bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Microwave‐Assisted Silver‐Catalyzed Synthesis of Biaryl Compounds
Authors: Bharodiya Akshay , Desai Bhargav , Patil Rachit S. , Bhukya Hussain , Sivaiah Areti , Naveen Togati
Published: June 2023

A rapid, ligand/oxidant/base‐free, silver carbonate‐catalyzed homocoupling reaction of aryl boronic acids under microwave irradiation for the synthesis of symmetric biaryls is described here. This protocol tolerates a wide range of electron‐donating, electron‐withdrawing, and heterocyclic boronic acids to provide the corresponding biaryl products in good to excellent yields. The features of this strategy include a wide substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, high functional group tolerance, good to excellent yields, and short reaction time.
Effect of Heterostructure‐Modified Separator in Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Pu Jun , Wang Tao , Tan Yun , Fan Shanshan , Xue Pan
Published: June 2023

Lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries with high energy density and low cost are the most promising competitor in the next generation of new energy reserve devices. However, there are still many problems that hinder its commercialization, mainly including shuttle of soluble polysulfides, slow reaction kinetics, and growth of Li dendrites. In order to solve above issues, various explorations have been carried out for various configurations, such as electrodes, separators, and electrolytes. Among them, the separator in contact with both anode and cathode is in a particularly special position. Reasonable design‐modified material of separator can solve above key problems. Heterostructure engineering as a promising modification method can combine characteristics of different materials to generate synergistic effect at heterogeneous interface that is conducive to Li–S electrochemical behavior. This review not only elaborates the role of heterostructure‐modified separators in dealing with above problems, but also analyzes the improvement of wettability and thermal stability of separators by modification of heterostructure materials, systematically clarifies its advantages, and summarizes some related progress in recent years. Finally, future development direction of heterostructure‐based separator in Li–S batteries is given.
Functional Tailoring of Multi‐Dimensional Pure MXene Nanostructures for Significantly Accelerated Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: Zeng Xiaojun , Zhao Chao , Jiang Xiao , Yu Ronghai , Che Renchao
Published: June 2023

Transition metal carbide (Ti3C2Tx MXene), with a large specific surface area and abundant surface functional groups, is a promising candidate in the family of electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption. However, the high conductivity of MXene limits its EMW absorption ability, so it remains a challenge to obtain outstanding EMW attenuation ability in pure MXene. Herein, by integrating HF etching, KOH shearing, and high‐temperature molten salt strategies, layered MXene (L‐MXene), network‐like MXene nanoribbons (N‐MXene NRs), porous MXene monolayer (P‐MXene ML), and porous MXene layer (P‐MXene L) are rationally constructed with favorable microstructures and surface states for EMW absorption. HF, KOH, and KCl/LiCl are used to functionalize MXene to tune its microstructure and surface state (F−, OH−, and Cl− terminals), thereby improving the EMW absorption capacity of MXene‐based nanostructures. Impressively, with the unique structure, proper electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, and abundant porous defects, MXene‐based nanostructures achieve good impedance matching, dipole polarization, and conduction loss, thus inheriting excellent EMW absorption performance. Consequently, L‐MXene, N‐MXene NRs, P‐MXene ML, and P‐MXene L enable a reflection loss (RL) value of −43.14, −63.01, −60.45, and −56.50 dB with a matching thickness of 0.95, 1.51, 3.83, and 4.65 mm, respectively.
Characterization of Ozonated Pearl Millet and Sorghum Starches: Pasting Profile, Functional Properties, In Vitro‐Digestibility, Molecular Interactions, and Morphology
Authors: Thakur Kavita , Sharma Savita , Sharma Rajan , Bhardwaj Ruchika , Sohu Rabinder Singh , Singh Baljit
Published: June 2023

The present research is undertaken to study the effect of ozonation on isolated pearl millet starch (PMS) and sorghum starch (SS), at various concentrations (0.06, 0.08, and 0.1 L min−1) for 60 minutes. The ozonated starches is evaluated for the techno‐functional properties, in vitro starch digestibility, pasting properties, morphological characteristics, X‐ray diffraction, and FTIR interactions. Functional properties such as water and oil absorption capacity and solubility, paste clarity (PC), gel consistency (GC), and freeze‐thawing stability (FTS) increased significantly (p ≤ 0.05). However, swelling power (SP) increased for all treatments with rise in temperature but a reverse trend is observed with an increase in ozone treatment. Although, reduction in vitro starch digestibility (IVSD) for treated PMS i.e. 44.59 to 29.20 g 100 g−1 maltose and 30.80–28.76 g 100 g−1 maltose for SS is observed. Slight difference is observed for the color values is observed. Higher values of peak and final viscosity whereas, lower breakdown viscosity, and setback viscosity are observed for all treatments. The crystalline pattern of PMS and SS remained unaffected with ozone treatment, whereas relative crystallinity (RC) decreased with ozone treatment. SEM images confirmed indentations, and enlargement of surface pores for ozonated starches. While, FTIR spectroscopy revealed a slight decrease in the peak intensity.
Infinite Horizon Optimal Control for a General Class of Semilinear Parabolic Equations
Authors: Casas Eduardo , Kunisch Karl
Published: June 2023

