bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LAI estimation through remotely sensed NDVI following hail defoliation in maize (Zea mays L.) using Sentinel-2 and UAV imagery
Authors: Furlanetto Jacopo , Dal Ferro Nicola , Longo Matteo , Sartori Luigi , Polese Riccardo , Caceffo Daniele , Nicoli Lorenzo , Morari Francesco
Published: February 2023

Extreme events such as hailstorms are a cause for concern in agriculture, leading to both economic and food supply losses. Traditional damage estimation techniques have recently been called into question since damages have rarely been quantified at the large-field scale. Damage-estimation methods used by field inspectors are complex and sometimes subjective and hardly account for damage spatial variability. In this work, a normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI)-based parametric method was applied using both unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and Sentinel-2 sensors to estimate the leaf area index (LAI) of maize (Zea mays L.) resulting from simulated hail damage. These methods were then compared to the LAI values generated from the Sentinel-2 Biophysical Processor. A two-year experiment (2020–2021) was conducted during the maize cropping season, with hail events simulated during a range of maize developmental stages (the 8th-leaf, flowering, milky and dough stages) using a 0–40% defoliation gradient of damage intensities performed with the aid of specifically designed prototype machines. The results showed that both sensors were able to accurately estimate LAI in a nonstandard damaged canopy while requiring only the calibration of the extinction coefficient $$k(\vartheta )$$

k
(
ϑ
)

in the case of parametric estimations. In this case, the calibration was performed using 2020 data, providing $$k(\vartheta )$$

k
(
ϑ
)

values of 0.59 for Sentinel-2 and 0.37 for the UAV sensor. The validation was performed on 2021 data, and showed that the UAV sensor had the best accuracy (R2 of 0.86, root-mean-square error (RMSE) of 0.71). The $$k(\vartheta )$$

k
(
ϑ
)

value proved to be sensor-specific, accounting for the NDVI retrieval differences likely caused by the different spatial operational scales of the two sensors. NDVI proved effective in parametrically estimating maize LAI under damaged canopy conditions at different defoliation degrees. The parametric method matched the Sentinel-2 biophysical process-generated LAI well, leading to less underestimations and more accurate LAI retrieval.
Research and knowledge transfer performance in Colombian universities
Authors: Barra Cristian , Castro-Peña Mónica Y. , Coello Jesús Gabalán
Published: February 2023

This study analyzes the performance of Colombian universities in their research and knowledge transfer (KT) objectives in the period 2016–2018. The methodology was based on Data Envelopment Analysis models with Variable Return Scale and a Malmquist Productivity Index (MPI) using different combinations of variables, considering the sensitivity of performance according to the type of variables used for its measurement. The results allowed us to identify significant gaps in research output among the studied universities. Publications and patents are the main variables that influence these differences in university performance and impact their scores. On the other hand, the MPI analysis made it possible to identify that most of the universities with the most significant improvements in the analyzed period correspond to private universities, and it was possible to recognize the importance of institutional efforts and strategies as an explanatory factor for progress in the performance of universities in the studied objectives. The results obtained formed the starting point for the discussion about the implications of some incentive policies at the national and institutional level for academic production. We also refer to the KT opportunities for Colombian universities and the measures required to promote their development.
How does government-backed finance affect SMEs’ crisis predictors?
Authors: Gai Lorenzo , Arcuri Maria Cristina , Ielasi Federica
Published: February 2023

This paper estimates the impact of public guarantees on crisis predictive indicators among small and mid-size enterprises (SMEs). We use a confidential database provided by the Italian Ministry of Economic Development on the universe of guarantees granted by the Central Guarantee Fund. We apply difference-in-difference regressions and propensity-score matching estimators to a sample of approximately 40,000 SMEs over the 2010–2018 period. We find that obtaining a public guarantee improves profitability both in the short- and medium-term. On the other hand, SMEs’ financial health worsens in the short run, but financial burdens are alleviated 2 years after the issuance of a guarantee. The economic and financial effects of government-backed loans are amplified for micro-sized firms, companies operating in the service sector and direct guarantees. Our results can thus support public authorities in designing credit guarantee schemes capable of preventing SMEs’ zombification and protecting them from the risk of debt overhang.
Design, synthesis, and in silico-in vitro antimalarial evaluation of 1,2,3-triazole-linked dihydropyrimidinone quinoline hybrids
Authors: Adigun Rasheed A. , Malan Frederick P. , Balogun Mohammed O. , October Natasha
Published: February 2023

