bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petrological and geochemical evidence for a hot crystallization path and a recharge filtering bypass at Antimilos, Milos volcanic field, Greece
Authors: Xydous Stamatios , Baziotis Ioannis P. , Klemme Stephan , Bizimis Michael , Vroon Pieter Z. , Berndt Jasper , Day James M. D. , Asimow Paul D.
Published: October 2023

Antimilos volcano in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, Greece, comprises an andesite–dacite suite that follows a distinct evolutionary path than the main edifice of the Milos volcanic field, despite their proximity. Petrographic and geochemical analyses reveal that basaltic andesite to low-Si dacite lavas have similar phenocryst assemblages that indicate crystallization from hot, relatively dry magmas in an upper crustal storage region. Rare antecrystic high-Mg# clinopyroxene cores with low Y, low Dy, and high Sr contents record the cryptic involvement of amphibole, a phase nominally absent from the erupted products, in the deeper parts of the plumbing system. Low temperature antecrysts with textures recording various degrees of disequilibrium suggest a protracted history of interaction between the upper crustal reservoir and deeper mafic melts, forming mobile hybrid magmas that consequently erupt as highly mingled, crystal-rich lava domes. Antimilos magmas seem to have escaped recharge filtering in the upper crust and prolonged stalling, which is the process that is probably responsible for the paucity of mafic eruptions in the rest of the Milos volcanic system. Large extensional structures offshore of Antimilos promote rapid ascent of mafic melts, inhibiting prolonged stalling and interaction with the arc crust. This model highlights the dominant role of the regional stress field in generating petrologically distinct suites in the marginal parts of some volcanic fields.
Indirect plant-mediated interactions between heterospecific parasitoids that develop in different caterpillar species
Authors: Cuny Maximilien A. C. , Pierron Romain , Gols Rieta , Poelman Erik H.
Published: October 2023

Parasitoids induce physiological changes in their herbivorous hosts that affect how plants respond to herbivory. The signature of parasitoids on induced plant responses to feeding by parasitized herbivores indirectly impacts insect communities interacting with the plant. The effect may extend to parasitoids and cause indirect interaction between parasitoids that develop inside different herbivore hosts sharing the food plant. However, this type of interactions among parasitoid larvae has received very little attention. In this study, we investigated sequential and simultaneous plant-mediated interactions among two host–parasitoid systems feeding on Brassica oleracea plants: Mamestra brassicae parasitized by Microplitis mediator and Pieris rapae parasitized by Cotesia rubecula. We measured the mortality, development time, and weight of unparasitized herbivores and performance of parasitoids that had developed inside the two herbivore species when sharing the food plant either simultaneously or sequentially. Plant induction by parasitized or unparasitized hosts had no significant effect on the performance of the two herbivore host species. In contrast, the two parasitoid species had asymmetrical indirect plant-mediated effects on each other’s performance. Cotesia rubecula weight was 15% higher on plants induced by M. mediator-parasitized hosts, compared to control plants. In addition, M. mediator development time was reduced by 30% on plants induced by conspecific but not heterospecific parasitoids, compared to plants induced by its unparasitized host. Contrary to sequential feeding, parasitoids had no effect on each other’s performance when feeding simultaneously. These results reveal that indirect plant-mediated interactions among parasitoid larvae could involve any parasitoid species whose hosts share a food plant.
Cohesional behaviours in pyroclastic material and the implications for deposit architecture
Authors: Walding Nemi , Williams Rebecca , Rowley Pete , Dowey Natasha
Published: October 2023

Pyroclastic density currents (PDCs) are hazardous, multiphase currents of heterogeneous volcanic material and gas. Moisture (as liquid or gas) can enter a PDC through external (e.g., interaction with bodies of water) or internal (e.g., initial eruptive activity style) processes, and the presence of moisture can be recorded within distinct deposit layers. We use analogue experiments to explore the behaviour of pyroclastic material with increasing addition of moisture from 0.00–10.00% wt. Our results show that (1) the cohesivity of pyroclastic material changes with the addition of small amounts of moisture, (2) small increases in moisture content change the material properties from a free-flowing material to a non-flowable material, (3) changes in moisture can affect the formation of gas escape structures and fluidisation profiles in pyroclastic material, (4) gas flow through a deposit can lead to a moisture profile and resulting mechanical heterogeneity within the deposit and (5) where gas escape structure growth is hindered by cohesivity driven by moisture, pressure can increase and release in an explosive fashion. This work highlights how a suite of varied gas escape morphologies can form within pyroclastic deposits resulting from moisture content heterogeneity, explaining variation in gas escape structures as well as providing a potential mechanism for secondary explosions.
Patients’ views and experiences on the supported self-management/patient-initiated follow up pathway for breast cancer
Authors: Jenkins Valerie , Starkings Rachel , Teoh May , May Shirley , Bloomfield David , Zammit Charles , Elwell-Sutton Debbie , Betal Dibendu , Finlay Judith , Nicholson Kay , Kothari Manish , Santos Regina , Stewart Elaine , Bell Stephanie , McKinna Fiona , Matthews Lucy
Published: October 2023

Purpose

To explore patients’ expectations and experience of Supportive Self-Management (SSM)/ Patient Initiated Follow Up (PIFU) following breast cancer treatments over a 12-month period.

