bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The unbearable lightness of being implicated in conflict-affected societies: can teachers do anything about it?
Authors: Zembylas Michalinos , Bekerman Zvi
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In this reflective essay, the authors explore how thinking with the notions of implication and complicity may encourage or hinder efforts to engage teachers in problematizing victim-perpetrator binaries in conflict-affected societies.

Design/methodology/approach

This reflective essay draws on lessons learned from the authors’ long-time work with teachers in Cyprus and Israel. The authors suggest that the concept of implication provides a productive framework for thinking about teachers’ professional responsibilities in more complex and nuanced ways.

Findings

The reflections of the two authors highlight the challenges and possibilities of overcoming essentialist categories of “victims” and “perpetrators” in conflict-affected societies.

Originality/value

This essay shows the (im)possibilities of transforming the prevailing binaries in communities experiencing political conflict.
Examination of the effects of artificial intelligence readiness on lean sustainability and value creation in the mediation variable effect of organizational flexibility in technology-focused companies
Authors: Adiguzel Zafer , Sonmez Cakir Fatma , Özbay Ferhat
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand how the level of readiness for artificial intelligence (AI) affects the overall performance of companies, determine the role of organizational flexibility in adapting to new technologies and business models and assess the importance of lean sustainability and value creation for technology-focused companies.

Design/methodology/approach

Technology companies working in technoparks in Istanbul were determined, and a questionnaire was applied to senior employees such as experts, engineers and managers working in these companies. The results were processed with a sample of 456 units. SmartPLS program was used for analysis.

Findings

As a result of the analyzes, it is supported by hypotheses that AI readiness and organizational flexibility have positive effects on lean sustainability and value creation.

Research limitations/implications

When evaluated in terms of the limitations of the research, it would not be correct to evaluate the results of the analysis in general, since the data were collected from technology-focused companies in technoparks in Istanbul.

Practical implications

Examining the variables that make up the research model in technology-oriented companies helps to understand the critical factors for the future success of companies. At the same time, this research is important for companies to make more informed decisions in their strategic planning, technological transformation processes and value creation strategies.

Originality/value

This research topic offers a unique approach in terms of bringing together topics such as AI readiness, organizational flexibility, sustainability and value creation. These issues play an important role in the strategic planning of technology-focused companies, and when considered together, they are important in terms of examining the critical factors that affect the future success of companies.
Effect of process parameters on the mechanical performance of fusion-joined additively manufactured segments
Authors: Cao Dongyang , Bouzolin Daniel , Paniagua Christopher , Lu Hongbing , Griffith D.Todd
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Herein, the authors report the effects of printing parameters, joining method, and annealing conditions on the structural performance of fusion-joined short-beam sections produced by additive manufacturing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first identified appropriate printing parameters for joining segmented short beams and then used those parameters to print and fusion-join segments with different configurations of stiffeners to form a longer section of a wing or small wind turbine blade structure.

Findings

It was found that the beams with three lateral and three base stiffening ribs give the highest flexural strength among the three beams investigated. Results on joined beams annealed at different conditions showed that annealing at 70 °C for 0.5 h yields higher performance than annealing at the same temperature for longer times. It is also found that in the case of the hot-plate-welded three-dimensional (3D)-printed structures, no annealing is needed for reaching a high strength-to-weight ratio, but annealing is helpful for maximizing the modulus-to-weight ratio. Both thermal buckling and edge wrapping were observed under annealing at 70°C for 0.5 h for 3D-printed beams comprising two lateral and four base stiffening plates.

Originality/value

Fusion-joining of additively manufactured segments is needed owing to the constraint in building volume of a typical commercial 3D-printer. However, study of the effect of process parameters is needed to quantify their effect on mechanical performance. This investigation has therefore identified key printing parameters and annealing conditions for fusion-joining short segments to form larger structures, from multiple 3D-printed sections, such as wind blade structures.
Comparative analysis of the nutritional composition and volatile compounds in male and female adults, nymphs, and molts of Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker
Authors: Huang Yuanyuan , Mintah Benjamin Kumah , Dabbour Mokhtar , Liu Shuixin , Guo Tao , Xu Haining , Dai Chunhua , Chen Xiumin , Ma Haile , He Ronghai
Published: September 2024

Abstrac

Female adult Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker (FAESW) has traditionally been a food source in Southeast Asian countries such as China and India, due to its rich nutritional content. However, the nutritional value of male adults (MAESW) and its molts (MESW) has hardly been reported. Therefore, this study aims to explore the potential application of MAESW and MESW in food by investigating and comparing their nutritional composition (i.e., protein, amino acids, fatty acids, and essential elements) with traditional sources of nutrition. The protein content of MAESW and MESW was 66.10 ± 0.49% and 59.86 ± 6.07%, respectively, and the highest energy content (462.26 ± 1.28 kcal/100 g) was observed for MAESW. Eight essential amino acids were determined, of which the males and MESW were found to have higher contents than those of FAESW (p < 0.05). Oleic and linoleic acid contents were higher in the adults than nymphs. Moreover, MESW was predominant in calcium (6770.84 mg/kg), whereas MAESW was rich in iron (556.12 mg/kg). Likened to chicken, the protein, amino acid, fatty acid, and mineral contents of ESW were higher. The volatiles of ESW were related to hexaldehyde, benzaldehyde, acetic acid, and butyric acid. This study provides a better understanding of the chemical composition of ESWs during their growth cycle and helps optimize information on edible insects, promoting their use as a potential food source for humans.

