bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of pericapsular nerve group and lateral quadratus lumborum blocks on cumulative opioid consumption after primary total hip arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Hay Ellen , Kelly Tara , Wolf Bethany J , Hansen Erik , Brown Andrew , Lautenschlager Carla , Wilson Sylvia H
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Both the quadratus lumborum block (QLB) and the pericapsular nerve group (PENG) block provide effective postoperative analgesia after hip surgery while minimizing the impact on motor function. This study aimed to compare QLB and PENG in patients undergoing primary total hip arthroplasty (THA).

Methods

This superiority trial randomized patients scheduled for elective THA to receive a lateral QLB or a PENG with a lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFC) block for postoperative analgesia. Perioperative analgesic protocols were standardized. The primary outcome was postoperative cumulative opioid consumption measured over time up to 72 hours. Secondary outcomes included postoperative pain scores in the first 72 hours, time to ambulation, length of stay, and patient-reported functional outcome measures (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score for Joint Replacement and Patient-Reported Outcome Measures Information System-10 scores).

Results

This trial consented and randomized 106 subjects and 101 were included in the analysis: PENG (n=50), QLB (n=51). Mean (95% CI) opioid consumption in intravenous morphine milligram equivalents differed at 36 hours (mean difference (95% CI), 18.0 (0.80, 35.1); p=0.040), 48 hours (23.0 (5.20, 40.8); p=0.011), 60 hours (28.0 (9.24, 46.7); p=0.004), and 72 hours (33.0 (13.0, 53.0); p=0.001). There were no significant differences between treatment arms in average resting pain score, time to ambulation, rate of same-day discharge, length of stay, or patient-reported functional outcomes.

Conclusion

While both lateral QLB and PENG block+LFC block are effective analgesic methods for patients undergoing THA, patients receiving lateral QLB had decreased cumulative opioid consumption from 36 to 72 hours postoperative and lower pain scores with movement compared with patients receiving PENG+LFC blocks.

Trial registration number

NCT05710107.
Hydro-thermal coupled behaviors in free zones and matrix of porous media: insights from a micro-continuum transport approach
Authors: Lu Shi-Feng , Wang Yi-Xiang , Xu Ling , Li Xingyao , Zhao Tengyuan
Published: October 2024

The intricate coupling of seepage and thermal behaviors in fractured rock masses is highly significant because it affects geological stability and geothermal extraction, and is vital for predicting subsurface fluid and heat flow for sustainable management of underground resources. In this study, a two-phase Darcy–Brinkman–Stokes method is extended to describe hydro-thermal behaviors of fractured soils and rocks. Such an extension makes up for the limitations of previous studies on seepage in rock and soil medium. A novel solver, hybridPorousInterHTFoam, is then developed to simulate such hydro-thermal behaviors in the fractured rock mass. The applicability of the coupled numerical model and corresponding solver is validated by simulating a well-designed experiment. By conducting various numerical simulations, the influence of important factors such as seepage velocity, aperture, conduits shape, and fracture roughness on heat transfer efficiency within fractured rock is investigated. The findings emphasize the substantial control exerted by fluid velocity and fracture aperture on heat transfer within rock masses while demonstrating that fracture roughness has no significant effect on heat transfer with seepage. Additionally, the shape, number, and distribution of conduits contribute to the heat transfer process with seepage in three-dimensional rock masses.
Relative timing and controls on advanced argillic and conventional alteration of the Neoarchean Onaman volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit, Ontario, Canada
Authors: Strongman Keaton R. , Gibson Harold L. , Howard Avrom E. , Lafrance Bruno , Hamilton Michael A.
Published: October 2024

Volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits with advanced argillic alteration display characteristics typical of conventional VMS and high-sulfidation epithermal deposits. Unlike conventional VMS deposits, these “hybrid” VMS are interpreted to have formed through a magmatic fluid contribution to an evolved, seawater-dominated, hydrothermal system. The close spatial association of advanced argillic alteration assemblages with more typical chlorite–sericite assemblages in the same VMS deposit has implications for the controls on magmatic versus seawater convective systems that have not been previously addressed in the literature. The Neoarchean Onaman assemblage (ca. 2780–2769 Ma) in northwestern Ontario hosts a conventional base metal VMS system with chlorite–sericite alteration that is overprinted by argillic and advanced argillic alteration, now manifested as a metamorphosed zone of kyanite–chloritoid–calcite–Fe–chlorite, that is associated with a barren, pyritic VMS deposit. The change from typical to advanced argillic alteration occurred during, or immediately following, the deposition of a tonalite clast-bearing heterolithic breccia, which recorded the uplift and subaerial exposure of the larger volcanic edifice. We postulate that the reactivation of synvolcanic structures during uplift, concomitant localized subsidence, and magmatism enhanced cross-stratal permeability and allowed for a direct magmatic volatile input into, or overprint on, an evolved seawater-dominated hydrothermal system. Our results suggest that geodynamic regimes exert a strong local, and possibly regional, control on the style, timing, and fluid characteristics of VMS hydrothermal systems. The association of advanced argillic alteration with barren pyritic massive sulfide also suggests that magmatic volatile input alone is not sufficient to enrich VMS systems in gold. This interpretation is consistent with observations from other magmatic–hydrothermal systems such as porphyry and epithermal deposits.
A comparative analysis of life-history features and adaptive strategies of Arctic and subarctic seal species—who will win the climate change challenge?
Authors: Ferguson Steven H. , Higdon Jeff W. , Young Brent G. , Petersen Stephen D. , Carlyle Cody G. , Lea Ellen V. , Sauvé Caroline C. , Kohlbach Doreen , Fisk Aaron T. , Thiemann Gregory W. , Florko Katie R.N. , Muir Derek C.G. , Hamilton Charmain D. , Houde Magali , Sudlovenick Enooyaq , Yurkowski David J.
Published: October 2024

