bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cosmological coupling of local gravitational systems
Authors: Cadoni Mariano , Pitzalis Mirko , Rodrigues Davi C. , Sanna Andrea P.
Published: August 2024

We investigate the cosmological coupling of spherical, local astrophysical systems.
We derive a general formula quantifying the cosmological coupling of the Misner-Sharp mass of these objects. We show that, in the weak-field limit, the cosmological coupling is only allowed if there are pressure anisotropies. We also apply our results to galaxies, modelling them with the Navarro-Frenk-White and Einasto profiles. We show that the galactic mass can be coupled to the cosmological dynamics and examine its dependence on the scale factor of the universe.
Bispectrum non-Gaussian covariance in redshift space
Authors: Salvalaggio Jacopo , Castiblanco Lina , Noreña Jorge , Sefusatti Emiliano , Monaco Pierluigi
Published: August 2024

We provide an analytical description of the galaxy bispectrum covariance and the power spectrum-bispectrum cross-covariance in redshift space that captures the dominant non-Gaussian contributions at mildly non-linear scales, particularly those arising from the squeezed configurations.
The Gaussian prediction for the variance of the halo bispectrum monopole significantly underestimates numerical estimates particularly for squeezed triangles, that is bispectrum triangular configurations where one side is much smaller than the other two, whereas the effect is relatively less important when considering the quadrupole.
We propose an expression for the missing non-Gaussian contribution valid at mildly non-linear scales in the squeezed limit that requires an accurate modeling of the bispectrum alone. We validate our model against the numerical covariance estimated from a large suite of mock catalogs and find that it accurately predicts the variance as well as the dominant off-diagonal terms. We also present an expression for the cross-covariance between power spectrum and bispectrum multipoles and likewise find it to provide a good description of the numerical results.
In-in formalism for the entropy of quantum fields in curved spacetimes
Authors: Colas Thomas , Grain Julien , Kaplanek Greg , Vennin Vincent
Published: August 2024

We show how to compute the purity and entanglement entropy for quantum fields in a systematic perturbative expansion. To that end, we generalize the in-in formalism to non-unitary dynamics (i.e. accounting for the presence of an environment) and to the calculation of quantum information measures, which are not observables in the usual sense. This allows us to reduce the problem to one involving standard correlation functions, and to organize their computation in a diagrammatic expansion for which we construct the corresponding Feynman rules. As an illustration, we apply the formalism to a cosmological setting inspired by the effective field theory of inflation. We find that at late times, non-linear loop corrections share the same time behavior as the linear contribution, and only yield a slight redressing of the purity. In particular, when the environment is heavy compared to the Hubble scale, the phenomenon of recoherence previously encountered is robust to the class of non-linear extensions considered. Bridging the gap between perturbative quantum field theory and open quantum systems paves the way to a better understanding of renormalization and resummation in open effective field theories. It also enables a more systematic exploration of quantum information properties in field theoretic settings.
Diagnosing quantum crosstalk in superconducting quantum chips by using out-of-time-order correlators
Authors: Zhang 张 Yujia 宇佳 , Zhang 张 Yu 钰 , Li 李 Shaoxiong 邵雄 , Zheng 郑 Wen 文 , Yu 于 Yang 扬
Published: August 2024

Performance of a scalable quantum processor critically relies on minimizing crosstalk and unwanted interactions within the system, as it is vital for parallel controlled operations on qubits. We present a protocol not only to provide information about residual coupling but also to effectively discriminate it from the influence of classical crosstalk. Our approach utilizes out-of-time-order correlators (OTOCs) as a signal of quantum crosstalk, making it applicable to various coupling forms and scalable architectures. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our protocol, we provide a theoretical analysis and simulate its implementation in coupled superconducting qubits.
Identifying the effect of photo-generated carriers on the phonons in rutile TiO2 through Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Wang 王 Zheng 征 , Liao 廖 Min 敏 , Wang 王 Guihua 桂花 , Zhang 张 Meng 梦
Published: August 2024

Investigating lattice vibrations through Raman spectroscopy is a crucial method for studying crystalline materials. Carriers can interact with lattices and influence lattice vibrations; thus, it is feasible to study the effect of photo-generated carriers on phonons by analyzing changes in the Raman spectra of semiconductors. Rutile is one of the predominant crystalline phases of TiO2, which is a widely utilized metal oxide semiconductor. In this work, rutile TiO2 is coated on a thinned optical fiber to concentrate ultraviolet light energy within the material, thereby enhancing the generation of carriers and amplifying the changes in the Raman spectra. A Raman detection laser with a wavelength of 532 nm is utilized to collect the Raman spectra of rutile TiO2 during irradiation. Using this setup, the impact of photo-generated carriers on the phonons corresponding to Raman vibrational modes is researched. The localization and non-radiative recombination of photo-generated carriers contribute to a reduction in both the frequencies and lifetimes of phonons. This work provides a novel approach to researching the effect of carriers on phonons.
In situ non-destructive measurement of Josephson junction resistance using fritting contact technique
Authors: Du 杜 Lei 磊 , Tao 陶 Hao-Ran 浩然 , Guo 郭 Liang-Liang 亮亮 , Zhang 张 Hai-Feng 海峰 , Chen 陈 Yong 勇 , Tian 田 Xin 昕 , Zhang 张 Chi 驰 , Jia 贾 Zhi-Long 志龙 , Duan 段 Peng 鹏 , Guo 郭 Guo-Ping 国平
Published: August 2024

