bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What Matters Most? Toward a Robust and Socially Just Science of Reading
Authors: Aukerman Maren , Chambers Schuldt Lorien
Published: May 2021

Science of readingis a term that has been used variously, but its use within research, policy, and the press has tended to share one important commonality: an intensive focus on assessed reading proficiency as the primary goal of reading instruction. Although well intentioned, this focus directs attention toward a problematically narrow slice of reading. In this article, we propose a different framework for the science of reading, one that draws on existing literacy research in ways that could broaden and deepen instruction. The framework proposes, first, that reading education should develop textual dexterity across grade levels in the four literate roles first proposed by Freebody and Luke: code breaker (decodes text), text participant (comprehends text), text user (applies readings of text to accomplish things), and text analyst (critiques text). Second, the framework suggests that reading education should nurture important literate dispositions alongside those textual capacities, dispositions that include reading engagement, motivation, and self‐efficacy. Justification is offered for the focus on textual dexterity and literate dispositions, and we include research‐based suggestions about how reading educators can foster student growth in these areas. Finally, we propose that reading education should attend closely to linguistic, cultural, and individual variation, honoring and leveraging different strengths and perspectives that students bring to and take away from their learning. Reimagining a science of reading based on these principles has the potential to make it both more robust and more socially just, particularly for students from nondominant cultures.
The Science of Reading Progresses: Communicating Advances Beyond the Simple View of Reading
Authors: Duke Nell K. , Cartwright Kelly B.
Published: May 2021

The simple view of reading is commonly presented to educators in professional development about the science of reading. The simple view is a useful tool for conveying the undeniable importance—in fact, the necessity—of both decoding and linguistic comprehension for reading. Research in the 35 years since the theory was proposed has revealed additional understandings about reading. In this article, we synthesize research documenting three of these advances: (1) Reading difficulties have a number of causes, not all of which fall under decoding and/or listening comprehension as posited in the simple view; (2) rather than influencing reading solely independently, as conceived in the simple view, decoding and listening comprehension (or in terms more commonly used in reference to the simple view today, word recognition and language comprehension) overlap in important ways; and (3) there are many contributors to reading not named in the simple view, such as active, self‐regulatory processes, that play a substantial role in reading. We point to research showing that instruction aligned with these advances can improve students’ reading. We present a theory, which we call the active view of reading, that is an expansion of the simple view and can be used to convey these important advances to current and future educators. We discuss the need to lift up updated theories and models to guide practitioners’ work in supporting students’ reading development in classrooms and interventions.
Galton–Watson games
Authors: Holroyd Alexander E. , Martin James B.
Published: May 2021

We address two‐player combinatorial games whose graph of positions is a directed Galton–Watson tree. We consider normal and misère rules (where a player who cannot move loses or wins, respectively), as well as an “escape game” in which one designated player loses if either player cannot move. We study phase transitions for the probability of a draw or escape under optimal play, as the offspring distribution varies. Across a range of natural cases, we find that the transitions are continuous for the normal and misère games but discontinuous for the escape game; we also exhibit examples where these properties fail to hold. We connect the nature of the phase transitions to the length of the game under optimal play. We establish inequalities between the different games. For instance, the draw probability is no smaller in the misère game than in the normal game.
Soil carbon sequestration potential and the identification of hotspots in the eastern Corn Belt of the United States
Authors: Grace Peter , Robertson G. Philip
Published: May 2021

Soil C sequestration is a significant CO2 mitigation strategy, but precise assessments of sequestration require spatially explicit modeling of potential changes in soil organic C (SOC) in response to soil, climate, land condition, and management interactions. We assessed the SOC sequestration potential of the eastern Corn Belt (ECB) in the United States (Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia) in response to the adoption of conservation farming practices and land use change (pasture and forestation) using the SOCRATES model. Input data was provided through an intersection of the State Soil Geographic database, National Land Cover Database, and a PRISM (https://prism.oregonstate.edu) climate surface. At the end of the 20th century, the 15.3 Mha of cropped soils in the ECB contained 632 Tg C, an estimated reduction of 52% since the introduction of agriculture in the mid 1800s. Complete adoption of no‐tillage practices on prime cropland would potentially recover 147 Tg SOC over 20 yr, whereas a continuation of conventional tillage would produce a loss of 35 Tg SOC over that period. Sequestration hotspots (>500 Gg increase in SOC) under no‐tillage cover 2.3 Mha providing 28 Tg C over 20 yr. The conversion of marginal (nonprime) agricultural lands to forests would yield an additional 13 Tg C in SOC and 381 Tg C in aboveground biomass. The rehabilitation of minelands to forest would yield an additional 4 Tg C in SOC and 42 Tg C in biomass. Opportunities to sequester C in the ECB via tillage and reforestation are substantial and should be incorporated into regional and national climate change mitigation strategies.
Development of on‐road emission inventory and evaluation of policy intervention on future emission reduction toward sustainability in Vietnam
Authors: Roy Shimul , Lam Yun Fat , Hung Ngo Tho , Chan Johnny C. L.
Published: May 2021

