bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Progression to B acute lymphoblastic leukemia in 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome with t(6;8)(q27;p12)
Authors: Nakamura Fumi , Seo Sachiko , Nannya Yasuhito , Ayabe Rika , Takahashi Wataru , Handa Tomoyuki , Arai Honoka , Iso Hisako , Nakamura Yuko , Nakamura Yuka , Sasaki Ko , Ichikawa Motoshi , Imai Yoichi , Ogawa Seishi , Mitani Kinuko
Published: March 2023

8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome is a rare hematological malignancy caused by the translocation of FGFR1. Patients present with a myeloproliferative neoplasm that frequently transforms into acute myeloid leukemia or T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia. Here, we report a molecular study of a patient with 8p11 myeloproliferative syndrome who developed acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia and then transformed to mixed-phenotype acute leukemia. A 67-year-old woman was diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm with t(6;8)(q27;p12) and was monitored for polycythemia vera. Four years later, she developed acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia with an additional chromosomal abnormality of − 7. Despite two induction regimens, she failed to achieve complete remission, and leukemia transformed into mixed-phenotype leukemia. Targeted sequencing of serial bone marrow samples identified the RUNX1 L144R mutation upon transformation to B-cell leukemia. After those two induction regimens, some RUNX1 mutation-positive leukemic cells obtained the JAK2 V617F mutation, which was associated with the emergence of myeloid markers, including myeloperoxidase.
Postconditioning with Lactate-Enriched Blood for Reducing Lethal Reperfusion Injury in Humans
Authors: Koyama Takashi
Published: March 2023

Ischemic myocardium cannot survive without reperfusion. However, reperfusion of the ischemic myocardium paradoxically induces myocyte death; this phenomenon is termed lethal reperfusion injury. To date, no effective approach has been demonstrated for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in clinical settings. Recently, we demonstrated a novel approach for cardioprotection, termed postconditioning with lactate-enriched blood (PCLeB). PCLeB comprises intermittent reperfusion and timely coronary injections of lactated Ringer’s solution, which is implemented at the beginning of reperfusion. This approach is aimed at reducing lethal reperfusion injury via prolonging intracellular acidosis during the early period of reperfusion, compared with the original postconditioning protocol. Patients with STEMI treated using PCLeB have reported positive outcomes. This article represents an effort, with a perspective different from current insights, toward preventing lethal reperfusion injury, in light of the historical background of reperfusion injury research. PCLeB is considered the new approach for cardioprotection.

Graphical Abstract
A Novel Mirror Neuron Inspired Decision-Making Architecture for Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Sobhani Mehdi , Smith Jim , Pipe Anthony , Peer Angelika
Published: March 2023

Inspired by the role of mirror neurons and the importance of predictions in joint action, a novel decision-making structure is proposed, designed and tested for both individual and dyadic action. The structure comprises models representing individual decision policies, policy integration layer(s), and a negotiation layer. The latter is introduced to prevent and resolve conflicts among individuals through internal simulation rather than via explicit agent-agent communication. As the main modelling tool, Dynamic Neural Fields (DNFs) were chosen. Data was captured from human-human experiments with a decision-making task performed by either one or two participants. The task involves choosing and picking blocks one by one from seven wooden blocks to create an alpha/numeric character on a 7-segment. The task is designed to be as generic as possible. Recorded hand and blocks movements were used for developing DNF-based models by optimising parameters using a genetic algorithm. Results show that decision policies can be modelled and integrated with acceptable accuracy for individual performances. In the dyadic experiment, using only individual models without the negotiation layer, the model failed to resolve conflicts. However, with the implementation of a negotiation layer, this problem could be overcome. The proposed decision-making structure based on DNFs is developed and tested for a simple pick-and-place task. However, the main primitive underlying action of this task, pick-and-place, is indeed part of many more complex tasks people perform in their day-to-day life. Paired with the possibility to gradually evolve the architecture by adding new policies on demand, the architecture provides a general framework for modelling decision-making in joint action tasks.
A Review on Tourism Carrying Capacity Assessment and a Proposal for Its Application on Geological Sites
Authors: Santos Priscila L. A. , Brilha José
Published: March 2023

Geoconservation consists of the selection and conservation of geodiversity elements that have significant heritage value. The management of geological sites is based on specific procedures to ensure public use and minimize adverse impacts. The evaluation of the carrying capacity of geological sites is a management tool that helps to define the acceptable limits of visitation, without causing significant impacts on the integrity of these sites. This work presents a review of the carrying capacity concept and the most common methods used to assess the carrying capacity in tourist destinations. Based on this review and analysis of the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods, this work presents a method that defines a set of actions for management and calculation of the number of visitors recommended for geological sites, based on specific geoindicators for each type of site.
Centrality on the periphery: an analysis of rural settlement hierarchy in the Dutch part of the Roman limes
Authors: Verhagen Philip
Published: March 2023

