bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of single-ionized oxygen vacancies on the generation of ferromagnetism in SnO2 and SnO2:Cr nanowires
Authors: Montalvo D. , Gómez V. , de la Cruz W. , Camacho-López S. , Rivero I. , Carrera K. , Orozco V. , Santillán C. , Matutes J. , Herrera-Zaldívar M.
Published: July 2023

In this work, we report the influence of single-ionized oxygen vacancies ($$V^{\prime}_{{\text{O}}}$$

V
O
′

) as a spin ½ system in the ferromagnetic response of undoped and Cr-doped SnO2 nanowires. For this study, undoped and Cr-doped SnO2 nanowires were synthesized by a thermal evaporation method. Raman, Auger, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies confirmed the incorporation of Cr3+ ions in the SnO2 lattice. Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements demonstrated the presence of single-ionized oxygen vacancies ($$V^{\prime}_{{\text{O}}}$$

V
O
′

) in undoped and Cr-doped nanowires. Complementarily, cathodoluminescence measurements confirmed the presence of VO defects in the samples. Magnetic measurements revealed FM behavior from the undoped SnO2 and Cr-doped SnO2 nanowires, showing magnetization saturation values (MS) of ± 1 × 10–3 and ± 1.6 × 10–3 emu/g, respectively, and magnetic coercivity values (HC) of 180 and 200 Oe. We assign the FM response of nanowires to the presence of single ionized $$V^{\prime}_{{\text{O}}}$$

V
O
′

acting as a spin ½ system and to the alignment of magnetic moments of Cr3+ ions, finding that $$V^{\prime}_{{\text{O}}}$$

V
O
′

defects dominate in the FM generation.
Infiltration therapy in the context of cartilage surgery
Authors: Steens Wolfram , Zinser Wolfgang , Rößler Philip , Heyse Thomas
Published: July 2023

Guideline-based surgical cartilage therapy for focal cartilage damage offers highly effective possibilities to sustainably reduce patients’ complaints and to prevent or at least delay the development of early osteoarthritis. In the knee joint, it has the potential to reduce almost a quarter of the arthroses requiring joint replacement caused by cartilage damage. Biologically effective injection therapies could further improve these results. Based on the currently available literature and preclinical studies, intra- and postoperative injectables may have a positive effect of platelet-rich plasma/fibrin (PRP/PRF) and hyaluronic acid (HA) on cartilage regeneration and, in the case of HA injections, also on the clinical outcome can be assumed. The role of a combination therapy with use of intra-articular corticosteroids is lacking in the absence of adequate study data and cannot be defined yet. With regard to adipose tissue-based cell therapy, the current scientific data do not yet justify any recommendation for its use. Further studies also regarding application intervals, timing and differences in different joints are required.
Effects of solvent-based adhesive removal on the subsequent dual analysis of fingerprint and DNA
Authors: Gausterer Christian , Birnbaumer Gerald , Ondrovics Wolfgang , Stein Christina
Published: July 2023

The combined approach of classical fingerprinting and DNA profiling is a powerful tool in forensic investigations of latent “touch” traces. However, little attention has been paid to the organic solvents frequently used in dactyloscopic laboratories to facilitate the separation of adhesive evidence prior to fingerprint development and downstream effects on subsequent DNA profiling. In the present study, we tested a selection of adhesive removers (n = 9) and assessed their potential impact on DNA recovery and amplification by PCR. Thereby, we identified and characterized novel PCR inhibitors. All investigated chemicals contain volatile organic compounds that evaporate under normal indoor atmospheric conditions. Exposure to certain solvents resulted in increased DNA degradation, but only if evaporation was prevented. A series of adhesive-removal experiments were conducted with prepared mock evidence (self-adhesive postage stamps affixed to paper envelope) to investigate the impact of treatment time and the location of applied traces on DNA recovery and dactyloscopy, respectively. Due to the early onset of print decomposition, we found that only a short treatment time was compatible with the development of fingerprints on the adhesive side of a stamp. Solvents also removed DNA from the adhesive surface, thus resulting in a marked shift in the substrate distribution of recovered DNA from the stamp to the envelope, but not in the reverse direction. Furthermore, we observed that treatment with conventional fingerprint reagents lead to a significant reduction in the amounts of DNA recovered from stamps, while the additional use of adhesive removers did not significantly enhance this effect.
Loss of the large conductance calcium-activated potassium channel causes an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species in glioblastoma cells
Authors: Kulawiak Bogusz , Żochowska Monika , Bednarczyk Piotr , Galuba Andrzej , Stroud David A. , Szewczyk Adam
Published: July 2023