Conventional four-probe methods for measuring the resistance of Josephson junctions can damage superconducting thin films, making them unsuitable for frequency measurements of superconducting qubits. In this study, we present a custom probe station measurement system that employs the fritting contact technique to achieve in situ, non-destructive measurements of Josephson junction resistance. Our experimental results demonstrate that this method allows for accurate prediction of qubit frequency with an error margin of 17.2 MHz. Moreover, the fritting contact technique does not significantly affect qubit coherence time or the integrity of the superconducting film, confirming its non-destructive nature. This innovative approach provides a dependable foundation for frequency tuning and addressing frequency collision issues, thus supporting the advancement and practical deployment of superconducting quantum computing.
Generalized Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen steering paradox
Authors: Liu 刘 Zhi-Jie 志洁 , Fan 樊 Xing-Yan 星言 , Zhou 周 Jie 洁 , Xie 谢 Mi 汨 , Chen 陈 Jing-Ling 景灵
Published: August 2024

Quantum paradoxes are essential means to reveal the incompatibility between quantum and classical theories, among which the Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) steering paradox offers a sharper criterion for the contradiction between local-hidden-state model and quantum mechanics than the usual inequality-based method. In this work, we present a generalized EPR steering paradox, which predicts a contradictory equality “2Q = (1 + δ)C” (0 ≤ δ < 1) given by the quantum (Q) and classical (C) theories. For any N-qubit state in which the conditional state of the steered party is pure, we test the paradox through a two-setting steering protocol, and find that the state is steerable if some specific measurement requirements are satisfied. Moreover, our construction also enlightens the building of EPR steering inequality, which may contribute to some schemes for typical quantum teleportation and quantum key distributions.
Rapid identification of time-frequency domain gravitational wave signals from binary black holes using deep learning*
Authors: Wang 王 Yu-Xin 钰鑫 , Jin 金 Shang-Jie 上捷 , Sun 孙 Tian-Yang 天阳 , Zhang 张 Jing-Fei 敬飞 , Zhang 张 Xin 鑫
Published: August 2024

Recent developments in deep learning techniques have provided alternative and complementary approaches to the traditional matched-filtering methods for identifying gravitational wave (GW) signals. The rapid and accurate identification of GW signals is crucial to the advancement of GW physics and multi-messenger astronomy, particularly considering the upcoming fourth and fifth observing runs of LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA. In this study, we used the 2D U-Net algorithm to identify time-frequency domain GW signals from stellar-mass binary black hole (BBH) mergers. We simulated BBH mergers with component masses ranging from 7 to 50

and accounted for the LIGO detector noise. We found that the GW events in the first and second observation runs could all be clearly and rapidly identified. For the third observing run, approximately 80% of the GW events could be identified. In contrast to traditional convolutional neural networks, the U-Net algorithm can output time-frequency domain signal images corresponding to probabilities, providing a more intuitive analysis. In conclusion, the U-Net algorithm can rapidly identify the time-frequency domain GW signals from BBH mergers.
Velocity profile shapes in Alcator C-Mod plasmas
Authors: Rice J.E. , Cao N.M. , Hubbard A.E. , Hughes J.W.
Published: August 2024

Toroidal rotation velocity spatial profiles (

r

/

a

<

0.8) have been obtained from C-Mod over a wide range of operational conditions, including H-mode, I-mode, ICRF-heated L-mode and Ohmic L-mode (LOC and SOC), and in plasmas with ITBs, LH wave injection and MCFD. Peaked, flat and hollow rotation profiles have been observed. In H- and I-mode plasmas, generally with co-current peaked profiles, the peaking is correlated with temperature profile peaking, and both increase with toroidal magnetic field (decrease with

ρ
∗

). Any dependence on density peaking is unclear. For Ohmic L-mode discharges, with LOC, the velocity profiles are usually flat and most often directed co-current, while with SOC the profiles are hollow, mostly co-current at the edge and counter-current in the core. Both of these Ohmic rotation states exist with matched density and temperature profiles (and gradients), indicating that neither gradient is relevant during rotation reversals. For plasmas with LH wave injection and discharges with ITBs, the velocity profiles are hollow while the density and temperature profiles exhibit substantial peaking. Broadly speaking for all operational regimes, there is no unifying ordering of the velocity gradient with plasma parameters.
Cluster-spin-glass behavior in new ternary RE2PtGe3 compounds (RE = Tb, Dy, Ho)
Authors: Litzbarski L S , Winiarski M J , Oshchapovsky I , Skokowski P , Synoradzki K , Klimczuk T , Andrzejewski B
Published: August 2024