The Lower Rhine region was of crucial importance for the Roman empire as a transit zone from Gaul to the North Sea. The river Rhine functioned both as a transport artery and as a defence line. Huge investments were made in the first century CE to protect this economic lifeline, by installing a line of forts and legionary camps along the river from Cologne up to the North Sea, known as the Lower Germanic limes. Unlike areas further south, however, its hinterland did not witness a development towards a ‘central place’ settlement pattern, but instead shows seemingly separate trajectories of development of the ‘urban’ and ‘rural’ settlements. In this paper, the apparently weak socio-economic interaction between the towns, forts and rural hinterland is analysed using a model of settlement hierarchy originally developed by Bertoncello et al. (2012). Data on building materials and ceramic imports found in archaeological surveys and excavations in the Dutch part of the region were used as indicators of socio-economic status, and settlements were classified accordingly. Statistical and spatial analysis of the resulting settlement classification revealed a weak hierarchy of rural settlement in the region, that was to some extent influenced by the development of towns.
Communicating risk and the landscape of cancer prevention — an exploratory study that examines perceptions of cancer-related genetic counseling and testing among African Americans and Latinos in the Midwest
Authors: Lumpkins Crystal Y. , Nelson Rafaela , Twizele Zawadi , Ramírez Mariana , Kimminau Kim S. , Philp Alisdair , Mustafa Reem A. , Godwin Andrew K.
Published: March 2023

African American (AA) and Latino populations are impacted disproportionately by cancer incidence and mortality compared to the general US population. Contributing to these rates are multiple inheritable cancers that impact both men and women. Some of these diseases may be detected through genetic counseling and germline DNA testing; however, AA and Latinos are unaware and have limited knowledge and thus significantly underutilize these services and technologies. Research to detect influencing factors to testing uptake has also been slow due to multiple factors. The research team followed a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach and worked with a Community Advisory Board composed of cancer survivors and co-survivors to design the exploratory study. Six focus groups were held with a pilot sample of African Americans and Latinos who self-reported to be at-risk for cancer (N = 53). The study was held over a 2-month period where attitudes, perceptions, and beliefs about cancer risk and preference regarding cancer-related genetic counseling and testing risk communication were explored. Themes that emerged included (1) the lack of knowledge about cancer-related genetic counseling and testing; (2) cancer is feared often; (3) cancer-related genetic testing was perceived as something that could help but was also perceived as unnecessary testing that exposed individuals to medical harm; and (4) benefits to test were perceived as favorable for medical personnel but not for the patient. Implications of the study provide a unique lens to explore how lived experiences among AA and Latinos may inform strategic risk communication about cancer-related genetic counseling and testing and help advance cancer health equity. Participants viewed cancer genetic testing as important cancer risk prevention strategies. Identification of perceptions of cancer risk and cancer-related genetic counseling and testing in collaboration with members of the community is needed to bolster communication efforts among these populations.
Direction sensitive analysis of higher order jump discontinuities along circles on the sphere
Authors: Schoppert Frederic
Published: March 2023

In recent years, scale-discretized directional wavelets and second-generation curvelets have been introduced on the unit sphere, yielding directional and localized polynomial frames for band-limited signals. In this paper, we show that these functions are able to detect the positions and orientations of all higher order jump discontinuities which lie along circles on the 2-sphere. Specifically, we prove upper and lower estimates for the magnitude of the corresponding inner products when the analysis function is concentrated in the neighborhood of such a singularity. Although similar results already exist in certain two-dimensional settings, this paper is the first one to consider frames and signals that are given on the 2-sphere. As a side product of our investigations, we also develop a new localization bound as well as an explicit formula for the auto-correlation function for second-generation curvelets.
Effect of three commonly used aquaculture chemicals against enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp.
Authors: Ferdous Jannatul , Khan Mohammed Nurul Absar , Rahman Md. Khalilur , Kamal Md. , Reza Md. Shaheed
Published: March 2023

Enteric bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. are significant fish pathogens and related to thousands of cases of food-borne diseases every year in human. Since aquatic environments are reservoirs of these pathogens, they may contaminate the food fish and result in outbreaks. Therefore, it is crucial to reduce or eliminate these pathogens from aquaculture facilities. We tested effectiveness of three commonly used aquaculture chemicals, viz., lime, hydrogen peroxide and zeolite on bacterial load, Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. under laboratory and earthen pond conditions where they were applied at a dose recommended for freshwater aquaculture. Results of the bacteriological study showed that lime had a significant role in reducing bacterial abundance from an initial value of 1.5 × 103 to 1.9 × 103 cfu/ml and 3.9 × 103 to 6.3 × 103 to a final value of 1.2 × 103 to 1.5 × 103 cfu/ml and 1.9 × 103 to 6.3 × 103 cfu/ml within 24 h under aquaria and pond condition, respectively. A complete inactivation of E. coli was observed in lime treated aquaria and ponds 24 h post-treatment, whereas Salmonella spp. remained unaffected in pond water but inactivated under aquarium condition after same period. However, neither hydrogen peroxide nor zeolite treatment reduced total bacterial count as well as E. coli and Salmonella even after 1-week post-treatment. It is, therefore, recommended that the water treatment chemicals should be applied in aquaculture ponds at appropriate dose, and farmers need to adopt biosecurity measures to ensure food safety.
Hydrological status of the Dagu River Basin and management suggestions based on soil and water assessment tool multi-station calibration
Authors: Gao Weimin , Dai Aiquan , Wu Jialin , Li Yanbin , Hou Jin , Wang Xiulin , Li Keqiang
Published: March 2023

Soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) model was used to calculate the runoff, nitrogen and phosphorus emissions in the Dagu River Basin from 2002 to 2012 and provided preliminary suggestions on environmental protection measures. Calibration on hydrological watershed parameters was obtained from data obtained from multiple representative stations. Cluster analysis was used to group all stations, and the parameters of different representative stations were applied to the entire geographical area to reflect the hydrological conditions of the basin. Additionally, the spatiotemporal changes and pollution source characteristics of nitrogen and phosphorus were analyzed. Anthropogenic sources—chemical fertilizer loss and livestock breeding—accounted for 49.9–29.6% of total nitrogen (TN) and 41.4% and 40.3% of total phosphorus (TP), respectively. Non-point sources accounted for 85.8% of the TN and 89.4% of the TP. Six landscape management practices were set up to evaluate the reduction effect on non-point source pollution loads, and comprehensive measures were proposed to reduce TN (TP) by ~ 70%. According to water quality model, the response relationship between river control and nutrient distribution in Jiaozhou Bay is calculated. Based on the findings, we propose an optimal control scheme for non-point source pollution in the Dagu River Basin and other similar basins.
Estimating electrical resistivity from logging data for oil wells using machine learning
Authors: Al-Fakih Abdulrahman , Ibrahim Ahmed Farid , Elkatatny Salaheldin , Abdulraheem Abdulazeez
Published: March 2023

Formation resistivity is crucial for calculating water saturation, which, in turn, is used to estimate the stock-tank oil initially in place. However, obtaining a complete resistivity log can be challenging due to high costs, equipment failure, or data loss. To overcome this issue, this study introduces novel machine learning models that can be used to predict the electrical resistivity of oil wells, using conventional well logs. The analysis utilized gamma-ray (GR), delta time compressional logs (DTC), sonic shear log (DSTM), neutron porosity, and bulk density. The study utilized a dataset of 3529 logging data points from horizontal oil carbonate wells which were used to develop different machine learning models using random forest (RF) and decision tree (DT) algorithms. The obtained results showed that both models can predict electrical resistivity with high accuracy, over 0.94 for training and testing data. Comparing the models based on accuracy and consistency revealed that the RF model had a slight advantage over the DT model. Based on the data analysis, it was found that the formation resistivity is more significantly impacted by GR logs compared to DTC logs. These new ML models offer a low-cost and practical alternative to estimate well resistivity in oil wells, providing valuable information for geophysical and geological interpretation.
Aluminium doped ZnO nanostructures for efficient photodegradation of indigo carmine and azo carmine G in solar irradiation
Authors: Bhapkar Abhishek R. , Geetha Mithra , Jaspal Dipika , Gheisari Khalil , Laad Meena , Cabibihan John-John , Sadasivuni Kishor Kumar , Bhame Shekhar
Published: March 2023

Aluminium doped zinc oxide (AZO) nanomaterials (AlxZn1-xO) with x fraction varying as 0.02 and 0.04 were synthesized using the auto-combustion method using glycine as a fuel. The synthesized catalysts were characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–Visible Spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Raman spectroscopy, Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM). XRD results showed that synthesized materials possessed good crystallinity, while UV–VIS was employed to find the band gaps of synthesized materials. Raman was used to determine the vibrational modes in the synthesized nanoparticles, while TEM analysis was performed to study the morphology of the samples. Industrial effluents such as indigo carmine and azo carmine G were used to test the photodegradation ability of synthesised catalysts. Parameters such as the effect of catalyst loading, dye concentration and pH were studied. The reduction in crystallite size, band gap and increased lattice strain for the 4% AZO was the primary reason for the degradation in visible irradiation, degrading 97 and 99% equimolar concentrations of indigo carmine and azo carmine G in 140 min. The Al doped ZnO was found to be effective in faster degradation of dyes as compared to pure ZnO in presence of natural sunlight.
Design of mirtazapine solid dispersion with different carriers’ systems: optimization, in vitro evaluation, and bioavailability assessment
Authors: Aldeeb Reem Abd Elhameed , Mahdy Mahmoud Abd El-Ghani , El-Nahas Hanan Mohamed , Musallam Abeer Abdelaziz
Published: March 2023

The solid dispersion technique is the most effective and widely used approach for increasing the solubility and release of drugs that have low water solubility. Mirtazapine (MRT) is an atypical antidepressant used to treat severe depression. MRT has a low oral bioavailability (about 50%) due to its low water solubility (BCS class II). The study’s goal was to determine optimum conditions for incorporating MRT into various polymer types utilizing the solid dispersion (SD) technique, with the goal of selecting the most suitable formula with the optimal aqueous solubility, loading efficiency, and dissolution rate. The D-optimal design was used to pick the optimal response. The optimum formula was subjected to physicochemical evaluation by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In vivo bioavailability study was conducted on white rabbits’ plasma samples. MRT-SDs were prepared by the solvent evaporation method using Eudragit (RL-100, RS-100, E-100, L-100–55), PVP K-30, and PEG 4000 with different drug/polymer percentages (33.33%, 49.99%, and 66.66%). Results showed that the optimum formula obtained using PVP K-30 at a drug percentage of 33.33% gave a loading efficiency of 100.93%, an aqueous solubility of 0.145 mg/ml, and a dissolution rate of 98.12% after 30 min. These findings demonstrated promising enhancement of MRT properties and increasing its oral bioavailability by 1.34-fold more than plain drug.