Methods

In total, 32/110 (29%) patient participants in the PRAGMATIC (Patients’ experiences of a suppoRted self-manAGeMent pAThway In breast Cancer) study were interviewed at baseline, 3, 6, 9 and 12 months. Interviews in this sub-study used a mix-methods approach to explore understanding of the pathway, confidence in self-management, triggers to seek help and/or re-engage with the clinical breast team and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Responses to pre-assigned categories were summarised as counts/ percentages and collated in tabular or graphic format. Free responses were recorded verbatim and reviewed using framework analysis.

Results

Participants regarded the SSM/PIFU pathway as a way to save time and money for them and the National Health Service (NHS) (14/32; 44%) and as a means of assuming responsibility for their own follow-up (18/32; 56%). Most maintained (very/somewhat) confidence in managing their BC follow-up care (baseline 31/32, 97%; 12 months 29/31, 93%). During the year, 19% (5/26) stopped endocrine therapy altogether because of side effects. Qualitative analysis revealed general satisfaction with SSM/PIFU and described the breast care nurses as reassuring and empathic. However, there was a lingering anxiety about identifying signs and symptoms correctly, particularly for those with screen-detected cancers. There was also uncertainty about who to contact for psychological support. The COVID-19 pandemic discouraged some participants from contacting the helpline as they did not want to overburden the NHS.

Conclusions

The results show that during the first year on the SSM/PIFU pathway, most patients felt confident managing their own care. Clinical teams should benefit from understanding patients’ expectations and experiences and potentially modify the service for men with BC and/or those with screen-detected breast cancers.
Altruistic preferences in global emission games
Authors: Zapata A. , Mármol A. M. , Monroy L. , Caraballo M. A.
Published: October 2023

This paper analyses the impact of altruism on the individual country goverments’ incentives to reduce global polluting emissions. The game theory perspective provides insights into the strategic decision-making processes of the governments regarding the problem of climate change. We propose a model of strategic interactions among countries in which each government is concerned with its own benefit, as well as with the benefits of all the other countries.The model is a vector-valued non-cooperative game that permits the representation of situations in which the preferences of the governments are incomplete and there is imprecision about the degrees of altruism. The focus is on the identification of the potential equilibria that will eventually be reached when the governments show different attitudes towards other countries or groups of countries. As a result, we show that the incorporation of altruism into the model produces equilibria with a positive effect on the reduction of emissions.
Life cycle assessment of a two-seater all-electric aircraft
Authors: Arvidsson Rickard , Nordelöf Anders , Brynolf Selma
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Aviation is an important contributor to climate change and other environmental problems. Electrification is one option for reducing the environmental impacts of aviation. The aim of this study is to provide the first life cycle assessment (LCA) results representing an existing commercial, two-seater, all-electric aircraft.

Methods

An attributional cradle-to-grave LCA was conducted with a functional unit of 1 h flight time. Data and records from an aircraft manufacturer informed much of the study. Detailed modelling of important aircraft components is provided, including the battery, motor, inverter, instrument panel and seats. Impact results are compared to those from a similar but fossil fuel–based two-seater aircraft. A wide range of impact categories was considered, while the focus was on global warming, resource depletion, particulate matter, acidification and ozone formation.

Results and discussion

The main contributors to almost all impact categories are the airframe, the lithium-ion battery and emissions (in the use phase). The airframe has a major impact as it contains energy-intensive, carbon fibre–reinforced composites, the impact of which can be reduced by recycling. The battery dominates mineral resource depletion categories and contributes notably to emission-based categories. Producing batteries using non-fossil energy or shifting to less resource-intensive, next-generation batteries would reduce their impact. Use-phase impacts can be reduced by sourcing non-fossil electricity. Despite the need for multiple battery pack replacements, the comparison with the fossil fuel option (based on equal lifetimes) still showed the electric aircraft contributing less to global warming, even in a high-carbon electricity scenario. By contrast, when it concerned mineral resources, the electric aircraft had greater impact than the fossil fuel based one.

Conclusions

A sufficiently long lifetime is key to bringing the all-electric aircraft’s environmental impacts (such as global warming) below those of fossil fuel–based aircraft. The high burden of the airframe and batteries can then be outweighed by the benefit of more efficient and emission-free electric propulsion. However, this comes with a trade-off in terms of increased mineral resource use.
Fetal heart rate spectral analysis in raw signals and PRSA-derived curve: normal and pathological fetuses discrimination
Authors: Steyde Giulio , Spairani Edoardo , Magenes Giovanni , Signorini Maria G.
Published: October 2023

Cardiotocography (CTG) is the most common technique for electronic fetal monitoring and consists of the simultaneous recording of fetal heart rate (FHR) and uterine contractions. In analogy with the adult case, spectral analysis of the FHR signal can be used to assess the functionality of the autonomic nervous system. To do so, several methods can be employed, each of which has its strengths and limitations. This paper aims at performing a methodological investigation on FHR spectral analysis adopting 4 different spectrum estimators and a novel PRSA-based spectral method. The performances have been evaluated in terms of the ability of the various methods to detect changes in the FHR in two common pregnancy complications: intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and gestational diabetes. A balanced dataset containing 2178 recordings distributed between the 32nd and 38th week of gestation was used. The results show that the spectral method derived from the PRSA better differentiates high-risk pregnancies vs. controls compared to the others. Specifically, it more robustly detects an increase in power percentage within the movement frequency band and a decrease in high frequency between pregnancies at high risk in comparison to those at low risk.

