bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digitalizing Internationalization for Cross-Cultural Collaboration in Early Childhood Education during COVID-19 Crisis: Lessons Learned from the UTFORSK Project
Authors: Hu Aihua , Birkeland Åsta
Published: July 2024

The COVID-19 crisis has posed unprecedented challenges to every aspect of lives across the globe. The cross-cultural collaboration project (UTFORSK) including Norwegian and Chinese early childhood education researchers and practitioners reported in this chapter is no exception. Although challenged, we grasped this opportunity to utilize digital platforms in an innovative way to keep the collaboration sustainable and resilient. We conducted digital workshops in addition to the traditional use of digital platforms for information sharing and communications. This practice has enabled a closer relationship between ongoing professional development and research on education for sustainability. Taking a departure from a project titled Our Neighborhood designed prior to the COVID-19 crisis, we hold a series of digital workshops to share stories, photos, plans, and other artifacts as well as to listen to each other and discuss different aims, conditions, and implementations of each local kindergarten’s project. This chapter aims to present how this cross-cultural collaboration worked through digitalization, especially through a series of digital workshops during the COVID-19 crisis when face-to-face meetings are impossible. It also aims to explore how digitally collected data are used to inform further action. Cultural-historical approach is used to guide the presentation of this chapter. The chapter ultimately aspires to illuminate how to integrate digitalization into internationalization for cross-cultural collaboration in the early childhood education context and beyond.
Closing Remarks on Innovations and Theorisations of an Educational Experiment
Authors: Fleer Marilyn , Fragkiadaki Glykeria , Ødegaard Elin Eriksen , Rai Prabhat , Sadownik Alicja
Published: July 2024

This chapter concludes our book—a book dedicated to the theorisation of an educational experiment but does so in relation to digital methods. The methods presented across the chapters on this book foreground the many ways an educational experiment can be undertaken. The methods are all in response to the societal and global conditions of a global pandemic. Theorised methods bring forward a system of concepts that enable a digital educational experiment to proceed under conditions of crisis, contradiction, and drama. Hedegaard’s writings on an educational experiment, and the new methods presented across the book and discussed in this chapter, bring closure for the concepts of motives and demands in relation to digital environments and interactions, where time, space, and physicality are virtually defined and enabled. Key points for meeting future challenges, dramas, and crises with digital agility are foregrounded in this chapter.
Two-loop integrals for $$ t\overline{t} $$+jet production at hadron colliders in the leading colour approximation
Authors: Badger Simon , Becchetti Matteo , Giraudo Nicolò , Zoia Simone
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We compute the differential equations for the two remaining integral topologies contributing to the leading colour two-loop amplitudes for pp → $$ t\overline{t}j $$
t

t
¯

j
. We derive differential equations for the master integrals by solving the integration-by-parts identities over finite fields. Of the two systems of differential equations, one is presented in canonical ‘d log’ form, while the other is found to have an elliptic sector. For the elliptic topology we identify the relevant elliptic curve, and present the differential equations in a more general form which depends quadratically on ε and contains non-logarithmic one-forms in addition to the canonical d log’s. We solve the systems of differential equations numerically using generalised series expansions with the boundary terms obtained using the auxiliary mass flow method. A summary of all one-loop and two-loop planar topologies is presented including the list of alphabet letters for the ‘d log’ form systems and high-precision boundary values.
The U-Matrix geometrical model for multi-particle production in high-energy hadronic collisions
Authors: Oueslati Rami , Trabelsi Adel
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Inspired by the picture portraying the KNO scaling violation as an extension of the geometrical scaling violation, the current study proposes a phenomenological model for multi-particle production in hadron collisions based on the geometrical approach and using the U-Matrix unitarization scheme of the scattering amplitude. The model has been fine-tuned and all parameters have been derived from optimal fits to various hadronic multiplicity distributions data in p + $$ p\left(\overline{p}\right) $$
p

p
¯

collisions across a broad range of energies. The results have revealed that our model furnishes a reasonable description of diverse multiplicity distributions at various energies. Besides, they have demonstrated a pronounced violation of the geometrical scaling, which eventually resulted in a significant violation of the KNO scaling. The study has also analyzed the higher-order moments of the multiplicity distribution. We have observed an unexpected overestimation of the fluctuations and correlations between final state particles with increasing energy, particularly above LHC energy. It is claimed that this overestimation is due to statistical fluctuations embedded in the U-matrix scheme. The findings of this study have shed light on the key role of the U-matrix scheme in the impact of collision geometry on multi-particle production processes at high energy.
Active learning for adaptive surrogate model improvement in high-dimensional problems
Authors: Guo Yulin , Nath Paromita , Mahadevan Sankaran , Witherell Paul
Published: July 2024