Two new ternary germanides Tb2Pt1.2Ge2.8, Dy2Pt1.15Ge2.85 and one already known germanium Ho2Pt1.1Ge2.9.were synthesized using an arc melting technique. The obtained samples were investigated by powder x-ray diffraction, which indicated that all of them crystallized in a hexagonal structure with P6/mmm (no. 191) space group. This structure is a disordered variant of the AlB2 aristotype that favors the formation of a spin-glass-like state. The physical properties were examined by measuring magnetic susceptibility, heat capacity and electrical resistance. Experiments indicated that all of the compounds can be classified as cluster-spin-glasses with the freezing temperature of T
f = 12.0 K, T
f = 6.0 K and T
f = 2.9 K for Tb2Pt1.2Ge2.8, Dy2Pt1.15Ge2.85 and Ho2Pt1.1Ge2.9 respectively.
Investigation of the linear accelerator low dose rate mode for pulsed low-dose-rate radiotherapy delivery
Authors: Abdelgawad Mahmoud H , Eldib Ahmed A , Elsayed Tamer M , Ma CM Charlie
Published: August 2024

Purpose. Pulsed volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) was proposed as an advanced treatment that combines the biological benefits of pulsed low dose rate (PLDR) and the dosimetric benefits of the intensity-modulated beams. In our conventional pulsed VMAT technique, a daily fractional dose of 200 cGy is delivered in 10 arcs with 3 min intervals between the arcs. In this study, we are testing the feasibility of pulsed VMAT that omits the need to split into ten arcs and excludes any beam-off gaps. Methods. The study was conducted using computed tomographic images of 24 patients previously treated at our institution with the conventional PLDR technique. Our newly installed Elekta machine has a low dose rate option on the order of 25 MU min−1. PLDR requires an effective dose rate of 6.7 cGy min−1 with attention being paid to the maximum dose received within any point within the target not to exceed 13 cGy min−1. The quality of treatment plans was judged based on dose-volume histograms, isodose distribution, dose conformality to the target, and target dose homogeneity. The dose delivery accuracy was assessed by measurements using the MatriXX

Evolution
2D array system. Results. All cases were normalized to cover 95% of the target volume with 100% of the prescription dose. The average conformity index was 1.03 ± 0.08 while the average homogeneity index was 1.05 ± 0.02. The maximum reported dose rate at any point within the target was 10.44 cGy min−1. The mean dose rate for all pulsed VMAT plans was 6.88 ± 0.1 cGy min−1. All cases passed our gamma analysis with an average passing rate of 99.00% ± 0.48%. Conclusion. The study showed the applicability of planning pulsed VMAT using Eclipse and its successful delivery on our Elekta linac. Pulsed VMAT using the machine’s low dose rate mode is more efficient than our previous pulsed VMAT delivery.
Fabrication of solution-processed flexible resistive gas sensors based on carbon-quantum-dots decorating mesoporous ZnO fibres for room temperature sensing
Authors: Martinez-Lopez A G , Avalos-Grajales Y , Hernandez S A , Carmona-Tellez S , Tinoco J C
Published: August 2024

In recent years, the gas sensor technology has experimented an interesting growth due to the device improvements driven by nanostructured semiconductor films. Nanostructured sensors have enabled the possibility of reducing the operation temperature at room temperature levels, which implies a significant reduction on the power consumption, as well as the possibility to develop sensors over flexible substrates. Therefore, in this work, the fabrication of flexible gas sensors using solution-processing technologies is presented. Nanostructured ZnO mesoporous fibres decorated with Carbon-Quantum-Dots has been used as active layer, and the electrical response, measured as the ratio between the resistance at the target gas respect the resistance in air, is presented. Furthermore, interdigitated electrode configuration has been used for device fabrication with finger spacing of 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 mm. A maximum response of 0.016 was achieved.
A study of XLPE insulation failure in power cables under electromagnetic stress
Authors: Gugulothu Babu Naik , Lakshminarayanan Sanjay , Palati Madhu , Haleyur Lakshmegowda Suresh , Bukya Mahipal
Published: August 2024

Underground cables with cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) insulation are integral to medium voltage (MV) power transmission systems, ensuring continuous electricity supply amidst operational challenges and environmental conditions. However, the reliability of these cables can be compromised over time due to aging and installation-related factors, particularly at joints and terminations. This study offers a comprehensive analysis of how various defects, including spherical air voids, pinholes, and irregularities in semiconducting layers, affect electric field and potential distributions within cable end terminations using COMSOL Multiphysics software. Through detailed simulations, the study identifies significant variations in electric field strength caused by these defects, highlighting critical stress concentration areas. In this study, it assumed that the cable and termination have the same cross-section. By analyzing these simulations, the study provides insights into optimizing cable design and installation practices to enhance the reliability and lifespan of underground power transmission systems. This study introduces a novel approach by combining advanced COMSOL Multiphysics simulations with a detailed analysis of defect impacts on electric field distributions, offering new insights into stress concentrations and degradation at cable terminations. Simulation outcomes reveal significant variations in electric field strengths due to air voids and pinholes in cables and terminations: for 2 mm voids, up to

2.45
×

10

6

V mm−1 near the conductor and 56.5 V mm−1 at termination. These findings enhance the understanding of XLPE-insulated cable behavior under electromagnetic stress, providing a basis for mitigating failures and improving overall system performance.
Photonic modes prediction via multi-modal diffusion model
Authors: Sun Jinyang , Chen Xi , Wang Xiumei , Zhu Dandan , Zhou Xingping
Published: August 2024

