bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Safety and efficacy of combining biologics or small molecules for inflammatory bowel disease or immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases: A European retrospective observational study
Authors: Goessens Laurent , Colombel Jean‐Frédéric , Outtier An , Ferrante Marc , Sabino Joao , Judge Ciaran , Saeidi Reza , Rabbitt Louise , Armuzzi Alessandro , Domenech Eugeni , Michalopoulos George , Cremer Anneline , García‐Alonso Francisco Javier , Molnar Tamas , Karmiris Konstantinos , Gecse Krisztina , Van Oostrom Joep , Löwenberg Mark , Farkas Klaudia , Atreya Raja , Ribaldone Davide Giuseppe , Selinger Christian , Hoentjen Frank , Bihin Benoit , Sebastian Shaji ,   European COMBIO study group, Rahier Jean‐François
Published: October 2021

Background and aims

Few data are available regarding the combination of biologics or small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We report safety and efficacy of such combinations through a retrospective multicentre series.

Methods

Combination therapy was defined as the concomitant use of two biologics or one biologic with a small molecule. Patient demographics, disease characteristics and types of combinations were recorded. Safety was evaluated according to the occurrence of serious infection, opportunistic infection, hospitalisation, life‐threatening event, worsening of IBD or immune‐mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID), cancer and death. Efficacy was evaluated as the physician global assessment of the combination and comparison of clinical/endoscopic scores of IBD/IMID activity prior and during combination.

Results

A total of 104 combinations were collected in 98 patients. Concomitant IMID were present in 41 patients. Reasons for starting combination therapy were active IBD (67%), active IMID or extra‐intestinal manifestations (EIM) (22%), both (10%) and unclassified in 1. Median duration of combination was 8 months (interquartile range 5–16). During 122 patient‐years of follow‐up, 42 significant adverse events were observed, mostly related to uncontrolled IBD. There were 10 significant infections, 1 skin cancer and no death. IBD disease activity was clinically improved in 70% and IMID/EIM activity in 81% of the patients. Overall, combination was continued in 55% of the patients.

Conclusions

Combination of biologics and small molecules in patients with IBD and IMID/EIM seems to be a promising therapeutic strategy but is also associated with a risk of opportunistic infections or infections leading to hospitalisation in 10%.
A critical review of state‐of‐the‐art chatbot designs and applications
Authors: Luo Bei , Lau Raymond Y. K. , Li Chunping , Si Yain‐Whar
Published: October 2021

Chatbots are intelligent conversational agents that can interact with users through natural languages. As chatbots can perform a variety of tasks, many companies have committed numerous resources to develop and deploy chatbots to enhance various business processes. However, we lack an up‐to‐date critical review that thoroughly examines both state‐of‐the‐art technologies and innovative applications of chatbots. In this review, we not only critically analyze the various computational approaches used to develop state‐of‐the‐art chatbots, but also thoroughly review the usability and applications of chatbots for various business sectors. We also identify gaps in chatbot‐related studies and propose new research directions to address the shortcomings of existing studies and applications. Our review advances both academic research and practical business applications of state‐of‐the‐art chatbots. We provide guidance for practitioners to fully realize the business value of chatbots and assist in making sensible decisions related to the development and deployment of chatbots in various business contexts. Researchers interested in the design and development of chatbots can also gain useful insights from our critical review and identify fruitful research topics and future research directions based on the research gaps discussed herein.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Machine Learning

Application Areas > Business and Industry
Tree-level scattering amplitudes in nonlocal field theories
Authors: Modesto Leonardo , Calcagni Gianluca
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We prove in two ways that, for a special class of nonlocal field theories consistent with linear and non-linear stability at the classical level, and with unitarity and super-renormalizability or finiteness at the quantum level, the n-point tree-level scattering amplitudes are the same as those of the underlying local theory. In particular, the n-point amplitudes of nonlocal gravity, with or without coupling to matter, are the same as for Einstein’s general relativity.
Probing the muon g − 2 with future beam dump experiments
Authors: Coy Rupert , Xu Xun-Jie
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We consider the light Z′ explanation of the muon g − 2 anomaly. Even if such a Z′ has no tree-level coupling to electrons, in general one will be induced at loop-level. We show that future beam dump experiments are powerful enough to place stringent constraints on—or discover—a Z′ with loop-suppressed couplings to electrons. Such bounds are avoided only if the Z′ has a large interaction with neutrinos, in which case the scenario will be bounded by ongoing neutrino scattering experiments. The complementarity between beam dump and neutrino scattering experiments therefore indicates that there are good prospects of probing a large part of the Z′ parameter space in the near future.
Design and analysis of compound structures integrated with bio-based phase change materials and lattices obtained through additive manufacturing
Authors: Almonti Daniele , Mingione Emanuele , Tagliaferri Vincenzo , Ucciardello Nadia
Published: October 2021