This paper investigates a novel approach to efficiently construct and improve surrogate models in problems with high-dimensional input and output. In this approach, the principal components and corresponding features of the high-dimensional output are first identified. For each feature, the active subspace technique is used to identify a corresponding low-dimensional subspace of the input domain; then a surrogate model is built for each feature in its corresponding active subspace. A low-dimensional adaptive learning strategy is proposed to identify training samples to improve the surrogate model. In contrast to existing adaptive learning methods that focus on a scalar output or a small number of outputs, this paper addresses adaptive learning with high-dimensional input and output, with a novel learning function that balances exploration and exploitation, i.e., considering unexplored regions and high-error regions, respectively. The adaptive learning is in terms of the active variables in the low-dimensional space, and the newly added training samples can be easily mapped back to the original space for running the expensive physics model. The proposed method is demonstrated for the numerical simulation of an additive manufacturing part, with a high-dimensional field output quantity of interest (residual stress) in the component that has spatial variability due to the stochastic nature of multiple input variables (including process variables and material properties). Various factors in the adaptive learning process are investigated, including the number of training samples, range and distribution of the adaptive training samples, contributions of various errors, and the importance of exploration versus exploitation in the learning function.
Feudal political economy
Authors: Desierto Desiree A. , Koyama Mark
Published: July 2024

How is order achieved in a realm in which every elite commands both economic and military resources, and no stable institutions of power exist? We depict coalition formation in the feudal world as a series of non-binding agreements between elites who can move in and out of the coalition, through peaceful and violent means. We derive conditions under which the realm unites under one rule — a grand coalition, or remains fragmented. We motivate our analysis with key historical episodes in medieval Europe, from the Frankish Kingdom in the 5th to 10th centuries and England in the 11th to 15th centuries.
Machine learning enables automated screening for systematic reviews and meta-analysis in urology
Authors: Menold H.S. , Wieland V.L.S , Haney C.M. , Uysal D. , Wessels F. , Cacciamani G.C. , Michel M.S. , Seide S. , Kowalewski K.F.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To investigate and implement semiautomated screening for meta-analyses (MA) in urology under consideration of class imbalance.

Methods

Machine learning algorithms were trained on data from three MA with detailed information of the screening process. Different methods to account for class imbalance (Sampling (up- and downsampling, weighting and cost-sensitive learning), thresholding) were implemented in different machine learning (ML) algorithms (Random Forest, Logistic Regression with Elastic Net Regularization, Support Vector Machines). Models were optimized for sensitivity. Besides metrics such as specificity, receiver operating curves, total missed studies, and work saved over sampling were calculated.

Results

During training, models trained after downsampling achieved the best results consistently among all algorithms. Computing time ranged between 251 and 5834 s. However, when evaluated on the final test data set, the weighting approach performed best. In addition, thresholding helped to improve results as compared to the standard of 0.5. However, due to heterogeneity of results no clear recommendation can be made for a universal sample size. Misses of relevant studies were 0 for the optimized models except for one review.

Conclusion

It will be necessary to design a holistic methodology that implements the presented methods in a practical manner, but also takes into account other algorithms and the most sophisticated methods for text preprocessing. In addition, the different methods of a cost-sensitive learning approach can be the subject of further investigations.
Forensic species identification: practical guide for animal and plant DNA analysis
Authors: Corradini Beatrice , Gianfreda Denise , Ferri Gianmarco , Ferrari Francesca , Borciani Ilaria , Santunione Anna Laura , Cecchi Rossana
Published: July 2024

The importance of non-human DNA in the forensic field has increased greatly in recent years, together with the type of applications. The molecular species identification of animal and botanical material may be crucial both for wildlife trafficking and crime scene investigation. However, especially for forensic botany, several challenges slow down the implementation of the discipline in the routine.

Although the importance of molecular analysis of animal origin samples is widely recognized and the same value is acknowledged to the botanical counterpart, the latter does not find the same degree of application.

The availability of molecular methods, especially useful in cases where the material is fragmented, scarce or spoiled preventing the morphological identification, is not well known. This work is intended to reaffirm the relevance of non-human forensic genetics (NHFG), highlighting differences, benefits and pitfalls of the current most common molecular analysis workflow for animal and botanical samples, giving a practical guide. A flowchart describing the analysis paths, divided in three major working areas (inspection and sampling, molecular analysis, data processing and interpretation), is provided. More real casework examples of the utility of non-human evidence in forensic investigations should be shared by the scientific community, especially for plants. Moreover, concrete efforts to encourage initiatives in order to promote quality and standardization in the NHFG field are also needed.
Optical coherence tomography homography for detection of retinal displacement: a validation study
Authors: Brosh Koby , Roditi Eduardo , Bansal Aditya , Martins Melo Isabela , Potter Michael J , Muni Rajeev H.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Retinal displacement following rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) has been associated with inferior functional outcomes. Recent evidence using an overlay technique suggests that fundus-autofluorescence underestimates post-RRD repair retinal displacement. This study aims to validate the overlay technique in normal eyes and to determine its sensitivity and specificity at detecting retinal displacement.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective case series involving 66 normal eyes, each with at least two separate infrared (IR) images at different time points. Overlay of the two images was based on manual marking of choroidal and optic nerve head (ONH) landmarks. For each set of two IR images, computer code for homography generated two outputs, flipping view video and an overlay picture. First, validation of choroidal/ONH alignment was performed using the flipping view video to ensure accurate manual markings. Then, two different masked graders (AB + IM) evaluated the overlays for presence of retinal displacement. 16 control eyes following RRD repair with detected retinal displacement on FAF imaging assessed sensitivity and specificity of the technique.