A class of infinite horizon optimal control problems subject to semilinear parabolic equations is investigated. First and second order optimality conditions are obtained, in the presence of constraints on the controls, which can be either pointwise in space-time, or pointwise in time and $$L^2$$

L
2

in space. These results rely on a new $$L^\infty $$

L
∞

estimate for nonlinear parabolic equations in an essential manner.
Environmental effects of a management method used after fire on development of temperate Scots pine ecosystem: a 15-year study from Poland
Authors: Sewerniak Piotr , Markiewicz Maciej , Tarnawska Patrycja , Wójcik Marta
Published: June 2023

Due to the ongoing climate changes, temperate forests are increasingly exposed to fires. However, until now the functioning of post-fire temperate forest ecosystems with regard to used forest management method has been weakly recognized. Here, we examined three variants of forest restoration after fire (two variants of natural regeneration with no soil preparation—NR, and artificial restoration by planting following soil preparation—AR) regarding their environmental consequences in development of post-fire Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) ecosystem. The study was conducted using a 15-year timespan in a long-term research site located in the Cierpiszewo area (N Poland) being one of the biggest post-fire grounds in European temperate forests in last decades. We focused on soil and microclimatic variables as well as on growth dynamics of post-fire pines generation. We found that the restoration rates of soil organic matter, carbon and most studied nutritional elements stocks were higher in NR plots than in AR. This could be primarily linked to the higher (p < 0.05) density of pines in naturally regenerated plots, and the subsequent faster organic horizon reconstruction after fire. The difference in tree density also involved regular differences in air and soil temperature among plots: consistently higher in AR than in both NR plots. In turn, lower water uptake by trees in AR implied that soil moisture was constantly the highest in this plot. Our study delivers strong arguments to pay more attention to restore post-fire forest areas with the use of natural regeneration with no soil preparation.
Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis in Patients with Endometrial Cancer vs. Healthy Controls Based on 16S rRNA Gene Sequencing
Authors: Li Yue , Liu Geng , Gong Runqi , Xi Yong
Published: June 2023

Metabolic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and hypertension are considered major risk factors associated with endometrial cancer. Considering that an imbalance in the gut microbiome may lead to metabolic alterations, we hypothesized that alteration in the gut microbioma might be an indirect factor in the development of endometrial cancer. Our aim was to profile the gut microbiota of patients with endometrial cancer compared with healthy controls in this study. Thus, we used 16S rRNA high-throughput gene sequencing on the Illumina NovaSeq platform to profile microbial communities. Fecal samples were collected from 33 endometrial cancer patients (EC group) and 32 healthy controls (N group) between February 2021 and July 2021. The total numbers of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) in the N and EC groups were 28,537 and 18,465, respectively, while the number of OTUs shared by the two groups was 4771. This study was the first to report that the alpha diversity of the gut microbiota was significantly reduced in endometrial cancer patients vs. healthy controls. Also, there was a significant difference in the distribution of microbiome between the two groups: the abundance of Firmicutes, Clostridia, Clostridiales, Ruminococcaceae, Faecalibacterium, and Gemmiger_formicis decreased, while that of Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae and Shigella increased significantly in the EC group vs. healthy controls (all p < 0.05). The predominant intestinal microbiota of the endometrial cancer patients was Proteobacteria, Gammaproteobacteria, Enterobacteriales, Enterobacteriaceae, and Shigella. These results imply that adjusting the composition of the gut microbiota and maintaining microbiota homeostasis may be an effective strategy for preventing and treating endometrial cancer.
Efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab in patients from Asian countries with neovascular age-related macular degeneration: 1-Year subgroup analysis of the TENAYA and LUCERNE trials
Authors: Takahashi Kanji , Cheung Chui Ming Gemmy , Iida Tomohiro , Lai Timothy Y. Y. , Ohji Masahito , Yanagi Yasuo , Kawano Mika , Ohsawa Shino , Suzuki Tomoyuki , Kotecha Aachal , Lin Hugh , Patel Vaibhavi , Swaminathan Balakumar , Lee Won Ki ,   On behalf of the TENAYA, LUCERNE Investigators
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To evaluate 1-year efficacy, durability, and safety of faricimab among patients from Asian countries in the TENAYA/LUCERNE trials of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).

Methods

Treatment-naïve patients with nAMD were randomly assigned (1:1) to faricimab 6.0 mg up to every 16 weeks (Q16W), based on disease activity at weeks 20 and 24, or aflibercept 2.0 mg Q8W. The primary endpoint was change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from baseline averaged over weeks 40, 44, and 48.

