bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance models of data parallel DAG workflows for large scale data analytics
Authors: Shi Juwei , Lu Jiaheng
Published: May 2023

Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG) workflows are widely used for large-scale data analytics in cluster-based distributed computing systems. The performance model for a DAG on data-parallel frameworks (e.g., MapReduce) is a research challenge because the allocation of preemptable system resources among parallel jobs may dynamically vary during execution. This resource allocation variation during execution makes it difficult to accurately estimate the execution time. In this paper, we tackle this challenge by proposing a new cost model, called Bottleneck Oriented Estimation (BOE), to estimate the allocation of preemptable resources by identifying the bottleneck to accurately predict task execution time. For a DAG workflow, we propose a state-based approach to iteratively use the resource allocation property among stages to estimate the overall execution plan. Furthermore, to handle the skewness of various jobs, we refine the model with the order statistics theory to improve estimation accuracy. Extensive experiments were performed to validate these cost models with HiBench and TPC-H workloads. The BOE model outperforms the state-of-the-art models by a factor of five for task execution time estimation. For the refined skew-aware model, the average prediction error is under $$3\%$$

3
%

when estimating the execution time of 51 hybrid analytics (HiBench) and query (TPC-H) DAG workflows.
The circular economy of electric vehicle batteries: a Finnish case study
Authors: Rönkkö Pasi , Majava Jukka , Hyvärinen Tatu , Oksanen Ilari , Tervonen Pekka , Lassi Ulla
Published: May 2023

The automotive industry faces challenges because of the electrification of vehicles and the rapidly increasing need for electric vehicle batteries (EVBs). Raw materials availability is limited; however, there will also be a significant number of end-of-life (EOL) batteries. This creates various circular economy (CE) business opportunities for EVB manufacturers, third-party providers, and other stakeholders. However, not all CE solutions are sustainable or economically feasible. In this study, through the use of case studies, expert interviews, and a survey, we determined the current state of the EVB CE in Finland, the possible options for utilizing EOL vehicle batteries, and the greatest barriers for the EVB CE. We found that some EVB-related CE applications are not supported by the government and legislation, for example environmental regulations and building standards. CE opportunities include a shorter lead time for some components, which makes them attractive for EOL applications.
Threshold and power of pulsed red-emitting diode lasers with a bulk active layer near p-cladding under high-temperature operation
Authors: Ryvkin Boris S. , Avrutin Eugene A.
Published: May 2023

Threshold properties and pulsed output of AlGaInP visible-emitting lasers with an asymmetric waveguide structure and a bulk active layer are analysed. The effects of the current leakage, increased by the heating of the laser due to the proximity of the electrical pulse source and the Joule heating in and around this source are analysed. When optimising the laser design, waveguiding properties of the bulk active layer are shown to be important, leading to threshold currents decreasing, and injection efficiency increasing, with active layer thickness in lasers with moderately thick (< 0.1 μm) active layers.
Cystine rather than cysteine is the preferred substrate for β-elimination by cystathionine γ-lyase: implications for dietary methionine restriction
Authors: Jeitner Thomas M. , Azcona Juan A. , Ables Gene P. , Cooke Diana , Horowitz Mark C. , Singh Pradeep , Kelly James M. , Cooper Arthur J. L.
Published: May 2023

Dietary methionine restriction (MR) increases longevity by improving health. In experimental models, MR is accompanied by decreased cystathionine β-synthase activity and increased cystathionine γ-lyase activity. These enzymes are parts of the transsulfuration pathway which produces cysteine and 2-oxobutanoate. Thus, the decrease in cystathionine β-synthase activity is likely to account for the loss of tissue cysteine observed in MR animals. Despite this decrease in cysteine levels, these tissues exhibit increased H2S production which is thought to be generated by β-elimination of the thiol moiety of cysteine, as catalyzed by cystathionine β-synthase or cystathionine γ-lyase. Another possibility for this H2S production is the cystathionine γ-lyase-catalyzed β-elimination of cysteine persulfide from cystine, which upon reduction yields H2S and cysteine. Here, we demonstrate that MR increases cystathionine γ-lyase production and activities in the liver and kidneys, and that cystine is a superior substrate for cystathionine γ-lyase catalyzed β-elimination as compared to cysteine. Moreover, cystine and cystathionine exhibit comparable Kcat/Km values (6000 M−1 s−1) as substrates for cystathionine γ-lyase-catalyzed β-elimination. By contrast, cysteine inhibits cystathionine γ-lyase in a non-competitive manner (Ki ~ 0.5 mM), which limits its ability to function as a substrate for β-elimination by this enzyme. Cysteine inhibits the enzyme by reacting with its pyridoxal 5′-phosphate cofactor to form a thiazolidine and in so doing prevents further catalysis. These enzymological observations are consistent with the notion that during MR cystathionine γ-lyase is repurposed to catabolize cystine and thereby form cysteine persulfide, which upon reduction produces cysteine.
Emergence in complex networks of simple agents
Authors: Green David G.
Published: May 2023