In response to the malaria parasite’s resistance towards quinoline-based antimalarial drugs, we have employed quinoline-containing compounds in combination with dihydropyrimidinone (DHPM) analogues as resistance reversal agents (RAs) and investigated their antimalarial activities based on DHPM’s resistance reversal abilities. The present study employed click chemistry to link DHPM and quinoline compounds which offered several synthetic advantages over the previously used amide coupling for the same hybrids. Among the synthesised compounds, 4 hybrids with the 7-chloroquinoline moiety showed antimalarial activity below 1 µM while compounds with the mefloquine moiety showed lower antimalarial activity than chloroquine (CQ) and the 7-chloroquinoline hybrids. Among the tested hybrids for the IC50 determination, four compounds displayed good antimalarial activity with increased sensitivity against the CQ-resistant K1 strain between 421 and 567 nM and showed higher activity between 138 and 245 nM against the NF54 CQ-sensitive strain, while three compounds have IC50 values greater than 5 µM. Additionally, in silico molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies were conducted to investigate the binding affinities of all the synthesised compounds as glutathione reductase protein competitive inhibitors. Further optimisation of the compound with the highest binding affinity generated 16 compounds with higher binding affinities than the flavine adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor.
Safety, Perceptions of Good Treatment and Subjective Well-Being in 10- and 12-year-old Children in Three Countries
Authors: González-Carrasco Mònica , Bedin Lívia , Casas Ferran , Alfaro Jaime , Sarriera Jorge Castellá
Published: February 2023

Satisfaction with safety and satisfaction with how adults listen to children and how they take what they say into account are the most important satisfaction domains that contribute to children’s subjective well-being (SWB). However, there is still more to know about what contributes to both domains. Little is understood about their mediating effects on the safety perceptions of being cared for and supported in terms of children’s SWB. Age and country are also relevant variables in this equation that suffers from a lack of information. Therefore, this article attempts to shed light on these questions by using the third wave of the Children’s Worlds data set that covers Spain, Brazil, and Chile and focuses on the 10- and 12-year-old age group. Results show that perceived contexts (home, school, and neighborhood) in each country are very important for assessing satisfaction with personal safety, while having parents who listen and take children’s opinions into account is very important for SWB in all contexts. The importance of the effects of feeling safe on SWB increases from late childhood to early adolescence, with its indirect effects being much more important than direct effects. Most children do not perceive to be listened to by teachers or do not perceive that what they say is taken into account by their teachers, which does not turn out to be very relevant for SWB in any of the three countries. Despite existing relationships between all of the variables analyzed, there are differences depending on the country and age group, with a common relationship observed between some of them.
Benefits and Limitations of the Use of Pb, Sn and Bi Alloying Elements in Hot Dip Galvanizing Bath: A Review
Authors: Henryk Kania , Mariola Saternus
Published: February 2023

Today, lead, bismuth and tin constitute the main group of alloying elements for zinc baths used for hot dip galvanizing. These metals improve the fluidity of liquid zinc, which positively affects the consumption of zinc and improves the appearance of the coating. However, their presence in the bath, despite their beneficial effects, is controversial due to the increased risk of liquid metal-assisted cracking (LMAC). Recent studies also indicate that these additives may contribute to lowering the corrosion resistance of coatings. The article analyzes the existing knowledge on the addition of lead, tin and bismuth to the bath and presents the benefits and limitations of using them as an alloying additive to the hot dip galvanizing bath.
Usefulness of Ultrasound in Assessing the Impact of Bariatric Surgery on Body Composition: a Pilot Study
Authors: Simó-Servat A. , Ibarra M. , Libran M. , Quirós C. , Puértolas N. , Alonso N. , Perea V. , Simó R. , Barahona MJ.
Published: February 2023

Background

Bariatric surgery (BS) has a significant impact on body composition. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the usefulness of musculoskeletal ultrasound (MUS) to bioelectrical impedance (BIA) in the follow-up of patients undergoing BS in terms of body composition and quality of life (QoL).

Methods

This is a prospective pilot study including 32 subjects (75% female, mean age: 49.15 ± 1.9 years) who underwent BS. Fat mass (FM), lean mass (LM), and skeletal muscle index (SMI) were calculated by BIA. MUS measured subcutaneous fat (SF) and thigh muscle thickness (TMT) of the quadriceps. QoL was assessed by the Moorehead-Ardelt questionnaire. All these measurements were performed 1 month prior to BS and at 12-month follow-up.

Results

The mean BMI decreased by 6.63 ± 1.25 kg/m2 (p=0.001). We observed significant reductions in FM (p=0.001) and SF (p=0.007) and in LM (p=0.001) but not in SMI and TMT. We found a correlation between the FM and SF (pre-surgical, r=0.42, p=0.01; post-surgical, r=0.52, p=0.003) and between SMI and TMT (pre-surgical, r=0.35, p=0.04; post-surgical, r=0.38, p=0.03). QoL test showed significant improvement (p=0.001). In addition, a correlation between the QoL questionnaire and TMT post-surgery (r=0.91, p=0.019) was observed. However, we did not find any statistically significant correlation between QoL assessment and SMI or LM.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that MUS can be complementary to BIA for the evaluation and the follow-up of body composition after BS. TMT of quadriceps can provide relevant information about regional sarcopenia and has a significant correlation with QoL.

Graphical Abstract
Establishing a Care Continuum for Cardiometabolic Conditions for Patients with Serious Mental Illness
Authors: Murphy Karly A. , Daumit Gail L.
Published: February 2023

Purpose of Review

Addressing cardiometabolic risk factors in persons with serious mental illness requires early screening and proactive medical management in both medical and mental health settings.