Results

In the pooled TENAYA/LUCERNE trials, there were 120 (9.0%) and 1209 (91.0%) patients in the Asian (faricimab n = 61; aflibercept n = 59) and non-Asian country (faricimab n = 604; aflibercept n = 605) subgroups, respectively. In the Asian country subgroup, mean BCVA change from baseline at the primary endpoint visits was 7.1 (95% CI, 4.3–9.8) letters with faricimab and 7.2 (4.4–10.0) letters with aflibercept. In non-Asian country patients, mean vision gains were 6.1 (5.2–7.1) and 5.7 (4.8–6.7) letters with faricimab and aflibercept, respectively. At week 48, 59.6% of Asian country patients in the faricimab group achieved Q16W dosing (vs. 43.9% non-Asian) and 91.2% achieved ≥ Q12W dosing (vs. 77.5% non-Asian). Central subfield thickness reductions were similar between the subgroups, with meaningful and similar reductions from baseline observed at the primary endpoint visits and over time. Faricimab was well tolerated in both subgroups, with an acceptable safety profile.

Conclusion

Consistent with the global TENAYA/LUCERNE findings, faricimab up to Q16W showed sustained visual and anatomical benefits in patients with nAMD from Asian and non-Asian countries.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03823287 (TENAYA); NCT03823300 (LUCERNE). Date of registration: January 30, 2019.
A randomised trial to assess fluid and electrolyte balance responses following ingestion of different beverages in young and older men
Authors: Rodriguez-Sanchez Nidia , Galloway Stuart D. R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Older adults are susceptible to dehydration and fluid overload due to a reduced ability to maintain homeostatic control of fluid and electrolyte balance.

Purpose

To assess fluid and electrolyte balance responses in young and older men following ingestion of commonly consumed beverages differing in composition.

Methods

12 young and 11 older men were recruited. Euhydrated body mass was recorded. Participants consumed 1L (250 ml every 15 min) of water, fruit juice, a sports drink or low-fat milk in a randomized cross-over design. Urine and blood samples were obtained before and after the drinking period and every hour thereafter for 3-h. Samples were used to determine osmolality, electrolytes (Na+ and K+), water clearance, and glomerular filtration rate.

Results

Free water clearance was significantly higher in Young than Older at 1 and 2 h after the ingestion of W and S (p < 0.05). Net Na+ and K+ balance were not different between Young and Older (p = 0.91 and p = 0.65) adults, respectively. At 3 h Na+ balance was negative after ingesting water and fruit juice, but neutral after sport drink and milk. Net K+ balance was neutral at 3 h after ingesting milk, but negative after water, fruit juice and sport drink.

Conclusions

Milk was retained longer than other beverages in Young, but not in Older, despite similar net electrolyte balance responses. Older had higher fluid retention in the first 2 h after the ingestion of all beverages, except for milk when compared to Young, indicating an age-related loss of ability to regulate fluid balance under current study conditions.
Balancing nitrate acquisition strategies in symbiotic legumes
Authors: Rahmat Zainab , Sohail Muhammad N. , Perrine-Walker Francine , Kaiser Brent N.
Published: June 2023

Main conclusion

Legumes manage both symbiotic (indirect) and non-symbiotic (direct) nitrogen acquisition pathways. Understanding and optimising the direct pathway for nitrate uptake will support greater legume growth and seed yields.

Legumes have multiple pathways to acquire reduced nitrogen to grow and set seed. Apart from the symbiotic N2-fixation pathway involving soil-borne rhizobia bacteria, the acquisition of nitrate and ammonia from the soil can also be an important secondary nitrogen source to meet plant N demand. The balance in N delivery between symbiotic N (indirect) and inorganic N uptake (direct) remains less clear over the growing cycle and with the type of legume under cultivation. In fertile, pH balanced agricultural soils, NO3− is often the predominant form of reduced N available to crop plants and will be a major contributor to whole plant N supply if provided at sufficient levels. The transport processes for NO3− uptake into legume root cells and its transport between root and shoot tissues involves both high and low-affinity transport systems called HATS and LATS, respectively. These proteins are regulated by external NO3− availability and by the N status of the cell. Other proteins also play a role in NO3− transport, including the voltage dependent chloride/nitrate channel family (CLC) and the S-type anion channels of the SLAC/SLAH family. CLC’s are linked to NO3− transport across the tonoplast of vacuoles and the SLAC/SLAH’s with NO3− efflux across the plasma membrane and out of the cell. An important step in managing the N requirements of a plant are the mechanisms involved in root N uptake and the subsequent cellular distribution within the plant. In this review, we will present the current knowledge of these proteins and what is understood on how they function in key model legumes (Lotus japonicus, Medicago truncatula and Glycine sp.). The review will examine their regulation and role in N signalling, discuss how post-translational modification affects NO3− transport in roots and aerial tissues and its translocation to vegetative tissues and storage/remobilization in reproductive tissues. Lastly, we will present how NO3−influences the autoregulation of nodulation and nitrogen fixation and its role in mitigating salt and other abiotic stresses.
Physicians’ perspectives on family caregivers’ roles in elderly cancer patients’ therapies: a qualitative, interview-based study
Authors: Heidenreich Andreas , Elsner Susanne , Wörler Frank , Hübner Joachim , Schües Christina , Rehmann-Sutter Christoph , Katalinic Alexander , Gieseler Frank
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Clinical communication and facilitating informed and sound medical decisions become challenging as patients age and suffer from age-associated impairments. Family caregivers are perceived as essential actors in addressing these challenges. Here, we explore physicians’ perspectives on family caregivers’ roles and their involvement in consultations and therapy decision-making situations of elderly cancer patients.