Patterns and processes emerge unbidden in complex systems when many simple entities interact. This overview emphasizes the role of networks in emergence, notably network topology, modules, motifs, critical phase changes, networks of networks and dual-phase evolution. Several driving mechanisms are examined, including percolation, entrainment, and feedback. The account also outlines some of the modelling paradigms and methods used to study emergence, and presents cases to show how emergence occurs, and its implications in economics and other real-world contexts.
Cardiovascular risk in rare diseases: a prognostic stratification model in a cohort of sarcoidosis patients
Authors: Rizzi Luigi , Coppola Chiara , Cocco Veronica , Sabbà Carlo , Suppressa Patrizia
Published: May 2023

Sarcoidosis is a rare granulomatous disease that can affect any organ; as other chronic diseases, it leads to increased risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) disease. The aim of our observational study was to define a prognostic stratification model of sarcoidosis patients based on the evaluation of CV risk through common carotid Doppler ultrasound and cardiovascular risk scores assessment; for this reason, a clinical phenotyping of sarcoidosis patients in four subgroups was done, based on the different organ involvement. A cohort of 53 sarcoidosis patients and a cohort of 48 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Results showed that CV risk was higher in sarcoidosis cohort than in the control group when evaluated through CV risk scores and Doppler parameters: peak-systolic velocity (PSV) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were significantly lower in sarcoidosis cohort (p = 0.045 and p = 0.017, respectively), whereas intima media thickness (IMT) showed higher values in sarcoidosis group than in controls (p = 0.016). The analysis of sarcoidosis phenotypes showed no significative differences of CV risk among them when CV risk scores were considered, while partial differences emerged by evaluating subclinical atherosclerosis. Results also highlighted a relationship between CV risk score and carotid Doppler ultrasound parameters: EDV showed an inverse correlation with Framingham score (R = − 0.275, p = 0.004), whereas IMT showed a direct one (R = 0.429; p = 0.001); furthermore, an inverse correlation between PSV and EDV and illness duration (R = − 0.298, p = 0.030 and R = − 0.406, p = 0.002, respectively) was found, so suggesting a higher CV risk in patients with a longer story of disease.
Why do people (not) energy renovate their homes? Insights from qualitative interviews with Danish homeowners
Authors: Mogensen Ditte , Gram-Hanssen Kirsten
Published: May 2023

Global climate changes and the need for transition to a low-carbon future have emerged as one of the most critical challenges of contemporary society, and decisions made by homeowners about major energy relevant renovations are essential as part of reaching climate goals. However, the installation of energy efficiency measures is still not widespread and needs to be stimulated to meet the goals set out in the Paris Agreement. This article provides insights into renovation processes by Danish homeowners currently being in the process of renovating their homes. Data were collected through 19 explorative qualitative interviews in the informants’ homes. By using practice theory as an analytical framework, we seek to broaden the traditional policy approach of rational actors by contributing with a broader and more context-rich understanding of homeowners’ renovation processes and how, or not, energy renovation is part of such processes. The results show that home renovation is a dynamic process that is not always carefully planned or intended, but rather evolves as technologies, know-how, and meanings develop and change. Specific challenges for energy renovation are identified concerning its perceived benefits, complexities, policy conditions, and associated meanings. The challenges of energy renovation are researched in context of other types of home renovations that are often implemented at the same time, but which differ fundamentally. Based on systematic evidence of the challenges and implementation context of energy renovation, recommendations for initiatives relevant to stimulate in policy and marketing are provided.
The Association Between Pornography Consumption and Perceived Realism in Adolescents: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Gunnoo Adam , Powell Christopher
Published: May 2023

Pornography is more accessible than ever before, which raises questions concerning its influence on adolescent sexual behaviours. Recent research has identified perceived realism of pornography—the extent to which an individual perceives pornographic content as being congruent with reality—to be a potentially significant individual difference variable in this domain. However, the strength of this relationship remains uncertain. Focus is placed on this association for adolescents as sexual curiosity and maturing sexual scripts may be more readily influenced by pornography. The present study addressed this association through a meta-analysis. Database searches identified k = 5 studies (N = 3846) from various countries with relevant associations.The meta-analysis indicated a significant, moderate, and positive relationship between frequency of pornography consumption and perceived realism (r = .39) which was not moderated by the sex of participants. Given these findings, future research may assess behavioural and attitudinal changes associated with pornography use. Findings could also inform novel approaches to sexual education that prioritise recontextualising programs in the context of technology and explore the role of digital sexual socialisation of adolescents.
Optimal Design of Sensors via Geometric Criteria
Authors: Ftouhi Ilias , Zuazua Enrique
Published: May 2023

We consider a convex set $$\Omega $$
Ω
and look for the optimal convex sensor $$\omega \subset \Omega $$

ω
⊂
Ω

of a given measure that minimizes the maximal distance to the points of $$\Omega .$$

Ω
.