Recent Findings

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death for persons with serious mental illness (SMI), such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, much of which is driven by a high prevalence of metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and tobacco use. We summarize barriers and recent approaches to screening and treatment for metabolic cardiovascular risk factors within physical health and specialty mental health settings.

Incorporating system-based and provider-level support within physical health and psychiatric clinical settings should contribute to improvement for screening, diagnosis, and treatment for cardiometabolic conditions for patients with SMI. Targeted education for clinicians and leveraging multi-disciplinary teams are important first steps to recognize and treat populations with SMI at risk of CVD.
Attitudes toward sexual behaviors: relationship with gender and sexual orientation
Authors: Blanc Andrea
Published: February 2023

Most studies that have compared sexual attitudes between men and women have focused on heterosexual individuals or have not controlled for sexual orientation. In addition, many have used measures of general sexual attitudes, which have more difficulty in predicting sexual behaviors and sexual health than measures of attitudes toward specific sexual behaviors. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze whether gender and sexual orientation are related to attitudes toward specific sexual behaviors in Spain. The study sample consisted of 1725 participants (55.8% women) aged between 18 and 35 years and of different sexual orientations. All participants completed an instrument to measure attitudes toward specific contextualized sexual behaviors. After controlling for age and current relationship status, the results reveal that while women have more positive attitudes toward solitary sexual behaviors and erotic material than men, men have more positive attitudes toward unconventional and online sexual behaviors than women. Bisexual people have more positive attitudes toward frequent dyadic sexual behaviors with casual partners than homosexual people. Finally, bisexual and homosexual people have more positive attitudes towards solitary sexual behaviors and erotic material, unconventional sexual behaviors, and online sexual behaviors than heterosexuals. It is concluded that gender and sexual orientation are related to attitudes toward different types of sexual behaviors.
Differential evolution-based transfer rough clustering algorithm
Authors: Zhao Feng , Wang Chaofei , Liu Hanqiang
Published: February 2023

Due to well processing the uncertainty in data, rough clustering methods have been successfully applied in many fields. However, when the capacity of the available data is limited or the data are disturbed by noise, the rough clustering algorithms always cannot effectively explore the structure of the data. Furthermore, rough clustering algorithms are usually sensitive to the initialized cluster centers and easy to fall into local optimum. To resolve the problems mentioned above, a novel differential evolution-based transfer rough clustering (DE-TRC) algorithm is proposed in this paper. First, transfer learning mechanism is introduced into rough clustering and a transfer rough clustering framework is designed, which utilizes the knowledge from the related domain to assist the clustering task. Then, the objective function of the transfer rough clustering algorithm is optimized by using the differential evolution algorithm to enhance the robustness of the algorithm. It can overcome the sensitivity to initialized cluster centers and meanwhile achieve the global optimal clustering. The proposed algorithm is validated on different synthetic and real-world datasets. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm in comparison with both traditional rough clustering algorithms and other state-of-the-art clustering algorithms.
SimGRL: a simple self-supervised graph representation learning framework via triplets
Authors: Huang Da , Lei Fangyuan , Zeng Xi
Published: February 2023

Recently, graph contrastive learning (GCL) has achieved remarkable performance in graph representation learning. However, existing GCL methods usually follow a dual-channel encoder network (i.e., Siamese networks), which adds to the complexity of the network architecture. Additionally, these methods overly depend on varied data augmentation techniques, corrupting graph information. Furthermore, they are heavily reliant on large quantities of negative nodes for each object node, which requires tremendous memory costs. To address these issues, we propose a novel and simple graph representation learning framework, named SimGRL. Firstly, our proposed network architecture only contains one encoder based on a graph neural network instead of a dual-channel encoder, which simplifies the network architecture. Then we introduce a distributor to generate triplets to obtain the contrastive views between nodes and their neighbors, avoiding the need for data augmentations. Finally, we design a triplet loss based on adjacency information in graphs that utilizes only one negative node for each object node, reducing memory overhead significantly. Extensive experiments demonstrate that SimGRL achieves competitive performance on node classification and graph classification tasks, especially in terms of running time and memory overhead.
Wellbeing Learnings from Pandemic Pedagogies in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Ritchie Jenny
Published: February 2023

This paper discusses data from a survey of New Zealand teachers conducted in 2020 during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic. It considers this data in the light of a series of contexts: Te Tiriti o Waitangi; social inequalities particularly in relation to the impacts of colonisation and neoliberal social and economic policies on Māori; the New Zealand government’s commitment to wellbeing; Te Ara Waiora, a Māori model of wellbeing utilised by the New Zealand Treasury; and the status of the teaching profession in Aotearoa New Zealand. Using data from the teachers’ responses to the survey, it outlines ways in which wellbeing was prioritised by teachers during these early months of the pandemic, when teachers were suddenly required to pivot to online teaching. It argues that the wellbeing values as espoused in te ao Māori, a Māori worldview, and those articulated by teachers provide inspiration for a pathway beyond the privations of the pandemic.
Kann es eine neue Geistesgeschichte geben?
Authors: Mulsow Martin
Published: February 2023