Phase change materials (PCMs) are an interesting category of materials employed in latent heat thermal energy storage, such as ad hoc designed heat exchangers. Nowadays, there are several typologies of PCMs, which derive from the wastes of the agricultural industry, which could be used for this kind of design. Each material made of biological waste has a different melting/solidification point and latent heat of fusion/solidification, which means flexibility of design on the heat exchangers by considering the different thermal proprieties of the chosen material. Also, using recycled material from wastes can lead to an overall improvement of the resources and goes hand in hand with the need of today’s society to aim more and more at a Circular Economy. The industrial development of this kind of material is limited by its thermal properties, such as poor thermal conductivity both in liquid and solid phases, leading to low heat transfer effectiveness. To overcome these limitations, in this paper, the bio-based PCMs were integrated into a metallic reticular structure made of copper and aluminium and realised through Indirect-Additive Manufacturing, to improve the overall thermal conductivity of the system and increase the efficiency of the heat transfer. Four compound structures filled each time with four different PCMs were realised and tested, in order to thermally characterise each combination of materials used and choose which one has an overall better thermal behaviour. The results showed how the thermal storage/release was improved by 10% for the copper reticular structure, even if must be considered the tradeoff between better thermal management and the increase of the costs and the weight of the designed heat exchanger.
Impact of future climate change on malaria in West Africa
Authors: Diouf Ibrahima , Adeola Abiodun M. , Abiodun Gbenga J. , Lennard Christopher , Shirinde Joyce M. , Yaka Pascal , Ndione Jacques-André , Gbobaniyi Emiola O.
Published: October 2021

Understanding the regional impact of future climate change is one of the major global challenges of this century. This study investigated possible effects of climate change on malaria in West Africa in the near future (2006–2035) and the far future (2036–2065) under two representative concentration pathway (RCP) scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5), compared to an observed evaluation period (1981–2010). Projected rainfall and temperature were obtained from the coordinated regional downscaling experiment (CORDEX) simulations of the Rossby Centre Regional Atmospheric regional climate model (RCA4). The malaria model used is the Liverpool malaria model (LMM), a dynamical malaria model driven by daily time series of rainfall and temperature obtained from the CORDEX data. Our results highlight the unimodal shape of the malaria prevalence distribution, and the seasonal malaria transmission contrast is closely linked to the latitudinal variation of the rainfall. Projections showed that the mean annual malaria prevalence would decrease in both climatological periods under both RCPs but with a larger magnitude of decreasing under the RCP8.5. We found that the mean malaria prevalence for the reference period is greater than the projected prevalence for 6 of the 8 downscaled GCMs. The study enhances understanding of how malaria is impacted under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 emission scenarios. These results indicate that the southern area of West Africa is at most risk of epidemics, and the malaria control programs need extra effort and help to make the best use of available resources by stakeholders.
Evaluating pediatric and adult simulated fluids solubility: Abraham solvation parameters and multivariate analysis
Authors: Guimarães Mariana , Kuentz Martin , Vertzoni Maria , Fotaki Nikoletta
Published: October 2021

Purpose

To understand drug solubilization as a function of age and identify drugs at risk of altered drug solubility in pediatric patients. To assess the discrimination ability of the Abraham solvation parameters and age-related changes in simulated media composition to predict in vitro drug solubility differences between pediatric and adult gastrointestinal conditions by multivariate data analysis.

Methods

Differences between drug solubility in pediatric and adult biorelevant media were expressed as a % pediatric-to-adult ratio [Sp/Sa (%)]. Solubility ratios of fourteen poorly water-soluble drugs (2 amphoteric; 4 weak acids; 4 weak bases; 4 neutral compounds) were used in the analysis. Partial Least Squares Regression was based on Abraham solvation parameters and age-related changes in simulated gastrointestinal fluids, as well as their interactions, to predict the pediatric-to-adult solubility ratio.

Results

The use of Abraham solvation parameters was useful as a theory-informed set of molecular predictors of drug solubility changes between pediatric and adult simulated gastrointestinal fluids. Our findings suggest that the molecular solvation environment in the fasted gastric state was similar in the pediatric age-groups studied, which led to fewer differences in the pediatric-to-adult solubility ratio. In the intestinal fasted and fed state, there was a high relative contribution of the physiologically relevant surfactants to the alteration of drug solubility in the pediatric simulated conditions compared to the adult ones, which confirms the importance of an age-appropriate composition in biorelevant media.

Conclusion

Statistical models based on Abraham solvation parameters were applied mostly to better understand drug solubility differences in adult and pediatric biorelevant media.
Environmental and social life cycle assessment of growing media for urban rooftop farming
Authors: Toboso-Chavero Susana , Madrid-López Cristina , Villalba Gara , Gabarrell Durany Xavier , Hückstädt Arne B. , Finkbeiner Matthias , Lehmann Annekatrin
Published: October 2021

Purpose

New environmental strategies are emerging for cities to become more self-sufficient, such as hydroponic crop production. The implementation of such systems requires materials that usually originate in countries with low labour costs and other legal regulations. To what extent could these strategies be shifting problems across the globe? To answer this question, we performed a comprehensive environmental and social assessment of the various extended soilless systems used to grow vegetables on urban roofs.

