bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epigallocatechin 3-gallate-induced neuroprotection in neurodegenerative diseases: molecular mechanisms and clinical insights
Authors: Islam Md. Rezaul , Rauf Abdur , Akter Sumiya , Akter Happy , Al-Imran Md. Ibrahim Khalil , Islam Samiul , Nessa Meherun , Shompa Chaity Jahan , Shuvo Md. Nabil Rihan , Khan Imtiaz , Al Abdulmonem Waleed , Aljohani Abdullah S. M. , Imran Muhammad , Iriti Marcello
Published: January 2025

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are caused by progressive neuronal death and cognitive decline. Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenolic molecule in green tea as a neuroprotective agent. This review evaluates the therapeutic effects of EGCG and explores the molecular mechanisms that show its neuroprotective properties. EGCG protects neurons in several ways, such as by lowering oxidative stress, stopping Aβ from aggregation together, changing cell signaling pathways, and decreasing inflammation. Furthermore, it promotes autophagy and improves mitochondrial activity, supporting neuronal survival. Clinical studies have demonstrated that EGCG supplementation can reduce neurodegenerative biomarkers and enhance cognitive function. This review provides insights into the molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential of EGCG in treating various NDs. EGCG reduces oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity, aiding neuronal defense. It also protects neurons and improves cognitive abilities by inhibiting the toxicity and aggregation of Aβ peptides. It changes important cell signaling pathways like Nrf2, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK, which are necessary for cell survival, cell death, and inflammation. Additionally, it has strong anti-inflammatory properties because it inhibits microglial activation and downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokines. It improves mitochondrial function by reducing oxidative stress, increasing ATP synthesis, and promoting mitochondrial biogenesis, which promotes neurons’ survival and energy metabolism. In addition, it also triggers autophagy, a cellular process that breaks down and recycles damaged proteins and organelles, eliminating neurotoxic aggregates and maintaining cellular homeostasis. Moreover, it holds significant promise as an ND treatment, but future research should focus on increasing bioavailability and understanding its long-term clinical effects. Future studies should focus on improving EGCG delivery and understanding its long-term effects in therapeutic settings. It can potentially be a therapeutic agent for managing NDs, indicating a need for further research.
Crafting Cumulative Advantage: A Systemic Approach to the Career Development of Highly Productive Researchers
Authors: Mudrak Jiri , Zabrodska Katerina , Machovcova Katerina
Published: January 2025

Despite a meritocratic discourse prevalent in higher education, academic careers appear to be deeply influenced by structural inequalities. In this study, we employed a systemic perspective that merged organizational theories of cumulative advantage and job crafting to explore the career development of highly productive researchers. Our focus was on the dynamic relationship between the researchers’ agency and the organizational structure of their workplaces, which facilitated their access to crucial job resources, enhancing their research productivity. Methodologically, we conducted a large-scale qualitative study exploring how academics at public universities perceived their work environments in relation to their career development. The analysis showed that participants “crafted” their jobs to acquire career-related resources, leading to cumulative benefits in later career stages. We identified three main themes across career stages: "crafting dependence" in the early career stage, when participants navigated dependency; "crafting independence" in the mid-career stage, as they established autonomy in their research; and "crafting interdependence" in the advanced stages, where participants occupied central positions at their workplaces, leveraging access to resources that they invested in other people to accumulate further resources and maintain their high research productivity. We discuss these findings from the perspective of individual academic career development as conditions for developing research excellence as well as from an institutional perspective, with implications for the development of inequalities in academic workplaces.
The ups and downs of ignorance
Authors: Degano Marco , Marty Paul , Ramotowska Sonia , Aloni Maria , Breheny Richard , Romoli Jacopo , Sudo Yasutada
Published: January 2025

Plain disjunctive sentences, such as The mystery box contains a blue ball or a yellow ball, typically imply that the speaker does not know which of the two disjuncts is true. This is known as an ignorance inference. We can distinguish between two aspects of this inference: the negated universal upper bound part (i.e., the speaker is uncertain about each disjunct), which we call uncertainty, and the existential lower bound part (i.e., the speaker considers each disjunct possible), which we call possibility. In the traditional approach, uncertainty is derived as a primary implicature, from which possibility follows. In this paper, we report on two experiments using a sentence-picture verification task based on the mystery box paradigm that challenge the traditional implicature approach. Our findings show that possibility can arise without uncertainty, and we thus call for a reevaluation of the traditional view of disjunction and ignorance inferences. Our experimental findings are related to similar results involving disjunction in embedded contexts and pave the way for alternative theories that can account for the observed patterns of inference derivation in a unified fashion. We discuss how recent implicature and non-implicature theories can account for the derivation of existential lower bound inferences without the presence of negated universal upper bound inferences.
On internal resonances in pipes conveying pulsating fluid for beam, stretched-beam, and string models
Authors: Köroğlu Ege , van Horssen Wim T.
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we investigate an initial-boundary value problem for a linear Euler-Bernoulli beam equation governing the dynamics of pipes conveying fluid. The fluid flow velocity inside the pipe is assumed to have a small amplitude and to be time-varying, that is,

$$V(t)=\varepsilon (V_0+V_1 \sin (\Omega t))$$

V

(
t
)

