bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nanoparticles‐induced potential toxicity on human health: Applications, toxicity mechanisms, and evaluation models
Authors: Xuan Lihui , Ju Zhao , Skonieczna Magdalena , Zhou Ping‐Kun , Huang Ruixue
Published: July 2023

Nanoparticles (NPs) have become one of the most popular objects of scientific study during the past decades. However, despite wealth of study reports, still there is a gap, particularly in health toxicology studies, underlying mechanisms, and related evaluation models to deeply understanding the NPs risk effects. In this review, we first present a comprehensive landscape of the applications of NPs on health, especially addressing the role of NPs in medical diagnosis, therapy. Then, the toxicity of NPs on health systems is introduced. We describe in detail the effects of NPs on various systems, including respiratory, nervous, endocrine, immune, and reproductive systems, and the carcinogenicity of NPs. Furthermore, we unravels the underlying mechanisms of NPs including ROS accumulation, mitochondrial damage, inflammatory reaction, apoptosis, DNA damage, cell cycle, and epigenetic regulation. In addition, the classical study models such as cell lines and mice and the emerging models such as 3D organoids used for evaluating the toxicity or scientific study are both introduced. Overall, this review presents a critical summary and evaluation of the state of understanding of NPs, giving readers more better understanding of the NPs toxicology to remedy key gaps in knowledge and techniques.
CEO‐TMT faultline and corporate green innovation: The contextual role of Confucian culture
Authors: Wang Shiquan , Lv Jingxin
Published: July 2023

Based on CEO‐TMT interface perspective, this study investigates the impact of CEO‐TMT faultline on corporate green innovation and the contextual role of Confucian culture. The empirical results show that CEO‐TMT knowledge‐based faultline is positively associated with corporate green innovation, resource‐based faultline is negatively correlated with green innovation, and the impact of identity‐based faultline is insignificant. Furthermore, when companies are more influenced by Confucian culture, the positive effect of CEO‐TMT knowledge‐based faultline is more pronounced. In contrast, the negative impact of CEO‐TMT identity‐based faultline is restrained, and CEO‐TMT identity‐based faultline is related to a higher level of green innovation. The study not only enriches the research of CEO‐TMT interaction in the field of green innovation but also provides theoretical reference and guidance for corporate green innovation practice under the context of the green transformation of economic structure.
Sesamol Mitigates Chronic Iron Overload‐Induced Cognitive Impairment and Systemic Inflammation via IL‐6 and DMT1 Regulation
Authors: Wang Yajie , Zhang Yuyu , Wang Xinyu , Li Qingyuan , Zhao Yu , Jiang Yishan , Guo Rui , Liu Xuebo , Yuan Tian , Liu Zhigang
Published: July 2023

Scope

Excessive iron contributes to oxidative damage and cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease. Sesamol, a compound in sesame oil that exhibits both anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, is examined in this study for its ability to alleviate cognitive impairments in iron overload mice model.

Methods and results

An iron overload model is established by intraperitoneally injecting dextran iron (250 mg kg−1 body weight) twice a week for 6 weeks, while sesamol (100 mg kg−1 body weight) is administered daily for the same length of time. The results demonstrate that sesamol protects spatial working memory and learning ability in iron overload mice, and inhibits neuronal loss and brain atrophy induced by iron overload. Moreover, sesamol significantly decreases interleukin‐6 and malondialdehyde, and increases glutathione peroxidase 4 in the brains of iron overload mice. Additionally, sesamol maintains iron homeostasis in the brain by regulating the expressions of transferrin receptors, divalent metal transporter 1, and hepcidin, and reducing iron accumulation. Furthermore, sesamol suppresses disturbed systemic iron homeostasis and inflammation, particularly liver interleukin‐6 expression.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that sesamol may be effective in mitigating neuroinflammatory responses and cognitive impairments induced by iron overload, potentially through its involvement in mediating the liver‐brain axis.
Population‐based asymmetric margins for moving targets in real‐time tumor tracking
Authors: Kito Satoshi , Mukumoto Nobutaka , Nakamura Mitsuhiro , Tanabe Hiroaki , Karasawa Katsuyuki , Kokubo Masaki , Sakamoto Takashi , Iizuka Yusuke , Yoshimura Michio , Matsuo Yukinori , Hiraoka Masahiro , Mizowaki Takashi
Published: July 2023

Background

Both geometric and dosimetric components are commonly considered when determining the margin for planning target volume (PTV). As dose distribution is shaped by controlling beam aperture in peripheral dose prescription and dose‐escalated simultaneously integrated boost techniques, adjusting the margin by incorporating the variable dosimetric component into the PTV margin is inappropriate; therefore, geometric components should be accurately estimated for margin calculations.

Purpose

We introduced an asymmetric margin‐calculation theory using the guide to the expression of uncertainty in measurement (GUM) and intra‐fractional motion. The margins in fiducial marker‐based real‐time tumor tracking (RTTT) for lung, liver, and pancreatic cancers were calculated and were then evaluated using Monte Carlo (MC) simulations.