Understanding and predicting species range shifts is crucial for conservation amid global warming. This study analyzes life-history traits of four seal species (ringed ( Pusa hispida (Schreber, 1775)), bearded ( Erignathus barbatus (Erxleben, 1777)), harp ( Pagophilus groenlandicus (Erxleben, 1777)), and harbour ( Phoca vitulina Linnaeus, 1758) seals) in the Canadian Arctic using data from Inuit subsistence harvests. Bearded seals are largest, followed by harp seals, harbour seals, and ringed seals. Seasonal blubber depth patterns show minimal variation in bearded seals, whereas harbour and ringed seals accumulate fat in open-water seasons and use it during ice-covered seasons. Endemic Arctic seals (ringed and bearded) exhibit greater longevity and determinate body growth, reaching maximum size by 5 years, while harbour and harp seals grow indeterminately, physically maturing around 10–15 years. Age of maturation varies, with ringed and harbour seals being more sensitive to environmental fluctuations. Most bearded seals reproduce successfully each year, while ringed seals exhibit more variability in their annual reproductive success. Analysis of isoprenoid lipids in liver tissue indicates that ringed and bearded seals rely on ice-algal production, whereas harp and harbour seals depend on open-water phytoplankton production. Bearded seals appear more specialized and potentially face less competition, while harp seals may adapt better to changing habitats. Despite expected range shifts to higher latitudes, all species exhibit trade-offs, complicating predictions for the evolving Arctic environment.
Higher order constraints for the ($$\beta $$-deformed) Hermitian matrix models
Authors: Wang Rui
Published: October 2024

We construct the ($$\beta $$
β
-deformed) higher order total derivative operators and analyze their remarkable properties. In terms of these operators, we derive the higher order constraints for the ($$\beta $$
β
-deformed) Hermitian matrix models. We prove that these ($$\beta $$
β
-deformed) higher order constraints are reducible to the Virasoro constraints. Meanwhile, the Itoyama–Matsuo conjecture for the constraints of the Hermitian matrix model is proved. We also find that through rescaling variable transformations, two sets of the constraint operators become the W-operators of W-representations for the ($$\beta $$
β
-deformed) partition function hierarchies in the literature.
On the initial spin periods of magnetars born in weak supernova explosions and their gravitational wave radiation
Authors: Yan Yu-Long , Cheng Quan , Zheng Xiao-Ping , Ouyang Xia-Xia
Published: October 2024

The initial spin periods of newborn magnetars are strongly associated with the origin of their strong magnetic fields, both of which can affect the electromagnetic radiation and gravitational waves (GWs) emitted at their birth. Combining the upper limit $$E_{\textrm{SNR}}\lesssim 10^{51}$$

E
SNR

≲

10
51

erg on the explosion energies of the supernova (SN) remnants around slowly-spinning magnetars with a detailed investigation on the evolution of newborn magnetars, we set constraints on the initial spin periods of magnetars born in weak SN explosions. Depending on the conversion efficiency $$\eta $$
η
of the electromagnetic energy of these newborn magnetars into the kinetic energy of SN ejecta, the minimum initial spin periods of these newborn magnetars are $$P_{\textrm{i, min}}\simeq 5$$

P

i, min

≃
5

–6 ms for an ideal efficiency $$\eta =1$$

η
=
1

, $$P_{\textrm{i, min}}\simeq 3$$

P

i, min

≃
3

–4 ms for a possible efficiency $$\eta =0.4$$

η
=
0.4

, and $$P_{\textrm{i, min}}\simeq 1$$

P

i, min

≃
1

–2 ms for a relatively low efficiency $$\eta =0.1$$

η
=
0.1

. Based on these constraints and adopting reasonable values for the physical parameters of the newborn magnetars, we find that their GW radiation at $$\nu _{\textrm{e,1}}=\nu $$

ν
e,1

=
ν

may be undetectable by the Einstein Telescope (ET) since the maximum signal-to-noise ratio ($$\mathrm{S/N}$$

S
/
N

) is only 2.41 even the sources are located at a very close distance of 5 Mpc, where $$\nu $$
ν
are the spin frequencies of the magnetars. At such a distance, the GWs emitted at $$\nu _{\textrm{e,2}}=2\nu $$

ν
e,2

=
2
ν

from the newborn magnetars with dipole fields $$B_{\textrm{d}}=5\times 10^{14}$$

B
d

=
5
×

10
14

and $$10^{15}$$

10
15

G may be detectable by the ET because $$\mathrm{S/N}$$

S
/
N

are 10.01 and 19.85, respectively. However, if these newborn magnetars are located at 20 Mpc away in the Virgo supercluster, no GWs could be detected by the ET due to low $$\mathrm{S/N}$$