=
ε
(

V
0

+

V
1

sin

(
Ω
t
)

)

, where a two time-scales perturbation method is applied to construct approximations of the solutions. We explore fluid velocity pulsation frequencies

$$\Omega $$

Ω

that lead to resonance in the pipe system. Depending on the order of bending stiffness, we study beam, stretched-beam and string models, each displaying distinct resonance behaviour. For special values of the frequency

$$\Omega $$

Ω

and the bending stiffness, resonance frequencies can coincide, leading to internal resonances that exhibit more complex dynamical behaviour. We investigate both pure and detuned internal resonance scenarios, highlighting how early truncation in the number of oscillation modes leads to erroneous approximations and incorrect stability conclusions.
A general-purpose approach to multi-agent Bayesian optimization across decomposition methods
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Dinesh
Published: January 2025

This paper proposes a general-purpose multi-agent Bayesian optimization (MABO) where agents are connected via shared variables or constraints, and each agent’s local cost is unknown. The proposed approach is general-purpose in the sense that it can be used with a broad class of decomposition methods, whereby we augment traditional BO acquisition functions with suitably derived coordinating terms to facilitate coordination among subsystems without sharing local data. Regret analysis is also carried out for the general-purpose MABO framework, which reveals that the cumulative regret of the proposed general-purpose MABO is the sum of individual regrets and is independent of the coordinating terms. This adaptability to different decomposition methods ensures versatility across diverse distributed optimization scenarios. Numerical experiments validate the effectiveness of the proposed MABO framework for different classes of decomposition methods.
The Italian Version of the Escapism Social Media Scale (ESMS): Adaptation, Validation, and Psychometric Evaluation
Authors: Soraci Paolo , Bevan Nadia , Pisanti Renato , Servidio Rocco , Liberati Claudia , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: January 2025

The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the newly developed Escapism Social Media Scale (ESMS). Construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of the ESMS were analyzed with other related constructs such as coping strategies, fear of missing out (FoMO), problematic social media use (PSMU), mental well-being (MWB), and psychological distress. A convenience sample of Italian participants (N = 406, 84.48% female) completed an online survey. Confirmatory factor analyses supported the original factor structure of ESMS, and the observed variables loaded highly on the same underlying factor. The reliability was also satisfactory, demonstrating that the Italian ESMS possesses very good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.89; McDonald’s omega = 0.90). The validity of the Italian ESMS was supported by its relationships with coping strategies, FoMO, PSMU, psychological distress, and MWB. The results of the present study enrich the understanding of escapism through social media and provide Italian clinicians and researchers with a useful instrument to assess and address problems related to escapism in social media use contexts.
Synergistic Effects of Austempering Variables on the Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Low-Temperature Austenitized Compacted Graphite Irons
Authors: Ghasemi Rohollah , Salomonsson Kent , Dioszegi Attila
Published: January 2025

Low-austenitizing temperature practices resulted in substantial changes in both microstructure and mechanical properties of the fully ferritic as-cast Compacted Graphite Irons (CGI). The austempering processes were accomplished through first austenitizing at 850 °C for 60 min followed by quenching in a salt-bath at 275, 325, and 375 °C for times ranging from 30, 60, 90, and 120 min. In contrast with the austenitizing performed at 900 °C performed on the same material, the microstructure consisted of a notable volume fraction of proeutectoid ferrite, which was not observed under similar austempering temperature and time conditions. Lowering the austenitizing temperature to 850 °C resulted in decreased untransformed austenite. Depending on the austempering conditions, a notable improvement was achieved in both Brinell and Vickers hardness compared to the as-cast CGI. The ausferrite matrix led to remarkable increases in yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and a decrease in total elongation to failure. The highest YS and UTS values were achieved for specimens austempered at 275 °C while increasing the austempering temperature decreased both YS and UTS. Furthermore, the results showed that the austempering temperature had a more significant impact on YS and UTS than the austempering time. All austempered CGI specimens exhibited primarily brittle failure attributes, while ferritic CGIs showed a mixed failure mode.
Development of Lentil Flour-Enriched Chocolate Matrices for 3D Printing: Impact on Bioactivity, Rheology, and Texture
Authors: Dordević Dani , Těšíková Karolína , Mikulášková Hana Koudelková , Martínez-Monzó Javier , Matas Adrián , Dordević Simona , Kushkevych Ivan
Published: January 2025

The aim of the research was to evaluate the effects of incorporating lentil flour (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0%) into a chocolate matrix for 3D printing, focusing on its antioxidant, rheological, and textural properties. Lentil flour, a rich source of polyphenols, vitamins, and flavonoids, was integrated to enhance the nutritional profile of the chocolate. Although the addition of lentil flour did not significantly (p < 0.05) increase total polyphenol (TPC) or flavonoid content (TFC), some samples showed improvements in antioxidant capacity (DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, CUPRAC). After in vitro digestion, most samples exhibited higher TPC values and antioxidant capacities, though TFC levels decreased. Printed objects with lentil flour displayed greater height and area, with all matrices showing viscous and pseudoplastic behavior. The 2% lentil flour sample exhibited the highest shear viscosity, Tanδ values, and hardness, indicating optimal structural and textural qualities for 3D printing.
Does institutionalization enhance logistics performance in international businesses? A moderated and mediated model
Authors: Coşkun Artuğ Eren , Erturgut Ramazan
Published: January 2025

