bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Canada’s Medical Assistance in Dying System can Enable Healthcare Serial Killing
Authors: Lyon Christopher
Published: August 2024

The Canadian approach to assisted dying, Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD), as of early 2024, is assessed for its ability to protect patients from criminal healthcare serial killing (HSK) to evaluate the strength of its safeguards. MAiD occurs through euthanasia or self-administered assisted suicide (EAS) and is legal or considered in many countries and jurisdictions. Clinicians involved in HSK typically target patients with the same clinical features as MAiD-eligible patients. They may draw on similar rationales, e.g., to end perceived patient suffering and provide pleasure for the clinician. HSK can remain undetected or unconfirmed for considerable periods owing to a lack of staff background checks, poor surveillance and oversight, and a failure by authorities to act on concerns from colleagues, patients, or witnesses. The Canadian MAiD system, effectively euthanasia-based, has similar features with added opportunities for killing afforded by clinicians’ exemption from criminal culpability for homicide and assisted suicide offences amid broad patient eligibility criteria. An assessment of the Canadian model offers insights for enhancing safeguards and detecting abuses in there and other jurisdictions with or considering legal EAS. Short of an unlikely recriminalization of EAS, better clinical safeguarding measures, standards, vetting and training of those involved in MAiD, and a radical restructuring of its oversight and delivery can help mitigate the possibility of abuses in a system mandated to accommodate homicidal clinicians.
Developmental Impacts of Early Sensory Patterns on School-Age Adaptive, Maladaptive, and Participation Outcomes in Autistic and Non-autistic Children
Authors: Chen Yun-Ju , Sideris John , Watson Linda R. , Crais Elizabeth R. , Baranek Grace T.
Published: August 2024

Early sensory differences may cascade into later social-communication difficulties in autism, yet their impacts on broader functional outcomes have remained understudied. This study aimed to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the longitudinal impacts of sensory patterns, including sensory hyperresponsiveness, hyporesponsiveness, and sensory repetitions/seeking behavior, on various school-age outcome domains among a community sample of children with autistic and non-autistic conditions. We prospectively followed 1,517 children with caregiver-reported sensory questionnaires across three timepoints from infancy to school age. A subsample (n = 389; 88 with reported autism diagnosis/concerns) was further assessed with adaptive, maladaptive and participation outcome measures at age 6–7. Structural equation modeling approaches were used to evaluate the multivariate associations between latent growth parameters (i.e., intercepts and slopes) of sensory patterns and school-age outcomes. Increasing sensory hyperresponsiveness was directly associated with poorer adaptive/maladaptive outcomes and indirectly with lower participation in activities with higher functional demands across settings at school age. Elevated sensory hyporesponsiveness was associated with lower adaptive functioning, more externalizing problems, and lower classroom participation. Trajectories of sensory patterns accounted for more unique variances in adaptive functioning and participation in daily life settings with higher functional and environmental demands among autistic children compared to their non-autistic peers.
Systematic Assessment of Gambling Type Involvement: Reliability and Validity of the Gambling Disorder Identification Test (GDIT)
Authors: Wall Håkan , Wennberg Peter , Binde Per , Molander Olof
Published: August 2024

Gambling type involvement, both in terms of participation (engagement in specific gambling types) and diversity (how many gambling types an individual engages in), is a key feature to address in gambling self-report measures, but such systematic measurement procedures are scarce. The aim of this study was to test the psychometric performance of the gambling type assessment in the recently developed Gambling Disorder Identification Test (GDIT), in terms of test-retest reliability, convergent validity, and patterns of gambling diversity, among help-seeking and general population gambling samples (total n = 603). Overall, online gambling was more commonly reported as problematic than land-based gambling. Retest reliability varied for specific gambling types (ICC range 0.32–0.64, rtet range 0.66–0.85). In terms of gambling participation, online gambling showed stronger correlations with GDIT total score (i.e., symptom severity) than land-based gambling, where Slots showed the strongest correlation (r = 0.52), followed by Casino table games (r = 0.25), Sports and Horse betting (r = 0.16 and r = 0.14, respectively), and Poker (r = 0.14). Lotteries showed no correlation with GDIT total score (r=-0,01). For Slots gambling, all gambling diversity levels (including Slots as a single gambling type) were on average associated with the highest diagnostic severity level (GDIT total score > 30; severe gambling disorder). Finally, explorative configural frequency analysis identified typical and antitypical gambling diversity patterns. The result from the current study corroborates findings that engagement in specific gambling types matter, and that such features should be included in gambling measurement. We conclude that the GDIT is a reliable and valid measure for systematic assessment of gambling type involvement. The GDIT can be used to assess gambling participation and diversity, as part of a broad measurement setup for problem gambling and gambling disorder.
Investigation of the Impact of the H310A FcRn Region Mutation on 89Zr-Immuno-PET Brain Imaging with a BBB-Shuttle Anti‑Amyloid Beta Antibody
Authors: Wuensche Thomas E. , Stergiou Natascha , Mes Iris , Verlaan Mariska , Kooijman Esther J. M. , Windhorst Albert D. , Jensen Allan , Asuni Ayodeji A. , Bang-Andersen Benny , van Dongen Guus A. M. S. , Vugts Danielle J. , Beaino Wissam
Published: August 2024

