bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anal Sphincter Reconstruction Using the Posterior Sagittal Approach for Pediatric Perineal Trauma
Authors: Ryan Julia Ann , Xu Thomas O. , Ho Christina , Varda Briony K. , Gomez-Lobo Veronica , Mayhew Allison , Teeple Erin , Badillo Andrea , Feng Christina , Levitt Marc A.
Published: November 2024

Traumatic perineal injuries are rare but can result in significant morbidity, particularly when the anal sphincter is injured. The management of such injuries in the pediatric population is rarely noted in the literature. We aimed to describe reconstruction in such patients using lessons learned in reoperative anorectal malformation surgery. This is a single-institution retrospective case series of three pediatric patients who were referred to our institution with pelvic trauma who underwent anal sphincter reconstruction. Three patients aged 5 (female), 12 (male), and 13 (female) years were referred for reconstruction following pelvic trauma involving the anal sphincter, perineal body, and genitourinary system. All three underwent multidisciplinary evaluation with urology and gynecology (for females) and a subsequent repair with anal sphincter reconstruction utilizing a posterior sagittal approach. Two patients had ostomy reversal with appendicostomy for antegrade continence enemas and regained voluntary fecal control. The third patient is awaiting colostomy reversal but has regained volitional urinary control after urethral reconstruction. The experience gained from using the posterior sagittal anorectoplasty approach in reoperations for patients with anorectal malformations can be applied to cases of rectal trauma. Key aspects include mobilizing the rectum, repairing the sphincters, and placing them around the anus, and in females, reconstructing the perineal body. Pediatric pelvic trauma can cause devastating disruptions of physiology and are difficult to treat. Experience from reoperations for anorectal malformations can be applied to these cases, including the use of a multidisciplinary team and posterior sagittal approach.
Endovascular Approach to Concurrent Anterior Cranial Fossa Dural AVF and Concurrent Flow-Related Ophthalmic Artery Aneurysm: A Case Study
Authors: Jha Vikas Chandra , Jain Rahul , Sinha Vivek Saran , Kumar Nitish , Verma Gaurav , Jha Sangam
Published: November 2024

Dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) with concurrent flow-related ophthalmic artery aneurysms, particularly intraorbital aneurysms, are rare. Retrograde cortical blood flow and sinus thrombosis heighten the risk of rupture and optic nerve compression, yet treatment strategies remain poorly defined. This study aims to explore effective management for these complex cases. A 66-year-old hypertensive man presented with an acute severe headache, loss of consciousness, and decreased vision in the left eye. Imaging revealed a left frontal intracranial hemorrhage and an anterior cranial fossa DAVF with a left ophthalmic artery aneurysm. Endovascular embolization via the left ophthalmic artery, using a microcatheter distal to the aneurysm and controlled reflux of glue injection (N-butyl cyanoacrylate and lipiodol), successfully treated the DAVF and ophthalmic artery aneurysm. Visual acuity improved to finger counting at 1 foot, with no residual DAVF at 6 months. This case demonstrates that controlled glue embolization is a viable alternative when microsurgery is not feasible due to complex anatomy.
Neuroprotective Role of Ranolazine: ESR1 and NMDA Receptor Agonist in Traumatic Brain Injury in Drosophila melanogaster, In Silico and In Vivo Correlation
Authors: Parvesh Parvesh , Kumar Sandeep , Singh Govind , Khatri Ramchander , Sharma Sarita , Lather Amit , Hooda Tanuj
Published: November 2024

Objective In this study, a high-impact trauma (HIT) device was used for inducing moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) in Drosophila melanogaster. Mechanical injuries in flies caused by rapid acceleration and assertion produce symptoms characteristics of TBI in humans.

Materials and Methods Docking studies were carried out to check the binding affinity of the drug toward the receptors. Various oxidative stress parameters, catalase level, glutathione level, superoxide dismutase (SOD) level, malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide levels, were measured. The mortality index and neuroprotective potential were carried out in TBI in D. melanogaster models.

Results In the current study, there was an increase in oxidative stress following TBI as evidenced by a significant decrease in the catalase, glutathione, and SOD levels and increase in the level of MDA and nitric oxide after 24 hours. Antioxidant enzymes, catalase and glutathione peroxidase, have a dominant role in TBI. Docking studies were carried out on estrogen receptor 1 (pdb: 1TVO and 1UOM) and NDMA receptor (pdb: 3QEL) as agonist showing the binding affinity of the drug toward the receptors. In comparison to the vehicle-treated group, there was a dose-dependent significant increase in the SOD level and percentage climbing along with a decrease in the MDA level and total protein content. The mortality index was also observed at three concentrations of ranolazine (1, 2, and 4 mg/mL) in D. melanogaster homogenate. These findings suggest that ranolazine has a good neuroprotective potential in the treatment of TBI in the D. melanogaster model.