S
/
N

.
Global Kato smoothing and Strichartz estimates for Schrödinger type equations with rough decay potentials
Authors: Mizutani Haruya , Yao Xiaohua
Published: October 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a higher-order elliptic operator on [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] is a general bounded decaying potential. This paper focuses on the global Kato smoothing and Strichartz estimates for solutions to Schrödinger-type equation associated with [Formula: see text]. In particular, we first establish sharp global Kato smoothing estimates for [Formula: see text], based on uniform resolvent estimates of Kato–Yajima type for the absolutely continuous part of [Formula: see text]. As a consequence, we also obtain optimal local decay estimates. Using these local decay estimates, we then prove the full set of Strichartz estimates, including the endpoint case. Notably, we derive Strichartz estimates with sharp smoothing effects for higher-order cases with rough potentials, which are applicable to the study of nonlinear higher-order Schrödinger equations. Finally, we introduce new uniform Sobolev estimates of the Kenig–Ruiz–Sogge type, incorporating an additional derivative term, which are crucial for establishing the sharp Kato smoothing estimates.
Discrete-type restricted representations of exponential groups and differential operators
Authors: Baklouti Ali , Fujiwara Hidenori
Published: October 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be an exponential solvable Lie group with Lie algebra [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] an analytic subgroup of [Formula: see text] with Lie algebra [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] an irreducible unitary representation of [Formula: see text]. The focus here is on the study of the restriction [Formula: see text] of discrete type, especially the algebra [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]-invariant differential operators in the space of [Formula: see text]. Provided that the coadjoint orbit of [Formula: see text] corresponding to [Formula: see text] is of maximal dimension, we diagonalize these operators by means of Penney’s distributions so that the algebra [Formula: see text] turns out to be commutative when [Formula: see text] is of discrete type, and show that the converse may fail to hold as a developed example reveals. Furthermore, we show that [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to the algebra [Formula: see text] of the [Formula: see text]-invariant polynomial functions on [Formula: see text]. We also produce a process to provide some generators of the kernel [Formula: see text] in the enveloping algebra of [Formula: see text].
Precision studies in charm and new physics searches at BESIII
Authors: Mao Hang-Xiang , Li Pei-Rong
Published: October 2024

The investigation of charm physics plays an important role in checking the Standard Model’s description of strong and weak interactions, validating its predictions for particle physics, and exploring new physics beyond the Standard Model. Using a large dataset from [Formula: see text] annihilation, BESIII has conducted comprehensive and extensive studies in the areas of hadronic, leptonic and semileptonic decays. This proceeding presents an overview of the recent researches and discoveries by BESIII on decays of charmed baryons, charmed mesons and charmonium states, highlighting their significance in advancing the understanding of new physics, experimental determination of physical parameters and improvement of measurement precision.
Complete stability for spherically symmetric backgrounds in beyond Horndeski theory
Authors: Mironov S. , Volkova V.
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we consider a general static, spherically symmetric background in the quadratic beyond Horndeski theory and analyze the behavior of linear perturbations in both parity odd and parity even sectors. We derive a full set of stability conditions for an arbitrary static, spherically symmetric solution which guarantees absence of ghosts, gradient instabilities, tachyons and superluminal modes in both sectors.
Femtoscopy at NA61/SHINE using symmetric Lévy sources in central 40Ar+45Sc from 40AGeV/c to 150AGeV/c
Authors: Pórfy Barnabás
Published: October 2024

In the recent decades of high energy physics research, it was demonstrated that strongly interacting quark-gluon plasma (sQGP) is created in ultra-relativistic nucleus–nucleus collisions. Investigation and understanding of properties of the hadronic matter is among the important goals of NA61/SHINE collaboration at CERN SPS. Mapping of the phase diagram is achieved by varying the collision energy ([Formula: see text]) and by changing the collision system ([Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text]).

We report on the measurement of femtoscopic correlations in intermediate systems at intermediate SPS energies. Interpreting the results of measurements within the symmetric Lévy source formalism, we discuss the values of Lévy source parameters as a function of average pair transverse mass. One of the physical parameters is particularly important, the Lévy exponent [Formula: see text], which describes the shape of the source and may be related to the critical exponent [Formula: see text] in the proximity of the critical point. Therefore, measuring it may shed light on the location of the critical endpoint of the QCD phase diagram.
Pion scattering for light nucleus using the radial Klein–Gordon equation
Authors: Arceo R. , Pedraza Omar , López L. A. , Martínez-Castro J.
Published: October 2024

The elastic cross-section is calculated for the elements [Formula: see text]C, [Formula: see text]Ca and 4He at high energies using the radial Klein–Gordon equation. These calculations were made for the case of pions using the Yukawa potential. To this end, the coupling constant of the Yukawa potential for the elements [Formula: see text]C, [Formula: see text]Ca and 4He was calculated first by fitting the numerical solutions to the experimental data. Our results are in agreement with the experimental data at low angular distribution. Finally, we calculate the bounds for the parameter of the model.
Reliability Analysis and Sensitivity Analysis of Retrial Machine Repair Problems with Multiple Vacations and the Recovery Policy
Authors: Chen Wu-Lin , Koh Ting , Lin Jia-Hui
Published: October 2024