Purpose

In the emerging field of antibody treatments for neurodegenerative diseases, reliable tools are needed to evaluate new therapeutics, diagnose and select patients, monitor disease progression, and assess therapy response. Immuno-PET combines the high affinity and exceptional specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the non-invasive imaging technique positron emission tomography (PET). Its application in neurodegenerative disease brain imaging has been limited due to the marginal uptake across the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The emergence of BBB-shuttle antibodies with enhanced uptake across the BBB extended immuno-PET to brain imaging. We recently reported about specific brain uptake of a bispecific aducanumab mTfR antibody in APP/PS1 TG mice using 89Zr-immuno-PET. However, a sufficient target-to-background ratio was reached at a relatively late scanning time point of 7 days post-injection. To investigate if a better target-to-background ratio could be achieved earlier, an aducanumab BBB-shuttle with a mutated Fc region for reduced FcRn affinity was evaluated.

Procedures

AduH310A-8D3 and Adu-8D3 were modified with DFO*-NCS and subsequently radiolabeled with 89Zr. The potential influence of the H310A mutation, modification with DFO*-NCS, and subsequent radiolabeling on the in vitro binding to amyloid-beta and mTfR1 was investigated via amyloid-beta peptide ELISA and FACS analysis using mTfR1 transfected CHO-S cells. Blood kinetics, brain uptake, in vivo PET imaging and target engagement of radiolabeled AduH310A-8D3 were evaluated and compared to non-mutated Adu-8D3 in APP/PS1 TG mice and wild-type animals as controls.

Results

Radiolabeling was performed with sufficient radiochemical yields and radiochemical purity. In vitro binding to amyloid-beta and mTfR1 showed no impairment. [89Zr]Zr-AduH310A-8D3 showed faster blood clearance and earlier differentiation of amyloid-beta-related brain uptake compared to [89Zr]Zr-Adu-8D3. However, only half of the brain uptake was observed for [89Zr]Zr-AduH310A-8D3.

Conclusions

Although a faster blood clearance of AduH310A-8D3 was observed, it was concluded that no beneficial effects for 89Zr-immuno-PET imaging of brain uptake were obtained.

Graphical Abstract
Blood Lipoproteins Shape the Phenotype and Lipid Content of Early Atherosclerotic Lesion Macrophages: A Dual-Structured Mathematical Model
Authors: Chambers Keith L. , Myerscough Mary R. , Watson Michael G. , Byrne Helen M.
Published: August 2024

Macrophages in atherosclerotic lesions exhibit a spectrum of behaviours or phenotypes. The phenotypic distribution of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs), its correlation with MDM lipid content, and relation to blood lipoprotein densities are not well understood. Of particular interest is the balance between low density lipoproteins (LDL) and high density lipoproteins (HDL), which carry bad and good cholesterol respectively. To address these issues, we have developed a mathematical model for early atherosclerosis in which the MDM population is structured by phenotype and lipid content. The model admits a simpler, closed subsystem whose analysis shows how lesion composition becomes more pathological as the blood density of LDL increases relative to the HDL capacity. We use asymptotic analysis to derive a power-law relationship between MDM phenotype and lipid content at steady-state. This relationship enables us to understand why, for example, lipid-laden MDMs have a more inflammatory phenotype than lipid-poor MDMs when blood LDL lipid density greatly exceeds HDL capacity. We show further that the MDM phenotype distribution always attains a local maximum, while the lipid content distribution may be unimodal, adopt a quasi-uniform profile or decrease monotonically. Pathological lesions exhibit a local maximum in both the phenotype and lipid content MDM distributions, with the maximum at an inflammatory phenotype and near the lipid content capacity respectively. These results illustrate how macrophage heterogeneity arises in early atherosclerosis and provide a framework for future model validation through comparison with single-cell RNA sequencing data.
Modality redundancy for MRI-based glioblastoma segmentation
Authors: De Sutter Selene , Wuts Joris , Geens Wietse , Vanbinst Anne-Marie , Duerinck Johnny , Vandemeulebroucke Jef
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Automated glioblastoma segmentation from magnetic resonance imaging is generally performed on a four-modality input, including T1, contrast T1, T2 and FLAIR. We hypothesize that information redundancy is present within these image combinations, which can possibly reduce a model’s performance. Moreover, for clinical applications, the risk of encountering missing data rises as the number of required input modalities increases. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relevance and influence of the different modalities used for MRI-based glioblastoma segmentation.

Methods

After the training of multiple segmentation models based on nnU-Net and SwinUNETR architectures, differing only in their amount and combinations of input modalities, each model was evaluated with regard to segmentation accuracy and epistemic uncertainty.

Results

Results show that T1CE-based segmentation (for enhanced tumor and tumor core) and T1CE-FLAIR-based segmentation (for whole tumor and overall segmentation) can reach segmentation accuracies comparable to the full-input version. Notably, the highest segmentation accuracy for nnU-Net was found for a three-input configuration of T1CE-FLAIR-T1, suggesting the confounding effect of redundant input modalities. The SwinUNETR architecture appears to suffer less from this, where said three-input and the full-input model yielded statistically equal results.