Conclusion Present study concluded the scientific evaluation of neuroprotective potential of ranolazine in the treatment of TBI in the D. melanogaster model.
Prognostic Factors of Recovery and Discharge Outcome in Adults after Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Elnoamany Hossam , Sisi Yasser Bahgat El , Elsoud Abdulla Mostafa Abdulla Abu , Omar Ayman Ahmed , Elkholy Hany
Published: November 2024

Background Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of mortality and morbidity particularly among young people. Identification of prognostic factors can be considerably helpful for clinical decision-making and prediction of outcome.

Objective The aim of this study was to identify prognostic factors supposed to be of value in predicting functional outcome in moderate TBI patients.

Materials and Methods This was a prospective case series study conducted from March 2023 to January 2024 involving 72 TBI patients with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 9 to 13. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and management data were collected, analyzed, and correlated with patient outcomes. Based on the Extended Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOSE), patients were assigned to have either favorable outcome (GOSE score: 5–8) or poor outcome (GOSE score: 1–4).

Results The mean age was 38.76 ± 18.30 years. The mean GCS score on admission was 11.68 ± 1.27. Surgical intervention was indicated in 29 patients (40.3%). The average length of hospital stay was 9.01 ± 7.88 days. Sixty-five patients (90.3%) had a favorable outcome and 7 patients (9.7%) had a poor outcome. Prognostic factors with significant impact on outcome included the GCS score on admission (p = 0.002); pupillary responses (p = 0.011); blood pressure (p = 0.005); acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) as a primary lesion (p = 0.049); and time to admission, comorbidities, blood glucose, hemoglobin%, oxygen saturation, coagulation profile, endotracheal intubation, and tracheostomy (p < 0.001).

Conclusion In moderate TBI patients, delayed hospital arrival, low GCS score, unequal pupils, pretrauma comorbidities, hypotension, hypoxia, anemia, endotracheal intubation, tracheostomy, and ASDH were associated with unfavorable functional recovery and could be considered as poor prognostic factors.
Navigating the Diagnostic Maze: A Case Report of Uncommon Cardiac Metastasis in Childhood Ewing Sarcoma
Authors: Narayanan Balaji , Sharma Jitendra , Ahuja Meenakshi , Kamalesh Raghavendra , Khurana Ujjawal , Malik Rajesh
Published: November 2024

Ewing sarcoma is a bone cancer affecting children and young adult males. It usually presents as a single bone tumor, but it can also occur in multiple locations. Nevertheless, Ewing sarcoma is an extremely aggressive tumor capable of metastasizing to other parts of the body, such as the lungs, bones, liver, and lymph nodes. Cardiac metastases are rare, indicating a poor prognosis, as they suggest that the cancer has become more advanced and challenging to treat.

This case report describes a 9-year-old boy who presented with complaints of fever and multiple swellings in the calvaria, periorbital region, clavicle, and left thigh. Laboratory investigations revealed a high erythrocyte sedimentation rate, elevated absolute neutrophil count, high phosphate and calcium levels, and low magnesium levels. Computed tomography imaging revealed the presence of multifocal osseous expansile lytic lesions, multiple pulmonary metastases, and extensive soft tissue involvement of the heart. Based on these findings, possible differential diagnoses of Langerhans cell histiocytosis, lymphoma, and Ewing sarcoma were considered. Further histopathological examination and immunohistochemistry confirmed a final diagnosis of metastatic Ewing sarcoma.

The most common metastasis sites for Ewing sarcoma are the lungs, with rare occurrences in the central nervous system, and metastasis to the heart is uncommon. We present here a rare undiagnosed Ewing sarcoma with cardiac metastasis, in addition to pulmonary and multifocal osseous metastasis. This case is unique because multifocal osseous involvement is rare and further lung and heart involvement is even rarer in Ewing sarcoma.
Creating quality portfolios using score-based models: a systematic review
Authors: Khatwani Ritesh , Mishra Mahima , Kumar V. V. Ravi , Mistry Janki , Mitra Pradip Kumar
Published: November 2024

This paper aims to find out if a score-based investment strategy could be developed using different scales. To achieve this objective several academic sources have been used and it is found that score-based investment not only outperforms the market but also protects the investors from the risks arising out of avoidable poor investments in the market. The project is a summary of bibliographic outcome of several scholars who have attempted to find out the impact of score-based investments in their respective markets. Score-based investments are typically dependent on accounting parameters and changes in these parameters signal that a firm’s performance is geared up for a change. The study has been done using a systematic literature review. Several research papers in peer-reviewed journals were referred starting from 1934 to 2021. Various equity-based scores like F-score, G score, L score and C score and debt-based scores like Z score, O score and M score are used for the construction of portfolios. It has been found that across geographies the use of score-based investing is known to give superior returns as compared to the market. Several pieces of literature provide the evidence. Developed countries like USA, UK, Australia, and Canada have a large concentration of literary sources that point to the evidence of score-based investing. At the same time, it is also pertinent to note that the performance of such techniques works relatively better in markets that are not efficient and where asymmetry in information flow is evident.
Groundings in French and Indonesian narrative discourses: linguistic and culture analysis
Authors: Sajarwa
Published: November 2024