Der Beitrag erkundet die Anforderungen, die sich ergeben, wenn man statt von »Intellectual History« oder »Ideengeschichte« doch wieder von Geistesgeschichte sprechen möchte – in methodisch aktualisierter Weise. Dann, so das Argument, müßten die synthetischen Anmutungen, die im Begriff des »Geistes« im Singular stecken, in zeitgemäßer Weise reformuliert werden können. Der Aufsatz macht einige Vorschläge, in welcher Weise das geschehen könnte.
Data-Driven Technologies as Enablers for Value Creation in the Prevention of Surgical Site Infections: a Systematic Review
Authors: Irgang Luís , Barth Henrik , Holmén Magnus
Published: February 2023

Despite the advances in modern medicine, the use of data-driven technologies (DDTs) to prevent surgical site infections (SSIs) remains a major challenge. Scholars recognise that data management is the next frontier in infection prevention, but many aspects related to the benefits and advantages of using DDTs to mitigate SSI risk factors remain unclear and underexplored in the literature. This study explores how DDTs enable value creation in the prevention of SSIs. This study follows a systematic literature review approach and the PRISMA statement to analyse peer-reviewed articles from seven databases. Fifty-nine articles were included in the review and were analysed through a descriptive and a thematic analysis. The findings suggest a growing interest in DDTs in SSI prevention in the last 5 years, and that machine learning and smartphone applications are widely used in SSI prevention. DDTs are mainly applied to prevent SSIs in clean and clean-contaminated surgeries and often used to manage patient-related data in the postoperative stage. DDTs enable the creation of nine categories of value that are classified in four dimensions: cost/sacrifice, functional/instrumental, experiential/hedonic, and symbolic/expressive. This study offers a unique and systematic overview of the value creation aspects enabled by DDT applications in SSI prevention and suggests that additional research is needed in four areas: value co-creation and product-service systems, DDTs in contaminated and dirty surgeries, data legitimation and explainability, and data-driven interventions.
Point-of-Care Ultrasound to Identify Rib Osteomyelitis in the Infants: a Case Report
Authors: Montero-Yéboles R. , Manzanares-Santos S. , Díaz-Rueda L. , Velasco-Jabalquinto M. J. , Ruiz-Sáez B. , Pérez-Navero J. L.
Published: February 2023

The number of reported cases of rib osteomyelitis is very infrequent. Magnetic resonance is generally the best test in these cases, due to its high sensitivity and specificity. However, given this technique has some drawbacks, it is usually restricted to cases of bad evolution. A relevant, easy to perform, bedside imaging test is the point of care ultrasound. We present the case of a 2-month-old infant with a rib osteomyelitis detected by point-of-care ultrasound in the context of sepsis after abdominal surgery. The thoracic ultrasound revealed a lesion adjacent to the right sixth rib and round extra-parenchymal collection in the right costophrenic sinus. Chest computed tomography confirmed the presence of a hypodense collection at the costochondral junction of the right seventh rib with pleural thickening and an increase in soft tissues, compatible with osteomyelitis. Our ultrasound finding in the absence of specific clinical data of rib osteomyelitis led us to a change in the duration of the antibiotic treatment already established and therefore likely led to an improvement in the patient’s prognosis. The ultrasound has gained increasing prominence due to its usefulness in diagnosis and monitoring, especially in pediatric intensive care, given the ease of use at the patient’s bedside.
Uncovering the spatiotemporal evolution of the service industry based on geo-big-data- a case study on the bath industry in China
Authors: Zhao Bingyu , Li Jingzhong , Xue Bing
Published: February 2023

The bath industry has multiple attributes, such as economic, health, and cultural communication. Therefore, exploring this industry's spatial pattern evolution is crucial to forming a healthy and balanced development model. Based on POI (Points of Interest) and population migration data, this paper uses spatial statistics and radial basis function neural network to explore the spatial pattern evolution and influencing factors of the bath industry in mainland China. The results show that: (1) The bath industry presents a strong development pattern in the north, south-northeast, and east-northwest regions and weak development in the rest of the country. As a result, the spatial development of new bath space is more malleable. (2) The input of bathing culture has a guiding role in developing the bath industry. The growth of market demand and related industries has a specific influence on the development of the bath industry. (3) Improving the bath industry's adaptability, integration, and service level are feasible to ensure healthy and balanced development. (4) Bathhouses should improve their service system and risk management control during the pandemic.
The Use and Challenges of Spatial Data in Archaeology
Authors: Klehm Carla
Published: February 2023