This study developed updated emission inventories for 2010, 2015, and 2019 base‐year for road transportation in Vietnam with future projections for 2020, 2025, and 2030. In general (2019 base‐year), motorcycles contributed a substantial CO, NMVOC, PM10, PM2.5, OC, and CH4(~53%–89%), while BC, NOx, and SO2were mostly from diesel‐powered trucks (~42%–76.3%). The countrywide emission contributions from two rapidly growing cities (Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh [HCM]) were estimated to be 11%–16.2% and 16.6%–20.2%, respectively, and CO2was found to be the leading pollutant that contributes to the overall Global Warming Potential (41% of CO2e) in Vietnam. In terms of future emission projections, the suggested or planned policy interventions (i.e., banning motorcycles, improved fuel quality, introducing electric vehicles, and public transportation) are expected to lead to 11%–125% (compared to Business As Usual) emission reductions in 2030, pushing Vietnam a step toward environmental sustainability.
Effective or expedient: Market devices and philanthropic techniques
Authors: Eyre Ben
Published: May 2021

Advocates of philanthropy often frame its worth through efficacy. Critical voices counter such narratives by exposing the social construction of these ideas by hegemonic forces. But they do not interrogate concepts of efficacy through close attention to the process of doing philanthropy. To address this gap, this article engages with philanthropy through the anthropology of techniques. Based on three months of participant observation among high‐net‐worth donors and organizations that work with them in the City of London, I argue that attention to expedience (here referring to maximizing funding rather than effects) invigorates critical reflection on “effective philanthropy.” Furthermore, I suggest that my ethnographically informed distinction between expedience and efficacy provides me with a new way to engage with philanthropists: demonstrating the relevance of anthropological theory to their practices and concerns rather than simply criticizing them.
Single-Nucleotide Polymorphisms in 3′-Untranslated Region Inducible Costimulator Gene and the Important Roles of miRNA in Alopecia Areata
Authors: Conteduca G. , Rossi A. , Megiorni F. , Parodi A. , Ferrera F. , Tardito S. , Altosole T. , Fausti V. , Occella C. , Kalli F. , Negrini S. , Pizzuti A. , Marchese C. , Rizza E. , Indiveri F. , Coviello D. , Fenoglio D. , Filaci G.
Published: May 2021

Background

Alopecia areata (AA) spares the stem cell compartment and attacks only the base of the hair follicle, which is surrounded by infiltrating lymphocytes. AA is associated with polymorphisms in immune-related genes and with decreased function of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory (Treg) cells. Treg function is modulated by the costimulatory molecules, like inducible costimulator (ICOS) that are crucial in orienting T cell differentiation and function so that they strongly impact on the immunologic decision between tolerance or autoimmunity development.

Objective

The aim of our study was to investigate the possible association of AA with single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) present in the ICOS 3′-untranslated region (3′UTR) region and to elucidate how SNPs modulate ICOS gene expression by affecting miRNA binding sites.

Methods

This is a case-control study performed in 184 patients with AA and 200 controls. ICOS gene and miRNA expression were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

The genotype carrying the rs4404254(C) [p = 0.012, OR (95% CI): 0.5 (0.3–0.8)] and rs4675379(C) [p = 0.015, OR (95% CI): 0.3 (0.1–0.8)] 3′ UTR alleles was more frequently observed in AA patients than in controls and correlated with a reduced ICOS expression. miR-1276 significantly suppressed ICOS expression by binding to the 3′UTR of ICOS mRNA. Also, we observed that, miR-101 and miR-27b are upregulated, while miR-103 and miR-2355-3p are downregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of AA patients compared to controls;

Conclusion

Our data show that rs4404254 and rs4675379 SNPs of ICOS gene are associated with AA and also reveal that the presence of rs4404254 polymorphism correlates with ICOS post-transcriptional repression by microRNA binding.
Atomically Precise Control of Carbon Insertion into hBN Monolayer Point Vacancies using a Focused Electron Beam Guide
Authors: Park Hyoju , Wen Yi , Li Sylvia Xin , Choi Woojin , Lee Gun‐Do , Strano Michael , Warner Jamie H.
Published: May 2021

Precise controlled filling of point vacancies in hBN with carbon atoms is demonstrated using a focused electron beam method, which guides mobile C atoms into the desired defect site. Optimization of the technique enables the insertion of a single C atom into a selected monovacancy, and preferential defect filling with sub‐2 nm accuracy. Increasing the C insertion process leads to thicker 3D C nanodots seeded at the hBN point vacancy site. Other light elements are also observed to bind to hBN vacancies, including O, opening up a wide range of complex defect structures that include B, C, N, and O atoms. The ability to selectively fill point vacancies in hBN with C atoms provides a pathway for creating non‐hydrogenated covalently bonded C molecules embedded in the insulating hBN.
Yolk‐Shell‐Structured Nanospheres with Goat Pupil‐Like S‐Doped SnSe Yolk and Hollow Carbon‐Shell Configuration as Anode Material for Sodium‐Ion Storage
Authors: Park Gi Dae , Kang Yun Chan
Published: May 2021