The concept of photonic modes is the cornerstone in optics and photonics, which can describe the propagation of the light. The Maxwell’s equations play the role in calculating the mode field based on the structure information, while this process needs a great deal of computations, especially in the handle with a three-dimensional model. To overcome this obstacle, we introduce the multi-modal diffusion model to predict the photonic modes in one certain structure. The Contrastive Language–Image Pre-training (CLIP) model is used to build the connections between photonic structures and the corresponding modes. Then we exemplify Stable Diffusion (SD) model to realize the function of optical fields generation from structure information. Our work introduces multi-modal deep learning to construct complex mapping between structural information and optical field as high-dimensional vectors, and generates optical field images based on this mapping.
Assessing priorities for food systems transformation among UK alternative actors
Authors: Gibson Matthew , Gibson Anna
Published: August 2024

Food systems actors are key enablers or barriers to transformation toward social and ecological sustainability. We mapped 1422 UK food system actors across different sub-sectors, scales, organisational levels, and specialisms. We then surveyed the priorities for transformation (n = 1190 text responses) among a cross-section of this group (n = 372) and conducted quantitative and qualitative thematic analysis. Of the 58 identified priorities, most frequent were those regarding agroecological, organic and regenerative production, the localisation of food systems, reducing animal sourced foods and dietary change, and addressing power relations. Less frequent were those related to technology and innovation. We highlight potential positive and negative outcomes of these priorities and compare results with England’s Food Strategy White Paper and recommendations from global food systems reports. We close by offering a concrete set of 15 priorities for food systems transformation to be taken forward by policy and practice.
A note on PL-disks and rationally slice knots
Authors: Hendricks Kristen , Hom Jennifer , Stoffregen Matthew , Zemke Ian
Published: August 2024

We give infinitely many examples of manifold-knot pairs

(
Y
,
J
)

(Y, J)

such that

Y
Y

bounds an integer homology ball,

J
J

does not bound a non-locally-flat PL-disk in any integer homology ball, but

J
J

does bound a smoothly embedded disk in a rational homology ball. The proof relies on formal properties of involutive Heegaard Floer homology.
Khovanov homology of strongly invertible knots and their quotients
Authors: Lipshitz Robert , Sarkar Sucharit
Published: August 2024

We construct a spectral sequence relating the Khovanov homology of a strongly invertible knot to the annular Khovanov homologies of the two quotient knots. Using this spectral sequence, we re-prove that Khovanov homology distinguishes certain slice disks. We also give an analogous spectral sequence forHF^\widehat {HF}of the branched double cover.
On almost complex embeddings of rational homology balls
Authors: Lisca Paolo , Parma Andrea
Published: August 2024

We use elementary arguments to prove that none of the Stein rational homology 4-balls shown by the authors and Brendan Owens to embed smoothly but not symplectically in the complex projective plane admit such almost complex embeddings. In particular, we show that those rational balls admit no symplectic embeddings in the complex projective plane without appealing to the work of Evans and Smith.
Examples of homology 3-spheres whose Chern-Simons function is not Morse-Bott
Authors: Boden Hans , Herald Christopher , Kirk Paul
Published: August 2024

We construct two homology 3-spheres for which the (unperturbed)

S
U
(
2
)

SU(2)

Chern-Simons function is not Morse-Bott. In one case, there is a degenerate isolated critical point. In the other, a path component of the critical set is not homeomorphic to a manifold. The examples are

+
1

+1

surgeries on connected sums of torus knots.
Legal Positivism
Authors: Battista Ratti Giovanni , Natella María Cristina Redondo
Published: August 2024

The aim of this chapter is to examine some of the most important aspects that characterise legal positivism in the civil law tradition. First, it examines the seminal insights developed independently by Norberto Bobbio and Alf Ross into the ambiguity of the term ‘legal positivism’, which prior to their contributions was used loosely to refer to legalistic ideology, formalistic legal theory, and empirical legal methodology. Second, it explores the connections between ethical noncognitivism and positivism itself, which positivist theorists in the civil law tradition have found difficult to avoid. Next, three of the most important results of civil law legal positivism are examined: the analysis of the systematic properties of norms (such as validity, applicability, efficacy, and defeasibility), the theory of normative systems, and the theory of legal interpretation.
Rules and Principles Revisited
Authors: Alexander Lawrence
Published: August 2024

In ‘Rules and Principles’, Andrzej Grabowski and Isabel Lifante Vidal elaborate and critique the accounts of legal principles given by Robert Alexy and by Manuel Atienza and Juan Ruiz Manero, particularly how legal principles operate in adjudications. Grabowski and Lifante Vidal’s discussion is highly abstract and complex, and I am pretty certain I did not understand it fully. Instead of rehashing what Grabowski and Lifante Vidal have said in this comment, I will give my own account of legal rules and principles. I argue (1) that legal principles, as such, do not exist and (2) that it is undesirable to treat constitutions or other legal norms as incorporating moral principles, which amounts to incorporating someone’s view of them. I conclude that legal rules and legal standards, which both lack the dimension of weight, are the only types of legal norms that exist and that can exist.
Recognition and the Concept of a Legal System
Authors: Roughan Nicole
Published: August 2024

