Kii ALS cases, which may provide clues to pathogenetic mechanisms.