Methods

We examined 38 semi-structured interviews with physicians from different specialities (oncologists, non-oncology specialists, and general practitioners) in Germany who treated elderly cancer patients. Data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

We identified five general and distinct perspectives on the involvement of family caregivers in the therapy process. Family caregivers are seen as (1) translators of medical information; (2) providers of support for the patient; (3) providers of information about the patient; (4) stakeholders with relevant points of view regarding the treatment decision; or (5) individuals who have a disruptive influence on the consultation. The interviewed physicians rarely involved family caregivers closely in consultations.

Conclusions

Although physicians frequently attribute supportive roles to family caregivers, they rarely include them in consultations. Previous studies have found that a triadic setting is often better suited to agreeing upon a patient-centered and needs-based treatment decision for older cancer patients. We infer that physicians too rarely recognize the potential importance of family caregivers. Educators should further integrate family caregiver involvement and its implications in general medical education and professional training.
Surgical treatment of craniocervical instability: comparison of two constructs regarding clinical and radiological outcomes of 100 patients
Authors: Ismail Mohammed Ahmed , Boehm Heinrich , El Ghait Hussein Abou , Akar Ahmed
Published: June 2023

Purpose

There is an increased demand for surgical solutions to treat craniocervical instability. This retrospective study demonstrates the clinical and radiological outcomes of unstable craniocervical junction treated with occipitocervical fusion.

Material and methods

The mean age of 52 females and 48 males was 56.89 years. The clinical and radiological outcomes were assessed, including NDI, VAS, ASIA score, imaging, complications and bony fusion in two used constructs: a modern occipital plate–rod–screw system (n = 59) and previous bilateral contoured titanium reconstruction plates–screws (n = 41).

Results

Clinically and on imaging, patients presented with neck pain, myelopathy, radiculopathy, vascular symptoms and craniocervical instability. The mean follow-up was 6.47 years. A solid bony fusion was achieved in 93.81% of the patients. The NDI and the VAS improved significantly from 28.3 and 7.67 at the presentation to 16.2 and 3.47 at the final follow-up. The anterior and posterior atlantodental interval (AADI and PADI), the clivus canal angle (CCA), the occipitoaxial angle (OC2A) and the posterior occipitocervical angle (POCA) improved significantly. Six patients required early revision.

Conclusion

Occipitocervical fusion can yield excellent results regarding clinical improvement and long-term stability with a high fusion rate. Simple reconstruction plates, though more demanding surgically, achieve similar results. Preserving a neutral patient’s position for fixation avoids postoperative dysphagia and may help prevent adjacent segment disease development.
Risk-based supervisory control for autonomous ship navigation
Authors: Blindheim Simon , Johansen Tor Arne , Utne Ingrid Bouwer
Published: June 2023

This paper proposes a novel method to transform the results of qualitative risk analysis into a numeric optimal control problem for autonomous ship navigation. Today, making autonomous high-level decisions replacing a crew onboard is considered difficult, in some part due to the complexity of managing the operational risks involved. Although human supervisors, e.g., located in remote operating control centers are still needed for safety and liability reasons, there is a growing demand for complex decisions to be made by the onboard control system itself, both during normal operations and in emergencies. This paper suggests general principles for how the results from systems-theoretic process analysis (STPA) can be transformed into a quantitative and computationally tractable optimization problem, solved by a MPC-based decision-making algorithm for autonomous navigation. The proposed method is demonstrated and evaluated by simulating an autonomous ship navigating in a coastal environment. It is concluded that the proposed method may serve as a reasonable and valuable bridge between the realms of qualitative risk analysis and numerical optimal control for risk-aware autonomous control and decision-making.
High-Order Lohner-Type Algorithm for Rigorous Computation of Poincaré Maps in Systems of Delay Differential Equations with Several Delays
Authors: Szczelina Robert , Zgliczyński Piotr
Published: June 2023

We present a Lohner-type algorithm for rigorous integration of systems of delay differential equations (DDEs) with multiple delays, and its application in computation of Poincaré maps, to study the dynamics of some bounded, eternal solutions. The algorithm is based on a piecewise Taylor representation of the solutions in the phase space, and it exploits the smoothing of solutions occurring in DDEs to produce enclosures of solutions of a high order. We apply the topological techniques to prove various kinds of dynamical behaviour, for example, existence of (apparently) unstable periodic orbits in Mackey–Glass equation (in the regime of parameters where chaos is numerically observed) and persistence of symbolic dynamics in a delay-perturbed chaotic ODE (the Rössler system).
Comparison of non-medicinal delousing strategies for parasite (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) removal efficacy and welfare impact on Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) hosts
Authors: Thompson Cameron R. S. , Madaro Angelico , Nilsson Jonatan , Stien Lars Helge , Oppedal Frode , Øverli Øyvind , Korzan Wayne J. , Bui Samantha
Published: June 2023