Practical Application: As a kind of edible insect, the utilization of adult male Eupolyphaga sinensis Walker (ESW) and its molt is very low at present. Therefore, this study examined the nutrients and volatile substances of ESW (at different growth stages) and molt, which provided a theoretical basis for the subsequent development and utilization of ESW.
Ultrasound‐stimulated microbubbles to enhance radiotherapy: A scoping review
Authors: McCorkell Giulia , Piva Terrence , Highgate Declan , Nakayama Masao , Geso Moshi
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Primarily used as ultrasound contrast agents, microbubbles have recently emerged as a versatile therapeutic vector that can be ‘burst’ to deliver payloads in the presence of suitably optimised ultrasound fields. Ultrasound‐stimulated microbubbles (USMB) have recently demonstrated improvements in treatment outcomes across a variety of clinical applications. This scoping review investigates whether this potential translates into the context of radiation therapy by evaluating the application of this technology across all three phases of radiation action.

Methods

Primary research articles, excluding poster presentations and conference proceedings, were identified through systematic searches of the PubMed NCBI/Medline, Embase/OVID, Web of Science and CINAHL/EBSCOhost databases, with additional articles identified via manual Google Scholar searching. Articles were dual screened for inclusion using the Covidence systematic review platform and classified against all three phases of radiation action.

Results

Overall, 57 eligible publications from a total of 1389 identified articles were included in the review, with studies dating back to 2012. Study heterogeneity prevented formal statistical analysis; however, most articles reported improved outcomes using USMB in the presence of radiation compared to that of radiation alone. These improvements appear to result from the use of USMB as either a biovascular disruptor causing tumour cell damage via indirect mechanisms, or as a localised treatment vector that directly increases tumour cell uptake of other therapeutic and physical agents designed to enhance radiation action.

Conclusions

USMB demonstrate exciting potential to enhance the effects of radiation treatments due to their versatility and capacity to target all three phases of radiation action.
IRE1α‐XBP1s axis regulates SREBP1‐dependent MRP1 expression to promote chemoresistance in non‐small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Xu Yuzhou , Gui Feng , Zhang Zhe , Chen Zhongyang , Zhang Tiange , Hu Yunhan , Wei Huijun , Fu Yuchen , Chen Xinde , Wu Zhihao
Published: September 2024

Background

Inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 (IRE1) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER)‐resident transmembrane protein that senses ER stress and mediates an essential arm of the unfolded protein response (UPR). IRE1 reduces ER stress by upregulating the expression of multiple ER chaperones through activation of X‐box‐binding protein 1 (XBP1). Emerging lines of evidence have revealed that IRE1‐XBP1 axis serves as a multipurpose signal transducer during oncogenic transformation and cancer development. In this study, we explore how IRE1‐XBP1 signaling promotes chemoresistance in lung cancer.

Methods

The expression patterns of UPR components and MRP1 were examined by Western blot. qRT‐PCR was employed to determine RNA expression. The promoter activity was determined by luciferase reporter assay. Chemoresistant cancer cells were analyzed by viability, apoptosis. CUT & Tag (Cleavage under targets and tagmentation)‐qPCR analysis was used for analysis of DNA‐protein interaction.

Results

Here we show that activation of IRE1α‐XBP1 pathway leads to an increase in MDR‐related protein 1 (MRP1) expression, which facilitates drug extrusion and confers resistance to cytotoxic chemotherapy. At the molecular level, XBP1‐induced c‐Myc is necessary for SREBP1 expression, and SREBP1 binds to the MRP1 promoter to directly regulate its transcription.

Conclusions

We conclude that IRE1α‐XBP1 had important role in chemoresistance and appears to be a novel prognostic marker for lung cancer.
Advanced imaging for earlier diagnosis and morbidity prevention in multiple myeloma: A British Society of Haematology and UK Myeloma Society Good Practice Paper
Authors: Kaiser Martin , Goh Vicky , Stern Simon , Spencer Nicholas , Rabin Neil , Ramasamy Karthik , Lawless Sarah , Soutar Richard , Ashcroft John , Pratt Guy , Messiou Christina , Bygrave Ceri ,   the BSH Committee
Published: September 2024

This Good Practice Paper provides recommendations for the use of advanced imaging for earlier diagnosis and morbidity prevention in multiple myeloma. It describes how advanced imaging contributes to optimal healthcare resource utilisation by in newly diagnosed and relapsed myeloma, and provides a perspective on future directions of myeloma imaging, including machine learning assisted reporting.
Healthcare professionals' knowledge and attitudes towards polygenic risk testing for glaucoma
Authors: Hollitt Georgina L. , Keane Miriam C. , Nguyen Thi T. , Hassall Mark M. , Siggs Owen M. , Craig Jamie E. , Souzeau Emmanuelle
Published: September 2024

Background

Effective clinical implementation of polygenic risk testing for glaucoma relies on healthcare professionals' attitudes and knowledge of the test. Given the emerging applications of the test, it will likely impact a range of healthcare professionals and will require competency in polygenic risk scores concepts for all those involved in patient care. To our knowledge, this is the first study to assess healthcare professionals' views towards polygenic testing for glaucoma.

