bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Gravitational wave spectrum of chain inflation
Authors: Freese Katherine , Litsa Aliki , Winkler Martin Wolfgang
Published: November 2024

Chain inflation is an alternative to slow-roll inflation in which the inflaton tunnels along a large number of consecutive minima in its potential. In this work we perform the first comprehensive calculation of the gravitational wave (GW) spectrum of chain inflation. In contrast to slow-roll inflation the latter does not stem from quantum fluctuations of the gravitational field during inflation, but rather from the bubble collisions during the first-order phase transitions associated with vacuum tunneling. Our calculation is performed within an effective theory of chain inflation which builds on an expansion of the tunneling rate capturing most of the available model space. The effective theory can be seen as chain inflation’s analog of the slow-roll expansion in rolling models of inflation. The near scale-invariance of the scalar power spectrum translates to a quasiperiodic shape of the inflaton potential in chain inflation, with the tunneling rate changing very slowly during the e-folds leading to cosmic microwave background observables. We show that chain inflation produces a very characteristic double-peak GW spectrum: a faint high-frequency peak associated with the gravitational radiation emitted during inflation, and a strong low-frequency peak associated with the graceful exit from chain inflation (marking the transition to the radiation-dominated epoch). There exist very exciting prospects to test the gravitational wave signal from chain inflation at the aLIGO-aVIRGO-KAGRA network, at LISA and /or at pulsar timing array experiments. A particularly intriguing possibility we point out is that chain inflation could be the source of the stochastic gravitational wave background recently detected by NANOGrav, PPTA, EPTA, and CPTA. We also show that the gravitational wave signal of chain inflation is often accompanied by running/ higher running of the scalar spectral index to be tested at future cosmic microwave background experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Perturbations of Gibbons-Maeda black holes in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton theories
Authors: Pope C. N. , Rohrer D. O. , Whiting B. F.
Published: November 2024

The study of perturbations around black hole backgrounds in general relativity and Einstein-Maxwell theory has a long history, going back to the work of Regge and Wheeler in the 1950s. As part of a broader investigation of perturbations around black holes in supergravity, we describe here our results for the perturbations around the Gibbons-Maeda static charged black holes in a class of Einstein-Maxwell-Dilaton theories. Our analysis follows the general strategy developed by Chandrasekhar and Xanthopoulos for the perturbations of the Reissner-Nordström black hole. Here, the analysis is considerably more involved, because of the presence of the dilaton field, which couples to the other polar modes. We nonetheless find that the problem is completely solvable, in the sense that one can separate variables and eventually describe all the perturbations in terms of diagonalised second-order radial equations. We are able to prove the mode stability of all the Gibbons-Maeda black hole solutions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quantum energy density of cosmic strings with nonzero radius
Authors: Koike Mao , Laquidain Xabier , Graham Noah
Published: November 2024

Zero-point fluctuations in the background of a cosmic string provide an opportunity to study the effects of topology in quantum field theory. We use a scattering theory approach to compute quantum corrections to the energy density of a cosmic string, using the “ballpoint pen” and “flowerpot” models to allow for a nonzero string radius. For computational efficiency, we consider a massless field in 2+1 dimensions. We show how to implement precise and unambiguous renormalization conditions in the presence of a deficit angle, and make use of Kontorovich-Lebedev techniques to rewrite the sum over angular momentum channels as an integral on the imaginary axis.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Just another field theory approach to
N=1
super-Yang-Mills theory and the origin of intrinsic supergeometry
Authors: Koutrolikos Konstantinos
Published: November 2024

We present a nongeometric derivation of N=1 Super Yang-Mills by focusing on the consistency of interactions that extend the free vector supermultiplet rather than assuming gauge invariance under extended symmetries. By utilizing a superspace first-order description, the theory is given in closed form as a third-order polynomial, which includes a single cubic interaction term instead of an infinite series, thus eliminating the need for a special gauge. The geometrical interpretation of the theory emerges, as opposed to being presupposed.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Noninvertible axial symmetry in QED comes full circle
Authors: Arbalestrier Adrien , Argurio Riccardo , Tizzano Luigi
Published: November 2024

We revisit the possibility of constructing noninvertible topological defects for the axial symmetry of massless quantum electrodynamics (QED), despite its Adler-Bell-Jackiw anomaly. Dressing the defects with a topological quantum field theory with mixed U(1) and R-valued gauge fields, we are able to describe axial rotations of any rational or irrational angle. We confront our results with the existing proposals, in particular those that concern rational angles. We also provide the symmetry topological field theory that reproduces the action of all such symmetry defects of QED. Finally, we discuss how similar techniques allow the study of condensation defects for a R global symmetry.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Swampland conjectures constraints on dark energy from a highly curved field space
Authors: Payeur Guillaume , McDonough Evan , Brandenberger Robert
Published: November 2024