Mitochondrial potassium (mitoK) channels play an important role in cellular physiology. These channels are expressed in healthy tissues and cancer cells. Activation of mitoK channels can protect neurons and cardiac tissue against injury induced by ischemia–reperfusion. In cancer cells, inhibition of mitoK channels leads to an increase in mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, which leads to cell death. In glioma cell activity of the mitochondrial, large conductance calcium-activated potassium (mitoBKCa) channel is regulated by the mitochondrial respiratory chain. In our project, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technology in human glioblastoma U-87 MG cells to generate knockout cell lines lacking the α-subunit of the BKCa channel encoded by the KCNMA1 gene, which also encodes cardiac mitoBKCa. Mitochondrial patch-clamp experiments showed the absence of an active mitoBKCa channel in knockout cells. Additionally, the absence of this channel resulted in increased levels of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species. However, analysis of the mitochondrial respiration rate did not show significant changes in oxygen consumption in the cell lines lacking BKCa channels compared to the wild-type U-87 MG cell line. These observations were reflected in the expression levels of selected mitochondrial genes, organization of the respiratory chain, and mitochondrial morphology, which did not show significant differences between the analyzed cell lines. In conclusion, we show that in U-87 MG cells, the pore-forming subunit of the mitoBKCa channel is encoded by the KCNMA1 gene. Additionally, the presence of this channel is important for the regulation of reactive oxygen species levels in mitochondria.
New mixed integer fractional programming problem and some multi-objective models for sparse optimization
Authors: Pirouz Behzad , Gaudioso Manlio
Published: July 2023

We propose a novel Mixed-Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) model for sparse optimization based on the polyhedral k-norm. We put special emphasis on the application of sparse optimization in Feature Selection for Support Vector Machine (SVM) classification. We address the continuous relaxation of the problem, which comes out in the form of a fractional programming problem (FPP). In particular, we consider a possible way for tackling FPP by reformulating it via a DC (Difference of Convex) decomposition. We also overview the SVM models and the related Feature Selection in terms of multi-objective optimization. The results of some numerical experiments on benchmark classification datasets are reported.
Differentiation of benign and malignant vertebral fractures using a convolutional neural network to extract CT-based texture features
Authors: Goller Sophia S. , Foreman Sarah C. , Rischewski Jon F. , Weißinger Jürgen , Dietrich Anna-Sophia , Schinz David , Stahl Robert , Luitjens Johanna , Siller Sebastian , Schmidt Vanessa F. , Erber Bernd , Ricke Jens , Liebig Thomas , Kirschke Jan S. , Dieckmeyer Michael , Gersing Alexandra S.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To assess the diagnostic performance of three-dimensional (3D) CT-based texture features (TFs) using a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework to differentiate benign (osteoporotic) and malignant vertebral fractures (VFs).

Methods

A total of 409 patients who underwent routine thoracolumbar spine CT at two institutions were included. VFs were categorized as benign or malignant using either biopsy or imaging follow-up of at least three months as standard of reference. Automated detection, labelling, and segmentation of the vertebrae were performed using a CNN-based framework (https://anduin.bonescreen.de). Eight TFs were extracted: Varianceglobal, Skewnessglobal, energy, entropy, short-run emphasis (SRE), long-run emphasis (LRE), run-length non-uniformity (RLN), and run percentage (RP). Multivariate regression models adjusted for age and sex were used to compare TFs between benign and malignant VFs.

Results

Skewnessglobal showed a significant difference between the two groups when analyzing fractured vertebrae from T1 to L6 (benign fracture group: 0.70 [0.64–0.76]; malignant fracture group: 0.59 [0.56–0.63]; and p = 0.017), suggesting a higher skewness in benign VFs compared to malignant VFs.

Conclusion

Three-dimensional CT-based global TF skewness assessed using a CNN-based framework showed significant difference between benign and malignant thoracolumbar VFs and may therefore contribute to the clinical diagnostic work-up of patients with VFs.
Proton beam radiation therapy for vestibular schwannomas-tumor control and hearing preservation rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Santacroce Antonio , Trandafirescu Mioara- Florentina , Levivier Marc , Peters David , Fürweger Christoph , Toma-Dasu Iuliana , George Mercy , Daniel Roy Thomas , Maire Raphael , Nakamura Makoto , Faouzi Mohamed , Schiappacasse Luis , Dasu Alexandru , Tuleasca Constantin
Published: July 2023

Objective

Proton beam therapy is considered, by some authors, as having the advantage of delivering dose distributions more conformal to target compared with stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). Here, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of proton beam for VSs, evaluating tumor control and cranial nerve preservation rates, particularly with regard to facial and hearing preservation.

Methods

We reviewed, using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) articles published between 1968 and September 30, 2022. We retained 8 studies reporting 587 patients.

Results

Overall rate of tumor control (both stability and decrease in volume) was 95.4% (range 93.5–97.2%, p heterogeneity= 0.77, p<0.001). Overall rate of tumor progression was 4.6% (range 2.8–6.5%, p heterogeneity < 0.77, p<0.001). Overall rate of trigeminal nerve preservation (absence of numbness) was 95.6% (range 93.5–97.7%, I2 = 11.44%, p heterogeneity= 0.34, p<0.001). Overall rate of facial nerve preservation was 93.7% (range 89.6–97.7%, I2 = 76.27%, p heterogeneity<0.001, p<0.001). Overall rate of hearing preservation was 40.6% (range 29.4–51.8%, I2 = 43.36%, p heterogeneity= 0.1, p<0.001).

