bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental characterization of acoustic damping materials
Authors: Marter Paul , Radtke Lars , Eisenträger Sascha , Düster Alexander , Juhre Daniel
Published: September 2024

Due to their ease of use and low cost, passive damping methods are a preferred mean for the reduction of noise in many engineering applications. This applies in particular to foam materials, which exhibit good acoustic and mechanical damping properties. The selection of suitable materials is usually carried out experimentally and can be very labor‐intensive and time‐consuming. For this reason, it is helpful to develop qualified numerical methodsthat can be used for material design and selection. Hence, foam materials must be characterized experimentally in order to enable a later comparison with vibroacoustic simulations. This contribution, therefore, aims at providing suitable parameters for the use in numerical analyses and their validation. Firstly, the microstructure of a foam specimen is captured by means of a CT scan. In addition to providing the geometry for the multi‐physics simulations, this measurement is also used to determine characteristic foam features, for example, strut thickness and pore size distribution. In the second step, the frequency‐dependent stiffness and damping properties of the material are determined by a special experimental setup utilizing an electrodynamic shaker. Here, the dynamic system is approximated as a single‐mass oscillator, which is sufficiently accurate for low frequencies. These properties will later be used in the numerical model to evaluate different parameter identification approaches. In the third and last step of the experimental campaign, measurements with an impedance tube are conducted to obtain the coefficient of absorption. This material parameter is particularly suitable for comparing experiments and simulations. Finally, the correlation between the experimental results is examined to provide a deeper understanding of the foam materials.
A rational ansatz for the approximation of Koopman eigenfunctions
Authors: Römer Ulrich J. , Breitenhuber Margarete
Published: September 2024

Koopman operator theory offers a basis for the systematic transformation and linearization of complex dynamical systems. We propose a method to approximate eigenfunctions of the Koopman operator for sufficiently smooth, deterministic and autonomous dynamical systems with hyperbolic fixed points in an equation‐based context. Approximations of the eigenfunctions are obtained in form of a rational ansatz whose coefficients are determined by minimizing a residual through a bi‐quadratic optimization problem. In addition, we consider an extension of the Hartman‐Grobman theorem, which was first proposed by Lan and Mezić in 2013, as a linear constraint. The implementation for a damped pendulum shows that the approach works in general, however, the optimization problem is non‐convex and thus sensible w. r. t. initial conditions, and increases proportional to the number of ansatz functions to the power of four.
Computing laminate composite voxel properties using Mirtich formulas
Authors: Lendvai Jonas , Schneider Matti
Published: September 2024

Computational homogenization methods offer deeper insights into the mechanical behavior of heterogeneous materials, often exhibiting complex anisotropic properties due to intricate manufacturing processes. Micromechanical techniques exploit the knowledge of the material's microstructure to predict effective behavior. Digital material data, represented as voxels, require processing numerous image points. Despite the computational power of modern fast Fourier transform‐based numerical solvers, performance improvements are still valuable. The composite voxel technique, in its original form, furnishes voxels containing more than one material with a surrogate material law, resulting in higher accuracy. This work contributes to the understanding and application of composite voxels in computational micromechanics by integrating them into a level‐set‐based framework, providing a detailed methodology for deriving laminate composite properties using the formulas of Mirtich, and demonstrating their potential to enhance computational performance through a numerical example.
Principal sensory experiences of forest visitors in four countries, for evidence‐based nature therapy
Authors: Buckley Ralf C. , Cooper Mary‐Ann , Zhong Linsheng
Published: September 2024

To advance the theoretical and practical underpinnings for nature therapies, i.e. nature exposure as a means to improve mental health, we compared the most memorable sensory experiences reported by forest tourists in Australia, Chile, China and Japan. Sensory experiences are a fundamental driver of the psychological effects of nature exposure.

We first reviewed relevant research from each country and language. We then conducted 100 on‐site interviews in Australia, 100 in Chile, and >500 in China, and compiled 1000 relevant social media posts from Japan. We analysed these datasets using directed‐content qualitative thematic analyses, both in original languages and in translated texts, and compared outcomes from each country.

The key sensory experiences are universal: sights of plant shapes and colours; sounds of birdsong, running water and rustling leaves; smells of flowers, trees, and earth; taste and temperature of clean air and water; and touch of bark and rocks. Participants gave detailed descriptions of each. These fine‐grained but widespread experiences are our principal finding.

These sensory experiences are at a scale that is broad enough to apply for prescriptible nature therapies in any forested region, but fine enough to be used in future quantitative research to test therapeutic designs, doses and durations. This distinguishes them from prior research, that is either too broad or too fine in scale for practical therapy design.