Overview

Spatial data, under the broader umbrella of digital data, is becoming increasingly integral to all stages of archaeological research design and dissemination. As archaeologists lean toward reuse and interoperability, with ethics on their minds, how to treat spatial data is of particular importance. This is because of the complexities involved at every life-cycle stage, from collection to publication, including black box issues that may be taken for granted, and because the size of spatial data can lead to archiving difficulties. Here, the “DIY” momentum of increasingly accessible spatial methods such as photogrammetry and handheld lidar is examined alongside forthcoming changes in publication policies that will impact the United States in particular, framed around a conversation about best practices and a call for more comprehensive training for the archaeological community. At its heart, this special issue seeks to realize the potential of increasingly digitized—and increasingly large amounts of—archaeological data. Within cultural resource management, this means anticipating utilization of data through widespread standardization, among many interrelated activities. A desire to enhance the utility of archaeological data has distinct resonances with the use of spatial data in archaeology, as do some wider challenges that the archaeological community faces moving forward.
The authors of our own lives: the limitations of the behavioural justification for paternalism
Authors: Oliver Adam
Published: February 2023

In this article, the confidence that has been placed in hard and, in particular, soft paternalistic measures in the field of behavioural public policy is questioned. The four purported limitations of human reasoning – i.e. limited imagination, willpower, objectivity and technical ability – are considered, but ultimately it is concluded that these are insufficient justifications for paternalistic intervention, for two principal-related reasons. First, it is impossible for a policy maker to discern what people desire for their own lives, and second, so long as they are not harming others, people ought to be free to pursue their own desires. The vision for the future of behavioural public policy proposed here is thus consistent with classical liberal, and in particular, Millian thought: i.e. aim to educate people on the pros and cons of their actions and inactions so that they are better equipped to live the lives they wish to lead but do not interfere directly in guiding them towards any particular end.
The Biomedical Entrepreneurship Skills Development Program for the Advancement of Research Translation: Foundations of Biomedical Startups course, metrics, and impact
Authors: Schweickart Tucker , Hill-Whilton Zachary , Chitale Sadhana , Cobos Daniel , Gilon-Yanai Michal , Achuonjei Joy , Vizgan Gabriel , Gillespie Colleen , Gold-von Simson Gabrielle
Published: February 2023

Background/Objective:

A growing number of biomedical doctoral graduates are entering the biotechnology and industry workforce, though most lack training in business practice. Entrepreneurs can benefit from venture creation and commercialization training that is largely absent from standard biomedical educational curricula. The NYU Biomedical Entrepreneurship Educational Program (BEEP) seeks to fill this training gap to prepare and motivate biomedical entrepreneurs to develop an entrepreneurial skill set, thus accelerating the pace of innovation in technology and business ventures.

Methods:

The NYU BEEP Model was developed and implemented with funding from NIDDK and NCATS. The program consists of a core introductory course, topic-based interdisciplinary workshops, venture challenges, on-line modules, and mentorship from experts. Here, we evaluate the efficacy of the core, introductory course, “Foundations of Biomedical Startups,” through the use of pre/post-course surveys and free-response answers.

Results:

After 2 years, 153 participants (26% doctoral students, 23% post-doctoral PhDs, 20% faculty, 16% research staff, 15% other) have completed the course. Evaluation data show self-assessed knowledge gain in all domains. The percentage of students rating themselves as either “competent” or “on the way to being an expert” in all areas was significantly higher post-course (P < 0.05). In each content area, the percentages of participants rating themselves as “very interested” increased post-course. 95% of those surveyed reported the course met its objectives, and 95% reported a higher likelihood of pursuing commercialization of discoveries post-course.

Conclusion:

NYU BEEP can serve as a model to develop similar curricula/programs to enhance entrepreneurial activity of early-stage researchers.
Virtual Aunting and Public Health Emergencies: A Novel Approach to Sharing Public Health Guidance
Authors: Ottley Amanda , Stone Courtney , Henry Marlyn , Weber Bridget , Jackson Tamaraleah , Ondieki Michael
Published: February 2023

Effective communication with the public is essential during health emergencies. As evident during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the lack of effective public health communication with equity-deserving groups has contributed to higher morbidity and mortality than the non-racialized community. This concept paper will describe a grassroots community effort to provide culturally safe public health information to the East African community in Toronto at the beginning of the pandemic. Community members collaborated with The LAM Sisterhood to create a virtual aunt, Auntie Betty, and record voice notes with essential public health guidance in Swahili and Kinyarwanda. This manner of communicating with the East African community was well-received and has shown great potential as a tool to support effective communication efforts during public health emergencies that disproportionately impact Black and equity-deserving communities.
Obtaining molecular hydrogen from water radiolysis in the nano-SiO
2
(d = 20 nm)/H
2
O system under the influence of γ-quanta
Authors: Jafarov Y. D. , Bashirova S. M. , Mardanov I. J. , Imanova Gunel T.
Published: February 2023

