bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Domino: A new framework for the automated identification of weather event precursors, demonstrated for European extreme rainfall
Authors: Dorrington Joshua , Grams Christian , Grazzini Federico , Magnusson Linus , Vitart Frederic
Published: November 2023

A number of studies have investigated the large‐scale drivers and upstream precursors of extreme weather events, making it clear that the earliest warning signs of extreme events can be remote from the impacted region in both time and space. Integrating and leveraging our understanding of dynamical precursors provides a new perspective on ensemble forecasting for extreme events, focused on building storylines of possible event evolution. This then acts as a tool for raising awareness of the conditions conducive to high‐impact weather and providing early warning of their possible development. However, operational applications of this developing knowledge base are limited, perhaps for want of a clear framework for doing so. Here, we present such a framework, supported by open software tools, designed for identifying large‐scale precursors of categorical weather events in an automated fashion and reducing them to scalar indices suitable for statistical prediction, forecast interpretation, and model validation. We demonstrate this framework by systematically analysing the precursor circulations of daily rainfall extremes across 18 regional‐ to national‐scale European domains. We discuss the precursor rainfall dynamics for three disparate regions, and show our findings are consistent with, and extend, previous work. We provide an estimate of the predictive utility of these precursors across Europe based on logistic regression, and show that large‐scale precursors can usefully predict heavy rainfall between two and six days ahead, depending on region and season. We further show how, for more continental‐scale applications, the regionally specific precursors can be synthesised into a minimal set of indices that drive heavy precipitation. We then provide comments and guidance for generalisation and application of our demonstrated approach to new variables, timescales, and regions.
Energy expenditure of femoral broaching in direct anterior total hip replacements—Comparison between manual and automated techniques
Authors: Coden Gloria , Greenwell Patrick , Niu Ruijia , Fang Christopher , Talmo Carl , Smith Eric L.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Little information is known regarding the energy expenditure of the surgeon during total hip arthroplasty (THA). We sought to compare the energy expenditure associated with femoral broaching using two techniques: manual and automated.

Methods

We recorded energy expenditure, minute ventilation, heart rate, and total broaching time of a single surgeon while broaching the femoral canal during direct anterior THA using two different techniques: Manual broaching (n = 26) and automated broaching (n = 20).

Results

Manual broaching required a longer time than automated broaching (6.1 ± 1.1 vs. 3.7 ± 0.9 min;p < 0.001) with an increase in energy expenditure (32.6 ± 7.0 vs. 16.0 ± 7.1 Calories;p < 0.001). Heart rate was higher with manual broaching (99.4 ± 9.8 vs. 90.1 ± 9.8 beats per min;p = 0.003), along with minute ventilation (36.5 ± 7.0 vs. 30.3 ± 5.8 L/min;p = 0.003). There were no intraoperative complications.

Conclusions

Automated femoral broaching during THA can decrease the energy expenditure of broaching by 50% and time of broaching by 40%, when compared to manual technique.

Clinical Trial Registration

This research was not a clinical trial.
Quantized feedback control of continuous time Lur'e systems with nested quantization over finite data rate channels
Authors: Wang Jian , Yu Jiafeng
Published: November 2023

This paper studies a control problem of continuous time Lur'e systems involving input quantization (for the output of the controller) and output quantization (for the output of the plant). When the output of one quantization operator becomes directly the input of the other one, the nested quantization is produced, which is difficult for the design of the systems. Based on spherical polar coordinate quantizer, a quantization method with finite data rate is proposed for handling the nested quantization. In addition, both the quantization errors and Lur'e‐type nonlinearity are converted to sector bound uncertainties that are modeled by norm bounded uncertain matrices, which facilitates the design of the systems. Owing to the quantization error the resulting closed‐loop system is described by a discontinuous right‐hand side differential equation and the notion of Krasovskii solution is adopted for the equation. By Krasovskii solution the update rule of the quantization region is designed to ensure the convergence to the origin of the system with the nested quantization and avoid the quantizer saturation. Further, since the quantizers cannot quantize the controller output and the system output directly, we develop an optimalization problem for each quantizer to obtain the estimates of the outputs of the plant and the controller. Finally, a method is presented to achieve the parameters of the controller.
Epistemological Tensions in Reading Research and a Vision for the Future
Authors: Purcell‐Gates Victoria
Published: November 2023

This essay book review examines the Handbook of Reading Research, Volume IV, edited by Michael. L. Kamil, P. David Pearson, Elizabeth Birr Moje, and Peter P. Afflerbach. Taking an overview perspective on the volume, the review addresses issues of epistemology and theoretical frames as they apply to the study and research of reading. The author concludes that the volume, as a whole, represents the still fractious nature of the theoretical underpinnings of reading research and suggests a move toward a more unitary sociocognitive frame for reading research that could inform future handbooks on reading research as well as future research designs, methods, and presentations.
Impacts and Pathways of the Belt and Road Initiative on Sustainable Development Goals of the Involved Countries
Authors: Li Chenggang , Wan Yikang , Xu Zhenci , Fan Xiangbo , Shuai Chenyang , Yu Xuemei , Tan Yuanyuan
Published: November 2023