Future research aiming to maximise the mental health benefits of nature may not need to distinguish different countries and cultures, but may need to differentiate nature experiences more finely and precisely than in most therapy‐related research to date.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Pristine and Nature‐Inspired Hematite (α‐Fe2O3) Nanoparticles and Search for their Photocatalytic Application
Authors: Sarkar Toton , Kundu Sani , Ghorai Gurupada , Sahoo Pratap Kumar , Bhattacharjee Ashis
Published: September 2024

The article describes synthesis of green‐mediated hematite nanoparticles (20–30 nm) using Polianthes tuberosa flower extract. Structural, microscopic, and magnetic studies confirm the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles of pure hematite phase. Spectroscopic techniques are employed to identify different electronic transitions and defect levels as well as to estimate the energy bandgap and Urbach energy. A correlation among the particle size, bandgap energy, and Urbach energy is noticed. These hematite nanoparticles act as visible light photocatalyst which degrade dye in aqueous medium without the addition of any additives. The catalyst particle size, catalyst quantity, pH of dye solution, and solution temperature have significant impact on the photodegradation process of dye molecules in aq. solution. All observations advocate that green synthesis of hematite nanoparticles with Polianthes tuberosa flower extract can significantly modulate their optical and photocatalytic properties. These materials may find potential uses in water splitting for hydrogen production and purification of water by removing organic pollutants. The study highlights that using commercially cheap starting materials and extract made from naturally available plant parts, materials having huge application potentials can be synthesized at low cost by the simple green synthesis approach.
Prognostic model for second progression‐free survival and overall survival in patients with high‐risk metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer treated with abiraterone acetate and androgen deprivation therapy
Authors: Narita Shintaro , Yanagisawa Takafumi , Hatakeyama Shingo , Hata Kenichi , Fujita Kazutoshi , Ueda Takashi , Tanaka Toshikazu , Maita Shinya , Chiba Shuji , Sato Hiromi , Sekine Yuya , Kobayashi Mizuki , Kashima Soki , Yamamoto Ryohei , Numakura Kazuyuki , Saito Mitsuru , Takayama Koichiro , Okane Katsumi , Ishida Toshiya , Horikawa Yohei , Kumazawa Teruaki , Shimoda Jiro , Iwabuchi Ikuya , Suzuki Takehiro , Ukimura Osamu , Kimura Takahiro , Ohyama Chikara , Nomura Kyoko , Habuchi Tomonori
Published: September 2024

Background

To develop and validate a prognostic risk model for high‐risk metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer (mHSPC) patients treated with upfront abiraterone acetate (ABI).

Methods

This retrospective multicenter study involved 233 high‐risk mHSPC patients who received upfront ABI, developed by three academic centers. The model was externally validated with an independent cohort of 282 patients. To identify independent prognostic factors for second progression‐free survival (PFS2) and develop the best‐fitted model, Cox proportional hazards regression, followed by the Akaike information criterion, was used. Patients were categorized into three groups based on their risk scores. PFS2 and overall survival (OS) were evaluated according to the risk groups in the discovery and validation cohorts.

Results

The median age was 72 (range 51–89) years, with a median follow‐up duration of 27 months. Independent factors linked to PFS2 included an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status ≥2, a primary Gleason score of 5, an extent of disease score of ≥3 or liver metastasis, and lactate dehydrogenase >220 U/L. Median PFS2 for favorable‐, intermediate‐, and poor‐risk groups were not reached, 43 months, and 16 months, respectively. The median OS was 29 months in the poor‐risk group, whereas it was not reached in the favorable‐ and intermediate‐risk groups. The 2‐year OS rates in the favorable‐, intermediate‐ and poor‐risk groups were 94.5%, 80.1%, and 60.3%, respectively. The validation cohort confirmed the risk model's relationship with PFS2 and OS. The median PFS2 and OS in the high‐risk group were 21 months and 32 months, respectively.

Conclusions

Our prognostic model, including five clinical factors, is useful for patient care and treatment selection in high‐risk mHSPC patients treated with ADT plus ABI. The developed model could provide more accurate information, guide treatment decisions, or classify patients in future clinical trials.
The prognostic role of pan‐immune inflammation value in patients with metastatic castration resistance prostate cancer treated with Lutetium‐177 (177Lu)‐PSMA‐617
Authors: Yazgan Satı Coskun , Yekeduz Emre , Araz Mine , Bolek Hatice , Kucuk N. Ozlem , Urun Yuksel
Published: September 2024

Background

Pan‐immune inflammation value (PIV) is a newly defined biomarker that includes whole cellular components that are indicators of systemic inflammation in complete blood count (CBC), easily accessible and has the potential to reflect both the body's immune response and systemic inflammation status. This study evaluated the pretreatment PIV for its prognostic impact on overall survival (OS) in patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC) treated with Lutetium‐177 (177Lu)‐PSMA‐617.

Methods

The PIV was based on the earliest CBC obtained within 1 month before treatment initiation. Patients were categorized into low and high PIV groups based on the median pretreatment PIV, and the relationship between OS and PIV groups was assessed by multivariable analysis.

Results

A total of 43 patients with mCRPC treated with (177Lu)‐PSMA‐617 were included. The median OS was longer in the low PIV group (15.1 months [95% confidence interval [CI] 10.6–19.5]) than in the high PIV group (4.2 months [95% CI 1.7–6.6]) (p < 0.001). In multivariable analysis, high PIV (hazard ratio [HR]: 4.3, 95% CI 1.194–15.93, p = 0.026) and high Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance score (HR: 7.05, 95% CI 1.48–33.46, p = 0.014) were associated with shorter OS.