Graphical abstract
Comparison of PET/CT-based eligibility according to VISION and TheraP trial criteria in end-stage prostate cancer patients undergoing radioligand therapy
Authors: Michalski Kerstin , Kosmala Aleksander , Werner Rudolf A. , Serfling Sebastian E. , Seitz Anna K. , Lapa Constantin , Buck Andreas K. , Hartrampf Philipp E.
Published: October 2023

Background

Two randomized clinical trials demonstrated the efficacy of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) radioligand therapy (PSMA RLT) in metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). While the VISION trial used criteria within PSMA PET/CT for inclusion, the TheraP trial used dual tracer imaging including FDG PET/CT. Therefore, we investigated whether the application of the VISION criteria leads to a benefit in overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) for men with mCRPC after PSMA RLT.

Methods

Thirty-five men with mCRPC who had received PSMA RLT as a last-line option and who had undergone pretherapeutic imaging with FDG and [68Ga]Ga-PSMA I&T or [18F]PSMA-1007 were studied. Therapeutic eligibility was retrospectively evaluated using the VISION and TheraP study criteria.

Results

26 of 35 (74%) treated patients fulfilled the VISION criteria (= VISION+) and only 17 of 35 (49%) fulfilled the TheraP criteria (= TheraP+). Significantly reduced OS and PFS after PSMA RLT was observed in patients rated VISION− compared to VISION+ (OS: VISION−: 3 vs. VISION+: 12 months, hazard ratio (HR) 3.1, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0–9.1, p < 0.01; PFS: VISION−: 1 vs. VISION+: 5 months, HR 2.7, 95% CI 1.0–7.8, p < 0.01). For patients rated TheraP−, no significant difference in OS but in PFS was observed compared to TheraP+ patients (OS: TheraP−: 5.5 vs. TheraP+: 11 months, HR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8–3.3, p = 0.2; PFS: TheraP−: 1 vs. TheraP+: 6 months, HR 2.2, 95% CI 1.0–4.5, p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Retrospective application of the inclusion criteria of the VISION study leads to a benefit in OS and PFS after PSMA RL, whereas TheraP criteria appear to be too strict in patients with end-stage prostate cancer. Thus, performing PSMA PET/CT including a contrast-enhanced CT as proposed in the VISION trial might be sufficient for treatment eligibility of end-stage prostate cancer patients.
Bivariate Analysis of Birth Weight and Gestational Age by Bayesian Distributional Regression with Copulas
Authors: Rathjens Jonathan , Kolbe Arthur , Hölzer Jürgen , Ickstadt Katja , Klein Nadja
Published: October 2023

We analyze perinatal data including biometric and obstetric information as well as data on maternal smoking, among others. Birth weight is the primarily interesting response variable. Gestational age is usually an important covariate and included in polynomial form. However, in opposition to this univariate regression, bivariate modeling of birth weight and gestational age is recommended to distinguish effects on each, on both, and between them. Rather than a parametric bivariate distribution, we apply conditional copula regression, where the marginal distributions of birth weight and gestational age (not necessarily of the same form) and the dependence structure are modeled conditionally on covariates. In the resulting distributional regression model, all parameters of the two marginals and the copula parameter are observation specific. While the Gaussian distribution is suitable for birth weight, the skewed gestational age data are better modeled by the three-parameter Dagum distribution. The Clayton copula performs better than the Gumbel and the symmetric Gaussian copula, indicating lower tail dependence (stronger dependence when both variables are low), although this non-linear dependence between birth weight and gestational age is surprisingly weak and only influenced by Cesarean section. A non-linear trend of birth weight on gestational age is detected by a univariate model that is polynomial with respect to the effect of gestational age. Covariate effects on the expected birth weight are similar in our copula regression model and a univariate regression model, while distributional copula regression reveals further insights, such as effects of covariates on the association between birth weight and gestational age.
Soil climate regulation services: high SOC stock in Podzols and Umbrisols in an alpine grassland (Valle Adamé, Italy)
Authors: Ferré Chiara , Mascetti Gaia , Gentili Rodolfo , Citterio Sandra , Comolli Roberto
Published: October 2023