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) tremendously impacts the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the countries involved. However, the BRI's impacts and impact pathways on the synergies and trade‐offs in these countries' SDGs remain unclear. Using global data from 2005 to 2021, we find that the BRI has dramatically promoted low‐income countries' SDGs and the synergies between high‐income countries' SDGs. Continuing to prioritize economic growth as the main focus of the BRI may not be the optimal path for achieving mutual development that benefits all of humanity. Although there is environmental pressure involved with the BRI, this factor does not force involved countries to make trade‐offs between improving SDGs and environmental resources. Furthermore, the BRI affects involved countries' SDGs through two key channels: fostering industries, innovation, and infrastructure (SDG 9) by enhancing people's well‐being (SDG 3) and promoting zero hunger (SDG 2) through sustainable cities (SDG 11).
The road to sustainable development: Results of the differentiated choice of corporate environmental strategy
Authors: Wang Yufei , Zhang Xiufan , Wang Yan , Chen Xueli , Song Malin
Published: November 2023

Finding a reasonable and efficient sustainable development path is more important for enterprises than emphasizing environmental protection. Corporate environmental strategy, green innovation and corporate sustainability are selected as representative variables to explore the possibility of Chinese heavily polluting enterprises to achieve sustainable development. Through questionnaires and regression analysis, our study shows that the different effects of corporate environmental strategies on corporate sustainability are only reflected in economic dimension, and that the mediating role of green process innovation between reactive environmental strategy and environmental sustainability is more significant than that of green product innovation. This study has made contributions to research in the field of sustainable development, discussing the role of corporate environmental strategies and green innovation in environmental protection, and exploring effective paths to achieve sustainable development. In addition, the combination of environmental strategies and green innovation among different types can also enable managers to plan sustainable development paths more reasonably.
A mixed model approach to estimate the survivor average causal effect in cluster‐randomized trials
Authors: Wang Wei , Tong Guangyu , Hirani Shashivadan P. , Newman Stanton P. , Halpern Scott D. , Small Dylan S. , Li Fan , Harhay Michael O.
Published: November 2023

In many medical studies, the outcome measure (such as quality of life, QOL) for some study participants becomes informatively truncated (censored, missing, or unobserved) due to death or other forms of dropout, creating a nonignorable missing data problem. In such cases, the use of a composite outcome or imputation methods that fill in unmeasurable QOL values for those who died rely on strong and untestable assumptions and may be conceptually unappealing to certain stakeholders when estimating a treatment effect. The survivor average causal effect (SACE) is an alternative causal estimand that surmounts some of these issues. While principal stratification has been applied to estimate the SACE in individually randomized trials, methods for estimating the SACE in cluster‐randomized trials are currently limited. To address this gap, we develop a mixed model approach along with an expectation–maximization algorithm to estimate the SACE in cluster‐randomized trials. We model the continuous outcome measure with a random intercept to account for intracluster correlations due to cluster‐level randomization, and model the principal strata membership both with and without a random intercept. In simulations, we compare the performance of our approaches with an existing fixed‐effects approach to illustrate the importance of accounting for clustering in cluster‐randomized trials. The methodology is then illustrated using a cluster‐randomized trial of telecare and assistive technology on health‐related QOL in the elderly.
Cox regression with linked data
Authors: Vo Thanh Huan , Garès Valérie , Zhang Li‐Chun , Happe André , Oger Emmanuel , Paquelet Stéphane , Chauvet Guillaume
Published: November 2023

Record linkage is increasingly used, especially in medical studies, to combine data from different databases that refer to the same entities. The linked data can bring analysts novel and valuable knowledge that is impossible to obtain from a single database. However, linkage errors are usually unavoidable, regardless of record linkage methods, and ignoring these errors may lead to biased estimates. While different methods have been developed to deal with the linkage errors in the generalized linear model, there is not much interest on Cox regression model, although this is one of the most important statistical models in clinical and epidemiological research. In this work, we propose an adjusted estimating equation for secondary Cox regression analysis, where linked data have been prepared by a third‐party operator, and no information on matching variables is available to the analyst. Through a Monte Carlo simulation study, the proposed method is shown to lead to substantial bias reductions in the estimation of the parameters of the Cox model caused by false links. An asymptotically unbiased variance estimator for the adjusted estimators of Cox regression coefficients is also proposed. Finally, the proposed method is applied to a linked database from the Brest stroke registry in France.
Paraffin@hBN Phase‐Change Thermal Conductive Composite: Preparation and Properties
Authors: Chen Tiantian , Luo Sicheng , Wang Haixu , Fu Hai , Wang Ning , Sun Rong
Published: November 2023