Conclusion

The T1CE-FLAIR-based model can therefore be considered as a minimal-input alternative to the full-input configuration. Addition of modalities beyond this does not statistically improve and can even deteriorate accuracy, but does lower the segmentation uncertainty.
Harmfulness and biological characters of a leaf beetle Gastrolina depressa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) to its host plant Pterocarya stenoptera (Fagales: Juglandaceae)
Authors: Yun Wei , Li Li , Qingxiu Lin , Ying Huang , Ximing Zhang
Published: August 2024

Gastrolina depressa (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) has been found to damage many walnut plants in China. It prefers to feed on the annual leaves of an important economic plant, Pterocarya stenoptera (Fagales: Juglandaceae), and causes extensive cosmetic destruction, even plant death. Nevertheless, its biological characteristics are mostly unknown. In this study, we investigate the harmful and biological characteristics of G. depressa with different developmental stages. The results showed that G. depressa had four developmental stages: egg, larva (1st -3rd instar), pupa, and adult, the life history lasted nine days, with obvious overlapping generations. The food intake of the larvae increased with the increase of the instar, and the maximum food intake of the 3rd instar larvae was 448.19 mm2. The abdomen of the females was enlarged before oviposition, and the average number of eggs laid was 47.63 ± 13.53. Bioassay showed that there was no difference in the search time for the young (2.03, 1.25, 1.15, and 0.91 min) and old leaves (1.68, 1.15, 0.90, and 1.93 min) of P. stenoptera between 1st -3rd instar larvae and adults; the feeding preference of 1st -3rd instar larvae and adults for young leaves was higher than that to old leaves (23.33%, 26.67%, 33.33%, and 21.67%, respectively). The successful selection rates of 1st -3rd instar larvae and adults to young leaves (81.67%, 80%, 85.00%, and 70.00%, respectively) was higher than to old leaves (8.35%, 11.67%, 3.34%, and 11.67%, respectively).
Exploring Transgender and Non-Binary Engagement with Sex Tech: A Narrative Review
Authors: Anzani A. , Rucco D. , Prunas A.
Published: August 2024

Purpose of Review

This narrative review aims to explore the intersection of transgender and non-binary (TNB) sexuality with sex technology (sex tech), focusing on recent literature. The review is based on the analysis of 19 articles, including 6 specific to the TNB population and 13 that do not exclusively focus on this group. We sought to investigate how TNB individuals engage with various forms of sex tech, including pornography, sex dolls, sex robots, dating apps, sex toys, and virtual reality sex. We also aim to briefly delve into the representation of trans bodies and sexualities within the realm of sex tech.

Recent Findings

Recent research highlights the complexity of TNB individuals' engagement with sex tech. Studies indicate a growing interest in trans pornography, the prevalence of sex toy usage among TNB populations, and the emergence of dating apps specifically catering to TNB individuals. However, there remains a lack of empirical evidence regarding the experiences of TNB individuals with sex dolls, sex robots, and virtual reality sex.

Our examination underscores the need for more inclusive research on TNB sexuality within the sex tech discourse. While we have gained some insights, there are still gaps, especially in understanding how emerging technologies impact TNB individuals. Future research should prioritize exploring the motivations, experiences, and effects of sex tech on TNB individuals, while also ensuring ethical considerations and promoting diversity and inclusion in technological design and representation.
Evaluating two implant designs in patients undergoing primary total knee arthroplasty using a novel measure of early optimal recovery: a retrospective observational study
Authors: van Keulen L. Z. , Sonnega R. J. A. , Baas N. R. A. , Hogervorst T. , Muehlendyck C. , Bourras P. , ten Kate T. A. J. , Galvain T. , Dieleman S. , van Kampen P. M.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Quality of care in total knee arthroplasty (TKA) between implants was assessed using a novel composite outcome measure, early optimal recovery (EOR), to indicate ideal clinical outcomes and minimal healthcare resource utilization.

Methods

Patients that underwent primary TKA in the study group (ATTUNE® Knee System) or control group (LCS® COMPLETE Knee System) were included in this retrospective, single-center study. EOR was defined as no complications, no readmissions, no extra outpatient visits, ≤ 48 h length of hospital stay (LOS), and restored range of motion and pain perception at 3-month follow-up. Multivariate logistic regression was used to compare EOR between the study and control groups. Results were adjusted for differences in baseline characteristics and are presented with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Data were collected from a specialized clinic for elective surgeries in the Netherlands, between January 2017 and December 2020.

Results

A total of 566 patients (62.4% female, mean age 67 years) were included for analysis; 185 patients (32.7%) underwent TKA in the study group. Compared to the control group, patients in the study group had greater probability of achieving EOR (65.8% [95% CI: 55.1–75.2] vs. 38.9% [95% CI: 32.8–45.3]; p < 0.001), a LOS ≤ 48 h (77.2% [95% CI: 67.7–84.5] vs. 61.4% [95% CI: 54.7–67.7]; p < 0.05), and ideal pain perception at 3-month follow-up (93.3% [95% CI: 85.7–97.0] vs. 78.2% [95% CI: 71.0–83.9]; p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The study group was associated with a greater probability of achieving EOR versus the control group, suggesting improved quality of care.
Some Generalizations of Dynamic Hardy-Knopp-Type Inequalities on Time Scales
Authors: El-Deeb Ahmed A.
Published: August 2024