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include soil conservation as an urgent climate action to be taken; alpine grassland soils, rich in organic matter and particularly vulnerable to climate change, require special attention. In the upper Adamé valley (Italy), the effects of soil and vegetation types and environmental parameters, on soil carbon (SOC) stock and other soil properties were evaluated. Sampling points were chosen starting from the main vegetation types (dominant species: Rhododendron ferrugineum, Nardus stricta, Festuca luedii, Adenostyles leucophylla and Salix herbacea). For each vegetation type, five plots were selected, within which three soil minipits were described and sampled by layers (0–10 cm, 10–20 cm and 20–40 cm), at 75 georeferenced points. The results highlighted that: (1) Podzols and Umbrisols showed high capacity to store OC in the top 40 cm (17.3 ± 8.2 kg m−2), whereas Fluvisols and Leptosols demonstrated a low capacity (5.0 ± 3.5 kg m−2); (2) topographical factors indirectly affected the variability of the SOC stock by influencing the spatial distribution of vegetation; (3) 74% of the SOC stock was sequestered in the upper 0–20 cm layer; (4) regardless of soil type, Festuca and Salix were the vegetation types that mostly contributed to the surface SOC enrichment, followed by Rhododendron, Nardus and Adenostyles. Following climate change, a shift of the Salix and Nardus vegetation types in favour of the Rhododendron type is expected in the short to medium term. As a consequence, a possible reduction in the effectiveness of the climate regulation service provided by the soils may occur.
Entrepreneur’s Gender and SMEs Performance: the Mediating Effect of Innovations
Authors: Expósito Alfonso , Sanchis-Llopis Amparo , Sanchis-Llopis Juan A.
Published: October 2023

The relationship between entrepreneur’s gender and business performance has been studied in existing literature assuming that it is a straight-forward direct relationship. Instead, in this study we examine how gender affects business performance through the introduction of innovations. Our aim is to explore the differences between men-led and women-led businesses as regards the performance results they obtain from innovating. We use a sample of 1376 Spanish small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to analyse the effect of entrepreneur’s gender on business performance considering the mediating effect of innovations, that is, the possibility that gender indirectly influences business performance by affecting the introduction of innovations. Using econometric techniques, we estimate discrete choice models to investigate the relationship amongst gender, innovations and performance. Our main results show that men-led SMEs are more likely to achieve superior performance from innovations, and particularly, from their higher propensity to implement process innovations, in comparison to women-led SMEs. One limitation of our study is that data is cross-sectional, so that caution is needed regarding the causal interpretation of results. We contribute to uncover the role of gender on SMEs performance and the need to incorporate a policy gender perspective when dealing with enhancing SMEs innovativeness and performance.
Time-shift effect of spontaneous combustion characteristics and microstructure difference of dry-soaked coal
Authors: Liu Yikang , Wang Haiyan , Niu Huiyong , Wang Tao , Chen Zhiwen , Chen Yuqi , Qi Qingjie
Published: October 2023

The physical and chemical properties of the air-dried residual coal after soaking in the goaf will change, resulting in an increase in its spontaneous combustion tendency. This study aimed to look into the features and mechanism of soaked-dried coal's spontaneous combustion. Five samples of coal were dried to various degrees, and the weight loss features during thermal processing were examined. Based on this, the pore structure and chemical structure characteristics of the coal samples with the highest tendency to spontaneous combustion were quantitatively examined, and the mechanism by which soaking-drying affected the spontaneous combustion heating process of the remaining coal in goaf was investigated in turn. The results show that T1 decreases with the increase of drying time, T2–T6 shows a fluctuating change, and the ignition activation energy of 36-S-Coal is smaller than that of other coal samples. The pore type of 36-S-Coal changes from a one-end closed impermeable pore to an open pore, and the pore group area is large. During the 36 h drying process, the internal channels of the coal were dredged, and a large number of gravels and minerals were precipitated from the pores with the air flow. A large number of gravels were around the pores to form a surface structure that was easy to adsorb various gases. Furthermore, infrared spectroscopy was used to analyze the two coal samples. It was found that soaking and drying did not change the functional group types of coal samples, but the fatty chain degree of 36-S-Coal was reduced to 1.56. It shows that the aliphatic chain structure of coal is changed after 36 h of drying after 30 days of soaking, which leads to the continuous shedding of aliphatic chain branches of residual coal, and the skeleton of coal is looser, which makes the low-temperature oxidation reaction of 36-S-Coal easier. Based on the above results, the coal-oxygen composite mechanism of water-immersed-dried coal is obtained, and it is considered that the key to the spontaneous combustion oxidation process of coal is to provide oxygen atoms and accelerate the formation of peroxides.
Der sächsische Bible belt als Konstellation diskursiver Aushandlung zwischen religiösem Expert*innen und Lai*innenwissen seit dem 19. Jahrhundert
Authors: Albrecht-Birkner Veronika
Published: October 2023

Der vorliegende Beitrag nimmt die Herausbildung der Konstellation sächsischerBible beltals Prozess diskursiver Aushandlung zwischen konkurrierenden religiösen Expert*innen und Lai*innenwissensbeständen seit dem 19. Jahrhundert in den Blick. Diese Konstellation wird unter dem Aspekt der Transformationen des Populären und somit als Konfliktgeschichte um Beachtung und Deutungshoheiten seit um 1800 untersucht. Dabei geht es um den Anspruch auf und die Zuschreibung von Expertise und somit um Rollen und Ressourcen, Legitimation und Geltung im Bereich des Religiösen. Es werden drei unterschiedliche Typen des Verhältnisses von Expert*innen und Lai*innenwissensbeständen, die sich in der Sächsischen Landeskirche herausbildeten und mehr oder weniger dauerhaft etablierten, identifiziert: ein komplementärer, ein interferierender und ein konkurrierend-abgrenzender Typ.
Accelerating Machine Learning Inference with GPUs in ProtoDUNE Data Processing
Authors: Cai Tejin , Herner Kenneth , Yang Tingjun , Wang Michael , Acosta Flechas Maria , Harris Philip , Holzman Burt , Pedro Kevin , Tran Nhan
Published: October 2023

