bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The functional ecology of four invasive Ponto–Caspian gobies
Authors: Grabowska Joanna , Błońska Dagmara , Ondračková Markéta , Kakareko Tomasz
Published: September 2023

Ponto–Caspian gobies are among Europe's most invasive freshwater fish species. These small freshwater and brackish water fish have spread rapidly since the end of the last century, invading the major European river systems, including the Rivers Danube, Rhine, Moselle, Meuse, Vistula, Elbe, Nemunas, Neva, Volga, while also establishing in streams, dam reservoirs, lakes, and artificial canals in 17 European countries. Two species have also successfully established in North America. The contribution of Ponto–Caspian gobies to local fish assemblages varies, but locally they are abundant or dominant components of fish assemblages in invaded ecosystems. We have considered their invasive distribution, range of occupied aquatic environments, abundance, and frequency of occurrence, and summarised their role and position in the trophic webs of invaded ecosystems. We focused on four goby species: western tubenose goby Proterorhinus semilunaris, bighead goby Ponticola kessleri, racer goby Babka gymnotrachelus and monkey goby Neogobius fluviatilis. Based on our own research and other published studies, we described the habitat preferences of these species and assessed their ecological impact on co-occurring species, both native and non-native, as predators, prey, competitors, and as hosts and vectors of parasites.
The Critical Role of Understanding Epistemic Practices in Science Teaching Using Wicked Problems
Authors: Agustian Hendra Y.
Published: September 2023

Wicked problems have been characterised by their high epistemological and axiological complexities. These are the kinds of problems that may invade our classrooms because many of them concern many stakeholders, including our students. Several approaches have been developed to address wicked problems in various contexts. However, little is known about how they may translate into educational research and practice. This paper proposes a conceptual framework in which wicked problems are analysed from their ontological, epistemological, and ethical commitments. Subsequently, they are framed within post-normal science, drawing on critical discourse in science studies and science education. Chief to the arguments is a focus on epistemic practices that are strongly anchored in but also extend from disciplinary science and engineering education. Implications for research and practice in higher science education are presented.
Transmissivity Averaging in Fracture Flow on Self-affine Linear Profiles: Arithmetic, Harmonic, and Beyond
Authors: Lavrov Alexandre
Published: September 2023

Numerical modeling of unidirectional flow in self-affine fractures using the lubrication approximation requires averaging of the transmissivity between the nodes. Seven averaging techniques are reviewed: arithmetic averaging of transmissivity; harmonic averaging of transmissivity; two averaging techniques derived by cell-based collocation method; global reconstruction of profile by means of multiquadrics; arithmetic averaging of aperture; harmonic averaging of aperture. In order to evaluate the performance of the seven techniques in terms of pressure errors and hydraulic aperture errors, self-affine profiles of 1024 nodes with different Hurst exponents (0.4 to 0.8) are generated. Every second node is then removed, resulting in 512-node profiles. Apertures at removed nodes are used in reference flow simulations on the 512-node profiles. Then, simulations with the seven averaging techniques are performed on 512-node profiles. Errors are computed with regard to the results obtained in the reference simulations. Reconstruction with multiquadrics is found to provide superior accuracy on self-affine profiles, followed by harmonic averaging of transmissivity or harmonic averaging of the aperture (Some of the errors analyzed in this study are minimized with the two last mentioned schemes.). Multiquadrics reconstruction is found to provide the best accuracy also on a smooth periodic profile.
Ecosystem and Commercializing of Fish in a Rich-Minerals, Low-Salinity Closed Lake
Authors: Abdelkarim Mohamad S. , Belal Dalia M. , Flefil Nasser S. , Hegab Mahmoud H. , Mahmoud Abeer M. , Al-Afify Afify D. , Aly Walid , Ali Mohamed H
Published: September 2023