Graphical Abstract
A fractional approach to study the pure-temporal Epidemic Type Aftershock Sequence (ETAS) process for earthquakes modeling
Authors: Cristofaro Lorenzo , Garra Roberto , Scalas Enrico , Spassiani Ilaria
Published: March 2023

In statistical seismology, the Epidemic Type Aftershocks Sequence (ETAS) model is a branching process used world-wide to forecast earthquake intensity rates and reproduce many statistical features observed in seismicity catalogs. In this paper, we describe a fractional differential equation that governs the earthquake intensity rate of the pure temporal ETAS model by using the Caputo fractional derivative and we solve it analytically. We highlight that the tools and special functions of fractional calculus simplify the classical methods employed to obtain the intensity rate and let us describe the change of solution decay for large times. We also apply and discuss the theoretical results to the Japanese catalog in the period 1965-2003.
The art of Schwinger and Feynman parametrizations
Authors: Kim U-Rae , Cho Sungwoong , Lee Jungil
Published: March 2023

We present a derivation of the Schwinger parametrization and the Feynman parametrization in detail and their elementary applications. Although the parametrizations are essential to computing the loop integral arising in relativistic quantum field theory, their detailed derivations are not presented in usual textbooks. Beginning with an integral representation of the unity, we derive the Schwinger parametrization by performing multiple partial derivatives and utilizing the analyticity of the gamma function. The Feynman parametrization is derived by the partial-fraction decomposition and the change of variables introducing an additional delta function. Through the extensive employment of the analyticity of a complex function, we show the equivalence of those parametrizations. As applications of the parametrizations, we consider the combinatorial factor arising in the Feynman parametrization integral and the multivariate beta function. The combinatorial factor corresponds to an elementary integral embedded in the time-ordered product of the Dyson series in the time-dependent perturbation theory. We believe that the derivation presented here can be a good pedagogical example that students enhance their understanding of complex variables and train the use of the Dirac delta function in coordinate transformation.
Study protocol of an observational study in acute psychiatric home treatment: How does home treatment work? Identification of common factors and predictors of treatment success
Authors: Baumann Felix , Bergamaschi Vera , Warnke Ingeborg , Corbisiero Salvatore , Felleiter Kerstin Gabriel , Fellmann Seraina , Ludwig Fabian , Riedel Andreas , Znoj Hansjörg , Schmidt Stefanie
Published: March 2023

Background

Systematic reviews indicated that home treatment is an effective and cost-saving alternative to conventional acute psychiatric treatment options. Treatment success has often been defined as a reduction of hospital admissions. In the current study, symptoms and well-being are assessed regularly during treatment as an indicator for treatment success. Patients’ characteristics such as diagnosis, age, substance use, and motivation for treatment were discussed as predictors for treatment success. A second focal point of the study lies in the examination of the therapeutic relationship in terms of the outcome, which has not yet been systematically investigated in home treatment.

Methods

This is an observational study with a prospective naturalistic design. Measurements are carried out at baseline, during and at the end of treatment as well as at the 3‑month follow-up. Patients’ characteristics as potential predictors for treatment success will be assessed at baseline. In addition, the perceived relationship between the patients and the team will be measured daily and weekly throughout the treatment. Treatment success is by the changes in symptoms and general well-being assessed weekly. We aim to include 82 participants assigned to home treatment. Variance analyses with repeated measurements will be conducted to evaluate treatment success.

Conclusion

By examining potential patient- and relationship-related predictors of treatment success, insights into relevant determining variables of treatment success in this setting are expected. The results might help to better identify who benefits the most from home treatment.
Low Rank Tensor Decompositions and Approximations
Authors: Nie Jiawang , Wang Li , Zheng Zequn
Published: March 2023

There exist linear relations among tensor entries of low rank tensors. These linear relations can be expressed by multi-linear polynomials, which are called generating polynomials. We use generating polynomials to compute tensor rank decompositions and low rank tensor approximations. We prove that this gives a quasi-optimal low rank tensor approximation if the given tensor is sufficiently close to a low rank one.
“Ten Days of Paid Incarceration and Mental Torture” Experiences of Quarantined Individuals Arriving in the UK from Red Listed Countries in Southern Africa Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Nyashanu Mathew , Brown Michael , Nyashanu Ticahaenzana , Frost Diana , Mushawa Fungisai
Published: March 2023