The performance of interdependent international companies is required to be consistently high, leading to an increase in sectoral competition. Furthermore, they are endeavoring to establish an institutional structure in order to enhance their professional and distinctive commercial procedures while also maintaining their competitive advantages. This study aims to investigate the influence of institutionalization, which holds significant organizational and operational importance, on logistics performance, a key factor in gaining a competitive edge. Specifically, it investigates the moderating role of autonomy and the mediating role of logistics agility in this relationship, providing empirical insights through a model grounded in the Dynamic Capabilities View. By addressing the gap in literature where institutionalization and logistics performance have not been studied together, this research highlights how autonomy and agility can transform the effects of institutionalization on performance outcomes. The data collected through the questionnaire were empirically tested using path analysis in structural equation modeling. Data were collected from 390 employees by visiting 108 companies in Western Mediterranean region of Türkiye. The study concludes that formalization and cultural strength positively affect logistics performance, logistics agility positively partially mediates these interactions, and autonomy has a moderating effect on the effect of cultural strength on logistics performance. The findings provide a nuanced understanding of how formalization and cultural strength can synergistically enhance logistics performance, thereby offering actionable insights for practitioners. This study also emphasizes the critical importance of fostering a supportive culture that empowers employees through autonomy, which is essential for optimizing logistics operations in dynamic environments. It is expected that the results of the research will serve as a guide for organizations seeking to improve their logistics performance through institutionalization and will contribute to future studies by filling the gap in the literature.
The body image related cyberbullying picture series (BRC-PicS): developed for use in research relating to cyberbullying, body image and eating disorders among female adolescents
Authors: Prince Taliah , Mulgrew Kate E. , Driver Christina , McLoughlin Larisa T. , Mills Lia , Boyes Amanda , Hermens Daniel F.
Published: January 2025

Body image-related cyberbullying (BRC), which targets an individual’s body weight, shape, and size, poses a serious threat to adolescent mental health, particularly among females. Evidence suggests that adolescent females who act as cyberbystanders of BRC - those witnessing without being directly targeted - may experience heightened body dissatisfaction and maladaptive eating behaviours. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying BRC remain largely unexplored. This study developed a series of BRC scenarios to examine neural responses among adolescent female cyberbystanders to viewing BRC stimuli. A total of 24 scenarios (12 BRC, 12 neutral) were created to replicate social media posts. A sample of 413 females aged 14–19 rated the severity and realism of the BRC stimuli and completed measures of cyberbullying, body image, and eating disorder psychopathology. Results indicated a positive correlation between severity and realism ratings, with younger participants perceiving scenarios as more realistic. ARC-victimisation was associated with greater engagement in ARC-bullying behaviours and heightened body image disturbances. A final subset of six scenarios, reflecting varied severity, realism, and thematic content, was selected to form the Body Image-Related Cyberbullying Picture Series (BRC-PicS). This validated tool enables real-time investigation into BRC’s impact on adolescent female mental health, supporting future neurobiological research and informing interventions for body dissatisfaction and eating disorders among adolescent females.
Validation of a framework for assessing healthcare facilities in low-resource settings: a field study in selected facilities in Ethiopia
Authors: Ibrahim Nahimiya Husen , Wallace James , Piaggio Davide , Pecchia Leandro
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to expand and further validate a framework to assess healthcare facilities in low-resource settings, with a specific focus on the challenges related to medical equipment, facility infrastructure, and oxygen devices. The collected information will allow informing practical solutions and scalable interventions applicable to similar settings, globally.

Methods

The study employed a mixed-method approach, combining field observations and notes with an online-based survey to gather data and insights. The survey was developed based on an existing one and expanding it to include more details related to oxygen devices.

Results

A total of 20 hospitals was assessed in Ethiopia. The findings highlight significant challenges, including resource limitations, inadequate staffing, and a lack of maintenance scheduling and spare parts. Notably, issues relating to oxygen supplies and deficiencies in essential safety devices were identified in the majority of healthcare facilities.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the resulting framework has been instrumental in identifying and addressing the gaps and challenges related to health facilities in Ethiopian hospitals. The results can help promote stakeholder engagement to enhance capacity-building initiatives, promote local manufacturing and collaboration, improve infrastructure planning and maintenance, strengthen partnerships with international organizations, and address the existing challenges in the region.
Management of nutritional deficiencies following one anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB): a single-center experience
Authors: Jedamzik J. , Pedarnig L. , Bichler C. , Eichelter J. , Mairinger M. , Gensthaler L. , Nixdorf L. , Richwien P. , Vock N. , Langer F. B. , Prager G. , Felsenreich D. M.
Published: January 2025

Background

Metabolic/bariatric surgery (MBS) remains the most effective and long-lasting treatment for obesity and its complications. Apart from any surgical complications, the often less obvious but possibly severe side-effects of nutritional deficiencies have become of interest in recent years. OAGB is known to come with the need for thorough supplementation.