This study conducts a comparative analysis of grounding strategies employed in French and Indonesian narrative discourse. Utilizing both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research draws upon a corpus of French and Indonesian novels to examine the linguistic mechanisms utilized to establish grounding in these languages. This research questions the different markers of grounding in French and Indonesian narrative discourses, the types of grounding meanings, the role of culture in grounding, and what elements can strengthen grounding. The results of the textual analysis reveal that French employs the use of tenses, specifically the passé simple and imparfait (past tenses), to convey grounding, whereas Indonesian utilizes affixes, specifically the “me(N)-” and “di-” prefixes, for the same purpose. Further, the analysis illustrates that the “me(N)-” affix can be utilized to express both backgrounding and foregrounding, while the “di-” affix is restricted to foregrounding. Additionally, Indonesian also employs the use of third-person singular pronouns—“dia” and “ia”—to enhance grounding. The contextual analysis also highlights that in Indonesian narrative discourse, there is a tendency to repeat self-names as a form of politeness. This conclusion applies to languages that use tenses (e.g., French and English) as grounding markers and applies to languages that use affixes for grounding markers (e.g., Indonesian and Malay).
The nature of the conductivity of layer compounds of carboxylic acid metallic salts
Authors: Gvozdev A. É. , Mamalui A. A.
Published: November 2024

We studied layer compounds of salts of some metals of saturated carboxylic acids which may prove to constitute a new class of quasi-two-dimensional conductors. One synthesized compound, thallium capronate, was found to possess metallic conductivity (ρ293≈10−2 Ω⋅cm) with singularities in the temperature ranges 50–70°K and 180–200°K.
What does the guitalele like sound: Guitar or ukelele? An application of the K-means cluster method
Authors: Fuentealba Juan-Francisco , Michea Sebastián
Published: November 2024

This study embarks on a novel investigation into the guitalele’s acoustic properties, aiming to delineate its sound profile relative to its progenitors—the guitar and the ukulele. Leveraging a multifaceted approach that combines subjective perception surveys with objective frequency response analysis, we scrutinize the guitalele’s harmonic spectrum to elucidate its unique tonal identity. The experimental setup involved precise recordings of each instrument’s output across a range of notes, followed by sophisticated audio analysis techniques including Fourier transform to dissect the harmonic components and cross-correlation functions to identify representative sound pulses. In addition, advanced statistical methods, specifically K-means clustering, were applied to the harmonic data, offering a quantitative perspective on the guitalele’s sound classification relative to the guitar and ukulele. The investigation reveals that the guitalele embodies a complex acoustic blend, mirroring the guitar’s harmonic richness while retaining timbral characteristics reminiscent of the ukulele. Despite its closer visual and geometric alignment with the ukulele, the guitalele’s sound is predominantly influenced by the guitar, suggesting a hybrid sonic identity that transcends a simple binary classification. This unique amalgamation of sound properties suggests that the guitalele offers musicians a distinct voice that leverages the qualities of both instruments while establishing its own acoustic signature.
Modified Martin–Puplett interferometer for magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements at sub-THz frequencies
Authors: Glezer Moshe A. , Nagarajan R. , Nagel U. , Rõõm T. , Blumberg G.
Published: November 2024

We present a magneto-optical Kerr effect (MOKE) spectrometer based on a modified Martin–Puplett interferometer, utilizing continuous wave sub-THz low-power radiation in a broad frequency range. This spectrometer is capable of measuring the frequency dependence of the MOKE response function, both the Kerr rotation and ellipticity, simultaneously, with accuracy limited by a sub-milliradian threshold, without the need for a reference measurement. The instrument’s versatility allows it to be coupled to a cryostat with optical windows, enabling studies of a variety of quantum materials such as unconventional superconductors, two-dimensional electron gas systems, quantum magnets, and other systems showing optical Hall response at sub-Kelvin temperatures and in high magnetic fields. We demonstrate the functionality of the MOKE spectrometer using an undoped InSb wafer as a test sample.
Ultra-low Gilbert damping and self-induced inverse spin Hall effect in GdFeCo thin films
Authors: Pradhan Jhantu , Devapriya M. S. , Mondal Rohiteswar , Uzuhashi Jun , Ohkubo Tadakatsu , Kasai Shinya , Murapaka Chandrasekhar , Haldar Arabinda
Published: November 2024