Methods

A total of 74 705, 73 235, and 164 968 sets of intra‐ and inter‐fractional positional data were analyzed for 48 lung, 48 liver, and 25 pancreatic cancer patients, respectively, in RTTT clinical trials. The 2.5th and 97.5th percentiles of the positional error were considered representative values of each fraction of the disease site. The population‐based statistics of the probability distributions of these representative positional errors (PD‐RPEs) were calculated in six directions. A margin covering 95% of the population was calculated using the proposed formula. The content rate in which the clinical target volume (CTV) was included in the PTV was calculated through MC simulations using the PD‐RPEs.

Results

The margins required for RTTT were at most 6.2, 4.6, and 3.9 mm for lung, liver, and pancreatic cancer, respectively. MC simulations revealed that the median content rates using the proposed margins satisfied 95% for lung and liver cancers and 93% for pancreatic cancer, closer to the expected rates than the margins according to van Herk's formula.

Conclusions

Our proposed formula based on the GUM and motion probability distributions (MPD) accurately calculated the practical margin size for fiducial marker‐based RTTT. This was verified through MC simulations.
In situ adjustment of a visco hyper elastic model for stretch blow molding process simulation of poly‐ethylene terephthalate bottles
Authors: Luo Yun‐Mei , Tantchou Yakam Guy , Charlot Remi , Chevalier Luc , Savajano Romain
Published: July 2023

Simulation of the stretch blow molding (SBM) process necessitates to develop a model able to reproduce the material behavior at high strain rate, large deformation with temperature gradient. On the other hand, both the need to understand polyethylene terephthalate (PET) material characteristics and the final bottle performance requirements continue to get higher. That necessitates a regular update of the identification of the model. Bottle producers are interested by managing this identification without a specific complex apparatus not available in an industrial context. The work presented here describes an in‐situ adjustment process for upgrading all parameters of a visco‐hyperelastic (VHE) model from a small number of blowing tests that do not necessitate complex equipment. The accuracy of the adjustment process is validated through the ability of the updated VHE model to reproduce the final shape, the pressure evolution and the tension of the rod during an industrial blowing of PET bottles.
Ion Pre‐Embedding Engineering of δ‐MnO2 for Chemically Self‐Charging Aqueous Zinc Ions Batteries
Authors: Jia Hongfeng , Li Yanxin , Fu Lihua , Ali Usman , Liu Bingqiu , Zhang Lingyu , Wang Haozhi , Li Lu , Wang Heng‐Guo , Wang Chungang
Published: July 2023

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs), especially those with self‐charging properties, have been promisingly developed in recent years. Yet, most inorganic materials feature high redox potential, which limit their development in the self‐charging field. To achieve this target, by pre‐embedding potassium ions into δ‐MnO2 to reduce the energy barrier in oxygen adsorption, the first application of MnO2 in self‐charging ZIBs is realized. The design features a facile two‐electrode configuration with no excessively complex component to allow for energy storage and conversion. Due to the voltage difference between the oxygen in the air and the discharge products, a redox reaction can be carried out spontaneously to realize the self‐charging process. After the chemical self‐charging process, the Zn‐K0.37MnO2·0.54H2O/C cell achieves an open circuit voltage of around 1.42 V and a discharge capacity of 201 mAh g−1, reflecting the promising self‐charging capability. Besides, the chemically self‐charging ZIBs operate well in multiple modes of constant current charge/discharge/chemical charging. And decent cycling capability can also be achieved at extreme temperatures and high mass loading. This work promotes the development of ZIBs and further broadens the application of inorganic metal oxides in the self‐charging systems.
Strengthened Surface Modification for High‐Performance Inorganic Perovskite Solar Cells with 21.3% Efficiency
Authors: Liu Yali , Xiang Wanchun , Xu Tianfei , Zhang Hao , Xu Haojie , Zhang Yuchen , Qi Wenzhuo , Liu Lidan , Yang Tengteng , Wang Zezhang , Liu Shengzhong
Published: July 2023

Metal halide inorganic perovskites show excellent thermal stability compared to organic‐inorganic perovskites. However, the performance of inorganic perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is far from theoretical values, together with unsatisfactory stability, mainly due to the poor interfacial properties. In this work, a facial but effective method is reported to realize high‐performance inorganic PSCs by post‐modifying the perovskite surface with 2‐thiophene ethylamine (TEA). It is found that amine group from TEA can favorably interact with the undercoordinated Pb2+ via Lewis acid‐based coordination, while thiophene ring with electron‐rich sulfur assists such interaction by functioning as an electron donor. The synergetic interaction allows TEA to passivate perovskite film defects more efficiently, as compared to phenethylamine (PEA) with less electron‐donating ability. Moreover, perovskite valence band is slightly upward shift to match with hole transport material and facilitate hole transfer. These combinations result in a reduced non‐radiative charge recombination and improved charge carrier lifetime. Consequently, PSCs with TEA modification shows a drastic improvement of VOC by 54 mV, yielding a champion PCE of 21.3%, much higher than the control PSCs (19.3%), along with improved ambient stability. This work demonstrates that surface modifier with an electron‐rich moiety is critical for achieving efficient and stable inorganic PSCs.
Highly Reversible Ti/Sn Oxide Nanocomposite Electrodes for Lithium Ion Batteries Obtained by Oxidation of Ti3Al(1‐x)SnxC2 Phases
Authors: Ostroman Irene , Ferrara Chiara , Marchionna Stefano , Gentile Antonio , Vallana Nicholas , Sheptyakov Denis , Lorenzi Roberto , Ruffo Riccardo
Published: July 2023