This study discusses the reliability and sensitivity analyses of a retrial machine repair system with warm standby units and a single repair server which can take multiple vacations when there is no failed unit in the system under the recovery policy. All the random periods, including failure times of operating and standby units, the repair service times, retrial times, breakdown times of the single server, and repair times of the breakdown server are assumed to have exponential distributions and independent to each other. The state rate transition diagram is utilized to derive the differential equation of each state probability, and then this study takes the Laplace transform on both sides of the differential equation. After solving the Laplace transform, system reliability and mean time to system failure can be derived. Extensive numerical examples are designed and executed to determine how system reliability, mean time to system failure and sensitivity analysis are affected by the change of each system parameter.
Independent domination in trees
Authors: Venkatakrishnan Y. B.
Published: October 2024

Let [Formula: see text] be a simple connected graph. A dominating set [Formula: see text] is an independent dominating set of graph [Formula: see text] if the subgraph induced by [Formula: see text] is isomorphic to an empty graph. The minimum cardinality of an independent dominating set, denoted by [Formula: see text], is called the independent domination number of graph [Formula: see text]. It is known that for any tree [Formula: see text]. The extremal trees attaining the bound is characterized, which answers the problem posed in [A. Cabrera-Martínez, New bounds on the double domination number of trees, Discrete Appl. Math. 315 (2022) 97–103].
Large electrocaloric strength in Sm/Mn co-doped BaTiO3 ceramics
Authors: Li Junjie , Zhao Zongpu , Chen Qinyi , Hou JinLin , Yin Ruowei , Li Jianting , Zhang Xing
Published: October 2024

Electrocaloric (EC) refrigeration, which employs ferroelectric (FE) ceramics as a working medium, is regarded as a promising green refrigeration technology that could potentially replace vapor-compression refrigeration. One of the principal considerations in EC application is the capacity to attain high EC strength near room temperature. In this work, we investigated the EC effect in Sm/Mn co-doped BaTiO3 [([Formula: see text]Smx)([Formula: see text][Formula: see text])O3] ceramics. As the smallest trivalent ion that can totally occupy the A site, [Formula: see text] is not only capable of shifting the Curie temperature but also of optimizing the EC effect. Furthermore, the introduction of the Mn element into the matrix results in the formation of defect dipoles, which also serves to enhance the EC performance. Therefore, large EC strengths of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text]mm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] (@[Formula: see text]C), 0.34[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text]mm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] (@[Formula: see text]C) and 0.21[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text]mm[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] (@[Formula: see text]C) were, respectively, achieved in [Formula: see text]–0.07 ceramics, demonstrating the potential for future refrigeration applications.
Blockchain Cross-Chain Bridge Security: Challenges, Solutions, and Future Outlook
Authors: Li Ningran , Qi Minfeng , Xu Zhiyu , Zhu Xiaogang , Zhou Wei , Wen Sheng , Xiang Yang
Published: October 2024

Cross-chain bridges, one of the foundational infrastructures of blockchain, provide the infrastructure and solutions for inter-operability, asset liquidity, data transfer, decentralized finance, and cross-chain governance between blockchain networks. However, because cross-chain bridges often have to handle communication and asset transfers between multiple blockchains, they involve complex protocols and technologies. This complexity increases the likelihood of vulnerabilities and potential attacks. In order to ensure the security and reliability of cross-chain bridges, this article launches a thorough investigation of existing cross-chain bridge projects, clarifying bridging mechanisms, bridge types, and security features. The following part goes into the subject of security and sheds light on the considerable challenges faced by cross-chain bridges. It conducts a thorough analysis of security flaws, covering problems like smart contract vulnerabilities, centralization risks, liquidity issues, and oracle manipulations. Furthermore, this study promotes a compendium of security solutions and best practises, pointing the way toward a cross-chain bridge scenario that is more secure.
An Empirical Study on Governance in Bitcoin’s Consensus Evolution
Authors: Notland Jakob Svennevik , Nowostawski Mariusz , Li Jingyue
Published: October 2024

Consensus rule changes in public permissionless blockchains are challenging. Changes can be contentious, and getting all participants to agree could be tedious. Notably, Bitcoin has seen centralisation tendencies in mining and development. However, how these tendencies influence governance processes of consensus evolution has received minimal attention. We explore how the evolution of blockchain systems and the governance of consensus intertwine from socio-technical aspects. Our study analyses the governmental structures in blockchain by looking into Bitcoin. We investigate consensus change processes through grounded theory, comprising quantitative and qualitative data from 34 consensus forks in two different blockchains, Bitcoin Core and Bitcoin Cash. We explore how decentralisation and governance unfold in practice. In contrast to existing studies, we revealed that centralisation tendencies among miners and developers have no direct control over consensus rules in a blockchain. Furthermore, centralisation tendencies do not affect decision-making for consensus evolution governance in the same way as they facilitate consensus attacks, such as 51% attacks. We also discovered that consensus governance is constrained by the technicalities of change and deployment techniques. Consequently, even though miners have the authority to make consensus changes and propose new blocks, they are restricted by deployment techniques and dependence on user adoption.
Algorithm 1053: SOLNP+: A Derivative-Free Solver for Constrained Nonlinear Optimization
Authors: Ge Dongdong , Liu Jinsong , Liu Tianhao , Tan Jiyuan , Ye Yinyu
Published: October 2024

