bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Neutrino bound states and bound systems
Authors: Smirnov Alexei Yu. , Xu Xun-Jie
Published: August 2022

Abstract

Yukawa interactions of neutrinos with a new light scalar boson ϕ can lead to formation of stable bound states and bound systems of many neutrinos (ν-clusters). For allowed values of the coupling y and the scalar mass mϕ, the bound state of two neutrinos would have the size larger than 1012 cm. Bound states with sub-cm sizes are possible for keV scale sterile neutrinos with coupling y > 10−4. For ν-clusters we study in detail the properties of final stable configurations. If there is an efficient cooling mechanism, these configurations are in the state of degenerate Fermi gas. We formulate and solve equations of the density distributions in ν-clusters. In the non-relativistic case, they are reduced to the Lane-Emden equation. We find that (i) stable configurations exist for any number of neutrinos, N; (ii) there is a maximal central density ∼ 109 cm−3 determined by the neutrino mass; (iii) for a given mϕ there is a minimal value of Ny3 for which stable configurations can be formed; (iv) for a given strength of interaction, Sϕ = (ymν/mϕ)2, the minimal radius of ν-clusters exists. We discuss the formation of ν-clusters from relic neutrino background in the process of expansion and cooling of the Universe. One possibility realized for Sϕ > 700 is the development of instabilities in the ν-background at T < mν which leads to its fragmentation. For Sϕ ∈ [70, 700]) they might be formed via the growth of initial density perturbations in the ν-background and virialiazation, in analogy with the formation of Dark Matter halos. For allowed values of y, cooling of ν-clusters due to ϕ-bremsstrahlung and neutrino annihilation is negligible. The sizes of ν-clusters may range from ∼ km to ∼ 5 Mpc.
Nonperturbative test of the Maldacena-Milekhin conjecture for the BMN matrix model
Authors: Pateloudis Stratos , Bergner Georg , Bodendorfer Norbert , Hanada Masanori , Rinaldi Enrico , Schäfer Andreas
Published: August 2022

Abstract

We test a conjecture by Maldacena and Milekhin for the ungauged version of the Berenstein-Maldacena-Nastase (BMN) matrix model by lattice Monte Carlo simulation. The numerical results reproduce the perturbative and gravity results in the limit of large and small flux parameter, respectively, and are consistent with the conjecture.
Efficacy and toxicity of hydroxyurea in mast cell activation syndrome patients refractory to standard medical therapy: retrospective case series
Authors: Weinstock Leonard B. , Brook Jill B. , Molderings Gerhard J.
Published: August 2022

Determine efficacy and adverse events (AEs) of hydroxyurea (HU) in mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS) patients who were refractory to standard medical therapy. An electronic chart review was performed to find MCAS patients who received HU in a MCAS medical practice. Diagnosis of MCAS was established on the basis of mast cell (MC) activation symptoms in ≥ 5 systems plus ≥ 1 abnormal MC mediators and/or ≥ 20 MC/high power field on duodenal biopsies. Medicines not providing significant clinical improvement prior to HU were tabulated. The following symptoms were evaluated by patients on a 0–10 scale prior to and at the study conclusion: bone pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Safety labs were obtained on a regular basis. Twenty out of three hundred ten (8.4%) MCAS patients received HU. Patients included 22 females, average age 42.4 years. Dysautonomia was present in 60%. An average of 10.6 (SD 1.7, range 8–13) medications were used prior to adding HU to various concomitant medications. Average dose of HU was 634 mg. In 20 patients who continued therapy for ≥ 2 months, there was statistically significant reduction of bone pain, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating, and nausea. Fourteen patients noted prolonged success with therapy. Six patients stopped HU within 6 weeks owing to AEs. Four patients treated ≥ 2 months had AEs and 2 led to HU cessation. All AEs were reversible. Refractory MCAS patients showed clear significant improvement in bone pain and gastrointestinal symptoms on HU. Systematic monitoring was effective in preventing the occurrence of severe HU-induced adverse events.
Obstetric fractures in caesarean delivery and risk factors as evaluated by paediatric surgeons
Authors: Ulici Alexandru , Herdea Alexandru , Dragomirescu Mihai-Codrut , Lungu Claudiu N.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Obstetric fractures usually occur after complicated births and are sent to paediatric orthopaedics for treatment and follow-up. Clavicle fractures represent the most common orthopaedic birth injury, involving approximately 0.2 to 3.5% of births.

Hypotheses

Caesarean delivery, elective or necessary, along with the type of presentation, may play a determinant role in the aetiology of obstetric fractures.

Materials and methods

We chose to do a retrospective study to determine possible risk factors for this type of injury that may manifest in either delivery. Our aim was to deepen our knowledge in order to have a better prediction and a better management of this condition. Data gathered included parity, gestity, type of delivery, presentation, shoulder dystocia, type of fracture, birth weight, and APGAR score.