In the present paper, some new generalizations of dynamic inequalities of Hardy-type in two variables on time scales are established. The integral and discrete Hardy-type inequalities that are given as special cases of main results are original. The main results are proved by using the dynamic Jensen inequality and the Fubini theorem on time scales.
Ervaringen en klantkenmerken van Boeren voor Buren
Authors: van der Velde Laura A. , Nieuwenhuijse Emma A. , Viaene Laura , van der Graaf Julia J. , Calis Stephanie , Hoekstra Trynke , Dijkstra Coosje
Published: August 2024

Samenvatting

Inleiding

Stichting Boeren voor Buren (BvB) is een initiatief dat groente, fruit en kruiden aanbiedt tegen een lage prijs voor mensen met een laag inkomen. Ons onderzoek richt zich op de volgende vragen: wat zijn de karakteristieken, financiële status, en ervaren voedselzekerheid, gezondheid, welzijn en groente- en fruitinname van BvB-klanten? Wat is de ervaren invloed van het gebruik van BvB op groente- en fruitinname? Wat zijn redenen voor gebruik en ervaringen met het gebruik van BvB?

Methoden

Het betreft een mixed-methods crosssectioneel onderzoek. Er werden interviews en vragenlijsten afgenomen onder klanten van BvB met vragen over karakteristieken, financiële status, en ervaren voedselzekerheid, gezondheid en welzijn en groente- en fruitinname, alsmede redenen voor het gebruik van BvB en ervaringen met het gebruik ervan.

Resultaten en conclusie

In totaal werden 129 vragenlijsten ingevuld en 8 interviews afgenomen. De resultaten laten zien dat BvB een gemengde doelgroep bereikt: mensen met een laag inkomen en ervaren voedselonzekerheid, maar ook met relatief vaak een hbo-/universitaire opleiding en een hoge groente- en fruitinname. Deelnemers hadden minder vaak overgewicht dan de algemene bevolking, maar wel even vaak chronische aandoeningen. BvB wordt over het algemeen goed gewaardeerd door klanten. Een hoge groente- en fruitinname kan een reden zijn om klant van BvB te worden, maar er lijkt voor een deel van de klanten ook een extra positieve invloed te bestaan van BvB op de groente- en fruitinname.
Control of Mal secco disease in lemon by drip irrigation with fungicide
Authors: Ezra David , Ovadia Amos
Published: August 2024

Mal secco disease  of citrus is caused by the mitosporic ascomycete fungus Plenodomus tracheiphilus (formerly Phoma tracheiphila [Petri]). Mal secco is a highly destructive vascular disease of lemon and other citrus which is presently confined to the Mediterranean basin and has a marked economic impact on the citrus industry. The fungal pathogen infects the host tree by penetrating through wounds in the roots or canopy. Infection spreads quickly into the main branches and trunk and tree mortality usually ensues. The most typical symptoms are veinal chlorosis, leaf wilt, red discoloration of the xylem and dieback of twigs and branches. Current accepted control of the disease is mainly by sanitation of infected wood, and copper application during the winter to prevent germinating spores from infecting the plant. No effective chemical control for this disease has been reported. We present a drip-irrigation protocol to protect trees and control the disease in which we apply 250 g/ha of the triazole fungicide flutriafol five times a year. Progression of disease symptoms in the treated trees was inhibited by up to 81% compared to the untreated control, thereby significantly shortening the sanitation process and making it less costly than in untreated trees. Moreover, disease symptoms became less severe as the duration of treatment increased. We have treated orchards for 3 years, and present an effective commercial protocol for the growers which will help them control Mal secco disease.
Reflections in waterholes: Reconceptualising young Indigenous Australian success
Authors: Harry Matilda , Trudgett Michelle , Page Susan , Grace Rebekah
Published: August 2024

While there is a body of literature monitoring Indigenous Australian post-secondary school experiences, research investigating aspirational development in this life stage and Indigenous youth success as defined by Indigenous youth is severely lacking. Too often academic, government and public discourses portray Indigenous youth experiences through deficit frames of representation, completion and performance. By sharing the insights, reflections and aspirations of 15 young Indigenous Australian participants this paper calls for Indigeneity to be centred in ideations and indicators of Indigenous youth success. Findings confront institutionalised and hierarchical ideals of Indigenous Australian success premised on dominant neoliberal ideation and the accumulation of White cultural and social capital. Through an Indigenist Research lens this paper presents aspirational development and achievement as a complex and raced space where Indigenous Australian secondary school leavers articulate ambition and agency in developing successful careers, rich in cultural wealth and with their identity intact.
Risk of Tropical Cyclones and Floods to Power Grids in Southeast and East Asia
Authors: Ye Mengqi , Ward Philip J. , Bloemendaal Nadia , Nirandjan Sadhana , Koks Elco E.
Published: August 2024