Results

94% of overlays were found to be well aligned (62/66). 11 cases exhibited errors on flipping view analysis (choroidal/ONH misalignment). Those 11 cases had a significantly higher rate of retinal displacement (false positives) compared to cases without errors (8/11,72% Vs 54/55,98%,P = 0.001). Sensitivity and specificity of the overlay technique for detecting retinal displacement considering only adequate flipping view cases (n = 55) were calculated as 100% and 98%, respectively.

Conclusions

IR overlay emerges as a reliable and valid method for detecting retinal displacement, exhibiting excellent sensitivity and specificity.
Nutritional management of the child with chronic kidney disease and on dialysis
Authors: Shaw Vanessa , Anderson Caroline , Desloovere An , Greenbaum Larry A. , Harshman Lyndsay , Nelms Christina L. , Pugh Pearl , Polderman Nonnie , Renken-Terhaerdt José , Snauwaert Evelien , Stabouli Stella , Tuokkola Jetta , Vande Walle Johan , Warady Bradley A. , Paglialonga Fabio , Shroff Rukshana
Published: July 2024

While it is widely accepted that the nutritional management of the infant with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is paramount to achieve normal growth and development, nutritional management is also of importance beyond 1 year of age, particularly in toddlers, to support the delayed infantile stage of growth that may extend to 2–3 years of age. Puberty is also a vulnerable period when nutritional needs are higher to support the expected growth spurt. Inadequate nutritional intake throughout childhood can result in failure to achieve full adult height potential, and there is an increased risk for abnormal neurodevelopment. Conversely, the rising prevalence of overweight and obesity among children with CKD underscores the necessity for effective nutritional strategies to mitigate the risk of metabolic syndrome that is not confined to the post-transplant population. Nutritional management is of primary importance in improving metabolic equilibrium and reducing CKD-related imbalances, particularly as the range of foods eaten by the child widens as they get older (including increased consumption of processed foods), and as CKD progresses. The aim of this review is to integrate the Pediatric Renal Nutrition Taskforce (PRNT) clinical practice recommendations (CPRs) for children (1–18 years) with CKD stages 2–5 and on dialysis (CKD2–5D). We provide a holistic approach to the overall nutritional management of the toddler, child, and young person. Collaboration between physicians and pediatric kidney dietitians is strongly advised to ensure comprehensive and tailored nutritional care for children with CKD, ultimately optimizing their growth and development.

Graphical abstract
Predicting the potential toxicity of the metal oxide nanoparticles using machine learning algorithms
Authors: Sayed Gehad Ismail , Alshater Heba , Hassanien Aboul Ella
Published: July 2024

Over the years, machine learning (ML) algorithms have proven their ability to make reliable predictions of the toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles. This paper proposed a predictive ML model of the potential toxicity of metal oxide nanoparticles. A dataset consisting of 79 descriptors including 24 metal oxide nanoparticles (MexOy NPs) and their physicochemical and structural characteristics is adopted. The proposed model comprises of three main phases. The first phase is used to analyze the characteristics of nanoparticles along with their toxicity behavior. In the second phase, the problems associated with the metal oxide nanoparticles dataset are tackled. The first problem namely the class imbalance problem is handled through utilizing synthetic minority over-sampling technique (SMOTE). The second problem namely the outliers is handled through applying a novel feature selection algorithm based on the enhanced binary version of the sine tree-seed algorithm (EBSTSA). The proposed EBSTSA is used to find the relevant features affecting toxicity. The density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) is utilized as a tool for identifying outliers in the dataset and for visualizing the impact of the feature selection on the performance of the subsequent classification. Finally, in the third phase, the support vector machine (SVM) supervised machine learning algorithm and k-fold cross-validation method are applied to classify the mode of action of each instance of nanoparticle as toxic or nontoxic. The simulation results showed that the EBSTSA-based feature selection algorithm is reliable and robust across 23 benchmark datasets from the UCI machine learning repository. The results also showed that proposed EBSTSA can effectively find the relevant descriptors for nano-particles. Furthermore, the results demonstrated the efficacy of the proposed ML toxicity prediction model. It is obtained on average 1.02% of error rate, 100% of specificity, 98.87% of sensitivity, and 99.47% of f1-score.
Intraoperative MRI without an intraoperative MRI suite: a workflow for glial tumor surgery
Authors: Frisk Henrik , Persson Oscar , Fagerlund Michael , Jensdottir Margret , El-Hajj Victor Gabriel , Burström Gustav , Sunesson Annika , Kits Annika , Majing Tomas , Edström Erik , Kaijser Magnus , Elmi-Terander Adrian
Published: July 2024

Background

Intraoperative MRI (iMRI) has emerged as a useful tool in glioma surgery to safely improve the extent of resection. However, iMRI requires a dedicated operating room (OR) with an integrated MRI scanner solely for this purpose. Due to physical or economical restraints, this may not be feasible in all centers. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using a non-dedicated MRI scanner at the radiology department for iMRI and to describe the workflow with special focus on time expenditure and surgical implications.