Methods

An online cross‐sectional questionnaire was distributed to healthcare professionals via relevant professional organisations in Australia. The questionnaire assessed experience and confidence with genetic testing, glaucoma and genetic knowledge, recommendations for the tests, and factors affecting the decision.

Results

A total of 94 participants completed the questionnaire. The sample was composed of ophthalmologists (36%), optometrists (21%), orthoptists (17%), general practitioners (16%) and clinical geneticists/genetic counsellors (10%). Although familiarity with polygenic risk scores for glaucoma was low overall (11%), the majority reported a positive attitude towards recommending testing based on known risk factors such as family history (91%) and older age (57%). Over 95% indicated that ophthalmologists would be the most appropriate group to order polygenic risk testing and communicate results. The majority felt they would benefit from more training on polygenic risk scores (93%).

Conclusions

Our findings indicated that multiple groups of healthcare professionals were neither familiar nor confident with the concept of glaucoma polygenic risk testing, and identified training and education needs to support the implementation of testing into clinical practice.
Creating a more inclusive approach to wildlife trade management
Authors: Hinsley Amy , Hughes Alice , Margulies Jared
Published: September 2024

Global wildlife trade involves a diverse array of species. Although sustainable trade underpins livelihoods for communities worldwide, unsustainable trade, whether legal or illegal, threatens thousands of species and can lead to extinctions. From plants and fungi to fish, amphibians, mammals, invertebrates, and reptiles, a diverse array of species across taxa are affected by trade. Attention to wildlife trade has increased in recent years, but its focus has largely remained on a narrow range of high‐profile species, with taxa deemed less charismatic frequently overlooked, despite some having significant trade volumes and levels of threat to wild populations. These biases can hamper effective policy interventions, reduce awareness of wider threats from trade, and prevent conservation efforts from focusing on the most pressing issues. It is important to broaden the scope of research and policy discussions and create a more inclusive approach to trade management. The diversity of approaches to wildlife trade can be improved by expanding monitoring of trade to a wider variety of taxa; collecting fundamental ecological data to underpin assessments of trade sustainability; improving and codesigning conservation interventions with key stakeholders and trade actors; and developing appropriate strategies for managing the supply, trade, and demand in diverse wildlife products to ensure species and livelihoods are protected.
Refuge identification as a climate adaptation strategy to promote fish persistence during drought
Authors: Walters Annika W. , Clancy Niall G. , Archdeacon Thomas P. , Yu Songyan , Rogosch Jane S. , Rieger Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2024

Climate change is leading to global increases in extreme events, such as drought, that threaten the persistence of freshwater biodiversity. Identification and management of drought refuges, areas that promote resistance and resilience to drought, will be critical for preserving and recovering aquatic biodiversity in the face of climate change and increasing human water use. Although several reviews have addressed the effects of droughts and highlighted the role of refuges, a need remains on how to identify functional refuges that can be used in a drought management framework to support fish assemblages. We synthesize literature on drought refuges and propose a framework to identify and manage functional refuges that incorporate species physiological tolerances, behaviours and life‐history strategies. Stream pools, perennial reaches and off‐channel habitat were identified as important drought refuges for fish. The ability of refuges to improve species resistance and resilience to drought requires careful consideration of the biology of the target species and targeted management to promote persistence, quality and connectivity of refuges. Case studies illustrate that management of drought refuges can be challenging because of competing demands for water, incomplete knowledge of ecological requirements for target species and the increasing occurrence of multi‐year droughts. Climate adaptation is increasingly important, and drought refuges can increase fish resistance and resilience to climate‐related drought across the riverscape.
Aligning Audience Needs with Scientists’ Information in the Complex Harmful Algal Bloom Outreach to Engagement Continuum
Authors: Clites Erica , Triezenberg Heather , Doberneck Diane
Published: September 2024