Methods

Three different growing media constituents were chosen for this study: perlite, peat and coir; which are produced in three countries, Turkey, Germany and the Philippines, respectively, and are imported to Spain. By using a life cycle assessment, we evaluated the environmental performances of the production and transport of these growing media. Additionally, we performed a social life cycle assessment at different levels. First, we used the Social Hotspots Database to analyse the constituents in aggregated sectors. Second, we performed a social assessment at the country and sector levels, and finally, we evaluated primary company data for the social assessment of the constituents through questionnaires given to businesses.

Results and discussion

The coir-based growing medium exerted the lowest environmental burden in 5 out of 8 impact categories because it is a by-product from coconut trees. In contrast, perlite obtained the highest environmental impacts, with impacts 44 to 99.9% higher than those of peat and coir, except in the land use. Perlite is a material extracted from open-pit mines that requires high energy consumption and a long road trip. Regarding the social assessment, peat demonstrated the best performance on all the social assessment levels. In contrast, coir showed the worst scores in the Social Hotspots Database and for the impact categories of community infrastructure and human rights, whereas perlite displayed the lowest performance in health and safety. Nevertheless, coir and perlite evidenced much better scores than peat in the impact subcategory of the contribution to economic development.

Conclusions

This study contributes to a first comparison of three imported growing media constituents for urban rooftop farming from environmental and social perspectives to choose the most suitable option. Peat appears to be the best alternative from a social perspective. However, from an environmental standpoint, peat represents a growing medium whose availability is aiming to disappear in Germany to preserve peatlands. Therefore, we identify a new market niche for the development of local growing media for future rooftop farming in cities.
Environmental impacts of household goods in Europe: a process-based life cycle assessment model to assess consumption footprint
Authors: Castellani Valentina , Sanyé-Mengual Esther , Sala Serenella
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Current patterns of household goods consumption generate relevant environmental pressures and impacts. Environmental impacts are not only limited to the European territory but also to third countries from where products are imported. Assessing the entire life cycle of products enables considering trade-related transboundary effects along supply chains. The goal of this paper is to illustrate the assessment of the environmental impacts of household goods consumption in Europe, modelled through the consumption footprint indicator.

Methods

The consumption footprint indicator was designed to assess the environmental impact of household consumption by covering five areas of consumption (food, mobility, housing, household goods and appliances), each of them modelled as a basket of products (BoP) representing the most consumed products by EU citizens. This paper focuses on the BoP household goods, entailing a large variety of products from clothes to personal care products. Consumption intensity was obtained from consumption statistical data for years 2010 and 2015. Life cycle inventory data for 30 representative products were obtained from EU Ecolabel background reports, screening reports of the Product Environmental Footprint pilots and literature. The 16 impact categories of the Environmental Footprint 3.0 method were employed for the impact assessment.

Results and discussion

Main impacts generated by household goods in EU (calculated after normalization and weighting) were on climate change, fossil resource use and water use. Components’ manufacture was the most impacting stage for several impact categories. Paper products, detergents, furniture and clothes were the product groups contributing the most due to a combination of consumption intensity and environmental profile of products. Environmental impacts due to household goods consumption were higher in 2015 than in 2010.

Conclusions

The impacts of EU household goods consumption are driven by both consumption intensity and the environmental impact profile of products. Therefore, sustainable actions should focus not only on the environmental profile of products, but also on consumer choices and behaviours.

Recommendations

The BoP household goods model can be used as a baseline to assess the effect of consumer choices, by creating and comparing consumers’ profiles that differ in the composition of the BoP and in the apparent consumption (defined as Production—Exports + Imports). The availability of detailed inventories for all the life cycle phases allows for modelling scenarios to assess the potential effect of innovations in the production phase and of the choice of alternative raw materials and ingredients.
Sex-Stratified Single-Cell RNA-Seq Analysis Identifies Sex-Specific and Cell Type-Specific Transcriptional Responses in Alzheimer’s Disease Across Two Brain Regions
Authors: Belonwu Stella A. , Li Yaqiao , Bunis Daniel , Rao Arjun Arkal , Solsberg Caroline Warly , Tang Alice , Fragiadakis Gabriela K. , Dubal Dena B. , Oskotsky Tomiko , Sirota Marina
Published: October 2021

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a pervasive neurodegenerative disorder that disproportionately affects women. Since neural anatomy and disease pathophysiology differ by sex, investigating sex-specific mechanisms in AD pathophysiology can inform new therapeutic approaches for both sexes. Previous bulk human brain RNA sequencing studies have revealed sex differences in dysregulated molecular pathways related to energy production, neuronal function, and immune response; however, the sex differences in disease mechanisms are yet to be examined comprehensively on a single-cell level. We leveraged nearly 74,000 cells from human prefrontal and entorhinal cortex samples from the first two publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing AD datasets to perform a case versus control sex-stratified differential gene expression analysis and pathway network enrichment in a cell type-specific manner for each brain region. Our examination at the single-cell level revealed sex differences in AD prominently in glial cells of the prefrontal cortex. In the entorhinal cortex, we observed the same genes and networks to be perturbed in opposing directions between sexes in AD relative to healthy state. Our findings contribute to growing evidence of sex differences in AD-related transcriptomic changes, which can fuel the development of therapies that may prove more effective at reversing AD pathophysiology.
The Plasticity of Our Fears: Affective Politics in the European Migration Crisis
Authors: Heins Volker M.
Published: October 2021