Methods

In total, 24 patients undergoing glioma surgery were included. When the resection was deemed completed, the wound was temporarily closed, and the patient, under general anesthesia, was transferred to the radiology department for iMRI, which was performed using a dedicated protocol on 1.5 or 3 T scanners. After performing iMRI the patient was returned to the OR for additional tumor resection or final wound closure. All procedural times, timestamps, and adverse events were recorded.

Result

The median time from the decision to initiate iMRI until reopening of the wound after scanning was 68 (52–104) minutes. Residual tumors were found on iMRI in 13 patients (54%). There were no adverse events during the surgeries, transfers, transportations, or iMRI-examinations. There were no wound-related complications or infections in the postoperative period or at follow-up. There were no readmissions within 30 or 90 days due to any complication.

Conclusion

Performing intraoperative MRI using an MRI located outside the OR department was feasible and safe with no adverse events. It did not require more time than previously reported data for dedicated iMRI scanners. This could be a viable alternative in centers without access to a dedicated iMRI suite.
Epidemiology of biliary tract-associated bloodstream infections and adequacy of empiric therapy: an Australian population-based study
Authors: Gassiep Ian , Edwards Felicity , Laupland Kevin B.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Although the biliary tract is a common source of invasive infections, the epidemiology of cholangitis- and cholecystitis-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) is not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical determinants, microbiology of biliary tract-associated BSI, and predicted adequacy of common empiric therapy regimens.

Methods

All biliary tract-associated BSI in Queensland during 2000–2019 were identified using state-wide data sources. Predicted adequacy of empiric antimicrobial therapy was determined according to microbiological susceptibility data.

Results

There were 3,698 episodes of biliary tract-associated BSI occurred in 3,433 patients of which 2,147 (58.1%) episodes were due to cholangitis and 1,551 (41.9%) cholecystitis, for age- and sex-standardized incidence rates of 2.7, and 2.0 per 100,000 population, respectively. An increasing incidence of biliary tract-associated BSI was observed over the study that was attributable to an increase in cholangitis cases. There was a significant increased risk for biliary tract-associated BSI observed with advancing age and male sex. Patients with cholangitis were older, more likely to have healthcare associated infection, and have more comorbidities most notably liver disease and malignancies as compared to patients with cholecystitis. The distribution of infecting pathogens was significantly different with polymicrobial aetiologies more commonly observed with cholangitis (18.4% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.001). The combination of ampicillin/gentamicin/metronidazole was predicted to have the overall highest adequacy (96.1%), whereas amoxicillin/clavulanate had the lowest (77.0%). Amoxicillin/clavulanate (75.2% vs. 79.4%, p:0.03) and ceftriaxone/metronidazole (83.4% vs. 89.6%; p < 0.001) showed significantly inferior predicted adequacy for cholangitis as compared to cholecystitis.

Conclusions

Bloodstream infections related to cholecystitis and cholangitis exhibit different epidemiology, microbiology, and requirements for empiric therapy.
GRIMS: global and regional ionosphere monitoring system
Authors: Ozdemir Behlul Numan , Alcay Salih , Ogutcu Sermet , Pekgor Ahmet , Seemala Gopi Krishna , Oztan Gurkan
Published: July 2024

The ionosphere shows regular changes such as daily, 27 days, seasonal, semi-annual, annual, and 11 years. These changes can be modeled and their effects largely determined. However, in addition to regular changes, irregular changes occur in the ionosphere due to space weather conditions, natural disasters, and human-induced irregularities. GNSS is one of the instruments along with many others that can give a piece of information on the ionospheric state. Various indices/parameters are used to determine the effect of space weather conditions. The well-known ones are solar activity indices, geomagnetic storm indices, magnetic field components, proton density, and proton flux parameters. It is important to take all of these indices into consideration when investigating the source of the anomaly. Considering only some of them may lead to incorrect inferences about the source of possible anomalies. To carry out comprehensive research in this field, it is necessary to analyze a very large data set. This indicates the requirement for an automatic system. With the Global and Regional Ionosphere Monitoring System (GRIMS) designed within the scope of this study, the ionosphere can be monitored globally and regionally. The GRIMS is online at https://www.online-grims.com/. By using Global ionospheric maps and GNSS receiver data, global, regional, and station-specific anomalies can be detected regularly through methods such as HDI (Highest Density Interval) and ARIMA (Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average). GRIMS gathers space weather-related parameters from ionospheric data centers to help users interpret the situation, and it allows users to download the results and request data for specific days. The details of the experimental results and output products of the system designed during the geomagnetic active days of March 17, 18, 2015 are given in this paper. Moreover, geomagnetic active days that occurred between 2000 and 2023 are given in the GRIMS.
Green Parties and the Quest for Biodiversity: The Political Economy of Fiscal Commitments in OECD Economies
Authors: Herwartz Helmut , Theilen Bernd
Published: July 2024