Algae, an important foundation of aquatic ecosystems, can become a nuisance or harmful when it grows in excess. Many government agencies have a role in monitoring, responding to, and confirming a harmful algal bloom (HAB). HAB scientists have important information to share, however, given the complexities of HABs, which often involve decoupled drivers from observed impacts, presents challenges to outreach and engagement. Understanding key audience information needs can help scientists prioritize key science communication and engagement opportunities to maximize the impact of such efforts. Scientists may need additional science communication training or support for scientist‐community partnerships. This will be evermore important into the future with the likely range expansion of HABs due to climate change.
Real‐life effectiveness and safety of baricitinib in patients with severe alopecia areata: A 24‐week Italian study
Authors: Piraccini B. M. , Pampaloni F. , Cedirian S. , Quadrelli F. , Bruni F. , Rapparini L. , Caro G. , Acri M. C. , Ala L. , Rossi A. , Pellacani G. , Lacarrubba F. , Micali G. , Dall'Oglio F. , Vastarella M. , Cantelli M. , Nappa P. , Diluvio L. , Bianchi L. , Gnesotto L. , Sechi A. , Naldi L. , Tassone F. , Peris K. , Caldarola G. , Pinto L. M. , Girolomoni G. , Marangoni F. , Bellinato F. , Gisondi P. , Scandagli I. , Prignano F. , Pimpinelli N. , Tomasini C. , Barruscotti S. , De Simoni E. , Simonetti O. , Ambrogio F. , Foti C. , Boccaletti V. , Fraghì A. , Marzano A. V. , Mattioli M. A. , Rocca L. , Barbareschi M. , Ferrucci S. M. , Gallo G. , Ribero S. , Quaglino P. , Balestri R. , Ioris T. , Caposiena Caro R. D. , Zalaudek I. , Vagnozzi E. , Fargnoli M. C. , Caponio C. , Rubegni P. , Cinotti E. , Trovato E. , Romanelli M. , Dini V. , Manzo Margiotta F. , Feliciani C. , de Felici del Giudice M. B. , Atzori L. , Sanna S. , Lembo S. , Raimondo A. , Magnano M. , Starace M.
Published: September 2024

Background

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune condition characterized by rapid hair loss in the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes, for which treatments are limited. Baricitinib, an oral inhibitor of Janus kinases 1 and 2, has been recently approved to treat alopecia areata.

Materials and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study involving 23 medical centres across Italy, enrolling patients affected by severe alopecia areata (SALT >50), for more than 6 months. Clinical and trichoscopic assessment was performed at each visit and impact on quality of life, anxiety and depression were evaluated using the Skindex‐16 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), respectively.

Results

A total of 118 patients were enrolled, with a mean age of 39 years and a mean SALT >95. The mean value of the SALT score decreased from an average of 96.6 (±8.23 sd) to 48 (±35.2 sd) after 24 weeks of treatment and 42.3% of patients achieved a SALT 30, 31.3% a SALT 20 and 20.3% a SALT 10 by Week 24. Trichoscopic signs showed fewer yellow dots and black dots significantly earlier than hair regrowth. Adverse events during the treatment period (mild laboratory test abnormalities) were reported in 12.7% patients. No drop‐out were registered.

Conclusion

Data on the effectiveness and safety of baricitinib are promising and support the use of this drug in severe forms of AA, also in the early stages. We also suggest performing trichoscopy in order to reveal early response to therapy.
Butterflies, bumblebees and hoverflies are equally effective pollinators of Knautia arvensis (Caprifoliaceae), a generalist plant species with compound inflorescences
Authors: Ollerton Jeff , Coulthard Emma , Tarrant Sam , Woolford James , Jorge Leonardo Ré , Rech André Rodrigo
Published: September 2024

Plant‐pollinator interactions exist along a continuum from complete specialisation to highly generalised, that may vary in time and space. A long‐held assumption is that large bees are usually the most effective pollinators of generalist plants. We tested this by studying the relative importance of different groups of pollinators of Knautia arvensis (L.) Coult. (Caprifoliaceae: Dipsacoideae). This plant is suitable for such a study because it attracts a diversity of flower visitors, belonging to different functional groups. We asked whether all functional groups of pollinators are equally effective, or if one group is most effective, which has been documented in other species with apparently generalised pollination systems. We studied two subpopulations of K. arvensis, one at low and one at high density in Northampton, UK. To assess pollinator importance we exposed unvisited inflorescences to single visits by different groups of pollinators (butterflies, bumblebees, hoverflies and others) and assessed the proportion of pollinated stigmas. We then multiplied the effectiveness of each pollinator group with their proportional visitation frequency in five different years. For each group we also compared time spent on flowers and flight distance between visits. The relative importance of each pollinator group varied between years, as did their flight distances between flower visits. Butterflies were the best pollinators on a per visit basis (in terms of the proportion of stigmas pollinated) and flew further after visiting an inflorescence. Different measures and proxies of pollinator effectiveness varied between taxa, subpopulations, and years, and no one group of pollinators was consistently more effective than the others. Our results demonstrate the adaptive value of generalised pollination strategies when variation in relative abundance of different types of pollinators is considered. Such strategies may have buffered the ability of plants to reproduce during past periods of environmental change and may do so in the future.
Market Regulation, Cycles, and Growth Dynamics in a Monetary Union
Authors: ABBRITTI MIRKO , WEBER SEBASTIAN
Published: September 2024

We build a two‐country currency union dynamic stochastic general equilibrium (DSGE) model with endogenous growth to assess the role of product market regulation (PMR) and labor market regulation (LMR) for growth and the adjustment to shocks. We show that with endogenous growth, there is no reason to expect real income convergence. Large shocks can lead to permanent changes of output and real exchange rates. Differences are exacerbated by different PMR and LMR. Less regulated economies have higher trend growth and recover faster from negative shocks. Results are consistent with higher inflation, lower employment, and disappointing total factor productivity (TFP) growth rates experienced in more regulated euro area members.
Preparation and In Vitro Evaluation of Protective Effects of Quercetin‐Loaded Solid Lipid Nanoparticles on Human Hair Against UV‐B Radiation
Authors: Salimi Anayatollah , Makhmalzadeh Behzad Sharif , Salahshoori Mandana
Published: September 2024

Background

The aim of this study was to investigate the protective effect of quercetin loaded on solid lipid nanoparticles (SLN) in protecting human hair from ultraviolet‐B (UV‐B) light in vitro.