Results

We followed 136 patients that were diagnosed with Allman type I clavicle fracture, 32 of them also having brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) type 1 (Duchenne-Erb). Natural birth with a pelvic presentation imposes a relative risk of 6.2 of associated pathology compared to cranial presentation. Caesarean delivery and cranial presentation increase the risk of related pathology by 5.04 compared to natural birth. Statistically, pelvic presentation is 5.54 times more likely to develop related pathology than cranial presentation. Type of delivery and presentation correlate with associated pathology of clavicle fractures.

Discussion and conclusion

Caesarean delivery brings risks for the newborn and should be practiced only when necessary. Predictive modeling in obstetrics in third-trimester evaluations may statistically predict risks of birth complications like fracture and BPBP.
Characterization of a pulsed, supersonic gas jet by absorption of high-order harmonics in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range
Authors: Hagmeister Bastian , Hemmers Dirk , Pretzler Georg
Published: August 2022

We present a method for determining the temporal and spatial evolution of a gas jet generated by a pulsed nozzle using high-order harmonics of a titanium–sapphire laser. This radiation in the extreme ultraviolet spectral range (17–40 nm) is transmitted through the gas jet and becomes partially absorbed depending on its wavelength and the gas density. If the absorption in this spectral range shows a sufficiently strong dependence on the wavelength, as is the case for many gases including the noble gases argon, neon, and helium, it is possible to select a proper harmonic exhibiting an absorption strong enough to generate a detectable decrease of the transmitted light but still weak enough to allow a significant amount of radiation to be transmitted through the gas jet. In the case of radial symmetry the density profile can be reconstructed by means of the Abel inversion. We show that this method allows for the determination of argon neutral densities as low as $$10^{17}$$

10
17

 cm$$^{-3}$$

-
3

and is also suited for other gases, such as neon and helium.
Patients’ perspectives on the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on access to cancer care and social contacts in Sweden and the UK: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Edlund Karolina , Dahlström Lisen Arnheim , Ekström Anna Mia , van der Kop Mia L.
Published: August 2022

Purpose

We aimed to determine whether there was a difference in access to cancer-related healthcare between people living in Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK) during the COVID-19 pandemic. We also describe how the pandemic affected social contact of patients undergoing treatment.

Methods

This cross-sectional study used survey data collected through the War on Cancer mobile phone application between September 5, 2020, and January 6, 2021. We included individuals with cancer diagnoses living in Sweden or the UK. The association between difficulty accessing cancer-related healthcare and country was examined using logistic regression. Frequencies were used to describe the effect of the pandemic on social contact.

Results

Of 491 individuals included in the study, 183 were living in the UK and 308 in Sweden. Living in the UK was associated with greater difficulty accessing cancer-related healthcare (n = 99/183, 54.1%) than living in Sweden (n = 100/308, 32.5%) (odds ratio 2.12, 95% CI 1.39–3.23, p < 0.001). The pandemic affected social contact for almost all patients (n = 218/238, 91.6%) undergoing treatment.

Conclusion

This study highlights the differential impact that the pandemic may have had on patients’ access to cancer-related care in the UK and Sweden. In both countries, the pandemic overwhelmingly affected social contact of individuals undergoing cancer treatment. New ways must be found to improve access to cancer-related care and reduce social isolation for patients with cancer during a pandemic.
The social predictors of paternal antenatal mental health and their associations with maternal mental health in the Queensland Family Cohort prospective study
Authors: Dixson Barnaby J. W. , Borg Danielle , Rae Kym M. , Whittingha Koa , Gannon Brenda , McPhail Steven M. , Carter Hannah E. , Moritz Karen M. , Boyd Roslyn N. , Bora Samudragupta , Kumar Sailesh , Frater Julanne , Schweitzer Daniel , Miller Paul , Mehter Divya , Clifton Vicki L.
Published: August 2022

Antenatal depression (AND) affects 1 in 10 fathers, potentially negatively impacting maternal mental health and well-being during and after the transition to parenthood. However, few studies have assessed the social predictors of paternal AND or their possible associations with maternal mental health. We analysed data from 180 couples participating in the Queensland Family Cohort longitudinal study. Both parents completed surveys measuring mental health, relationship quality, social support, and sleep quality at 24 weeks of pregnancy. Mothers also completed the same surveys 6 weeks’ postpartum. Antenatal depression, stress, and anxiety were highest among fathers reporting lower social support and higher sleep impairment. Maternal AND, stress, and anxiety were higher among mothers reporting higher physical pain and poor sleep quality. Postnatally, mothers reporting lower social support also reported higher depression, anxiety, stress, and psycho-social well-being. While there were no significant associations between AND among fathers and maternal antenatal or postnatal depression, an exploratory analysis revealed that mothers whose partners reported lower antenatal social support also reported lower postnatal social support and higher postnatal depression. Our findings highlight the importance of including data among fathers to achieve a whole family approach to well-being during the transition to parenthood.
DoWTS – Denial-of-Wallet Test Simulator: Synthetic data generation for preemptive defence
Authors: Kelly Daniel , Glavin Frank G , Barrett Enda
Published: August 2022