Among the materials for the negative electrodes in Li‐ion batteries, oxides capable of reacting with Li+ via intercalation/conversion/alloying are extremely interesting due to their high specific capacities but suffer from poor mechanical stability. A new way to design nanocomposites based on the (Ti/Sn)O2 system is the partial oxidation of the tin‐containing MAX phase of Ti3Al(1‐x)SnxO2 composition. Exploiting this strategy, this work develops composite electrodes of (Ti/Sn)O2 and MAX phase capable of withstanding over 600 cycles in half cells with charge efficiencies higher than 99.5% and specific capacities comparable to those of graphite and higher than lithium titanate (Li4Ti5O12) or MXenes electrodes. These unprecedented electrochemical performances are also demonstrated at full cell level in the presence of a low cobalt content layered oxide and explained through an accurate chemical, morphological, and structural investigation which reveals the intimate contact between the MAX phase and the oxide particles. During the oxidation process, electroactive nanoparticles of TiO2 and Ti(1‐y)SnyO2 nucleate on the surface of the unreacted MAX phase which therefore acts both as a conductive agent and as a buffer to preserve the mechanical integrity of the oxide during the lithiation and delithiation cycles.
Do post‐surgical multiresistant urinary infections occur in horses? Case of unilateral pyelonephritis caused by extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria as a complication of cystotomy
Authors: Scala Elisa , van Galen Gaby , Skärlina Elin M. , Durie Inge
Published: July 2023

Pyelonephritis is a serious condition that is rarely described in horses. In contrast, urinary tract infections are common in humans and small animals, and multi‐drug‐resistant urinary infections are an emerging threat. In this report, we describe a horse with unilateral pyelonephritis caused by extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamase‐producing bacteria belonging to the Enterobacter cloacae complex. [Correction added on 9 August 2023, after first online publication: The preceding sentence was corrected.] An 11‐year‐old Swedish warmblood gelding was diagnosed with a cystolith and a cystotomy through an open left para‐inguinal approach was performed. Seven days after surgery the horse presented with pyrexia, dullness and colic. Diagnostic testing and renal transabdominal ultrasonography confirmed the presence of a right‐sided pyelonephritis. Culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed a pure growth of extended‐spectrum beta‐lactamases‐producing E. cloacae complex bacteria with resistance against beta‐lactams, aminoglycoside and trimethoprim–sulphonamide classes. Treatment included prolonged oral antimicrobials according to susceptibility testing results (enrofloxacin), judicious use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, fluid therapy and gastric ulcer prophylaxis. The horse recovered successfully and is currently in good health (follow‐up of 5 years). Once the infection resolved, unilateral renal scarring occurred. Multidrug‐resistant upper‐urinary infections occur in horses and should be considered in a post‐surgical patient that develops fever. Early diagnosis, urine bacterial culturing and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were crucial in this case to successful management.
Genetic diversity and relatedness in captive collared peccariesDicotyles tajacu(Linnaeus, 1758) (Cetartiodactyla: Tayassuidae) estimated by microsatellite genotyping using high‐throughput sequencing: Implications for their conservation and reintroduction
Authors: Gomes Paula Teixeira , Rosse Izinara Cruz , Moraes Lauro Ângelo Gonçalves , Kalapothakis Evanguedes , de Azevedo Cristiano Schetini , Cardoso Danon Clemes , Cristiano Maykon Passos
Published: July 2023