Conclusion

This study showed that pretreatment PIV might be a prognostic factor in patients with mCRPC treated with (177Lu)‐PSMA‐617.
Green hotspots? Unveiling global hotspots and shifting trends in carbon credit projects
Authors: Akrofi Mark M.
Published: September 2024

This study examines the spatiotemporal patterns of verified carbon credit projects from 2004 to 2022, utilizing data from the Gold Standard Foundation (GSF) registry and employing spatial autocorrelation (Moran's I) and hot spot analysis (Getis‐Ord Gi*) in ArcGIS Pro. South Asia and East Africa emerged as key hotspots for carbon credit projects. Hotspots transitioned from China, Brazil, Peru, Panama, and Cambodia (2004–2016) to India, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda (2017–2022) with Turkey remaining a hotspot throughout the period. Overall, the analysis reveals a statistically significant Moran's I of 0.07 and a z‐score of 3.04, indicating spatial clustering of projects and a less than 1% likelihood that the clustering is a result of random chance. The spatial pattern and types of projects align with socio‐economic conditions and environmental protection objectives in different regions. Domestic energy efficiency projects are prevalent, such as improved cookstoves, biogas digesters, and borehole technologies for safe water access. These findings prompt the deduction that socio‐economic conditions wield substantial influence on investor preferences in carbon credit projects. Hence, the study contends that the overarching goal transcends mere carbon emissions mitigation; it extends to elevating the socio‐economic well‐being of local populations. By pinpointing geographical hotspots and elucidating temporal shifts, this study equips stakeholders with strategic insights into investment in carbon credit projects and highlights evolving investor interests in the carbon credit landscape, bridging the gap between environmental objectives and socio‐economic imperatives.
ESG disclosures, green innovation, and greenwashing: All for sustainable development?
Authors: Ma Yan , Feng Gen‐Fu , Yin Zhu‐jia , Chang Chun‐Ping
Published: September 2024

As stakeholder concerns about corporate sustainability intensify, greenwashing—where companies deceptively report their environmental performance for short‐term economic gain—poses a significant threat to long‐term sustainability, making it crucial to explore effective ways to curb this practice. Using data from 1,270 Chinese listed companies from 2009 to 2019, this study constructs two‐way fixed effects and moderating effects models to explore the crucial role of green innovation in curbing greenwashing. Green innovation not only reduces the incentives for greenwashing, but also makes a genuine contribution to environmental protection, thus promoting a “win‐win” scenario for both sustainability and corporate development. Moreover, the positive impact of green innovation on curbing greenwashing can be significantly amplified by easing financial constraints and enhancing firms’ risk‐taking capabilities to foster a stable financial environment, as well as by strengthening the governance structure through increased gender diversity and environmental background among managers. Heterogeneity tests show that this pathway is particularly effective in companies with heavy pollution and higher economic performance. The research findings help to formulate more effective management strategies and incentive mechanisms to reduce greenwashing and achieve sustainable development.
Impact of regional investment on the sustainable development goals: A group analysis of economic and territorial development
Authors: D'Adamo Idiano , Rossi Edouard Nicolas
Published: September 2024

The European Green Deal aims at increasing the sustainability of European economic sectors to mitigate the effects of climate change. Complementing this initiative, the Next Generation EU (NGEU) program, whose budget will exceed 800 billion € by 2026, is not merely a recovery plan but also a catalyst for green technologies and sustainable activities. Within this framework, Italy stands as the largest beneficiary of funds. The present study explored the distribution to date of 194.4 billion € NGEU funds across Italian regions and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that have received the most significant attention as a result of this funding. Leveraging multiple comprehensive datasets, including one encompassing more than 306,706 measures and sub‐measures, the analysis revealed that 55.5 billion € was directed towards Italy's “Green Revolution and Ecological Transition,” with a further 104.1 billion € allocated towards (predominantly) SDGs 7 and 9. Moreover, 70.3 billion € was directed towards southern Italy (including the islands), while 81.0 billion € was allocated to the north. Although the population in the north is approximately one‐third larger than that of the south, on a per capita basis, the north received 2930 € while the south received a significantly greater sum of 3470 €. Thus, the NGEU has not significantly reduced the north–south divide in economic terms. Furthermore, some southern regions have shown satisfactory sustainability performance, despite receiving a relatively lower allocation of NGEU funds. The “Made in Italy” initiative may represent a strategic approach to increasing competitiveness in the global and digital markets and fostering fraternity among Italian regions. The present research offers valuable insights into the regional distribution of funds and their impact on sustainable development, suggesting that territorial gaps may be mitigated through a pragmatic, community‐based approach.
Effect of PS Microspheres with Different Size on the NH3‐SCR Activity of Ce, Cu and La Modified Hierarchical Porous ZSM‐5 Catalyst
Authors: Cheng Zhengzhong , Zhang Qian , Li Zhifang , Cui. Jinxing , Zhao Jiao , Yang Ruichao , Ma Yuanyuan , Zhang Zhen , Wang Qi , Yang Changlong
Published: September 2024