This chapter responds to Riccardo Guastini’s critique of the ‘received view’ of law as a system of rules. In sympathy with Guastini, it argues that the idea of a legal system requires integrating rather than demarcating the significance of rules, agents, and values. It then defends a foundational normative connection between Hart’s ‘internal point of view’ and what Guastini terms the ‘recognition statements’ of officials. Contra Guastini, the chapter finds that connection in a reading of Hart that emphasises the distinction between officials and subjects, and a central notion of officiality. The chapter then examines the normative significance of this foundational systemic distinction between officials and subjects, arguing that officials’ practices of recognition have a distinctive normative impact due to the role that they bear. Such recognition manifests the internal point of view of officials, or what I have elsewhere called the ‘official point of view’. The recognition of officiality entails normative social practices that relate officials and subjects in roles that institutionalise the claiming, exercise and receipt of public power. In this sense, recognition (rather than rules of recognition) does normative work at the foundations of a legal system.
Sources of Law
Authors: Carpentier Mathieu , Spaak Torben
Published: August 2024

This chapter focuses on the uses of the notion of ‘sources of law’ in continental analytical jurisprudence. It aims to illuminate the way legal theorists in the civil law world have grappled with the various aspects and meanings of this notion. In the first section, it shows that four different concepts of sources of law can be found in the literature: sources (1) as law-creating (f)acts, (2) as norms, (3) as authoritative texts or materials, and (4) as causal factors; it then goes on to show that the first concept is more fundamental than the three others and should have priority over them. In the second section, the chapter reviews the classical controversies regarding the various types of sources of law, such as the respective status of legislation, precedent, custom, legal doctrine, etc. It raises the puzzle of how various (f)acts (such as precedent) can be law-creating without being recognised as ‘formal’ sources of law and aims to explain how legal theorists can cope with it.
Interpretation and Determinacy
Authors: Goldsworthy Jeffrey
Published: August 2024

Pierre Brunet and Francesca Poggi advocate radical scepticism about the ability of lawyers and judges in civil law jurisdictions, when they interpret statutes, to discover objective meanings capable of resolving legal disagreements. Radical sceptics deny that there are any easy cases in which such objective meanings exist and can be discovered; legal disagreements can only be resolved by creative acts of judicial will. While I agree with their rejection of formalism and literalism, I am sceptical about their scepticism, and defend the orthodox view that there are easy cases in which objective meanings exist and are discoverable. I defend a theory of statutory interpretation as it is actually practiced in the common law world, which I argue is based mainly on the constitutional principle of legislative supremacy. This theory gives prominence to legislative intentions and purposes. I then compare this with Brunet’s and Poggi’s account of statutory interpretation as it is practised in the civil law world. I acknowledge that there may be substantial differences between the two worlds, with respect to the judicial interpretation of statutes. In particular, neo-constitutionalism—as described by Brunet and Poggi—seems to be less viable in common law jurisdictions. Nevertheless, I conclude that radical scepticism remains implausible in both worlds.
Legal Science
Authors: Duarte David
Published: August 2024

In the European continental tradition, the knowledge of the law, mainly in academia, has been often designated as scientific and such label has been used to promote various conceptions of the legal phenomenon. Such way of presenting the knowledge of law and, particularly, the knowledge of specific legal systems has to be contrasted with what is contemporarily understood as scientific knowledge. Besides analysing what is nowadays covered under such umbrella, the chapter tries to show that propositions about the law are not qualitatively different from the content of any other statements commonly enacted about other objects widely accepted as apt to scientific knowledge. Even when law just allows for hypothetical propositions (those that face legal indeterminacies), a rational justification can be presented and its scientific value, as in any other science, has to be assessed on the basis of the explanatory power the proposition at hand carries with it. And as sustained in the chapter, the awareness of law as a possible object of science seems to have valuable outcomes: it promotes rigour and accuracy and it confines the practices of legal scholars within correct epistemic values.
Coda
Authors: Bix Brian H
Published: August 2024

The objective of this project has been to consider the differences in the ways that theorists from Civil Law countries and Common Law countries view some basic theoretical issues relating to law. The result has been a collection of wonderfully fruitful and provocative exchanges, careful arguments and observations written by many of the best contemporary legal theorists. And this more than justifies the exercise. However, as to the particular motivating query, the extent to which individual difference in perspective could be said to derive from or be otherwise related to differences in the structures of the theorists’ home legal systems, as will be discussed, this clearly varies greatly from topic to topic; whether differences can be ascribed to the type of legal system is not always easy to discern. Section 2 will consider, based on the volume’s contributions, some initial reflections on why and how the differences between Civil Law and Common Law legal systems may sometimes affect our theoretical work, and section 3 will offer some comments on the differences displayed in the volume’s works that are less attributable to the type of legal system, followed by some concluding remarks.
Civil Rights and Civil Liberties between the Wars, 1920–1940
Authors: Wiecek William M
Published: August 2024