The intentional targeting of components in a cloud based application, in order to artificially inflate usage bills, is an issue application owners have faced for many years. This has occurred under many guises, such as: Economic Denial of Sustainability (EDoS), Click Fraud and even secondary effects of Denial of Service (DoS) attacks. With the advent of commercial offerings of serverless computing circa 2015, a variant of the EDoS attack has emerged, termed, Denial-of-Wallet (DoW). We describe our development of a simulation tool as safe means to research these attacks as well as to generate datasets for the training of future mitigation systems to combat DoW. We believe that DoW may become increasingly prevalent as applications further utilise services based on a pay-per-invocation cost model. Given that the damage caused is purely financial, such attacks may not be disclosed as application users are not directly effected. As such, we believe that the development of an attack simulator and specific testing of security measures against this niche attack will be able to provide previously unavailable data and insights for the research community. We have developed a prototype DoW simulator that can emulate multiple months worth of API calls in a matter of hours for ease of training data generation. Our aspiration for the future of this work is to provide a system and starting point for research on this form of attack. We present our work on such a system Denial-of-Wallet Test Simulator (DoWTS) - a system that allows for safe testing of theorised DoW attacks against serverless applications via synthetic data generation. We also expand upon prior research on DoW and provide an analysis on the lack of specific safety measures for DoW.
Clinical and Therapeutic Aspects of Sideroblastic Anaemia with B-Cell Immunodeficiency, Periodic Fever and Developmental Delay (SIFD) Syndrome: a Systematic Review
Authors: Maccora Ilaria , Ramanan Athimalaipet V. , Wiseman Daniel , Marrani Edoardo , Mastrolia Maria V. , Simonini Gabriele
Published: August 2022

Background and Purpose

Sideroblastic anaemia with B-cell immunodeficiency, periodic fever and developmental delay (SIFD) syndrome is a novel rare autoinflammatory multisystem disorder. We performed a systematic review of the available clinical and therapeutics aspects of the SIFD syndrome.

Methods

A systematic review according to PRISMA approach, including all articles published before the 30th of July 2021 in Pubmed and EMBASE database, was performed.

Results

The search identified 29 publications describing 58 unique patients. To date, 41 unique mutations have been reported. Onset of disease is very early with a median age of 4 months (range 0–252 months). The most frequent manifestations are haematologic such as microcytic anaemia or sideroblastic anaemia (55/58), recurrent fever (52/58), neurologic abnormalities (48/58), immunologic abnormalities in particular a humoral immunodeficiency (48/58), gastrointestinal signs and symptoms (38/58), eye diseases as cataract and retinitis pigmentosa (27/58), failure to thrive (26/58), mucocutaneous involvement (29/58), sensorineural deafness (19/58) and others. To date, 19 patients (35.85%) died because of disease course (16) and complications of hematopoietic cell stems transplantation (3). The use of anti-TNFα and hematopoietic cell stems transplantation (HCST) is dramatically changing the natural history of this disease.

Conclusions

SIFD syndrome is a novel entity to consider in a child presenting with recurrent fever, anaemia, B-cell immunodeficiency and neurodevelopmental delay. To date, therapeutic guidelines are lacking but anti-TNFα treatment and/or HCST are attractive and might modify the clinical course of this syndrome.
Tissue-specific reductions in mitochondrial efficiency and increased ROS release rates during ageing in zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata
Authors: Salmón Pablo , Millet Caroline , Selman Colin , Monaghan Pat , Dawson Neal J.
Published: August 2022

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative damage have long been suggested as critically important mechanisms underlying the ageing process in animals. However, conflicting data exist on whether this involves increased production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) during ageing. We employed high‐resolution respirometry and fluorometry on flight muscle (pectoralis major) and liver mitochondria to simultaneously examine mitochondrial function and ROS (H2O2) release rates in young (3 months) and old (4 years) zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Respiratory capacities for oxidative phosphorylation did not differ between the two age groups in either tissue. Respiratory control ratios (RCR) of liver mitochondria also did not differ between the age classes. However, RCR in muscle mitochondria was 55% lower in old relative to young birds, suggesting that muscle mitochondria in older individuals are less efficient. Interestingly, this observed reduction in muscle RCR was driven almost entirely by higher mitochondrial LEAK-state respiration. Maximum mitochondrial ROS release rates were found to be greater in both flight muscle (1.3-fold) and the liver (1.9-fold) of old birds. However, while maximum ROS (H2O2) release rates from mitochondria increased with age across both liver and muscle tissues, the liver demonstrated a proportionally greater age-related increase in ROS release than muscle. This difference in age-related increases in ROS release rates between muscle and liver tissues may be due to increased mitochondrial leakiness in the muscle, but not the liver, of older birds. This suggests that age-related changes in cellular function seem to occur in a tissue-specific manner in zebra finches, with flight muscle exhibiting signs of minimising age-related increase in ROS release, potentially to reduce damage to this crucial tissue in older individuals.
Global impacts of nitrogen and phosphorus fertiliser use for major crops on aquatic biodiversity
Authors: Jwaideh Mark A. A. , Sutanudjaja Edwin H. , Dalin Carole
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The intensive application of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilisers on agricultural land to fertilise crops has caused eutrophication, the nutrient enrichment of waterbodies leading to excessive growth of algae, deoxygenation and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Life cycle impact assessments (LCIA) are often used to determine the environmental impacts of fertiliser use. However, the lack of suitable methodologies to estimate the fate and transport of nutrients from soils makes crop and regional impact comparisons challenging. Using a newly devised, spatially explicit nutrient fate and transport model (fate factor, FF) within an LCIA framework, this study estimates the global spatial-variability of nutrient loss from fertilisation of crops and their relative impact on aquatic biodiversity, specifically species richness.