Wadi El Natrun is an elongated narrow depression in the Western Desert of Egypt. The depression characterized by many ancient alkaline salt lakes. These lakes are filled with water in winter and dried up in summer. Recently, some lakes become permanently dried, while others become submerged throughout the year as El Bieda Lake. El Bieda Lake has undergone ecological changes due to the prolonged extraction of minerals and the continual discharging of freshwater. This study investigates the recent biotic and abiotic changes of this lake and discusses its fisheries opportunities. The lake’s water is well-oxygenated, rich with different inorganic nutrients, and characterized by a low salinity. Sodium and chloride ion concentrations are lower than the equivalent surface seawater, while magnesium, calcium, potassium, sulfate, and bicarbonate ions are higher. The lake has low plankton species richness with high biomass and high nutritional values. More recently, two cichlid species, Oreochromis aureus and Coptodon zillii, have colonized the lake. Summer characterized by a very low mortality for Oreochromis aureus and a poor representation of Coptodon zillii. However, both species shared the catch the rest of the year. The high biomass and nutritional quality of plankton communities, as well as the dense phytobenthic film, indicate that the lake is currently below its carrying capacity. The well-oxygenated water, high biomass of plankton and phytobenthic diatoms, and the expected changes in salinity suggest that introducing the euryhaline, commercially valuable, and fast-growing Mugil cephalus or Chelon ramada in El Bieda Lake is highly advisable.
Response of testate amoeba assemblages to peatland drain blocking
Authors: Evans Callum R. C. , Mullan Donal J. , Roe Helen M. , Fox Patricia M. , Gray Simon , Swindles Graeme T.
Published: September 2023

Peatlands represent globally important habitats and carbon stores. However, human impacts and climate change leave peatlands with a substantial management challenge. Degradation of peatland habitats and their hydrological integrity is increasingly counteracted through the rehabilitation of peatlands including re-wetting and drain blocking. Research into how such management interventions affect peatland microbial assemblages is limited. Here, we investigate the response of testate amoebae (established unicellular amoeboid protist indicators of hydrological conditions in peatlands) to drain blocking on three small lowland raised bogs in Northern Ireland, UK. We sampled Sphagnum adjacent to areas of focused flow near sites of damming in addition to control sites away from dam blocking. These restoration measures show complex but meaningful results after restoration. We observe several key developments following dam blocking: (i) species diversity increases; (ii) unambiguous wet indicator taxa appear in increasing abundance at dammed sites; (iii) and transfer-function reconstructed water-table depths show wetter conditions in the dammed sites. These findings imply wetter conditions after restoration, where routine monitoring presented no clear trend in water-table depths. We found no statistically significant assemblage-level response to experimental or environmental variables, which may be related to antecedent conditions and significant periods of drought during the study period. Thus, caution is advised when utilising testate amoebae for bioindication until their assemblage-level response to restoration is better understood. Nevertheless, this study emphasises the potential of an indicator-taxa based approach to applying testate amoebae as contemporary bioindicators of peatland restoration—particularly on short-term timescales immediately following restoration.
Cooperation between international organizations: Demand, supply, and restraint
Authors: Panke Diana , Stapel Sören
Published: September 2023

Regime complexity characterizes the international system, as many international organizations (IOs) overlap in membership and competencies at the same time. Unmanaged overlaps endanger the effectiveness of IOs. Inter-organizational cooperation can mitigate such negative consequences. However, a novel dataset reveals that not all overlapping IOs cooperate with each other and the institutionalization of cooperation agreements varies. Why do some but not all overlapping IOs opt for cooperation agreements, and why do their designs vary? The analysis of a demand–supply–restraint model shows that increased exposure to overlaps creates a demand for IOs to reach cooperation agreements and for their strong institutionalization. States respond more favourable to the supply of cooperation agreements when they are used to international cooperation and internal authority-delegation. The restraint component underscores that IOs are less inclined to cooperate when ideological differences and power differentials between them are greater and that IOs choose highly institutionalized cooperation agreements when their ideological differences are limited.
Prozessbezogene Kompetenzen in zentralen Abschlussarbeiten im Fach Mathematik? – Eine Analyse aller ZP10-Aufgaben Nordrhein-Westfalens von 2007 bis 2019
Authors: Scheja Bruno , Schreck Anna , Rott Benjamin
Published: September 2023

Die Aktivitäten „Problemlösen“, „Modellieren“ und „Argumentieren“ stellen breit anerkannte im Mathematikunterricht zu vermittelnde Kompetenzen dar. Welche Rolle sie im Mathematikunterricht spielen, hängt aber auch davon ab, ob und in welchem Maße sie in zentralen Abschlussprüfungen abgeprüft werden. Um den Stellenwert der drei Kompetenzen in der Zentralen Abschlussprüfung nach Jahrgang 10 (ZP10) des Bundeslands Nordrhein-Westfalen zu erfassen, wurde eine Dokumentenanalyse aller Aufgaben der ZP10 des Bundeslands Nordrhein-Westfalen seit ihrer Einführung 2007 bis einschließlich 2019 durchgeführt: Insgesamt wurden 1886 Aufgaben aus 68 Prüfungsdokumenten analysiert, wobei jede Kompetenz auf einer vierstufigen Skala kodiert wurde. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass kaum mehr als ein minimaler Anspruch in Bezug auf die genannten Kompetenzen gefordert wird, der zudem über den gesamten Zeitraum nur geringe Veränderungen erfährt.
Stakeholders’ involvement and reflections on preserving sacred swamps in the Western Ghats, India, as revealed by participatory visioning
Authors: Hegde Narasimha , Joosten Hans , Ziegler Rafael
Published: September 2023