COVID-19 has affected many communities across the world prompting different strategies of containing it. The strategies to contain COVID-19 included restrictive environments such as self-isolation and quarantine. This research study was set to explore the experiences of quarantined individuals arriving in the United Kingdom (UK) from red listed countries in Southern Africa. This research study utilises an exploratory qualitative approach. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from twenty-five research participants. A thematic approach underpinning the four phases of data analysis in The Silence Framework (TSF) was used to analyse the data. The study found that the research participants reported confinement, dehumanisation, feeling swindled, depressed, anxious and stigmatised. Less restrictive and non-oppressive quarantine regimes should be considered to foster positive mental health outcomes on individuals undergoing quarantine during pandemics.
Structural analysis of a fibre-reinforced composite blade for a 1 MW tidal turbine rotor under degradation of seawater
Authors: Jiang Yadong , Finnegan William , Wallace Finlay , Flanagan Michael , Flanagan Tomas , Goggins Jamie
Published: March 2023

This paper presents a structural performance study of a fibre-reinforced composite blade for a 1 MW tidal turbine rotor blade that was designed for a floating tidal turbine device. The 8-m long blade was manufactured by ÉireComposites Teo and its structural performance was experimentally evaluated under mechanical loading in the Large Structures Research Laboratory at the University of Galway. Composite coupons, applied with an accelerated ageing process, were tested to evaluate the influence of seawater ageing effects on the performance of the materials. The material strength of the composites was found to have a considerable degradation under the seawater ingress. As part of the design stage, a digital twin of the rotor blade was developed, which was a finite-element model based on layered shell elements. The finite-element model was verified to have good accuracy, with a difference of 4% found in the blade tip deflection between the physically measured test results in the laboratory and numerical prediction from the model. By updating the numerical results with the material properties under seawater ageing effects, the structural performance of the tidal turbine blade under the working environment was studied. A negative impact from seawater ingress was found on the blade stiffness, strength and fatigue life. However, the results show that the blade can withstand the maximum design load and guarantee the safe operation of the tidal turbine within its design life under the seawater ingress.
Two-Terminal Lithium-Mediated Artificial Synapses with Enhanced Weight Modulation for Feasible Hardware Neural Networks
Authors: Baek Ji Hyun , Kwak Kyung Ju , Kim Seung Ju , Kim Jaehyun , Kim Jae Young , Im In Hyuk , Lee Sunyoung , Kang Kisuk , Jang Ho Won
Published: March 2023

Recently, artificial synapses involving an electrochemical reaction of Li-ion have been attributed to have remarkable synaptic properties. Three-terminal synaptic transistors utilizing Li-ion intercalation exhibits reliable synaptic characteristics by exploiting the advantage of non-distributed weight updates owing to stable ion migrations. However, the three-terminal configurations with large and complex structures impede the crossbar array implementation required for hardware neuromorphic systems. Meanwhile, achieving adequate synaptic performances through effective Li-ion intercalation in vertical two-terminal synaptic devices for array integration remains challenging. Here, two-terminal Au/LixCoO2/Pt artificial synapses are proposed with the potential for practical implementation of hardware neural networks. The Au/LixCoO2/Pt devices demonstrated extraordinary neuromorphic behaviors based on a progressive dearth of Li in LixCoO2 films. The intercalation and deintercalation of Li-ion inside the films are precisely controlled over the weight control spike, resulting in improved weight control functionality. Various types of synaptic plasticity were imitated and assessed in terms of key factors such as nonlinearity, symmetricity, and dynamic range. Notably, the LixCoO2-based neuromorphic system outperformed three-terminal synaptic transistors in simulations of convolutional neural networks and multilayer perceptrons due to the high linearity and low programming error. These impressive performances suggest the vertical two-terminal Au/LixCoO2/Pt artificial synapses as promising candidates for hardware neural networks
The risk of fluid-injection-induced fault reactivation in carbonate reservoirs: an investigation of a geothermal system in the Ruhr region (Germany)
Authors: Kruszewski Michal , Montegrossi Giordano , Saenger Erik H.
Published: March 2023

In this study, we investigate the potential for fluid-injection-induced fault reactivation and induced seismicity risk during simultaneous injection-extraction operation in a theoretical geothermal doublet system in a carbonate reservoir in the Ruhr region. Using a coupled three-dimensional thermo-hydro-mechanical approach, we investigate the probability of injection-induced fault rupture. We perform a sensitivity study assuming variability of the fault and matrix permeability, injection/production flow rates, well placement options, rock thermal properties, and evaluate the influence of thermally induced stresses. The ruptured fault areas were calculated based on a Coulomb friction law and a notion that the shear slip is controlled by the ratio of shear to effective normal stresses acting on a pre-existing plane of weakness in the in situ stress field configuration. Ruptured fault areas in the intrinsically not critically-stressed environment, using location-specific empirical correlations, were used to compute local moment magnitudes of potential earthquakes. Based on this study, we conclude that, in the long-term, thermally-induced stresses play a dominant role during fault reactivation and greatly increase the likelihood for induced seismicity. We, therefore, propose that a minimum safe distance between an injection well and a fault should be based primarily on the radius of a thermal plume generated during the expected lifetime of a geothermal system. Results from this study provide valuable insights for the development of future deep geothermal systems in the Ruhr region and other geothermal reservoirs worldwide.
Umgangsstrategien mit Drop-out in der Alphabetisierung und Grundbildung
Authors: Sindermann Lena , Bickert Marie , Mulliez Gwennaëlle , Thalhammer Veronika
Published: March 2023