Method

The newly devised FFs are based on the global spatially explicit nutrient model IMGE-GNM. The FF’s enable us to assess N and P’s fate and transport from indirect soil emissions (arable land, grassland and natural land) to freshwater environments. Additionally we improve the spatial resolution of existing soil FFs for N within marine environments from basin scale to 5 arcmin resolution. We applied our FF’s within current LCIA methodologies to assess the nutrient loading (midpoint indicator) and final aquatic biodiversity impact (endpoint indicator) from 17 crops.

Results and discussion

Our results identify strong variability in inputs, loadings and impacts due to differences in the fate, transport and impact of nutrients within the local environmental context. Such variability is translated into large differences between the popularly used nutrient use efficiency (NUE) indicator and final aquatic impacts caused by specific crops. Heavily produced crops (maize, rice, wheat, sugarcane and soybean) with the highest loading rates to receptors did not necessarily have the highest aquatic impacts. We identified rank variability exists at different metric stages (fertiliser inputs, receptor loadings, aquatic impacts) specifically for wheat and sugarcane. Our results showed high global spatial variability in aquatic biodiversity impacts with significant biodiversity loss outside of the highest production regions.

Conclusion

Our study identified, global hotspots for biodiversity impacts depend on the local context that exist beyond the field (e.g. the fate and transport of nutrients to receptor environments, and the receptor environment's vulnerability). Aquatic impacts from fertiliser use for specific crop commodities should be considered in decision-making for strategic fertiliser pollution control and environmentally sustainable crop-commodity trade sourcing. The development of the improved FFs should be used to aid spatially explicit and site-specific LCIA nutrient studies from soils.
Interfacial Behaviour in Ferroalloys: The Influence of FeMn Slag Composition
Authors: Bublik Sergey , Tangstad Merete , Einarsrud Kristian Etienne
Published: August 2022

The present study investigated the interfacial interaction between FeMn alloy and slags of different compositions and basicity from 0.4 to 1.2 in a sessile drop furnace. Interfacial tension between the FeMn alloy and the slags was measured, and the results were analyzed to assess the sensitivity of the applied methodology. The measurement of the interfacial tension was based on combining the results from experiments, multiphase flow simulations in OpenFOAM, equilibrium calculations in FactSage, and calculation of slag density and surface tension based on numerical models. The results demonstrate that the interfacial tension between the FeMn alloy and slag increases with the slag basicity. It was found that the addition of Al

$$_{2}$$

2

O

$$_{3}$$

3

to the slag with basicity of 0.8 and 1.2 increases the interfacial tension, while increasing MnO content from 30.0 to 45.0 wt pct does not have any statistically significant influence on the interfacial tension. EPMA analysis of slag and FeMn phases showed that slags at lower basicities and the FeMn alloy form a metal–slag emulsion due to the destabilization of the interface induced by chemical reactions, partial reduction of SiO

$$_{2}$$

2

in the slag and the mass transfer of Si across the metal–slag interface.
Proteomic Analysis of Murine Bone Marrow Very Small Embryonic-like Stem Cells at Steady-State Conditions and after In Vivo Stimulation by Nicotinamide and Follicle-Stimulating Factor Reflects their Germ-Lineage Origin and Multi Germ Layer Differentiation Potential
Authors: Chumak Vira , Sielatycka Katarzyna , Ciechanowicz Andrzej , Bujko Kamila , Ratajczak Mariusz Z. , Kucia Magdalena
Published: August 2022

Very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) are a dormant population of development early stem cells deposited in adult tissues that as demonstrated contribute to tissue/organ repair and regeneration. We postulated developmental relationship of these cells to migrating primordial germ cells (PGCs) and explained the quiescent state of these cells by the erasure of differently methylated regions (DMRs) at some of the paternally imprinted genes involved in embryogenesis. Recently, we reported that VSELs began to proliferate and expand in vivo in murine bone marrow (BM) after exposure to nicotinamide (NAM) and selected pituitary and gonadal sex hormones. In the current report, we performed proteomic analysis of VSELs purified from murine bone marrow (BM) after repeated injections of NAM + Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) that in our previous studies turned out to be an effective combination to expand these cells. By employing the Gene Ontology (GO) resources, we have performed a combination of standard GO annotations (GO-CAM) to produce a network between BM steady-state conditions VSELs (SSC-VSELS) and FSH + NAM expanded VSELs (FSH + NAM VSELs). We have identified several GO biological processes regulating development, organogenesis, gene expression, signal transduction, Wnt signaling, insulin signaling, cytoskeleton organization, cell adhesion, inhibiting apoptosis, responses to extra- and intracellular stimuli, protein transport and stabilization, protein phosphorylation and ubiquitination, DNA repair, immune response, and regulation of circadian rhythm. We report that VSELs express a unique panel of proteins that only partially overlapped with the proteome of BM – derived hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and hematopoietic mononuclear cells (MNCs) and respond to FSH + NAM stimulation by expressing proteins involved in the development of all three germ layers. Thus, our current data supports further germ-lineage origin and multi germ layer differentiation potential of these cells.