Setting

Retrospective study; university-hospital based.

Aim

Assessing nutritional issues and their management in a real-life cohort of patients undergoing OAGB.

Methods

Patients that underwent OABG between 01/2018 and 08/2019 were retrospectively assessed. Laboratory values (gained from electronic patients charts) were analyzed for nutritional issues (parathyroid hormone, vitamin A, E, D, B12, folic acid, albumin, ferritin, iron, and transferrin saturation) as well as postoperative complications and reoperations. Furthermore, weight development, improvement/remission of obesity-related complications, and regular intake of multivitamin supplementation (MVS) were assessed.

Results

120 patients underwent OAGB; 89 were female. A follow-up was available for 101 patients. Mean length of follow-up was 27.8 ± 20.9 months. OAGB led to a %TWL of 36.7 ± 9.5% and %EWL of 86.8 ± 25.5%. Preoperative deficiencies were vitamin D (53.3%), followed by folic acid (16.7%) and vitamin A (6.7%). During follow-up, every patient developed at least one deficiency, hypovitaminosis D and A were predominant (74.3% and 41.0%), and 31 suffered from folic acid deficiency (30.7%). Hypovitaminosis B12 and calcium deficiency was observed in three patients (2.9%). Although advised to, only 45.5% opted for the intake of specialized MVS, whereas 10% did not take any MVS at all. More than half of all patients (53.5%) took additional supplements. Nineteen patients underwent reoperations associated with the initial OAGB.

Conclusion

Two conclusions can be drawn: First, there is a general need for bypass patients to get assessed for a broad array of deficiencies over time. Second, MVS is essential for patients that had bypass surgery. Additionally, compliance needs to be promoted by educating patients as well as other treating physicians.
Harnessing antiviral RNAi therapeutics for pandemic viruses: SARS-CoV-2 and HIV
Authors: Bowden-Reid Ellen , Moles Ernest , Kelleher Anthony , Ahlenstiel Chantelle
Published: January 2025

Using the knowledge from decades of research into RNA-based therapies, the COVID-19 pandemic response saw the rapid design, testing and production of the first ever mRNA vaccines approved for human use in the clinic. This breakthrough has been a significant milestone for RNA therapeutics and vaccines, driving an exponential growth of research into the field. The development of novel RNA therapeutics targeting high-threat pathogens, that pose a substantial risk to global health, could transform the future of health delivery. In this review, we provide a detailed overview of the two RNA interference (RNAi) pathways and how antiviral RNAi therapies can be used to treat acute or chronic diseases caused by the pandemic viruses SARS-CoV-2 and HIV, respectively. We also provide insights into short-interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery systems, with a focus on how lipid nanoparticles can be functionalized to achieve targeted delivery to specific sites of disease. This review will provide the current developments of SARS-CoV-2 and HIV targeted siRNAs, highlighting strategies to advance the progression of antiviral siRNA along the clinical development pathway.

Graphical Abstract
Effect of acetate and format inhibitors on the production of Aspergillus niger inulinase and fermentation modeling, sensitivity, and economic analysis
Authors: Tufan Hilal Nur Gürler , Ünsal Selime Benemir Erkan , Canatar Muge , Yatmaz Ercan , Yavuz Ibrahim , Germec Mustafa , Basmak Selin , Turhan Irfan
Published: January 2025

This study examines the effect of acetic acid (AA) and formic acid (FA) in different concentrations, on producing inulinase by Aspergillus niger A42 (ATCC 204447) as well as determining the best model for fermentations. The highest inulinase and invertase-type activities were 340.32 and 546.25 U/mL and 398.24 and 608.50 U/mL in the fermentation medias containing 2.5 g/L AA and 12.5 g/L FA, respectively. It was observed that 7 g/L or more AA addition inhibited the inulinase production by A. niger. Indeed, a negative affect was seen in the A. niger inulinase production. When the FA concentrations were less than 3 g/L, the inulinase activities were negatively affected. Conversely, the inulinase activities were surprisingly increased with the concentrations more than 4 g/L, showing an inducing effect. The fermentations that yielded maximum inulinase activity were modeled using ten mathematical models. Inulinase productions were successfully represented by Huang (RMSE = 8.28 U/mL, MAE = 5.03 U/mL, R
2 = 0.998, BF = 1.08, and AF = 1.11) and Weibull (RMSE = 47.98 U/mL, MAE = 26.83 U/mL, R
2 = 0.901, BF = 1.08, and AF = 1.31) models. Also as a result of fermentations, the enzyme activity was determined as inulinase type activity since the I/S ratio was greater than 10−2. In conclusion, optimal inulinase production by A. niger was achieved with specific concentrations of AA and FA, showing distinct inhibitory and inducing effects, and the fermentations were accurately modeled by the Huang and Weibull models.
Waves dangerous, domesticated, and diagnostic
Authors: Helmreich Stefan
Published: January 2025