We study the performance of a cloud-based GPU-accelerated inference server to speed up event reconstruction in neutrino data batch jobs. Using detector data from the ProtoDUNE experiment and employing the standard DUNE grid job submission tools, we attempt to reprocess the data by running several thousand concurrent grid jobs, a rate we expect to be typical of current and future neutrino physics experiments. We process most of the dataset with the GPU version of our processing algorithm and the remainder with the CPU version for timing comparisons. We find that a 100-GPU cloud-based server is able to easily meet the processing demand, and that using the GPU version of the event processing algorithm is two times faster than processing these data with the CPU version when comparing to the newest CPUs in our sample. The amount of data transferred to the inference server during the GPU runs can overwhelm even the highest-bandwidth network switches, however, unless care is taken to observe network facility limits or otherwise distribute the jobs to multiple sites. We discuss the lessons learned from this processing campaign and several avenues for future improvements.
Upper Palaeolithic hunter–gatherer societies in the Basque Country (Iberian Peninsula) in the light of palaeoenvironmental dynamics in the last Glacial Period: cultural adaptations and the use of biotic resources
Authors: Iriarte-Chiapusso Maria-Jose , Ayerdi Miren , Garcia-Ibaibarriaga Naroa , Pérez-Fernández Arantzazu J. , Villaluenga Aritza , Arrizabalaga-Iriarte Jon , Lejonagoitia-Garmendia Lide , Arrizabalaga Alvaro
Published: October 2023

Upper Palaeolithic archaeological sites in the Basque Country have been excavated for over a century. They have yielded a rich palaeoenvironmental record with zoological and botanical remains that have been obtained in stratigraphic series dated precisely by radiocarbon. This information reveals cyclical environmental changes from climates similar to today to drier and extremely cold conditions, when species in current boreal biomes and others now extinct but with similar ecological preferences were present in the region. Moreover, the archaeological sites have provided high-resolution information about the resilience mechanisms of the communities of our own human species. This information allows us to increase the corpus of palaeoclimate data regarding the Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 2 and MIS 3 for a critical region within the human population of Eurasia. The aim of this paper is to show how an extraordinary capacity for adaptation to drastic climate changes Upper Palaeolithic hunter–gatherer societies displayed, even though their subsistence depended on biotic resources that alter rapidly.
Inca Mitmaqkuna, Chaînes Opératoires, and Pottery Production in the Northern Andes
Authors: Lara Catherine , Ramón Gabriel , Bray Tamara L.
Published: October 2023

This article investigates the utility of a chaîne opératoire approach centered on technologies of ceramic production for identifying Inca mitmaqkuna archaeologically. Although early documents suggest that the Inca program of resettlement (mitmaq) was massive in scale, archaeologists have had minimal success in identifying such relocated populations. Here we test a novel approach that focuses on technologies of production and associated tool assemblages used within different communities of practice. Previous studies indicate that the ethnic Cañari of southern Ecuador used a distinctive method of pottery manufacture involving a specific chaîne opératoire and a unique set of production-related tools. According to early sources, the Inca deported Cañari peoples to various sectors of Tawantinsuyu. In this article, we investigate the contemporary manufacturing style of ceramics from the Ancash region of north-central Peru—an area where Cañari mitmaqkuna were purportedly resettled—to determine whether distinctive communities of practice potentially representing relocated communities might be visible. The results of this study suggest that it is possible to identify connections among distant communities of practice via a focus on craft production technologies that, in certain historical contexts, may be construed as evidence for the presence of resettled populations.
Le sel en Maurétanie césarienne et en Numidie. Quels gisements ? Quels usages ? Quels réseaux ?
Authors: Amraoui Touatia
Published: October 2023

الملح في موريتانيا القيصرية و نوميديا. مصادره؟ استخداماته؟

تواتية عمراوي

هذا هو الملخص الأول للمناطق الوسطى من المغرب العربي (الجزائر) و الذي يظهر الدور الرئيسي الذي لعبه الملح محلياً و كجزء من شبكات تجارية أوسع، و على مدى فترة طويلة من الزمن . اعتمدت هذه الدراسة على مصادر قديمة وحديثة - جغرافية ومعدنية و إثنوغرافية - و تستخدم البيانات الأثرية التي أهمل تحليلها في السابق عن استغلال الملح واستخداماته في العصور القديمة في كل من موريتانيا القيصرية و نوميديا. إن إعادة التقييم هذه تكشف عن مدى توفر الموارد المحلية: حيث كان الملح وفيراً، ويمكن الوصول إليه بسهولة، و يسهل حصاده من البحيرات المالحة أو صخور الملح .