This chapter outlines the civil rights and civil liberties between the wars. For almost a century and a half, the US Supreme Court resolved cases involving African Americans without directly interrogating the idea of race itself. Before 1938, American democracy excluded African Americans from its ambit, with the exemption of the Reconstruction and its rapidly dimming afterglow. The Taft Court was consistently sympathetic to business interests while remaining willing to expand the reach of the Constitution’s protections for civil liberties and civil rights. The chapter details how law created racial categories and the social construction of race. The chapter then discusses the United States v. Carolene Products Co. case, which forecast the Court’s postwar role in protecting civil liberties.
The Resegregation of America’s Schools
Authors: Wiecek William M
Published: August 2024

This chapter looks into the resegregation of America’s schools. It provides an overview of the impact of the outcomes of the Brown v. Board of Education case. Structural racism plays into the process of white advantage through the foundation of residential segregation and the latent ambiguity of Chief Justice Warren’s opinion in the Brown I case. Moreover, old-time Jim Crow and de jure segregation in American public schools gave way to the more modern structural inequality of de facto resegregation. It explains that the Court shunted the Brown I case into irrelevance in favor of the paradigms present in the Milliken v. Bradley case and the San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez case.
The Quest for Sustained, Desired Change
Authors: Boyatzis Richard E
Published: August 2024

Chapter 1 provides an overview of the quest for sustained, desired change. Human change is mostly discontinuous and nonlinear, often a power curve. The Ideal Self or personal vision is a dream and sense of purpose for the future. It is the driver of sustained, desired change. Emotional attractors are tipping points move a person or our collectives along the process of change. The Real Self is how a person is experienced by others, or norms in collectives, but is elusive due to the Faux Self resulting from ego defense mechanisms and believing one’s reviews. A learning agenda is a joyful exploration of possibilities, not specific goals that inhibit openness to change. The next phase is experimentation and practice with appropriate rhythm and dosage. Visualizing, stealth learning, and multitasking can make this phase more positive. The last phase, resonant relationships, are characterized by shared vision (hope), shared compassion (caring and gratitude), and shared energy. Intentional Change Theory is a multilevel fractal theory that proposes that resonant leadership relationships and social identity groups move information and emotions across levels.
Cooling the flames: Navigating menopausal vasomotor symptoms with nonhormone medications
Authors: Carson Erin , Vernon Veronica , Cunningham Lauren , Mathew Sheryl
Published: August 2024

Purpose

While the gold standard for vasomotor symptoms remains hormone therapy, prescription menopause therapies are significantly underutilized. Nonhormone therapies represent an alternative treatment modality that may improve access to care for patients who cannot or choose not to take hormones. This review aims to update pharmacists on the evidence behind new-to-market fezolinetant and all other nonhormone prescription treatment options for menopausal vasomotor symptoms.

Prescription nonhormone therapy options for vasomotor symptoms include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, including Food and Drug Administration–approved low-dose paroxetine, serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, gabapentin, pregabalin, oxybutynin, and fezolinetant. Evidence supporting the use of these options is summarized in this review. All have an important place in treatment for those unable to take the gold standard of hormone therapy; however, most offer only mild to moderate improvement in symptoms. Fezolinetant has been shown to result in a significant reduction in vasomotor symptom frequency when compared to other nonhormone therapies and was not different when compared to hormone therapies. However, additional studies and efforts to address the affordability of fezolinetant and head-to-head comparisons with other agents are needed.

Conclusion

Vasomotor symptoms of menopause can severely impact the health and well-being of individuals. However, treatment of these symptoms is underutilized due to real and perceived drawbacks of therapy. Pharmacists are ideally suited to bridge this gap, but first it is important for pharmacists to be knowledgeable about and comfortable with the evidence supporting all treatment options.
ginmappeR: an unified approach for integrating gene and protein identifiers across biological sequence databases
Authors: Sola Fernando , Ayala Daniel , Pulido Marina , Ayala Rafael , López-Cerero Lorena , Hernández Inma , Ruiz David
Published: August 2024

The proliferation of biological sequence data, due to developments in molecular biology techniques, has led to the creation of numerous open access databases on gene and protein sequencing. However, the lack of direct equivalence between identifiers across these databases difficults data integration. To address this challenge, we introduce ginmappeR, an integrated R package facilitating the translation of gene and protein identifiers between databases. By providing a unified interface, ginmappeR streamlines the integration of diverse data sources into biological workflows, so it enhances efficiency and user experience.

Availability and implementation

from Bioconductor: https://bioconductor.org/packages/ginmappeR
Hybrid firefly algorithm–neural network for battery remaining useful life estimation
Authors: Mustaffa Zuriani , Sulaiman Mohd Herwan
Published: August 2024