Microporous zeolite is commonly employed as the catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of NOx using NH3 as reducing agent (NH3‐SCR) because of its strong acidity and exceptional hydrothermal stability. However, the channel of microporous zeolite limits mass transfer under low temperature. Hierarchical porous molecular sieves can overcome the above imperfections. Hierarchical pore (microporous/mesoporous/macroporous) ZSM‐5 molecular sieves were prepared using polystyrene(PS) microspheres with different particle size as the hard templates and then the ion exchange method was utilized to introduce the active components Ce, Cu, and La. In addition, the effect of PS microspheres with different size and H2O+SO2 on denitrification performance was also investigated. The results exhibited that the specific surface area of the hierarchical pore ZSM‐5 was the smallest when the size of polystyrene microspheres was the largest. The NOx conversion of all supported hierarchical porous catalysts is more than that of supported microporous ZSM‐5 catalyst in the low temperature (200 °C), which was because that the presence of the mesopores favored diffusion‐control in the low temperature, expediting the reactant transport. Furthermore, the supported hierarchical pore ZSM‐5 catalyst exhibited excellent denitrification performance in a wide temperature range of 250–500 °C (the conversion of NOx exceeded 80 % and the N2 selectivity was approaching 100 %). More importantly, the supported hierarchical pore ZSM‐5 catalyst demonstrated notably superior water and SO2 resistance in comparison to the supported micropore ZSM‐5 catalyst.
Visible Light Mediated Iron‐Catalyzed One‐Pot Synthesis of Chromenopyrroles from Benzyl Alcohols, 2‐Hydroxyacetophenones and Methyl/Ethyl Isocyanoacetate at Room Temperature
Authors: Mukhtar Sayeed , Parveen Humaira , Waheed Mohd
Published: September 2024

An effective, facile, trivial, and one‐pot procedure for the synthesis of chromenopyrroles from benzyl alcohols, 2‐hydroxyacetophenones, and methyl/ethyl isocyanoacetate at room temperature in the presence of visible light has been developed. The Ag salt plays an important role in the activation of isocyanoacetate and the cyclization step. Air‐stable and low‐cost Knölker iron complex has been utilized for the dehydrogenation of primary alcohols that would typically require a higher temperature. The established protocol is scalable and has an extensive functional group tolerance, generating good to excellent yields of the chromenopyrroles at room temperature.
Plasma Induced Atomic‐Scale Soldering Enhanced Efficiency and Stability of Electrocatalysts for Ampere‐Level Current Density Water Splitting
Authors: Cui Minghui , Guo Rongjing , Wang Feilong , Zhou Yansong , Zhao Wenqi , Liu Yanjing , Ou Qiongrong , Zhang Shuyu
Published: September 2024

Industrial water electrolysis typically operates at high current densities, the efficiency and stability of catalysts are greatly influenced by mass transport processes and adhesion with substrates. The core scientific issues revolve around reducing transport overpotential losses and enhancing catalyst‐substrate binding to ensure long‐term performance. Herein, vertical Ni‐Co‐P is synthesized and employed plasma treatment for dual modification of its surface and interface with the substrate. The (N)Ni‐Co‐P/Ni3N cathode exhibits an ultra‐low overpotential of 421 mV at 4000 mA cm−2, and the non‐noble metal system only requires a voltage of 1.85 V to reach 1000 mA cm−2. When integrated into an anion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolyzer, it can operate stably for >300 h at 500 mA cm−2. Under natural light, the solar‐driven AEM electrolyzer operates at a current density up to 1585 mA cm−2 with a solar‐to‐hydrogen efficiency (SHT) of 9.08%. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that plasma modification leads to an “atomic‐scale soldering” effect, where the Ni3N strong coupling with the Co increases free charge density, simultaneously enhancing stability and conductivity. This research offers a promising avenue for optimizing ampere‐level current density water splitting, paving the way for efficient and sustainable industrial hydrogen production.
High‐Flux Steady‐State Demulsification of Oil‐In‐Water Emulsions by Superhydrophilic‐Oleophobic Copper Foams with Ultra‐Small Pores Under Pressure
Authors: Chen Zehao , Wang Yunjia , Jin Xuekai , Zhang Yunpeng , Wen Xiufang , Zuo Jihao , Pi Pihui
Published: September 2024

3D superwetting materials struggle to maintain high‐flux steady‐state demulsification for oil‐in‐water emulsions because the accumulated oil within the material is difficult to discharge rapidly. The water flow shear force can swiftly remove the oil from the anti‐fouling surface. In this study, by introducing nanofibers and carbon nanotubes and chemical modification, a superhydrophilic‐oleophobic copper foam with pores of several micrometers is prepared, which can achieve a continuous demulsification process with steady‐state flux over 57000 L m−2 h−1 for oil‐in‐water emulsions and rapid hydraulic‐driven oil release under an additional pressure of 5 kPa. Thanks to the ultra‐small pores of the copper foam, the steady‐state demulsification efficiency can be still maintained at over 97.5%. During the demulsification process, the accumulation of oil and surfactants within the copper foam can be maintained at low levels, achieving dynamic equilibrium. With the aid of second‐stage superhydrophilic copper mesh, the demulsified oil‐water mixtures can be rapidly separated. This high‐flux, steady‐state, and efficient demulsification process shows great potential for industrial applications.
Mitigating Capacity and Voltage Decay in Li‐Rich Cathode Via Dual‐Phase Design
Authors: Li Tianle , Xiao Yupeng , Zhu Tianjiao , Li Yuqian , Wang Wenju
Published: September 2024