Lack of a shared vision has been identified as a major obstacle in transdisciplinary research involving both scientists and other stakeholders. Without a shared vision, the implementation of scientific findings is difficult. The diverse partners of collaborative research, however, imply a plurality in the valuation of nature and a need for deliberative mechanisms. If visioning processes are to do justice to local contexts, research must apply deliberative mechanisms to cover the plurality in the valuation of nature. This paper proposes a visioning approach for local communities, based on prior transdisciplinary research. This participatory workshop method invites stakeholders to approach nature conservation and livelihoods via a deliberation of desirable futures, barriers for achieving them and associated responsibilities for taking action. The paper explores this method via a case study of visioning workshops on sacred swamps in the Western Ghats (India), and their role for both freshwater swamp protection and livelihoods. The visioning exercise offered discussion opportunities facilitating conscientization, conciliation and collaboration in local bottom-up nature conservation. For conserving the tropical freshwater swamps, the results show the need for a more participatory forest governance, providing space for shared value creation. They also point to the need for further research on inter-faith nature conservation possibilities, along with innovations on value addition and value chain development for livelihood promotion and protection.
Auditory complications among childhood cancer survivors and health-related quality of life: a PanCareLIFE study
Authors: Strebel Sven , Baust Katja , Grabow Desiree , Byrne Julianne , Langer Thorsten , am Zehnhoff-Dinnesen Antoinette , Kuonen Rahel , Weiss Annette , Kepak Tomas , Kruseova Jarmila , Berger Claire , Calaminus Gabriele , Sommer Grit , Kuehni Claudia E. ,   on behalf of the PanCareLIFE Consortium
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Auditory complications are potential side effects from childhood cancer treatment. Yet, limited evidence exists about the impact of auditory complications—particularly tinnitus—on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among childhood cancer survivors (CCS). We determined the prevalence of hearing loss and tinnitus in the European PanCareLIFE cohort of CCS and examined its effect on HRQoL.

Methods

We included CCS from four European countries who were diagnosed at age ≤ 18 years; survived ≥ 5 years; and aged 25–44 years at study. We assessed HRQoL (Short Form 36), hearing loss, and tinnitus using questionnaires. We used multivariable linear regression to examine associations between these two auditory complications and HRQoL adjusting for socio-demographic and clinical factors.

Results

Our study population consisted of 6,318 CCS (53% female; median age at cancer diagnosis 9 years interquartile range [IQR] 5–13 years) with median age at survey of 31 years (IQR 28–35 years). Prevalence was 7.5% (476/6,318; confidence interval [CI]: 6.9–8.2) for hearing loss and 7.6% (127/1,668; CI: 6.4–9.0) for tinnitus. CCS with hearing loss had impaired physical (coefficient [coef.] -4.3, CI: -7.0 to -1.6) and mental (coef. -3.2, CI: -5.5 to -0.8) HRQoL when compared with CCS with normal hearing. Tinnitus was associated with impaired physical (coef. -8.2, CI: -11.8 to -4.7) and mental (coef. -5.9, CI: -8.8 to -3.1) HRQoL.

Conclusion

We observed reduced HRQoL among CCS with hearing loss and tinnitus. Our findings indicate timely treatment of hearing loss and tinnitus may contribute to quality of life of survivors.