This study focuses on green parties in government and analyzes the political economy of public spending for biodiversity and landscape protection, comparing it with other environmental and non-environmental spending categories. Using panel data covering 26 OECD economies during the sample period from 1995 to 2021, we employ an error-correction approach that effectively accounts for both the presence of stochastic trends in the data and the structure of public budgets. Our findings highlight significant differences in the political economy of biodiversity and landscape protection spending compared with other environmental expenditures. Firstly, while governments under the participation of green parties generally allocate more funds to other environmental issues, the same does not hold true for biodiversity. Secondly, growth rates of other environmental expenditures increase considerably during election periods, whereas expenditures dedicated to biodiversity and landscape protection tend to shrink. Thirdly, environmental expenditures are more procyclical in comparison with public spending for non-environmental purposes, where, however, under green parties in government the cyclicality of biodiversity and landscape protection expenditure is mitigated during periods of fiscal adjustments. These results underscore the importance of establishing enhanced and counter-cyclical funding mechanisms, bolstered by support from supranational organizations, to ensure continuous and effective preservation of biodiversity.
Self-Threatening Extortionists Constitute a Problem for Utilitarians, Not Contractualists
Authors: Huseby Robert , Lindstad Sigurd
Published: July 2024

Johann Frick has claimed that morality requires that we (in many cases) should give in to the demands of rational agents who attempt to extort us by threatening to harm themselves (self-threatening extortionists). He has further argued that since contractualism implies that there is no such moral requirement, such cases represent a problem for this brand of moral theory. In this paper, we argue that things are quite the other way around: Morality does not require that we give in to the demands of self-threatening extortionists. Such cases, therefore, represent a problem for (act) utilitarianism, rather than contractualism. Our argument appeals to a particular understanding of the idea that rational agents have a special responsibility to take care of their own interests or welfare.
Designing preschool children's educational games for enlightenment through decision analysis methods
Authors: Zhu Yan , Zhou Rui , Zhang Yuexia
Published: July 2024

As an innovative form of digital online education, educational games have potentially significant impacts on preschool children's enlightenment education. Identifying key factors for effective design is crucial in game development. This study identifies key factors for the design of educational games aimed at preschool children's enlightenment through decision analysis methods. The specific research steps include using SET analysis method to identify gaps in development opportunities, employing the Analytic Hierarchy Process to construct an interactive system design model for enlightenment educational games, calculating the weight value of each factor, and pinpointing the key factors for design practice. Based on this methodology, an enlightenment educational game has been developed, and Fuzzy Comprehensive Evaluation method has been utilized to assess the practical implementation. The approach outlined in this study enables designers to swiftly recognize the critical elements in designing educational games for preschool children's enlightenment, facilitating a responsive design process, achieving effective game designs, and ultimately enhancing preschool children's learning interest and outcomes.
A clinically compatible in vitro drug-screening platform identifies therapeutic vulnerabilities in primary cultures of brain metastases
Authors: Jeising Sebastian , Nickel Ann-Christin , Trübel Johanna , Felsberg Jörg , Picard Daniel , Leprivier Gabriel , Wolter Marietta , Huynh My Ky , Olivera Marlene B. , Kaulich Kerstin , Häberle Lena , Esposito Irene , Klau Gunnar W. , Steinmann Julia , Beez Thomas , Rapp Marion , Sabel Michael , Dietrich Sascha , Remke Marc , Cornelius Jan F. , Reifenberger Guido , Qin Nan
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Brain metastases represent the most common intracranial tumors in adults and are associated with a poor prognosis. We used a personalized in vitro drug screening approach to characterize individual therapeutic vulnerabilities in brain metastases.

Methods

Short-term cultures of cancer cells isolated from brain metastasis patients were molecularly characterized using next-generation sequencing and functionally evaluated using high-throughput in vitro drug screening to characterize pharmacological treatment sensitivities.

Results

Next-generation sequencing identified matched genetic alterations in brain metastasis tissue samples and corresponding short-term cultures, suggesting that short-term cultures of brain metastases are suitable models for recapitulating the genetic profile of brain metastases that may determine their sensitivity to anti-cancer drugs. Employing a high-throughput in vitro drug screening platform, we successfully screened the cultures of five brain metastases for response to 267 anticancer compounds and related drug response to genetic data. Among others, we found that targeted treatment with JAK3, HER2, or FGFR3 inhibitors showed anti-cancer effects in individual brain metastasis cultures.