As a typical organic phase change material, paraffin occupies the large phase‐transition latent heat, promising electronic insulation, excellent cycling and chemical stability as well as the low corrosivity, which is attractive in the thermal management. In the practical applications, the surface of paraffin should be protected by organic or inorganic layers to inhibit the leakage above the melting point. However, in the reported paraffin composites, the weak cycling stability and the low thermal conductivity restricts their applications. In this paper, the highly thermal conductive hexagonal boron nitride nanosheets (hBNNS) are used as the protective layer for wrapping the paraffin in a microemulsion method to form the hBN‐paraffin thermal management composite, which exhibits the large phase‐transition latent heat ~189 J g−1, the excellent cycling stability over 20 cycles and the high thermal conductivity ~1.2 W m−1 K−1. The developed paraffin@ hBN composite should be promising for the thermal management in electronic packing, and can be used to improve the reliability of electric devices.
3D Carbon Fiber Skeleton Film Modified with Gradient Cu Nanoparticles as Auxiliary Anode Regulates Dendrite‐Free, Bottom‐Up Zinc Deposition
Authors: Lai Sen , Yuan Yongfeng , Zhu Min , Yin Simin , Huang Yizhong , Guo Shaoyi , Yan Weiwei
Published: November 2023

Achieving stable Zn plating/stripping under high current density and large area capacity remains a major challenge for metal Zn anodes. To address this issue, common filter paper is utilized to construct 3D carbon fiber skeleton film modified with gradient Cu nanoparticles (CFF@Cu). The original zincophobic hydrophilic CFF is transformed into gradient zincophilic and reversed gradient hydrophilic composite, due to the gradient distribution of Cu nanoparticles. When CFF@Cu is placed above Zn foil as an auxiliary anode, Zn foil anode exhibits stable, reversible, and dendrite‐free Zn plating/stripping for 1200 h at 10 mA cm−2 and 2 mAh cm−2, 2000 h at 2 mA cm−2 and 2 mAh cm−2, 340 h at 10 mA cm−2 and 10 mAh cm−2. Additionally, nucleation barrier of Zn, Zn2+ transport and deposition kinetics are improved. The deposits on the Zn foil anode become homogeneous, dense, and fine. Side reactions and by‐products are effectively inhibited. The excellent performance is mainly attributed to the gradient zincophilic field in 3D CFF. A portion of Zn2+ is captured by Cu and deposited within CFF@Cu from bottom to top, which reduces and homogenizes Zn2+ flux on Zn foil, as well as weakens and homogenizes electric field on Zn foil.
PD‐Gait: Contactless and privacy‐preserving gait measurement of Parkinson's disease patients using acoustic signals
Authors: Li Zeshui , Pan Yang , Dai Haipeng , Zhang Wenhao , Li Zhen , Wang Wei , Chen Guihai
Published: November 2023

In this article, we propose a mobile edge computing (MEC)‐related system named PD‐Gait, which can measure gait parameters of Parkinson's disease patients in a contactless and privacy‐preserving manner. We utilize inaudible acoustic signals and band‐pass filters to achieve privacy data protection in the physical layer. The proposed framework can be easily deployed in the mobile end of MEC, and hence release the edge server in cybersecurity attacks fighting. The gait parameters include stride cycle time length and moving speed, and hence providing an objective basis for the doctors' judgment. PD‐Gait utilizes acoustic signals in bands from 16 to 23 kHz to achieve device‐free sensing, which would release both doctors and patients from the tedious wearing process and psychological burden caused by traditional wearable devices. To achieve robust measurement, we propose a novel acoustic ranging method to avoid “broken tones” and “uneven peak distribution” in the received data. The corresponding ranging accuracy is 0.1 m. We also propose auto‐focus micro‐Doppler features to extract robust stride cycle time length, and can achieve an accuracy of 0.052 s. We deployed PD‐Gait in a brain hospital and collected data from 8 patients. The total walked distance is over 330 m. From the overall trend, our results are highly correlated with the doctor's judgment.
Cisco population characteristics in Wisconsin lakes in relation to lake- and landscape-level factors
Authors: Dembkowski Daniel J. , Shrovnal Jeremiah S. , Parks Timothy P. , Sass Greg G. , Lyons John , Isermann Daniel A.
Published: November 2023

Objective

Declines in Cisco Coregonus artedi populations in some inland lakes have prompted assessments of Cisco occurrence and extirpation risk in relation to various stressors to identify refuge lakes and factors that promote Cisco persistence. However, most previous assessments have focused on presence–absence of Cisco rather than examining how population characteristics, such as relative abundance or growth, might change in relation to lake- and landscape-level environmental factors. Consequently, our specific objectives were to identify important environmental factors explaining variation in Cisco relative abundance and growth and to determine whether population metrics describing size and age distributions were related to relative abundance in Wisconsin inland lakes.