Implications for cancer survivors

CCS who experience auditory complications should be counseled about possible therapeutic and supportive measures during follow-up care.
On equifocal Finsler submanifolds and analytic maps
Authors: Alexandrino Marcos M. , Alves Benigno , Javaloyes Miguel Angel
Published: September 2023

A relevant property of equifocal submanifolds is that their parallel sets are still immersed submanifolds, which makes them a natural generalization of the so-called isoparametric submanifolds. In this paper, we prove that the regular fibers of an analytic map π: Mm+k → Bk are equifocal whenever Mm+k is endowed with a complete Finsler metric and there is a restriction of π which is a Finsler submersion for a certain Finsler metric on the image. In addition, we prove that when the fibers provide a singular foliation on Mm+k, then this foliation is Finsler.
Kollektive politische Identitäten und ihr Beitrag zur Erklärung staatlicher Performanz in Demokratien
Authors: Bein Simon
Published: September 2023

Die sozio-kulturellen Grundlagen einer Gesellschaft spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Erklärung von Performanz in demokratischen Ordnungen, wie bereits Alexis de Tocqueville erkannt hat. Allerdings ist dieser Erklärungsansatz bis auf wenige Ausnahmen nicht systematisch weiterentwickelt worden, was insbesondere für den Gegenstand kollektiver politischer Identitäten gilt. Aufbauend auf der theoretischen Prämisse, wonach eine umfassende Verankerung des liberalen Paradigmas in der kollektiven politischen Identität eine Zielorientierung hinsichtlich ökonomischer Performanz und Wohlstand, eine Stärkung republikanisch-gemeinschaftsorientierter Elemente hingegen den Fokus auf sozio-ökonomische Sicherheit und Gleichheit legt, soll zur Schließung dieser Forschungslücke beigetragen werden. Gegenstand der empirischen Analyse ist eine Fuzzy-Set QCA, die überprüft, ob liberale und republikanische politische Identität notwendige oder hinreichende Bedingungen für eine wachsende Wirtschaft beziehungsweise soziale Gleichheit sind. Die beiden politischen Identitäten werden mit Hilfe von World Values Survey und European Values Study für den Zeitraum 2005 bis 2021 gemessen, die Grundlage der Performanzdaten sind die Sustainable Governance Indicators der Bertelsmann-Stiftung für die Jahre 2018 bis 2022. Im Ergebnis zeigt sich, dass liberale politische Identität als Teil einer kombinatorischen Erklärung für ökonomische Performanz gesehen werden kann, der Erklärungsbeitrag republikanischer Identität für die sozialpolitische Performanz ist jedoch weniger eindeutig. Insgesamt ist eine äquifinale Vielfalt der Lösungspfade für Performanz in westlichen Demokratien und kombinierte Erklärungspotenziale beider untersuchten politischen Identitäten zu bilanzieren.
Never Trust Anything That Can Think for Itself, if You Can’t Control Its Privacy Settings: The Influence of a Robot’s Privacy Settings on Users’ Attitudes and Willingness to Self-disclose
Authors: Stapels Julia G. , Penner Angelika , Diekmann Niels , Eyssel Friederike
Published: September 2023

When encountering social robots, potential users are often facing a dilemma between privacy and utility. That is, high utility often comes at the cost of lenient privacy settings, allowing the robot to store personal data and to connect to the internet permanently, which brings in associated data security risks. However, to date, it still remains unclear how this dilemma affects attitudes and behavioral intentions towards the respective robot. To shed light on the influence of a social robot’s privacy settings on robot-related attitudes and behavioral intentions, we conducted two online experiments with a total sample of N = 320 German university students. We hypothesized that strict privacy settings compared to lenient privacy settings of a social robot would result in more favorable attitudes and behavioral intentions towards the robot in Experiment 1. For Experiment 2, we expected more favorable attitudes and behavioral intentions for choosing independently the robot’s privacy settings in comparison to evaluating preset privacy settings. However, those two manipulations seemed to influence attitudes towards the robot in diverging domains: While strict privacy settings increased trust, decreased subjective ambivalence and increased the willingness to self-disclose compared to lenient privacy settings, the choice of privacy settings seemed to primarily impact robot likeability, contact intentions and the depth of potential self-disclosure. Strict compared to lenient privacy settings might reduce the risk associated with robot contact and thereby also reduce risk-related attitudes and increase trust-dependent behavioral intentions. However, if allowed to choose, people make the robot ‘their own’, through making a privacy-utility tradeoff. This tradeoff is likely a compromise between full privacy and full utility and thus does not reduce risks of robot-contact as much as strict privacy settings do. Future experiments should replicate these results using real-life human robot interaction and different scenarios to further investigate the psychological mechanisms causing such divergences.
Ebro Valley Gypsum Escarpment Near Zaragoza (NE Spain)—Combination of Highly Valuable Rock Record, Dynamic Geomorphosites and Associated Cultural Heritage
Authors: Migoń Piotr , Gutiérrez Francisco , Parenti Carlotta , Sevil Jorge
Published: September 2023