This paper, based on a keynote presented at the MARE People and the Sea Conference 2023 as well as on material from A Book of Waves, examines how oceanographers and coastal engineers in the United States, the Netherlands, Australia, Japan, and Bangladesh study and represent waves. Waves, seen as both chaotic and ordered, ephemeral and enduring, offer insights into how science engages with environmental, national, and planetary futures. The discussion begins in the Netherlands, where centuries-old efforts to resist waves in a nation below sea level have evolved into “building-with-nature” strategies, reframing waves as collaborators in environmental resilience. Historical contexts, from wave folklore to physical scale models, underpin this shift in Dutch wave science. Next, I explore the wave simulation laboratory at Oregon State University, where researchers model tsunami risks from the Cascadia fault line. These experiments connect the Pacific Northwest with Japan’s tsunami research, highlighting challenges in adapting wave knowledge across regions. Finally, I turn to Bangladesh’s Ganges Delta, where Dutch hydrological expertise was applied in mid-20th-century development projects, often with uneven results. This case illustrates the complexities of transposing wave science into diverse settings. I conclude by reflecting on how these scientific practices contribute to understanding the Anthropocene, particularly from the perspective of the Global South’s oceans.
Geographic Variation in Racial Disparities in Age-Adjusted Mortality Rates in Mississippi
Authors: Dodd Isaac M. E. , Zafar Yousaf , Scott Malachi E. , Gillum Richard F.
Published: January 2025

Background

Racial disparities in mortality rates have been well-documented in the last century. Intersectionality theory has helped to identify the root causes of these health disparities. Few studies have examined disparities using the latest data for the state of Mississippi.

Methods

Mortality data for the state of Mississippi (MS) were obtained from the vital statistics program of the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention for years 1999–2020. The age-adjusted mortality rate (AAMR) for ages 35–84 years was calculated by county, gender—male (M) vs female (F), and race—black (B) vs white (W), among non-Hispanics (NH) for all causes of death.

Results

In 2020, MS had the highest AAMR per 100,000 among states in the US: 1624.76 (1605.61–1643.91) for age group 35–84. In 1999–2020 combined, AAMR varied among counties for each gender-race group. High AAMR was concentrated in the delta region for NH black males (NHBM) and females (NHBF). This was less so for NH white males (NHWM) and not so for females (NHWF). The Black/White AAMR ratio among males and females was highest (1.42, 1.36) in the small metropolitan areas and lowest (1.18, 1.05) in the large fringe metropolitan areas. In 1999–2020 for NH males, the ratio of AAMR in NHB to NHW varied from 0.9 to 1.8. In NH females, the ratio varied from 0.9 to 2.2. In both genders, the ratio was significantly correlated with the percent of the population that was NH black.

Conclusions

The AAMR in MS varied greatly among counties as did the Black/White ratio of AAMR. Further research is needed to explain this geographic variation in racial disparity.
Vehicle-routing problem for low-carbon cold chain logistics based on the idea of cost–benefit
Authors: Liu Yan , Tao Fengming , Zhu Rui
Published: January 2025

In the low-carbon economy, the fresh industry constitutes an “impossible triangle” in products, prices and services. Therefore, based on the idea of cost–benefit, a comprehensive vehicle routing problem optimization model with the objective function of minimizing the cost of unit satisfied customer is presented. Then, a hybrid algorithm called local search genetic algorithm (LSGA) is proposed, which amalgamates the destroy-repair operator with GA algorithm. Extensive numerical experiments verify the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed model and algorithm. Furthermore, the sensitivity analysis of freshness-keeping cost, carbon price and customer satisfaction weights were conducted. The experimental results show that appropriate freshness-keeping effort can reduce total costs and improve customer satisfaction. Increasing carbon price within a certain range can effectively reduce carbon emissions, and there is a trade-off relationship between carbon emissions and customer satisfaction. The results of considering both time satisfaction and freshness satisfaction are better than considering time satisfaction alone.
Best practice approach for temperature measurement in flow chemistry based on CFD simulation
Authors: Nuredin Vanessa , Schulz Lisa , Kockmann Norbert , Röder Thorsten
Published: January 2025

The exact measurement of the temperature in laboratory continuous flow processes is of high importance for many investigations e.g. of heat transfer or reaction kinetics. In particular, miniaturization poses high challenges on temperature measurement due to increased heat transfer. Despite the high relevance of this topic, there are only few publications dealing with accurate inline temperature measurement in flow chemistry and no studies examining the influence of the installation of the temperature sensor on the actual measured temperature. This work deals with inline temperature measurement using a conventional Pt100 sensor with 1.6 mm outer diameter and 20 mm measuring length in a T-piece in a continuous flow reactor on the micro-scale. The issue of heat loss in the T-piece is illustrated in a computational fluid dynamics CFD simulation. The T-piece temperature and the corresponding temperature measured by the Pt100 sensor in an insulated and not insulated T-piece are simulated and compared with experimental data. Moreover, different insert positions and orientations of the Pt100 sensor are simulated and discussed. The extensive CFD simulations demonstrate that using the side-on position of the Pt100 within an insulated T-piece leads to the most precise temperature measurements. Furthermore, the study shows that tilting of the Pt100 inside the T-piece has almost no influence on the temperature measurement as long as the measuring section of the Pt100 is fully inserted. Based on these results, a best practice approach for inline temperature measurement in micro-scale continuous flow reactors is presented for minimal measurement error.