إن البقايا الأثرية التي يتم العثور عليها و بشكل منهجي بالقرب من مكامن الملح الموجودة داخل منطقة المقاطعة الرومانية أو على أطرافها، تؤكد أن السكان استخدموا هذه الموارد المحلية لاحتياجاتهم اليومية. وتظهر الدراسات الإثنوغرافية أن السكان أو القبائل العابرة كانوا - ولا يزالون - قادرين على الاستفادة من الملح المحلي كجزء من تجارتهم مع الشمال والجنوب . تشير أدلة العصور الوسطى إلى أن الملح الصخري من جبل ملح الوطاية (بسكرة) والملح من سبخة آرزيو كان يتم تصديرهما عن طريق البر و من ثم البحر، حيث يصدر الأول لتونس و الثاني لدول أوروبية مجاورة، ولا يوجد ما يتعارض مع حقيقة أن هذا النوع من الشبكات وغيرها كانت موجود بالفعل في العصور القديمة.
Early hepatic proteomic signatures reveal metabolic changes in high-fat-induced obesity in rats
Authors: Gupta Abhishak C. , Bhat Adil , Maras Jaswinder S.
Published: October 2023

The prevalence of diet-related obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide, making it important to understand the associated metabolic alterations in the liver. It is well known that obesity is a multifactorial condition that is the result of complex integration between many gene expressions and dietary factors. Obesity alone or in conjunction with other chronic diseases such as diabetes and insulin resistance causes many health problems and is considered a major risk factor for developing non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and cirrhosis. In this study, we aimed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying early hepatic changes in the pathophysiology of high-fat diet (HFD)-induced abdominal obesity in rats. Hepatic protein profiles of normal diet and HFD-induced obesity for 24 weeks were analysed using two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis (DIGE) and protein identification by MS. Fifty-two proteins were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF), and computer-assisted DIGE image software analysis showed that eighteen major proteins were significantly differentially expressed between comparable groups, with 2·0–4·0-fold change/more (P < 0·01). These proteins are regulated in response to a HFD, and differentially expressed proteins are involved in key metabolic pathways such as lipid metabolism, energy metabolism, detoxification, urea cycle and hepatic Ca homoeostasis. In addition, Western blot and immunohistochemistry of liver-specific arginase-1 (Arg-1) showed significant increased expression in the liver of high-fat-fed rats (P < 0·01). Further, Arg-1 expression was correlated with NASH patients with obesity-related fibrosis (F0–F4). It is concluded that high-fat content may affect changes in liver pathways and may be a therapeutic target for obesity-related liver disease. Arg-1 expressions may be a potential pathological marker for assessing the progression of the disease.
MASS DEFORESTATION AS A CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY?
Authors: Martini Pauline , Holt Joe , Sarliève Maud
Published: October 2023

This article examines whether mass deforestation could be prosecuted as a crime against humanity under Article 7 of the Rome Statute. It does so in respect of the situation in the Brazilian Legal Amazon in 2019–2021, where the unbridled exploitation and destruction of the rainforest had a disastrous impact at local, regional and global levels. The article covers three main aspects. First, it explores the existing limits of international criminal law for prosecuting mass deforestation as a crime against humanity, and the contours within which criminalization would be possible. Secondly, it discusses the challenges inherent in the anthropocentric nature of the chapeau requirement of Article 7 for the criminalization of mass deforestation under that provision. Thirdly, it analyses the extent to which mass deforestation could qualify as persecution and/or an ‘other inhumane act’ under Articles 7(1)(h) and (k) of the Rome Statute.
American Helicopter Development
Authors: Siltanen Major John
Published: October 2023

Members who were fortunate enough to be able to attend the Association’s Meeting on January 24th were rewarded by a most illuminating lecture on American Helicopter Development, delivered by MAJOR J C SILTANEN of the U S A A F

MAJOR SILTANEN is here in the capacity of Air Technical Liaison Officer to the U S Military Attache in London, in America he was engaged on work with the Rotary-wing Branch at Wright Field, being closely concerned with the military development of Sikorsky Helicopters

The lecture took the form of an informal discourse illustrated by many interesting slides, most of which have since been published in the Aeronautical Press, receiving due credit In token of the esteem in which we hold MAJOR SILTANEN, the Council have elected him an Honorary Member during his term of office in this country
Some Economics of the Helicopter — Present and Future
Authors: Wigdortchik L S
Published: October 2023

Ladies and Gentlemen

The subject of the opening paper for our 1948/49 Lecture Session is, I am sure you will agree, of prime importance to all of us in the helicopter industry To my mind there is no point in spending time, money and energy designing and constructing helicopters unless they can be operated economically, although for any specialized application economy may not be so important

MR WIGDORTCHIK has put a great deal of work in the preparation of this paper, and although he will only have time to read a summary this afternoon, examination of the full paper, which will be published in the Association’s Journal, will be well worth while

MR WIGDORTCHIK is an A F R Ae S, and was a Wakefield Scholar to the College of Aeronautical Engineering in London He was commissioned in the Technical Branch of the R A F in 1940, and from 1943 was engaged in Research and Development in connection with aircraft, and subsequently helicopters, holding an appointment in the Ministry of Supply in this respect
A Brief Survey of Characteristic Vibration Sources in Helicopters
Authors: Shapiro J
Published: October 2023