Conclusion

Proton beam therapy for VSs achieves high tumor control rates, as high as 95.4%. Facial rate preservation overall rates are 93%, which is lower compared to the most SRS series. Compared with most currently reported SRS techniques, proton beam radiation therapy for VSs does not offer an advantage for facial and hearing preservation compared to most of the currently reported SRS series.
Maternal Mental Health and Children’s Problem Behaviours: A Bi-directional Relationship?
Authors: Lowthian Emily , Bedston Stuart , Kristensen Sara Madeleine , Akbari Ashley , Fry Richard , Huxley Katy , Johnson Rhodri , Kim Hyun Sue , Owen Rhiannon K. , Taylor Chris , Griffiths Lucy
Published: July 2023

Transactional theory and the coercive family process model have illustrated how the parent-child relationship is reciprocal. Emerging research using advanced statistical methods has examined these theories, but further investigations are necessary. In this study, we utilised linked health data on maternal mental health disorders and explored their relationship with child problem behaviours via the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire for over 13 years. We accessed data from the Millennium Cohort Study, linked to anonymised individual-level population-scale health and administrative data within the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We used Bayesian Structural Equation Modelling, specifically Random-Intercept Cross-Lagged Panel Models, to analyse the relationships between mothers and their children. We then explored these models with the addition of time-invariant covariates. We found that a mother’s mental health was strongly associated over time, as were children’s problem behaviours. We found mixed evidence for bi-directional relationships, with only emotional problems showing bi-directional associations in mid to late childhood. Only child-to-mother pathways were identified for the overall problem behaviour score and peer problems; no associations were found for conduct problems or hyperactivity. All models had strong between-effects and clear socioeconomic and sex differences. We encourage the use of whole family-based support for mental health and problem behaviours, and recommend that socioeconomic, sex and wider differences should be considered as factors in tailoring family-based interventions and support.
Determination of sediment sources following a major wildfire and evaluation of the use of color properties and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as tracers
Authors: Kieta K. A. , Owens P. N. , Petticrew E. L.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This research aimed to determine if a severe wildfire caused changes in the source of sediment being delivered to downstream aquatic systems and evaluate the use of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and color properties as tracers.

Methods

Sediment samples were collected from 2018 to 2021 in three tributaries impacted by the 2018 Shovel Lake wildfire and from two sites on the mainstem of the Nechako River, British Columbia. Source samples were collected from burned and unburned soils as well as from channel banks and road-deposited sediment. Samples were analyzed for color properties and for the 16 US Environmental Protection Agency priority PAHs. After statistical tests to determine the conservatism and ability to discriminate between sources by the tracers, the MixSIAR unmixing model was used, and its outputs were tested using virtual mixtures.

Result

In the tributaries, burned topsoil was an important contributor to sediment (up to 50%). The mainstem Nechako River was not influenced as significantly by the fires as the greatest contributor was banks (up to 89%). The color properties provided more realistic results than those based on PAHs.

Conclusion

In smaller watersheds, the wildfire had a noticeable impact on sediment sources, though the impacts of the fire seemed to be diluted in the distal mainstem Nechako River. Color tracers behaved conservatively and discriminated between contrasting sources. Due to their low cost and reliability, they should be considered more widely. While PAHs did not work in this study, there are reasons to believe they could be a useful tracer, but more needs to be understood about their behavior and degradation over time.
Chemical Systems with Limit Cycles
Authors: Erban Radek , Kang Hye-Won
Published: July 2023

The dynamics of a chemical reaction network (CRN) is often modeled under the assumption of mass action kinetics by a system of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) with polynomial right-hand sides that describe the time evolution of concentrations of chemical species involved. Given an arbitrarily large integer $$K \in {\mathbb N}$$

K
∈
N

, we show that there exists a CRN such that its ODE model has at least K stable limit cycles. Such a CRN can be constructed with reactions of at most second-order provided that the number of chemical species grows linearly with K. Bounds on the minimal number of chemical species and the minimal number of chemical reactions are presented for CRNs with K stable limit cycles and at most second order or seventh-order kinetics. We also show that CRNs with only two chemical species can have K stable limit cycles, when the order of chemical reactions grows linearly with K.
How does telework modify informal workplace learning and how can supervisors provide support?
Authors: Mühlenbrock Inga , Richter Götz , Ellerkamp Amelie , Wöhrmann Anne Marit
Published: July 2023