Graphical Abstract
Biochar and carbon-negative technologies: exploring opportunities for climate change mitigation
Authors: Ayaz Muhammad , Muntaha Sidra Tul , Baltrėnaitė-Gedienė Edita , Kriaučiūnienė Zita
Published: January 2025

The study highlights the critical mechanistic data supporting the ecological restoration advantages of biochar (BC) and its role in sustainable environmental management. Recognizing the substantial influence of specific feedstock sources and pyrolysis parameters on BC efficacy, this research aims to address these gaps through an extensive investigation into the potential benefits of BC application in ecological restoration. The methodology involves a systematic exploration of effects of BC from latest literature on various aspects of agricultural sustainability, including its ability to support crop growth, improve nutrient bioavailability, facilitate co-composting, enhance consumption efficiency, and contribute to water quality restoration. The main results of the study reveal that BC usage results in a net negative carbon (C) footprint, mitigates heavy metal pollution, and enhances soil and ecosystem health. In bioenergy production, BC serves as a versatile resource for generating renewable energy, reducing waste, and facilitating C sequestration. Advanced BC techniques, such as tailored pyrolysis processes and activation methods, further enhance its effectiveness in ecosystem restoration and sustainable resource management. Furthermore, the research identifies deficiencies in current literature and proposes future research directions to advance understanding of BC application. Overall, the study underscores the importance of considering feedstock and pyrolysis variables in BC research and highlights the potential of BC to contribute to ecological sustainability. However, concerns regarding potential health implications for humans in agricultural contexts warrant further investigation and risk assessment to ensure safe and sustainable BC application.

Graphical Abstract
Open-atmosphere spinning of carbon nanotube fibers sans hydrogen flow by floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition: an insight into the mechanism
Authors: Alexander Rajath , Kaushal Amit , Singh Jaspreet , Dasgupta Kinshuk
Published: January 2025

This study introduces a novel method for synthesizing carbon nanotube (CNT) fibers using floating catalyst chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) in an open-atmosphere without the need for hydrogen as a carrier gas. Traditional FC-CVD techniques depend on hydrogen gas and require a harvest box with inert gas purging, which restricts scalability. Our approach utilizes nitrogen gas as the sole carrier, allowing for CNT fiber production without a harvest box. To understand the spinning process mechanism in an open-atmosphere, we conducted thermodynamic and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analyses. Methanol was selected as the carbon source based on thermodynamic calculations, which revealed that at high temperatures, methanol forms CO and H2 as thermodynamically stable species instead of carbon (C), thereby preventing soot formation. Moreover, methanol undergoes catalytic cracking exclusively in the presence of catalysts, further preventing soot formation. This approach allows operation at high partial pressure, even above the upper explosive limit (UEL), effectively preventing combustion. A 600 mm cooling zone was incorporated into the reactor to lower the outlet gas temperature below methanol's auto-ignition point, mitigating combustion risks. CFD calculations were employed to determine the necessary cooling zone length. Additionally, we developed a predictive model using the XGBoost machine learning method to efficiently map the parameter space for CNT fiber spinning, achieving an accuracy of 95.24%. The resulting CNT fibers demonstrate high electrical conductivity (240 ± 24 S/cm) and a low ID/IG ratio, indicating a high degree of crystallinity.
A comprehensive overview of load balancing methods in software-defined networks
Authors: Farahi Rasoul
Published: January 2025

In prospective advancements, it is anticipated that software-defined networking (SDN) will establish itself as the principal framework for the implementation of heterogeneous networks. Unlike traditional networking paradigms, SDN differentiates the control and data planes, thereby enabling enhanced routing and management of traffic across various domains. The controllers located within the control plane are responsible for programming the forwarding devices situated in the data plane, whereas the highest layer, referred to as the application plane, enforces regulatory policies and coordinates network programming. Interfacing mechanisms are utilized across the different layers of SDN to ensure effective communication. Nonetheless, SDN faces challenges related to traffic distribution, such as load imbalance, which could negatively affect overall network performance. In response, developers have formulated a range of SDN load-balancing solutions intended to improve the efficiency of SDN. Furthermore, owing to the swift advancements in the domain of artificial intelligence (AI), researchers are investigating the viability of incorporating AI methodologies into SDN to optimize resource utilization and enhance overall performance. This survey is organized as follows: First, it provides an analysis of the SDN architecture and investigates the load balancing challenges present within SDN. Second, it classifies AI-driven load balancing strategies and critically assesses these mechanisms from multiple perspectives, including the algorithms/techniques utilized, the particular issues addressed, and their corresponding advantages and disadvantages. Third, it consolidates the metrics used to evaluate the effectiveness of these techniques. Finally, it identifies the emerging trends and challenges associated with AI-enhanced load balancing for future research endeavors.
Serendipitous discovery: The art library as a place for creative exploration
Authors: Hilles Stefanie , Robbins Robert
Published: January 2025