Rationally nanostructured electrode materials exhibit excellent sodium‐ion storage performance. In particular, yolk–shell configurations of metal chalcogenide@void@C are introduced in various synthetic strategies for use as superior anode materials. Herein, yolk‐shell‐structured nanospheres, with goat pupil‐like configuration of S‐doped SnSe yolks and hollow carbon shells, are synthesized by salt‐infiltration and a simple post‐treatment procedure. Impressively, the co‐infiltration of thiourea and selenium oxide enables the doping of sulfur into SnSe (SnSeS) and carbon shells, as well as the formation of a goat pupil‐like yolk–shell architecture. High‐reactivity thiourea‐derived H2S gas forms nanocrystals inside the carbon nanospheres. The nanocrystals act as seeds for the crystal growth of SnSeS through Ostwald ripening. The unique yolk–shell structure and composition with a heterointerface provide not only structural stability but also fast electrode reaction kinetics during repeated cycling. The SnSeS@C electrode shows an excellent cycle life (186 mA h g−1 for 1000 cycles at 0.5 A g−1) and rate capability (112 mA h g−1 at 5.0 A g−1).
Recent Developments in the Design of CdxZn1−xS‐Based Photocatalysts for Sustainable Production of Hydrogen
Authors: Debnath Bharati , Dhingra Suman , Nagaraja C. M.
Published: May 2021

Photocatalytic production of clean fuel hydrogen (H2) from water using semiconductor nanomaterials as photocatalysts aided by natural sunlight represents a promising means to fulfill the growing energy demand and for mitigating increasing concentration of atmospheric CO2 due to the burning of fossil fuels. Among the widely studied semiconductor nanomaterials, the CdxZn1−xS ternary system has gained significant interest due to its tunable band edge, optical and electronic properties by merely varying the Cd2+/Zn2+ content. Consequently, CdxZn1−xS‐based nanostructures have been extensively studied as promising visible‐light‐active photocatalysts for H2 production from water and other photocatalytic transformations. Herein, a comprehensive account of the research progress in the development of CdxZn1−xS‐based photocatalysts for the production of solar fuel, H2 from water is provided. Further, various strategies used in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of CdxZn1−xS photocatalysts, like control of the morphology (0D, 1D, 2D, and 3D), bandgap engineering, and fabrication of various heterostructures have been discussed in detail. Furthermore, opportunities and future perspectives of CdxZn1−xS‐based photocatalysts for practical applications have also been discussed. Overall, the importance of CdxZn1−xS‐based photocatalysts is showcased for efficient visible‐light‐driven hydrogen production and can be beneficial for the design of sustainable photocatalytic systems.
A Blockchain‐based Cyber Attack Detection Scheme for Decentralized Internet of Things using Software‐Defined Network
Authors: Guha Roy Deepsubhra , Srirama Satish Narayana
Published: May 2021

Due to using less secured and movable devices in Internet of Things (IoT) platform, cyber‐attacks have been a major issue nowadays. Different researches have been conducted to detect the probable security attacks, but faced constraints like storage, computation cost, system failure and high latency. Existing systems require continuous monitoring, controlling, and collecting the data in entire network for delivering services with the maximum security and defense mechanism against cyber‐attacks. In this context, a decentralized mechanism of security has been presented in this article using a software‐defined network (SDN) integrated with blockchain for IoT in mobile edge and fog computing. The SDN continuously monitors and analyzes the system traffic for providing an attack identification model. The blockchain has been used to overcome the failure issues addressed in the existing models by delivering decentralized attack identification scheme which detects attacks in fog and reduces it in the edge node.
Sustainable Bio‐Based Wood Adhesive Incorporated Different Functionalized Nanoparticles: A Performance Comparison Study
Authors: Chen Lei , Li Jing , Din Zia‐ud , Hu Chun , Xiong Hanguo
Published: May 2021

Nanoparticle incorporation is a common strategy for promoting the performance of starch‐based wood adhesive as low storage stability limits the application of conventional nanocomposite adhesives. This work focuses on the performance comparison of adhesives containing different nanoparticles (nano‐TiO2, TK (TiO2‐KH570), TKB (TiO2‐KH570‐Butyl acrylate)) to improve both the bonding strength and storage stability. The structure and morphology of these nanoparticles are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the surface modification improves the dispersion of nano‐TiO2. After adding in adhesive, the results of shear strength, viscosity, and rheological properties signify that the structural strength within adhesive is related to the surface hydrophobicity and the thickness of the surface hydrophobic layer of functionalized nanoparticles. TKB exhibits excellent improvement on the storage stability of adhesive due to its wide surface hydrophobic layer weakening the intermolecular interaction. TK shows limited improvement on both bonding strength and storage stability as the hanging hydrogen groups from KH570 form cross‐linking structure with other components in adhesive. Therefore, selecting the appropriate functional nanoparticles is an important parameter for designing high‐performance wood adhesive for the veneer industry.
Measurement of contamination amount and direct simulation Monte Carlo simulation of contamination process in a model vacuum interrupter
Authors: Takematsu Toshihiko , Donen Taiki , Koga Hiromi
Published: May 2021

The contamination process of a model vacuum interrupter was investigated by measuring the amount of contamination and conducting direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) evaluations. The numerical simulations revealed suitable results, and the simulation model could be used to predict the contamination profile. In addition, appropriate results for designing arc shields were obtained from a parametric study of the DSMC assessments. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Anne Jillian (Jilly) Pearson
Authors: Abraham Linda , Chennells David , Grieve John , Taylor Polly
Published: May 2021

A consummate veterinary professional.
Detection of mcr‐1‐positive Escherichia coli in slaughterhouse wastewater collected from Dawen river
Authors: Wang Xinxing , Li Li , Sun Fengxia , Wang Jinji , Chang Weishan , Chen Fengmei , Peng Jun
Published: May 2021

Background

Low levels of mcr‐1 were detected in Escherichia coli from wastewater samples across the world; hence, further monitoring and management of accumulation of mcr‐1‐positive bacteria in wastewater are urgently recommended.