In our conceptional contribution to the journal “Group. Interaction. Organization.” (GIO), we analyze how telework affects informal workplace learning. Dynamic changes in the world of work require employees to continually adapt, and informal workplace learning is presumed to be an effective tool to cope with new demands. The accelerating use of information and communication technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic have led to an increase in telework. We integrate research findings to illustrate a modified learning infrastructure and develop propositions referring to the octagon model of informal workplace learning (Decius et al. 2019). For this purpose, we present a conceptual framework that demonstrates why telework reduces opportunities for informal learning due to social processes and role boundaries and increases opportunities via higher self-regulation. Furthermore, we develop ideas how supervisors could support informal learning by organizing social exchange, providing learning cues and resources, and design telework arrangements. Finally, we present implications for practice and future research with suggestions for the adaption of the octagon model for digital working contexts.
Tuning the Properties of Reduced Graphene Oxide-Sr0.7Sm0.3Fe0.4Co0.6O3 Nanocomposites as Potential Photoanodes for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Ndlovu Samantha , Muchuweni Edigar , Ollengo Moses A. , Nyamori Vincent O.
Published: July 2023

The generation of electricity using solar energy is an effective system to overcome the current global energy crisis. In this regard, developing new semiconductor materials can be of great interest in overcoming the challenge of charge carrier recombination and, hence, improving the power conversion efficiency (PCE) in photovoltaic devices, particularly dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Here, reduced graphene oxide-Sr0.7Sm0.3Fe0.6Co0.4O3 (RGO-SSFC) nanocomposites were synthesized using the hydrothermal method and characterized with the aid of microscopic and spectroscopic techniques, as well as a vibrating sample magnetometer, and further tested for application as photoanodes in DSSCs. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of RGO nanosheets that were fully decorated by irregular- and spherical-shaped SSFC nanoparticles. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the strong synergistic interaction of the RGO-SSFC nanocomposites. The large surface area of RGO-SSFC nanocomposite photoanodes facilitated effective dye loading, high photon absorption, and efficient electron transfer, resulting in better device performance. Compared to RGO-SSFC-0.1 and RGO-SSFC-1.0, the RGO-SSFC-0.5 nanocomposite showed an enhanced open-circuit voltage (Voc) of 0.84 V, short-circuit current density (Jsc) of 14.02 mA cm−2 , and a PCE of 7.25%. Eosin B and MK-2 organic dyes used as photosensitizers coated on the RGO-SSFC semiconductors resulted in low-cost DSSC photoanodes.

Graphical Abstract
The Impacts of Peri-Urban Expansion on Municipal and Ecosystem Services: Experiences from Makhado Biaba Town, South Africa
Authors: Ingwani E. , Thynell M. , Gurure L.R. , Ekelund N.G.A. , Gumbo T. , Schubert P. , Nel V.
Published: July 2023

The sub-Saharan cities are growing and changing due to immigration and modernization. One of the consequences of the current urbanization is that an increasing number of families residing in peri-urban areas of small rural towns lack access to basic municipal and ecosystem services. The purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the impacts of peri-urban expansion on municipal services provided by the governments and on ecosystems services through a case study of a small rural town called Makhado Biaba in Limpopo Province of South Africa. Makhado Biaba has been experiencing incessant rapid physical expansion over the years. Such spatial expansion into the peri-urban zone impacts the provision of municipal services such as water, electricity, sewerage, and refuse collection. In 2020, an exploratory mixed-methods study of some anthropocentric and ecosystem changes in Makhado Biaba Local Municipality in northeast South Africa was executed. Land use was mapped for the time period of 1990–2020, data were gathered through a household questionnaire in six villages, and interviews were held with municipal officials. Among others, the study showed that several municipal services are available in the peri-urban villages of Makhado Biaba Town despite the distant locations outside the urban core. However, services are not uniformly distributed due to that new peri-urban developments that are leapfrogging into vacant land without supporting infrastructure. The pace of the municipality in providing the necessary municipal services such as water and energy supply, as well as sanitation and refuse removal, is lagging behind the development of new and unplanned housing areas. The findings bring about information about the suburban livelihoods and how the administration of the peri-urban areas can respond to the needs of the inhabitants as well as to future challenges. For instance, to facilitate local development, recurrent and well-structured citizen dialogs with local groups to identify delivery failures are strongly recommended. In addition, the impact on ecosystem services by the city development and land use change stresses the need for guided urban development and expansion and also settlement upgrading programs in peri-urban zones to limit the bad effect on ecosystem services.
Risk of embolic events before and after antibiotic treatment initiation among patients with left-side infective endocarditis
Authors: Papadimitriou-Olivgeris Matthaios , Guery Benoit , Ianculescu Nicoleta , Auberson Denise , Tozzi Piergiorgio , Kirsch Matthias , Monney Pierre
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Embolic events (EEs) are a common complication of left-side infective endocarditis (IE). The aim of the present study was to identify risk factors for the occurrence of EEs before or after antibiotic treatment instauration among patients with definite or possible IE.

Methods

This retro-prospective study was conducted at the Lausanne University Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland, from January 2014 to June 2022. EEs and IE were defined according to modified Duke criteria.