The 40-km-long escarpment of the Ebro River valley to the north-west of Zaragoza (NE Spain) is a remarkable geomorphological feature and an important geoheritage locality. Being 30 to 150 m high, the escarpment exposes a complex evaporate-clastic succession of Early to Middle Miocene age, with alternating gypsum and mudstone/marl units, as well as halite beds at depth. The escarpment is a highly dynamic feature, extensively shaped by mass movements of different types, especially in sections where it is directly undercut by the Ebro River. It also hosts abundant evidence of salt and gypsum dissolution, contributing to ongoing instability. Diverse cultural heritage is associated with the escarpment, including an ancient Celtiberian settlement, medieval castles, abandoned villages, rock-cut churches and dwellings and ancient salt mines. Twenty-six possible geosites are identified, with six considered as most representative described in detail. Opportunities to develop the area for geotourism are presented, but these will be associated with challenges of properly managing steep, dynamic and fragile terrain.
Parental sex-preferences in South Africa: culture and family composition
Authors: Garenne Michel , Stiegler Nancy
Published: September 2023

The study investigates parental sex-preferences for children in South Africa, using answers to the 2016 DHS survey. Some 8514 women and 3618 men were asked about the ideal composition of their family. Results show major differences between women and men: women were more often indifferent (11.9% vs. 9.9%), equalitarian, i.e. preferring the same number of boys and girls (53.1% vs. 43.1%) or preferring more girls (16.7% vs. 8.4%) than men, while men were more likely to prefer more boys (37.6% vs. 18.3%). The relative preference for girls was therefore 4.1 larger for women than for men. Several socio-economic factors were investigated: urban residence, level of education, household wealth, and exposure to media, but had hardly any impact on sex-preferences. In contrast, cultural and ethnic factors were strong. White/European groups had higher preference for boys, while Black/African groups showed virtually no differential preference between boys and girls, like in nearby southern African countries. Some minor differences could be noted among ethnic groups, in particular among Zulus and Xhosas. At ethnic level, nuptiality, in particular polygyny, and household structure showed a correlation with sex-preferences. Lastly, current family composition had an effect on stated preferences, showing that on average men and women were rather satisfied with the sex-composition of their family.
Geochemical and mineralogical analysis of the Upper Cretaceous dolomitic phosphates at Queih Mine, Quseir, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: depositional environment implications and pollution indices
Authors: Abou El‑Anwar Esmat A. , Belal Zeinab L. , Salman Salman A. , Abd El Rahim Said H. , Abdelwahab Wael
Published: September 2023

Soon for the security of phosphorus world supply, which comes primarily from non-renewable sources, the moderate carbonate phosphates will need further geochemical multidiscipline investigations to participate in the phosphorous supply chains necessary to increase human productivity. Dolomitic phosphates represented the main carbonate phosphate rocks of the Upper Member of Duwi Formation, at Um Queih Mine, South-Western Quseir, that phosphate can be classified as intermediate grade phosphate ore. It was enriched in V, Ni, Mo, U, Cu, Cr, Cd, Co as well as Zn and their ratios indicated that the deposition occurred in anoxic environment (reducing conditions). Mineralogical investigations indicated that the studied phosphorites are composed of two main mineral phases; fluorapatite and non-phosphatic minerals (dolomite, calcite, pyrite, gypsum, and quartz). The petrographic examination revealed that these phosphorites are composed of phosphatic lithoclasts, phosphatic bioclasts, opaques, and quartz grains embedded in a cryptocrystalline phosphatic matrix. The parent rocks of the studied phosphorites represented by basaltic mafic provenance were affected by low chemical weathering and deposited under marine anoxic environment. The mineralogical and geochemical characteristics indicated that the studied phosphorites deposited in marine anoxic condition. The weathering of these rocks can be harmful to the surrounding environment owing to its content of pyrite and potentially toxic elements (PTEs), the EF (enrichment factor) gives extremely high enriched with Mo, Cd, and Se.
Main controlling factor of coalbed methane enrichment area in southern Qinshui Basin, China
Authors: Jiang Lin , Song Yan , Zhao Wen , Bo Dongmei , Liu Shaobo , Hao Jiaqing
Published: September 2023