Power grids play a critical role in modern society, serving as the lifeline of a well-functioning economy. This article presents a first large-scale study on the risk estimation of tropical cyclone (TC)-induced winds and coastal floods, which can widely impact power grids in Southeast and East Asia. Our comprehensive risk model incorporates detailed infrastructure data from OpenStreetMap (OSM) and government power grid maps, along with global hazard maps and vulnerability curves. The results reveal that the estimated expected annual damages from TCs and coastal floods to OSM-mapped assets account for approximately 0.07% (0.00–0.38%) and 0.02% (0.00–0.02%) of the total GDP of the study area, respectively. We analyzed the main sources of uncertainty in the risk model and emphasized the importance of understanding asset vulnerability. These results highlight the urgent need to strengthen power infrastructure to withstand the impacts of natural hazards, and the significance of reliable risk information for improving power grid design and planning. Focusing on developing more region-specific infrastructure data and vulnerability curves will improve the accuracy of risk estimation and provide valuable insights not only for the electricity sector but also for customers of other infrastructure systems that heavily rely on a stable supply of electricity.
Nanoparticle-integrated metal–organic frameworks: a revolution in next-generation drug delivery systems
Authors: Alavi Seyed Ebrahim , Alavi Seyedeh Fatemeh , Koohi Maedeh , Raza Aun , Ebrahimi Shahmabadi Hasan
Published: August 2024

Background

Nanometal-organic frameworks (nano-MOFs), which exhibit distinctive features, such as controlled release mechanisms, stimuli-responsive behaviors, and sustained drug release profiles, have emerged as promising candidates for next-generation drug delivery systems.

Area covered

This review outlines the impact of nano-MOFs in biomedical applications, emphasizing their potential for targeted drug delivery through active strategies and their biocompatibility considerations.

Expert opinion

The versatility and tunability of nano-MOFs pave the way for personalized medicine, allowing tailored formulations to meet individual patient needs. Despite their transformative potential, challenges remain in terms of stability, toxicity assessment, and standardization. As nano-MOFs progress from laboratory research to clinical trials, they present a paradigm shift in drug delivery, offering precision medicine solutions through theranostic platforms. The future holds promise for the use of nano-MOFs to revolutionize drug delivery, ushering in an era of personalized and effective therapeutic interventions.
Motivators and Barriers to COVID-19 Vaccination Intentions Across U.S. County-Level Barriers in the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index
Authors: Fernandez Jessica R. , Richmond Jennifer , Strassle Paula D. , Cunningham-Erves Jennifer , Forde Allana T.
Published: August 2024

Background

County-level barriers (sociodemographic barriers, limited healthcare system resources, healthcare accessibility barriers, irregular healthcare seeking behaviors, low vaccination history) may impact individuals’ reasons for receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.

Methods

This study linked data from REACH-US (Race-Related Experiences Associated with COVID-19 and Health in the United States), a nationally representative, online survey of 5475 adults living in the U.S (January-March 2021) to county-level barriers in the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index. County-level vaccination barriers were measured using the COVID-19 Vaccine Coverage Index. Participants reported why they would or would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine in an open-ended item and their responses were coded using thematic analysis. Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests assessed whether reasons for COVID-19 vaccination intentions varied by county-level barriers and whether these distributions varied across racial/ethnic groups.

Results

Thematic analysis revealed twelve themes in participants’ reasons why they would or would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Themes of societal responsibility (9.8% versus 7.7%), desire to return to normal (8.1% versus 4.7%), and trust in science/healthcare/government (7.7% versus 5.1%) were more frequently reported in counties with low/medium barriers (versus high/very high) (p-values < 0.05). Concerns of COVID-19 vaccine side effects/safety/development (25.3% versus 27.9%) and concerns of access/costs/availability/convenience (1.9% versus 3.6%) were less frequently reported in counties with low/medium barriers (versus high/very high) (p-values < 0.05). Trends in the prevalence of these themes varied across racial/ethnic groups (p-values < 0.05).

Conclusions

Future pandemic responses should consider potential ways county-level barriers shape reasons for COVID-19 vaccination.
Comparison of the WIDAR application with a manual photogrammetry method of creating 3D models of cadaveric hearts
Authors: Tullos Nathan A.
Published: August 2024

Novel methods of bringing gross anatomy laboratory experiences into the lecture setting may offset decreased contact hours. The iOS and Android photogrammetry application WIDAR is a time and cost-effective method for generating 3D digital models of donor specimens for use in medical education.
Hydrogen Production from Natural Gas Using Hot Blast Furnace Slag: Techno-economic Analysis and CFD Modeling
Authors: Runstedtler Allan , Gao Haining
Published: August 2024

A process for thermal decomposition of methane to hydrogen and solid carbon is presented and examined. It utilizes the high-temperature heat from the slag by-product of blast furnace ironmaking to drive a thermal decomposition reaction, making it a waste-heat-to-hydrogen technology. This is accomplished via dry granulation of molten slag that feeds a fluidized bed reactor to effect methane–slag contact. First, the proposed process and the heat and mass balances are presented. It is found that it could produce an amount of hydrogen that is equivalent to about 20% of the reductant, depending on the iron-to-slag ratio. Then, a techno-economic analysis investigates the capital and operating costs of the process, compares the hydrogen production cost to that of other processes, and examines cost sensitivity to the prices of process inputs and outputs. This analysis suggests that the process would be suitable for on-site hydrogen production and use within a plant. In addition, using the hot slag to drive the methane decomposition would reduce hydrogen production cost by 15% compared to combusting a portion of the natural gas itself. Finally, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling study of the fluidized bed reactor examines the thermal decomposition of methane and its dependence on reaction kinetics as well as reactor design and operation. The bed operated in the bubbling regime at an average temperature between 1020 and 1060 °C and resulted in as high as 82% conversion of the methane to hydrogen, with additional optimization still possible.