Results

A total of 441 left-side IE episodes were included (334: 76% were definite and 107; 24% possible IE). EE were diagnosed in 260 (59%) episodes; in 190 (43%) before antibiotic treatment initiation and 148 (34%) after. Central nervous system (184; 42%) was the most common site of EE. Multivariable analysis identified S. aureus (P 0.022), immunological phenomena (P < 0.001), sepsis (P 0.027), vegetation size ≥ 10 mm (P 0.003) and intracardiac abscess (P 0.022) as predictors of EEs before antibiotic treatment initiation. For EEs after antibiotic treatment initiation, multivariable analysis revealed vegetation size ≥ 10 mm (P < 0.001), intracardiac abscess (P 0.035) and prior EE (P 0.042), as independent predictors of EEs, while valve surgery (P < 0.001) was associated with lower risk for EEs.

Conclusions

We reported a high percentage of EEs among patients with left-side IE; vegetation size, intracardiac abscess, S. aureus and sepsis were independently associated with the occurrence of EEs. In addition to antibiotic treatment, early surgery led to further decrease in EEs incidence.
Biofeedback Interventions for Impulsivity-related Processes in Addictive Disorders
Authors: Lucas Ignacio , Solé-Morata Neus , Baenas Isabel , Rosinska Magda , Fernández-Aranda Fernando , Jiménez-Murcia Susana
Published: July 2023

Purpose of Review

Biofeedback is a promising technique that has been used as a treatment tool for different psychological disorders. In this regard, central (neurofeedback) and peripheral psychophysiological signals are presented as comprehensible stimuli with the aim of training specific processes. This review summarizes recent evidence about its use for the treatment of impulsivity-related processes in addictive disorders.

Recent Findings

Neurofeedback (NFB) protocols, based on electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), have focused on substance use disorders. Biofeedback protocols using peripheral measures have been mainly based on heart rate variability and focused on behavioral addictions. EEG-NFB reported good results in the reduction of hyperarousal, impulsivity and risk taking in alcohol use disorder, and decreased rates of smoking and less craving in nicotine addiction. In fMRI-NFB, effective NFB performance has been related with better clinical outcomes in substance use disorders; however, its implication for treatment is still unclear. Heart rate variability biofeedback results are scarce, but some interventions have been recently designed aimed at treating behavioral addictions.

In addictive disorders, biofeedback interventions for impulsivity-related processes have shown promising results, although the literature is still scarce. Further research should aim at proving the effectiveness of biofeedback protocols as a treatment option for impulsivity in addictive disorders.
Prevention and Treatment of COVID-19-Associated Mucormycosis
Authors: Grafmiller Kevin T. , Lee Jivianne T.
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

The present article will describe the unique factors present in COVID-19 patients that predispose these individuals to develop mucormycosis with emphasis placed on the prevention and treatment of COVID-19-associated mucormycosis (CAM).

Recent findings

Viral specific factors, pre-existing diabetes mellitus, and COVID-19 treatments combine to facilitate the development of mucormycosis. There appears to be a gross overutilization of steroid and antibiotic therapy among COVID-19 patients. Appropriate stewardship of antibiotic and steroid therapy in conjunction with tight glucose control may prevent the development of CAM and facilitate effective treatment with pharmacologic and surgical therapy. Appropriate treatment for CAM has been extrapolated from traditional mucormycosis therapies, and high-level, empiric evidence regarding the efficacy of CAM-specific treatments does not exist.

Cellular impacts of COVID-19, poor diabetic management, and overuse of antibiotics and corticosteroids likely combine and increase the risk of mucormycosis in COVID-19 patients. Minimizing these risk factors should curb the development of CAM and facilitate the treatment of CAM. Current treatment of CAM has been borrowed from traditional mucormycosis therapy. Future prospective studies are needed to begin developing CAM-specific treatment regimens.
Interactive mechanism and friction modelling of transient tribological phenomena in metal forming processes: A review
Authors: Yang Xiao , Liu Heli , Zhang Lemeng , Hu Yiran , Politis Denis J. , Gharbi Mohammad M. , Wang Liliang
Published: July 2023

The accurate representation of tribological boundary conditions at the tool-workpiece interface is crucial for analysis and optimization of formability, material flow, and surface quality of components during metal forming processes. It has been found that these tribological conditions vary spatially and historically with process parameters and contact conditions. These time-dependent tribological behaviours are also known as transient tribological phenomena, which are widely observed during forming processes and many other manufacturing application scenarios. However, constant friction values are usually assigned to represent complex and dynamic interfacial conditions, which would introduce deviations in the relevant predictions. In this paper, transient tribological phenomena and the contemporary understanding of the interaction between friction and wear are reviewed, and it has been found that these phenomena are induced by the transitions of friction mechanisms and highly dependent on complex loading conditions at the interface. Friction modelling techniques for transient behaviours for metal forming applications are also reviewed. To accurately describe the evolutionary friction values and corresponding wear during forming, the advanced interactive friction modelling has been established for different application scenarios, including lubricated condition, dry sliding condition (metal-on-metal contact), and coated system.
Hysteresis quantified control for switched reaction–diffusion systems and its application
Authors: Peng Zenglong , Song Xiaona , Song Shuai , Stojanovic Vladimir
Published: July 2023