This problem can be written as follows $$\begin{aligned} \inf \{d^H(\omega ,\Omega ) \ |\ |\omega |=c\ \text {and}\ \omega \subset \Omega \}, \end{aligned}$$

inf
{

d
H

(
ω
,
Ω
)

|

|
ω
|
=
c

and

ω
⊂
Ω
}
,

where $$c\in (0,|\Omega |),$$

c
∈
(
0
,
|
Ω
|
)
,

$$d^H$$

d
H

being the Hausdorff distance. We show that the parametrization via the support functions allows us to formulate the geometric optimal shape design problem as an analytic one. By proving a judicious equivalence result, the shape optimization problem is approximated by a simpler minimization problem of a quadratic function under linear constraints. We then present some numerical results and qualitative properties of the optimal sensors and exhibit an unexpected symmetry breaking phenomenon.
Formal Modeling of Innovative Competition in a Production System — an Evolutionary Approach
Authors: Cialowicz Beata
Published: May 2023

Relationships between innovations and competition are the main bases of an evolutionary approach to economic development. Innovation is recognized as a major force to achieve success in an intensively competitive environment, and competition is an essential element of the coordination mechanism required for economic changes to be successfully brought about. One of the first who well explore these relationships was Schumpeter. The idea that innovative competition may improve the positions of some groups of economic agents involved in the evolutionary processes is rooted within the neo-Schumpeterian research program. It suggests that the price mechanism typical for the routine behavior of agents should be replaced by a qualitative one to take into account the structural changes of an economy based on innovative and competitive processes as drivers of economic evolution. In this context, the main aim of this paper is to give a new setting of the phenomenon of innovative competition. This problem relates to the classification of different kinds of innovations and diversification among innovators. Moreover, two major concepts of competition are studied: the classical concept in which competition is viewed as a dynamic process and the neoclassical one in which competition is an end state of the evolutionary processes.
Public commentary on teacher quality: an analysis of media comment on the teaching performance assessment
Authors: Pendergast Donna , Exley Beryl , Hoyte Frances
Published: May 2023

In Australia, the Teaching Performance Assessment (TPA) is a relatively new, mandatory hurdle which must be completed just prior to the graduation stage of initial teacher education (ITE) programmes. This high-stakes task is one of a growing number of requirements to come out of the standards and accountability regime as outlined in the Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) document for accreditation for ITE programmes. We delve into the public commentary about the broader commission of preservice and graduate teacher quality in general and the TPA in particular. We draw on Bernstein’s pedagogic identities and deductively apply this theory to explore this phenomenon. We use a data set of publicly available legacy media and social media tweets made over a ten-month period from August 2019 to May 2020 to reveal the focus, inherent bias and pedagogic identities promoted by these public discourses. The paper concludes with discussion about the implications of these drivers on the public perception of quality in ITE and on the status of teaching more broadly.
Sprache im Physikunterricht – Welche Orientierungen zeigen angehende Physiklehrkräfte?
Authors: Strunk Nadezda , Höttecke Dietmar
Published: May 2023

Verstehen und Lernen von fachlichen Inhalten im Physikunterricht hängen eng mit dem Verstehen von Sprache zusammen, wie sie im Unterricht gebraucht wird. Von Physiklehrkräften wird daher erwartet, dass sie ihren Unterricht sprachexplizit gestalten. Bei der Unterrichtsgestaltung greifen Lehrkräfte im Unterricht häufig auf bereits vorhandene, überwiegend implizite Wissensbestände zurück, die sich wesentlich im Laufe der eigenen Schulzeit entwickelt haben. Im Fokus der vorliegenden Studie steht daher die Rekonstruktion von solchen impliziten erfahrungsbasierten Wissensbeständen bzw. Orientierungen, die das Handeln der Physiklehrkräfte im Unterricht beeinflussen können. Im Rahmen eines explorativen Designs wurden leitfadengestützte Interviews mit angehenden Physiklehrkräften geführt. Das Interviewmaterial wurde mithilfe der Dokumentarischen Methode analysiert, mit dem Ziel, Orientierungen herauszuarbeiten, die im Umgang mit Sprache im Physikunterricht handlungsleitend wirken können. Zudem wurden als Ergebnisse einer relationalen Typenbildung Zusammenhänge von mehreren Orientierungen herausgearbeitet.

Die Ergebnisse der Studie zeigen, dass das Thema Sprache bzw. Sprachförderung im Sample in Bezug auf Heterogenität von Lerngruppen sowie als Bearbeiten administrativ-normativer Vorgaben behandelt wird. Weitere Orientierungen, die das Handeln von Physiklehrkräften in Bezug auf Sprache strukturieren, sind eigene Wirksamkeit, Rahmung des Unterrichts im Hinblick auf Lehrer- bzw. Schülerperspektive sowie Umgang mit Vorgaben im Allgemeinen. Die Ergebnisse der relationalen Typenbildung werden in Form von vier relationalen Typen vorgestellt: ‚Eigene Rolle suchende Lehrkraft‘, ‚unhinterfragt annehmende Lehrkraft‘, ‚reflektiert-gestaltende Lehrkraft‘ und ‚idealistische Lehrkraft‘. Im Hinblick auf die Ergebnisse vermuten wir, dass die wahrgenommene Fachkultur des Physikunterrichts Berufswahlentscheidungen bereits in der eigenen Schulzeit beeinflusst und der jeweilige Umgang mit Normen und Anforderungen das Lehrerhandeln der Physiklehrkräfte nicht nur im Bereich eines sprachexpliziten Physikunterrichts, sondern allgemein im Umgang mit unterrichtlichen Innovationen prägt.
A new hydro-mechanical coupling constitutive model for brittle rocks considering initial compaction, hardening and softening behaviors under complex stress states
Authors: Zheng Zhi , Su Hao , Wang Wei , Wang Zhechao , Liu Zaobao , He Benguo , Mei Guoxiong
Published: May 2023