Since salmon lice have developed resistance to pesticides, non-medicinal delousing treatments have become increasingly used to remove the parasite from fish on salmon farms in Norwegian waters. These novel techniques are an important means of controlling epidemics of lice at farms for maintaining the health of farmed fish and for preventing the spread of lice to wild salmonid populations. However, some treatments are associated with higher mortality rates and negative welfare impacts on the host fish. Furthermore, it is unclear how effective each treatment is in removing lice compared to alternatives. Here, in a controlled laboratory environment, we tested the efficacy of mechanical, warm water (28 °C and 34 °C), and freshwater treatments alone and in combination, and examined their welfare impact on host fish. Regardless of treatment group or control, the handling of fish through the experiment led to a reduction in lice load and decline in fish welfare. Among the treatments examined, the freshwater bath alone and in combination with other treatments had the greatest delousing efficacy. The 34 °C warm water baths also significantly reduced lice loads but led to worse welfare outcomes with fish having a higher prevalence of injuries and reduced growth and condition factor. Delousing treatments were however not associated with long-term effects on neuroendocrine parameters or stress coping ability, suggesting that immediate welfare impacts from these procedures are generally reversible. It was also found that sedating fish prior to treatment was shown to mitigate the welfare impact. These findings are useful for the needed optimization of delousing strategies for greater delousing efficacy and reduced welfare impact on fish.
Shaking table test and numerical analyses of a full scale three-leaf masonry wall
Authors: Di Michele Francesco , Spacone Enrico , Camata Guido , Brando Giuseppe , Sextos Anastasios , Crewe Adam , Mylonakis George , Diez Matt , Dihoru Luiza , Varum Humberto
Published: June 2023

This paper discusses the main results of a full-scale shaking table test campaign carried out under the auspices of the EU funded research project SERA, whose objective is to investigate the seismic performance of three-leaf masonry walls with weak lime-mortar joints. These masonry walls are widely found in seismic prone regions in the Mediterranean area, thus assessing their behaviour under dynamic actions is an important pre-requisite for the seismic vulnerability evaluation of a plethora of historical centres. The first part of the paper presents a preliminary study on the mechanical properties of the wall component materials that was carried out through an ad-hoc experimental campaign. The outcomes are of particular interest for the characterization of the mortar and of the infill materials, that were designed to reproduce the low strength that is typically found in old masonry buildings. The design of the masonry wall that was tested and the test set-up are presented next. The applied loading protocol consisted of the horizontal component of a ground motion record that is repeatedly applied to the shaking table with increasing intensity. Finally, the main results of the experimental test are discussed. The damage patterns, drift ratios and base shear are presented for the ground motion sequence. The results are also discussed through a dynamic capacity curve that shows the attainment of different limit states with increasing ground motion intensity. A set of nonlinear numerical simulations, both static and dynamic, using a 3D FE model of the wall verify the experimental study as they report good agreement with the experimental tests and exhibit stable numerical behaviour.
Room temperature manufacture of dense NaSICON solid electrolyte films for all-solid-state-sodium batteries
Authors: Sozak Mutlucan , Nazarenus Tobias , Exner Jörg , Kita Jaroslaw , Moos Ralf
Published: June 2023

Sodium (Na) Super-Ionic CONductor (NaSICON) solid electrolyte (SE) powders (Na3Zr2Si2PO4) were prepared by the mixed oxide technique using a planetary ball mill and synthesized via solid-state method at temperatures ranging from 950 to 1200 °C. The powders with 95% pure NaSICON phase were deposited on different substrates via Powder Aerosol Deposition (PAD) at room temperature directly from the powders and fully dense ceramic films were obtained. X-ray diffractometry including Rietveld refinement were carried out on both the calcined powders and the resulting films to determine the crystallographic properties. Subsequently, the electrical properties of the resulting films were characterized and the effect of annealing at temperatures between 100 and 600 °C on the ionic conductivity of NaSICON PAD films was evaluated. Annealed films were measured in the temperature range 50 and 250 °C to calculate the activation energy Ea of the PAD films. Our work demonstrates a successful room temperature deposition of dense NaSICON electrolyte films on different substrates, which is promising for stationary energy storage applications of solid-state-sodium batteries.
Bifurcations and Early-Warning Signs for SPDEs with Spatial Heterogeneity
Authors: Bernuzzi P. , Kuehn C.
Published: June 2023