We study the interplay of the trans-Planckian censorship conjecture (TCC) and the swampland distance conjecture (SDC) in the context of multifield dark energy in a curved field space. In this scenario, the phase of accelerated expansion is realized as nongeodesic motion in a highly curved field space, reminiscent of models developed in the context of inflation. The model features a stable attractor solution with near constant equation of state w≃−1, and predicts that the current era of accelerated expansion is eternal. The latter implies an eventual conflict with the TCC, which holds that the duration of any epoch of cosmic acceleration is bounded by the requirement that the large-scale observable universe is blind to Planck-scale early universe physics. This tension can be resolved by an interplay with the distance conjecture: for suitable parameter values, the apparent violation of the TCC occurs well after the fields have traversed a Planckian distance. The SDC then predicts a breakdown of the effective field theory before the TCC can be violated. We derive the constraints on the model arising from the SDC+TCC and the de Sitter conjecture. We demonstrate that the model can be consistent with both swampland conjectures and observational data from Planck 2018 and the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Effects of laminar burning velocity to friction velocity ratio on turbulent premixed flame-wall interaction within turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Ahmed Umair , Chakraborty Nilanjan , Klein Markus
Published: November 2024

Direct numerical simulation of flame-wall interaction (FWI) for two flame configurations under different laminar burning velocity to nonreacting wall friction velocity ratio, SL/uτNR, have been performed. The first configuration considered is a V-flame in a turbulent channel flow with isothermal inert walls and represents oblique wall interaction. The second configuration is representative of head-on interaction (HOI) of a planar flame interacting with a wall in a fully developed turbulent boundary layer. In the case of the V-flame with SL/uτNR=0.4, a smaller flame angle is obtained when compared with that of the V-flame with SL/uτNR=0.7. This is a consequence of the differences in the turbulent burning velocities between the two V-flame cases, where the case with SL/uτNR=0.4 has a lower turbulent burning velocity when compared with that of the case with SL/uτNR=0.7. By contrast, the ratio of turbulent to laminar burning velocity is higher for the SL/uτNR=0.4 HOI case when compared to the corresponding HOI case with SL/uτNR=0.7. The flame orientations with respect to the streamwise component of velocity and wall-normal direction in addition to the SL/uτNR values have been found to have a significant impact on the variations of wall heat flux, wall shear stress, and wall friction velocity in premixed FWI within turbulent boundary layers. The behaviors of nondimensional streamwise velocity, u+, and nondimensional temperature using wall units, T+, have also been investigated for different SL/uτNR ratios and it is found that the standard log-law profiles in the case of u+ and T+ are not valid for the two configurations and the two SL/uτNR ratios considered.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dark Matter Production during Warm Inflation via Freeze-In
Authors: Freese Katherine , Montefalcone Gabriele , Haghi Barmak Shams Es
Published: November 2024

We present a novel perspective on the role of inflation in the production of dark matter (DM). Specifically, we explore the DM production during warm inflation via ultraviolet freeze-in (WIFI). We demonstrate that in a warm inflation (WI) setting the persistent thermal bath, sustained by the dissipative interactions with the inflaton field, can source a sizable DM abundance via the nonrenormalizable interactions that connect the DM with the bath. Compared to the (conventional) radiation-dominated (RD) UV freeze-in scenario for the same reheat temperature (after inflation), the resulting DM yield in WIFI is always enhanced showing a strongly positive dependence on the mass dimension of the nonrenormalizable operator. Of particular interest, for a sufficiently large mass dimension of the operator, the entirety of the DM abundance of the Universe can be created during the inflationary phase. For the specific models we study, we find that the enhancement in DM yield, relative to RD UV freeze-in, is at least an order of magnitude for an operator of mass dimension 5, and as large as 18 orders of magnitude for an operator of mass dimension 10. Our findings also suggest a broader applicability for producing other cosmological relics, which may have a substantial impact on the evolution of the early Universe.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Giant DC-like residual current generated by subcycle laser pulses
Authors: Seith Adrian , Evers Ferdinand , Wilhelm Jan
Published: November 2024

Experimental indications have been reported suggesting that laser pulses shining on materials with relativistic dispersion can produce currents that survive long after the illumination has died out. Such residual currents, i.e., remnant currents, have applications in petahertz logical gates. The remnant currents' strength strongly depends on the pulse shape. We develop an analytical formula that allows one to optimize the pulse shape for remnant current production; we predict remnant currents exceeding the values observed so far by up to five orders of magnitude. This can be achieved by using single-cycle pulses instead of the previously employed multicycle pulses. In fact, remnant currents can be almost as strong as the peak current under irradiation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Determination of the degree of crystallinity of polyphenylene sulfide composited with crystalline and non-crystalline fillers by applying the direct derivation method. Corrigendum
Authors: Toraya Hideo
Published: November 2024