Graphical abstract
Therapeutic Effects of Salvianolic Acid B on Angiotensin II–Induced Atrial Fibrosis by Regulating Atrium Metabolism via Targeting AMPK/FoxO1/miR-148a-3p Axis
Authors: Liu Jie , Sun Qijuan , Sun Xiaotong , Wang Qian , Zou Guangchen , Wang Dewei , Zhuang Baoxiang , Juan Zhaodong , Zhang Rui , Zhang Daoliang
Published: August 2022

The present study highlights the effects of salvianolic acid B (Sal B) on angiotensin II (Ang II)–activated atrial fibroblasts as well as the associated potential mechanism from the metabonomics perspective. Metabolic profile analysis performed an optimal separation of the Ang II and control group, indicating a recovery impact of Sal B on Ang II–activated fibroblasts (FBs). We found that metabolite levels in the Ang II + Sal B group were reversed to normal. Moreover, 23 significant metabolites were identified. Metabolic network analysis indicated that these metabolites participated in purine metabolism and FoxO signaling pathway. We found that Sal B activated AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation, which further promoted FoxO1 activation and increased miR-148a-3p level. We further verified that Sal B modulate the abnormal AMP, phosphocreatine, glutathione (GSH), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in Ang II–stimulated FBs. Collectively, Sal B can protect the Ang II–activated FBs from fibrosis and oxidative stress via AMPK/FoxO1/miRNA-148a-3p axis.

Graphical abstract
Effect of copper and silver ions on sequence and DNA methylation changes in triticale regenerants gained via somatic embryogenesis
Authors: Pachota Katarzyna Anna , Orłowska Renata
Published: August 2022

Somatic embryogenesis is a plant regeneration method that can be exploited in tissue culture systems for a variety of tasks, such as genetic modification or the selection of somaclones with advantageous characteristics. Therefore, it is crucial to create efficient regeneration procedures and comprehend how medium components affect regeneration effectiveness or the degree of variation created in plant tissue cultures. The level of tissue culture-induced variation in triticale regenerants was examined in the current study in relation to the concentration of copper and silver ions in the induction media as well as the length of time immature zygotic embryo explants were incubated on these media. The high degree of variation (45%) revealed by the methylation-sensitive amplified fragment length polymorphism approach for estimating variation included 38% DNA sequence alterations, 6% DNA demethylation, and 1% de novo DNA methylation. Different levels of variance were found in relation to various DNA sequence settings. The CHG context had the most alterations, whereas CG experienced the fewest; sequence variation predominated in each sequence context. Lower copper ion concentrations showed the most variance. However, it could not be connected to the duration of in vitro culture or the effect of silver ions. Accordingly, we think that altering the concentration of copper ions in the induction medium may throw off the equilibrium of the metabolic processes in which copper is involved, resulting in tissue culture-induced variation.
An Innovative Structural Damage Detection System for Preventive Maintenance of Wind Turbines
Authors: Ozbek Muammer
Published: August 2022

This study aims to develop a novel damage detection and preventive maintenance system that can be used for continuous or periodic monitoring of wind turbine components. The main features of the proposed system such as the measurement technique, data analysis procedure, and damage estimation methodology are described in detail by presenting the results of finite element model-based damage simulations, laboratory experiments, and in-field vibration tests. A hybrid measurement system with accelerometers and an automated infrared laser scanner is used to acquire vibration data with high spatial resolution. The obtained response data are then processed to extract the dynamic properties (e.g., natural vibration periods and mode shapes) of the structure. An efficient damage detection algorithm, which is based on monitoring sudden changes observed in mode shapes, is utilized to determine the location and extent of a possible damage. Within the scope of the work, a novel and simplified version of the widely used mode shape curvature method is developed for the rapid analysis and interpretation of the acquired vibration data. The applicability of the proposed methodology is demonstrated on a 61.5 m long numerical blade model proposed for NREL 5 MW Benchmark wind turbine.
Subordination principle and Feynman-Kac formulae for generalized time-fractional evolution equations
Authors: Bender Christian , Bormann Marie , Butko Yana A.
Published: August 2022

We consider a class of generalized time-fractional evolution equations containing a fairly general memory kernel k and an operator L being the generator of a strongly continuous semigroup. We show that a subordination principle holds for such evolution equations and obtain Feynman-Kac formulae for solutions of these equations with the use of different stochastic processes, such as subordinate Markov processes and randomly scaled Gaussian processes. In particular, we obtain some Feynman-Kac formulae with generalized grey Brownian motion and other related self-similar processes with stationary increments.
Altered Fetal Cardiac Function in Smoking During Pregnancy
Authors: Kaya Serdar , Kandemir Hülya , Kaya Başak , Sanhal Cem Yaşar
Published: August 2022

