bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamically and Kinetically Controlled Nucleation and Growth of Halide Perovskite Single Crystals
Authors: Zhang Dong , Okamoto Takuya , Biju Vasudevanpillai
Published: July 2023

Halide perovskites are ideal for next‐generation optical devices and photovoltaics. Although perovskite single‐crystals show reproducible optoelectronic properties, significant variations in the crystal size, anisotropy, density, defects, photoluminescence (PL), and carrier lifetime affect the sample properties and device performances. Homogenous size and shape FA/MAPbBr3 single microcrystals (MCs) with controlled edge lengths, crystal densities, PL lifetimes, and PL intensities are prepared by thermodynamically controlling and kinetically separating the crystal nucleation‐growth processes using optimum N‐cyclohexyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (CHP) concentration. The crystal growth kinetics at different CHP concentrations and temperatures are estimated spectroscopically by measuring the concentration of Pb (II). High‐density cubic MCs with a homogenous size distribution, high PL intensities, and long PL lifetimes are obtained within minutes at high temperatures by the controlled addition of the pyrrolidone derivative. Conversely, the crystal size nonlinearly increases with time at low temperatures. The isotropically grown high‐density single crystals at controlled nucleation‐growth rates at 190 °C with 20% CHP show the highest PL intensity and the longest PL lifetimes. This method offers thermodynamic and kinetic control of perovskite single‐crystal growth with shape control.
Case study of aerobic granular sludge and activated sludge—Energy usage, footprint, and nutrient removal
Authors: Ekholm Jennifer , de Blois Mark , Persson Frank , Gustavsson David J. I. , Bengtsson Simon , van Erp Tim , Wilén Britt‐Marie
Published: July 2023

This study demonstrates a comparison of energy usage, land footprint, and volumetric requirements of municipal wastewater treatment with aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and conventional activated sludge (CAS) at a full‐scale wastewater treatment plant characterized by large fluctuations in nutrient loadings and temperature. The concentration of organic matter in the influent to the AGS was increased by means of hydrolysis and bypassing the pre‐settler. Both treatment lines produced effluent concentrations below 5 mg BOD7 L−1, 10 mg TN L−1, and 1 mg TP L−1, by enhanced biological nitrogen‐ and phosphorus removal. In this case study, the averages of volumetric energy usage over 1 year were 0.22 ± 0.08 and 0.26 ± 0.07 kWh m−3 for the AGS and CAS, respectively. A larger difference was observed for the energy usage per reduced population equivalents (P.E.), which was on average 0.19 ± 0.08 kWh P.E.−1 for the AGS and 0.30 ± 0.08 kWh P.E.−1 for the CAS. However, both processes had the potential for decreased energy usage. Over 1 year, both processes showed similar fluctuations in energy usage, related to variations in loading, temperature, and DO. The AGS had a lower specific area, 0.3 m2 m−3 d−1, compared to 0.6 m2 m−3 d−1 of the CAS, and also a lower specific volume, 1.3 m3 m−3 d−1 compared to 2.0 m3 m−3 d−1. This study confirms that AGS at full‐scale can be compact and still have comparable energy usage as CAS.

Practitioner Points

Full‐scale case study comparison of aerobic granular sludge (AGS) and conventional activated sludge (CAS), operated in parallel.

AGS had 50 % lower footprint compared to CAS.

Energy usage was lower in the AGS, but both processes had potential to improve the energy usage efficiency.

Both processes showed low average effluent concentrations.
Symmetries and spectral statistics in chaotic conformal field theories
Authors: Haehl Felix M. , Marteau Charles , Reeves Wyatt , Rozali Moshe
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We discuss spectral correlations in coarse-grained chaotic two-dimensional CFTs with large central charge. We study a partition function describing the dense part of the spectrum of primary states in a way that disentangles the chaotic properties of the spectrum from those which are a consequence of Virasoro symmetry and modular invariance. We argue that random matrix universality in the near-extremal limit is an independent feature of each spin sector separately; this is a non-trivial statement because the exact spectrum is fully determined by only the spectrum of spin zero primaries and those of a single non-zero spin (“spectral determinacy”). We then describe an argument analogous to the one leading to Cardy’s formula for the averaged density of states, but in our case applying it to spectral correlations: assuming statistical universalities in the near-extremal spectrum in all spin sectors, we find similar random matrix universality in a large spin regime far from extremality.
Geometry of conformal manifolds and the inversion formula
Authors: Balthazar Bruno , Córdova Clay
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Families of conformal field theories are naturally endowed with a Riemannian geometry which is locally encoded by correlation functions of exactly marginal operators. We show that the curvature of such conformal manifolds can be computed using Euclidean and Lorentzian inversion formulae, which combine the operator content of the conformal field theory into an analytic function. Analogously, operators of fixed dimension define bundles over the conformal manifold whose curvatures can also be computed using inversion formulae. These results relate curvatures to integrated four-point correlation functions which are sensitive only to the behavior of the theory at separated points. We apply these inversion formulae to derive convergent sum rules expressing the curvature in terms of the spectrum of local operators and their three-point function coefficients. We further show that the curvature can smoothly diverge only if a conserved current appears in the spectrum, or if the theory develops a continuum. We verify our results explicitly in 2d examples. In particular, for 2d (2,2) superconformal field theories we derive a lower bound on the scalar curvature, which is saturated by free theories when the central charge is a multiple of three.
On the Topological Generation of Exceptional Groups by Unipotent Elements
Authors: Burness Timothy C.
Published: July 2023