Integrating library instruction into studio art classes can be challenging for art librarians. While some courses have a research component, and thus a clear need for library instruction, many do not, requiring art librarians to creatively engage art students and faculty to demonstrate the value of the library in studio education. One way art librarians can do this is by encouraging students to see the library as a place for artistic inspiration through serendipitous discovery. But how can art librarians foster the idea of the library as a creative place through instruction? From the 1970s to the present day, studies have shown that artists and art students have a marked preference for browsing the stacks as an information seeking strategy. By aligning browsing with chance as an artistic practice and collaborating with studio art professors, art librarians can create dynamic and impactful learning experiences that lead to exciting outcomes in students’ studio courses. One possibility where serendipitous browsing's potential as a learning outcome can be explored is through the creation of book spine poetry, a found poetry technique where books are arranged so their titles create a poem.
Microwave sea ice and ocean brightness temperature and emissivity between 22 and 243 GHz from ship-based radiometers
Authors: Rückert Janna E. , Walbröl Andreas , Risse Nils , Krobot Pavel , Haseneder-Lind Rainer , Mech Mario , Ebell Kerstin , Spreen Gunnar
Published: January 2025

Passive microwave measurements of Arctic sea ice have been conducted over the last 50 years from space and during airborne, ship- and ground-based measurement campaigns. The different radiometric signatures of distinct surface types have led to satellite retrievals of, e.g., sea-ice concentration. In contrast, ground-based upward-viewing radiometers measure radiation emitted from the atmosphere and are used to retrieve atmospheric variables. Here, we present results from a ship-based radiometer setup with a mirror construction, which allows us to switch between atmospheric and surface measurements flexibly. This way, in summer 2022, surface observations in the Arctic marginal sea-ice zone could be performed from the research vessel Polarstern by two radiometers covering the frequency range from 22 to 243 GHz. At low frequencies, the brightness temperatures show clear signatures of different surface conditions. We estimate emissivities at 53∘ zenith angle from infrared-based skin temperatures. Predominantly vertically polarized 22–31 GHz emissivities are between 0.51 and 0.55 for open ocean and around 0.95 for sea ice. Predominantly horizontally polarized 243 GHz ocean emissivities are around 0.78 and ice surfaces exhibit a large variability from 0.67 to 0.82. Our results can improve the characterization of surface emissions in satellite retrieval algorithms.
Transferred Culpability and the Problem of Voluntary Intoxication
Authors: Tiffany Evan
Published: January 2025

This paper seeks to challenge principles of culpability transfer as they appear in both criminal law and moral philosophy. I begin by discussing the legal doctrine of substituted mens rea, focusing on Section 33.1 of Canada’s Criminal Code. I argue that this doctrine violates the principle of contemporaneity, which there are sound philosophical reasons to accept. I then argue that the same reasons apply to tracing accounts of moral responsibility. Finally, drawing on the moral luck literature, I argue that cases of extreme intoxication are better analyzed in terms of harm-causation than culpability-transfer.
Close and more distant relatives are associated with child mortality risk in historical Finland
Authors: Lahdenperä Mirkka , Salonen Milla , Hiraoka Takayuki , Seltmann Martin W. , Saramäki Jari , Lummaa Virpi
Published: January 2025

Humans are characterised as cooperative breeders, as not only the parents but also other members of the social group take part in raising offspring. The individuals who invest most in childrearing are usually the more closely related individuals. However, most studies have concentrated on close kin and the effects of more distant kin remain unknown. Here, we investigated the associations of child mortality (<5 years, n = 32,000 children) with the presence of 36 different types of relatives, divided by lineage and sex, in a historical Finnish population. We found that the presence and greater number of several paternal relatives were associated with an increase in child mortality and many of these associations were seen among the wealthiest families, due to inheritance practices and shared resources. The presence of the maternal grandmother was associated with a decrease in child mortality and the most among poorer families, who probably needed the grandmother’s contribution more than the wealthy. Our results bring new insights into the importance of kin and suggest that relatives can provide support or other resources but also compete for limited resources and care. The results give a broader perspective of human family life and increase understanding of the evolution of cooperative breeding.
Commemorating Dieter Henrich: Subjectivity and Metaphysics
Authors: Dews Peter
Published: January 2025

This article is a tribute to Dieter Henrich, the outstanding German philosopher, who died in December 2022. It begins by reviewing his life, academic career and general approach to philosophy. It then tracks the development of his theory of subjectivity, beginning with his classic article of the 1960s on ‘Fichte’s Original Insight’. Subsequent sections of the article consider critiques of Henrich’s position by prominent contemporaries and his response to them, his defence of the possibility of a metaphysics grounded in modern subjectivity, and his philosophy of religion.
Harnack type estimates to non-linear elliptic systems in the plane
Authors: Leite Edir Júnior Ferreira , Montenegro Marcos
Published: January 2025