Objectives

In this study, we have reported the detection of E. coli strains carrying the colistin resistance gene mcr‐1 in slaughterhouse wastewater discharged into Dawen river.

Methods

Twenty samples were collected aseptically and subjected to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis, multilocus sequence typing and antibiotic resistance tests. Conjugation tests were also performed.

Results

The screening results showed a positive rate of 20% (4/20), which suggested that the mcr‐1 gene had polluted the environment of the river. The mcr‐1 gene had successfully transferred from the donor to recipient cells, which showed the possibility of horizontal transfer of mcr‐1 and subsequently, the formation of multidrug resistant bacteria in the river.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrated a high occurrence of colistin‐resistant E. coli carrying the mcr‐1 gene on transferrable plasmids in slaughterhouses and indicated their dissemination into river. Large‐scale cross‐border cooperation would be required for the effective control of the spread of antibiotic‐resistant bacteria.
The metabolism of gelsevirine in human, pig, goat and rat liver microsomes
Authors: Zhang Hua‐Hai , Yang Wen‐Jia , Huang Ya‐Jun , Li Wen‐Jing , Zhang Shuo‐Xin , Liu Zhao‐Ying
Published: May 2021

Gelsemium is a small genus of flowering plants from the family Loganiaceae comprising five species, three of which, Gelsemium sempervirens (L.) J. St.‐Hil., G. elegans Benth and G. rankinii Small, are particularly popular. Compared with other alkaloids from G. elegans, gelsemine, gelsevirine and koumine exhibit equally potent anxiolytic effects and low toxicity. Although the pharmacological activities and metabolism of koumine and gelsemine have been reported in previous studies, the species differences of gelsevirine metabolism have not been well studied. In this study, the metabolism of gelsevirine was investigated by using liver microsomes of humans, pigs, goats and rats by means of HPLC‐QqTOF/MS. The results indicated that the metabolism of gelsevirine in liver microsomes had qualitative and quantitative species differences. Based on the results, the possible metabolic pathways of gelsevirine in liver microsomes were proposed. Investigation of the metabolism of gelsevirine will provide a basis for further studies of the in vivo metabolism of this drug.
Extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaf exhibits bactericidal effect against multidrug resistant pathogenic bacteria of poultry
Authors: Ali Edris , Islam Md. Sadequl , Hossen Md. Ismail , Khatun Mst. Minara , Islam Md. Ariful
Published: May 2021

The aim of the study was to determine the efficacy of neem leaf extract against multidrug resistant (MDR) pathogenic bacteria. Laboratory stock culture ofPasteurella multocida, Salmonella pullorum, Salmonella gallinarumandEscherichia coliwas revived. Antibiogram profiles of these bacteria were determined by disc diffusion method. Ethanolic extract of neem leaf was prepared. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of neem leaf extract (112.5, 100, 50, 25, 12.5, 6.25 and 3.12 mg/ml) against MDR pathogenic bacteria of poultry were determined by double dilution method. The MIC and MBC of the neem leaf extract were 12.5 and 25 mg/ml, respectively forP. multocida, 50 and 100 mg/ml forS. pullorumandS. gallinarum, 100 and 112.5 mg/ml forE. coli. Neem leaf extracts exhibited bactericidal effect against MDR pathogenic bacteria of poultry.
Multimodal Measurements of Brain Tissue Metabolism and Perfusion in a Neonatal Model of Hypoxic-Ischaemic Injury
Authors: Bale Gemma , Rajaram Ajay , Kewin Matthew , Morrison Laura , Bainbridge Alan , Liu Linshan , Anazodo Udunna , Diop Mamadou , Lawrence Keith St , Tachtsidis Ilias
Published: May 2021

This is the first multimodal study of cerebral tissue metabolism and perfusion post-hypoxic-ischaemic (HI) brain injury using broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (bNIRS), diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS), positron emission tomography (PET) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). In seven piglet preclinical models of neonatal HI, we measured cerebral tissue saturation (StO2), cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral oxygen metabolism (CMRO2), changes in the mitochondrial oxidation state of cytochrome c oxidase (oxCCO), cerebral glucose metabolism (CMRglc) and tissue biochemistry (Lac+Thr/tNAA). At baseline, the parameters measured in the piglets that experience HI (not controls) were 64 ± 6% StO2, 35 ± 11 ml/100 g/min CBF and 2.0 ± 0.4 μmol/100 g/min CMRO2. After HI, the parameters measured were 68 ± 6% StO2, 35 ± 6 ml/100 g/min CBF, 1.3 ± 0.1 μmol/100 g/min CMRO2, 0.4 ± 0.2 Lac+Thr/tNAA and 9.5 ± 2.0 CMRglc. This study demonstrates the capacity of a multimodal set-up to interrogate the pathophysiology of HIE using a combination of optical methods, MRS, and PET.
Optical Redox Imaging Differentiates Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Subtypes
Authors: Jiang Jinxia , Feng Min , Jacob Annemarie , Li Lin Z. , Xu He N.
Published: May 2021