Let G be a simple algebraic group of exceptional type over an algebraically closed field of characteristic $$p \geqslant 0$$

p
⩾
0

which is not algebraic over a finite field. Let $$\mathcal {C}_1, \ldots , \mathcal {C}_t$$

C
1

,
…
,

C
t

be non-central conjugacy classes in G. In earlier work with Gerhardt and Guralnick, we proved that if $$t \geqslant 5$$

t
⩾
5

(or $$t \geqslant 4$$

t
⩾
4

if $$G = G_2$$

G
=

G
2

), then there exist elements $$x_i \in \mathcal {C}_i$$

x
i

∈

C
i

such that $$\langle x_1, \ldots , x_t \rangle $$

⟨

x
1

,
…
,

x
t

⟩

is Zariski dense in G. Moreover, this bound on t is best possible. Here we establish a more refined version of this result in the special case where $$p>0$$

p
>
0

and the $$\mathcal {C}_i$$

C
i

are unipotent classes containing elements of order p. Indeed, in this setting we completely determine the classes $$\mathcal {C}_1, \ldots , \mathcal {C}_t$$

C
1

,
…
,

C
t

for $$t \geqslant 2$$

t
⩾
2

such that $$\langle x_1, \ldots , x_t \rangle $$

⟨

x
1

,
…
,

x
t

⟩

is Zariski dense for some $$x_i \in \mathcal {C}_i$$

x
i

∈

C
i

.
Changes to volatile profiles of arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis, from drought and insect infestation: olfactory cues for the cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei
Authors: Bozsik Gábor , Molnár Béla Péter , Domingue Michael J. , Szőcs Gábor
Published: July 2023

The cypress bark beetle, Phloeosinus aubei (Coleoptera, Curculionidae, Scolytinae) prefers to build breeding galleries in decaying host trees. However, volatile cues specific to decaying or actively infested trees have not yet been reported. Any such information would be useful for the management of this invasive, wood-boring species that has become established across Europe in the temperate zone and is now a key pest of ornamental Cupressaceae in nurseries and urban landscapes. Our objective was to reveal key components in host volatiles specific to stressed trees, which could be potential signals for the pest of its suitability for colonisation. Volatile profiles of arborvitae, Thuja occidentalis ‘Smaragd’ suffering from either dehydration or fresh infestation of P. aubei was collected and compared to that samples from healthy control trees. Analyses of volatiles by gas chromatography coupled to an electroantennographic detector revealed substantial differences between healthy, dehydrated and infested trees. Structural elucidation of the major antennally active components revealed that both α-pinene and α-thujene were prevalent in the volatiles of infested trees, whilst α-thujone was the major component in volatiles of healthy trees. In volatiles collected from trunks housing fresh P. aubei female nuptial chambers, sharp increases of β-pinene, myrcene, limonene, and p-cymene were noticed, alongside trace amounts of camphene and fenchene. Volatiles collected from fresh frass showed a similar profile, but with a somewhat smaller amount of limonene. Fenchone was present in each type of volatiles, however, only in low amounts. Further studies should be directed to reveal the behavioural role of these components, which could be helpful in developing kairomone-based techniques for monitoring the flight of the pest in stands of scale-leafed trees.
Sex-specific inequalities in the use of drug-coated balloons for small coronary artery disease: a report from the BASKET-SMALL 2 trial
Authors: Rubini Gimenez Maria , Scheller Bruno , Farah Ahmed , Ohlow Marc-Alexander , Mangner Norman , Weilenmann Daniel , Wöhrle Jochen , Cuculi Florim , Leibundgut Gregor , Möbius-Winkler Sven , Cattaneo Marco , Gilgen Nicole , Kaiser Christoph , Jeger Raban V.
Published: July 2023

Background and objectives

Recent data have established non-inferiority of drug-coated balloons (DCB) compared to drug-eluting stents (DES) for treatment of small-vessel coronary artery disease. Since coronary vessels in women might have anatomical and pathophysiological particularities, the safety of the DCB strategy among women compared to men needs to be assessed in more detail.

Methods

In BASKET-SMALL 2, patients with de novo lesions in coronary vessels < 3 mm and an indication for percutaneous coronary intervention were randomly allocated (1:1) to DCB vs. DES after successful lesion preparation. The primary objective of the randomized trial was to establish non-inferiority of DCB vs. DES regarding major adverse cardiac events (MACE; i.e., cardiac death, non-fatal myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization) after 12 months. The aim of the current sub-analysis is to evaluate whether the DCB strategy is equally safe among women and men after 12 and 36 months.

Results

Among 758 randomized patients, 382 were assigned to DCB (23% women) and 376 to DES (30% women). In general, women were older, had more often diabetes mellitus and renal insufficiency, and presented more often with an acute coronary syndrome, whereas men were more often smokers, had multivessel disease and a previous history of acute myocardial infarction, and received a treatment with a statin. After 3 years, the primary clinical end point was not significantly different between groups (13% women vs. 16% men, HR 0.82; 95% CI 0.52−1.30; p = 0.40). There was no interaction between sex and coronary intervention strategy regarding MACE at 36 months (10% women vs. 16% men in DCB, 16% women vs. 15% men in DES; pinteraction = 0.31).