Methods

In this study, solvent‐emulsified diffusion method was used to fabricate nanoparticle formulations and then particle size, loading, and drug release tests were performed from different formulations. Variables include oily part proportion, liquid to solid oil part ratio, and surfactant to lipid ratio. The optimal formulation was prepared by examining the eight formulations and optimizing them. Six groups of hair with different treatments were exposed to UV light for 600 h and the changes were investigated by examining four factors: RMS (root mean square average, the microscopic profile peaks and valleys), peak to valley roughness, the amount of chemical changes by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and the amount of protein loss.

Results

The selected formulation had a suitable particle size, loading percent, and release rate for penetration to hair. Quercetin‐loaded SLN controlled RMS factor, peak to valley roughness, and reduced chemical changes and protein loss compared to other treatments.

Conclusion

The optimize formulation showed positive effects in protecting the hair strands from UV‐B radiation.
Constructing the “Family Personality”: Can Family Functioning Be Linked to Parent–Child Interpersonal Neural Synchronization?
Authors: Thompson Khalil I. , Schneider Clayton J. , Rocha‐Hidalgo Joscelin , Jeyaram Shri , Mata‐Centeno Bedilia , Furtado Emily , Vachhani Shreeja , Pérez‐Edgar Koraly , Perlman Susan B.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Early child development occurs within an interactive environment, initially dominated by parents or caregivers, and is heavily influenced by the dynamics of this social context. The current study probed the neurobiology of “family personality”, or family functioning, in the context of parent–child dyadic interaction using a two‐person neuroimaging modality.

Methods

One hundred and five parent–child dyads (child mean age 5 years 4 months) were recruited. Functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) hyperscanning was employed to measure neural synchrony while dyads completed a mildly stressful interactive task. Family functioning was measured through the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale IV (FACES‐IV).

Results

Synchrony during stress was significantly greater than synchrony during both baseline and recovery conditions for all dyads. A significant interaction between neural synchrony in each task condition and familial balanced flexibility was found, such that higher levels of balanced flexibility were associated with greater changes in frontal cortex neural synchrony as dyads progressed through the three task conditions.

Discussion

Parent–child dyads from families who display heightened levels of balanced flexibility are also more flexible in their engagement of neural synchrony when shifting between social conditions. This is one of the first studies to utilize a two‐person imaging modality to explore the links between family functioning and interbrain synchrony between parents and their children.
The empirical evidence of digital trends in more disadvantaged European Union regions in terms of income and population density
Authors: Garashchuk Anna , Isla‐Castillo Fernando , Podadera‐Rivera Pablo
Published: September 2024

Remote rural and postindustrial regions are much more vulnerable to population drain in comparison with industrialized centers and capitals, due to obvious reasons such as meager job opportunities, difficulties in accessing public services in education, healthcare and transport, housing, entertainment, lack of integration with other territories and, finally, less advanced levels of digitalization. This represents an open challenge for the European Union within the framework of its Cohesion Policy. This paper analyzes the impact of digital trends, represented by the percentage of the population with access to internet and broadband and the percentage of individuals who buy goods and internet services (percentages provided by Eurostat) in less populated EU NUTS2 regions with lower income, on the crude population growth rate composed of natural changes in population and migratory flows and on the unemployment rate by applying panel data analysis. It has been possible to confirm that digitalization has a positive impact on natural changes in population in EU regions with lower economic development. On the contrary, the unemployment rate does not affect natural changes in population, but it does have a negative impact on migratory flows. The findings show that digitalization may contribute to reversing negative demographic trends in more disadvantaged EU regions in terms of income and population density.
Impact of Pressing Time on the Microstructure of Two Types of Goat Cheeses and Its Relationship With Sensory Attributes
Authors: Cabal‐Prieto Adán , Sánchez‐Arellano Lucía , Herrera‐Corredor José Andrés , Oney‐Montalvo Julio Enrique , Can‐Herrera Luis Alfonso , Castillo‐Zamudio Rosa Isela , Hernández‐Arzaba Juan Cristóbal , Rodríguez‐Miranda Jesús , Prinyawiwatkul Witoon , Valdivia‐Sánchez Jasiel , Hernández‐Chaparro Norma Leticia , Ramírez‐Rivera Emmanuel de Jesús
Published: September 2024