Ferrimagnetic materials have garnered significant attention due to their broad range of tunabilities and functionalities in spintronics applications. Among these materials, rare earth-transition metal GdFeCo alloy films have been the subject of intensive investigation due to their spin-dependent transport properties and strong spin–orbit coupling. In this report, we present self-induced spin-to-charge conversion in single-layer GdFeCo films of different thicknesses via an inverse spin Hall effect. A detailed investigation of spin dynamics was carried out using broadband ferromagnetic resonance measurements. The anisotropy constant and the effective g-factor are found to decrease with thickness, and they become nearly constant for thicknesses beyond 25 nm. A remarkably low damping constant of 0.0029 ± 0.0003 is obtained in the 43 nm-thick film, which is the lowest among all previous reports on GdFeCo thin films. Furthermore, we have demonstrated a self-induced inverse spin Hall effect, which has not been reported so far in a single-layer of GdFeCo thin films. Our analysis shows that the inverse spin Hall effect becomes increasingly dominant over the spin rectification effect with increasing film thickness. The in-plane angular-dependent voltage measurement of the 43 nm-thick film reveals a spin pumping voltage of 1.64 μV. The observation of spin-to-charge current conversion could be due to the high spin–orbit coupling element Gd in the film as well as the interface between GeFeCo/Ti and substrate/GdFeCo of the films. Our findings underscore the potential of GdFeCo as a prime ferrimagnetic material for emerging spintronic technologies.
Prediction of Li-ion conductivity in Ca and Si co-doped LiZr2(PO4)3 using a denoising autoencoder for experimental data
Authors: Yokoyama Yumika , Noguchi Shuto , Ishikawa Kazuki , Tanibata Naoto , Takeda Hayami , Nakayama Masanobu , Kobayashi Ryo , Karasuyama Masayuki
Published: November 2024

All-solid-state batteries composed of inorganic materials are in high demand as power sources for electric vehicles owing to their improved safety, energy density, and overall lifespan. However, the low ionic conductivity of inorganic solid electrolytes has limited the performance and adoption of inorganic all-solid-state batteries. The solid electrolyte LiZr2(PO4)3 has attracted attention owing to its high Li-ion conductivity. The ionic conductivity of LiZr2(PO4)3 changes with the crystalline phase obtained, which varies based on composition control through elemental substitution and process conditions such as sintering temperature. Traditionally, optimizing such parameters and understanding their relationship to physical properties have relied on researcher experience and intuition. However, a recent use of a materials informatics approach utilizing machine learning shows promise for more efficient property optimization. This study proposes a deep learning model to correlate powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) profiles with the activation energy (Ea) for Li-ion conduction, thereby enhancing the interpretability of the measurement data. XRD profiles, which contain information on crystal structure, lattice strain, and particle size, were used as-is (i.e., without preprocessing) in the deep learning model. An attention mechanism was introduced to the deep learning model that focuses on XRD crystal-structure information and visualization of important factors embedded in the XRD profiles. The highlighted areas in the output of this model successfully predict LiZr2(PO4)3 phases with low Ea (high Li conductivity) and high Ea (low Li conductivity). Moving forward, this deep learning model can offer new insights to materials researchers, potentially contributing to the discovery of new solid electrolyte materials.
Exponential dependence between motion acceleration and diameters of skyrmions under the driven of periodical strains
Authors: Wu Hailuo , Zhao Rongzhi , Li Yixing , Zhang Xuefeng
Published: November 2024

The internal strain in practical materials is usually seen as defects and a large of methods have been proposed to avoid its appearance. However, strains in magnetic materials can be effective in regulating the performance mediated by magnetoelastic coupling effect. Herein, we theoretically demonstrate the motion of skyrmions driven by time-dependent periodical strains which imitate strain fluctuations in real materials. It is found that the motion acceleration of skyrmions is exponential correlation with diameters and skyrmions can be rebounded near the end of magnetic racetrack for larger size of diameters. Such a motion results from the excitation of spin wave modes on the position of circular domain walls in skyrmions. Our results can provide insight for manipulating skyrmions by strain engineering for applications in information storage and processing.
Tunable motile sperm separation based on sperm persistence in migrating through shear barriers
Authors: Bouloorchi Tabalvandani Mohammadjavad , Saeidpour Zahra , Habibi Zahra , Javadizadeh Saeed , Badieirostami Majid
Published: November 2024

Rheotaxis is one of the major migratory mechanisms used in autonomous swimmers such as sperms and bacteria. Here, we present a microfluidic chip using joint rheotaxis and boundary-following behavior that selects sperms based on the motility and persistence. The proposed device consists of a channel decorated with diamond-shaped pillars that create spots of increased velocity field and shear rate. These spots are supposed as hydrodynamic barriers that impede the passage of less motile sperms through the channels, while highly motile sperms were able to overcome the generated barrier and swim through the structures. The proposed device was able to populate the chamber with sorted sperms that were fully viable and motile. The experimental results validated the separation of highly motile sperms with enhanced motility parameters compared with the initial sample. Our device was able to improve linear straight velocity, curvilinear velocity, and average path velocity of the sorted population surpassing 35%, compared with the raw semen. The processing time was also reduced to 20 min.
Experimental study of multiphase flow occurrence caused by cavitation during mineral oil flow
Authors: Polášek T. , Bureček A. , Hružík L. , Ledvoň M. , Dýrr F. , Olšiak R. , Kolář D.
Published: November 2024