Conclusion

In small native coronary artery disease, there was no statistically significant effect of sex on the difference between DCB and DES regarding MACE up to 36 months.

Clinical trial registration

URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01574534.

Graphical abstract
Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions in a lattice Boltzmann method for elastodynamics
Authors: Faust Erik , Schlüter Alexander , Müller Henning , Steinmetz Felix , Müller Ralf
Published: July 2023

Recently, Murthy et al. (Commun Comput Phys 2:23, 2017. http://dx.doi.org/10.4208/cicp.OA-2016-0259 ) and Escande et al. (Lattice Boltzmann method for wave propagation in elastic solids with a regular lattice: theoretical analysis and validation, 2020. arXiv.doi:1048550/ARXIV.2009.06404. arXiv:2009.06404) adopted the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM) to model the linear elastodynamic behaviour of isotropic solids. The LBM is attractive as an elastodynamic solver because it can be parallelised readily and lends itself to finely discretised simulations of dynamic effects in continua, allowing transient phenomena such as wave propagation to be modeled efficiently. This work proposes simple local boundary rules which approximate the behaviour of Dirichlet and Neumann boundary conditions with an LBM for elastic solids. The boundary rules are shown to be consistent with the target boundary values in the first order. An empirical convergence study is performed for the transient tension loading of a rectangular plate, with a Finite Element (FE) simulation being used as a reference. Additionally, we compare results produced by the LBM for the sudden loading of a stationary crack with an analytical solution from Freund (Dynamic fracture mechanics. Cambridge Monographs on Mechanics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1990. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511546761).
Herkunft, Verbreitung und Verbleib von per- und polyfluorierten Alkylsubstanzen (PFAS) in Vorarlbergs Umwelt
Authors: Humer Monika , Scheffknecht Christoph
Published: July 2023

Seit 2018 werden in Vorarlberg verschiedenste Umweltproben auf PFAS untersucht. PFAS finden sich in allen Umweltkompartimenten. Als maßgebliche Eintragspfade für PFAS in Vorarlbergs Umwelt konnten Abfallbehandlungsanlagen (Betriebsabwasser und Deponiesickerwasser) sowie Abwasserreinigungsanlagen (Ablauf und Klärschlamm) identifiziert werden. Über Kläranlagenablauf und Klärschlamm bzw. Klärschlammkompost gelangen PFAS in Oberflächengewässer und Böden. Böden stellen aufgrund ihrer Speicher- und Pufferfunktion eine Sonderrolle dar. Sie sind PFAS-Senken aber gleichzeitig auch PFAS-Quellen. Vor allem im intensiv landwirtschaftlich genutzten Rheintal konnten PFAS belastete Böden gefunden werden. Zwei Drittel der untersuchten Böden liegen über dem Grenzwert des Bundesabfallwirtschaftsplans 2023. Dazu zählen auch Böden, bei denen der PFAS-Eintrag allein über die atmosphärische Deposition stattfand. Die Messung von PFAS-Vorläufersubstanzen zeigte, dass diese einen relevanten Anteil haben können. Die Probenvorbereitung hat signifikanten Einfluss auf den messbaren Anteil von PFAS im Boden-Eluat. Im Eluat feldfrischer Bodenproben werden deutlich geringere PFAS-Konzentrationen gemessen als in den Trocknungsvarianten, was zu Unterschätzungen von Eluat-Gehalten natürlicher Böden führen kann.
High-order corrected trapezoidal rules for a class of singular integrals
Authors: Izzo Federico , Runborg Olof , Tsai Richard
Published: July 2023

We present a family of high-order trapezoidal rule-based quadratures for a class of singular integrals, where the integrand has a point singularity. The singular part of the integrand is expanded in a Taylor series involving terms of increasing smoothness. The quadratures are based on the trapezoidal rule, with the quadrature weights for Cartesian nodes close to the singularity judiciously corrected based on the expansion. High-order accuracy can be achieved by utilizing a sufficient number of correction nodes around the singularity to approximate the terms in the series expansion. The derived quadratures are applied to the implicit boundary integral formulation of surface integrals involving the Laplace layer kernels.
Molar masses and molar mass distributions of commercial regenerated cellulose materials and softwood dissolving pulp determined by SEC/MALLS
Authors: Ono Yuko , Hou Gaoyuan , Chitbanyong Korawit , Takeuchi Miyuki , Isogai Akira
Published: July 2023