The objective of this study was to study the impact of pressing time on the microstructure of goat cheese and its relationship with sensory attributes. The microstructure of the artisanal cheeses was performed by scanning electron microscopy and image analysis. The validation of the microstructural complexity was carried out experimentally with sensory attributes. The pressing time influenced the microstructural parameters Feretmax, Geodiam, and τ and the cheese type influenced the parameters Feretmax, Geodiam, and Geoelong. The correlation values between microstructural complexity and sensory attributes were 0.85 and 0.84 for fresh cheeses and matured cheeses, respectively. The pressure times of 12 and 18 h resulted in cheese microstructures with the highest complexity in terms of Feretmax, Geodiam, Geoelong, and τ parameters. The obtained results are supported by the correlation values between microstructural complexity and sensory attributes.
Repeatome evolution across space and time: Unravelling repeats dynamics in the plant genus Erythrostemon Klotzsch (Leguminosae Juss)
Authors: Castro Natália , Vilela Bruno , Mata‐Sucre Yennifer , Marques André , Gagnon Edeline , Lewis Gwilym P. , Costa Lucas , Souza Gustavo
Published: September 2024

Fluctuations in genomic repetitive fractions (repeatome) are known to impact several facets of evolution, such as ecological adaptation and speciation processes. Therefore, investigating the divergence of repetitive elements can provide insights into an important evolutionary force. However, it is not clear how the different repetitive element clades are impacted by the different factors such as ecological changes and/or phylogeny. To discuss this, we used the Neotropical legume genus Erythrostemon (Caesalpinioideae) as a model, given its ancient origin (~33 Mya), lineage‐specific niche conservatism, macroecological heterogeneity, and disjunct distribution in Meso‐ and South American (MA and SA respectively) lineages. We performed a comparative repeatomic analysis of 18 Erythrostemon species to test the impact of environmental variables over repeats diversification. Overall, repeatome composition was diverse, with high abundances of satDNAs and Ty3/gypsy‐Tekay transposable elements, predominantly in the MA and SA lineages respectively. However, unexpected repeatome profiles unrelated to the phylogeny/biogeography were found in a few MA (E. coccineus, E. pannosus and E. placidus) and SA (E. calycinus) species, related to reticulate evolution and incongruence between nuclear and plastid topology, suggesting ancient hybridizations. The plesiomorphic Tekay and satDNA pattern was altered in the MA‐sensu stricto subclade with a striking genomic differentiation (expansion of satDNA and retraction of Tekay) associated with the colonization of a new environment in Central America around 20 Mya. Our data reveal that the current species‐specific Tekay pool was the result of two bursts of amplification probably in the Miocene, with distinct patterns for the MA and SA repeatomes. This suggests a strong role of the Tekay elements as modulators of the genome–environment interaction in Erythrostemon, providing macroevolutionary insights about mechanisms of repeatome differentiation and plant diversification across space and time.
Chinese expert consensus on management of antifungal‐resistant dermatophytoses (2024 edition)
Authors: Liang Guanzhao , Li Xiaofang , Li Ruoyu , Wen Hai , Gu Jun , Ran Yuping , Xi Liyan , Li Fuqiu , Zhang Qiangqiang , Cao Cunwei , Feng Peiying , Fu Meng , Jiang Yanping , Li Shanshan , Liu Hongfang , Liu Zehu , Lv Xuelian , Abliz Paride , Pan Weihua , Sang Hong , She Xiaodong , Shi Dongmei , Tong Zhongsheng , Wang Aiping , Wang Ling , Xiao Yuanyuan , Yang Jie , Yang Lianjuan , Yu Jin , Zhan Ping , Zhang Siping , Zhang Yu , Zhu Hongmei , Zhu Min , Song Ge , Kong Xue , Liu Weida
Published: September 2024

Antifungal‐resistant dermatophytes (ARD) infection is a hotspot issue in clinical microbiology and the dermatology field. Trichophyton indotineae as the dominant species of dermatophyte with terbinafine‐resistance or multidrug resistance, is easy to be missed detection clinically, which brings severe challenges to diagnosis and treatment. ARD infection cases have emerged in China, and it predicts a risk of transmission among human. Based on the existing medical evidence and research data, the Mycology Group of Combination of Traditional and Western Medicine Dermatology and Chinese Antifungal⁃Resistant Dermatophytoses Expert Consensus Group organized experts to make consensus on the management of the infection. Here, the consensus formulated diagnosis and treatment recommendations, to raise attention to dermatophytes drug resistance problem, and expect to provide reference information for the clinical diagnosis, treatment, prevention and control.
Quantifying the Photosynthetic Quantum Yield of Ultraviolet‐A1 Radiation
Authors: Sun Xuguang , Kaiser Elias , Zhang Yuqi , Marcelis Leo F. M. , Li Tao
Published: September 2024

Although it powers photosynthesis, ultraviolet‐A1 radiation (UV‐A1) is usually not defined as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). However, the quantum yield (QY) with which UV‐A1 drives net photosynthesis rate (A) is unknown, as are the kinetics of A and chlorophyll fluorescence under constant UV‐A1 exposure. We measured A in leaves of six genotypes at four spectra peaking at 365, 385, 410 and 450 nm, at intensities spanning 0–300 μmol m s−1. All treatments powered near‐linear increases in A in a wavelength‐dependent manner. QY at 365 and 385 nm was linked to the apparent concentration of flavonoids, implicating the pigment in reductions of photosynthetic efficiency under UV‐A1; in several genotypes, A under 365 and 385 nm was negative regardless of illumination intensity, suggesting very small contributions of UV‐A1 radiation to CO2 fixation. Exposure to treatment spectra for 30 min caused slow increases in nonphotochemical quenching, transient reductions in A and dark‐adapted maximum quantum yield of photosystem II, that depended on wavelength and intensity, but were generally stronger the lower the peak wavelength was. We conclude that UV‐A1 generally powers A, but its definition as PAR requires additional evidence of its capacity to significantly increase whole‐canopy carbon uptake in nature.
A dynamic pythagorean exponent: Applications to baseball and structural modeling in risk management
Authors: Cohen Albert
Published: September 2024