The article focuses on the experimental determination of the amount of released gas due to cavitation using an optical evaluation method. Cavitation is induced by the mineral oil flow through a throttle valve which characterizes commonly used valves in oil hydraulic systems. Cavitation zones are influenced by the defined experimental conditions. The influence of flow velocity, downstream pressure, and valve displacement on the development of gas phase due to cavitation is evaluated. Depending on the defined experimental conditions and the throttle valve displacement, a specific amount of released gas phase is monitored in the assembled observation window. The results give an overview of the amount of gas phase in the form of the bubble size distributions, volume and mass fractions that are released from the mineral oil when cavitation occurs under the defined experimental conditions. With respect to empirically acquired data, it can be said that the volume and mass fraction evolution of released gas phase, depending on the cavitation number, can be suitably described by a power law with an appropriate order of scaling. At the same time, a change in the determined curves during the initial phase of cavitation is found. Based on measured data, it can also be said that depending on the experimental conditions, up to 1 vol. % of air is present in the assembled observation window. It is also determined that up to 8% of air is released from the dissolved state depending on the achieved experimental conditions.
Classifying photonic topology using the spectral localizer and numerical K-theory
Authors: Cerjan Alexander , Loring Terry A.
Published: November 2024

Recently, the spectral localizer framework has emerged as an efficient approach for classifying topology in photonic systems featuring local nonlinearities and radiative environments. In nonlinear systems, this framework provides rigorous definitions for concepts such as topological solitons and topological dynamics, where a system’s occupation induces a local change in its topology due to nonlinearity. For systems embedded in radiative environments that do not possess a shared bulk spectral gap, this framework enables the identification of local topology and shows that local topological protection is preserved despite the lack of a common gap. However, as the spectral localizer framework is rooted in the mathematics of C*-algebras, and not vector bundles, understanding and using this framework requires developing intuition for a somewhat different set of underlying concepts than those that appear in traditional approaches for classifying material topology. In this tutorial, we introduce the spectral localizer framework from a ground-up perspective and provide physically motivated arguments for understanding its local topological markers and associated local measure of topological protection. In doing so, we provide numerous examples of the framework’s application to a variety of topological classes, including crystalline and higher-order topology. We then show how Maxwell’s equations can be reformulated to be compatible with the spectral localizer framework, including the possibility of radiative boundary conditions. To aid in this introduction, we also provide a physics-oriented introduction to multi-operator pseudospectral methods and numerical K-theory, two mathematical concepts that form the foundation for the spectral localizer framework. Finally, we provide some mathematically oriented comments on the C*-algebraic origins of this framework, including a discussion of real C*-algebras and graded C*-algebras that are necessary for incorporating physical symmetries. Looking forward, we hope that this tutorial will serve as an approachable starting point for learning the foundations of the spectral localizer framework.
Ballistic performance of TPU/steel configurations against spherical projectiles
Authors: Levadnyi Ievgen , Liu Fujia , Gu Yaodong
Published: November 2024

In this work, we numerically and experimentally investigate the ballistic performance of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)/steel configurations against spherical projectiles. We chose TPU materials with high and low hardness values to form the impact-sustaining layer to investigate the ballistic performance of protective configurations. Experiments were performed by using a powder gun that shot spherical projectiles, each with a diameter of 8.4 mm, at velocities ranging from 250 to 400 m/s. A typical plug formation was observed as the failure mode of steel plates under all configurations, and we obtained curves of the ballistic limit of each configuration. The ballistic performance of the best design, featuring a TPU material with a high hardness value, was 5.8% better than that of a monolithic plate. We also separately tested materials to calibrate their models for numerical simulations. Numerical models of projectile–target systems were established by using Abaqus software and validated based on the experimental results. The results of the simulations were in good agreement with those of the experiments in terms of the failure mechanism of the configurations and residual velocity of the projectiles. Furthermore, we developed a mathematical model to accurately predict the residual velocity of the projectile after having perforated the TPU/steel configuration. It considers the thickness and hardness of the layers and the weight and initial velocity of the projectile. The predictions of our model yielded a high correlation coefficient and a low mean squared error with the results of simulations.
Polarizable force field for TiO2 based on the Drude oscillator model
Authors: Grote Fredrik , Saeedimasine Marzieh , Lyubartsev Alexander P.
Published: November 2024

A polarizable force field has been developed for molecular dynamics simulations of titanium dioxide in an aqueous environment. The force field uses the standard functional form with an additional term accounting for polarizability, i.e., induction interaction, and has been derived exclusively from ab initio calculations by partitioning of electron density. Polarizability is described using the Drude oscillator model where each non-hydrogen atom is represented by two point charges connected by a harmonic potential. It is demonstrated that the force field provides a realistic description of the structure of anatase and rutile bulk materials from x-ray experiments. In addition, it is shown that, when combined with the popular SWM4-NDP polarizable water model, the force field describes the water structure at the titanium dioxide–water interface in agreement with results from ab initio molecular dynamics simulations. Importantly, our new model provides significant improvement of results for water differential adsorption enthalpy measured by calorimetry experiments compared to previous non-polarizable force field. The new force field allows for accurate simulations of titanium dioxide–aqueous interfaces for systems of a size of ∼105 atoms and simulation times up to the microsecond time scale.
The July 2024 Trump assassination attempt was followed by lower in-group support for partisan violence and increased group unity
Authors: Holliday Derek E. , Lelkes Yphtach , Westwood Sean J.
Published: November 2024