In the field of migration politics, a dominant rhetoric argues that liberal immigration and asylum policies must be avoided because they will inevitably lead to anti-immigration backlashes that exacerbate the very conditions they were supposed to remedy. Drawing on the work of German sociologist Heinrich Popitz and empirical data on the aftereffects of the European migration crisis, the article criticizes this “rhetoric of reaction” (Albert Hirschman) for ignoring the many variables shaping the consequences of more open borders. Backlashes to immigration are real and pose a constraint for liberal immigration policies, but these backlashes are not necessarily politically successful. Societies react neither uniformly nor automatically to rising immigration. A critical variable is the fear engendered by the (real, expected, or imagined) arrival of large numbers of migrants, and this fear can be either ramped up to paranoid levels or calmed by a politics of hope aimed at restoring what Popitz called the “human openness to the world.”
Investigation and application of wellbore temperature and pressure field coupling with gas–liquid two-phase flowing
Authors: Zheng Jie , Dou Yihua , Li Zhenzhen , Yan Xin , Zhang Yarong , Bi Cheng
Published: October 2021

With the development of gas well exploitation, the calculation of wellbore with single-phase state affected by single factor cannot meet the actual needs of engineering. We need to consider the simulation calculation of complex wellbore environment under the coupling of multiphase and multiple factors, so as to better serve the petroleum industry. In view of the problem that the commonly used temperature and pressure model can only be used for single-phase state under complex well conditions, and the error is large. Combined with the wellbore heat transfer mechanism and the calculation method of pipe flow pressure drop gradient, this study analyzes the shortcomings of Ramey model and Hassan & Kabir model through transient analysis. Based on the equations of mass conservation, momentum conservation and energy conservation, and considering the interaction between fluid physical parameters and temperature and pressure, the wellbore pressure coupling model of water-bearing gas well is established, and the Newton Raphael iterative method is used for MATLAB programming. On this basis, the relationship between tubing diameter, gas production, gas–water ratio, and wellbore temperature field and pressure field in high water-bearing gas wells is discussed. The results show that the wellbore temperature pressure coupling model of high water-bearing gas well considering the coupling of gas–liquid two-phase flow wellbore temperature pressure field has higher accuracy than Ramey model and Hassan & Kabir model, and the minimum coefficients of variation of each model are 0.022, 0.037 and 0.042, respectively. Therefore, the model in this study is highly consistent with the field measured data. Therefore, the findings of this study are helpful to better calculate the wellbore temperature and pressure parameters under complex well conditions.
Investigation on Laser Beam Weldability of AISI 304L Plates Based on Thermal Field Simulation by Experimentally-Fitted Analytical Modeling
Authors: Giudice Fabio , Sili Andrea
Published: October 2021

The objective of the work is to present a new approach to the simulation of the thermal field in laser beam welding, based on an experimentally-fitted analytical model, applied to investigate the weldability of AISI 304L austenitic steel. Reference is made to the welding trial in a single pass of two 10 mm thick butt-positioned plates. Welding was performed under the keyhole full penetration mode, which is characteristic of high-power laser beam, and simulated by an analytical model based on a multipoint-line thermal source system and fitted on the experimental fusion zone profile. The model was applied to simulate the effects of welding speed changes on thermal fields and cooling rates, in order to determine how they can affect the weld composition, the solidification mode and the possible formation of a sensitized zone in the heat affected zone. A limit value of welding speed, which allows the weld formation without lack of fusion, was identified. For all the welding speeds considered, the formation of a sensitized zone can be excluded. The contribution of welding speed on cooling rate, not significant near the welding axis, results to be determinant at the boundary of the fused zone with base metal. The combined choice of the filler material and the welding speed, which in all cases gives rise to primary ferrite solidification modes, affects the content of residual ferrite, which must be balanced to enhance the resistance to solidification cracking, avoiding the adverse effects due to too high contents. As a conclusion, the model proves to be a valid support in investigating the thermal effects, which result from the setup of welding parameters, on the weldability of the base metal-filler system.

Graphic Abstract
The seed laser system of the FERMI free-electron laser: design, performance and near future upgrades
Authors: Cinquegrana P. , Demidovich A. , Kurdi G. , Nikolov I. , Sigalotti P. , Susnjar P. , Danailov M. B.
Published: October 2021

An important trend in extreme ultraviolet and soft X-ray free-electron laser (FEL) development in recent years has been the use of seeding by an external laser, aimed to improve the coherence and stability of the generated pulses. The high-gain harmonic generation seeding technique was first implemented at FERMI and provided FEL radiation with high coherence as well as intensity and wavelength stability comparable to table-top ultrafast lasers. At FERMI, the seed laser has another very important function: it is the source of external laser pulses used in pump–probe experiments allowing one to achieve a record-low timing jitter. This paper describes the design, performance and operational modes of the FERMI seed laser in both single- and double-cascade schemes. In addition, the planned upgrade of the system to meet the challenges of the upgrade to echo-enabled harmonic generation mode is presented.
Traditional Knowledge and the Inclusive Subordination of African Customary Law in Kenya: Lessons from Personal Law
Authors: Mwangi Claude Kamau
Published: October 2021