High‐capacity O3‐type lithium‐rich manganese‐based (LRM) materials exhibit significant structural instability and severe voltage decay, which limit their practical applications. In contrast, the O2‐type LRM materials demonstrate remarkable structural stability despite offering lower capacity. In this study, a composite material, O3@O2‐LRM is designed, by coating the main structure of O3‐type LRM with a minor amount of O2‐type LRM to combine the high capacity of the O3 phase with the superior stability of the O2 phase. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that O3@O2‐LRM exhibits both high specific capacity and reduced voltage decay. Furthermore, a series of characterizations after different cycles confirm its enhanced structure stability compared to O3‐LRM. This novel structure holds great promise for developing advanced cathode materials capable of meeting the demanding requirements of next‐generation Li‐ion batteries.
Competition for Ion Intercalation in Prussian Blue Analogues as Cathode Materials for Calcium Ion Batteries
Authors: Tinker Henry R , Li Mingrui , Vijaya Kumar Saroja Ajay Piriya , Liu Yuhan , Luo Yudong , Ren Wanjun , Wei Runzhe , Lu Yi , He Pan , Han Yupei , Howard Christopher A. , Corà Furio , Xu Yang
Published: September 2024

With multivalent ion batteries being considered viable post‐lithium energy storage technologies, the last few years have seen increasing interest in intercalation type cathode materials for Ca‐ion batteries (CIBs). Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) display many positive attributes such as open structural framework, large interstitial sites, and versatile transition metal redox activity. The PBA cathodes reported for CIBs often contain K‐ion or Na‐ion due to the syntheses involving the use of potassium or sodium hexacyanoferrate. It has been long overlooked whether the presence of K‐ion or Na‐ion in pristine PBAs could affect the Ca‐ion storage in the PBAs when assessing their CIB performance. Through a combined experimental and computational investigation, this work reports that when K+/Na+ is present in the pristine PBAs, K/Na intercalation is preferred by the PBA structure over Ca intercalation even in the Ca cells. Ca‐ion intercalation can be increased when the K+/Na+ content in the pristine PBAs is reduced, shifting from a K or Na‐dominated intercalation process to a Ca/K or Ca/Na co‐intercalation process. This work consolidates that PBAs are an interesting and versatile intercalation host for several ions, but investigating PBAs as intercalation cathodes requires careful consideration of all ions present in the battery system.
Flexural behavior of innovative multifunctional concrete sandwich shells with different types of connectors
Authors: Chen An , Zhang Zhiwei , Wan Yufeng , Sun Jing
Published: September 2024

This study develops an innovative multifunctional concrete sandwich shell based on a combined experimental and finite element (FE) study on its flexural behavior. The sandwich shell is made up of inner and outer concrete layers connected by connectors, with a middle functional layer that provides various functions such as insulation, acoustic, and vibration control. Bending tests were conducted on four groups of specimens, including three groups of sandwich shells with different types of connectors, that is, truss, grid, and plate connectors, and one reference group of solid shells. Loads, displacements, and strains were recorded during the tests. The FE analysis showed good correlation with the experimental results. Furthermore, a parametric study was conducted using the FE model to evaluate the influence of different parameters, such as middle layer thickness and number of connectors. The results show that the performance of the sandwich shell is comparable to, and in some cases better than, that of the solid shell, depending on the type of connectors used. This study provides a proof of concept for the sandwich shell and establishes a prototype structure for future research.
A Review of Conventional and Environmentally Sustainable Glitter
Authors: Zanini Maria Luiza de Oliveira , Fonseca Laura Martins , Piecha Camila Rios , Corrêa Caroline de Paula Lopes , Dode Luciana Bicca , Zavareze Elessandra da Rosa , Diaz Patrícia Silva
Published: September 2024

Plastics offer several benefits, such as durability, versatility, and cost‐effectiveness, which have led to their pervasive use in nearly every aspect of modern life. However, their widespread use has led to significant environmental concerns. One of the major issues is their persistence in the environment, where they accumulate and cause contamination. This problem is particularly severe with plastic packaging and microparticles used in cosmetic products. As a result, the cosmetics industry started producing environmentally sustainable glitter. “Biodegradable” glitter is available in distinct compositions, mainly with a central base composed of a biodegradable material. This review focuses on academic research and patents related to glitter and biodegradable glitter, aiming to classify and compare commercially available options. Furthermore, this review analyzes scientific research on conventional glitter and its conclusions regarding environmental impact. For this, we used the keywords “glitter,” “biodegradable glitter,” “eco‐friendly glitter,” “natural glitter,” and “sustainable glitter” in the databases of Wiley, Science Direct, Springer, and Clarivate Analytics ISI—Web of Science. We also performed a bibliometric analysis using the keyword “glitter” in the Web of Science database to obtain a bibliometric map of publication trends in the field using VOSviewer software. The products identified in the search were analyzed for their components and biodegradation potential. These products were classified as “biodegradable” if they were composed entirely of biodegradable constituents and as “eco‐friendly” if only a portion of their constituents was biodegradable. We observed that several glitter products are incorrectly classified as biodegradable, demonstrating the need for standardized terminology that accurately reflects the composition of the glitter particles. Patent applications indicate a growing interest in developing environmentally safe glitter particles in recent years. Studies on conventional glitter mainly focus on its environmental impact or discuss analyzes for the identification and classification of glitter particles. The data gathered highlight the gaps in the field, mainly related to glitter production methods and the standardization of biodegradable glitter. Thus, studies in this direction are highly necessary.
Einleitung
Authors: Mues Anna , Wirth Astrid , Schiele Tina , Niklas Frank
Published: September 2024