Rotor Unbalance Rotor unbalance is a once per rev impulse This is a case of clear separation of impulse and response Unbalance is a rotating force Its origin can be mass unbalance of blades or geometric dissymmetry in their distribution which can be caused by (a) unequal pitch, (b) errors in the geometry of articulation, (c) unequal damper settings Unequal pitch can occur in spite of equal pitch settmg if the elastic twists are unequal due to unequal pitching moments In practice these are mainly aerodynamic moments which can be corrected with tabs or avoided by superprecision in blade making

Response depends on rotor mountings Rotor r p m must be removed from the natural frequency of the hub on its mountings Subcntical and supercritical mountings are practical Supercritical mountings due to the isolation of the rotor system are mostly introduced for other reasons (discussed below)
Some Aerodynamic Aspects of Rotor Blade Design
Authors: Squire H B
Published: October 2023

In studying the aerodynamics of rotor blades we are often uncertain how far we may apply quantitatively the data obtained from wind tunnel tests of aerofoils Of course, the rotor blade behaves qualitatively like an aerofoil, but I sometimes feel doubtful about calculations of the effect of detailed changes in blade design, say for example, the effect of taper on performance, and wish to stress the desirability of wind tunnel tests by which some at least of these questions could be settled more easily than by flight tests

I have found in preparing this lecture that covering the whole field would be impracticable I intend to concentrate mainly on the compressibility problem which, closely associated with stalling, seems to me to be the principal aerodynamic problem facing the blade designer today
Airworthiness of Helicopters and Lives
Authors: Le Sueur H E
Published: October 2023

When asked if I would contribute to this afternoon's discussion I wondered what there was that I could say in such a field as Standards of Maintenance Coming from the Design side of this vast organism the Aircraft World and having had very little to do with the maintenance of aircraft, let alone helicopters, m what way could I contribute when there were so many other far more knowledgeable, capable and experienced people and, in any case, when were the Design side concerned about maintenance of anything, their heads always in the clouds, hovering at Mach numbers of one or above with a safety factor of 15?
The Future Employment of the 40-Seater Helicopter and the need for Dispersing Air Liners to Airstrips Round Britain's Coasts
Authors: Courtenay William
Published: October 2023

Before 1960 we should be in a position to inaugurate services of large size 40/45 seater Helicopters probably cruising at a minimum of 150 m p h These could be used to cope with passenger traffic to and from city centres and coastal airstrips

Hitherto during the first 30 years of our Civil Aviation we have been compelled to concentrate air traffic into one Airport for London First Croydon and then Heath Row were selected The coming of the Helicopter is going to provide a unique opportunity for dispersing air traffic away from busy cities to coastal airstrips It is suggested that the most careful study be given to this novel plan for dispersal as against the dangers of continued concentration The traffic for instance, attracted by British Overseas Airways Corporation through tourism as well as by their excellent Service, through the first two months of cut rate traffic (May and June, 1952) rose 37 per cent above the comparable period of 1950 It might have been even higher had not the oil strike m U S A restricted allotment of fuel
Convertible Aircraft
Authors: Liptrot R. N.
Published: October 2023

THE CHAIRMAN: This afternoon I take the Chair with great pleasure for the occasion is marked by the presence of our friend, Major G. P. BULMAN, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and also other .members of the Society, who have come along to hear Captain LIPTROT. I know that you will support me in extending to Major BULMAN a very warm welcome. It is the second occasion on which we have been able to meet on common ground, and I know that we shall enjoy listening to Captain LIPTROT on this particular subject.

We have been told that certain of our lectures in the past have been far too technical and above the understanding of some of the more youthful of our membership, and I must say that sometimes even I have viewed with apprehension the mass of mathematical formulae presented by some of our more advanced lecturers, but today I am heartened because our old friend Captain LIPTROT is the lecturer and he is one of those who, although accomplished technically, is able to present his subject in an exciting and yet easily understandable manner, having a style which brings the subject well within my own comprehension.
French Helicopters
Authors: Garry R. M.
Published: October 2023

From the very beginnings of aviation, France has always been right in the forefront, and that is very true of the helicopter. As a matter of fact, the very first helicopter in the western hemisphere was shown in 1784 before the Academie des Sciences by Launoy and Bienvenue. That was so interesting that it inspired Sir George Caley, the father of British aviation, to do some work on helicopters. Then in 1904, for the first time, Col. Renard read papers, also before the Academie, in which he gave the correct design relationships for a lifting screw system, and he was the first man to describe the articulated blade system, which is today so common. In 1907, two Frenchmen built the first helicopters which lifted themselves off the ground, Paul Cornu and Louis Breguet, both in the same year, but Breguet is always looked on as being the first of the two, because his helicopter was the first in the world to lift itself and its pilot.
Helicopter Maintenance for the Non-Regular Schedule Operator
Authors: Bristow Alan E.
Published: October 2023

Let me make it quite clear at the beginning that I am not speaking as a paid agent or employee of any Hiller operator or representative, and that what I have to say is an expression of my personal opinions. They are based on over 2,000 hours of commercial operations with the Hiller 360 all over Europe, North and West Africa, during the past twelve months, when as Technical Manager of Helicop-Air (Paris) it was one of my responsibilities to ensure the efficient maintenance of three and sometimes four machines on high utilisation work.