An erroneous equation and some values of related parameters in the paper by Toraya [J. Appl. Cryst. (2024), 57, 1115–1126] are corrected.
The big fat Indian wedding
Authors: Satpute Pratik Rajendra , Bapat Gautam Surendra , Joshi Shefali
Published: November 2024

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, students will be able to recall the fundamental concepts of group arrival and the check-in process within the hotel industry; explain the various operational procedures used to enhance a smooth group check-in in hotels; use the steps defined in group check-in procedure to improve service efficiency in hotel operations; and examine and evaluate the optimal solution for a smooth group check-in for hotels.

Case overview/synopsis

“The Big Fat Indian Wedding” delves into the challenges faced by Hotel Plaza Blu, a business hotel in Pune, Maharashtra, in 2023. A big wedding group was arriving at the hotel, which comprised almost 350 adults and 120 children. Mr Parag Patil, the front office manager, had done all the preparations for group arrival but just one hour before the arrival Mr Suresh Menon, the group coordinator, came and informed that 150 additional guests would be arriving, as the other hotel, where arrangements for these guests were made, had a major electricity generator breakdown and the hotel was in complete blackout. Patil had the challenge of formulating an action plan to achieve a smooth group check-in with the last-minute changes.

Complexity academic level

Executive development programmes and graduate-level courses in non-profit hospitality and tourism management might benefit from this case study. The operational management courses in the BBA, UG management programmes might all benefit from using this case study.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 9: Operations and Logistics.
A post-occupancy performance evaluation study on user satisfaction with university student housing facilities
Authors: Umar Hassan Hassan , Mohammed Mohammed Alhaji , Kanu Rashid
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study used post-occupancy evaluation (POE) to assess the performance and effectiveness of student housing by examining occupants’ satisfaction with the facility across three performance elements: technical, functional and behavioral. This study aims to address a significant gap in the existing research concerning the POE of university student housing facilities, particularly in understanding how well these facilities fulfill occupant needs across the aforementioned three elements.

Design/methodology/approach

This study assesses the existing literature, examines the dormitory’s physical parameters through walkthrough inspections and measures occupant satisfaction through surveys and focus group sessions. The study analyzed questionnaire responses using a four-point Likert scale, using Microsoft Excel software to determine the weighted average response for each performance element.

Findings

The analysis indicated that students were satisfied with most housing condition parameters. However, noise management, lighting control, air circulation, washroom facilities, cleanliness, power sockets for equipment and several study rooms and furnishings require improvement to enhance student well-being and performance.

Originality/value

This study provides significant information to aid in making informative decisions on building maintenance, retrofitting and facility upgrading. It also contributes to enhancing the field’s knowledge about POE in student housing facilities. It emphasizes the importance of using physical building attributes and user-centric features to fulfill students’ needs and expectations regarding facilities.
Medical judicial expertise: the real decision-maker in Chinese medical dispute litigation
Authors: Chen Meng
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This article attempts to contribute to medical dispute resolution by examining the adoption of medical judicial expertise opinions in determining medical malpractice responsibility and its coordination with the judge’s legal opinions.

Design/methodology/approach

This article examines the legal basis and empirical data to demonstrate the decisive effect of medical judicial experts’ opinions in allocating medical malpractice responsibility and corresponding dispute resolution effectiveness.

Findings

High reliance on medical judicial expertise in medical dispute litigation not only unifies the judicial standards but also limits judges’ discretion, which brings the risk of contradiction between factual and legal findings, which currently ends in judges’ compromise.

Originality/value

The current medical malpractice provisions neglect the divergence of medical judicial expertise and judges’ opinions in determining medical malpractice responsibility, which produces difficulties in harmonizing awarded compensations and parties’ expectations, leading to problematic medical dispute litigation in Mainland China.
FS2M: fuzzy smart IoT device pairing protocol via speak to microphone
Authors: Jia Huaiyu , Chen Dajiang , Xie Zhidong , Qin Zhiguang
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a secure and efficient pairing protocol for two devices. Due to the large amount of data involving sensitive information transmitted in Internet of Things (IoT) devices, generating a secure shared key between smart devices for secure data sharing becomes essential. However, existing smart devices pairing schemes require longer pairing time and are difficult to resist attacks caused by context, as the secure channel is established based on restricted entropy from physical context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes a fuzzy smart IoT device pairing protocol via speak to microphone, FS2M. In FS2M, the device pairing is realized from the speaking audio of humans in the environment around the devices, which is easily implemented in the vast majority of Internet products. Specifically, to protect the privacy of secret keys and improve efficiency, this paper presents a single-round pairing protocol by adopting a recently published asymmetric fuzzy encapsulation mechanism (AFEM), which allows devices with similar environmental fingerprints to successfully negotiate the shared key. To instantiate AFEM, this paper presents a construction algorithm, the AFEM-ECC, based on elliptic curve cryptography.