Digitale Medien und Technologien sind längst ein fester Bestandteil im Leben von Kindern und werden von ihnen begeistert genutzt. Trotz der Tatsache, dass die Integration digitaler Bildung seit 2004 in den Bildungsplänen verankert ist, fehlt es in der Praxis oft an der Umsetzung. Dies liegt an Herausforderungen wie unzureichender Infrastruktur, fehlenden Fortbildungsmöglichkeiten und unterschiedlichen Einstellungen der pädagogischen Fachkräfte. Nur etwa ein Drittel der Kitas nutzt digitale Medien, und nur wenige haben verbindliche Medienkonzepte. Um dies zu verbessern, sind eine angemessene Ausstattung, Zugangsmöglichkeiten sowie klare Rahmenbedingungen und Unterstützung notwendig. Dieses essential bietet einen Überblick über die Bedeutung digitaler Bildung in Kitas, insbesondere den Einsatz von Tablets, und liefert praxisnahe Anleitungen für den Kitaalltag, mit Fokus auf die digitale Unterstützung spielerischen Lernens und der täglichen Arbeit der pädagogischen Fachkräfte.
Praktische Tipps und Ideen für die Medienarbeit in der Kita
Authors: Mues Anna , Wirth Astrid , Schiele Tina , Niklas Frank
Published: September 2024

Die Medienarbeit in der Kita umfasst neben den Themen Elternarbeit, Datenschutz und Dokumentation natürlich die Förderung kindlicher Kompetenzen mithilfe digitaler Medien. Dieses Kapitel bietet einen Leitfaden und Checklisten zur sicheren Nutzung digitaler Medien, vereinfachter Dokumentation dank digitaler Abhilfe sowie vorformulierte Anschreiben zur Information der Eltern über die Nutzung digitaler Medien. Kreative Praxis-Tipps mithilfe digitaler Medien zu einzelnen Bildungsbereichen der kindlichen Entwicklung werden vorgeschlagen, wie beispielsweise die Förderung von Sprache und Kommunikation durch eine digitale Schnitzeljagd oder auch die Unterstützung der kindlichen Gesundheitserziehung durch die Erstellung eines digitalen Kochbuchs.
Massive fields in AdS from constructive holography
Authors: de Mello Koch Robert , Roy Pratik , Van Zyl Hendrik J. R.
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Collective field theory offers a constructive framework for exploring the AdS/CFT duality. In this article, we focus on constructing rotations within the light-front quantized collective field theory for the full set of spatial coordinates in the dual bulk AdS spacetime. Two intricate aspects require attention: how rotations involving the emergent holographic coordinate are implemented, and how rotations that involve the spatial coordinates participating in the construction of the light-cone coordinates X± are realized. Our construction is in agreement with Metsaev’s construction directly in the gravity theory. Additionally, we derive the eigenfunctions of the AdS mass operator, which dictate the GKPW rule for the emergent higher-dimensional theory.
Identifying regions in wide-angle scattering via graph-theoretical approaches
Authors: Ma Yao
Published: September 2024

Abstract

The method of regions, which provides a systematic approach for computing Feynman integrals involving multiple kinematic scales, proposes that a Feynman integral can be approximated and even reproduced by summing over integrals expanded in certain regions. A modern perspective of the method of regions considers any given Feynman integral as a specific Newton polytope, defined as the convex hull of the points associated with Symanzik polynomials. The regions then correspond one-to-one with the lower facets of this polytope.

As Symanzik polynomials correspond to the spanning trees and spanning 2-trees of the Feynman graph, a graph-theoretical study of these polynomials may allow us to identify the complete set of regions for a given expansion. In this work, our primary focus is on three specific expansions: the on-shell expansion of generic wide-angle scattering, the soft expansion of generic wide-angle scattering, and the mass expansion of heavy-to-light decay. For each of these expansions, we employ graph-theoretical approaches to derive the generic forms of the regions involved in the method of regions. The results, applicable to all orders, offer insights that can be leveraged to investigate various aspects of scattering amplitudes.
Almost-Poisson Brackets for Nonholonomic Systems with Gyroscopic Terms and Hamiltonisation
Authors: García-Naranjo Luis C. , Marrero Juan C. , Martín de Diego David , Petit Valdés Paolo E.
Published: September 2024

We extend known constructions of almost-Poisson brackets and their gauge transformations to nonholonomic systems whose Lagrangian is not mechanical but possesses a gyroscopic term linear in the velocities. The new feature introduced by such a term is that the Legendre transformation is an affine, instead of linear, bundle isomorphism between the tangent and cotangent bundles of the configuration space and some care is needed in the development of the geometric formalism. At the end of the day, the affine nature of the Legendre transform is reflected in the affine dependence of the brackets that we construct on the momentum variables. Our study is motivated by a wide class of nonholonomic systems involving rigid bodies with internal rotors which are of interest in control. Our construction provides a natural geometric framework for the (known) Hamiltonisations of the gyrostatic generalisations of the Suslov and Chaplygin sphere problems.
Adjoint-based shape optimization for compressible flow based on volume penalization method
Authors: Liu Ming , Hasegawa Yosuke
Published: September 2024