Graphical Abstract
Reuse potential of architectural glass: experimental study on the strength of used window glazing
Authors: Cupać Jagoda , Datsiou Kyriaki Corinna , Louter Christian
Published: August 2024

Glass is a highly durable and infinitely recyclable material, yet in practice only a small portion of architectural glass products re-enters the value chain after its first use. An increasing rate of energy retrofits of the EU building stock will result in replacement of 85% of existing windows in near future; in the current linear glass supply chain, this will generate large amounts of glass waste. Despite high recycling rates of container glass in Europe, window glazing is very rarely recycled into new glazing, and reuse is almost entirely unexplored. For aged glazing to be reused in construction, better knowledge of its surface quality and structural performance is needed. The main objective of this paper is to explore the effects of ageing and exposure to indoor and outdoor environment on the strength of glass. A comparative investigation is undertaken to evaluate the strength and surface quality of the internally, externally and cavity-facing glass surfaces of insulating glass units (IGUs) after 30 years of use in a building envelope in the Netherlands. The glass panes are separated from the IGU assembly and cut into specimens for microscopy and coaxial double ring tests. The study shows that the visual quality is best preserved on the cavity-facing surface, consequently exhibiting the highest bending strength. The internally and externally facing surfaces, with visibly more extensive damage, exhibited similarly lower strengths at low probabilities of failure. When compared to the design strength of new annealed glass acc. to EN 16612, all the surfaces showed a reuse potential, with considerable bending strength.
Microstructure evolution in bituminous-coal pyrolysis under in situ and stress-free conditions: a comparative study
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Wang Wenqiang , Shi Jianhang , Feng Zengchao , Du Feng , Wang Guoying , Zhou Dong
Published: August 2024

A self-made triaxial testing machine with thermal–hydraulic–mechanical–chemical (THMC) coupling and a tubular heating furnace, combined with in situ (IS) micro-computed-tomography technology was utilized in this study. The evolution of pore-fissure (PF) structure parameters (porosity, PF scale distribution, effective PF volume ratio, and permeability) of bituminous coal under stress-free (SF) and IS conditions with temperature was investigated, and then the mechanism of experimental results was analyzed. Results showed that (1) under SF conditions, at 300–550 °C, the coal samples after pyrolysis are dominated by elongated large fissures, with PF structure parameters positively correlating with temperature. After 400 °C, the number of PFs increases, with most PFs having equivalent diameter (R) ≤ 100 μm. (2) Under IS conditions, coal sample fissures are dominated by elongated large fissures at 300–350 °C and by holes at 350–600 °C. (3) Under IS conditions at 300–600 °C, the PF structure parameters of coal samples initially decrease with temperature and subsequently increase. The number of PFs fluctuates within a certain range, and the PF scale distribution dynamically shifts with temperature. (4) After 300 °C, the PF structure parameters of bituminous coal under SF and IS conditions show a bipolar distribution with temperature. Therefore, the weakening effect of stress on the PF structure of coal samples should not be overlooked during IS pyrolysis mining of coal bodies.
Thermal Analysis and Gas Generation Measurement of Foundry Sand Mixtures
Authors: Sundaram Dinesh , Svidró József Tamás , Diószegi Attila
Published: August 2024

Gas generation from molding materials creates a complex atmosphere in the mold–metal interface and is one of the primary causes of defects in cast components. Moisture, crystalline water, and decomposing binders are significant gas sources. The presence of volatiles and decomposing binder in the mold also affects the rate of heat absorption from the solidifying metal during the casting process. This work presents a measurement methodology to evaluate the rate and volume of gases generated from sand mixtures in combination with the temperature distribution and applied thermal analysis. The presented results show high reproducibility of the method. The thermal analysis results provide the start and end temperature of the binder decomposition reactions and the corresponding heat absorbed in this interval. The results obtained from the presented methodology can be used to validate the models/simulation tools developed to predict the gas evolution and related transport phenomena in the sand casting process.
Social jetlag and diet quality among US young adults: interactions with race/ethnicity
Authors: Lyu Xiru , Dunietz Galit Levi , Leung Cindy W. , Jansen Erica C.
Published: August 2024

The objective was to examine associations between social jetlag and diet quality among young adults in the US using nationally representative data from the 2017–2018 NHANES survey, and evaluate effect modification by gender and race/ethnicity. Social jetlag was considered ≥2-hour difference in sleep midpoint (median of bedtime and wake time) between weekends and weekdays. Diet quality was assessed with the Healthy Eating Index (HEI)-2015 and its 13 dietary components. Ordinal logistic models were run with diet scores binned into tertiles as the outcome. Models accounted for potential confounders and survey weights. Effect modification by gender and race/ethnicity was examined. The study sample included 1,356 adults aged 20–39 years. 31% of young adults had social jetlag. Overall, there were no associations between social jetlag and diet quality. However, interaction analysis revealed several associations were race-specific (P, interaction<0.05). Among Black adults, social jetlag was associated with lower overall diet quality (OR = 0.4, 95% CI 0.2, 0.8; i.e. less likely to be in higher diet quality tertiles) and more unfavourable scores on Total Vegetables (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.3, 1.0) and Added Sugar (i.e. OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4, 0.9). For Hispanic adults, social jetlag was associated with worse scores for Sodium (OR = 0.6, 95% CI 0.4, 0.9) However, White adults with social jetlag had better scores of Greens and Beans (OR = 1.9, 95% CI 1.1, 3.2). Within a nationally representative sample of US young adults, social jetlag was related to certain indicators of lower diet quality among Black and Hispanic Americans.
Non-hyperuniformity of Gibbs point processes with short-range interactions
Authors: Dereudre David , Flimmel Daniela
Published: August 2024