Findings

This paper analyzes the security of the FS2M and its pairing efficiency with extensive experiments. The results show that the proposed protocol can achieve a secure device pairing between two IoT devices with high efficiency.

Originality/value

In FS2M, a novel cryptographic primitive (i.e., AFEM-ECC) are designed for IoT device pairing by using a new context-environment (i.e., human voice) . The experimental results show that FS2M has a good performance in both communication cost (i.e., 130 KB) and running time (i.e., 10 S).
Driving financial inclusion: exploring mobile wallet adoption among rural Omani millennials
Authors: Ghouse Suhail M. , Shekhar Rishabh , Chaudhary Monica
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the adoption of mobile wallet payment services among rural Omani millennials, with a focus on social factors, perceived security, trust considerations and the moderating role of technology self-efficacy in shaping attitudes and intentions towards adoption. It also explores the role of mobile wallets in advancing financial inclusion, aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities).

Design/methodology/approach

A survey method was used with 544 randomly selected participants from rural Oman. The study used partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) to analyse relationships among the constructs, including subjective norms, perceived security, trust and self-efficacy.

Findings

The results support five hypotheses, confirming the influence of subjective norms, perceived security and technology self-efficacy on attitudes and intentions to adopt mobile wallets. Additionally, mobile wallet self-efficacy emerges as a significant moderator, enhancing the relationship between positive attitudes and behavioural intentions.

Research limitations/implications

The study extends the technology acceptance model (TAM) by incorporating moderating variables such as technology self-efficacy and perceived security, offering theoretical contributions to digital payment adoption literature, especially in rural settings.

Practical implications

The findings underscore the need for trust-building efforts by service providers and collaborative strategies involving government incentives and promotions to foster mobile wallet adoption. Strengthening digital literacy and addressing security concerns are critical for promoting financial inclusion in rural communities.

Originality/value

This research contributes to promoting economic empowerment through mobile wallet adoption in rural Oman, offering valuable insights for policymakers and service providers aiming to reduce socio-economic disparities. By addressing the digital divide and supporting financial inclusion, the study supports the advancement of SDG 10 (Reduced inequalities) and fosters inclusive growth in underserved communities.
An analysis of the use of 3D game engine technology in visualising sustainability data
Authors: Muhammad Awn , Hazelton James
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Responding to calls for accountants to engage with modern technologies and explore data visualisation within a three-dimensional (3D) environment, this study aims to explore whether social and environmental accounting (SEA) data visualisation is a promising use case for 3D game engine technology.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on visual perception and embodiment theories, this study uses photo-elicitation, a qualitative research method, to explore the usefulness of two-dimensional (2D) and 3D visualisations of sustainability information in a 3D virtual environment. This study provides three stimuli: numerical data, 2D visualisations and 3D visualisations, and asks open-ended questions regarding future applications. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with academics, preparers and users of sustainability reports to obtain responses to these stimuli.

Findings

The key finding is that visualisation of SEA information may indeed be a strong use case for 3D game technology, but only for certain data and for certain audiences. Presenting information within a 3D virtual environment offered enhanced engagement and contextual understanding but reduced navigation speed and data clarity. Participants were enthusiastic about the potential of a museum-like experience, incorporating interactivity and community, but felt that the appropriate audience was more likely to be novices than experts.

Practical implications

This study suggests that deploying 3D game engine technology can be a powerful tool for presenting sustainability information but requires significant resources. The optimum audience is likely to be novices, and a key design principle is to ensure the virtual environment supports, rather than overwhelms, the information presented within that environment.

Originality/value

This study introduces a novel application of 3D visualisation technology within the SEA context, offering original insights into its potential to enhance user understanding and decision-making capabilities. This study highlights the technology’s value not as a replacement for traditional reporting but as a supplementary educational tool. The study also provides a novel setting for the photo-elicitation method, demonstrating this approach’s utility in a 3D environment.
The structuring of a (semi) agile-based organization: product orientation in a state agency
Authors: Nesheim Torstein
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to analyze how a change towards product orientation based on an agile approach challenges, contrasts and/or coexists with other principles of organization and grouping, such as development projects, the existing hierarchical line structure and process management.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a case study of one organization, based on an explorative appoach.

Findings

Taking the competing dimension of coordination and principles of grouping as the starting point, this study identify, describe and analyze the tensions that result from the introduction of product organization. The product initiative has met many obstacles and tensions along four dimensions: Process, line, information technology units and development projects. For each of these dimensions a number of challenges have been identified, that contribute to increased complexity in the organization.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of the study is that the findings cannot be generalized to other organizations.