SOLNP

\(+\)

is a derivative-free solver for constrained nonlinear optimization. It starts from SOLve Nonlinear Programming (SOLNP) proposed in 1989 by Ye. The main ideas are to use finite difference to approximate the gradient of the objective function and constraints, and use augmented Lagrangian method and sequential quadratic programming to deal with nonlinear constraints. We incorporate the techniques of implicit filtering, a new restart mechanism, and a modern quadratic programming solver into this new version with an ANSI C implementation. The algorithm exhibits a great advantage in running time and robustness under noise compared with the old version implemented in MATLAB. The numerical experiments show that SOLNP

\(+\)

is comparable with two widely used solvers, COBYLA and NOMAD. SOLNP

\(+\)

is available at
https://github.com/COPT-Public/SOLNP_plus
.
Algorithm 1052: Evaluating a Boolean Polynomial on All Possible Inputs
Authors: Bouillaguet Charles
Published: October 2024

Evaluating a Boolean polynomial on all possible inputs (i.e., building the truth table of the corresponding Boolean function) is a simple computational problem that sometimes appears inside broader applications, for instance in cryptanalysis or in the implementation of more sophisticated algorithms to solve Boolean polynomial systems.

Two techniques share the crown to perform this task: the Fast Exhaustive Search (FES) algorithm from 2010 (which is based on Gray Codes) and the space-efficient Moebius transform from 2021 (which is reminiscent of the FFT). Both require

\(\mathcal{O}(d2^{n})\)

operations for a degree-

\(d\)

Boolean polynomial on

\(n\)

variables and operate mostly in-place, but have other slightly different characteristics. They both provide an efficient iterator over the full truth table.

This article describes BoolEAN POLynomial Evaluation (BeanPolE), a concise and flexible C library that implements both algorithms, as well as many other functions to deal with Boolean multivariate polynomials in dense representation.
A Comprehensive Multi-Objective Energy Management Approach for Wearable Devices with Dynamic Energy Demands
Authors: Basaklar Toygun , Tuncel Yigit , Ogras Umit
Published: October 2024

Recent advancements in low-power electronics and machine-learning techniques have paved the way for innovative wearable Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, these devices suffer from limited battery capacity and computational power. Hence, energy harvesting from ambient sources has emerged as a promising solution for powering low-energy wearables. Optimal management of the harvested energy is crucial for achieving energy-neutral operation and eliminating the need for frequent recharging. This task is challenging due to the dynamic nature of harvested energy and battery energy constraints. To tackle this challenge, we propose tinyMAN, a reinforcement learning-based energy management framework for resource-constrained wearable IoT devices. tinyMAN maximizes the target device utilization under battery energy constraints without relying on the harvested energy forecast, making it a prediction-free approach. It achieves up to 17% higher utility while reducing battery constraint violations by 80% compared to prior work. We also introduce tinyMAN-MO, a multi-objective extension of tinyMan for applications with time-varying energy demands. It learns the tradeoff between meeting the application’s energy demand and maintaining the battery energy level. We deployed our framework on a wearable device prototype using TensorFlow Lite for Micro, leveraging its small (less than 120 KB) memory footprint. Evaluations show that tinyMAN-MO operates within 10% of the Pareto-optimal solutions with only 1.98 ms execution time and 23.17 μJ energy consumption overhead.
ConsortiumSec: Blockchain-based Distributed Security Framework for Consortium Applications
Authors: Sha Kewei , Yue Kwok-Bun , Wei Wei , Wu Yalong , Koduru Madhuri , Vuchuru Preethi
Published: October 2024

In consortium applications, multiple organizations collaborate on a common goal. The complex consortium structure makes it a significant challenge to achieve the goals of both secure collaboration and preserving each organization's data confidentiality. Existing security architectures are insufficient to tackle the above challenge. This paper proposes ConsortiumSec, a blockchain-based two-layer distributed security architecture. ConsortiumSec leverages disruptive blockchain technologies to systematically address the security issues in consortium applications, including consortium membership management, access control, secure storage, governance policy management, and privacy preservation. The Hyperledger Fabric-based prototype implementation demonstrates the proposed architecture not only integrates the organization's existing security mechanisms but also ensures a secure collaborative environment. The case study based on a real-world consortium application demonstrates the effectiveness of ConsortiumSec.
How Effective Are Work-Life Balance Policies? The Importance of Inclusion
Authors: Casper Wendy J. , Hyde Shelia A. , Smith Shona G. , Amirkamali Faezeh , Wayne Julie Holliday
Published: October 2024