After the excavation of underground engineering, the failure and instability of surrounding rock under hydro-mechanical coupling conditions is a common type of engineering disaster. However, the hydro-mechanical coupling mechanical characteristics of rock have not been fully revealed, and suitable models for the stability analysis of surrounding rock under hydro-mechanical coupling conditions are very scarce. Therefore, a series of triaxial compression and cyclic loading and unloading hydro-mechanical coupling tests were carried out to study the mechanical characteristics, deformation and mechanical parameters of rock under different confining pressures and pore pressures. Then, based on Biot’s effective stress principle, a hydro-mechanical coupling damage constitutive model within the framework of irreversible thermodynamics was proposed to describe the initial compaction effect, pre-peak hardening and post-peak softening behaviors. The functional relationships between the proposed model key parameters (η and ζ) and the effective stress were established to characterize the pre- and post-peak nonlinear behaviors of rock. A compaction function Ck for the evolution of the undamaged Young’s modulus in initial compaction stage was introduced to characterize the pre-peak compaction effect. A user-defined material subroutine (UMAT) was compiled in ABAQUS to numerically implemented the proposed model. The numerical simulation results are highly consistent with the test results, the proposed model can also predict the hydro-mechanical coupling characteristics of rock under untested stress levels. In addition, the yield function of the proposed model considers the influence of intermediate principal stress, which is also suitable for the simulation of hydro-mechanical coupling characteristics under true triaxial stress states.

Graphical abstract
Intelligente Spezialisierung in der brandenburgischen Lausitz – eine Fallstudie
Authors: Zundel Stefan , Nagel Marius
Published: May 2023

Intelligente Spezialisierung ist eine politische Handlungsempfehlung, die seit mehreren Jahren die Regionalpolitik der Europäischen Union bestimmt. Der Just Transition Fund, der die Transformation in den Kohleregionen der EU erleichtern soll, erfordert einen Just Transition Plan, der ebenfalls auf dem Konzept der intelligenten Spezialisierung aufbaut. Die Empfehlung basiert auf der Annahme, dass sich auch in peripheren und wirtschaftlich schwachen Regionen endogene Entwicklungspotentiale finden, die sich durch eine geschickte regionale Förderung, die auf diese Eigenheiten abstellt, entwickeln lassen. Die empirischen Befunde in dieser Fallstudie zur Lausitz zeigen, dass jenseits des Energiebereiches in der Lausitz keine wirtschaftlichen oder innovativen Potenziale im Sinne kritischer Massen vorhanden sind, auf die sich zwanglos aufbauen ließe. Potenziale ergeben sich hingegen durch überregionale Arbeitsteilung, durch den Aufbau kritischer Massen in der Forschung, die Unternehmen in die Region ziehen können, und die Adressierung regionaler Problemlagen wie zum Beispiel einer prekären Daseinsvorsorge im Gefolge der demografischen Entleerung der Region. Endogene Entwicklungspotentiale im Sinne innovativer KMU gibt es; sie dürften allein allerdings nicht ausreichend für eine Kompensation der wegfallenden Arbeitsplätze in der Braunkohleverstromung sein.
Psychological Flow Training: Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of an Educational Intervention on Flow
Authors: Norsworthy Cameron , Dimmock James A. , Nicholas Joanna , Krause Amanda , Jackson Ben
Published: May 2023

Despite there being an increasing number of applied flow studies across scientific disciplines, there exists no consistent or broadly applicable intervention to promote flow experiences. This study provides a detailed account of a new educational flow training program developed following recent advancements in the flow literature that have provided a more parsimonious understanding of flow experiences and antecedents. Guided by CONSORT guidelines for feasibility trials, we conducted a single-group, non-randomized feasibility trial of an educational flow training program (N = 26). We assessed participant retention, perceptions about and experiences of the program, perceptions about the flow education training, and preliminary assessments of flow as an outcome. Results broadly supported program feasibility, and participants reported positive experiences in, and perceptions of, program components. In terms of preliminary efficacy, we observed evidence of noteworthy change pre-to-post-program in flow (d = 0.84), performance (d = 0.81), competence (d = 0.96), well-being (d = 0.68), intrinsic motivation (d = 0.47), interest (d = 0.72), choice (d = 0.38), stress (d = -1.08), ability to handle stress (d = 0.74), and anxiety (d = − 0.86). These results provide preliminary evidence that it may be possible to ‘train’ flow in line with recent perspectives on a core three-dimensional flow experience (and antecedents). The study has developed a research foundation for flow intervention “curriculum” and quality standards, and for measuring results. It offers a foundation for the implementation of a larger-scale program.
The Importance of STEM Sense of Belonging and Academic Hope in Enhancing Persistence for Low-Income, Underrepresented STEM Students
Authors: Hansen Michele J. , Palakal Mathew J. , White Le’Joy
Published: May 2023