Our efforts were directed principally towards such profit-making enterprises as insecticide spraying and dusting of cultivated crops, forests, swamps and river beds; the operation of a pilot and engineer training school; publicity flying for large manufacturing firms; a non-schedule passenger service; and sales demonstration.

These operations were frequently in widely dispersed, remote and inaccessible places where maintenance installations and workshop facilities were non-existent.
Accessibility, Servicing and Testing of Components
Authors: Walker G. E.
Published: October 2023

Prototype helicopters at the Bristol Aeroplane Company have been produced and servicing schedules have been made up detailing the maintenance work and inspection that has to be carried out after the following periods : (a) between flights, (b) daily, and (c) after 30, 60, 120 and 240 hours flying.

At the time these schedules were made it was not fully realised that the work would not be carried out exactly in this way.

We now learn that the airline operators are dividing their 30, 60, 120 and 240 hour inspection and maintenance schedules into small parts. One of these parts is added to the routine daily inspection, and so, by the time 240 hours of flying have been completed the whole of the interim schedules have also been completed, without withdrawing the helicopter from service. This system can only be operated providing that all work in the schedules can be split into tasks of less than, say, three hours each; there must, of course, be exceptions as obviously the overhauling of an engine takes longer than three hours.
On the Role of Continuing Currents in Lightning‐Induced Fire Ignition
Authors: Pérez‐Invernón Francisco J. , Moris Jose V. , Gordillo‐Vázquez Francisco J. , Füllekrug Martin , Pezzatti Gianni Boris , Conedera Marco , Lapierre Jeff , Huntrieser Heidi
Published: October 2023

Lightning flashes are an important source of wildfires worldwide, contributing to the emission of trace gases to the atmosphere. Based on experiments and field observations, continuing currents in lightning have since a long time been proposed to play a significant role in the ignition of wildfires. However, simultaneous detections of optical and radio signals from fire‐igniting lightning confirming the role of continuing currents in igniting wildfires are rare. In this work, we first analyze the optical signal of the lightning‐ignited wildfires reported by the Geostationary Lightning Mapper over the Contiguous United States (CONUS) during the summer of 2018, and we then analyze the optical and the Extremely Low Frequency signal of a confirmed fire‐igniting lightning flash in the Swiss Alps. Despite data uncertainties, we found that the probability of ignition of a lightning flash with Continuing Current (CC) lasting more than 10 ms is higher than that of cloud‐to‐ground lightning in CONUS. Finally, we confirm the existence of a long CC (lasting about 400 ms) associated with a long‐lasting optical signal (lasting between 2 and 4 s) of a video‐recorded fire‐igniting lightning flash.
Strain-level diversity of symbiont communities between individuals and populations of a bioluminescent fish
Authors: Gould A L , Donohoo S A , Román E D , Neff E E
Published: October 2023

The bioluminescent symbiosis involving the urchin cardinalfish, Siphamia tubifer, and Photobacterium mandapamensis, a luminous member of the Vibrionaceae, is highly specific compared to other bioluminescent fish-bacteria associations. Despite this high degree of specificity, patterns of genetic diversity have been observed for the symbionts from hosts sampled over relatively small spatial scales. We characterized and compared sub-species, strain-level symbiont diversity within and between S. tubifer hosts sampled from the Philippines and Japan using PCR fingerprinting. We then carried out whole genome sequencing of the unique symbiont genotypes identified to characterize the genetic diversity of the symbiont community and the symbiont pangenome. We determined that an individual light organ contains six symbiont genotypes on average, but varied between 1–13. Additionally, we found that there were few genotypes shared between hosts from the same location. A phylogenetic analysis of the unique symbiont strains indicated location-specific clades, suggesting some genetic differentiation in the symbionts between host populations. We also identified symbiont genes that were variable between strains, including luxF, a member of the lux operon, which is responsible for light production. We quantified the light emission and growth rate of two strains missing luxF along with the other strains isolated from the same light organs and determined that strains lacking luxF were dimmer but grew faster than most of the other strains, suggesting a potential metabolic trade-off. This study highlights the importance of strain-level diversity in microbial associations and provides new insight into the underlying genetic architecture of intraspecific symbiont communities within a host.
An appetite for aggressive behavior? Female rats, too, derive reward from winning aggressive interactions
Authors: Börchers Stina , Carl Jil , Schormair Katharina , Krieger Jean-Philippe , Asker Mohammed , Edvardsson Christian E. , Jerlhag Elisabeth , Skibicka Karolina P.
Published: October 2023

While aggression is an adaptive behavior mostly triggered by competition for resources, it can also in and of itself be rewarding. Based on the common notion that female rats are not aggressive, much of aggression research has been centered around males, leading to a gap in the understanding of the female aggression neurobiology. Therefore, we asked whether intact virgin female rats experience reward from an aggressive interaction and assessed aggression seeking behavior in rats of both sexes. To validate the involvement of reward signaling, we measured mesolimbic dopamine turnover and determined the necessity of dopamine signaling for expression of aggression-seeking. Together our data indicate that female rats exhibit aggressive behavior outside of maternal context, experience winning aggressive behaviors as rewarding, and do so to a similar extent as male rats and in a dopamine-dependent manner.