Conclusion

Our preclinical study provides a proof-of-concept for combining molecular profiling with in vitro drug screening for predictive evaluation of therapeutic vulnerabilities in brain metastasis patients. This approach could advance the use of patient-derived cancer cells in clinical practice and might eventually facilitate decision-making for personalized drug treatment.
Token governance in initial coin offerings: Implications of token retention and resale restrictions for ICO success
Authors: Fuchs Johannes , Momtaz Paul P.
Published: July 2024

The high degree of asymmetric information in initial coin offerings (ICOs) increases the probability of moral hazard, adverse selection, and outright fraud. Token governance mechanisms may help mitigate such investment risks. Using novel data on token retention in the primary market and resale restrictions in the secondary market, we estimate the impact of these governance mechanisms on the fundraising success and post-funding performance of ICOs. First, we estimate the valuation elasticity of token retention, indicating that 10% fewer tokens sold increases the ICO funding amount by 3.2%. Second, restricting ICO investors’ ability to resell tokens in the secondary market has a detrimental impact on the 12-month buy-and-hold abnormal return. We also discuss contingency effects of the specific implementations of these governance signals and show that the effects are moderated by the quality of the venture’s human capital.
Association between dietary (poly)phenol intake and the ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale in the Polish arm of the HAPIEE study
Authors: Stepaniak Urszula , Grosso Giuseppe , Polak Maciej , Gradowicz-Prajsnar Barbara , Kozela Magdalena , Bobak Martin , Sanchez-Niubo Albert , Stefler Denes , Haro Josep Maria , Pająk Andrzej
Published: July 2024

Inverse association between (poly)phenol intake and age-related disorders has been demonstrated; however, little is known whether they affect comprehensively assessed healthy aging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the associations between the intake of (poly)phenol (including selected classes and subclasses) and healthy aging scores related to biopsychosocial aspects of health and functioning. A cross-sectional study was performed using data on 9774 randomly selected citizens of Krakow (Poland) who were 45–69 years of age. Dietary (poly)phenol intake was evaluated using a food frequency questionnaire and matching food consumption data with the Phenol-Explorer database. The healthy aging scores were estimated from the ATHLOS Healthy Ageing Scale (HAS) developed by the Ageing Trajectories of Health-Longitudinal Opportunities and Synergies (ATHLOS) consortium. Beta coefficients were calculated using multivariable linear regression models. In multivariable adjusted models, there were significant positive associations between the ATHLOS HAS score and intake of total (poly)phenols (b per increase of 100 mg/day = 0.081; 95% CI, 0.050; 0.112) and among main classes of (poly)phenols with phenolic acids (b = 0.139; 95% CI, 0.098; 0.180). Intake of remaining classes of (poly)phenols (flavonoids, lignans, stilbenes, and others) was not related to the ATHLOS HAS score. Among individual classes studied, hydroxycinnamic acids, flavonols, flavones, and dihydrochalcones were associated with better healthy aging. The findings suggest the beneficial effect of total dietary (poly)phenol and some classes and subclasses of (poly)phenol intake in terms of healthy aging in Poland. These findings should be confirmed in other settings and with prospective data.
Does Philosophy Need to Know Its History?
Authors: Geuss Raymond
Published: July 2024

The point of doing the history of philosophy is to confront that which is completely foreign to us and seems unassimilable, in the hope of thereby getting some distance from our own form of life, and of learning to treat what is alien on its own terms. This is more difficult to do than might first seem to be the case, because of our almost irresistable tendency to assimilate that which is radically different to that which seems familiar to us. In history, one of the major forms this takes is anachronism. How can one avoid making them-then too much like us-now? The motivation for doing the history of philosophy is, therefore, basically ethical and political. In a society characterised by the division of labour, it is perfectly permissible for individual philosophers to pursue different goals, and deploy different parts of the huge corpus of knowledge which we have at our disposal. There is no need for each individual philosopher to integrate the study of the history of philosophy into each of their individual projects. The essay leaves it to the judgment of the reader to decide to what extent the active, sympathetic engagement with the alien is an ethical and political goal which is desirable — perhaps even so desirable as to count as a demand. In any case, this is a demand on the institution, not on individuals. Even if one thought that it was highly advisable that the history of philosophy form an integral part of the discipline of philosophy, it is hard to see this as a “necessity”.
Nonpositively Curved Surfaces are Loewner
Authors: Katz Mikhail G. , Sabourau Stéphane
Published: July 2024

We show that every closed nonpositively curved surface satisfies Loewner’s systolic inequality. The proof relies on a combination of the Gauss–Bonnet formula with an averaging argument using the invariance of the Liouville measure under the geodesic flow. This enables us to find a disk with large total curvature around its center yielding a large area.
Octonionic Calabi–Yau Theorem
Authors: Alesker Semyon , Gordon Peter V.
Published: July 2024