The attempted assassination of Donald Trump led to widespread concern that the event would escalate political violence between U.S. partisans. While some politicians pleaded for Americans to unite against political violence and “turn down the temperature” on partisan hostility, others continued to engage in inflammatory rhetoric and blame. Using a national survey in the field at the time of the assassination attempt, we take the temperature of America’s partisans before and after the event. We exploit the natural variation induced by the assassination attempt and large daily survey coverage (preattempt: 3,572; postattempt: 703; and 690 in a panel) in the days before and after the attempt to estimate the causal effects of extreme partisan violence on measures of partisan animosity and identity. Using panel and cross-sectional interrupted time series analysis, we find no evidence that the event increased tensions or support for retaliatory violence in the immediate aftermath. On the contrary, Republicans, including MAGA Republicans, became significantly less supportive of partisan violence against Democrats. Republicans also did not become more hostile toward Democrats; instead, their attachment to their own party significantly increased. Democrats experienced no change in attitudes. While nearly a third of Americans have no positive feelings toward the other party, and a supermajority have negative feelings, this animosity was not exacerbated by an extreme but salient instance of partisan violence. Despite the ills of modern political conflict, extreme partisan violence did not cause an immediate upsurge in support for violence.
Could ChatGPT get an engineering degree? Evaluating higher education vulnerability to AI assistants
Authors: Borges Beatriz , Foroutan Negar , Bayazit Deniz , Sotnikova Anna , Montariol Syrielle , Nazaretzky Tanya , Banaei Mohammadreza , Sakhaeirad Alireza , Servant Philippe , Neshaei Seyed Parsa , Frej Jibril , Romanou Angelika , Weiss Gail , Mamooler Sepideh , Chen Zeming , Fan Simin , Gao Silin , Ismayilzada Mete , Paul Debjit , Schwaller Philippe , Friedli Sacha , Jermann Patrick , Käser Tanja , Bosselut Antoine ,   EPFL Grader Consortium,   EPFL Data Consortium
Published: November 2024

AI assistants, such as ChatGPT, are being increasingly used by students in higher education institutions. While these tools provide opportunities for improved teaching and education, they also pose significant challenges for assessment and learning outcomes. We conceptualize these challenges through the lens of vulnerability, the potential for university assessments and learning outcomes to be impacted by student use of generative AI. We investigate the potential scale of this vulnerability by measuring the degree to which AI assistants can complete assessment questions in standard university-level Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) courses. Specifically, we compile a dataset of textual assessment questions from 50 courses at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) and evaluate whether two AI assistants, GPT-3.5 and GPT-4 can adequately answer these questions. We use eight prompting strategies to produce responses and find that GPT-4 answers an average of 65.8% of questions correctly, and can even produce the correct answer across at least one prompting strategy for 85.1% of questions. When grouping courses in our dataset by degree program, these systems already pass the nonproject assessments of large numbers of core courses in various degree programs, posing risks to higher education accreditation that will be amplified as these models improve. Our results call for revising program-level assessment design in higher education in light of advances in generative AI.
An ethnographic Linguistic Landscape analysis of a Berlin street market
Authors: Duman Çakır İrem
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the diverse Maybachufer Market in Berlin using an ethnographic Linguistic Landscape (LL)
analysis that integrates quantitative and qualitative approaches. The paper focuses on the complex interplay between social
dynamics at the macro-, meso-, and micro-levels and language use in this multilingual and multiethnic urban space. The market
signs mirror social and spatial settings and relevant language attitudes. The linguistic choices are shaped by and oriented
towards (1) national language ideologies despite the multilingual and multiethnic environment; (2) dominant market
languages; and (3) commercial gain, targeting specific customers and enhancing marketing strategies. By focusing on language
attitudes and language use on market signs, this paper provides insights into the semiotic relevance of signs, societal language
ideologies, and local communicative practices in multiethnic urban settings, contributing to the broader discourse on societal
multilingualism and the benefits of ethnographic LL analyses in capturing the essence of diverse urban spaces.
Family language policy and the design of homescape in transnational families
Authors: Wang Nanfei , Yu Yin
Published: November 2024

Building upon previous research on family language policy, this study explores the homescape, pertinent to the
Chinese home literacy environment within Chinese transnational families. It categorizes various forms of Chinese literacy
homescape and examines parental perspectives and agency in the design, creation, and adaptation of the homescape within their
households. The study draws on ethnographic data from four Chinese-speaking families residing in France and Germany. Data includes
sound recordings of family interactions, photographs, in-depth interviews and field notes from discussions with family members.
Adopting the lens of ethnographic Linguistic Landscape, the study categorizes the Chinese literacy homescape into four sensory
modalities: highly visible, semi-visible, soundscape, and digital and interactive. Findings reveal that parents employ highly
strategic and agentic approaches when designing the Chinese literacy homescape, demonstrating their keen awareness of the unique
characteristics of the Chinese writing system and the specific challenges their children face when learning to read Chinese.
Evolution and revolution in language and linguistics
Authors: Berns Janine , Steffens Marie , Baiwir Esther
Published: November 2024