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a highly diverse group of cancers with limited treatment options, responsible for about 15% of all breast cancers. TNBC cells differ from each other in many ways such as gene expression, metabolic activity, tumorigenicity, and invasiveness. Recently, many research and clinical efforts have focused on metabolically targeted therapy for TNBC. Metabolic characterization of TNBC cell lines can facilitate the assessment of therapeutic effects and assist in metabolic drug development. Herein, we used optical redox imaging (ORI) techniques to characterize TNBC subtypes metabolically. We found that various TNBC cell lines had differing redox statuses (levels of reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), oxidized flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), and the redox ratio (FAD/(NADH+FAD)). We then metabolically perturbed the cells with mitochondrial inhibitors and an uncoupler and performed ORI accordingly. As expected, we observed that these TNBC cell lines had similar response patterns to the metabolic perturbations. However, they exhibited differing redox plasticity. These results suggest that subtypes of TNBC cells are different metabolically and that ORI can serve as a sensitive technique for the metabolic profiling of TNBC cells.
Systems Biology Model of Cerebral Oxygen Delivery and Metabolism During Therapeutic Hypothermia: Application to the Piglet Model
Authors: Russell-Buckland Joshua , Kaynezhad P. , Mitra S. , Bale G. , Bauer C. , Lingam I. , Meehan C. , Avdic-Belltheus A. , Martinello K. , Bainbridge A. , Robertson N. J. , Tachtsidis I.
Published: May 2021

Hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a significant cause of death and disability. Therapeutic hypothermia (TH) is the only available standard of treatment, but 45–55% of cases still result in death or neurodevelopmental disability following TH. This work has focussed on developing a new brain tissue physiology and biochemistry systems biology model that includes temperature effects, as well as a Bayesian framework for analysis of model parameter estimation. Through this, we can simulate the effects of temperature on brain tissue oxygen delivery and metabolism, as well as analyse clinical and experimental data to identify mechanisms to explain differing behaviour and outcome. Presented here is an application of the model to data from two piglets treated with TH following hypoxic-ischaemic injury showing different responses and outcome following treatment. We identify the main mechanism for this difference as the Q10 temperature coefficient for metabolic reactions, with the severely injured piglet having a median posterior value of 0.133 as opposed to the mild injury value of 5.48. This work demonstrates the use of systems biology models to investigate underlying mechanisms behind the varying response to hypothermic treatment.
Chaotic scattering of highly excited strings
Authors: Gross David J. , Rosenhaus Vladimir
Published: May 2021

Abstract

Motivated by the desire to understand chaos in theS-matrix of string theory, we study tree level scattering amplitudes involving highly excited strings. While the amplitudes for scattering of light strings have been a hallmark of string theory since its early days, scattering of excited strings has been far less studied. Recent results on black hole chaos, combined with the correspondence principle between black holes and strings, suggest that the amplitudes have a rich structure. We review the procedure by which an excited string is formed by repeatedly scattering photons off of an initial tachyon (the DDF formalism). We compute the scattering amplitude of one arbitrary excited string and any number of tachyons in bosonic string theory. At high energies and high mass excited state these amplitudes are determined by a saddle-point in the integration over the positions of the string vertex operators on the sphere (or the upper half plane), thus yielding a generalization of the “scattering equations”. We find a compact expression for the amplitude of an excited string decaying into two tachyons, and study its properties for a generic excited string. We find the amplitude is highly erratic as a function of both the precise excited string state and of the tachyon scattering angle relative to its polarization, a sign of chaos.
Soft radiation from scattering amplitudes revisited
Authors: Manu A. , Ghosh Debodirna , Laddha Alok , Athira P. V.
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We apply the recently developed formalism by Kosower, Maybee and O’Connell (KMOC) [12] to analyse the soft electromagnetic and soft gravitational radiation emitted by particles without spin in D ≥ 4 dimensions. We use this formalism in conjunction with quantum soft theorems to derive radiative electro-magnetic and gravitational fields in low frequency expansion and upto next to leading order in the coupling. We show that in all dimensions, the classical limit of sub-leading soft (photon and graviton) theorems is consistent with the classical soft theorems proved by Sen et al. in a series of papers. In particular in [11] Saha, Sahoo and Sen proved classical soft theorems for electro-magnetic and gravitational radiation in D = 4 dimensions. For the class of scattering processes that can be analyzed using KMOC formalism, we show that the classical limit of quantum soft theorems is consistent with the D = 4 classical soft theorems, paving the way for their proof from scattering amplitudes.
An asymptotic analysis for a generalized Cahn–Hilliard system with fractional operators
Authors: Colli Pierluigi , Gilardi Gianni , Sprekels Jürgen
Published: May 2021

In the recent paper “Well-posedness and regularity for a generalized fractional Cahn–Hilliard system” (Colli et al. in Atti Accad Naz Lincei Rend Lincei Mat Appl 30:437–478, 2019), the same authors have studied viscous and nonviscous Cahn–Hilliard systems of two operator equations in which nonlinearities of double-well type, like regular or logarithmic potentials, as well as nonsmooth potentials with indicator functions, were admitted. The operators appearing in the system equations are fractional powers $$A^{2r}$$

A

2
r

and $$B^{2\sigma }$$

B

2
σ

(in the spectral sense) of general linear operators A and B, which are densely defined, unbounded, selfadjoint, and monotone in the Hilbert space $$L^2(\Omega )$$