On a certain class of 16-dimensional manifolds a new class of Riemannian metrics, called octonionic Kähler, is introduced and studied. It is an octonionic analogue of Kähler metrics on complex manifolds and of HKT-metrics of hypercomplex manifolds. Then for this class of metrics an octonionic version of the Monge–Ampère equation is introduced and solved under appropriate assumptions. The latter result is an octonionic version of the Calabi–Yau theorem from Kähler geometry.
Progress on mechanical and tribological characterization of 2D materials by AFM force spectroscopy
Authors: Wu Shuai , Gu Jie , Li Ruiteng , Tang Yuening , Gao Lingxiao , An Cuihua , Deng Qibo , Zhao Libin , Hu Ning
Published: July 2024

Two-dimensional (2D) materials are potential candidates for electronic devices due to their unique structures and exceptional physical properties, making them a focal point in nanotechnology research. Accurate assessment of the mechanical and tribological properties of 2D materials is imperative to fully exploit their potential across diverse applications. However, their nanoscale thickness and planar nature pose significant challenges in testing and characterizing their mechanical properties. Among the in situ characterization techniques, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has gained widespread applications in exploring the mechanical behaviour of nanomaterials, because of the easy measurement capability of nano force and displacement from the AFM tips. Specifically, AFM-based force spectroscopy is a common approach for studying the mechanical and tribological properties of 2D materials. This review comprehensively details the methods based on normal force spectroscopy, which are utilized to test and characterize the elastic and fracture properties, adhesion, and fatigue of 2D materials. Additionally, the methods using lateral force spectroscopy can characterize the interfacial properties of 2D materials, including surface friction of 2D materials, shear behaviour of interlayers as well as nanoflake-substrate interfaces. The influence of various factors, such as testing methods, external environments, and the properties of test samples, on the measured mechanical properties is also addressed. In the end, the current challenges and issues in AFM-based measurements of mechanical and tribological properties of 2D materials are discussed, which identifies the trend in the combination of multiple methods concerning the future development of the in situ testing techniques.
Foodborne Helminthiasis
Authors: Ortiz Javier Benito , Uys Matthys , Seguino Alessandro , Thomas Lian F.
Published: July 2024

Purpose of Review

This review focuses on key foodborne helminths: providing an overview of their lifecycles and major transmission routes to humans, their geographical distribution, clinical manifestations, human health burden and control aspects.

Recent Findings

Many foodborne helminths appear to be increasing in geographical distribution, driven by climatic and demographic changes; predominately increases in global humidity and temperature, favouring environmental survival and changes in human consumption practices, exposing many more people to high-risk foodstuffs. Although current estimates of human health burden indicate the need for us to focus on these diseases it is acknowledged that poor diagnostic performance and inefficient surveillance leads to an underestimate of burden and for some highly neglected helminths no burden estimates have been performed. It is acknowledged that intervention strategies should consider the full value chain and involve multiple stakeholders following a ‘One Health’ approach.

As well as improving burden estimates, key research needs for foodborne helminths include the need for improved diagnostic tools and better integration of the social sciences to ensure the development of contextually relevant and socially acceptable control strategies.
Model selection for network data based on spectral information
Authors: Peña Hidalgo Jairo Iván , Stewart Jonathan R.
Published: July 2024

In this work, we explore the extent to which the spectrum of the graph Laplacian can characterize the probability distribution of random graphs for the purpose of model evaluation and model selection for network data applications. Network data, often represented as a graph, consist of a set of pairwise observations between elements of a population of interests. The statistical network analysis literature has developed many different classes of network data models, with notable model classes including stochastic block models, latent node position models, and exponential families of random graph models. We develop a novel methodology which exploits the information contained in the spectrum of the graph Laplacian to predict the data-generating model from a set of candidate models. Through simulation studies, we explore the extent to which network data models can be differentiated by the spectrum of the graph Laplacian. We demonstrate the potential of our method through two applications to well-studied network data sets and validate our findings against existing analyses in the statistical network analysis literature.
Atomistic Simulations of the Shock and Spall Behavior of the Refractory High-Entropy Alloy HfNbTaTiZr
Authors: Thürmer Daniel , Deluigi Orlando R. , Urbassek Herbert M. , Bringa Eduardo M. , Merkert Nina
Published: July 2024

Using molecular dynamics simulation, we study the effect of a shock wave on the refractory high-entropy alloy HfNbTaTiZr. A single-crystalline sample, shocked along the [001] direction, is considered. The initial compression leads to only weak dislocation activity and a bcc $$\rightarrow$$
→
hcp transformation in some regions of the sample. After the shock wave is reflected from the free back surface of the sample, hcp transforms back to bcc, and twins are formed in the bcc phase. The sample spalls under the high tensile pressures developing after wave reflection. In this stage, we observe dislocation activity from the twin boundaries and inside the nanograins generated by twinning. Under the large tensile stresses, some fcc phase appears together with disordered amorphous regions where voids nucleate and lead to spall. The fracture surfaces follow the twin boundaries set up in the compression phase. The spall strength is similar to the one found in simulations of other bcc metals at similar strain rates. Similar simulations for the equiatomic HfNbTaZr HEA show the same qualitative behavior, with twins and reduced dislocation activity, but without phase transformations.
Evaluation of Vertical Patterns in Chlorophyll‐A Derived From a Data Assimilating Model of Satellite‐Based Ocean Color
Authors: Arteaga Lionel A. , Rousseaux Cecile S.
Published: July 2024