In this manuscript we review research on the effectiveness of work-life balance (WLB) policies in improving employee and organizational outcomes. We find that while WLB policies are often implemented with good intentions, their effects are generally small or inconsistent. We identify eight barriers to policy inclusivity that we theorize are linked to reduced effectiveness—a narrow definition of family, focusing on work-family rather than work-nonwork balance, low policy awareness, the practical constraints of access, overlooking vulnerable workers, the nature of the job, supervisor attitudes and behaviors, and unsupportive organizational cultures—and make recommendations for addressing these barriers. We also highlight the importance of considering individual differences and cultural contexts when implementing WLB policies. We conclude by proposing future research directions, such as examining coworker support and the impact of national culture on policy effectiveness.
A Comparison of Standard SEI Growth Models in the Context of Battery Formation
Authors: Manmi Kawa , Tuchel Marcus , Kendrick Emma , Brosa Planella Ferran
Published: October 2024

Growth of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer on negative electrode particles during the formation cycle is one of the most complex and least understood steps of lithium-ion battery manufacturing. This initial SEI formation significantly impacts battery performance, lifetime, and degradation. Zero-dimensional models, which reduce the complexity of SEI’s morphology, material, and structure, are commonly used to study long-term SEI growth rates and capacity fade. These models are derived based on limiting mechanisms. We aim to compare the most common SEI growth models, focusing on the first few cycles at low C-rates representing formation protocols. Using consistent parameters across models, we seek to understand if they can capture the dynamics of SEI formation. We conducted qualitative comparisons with experimental measurements of Coulombic efficiency in 2032-type coin cells at low C-rate. Our analysis shows that the models predict SEI growth in the first cycle to be higher than in subsequent cycles. However, the difference between cycles in these models is insufficient to explain the experimental results, which indicate a capacity fade during the first cycle that is two orders of magnitude higher than in later cycles. This suggests new models are needed to accurately describe the physics of the formation cycle.
Effect of Surface Morphology on the Response Speed of Moisture Sensors
Authors: Ali Ronak , Swartz Aaron , Badhan Riasad Azim , Chen Zhi David , Ilka Reza , Wang Yiju , He JiangBiao , Ren Ning , Zhang Z. George , Wu Gefei , England Roger
Published: October 2024

Relative humidity sensors are used for high-humidity measurement and moisture sensor or dew point sensors are used for low-humidity measurement (<1 ppmv). We fabricated moisture sensors using α-Al2O3 films as porous dielectric materials deposited by anodic spark deposition. In this study, a variety number of small pores has been studied to investigate the response speed of moisture sensors. Three different surface morphologies have been studied using scanning electron microscopy. One sample has the maximum number of small pores, one sample has the medium number of small pores, and the last sample has the minimum number of small pores. Small pores are defined as pore size ranging from 40 nm to 200 nm. We found that the sensor made as porous material with the maximum number of small pores has the fastest response speed, and that from the minimum number of small pores has the slowest response speed either from high humidity to low humidity or from low humidity to high humidity.
Post mortem Study of Catalyst Degradations Occurring in High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Upon Start-Stop Operation
Authors: Baudy Axelle , Durand Maël , Roussel-Dherbey Francine , Berthomé Grégory , Sergent Nicolas , Turpin Christophe , Regnier Jérémi , Jaafar Amine , Dubau Laetitia , Scohy Marion , Chatenet Marian
Published: October 2024

High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs) could replace fossil fuel-based technologies for applications which cannot involve bulky/heavy cooling systems, such as aeronautics. However, severe materials degradations upon operation prevent performance retention for acceptable lifetimes. While others have already reported degradations in HT-PEMFC, post mortem characterizations of used HT-PEMFC membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) remain scarce. Herein, HT-PEMFC performance degradation is studied by applying a startup/shutdown protocol to a short-stack operated at 160 °C; one MEA is characterized using complementary physicochemical/electrochemical techniques to identify/understand the degradation mechanisms and their origin. This start/stop operation mode (co-flow gas reactants) leads to substantial degradation inhomogeneity. For the anode, migration, coalescence, and detachment of Pt nanoparticles are witnessed induced by high-surface-area carbon support functionalization and corrosion. The anode electrochemical surface area (ECSA) remains constant at the inlet and increases significantly at the outlet, following inhomogeneous degradation of the cathode catalyst: the Ptz+ ions formed at high potential/oxidizing conditions concentrate towards the outlet, where they redeposit locally or at the anode, after diffusion/migration across the PBI membrane. Hence, the cathode ECSA decreases significantly at the inlet. Furthermore, intense Ni-leaching from the initial PtNi alloy catalyst is reported as a result of O2 mass-transport and phosphoric acid dilution inhomogeneity.
Evaluation of Nitrogen Influence on the Uranium Metal Stability in LiCl-KCl
Authors: Caretero Théo , Massot Laurent , Gibilaro Mathieu , De Marco Jérémie , Arab Mehdi , Chiron Christelle , Chamelot Pierre
Published: October 2024

This study is focused on nitrogen influence on the uranium metal stability in molten eutectic LiCl-KCl (58.2–41.8 mol.%) in the 450 °C–550 °C temperature range. Preliminary study showed that nitrogen is soluble and electroactive in LiCl-KCl. Then, experiments were done by immersing an uranium plate in LiCl-KCl under two different atmospheres: a low nitrogen atmosphere and a saturated nitrogen one. It was found that uranium spontaneously reacts with nitrogen to form U(III) and N3-. The kinetics of this reaction was determined by monitoring the U(III) formation rate using chronopotentiometry. It appeared that increasing the temperature or the nitrogen partial pressure in the atmosphere leads to a faster uranium oxidation rate.
Alizarin Based Metal Organic Redox Flow Battery as an Efficient Storage Device for Renewable Energy Sources
Authors: Srinivasan M. Santhana , S. Induja , Ragupathy P.
Published: October 2024