The first issue of Nota BeNe explores the phenomena of evolution and revolution in language
science and in language use. Linguistics has evolved over time, making it the versatile discipline it is today, and the field
should continue to remain open to new perspectives and critically consider old habits and new approaches. Revolution, peaceful or
violent, may emerge when it comes to questions of language, power and identity. The four thematic contributions in this volume
discuss questions of evolution and revolution from different angles: by investigating attitudes on language change expressed in
Austrian newspapers, by considering Francophone Belgian pupils’ performances in a popular national dictation contest, by
unravelling the various denominations used in different domains to refer collectively to Canada’s First Nations, and by discussing
to what extent a Dynamic Approach to language could be a more beneficial approach than the commonly adopted static
perspective.
Language criticism in Austrian daily newspapers
Authors: Schoonjans Steven
Published: November 2024

Letters to the editors of daily newspapers are often used to criticize linguistic phenomena. This paper presents
an analysis of the language criticism in letters to the editors of three Austrian daily newspapers (Kronen Zeitung, Kleine
Zeitung, and Die Presse), focusing on the argumentative topoi used in letters expressing negative attitudes towards the linguistic
phenomena discussed. The analysis includes letters on two examples of natural language change (anglicisms, teutonisms) and on two
cases of imposed language change (gender-fair language, political correctness). It is shown that while a number of topoi are used
in both cases (mainly general topoi that consider any language change as bad), there are also a number of specific topoi
especially in the case of imposed language change, typically claiming that most people are against those changes and that we have
other, more important problems to worry about than making the language gender-fair or politically correct.
Dynamic Linguistics
Authors: Rojas-Berscia Luis Miguel
Published: November 2024

Abstract

As opposed to static approaches, the dynamic approach (DA) emphatically distances itself from the routinised use
of the concept of language (as in the English, French or Quechua language), the
sole reliance on the dichotomised model of language history explained by vertical change (the Stammbaum approach)
and horizontal change (the contact approach), and the eccentrification of creole language emergence. The notion of a DA to
language surfaced at several points in time, reaching two climaxes, namely the advent of Wave Theory (Schmidt 1872) and the incorporation of variation in the machinery of a modular approach
to grammar (Bailey 1973; Bickerton 1971;
Seuren 1982). In a nutshell, the DA advocates for the polylectal nature of
linguistic competence (in the transformationalist/generative semantic sense), the fluid nature of language variation over time and
space, as well as for the notions of functionality and the Principle of Semantic Transparency as
guiding forces throughout the history of languoids.1

In this article, the basic tenets of this approach are outlined, embedded in a historical frame within the advent
of Generative Semantics and variation-centred approaches to language. These tenets are illustrated with case
studies from languoids used in Northwestern Amazonia, Balgo in Western Australia, as well as Senegambia in West Africa.
Heat Stress in Broiler Chickens
Authors: Hosseintabar-Ghasemabad Babak , Baghban-Kanani Payam , Seidavi Alireza
Published: November 2024

Research shows that global warming has destructive effects on the environment, human health and food security. The poultry meat industry provides approximately 37% of the world's protein needs. Challenges such as undue stress due to high environmental temperatures could disrupt bird health and potentially impact the performance and availability of poultry meat for the consumer market. A stress response is the animal's biological reaction to stimuli that disturb the body’s homeostasis and can be caused by environmental factors such as excessive heat or humidity. Increased sensitivity to heat stress in modern commercial broiler chickens is due to improved growth rate and feed conversion efficiency and consequently, the welfare of these birds can be adversely affected by conditions associated with the temperature management of broiler flocks. Increasing awareness of the negative effects of heat stress on poultry welfare, bird health and performance, and meat product quality has raised concerns among researchers, breeders, production managers, and consumers. Understanding the welfare needs of broiler chickens helps to reduce the negative effects of heat stress.

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© The Authors 2024
Succinate-producing microbiota drives tuft cell hyperplasia to protect against Clostridioides difficile
Authors: Kellogg Tasia D. , Ceglia Simona , Mortzfeld Benedikt M. , Tanna Tanvi M. , Zeamer Abigail L. , Mancini Matthew R. , Foley Sage E. , Ward Doyle V. , Bhattarai Shakti K. , McCormick Beth A. , Reboldi Andrea , Bucci Vanni
Published: November 2024