Methods

Cisco were collected from 48 inland Wisconsin lakes during 2011–2015 using vertical monofilament gill nets and population-specific relative abundance estimates (catch per unit effort [CPUE]) were quantified as the number of individuals per gill-net night. Sagittal otoliths were removed from a subsample of Cisco for age estimation and growth was indexed as mean total length (TL; mm) at age 2. Length and age data were used to develop a suite of metrics describing size and age distributions of each population. Random forest models were used to evaluate relationships between 10 biologically relevant predictor variables representing variation in physical, climatic, catchment, and limnological characteristics and Cisco CPUE and growth. Pearson correlations were used to determine whether population characteristics were related to CPUE.

Result

Cisco populations exhibited large variation in relative abundance, growth, and size and age distributions. Best-fit random forest models explained approximately 25% of the variation in Cisco CPUE and 46% of the variation in growth. Growing degree-days and variables associated with availability, quality, and quantity of suitable oxythermal conditions were identified as important predictors of both Cisco CPUE and growth; CPUE was also identified as an important predictor of growth. Mean TL and mean TL at age 2 were negatively related to Cisco CPUE, whereas mean age, number of age-classes present, and maximum observed age were positively related to CPUE.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that maintenance of suitable oxythermal habitat conditions may be critical to conserving abundant Cisco populations. Our assessment also provides insights on how Cisco populations may respond to environmental and anthropogenic stressors, which could aid ongoing and future conservation and management efforts in Wisconsin and elsewhere.
Midwestern In‐service Teachers' Raciolinguistic Mindset and Pedagogies for Emergent Bilingual Learners: Whose Equity and Excellence Are We Seeking For?
Authors: Song Kim H. , Schultz Lyndsie Marie , Child Gregory , Kim Sujin , Dorner Lisa
Published: November 2023

This mixed methods study examined how a National Professional Development Grant project's first cohort (2018–2020) in the Midwest impacted mostly White and monolingual inservice teachers who work with emergent bilingual learners (EBLs). Two research questions (RQs) guided this study: RQ1: What were the inservice teachers English language ideologies and their confidence in teaching EBLs after they completed professional development on racially, linguistically, and culturally (RLC) responsive teaching mindsets and pedagogies? and RQ2: How did the inservice teachers respond to prompts about raciolinguistic ideologies and EBLs' use of Standard American English? Quantitative t‐tests and factor analyses on pre‐post teacher surveys were conducted to investigate RQ1. Qualitative open and axial analyses on teachers' reflections to prompts about language ideologies were completed for RQ2. Quantitative results revealed that a majority of the participating teachers reported improved confidence in developing RLC responsive teaching strategies for EBLs. At the same time, their reflections showed that they persisted in their deeply‐rooted raciolinguistic ideologies about English, even though they intended to acknowledge and appreciate EBLs' use of language varieties.
Diagnosis and assessment of disease severity in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Li Jie , Delamarre Adèle , Wong Vincent Wai‐Sun , de Lédinghen Victor
Published: November 2023

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) includes simple steatosis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), fibrosis, and eventually cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The diagnosis of NAFLD is based on the detection of excess fat disposition in the liver, which is the first step to trigger further evaluation of NAFLD, including necroinflammation and fibrosis. In this review, we discuss non‐invasive biomarkers and imaging tools that are currently and potentially available for different features (steatosis, necroinflammation and fibrosis) and disease severity assessment of NAFLD. In the past 2 decades, advances in non‐invasive tests of fibrosis have transformed the management of NAFLD. Blood and imaging biomarkers have already been evaluated in multiple studies for the diagnosis of fibrosis and cirrhosis. Among the various histological features of NAFLD, the degree of fibrosis has the strongest correlation with liver‐related morbidity and mortality. Non‐invasive tests of fibrosis have been shown to predict liver‐related outcomes, both in the general population and among patients with NAFLD. What is lacking, however, is good data to support the use of non‐invasive tests as monitoring and response biomarkers. With the conclusion of several large phase 3 studies in the next few years, the availability of paired liver biopsy, non‐invasive test and clinical outcome data will likely advance the field and shed light on new biomarkers and the way to use various non‐invasive tests in a longitudinal manner.
Wind turbine main bearing rating lives as determined by IEC 61400‐1 and ISO 281: A critical review and exploratory case study
Authors: Kenworthy Jarred , Hart Edward , Stirling James , Stock Adam , Keller Jonathan , Guo Yi , Brasseur James , Evans Rhys
Published: November 2023

This paper studies the rating lives of wind turbine main bearings, as determined by the IEC 61400‐1 and ISO 281 standards. A critical review of relevant bearing life theory and turbine design requirements is provided, including discussion on possible shortcomings such as the existence (or not) of the bearing fatigue load limit and the validity of assuming linear damage accumulation. A detailed exploratory case study is then undertaken to determine rating lives for two models of main bearing in a 1.5 MW wind turbine. Rating life assessment is carried out under different conditions, including various combinations of main bearing temperature, wind field characteristics, lubricant viscosity, and contamination levels. Rating lives are found to be sufficiently above the desired 20‐year design life for both bearing models under expected operating conditions. For the larger bearing, operational loads are shown to be below or close to the bearing fatigue load limit a vast majority of the time. Key sensitivities for rating life values are temperature and contamination. Overall, the results of this study suggest that an ISO 281 rating life assessment does not account for reported rates of main bearing failures in 1 to 3 MW wind turbines. It is recommended that a similar analysis be undertaken for ISO/TS 16281 rating lives, along with further efforts to identify principal root causes of main bearing failures in future work, possibly leading to a new application standard specific to this component. It is also recommended that the impacts of partial wake impingement on main bearing rating lives are investigated.
The role of sustainable business networks in promoting a Circular Economy in Africa—A systematic literature review
Authors: Muzamwese Tawanda Collins , Franco‐Garcia Laura , Heldeweg Michiel A.
Published: November 2023