Despite the significant progress made in coalbed methane (CBM) exploration and development in recent years, understanding of CBM enrichment mechanisms remains limited. This study aims to elucidate the CBM enrichment mechanism in the southern Qinshui Basin, China, by analyzing characteristics of global CBM basins and building a geological model of the study area. Field analyses are conducted to predict sweet spots of high CBM abundance and production potential. The findings reveal a high-yield model of CBM accumulation at relatively elevated structural positions within enriched areas. Compared to other global basins, low permeability poses the primary challenge for CBM development in China. Coal seam thickness shows minimal variation in southern Qinshui Basin, exerting negligible impact on CBM productivity. The shallow burial depth of coal seams in this region results in low stress, conferring high permeability conducive to high CBM yields. In situ stress conditions exert a primary control on the development of microfracture systems, which in turn govern reservoir permeability. This work provides new insights into CBM enrichment patterns in the southern Qinshui Basin. The proposed high-yield model enables better understanding of favorable conditions for CBM accumulation. Overall, this study represents a valuable contribution toward unlocking China’s CBM potential through improved geological characterization.
Ethical Issues in Rhinologic Surgery: Balancing Benevolent Care and Advancing Surgical Techniques
Authors: Lund Valerie J. , Rimmer Joanne , Knill Andrew
Published: September 2023

Purpose of Review

To consider ethical aspects of rhinologic surgery including surgical and medical treatment options, new technologies and techniques, informed consent and patient choice.

Recent Findings

The ethical principles of autonomy, justice, beneficence, non-maleficence and fidelity are fundamental to the practice of medicine as well as to the clinical research that informs new treatment options. Here, they are discussed in the context of treatment of benign rhinologic disease.

Surgeons are ethically bound to act in the best interests of the patient, informing and involving them in the clinical decisions and avoiding harm. This requires full and honest discussion with patients about the available treatment options, their potential benefits and risks and cost-effectiveness of newer techniques and technologies.
The Oblate Lambert Problem: Geometric Formulation and Solution of an Unperturbed, Generalized Lambert Problem Governed by Vinti’s Potential
Authors: Biria Ashley D.
Published: September 2023

Numerous methods exist for solving the Lambert problem, the two-point boundary value problem (BVP) governed by two-body dynamics. Many applications would benefit from a solution to a perturbed Lambert problem; a few studies have attempted to solve one. Establishing a larger pool of alternative solution methods gives practitioners greater latitude in choosing the solution that best suits their needs. To that end, a novel Lambert-type BVP is constructed in this work that includes oblateness by way of Vinti’s potential, rendering the problem mathematically unperturbed. This BVP is first defined and then converted to a system of equations that is amenable to an iterative solution. The formulation, which is valid for both the zero- and multiple-revolution problems, couples oblate spheroidal (OS) universal variables and OS equinoctial orbital elements together to sow robustness across all orbital regimes, only excepting orbits that are sufficiently rectilinear. For the first time, the solution space is broadly explored, exposing multiple new insights of significant practical use. Initial guess and root-solve techniques are offered to solve the system of equations. When assessed at Earth for robustness, accuracy, and computational efficiency, the zero-revolution algorithm excels across all three performance metrics, with runtimes averaging only about 15 times slower than a typical two-body Lambert solver. The multiple-revolution algorithm, while not yet evaluated as extensively, also exhibits high levels of performance, the formulation generally characterizing the existence of solutions around oblate bodies more accurately than its Keplerian counterpart.
Recent Advances in Multifunctional Reticular Framework Nanoparticles: A Paradigm Shift in Materials Science Road to a Structured Future
Authors: Chafiq Maryam , Chaouiki Abdelkarim , Ko Young Gun
Published: September 2023

Porous organic frameworks (POFs) have become a highly sought-after research domain that offers a promising avenue for developing cutting-edge nanostructured materials, both in their pristine state and when subjected to various chemical and structural modifications. Metal–organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and hydrogen-bonded organic frameworks are examples of these emerging materials that have gained significant attention due to their unique properties, such as high crystallinity, intrinsic porosity, unique structural regularity, diverse functionality, design flexibility, and outstanding stability. This review provides an overview of the state-of-the-art research on base-stable POFs, emphasizing the distinct pros and cons of reticular framework nanoparticles compared to other types of nanocluster materials. Thereafter, the review highlights the unique opportunity to produce multifunctional tailoring nanoparticles to meet specific application requirements. It is recommended that this potential for creating customized nanoparticles should be the driving force behind future synthesis efforts to tap the full potential of this multifaceted material category.
Kinetic Limits of Graphite Anode for Fast-Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Weng Suting , Yang Gaojing , Zhang Simeng , Liu Xiaozhi , Zhang Xiao , Liu Zepeng , Cao Mengyan , Ateş Mehmet Nurullah , Li Yejing , Chen Liquan , Wang Zhaoxiang , Wang Xuefeng
Published: September 2023