Practical implications

A practical implication of the study is that product organization triggers tensions with other principles of organizations and grouping.

Originality/value

This study mainly contributes to the knowledge of agile management and agile organization, identifying and theorizing challenges that have been neglected and/or poorly understood both in the popular literature and in organizational research. This is particularly the case in the public sector. This study is also relevant to the domain of multidimensional structures, adding an understanding of the novel opportunities and challenges of product- and agile-based grouping of activities in an organization.
Integrated manufacturing method of multimaterial sand mold by binder jetting
Authors: Yang Haoqin , Shan Zhongde , Yan Dandan , Shi Jianpei , Huang Jian , Dong Shijie
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a flexible manufacturing method for multimaterial sand molds to realize efficient additive manufacturing of multimaterial sand molds.

Design/methodology/approach

To study the influence of multimaterial sand laying process parameters on the quality of powder bed and optimize the design of multimaterial sand laying device. Numerical simulation and X-ray Computed Tomography are used to study the penetration behavior and curing morphology of resin in different sand particles.

Findings

The surface roughness and porosity of the multimaterial powder bed that meet the requirements of sand-based additive manufacturing can be obtained under the optimal printing process, that is, the sanding speed of 140.0 mm/s and sanding roller diameter of 15.0 mm. The resin penetration process of the multimaterial sand molds shows a pattern of transverse expansion and longitudinal penetration. In terms of the resin curing morphology, the maximum thickness of the resin film layer of zircon sand reaches 30.5 ± 1.0 µm, which has the best tensile property, followed by silica sand and the thinnest resin film layer of chromite sand.

Originality/value

In this work, a highly flexible integrated combined sand-laying device suitable for multimaterial sand-laying tests is developed, which can obtain a multimaterial powder bed that meets the needs of sand additive manufacturing. Subsequent casting print tests also verify that the program can meet the needs of multimaterial sand mold additive manufacturing.
Application of FBG sensor in health monitoring of engineering building structure: a review
Authors: Zhou Chenxia , Jia Zhikun , Song Shaobo , Luo Shigang , Zhang Xiaole , Zhang Xingfang , Pei Xiaoyuan , Xu Zhiwei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The aging and deterioration of engineering building structures present significant risks to both life and property. Fiber Bragg grating (FBG) sensors, acclaimed for their outstanding reusability, compact form factor, lightweight construction, heightened sensitivity, immunity to electromagnetic interference and exceptional precision, are increasingly being adopted for structural health monitoring in engineering buildings. This research paper aims to evaluate the current challenges faced by FBG sensors in the engineering building industry. It also anticipates future advancements and trends in their development within this field.

Design/methodology/approach

This study centers on five pivotal sectors within the field of structural engineering: bridges, tunnels, pipelines, highways and housing construction. The research delves into the challenges encountered and synthesizes the prospective advancements in each of these areas.

Findings

The exceptional performance of FBG sensors provides an ideal solution for comprehensive monitoring of potential structural damages, deformations and settlements in engineering buildings. However, FBG sensors are challenged by issues such as limited monitoring accuracy, underdeveloped packaging techniques, intricate and time-intensive embedding processes, low survival rates and an indeterminate lifespan.

Originality/value

This introduces an entirely novel perspective. Addressing the current limitations of FBG sensors, this paper envisions their future evolution. FBG sensors are anticipated to advance into sophisticated multi-layer fiber optic sensing networks, each layer encompassing numerous channels. Data integration technologies will consolidate the acquired information, while big data analytics will identify intricate correlations within the datasets. Concurrently, the combination of finite element modeling and neural networks will enable a comprehensive simulation of the adaptability and longevity of FBG sensors in their operational environments.
Effect of adding Ni nanoparticles on the melting characteristics, mechanical properties and intermetallic compound growth of Sn58Bi solder
Authors: Zhang Jiamin , Zhang Liang , Huang Xi , Wu Chuanjiang , Deng Kai , Long Wei-Min
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the improvement of Sn58Bi solder properties by Ni nanoparticle to provide theoretical support in the field of electronic packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, nickel nanoparticles (Ni NPs) were doped into Sn58Bi solder as a reinforcing agent to prepare a composite solder. The wettability of composite solder, melting characteristics of solder alloy, microstructure of joints, mechanical properties and intermetallics growth at the interface were investigated.