Maternal smoking during pregnancy remains a major public health issue and is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate fetal cardiac functions in chronic maternal smoking during pregnancy and to compare them with non-smoker pregnant women. Forty-two smoker pregnant women between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation and gestational age-matched 44 non-smoker pregnant women were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Fetal cardiac functions were measured using conventional Doppler echocardiography. The peak velocities of the mitral valve during early diastole (E) and atrial contraction (A) were measured, and the E/A ratio was calculated. The following time periods were also calculated; isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), and ejection time (ET). Then, the fetal left ventricle modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) was calculated. No significant differences were noted between the groups in terms of E, A, and E/A ratio z-scores (p > 0.05). The ICT and IRT z-scores were found to be significantly higher in the study group compared with those in the control group (p = 0.001 and p = 0.034). Mod-MPI z-score was also found significantly higher in the study group than in the control group (p = 0.034). There was no significant difference between the groups in terms of ET (p > 0.05). The signs of systolic, diastolic, and global cardiac dysfunction were demonstrated in fetuses of pregnant women with chronic smoking. It, therefore, merits consideration that the fetal heart is also exposed to the detrimental effects of smoking.
Topological magnets—their basic science and potential applications
Authors: Nakatsuji Satoru
Published: August 2022

The performance limitations of conventional electronic materials pose a major problem in the era of digital transformation (DX). Consequently, extensive research is being conducted on the development of quantum materials that may overcome such limitations, by utilizing quantum effects to achieve remarkable performances. In particular, considerable progress has been made on the fundamental theories of topological magnets and has had a widespread impact on related fields of applied research. An important advance in the field of quantum manipulation is the development of the technology to control the quantum phase of conduction electron wavefunctions through the spin structure. This new technology has led to the realization of phenomena that had been considered infeasible for more than a century, such as the anomalous Hall effect in antiferromagnets and the giant magneto-thermoelectric effect in ferromagnets. This review article presents the remarkable properties of Weyl antiferromagnets and topological ferromagnets, which have been discovered recently. Additionally, this paper examines the current status of how advances in the basic principles of topological magnetism are facilitating the development of next-generation technologies that support the DX era, such as energy harvesting, heat flow sensors, and ultrafast nonvolatile memory.
Transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of RNAi-related gene expression during plant-virus interactions
Authors: Gong Qian , Wang Yunjing , Jin Zhenhui , Hong Yiguo , Liu Yule
Published: August 2022

As sessile organisms, plants encounter diverse invasions from pathogens including viruses. To survive and thrive, plants have evolved multilayered defense mechanisms to combat virus infection. RNAi, also known as RNA silencing, is an across-kingdom innate immunity and gene regulatory machinery. Molecular framework and crucial roles of RNAi in antiviral defense have been well-characterized. However, it is largely unknown that how RNAi is transcriptionally regulated to initiate, maintain and enhance cellular silencing under normal or stress conditions. Recently, insights into the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of RNAi-related genes in different physiological processes have been emerging. In this review, we integrate these new findings to provide updated views on how plants modulate RNAi machinery at the (post-) transcriptional level to respond to virus infection.
People, posts, and platforms: reducing the spread of online toxicity by contextualizing content and setting norms
Authors: Record Isaac , Miller Boaz
Published: August 2022

We present a novel model of individual people, online posts, and media platforms to explain the online spread of epistemically toxic content such as fake news and suggest possible responses. We argue that a combination of technical features, such as the algorithmically curated feed structure, and social features, such as the absence of stable social-epistemic norms of posting and sharing in social media, is largely responsible for the unchecked spread of epistemically toxic content online. Sharing constitutes a distinctive communicative act, governed by a dedicated norm and motivated to a large extent by social identity maintenance. But confusion about this norm and its lack of inherent epistemic checks lead readers to misunderstand posts, attribute excess or insufficient credibility to posts, and allow posters to evade epistemic accountability—all contributing to the spread of epistemically toxic content online. This spread can be effectively addressed if (1) people and platforms add significantly more context to shared posts and (2) platforms nudge people to develop and follow recognized epistemic norms of posting and sharing.
Teaching fisheries bycatch: Exploring economic and behavioral drivers of bycatch through a classroom game
Authors: Priestley Mitchell Blaine , Williams J. Forrest , Dissanayake Sahan T. M.
Published: August 2022