L
2

(
Ω
)

, for some bounded and smooth domain $$\Omega \subset {{\mathbb {R}}}^3$$

Ω
⊂

R

3

, and have compact resolvents. Existence, uniqueness, and regularity results have been proved in the quoted paper. Here, in the case of the viscous system, we analyze the asymptotic behavior of the solution as the parameter $$\sigma $$
σ
appearing in the operator $$B^{2\sigma }$$

B

2
σ

decreasingly tends to zero. We prove convergence to a phase relaxation problem at the limit, and we also investigate this limiting problem, in which an additional term containing the projection of the phase variable on the kernel of B appears.
A pair correlation problem, and counting lattice points with the zeta function
Authors: Aistleitner Christoph , El-Baz Daniel , Munsch Marc
Published: May 2021

The pair correlation is a localized statistic for sequences in the unit interval. Pseudo-random behavior with respect to this statistic is called Poissonian behavior. The metric theory of pair correlations of sequences of the form $$(a_n \alpha )_{n \ge 1}$$

(

a
n

α
)

n
≥
1

has been pioneered by Rudnick, Sarnak and Zaharescu. Here $$\alpha $$
α
is a real parameter, and $$(a_n)_{n \ge 1}$$

(

a
n

)

n
≥
1

is an integer sequence, often of arithmetic origin. Recently, a general framework was developed which gives criteria for Poissonian pair correlation of such sequences for almost every real number $$\alpha $$
α
, in terms of the additive energy of the integer sequence $$(a_n)_{n \ge 1}$$

(

a
n

)

n
≥
1

. In the present paper we develop a similar framework for the case when $$(a_n)_{n \ge 1}$$

(

a
n

)

n
≥
1

is a sequence of reals rather than integers, thereby pursuing a line of research which was recently initiated by Rudnick and Technau. As an application of our method, we prove that for every real number $$\theta >1$$

θ
>
1

, the sequence $$(n^\theta \alpha )_{n \ge 1}$$

(

n
θ

α
)

n
≥
1

has Poissonian pair correlation for almost all $$\alpha \in {\mathbb {R}}$$

α
∈
R

.
Does daily wear time of Twin Block reliably predict its efficiency of class II treatment?
Authors: Sarul Michal , Nahajowski Marek , Gawin Grzegorz , Antoszewska-Smith Joanna
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study was to investigate how daily wear time (DWT) influences class II malocclusion treatment efficiency.

Materials and methods

The study group consisted of 55 patients (mean age 10.4 years) diagnosed with a class II/1 malocclusion. Twin block appliances, with built-in Theramon® microsensors (MC Technology, Hargelsberg, Austria) to monitor patients’ cooperation (daily wear time assessment), were used for treatment. Cephalograms were taken and the following initial and final measurements were compared: Co-Gn, Co-Go, Co-Olp, Pg-Olp, WITS, SNA, SNB, ANB, Co-Go-Me, overjet, molar and canine relationships. The Shapiro–Wilk test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, Student’s t-test, Levene’s test, Mann–Whitney U test, Kruskal–Wallis test, χ2 test, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient with p < 0.05 set as the statistical significance level were used to determine the correlation of the outcomes with DWT; a ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve was calculated to illustrate diagnostic ability of the binary classifier system.

Results

DWT was very highly positively correlated with change of the Pg-Olp parameter and highly with an improvement in the ANB, SNA, and SNB angles, an increase in the WITS parameter and an increase in Co-Gn distance. DWTs < 7.5 h correlated with significantly less improvement of the investigated variables. However, DWT > 7.5 h did not significantly correlate with the improvement of the overjet and most of the linear parameters in the mandible. The ROC curve and its AUC (area under curve) allowed the determination of a DWT of 7 h and 48 min to be capable of establishing a class I relationship with 83% probability.

Conclusions

Class II treatment efficiency was influenced by DWT; an 8 h threshold value had an 83% probability of establishing a class I relationship.
A UK nationwide study of people with type 1 diabetes admitted to hospital with COVID-19 infection
Authors: Ruan Yue , Ryder Robert E. J. , De Parijat , Field Benjamin C. T. , Narendran Parth , Iqbal Ahmed , Gandhi Rajiv , Harris Sophie , Nagi Dinesh , Aziz Umaira , Karra Efthimia , Ghosh Sandip , Hanif Wasim , Edwards Amy E. , Zafar Mansoor , Dashora Umesh , Várnai Kinga A. , Davies Jim , Wild Sarah H. , Wilmot Emma G. , Webb David , Khunti Kamlesh , Rea Rustam ,   on behalf of the ABCD Covid-19 audit group
Published: May 2021

Aims/hypothesis

The aim of this work was to describe the clinical characteristics of adults with type 1 diabetes admitted to hospital and the risk factors associated with severe coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the UK.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was performed using data collected through a nationwide audit of people admitted to hospital with diabetes and COVID-19, conducted by the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists from March to October 2020. Prespecified demographic, clinical, medication and laboratory data were collected from the electronic and paper medical record systems of the participating hospitals by local clinicians. The primary outcome of the study, severe COVID-19, was defined as death in hospital and/or admission to the adult intensive care unit (AICU). Logistic regression models were used to generate age-adjusted ORs.