In order to achieve transition toward a Circular Economy (CE), multiple stakeholder partnerships are required. Although the CE shows proven potential and impact, the implementation is still very low in developing and transition countries. The role of networks in promoting the CE is assessed, including the impact which network participation has on the implementation of a CE at company level. Although firm level capabilities can be enhanced by network participation, a lot of knowledge gaps exist regarding the orientation and structure of networks; governance models for networks and the high impact activities that can be implemented. A systematic literature review was undertaken to characterize the role of sustainable business networks in green industrial transformation. The approach to literature review included keyword search, title analysis, search title analysis, abstract analysis and systematic review of contents for full review of 50 research articles from Web of Science, Scopus and literature. Barriers, cognitions and challenges in the operation of sustainable business networks were clearly analyzed, including knowledge gaps existing in literature. Database search and document review was undertaken to determine the role and impact of sustainable business networks in promoting a CE in comparison to idiosyncratic organizations without any affiliation. The review enabled determination of the policies which promote sustainable business networks, network structure, governance, and success factors. We conclude that sustainable business networks have an impact on the CE transformation in selected African countries. Implementation success could be explained by contextual factors within sustainable business network boundaries.

This article is categorized under:

Climate and Environment > Pollution Prevention

Climate and Environment > Circular Economy

Policy and Economics > Green Economics and Financing
Inverse multiquadric kernel‐based neuro heuristic approach to analyze the unsteady MHD nanofluid flow via permeable elongating surface
Authors: Butt Zeeshan Ikram , Ahmad Iftikhar , Hussain Syed Ibrar , Raja Muhammad Asif Zahoor , Shoaib Muhammad , Ilyas Hira
Published: November 2023

In this study, a novel neuro heuristic approach is designed to investigate the flow properties of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) nanofluid along an exponentially extending sheet with a permeable medium with the impact of radiation as well as fluctuating heat source/sink. The designed scheme to handle the suggested problem is established through the well‐known biologically inspired neural networks (BINNs) by exploiting the inverse multiquadric kernel (IMQK), that is, BINNs‐IMQK which is quite a new approach. The partial differential equations (PDEs) which govern the fluidic flow are reformed into a nonlinear system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) using the most fitted similarity transformations rules and numerically solved by varying the parametric values including unsteady parameter, Brownian motion parameter, suction/injection parameter, radiation parameter, Schmidt number together with Prandtl number to visualize the velocity, thermal gradient, and mass transfer in the suggested fluid problem. It is noticed that nanofluid temperature hikes by uplifting the value of the Brownian motion parameter but this effect is reversed in case of unsteady parameter. The obtained numerical results are verified through reference solution using the well‐known Adams method and the efficacy of the suggested solver is endorsed using a variety of statistical operators.
Concluding Discussion
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: November 2023

In this section, I firstly summarily explain what my book, based on the comparative historical sociology approach, contributed to the research field known as Baltic area studies. Then I discuss the venues and promise of the further application of this approach in the same field.
The Performance Success Criteria and Tests of Social Restorations and Rehabilitations
Authors: Norkus Zenonas
Published: November 2023

When it comes to restoration of capitalism, which is the distinctive feature of post-communist restorations, the token restoration of capitalism is a variety of rehabilitation that can draw on the survivals from its capitalist past (survivors infested with a capitalist economic culture) and construct continuity with this past by the restitution of property rights. However, the simple transfer of restoration success criteria and other conceptual templates from restoration ecology and cultural heritage management may expose my project to the reproach that it has an anti-revolutionary bias in general and an anti-socialist bias in particular.
The Bureau Local: A Hybrid Network for Local Collaborative Investigative Journalism
Authors: Park Michelle , Konow-Lund Maria
Published: November 2023

Collaborative journalistic investigations rose to new prominence with the Panama Papers (2016) and Paradise Papers (2017) projects, both of which involved enormous amounts of data shared amongst an international network of journalists who coordinated their analyses. Whereas many are familiar with these cross-national collaborations when they are led by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, for example, it is less widely recognised that similar processes have been undertaken among local communities and cities as well. As discussed in the introduction to Part 2, Chadwick (2017, p. 4) highlights the ‘hybrid media system’ wherein older (more traditional) norms and practices merge with newer ones, and vice versa. While existing global journalistic collaborations inspired the founding of the Bureau Local, its collaborators are somewhat different from those involved in larger efforts. Instead of relying upon journalists from traditional legacy media organisations for such cross-national collaborations (Carson, 2020; Reese, 2021), the Bureau Local engages both professional and amateur reporters from many walks of life for its diverse activities.
A Hybrid Investigative Ecology
Authors: Konow-Lund Maria , Park Michelle
Published: November 2023