Reducing the resistance of compressible flow around a blunt body is of great interest in engineering applications, while an efficient shape optimization method for compressible flows remains far from well established, especially for high Mach numbers. To this end, a volume penalization method for simulating compressible flows past a no-slip and isothermal solid is established by introducing an artificial body force and a heat sink into the governing equations. The level-set functions are introduced as design variables, and the cost functional is defined as the total drag acting on the solid. Then, a continuous adjoint-based shape optimization algorithm for drag reduction is developed by deriving the adjoint equations, the adjoint boundary conditions, and the shape update formula. Both the forward and adjoint simulations are verified by existing studies. The results show that the relative deviations of the drag coefficients obtained in the present study from those reported in the reference studies are around 5% at most, and also a comparable drag reduction rate and also optimal shapes can be reproduced by the present optimization scheme for benchmark problems at relatively low Mach numbers considered in previous studies. Finally, the present method is applied to shape optimization of an initially two-dimensional cylinder and also a three-dimensional sphere in the transonic regime of Ma∞ = 1.2. The drag reduction of over 20% is achieved for both two-dimensional and three-dimensional cases.
Deep learning segmentation model for quantification of infarct size in pigs with myocardial ischemia/reperfusion
Authors: Braczko Felix , Skyschally Andreas , Lieder Helmut , Kather Jakob Nikolas , Kleinbongard Petra , Heusch Gerd
Published: September 2024

Infarct size (IS) is the most robust end point for evaluating the success of preclinical studies on cardioprotection. The gold standard for IS quantification in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) experiments is triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, typically done manually. This study aimed to determine if automation through deep learning segmentation is a time-saving and valid alternative to standard IS quantification. High-resolution images from TTC-stained, macroscopic heart slices were retrospectively collected from pig experiments (n = 390) with I/R without/with cardioprotection to cover a wide IS range. Existing IS data from pig experiments, quantified using a standard method of manual and subsequent digital labeling of film-scan annotations, were used as reference. To automate the evaluation process with the aim to be more objective and save time, a deep learning pipeline was implemented; the collected images (n = 3869) were pre-processed by cropping and labeled (image annotations). To ensure their usability as training data for a deep learning segmentation model, IS was quantified from image annotations and compared to IS quantified using the existing film-scan annotations. A supervised deep learning segmentation model based on dynamic U-Net architecture was developed and trained. The evaluation of the trained model was performed by fivefold cross-validation (n = 220 experiments) and testing on an independent test set (n = 170 experiments). Performance metrics (Dice similarity coefficient [DSC], pixel accuracy [ACC], average precision [mAP]) were calculated. IS was then quantified from predictions and compared to IS quantified from image annotations (linear regression, Pearson’s r; analysis of covariance; Bland–Altman plots). Performance metrics near 1 indicated a strong model performance on cross-validated data (DSC: 0.90, ACC: 0.98, mAP: 0.90) and on the test set data (DSC: 0.89, ACC: 0.98, mAP: 0.93). IS quantified from predictions correlated well with IS quantified from image annotations in all data sets (cross-validation: r = 0.98; test data set: r = 0.95) and analysis of covariance identified no significant differences. The model reduced the IS quantification time per experiment from approximately 90 min to 20 s. The model was further tested on a preliminary test set from experiments in isolated, saline-perfused rat hearts with regional I/R without/with cardioprotection (n = 27). There was also no significant difference in IS between image annotations and predictions, but the performance on the test set data from rat hearts was lower (DSC: 0.66, ACC: 0.91, mAP: 0.65). IS quantification using a deep learning segmentation model is a valid and time-efficient alternative to manual and subsequent digital labeling.
What every paediatrician needs to know about mechanical ventilation
Authors: ter Horst Jeroen , Rimensberger Peter C. , Kneyber Martin C. J.
Published: September 2024

Invasive mechanical ventilation (MV) is one of the most practiced interventions in the intensive care unit (ICU) and is unmistakably lifesaving for children with acute respiratory failure (ARF). However, if delivered inappropriately (i.e. ignoring the respiratory system mechanics and not targeted to the need of the individual patient at a specific time point in the disease trajectory), the side effects will outweigh the benefits. Decades of experimental and clinical investigations have resulted in a better understanding of three important detrimental effects of MV. These are ventilation-induced lung injury (VILI), patient self-inflicted lung injury (P-SILI), and ventilation-induced diaphragmatic injury (VIDD). VILI, P-SILI, and VIDD have in common that they occur when there is either too much or too little ventilatory assistance.