Traditional knowledge forms the fabric of indigenous communities’ social and economic life. Its attempted protection through intellectual property law has been dismal. There is now wide consensus that sui generis regimes should be employed for this purpose, and that customary laws are conceivable as an integral part of such protection. This article finds that the expressed legislative intent to protect traditional knowledge through customary law in Kenya is ill-fated. Sustained inclusive subordination of the latter will obstruct any meaningful efforts to protect the former. This finding is reached by an examination of the historical application of African customary law in personal law regimes that have it as the defining legal regimen. This history is one of subtle subordination, and such subtlety remains embedded even in Kenya's law on traditional knowledge. The unpleasant effects of this phenomenon as observed in personal law regimes are likely to recur for traditional knowledge.
Worker-related ageism: a systematic review of empirical research
Authors: Cebola Maria Manuela Jacob , dos Santos Nuno Rebelo , Dionísio Andreia
Published: October 2021

With the demographic and workforce ageing, ageism has been reflected in the work context. Ageism can be defined as stereotypes, prejudice and/or age-based discrimination. It is a form of devaluation and non-inclusion of workers, which materialises in a decent work deficit. It affects workers and organisations. The present literature review aims to provide a comprehensive and accurate picture of empirical research on worker-related ageism. We searched the wordageismin the title or abstract of articles indexed in the EBSCOhost and Web of Science. Fifty-eight peer-reviewed articles were retrieved (March 2020). Some of these articles report more than one empirical study. Thirty-two articles include quantitative design studies, 20 qualitative design, three mixed methods, two experimental and three instrument development and/or validation. The focus of the studies is mostly about negative ageism on older workers. The main findings present several facets of ageism and show different experiences, whether implicit or explicit. Ageism acts in a plurality of aspects, such as obstacles in the hiring process, employability and performance evaluation of older workers. We found research gaps such as determinants and interventions aiming at ageism prevention and proposed corresponding future research.
Super Fluid/Super Black: Translations and Teachings in Transembodied Metaphysics
Authors: Whitson Ni'Ja
Published: October 2021

“Super Fluid/Super Black: Translations and Teachings in Transembodied Metaphysics” was originally commissioned as a keynote lecture for the 2020 Collegium for African Diaspora Dance (CAAD) conference, Fluid Black::Dance Back. It is a hybrid text that centralizes Black Transgender and Nonbinary experiences in a conversation of futurity in African Diasporic spirituality, dance traditions, and performativities. Furthermore, “Super Fluid/Super Black” interrogates beingness through an exploration of astrophysics and global attempts at Black erasure in an attempt to uncover new strategies of collectivizing under dance that dismantle cisheteronormativity at their core.
Long-term monitoring of atmospheric pollution in the Maritime Antarctic with the lichen Usnea aurantiaco-atra (Jacq.) Bory: a magnetic and elemental study
Authors: Carvallo Claire , Godoy Nathaly , Aguilar Bertha , Egas Claudia , Fuentealba Raúl , Préndez Margarita
Published: October 2021

Antarctica is a natural research laboratory thanks to its unique climate, geography, flora and fauna. The conservation of Antarctica's environment is monitored through the Madrid Protocol; however, there are local pollution problems associated with human activities such as research and tourism; in particular, there are negative impacts on air quality from the use of fossil fuels. In this work, we studied for the first time the magnetic and elemental characteristics of the lichen Usnea aurantiaco-atra (Jacq.) Bory collected during different years and from various sites in King George Island, Antarctic Peninsula, as well as some samples of its supporting substrate, for long-term monitoring of atmospheric pollution. Several anthropogenic elements (Ni, Pb, Mo, Cd and Zn) have been identified on sites close to human activities, but also on sites far from them. We found that magnetic proxies from U. aurantiaco-atra samples show a spatial correlation with human influence (scientific bases or airstrips). We observed a correlation between magnetic parameters and Ni and, to a lesser extent, with Cr, Co, V and Ag. The results suggest that by using these magnetic and elemental techniques it is possible to implement monitoring with the lichen U. aurantiaco-atra as a bioindicator for some elements of anthropogenic origin.
Developing Atom Probe Tomography to Characterize Sr-Loaded Bioactive Glass for Bone Scaffolding
Authors: Ren Yanru , Autefage Hélène , Jones Julian R , Stevens Molly M , Bagot Paul AJ , Moody Michael P
Published: October 2021