The global population ofDicotyles tajacu(Linnaeus, 1758) (Cetartiodactyla: Tayassuidae), commonly known as the collared peccary and distributed in the Neotropics, is currently in decline due to anthropogenic pressures. In this study, five microsatellite loci were used to genetically characterize a group of 20 captive‐born collared peccaries intended for reintroduction. This study aimed to evaluate the genetic diversity and relatedness of captive individuals using microsatellite markers. The genetic data generated were used to evaluate the viability of the reintroduction and to propose measures for the management and conservation of this species. In this study, we found relatively high genetic diversity indices, indicating that the group was genetically diverse. Inbreeding coefficients with negative values were observed, indicating an excess of alleles in heterozygosis and an absence of inbreeding. One locus showed deviation from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, which may have been caused by the mixing of individuals from different origins. Relatedness analysis indicated that some individuals were highly related, with coefficients indicating they may be first‐degree relatives. Our findings indicate that the studied group has enough genetic diversity to be released into nature, but the high individual relatedness found would require the adoption of strategies after the release of animals in the wild to ensure their persistence.
Updated constraints and future prospects on majoron dark matter
Authors: Akita Kensuke , Niibo Michiru
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Majorons are (pseudo-)Nambu-Goldstone bosons associated with lepton number symmetry breaking due to the Majorana mass term of neutrinos introduced in the seesaw mechanism. They are good dark matter candidates since their lifetime is suppressed by the lepton number breaking scale. We update constraints and discuss future prospects on majoron dark matter in the singlet majoron models based on neutrino, gamma-ray, and cosmic-ray telescopes in the mass region of MeV–10 TeV.
Comments on Non-invertible Symmetries in Argyres-Douglas Theories
Authors: Carta Federico , Giacomelli Simone , Mekareeya Noppadol , Mininno Alessandro
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We demonstrate the presence of non-invertible symmetries in an infinite family of superconformal Argyres-Douglas theories. This class of theories arises from diagonal gauging of the flavor symmetry of a collection of multiple copies of Dp(SU(N)) theories. The same set of theories that we study can also be realized from 6d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= (1, 0) compactification on a torus. The main example in this class is the (A2, D4) theory. We show in detail that this specific theory bears the same structures of non-invertible duality and triality defects as those of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills with gauge algebra 𝔰𝔲(2). We extend this result to infinitely many other Argyres-Douglas theories in the same family, including those with central charges a = c whose conformal manifold is one dimensional, and those with a ≠ c whose conformal manifold has dimension larger than one. Our result is supported by examining certain special cases that can be realized in terms of theories of class 𝒮.
Generalized non-local R2-like inflation
Authors: Koshelev Alexey S. , Kumar K. Sravan , Starobinsky Alexei A.
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The R2 inflation which is an extension of general relativity (GR) by quadratic scalar curvature introduces a quasi-de Sitter expansion of the early Universe governed by Ricci scalar being an eigenmode of d’Alembertian operator. In this paper, we derive a most general theory of gravity admitting R2 inflationary solution which turned out to be higher curvature non-local extension of GR. We study in detail inflationary perturbations in this theory and analyse the structure of form-factors that leads to a massive scalar (scalaron) and massless tensor degrees of freedom. We argue that the theory contains only finite number of free parameters which can be fixed by cosmological observations. We derive predictions of our generalized non-local R2-like inflation and obtain the scalar spectral index ns ≈ 1 − $$ \frac{2}{N} $$

2
N

and any value of the tensor-to-scalar ratio r < 0.036. In this theory, tensor spectral index can be either positive or negative nt ≶ 0 and the well-known consistency relation r = –8nt is violated in a non-trivial way. We also compute running of the tensor spectral index and discuss observational implications to distinguish this model from several classes of scalar field models of inflation. These predictions allow us to probe the nature of quantum gravity in the scope of future CMB and gravitational wave observations. Finally we comment on how the features of generalized non-local R2-like inflation cannot be captured by established notions of the so-called effective field theory of single field inflation and how we must redefine the way we pursue inflationary cosmology.
Non-universal gauge interactions addressing the inescapable link between Higgs and flavour
Authors: Davighi Joe , Isidori Gino
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We systematically explore ultraviolet complete models where flavour hierarchies emerge, via approximate accidental symmetries, from an underlying flavour non-universal gauge structure. In order to avoid large quantum corrections to the Higgs mass, the first layer of non-universality, separating the third generation from the light ones, should appear at the TeV scale. A handful of models survive the combined criteria of naturalness in the Higgs sector, having a semi-simple embedding in the UV, and compatibility with experiments. They all feature quark-lepton unification in the third family and a non-universal electroweak sector. We study in more detail the interesting option of having colour and hypercharge non-universal at the TeV scale, while SU(2)L remains universal up to high scales: this gauge structure turns to be very efficient in secluding the Higgs from large quantum corrections and predicting flavour mixing consistent with data. In all cases, these models imply a rich TeV-scale phenomenology within the reach of near-future direct and indirect experimental searches.
Challenges in the determination of total vitamin B12 by cyanidation conversion: insights from stable isotope dilution assays
Authors: Wang Mengle , Schuster Kathrin , Asam Stefan , Rychlik Michael
Published: July 2023

Previous methods for vitamin B12 (B12) analysis have extensively used cyanidation conversion with the intention of converting all cobalamins to cyanocobalamin (CNCbl) for total B12 determination. This approach has been favored for its advantages in reducing the number of analytes, increasing analyte concentration, and improving analyte stability. However, the present study revealed underlying limitations associated with this approach. First, a stable isotope dilution assay (SIDA) determining total B12 as CNCbl after cyanidation conversion (conversion SIDA method) was developed. Method validation demonstrated good sensitivity, recovery, accuracy, and reproducibility for the target analyte CNCbl. However, subsequent application of the conversion method to real meat samples showed incomplete conversions of cobalamins. These inconsistencies revealed day-to-day variability and reliability challenges associated with the cyanidation process. It was not possible to identify this issue during method validation as CNCbl was spiked as the sole analyte and it requires no further cyanidation conversion. The application of LC-MS/MS enabled the detection of trace amounts of unconverted cobalamins. Nevertheless, this approach remains restricted by instrument sensitivity and stability as well as the performance of immunoaffinity purification for different vitamers. Further development of a reliable monitoring method is a prerequisite for further optimization of the cyanidation process. However, significant improvements of analytical instrumentation in terms of sensitivity and stability are required to overcome the current limitations.