Accurately estimating the remaining useful life (RUL) of batteries is crucial for optimizing maintenance, preventing failures, and enhancing reliability, thereby saving costs and resources. This study introduces a hybrid approach for estimating the RUL of a battery based on the firefly algorithm–neural network (FA–NN) model, in which the FA is employed as an optimizer to fine-tune the network weights and hidden layer biases in the NN. The performance of the FA–NN is comprehensively compared against two hybrid models, namely the harmony search algorithm (HSA)–NN and cultural algorithm (CA)–NN, as well as a single model, namely the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA). The comparative analysis is based mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE). Findings reveal that the FA–NN outperforms the HSA–NN, CA–NN, and ARIMA in both employed metrics, demonstrating superior predictive capabilities for estimating the RUL of a battery. Specifically, the FA–NN achieved a MAE of 2.5371 and a RMSE of 2.9488 compared with the HSA–NN with a MAE of 22.0583 and RMSE of 34.5154, the CA–NN with a MAE of 9.1189 and RMSE of 22.4646, and the ARIMA with a MAE of 494.6275 and RMSE of 584.3098. Additionally, the FA–NN exhibits significantly smaller maximum errors at 34.3737 compared with the HSA–NN at 490.3125, the CA–NN at 827.0163, and the ARIMA at 1.16e + 03, further emphasizing its robust performance in minimizing prediction inaccuracies. This study offers important insights into battery health management, showing that the proposed method is a promising solution for precise RUL predictions.
Indole–thiazolidinedione–triazole hybrids: synthesis, molecular docking, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) profiling, and biological evaluation as α-amylase inhibitors
Authors: Dholariya Monil P , Patel Anilkumar S
Published: August 2024

A novel series of hybrid indole–thiazolidinedione–triazole derivatives (6a-l) were synthesized and assessed for their in vitro inhibitory activity against porcine pancreatic α-amylase. The synthetic procedure consists of 3 steps. A crucial step in this process involves the generation of novel target molecules using a Cu(I)-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction. The α-amylase inhibition IC50 value of the targeted compounds ranged from 0.51 ± 0.02 to 7.99 ± 0.28 μM as compared with 0.68 ± 0.02 μM with acarbose as the standard drug. Using the Autodock technique, all the derivatives 6a-l were subjected to molecular docking investigations against porcine pancreatic α-amylase (PDB ID: 1OSE). Moreover, it was discovered that the docked compounds had excellent binding affinities that ranged from −10.1 to −10.8 kcal/mol as compared with the standard −7.9 kcal/mol. Additionally, a comprehensive analysis of the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties associated with absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion (ADME) was conducted for all the synthesized compounds.
Evaluation of C-Reactive Protein and Computer-Aided Analysis of Chest X-rays as Tuberculosis Triage Tests at Health Facilities in Lesotho and South Africa
Authors: Bosman Shannon , Ayakaka Irene , Muhairwe Josephine , Kamele Mashaete , van Heerden Alastair , Madonsela Thandanani , Labhardt Niklaus D , Sommer Gregor , Bremerich Jens , Zoller Thomas , Murphy Keelin , van Ginneken Bram , Keter Alfred K , Jacobs Bart K M , Bresser Moniek , Signorell Aita , Glass Tracy R , Lynen Lutgarde , Reither Klaus
Published: August 2024

Background

To improve tuberculosis case-finding, rapid, non-sputum triage tests need to be developed according to the World Health Organization target product profile (TPP) (>90% sensitivity, >70% specificity). We prospectively evaluated and compared artificial intelligence–based, computer-aided detection software, CAD4TBv7, and C-reactive protein assay (CRP) as triage tests at health facilities in Lesotho and South Africa.

Methods

Adults (≥18 years) presenting with ≥1 of the 4 cardinal tuberculosis symptoms were consecutively recruited between February 2021 and April 2022. After informed consent, each participant underwent a digital chest X-ray for CAD4TBv7 and a CRP test. Participants provided 1 sputum sample for Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra and Xpert MTB/RIF and 1 for liquid culture. Additionally, an expert radiologist read the chest X-rays via teleradiology. For primary analysis, a composite microbiological reference standard (ie, positive culture or Xpert Ultra) was used.

Results

We enrolled 1392 participants, 48% were people with HIV and 24% had previously tuberculosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve for CAD4TBv7 and CRP showed an area under the curve of .87 (95% CI: .84–.91) and .80 (95% CI: .76–.84), respectively. At thresholds corresponding to 90% sensitivity, specificity was 68.2% (95% CI: 65.4–71.0%) and 38.2% (95% CI: 35.3–41.1%) for CAD4TBv7 and CRP, respectively. CAD4TBv7 detected tuberculosis as well as an expert radiologist. CAD4TBv7 almost met the TPP criteria for tuberculosis triage.

Conclusions

CAD4TBv7 is accurate as a triage test for patients with tuberculosis symptoms from areas with a high tuberculosis and HIV burden. The role of CRP in tuberculosis triage requires further research.

Clinical Trials Registration

Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04666311.
The prevalence, aetiologies, and clinical consequences of tricuspid regurgitation associated with severe degenerative mitral regurgitation
Authors: Margonato Davide , Morosato Michele , Rizza Vincenzo , Di Maio Silvana , Gamardella Marco , Saghir Maddalena , Bognoni Ludovica , De Lorenzo Leila , Faggi Alessandro , Ancona Francesco , Ingallina Giacomo , Belli Martina , Tavernese Annamaria , Stella Stefano , Biondi Federico , Castiglioni Alessandro , Maisano Francesco , De Bonis Michele , Agricola Eustachio
Published: August 2024

Aims

The prevalence, the aetiologies, and the clinical features of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in the context of concomitant degenerative mitral valve (MV) disease are poorly defined. This paper aims to assess the prevalence, determinants, and clinical consequences of TR in severe degenerative mitral regurgitation (DMR)