Under the influence of γ-quanta (60Co, P = 9.276 rad/s, T = 300 K), the amount, formation rate, and radiation-chemical yield of molecular hydrogen obtained from the radiolysis process that changes the mass of water (m = 0.0001 ÷ 0.8 g) have been defined in the created nano-SiO2/H2O system with m = 0.2 g mass and d = 20 nm particle size. It was determined that the radiation-chemical yield of molecular hydrogen obtained from the water radiolysis process in the nano-SiO2/H2O system created by the adsorption of water on the nanoparticle surface had a low value. In systems created with the addition of water, the radiation-chemical yield of molecular hydrogen obtained from its radiolysis increased in direct proportion to the water mass. This proves that due to ionizing rays, the yield of electrons emitted from the nanoparticle surface into the water and solvated there increases. Therefore, the radiation-chemical yield of molecular hydrogen is higher than that of the adsorbed system.
Suppressing small-scale self-focusing of high-power femtosecond pulses
Authors: Martyanov Mikhail , Ginzburg Vladislav , Balakin Alexey , Skobelev Sergey , Silin Dmitry , Kochetkov Anton , Yakovlev Ivan , Kuzmin Alexey , Mironov Sergey , Shaikin Ilya , Stukachev Sergey , Shaykin Andrey , Khazanov Efim , Litvak Alexander
Published: February 2023

It was shown experimentally that for a 65-fs 17-J pulse, the effect of filamentation instability, also known as small-scale self-focusing, is much weaker than that predicted by stationary and nonstationary theoretical models for high B-integral values. Although this discrepancy has been left unexplained at the moment, in practice no signs of filamentation may allow a breakthrough in nonlinear pulse post-compression at high laser energy.
A ranching economic analysis of ventenata (Ventenata dubia) control in northeast Wyoming
Authors: Hart Marshall , Ritten John , Mealor Brian A.
Published: February 2023

Invasive species pose a threat to the livelihoods of many people living on rangelands of the western United States. Invasive species impact many ecosystem goods and services of the areas they invade and represent one of the largest causes of habitat degradation. On private ranches, economic analyses often find that conservation practices, such as invasive species control, are not economically viable, in contrast to what is found at the landscape scale. In northeast Wyoming, ventenata [Ventenata dubia (Leers) Coss.] is a relatively new invader in the Great Plains ecoregion that threatens forage production on ranches. Our objective was to explore the economic costs of V. dubia for two options available to a ranch operation: purchasing extra hay to offset losses in forage and controlling V. dubia with herbicide. Using a partial budget analysis, we compare these two options in three invasion scenarios using a range of forage utilization rates and discount rates. Controlling V. dubia with herbicide was a cheaper option compared with purchasing additional hay in many cases. In fact, at 50% utilization, it is cheaper to control V. dubia in all of our scenarios at all discount rates given our assumptions. For lower grazing utilization rates, it becomes cheaper to purchase hay in some cases other than in our worst-case invasion scenario. In these cases, coordination among ranchers is needed to effectively control V. dubia. There are many ranch-specific differences that may make a different option more feasible, and we did not explore options of reducing herd sizes. However, our results suggest that controlling V. dubia can be an economically viable option under certain circumstances. Additional assistance in the form of a cost-share program, and facilitation of coordination is needed to overcome the difficulties of private management of invasive species.
Toward a Nation Defined by State: Tattooed Loyalty and the Evolution of Yue Fei's (1103–1142) Image from the Song to the Present
Authors: Du Yue
Published: February 2023

This article discusses how the legendary general Yue Fei (1103–1142) and his legacy have been perceived and appropriated in Chinese history. Twentieth-century historians approached Yue's career by highlighting the tension between his dedication to the nation (baoguo) and his personal loyalty (jinzhong) to Emperor Gaozong (1107–1187) of the Song. I argue that for Yue Fei himself and those who wrote about him in late imperial China, Yue's guo, from which he derived his political identity and toward which he devoted his service, meant first and foremost the Song dynastic state. The pushing and pulling of multivalent themes of loyalty and state service in the “historic assessment” of Yue Fei since the turn of the twentieth century speak to the complexities embedded in different Chinese governments’ navigation of ethnic and class politics in their pursuit of a new national identity for China.
On the origin of quadrupole sound from a two-dimensional aerofoil trailing edge
Authors: Kojima Yoimi , Skene Calum S. , Yeh Chi-An , Taira Kunihiko , Kameda Masaharu
Published: February 2023

Tonal noise emitted from the trailing edge of an airfoil is considered using modal analysis techniques to investigate secondary quadrupole tones. We examine the origin of quadrupole sound generated from two-dimensional unsteady laminar flow over a NACA0012 airfoil. In this paper, we consider two flow configurations at Mach numbers of

$M_\infty = 0.1$

and 0.05 that lead to different acoustic characteristics: the former has a significant high-frequency quadrupole noise source, whereas the latter does not. We use vortex sound theory, dynamic mode decomposition (DMD), and resolvent analysis to analyze the sound source. First, we employ DMD modes to reveal that the quadrupole sound is only observed in the higher Mach number case. Next, the vortex dynamics in the vicinity of the trailing edge are studied to identify the origin of quadrupole sound. It is found that the quadrupole sound is caused by vortex shedding in the vicinity of the trailing edge. The complex vortex interaction between both sides of the airfoil strengthens the quadrupole source in the higher Mach number case, while it is negligible in the lower one. Furthermore, we perform resolvent analysis to examine the vortex generation over the airfoil. The resolvent mode indicates that the interaction between the vortices on both sides of the airfoil causes a multi-scale vortex structure on the suction-side wall.
The emergence of bubble-induced scaling in thermal spectra in turbulence
Authors: Dung On-Yu , Waasdorp Pim , Sun Chao , Lohse Detlef , Huisman Sander G.
Published: February 2023