The famous Pythagorean theorem relating a team's winning percentage over a season to it's total runs scored and surrendered has been the subject of much attention, in both popular culture and academia. In academia, a main focus has been to find the optimal value for the exponent in the formula, originally taken to be 2 in Bill James' work. The optimal value has been obtained in many published works via regression or other statistical estimation techniques, and calibrated to various sports to reflect the type of play in each sport. In this short article, we borrow from ideas in quantitative finance and risk management to estimate the distribution of these Pythagorean exponents, viewing them as random variables that can evolve over time. We carry out our analysis in a manner similar to that of implied volatility from the Black‐Scholes formula. We present the result of our analysis of 150 years of team data via the Lahman package in R, and also provide dynamic models for an evolving measure of the Pythagorean exponent. This includes suggestions for modeling credit default as well as contract valuation in sports via macro variables in connection with historically implied parameters.
Building a successful transplant research center: Blueprints and barriers
Authors: Durand Christine M. , Prizzi Michelle , Sung Hannah , Kates Olivia S. , Tobian Aaron A. R. , Karaba Andrew H. , Werbel William A. , Baddley John W. , Permpalung Nitipong , King Elizabeth , Warren Daniel , Ostrander Darin , Brown Diane
Published: September 2024

A successful multidisciplinary research center depends on the quality of the science being conducted and the quality of the center's design, culture, infrastructure, and institutional support. In this perspective, we describe our experience building and maintaining a multidisciplinary transplant research center with a large focus on transplant infectious diseases. We identify principles that we believe contributed to our success including: taking inventory, defining culture, creating a multidisciplinary shared leadership model, establishing expertise in a multiple method approach, investing in operations and management, building and sharing resources, and securing institutional support. We share our experience putting these principles into practice and highlight potential roadblocks.
Fault-Tolerant Decentralized Control for Large-Scale Inverter-Based Resources for Active Power Tracking
Authors: Vedula Satish , Olajube Ayobami , Moses Anubi Olugbenga
Published: September 2024

Integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) which lack the intrinsic characteristics such as the inertial response of the traditional synchronous-generator (SG)-based sources presents a new challenge in the form of analyzing the grid stability under their presence. While the dynamic composition of IBRs differs from that of the SGs, the control objective remains similar in terms of tracking the desired active power. This letter presents a decentralized primal-dual-based fault-tolerant control framework for the power allocation in IBRs. Overall, a hierarchical control algorithm is developed with a lower level addressing the current control and the parameter estimation for the IBRs and the higher level acting as the reference power generator to the low level based on the desired active power profile. The decentralized network-based algorithm adaptively splits the desired power between the IBRs taking into consideration the health of the IBRs transmission lines. The proposed framework is tested through a simulation on the network of IBRs and the high-level controller performance is compared against the existing framework in the literature. The proposed algorithm shows significant performance improvement in the magnitude of power deviation and settling time to the nominal value under faulty conditions as compared to the algorithm in the literature.
Estimating the Values of the PDE Model Parameters of Rechargeable Lithium-Metal Battery Cells Using Linear Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy
Authors: Hileman Wesley A. , Trimboli M. Scott , Plett Gregory L.
Published: September 2024

We introduce a partial differential equation model for rechargeable lithium-metal battery (LMB) cells whose parameter values are fully identifiable from cell-level experiments. From this model, we formulate a computationally tractable transfer function (TF) model for use within optimization loops. A strategy is proposed for regressing the TF model to cell electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements to estimate parameter values. We validate the regression using a synthetic dataset before application to a single-layer LMB pouch cell. The voltage root-mean-square error (RMSE) between the fully identified model’s predictions and laboratory measurements is about 4 mV for a galvanostatic intermittent titration technique (GITT) profile. We provide MATLAB code to simulate the model in comsol, compute cell impedance from the TF model, and perform model regression.
Toward Low Nox Emissions Performance of a 65-kW Recuperated Gas Turbine Operated on 100% Hydrogen
Authors: Villatoro Walther , Slope John , McDonell Vincent , Hu Ray , Steele Robert
Published: September 2024