Methods and results

Clinical and echocardiographic characteristics were collected among patients with severe DMR. A total of 884 patients were included in our study, 31% with ≥ moderate TR. Tricuspid valve prolapse (TVP) was the most common aetiology (487 patients, 55%), followed by atrial functional TR (AFTR, 172 patients, 19%) and ventricular functional TR (VFTR, 42 patients, 5%), while TR aetiology was classified as mixed in 183 (21%) patients. Patients with TVP were younger and had a better clinical presentation, few comorbidities, and less haemodynamically relevant TR. Patients with VFTR were characterized by older age, worse clinical presentation, and both highest comorbidity rate and prevalence of >mild TR. Patients with AFTR showed an intermediate profile of clinical presentation and comorbidities and the largest tricuspid annulus (TA) diameter. MV surgery was performed in 785 (88%) patients; 132 (15%) underwent simultaneous TV intervention, more often patients with AFTR (32%). TA dilatation [odds ratio (OR) 3.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.05–6.62, P < 0.001] and >mild TR (OR 9.30, 95% CI 5.10–16.95, P < 0.001) were independently associated with TV intervention.

Conclusion

In patients with severe DMR, TR presents with different aetiologies, clinical features, and echocardiographic phenotypes that require a comprehensive assessment at the time of DMR surgery to ensure the best management for these patients.
Lumican Is Both a Novel Risk Factor and Potential Plasma Biomarker for Vascular Aging, Capable of Promoting Vascular Smooth Cells Senescence Through Interacting With Integrin α2β1
Authors: Luo Mandi , Yan Dan , Huang Yi , Ji Tianyi , Luo Pengcheng , Yang Zhen , Gao Shangbang , Zhang Le , Zhou Yiwu , Shi Qing , Bai Yongping , Li Tao , Ruan Lei , Zhang Cuntai
Published: August 2024

Vascular aging, a common pathogenesis of senile chronic diseases, significantly increases morbidity and mortality in older adults; its intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms necessitate further investigation. Lumican (LUM) and integrin α2β1 are profibrotic extracellular matrix proteins and vital cell regulatory receptors, respectively. However, their roles in vascular aging remain unclear. This study sought to elucidate the connection between LUM and vascular aging as well as the biological mechanism of LUM/integrin α2β1 in this process. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we discovered that plasma LUM was elevated in vascular aging individuals and was positively correlated with brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity. Additionally, immunohistochemical and Western blot analyses confirmed LUM upregulation in arteries of older adults and aged mice, as well as in senescent vascular smooth cells (VSMCs). Wild-type and LUM semiknockout (Lum−/+) mice, along with primary VSMCs extracted from these mice, were exposed to angiotensin II to induce a stress-induced senescence model. LUM semiknockout mitigated angiotensin II-induced arteriosclerosis, hypertension, vascular aging, and remodeling in mice. Both in vitro and in vivo studies revealed that LUM deficiency suppressed p53, p21, collagen 1, and collagen 3 upregulation and synthetic phenotype formation in VSMCs stimulated by angiotensin II. Treating VSMCs with an integrin α2β1 antagonist reversed the aforementioned changes triggered by LUM proteins. Briefly, LUM functions as a potential marker and risk factor for vascular aging and promotes pathological changes by affecting integrin α2β1 in VSMCs. This study introduces a novel molecular target for the early diagnosis and treatment of vascular aging and age-related vascular diseases.
General-Purpose AI Models as Essential Inputs in Downstream Markets: The Need for a Strict Standard Regarding Mandatory Access
Authors: Zapata Sevilla José
Published: August 2024

General-purpose AI models have emerged as a disruptive technology with paramount spillover economic effects across industries. The owners of such models, namely big tech enterprises, can leverage their dominance in general-purpose AI models to expand into existing or new downstream markets. However, competition law is poised to constrain this expansion effectively. Nevertheless, there is uncertainty about the legal standard when assessing a refusal to deal in the case of access to general-purpose AI models. While EU competition law judicial practice reveals an adversary tendency against big tech enterprises leveraging in downstream markets, there is a case for adopting a narrower standard regarding access to general-purpose AI models.
Situating Reparations for Ukraine within a Broader Transitional Justice Process
Authors: Belgorodski Eric
Published: August 2024

ABSTRACT∞

The principle of external coherence dictates that different measures in a transitional justice process should be coordinated so as to foster synergies and avoid gaps and tensions. This article explains what lessons on external coherence have crystallized from transitional justice scholarship and practice and explores to what extent they are transferrable to reparations efforts in the shape of international mass claim commissions, specifically the one to be established for Ukraine in response to the Russian aggression. The article illustrates how the principle of external coherence influences specific decisions in the design of this reparations scheme.
Planning and Analyzing a Low-Biomass Microbiome Study: A Data Analysis Perspective
Authors: Austin George I , Korem Tal
Published: August 2024

As investigations of low-biomass microbial communities have become more common, so too has the recognition of major challenges affecting these analyses. These challenges have been shown to compromise biological conclusions and have contributed to several controversies. Here, we review some of the most common and influential challenges in low-biomass microbiome research. We highlight key approaches to alleviate these potential pitfalls, combining experimental planning strategies and data analysis methods.