In Part 2, we have looked at what we called ‘hybrid elements’ in emerging organisations focused on investigative journalism and holding power to account. Since the turn of the millennium, scholars have generally focused on how the institution of the press has begun to crumble in the face of a paradigmatic change in its relationship to audience, thanks to the impact of digitisation and especially social media and big technology companies (Deuze & Witschge, 2020; Hermida, 2016; Kovach & Rosenstiel, 2021). In his conclusion to The crisis of the institutional press, Reese (2021) nevertheless strikes a hopeful chord in applauding the emergence of ‘hybrid institutions’ (p. 161) around investigative projects such as the Panama Papers and the work of the International Consortium for Investigative Journalists to promote collaboration among its actors (pp. 116–117). Still, he does not define investigative journalism as a hybrid practice as such.
How a COVID-19 Live Tracker Led to Innovation in Investigative Journalism
Authors: Konow-Lund Maria , Wiik Jenny
Published: November 2023

The practice of investigative journalism is constantly pushing the boundaries of what journalism can do and should be. While certain core values remain intact, professionals readily experiment with new methods, forms of collaboration and technological solutions. In times of crisis, this inherent innovative power can be further accelerated and amplified. In this chapter, we explore the intersection of crisis, innovation and journalistic boundaries, as progress in this field inevitably produces questions and negotiations concerning both boundaries and definitions. Research on the ways in which journalists adapt or innovate during (and due to) crises is scarce, but the COVID-19 pandemic offered a unique opportunity to fill this gap. In the midst of the pandemic, a team of Norwegian researchers managed to gain access to the ongoing implementation of an infection-related data tracker at the most-read online newspaper in Norway. Team members were able to explore how this new tool impacted journalistic autonomy, cross-disciplinary work, and the relationship between staff and management (Konow-Lund et al., 2022).
Classic Lightweight Design
Authors: Wiedemann Martin
Published: November 2023

Along the process chain, Fig 1.3, new materials, better material properties, improved and more accurate design methods, new design concepts, new joining technologies, more efficient production technologies, and new automated quality assurance processes make diverse contributions to optimised and more cost-effective lightweight design. The basis is carbon-fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP), Sect. 1.3, whose lightweight design potential can be exploited much more extensively with the research results cited below as examples.
Toolkit—Tools to Shift Hope and Activate Potential Entrepreneurship
Authors: van der Westhuizen Thea
Published: November 2023

This Chapter provides practical tools and examples that youth entrepreneurs can apply to boost their entrepreneurial heartset, mindset, and handset and help bring their entrepreneurial dreams to life. It shares the entrepreneurial dream and outlines entrepreneurship as a career.
Perturbation theory for the logarithm of a positive operator
Authors: Lashkari Nima , Liu Hong , Rajagopal Srivatsan
Published: November 2023

Abstract

In various contexts in mathematical physics, such as out-of-equilibrium physics and the asymptotic information theory of many-body quantum systems, one needs to compute the logarithm of a positive unbounded operator. Examples include the von Neumann entropy of a density matrix and the flow of operators with the modular Hamiltonian in the Tomita-Takesaki theory. Often, one encounters the situation where the operator under consideration, which we denote by ∆, can be related by a perturbative series to another operator ∆0, whose logarithm is known. We set up a perturbation theory for the logarithm log ∆. It turns out that the terms in the series possess a remarkable algebraic structure, which enables us to write them in the form of nested commutators plus some “contact terms”.
Supersymmetric Cardy formula and the Weak Gravity Conjecture in AdS/CFT
Authors: Cho Minseok , Choi Sunjin , Lee Ki-Hong , Song Jaewon
Published: November 2023