We investigate the hyperuniformity of marked Gibbs point processes that have weak dependencies among distant points whilst the interactions of close points are kept arbitrary. Various stability and range assumptions are imposed on the Papangelou intensity in order to prove that the resulting point process is not hyperuniform. The scope of our results covers many frequently used models, including Gibbs point processes with a superstable, lower-regular, integrable pair potential, as well as the Widom–Rowlinson model with random radii and Gibbs point processes with interactions based on Voronoi tessellations and nearest-neighbour graphs.
Reconceptualizing International Order: Contemporary Chinese Theories and Their Contributions to Global IR
Authors: Xiong Haoming , Peterson David A. , Braumoeller Bear F.
Published: August 2024

Recent years have witnessed the theorizing of international order from a global, rather than purely Western, perspective. We contribute to this approach by reviewing recent book-length theorizations by four prominent contemporary Chinese scholars. We outline how these conceptions of international order converge and diverge, identify their contributions and limitations, and compare them with Western paradigms of international order, such as realism and liberalism. We then demonstrate how insights from these Chinese approaches enrich existing international relations debates and shed light on contemporary Chinese foreign policy.
Anomalous Water Vapor Circulation in an Extreme Drought Event of the Mid‐Reaches of the Lancang‐Mekong River Basin
Authors: Gong Guoqing , Zhang Shuyu , Li Baoni , Chen Yufan , Chen Penghan , Wang Kai , Gan Thian Yew , Chen Deliang , Liu Junguo
Published: August 2024

The middle reaches of the Lancang‐Mekong River Basin (M‐LMRB) experienced a record‐breaking drought event in 2019, resulting in significant economic losses of approximately 650 million dollars and affecting a population of 17 million. However, the anomalous circulation and transportation processes of water vapor, which may have played a crucial role in inducing the extreme drought, have not been fully studied. In this study, we analyze the water vapor circulation during the 2019 drought event using the land‐atmosphere water balance and a backward trajectory model for moisture tracking. Our results indicate that the precipitation in the M‐LMRB from May to October 2019 was only 71.9% of the long‐term climatological mean (1959–2021). The low precipitation during this drought event can be attributed to less‐than‐normal external water vapor supply. Specifically, the backward trajectory model reveals a decrease in the amount of water vapor transported from the Indian Ocean, the Bay of Bengal, and the Pacific Ocean, which are the main moisture sources for precipitation in the region. Comparing the atmospheric circulation patterns in 2019 with the climatology, we identify anomalous anticyclone conditions in the Bay of Bengal, anomalous westerlies in the Northeast Indian Ocean, and an anomalous cyclone in the Western Pacific Ocean, collectively facilitating a stronger export of water vapor from the region. Therefore, the dynamic processes played a more significant role than thermodynamic processes in contributing to the 2019 extreme drought event.
Estimating the Impact of a 2017 Smoke Plume on Surface Climate Over Northern Canada With a Climate Model, Satellite Retrievals, and Weather Forecasts
Authors: Field Robert D. , Luo Ming , Bauer Susanne E. , Hickman Jonathan E. , Elsaesser Gregory S. , Mezuman Keren , van Lier‐Walqui Marcus , Tsigaridis Kostas , Wu Jingbo
Published: August 2024

In August 2017, a smoke plume from wildfires in British Columbia and the Northwest Territories recirculated and persisted over northern Canada for over two weeks. We compared a full‐factorial set of NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies ModelE simulations of the plume to satellite retrievals of aerosol optical depth and carbon monoxide, finding that ModelE performance was dependent on the model configuration, and more so on the choice of injection height approach, aerosol scheme and biomass burning emissions estimates than to the choice of horizontal winds for nudging. In particular, ModelE simulations with free‐tropospheric smoke injection, a mass‐based aerosol scheme and comparatively high fire NOx emissions led to unrealistically high aerosol optical depth. Using paired simulations with and without fire emissions, we estimated that for 16 days over an 850,000 km2 region, the smoke decreased planetary boundary layer heights by between 253 and 547 m, decreased downward shortwave radiation by between 52 and 172 Wm−2, and decreased surface temperature by between 1.5°C and 4.9°C, the latter spanning an independent estimate from operational weather forecasts of a 3.7°C cooling. The strongest surface climate effects were for ModelE configurations with more detailed aerosol microphysics that led to a stronger first indirect effect.
Productivity Proxies in Surface Sediment of the East Antarctic Margin: A Focus on Excess Ba
Authors: Creac'h Layla , Noble Taryn L. , Chase Zanna , Townsend Ashley T. , Pérez‐Tribouillier Habacuc , Dietz Christian
Published: August 2024