Satellite‐based sensors of ocean color have become the primary tool to infer changes in surface chlorophyll, while BGC‐Argo floats are now filling the information gap at depth. Here we use BGC‐Argo data to assess depth‐resolved information on chlorophyll‐a derived from an ocean biogeochemical model constrained by the assimilation of surface ocean color remote sensing. The data‐assimilating model replicates well the general seasonality and meridional gradients in surface and depth‐resolved chlorophyll‐a inferred from the float array in the Southern Ocean. On average, the model tends to overestimate float‐based chlorophyll, particularly at times and locations of high productivity such as the beginning of the spring bloom, subtropical deep chlorophyll maxima, and non‐iron limited regions of the Southern Ocean. The highest model RMSE in the upper 50 m with respect to the float array is of 0.6 mg Chl m−3, which should allow the detection of seasonal changes in float‐based biomass (varying between 0.01 and >1 mg Chl m−3) but might hinder the identification of subtle changes in chlorophyll at narrow local scales. Both model and float profiling data show good agreement with in situ data from station ALOHA, with model estimates showing a slight accuracy edge in inferring depth‐resolved observations. Uncertainties in float bio‐optical estimates impede their use as a reliable benchmark for validation, but the general qualitative agreement between model and float data provides confidence in the ability of model to replicate biogeochemical features below the surface, where data is not directly constrained by the assimilation of satellite ocean color.
Changes in Oceanic Radiocarbon and CFCs Since the 1990s
Authors: Lester J. G. , Graven H. D. , Khatiwala S. , McNichol A. P.
Published: July 2024

Anthropogenic perturbations from fossil fuel burning, nuclear bomb testing, and chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) use have created useful transient tracers of ocean circulation. The atmospheric 14C/C ratio (∆14C) peaked in the early 1960s and has decreased now to pre‐industrial levels, while atmospheric CFC‐11 and CFC‐12 concentrations peaked in the early 1990s and early 2000s, respectively, and have now decreased by 10%–20%. We present the first analysis of a decade of new observations (2007 to 2018–2019) and give a comprehensive overview of the changes in ocean ∆14C and CFC concentration since the WOCE surveys in the 1990s. Surface ocean ∆14C decreased at a nearly constant rate from the 1990–2010s (20‰/decade). In most of the surface ocean ∆14C is higher than in atmospheric CO2 while in the interior ocean, only a few places are found to have increases in ∆14C, indicating that globally, oceanic bomb 14C uptake has stopped and reversed. Decreases in surface ocean CFC‐11 started between the 1990 and 2000s, and CFC‐12 between the 2000–2010s. Strong coherence in model biases of decadal changes in all tracers in the Southern Ocean suggest ventilation of Antarctic Intermediate Water was enhanced from the 1990 to the 2000s, whereas ventilation of Subantarctic Mode Water was enhanced from the 2000 to the 2010s. The decrease in surface tracers globally between the 2000 and 2010s is consistently stronger in observations than in models, indicating a reduction in vertical transport and mixing due to stratification.
Spatial and Temporal Variability of Turbulent Mixing in the Deep Northwestern Pacific
Authors: Song Qifan , Zhou Chun , Xiao Xin , Xun Hao , Tian Zichen , Yang Qingxuan , Zhao Wei , Tian Jiwei
Published: July 2024

Small‐scale turbulent mixing supplies potential energy for the upwelling of deep waters in the abyssal ocean, a key component of the global overturning circulation. This process is particularly significant in critical regions such as the Northwestern Pacific where the upwelling structure of deep waters remains poorly understood due to limited knowledge of deep ocean mixing. Here, we investigate the full‐depth spatiotemporal variability of turbulent mixing in the deep Northwestern Pacific based on hydrographic data collected over repeated surveys. Nineteen‐year‐average diapycnal diffusivity of 1.42 × 10−4 m2 s−1 is reveled in the deep Philippine Sea, indicating significantly stronger mixing compared to the stratified ocean interior. Spatially, turbulent mixing strengthens toward the bottom and intensifies westward from the open Pacific to the Philippine Sea due to rough topography. At certain mixing hotspots, enhanced mixing can penetrate up to 2,500 m above the bottom, suggesting a substantial potential for upwelling. Below 2,000 m, turbulent mixing exhibits pronounced seasonal variation that deep mixing is more intense in summer (winter) than in winter (summer) in the West Caroline Basin (the Parece Vela Basin). This spatially varying seasonality may be attributed to the inhomogeneous internal tidal energy dissipation in the Northwestern Pacific. Our study will serve to clarify the modulation of turbulent mixing to deep‐water mass transformation and circulation in the Northwestern Pacific.