Results

Forty UK centres submitted data. The final dataset included 196 adults who were admitted to hospital and had both type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 on admission (male sex 55%, white 70%, with mean [SD] age 62 [19] years, BMI 28.3 [7.3] kg/m2 and last recorded HbA1c 76 [31] mmol/mol [9.1 (5.0)%]). The prevalence of pre-existing microvascular disease and macrovascular disease was 56% and 39%, respectively. The prevalence of diabetic ketoacidosis on admission was 29%. A total of 68 patients (35%) died or were admitted to AICU. The proportions of people that died were 7%, 38% and 38% of those aged <55, 55–74 and ≥75 years, respectively. BMI, serum creatinine levels and having one or more microvascular complications were positively associated with the primary outcome after adjusting for age.

Conclusions/interpretation

In people with type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 who were admitted to hospital in the UK, higher BMI, poorer renal function and presence of microvascular complications were associated with greater risk of death and/or admission to AICU. Risk of severe COVID-19 is reassuringly very low in people with type 1 diabetes who are under 55 years of age without microvascular or macrovascular disease.

In people with Type 1 diabetes and COVID-19 admitted to hospital in the UK, BMI and one or more microvascular complications had a positive association and low serum creatine levels had a negative association with death/admission to intensive care unit after adjusting for age.
Pain and rehabilitation after total hip arthroplasty are approach dependent: a multisurgeon, single-center, prospective cohort study
Authors: Zimmerer Alexander , Steinhaus Mona , Sickmüller Erdmann , Ulmar Benjamin , Hauschild Matthias , Miehlke Wolfgang , Kinkel Stefan
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this study was to assess perioperative pain and mobilization after total hip arthroplasty (THA) using three different surgical approaches.

Methods

This was a multisurgeon, prospective, single-center cohort study. A total of 188 patients who underwent hip arthroplasty (THA) between February 2019 and April 2019 were analyzed according to the surgical approach used (direct anterior, lateral, and posterior approach). Outcome parameters were the daily walking distance during the inpatient stay, the pain level according to the visual analog scale (VAS) at rest and motion during the inpatient stay and at 6-week follow-up and the modified Harris Hips Score (mHHS) preoperatively and at 6 weeks.

Results

The walking distance within the groups increased significantly during the inpatient stay (p < 0.001). The DAA and posterior approach patients had a significantly longer walking distance than the lateral approach patients on the third postoperative day (DAA vs. lateral, p = 0.02; posterior vs. lateral 3, p = 0.03). DAA and posterior approach patients reported significantly less pain during motion on the third postoperative day and at 6-week follow-up than the lateral approach patients (3 postoperative day: DAA vs. lateral, p = 0.011; posterior vs. lateral, p = 0.04; 6 weeks control: DAA vs. lateral, p = 0.001; Posterior vs. lateral 3, p = 0.005). The mHHS demonstrated significant improvement within each group. However, lateral approach patients reported significantly less improvement than the DAA and posterior approach patients (DAA vs. lateral, p = 0.007; posterior vs. lateral, p = 0.021).

Conclusion

This study analyzed perioperative pain progression and short-term rehabilitation after THA according to the different surgical approaches. Direct anterior and posterior approaches have shown comparable improvements in pain, walking distance, and mHHS. Whether this effect persists over a longer period of time must be clarified in future studies.

Study design

Prospective cohort study, level of evidence, 2.
Preliminary assessment of thaw slump hazard to Arctic cultural heritage in Nordenskiöld Land, Svalbard
Authors: Nicu Ionut Cristi , Lombardo Luigi , Rubensdotter Lena
Published: May 2021

Permafrost-dependent landslides occur in a range of sizes and are among the most dynamic landforms in the Arctic in the warming climate. Retrogressive thaw slumps (RTSs) are enlarging landslides triggered by thawing and release of excess water from permafrost ground ice, causing smaller or larger collapses of ground surface, which in turn exposes new permafrost to rapid thawing and collapse. In this study, a preliminary assessment of previous thaw slump activity in Nordenskiöld Land area of Svalbard is made based on remote sensing digitisation of 400 slump-scar features from aerial images from the Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI). RTS properties and distribution are analysed with an emphasis on their implications for the preservation of the Svalbard’s cultural heritage (CH). Our analysis shows that the areas where RTS scars and CH co-exist in Nordenskiöld Land are, at present, limited and cover mainly areas distributed along north-west (Colesbukta, Grønfjorden, Kapp Starostin), north-east (Sassendalen and Sassenfjorden) and south-west (Van Muydenbukta) coastlines. Taking into consideration the preliminary aspect of this inventory and study, it can be stated that for now, RTS and CH sites do not have a high level of co-existence, except for eight sites which are located at less than 100 m to a RTS and one site that is located inside a currently inactive slump-scar. Further mapping of RTS will be undertaken in order to have a complete picture of these climate triggered landslides potentially threatening the Arctic CH. The results of this study, even if preliminary, can be used by local authorities and stakeholders in prioritising future documentation and mitigation measures and can thus present a powerful tool in disaster risk reduction.
Modal Structuralism with Theoretical Terms
Authors: Andreas Holger , Schiemer Georg
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we aim to explore connections between a Carnapian semantics of theoretical terms and an eliminative structuralist approach in the philosophy of mathematics. Specifically, we will interpret the language of Peano arithmetic by applying the modal semantics of theoretical terms introduced in Andreas (Synthese 174(3):367–383, 2010). We will thereby show that the application to Peano arithmetic yields a formal semantics of universal structuralism, i.e., the view that ordinary mathematical statements in arithmetic express general claims about all admissible interpretations of the Peano axioms. Moreover, we compare this application with the modal structuralism by Hellman (Mathematics without numbers: towards a modal-structural interpretation. Oxford University Press: Oxford, 1989), arguing that it provides us with an easier epistemology of statements in arithmetic.
Putting the ‘e’ in portfolio design: an intervention research project investigating how design students and faculty might jointly reimagine the design portfolio activity
Authors: McDermott-Dalton Geraldine
Published: May 2021