This article addresses the exponential input-to-state stabilization problem for switched reaction–diffusion systems, in which the systems’ mode jumping complies with the persistent dwell-time switching mechanism. On the basis of point measurement, a novel pointwise controller is designed to reduce the amount of sensors and actuators. Then, a hysteresis quantizer with an adjustable parameter is employed to balance the quantitative effect and system’s performance, which can improve the bandwidth utilization of the network, simultaneously. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by an application of the temperature control of power semiconductor chips.
Few-shot temporal knowledge graph completion based on meta-optimization
Authors: Zhu Lin , Bai Luyi , Han Shuo , Zhang Mingcheng
Published: July 2023

Knowledge Graphs (KGs) have become an increasingly important part of artificial intelligence, and KGs have been widely used in artificial intelligence fields such as intelligent answering questions and personalized recommendation. Previous knowledge graph completion methods require a large number of samples for each relation. But in fact, in KGs, many relationships are long-tail relationships, and the existing researches on few-shot completion mainly focus on static knowledge graphs. In this paper, we consider few-shot completion in Temporal Knowledge Graphs (TKGs) where the event may only hold for a specific timestamp, and propose a model abbreviated as FTMO based on meta-optimization. In this model, we combine the time-based relational-aware heterogeneous neighbor encoder, the cyclic automatic aggregation network, and the matching network to complete the few-shot temporal knowledge graph. We compare our model with the baseline models, and the experimental results demostrate the performance advantages of our model.
Measuring the Mathematical Maturity of Students in an Academic Development Programme
Authors: Simelane Bridgette , Engelbrecht Johann
Published: July 2023

This study focuses on students who are registered for the University of Pretoria’s academic development programme, the Four-year Programme (FYP). The programme was introduced as a gateway for students who are under-prepared but have the potential to succeed. This programme helps them to then continue their studies in mainstream science programmes. Our research focuses on measuring the change in the academic maturity of these students. In the theoretical framework that we developed, academic maturity is subdivided into two components, namely, non-subject based maturity, and subject based maturity (mathematical maturity). A mathematics test was also administered twice (at the beginning of the year and after the first semester) and was used to measure the subject based maturity of students. The results of the pre- and post-tests were compared to measure the improvement in students’ mathematical skills. The results showed that in all of the topics and constructs, there was an improvement in students’ mathematical abilities. The study also shows that students still struggle with the fundamentals of some mathematics topics, even after a semester of tuition in the FYP.
Stability analysis and deformation control method of swelling soft rock roadway adjacent to chambers
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhao Tong-bin , Zhang Xu-tao
Published: July 2023

The surrounding rock of swelling soft rock roadway has high clay mineral content, strong expansibility after encountering water, low strength and poor cementation. The roadway is prone to large deformation under the influence of complex geostress. Combined with the support change of the development roadway of 2# coal in Hongqingliang mine, through geological survey, field observation and indoor test, the failure mechanism of the traditional support method of “anchor bolt + anchor cable + anchor mesh + shotcrete” was revealed by the adjustment of the surrounding rock stress after the excavation and support of the adjacent chambers. The research results show that the surrounding rock stress will cross the adjacent chambers and form a concentrated area near the weakly cemented roadway, and the maximum stress increase ratio of surrounding rock within the stress concentration range will reach 50%. The farther the chambers are from the weakly cemented roadway, the smaller the range of the surrounding rock stress concentration area. When the distance exceeds about 12 times the average height of the chambers, the surrounding rock stress concentration tends to disappear. Based on the fully enclosed combined support method of the "U-shaped steel sheds closure roof and sides + filling flexible material behind the sheds + laying reinforcement mesh and concrete in floor + strengthening key parts", the construction process flow applicable to the working condition of swelling soft rock roadway is formulated.
Varieties of Nationalism
Authors: Mylonas Harris , Tudor Maya
Published: July 2023

Nationalism has long been a normatively and empirically contested concept, associated with democratic revolutions and public goods provision, but also with xenophobia, genocide, and wars. Moving beyond facile distinctions between 'good' and 'bad' nationalisms, the authors argue that nationalism is an empirically variegated ideology. Definitional disagreements, Eurocentric conceptualizations, and linear associations between ethnicity and nationalism have hampered our ability to synthesize insights. This Element proposes that nationalism can be broken down productively into parts based on three key questions: (1) Does a nation exist? (2) How do national narratives vary? (3) When do national narratives matter? The answers to these questions generate five dimensions along which nationalism varies: elite fragmentation and popular fragmentation of national communities; ascriptiveness and thickness of national narratives; and salience of national identities.
Neural style transfer between observed and simulated cloud images to improve the detection performance of tropical cyclone precursors
Authors: Matsuoka Daisuke , Easterbrook Steve
Published: July 2023

A common observation in the field of pattern recognition for atmospheric phenomena using supervised machine learning is that recognition performance decreases for events with few observed cases, such as extreme weather events. Here, we aimed to mitigate this issue by using numerical simulation and satellite observational data for training. However, as simulation and observational data possess distinct characteristics, we employed neural style transformation learning to transform the simulation data to more closely resemble the observational data. The resulting transformed cloud images of the simulation data were found to possess physical features comparable to those of the observational data. By utilizing the transformed data for training, we successfully improved the classification performance of cloud images of tropical cyclone precursors 7, 5, and 3 days before their formation by 40.5, 90.3, and 41.3%, respectively.
Uncharted Waters: Solidarity with Migrants at Sea and the Freedom of Expression
Authors: Hahn Charlotte , Istrefi Kushtrim
Published: July 2023