Abstract

The Weak Gravity Conjecture (WGC) in anti-de Sitter spacetime (AdS) asserts the existence of an operator in the boundary conformal field theory (CFT) whose scaling dimension-to-charge ratio satisfies a certain upper bound. This bound is specified by the ratio of the conformal central charge c and the flavor central charge kF. We propose a modified bound in AdS5/CFT4, determined by a combination of two central charges 3c − 2a instead of c. This combination arises in the Cardy-like limit of the 4d superconformal index, which captures the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy of large BPS black holes in AdS5. Using the new bound, we find that certain superconformal field theories (SCFTs) that are previously thought to violate the AdS WGC, including SQCDs in the conformal window, do satisfy the WGC. We check this version of the WGC against all possible superconformal gauge theories with SU(N) gauge group admitting a large N limit when the superpotential is absent. We conjecture the modified version of the WGC is a generic property of any 4d SCFT, regardless of the existence of a weakly coupled gravity dual or a large N limit.
Positivity bounds on Higgs-portal freeze-in dark matter
Authors: Kim Seong-Sik , Lee Hyun Min , Yamashita Kimiko
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We consider the relic density and positivity bounds for freeze-in scalar dark matter with general Higgs-portal interactions up to dimension-8 operators. When dimension-4 and dimension-6 Higgs-portal interactions are proportional to mass squares for Higgs or scalar dark matter in certain microscopic models such as massive graviton, radion or general metric couplings with conformal and disformal modes, we can take the dimension-8 derivative Higgs-portal interactions to be dominant for determining the relic density via the 2-to-2 thermal scattering of the Higgs fields after reheating. We discuss the implications of positivity bounds for microscopic models. First, massive graviton or radion mediates attractive forces between Higgs and scalar dark matter and the resultant dimension-8 operators respect the positivity bounds. Second, the disformal couplings in the general metric allow for the subluminal propagation of graviton but violate the positivity bounds. We show that there is a wide parameter space for explaining the correct relic density from the freeze-in mechanism and the positivity bounds can curb out the dimension-8 derivative Higgs-portal interactions nontrivially in the presence of the similar dimension-8 self-interactions for Higgs and dark matter.
Searching for butterflies in dS JT gravity
Authors: Blommaert Andreas
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We investigate out of time ordered correlators in the bulk of dS JT gravity, using Schwarzian perturbation theory, and propose that these out of time ordered correlators are encoded on the second sheet of the gravitational path integral, different sheets corresponding to different gravitational operator orderings. Implementing this in practice, we establish maximal chaos, in agreement with shockwave intuition.
Olfactory associative learning in the Australian stingless bee Tetragonula carbonaria
Authors: Ludowici M. , Beekman M. , Gloag R.
Published: November 2023

Flower-visiting social insects use a variety of cues to help them learn and recall which flowers are high-quality resources, including the flower odour. In addition, some species may learn to respond to the odours left at flowers by other insects, either to avoid flowers that have likely been depleted by recent visitors, or to identify profitable floral patches being used by competitors. For example, Australian stingless bees were observed to be more attracted to food sources recently visited, and thus odour-marked, by other stingless bees or honey bees than food sources with no prior visits. Here, we use a proboscis extension response (PER) protocol to investigate the capacity for olfactory associative learning in the Australian stingless bee, Tetragonula carbonaria. We test the ability of T. carbonaria to learn to associate a food reward with each odour in two paired sets of odours: (1) vanilla vs. lavender, and (2) linalool vs. a synthetic version of the honey bee pheromone Nasonov. After conditioning, T. carbonaria foragers demonstrated successful discrimination between the two different odours in a set, learnt to associate all four test odours with a food reward, and maintained this association for 15 min after training. In all, our results, therefore, show that PER can be used to investigate associative learning in T. carbonaria and support olfactory associative learning as a mechanism by which the odours of both flowers and other bees affect foraging decisions in this species.
Models to estimate genetic gain of soybean seed yield from annual multi-environment field trials
Authors: Krause Matheus D. , Piepho Hans-Peter , Dias Kaio O. G. , Singh Asheesh K. , Beavis William D.
Published: November 2023

Key message

Simulations demonstrated that estimates of realized genetic gain from linear mixed models using regional trials are biased to some degree. Thus, we recommend multiple selected models to obtain a range of reasonable estimates.

Genetic improvements of discrete characteristics are obvious and easy to demonstrate, while quantitative traits require reliable and accurate methods to disentangle the confounding genetic and non-genetic components. Stochastic simulations of soybean [Glycine max(L.) Merr.] breeding programs were performed to evaluate linear mixed models to estimate the realized genetic gain (RGG) from annual multi-environment trials (MET). True breeding values were simulated under an infinitesimal model to represent the genetic contributions to soybean seed yield under various MET conditions. Estimators were evaluated using objective criteria of bias and linearity. Covariance modeling and direct versus indirect estimation-based models resulted in a substantial range of estimated values, all of which were biased to some degree. Although no models produced unbiased estimates, the three best-performing models resulted in an average bias of$$\pm\, 7.41$$±7.41 kg/ha$$^{-1}$$-1/yr$$^{-1}$$-1($$\pm\, 0.11$$±0.11 bu/ac$$^{-1}$$-1/yr$$^{-1}$$-1). Rather than relying on a single model to estimate RGG, we recommend the application of several models with minimal and directional bias. Further, based on the parameters used in the simulations, we do not think it is appropriate to use any single model to compare breeding programs or quantify the efficiency of proposed new breeding strategies. Lastly, for public soybean programs breeding for maturity groups II and III in North America, the estimated RGG values ranged from 18.16 to 39.68 kg/ha$$^{-1}$$-1/yr$$^{-1}$$-1(0.27–0.59 bu/ac$$^{-1}$$-1/yr$$^{-1}$$-1) from 1989 to 2019. These results provide strong evidence that public breeders have significantly improved soybean germplasm for seed yield in the primary production areas of North America.
Angiography-based coronary microvascular assessment with and without intracoronary pressure measurements: a systematic review
Authors: Kest Michael , Ágoston András , Szabó Gábor Tamás , Kiss Attila , Üveges Áron , Czuriga Dániel , Komócsi András , Hizoh István , Kőszegi Zsolt
Published: November 2023

Background

In recent years, several indices have been proposed for quantifying coronary microvascular resistance. We intended to conduct a comprehensive review that systematically evaluates indices of microvascular resistance derived from angiography.