Bistability is a key property of many systems arising in the nonlinear sciences. For example, it appears in many partial differential equations (PDEs). For scalar bistable reaction-diffusions PDEs, the bistable case even has taken on different names within communities such as Allee, Allen-Cahn, Chafee-Infante, Nagumo, Ginzburg-Landau,

$$\Phi ^4$$

Φ
4

, Schlögl, Stommel, just to name a few structurally similar bistable model names. One key mechanism, how bistability arises under parameter variation is a pitchfork bifurcation. In particular, taking the pitchfork bifurcation normal form for reaction-diffusion PDEs is yet another variant within the family of PDEs mentioned above. More generally, the study of this PDE class considering steady states and stability, related to bifurcations due to a parameter is well-understood for the deterministic case. For the stochastic PDE (SPDE) case, the situation is less well-understood and has been studied recently. In this paper we generalize and unify several recent results for SPDE bifurcations. Our generalisation is motivated directly by applications as we introduce in the equation a spatially heterogeneous term and relax the assumptions on the covariance operator that defines the noise. For this spatially heterogeneous SPDE, we prove a finite-time Lyapunov exponent bifurcation result. Furthermore, we extend the theory of early warning signs in our context and we explain, the role of universal exponents between covariance operator warning signs and the lack of finite-time Lyapunov uniformity. Our results are accompanied and cross-validated by numerical simulations.
Does Forgiveness Underlie the Relationship Between Religiosity and Meaning in Life Among Members of Sexaholics Anonymous in Poland?
Authors: Wnuk Marcin , Charzyńska Edyta
Published: June 2023

Religiosity and meaning in life are recognized as factors supporting recovery from addictions. However, little is known about the moral mechanisms involved in the relationship between religiosity and meaning in life among individuals with addictions. The main purpose of this study was to test the direct and indirect (through forgiveness by God/higher power and interpersonal forgiveness) relationships between subjective religiosity and the presence of meaning in life among 80 members (72 men and 8 women) of Sexaholics Anonymous (SA) in Poland. The following measures were used: a single-item measure of subjective religiosity, subscales from the Forgiveness Scale and the Heartland Forgiveness Scale, and the Meaning in Life Questionnaire. The sequential mediation model was tested using Hayes PROCESS macro. The results showed a direct positive relationship between subjective religiosity and the presence of meaning in life. Moreover, subjective religiosity was positively related to forgiveness by God/higher power, which, in turn, directly and indirectly (through interpersonal forgiveness) predicted higher levels of the presence of meaning in life. The study suggests that among SA members, religious faith facilitates perceiving one’s own life as meaningful, both directly and indirectly, through aspects of forgiveness. Members of SA may benefit from their belief in God/higher power and religiously-rooted forgiveness to support the meaning-making processes.
Unified Approach of Interior-Point Algorithms for $$P_*(\kappa )$$-LCPs Using a New Class of Algebraically Equivalent Transformations
Authors: Illés Tibor , Rigó Petra Renáta , Török Roland
Published: June 2023

We propose new short-step interior-point algorithms (IPAs) for solving $$P_*(\kappa )$$

P

∗

(
κ
)

-linear complementarity problems (LCPs). In order to define the search directions, we use the algebraic equivalent transformation (AET) technique of the system describing the central path. A novelty of the paper is that we introduce a whole, new class of AET functions for which a unified complexity analysis of the IPAs is presented. This class of functions differs from the ones used in the literature for determining search directions, like the class of concave functions determined by Haddou, Migot and Omer, self-regular functions, eligible kernel and self-concordant functions. We prove that the IPAs using any member $$\varphi $$
φ
of the new class of AET functions have polynomial iteration complexity in the size of the problem, in starting point’s duality gap, in the accuracy parameter and in the parameter $$\kappa $$
κ
.
A review on the thermal conductivity of deep eutectic solvents
Authors: Atilhan Mert , Aparicio Santiago
Published: June 2023

Deep eutectic solvents may develop a pivotal role in future technologies considering sustainability and safety as pivotal aspects for chemistry developments. The possible application of these fluids for heat transfer operations is of great relevance for which the knowledge of thermal properties such as thermal conductivity is required as well as inferring structure–property relationships which allow reverse design of the fluids according to the technological requirements. Considering the technological relevance of this property, the available literature on the thermal conductivity for deep eutectic solvents is critically discussed showing strengths and weaknesses. The analysis of the state-of-the-art shows the future needs in this research field considering the application of these solvents for thermal-related technologies. The review indicates the scarcity of reliable experimental data and the need of predictive methods, which could be used for process design and solvent screening purposes. Likewise, considering the relevance of developing predictive methods for in silico design of these fluids according to industrial needs, the available predictive theoretical approaches are analysed showing their reliability as well as future needs. Finally, considering the need of developing suitable and reliable structure–property relationship, the molecular level basis of thermal conductivity in deep eutectic solvents is discussed, showing the role of hydrogen bonding and the effects rising from the involved hydrogen bond donors and acceptors as well as the eutectic compositions. This work reports the first literature review and analysis on thermal conductivity for deep eutectic solvents considering an experimental and theoretical approach as well as providing support for the molecular basis of this technologically relevant property, thus contributing to the development of environmentally friendly materials for thermal-related technologies.