We report on the modification of the spectrum of a passive scalar inside a turbulent flow by the injection of large bubbles. Although the spectral modification through bubbles is well known and well analysed for the velocity fluctuations, little is known on how bubbles change the fluctuations of an approximately passive scalar, in our case temperature. Here we uncover the thermal spectral scaling behaviour of a turbulent multiphase thermal mixing layer. The development of a

$-3$

spectral scaling is triggered. By injecting large bubbles (

${Re}_{{bub}} = {O}(10^2)$

) with gas volume fractions

$\alpha$

up to 5 %. For these bubbly flows, the

$-5/3$

scaling is still observed at intermediate frequencies for low

$\alpha$

but becomes less pronounced when

$\alpha$

further increases and it is followed by a steeper

$-3$

slope for larger frequencies. This

$-3$

scaling range extends with increasing gas volume fraction. The

$-3$

scaling exponent coincides with the typical energy spectral scaling for the velocity fluctuations in high-Reynolds-number bubbly flows. We identify the frequency scale of the transition from the

$-5/3$

scaling to the

$-3$

scaling and show how it depends on the gas volume fraction.
Cocaine-use disorder and childhood maltreatment are associated with the activation of neutrophils and increased inflammation
Authors: Funchal Giselle A. , Schuch Jaqueline B. , Zaparte Aline , Sanvicente-Vieira Breno , Viola Thiago W. , Grassi-Oliveira Rodrigo , Bauer Moisés E.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Cocaine-use disorder (CUD) has been associated with early life adversity and activated cellular immune responses. Women are most vulnerable to complications from chronic substance disorders, generally presenting an intense feeling of abstinence and consuming significant drug amounts. Here, we investigated neutrophil functional activities in CUD, including the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and related intracellular signalling. We also investigated the role of early life stress in inflammatory profiles.

Methods:

Blood samples, clinical data, and history of childhood abuse or neglect were collected at the onset of detoxification treatment of 41 female individuals with CUD and 31 healthy controls (HCs). Plasma cytokines, neutrophil phagocytosis, NETs, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt) and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)s were assessed by flow cytometry.

Results:

CUD subjects had higher scores of childhood trauma than controls. Increased plasma cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-12, and IL-10), neutrophil phagocytosis, and production of NETs were reported in CUD subjects as compared to HC. Neutrophils of CUD subjects also produced high levels of intracellular ROS and had more activated Akt and MAPKs (p38/ERK), which are essential signalling pathways involved in cell survival and NETs production. Childhood trauma scores were significantly associated with neutrophil activation and peripheral inflammation.

Conclusion:

Our study reinforces that smoked cocaine and early life stress activate neutrophils in an inflammatory environment.
A single dose of cocaine raises SV2A density in hippocampus of adolescent rats
Authors: Rossi Rachele , Bærentzen Simone Larsen , Thomsen Majken B. , Real Caroline C. , Wegener Gregers , Grassi-Oliveira Rodrigo , Gjedde Albert , Landau Anne M.
Published: February 2023

Objective

Cocaine is a highly addictive psychostimulant that affects synaptic activity with structural and functional adaptations of neurons. The transmembrane synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) of pre-synaptic vesicles is commonly used to measure synaptic density, as a novel approach to the detection of synaptic changes. We do not know if a single dose of cocaine suffices to affect pre-synaptic SV2A density, especially during adolescence when synapses undergo intense maturation. Here, we explored potential changes of pre-synaptic SV2A density in target brain areas associated with the cocaine-induced boost of dopaminergic neurotransmission, specifically testing if the effects would last after the return of dopamine levels to baseline.

Methods:

We administered cocaine (20 mg/kg i.p.) or saline to rats in early adolescence, tested their activity levels and removed the brains 1 hour and 7 days after injection. To evaluate immediate and lasting effects, we did autoradiography with [3H]UCB-J, a specific tracer for SV2A, in medial prefrontal cortex, striatum, nucleus accumbens, amygdala, and dorsal and ventral areas of hippocampus. We also measured the striatal binding of [3H]GBR-12935 to test cocaine’s occupancy of the dopamine transporter at both times of study.

Results:

We found a significant increase of [3H]UCB-J binding in the dorsal and ventral sections of hippocampus 7 days after the cocaine administration compared to saline-injected rats, but no differences 1 hour after the injection. The [3H]GBR-12935 binding remained unchanged at both times.