The molar masses and molar mass distributions of three commercial regenerated cellulose samples, viscose rayon, Tencel, and Bemliese (or cuprammonium nonwoven), have been determined by dissolution in 8% (w/w) lithium chloride/N,N-dimethylacetamide (LiCl/DMAc) and subsequent size-exclusion chromatography with multi-angle laser-light scattering detection (SEC/MALLS). Before dissolution in LiCl/DMAc, the regenerated cellulose samples were pretreated by the following three methods: (1) soaking in ethylene diamine (EDA) and subsequent solvent exchange to N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) through methanol, (2) soaking in water and subsequent solvent exchange to DMAc through ethanol, and (3) soaking in water and subsequent solvent exchange to tert-butyl alcohol through ethanol and freeze dying. The pretreated samples were dissolved in 8% (w/w) LiCl/DMAc by stirring the cellulose/LiCl/DMAc mixtures for 1–3 weeks followed by dilution to 1% (w/v) LiCl/DMAc for SEC/MALLS analysis. The EDA- and water-pretreated samples gave almost the same SEC-elution pattens and molar mass plots, resulting in similar number- and mass-average molar masses. However, the freeze-dried samples gave 10%‒20% lower mass recovery ratios than those obtained for the EDA- or water-pretreated samples, probably because of incomplete dissolution of the freeze-dried samples in 8% (w/w) LiCl/DMAc. The average mass-average degree of polymerization values of viscose rayon, Tencel, and Bemliese were 340, 530, and 880, respectively. The slopes of the conformation plots were 0.58–0.62, showing that all of the molecules in the three regenerated cellulose samples were dissolved in 1% (w/v) LiCl/DMAc, forming linear random-coil conformations.

Graphical abstract
Earthquake scenarios and population exposure for the city of Plovdiv
Authors: Solakov Dimcho , Simeonova Stela , Trifonova Petya , Metodiev Metodi , Raykova Plamena
Published: July 2023

Among natural disasters, earthquakes dominate with regard to their social and economic effects on human life and the urban environment. Appropriate risk reduction strategies can be developed only with a better understanding of seismic hazards as well as the population and building growth rates in the corresponding region. In the present study, deterministic and probabilistic earthquake (seismic) ground-motion scenarios are developed and presented for one of the most earthquake-prone cities in Bulgaria, the city of Plovdiv. We apply a method for integrating the spatial distribution of seismic hazards with human exposure to assess hazard impacts. Earthquake scenarios and social vulnerability metrics are combined in a geographic information system (GIS) to identify the spatial vulnerability of the exposed population to seismic risk and the locations for targeting mitigation actions in areas with high exposure and vulnerability levels. The results of our study show that most of the territory of the city is classified at the highest seismic hazard level: PGA 0.2. High and major levels were estimated for the population exposure index (PEI) for nearly 60% of the residential buildings in the city (inhabited by approximately 96% of the Plovdiv population). The spatial distribution of the results is available in GIS format and can be used in scientific and practical applications to reduce the risk and consequences of possible strong earthquakes in future.
Stochastic analysis of a bistable piezoelectric energy harvester with a matched electrical load
Authors: Song Kailing , Bonnin Michele , Traversa Fabio L. , Bonani Fabrizio
Published: July 2023

We present the analysis of a bistable piezoelectric energy harvester with matched electrical load, subject to random mechanical vibrations. The matching network optimizes the average energy transfer to the electrical load. The system is described by a set of nonlinear stochastic differential equations. A perturbation method is used to find an approximate solution of the stochastic system in the weak noise limit, and this solution is used to optimize the circuit parameters of the matching network. In the strong noise limit, the state equations are integrated numerically to determine the average power absorbed by the load and the power efficiency. Our analysis shows that the application of a properly designed matching network improves the performances by a significant amount, as the power delivered to the load improves of a factor about 17 with respect to a direct connection.
Complications and mortality of Cushing’s disease: report on data collected over a 20-year period at a referral centre
Authors: Mondin Alessandro , Ceccato Filippo , Voltan Giacomo , Mazzeo Pierluigi , Manara Renzo , Denaro Luca , Scaroni Carla , Barbot Mattia
Published: July 2023

Context

Cushing’s disease (CD) is rare condition burdened by several systemic complications correlated to higher mortality rates. The primary goal of clinicians is to achieve remission, but it is unclear if treatment can also increase life expectancy.

Aim

To assess the prevalence of cortisol-related complications and mortality in a large cohort of CD patients attending a single referral centre.

Materials and methods

The clinical charts of CD patients attending a referral hospital between 2001 and 2021 were reviewed.

Results

126 CD patients (median age at diagnosis 39 years) were included. At the last examination, 78/126 (61.9%) of the patients were in remission regardless of previous treatment strategies. Patients in remission showed a significant improvement in all the cardiovascular (CV) comorbidities (p < 0.05). The CV events were more frequent in older patients (p = 0.003), smokers and persistent CD groups (p < 0.05). Most of the thromboembolic (TE) and infective events occurred during active stages of the disease. The CV events were the most frequent cause of death. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) resulted increased in persistent cases at the last follow-up (SMR 4.99, 95%CI [2.15; 9.83], p < 0.001) whilst it was not higher in those in remission (SMR 1.66, 95%CI [0.34; 4.85], p = 0.543) regardless of the timing or number of treatments carried out. A younger age at diagnosis (p = 0.005), a microadenoma (p = 0.002), and remission status at the last follow-up (p = 0.027) all increased survival. Furthermore, an elevated number of comorbidities, in particular arterial hypertension, increased mortality rates.