In this study, atom probe tomography (APT) was used to investigate strontium-containing bioactive glass particles (BG-Sr10) and strontium-releasing bioactive glass-based scaffolds (pSrBG), both of which are attractive biomaterials with applications in critical bone damage repair. We outline the challenges and corresponding countermeasures of this nonconductive biomaterial for APT sample preparation and experiments, such as avoiding direct contact between focussed ion beam micromanipulators and the extracted cantilever to reduce damage during liftout. Using a low imaging voltage (≤3 kV) and current (≤500 pA) in the scanning electron microscope and a low acceleration voltage (≤2 kV) and current (≤200 pA) in the focussed ion beam prevents tip bending in the final stages of annular milling. To optimize the atom probe experiment, we considered five factors: total detected hits, multiple hits, the background level, the charge-state ratio, and the accuracy of the measured compositions, to explore the optimal laser pulse for BG-Sr10 bioactive glass. We show that a stage temperature of 30 K, 200–250 pJ laser pulse energy, 0.3% detection rate, and 200 kHz pulse rate are optimized experimental parameters for bioactive glass. The use of improved experimental preparation methods and optimized parameters resulted in a 90% successful yield of pSrBG samples by APT.
THE K-THEORY OF THE -ALGEBRAS OF 2-RANK GRAPHS ASSOCIATED TO COMPLETE BIPARTITE GRAPHS
Authors: MUTTER SAM A.
Published: October 2021

Using a result of Vdovina, we may associate to each complete connected bipartite graph$\kappa $a two-dimensional square complex, which we call a tile complex, whose link at each vertex is$\kappa $. We regard the tile complex in two different ways, each having a different structure as a$2$-rank graph. To each$2$-rank graph is associated a universal$C^{\star }$-algebra, for which we compute the K-theory, thus providing a new infinite collection of$2$-rank graph algebras with explicit K-groups. We determine the homology of the tile complexes and give generalisations of the procedures to complexes and systems consisting of polygons with a higher number of sides.
Ezra Stiles and North America in the Early Modern Republic of Letters
Authors: Delwiche Theodore R.
Published: October 2021

For over two decades, historians of the early modern world have been charting the practices, principles, and ideologies of the “Republic of Letters,” an intellectual community forged via paper, not place. Few, however, have ever ventured to consider America's place in this scholarly republic. This article charts in new detail the aspirations—and shortcomings—of eighteenth-century American efforts to participate in a truly transnational, intellectual community. Focusing on the life of Ezra Stiles (1727–95), it will dig into hundreds of unpublished, untranslated manuscripts, as well as scores of overlooked early modern periodicals and publications. What emerges is a glimpse into how Stiles especially strove to place America on the intellectual map of the early modern world. Stiles's plan was to lay the academic groundwork for his new nation by forging connections between universities and promoting a unified intellectual front to the Republic of Letters abroad. In one sense, this vision was remarkably shrewd, standing out as one of the first efforts to connect colonial universities. On the personal level, however, this (over)emphasis on institutions came at a cost. Too preoccupied with the colonial American universities and too little focused on publication, Stiles would ultimately struggle to be recognized as a citizen of the scholarly republic.
Space mapping filter design and tuning techniques
Authors: Melgarejo J. C. , Ossorio J. , San-Blas A. A. , Guglielmi M. , Boria V. E.
Published: October 2021

A common strategy to reduce the cost of a filter is to use a manufacturing technique with an intermediate accuracy and use tuning elements to compensate for the manufacturing errors. However, including tuning elements in the final EM simulations, and tuning the filters after manufacturing, can be quite challenging. In this context, therefore, we review in this paper two powerful filter design procedures based on Aggressive Space Mapping (ASM), and two semi-automatic tuning techniques. As a validation, we describe in detail the design and tuning of two types of filters that are commonly used for both space and ground applications, namely, a six-pole inductive filter in rectangular waveguide, and a more complex five-pole filter based on dual-mode resonators.
Whose perception of justice? Real and perceived challenges to military investigations in armed conflict
Authors: Simmons Claire
Published: October 2021

States must investigate possible violations of international humanitarian law in armed conflict, and many States use military procedures for all or part of the investigation process. Particular tensions can arise with regard to the perception of justice in the context of military judicial procedures, especially surrounding questions of independence and impartiality. This article lays out the international legal framework which should be used to solve these challenges, arguing that a State must address both the specificities of military institutions and the need for a perception of justice by the affected communities in considering the proper administration of justice in armed conflict.
Coparenting Problems and Parenting Behavior as Mediating Links Between Interparental Conflict and Toddlers’ Adjustment Difficulties in Germany
Authors: Lux Ulrike , Christ Sharon L. , Walper Sabine
Published: October 2021

Abstract. Objective: Interparental conflict has long been acknowledged as a major risk factor for the well-being of children. Empirical studies reveal clear associations between children’s maladjustment and frequent destructive conflicts between their parents (van Eldik et al., 2020). Existing research suggests that interparental conflict spills over from the couple to the coparental relationship, undermining parents’ skills to cooperate and their parenting competencies. This study addresses the effects of interparental conflict on the behavioral and emotional problems of toddlers. Methods: The analyses were based on longitudinal data from the German Family Panel pairfam. The sample comprised information on N = 828 anchor participants (59.9 % female) and their 3- to 5-year-old children. Results: As expected, the effects of interparental conflict on children’s behavioral and emotional problems were mediated by coparenting problems and in part also by negative parenting. Further analyses comparing mothers and fathers revealed a stronger direct path of interparental conflict on coparenting for mothers. Conclusions: The findings provide support for the significance of the interparental relationship and coparenting quality for child development, even in this young age group, and point to the importance of early prevention.
Tephra Deposition and Bonding With Reactive Oxides Enhances Burial of Organic Carbon in the Bering Sea
Authors: Longman Jack , Gernon Thomas M. , Palmer Martin R. , Manners Hayley R.
Published: October 2021