This paper presents a pedagogical exercise to explore the economics of price-based fisheries bycatch. In the exercise students experience the economic incentives that lead to bycatch due to highgrading; the discarding of low-value fish. We first discuss existing fisheries economics pedagogical activities and how our exercise is distinct. We then identify over forty economics, environmental studies, geography, management, and philosophy courses where the exercise could be played. Next, we describe the game and share results and student feedback. Finally, we provide discussion prompts and extensions to illustrate how incentives and policies can change fishing behavior to lead to sustainable fisheries.
The impact of social unrest due to systemic racism on underrepresented post-doctoral fellows and early-career faculty
Authors: White Gretchen E. , Proulx Chelsea N. , Rubio Doris M. , Thakar Maya S. , Morone Natalia E. , Mitchell-Miland Chantele , Althouse Andrew D. , Murrell Audrey J.
Published: August 2022

Introduction:

Social unrest tied to racism negatively impacted half of NIH-funded extramural researchers underrepresented (UR) in science. UR early-career scientists encounter more challenges in their research careers, but the impact of social unrest due to systemic racism in this group is unclear. We used mixed methods to describe the impact of social unrest due to systemic racism on mentoring relationships, research, and psychological well-being in UR post-doctoral fellows and early-career faculty.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional analysis of data collected in September 2021–January 2022 from 144 UR early-career researchers from 25 academic medical centers in the Building Up Trial. The primary outcomes were agreement on five-point Likert scales with social unrest impact statements (e.g., “I experienced psychological distress due to events of social unrest regarding systemic racism”). Thematic analysis was conducted on responses to one open-ended question assessing how social unrest regarding systemic racism affected participants.

Results:

Most participants were female (80%), non-Hispanic Black (35%), or Hispanic (40%). Over half of participants (57%) experienced psychological distress as a result of social unrest due to systemic racism. Participants described direct and indirect discrimination and isolation from other persons of color at their institutions. Twice as many participants felt their mentoring relationships were positively (21%) versus negatively (11%) impacted by social unrest due to systemic racism.

Conclusions:

Experiences with racial bias and discrimination impact the career and well-being of UR early-career researchers. Mentoring relationships and institutional support play an important role in buffering the negative impact of racial injustice for this population.
Revisiting Pan-Slavism in the Contemporary Perspective
Authors: Đorđević Vladimir , Suslov Mikhail , Čejka Marek , Mocek Ondřej , Hrabálek Martin
Published: August 2022

In this article, we examine the literature on the topic of Pan-Slavism that has been published in the last 20 years. We do so by paying particular attention to discussions on contemporary perspectives and manifestations of Pan-Slavism that in our view have been largely missing from academic research. We begin the article by introducing a theoretical conceptualization of Pan-Slavism in general, preparing the ground for our inspection of the academic output in the said period. We then continue by presenting our own contribution to the conceptualization and the current state of the field on Pan-Slavism, suggesting venues that future research may take towards broadening the field that has been and remains narrow. We conclude the article by summarizing the key points made therein.
Possibilities of using the continuous type of UV light on the surface of lor (whey) cheese: impacts on mould growth, oxidative stability, sensory and colour attributes during storage
Authors: Urgu-Ozturk Muge
Published: August 2022

This research paper addresses the hypothesis that the optimum doses of a continuous type of ultraviolet (UV) light applied to the surface of lor (whey) cheese needs to be identified to maximize mould inactivation and shelf life while minimizing quality deterioration. Therefore, the mould inactivation, protein and lipid oxidation products, sensory and colour attributes of lor cheese subjected to different doses of UV light (1.617, 4.018, and 36.832 kJ/m2) in a continuous type of UV system were evaluated. UV treated samples presented mould counts lower than those of untreated ones. UV treatment at more than 4.018 kJ/m2 allowed around 0.7–2.7 log reductions on mould growth during storage. The increase in UV light dose caused significant increases in primary and secondary lipid oxidation products. In particular, the highest doses applied to the surface of cheese samples had the highest values of protein carbonyls, as well as lipid oxidation products. Strong positive correlations were recorded between lipid and protein oxidation markers. Exposure to the highest doses of UV light increased foreign flavour perception, probably due to the oxidative reactions. The results indicated that the application of UV light to the lor cheese surface allowed delaying mould growth during storage but extreme doses could induce lipid and protein oxidation reactions, leading to quality deterioration.
Selenium status and immunity
Authors: Fairweather-Tait Susan J. , Filippini Tommaso , Vinceti Marco
Published: August 2022

Selenium is found at the active centre of twenty-five selenoproteins which have a variety of roles, including the well-characterised function of antioxidant defense, but it also is claimed to be involved in the immune system. However, due to limited and conflicting data for different parameters of immune function, intakes of selenium that have an influence on immune function are uncertain. This review covers the relationship between selenium and immune function in man, focusing on the highest level of evidence, namely that generated by randomised controlled trials (RCT), in which the effect of selective administration of selenium, in foods or a supplement, on immune function was assessed. A total of nine RCT were identified from a systematic search of the literature, and some of these trials reported effects on T and natural killer cells, which were dependent on the dose and form of selenium administered, but little effect of selenium on humoral immunity. There is clearly a need to undertake dose–response analysis of cellular immunity data in order to derive quantitative relationships between selenium intake and measures of immune function. Overall, limited effects on immunity emerged from experimental studies in human subjects, though additional investigation on the potential influence of selenium status on cellular immunity appears to be warranted.
The ‘cosmic terrorist’: Reconsidering sin as personal agent
Authors: McCall Thomas
Published: August 2022