Objective

The objective of this study was to identify and analyze angiography-derived indices of microvascular resistance that have been validated against an invasive reference method. We aimed to compare their limits of agreement with their reference methods and explore their advantages and inherent limitations.

Methods and results

We searched PubMed from inception until 2022 for studies on different techniques for quantifying microvascular resistance. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Five studies included techniques that applied calculations based solely on invasive angiography, and were validated against invasively measured thermodilution-derived index of microvascular resistance. The remaining two studies combined angiography with invasively measured intracoronary pressure data, and were validated against invasive Doppler measurements. We converted the ± 1.96 standard deviation limits of agreement with the reference method from the seven studies into percentages relative to the cut-off value of the reference method. The lower limits of agreement for angiography-based methods ranged from − 122 to − 60%, while the upper limits ranged from 74 to 135%. The range of the limits of agreement was considerably lower for the two combined angiography- and pressure-based methods, standing at − 52 to 60% and − 25 to 27%.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that combined angiography- and pressure-based methods provide a more reliable assessment of microvascular resistance compared to methods relying solely on angiography.

Graphical Abstract

Central illustration. Comparative assessment of image-based methods quantifying microvascular resistance with and without intracoronary pressure measurements. Angiography-based methods rely on angiography alone to calculate the microvascular resistance by utilizing angiographic frame counting to extrapolate coronary flow (Q) and subsequently deriving distal coronary pressure using fluid dynamic equations. Combined angiography- and pressure-based methods utilize invasive intracoronary pressure gradients measured during rest and maximal vasodilation to determine coronary flow in their calculation of microvascular resistance. The combined methods showed more acceptable levels of agreement with their reference methods compared to angiography-based methods alone.
Illuminating Airway Nerve Structure and Function in Chronic Cough
Authors: Kornfield James , De La Torre Ubaldo , Mize Emily , Drake Matthew G.
Published: November 2023

Airway nerves regulate vital airway functions including bronchoconstriction, cough, and control of respiration. Dysregulation of airway nerves underlies the development and manifestations of airway diseases such as chronic cough, where sensitization of neural pathways leads to excessive cough triggering. Nerves are heterogeneous in both expression and function. Recent advances in confocal imaging and in targeted genetic manipulation of airway nerves have expanded our ability to visualize neural organization, study neuro-immune interactions, and selectively modulate nerve activation. As a result, we have an unprecedented ability to quantitatively assess neural remodeling and its role in the development of airway disease. This review highlights our existing understanding of neural heterogeneity and how advances in methodology have illuminated airway nerve morphology and function in health and disease.
What determines complications and prognosis among patients subject to multivisceral resections for locally advanced gastric cancer?
Authors: Bobrzyński Łukasz , Pach Radosław , Szczepanik Antoni , Kołodziejczyk Piotr , Richter Piotr , Sierzega Marek
Published: November 2023

Background

Locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) extending to the surrounding tissues may require a multivisceral resection (MVR) to provide the best chance of cure. However, little is known about how the extent of organ resection affects the risks and benefits of surgery.

Methods

An electronic database of patients treated between 1996 and 2020 in an academic surgical centre was reviewed. MVRs were defined as partial or total gastrectomy combined with splenectomy, distal pancreatectomy, or partial colectomy.

Results

Suspected intraoperative tumour invasion of perigastric organs (cT4b) was found in 298 of 1476 patients with non-metastatic GC, and 218 were subject to MVRs, including the spleen (n = 126), pancreas (n = 51), and colon (n = 41). MVRs were associated with higher proportions of surgical and general complications, but not mortality. A nomogram was developed to predict the risk of major postoperative morbidity (Clavien–Dindo’s grade ≥ 3a), and the highest odds ratio for major morbidity identified by logistic regression modelling was found for distal pancreatectomy (2.53, 95% CI 1.23–5.19, P = 0.012) and colectomy (2.29, 95% CI 1.04–5.09, P = 0.035). Margin-positive resections were identified by the Cox proportional hazards model as the most important risk factor for patients’ survival (hazard ratio 1.47, 95% CI 1.10–1.97). The extent of organ resection did not affect prognosis, but a MVR was the only factor reducing the risk of margin positivity (OR 0.44, 95% CI 0.21–0.87).

Conclusions

The risk of multivisceral resections is associated with the organ being removed, but only MVRs increase the odds of complete tumour clearance for locally advanced gastric cancer.