Conclusion: The purpose of this review is to give the paediatrician an overview of the challenges to prevent these detrimental effects and titrate MV to the individual patient needs.
Allogenic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation in VEXAS: A review of 33 patients
Authors: Ali Syed B. , Gurnari Carmelo
Published: September 2024

Vacuolation, E1 enzyme, X-linked, autoinflammatory, somatic (VEXAS) syndrome is a multisystem disease due to a genetic mutation in the ubiquitin-activating enzyme (UBA1). Allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) offers both therapeutic and cure but also carries significant risks. A review of VEXAS and HSCT cases was undertaken. Thirty-three patients were identified; majority males (n = 32, 97.0%), median time from symptoms to HSCT: 3 years (IQR 2.0–4.8) and median age of 59 years (IQR 52.5–65.5). UBA1 mutation Met41Thr was most common (11/32, 34.4%). The median variant allele frequency was 56.5% (IQR 43.0–73.5) with no correlation with increasing age. Prior to HSCT, 4.5 (IQR 2.8–6) treatments were trialled. Peripheral blood HSCT (30/31, 96.8%) and HLA-matched, unrelated donor (18/32, 56.3%) were most common. Conditioning regimens varied, with reduced intensity treatment with fludarabine as a co-agent most frequently administered (12/31, 38.7%). Both acute and/or chronic GVHD (18/32, 56.3%) and infections were common (12/32, 37.5%). Overall, 27 individuals (81.8%) were alive, and those undergoing HSCT prospectively had median follow up of 9 months (IQR 3.8–14.4). Of the six deceased, infection was implicated in four. In 11 cases with post-HSCT molecular data, a complete eradication of UBA1 mutation was reported. In summary, while consensus treatment strategy regarding VEXAS is lacking, this review highlights HSCT may remain not only a therapeutic option but also enable cure. However, considerations regarding comorbidities, concurrent haematological disorders as well as overall risks of GVHD and infections need to be made.

Key points• Very few reported prospective cases of VEXAS and allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) have been reported.• While risks of graft versus host disease and infection remain barriers, this treatment modality remains an option for selected patients.• Allo-HSCT is the only treatment strategy which can remove the UBA1 mutation.
Analytical modeling of piezoelectric meta-beams with unidirectional circuit for broadband vibration attenuation
Authors: Mao Jiawei , Gao Hao , Zhu Junzhe , Gao Penglin , Qu Yegao
Published: September 2024

Broadband vibration attenuation is a challenging task in engineering since it is difficult to achieve low-frequency and broadband vibration control simultaneously. To solve this problem, this paper designs a piezoelectric meta-beam with unidirectional electric circuits, exhibiting promising broadband attenuation capabilities. An analytical model in a closed form for achieving the solution of unidirectional vibration transmission of the designed meta-beam is developed based on the state-space transfer function method. The method can analyze the forward and backward vibration transmission of the piezoelectric meta-beam in a unified manner, providing reliable dynamics solutions of the beam. The analytical results indicate that the meta-beam effectively reduces the unidirectional vibration across a broad low-frequency range, which is also verified by the solutions obtained from finite element analyses. The designed meta-beam and the proposed analytical method facilitate a comprehensive investigation into the distinctive unidirectional transmission behavior and superb broadband vibration attenuation performance.
Elastic wave insulation and propagation control based on the programmable curved-beam periodic structure
Authors: Mao Jiajia , Cheng Hong , Ma Tianxue
Published: September 2024

Curved-beams can be used to design modular multistable metamaterials (MMMs) with reprogrammable material properties, i.e., programmable curved-beam periodic structure (PCBPS), which is promising for controlling the elastic wave propagation. The PCBPS is theoretically equivalent to a spring-oscillator system to investigate the mechanism of bandgap, analyze the wave propagation mechanisms, and further form its geometrical and physical criteria for tuning the elastic wave propagation. With the equivalent model, we calculate the analytical solutions of the dispersion relations to demonstrate its adjustability, and investigate the wave propagation characteristics through the PCBPS. To validate the equivalent system, the finite element method (FEM) is employed. It is revealed that the bandgaps of the PCBPS can be turned on-and-off and shifted by varying its physical and geometrical characteristics. The findings are highly promising for advancing the practical application of periodic structures in wave insulation and propagation control.
Nonlinear metamaterial enabled aeroelastic vibration reduction of a supersonic cantilever wing plate
Authors: Sheng Peng , Fang Xin , Yu Dianlong , Wen Jihong
Published: September 2024

The violent vibration of supersonic wings threatens aircraft safety. This paper proposes the strongly nonlinear acoustic metamaterial (NAM) method to mitigate aeroelastic vibration in supersonic wing plates. We employ the cantilever plate to simulate the practical behavior of a wing. An aeroelastic vibration model of the NAM cantilever plate is established based on the mode superposition method and a modified third-order piston theory. The aerodynamic properties are systematically studied using both the timedomain integration and frequency-domain harmonic balance methods. While presenting the flutter and post-flutter behaviors of the NAM wing, we emphasize more on the pre-flutter broadband vibration that is prevalent in aircraft. The results show that the NAM method can reduce the low-frequency and broadband pre-flutter steady vibration by 50%–90%, while the post-flutter vibration is reduced by over 95%, and the critical flutter velocity is also slightly delayed. As clarified, the significant reduction arises from the bandgap, chaotic band, and nonlinear resonances of the NAM plate. The reduction effect is robust across a broad range of parameters, with optimal performance achieved with only 10% attached mass. This work offers a novel approach for reducing aeroelastic vibration in aircraft, and it expands the study of nonlinear acoustic/elastic metamaterials.