Graphical abstract
An open-source software package for Precise Point Positioning: raPPPid
Authors: Glaner Marcus Franz , Weber Robert
Published: July 2023

Precise Point Positioning (PPP) has proven to be a powerful GNSS positioning method used for various scientific and commercial applications nowadays. We present a flexible and user-friendly software package named raPPPid suitable for processing single to triple-frequency GNSS observations in various PPP approaches (e.g., ionospheric-free linear combination, uncombined model), available under https://github.com/TUW-VieVS/raPPPid. To tune the PPP procedure, the user can select from many satellite products, models, options, and parameters. This way, the software raPPPid can handle high-to-low quality observation data ranging from geodetic equipment to smartphones. Despite significant improvements, the convergence time of PPP is still a major topic in scientific research. raPPPid is specially designed to reduce the convergence period with diverse implemented approaches, such as PPP-AR or ionospheric pseudo-observations, and to offer the user multiple plots and statistics to analyze this critical period. Typically, raPPPid achieves coordinate convergence times of around 1 min or below with high-quality observations and ambiguity fixing. With smartphone data and a simplified PPP approach, a 2D position accuracy at the one-meter level or below is accomplished after two to three minutes.
Piezoelectric Transformer-Based High-Voltage Pulse Generator Using Wide-Bandgap Semiconductors for Medical Electroporation Therapy
Authors: Chole Ajay M. , Duffy Maeve
Published: July 2023

In this paper, a new application of Piezoelectric Transformer (PT)-based power converters to generate high-voltage (HV) bipolar pulses for medical electroporation therapy is proposed. In particular, PT-based power conversion is investigated as an alternative to magnetics-based approaches of generating HV from a relatively low-voltage (LV) input source for application in electroporation therapy. The detailed PT-based system design and selection of wide bandgap semiconductor switches such as GaN FETs, high-voltage SiC diodes and SiC MOSFETs, as well as simulation results to demonstrate proof-of-concept using LTSpice are presented. Preliminary experimental results of the PT-based capacitor charger are shown, and work is ongoing to develop a complete hardware prototype of the proposed HV pulse generator.
Human wastewater tracking in tropical Hawaiian island streams using qualitative and quantitative assessments of combined fecal indicating bacteria and sucralose, an organic micropollutant of emerging concern
Authors: Berg Carl J. , Alderete John P. , Alderete Ethan A.
Published: July 2023

Prevalence of cesspools on tropical islands suggests that high concentrations of enteric bacteria in streams and coastal waters are an indicator of groundwater contamination by human wastewater. But enterococci bacteria may also be from homeothermic animals common to these watersheds or bacteria living in sediments. Sucralose, a manufactured chemical not destroyed in passage through the human gut, cesspools, septic systems, or wastewater treatment facilities, was used to test for the presence of human wastewater in streams on the island of Kauai, Hawaii. Effluent from six municipal wastewater treatment plants showed an average concentration of 39,167 ng/L of sucralose, roughly back-calculated to 9 ng/L per person, enough to present itself in cesspool effluent contaminated waters. Of 24 streams tested, 79% were positive for sucralose at least once in four sets of sampling. All streams tested positive for enterococci bacteria above established standards. Serial testing of the pair of indicators in the same location over time and applying the Multiplication Rule to the independent samples provide a probabilistic certainty level that the water is chronically polluted by human waste. When repeatedly paired with tests for enterococci, sucralose testing is a cost-effective means for assessing human health risk and for developing proper waste management programs that has been underutilized in under-developed tropical and island settings.
Introduction to the special issue ‘The phenomenology of joint action’
Authors: Knappik Franz , Gangopadhyay Nivedita
Published: July 2023

The contributions collected in this special issue explore the phenomenology of joint action from a broad range of different disciplinary and methodological angles, including philosophical investigation (both in the analytic and the phenomenological tradition), computational modeling, experimental study, game theory, and developmental psychology. They also vastly expand the range of discussed cases beyond the standard examples of house-painting and sauce-cooking, addressing, for example, collective musical improvisations, dancing, work at the Diversity and Equity office of a university, and historical examples of collective violence such as the revolutionary Terror in France and the Nazis. In our introduction to this special issue, we group the contributions into three thematic areas – 1) the phenomenological fine-structure of joint action, 2) underlying mechanisms for joint action and 3) phenomenal preconditions for joint action. The first theme is discussed under a number of issues – a) components of the phenomenology of joint action, b) the I and the we in joint action, c) the effect of group size, structure and nature on the phenomenology of joint action and d) how do phenomenal relate to normative aspects of joint action?
Strategic Alignment in Times of Crisis: Voting at the Dawn of a Global Pandemic
Authors: Leininger Arndt , Schaub Max
Published: July 2023

Natural disasters are likely to increase in the near future. How does the emergence of such events influence voting behavior? While the literature has focused on the electoral repercussions after disaster has already struck, we investigate whether imminent disaster influences vote choice. We study the effect of the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on electoral choice in a setting that allows for causal identification: the local elections in Germany’s southern state Bavaria in March 2020, where, at the time of the elections, only an as-if random sample of localities had recorded cases of COVID-19. We find that initial local outbreaks favored the political party governing at the state level and hurt the far right. These findings are most likely driven by a ‘strategic alignment’ mechanism, whereby voters choose the party or candidate they believe is best placed to help them through the crisis.
Conditions that make ventures thrive: from individual entrepreneur to innovation impact
Authors: Chung Brian , Franses Philip Hans , Pennings Enrico
Published: July 2023