Findings

Test results show that Ni had little substantial effect on the solders alloy melting temperature yet decreased the alloy undercooling. Notably, Ni enhanced solders wettability on Cu substrates. The spreading area increased by 14% at 0.6 wt.% Ni. The Ni refined the microstructure of Sn58Bi solder joints and inhibited the coarsening of the Bi-rich phase in the solder. At the same time, it also led to the production of free intermetallic compounds, increasing growth of the intermetallic compound (IMC) layer. However, upon surpassing 0.6 wt.% Ni, (Cu, Ni)6Sn5 accumulated and formed irregular clumps in the matrix. The grain size of the IMC layer gradually decreased as Ni was added. In shear tests, the fracture of joints occurred mainly inside the solder matrix. Sn58Bi-0.6Ni joints displayed a 40% rise in shear strength and a 25% rise in Vickers hardness. In addition, the appearance of dimples at the fracture indicated the improved flexibility of joints.

Originality/value

In this paper, Ni nanoparticle with different contents were added to Sn58Bi solder to prepare a composite solder, and the properties of the composite solder were investigated from different perspectives.
Characterization of non‐IgA vasculitis: Demographic, clinical, and treatment‐related features in a retrospective analysis of 28 biopsy‐confirmed cases from a German university hospital
Authors: Hansen‐Abeck Inga , Rünger Alessandra , Piepke Lisa , Kött Julian , Giordano‐Rosenbaum Anna , Menz Anne , Abeck Finn , Schneider Stefan W.
Published: November 2024

Non‐IgA vasculitis is a rare disease that belongs to the group of small‐vessel vasculitides. Due to nomenclature and classification changes introduced in 2018, there are few published data under this name. The aim of this study is to characterize non‐IgA vasculitis as an independent vasculitis entity in terms of demographic, clinical, and treatment‐related features. A retrospective data analysis of patients with biopsy‐confirmed non‐IgA vasculitis treated at the Department of Dermatology at the University Medical Center Hamburg‐Eppendorf between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022, was performed. A total of 28 patients with non‐IgA vasculitis were included; 53.6% (15/28) were women and 42.9% (12/28) were older than 71 years. Previous infection as a possible triggering factor was found in 42.6% (12/28) of the cases. Palpable purpura was the most common skin finding (78.6%, 22/28) and 28.6% patients (8/28) had skin lesions above the waist. On direct immunofluorescence, C3 (89.3%, 25/28) was the most frequent deposition, followed by fibrinogen (71.4%, 20/28) and IgM (53.6%, 15/28). Hospitalization was required in 85.7% (24/28), with a mean hospital stay of 9.4 ± 4.1 days. No fatal courses were reported. This study is the first characterization of non‐IgA vasculitis based on patient cases from Germany and contributes to a better understanding of non‐IgA vasculitis as an independent entity. Non‐IgA vasculitis primarily affects older patients of both sexes, with most cases having an identifiable trigger. Our results indicate that cutaneous manifestations often extend beyond the lower legs. Treatment is usually required in the inpatient setting and requires a longer stay than other dermatological conditions. With proper treatment, the disease is not expected to be fatal.
Differential effects of pollen nutritional quality on male and female reproductive success within a diverse co‐flowering community
Authors: Russo Laura , Carneiro Liedson Tavares , Williams Jessica N. , Barker Daniel A. , Murray Anne , Arceo‐Gómez Gerardo
Published: November 2024

Pollen protein content has been demonstrated to be an essential nutritional component for bees and thus important in mediating plant–pollinator interactions. However, little is known on the drivers and consequences of among‐species variation in pollen protein content and how this can impact male and female reproductive success across plant species. Among‐species variation in resources allocated to pollen nutrition could further be constrained by life‐history strategies (e.g. survival‐reproduction trade‐offs) or evolutionary history.

Here, we surveyed pollen protein content for 29 species within a diverse co‐flowering community and evaluated the effect of pollen protein on male and female reproductive success. We also tested the role of life history (annuals vs. perennials) and phylogeny in mediating differences in resource allocation to pollen nutrition.

We found that pollen protein content influences components of male (bee visitor abundance and pollen dispersal) but not female (conspecific pollen deposition and pollen tube growth) reproductive success, suggesting this trait affects plants only via male function. This sex‐specific effect further suggests the potential for sexual conflicts driven by differential investment on this trait. We found no phylogenetic signal on pollen protein content. However, pollen protein content was higher in annual compared to perennial species suggesting survival versus reproduction trade‐offs also contribute to variation in pollen protein at the community level.