The role of microbes and their metabolites in modulating tuft cell (TC) dynamics in the large intestine and the relevance of this pathway to infections is unknown. Here, we uncover that microbiome-driven colonic TC hyperplasia protects against Clostridioides difficile infection. Using selective antibiotics, we demonstrate increased type 2 cytokines and TC hyperplasia in the colon but not in the ileum. We demonstrate the causal role of the microbiome in modulating this phenotype using fecal matter transplantation and administration of consortia of succinate-producing bacteria. Administration of succinate production–deficient microbes shows a reduced response in a Pou2f3-dependent manner despite similar intestinal colonization. Finally, antibiotic-treated mice prophylactically administered with succinate-producing bacteria show increased protection against C. difficile–induced morbidity and mortality. This effect is nullified in Pou2f3−/− mice, confirming that the protection occurs via the TC pathway. We propose that activation of TCs by the microbiota in the colon is a mechanism evolved by the host to counterbalance microbiome-derived cues that facilitate invasion by pathogens.
p38α–eIF6–Nsun2 axis promotes ILC3’s rapid response to protect host from intestinal inflammation
Authors: Huang Jida , Zhang Jing , Song Panwei , Huang Jiaoyan , Yang Zi , Han Jiahuai , Wu Li , Guo Xiaohuan
Published: November 2024

Group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s) are important for maintaining gut homeostasis. Upon stimulation, ILC3s can rapidly produce cytokines to protect against infections and colitis. However, the regulation of ILC3 quick response is still unclear. Here, we find that eIF6 aggregates with Nsun2 and cytokine mRNA in ILC3s at steady state, which inhibits the methyltransferase activity of Nsun2 and the nuclear export of cytokine mRNA, resulting in the nuclear reservation of cytokine mRNA. Upon stimulation, phosphorylated p38α phosphorylates eIF6, which in turn releases Nsun2 activity, and promotes the nuclear export of cytokine mRNA and rapid cytokine production. Genetic disruption of p38α, Nsun2, or eIF6 in ILC3s influences the mRNA nuclear export and protein expression of the protective cytokines, thus leading to increased susceptibility to colitis. Together, our data identify a crucial role of the p38α–eIF6–Nsun2 axis in regulating rapid ILC3 immune response at the posttranscriptional level, which is critical for gut homeostasis maintenance and protection against gut inflammation.
Coercivity-based analysis and its application to an inverse source problem for a subdiffusion equation with time-dependent principal parts
Authors: Jiang Daijun , Li Zhiyuan , Yamamoto Masahiro
Published: November 2024

In this article, we investigate an inverse source problem for subdiffusion equations with time-dependent principal parts using distributed observations. We analyze coercivity properties of fractional derivatives. As applications, we use a coercivity property to establish a Lipschitz stability estimate for an inverse problem of determining the temporal component in the source term, which is a new result to the best knowledge of the authors. Numerically, we transform the inverse source problem into an optimization framework, incorporating Tikhonov regularization to mitigate the ill-posedness of the inverse problem. We then propose an iterative thresholding algorithm to solve this optimization problem efficiently. Finally, we present several numerical experiments to validate the accuracy and the efficiency of our proposed algorithm.
Theoretical studies of two phase-independent frequency spectrum models in atomic selective photoionization processes
Authors: Lu Xiaoyong , Wang Lide
Published: November 2024

The laser frequency spectrum, whose full width at half-maximum in the frequency domain is the laser bandwidth, plays a critical role in atomic multi-step photoionization processes and has a significant influence on isotopic selective photoionization results. In this study, two phase-independent frequency spectrum models, that is, the mode jitter model (MJ model) based on the mode jitter phenomenon and the multi-longitudinal mode model (MLM model) based on multi-longitudinal mode output, are proposed to describe the spectral characteristics in the frequency domain. In the MJ model, it is assumed that there is a time-varying longitudinal mode in each laser pulse, with different central frequencies between adjacent pulses in the pulse train; in the MLM model, it is assumed that multiple longitudinal modes are output simultaneously with fixed central frequencies. Selective photoionization properties of these two frequency spectrum models and the chaotic field model are simulated and compared with each other under the Lorentzian frequency spectrum condition. Influences of the excitation intensity, laser frequency spectral profile and cutoff frequency on selective photoionization processes are calculated and compared among the above-mentioned three frequency spectrum models. Finally, the measurement of the laser frequency spectrum and the introduction of individual longitudinal modes’ bandwidths are discussed.
Triboplasma assisted chemical conversion in granular systems: a semi-analytic model
Authors: Sitaraman Hariswaran , Sundaresan Sankaran
Published: November 2024

We present a semi-analytic model for a novel plasma-assisted chemical conversion pathway using triboplasmas generated in granular flows. Triboelectric charge relaxation is a well known phenomena where the potential generated from contact charging of particles exceeds the breakdown voltage of the background gas. In this work, we extend the triboelectric charge relaxation theory to include non equilibrium plasma energy and particle balance equations to predict the formation of dissociated and excited species that act as precursors to chemical conversion, for example in plasma-assisted ammonia synthesis. Our example case study with nitrogen background gas and teflon/aluminum tribomaterial system yielded high excited nitrogen species densities per collision that are comparable to current plasma-assisted conversion pathways. We also present a regime diagram for various gases where Paschen breakdown parameters are used to determine whether triboplasmas can be formed for a given effective work-function difference between two materials. Our sensitivity studies indicate particle velocity, particle radius, solids fraction and space charge effects play a critical role in overall plasma densities and excited species production.