Entrepreneurship and innovation create a positive impact on the economy and society. Globally, governments invest resources to support new ventures and facilitate innovation. In this study, we examine this phenomenon by studying the pathway that goes from individual entrepreneur to innovation impact. We measure the effect of entrepreneurial motives on different types of innovations, with a particular focus on its amplification by formal and informal institutional conditions. Specifically, we use multi-level models to analyze annual data of 29 countries for 2006 to 2018. We find that opportunity-driven entrepreneurs are associated with higher levels of radical innovation, breakthrough innovation, and disruptive innovation. Better tax policies and less bureaucracy amplify this positive effect on radical innovation and breakthrough innovation. For necessity-driven entrepreneurs, the regulatory quality amplifies the positive effect on radical innovation and disruptive innovation, while monetary resources dampen this effect. Our findings show that the differences in innovation impact can be explained by differences in entrepreneurial motives and their specific interactions with formal and informal institutional conditions.
Development and validation of the patient-reported outcome scale for chronic kidney disease
Authors: Shi Yu , Pu Shi , Peng Hongmei , Luo Yu
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The patient-reported outcomes (PROs) measuring patient’s experience and perception of disease are important components of approach to care. However, no tools are available to assess the PROs of chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study aims to develop and verify a PROs scale to evaluate clinical outcomes in CKD patients.

Methods

The theoretical structure model and original item pool were formed through a literature review, patient interviews and references to relevant scales. The Delphi method, classical test theory methods and item response theory method were used to select items and adjust dimensions to form the final scale. Altogether 360 CKD patients were recruited through convenience sampling. CKD-PROs could be evaluated from four aspects, namely reliability, content validity, construct validity, responsibility, and feasibility.

Results

The CKD-PROs scale covers 4 domains, including the physiological, psychological, social, and therapeutic domain, and 12 dimensions, 54 items. The Cronbach’s α is 0.939, the split reliability coefficient is 0.945, and the correlation of the scores each item and domain’s coefficients range from 0.413 to 0.669. The results of structure validity, content validity and reactivity showed that the multidimensional measurement of the scale met professional expectations. The recovery rate and effective rate of the scale were over 99%.

Conclusion

The CKD-PROs scale has great reliability, validity, reactivity, acceptability and is capable of being used as one of the evaluation tools for the clinical outcomes of CKD patients.
Proteomic methods for the study of porcine acute phase proteins – anything new to detect?
Authors: Miller Ingrid , Gianazza Elisabetta
Published: July 2023

Acute phase proteins (APPs) reflect the health status of individuals and are important tools in diagnostics, as their altered levels are a sign of disturbed homeostasis. While, in most cases, quantitation of known serum APPs is routinely performed by immunoassays, proteomics is helpful in discovery of new biomarker candidates, especially in samples other than body fluids. Besides putting APP regulation into an overall context of differentially abundant proteins, this approach can detect further details or outright new features in protein structure or specific modifications, and help understand better their function. Thus, it can show up ways to make present diagnostic assays more sensitive and/or specific, or correlate regulations of disease-specific proteins. The APP repertoire is dependent on the species. The pig is both, an important farm animal and a model animal for human diseases, due to similarities in physiology. Besides reviewing existing literature, yet unpublished examples for two-dimensional electrophoresis in connection with pig APPs highlight some of the benefits of proteomics. Of further help would be the emerging targeted proteomics, offering the possibility to determine particular isoforms or proteoforms, without the need of specific antibodies, but this method is presently scarcely used in veterinary medicine.
Clinical significance of dual-energy dual-layer CT parameters in differentiating small-sized gastrointestinal stromal tumors from leiomyomas
Authors: Tsurumaru Daisuke , Nishimuta Yusuke , Kai Satohiro , Oki Eiji , Minoda Yosuke , Ishigami Kousei
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Small gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) can generally have nonspecific CT findings similar to those with benign submucosal tumors of the stomach. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential dual-layer dual-energy CT (dlDECT) parameters to differentiate small-sized (≤ 4 cm) GISTs from leiomyomas of the stomach.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 26 SMTs ≤ 4 cm in diameter with pathological confirmation of either GIST (n = 17) or leiomyoma (n = 9) from May 2018 to January 2022. All patients received contrast-enhanced CT. The normalized iodine concentration (NIC) and spectral slope (λHU) were compared between GIST and leiomyoma. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted and the areas under the curve (AUCs) were calculated to estimate the diagnostic performance of these markers for differentiating GISTs from leiomyomas.

Results

NIC was significantly higher in GIST than in leiomyoma in the portal (P = 0.0019) and delayed phases (P = 0.0011). λHU was significantly higher in GIST than in leiomyoma in the portal (P = 0.0006) and delayed phases (P = 0.0009). AUC of the ROC curves using NIC to differentiate between GIST and leiomyoma were 0.875 and 0.895 in the portal and delayed phase; using λHU, they were 0.918 and 0.902 in the portal and delayed phase.