European States have adopted policies to push back not only against migrants fleeing across the Mediterranean Sea but also against those individuals and NGOs who act in solidarity with them. This article seeks to demonstrate how the activities of maritime NGOs in solidarity with migrants may be protected from States’ interferences within the framework of international human rights law. In a novel inquiry, we submit that both monitoring as the gathering of information and even search and rescue operations may be considered forms of the freedom of expression. Furthermore, as State measures, ranging from intimidation to criminalization, undoubtedly serve to counter migration to Europe, we argue that Article 18 ECHR may be violated if the interferences’ ulterior purpose is exposed. By showing solidarity, at times we also express ideas. Think of those who hid Jewish people during the Nazi regime, the NGOs who organized private aircrafts to save Afghans after the Taliban’s takeover, and those who today go to the Ukrainian border to collect people fleeing the war. This article is based on the authors’ conviction that human rights law must adapt to remain viable in the face of unprecedented human rights challenges and the resourceful civic actions to meet them.
Near-continuum, hypersonic oxygen flow over a double cone simulated by direct simulation Monte Carlo informed from quantum chemistry
Authors: Valentini Paolo , Grover Maninder S. , Verhoff Ashley M. , Bisek Nicholas J.
Published: July 2023

A large-scale, fully resolved direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) computation of a non-equilibrium, reactive flow of pure oxygen over a double cone is presented. Under the simulated near-continuum conditions, the computational demands are shown to be significant because of the wide range of length scales that must be resolved. Therefore, robust grid adaption capabilities and efficient parallelization of the Stochastic PArallel Rarefied-gas Time-accurate Analyzer (SPARTA) code that is utilized in this work are essential. The thermochemical and transport collision models were selected for efficiency and simplicity. First-principles data, obtained from the highly accurate direct molecular simulation method, were used to inform the collision models’ parameters. Importantly, because SPARTA implements molecular collision models using collision-specific energies, the resulting macroscopic relaxation rates were evaluateda posteriorivia zero-dimensional heat bath simulations. The comparisons of surface properties, namely heat flux and pressure, show very close agreement with previous computational fluid dynamics (CFD) results. Differences with the measurements were found to be similar to the CFD simulations. The unresolved discrepancy with the measurements could be due to inconsistent free stream conditions with the actual experimental data or missing physical phenomena altogether, for example atomic and molecular oxygen electronically excited states, three-dimensional effects, or more complex gas–surface interactions. As shown in this work, the advantages of obtaining a DSMC particle solution for these flows reside in the method's ability to be directly informed from first principles and to seamlessly describe internal energy non-equilibrium for all modes. With the advent of exascale computing and beyond, particle methods will be an increasingly important tool to verify the validity of physical assumptions in reduced-order models via fully resolved, experimental-scale simulations, down to the level of molecular-level distributions.
Binturong ecology and conservation in pristine, fragmented and degraded tropical forests
Authors: Honda Arata , Amir Zachary , Mendes Calebe P. , Moore Jonathan H. , Luskin Matthew Scott
Published: July 2023

The persistence of seed-dispersing animals in degraded habitats could be critical for ensuring the long-term conservation value and restoration of forests. This is particularly important in Southeast Asia, where > 70% of the remaining forest areas are within 1 km of a forest edge, and many are degraded (e.g. logged). We synthesized information on the habitat associations of the binturongArctictis binturong, a large, semi-arboreal, frugivorous civet and one of the most important seed dispersers in the region, especially for figs (Ficusspp). We adopted a multiscale approach by employing ensemble species distribution modelling from presence-only records, assessing landscape-scale variation in detection rates in published camera-trap studies and using hierarchical occupancy modelling to assess local (i.e. within-landscape) patterns observed from 20 new camera-trap surveys. Contrary to prior reports that binturongs are strongly associated with intact forests, the species was equally present in degraded forests and near forest edges where sufficient forest cover was maintained (> 40% forest cover within a 20-km radius). The species also tolerates moderate incursions of oil palm plantations (< 20% of the area within a 20-km radius covered by oil palm plantations). The relative resilience of binturongs to habitat degradation could be in part because of behavioural adaptations towards increased nocturnal activity. These results support the notion that key seed dispersers can persist and maintain their ecological function in degraded forests.
Evidence of undercounting: Collecting data on mental illness in Germany (c. 1825-1925)
Authors: Ledebur Sophie
Published: July 2023