This work supports the development of a low NOx emission 65 kW natural gas turbine capable of operating on 100% hydrogen. This gas turbine has been demonstrated to operate from cold start to full load on up to 30% hydrogen mixed into natural gas with single digit ppm NOx emissions. To reach operation on 100% hydrogen, injectors specifically designed to (1) avoid challenges with flashback and (2) be field retrofittable were developed and tested. The injectors must be designed to prevent flashback while having a high degree of mixing coupled with fuel lean operation to achieve desired low NOx emissions. Successful operation of the engine from cold start to full load on 100% hydrogen was demonstrated. With the successful demonstration of operability, the new injectors serve as a starting point to improve the turbine performance and emissions when operated on hydrogen. To support the development, a chemical reactor network (CRN) is used in conjunction with experimental injector mixing characterization. The CRN analysis predicts NOx using perfectly stirred reactors (PSR). A strategy to account for variation in mixing performance was developed and utilized with the CRN to connect NOx emissions to the injector mixing performance. Fuel concentration profiles produced by different injector designs were measured and the CRN model was used to infer the effects on NOx emission. The CRN model was validated/tuned using measured NOx emissions data from two combustion liners and two injector designs and the corresponding measured injector fuel distributions. The results illustrate how NOx emissions are directly influenced by local fuel rich regions found at the injector outlet. The CRN model can thus be used to screen injector designs and infer NOx performance and will be used to guide the development of injectors for hydrogen that can attain desired fuel distributions, concentrations, and velocities. The results affirm the direction needed to attain improved mixing and to operate at overall leaner conditions made possible by the stabilizing features inherent to hydrogen..
Experimental Investigation Into Combined Fluctuating Airflow and Mist Evaporative Cooling
Authors: Younes Jaafar , Ghaddar Nesreen , Ghali Kamel
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the potential of fluctuating flows to enhance mist evaporation — a dimension that has not been systematically investigated in prior research. Controlled wind tunnel experiments were conducted to explore the influence of fluctuating airflow in comparison to constant airflow on misting processes. The outcomes unveiled that mist-cooled flows subjected to fluctuating airflow exhibited lower temperatures and higher humidity values compared to those under constant airflow at a steady state. At an average velocity of 2 m/s, the humidity ratio of the flow rose from 8.4 g/Kg to 8.9 g/Kg under constant airflow, and further increased to 9.1 g/Kg with fluctuating airflow. Similarly, at an average velocity of 3 m/s, the humidity ratio increased from 8.3 g/Kg without misting to 9.3 g/Kg and 9.8 g/Kg for constant and fluctuating airflows, respectively. These findings strongly suggest an increase in the total evaporation rate of misted water. Potential factors contributing to this enhancement may encompass increased flow instability, augmented turbulence, and enhanced mixing. The dataset generated through this study can serve as a validation resource for computational fluid dynamics models, which are essential for analyzing the intermediate factors responsible for the observed enhancements and performing parametric assessments.
Liquid Cooling of Li-Ion Cells Based on a Constructal Canopy-To-Canopy Approach
Authors: Gungor Sahin , Cetkin Erdal , Lorente Sylvie
Published: September 2024

While many countries ambition to transition to clean energy, challenges appear related to the new developed technologies. This is particularly the case when it comes to electric vehicles and their batteries. The technology of the latter is based on Lithium-ion electrochemical reactions. During the batteries discharge, the electrochemical reactions are exothermic, and they are endothermic during the charging phase. The large change in temperature threatens the life duration of the batteries, and when combined to other factors, their safety. Therefore, the thermal management of the electric vehicle battery pack is a critical aspect that requires specific attention.

In this paper, we present the work conducted by our group on thermally efficient solutions for maintaining the battery cells within the temperature range expected by manufacturers. The thermal management solution consists in inserting between the battery cells a constructal-based liquid cooling system. Such systems are called canopy-to-canopy architectures. The cooling fluid is driven from a trunk channel to perpendicular branches that make the tree canopy. An opposite tree collects the liquid in such a way that the two trees match canopy-to-canopy. The results indicate that such configurations allow to extract most of the non-uniformly generated heat by the battery cell during the discharging phase, while using a small mass flow rate. Furthermore, the configuration with 5 branches appears to be the one with high thermal efficiency and low pumping power.
Alternative Design of Heat Exchange Systems Improves Power Plant Safety, Operability, Reliability, Cycle Efficiency, and Economics
Authors: Huntington Richard , Starcher Loren , Bradham Susan
Published: September 2024

Powerful Heat Transfer Solutions™ has developed a novel heat exchange system for emerging nuclear and concentrated solar power plants that is safer, more reliable, and more efficient than current practice. It leverages existing, proven technologies to create a single heat transfer system that replaces multiple heat exchangers arranged in parallel to achieve the same scale. This system unlocks the higher plant efficiencies and economies of advanced supercritical steam plant designs. A major benefit of this system is that it completely isolates the high-temperature, high-pressure power cycle fluids (e.g., steam) from potentially reactive high-temperature heat transfer fluids (e.g., liquid metals) using a non-reactive intermediate heat transfer fluid (e.g., air, nitrogen). The separation improves safety and provides flexibility to cost-effectively balance hot-side and cold-side heat transfer designs. Unlike conventional heat exchangers, this system can independently optimize alloy selections, pressure ratings, and heat transfer coil sizes for each service (e.g., steam, liquid metals). As a result, power cycle pressures and temperatures are not limited by heat transfer fluids, heat exchanger designs, or tube leakage concerns. This design offers significant advantages in plant safety, efficiency, availability, reliability, and operational flexibility. It will improve overall power plant economics and decrease the levelized cost of electricity.