Conclusions

Patients with active CD presented a poor survival outcome. Remission restored the patients’ life expectancy regardless of the timing or the types of treatments used to achieve it. Persistent CD-related comorbidities remained major risk factors.
Are Financial Well-Being and Financial Stress the Same Construct? Insights from an Intensive Longitudinal Study
Authors: Sorgente Angela , Zambelli Michela , Lanz Margherita
Published: July 2023

Since the 2008 economic crisis, research on financial well-being has grown exponentially. Most of the studies have investigated the predictors of financial well-being, but there is still no consensus on the conceptualization of financial well-being itself. As of yet, little is known about the relationship between subjective financial well-being and subjective financial stress. Some scholars believe those two constructs are two sides of the same coin, while others consider them to be two different phenomena. The current study aims to contribute to disentangling the construct of financial well-being from the construct of financial stress. We conducted an intensive longitudinal study, collecting data for 14 consecutive days from 158 emerging adults. Participants had to report their level of financial well-being and financial stress each evening. Findings suggest that the two constructs are not coincident for the following reasons: they exhibit low-to-moderate associations at both the within- and between-level and they were not similarly affected by the same predictors. Furthermore, we showed that subjective financial well-being and subjective financial stress fluctuate considerably from one day to the next. Further research is needed to determine the source of this daily variability.
New microvascular ultrasound techniques: abdominal applications
Authors: Cannella Roberto , Pilato Giulia , Mazzola Mariasole , Bartolotta Tommaso Vincenzo
Published: July 2023

Microvascular ultrasound (MVUS) is a new ultrasound technique that allows the detection of slow-velocity flow, providing the visualization of the blood flow in small vessels without the need of intravenous contrast agent administration. This technology has been integrated in the most recent ultrasound equipment and applied for the assessment of vascularization. Compared to conventional color Doppler and power Doppler imaging, MVUS provides higher capability to detect intralesional flow. A growing number of studies explored the potential applications in hepatobiliary, genitourinary, and vascular pathologies. Different flow patterns can be observed in hepatic and renal focal lesions providing information on tumor vascularity and improving the differential diagnosis. This article aims to provide a detailed review on the current evidences and applications of MVUS in abdominal imaging.
On K3 fibred Calabi–Yau threefolds in weighted scrolls
Authors: Mboya Geoffrey , Szendrői Balázs
Published: July 2023

The aim of this paper is to classify mildly singular Calabi–Yau threefolds fibred in low-degree weighted K3 surfaces and embedded as anticanonical hypersurfaces in weighted scrolls, extending results of Mullet. We also study projective degenerations, revisiting an example due to Gross and Ruan. Finally we briefly discuss the general question of embedding a projective fibration into a weighted scroll.
Experimental study of order and constant rate of chlorine removal reaction using ion exchange resin
Authors: Farahbod Farshad
Published: July 2023

In this research, a strong anionic resin was prepared to remove chloride ions. This study was performed in a laboratory pilot to evaluate effective parameters such as temperature, amine flow rate, pH, chloride ion concentration and concentration of resin caustic. The purpose of this work is to determine kinetics of the resin reaction and determination of the optimal operating conditions in order to achieve maximum saturation. This study shows that volume of distilled water passing through resin to eliminate alkalinity at temperatures 40 °C, 50 °C and 60 °C is equal to 5500 ml, 5000 ml and 7000 ml, respectively. This work states that a temperature 50 °C is more appropriate than other temperatures. The results of this research show that volume of caustic for resin recovery is 8.5 L at a temperature of 50 °C. This study shows that amount of distilled water to eliminate alkalinity of the resin is equal to 5 L. Results show that the order of reaction to chloride ion concentration is equal to 0.794 and reaction constant is equal to exp (−1.8753).
Presence-Only for Marked Point Process Under Preferential Sampling
Authors: Moreira Guido A. , Menezes Raquel , Wise Laura
Published: July 2023

Preferential sampling models have garnered significant attention in recent years. Although the original model was developed for geostatistics, it founds applications in other types of data, such as point processes in the form of presence-only data. While this has been recognized in the Statistics literature, there is value in incorporating ideas from both presence-only and preferential sampling literature. In this paper, we propose a novel model that extends existing ideas to handle a continuous variable collected through opportunistic sampling. To demonstrate the potential of our approach, we apply it to sardine biomass data collected during commercial fishing trips. While the data is intuitively understood, it poses challenges due to two types of preferential sampling: fishing events (presence data) are non-random samples of the region, and fishermen tend to set their nets in areas with a high quality and value of catch (i.e., bigger schools of the target species). We discuss theoretical and practical aspects of the problem, and propose a well-defined probabilistic approach. Our approach employs a data augmentation scheme that predicts the number of unobserved fishing locations and corresponding biomass (in kg). This allows for evaluation of the Poisson Process likelihood without the need for numerical approximations. The results of our case study may serve as an incentive to use data collected during commercial fishing trips for decision-making aimed at benefiting both ecological and economic aspects. The proposed methodology has potential applications in a variety of fields, including ecology and epidemiology, where marked point process model are commonly used.
Laparoscopic removal of a giant adrenal myelolipoma: A case report with review of the literature
Authors: Ahmed Dlshad Hamasaeed , Bapir Rawa , Radha Belan Mikaeil M. , Aghaways Ismaael , Rashid Rezheen J. , Ismaeil Deari A. , Ghalib Hawramy Omar H. , Gharib Dana T. , Kaka Ali Hemn H. , Kakamad Fahmi H. , Abdalla Berun A. , Abdullah Ari M.
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Introduction

Adrenal myelolipomas (AMLs) are non-functioning, benign adrenal tumors with an unknown etiology. This study aims to report a case of giant AML managed successfully by laparoscopic surgery.