Preservation of organic carbon (OC) in marine sediments exerts a major control on the cycling of carbon in the Earth system. In these marine environments, OC preservation may be enhanced by diagenetic reactions in locations where deposition of fragmental volcanic material called tephra occurs. While the mechanisms by which this process occurs are well understood, site‐specific studies of this process are limited. Here, we report a study of sediments from the Bering Sea (IODP Site U1339D) to investigate the effects of marine tephra deposition on carbon cycling during the Pleistocene and Holocene. Our results suggest that tephra layers are loci of OC burial with distinct δ13C values, and that this process is primarily linked to bonding of OC with reactive metals, accounting for ∼80% of all OC within tephra layers. In addition, distribution of reactive metals from the tephra into non‐volcanic sediments above and below the tephra layers enhances OC preservation in these sediments, with ∼33% of OC bound to reactive phases. Importantly, OC‐Fe coupling is evident in sediments >700,000 years old. Thus, these interactions may help explain the observed preservation of OC in ancient marine sediments.
Spatio‐Temporal Evolution of Earthquake Static Stress Drop Values in the 2016–2017 Central Italy Seismic Sequence
Authors: Kemna Kilian B. , Verdecchia Alessandro , Harrington Rebecca M.
Published: October 2021

The static stress drop of an earthquake is an indicator of the stress state of a specific fault before rupture initiation. The stress state is primarily controlled by the ambient stress field, fault strength, fault complexity, and the presence of fluids. This study aims to investigate the spatio‐temporal distribution of static stress drop values of the 2016–2017 multi‐fault rupture seismic sequence in central Italy, which includes three earthquakes with Mw ≥ 5.9 (Amatrice, Visso, and Norcia earthquakes), and over 95,000 aftershocks (M 0.5–6.5). We estimate stress drop values using a circular crack model with corner frequency and seismic moment estimates from single‐spectra fitting, a cluster‐event method, and spectral‐ratio fitting. The temporal distribution of stress drop values shows an apparent increase of stress drop following a large earthquake (Mw ≥ 5.9). The spatial distribution shows comparably high stress drop values for early aftershocks surrounding the mainshock rupture area. High stress drop events correlate with fault complexity, such as fault intersections at depth and reactivated thrust fronts. We observe a constant stress drop for Mw ≥ ∼3, in contrast to previous studies. Instrument response and signal‐to‐noise bandwidth limitations likely govern the observed decrease in stress drop with decreasing magnitude for events with Mw ≤ 3. The spatio‐temporal distribution of stress drop values in a complex seismic sequence could support a more complete understanding of the earthquake rupture process and the evolution of seismic sequences. It could also highlight areas where stress loading is focused, which would have implications for short and intermediate term seismic hazard estimates.
High‐Cadence Lidar Observations of Middle Atmospheric Temperature and Gravity Waves at the Southern Andes Hot Spot
Authors: Reichert R. , Kaifler B. , Kaifler N. , Dörnbrack A. , Rapp M. , Hormaechea J. L.
Published: October 2021

The Southern Andes are the strongest hot spot for atmospheric gravity waves (GWs) in the stratosphere. Yet, until recently, no high‐cadence measurements of GWs within the middle atmosphere were available in this region. Therefore, the COmpact Rayleigh Autonomous Lidar (CORAL) was deployed to the Estación Astrónomica Río Grande (53.7°S, 67.7°W), Argentina, to obtain temperature profiles up to 100 km altitude. CORAL operates autonomously and obtained measurements during roughly two thirds of all nights between November 2017 and October 2020. The excellent measurement coverage allows for the quantification of GW properties at the hot spot with great detail. The hot spot nature of this region is reflected in nightly mean temperature profiles showing deviations from the monthly mean in the order of 25–55 K in each winter month. This is connected to winter mean growth rates of GW potential energy (Ep), which are to our knowledge the largest ever reported in the stratosphere. The monthly mean Ep profiles show a mesospheric limit of ∼100 Jkg−1, indicating a saturated GW spectrum at altitudes above 60 km. The winter mean power spectral density also reaches the saturation limit here. Moreover, we investigated the distribution of vertical wavelengths using our novel diagnostic technique WAVELET‐SCAN. It reveals waves with vertical wavelengths that are mostly between 10 and 16 km but also can exceed 25 km in rare occasions.
Worldwide Maize and Soybean Yield Response to Environmental and Management Factors Over the 20th and 21st Centuries
Authors: Lin Tzu‐Shun , Song Yang , Lawrence Peter , Kheshgi Haroon S. , Jain Atul K.
Published: October 2021