Graphical abstract
Non-classical correlations of accelerated observers interacting with a classical stochastic noise beyond the single mode approximation
Authors: Abd-Rabbou M. Y. , Shamirzaie M. , Khan Salman
Published: June 2023

This paper investigates the behaviour of the quantum correlations for an accelerated two-qubit system during its interaction with a classical stochastic field, utilizing the Wigner function and concurrence. The non-classical behaviour is indicated by negative values of the Wigner function, while the degree of entanglement is demonstrated by the concurrence. To consider acceleration and interaction with a common or independent environment, we discard the single-mode approximation and utilize the Unruh construction of the quantum field mode in our analysis. Our results suggest that coherence suppression is caused by the acceleration effect, noise strength, and noise frequency. Through an examination of quantum concurrence, this study analyses the level of quantum entanglement that corresponds positively with negative values of the Wigner function. The findings indicate that coherence degradation in the initial system is reduced when observers interact independently with their environments, as opposed to interacting with a common environment. Additionally, the acceleration of both observers has an impact on coherence reduction. During system evolution, the Wigner function displays collapse and reappearance behaviour, while quantum entanglement undergoes local collapse and revival phenomena. Notably, common noise situations exhibit more rapid variation in both the Wigner function and entanglement compared to independent noise configurations.
Sexual dimorphic metabolic and cognitive responses of C57BL/6 mice to Fisetin or Dasatinib and quercetin cocktail oral treatment
Authors: Fang Yimin , Medina David , Stockwell Robert , McFadden Sam , Quinn Kathleen , Peck Mackenzie R. , Bartke Andrzej , Hascup Kevin N. , Hascup Erin R.
Published: June 2023

Senolytic treatment in aged mice clears senescent cell burden leading to functional improvements. However, less is known regarding the effects of these compounds when administered prior to significant senescent cell accumulation. From 4–13 months of age, C57BL/6 male and female mice received monthly oral dosing of either 100 mg/kg Fisetin or a 5 mg/kg Dasatinib (D) plus 50 mg/kg Quercetin (Q) cocktail. During treatment, several aspects of healthy aging were assayed including glucose metabolism using an insulin and glucose tolerance test, cognitive performance using Morris water maze and novel object recognition, and energy metabolism using indirect calorimetry. Afterwards, mice were euthanized for plasma, tissue specific markers of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and white adipose tissue accumulation (WAT). Sexually dimorphic treatment effects were observed. Fisetin treated male mice had reduced SASP, enhanced glucose and energy metabolism, improved cognitive performance, and increased mRNA expression of adiponectin receptor 1 and glucose transporter 4. D + Q treatment had minimal effects in male C57BL/6 mice, but was detrimental to females causing increased SASP expression along with accumulation of WAT depots. Reduced energy metabolism and cognitive performance were also noted. Fisetin treatment had no effect in female C57BL/6 mice potentially due to a slower rate of biological aging. In summary, the senolytic treatment in young adulthood, has beneficial, negligible, or detrimental effects in C57BL/6 mice dependent upon sex and treatment. These observations should serve as a note of caution in this rapidly evolving and expanding field of investigation.

Graphical Abstract

Male and female C57BL/6 mice were treated with once monthly oral doses of either Dasatinib (D) + Quercetin (Q) or Fisetin from 4–13 months of age. Males treated with Fisetin had reduced SASP markers (blue spheres) as well as improved metabolism (red flame) and cognition. Females treated with D + Q had increased adiposity and SASP markers (red spheres) along with decreased metabolism (blue flame) and cognitive performance. No effects were observed in females treated with Fisetin or males treated with D + Q.
Internalisation of environmental costs of decentralised nitrogen fertilisers production
Authors: Osorio-Tejada Jose Luis , Rebrov Evgeny , Hessel Volker
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Ammonia (NH3) production is an energy-intensive process that is concentrated in a few countries at large-scale plants, mainly using the Haber–Bosch (HB) process. Local plants next to farmers can reduce environmental impacts, as well as reduce storage, shortage risks, and price volatility of fertilisers. Since local NH3 production is not cost-effective, we analyse how internalisation of environmental impacts into economic analyses could help to promote novel technologies for NH3 synthesis when supplied with renewable energy.

Methods

Mini-HB plants working at high pressure and temperature, as well as novel alternatives based on plasma reactors working at ambient conditions and using electricity from renewable sources, have been recently proposed for decentralised NH3 production. To evaluate the environmental performances of these alternative and traditional NH3 pathways, a life cycle assessment was performed to quantify the reduced emissions in each production process and the impacts of by-product utilisation, such as steam, oxygen, or carbon black. Different scales of storage and transportation, fuelled by traditional energy sources, were modelled to quantify the impacts of the simplified NH3 supply chains. A review of monetary valuation coefficients was performed to internalise the life cycle environmental impacts into the techno-economic analyses of NH3 production in Australia.

Results and discussion

Most of the estimated environmental costs were due to the carbon emissions of conventional plants and thermal plasma plants because of the use of fossil-based electricity. However, the high external costs associated with the photochemical oxidant formation and particulate matter affected the thermal plasma and non-thermal plasma (NTP) plants, costing in total 9,500 and 4,200 $/t NH3, respectively, due to the impacts of solar panels manufacturing. In contrast, electrolyser-HB plants obtained rates of 114 $/t NH3 because of the high energy efficiency and oxygen sales. In the future scenario for NTP-based plants, this alternative could also be competitive with rates of 222 $/t NH3. Additionally, the estimated total external costs for the conventional NH3 industry in Australia amounted to about US$5 billion per year.