Case presentation

A 43-year-old man presented with mild, dull, and non-radiating left loin pain. Physical examination and hormonal assays were normal. Imaging revealed a retroperitoneal mass (13 × 12 × 8.5cm) containing gross fat. Left laparoscopic adrenalectomy was done under general anesthesia. The postoperative period was uneventful. The patient was followed up for a duration of six months, and no recurrence was detected.

Discussion

AMLs are lipomatous tumor-like growths equally seen in both genders and are commonly incidental findings. Symptomatic AMLs are characterized by their large size, leading to the manifestation of pressure-related symptoms or abnormalities in hormonal levels. Most AMLs are associated with chronic diseases like diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The tumor is commonly diagnosed through a biochemical and imaging workup. Asymptomatic AMLs are managed conservatively, while in the presence of symptoms, surgery is usually considered. However, the open approach is regarded as the standard option, but minimally invasive approaches can be carried out due to their feasibility.

Conclusion

AMLs are rare, benign, non-functional tumors of the adrenal gland. Laparoscopy may be a safe and feasible management modality for these tumors.

Highlights
Archaeology as History
Authors: Frieman Catherine J.
Published: July 2023

This Element volume focuses on how archaeologists construct narratives of past people and environments from the complex and fragmented archaeological record. In keeping with its position in a series of historiography, it considers how we make meaning from things and places, with an emphasis on changing practices over time and the questions archaeologists have and can ask of the archaeological record. It aims to provide readers with a reflexive and comprehensive overview of what it is that archaeologists do with the archaeological record, how that translates into specific stories or narratives about the past, and the limitations or advantages of these when trying to understand past worlds. The goal is to shift the reader's perspective of archaeology away from seeing it as a primarily data gathering field, to a clearer understanding of how archaeologists make and use the data they uncover.
Courtly Mediators
Authors: Clark Leah R.
Published: July 2023

In Courtly Mediators, Leah R. Clark investigates the exchange of a range of materials and objects, including metalware, ceramic drug jars, Chinese porcelain, and aromatics, across the early modern Italian, Mamluk, and Ottoman courts. She provides a new narrative that places Aragonese Naples at the center of an international courtly culture, where cosmopolitanism and the transcultural flourished, and in which artists, ambassadors, and luxury goods actively participated. By articulating how and why transcultural objects were exchanged, displayed, copied, and framed, she provides a new methodological framework that transforms our understanding of the Italian Renaissance court. Clark's volume provides a multi-sensorial, innovative reading of Italian Renaissance art. It demonstrates that the early modern culture of collecting was more than a humanistic enterprise associated with the European roots of the Renaissance. Rather, it was sustained by interactions with global material cultures from the Islamic world and beyond.
Climate model-driven seasonal forecasting approach with deep learning
Authors: Unal Alper , Asan Busra , Sezen Ismail , Yesilkaynak Bugra , Aydin Yusuf , Ilicak Mehmet , Unal Gozde
Published: July 2023

Understanding seasonal climatic conditions is critical for better management of resources such as water, energy, and agriculture. Recently, there has been a great interest in utilizing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in climate studies. This paper presents cutting-edge deep-learning models (UNet++, ResNet, PSPNet, and DeepLabv3) trained by state-of-the-art global CMIP6 models to forecast global temperatures a month ahead using the ERA5 reanalysis dataset. ERA5 dataset was also used for fine-tuning as well performance analysis in the validation dataset. Ten different setups (with CMIP6 and CMIP6 + ERA5 fine-tuning) including six meteorological parameters (i.e., 2 m temperature, 10 m eastward component of wind, 10 m northward component of wind, geopotential height at 500 hPa, mean sea-level pressure, and precipitation flux) and elevation were used with both four different algorithms. For each model 14 different sequential and nonsequential temporal settings were used. The mean absolute error (MAE) analysis revealed that UNet++ with CMIP6 with 2 m temperature + elevation and ERA5 fine-tuning model with “Year 3 Month 2” temporal case provided the best outcome with an MAE of 0.7. Regression analysis over the validation dataset between the ERA5 data values and the corresponding AI model predictions revealed slope and

$ {R}^2 $

values close to 1 suggesting a very good agreement. The AI model predicts significantly better than the mean CMIP6 ensemble between 2016 and 2021. Both models predict the summer months more accurately than the winter months.
Interfacial activity dynamics of confined active droplets
Authors: Ramesh Prashanth , Hokmabad Babak Vajdi , Pushkin Dmitri O. , Mathijssen Arnold J.T.M. , Maass Corinna C.
Published: July 2023