Components such as organic carbon (Corg), carbonate, opal or barite are valuable paleoceanographic proxies, enabling the reconstruction of past changes in carbon cycling under various climate regimes, particularly when 230Th‐normalization is used to reconstruct particulate vertical rain rates. However, these components can be affected by poor preservation in the sediment. Barite is generally better preserved compared to other productivity proxies, but its estimates using “excess barium” (xsBa) calculations or Ba/Al ratios may not always be reliable, especially near the continental margin. This study presents a multi‐proxy investigation of surface sediments from the East Antarctic margin to assess the robustness of xsBa as a paleo‐productivity proxy. 230Th‐normalized fluxes of Corg and opal record consistent variations within the sediment, while xsBa appears to be affected by different processes. Results suggest that xsBa may not robustly reflect marine barite in sediment close to the Antarctic Ice Sheet, because (a) the authigenic signal is overprinted by large lithogenic inputs; and (b) other mineral phases (e.g., Fe oxides) may be important Ba carrier phases in the region. 230Th‐normalized Ba concentrations in the oxide‐free sediment fraction, which was reductively leached to remove Fe‐Mn oxides, aligns with the other biogenic fluxes, implying that specific leaching for barite isolation might be required in sediment proximal to the Antarctic Ice Sheet, rather than using the standard “xsBa” calculation or Ba/Al ratios. This study gives new insights into the sedimentary cycle of Ba in East Antarctic sediment and confirms the importance of using multi‐proxy records to perform paleo‐reconstructions.
Glacier Terminus Morphology Informs Calving Style
Authors: Goliber S. A. , Catania G. A.
Published: August 2024

Terminus change is a complex outcome of ice‐ocean boundary processes and poses challenges for ice sheet models due to inadequate calving laws, creating uncertainty in sea level change projections. To address this, we quantify glacier termini sinuosity and convexity, testing the hypothesis that terminus morphology reflects dominant calving processes. Using 10 glaciers with diverse calving styles in Greenland over the period from 1985 to 2021, we establish a supervised classification of calving style by comparing morphology and literature‐derived calving observations. Validation with four of these glaciers and flotation conditions and subglacial discharge routing observations confirms concave, smooth termini indicate buoyant flexure dominated‐calving, while convex, sinuous termini suggest serac failure dominated‐calving. We also identify a mixed style where both calving types may occur. We use these classes to label calving style from 1985 to 2021 for all 10 glaciers and explore how this changes over time as glaciers retreat.
Wireless ear EEG to monitor drowsiness
Authors: Kaveh Ryan , Schwendeman Carolyn , Pu Leslie , Arias Ana C. , Muller Rikky
Published: August 2024

Neural wearables can enable life-saving drowsiness and health monitoring for pilots and drivers. While existing in-cabin sensors may provide alerts, wearables can enable monitoring across more environments. Current neural wearables are promising but most require wet-electrodes and bulky electronics. This work showcases in-ear, dry-electrode earpieces used to monitor drowsiness with compact hardware. The employed system integrates additive-manufacturing for dry, user-generic earpieces, existing wireless electronics, and offline classification algorithms. Thirty-five hours of electrophysiological data were recorded across nine subjects performing drowsiness-inducing tasks. Three classifier models were trained with user-specific, leave-one-trial-out, and leave-one-user-out splits. The support-vector-machine classifier achieved an accuracy of 93.2% while evaluating users it has seen before and 93.3% when evaluating a never-before-seen user. These results demonstrate wireless, dry, user-generic earpieces used to classify drowsiness with comparable accuracies to existing state-of-the-art, wet electrode in-ear and scalp systems. Further, this work illustrates the feasibility of population-trained classification in future electrophysiological applications.
The lactonase BxdA mediates metabolic specialisation of maize root bacteria to benzoxazinoids
Authors: Thoenen Lisa , Kreuzer Marco , Pestalozzi Christine , Florean Matilde , Mateo Pierre , Züst Tobias , Wei Anlun , Giroud Caitlin , Rouyer Liza , Gfeller Valentin , Notter Matheus D. , Knoch Eva , Hapfelmeier Siegfried , Becker Claude , Schandry Niklas , Robert Christelle A. M. , Köllner Tobias G. , Bruggmann Rémy , Erb Matthias , Schlaeppi Klaus
Published: August 2024

Root exudates contain specialised metabolites that shape the plant’s root microbiome. How host-specific microbes cope with these bioactive compounds, and how this ability affects root microbiomes, remains largely unknown. We investigated how maize root bacteria metabolise benzoxazinoids, the main specialised metabolites of maize. Diverse and abundant bacteria metabolised the major compound in the maize rhizosphere MBOA (6-methoxybenzoxazolin-2(3H)-one) and formed AMPO (2-amino-7-methoxy-phenoxazin-3-one). AMPO forming bacteria were enriched in the rhizosphere of benzoxazinoid-producing maize and could use MBOA as carbon source. We identified a gene cluster associated with AMPO formation in microbacteria. The first gene in this cluster, bxdA encodes a lactonase that converts MBOA to AMPO in vitro. A deletion mutant of the homologous bxdA genes in the genus Sphingobium, did not form AMPO nor was it able to use MBOA as a carbon source. BxdA was identified in different genera of maize root bacteria. Here we show that plant-specialised metabolites select for metabolisation-competent root bacteria. BxdA represents a benzoxazinoid metabolisation gene whose carriers successfully colonize the maize rhizosphere and thereby shape the plant’s chemical environmental footprint.