Our study underscores the importance of understanding the ecological and evolutionary drivers of pollen protein content across plant species. Our results further suggest the existence of sexual conflicts and ecological trade‐offs mediated by differential investment in pollen nutritional quality, with important implications for community assembly and the structure of plant–pollinator interactions.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
A novel Fourier domain scheme for three‐dimensional magnetotelluric modelling in anisotropic media
Authors: Dai Shikun , Chen Qingrui , Li Kun , Ling Jiaxuan , Zhao Dongdong
Published: November 2024

This study presents a novel algorithm that combines the Lorenz gauge equations with the Fourier domain technique to simulate magnetotelluric responses in three‐dimensional conductivity structures with general anisotropy. The method initially converts the Helmholtz equations governing vector potentials into one‐dimensional differential equations in the wave number domain via the horizontal two‐dimensional Fourier transform. Subsequently, a one‐dimensional finite element method employing quadratic interpolation is applied to obtain three five‐diagonal linear equation systems. Upon solving these equations, the spatial domain fields are obtained via the inverse Fourier transform. This process guarantees the computational efficiency, memory efficiency and high parallelization of the algorithm. Moreover, an anisotropic medium iteration operator guarantees stable convergence of the method. The correctness, competence and applicability of the algorithm are verified using some synthetic models. The results demonstrate that the new method is efficient and performs well in anisotropic undulating terrain and complex structures. Compared to other Fourier domain methods and the latest edge‐based finite element algorithm, the proposed method exhibits superior computing performance. Finally, the impact of the Euler angles on the magnetotelluric responses is analysed.
Between epistemic injustice and therapeutic jurisprudence: Coronial processes involving families of autistic people, people with learning disabilities and/or mental ill health
Authors: Ryan Sara , Ribenfors Francesca , Mikulak Magdalena , Coles Deborah
Published: November 2024

Understanding how and why someone dies unexpectedly is key to bereaved family members. The coronial process in England investigates instances where the cause of death is unknown, violent or unnatural and/or occurred in state detention. Families are held to be at the centre of this process and the coroner's role has extended to concern about therapeutic jurisprudence, that is, how legal processes can minimise negative consequences for participants without jeopardising due process. Therapeutic jurisprudence involves unresolved tensions, however, and an epistemic power imbalance. Within the inquest, knowledge is produced, evaluated and contested, and epistemic privilege may be unevenly distributed. The inquest is also a process that, as we demonstrate, requires epistemic courage and resistance on the part of families. Families with relatives who are autistic, have learning disabilities and/or mental ill health can experience epistemic and structural injustice before an unexpected death which makes the distinctiveness of their experiences important to understand. Here, we report on a qualitative interview project which focused on how bereaved families experience the coronial process after their relative died in receipt of health and/or social care support.
Adherence to Healthy Prepregnancy Lifestyle and Risk of Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Okubo Hitomi , Nakayama Shoji F. , Mito Asako , Arata Naoko , Ohya Yukihiro ,   the Japan Environment and Children's Study Group
Published: November 2024

Objective

To quantify the association between a combination of modifiable prepregnancy lifestyle factors and the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs).

Design

Prospective cohort study.

Setting

The Japan Environment and Children's Study.

Population

A total of 79 703 pregnant Japanese women without chronic disease.

Methods

Maternal lifestyle before pregnancy was assessed using a self‐administered questionnaire. A healthy lifestyle score (HLS, 0–5 points) was calculated based on adherence to five prepregnancy healthy lifestyle factors: healthy weight, high‐quality diet, regular physical activity, not smoking, and not drinking alcohol. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% credible intervals (CrIs) were estimated using a Bayesian log‐binomial regression model.

Main Outcome Measures

Composite APOs, defined as the development of any APO, including gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, preterm birth, low birth weight, and small‐for‐gestational‐age, transcribed from medical records.

Results

A total of 13 894 women (17.4%) experienced one or more APOs. HLS was inversely associated with the risk of APOs in a dose–response manner. Women with an HLS of 5 points had a 33% (RR 0.67; 95% CrI, 0.61–0.74) lower risk of APOs than those with the lowest HLS (0–1 points). The population attributable fraction of five healthy lifestyle factors was 10.3%. A 1‐point increase of HLS could have reduced APO cases by 6.6%.

Conclusions

A higher HLS was associated with a lower risk of APOs, suggesting that adopting a healthy lifestyle before pregnancy may reduce the risk of APOs, which can increase the risk of future chronic diseases in both mother and child.
A Bayesian approach to Suchey‐Brooks age estimation from the pubic symphysis using modern American samples
Authors: Godde K. , Hens Samantha M.
Published: November 2024