Active emulsions can spontaneously form self-propelled droplets or phoretic micropumps. However, it remains unclear how these active systems interact with their self-generated chemical fields, which can lead to emergent chemodynamic phenomena and multistable interfacial flows. Here, we simultaneously measure the flow and chemical concentration fields using dual-channel fluorescence microscopy for active micropumps, i.e. immobilised oil droplets that dynamically solubilise in a supramicellar aqueous surfactant solution. With increasing droplet radius, we observe (i) a migration of vortices from the posterior to the anterior, analogous to a transition from pusher- to puller-type swimmers, (ii) a bistability between dipolar and quadrupolar flows and, eventually, (iii) a transition to multipolar modes. We also investigate the long-time dynamics. Together, our observations suggest that a local build-up of chemical products leads to a saturation of the surface, which controls the propulsion mechanism. These multistable dynamics can be explained by the competing time scales of slow micellar diffusion governing the chemical buildup and faster molecular diffusion powering the underlying transport mechanism. Our results are directly relevant to phoretic micropumps, but also shed light on the interfacial activity dynamics of self-propelled droplets and other active emulsion systems.
Cultural differences in global virtual teams: mapping knowledge and identifying research directions
Authors: Kargina Mariya
Published: July 2023

This study examines research performance indicators and builds a structural overview of topics related to cultural differences in global virtual teams (GVT) in the period 2000-2020. A bibliometric analysis of 151 academic articles on the topic of cultural differences in GVTs, retrieved from Web of Science Core Collection and Scopus databases, was applied with the Bibliometrix package in R. The analyses reveal findings regarding the cultural differences in GVTs research, in particular, the most valuable sources, prolific authors, the geography of the research, as well as main scientific articles. The main research themes and their evolution were determined, as well as potential research directions. According to the revealed most relevant themes, the trend of the stream of research is heading towards individual dimensions of the topic, indicating a moved research focus from the organizational level of management and psychology to the individual one.
Animal traction, two-wheel tractors, or four-wheel tractors? A best-fit approach to guide farm mechanization in Africa
Authors: Daum Thomas , Seidel Anna , Awoke Bisrat G. , Birner Regina
Published: July 2023

Farm mechanization promises to help raise labor productivity and reduce the heavy toil of farming on the world’s millions of smallholder farms, hence contributing to socioeconomic development in the Global South, in particular in Africa. While mechanization is therefore high on the African development agenda, there are heavy – at times dogmatic – debates on which technological pathway toward farm mechanization – animal traction, two-wheel tractors, and four-wheel tractors – should be supported by African governments and development partners. One discussion area relates to the future of animal traction. Proponents see a continued scope for the use of draught animals, whereas opponents see animal traction as old-fashioned and see a potential to leapfrog this mechanization stage. There are also debates on the potential of two-wheel tractors, with proponents arguing that such walk-behind tractors are more affordable and suitable for smallholder farmers, and opponents believing that such tractors lack efficiency and power and still come with a high drudgery. This paper argues that there are no blueprint answers on which technological pathway is ‘best’ but only answers on which one ‘best fits’ the respective conditions. Based on this premise, this paper introduces a ‘best-fit’ framework that allows for assessing the comparative advantages and disadvantages of the three technological pathways in different agroecological and socioeconomic conditions. The results suggest that all three forms of mechanization are associated with areas where they ‘best fit’. All three farm mechanization pathways hinge on public policies and investments to create an enabling environment for private markets, as, ultimately, innovation processes should be market driven. The ‘best-fit’ framework enables governments and development partners to focus efforts to support farm mechanization on solutions that ‘best fit’ their country’s farming systems and not on those that are politically most attractive, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural mechanization and development.
St Cyril of Alexandria and the Mysteries of Isis in De Adoratione
Authors: PIETSCH THOMAS
Published: July 2023

In his long, untranslated treatiseDe adoratione, Cyril of Alexandria interacts with the mysteries of Isis in two places. In one place he describes a ritual involving female initiates dressed in linen holding sistra and mirrors, and in another he describes the rotating of torches as a purification ritual, albeit without naming Isis in either. These passages enrich our understanding of the mysteries of Isis, and of Cyril's engagement with the cult beyond his purported actions at Menouthis. The passages also suggest why and how Alexandrian Christians engaged in Isiac practices, and show Cyril the bishop constructing a pastoral response to these practices.
‘Land back to the people or not?’ The variable pathways of civic mobilisation against land grabs in rural Sierra Leone
Authors: Podder Sukanya
Published: July 2023

Drawing on empirical research from Pujehun and Port Loko districts in Sierra Leone, this article explains the variable pathways of civic activism mobilised by environmental advocacy, and legal empowerment organisations, in response to two prominent land grabs. By grounding the analysis within the ontology of place, this study examines the dynamic interplay between national politics, global corporate interests, transnational advocacy, and civic agency in each place. The article finds that although the balance of power between these actors matters, the nature of corporate interests involved can be significant in determining the exact trajectory of civic mobilisation, and ultimately its success.
Renting in the informal city: the role of dignity in upgrading backyard dwellings in Cape Town, South Africa
Authors: Rice Louis , Scheba Andreas , Harris Adam
Published: July 2023

In South Africa, informal rental accommodation constructed in the backyards of formal houses is the fastest growing housing segment. These backyard dwellings (BDs) are makeshift structures made from timber frames, metal sheets or wooden planks. Despite the proliferation of BDs, national and local governments have done little to improve the living standards of backyard dwellers. The research uses focus groups, interviews and building surveys to examine the current state of backyard dwellings and identify opportunities and barriers for government interventions. We analyse the barriers to home improvements, highlighting the important role of tenant dignity and landlord-tenant relations. Furthermore, the research discusses the challenges of potential government-led interventions, which could easily fail in the context of resistance, mistrust and anxiety over housing. We present four key considerations that any intervention to upgrade BDs in South Africa or similar rental units in other localities must consider.
Stop contrast acquisition in child Kriol: Evidence of stable transmission of phonology post Creole formation
Authors: BUNDGAARD-NIELSEN Rikke L. , BAKER Brett J. , BELL Elise A. , WANG Yizhou
Published: July 2023