Conclusion

dlDECT parameters including NIC and λHU show promise as indicators for differentiating small-sized GISTs from leiomyomas.
Characterising the shear resistance of a unidirectional non-crimp glass fabric using modified picture frame and uniaxial bias extension test methods
Authors: Kahavita K. D. H. N. , McCarthy E. D. , Zhang M. , Brádaigh C. M. Ó , Harrison P.
Published: July 2023

The forming behaviour of a unidirectional non-crimp fabric (UD-NCF) consisting of polyamide stitches with a tricot-chain stitching pattern is explored. Notably, there are no stabilising tows orientated transverse to the main tow direction in this fabric, a common feature in many ‘quasi’ UD-NCFs, this allows extension of the stitch in the transverse direction under certain loading conditions. The lack of stabilising tows introduces a possible low-energy deformation mode to the UD-NCF, which is absent in biaxial fabrics and to a large extent in ‘quasi’ UD-NCFs. The in-plane shear behaviour is initially investigated using both standard ‘tightly-clamped’ picture frame tests and uniaxial bias extension tests. Preliminary results show a dramatic difference in results produced by the two test methods. During the picture frame test, fibres can be subjected to unintended tension due to sample misalignment in the picture frame rig. To mitigate error arising from this effect, the picture frame test procedure is modified in two different ways: by using an intentional pre-displacement of the picture frame rig, and by changing the clamping condition of test specimen. Results show that the modified picture frame test data contain less error than the standard ‘tightly-clamped’ test but also that the shear stiffness of the UD-NCF is notably lower when measured in the bias extension test compared to the picture frame test, mainly due to the difference in loading conditions imposed during the two tests.
People Should Have a Right Not to Be Subjected to AI Profiling Based on Publicly Available Data! A Reply to Holm
Authors: Ploug Thomas
Published: July 2023

Studies suggest that machine learning models may accurately predict depression and other mental health-related conditions based on social media data. I have recently argued that individuals should have sui generis right not to be subjected to AI profiling based on publicly available data without their explicit informed consent. In a comment, Holm claims that there are scenarios in which individuals have a reason to prefer attempts of social control exercised on the basis of accurate AI predictions and that the suggested right burdens individuals unfairly by allowing for those individuals to consent to AI profiling. In this reply, I address both of these alleged problems and their underlying assumptions and show why they fail to provide any reasons not to introduce the suggested right.
Biochar addition to tea garden soils: effects on tea fluoride uptake and accumulation
Authors: Wang Haoyang , Hu Teng , Wang Minghan , Liang Yunshan , Shen Chengwen , Xu Huaqin , Zhou Yaoyu , Liu Zhonghua
Published: July 2023

Long-term consumption of tea with high fluoride (F) content has a potential threat to human health. The application of different amounts of biochar to reduce F accumulation in tea leaves has been little studied. In this study, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of biochar amounts (0, 0.5%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 8.0%, and 10.0%, w/w) on tea F content during the tea plant growth. Changes in tea quality, soil F fraction, and soil properties caused by biochar and the relationship with tea F accumulation were also considered. The results showed that the application of biochar amendment significantly reduced water-soluble F contents in tea leaves compared to CK (without biochar), especially in the 8.0% treatment (72.55%). Overall, biochar contributed to improving tea polyphenols and caffeine, but had no significant impact on free amino acids and water leachate. Compared with CK, 5.0–10.0% biochar significantly increased soil water-soluble F content due to the substitution of F− with OH− under high pH. Additionally, biochar applied to tea garden soil was effective in decreasing the soil exchangeable aluminum (Ex-Al) content (46.37–91.90%) and increasing the soil exchangeable calcium (Ca2+) content (12.02–129.74%) compared to CK, and correlation analysis showed that this may help reduce F enrichment of tea leaves. In general, the application of 5.0–8.0% biochar can be suggested as an optimal application dose to decrease tea F contents while simultaneously improving tea quality.

Graphical Abstract
How Do We Change What We Cannot Describe? A Comprehensive Framework of User Behaviours in a Materials’ Circular Economy
Authors: Macklin Jennifer , Kaufman Stefan
Published: July 2023

A circular economy is critical to addressing current unsustainable resource extraction, consumption and waste. Research has hitherto focused predominantly on the supply-side, particularly design, production and circular business models. However, the demand-side is essential in realising benefits from upstream activities. While circular consumption research is emerging, a clear and comprehensive picture of user behaviours required in a circular economy is still lacking. To address this, the research adopted a transdisciplinary integration approach, engaging over 100 Australian circular economy stakeholders from the public, private, research and civil sectors. The output of the research integration was a comprehensive Framework of User Circular Behaviours, containing 59 distinct user behaviours, clearly labelled, categorised and defined. The Framework organises user behaviours according to three phases of product interaction (get, use, pass on), and more specifically by their function in a circular economy. A preliminary model of the inter-relationships between these user behaviours and up- and downstream circular activities was also produced. The Framework contributes to existing circular consumer literature in three ways: it provides both greater breadth and depth of behaviours than existing models; it clarifies when performance of the behaviours can be considered circular; and includes precise definitions to provide clarity and enable consistency in terminology. The Framework has many benefits. It can enable translation between different stakeholders, connect research on production/business models with research on consumers/users and be utilised to organise and accumulate evidence of barriers and enablers of these behaviours and the interventions that work to change them.
Macroprudential policy, economic crises and economic growth
Authors: You Yu , Hu Xiaoying , Guo Hao
Published: July 2023