A land process model, Integrated Science Assessment Model, is extended to simulate contemporary soybean and maize crop yields accurately and changes in yields over the period 1901–2100 driven by environmental factors (atmospheric CO2 level ([CO2]) and climate), and management factors (nitrogen input and irrigation). Over the twentieth century, each factor contributes to global yield increase; increasing nitrogen fertilization rates is the strongest driver for maize, and increasing [CO2] is the strongest for soybean. Over the 21st century, crop yields are projected under two future scenarios, RCP4.5‐SSP2 and RCP8.5‐SSP5; the warmer temperature drives yields lower, while rising [CO2] drives yields higher. The adverse warmer temperature effect of maize and soybean is offset by other drivers, particularly the increase in [CO2], and resultant changes in the phenological events due to climate change, particularly planting dates and harvesting times, by 2090s under both scenarios. Global yield for maize increases under RCP4.5‐SSP2, which experiences continued growth in [CO2] and higher nitrogen input rates. For soybean, yield increases at a similar rate. However, in RCP8.5‐SSP5, maize yield declines because of greater climate warming, extreme heat stress conditions, and weaker nitrogen fertilization than RCP4.5‐SSP2, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions, suggesting that application of advanced technologies, and stronger management practices, in addition to climate change mitigation, may be needed to intensify crop production over this century. The model also projects spatial variations in yields; notably, the higher temperatures in tropical and subtropical regions limit photosynthesis rates and reduce light interception, resulting in lower yields, particularly for soybean under RCP8.5‐SSP5.
Bandwidth‐Enhanced Ultra‐Wide Band Wearable Textile Antenna for Various WBAN and Internet of Things (IoT) Applications
Authors: De Arnab , Roy Bappadittya , Bhattacharya Ankan , Bhattacharjee Anup Kumar
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a compact asymmetric CPW fed monopole antenna using Denim fabric as substrate applicable for UWB communication and various wireless body area networks (WBANs). The geometry of the antenna consists of a circular monopole antenna with a modified ground plane and introduction of defected ground structures (DGS) to achieve ultra‐wide band (3.10–10.6 GHz) characteristics. The proposed wearable antenna operates from 2.40 to 14.88 GHz providing a fractional bandwidth (FBW) of about 144.44%. Enhancement of the bandwidth is obtained by the insertion of open ended rectangular slit in the ground plane. The final antenna produces a peak gain of about 6.57 dBi at 13.05 GHz and achieved omnidirectional radiation patterns. In terms of return loss, gain, and radiation characteristics, the lightweight flexible wearable antenna is fabricated, and the tested effects are found to be in fair accordance with the simulated ones.
Thrap3 promotes R-loop resolution via interaction with methylated DDX5
Authors: Kang Hyun Je , Eom Hye-jin , Kim Hongtae , Myung Kyungjae , Kwon Hyug Moo , Choi Jang Hyun
Published: October 2021

Transcription-replication conflicts lead to DNA damage and genomic instability, which are closely related to human diseases. A major source of these conflicts is the formation of R-loops, which consist of an RNA-DNA hybrid and a displaced single-stranded DNA. Although these structures have been studied, many aspects of R-loop biology and R-loop-mediated genome instability remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that thyroid hormone receptor-associated protein 3 (Thrap3) plays a critical role in regulating R-loop resolution. In cancer cells, Thrap3 interacts with DEAD-box helicase 5 (DDX5) and localizes to R-loops. Arginine-mediated methylation of DDX5 is required for its interaction with Thrap3, and the Thrap3-DDX5 axis induces the recruitment of 5’-3’ exoribonuclease 2 (XRN2) into R-loops. Loss of Thrap3 increases R-loop accumulation and DNA damage. These findings suggest that Thrap3 mediates resistance to cell death by preventing R-loop accumulation in cancer cells.
Multiple alterations in glutamatergic transmission and dopamine D2 receptor splicing in induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from patients with familial schizophrenia
Authors: Yamamoto Kana , Kuriu Toshihiko , Matsumura Kensuke , Nagayasu Kazuki , Tsurusaki Yoshinori , Miyake Noriko , Yamamori Hidenaga , Yasuda Yuka , Fujimoto Michiko , Fujiwara Mikiya , Baba Masayuki , Kitagawa Kohei , Takemoto Tomoya , Gotoda-Nishimura Nanaka , Takada Tomohiro , Seiriki Kaoru , Hayata-Takano Atsuko , Kasai Atsushi , Ago Yukio , Kida Satoshi , Takuma Kazuhiro , Ono Fumihito , Matsumoto Naomichi , Hashimoto Ryota , Hashimoto Hitoshi , Nakazawa Takanobu
Published: October 2021

An increasing body of evidence suggests that impaired synapse development and function are associated with schizophrenia; however, the underlying molecular pathophysiological mechanism of the disease remains largely unclear. We conducted a family-based study combined with molecular and cellular analysis using induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology. We generated iPSCs from patients with familial schizophrenia, differentiated these cells into neurons, and investigated the molecular and cellular phenotypes of the patient’s neurons. We identified multiple altered synaptic functions, including increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission, higher synaptic density, and altered splicing of dopamine D2 receptor mRNA in iPSC-derived neurons from patients. We also identified patients’ specific genetic mutations using whole-exome sequencing. Our findings support the notion that altered synaptic function may underlie the molecular and cellular pathophysiology of schizophrenia, and that multiple genetic factors cooperatively contribute to the development of schizophrenia.