The purpose of this longitudinal investigation was to examine the effectiveness of a comprehensive, integrated curricular and co-curricular program designed to build community, provide academic and social support, and promote engagement in academically purposeful activities resulting in more equitable environments for historically underrepresented, low-income science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) information technology (IT) students. The study also focused on the role that the sense of belonging and academic hope play in enhancing persistence to degree completion. Program participants had significantly higher persistence rates compared to a matched comparison group. Additionally, STEM-specific belonging and academic hope significantly predicted students’ intentions to persist to degree completion in IT. A major finding was that STEM domain–specific belonging was a stronger predictor of persistence than general belonging. Our investigation has implications for the role that cohort-based programs, industry engagement, peer mentoring, proactive advising, undergraduate research opportunities, career preparation, and leveraging need-based financial aid play in ensuring equity in STEM.
What is the impact of a pre-hospital geriatrician led telephone ‘Silver Triage’ for older people living with frailty?
Authors: Jones H. T. , Teranaka W. , Hunter P. , Gross L. , Conroy S.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Most older people are conveyed to hospital via ambulance, therefore presenting a focus to reduce hospitalisation. North Central London has introduced ‘Silver Triage’, a pre-hospital telephone support scheme where geriatricians support the London Ambulance Service with clinical decision-making.

Methods

Data from the first 14 months was analysed descriptively.

Results

There have been 452 Silver Triage cases (November 2021 to January 2023). 80% resulted in a decision to not convey. The mode clinical frailty scale (CFS) was 6. CFS did not influence conveyance rates. Prior to triage, paramedics thought hospitalisation was not required in 44% of cases (n = 72/165). All paramedics surveyed (n = 176) would use the service again. Most (66%, n = 108/164) felt they learnt something and 16% (n = 27/164) reported it changed their decision-making process.

Conclusion

Silver Triage has the potential to improve the care of older people by preventing unnecessary hospitalisation and has been well received by paramedics.
Eco-friendly concrete with waste ceramic tile as coarse aggregate: mechanical strength, durability, and microstructural properties
Authors: Paul Suvash Chandra , Faruky Samrat Ashek Ullah , Babafemi Adewumi John , Miah Md Jihad
Published: May 2023

The drive towards circular economy in achieving sustainable concrete cannot be overemphasized. The recycling of waste tiles from the ceramic industry, demolished buildings, or during the construction process could be one way of solving the waste generated from ceramic tiles. This study investigates the use of waste ceramic tiles as coarse aggregates in concrete at replacement levels of 0, 10, 20, 30, 50, and 100% by weight of natural coarse aggregate. Concrete cylinders were cast and tested for compressive and splitting tensile strength after a curing period of 7, 14, and 28 days. Further, the durability of the concrete was investigated via water absorption and total permeable pore volumes in all the concrete mixes. The results indicate that the strength of concrete decreases as the percentage of waste ceramic tile aggregate increases. However, adding 10% tile aggregate in concrete seems acceptable as the strength reduction was relatively low. The water absorption and voids increase as waste ceramic tile aggregate increases. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was performed to investigate the statistical significance of the waste ceramic tile aggregate on the properties tested. Artificial neural network (ANN) was also performed to predict the compressive strength of ceramic tile concrete. Based on the outcomes, it is recommended to use 10–20% of waste tile aggregate in concrete production where design compressive strength is less than 20 MPa, which can also reduce the demand for new aggregate, reduce the cost of the project, save the dumping issue, and protect the environment.
Experimental research and effect on mechanical and wear properties of aluminium based composites reinforced with Zn/Sic particles
Authors: Sonker Puneet Kumar , Singh Thingujam Jackson , Yadav Niteesh Pratap
Published: May 2023

In this investigation, Al-/Zn/SiC composite with various weight percentages of SiC were manufactured via powder metallurgy (PM) route. Using the powder metallurgy approach, composites are created by changing the amount of SiC in the range of 5–15% by weight respectively. Under fretting wear test, the tribological characteristics of these composite materials were examined at load (5N, 10N, 15N), constant control parameters like that of frequency (20 Hz), temperature (at room temperature), stroke length (0.50 mm) and time (20 min). The test findings showed that compared to the unreinforced alloy the SiC-reinforced aluminium hybrid matrix composites (AHMC’s) showed a lower wear loss (i.e. 0.002 gm). It was found that friction coefficient of Al/5%Zn/10%Sic composites reduced with increasing applied load. Additionally, with an increase in the SiC content, the mechanical properties i.e. Tensile Strength and Hardness of fabricated composite increases compared to the base material. This study showed that the wear resistance of aluminium composites is greatly increased by the addition of both a synthetic reinforcement (i.e. Silicon Carbide) and a low melting point reinforcement (i.e. Zinc, 99%, −325 mesh). Overall, our findings show that AHMC’s might be regarded as a superior material in industries like aerospace and automotive engineering, where mechanical and wear properties play an important role.
Eighteenth-Century Illustration and Literary Material Culture
Authors: Jung Sandro
Published: May 2023