Argument

Collecting data about people with mental disorders living outside of asylums became a heightened concern from the early nineteenth century onwards. In Germany, so-called “insanity counts” targeted the number and sometimes the type the mentally ill who were living unattended and untreated by professional care throughout the country. An eagerly expressed assumption that the “true” extent of the gathered numbers must be much higher than the surveys could reveal came hand in glove with the emerging task of “managing” insanity and its potential dangers in a modern society. The doorstep of the family home became a crucial site in psychiatrists’ and enumerators’ efforts to register the most sensitive of personal data. This article traces the ever more diligent methods that were employed to obtain the desired information, as well as the hidden agenda of the postulate of missing data itself. It also addresses the profound impact that the presumption of having only incomplete data has had on the practice of counting and surveying, as well as on the understanding of the need for professional monitoring of mental illness.
Influence of caregiver input and language experience on the production of coda laterals by English–Malay bilingual preschoolers in multi-accent Singapore
Authors: SIM Jasper Hong , POST Brechtje
Published: July 2023

Linguistic input in multi-lingual/-cultural contexts is highly variable. We examined the production of English and Malay laterals by fourteen early bilingual preschoolers in Singapore who were exposed to several allophones of coda laterals: Malay caregivers use predominantly clear-l in English and Malay, but their English coda laterals can also be l-less (vocalised/deleted) and in formal contexts, velarised. Contrastingly, the English coda laterals of the Chinese majority are typically l-less. Findings show that English coda laterals were overall more likely to be l-less than Malay laterals like their caregivers’, but English coda laterals produced by children with close Chinese peer(s) were more likely to be l-less than those without. All children produced English coda clear-l, demonstrating the transmission of an ethnic marker that had emerged from long-term contact. In diverse settings, variation is intrinsic to the acquisition process, and input properties and language experience are important considerations in predicting language outcomes.
Ideology and Party Positions on Gender Issues in Spain: Evidence from a Novel Data Set
Authors: Cabeza Pérez Laura , Alonso Sáenz de Oger Sonia , Gómez Fortes Braulio
Published: July 2023

This article introduces new quantitative fine-tuned indicators to objectively measure political parties’ preferences on gender issues. We assess the validity and reliability of these new empirical indicators by analyzing the relationship between ideology and gender positions in decentralized Spain. Using data collected by the Regional Manifestos Project, which for the first time has incorporated a fully fledged gender domain into its coding scheme for content analysis of regional manifestos, we analyze parties’ gender positions on four fundamental dimensions: welfare and the labor market, violence, representation, and values and identity. The results suggest that there is a persistent left-right divide on the last three dimensions: Spanish left-wing parties score significantly higher than right-wing and regionalist parties. However, ideology does not drive parties’ gender positions on welfare and labor market policies; support for gender equality policies on this dimension is so widespread that it can be considered a “valence issue”—all parties, irrespective of their ideology, endorse the same (positive) position.
A Customized Multi‐Scale Deep Learning Framework for Storm Nowcasting
Authors: Yang Shangshang , Yuan Huiling
Published: July 2023

Storm nowcasting is critical and urgently needed. Recent advances in deep learning (DL) have shown potential for improving nowcasting accuracy and predicting general low‐intensity precipitation events. However, DL models yield poor performance on high‐impact storms due to insufficient extraction and characterization of complex multi‐scale spatiotemporal variations of storms. To tackle this challenge, we propose a novel customized multi‐scale (CM) DL framework, including a flexible attention module capturing scale variations and a customized loss function ensuring multi‐scale spatiotemporal consistency. The CM framework was applied to the storm event imagery data set (SEVIR). Representative cases indicate that the CM framework preserves the shape of storms and adequately forecasts intense storms even for longer predictions. The quantitative evaluation shows that all models applying our framework can improve skill scores by 8.5%–42.6% for 1‐hr nowcasting. This work highlights the importance of modeling multi‐scale spatiotemporal characteristics of meteorological variables when using DL.
The moderating role of recreational substance use in the association of Mediterranean diet with academic performance among adolescents
Authors: López-Gil José Francisco , Smith Lee , Gaya Anelise Reis , Victoria-Montesinos Desirée , Gutiérrez-Espinoza Héctor , Herrera-Gutiérrez Eva , García-Hermoso Antonio
Published: July 2023

No study has examined the potential moderating role of recreational substance use in the relationship between the Mediterranean diet (MedDiet) and academic performance. The aim of this study was to test the potential moderating role of recreational substance use (i.e., alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis) in the association of adherence to the MedDiet with academic performance among adolescents. This cross-sectional study included a sample of 757 adolescents (55.6% girls) aged 12–17 years from the Valle de Ricote (Region of Murcia). The Region of Murcia is an autonomous community of Spain located in the southeast of the Iberian Peninsula, along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Adherence to the MedDiet was assessed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index for Children and Teenagers (KIDMED). Recreational substance use (i.e., tobacco, alcohol, cannabis) was self-reported by adolescents. Academic performance was assessed by the school records at the end of the academic year. The relationship between adherence to the MedDiet and academic performance was moderated by both tobacco and alcohol use (for grade point average and all school records). In conclusion, higher adherence to the MedDiet was related to greater academic performance in adolescents, but recreational substance use could moderate this association.