An important contemporary approach to understanding a Pauline account of sin takes sin to be a self or personal agent who acts in the world. This article engages with such a proposal by offering theological analysis. It is argued that the exegetical arguments in favour of the proposal that sin is a personal agent are less than convincing, and it is argued further that the theory encounters serious theological problems.
Implementation of a new Digi-HTA process for digital health technologies in Finland
Authors: Haverinen Jari , Turpeinen Miia , Falkenbach Petra , Reponen Jarmo
Published: August 2022

Objectives

There has been a lack of health technology assessment (HTA) methods for novel digital health technologies (DHTs) such as mHealth, artificial intelligence, and robotics in Finland. The Digi-HTA method has been developed for this purpose. The aim of this study is to determine whether it would be possible to use Digi-HTA recommendations to support healthcare decision-makers. Secondly, from the perspective of companies offering different types of DHT products, this study assesses the suitability of using the Digi-HTA framework to perform HTAs for their products.

Methods

Feedback about Digi-HTA recommendations was collected from healthcare professionals. DHT companies provided input about the Digi-HTA framework. Data were collected via a web-based survey and were analyzed using qualitative methods.

Results

Of the twenty-four healthcare professional respondents, twenty said that the Digi-HTA recommendations contained all the necessary information, and twenty-one found them useful for their work. Respondents hoped that the Digi-HTA recommendations would be better integrated into the decision-making processes and healthcare professionals would be more informed about this new HTA process. The questions of the Digi-HTA framework were applicable for different DHT products based on the responses from DHT companies (n = 8).

Conclusions

According to the study participants, although the Digi-HTA recommendations include clear and beneficial information, their integration into healthcare decision-making processes should be improved. Responses from DHT companies indicate that the Digi-HTA framework would be an appropriate tool for performing assessments for their products. To generalize the findings of this study, more comprehensive studies will be needed.
A theory-based behavioural change communication intervention to decrease the provision of water to infants under 6 months of age in the Republic of Guinea
Authors: Ninamou Nèmanan R , Dupuis Jérémie B , Zagré Noël-Marie , Daffé Mamady , Blaney Sonia
Published: August 2022

Objective:

In many countries, the provision of water in the early months of a baby’s life jeopardises exclusive breast-feeding (EBF). Using a behavioural theory, this study assessed the impact of a behaviour change intervention on mothers’ intention to act and, in turn, on the water provision in addition to breast milk to their infants under 6 months of age (IU6M) in two regions of Guinea.

Design:

A quasi-experimental design. Data on individual and environmental factors of the theoretical framework, sociodemographic and outcomes were collected using validated questionnaires before and after the intervention. The outcomes examined were the intention to provide water to IU6M, the provision of water and EBF. Path analyses were performed to investigate pathways by which psychosocial and environmental factors influenced the water provision in addition to breast milk.

Setting:

Four health centres were assigned randomly to each study’s arm (one control/CG and one intervention group/IG per region).

Participants:

The sample included 300 mothers of IU6M: 150 per group.

Results:

In IG, the proportion of mothers providing water decreased from 61 % to 29 % before and after the intervention (P< 0·001), while no difference was observed in CG (P= 0·097). The EBF rate increased in IG (from 24·0 % to 53·8 %,P< 0·001) as opposed to CG (36·7 % to 45·9 %,P= 0·107). An association (P< 0·001) between the intention and the behaviour was observed in both groups.

Conclusions:

An intervention developed using a sound framework reduces the provision of water among IU6M and improves EBF.
Situating ‘law’ as ‘culture’ in scholarly discourse on the International Criminal Court: a reflection on Fraser and McGonigle Leyh's Intersections of Law and Culture at the International Criminal Court
Authors: Hamilton Tomas
Published: August 2022

Within the rich literature on the International Criminal Court (ICC), across international criminal law scholarship, transitional justice and international relations, the study of ‘law and culture’ has a lengthy pedigree. After the ICC came into operation on 1 July 2002, several years followed before the first monographs on the Court's law and culture were published, notably Sarah Nouwen's Complementarity in the Line of Fire (2013) and Phil Clark's Distant Justice (2018). This delay reflected the years of field-based research necessary for empirically minded scholars to usefully comment on the Court. The writing of these scholars was informed by long periods spent in the field in ICC situation countries, enabling them to bring a meaningful understanding of the lives of affected communities to their analysis of the Court's impact. Clark's book, for instance, was the culmination of eleven years of research and fieldwork in ICC situation countries (Clark, 2018). These extensive periods of contact with victims and survivors have brought fresh perspectives on the ICC to those of us whose work is, necessarily, focused on proceedings in The Hague and who are, inevitably, unable to claim genuine long-term familiarity with the local meaning of the Court's proceedings for those whose lives we believe or hope we are (positively) impacting. Well-executed field-based research has so much to offer because it can be at once intellectually distanced from court proceedings in The Hague, while intellectually proximate to the locus delicti of international criminal justice in affected communities.