Fast-charging lithium-ion batteries are highly required, especially in reducing the mileage anxiety of the widespread electric vehicles. One of the biggest bottlenecks lies in the sluggish kinetics of the Li+ intercalation into the graphite anode; slow intercalation will lead to lithium metal plating, severe side reactions, and safety concerns. The premise to solve these problems is to fully understand the reaction pathways and rate-determining steps of graphite during fast Li+ intercalation. Herein, we compare the Li+ diffusion through the graphite particle, interface, and electrode, uncover the structure of the lithiated graphite at high current densities, and correlate them with the reaction kinetics and electrochemical performances. It is found that the rate-determining steps are highly dependent on the particle size, interphase property, and electrode configuration. Insufficient Li+ diffusion leads to high polarization, incomplete intercalation, and the coexistence of several staging structures. Interfacial Li+ diffusion and electrode transportation are the main rate-determining steps if the particle size is less than 10 μm. The former is highly dependent on the electrolyte chemistry and can be enhanced by constructing a fluorinated interphase. Our findings enrich the understanding of the graphite structural evolution during rapid Li+ intercalation, decipher the bottleneck for the sluggish reaction kinetics, and provide strategic guidelines to boost the fast-charging performance of graphite anode.
Artificial Macrophage with Hierarchical Nanostructure for Biomimetic Reconstruction of Antitumor Immunity
Authors: Zhao Henan , Liu Renyu , Wang Liqiang , Tang Feiying , Chen Wansong , Liu You-Nian
Published: September 2023

Artificial cells are constructed from synthetic materials to imitate the biological functions of natural cells. By virtue of nanoengineering techniques, artificial cells with designed biomimetic functions provide alternatives to natural cells, showing vast potential for biomedical applications. Especially in cancer treatment, the deficiency of immunoactive macrophages results in tumor progression and immune resistance. To overcome the limitation, a BaSO4@ZIF-8/transferrin (TRF) nanomacrophage (NMΦ) is herein constructed as an alternative to immunoactive macrophages. Alike to natural immunoactive macrophages, NMΦ is stably retained in tumors through the specific affinity of TRF to tumor cells. Zn2+ as an “artificial cytokine” is then released from the ZIF-8 layer of NMΦ under tumor microenvironment. Similar as proinflammatory cytokines, Zn2+ can trigger cell anoikis to expose tumor antigens, which are selectively captured by the BaSO4 cavities. Therefore, the hierarchical nanostructure of NMΦs allows them to mediate immunogenic death of tumor cells and subsequent antigen capture for T cell activation to fabricate long-term antitumor immunity. As a proof-of-concept, the NMΦ mimics the biological functions of macrophage, including tumor residence, cytokine release, antigen capture and immune activation, which is hopeful to provide a paradigm for the design and biomedical applications of artificial cells.
Exploring the association between network centralities and passenger flows in metro systems
Authors: Kopsidas Athanasios , Douvaras Aristeides , Kepaptsoglou Konstantinos
Published: September 2023

Network science offers valuable tools for planning and managing public transportation systems, with measures such as network centralities proposed as complementary predictors of ridership. This paper explores the relationship between different cases of passenger flows at metro stations and network centralities within both metro and alternative public transport (substitute) networks; such an association can be useful for managing metro system operations when disruptions occur. For that purpose, linear regression and non-parametric machine learning models are developed and compared. The Athens metro system is used as a testbed for developing the proposed methodology. The findings of this study can be used for deriving medium-term ridership estimates in cases of metro disruptions, as the proposed methodology can support contingency plans for both platform and rail track disruptions.
The impact of underdamping on the maximum rate of the radial pressure rise during systole (dP/dtMAX)
Authors: Michard Frederic , Foti Lorenzo , Villa Gianluca , Ricci Zaccaria , Romagnoli Stefano
Published: September 2023

Purpose

In patients with a radial arterial catheter, underdamping of the pressure signal is common and responsible for an overestimation of systolic arterial pressure (SAP). The maximum rate of the arterial pressure rise during systole (dP/dtMAX) has been proposed to assess left ventricular systolic function. The impact of underdamping on dP/dtMAX is likely but has never been quantified.