This Element studies eighteenth- and early nineteenth-century instances of transmediation, concentrating on how the same illustrations were adapted for new media and how they generated novel media constellations and meanings for these images. Focusing on the 'content' of the illustrations and its adaptation within the framework of a new medium, case studies examine the use across different media of illustrations (comprehending both the designs for book illustrations and furniture prints) of three eighteenth-century works: Defoe's Robinson Crusoe (1719), Thomson's The Seasons (1730) and Richardson's Pamela (1740). These case studies reveal how visually enhanced material culture not only makes present the literary work, including its characters and story-world. But they also demonstrate how, through processes of transmediation, changes are introduced to the illustration that affect comprehension of that work. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
Knowledge and the governing of the interventionary object: Mali in the German parliament
Authors: Distler Werner , Tekath Miriam
Published: May 2023

While studies on the role of knowledge and expertise have seen a resurgence of interest in International Relations and in literature on peacebuilding and security governance, little is known how knowledge enters the governance routines after the initial establishment of peacebuilding operations. Taking the mandate decision-making process of MINUSMA and EUTM operations in Mali in the German parliament as case for our explorative study, we ask how knowledge has entered the parliamentary process and how various epistemic practices and epistemic agency shape this peacebuilding governance since 2013. Informed by an object-centred knowledge framework, we argue that the practices and types of agency involved mostly ‘lock-in’ the governing of robust peacebuilding in Mali in much broader foreign- and security policies routines. Epistemic practices are not primarily concerned with new impulses or critical analysis, but with rendering Mali governable as interventionary object. The epistemic authority of the government is dominant and we do not find much evidence that hegemonic knowledge is challenged. Intervening agents do extract certain knowledge via transnational channels from Mali, however, broader knowledge debates or the involvement of Malian agents are missing.
Racial Justice and Resistance to Integration
Authors: Valls Andrew
Published: May 2023

D. C. Matthew makes an important contribution to the ongoing debate between integrationists and their critics. While Matthew's conclusion that blacks have a duty not to integrate is too strong, his account provides additional reasons why they may not want to integrate. Further reasons to resist integration may be provided by considering the contexts of integration, particularly with respect to the degree of coerciveness that they involve. I argue that resistance to integration should take the form of not only refusing to participate in it but also of engaging in collective political action in the pursuit of racial justice.
Comparison of subcutaneous soft tissue versus temporalis fascia as a tympanoplasty graft material: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Faramarzi Mohammad , Faramarzi Ali , Roosta Sareh , Abbasi Nadia , Monabati Ahmad
Published: May 2023

Objective

This research compares the efficacy of subcutaneous soft tissue and temporalis fascia in tympanic membrane grafting for large tympanic membrane perforations.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study compared tympanic membrane graft success rate and hearing outcomes in 248 patients who underwent tympanoplasty using subcutaneous soft tissue (n = 118) or temporalis fascia (n = 130) via the post-auricular approach.

Results

Comparable results were observed in both groups. Tympanic membrane graft success rate was 98.3 per cent (116 ears) in the subcutaneous soft tissue group and 98.5 per cent (128 ears) in the temporalis fascia group. The rate of air–bone gap closure within 20 dB was 54.2 per cent (64 ears) and 60.0 per cent (78 ears) in the soft tissue and temporalis fascia groups, respectively (p = 0.360).

Conclusion

Subcutaneous soft tissue is a reliable and readily available tympanic membrane graft material in both revision and primary tympanoplasty for large tympanic membrane perforations.
A simple design method for broadband planar antennas
Authors: Li RongLin , Yang Zhenkai , Zhang Yang , Cui Yuehui
Published: May 2023

A simple process for the design of broadband planar antennas is presented for base station applications. The process is based on a square patch above a ground plane. Only three geometric parameters are involved in the design of a dual-polarized broadband planar antenna, including the width (Ws) of the square patch, a trimming angle (θ) of the square, and the height (H) of the patch above the ground plane. By adjusting the critical parameters θ and H, an impedance bandwidth of 50% for return loss (RL) >15 dB is achieved with an isolation of higher than 35 dB. The bandwidth of the broadband planar antenna is enhanced to 67% by etching four Γ slots on the square patch. The operating mechanisms of these broadband antennas are analyzed and verified by simulation and experiment.
Toward a Better Future for Assessment Reports
Authors: Spinu Roxana M. , Corbeanu Andreea
Published: May 2023

Abstract: Conceived as an in vitro experiment, this study explores four ways of designing employee assessment reports to determine which of them is more efficient in selection decisions. Based on feedback, information design, and the educational testing literature, we addressed the design of assessment reports from two different perspectives: the wording (score vs. trait descriptions) and the formatting (bulleted lists vs. paragraphs) of the text. A total of 247 human resources specialists received a job description and two personality profiles and were asked to decide which of the two fictitious candidates is more suitable for the job. The study was a 2 × 2 × 2 design, manipulating the difficulty of the decision, the text wording, and the text formatting. The model was statistically significant, χ2(7) = 29.9, p < .001, and explained 16.1% of the variance in the selection decision. In the easy scenario, all types of reports were efficient. In the difficult scenario, reports using score descriptions and paragraphs were more efficient than any of the other three conditions. This study primarily contributes from a practical point of view, showing that different ways of building assessment reports lead to different selection decisions. It also emphasizes the responsibility that organizations and assessment providers have when communicating assessment results to decision-makers.
Applying the Urban Systems Abstraction Hierarchy as a Tool for Flood Resilience
Authors: McClymont K. , Bedinger M. , Beevers L. , Walker G. H.
Published: May 2023