A critical component of the biological profile involves accurate estimation of the age‐at‐death of the decedent(s). While bias, inaccuracy, and population specificity have plagued age estimation methods, these issues are minimized by Bayesian statistics. Our primary analysis generated ages of transition from the published Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphysis dataset and coupled them with informative priors derived from two modern American forensic samples (Forensic Data Bank [FDB] and Forensic Anthropology Database for Assessing Methods Accuracy [FADAMA]) to test the accuracy of Bayesian analysis against the original method. Exact binomial tests assessed the accuracy of the generated age ranges; realized accuracies and bias are reported for final age ranges at various coverages. In a second analysis, the Bayesian Suchey‐Brooks parameters and original, non‐Bayesian age ranges were also applied to FADAMA. In the primary analyses, the Bayesian approach improved age estimates over traditional ranges, especially for females. Highest posterior density ranges at 95% provided realized accuracies on a holdout sample between 93% and 96% with extremely low bias for most phases. We provide lookup tables with Bayesian age ranges for various coverages. In the second analysis, realized accuracies were slightly higher in the non‐Bayesian approach for both sexes (86%–92% vs. 83%–91%), due to lower precision and likely practitioner bias in aging forensic cases. The popularity of the Suchey‐Brooks pubic symphysis aging method in modern forensic casework necessitates the use of the Bayesian approach and we encourage practitioners to utilize the lookup tables for forensic casework in the United States.
Impact of illustrated backgrounds on the automatic assessment of fingermark quality
Authors: Bonnaz Bérénice , Bécue Andy
Published: November 2024

In the fingermark detection field, background illustrations may negatively impact the visibility of the marks in presence. They can indeed locally reduce the contrast or mask ridge details. When conducting a research project, the choice for plain or illustrated substrates is mostly driven by the research objectives as well as the development level of the investigated technique (e.g., new reagent, comparison between two techniques, semi‐operational test). Also, it is not clear how the human assessors in charge of grading the quality of the detected fingermarks actually cope with fingermarks standing astride background prints. In recent publications, latent quality metrics (LQM) and improved latent fingerprint quality metrics (ILFQM) algorithms have been identified as potential alternatives to traditional human assessment. The authors of the present study were therefore interested in assessing the performance of these algorithms with regards to illustrated backgrounds. To reach that goal, 480 fingermarks were deposited on porous (240) and non‐porous (240) items presenting various kinds of illustrations (e.g., colored areas, writings, geometric shapes, lines). Several detection techniques were then applied in sequence: 1,2‐indanedione/zinc + ninhydrin + physical developer for porous items, and superglue fuming followed by dye‐staining or black magnetic powder for non‐porous items. A total of 884 pictures were obtained and their quality assessed by LQM and ILFQM. The results were then analyzed to determine if background prints may influence the metrics provided both algorithms, and if yes, to which extent.
Effect and mechanism of different exogenous biomolecules on the thermal‐induced gel properties of surimi: A review
Authors: Zhao Xiaoyun , Mei Ting , Cui Bing
Published: November 2024

Surimi products are favored by domestic and foreign consumers due to their distinctive gelatinous texture, rich nutrition, and convenient consumption. Gel properties are key evaluation indicators for the quality of surimi products, which was mainly determined by the gel‐forming ability of the myofibrillar protein (MP). In recent years, the surimi processing industry has faced challenges in product quality that limits the further development, and how to effectively improve the gel properties of surimi products has become one of the key scientific problems to be solved in surimi processing industry. A viable strategy for improving the product quality involves combining surimi with exogenous additives, such as proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids, to enhance the gel‐forming ability of MP. At present, there is limited literature review to systematically investigate the role of these exogenous additives in interacting with MPs in surimi gel system and their effect on the gel properties of heat‐induced surimi. Therefore, in this review, we systematically discussed the formation mechanism and influencing factors of surimi gel, the interactions of exogenous biomolecules (proteins, polysaccharides, and lipids) with surimi protein, as well as their effects on the gel properties of surimi product. The aim of this review was to help us with a better understanding for the intrinsic action mechanisms of complex surimi system and provide some theoretical guidance for the improvement of gel quality and development of surimi products.
Plant‐based mince texture: A review of the sensory literature with view to informing new product development
Authors: Konrad Theresia , Ha Minh , Ronquest‐Ross Lisa , Smyth Heather E. , Moura Nadolny Jaqueline
Published: November 2024

The texture of plant‐based meat alternatives is a sensory attribute that holds a central value in consumer acceptability. The texture dimensions and drivers of liking for plant‐based mince, a popular product within plant‐based meats, are not yet fully established and literature in this area is limited. Consequently, the successful development and positioning of such products in the market next to traditional proteins is compromised, and improved product development guidelines are needed for the industry. This review aims to inform product development of what is currently known about plant‐based mince texture and where the research gaps are, particularly with respect to sensory dimensions and drivers of liking, by reviewing the present landscape of relevant sensory literature. Potential texture sensory dimensions for plant‐based mince, based on limited studies and seemingly aligning with conventional mince, are posited as juiciness, tenderness, firmness, and/or softness with a key driver of liking being juiciness, but this requires further validation utilizing robust sensory studies. A significant need exists to expand on the currently known texture dimensions and drivers alongside new ways that texture can be improved upon to more closely align to, or exceed, consumer expectations. Once this has been achieved, a robust sensory framework for developing plant‐based mince products can be used to better position plant‐based mince to effectively compete with traditional mince, and not merely cannibalize upon other brands, in the current market.