The use of portfolios is deeply embedded in practice within Design education. However, as trends change and technology improves, tensions often arise in the interpretation and presentation of the portfolio activity. Additionally, as more and more digital artefacts are produced by design students, the question arises as to whether the traditional portfolio could be accompanied or replaced by an eportfolio, which could present students’ digital artefacts in a structured fashion. This research investigates how students and faculty in the Design Department of one higher education institution might come together to examine and re-model practices in the context of the design portfolio activity. The study uses Cultural Historical Activity Theory with a Change Laboratory methodology and expansive learning to build transformative agency amongst those involved in the design portfolio activity, with a view to reaching consensus of what a future model of the design eportfolio might look like. Findings indicate that the methodology was successful in collaboratively examining work practices and exposing tensions relating to the current portfolio activity. A tentative future model of a design eportfolio was presented to the group, using institute graduate attributes to provide structure. While the lack of a designer’s ‘personality’ when using a generic eportfolio tool was pointed out, it was agreed that having student work available and accessible in a structured digital format was a requirement for today’s design graduate. Finally, this research approach is considered useful for educational research projects that require collaborative input from various stakeholders into changes in work practices.
Cluster Modeling of Network-Forming Amorphization Pathways in AsxS100−x Arsenicals (50 ≤ x ≤ 57) Diven by Nanomilling
Authors: Shpotyuk Oleh , Hyla Malgorzata , Shpotyuk Yaroslav , Balitska Valentina , Kozdras Andrzej , Boyko Vitaliy
Published: May 2021

Complete hierarchy of network amorphization scenarios initiated in AsxS100-x nanoarsenicals within As4S4-As4S3 cut-Sect. (50 ≤ x ≤ 57) is reconstructed employing materials-computational approach based on ab-initio quantum-chemical modeling code (CINCA). Under nanostructurization due to high-energy mechanical milling, the inter-crystalline transformations to nanoscopic β-As4S4 phase accompanied by appearance of covalent-network amorphous matrix are activated. General amorphization trend under nanomilling obeys tending from molecular cage-like structures to optimally-constrained covalent-bonded networks compositionally invariant with parent arsenical. The contribution of amorphization paths in nanoarsenicals is defined by their chemistry with higher molecular-to-network barriers proper to As4S3-rich alloys. The generated amorphous phase is intrinsically decomposed, possessing double-Tg relaxation due to stoichiometric (x = 40) and non-stoichiometric (x > 40) sub-networks, which are built of AsS3/2 pyramids and As-rich arrangement keeping (i) two separated As-As bonds derived from realgar-type molecules, (ii) two neighboring As-As bonds derived from pararealgar-type molecules or (iii) three neighboring As-As bonds in triangle-like geometry derived from dimorphite-type molecules. Compositional invariance of nanoamorphous phase is ensured by growing sequence of network-forming clusters with average coordination numbers Z in the row (As2S4/2,Z = 2.50) – (As3S5/2, Z = 2.55) – (As3S3/2, Z = 2.67). Diversity of main molecular-to-network amorphizing pathways in nanoarsenicals is reflected on the unified potential energy landscape specified for boundary As4S4 and As4S3 components.
Subfield crop yields and temporal stability in thousands of US Midwest fields
Authors: Maestrini Bernardo , Basso Bruno
Published: May 2021

Understanding subfield crop yields and temporal stability is critical to better manage crops. Several algorithms have proposed to study within-field temporal variability but they were mostly limited to few fields. In this study, a large dataset composed of 5520 yield maps from 768 fields provided by farmers was used to investigate the influence of subfield yield distribution skewness on temporal variability. The data are used to test two intuitive algorithms for mapping stability: one based on standard deviation and the second based on pixel ranking and percentiles. The analysis of yield monitor data indicates that yield distribution is asymmetric, and it tends to be negatively skewed (p < 0.05) for all of the four crops analyzed, meaning that low yielding areas are lower in frequency but cover a larger range of low values. The mean yield difference between the pixels classified as high-and-stable and the pixels classified as low-and-stable was 1.04 Mg ha−1 for maize, 0.39 Mg ha−1 for cotton, 0.34 Mg ha−1 for soybean, and 0.59 Mg ha−1 for wheat. The yield of the unstable zones was similar to the pixels classified as low-and-stable by the standard deviation algorithm, whereas the two-way outlier algorithm did not exhibit this bias. Furthermore, the increase in the number years of yield maps available induced a modest but significant increase in the certainty of stability classifications, and the proportion of unstable pixels increased with the precipitation heterogeneity between the years comprising the yield maps.