Climate change will mean cities are exposed to more frequent short‐term shocks such as floods. City‐scale resilience is achieved by understanding how these shocks interact with longer‐term stressors (e.g., social inequality). The Urban Systems Abstraction Hierarchy (USAH) has been developed for this purpose. In this paper, Glasgow (UK) is used as a case study application, to demonstrate how resilience theory can be operationalized through the application of the USAH. Results demonstrate how the USAH can quantify interdependencies between tangible physical entities in the city and intangible outcomes that monitor city stressors, and specifically how these outcomes change in response to a 1:200‐year fluvial flood return period in Glasgow. Resilience concepts such as multifunctionality, redundancy and diversity are applied to interpret the results and their implications for longer‐term resilience in Glasgow. The findings from the application of the USAH show that the outcome Social equality and equity is influential for longer‐term resilience in Glasgow, whilst Reliable communications and mobility is an important outcome for flood resilience.
Holocene Palaeoenvironmental and Palaeoproductivity Changes in the Western Amundsen Sea Embayment of Antarctica
Authors: Kim Minkyoung , Lee Jae Il , Bak Young‐Suk , Hillenbrand Claus‐Dieter , Yang Eun Jin , Montluçon Daniel B. , Haghipour Negar , Eglinton Timothy I. , Hwang Jeomshik
Published: May 2023

The Amundsen Polynya (AP) on the inner and middle continental shelf of the western Amundsen Sea Embayment is the fourth largest coastal polynya around Antarctica. The AP is highly productive when it opens in austral summer, with ∼20 times greater organic carbon accumulation rates over the last few thousand years compared to those at nearby shelf sites with more persistent seasonal sea‐ice cover. We examined sedimentary records at a site from the AP and another site from the outer shelf to investigate temporal variations in the depositional environment with a special focus on the timing of the AP opening since the deglaciation following the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; ca. 23–19 cal. ka BP). In the AP region, sedimentological and biogeochemical proxy data reveal a transition from a sub‐glacial to a sub‐ice shelf and then seasonally open marine conditions comparable to those at present. Total organic carbon contents and diatom valve abundances during the seasonally open marine period imply that the polynya environments was reached at ca. 9.2 cal. ka BP. Since the post‐LGM deglaciation, diatom productivity and assemblages in the AP region appear to have varied in association with the variation in the physical environment. Compared to the AP site, only small amounts of organic carbon accumulated on the outer shelf. Differences in the depositional environments and productivity modes between the inner and outer shelf sites have persisted since ca. 10.5 cal. ka BP.
Thank You to Our 2022 Peer Reviewers
Authors: Lugaz Noé , Carter Brett A. , Gannon Jennifer L. , Hapgood Michael , Liu Huixin , Morley Steve , Zou Shasha
Published: May 2023

Key Points

The editors thank the 2022 peer reviewers
Goal-oriented representations in the human hippocampus during planning and navigation
Authors: Crivelli-Decker Jordan , Clarke Alex , Park Seongmin A. , Huffman Derek J. , Boorman Erie D. , Ranganath Charan
Published: May 2023

Recent work in cognitive and systems neuroscience has suggested that the hippocampus might support planning, imagination, and navigation by forming cognitive maps that capture the abstract structure of physical spaces, tasks, and situations. Navigation involves disambiguating similar contexts, and the planning and execution of a sequence of decisions to reach a goal. Here, we examine hippocampal activity patterns in humans during a goal-directed navigation task to investigate how contextual and goal information are incorporated in the construction and execution of navigational plans. During planning, hippocampal pattern similarity is enhanced across routes that share a context and a goal. During navigation, we observe prospective activation in the hippocampus that reflects the retrieval of pattern information related to a key-decision point. These results suggest that, rather than simply representing overlapping associations or state transitions, hippocampal activity patterns are shaped by context and goals.
Food demand displaced by global refugee migration influences water use in already water stressed countries
Authors: Bertassello Leonardo , Müller Marc F. , Wiechman Adam , Penny Gopal , Tuninetti Marta , Müller-Itten Michèle C.
Published: May 2023

Millions of people displaced by conflicts have found refuge in water-scarce countries, where their perceived effect on water availability has shaped local water security discourses. Using an annual global data set, we explain the effects of refugee migrations on the host countries’ water stress through the food demand displaced by refugees and the water necessary to produce that food. The water footprint of refugee displacement increased by nearly 75% globally between 2005 and 2016. Although minimal in most countries, implications can be severe in countries already facing severe water stress. For example, refugees may have contributed up to 75 percentage points to water stress in Jordan. While water considerations should not, alone, determine trade and migration policy, we find that small changes to current international food supply flows and refugee resettlement procedures can potentially ease the effect of refugee displacement on water stress in water-vulnerable countries.
Discovery and biosynthesis of tricyclic copper-binding ribosomal peptides containing histidine-to-butyrine crosslinks
Authors: Li Yuqing , Ma Yeying , Xia Yinzheng , Zhang Tao , Sun Shuaishuai , Gao Jiangtao , Yao Hongwei , Wang Huan
Published: May 2023