Conclusions

Electrolyser-HB plants could be cost-effective in the short term due to the energy efficiency of HB processes. However, the HB process has reached its efficiency limits, while the NTP process still has room for improvement, as well as its production costs are lower at smaller scales. In addition, if monetised environmental costs are analysed for a whole industry, public administrations could be prompted to invest the expected savings in the promotion of these novel technologies.
Problematic Internet Use, Online Racism, and Mental Health Issues Among Racially Minoritized Emerging Adults in the United States
Authors: Keum Brian TaeHyuk , Valdovinos Irene C. , Wong Michele J.
Published: June 2023

Problematic internet use has been linked with numerous mental health issues. However, little research has examined the relevant factors that may explain this association. For racially minoritized individuals, problematic internet use may increase the likelihood of encountering race-based cyberaggression and racist content, commonly known as online racism. Thus, we examined whether problematic internet use is associated with mental health issues through exposure to online racism. Using data from 338 racially minoritized emerging adults (Mage = 23.28, SD = 2.38), we conducted a path analysis of problematic internet use predicting mental health issues (anxiety, depressive symptoms, loneliness) via online racism. The indirect relationship was significant suggesting that problematic internet use is associated with greater perceived online racism, which in turn was associated with greater depressive symptoms, anxiety, and loneliness. Online racism is likely a digital inequity that disproportionately impacts the costs of problematic internet use among racially minoritized emerging adults.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells transplantation downregulates pancreatic NF-κB and pro-inflammatory cytokine profile in rats with type I and type II-induced diabetes: a comparison study
Authors: Farid Alyaa , El-Alfy Lamiaa , Madbouly Neveen
Published: June 2023

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a set of metabolic diseases defined by a persistently high blood sugar level. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a novel potential therapeutic intervention in treatments of various diseases, which is also referred to as regenerative medicine. We aimed to compare the pro-inflammatory cytokines’ levels during bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) transplantation in rats with induced type I (T1D) and type II diabetes (T2D). Thirty-five male Sprague dawley rats were divided into: Group I: the healthy control group, group II: untreated rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D (65 mg/kg), group III: BM-MSCs treated rats with STZ-induced T1D, group IV: untreated rats with high-fat diet (HFD)/STZ-induced T2D (40 mg/kg), group V: BM-MSCs-treated rats with HFD/STZ-induced T2D. Biochemical, histopathological and immunohistochemical studies were applied. Our results showed that transplantation reduced hyperglycemia and increased insulin levels in both induced T1D and T2D. Also, reductions in the levels of inflammatory markers were noticed after transplantation that was coincided with nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-кB) immunohistochemical results; which showed negative or moderate cytoplasmic reactivity in treated groups III and V. These results indicated the ability of BM-MSCs transplantation to modulate the pro-inflammatory cytokine profile during treatment of both T1D and T2D.
Benchmarking a new TH2M implementation in OGS-6 with regard to processes relevant for nuclear waste disposal
Authors: Pitz Michael , Grunwald Norbert , Graupner Bastian , Kurgyis Kata , Radeisen Eike , Maßmann Jobst , Ziefle Gesa , Thiedau Jan , Nagel Thomas
Published: June 2023

In this paper, thermo-hydro-mechanically (THM) coupled processes triggered during the construction, operation and closure of a deep geological repository for heat generating, high level radioactive waste are discussed based on a generic disposal concept. For this purpose, we are using the numerical non-isothermal two-phase–two-component flow in deformable porous media (TH2M) implementation (Grunwald et al. in Geomech Geophys Geo-energy Geo-resour, 2022) in the open-source software OpenGeoSys (Bilke et al. in Transport Porous Media 130(1):337–361, 2019,https://doi.org/10.1007/s11242-019-01310-1). THM coupled effects covered in this work focus on single and two-phase-flow phenomena, gas and heat generation as well as poro-elastic medium deformation. A suitable set of benchmarks covering aforementioned THM-effects, devised in the scope of the BenVaSim benchmarking project (Lux et al. in Synthesis report. BenVaSim—International Benchmarking for Verification and Validation of TH2M Simulators with Special Consideration of Fluid Dynamical Processes in Radioactive Waste Repository Systems. Tech. rep., 2021,https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.28998.34887) is chosen and one additional benchmark is presented, allowing for the demonstration and comparison of the OGS-6 TH2M implementation against results obtained by other well-established codes used in the field. Apart from the code comparison, the benchmarks also serve as means to analyze THM coupled processes in a repository based on very simplified geometries. Therefore, they can help to improve the process understanding, but any quantitative results should not be interpreted as predictions of the behaviour of a real repository. The results obtained in this work agree well with the results presented by the project partners in BenVaSim—both in single phasic, fully liquid saturated cases and in partially saturated two phase regions. Hence, the suitability of the OGS-6 TH2M implementation for the application in the field of radioactive waste management, supporting the safety case and analyzing the integrity of the geological and geotechnical barrier systems is demonstrated. Finally, a detailed discussion of observed phenomena in the benchmarks increases our understanding and confidence in the prediction of the behaviour of TH2M coupled systems in the context of deep geological radioactive waste disposal.