Redox Flow Battery (RFB) technology is the most attractive energy storage system for storing renewable energy sources in the form of electrical energy that can be fed into power networks. However, there are many challenges associated with RFB technology in terms of cost, low energy density, and scarcity of active materials. To address these issues, herein we report an innovative Metal-Organic Redox Flow Battery (MORFB) technology involving manganese ions as catholyte and alizarin red S (ARS), an anthraquinone derivatives as anolyte. The newly designed Mn/ARS redox flow cell exhibits the open circuit voltage of 1.432 V vs Ag/AgCl and possessing reasonably good cycling performance with 99.9% capacity retention even after 100 cycles.
A Novel Simple Gold Nanoparticles Pencil Electrode for Sensitive Voltametric Determination of Antiepileptic Drug Perampanel
Authors: Alfi Alia A. , Sari Abdullah A. A. , Alatawi Ibrahim S. S. , Alharbi Arwa , Alessa Hussain , Said S. , Keshk Ali A. , El-Metwaly Nashwa M.
Published: October 2024

The construction and electroanalytical performance of a novel low-cost graphite pencil sensor enriched with electrodeposited gold nanoparticles (AuNPs/PE) was for sensitive voltammetric determination of perampanel (PER) in the marketed pharmaceutical samples and plasma. In BR buffer solution at pH 4.0, PER showed irreversible anodic peak at 1.15 V following an adsorption-electrode reaction. Based on the molecular orbital calculations and electroanalytical studies, the electrooxidation of PER undergoes through oxidation of the amide nitrogen atom (N3) with the transfer of two protons/one electron. Under the optimum measuring conditions, linear calibration graphs were illustrated covering a wide PER concentration ranged from 10 to 1295 ng ml−1 with limit of quantification and limit of detection values 10.0 and 3.03 ng ml−1, respectively. The proposed AuNPs/PE showed operational lifetime for 30 days and offer low-cost sensitive and selective electroanalytical approach for monitoring of PER without noticeable interference from additives, excipients, and PER degradation products. The fabricated AuNPs/PE was introduced for determination of PER in the marketed pharmaceutical formulations and spiked plasma samples.
Equine exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage: the role of high left-heart pressures secondary to exercise-induced hypervolemia, and high inspiratory pressures
Authors: Bayly Warwick M. , Leguillette Renaud , Sides Raymond H. , Massie Shannon , Guigand Charline , Jones K. Blythe , Warlick Linnea M. , Thueson Emily L. , Troudt Tristan A. , Slocombe Ronald F. , Jones James H.
Published: October 2024

Hypervolemia induced by the infusion of erythrocyte-rich blood stored in the spleen is normal in high-speed thoroughbred exercise and increases capillary-alveolar transmural pressure (Ptm), leading to exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). In this study, decreasing blood volume reduced Ptm and EIPH. Large negative inspiratory pressures also contribute to high Ptm and the occurrence of EIPH. Ptm is dynamic and oscillates constantly during exercise. A significant relationship existed between circulating blood volume and EIPH severity in racehorses.
Coupling Coordination and High‐Quality Development Pathways Among Tourism, Economy, and Ecology in the Arid and Semiarid Regions of Northwestern China
Authors: Lei Yalun , Jiang Weihua , Yuan Libin , Wang Chuan
Published: October 2024

Tourism development can stimulate regional economic growth and improve living standards in economically underdeveloped regions. However, rapid tourism expansion may also negatively affect regional sustainability, particularly in eco‐fragile areas. As a representative arid and semiarid region, Northwestern China provides a valuable case for analyzing the coupling coordination relationship within the tourism–economy–ecology (TEE) system. This analysis is crucial for promoting sustainable tourism development in eco‐fragile areas. This paper utilizes the entropy weight method, coupling coordination degree (CCD), and obstacle degree models to assess the development level, coupling status, and related obstacles within the TEE system across the five northwestern provinces from 2011 to 2022. The results show the following. (1) While the northwest region has made significant strides in environmental management, most provinces have low comprehensive development status in tourism and economic subsystems, which lag behind the ecological system’s development. (2) The CCD level in each province improved continuously from 2011 to 2022. Provinces with lower coupling coordination in 2011 had higher improvement rates in the later period. (3) The obstacles to coordinated development shifted over time, ranging from low foreign exchange earnings from tourism and low international tourist arrivals in 2011 to low forest management areas in 2019 and a significant decline in foreign exchange earnings from tourism in 2022. (4) The impact of COVID‐19 on the coordinated development of the TEE system has been relatively manageable. While most provinces in the northwest continue to see steady ecological improvement, the challenges of lagging tourism development and insufficient economic growth momentum remain significant. Based on this analysis, this paper offers four policy recommendations to support the sustainable development of arid and semiarid regions in Northwestern China. These recommendations provide valuable insights for achieving high‐quality economic development in other eco‐fragile areas.
Multiomics Analysis Identifies Prognostic Signatures for Sepsis‐Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma in Emergency Medicine
Authors: Chu Xin , Wu Qi , Kong Linglin , Peng Qiang , Shen Junhua
Published: October 2024