Cyclic peptide natural products represent an important class of bioactive compounds and clinical drugs. Enzymatic side-chain macrocyclization of ribosomal peptides is a major strategy developed by nature to generate these chemotypes, as exemplified by the superfamily of ribosomally synthesized and post-translational modified peptides. Despite the diverse types of side-chain crosslinks in this superfamily, the participation of histidine residues is rare. Herein, we report the discovery and biosynthesis of bacteria-derived tricyclic lanthipeptide noursin, which is constrained by a tri amino acid labionin crosslink and an unprecedented histidine-to-butyrine crosslink, named histidinobutyrine. Noursin displays copper-binding ability that requires the histidinobutyrine crosslink and represents the first copper-binding lanthipeptide. A subgroup of lanthipeptide synthetases, named LanKCHbt, were identified to catalyze the formation of both the labionin and the histidinobutyrine crosslinks in precursor peptides and produce noursin-like compounds. The discovery of the histidinobutyrine-containing lanthipeptides expands the scope of post-translational modifications, structural diversity and bioactivity of ribosomally synthesized and post-translational modified peptides.
Computational models of episodic-like memory in food-caching birds
Authors: Brea Johanni , Clayton Nicola S. , Gerstner Wulfram
Published: May 2023

Birds of the crow family adapt food-caching strategies to anticipated needs at the time of cache recovery and rely on memory of the what, where and when of previous caching events to recover their hidden food. It is unclear if this behavior can be explained by simple associative learning or if it relies on higher cognitive processes like mental time-travel. We present a computational model and propose a neural implementation of food-caching behavior. The model has hunger variables for motivational control, reward-modulated update of retrieval and caching policies and an associative neural network for remembering caching events with a memory consolidation mechanism for flexible decoding of the age of a memory. Our methodology of formalizing experimental protocols is transferable to other domains and facilitates model evaluation and experiment design. Here, we show that memory-augmented, associative reinforcement learning without mental time-travel is sufficient to explain the results of 28 behavioral experiments with food-caching birds.
Durvalumab plus tremelimumab for the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms of gastroenteropancreatic and lung origin
Authors: Capdevila J. , Hernando J. , Teule A. , Lopez C. , Garcia-Carbonero R. , Benavent M. , Custodio A. , Garcia-Alvarez A. , Cubillo A. , Alonso V. , Carmona-Bayonas A. , Alonso-Gordoa T. , Crespo G. , Jimenez-Fonseca P. , Blanco M. , Viudez A. , La Casta A. , Sevilla I. , Segura A. , Llanos M. , Landolfi S. , Nuciforo P. , Manzano J. L.
Published: May 2023

Single immune checkpoint blockade in advanced neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs) shows limited efficacy; dual checkpoint blockade may improve treatment activity. Dune (NCT03095274) is a non-randomized controlled multicohort phase II clinical trial evaluating durvalumab plus tremelimumab activity and safety in advanced NENs. This study included 123 patients presenting between 2017 and 2019 with typical/atypical lung carcinoids (Cohort 1), G1/2 gastrointestinal (Cohort 2), G1/2 pancreatic (Cohort 3) and G3 gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) (Cohort 4) NENs; who progressed to standard therapies. Patients received 1500 mg durvalumab and 75 mg tremelimumab for up to 13 and 4 cycles (every 4 weeks), respectively. The primary objective was the 9-month clinical benefit rate (CBR) for cohorts 1-3 and 9-month overall survival (OS) rate for Cohort 4. Secondary endpoints included objective response rate, duration of response, progression-free survival according to irRECIST, overall survival, and safety. Correlation of PD-L1 expression with efficacy was exploratory. The 9-month CBR was 25.9%/35.5%/25% for Cohorts 1, 2, and 3 respectively. The 9-month OS rate for Cohort 4 was 36.1%, surpassing the futility threshold. Benefit in Cohort 4 was observed regardless of differentiation and Ki67 levels. PD-L1 combined scores did not correlate with treatment activity. Safety profile was consistent with that of prior studies. In conclusion, durvalumab plus tremelimumab is safe in NENs and shows modest survival benefit in G3 GEP-NENs; with one-third of these patients experiencing a prolonged OS.
Wigner-molecularization-enabled dynamic nuclear polarization
Authors: Jang Wonjin , Kim Jehyun , Park Jaemin , Kim Gyeonghun , Cho Min-Kyun , Jang Hyeongyu , Sim Sangwoo , Kang Byoungwoo , Jung Hwanchul , Umansky Vladimir , Kim Dohun
Published: May 2023

Multielectron semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) provide a novel platform to study the Coulomb interaction-driven, spatially localized electron states of Wigner molecules (WMs). Although Wigner-molecularization has been confirmed by real-space imaging and coherent spectroscopy, the open system dynamics of the strongly correlated states with the environment are not yet well understood. Here, we demonstrate efficient control of spin transfer between an artificial three-electron WM and the nuclear environment in a GaAs double QD. A Landau–Zener sweep-based polarization sequence and low-lying anticrossings of spin multiplet states enabled by Wigner-molecularization are utilized. Combined with coherent control of spin states, we achieve control of magnitude, polarity, and site dependence of the nuclear field. We demonstrate that the same level of control cannot be achieved in the non-interacting regime. Thus, we confirm the spin structure of a WM, paving the way for active control of correlated electron states for application in mesoscopic environment engineering.