Ausgehend von der theoretischen Perspektive der Educational Governance und des akteurszentrierten Institutionalismus, werden im folgenden Beitrag Akteure im Mehrebenensystem sowie ihr handelndes Zusammenwirken im Umgang mit Kursabbrüchen analysiert. Auf Basis der inhaltsanalytischen Auswertung von insgesamt 22 leitfadengestützten Interviews mit Dozierenden und Bildungsplanenden konnten drei wesentliche Umgangsstrategien mit Drop-out differenziert werden: Akzeptanz, Reduzierung und Verhinderung. Im Kern der Befunde steht die enge Zusammenarbeit zwischen Dozierenden und Bildungsplanenden. Deutlich werden die Eingebundenheit und Abhängigkeit ihrer Handlungskapazitäten, -optionen sowie ihrer wechselseitigen Erwartungen in und von umgangsstrategiespezifischen Akteurskonstellationen im Mehrebenensystem der Weiterbildung. Insgesamt verweist der Beitrag auf die Relevanz des handelnden Zusammenwirkens einer Vielzahl je unterschiedlicher Akteure im Umgang mit Kursabbrüchen, welche zukünftige Forschung berücksichtigen müsste.
New Evaluation Method for Hot Cracking Tendency of High Alloyed Steels Containing Niobium
Authors: Scheidhauer Nico , Brambila Jean Amadeo , Wolf Gotthard , do Nascimento Francisco Manoel Perez , Dommaschk Claudia
Published: March 2023

The present study investigated existing and potential approaches for hot cracking analysis of cast alloys and showed a promising and very applicable new specimen for high alloyed steels. The reliability of this specimen has been demonstrated by adding niobium to alloy HH (ASTM A297), or alloy 1.4837 (ISO 11973). Niobium shows a very positive impact on hot cracking behavior and can thereby reduce scrap in steel foundries. Amounts above 0.6 wt% niobium can reduce the size and number of hot cracks significantly. The reduction of hot cracking tendency was quantified by the cracking factor CFNb2. The positive effect is associated with the reduction in solidification interval length that was measured by thermal analysis and the observed “healing” of cracks in the microsections. Both effects are promoted by niobium. The promotion of the ferritic solidification seems to have no positive impact on the hot cracking behavior.
Veronal Sleep
Authors: Klinger Sebastian P.
Published: March 2023

Existing scholarship has demonstrated that the literary and medical writings of the author-physician Arthur Schnitzler are inextricably intertwined. Yet very little attention has been paid to problems of pharmacology, although medical substances appear frequently in his works. Based on a discovery in the corporate archives of the pharmaceutical giant Bayer – the finding that the company took notice of (and issue with) the role of the soporific Veronal in Schnitzler’s Fräulein Else – the article proposes a reading that situates this novella in the context of the ›Veronal culture‹ of the early twentieth century. Providing the first reading of Fräulein Else with a focus on the soporific, the present article reveals that one dimension of the novella consists in a literary intervention into debates about public health.
FOMSy: 3D-printed flexible open-source microfluidic system and flow synthesis of PET-tracer
Authors: Menzel Florian , Cotton Jonathan , Klein Thomas , Maurer Andreas , Ziegler Thomas , Neumaier Jochen M.
Published: March 2023

In this work, we introduce a low-cost open-source flow system that includes a dual syringe pump with implemented pressure sensor and back pressure regulator. The entire system can be built for around 500 €. Commercially available flow systems can be very expensive with equipment starting at, but often greatly exceeding, 10,000 €. This high price of entry makes such technology prohibitively expensive for many research groups. Such systems stand to benefit the emerging academic pharmaceutical field by providing the experience and availability of reliable and affordable solutions. To implement accessible flow chemistry at research facilities, the systems must be made affordable. In addition, space in research laboratories is usually limited and commercially available flow systems can be very bulky. Having a compact and individually adjustable system is thus beneficial, with 3D printing technology offering the solution. Our compact 3D-printed system meets the needs of many applications in flow chemistry research as well as educational requirements for universities. As a proof of concept, we conceptualized, developed, and tested a custom flow system that can be used to synthesize [18F]2-fluoro-2-desoxy-d-glucose ([18F]FDG), the most commonly used PET-tracer. This system was designed to perform the typical functions and operations required in radiotracer production i.e. radiofluorination, dilution, SPE-trapping, deprotection, and SPE-elution. With this proof-of-concept in hand, the system can be easily customized to produce other radiopharmaceuticals.