Conclusion:

Cocaine provoked lasting changes of hippocampal synaptic SV2A density after a single exposure during adolescence
Building a precision medicine infrastructure at a national level: The Swedish experience
Authors: Edsjö Anders , Lindstrand Anna , Gisselsson David , Mölling Paula , Friedman Mikaela , Cavelier Lucia , Johansson Maria , Ehrencrona Hans , Fagerqvist Therese , Strid Tobias , Lovmar Lovisa , Jacobsson Bo , Johansson Åsa , Engstrand Lars , Wheelock Craig E. , Sikora Per , Wirta Valtteri , Fioretos Thoas , Rosenquist Richard ,   Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS)
Published: February 2023

Precision medicine has the potential to transform healthcare by moving from one-size-fits-all to personalised treatment and care. This transition has been greatly facilitated through new high-throughput sequencing technologies that can provide the unique molecular profile of each individual patient, along with the rapid development of targeted therapies directed to the Achilles heels of each disease. To implement precision medicine approaches in healthcare, many countries have adopted national strategies and initiated genomic/precision medicine initiatives to provide equal access to all citizens. In other countries, such as Sweden, this has proven more difficult due to regionally organised healthcare. Using a bottom-up approach, key stakeholders from academia, healthcare, industry and patient organisations joined forces and formed Genomic Medicine Sweden (GMS), a national infrastructure for the implementation of precision medicine across the country. To achieve this, Genomic Medicine Centres have been established to provide regionally distributed genomic services, and a national informatics infrastructure has been built to allow secure data handling and sharing. GMS has a broad scope focusing on rare diseases, cancer, pharmacogenomics, infectious diseases and complex diseases, while also providing expertise in informatics, ethical and legal issues, health economy, industry collaboration and education. In this review, we summarise our experience in building a national infrastructure for precision medicine. We also provide key examples how precision medicine already has been successfully implemented within our focus areas. Finally, we bring up challenges and opportunities associated with precision medicine implementation, the importance of international collaboration, as well as the future perspective in the field of precision medicine.
PILOT-WAVE HYDRODYNAMICS: QUANTISATION OF PARTIAL INTEGRABILITY FROM A NONLINEAR INTEGRO-DIFFERENTIAL EQUATION OF THE SECOND ORDER
Authors: DAY JAMES
Published: February 2023

Vertically vibrating a liquid bath may allow a self-propelled wave-particle entity to move on its free surface. The horizontal dynamics of this walking droplet, under the constraint of an external drag force, can be described adequately by an integro-differential trajectory equation. For a sinusoidal wave field, this equation is equivalent to a closed three-dimensional system of nonlinear ODEs. We explicitly define a stability boundary for the system and a quantised criterion for its partial integrability in the meromorphic category.
Molluscs along a salinity gradient in a hypersaline coastal lagoon, southern Gulf of Mexico
Authors: Suárez-Mozo Nancy Yolimar , Papiol Vanesa , Enriquez Cecilia , Brenner Mark , Simões Nuno
Published: February 2023

Molluscs are a diverse phylum in coastal lagoons because the numerous taxa collectively display broad ranges of optima and tolerance with respect to ambient conditions. We report on the taxonomic composition, habitat preferences and feeding guilds of molluscs from Río Lagartos coastal lagoon, Mexico. Molluscs were collected in the rainy season (September/October 2017), during the winter (Nortes) season (February 2018) and at the end of the warm, dry season (May 2018). Samples were taken using a Ponar dredge, a cylindrical PVC core barrel, or a beach seine. We studied the abiotic characteristics (sediment grain-size distributions, submersed aquatic vegetation abundance and salinity) to explore assemblage differences across the broad salinity gradient that characterizes the system (~30–78 PSU). Molluscs were represented by 39 species, 34 genera, 23 families and two classes. Stenohaline species were more numerous overall than euryhaline species, but their occurrence in samples was low (<20% of the samples). Stenohaline taxa lived primarily in environments characterized by marine salinity, and few were found under hypersaline conditions. We collected a smaller number of species than did studies carried out in the lagoon >35 years ago. Species accumulation curves revealed that the full species richness was not captured in our study. Euhaline environments displayed greater mollusc species richness and had a larger proportion of amount (mass) of submersed aquatic vegetation. In the hypersaline environments, species richness may be favoured by the lower dominance of sands. Suspension feeders were the most diverse group in both the euhaline and hyperhaline environments.
Philosophy and the contemplative way of life
Authors: Wynn Mark
Published: February 2023

One way of understanding the significance of Christina Van Dyke's book A Hidden Wisdom is as a plea for the recovery of an ideal of philosophy as, in part, ‘a way of life’, and for a reintegration of that ideal into current philosophical practice. In this review, I consider how this proposal might be developed.
Can panpsychism solve thorny theological problems?
Authors: Miller Tim B. , Oord Thomas Jay
Published: February 2023

Joanna Leidenhag has written a ground-breaking book arguing that the concept of panpsychism can solve several problems facing present-day humans. It can motivate greater commitment to concern for earth's diverse environments and the life forms that inhabit them. And it can solve theological problems connected with human consciousness, notably, how consciousness and matter coexist and interact. This article summarizes and comments on Leidenhag's arguments, then suggests several paths forward for those inspired by Leidenhag's ideas and arguments who wish to explore them and related notions in greater depth.