Many Aboriginal Australian communities are undergoing language shift from traditional Indigenous languages to contact varieties such as Kriol, an English-lexified Creole. Kriol is reportedly characterised by lexical items with highly variable phonological specifications, and variable implementation of voicing and manner contrasts in obstruents (Sandefur, 1986). A language, such as Kriol, characterised by this unusual degree of variability presents Kriol-acquiring children with a potentially difficult language-learning task, and one which challenges the prevalent theories of acquisition. To examine stop consonant acquisition in this unusual language environment, we present a study of Kriol stop and affricate production, followed by a mispronunciation detection study, with Kriol-speaking children (ages 4-7) from a Northern Territory community where Kriol is the lingua franca. In contrast to previous claims, the results suggest that Kriol-speaking children acquire a stable phonology and lexemes with canonical phonemic specifications, and that English experience would not appear to induce this stability.
Perceived Quality of Online Music Therapy Sessions by Older Adults Aging at Home
Authors: Pearson Chrissy , Sham Rosalind , Gardner Sandra , Klapman Sarah , Altschuler Aviva
Published: July 2023

Online delivery is new to the field of music therapy (MT). This research investigated older adults’ perceived quality of MT online by certified music therapists. In this feasibility study, applying both process and outcome assessments, nine older adults volunteered to participate. Zoom was used, and a virtual music therapy (VMT) kit was developed as a resource. Surveys and observed technical difficulties revealed that perceived quality varied slightly by level of technical difficulty experienced; however, overall mean perceived quality was 7.2 out of 9. Post-study interviews revealed three main themes: (a) individual experiences with VMT, (b) individuals’ suggestions for further development of VMT sessions, and (c) individuals’ personal outcomes from VMT sessions. Participants reported overall positive experiences with VMT. Despite a slight decline in perceived quality when more technical difficulties were present, each participant reported a desire for more sessions, and they would recommend it to others.
Resilient functioning is associated with altered structural brain network topology in adolescents exposed to childhood adversity
Authors: González-García Nadia , Buimer Elizabeth E.L. , Moreno-López Laura , Sallie Samantha N. , Váša František , Lim Sol , Romero-Garcia Rafael , Scheuplein Maximilian , Whitaker Kirstie J. , Jones Peter B. , Dolan Raymond J. ,   NSPN consortium, Fonagy Peter , Goodyer Ian , Bullmore Edward T. , van Harmelen Anne-Laura
Published: July 2023

Childhood adversity is one of the strongest predictors of adolescent mental illness. Therefore, it is critical that the mechanisms that aid resilient functioning in individuals exposed to childhood adversity are better understood. Here, we examined whether resilient functioning was related to structural brain network topology. We quantified resilient functioning at the individual level as psychosocial functioning adjusted for the severity of childhood adversity in a large sample of adolescents (N = 2406, aged 14–24). Next, we examined nodal degree (the number of connections that brain regions have in a network) using brain-wide cortical thickness measures in a representative subset (N = 275) using a sliding window approach. We found that higher resilient functioning was associated with lower nodal degree of multiple regions including the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the posterior superior temporal sulcus (z > 1.645). During adolescence, decreases in nodal degree are thought to reflect a normative developmental process that is part of the extensive remodeling of structural brain network topology. Prior findings in this sample showed that decreased nodal degree was associated with age, as such our findings of negative associations between nodal degree and resilient functioning may therefore potentially resemble a more mature structural network configuration in individuals with higher resilient functioning.
Evaluation of sperm and hormonal assessments in Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus bulls
Authors: Moura A. R. , Santos A. R. , Losano J. D. A. , Siqueira A. F. P. , Hamilton T. R. S. , Zanella R. , Caires K. C. , Simões R.
Published: July 2023

Wagyu bulls are known to have a highly exacerbated libido, as shown by the intense sexual interest of young calves. Therefore we believe that Wagyu male animals have specialized Sertoli and Leydig cells that are directly involved with the sexual precocity in this breed as mature bulls have a small scrotal circumference. This study aimed to evaluate whether there were differences in the hormone and sperm characteristics of Wagyu bulls compared with the same characteristics of subspecies Bos indicus and Bos taurus sires. Frozen–thawed semen from Wagyu, Nellore, and Angus sires were analyzed for sperm kinetics (computer-assisted sperm analysis), plasma membrane integrity, chromatin integrity, acrosome status, mitochondrial activity, lipid peroxidation and hormone [luteinizing hormone (LH) and testosterone] serum concentration. The results showed that Wagyu had lower total motility and an increased number of sperm with no motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from those breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations. We concluded that Wagyu sires had lower total motility when compared with Nellore and Angus bulls. Wagyu breed did not differ from these breeds when considering plasma and acrosome membranes integrity, mitochondrial potential, chromatin resistance, sperm lipid peroxidation, or hormone (LH and testosterone) concentrations.