Slow global economic growth, frequent fluctuations in international financial markets, and increasing wealth disparity have become common concerns facing the globe. Risk prevention and stable economic growth have become the basic requirements for high-quality economic development, and macroprudential policy tools are at the center of these two policy objectives. This paper constructs a unified empirical analysis framework and incorporates the two policy objectives of preventing economic crises and stabilizing economic growth to analyze the comprehensive effects of macroprudential policy. Using data from 100 economies from 2000 to 2017, we find that the impact of macroprudential policy on economic growth can be divided into direct and indirect channels. For all economies, macroprudential policy can indirectly promote economic growth by suppressing economic crises, but its direct effect is heterogeneous. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of the direct effect of macroprudential policy on economic growth is mainly generated through channels such as investment, loan interest rates, and leverage. In high-income economies, the direct impact of macroprudential policy on economic growth is not obvious; in middle- and high-income economies, it promotes economic growth by influencing investment and leverage; in low- and lower-middle-income economies, it hinders economic growth through investment and loan interest rates.
Characteristics of fluid–fluid displacement in model mixed-wet porous media: patterns, pressures and scalings
Authors: Irannezhad Ashkan , Primkulov Bauyrzhan K. , Juanes Ruben , Zhao Benzhong
Published: July 2023

We study numerically the characteristics of fluid–fluid displacement in simple mixed-wet porous micromodels using a dynamic pore network model. The porous micromodel consists of distinct water-wet and oil-wet regions, whose fractions are varied systematically to yield a variety of displacement patterns over a wide range of capillary numbers. We find that the impact of mixed-wettability is most prominent at low capillary numbers, and it depends on the complex interplay between wettability fraction and the intrinsic contact angle of the water-wet regions. For example, the fractal dimension of the displacement pattern is a monotonically increasing function of wettability fraction in flow cells with strongly water-wet clusters, but it becomes non-monotonic with respect to wettability fraction in flow cells with weakly water-wet clusters. Additionally, mixed-wettability also manifests itself in the injection pressure signature, which exhibits fluctuations especially at low wettability fraction. Specifically, preferential filling of water-wet regions leads to reduced effective permeability and higher injection pressure, even at vanishingly small capillary numbers. Finally, we demonstrate that scaling analyses based on a weighted average description of the overall wetting state of the mixed-wet system can effectively capture the variations in observed displacement pattern morphology.
The Parkes Pulsar Timing Array third data release
Authors: Zic Andrew , Reardon Daniel J. , Kapur Agastya , Hobbs George , Mandow Rami , Curyło Małgorzata , Shannon Ryan M. , Askew Jacob , Bailes Matthew , Bhat N. D. Ramesh , Cameron Andrew , Chen Zu-Cheng , Dai Shi , Di Marco Valentina , Feng Yi , Kerr Matthew , Kulkarni Atharva , Lower Marcus E. , Luo Rui , Manchester Richard N. , Miles Matthew T. , Nathan Rowina S. , Osłowski Stefan , Rogers Axl F. , Russell Christopher J. , Sarkissian John M. , Shamohammadi Mohsen , Spiewak Renée , Thyagarajan Nithyanandan , Toomey Lawrence , Wang Shuangqiang , Zhang Lei , Zhang Songbo , Zhu Xing-Jiang
Published: July 2023

We present the third data release from the Parkes Pulsar Timing Array (PPTA) project. The release contains observations of 32 pulsars obtained using the 64-m Parkes ‘Murriyang’ radio telescope. The data span is up to 18 yr with a typical cadence of 3 weeks. This data release is formed by combining an updated version of our second data release with

$\sim$

3 yr of more recent data primarily obtained using an ultra-wide-bandwidth receiver system that operates between 704 and 4032 MHz. We provide calibrated pulse profiles, flux density dynamic spectra, pulse times of arrival, and initial pulsar timing models. We describe methods for processing such wide-bandwidth observations and compare this data release with our previous release.
A new species of Pisione (Annelida, Sigalionidae) from Palk Bay, India
Authors: Murugesan Perumal , Miranda Vinícius da Rocha , Punniyamoorthy Rengasamy , Mahadevan Gopalan
Published: July 2023

Pisione Grube, 1857 was considered rare animals, but its numbers have increased in recent decades. New species have been described, mainly from the Indo-Pacific region. In this study, we described Pisione balasubramaniani sp. nov., from Tamil Nadu, southeastern coast of India. The new species resembles other species in the ‘remota complex’ in the shape of the copulatory organs, elongated ventral cirri on the first segment and a short dorsal cirrus on the second segment. It can be distinguished from members of this group by having protruding notoacicula from the anteriormost to the very last chaetigers, three pairs of copulatory organs on chaetigers 15–17 and variances in the morphology of the copulatory organ. We also provide an updated comparison between all known species of Pisione based on key morphological characters. We also present a discussion of species of this genus in India and nearby regions.