Graphical Abstract
Relationship, importance, and development of analytical techniques: COD, BOD, and, TOC in water—An overview through time
Authors: Aguilar-Torrejón Jazmín Alhelí , Balderas-Hernández Patricia , Roa-Morales Gabriela , Barrera-Díaz Carlos Eduardo , Rodríguez-Torres Israel , Torres-Blancas Teresa
Published: March 2023

Analytical techniques to measure organic matter in water, such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5), and Total Organic Carbon (TOC) are widely used. Modifications have been proposed to make them faster, more sensitive, and more environmentally friendly. The purpose of producing a review over some time is to show the changes made on the standardized methods of each of these techniques, and to highlight the relationship between them in the process of ascertaining organic matter in water. Modifications to techniques COD and BOD entail several factors that need to be considered, namely: time, miniaturization, sensitivity, use of environmentally friendly reagents. Changes to TOC are focused on detection systems. Despite the advantages obtained by the modified techniques, traditional methods continue to be widely used, in most cases due to the lack of standardization of the new methods.

Graphic Abstract
Fresh and hardened properties of waste rubber tires based concrete: a state art of review
Authors: Sheraz Muhammad , Yuan Qiang , Alam Muhammad , Javed Muhammad Faisal , Rehman Muhammad Faisal , Mohamed Abdullah
Published: March 2023

Owing to great environmental benefits, end-of-life waste tires are often used in concrete as a partial replacement for aggregates. However, the use of waste tires in concrete deteriorates fundamental properties. For a better knowledge of the various characteristics of concrete with waste tires and to highlight ways to improve them, this study was conducted. For this purpose, the effect of waste tires on fresh properties such as workability, air content, and unit weight was reviewed. Moreover, the influence of waste tires on mechanical properties such as compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, and modulus of elasticity was discussed in detail. The durability characteristics such as water absorption and porosity, freeze–thaw, corrosion, chloride ion penetration, and carbonation resistance were critically evaluated. The application of waste tires for concrete used in roadside barriers was also reviewed and impact resistance, energy absorption, toughness, and ductility were summarized. Results indicate the slump of concrete increased with the substitution of rubber but decreased strength properties. Although the strength properties of rubber concrete are less but can be used for low-strength concrete. Furthermore, rubber particles are more elastic, flexible, less stiff, and deformable as compared to natural aggregates. Therefore, rubberized concrete is more suitable for roadside barriers. This review is expected to advance the fundamental knowledge of concrete with end-of-life tires and promote the recycling of end-of-life tires in the concrete industry.
A comparative study for the removal of reactive red 49 (RR49) and reactive yellow 15 (RY15) using a novel electrode by electrocoagulation technique
Authors: Ramadan Mohamed M. , Moneer Abeer A. , El-Mallah Nabila M. , Ramadan Mohamed SH. , Shaker Azza M.
Published: March 2023

The present work deals with the investigation of the efficiency of the electrocoagulation (EC) technique in the removal of two different reactive dyes as a simple, durable, and cost-effective technique for wastewater treatment. The difference in structure between Reactive Red 49 (RR49) and Reactive Yellow 15 (RY15) is explored during the treatment process through the use of a novel design of electrodes. The optimum conditions obtained were 80 and 60 mg/L of initial dye concentrations, pH of 5.9 and 4 for RR49 and RY15, respectively, 0.5 g of NaCl electrolyte, and 900 and 500 rpm of stirring rate for RR49 and RY17 dyes respectively, which led to the highest percent removal (98.5%) for both dyes. The suitable temperatures were 20 and 30 °C for RR49 and RY15, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters were designated, and it was a spontaneous process for both dyes. The removal process was designated to pseudo- second-order for the RR49 dye and pseudo- first-order for the RY15 dye and fitted to the Langmuir model. Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) was presented to assess the variation of the outcomes attained from each factor.
Superhydrophobic and superlipophilic biochar produced from microalga torrefaction and modification for upgrading fuel properties
Authors: Zhang Congyu , Wang Meng , Chen Wei-Hsin H. , Zhang Ying , Pétrissans Anelie , Pétrissans Mathieu , Ho Shih-Hsin H.
Published: March 2023

Torrefaction operation is an essential pathway for solid biofuel upgrading, and good hydrophobicity of torrefied biochar is conducive to its storage. Herein, a two-stage treatment of torrefaction followed by modification by hexadecyltrimethoxysilane was adopted to improve the moisture resistance performance of biochar. This two-stage treatment process led to a longer torrefied microalgal biochar preservation time (60–200% improved) and great superhydrophobicity and superlipophilicity. Therefore, the modified microalgal biochar could significantly adsorb leaking oil for environmental remediation and further improve the calorific value of the biochar. The obtained results indicated that the oil adsorption capacity of modified microalgal biochar was correlated to torrefaction temperature and oil species. Specifically, the oil adsorption capacity was enhanced up to 70–80% from the modification process when comparing to raw microalga. Increasing the torrefaction temperature enhanced the adsorption quantity of the modified microalgal biochar. By adsorbing the oil, the calorific value of oilchar, namely, biochar with adsorbed oil, could be higher than 40 MJ kg− 1. Furthermore, the pyrolysis and combustion characteristics suggested that biochar stability gradually rose as the torrefaction temperature increased. By comprehensively analyzing and comparing the fuel performance of the modified microalgal biochar with previous literature, the obtained modified microalgal biochar possessed better fuel properties and environmental sustainability.