We establish a weak local boundedness to Lane–Emden systems in two-dimensional domains involving general second-order elliptic operators in divergence form and arbitrary positive powers whose product equals 1. Our result is complete in the sense that it reduces to that of Trudinger for single equations. As a counterpart, we derive a new Harnack estimate for such systems and, as a by-product, for biharmonic equations.
Lip-Synching as an Account of Oneself: Digital Music Videos and the Voice–Gesture Relationship
Authors: DE ANDRADE LIMA DANIEL
Published: January 2025

Digital-era music videos are a crucial part of singers’ mediatic performances. Lip-synching is often central to such products, supplying situations in which singers can mouth their voices while dislodging themselves from the struggles of singing. Looking into music videos by focusing on their lip-synching practices, this paper aims to understand the part voice takes on in the medium while also investigating how gestural lip-sync performances work as accounts of oneself that produce a musical subject, sometimes updating or overcoming social regulations. In this sense, lip-synching is theorized as a way of framing music videos’ gestural labour.
German Pharmaceutical Imperialism in Brazil: Cinchona, Biopolitics, and Hybrid Knowledge in the Early 19th Century
Authors: Labastida Rodriguez David
Published: January 2025

Between 1817 and 1831, four German scientists – Karl von Martius, Georg Langsdorff, Ludwig Riedel, and Friedrich Sello – undertook expeditions in Brazil with the goal of collecting natural specimens, particularly focusing on Brazilian cinchona plants. Renowned for their medicinal properties, especially in the treatment of fever diseases, cinchona specimens were extensively utilized by local Brazilian communities. The widespread use of cinchona raises important questions regarding how German scientists acquired knowledge of the therapeutic properties of plants, previously unknown within German pharmacology. This paper argues that the German understanding of Brazil's cinchona trees was situated within an imperialist endeavor that not only appropriated indigenous knowledge but also involved conducting experiments on these plants and their effects on local populations. This hybridization of knowledge about cinchona was characterized by an asymmetrical dominance of German pharmacological experimentation, which sought to enhance organic life and establish utopian, “healthy” German societies, in both German territories and Brazil. Consequently, German chemical experiments with Brazilian cinchona specimens intersected with biopolitical practices, aimed at manipulating both plant and human life through therapeutic interventions.
Effects of reduced nitrogen fertilizer application rates on grain yield and rice quality of early- and late-season dual-use rice in South China
Authors: Liu Jinsong , Yang Taotao , Zou Jixiang , Wu Longmei , Bao Xiaozhe , Zhang Bin
Published: January 2025

Reducing nitrogen (N) fertilizer application is a sustainable practice in rice production. The effects of reducing N fertilizer input on grain yield and rice quality of early- and late-season dual-use rice (ELDR) in South China remain uncertain. Therefore, a short-term field trial was conducted with a high-yielding ELDR cultivar (Yuehesimiao, YHSM) and a low-yielding ELDR cultivar (Meixiangzhan 2, MXZ). The rice was cultivated with a 20% reduced N application rate (RN2), a 10% reduced rate (RN1) and the conventional N application rate (CN). In the early season, compared to CN, RN2 reduced the grain yield of YHSM and MXZ by an average of 16.1 and 6.6%, respectively, while RN1 lowered YHSM grain yield by 11.2% on average and had no effect on MXZ yield. In addition, RN2 decreased the milling and eating qualities of the two cultivars in the early season, while RN1 did not alter their milling, appearance or eating qualities. In the late season, neither RN2 nor RN1 affected grain yield or rice quality for both cultivars. Therefore, short-term reductions of 10 and 20% in N application could maintain grain yield and rice quality at current N fertilizer application rates in the late season. However, the early-season results only recommended a 10% reduced N fertilizer application rate for low-yielding ELDR cultivars to sustain grain yield and rice quality. The findings of this study can provide a theoretical basis for N management of ELDR in South China.
Different paths to multilingualism in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD): Naturalistic and non-interactive
Authors: Hindi Iris , Meir Natalia
Published: January 2025

This study is one of the few research efforts investigating unexpected non-interactive foreign language acquisition in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Participants included 46 English-Hebrew-speaking children (ages 4;10 to 12;0): 14 autistic children who acquired English via non-interactive input (ASD-NI); 12 autistic children (ASD-Nat), and 20 non-autistic children with typical language development (TLD-Nat) who acquired English and Hebrew naturalistically. Morpho-syntactic abilities were assessed using Sentence Repetition tasks in both languages. The results showed no group differences for morpho-syntax in English; in Hebrew, the ASD-NI group scored similarly to the ASD-Nat group but lower than the TLD-Nat group. Individual performance differences between Hebrew and English were observed across all groups. Additionally, correlations between exposure and SRep scores were found in both groups for Hebrew but not English. These findings highlight diverse paths to language acquisition in ASD, with children acquiring foreign languages via both naturalistic and non-interactive input.