Objectives. Sepsis, caused by the body’s response to infection, poses a life‐threatening condition and represents a significant global health challenge. Characterized by dysregulated immune response to infection, sepsis may lead to organ dysfunction and failure, ultimately resulting in high mortality rates. The liver plays a crucial role in sepsis, yet the role of differentially expressed genes in septic patients remains unclear in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, we aim to investigate the significance of differentially expressed genes related to sepsis in the occurrence and prognosis of tumors in HCC. Methods. We conducted analyses by obtaining gene transcriptome data and clinical data of HCC cases from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Furthermore, we obtained transcriptomic sequencing results of septic patients from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, identified intersecting differentially expressed genes between the two, and performed survival analysis on the samples using LASSO and Cox regression analysis. Combining analyses of tumor mutation burden (TMB) and immune function, we further elucidated the mechanisms of sepsis‐related genes in the prognosis and treatment of HCC. Results. We established a prognostic model consisting of four sepsis‐related genes: KRT20, PAEP, CCR3, and ANLN. Both the training and validation sets showed excellent outcomes in the prognosis of tumor patients, with significantly longer survival times observed in the low‐risk group based on this model compared to the high‐risk group. Furthermore, analyses, such as differential analysis of tumor mutation burden, immune function analysis, GO/KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and drug sensitivity analysis, also demonstrated the potential mechanisms of action of sepsis‐related genes. Conclusions. Models constructed based on sepsis‐related genes have shown excellent predictive ability in prognosis and differential analysis of drug sensitivity among tumor patients. These predictive models can enhance patient prognosis and inform the creation of early treatment protocols for sepsis, consequently aiding in the prevention of sepsis‐induced HCC development through the modulation of the overall immune status. This may play a crucial role in patient management and immunotherapy, providing valuable reference for subsequent research.
Evaluating CNN Architectures and Hyperparameter Tuning for Enhanced Lung Cancer Detection Using Transfer Learning
Authors: Ansari Mohd Munazzer , Kumar Shailendra , Tariq Umair , Belal Bin Heyat Md , Akhtar Faijan , Bin Hayat Mohd Ammar , Sayeed Eram , Parveen Saba , Pomary Dustin
Published: October 2024

Accurate lung cancer detection is vital for timely diagnosis and treatment. This study evaluates the performance of six convolutional neural network (CNN) architectures, ResNet‐50, VGG‐16, ResNet‐101, VGG‐19, DenseNet‐201, and EfficientNet‐B4, using the LIDC‐IDRI dataset. Models were assessed both in their base forms and with transfer learning. The dataset consisted of 460 × 460 × 3 pixel images categorized into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), normal benign, large cell carcinoma (LCC), and adenocarcinoma (ADC). Performance metrics were computed, including accuracy (99.47% for the custom CNN), precision (99.50%), recall (98.37%), AUC (99.98%), and F1‐score (98.98%) during training. However, overfitting was observed in the validation phases. Transfer learning models showed better generalization, with DenseNet‐201 achieving a top validation accuracy of 96.88% and EfficientNet‐B4 of 96.53%. Hyperparameter tuning improved the models’ generalization capabilities, maintaining high accuracy while reducing overfitting. This study highlights the effectiveness of transfer learning, particularly DenseNet‐201, in enhancing automated lung cancer detection systems. Future work will focus on expanding datasets and exploring additional augmentation techniques to further refine model performance in clinical settings.
Supplementary Data from RASAL2 Confers Collateral MEK/EGFR Dependency in Chemoresistant Triple-Negative Breast Cancer
Authors: Koh Siang-Boon , Ross Kenneth , Isakoff Steven J. , Melkonjan Nsan , He Lei , Matissek Karina J. , Schultz Andrew , Mayer Erica L. , Traina Tiffany A. , Carey Lisa A. , Rugo Hope S. , Liu Minetta C. , Stearns Vered , Langenbucher Adam , Saladi Srinivas Vinod , Ramaswamy Sridhar , Lawrence Michael S. , Ellisen Leif W.
Published: October 2024

Supplementary Figures S1-S7. Supplementary Tables S1-S4
Supplementary Table 4 from Network Analysis Reveals Synergistic Genetic Dependencies for Rational Combination Therapy in Philadelphia Chromosome–Like Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Authors: Ding Yang-Yang , Kim Hannah , Madden Kellyn , Loftus Joseph P. , Chen Gregory M. , Allen David Hottman , Zhang Ruitao , Xu Jason , Chen Chia-Hui , Hu Yuxuan , Tasian Sarah K. , Tan Kai
Published: October 2024

List of differentially expressed genes in Ph-like versus non-Ph-like ALL. Ph-like ALL patient microarray data was compared to that of prognostically-favorable B-ALL subtypes ETV6-RUNX1, hyperdiploidy, and DUX4-rearrangements/ERG-altered subtypes. Genes are ranked by multiple-testing adjusted p-value (using the Benjamini-Hochberg method), and considered differentially expressed for adjusted p-value <0.05.