Graphical Abstract
Approach to Reference Models for Building Performance Simulation: Establishing Common Understanding
Authors: Arora Sahil-Jai , Rabe Markus
Published: March 2023

In the fields of business process modeling, logistics, and information model development, Reference Models (RMs) have shown to enhance standardization, support the common understanding of terminology and procedures, reduce the modeling efforts and cost through the paradigm “Design by Reuse”, and enable knowledge transfer. Utilizing RMs in Building Performance Simulation (BPS) shows potential to achieve similar benefits. However, there is no universally agreed understanding of RMs. In a previous scientific publication, we provided a comprehensive overview of the diversely interpreted definitions, benefits, and attributes of RMs and related terms. Additionally, to transfer the approach of RMs to BPS, a definition for RMs applicable to BPS has been provided, and the identified RM qualities were matched with BPS’s challenges. However, a sound evaluation of the success of transferring RMs to BPS is lacking. Therefore, this scientific contribution firstly includes the analysis conducted in the previous scientific contribution constituting a common understanding about RMs and their elements for BPS. Secondly, by conducting expert interviews, the applicability and validity of the developed concept of RMs for BPS are surveyed. In total, ten experts (seven BPS experts and three RM experts) evaluated the quality of creating transparency about the understanding of RMs and the level of success of their transfer toward BPS. The experts consistently see a great benefit of RMs in BPS, but for BPS experts the transfer and possible application of RMs in BPS is not sufficiently clear. Accordingly, the key output of the conducted survey is that a clearer and more detailed application example, e.g., describing at a more easy-to-understand level of detail an exemplary class of the provided example of an RM, is required for a more profound transfer of RMs to BPS.
The metric-valued Lebesgue differentiation theorem in measure spaces and its applications
Authors: Lučić Danka , Pasqualetto Enrico
Published: March 2023

We prove a version of the Lebesgue differentiation theorem for mappings that are defined on a measure space and take values into a metric space, with respect to the differentiation basis induced by a von Neumann lifting. As a consequence, we obtain a lifting theorem for the space of sections of a measurable Banach bundle and a disintegration theorem for vector measures whose target is a Banach space with the Radon–Nikodým property.
Quality Tolerance Limits’ Place in the Quality Management System and Link to the Statistical Trial Design: Case Studies and Recommendations from Early Adopters
Authors: Wolfs Marion , Bojarski Łukasz , Young Steve , Cesario Lynne , Makowski Marcin , Sullivan Linda B.
Published: March 2023

Since the release of ICH E6(R2), multiple efforts have been made to interpret the requirements and suggest ways of implementing quality tolerance limits (QTLs) alongside existing risk-based quality management methodologies. While these efforts have contributed positively to developing a common understanding of QTLs, some uncertainty remains regarding implementable approaches. In this article, we review the approaches taken by some leading biopharmaceutical companies, offering recommendations for how to make QTLs most effective, what makes them ineffective, and several case studies to illustrate these concepts. This includes how best to choose QTL parameters and thresholds for a given study, how to differentiate QTLs from key risk indicators, and how QTLs relate to critical-to-quality factors and the statistical design of the trials.
Facilitators and Barriers to the Implementation of BETTER WISE, a Chronic Disease and Prevention Intervention in Canada: A Qualitative Study
Authors: Sopcak Nicolette , Fernandes Carolina , Ofosu Daniel , Wong Melanie , Khalil Ielaf , Wong Tracy , Manca Donna Patricia
Published: March 2023

The aim of the BETTER WISE intervention is to address cancer and chronic disease prevention and screening (CCDPS) and lifestyle risks in patients aged 40–65. The purpose of this qualitative study is to better understand facilitators and barriers to the implementation of the intervention. Patients were invited for a 1-h visit with a prevention practitioner (PP), a member of a primary care team, with specific skills in prevention, screening, and cancer survivorship. We collected and analyzed data from 48 key informant interviews and 17 focus groups conducted with 132 primary care providers and from 585 patient feedback forms. We analyzed all qualitative data using a constant comparative method informed by grounded theory and then employed the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) in a second round of coding. The following key elements were identified: (1) Intervention characteristics—relative advantage and adaptability; (2) Outer setting—PPs compensating for increased patient needs and decreased resources; (3) Characteristics of individuals—PPs (patients and physicians described PPs as compassionate, knowledgeable, and helpful); (4) Inner setting—network and communication (collaboration and support in teams or lack thereof); and (5) Process—executing the implementation (pandemic-related issues hindered execution, but PPs adapted to challenges). This study identified key elements that facilitated or hindered the implementation of BETTER WISE. Despite the interruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the BETTER WISE intervention continued, driven by the PPs and their strong relationships with their patients, other primary care providers, and the BETTER WISE team.