Methods

We analyzed data from 70 critically ill patients monitored with a radial catheter in whom underdamping of the arterial pressure waveform was confirmed by the Gardner’s method. Invasive SAP and dP/dtMAX were recorded at baseline and after the correction of underdamping with a resonance filter.

Results

With resonance filtering, SAP decreased from 159 ± 25 to 139 ± 22 mmHg (p < 0.001) and dP/dtMAX from 2.0 ± 0.6 to 1.1 ± 0.3 mmHg/ms (p < 0.001). The underdamping-induced overestimation of SAP (delta-SAP) ranged from 6 to 41 mmHg (mean 21 ± 9 mmHg or + 15%) and the overestimation of dP/dtMAX (delta-dP/dtMAX) ranged from 0.2 to 2.0 mmHg/ms (mean 0.9 ± 0.4 mmHg/ms or + 84%). A significant linear relationship (p < 0.001, r = 0.6) was observed between delta-SAP and delta-dP/dtMAX such that the higher was delta-SAP, the higher was delta-dP/dtMAX.

Conclusions

Radial arterial pressure underdamping has a major impact on dP/dtMAX. In case of underdamping, the overestimation of dP/dtMAX is > fivefold higher than SAP overestimation. Therefore, caution should be exercised before using radial dP/dtMAX as a marker of left ventricular systolic function.

Trial registration

Registered at ClinicalTrials.gov on December 22, 2021 (NCT05166993).

Graphical Abstract
Gesundheitsbezogene Lebensqualität von Tabakraucher:innen in der hausärztlichen Versorgung: Zusammenhänge mit soziodemografischen Merkmalen, Rauchverhalten und Rauchstopp
Authors: Pashutina Yekaterina , Kastaun Sabrina , Majstorović Kiara , Reddemann Olaf , Wilm Stefan , Kotz Daniel
Published: September 2023

Hintergrund

Tabakrauchen geht mit einer Verschlechterung der gesundheitsbezogenen Lebensqualität (gLQ) einher. Tabakentwöhnung kann die gLQ deutlich verbessern. Ziel der vorliegenden Arbeit war es, Zusammenhänge zwischen soziodemografischen Merkmalen, Rauchverhalten, Rauchstopp und gLQ bei Tabakraucher:innen in der hausärztlichen Versorgung in Deutschland zu untersuchen.

Methoden

Datenbasis für die vorliegende Beobachtungsstudie war eine pragmatische cluster-randomisierte kontrollierte Interventionsstudie mit 3 Nachbefragungen (in Woche 4, 12 und 26) durchgeführt zwischen 06/2017 und 02/2020 in 52 Hausarztpraxen in Nordrhein-Westfalen. Analysiert wurden Daten von täglich oder gelegentlich tabakrauchenden Patient:innen ab 18 Jahren. Bei einer persönlich-mündlichen Erstbefragung wurden Alter, Geschlecht, Bildungsniveau, Tabakkonsummenge, Rauchverlangen und gLQ erfasst. Bei einer schriftlichen 26-Wochen-Nachbefragung wurden ein möglicher Rauchstopp in den letzten 6 Monaten sowie erneut die gLQ erfasst. Zusammenhänge wurden mithilfe multivariabler linearer Regressionen analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt nahmen 1793 Patient:innen an der Erstbefragung und 518 an der Nachbefragung teil. Das Alter, ein niedriges im Vergleich zu einem hohen Bildungsniveau und die Stärke des Rauchverlangens zeigten einen negativen Zusammenhang mit der gLQ, während das männliche Geschlecht positiv mit der gLQ zusammenhing. Ein Zusammenhang zwischen einem Rauchstopp und einer Veränderung der gLQ ließ sich in der vorliegenden Arbeit nicht nachweisen.

Diskussion

Neben soziodemografischen Merkmalen hängt auch die Stärke des Rauchverlangens eng mit der gLQ zusammen. Dies sollte bei Präventions- und Behandlungsmaßnahmen für rauchende Patient:innen in der hausärztlichen Versorgung berücksichtigt werden.
Research progress on the functional study of host resistance-related genes against Heterodera glycines
Authors: He Long , Ghani Nabi Noor Ul , Chen Luying , Liu Qiannan , Zheng Jingwu , Han Shaojie
Published: September 2023

Soybean (Glycine maxL.), a crucial crop that provides essential nutrition, is experiencing increasing demand to meet protein and oil requirements. However, the menace of soybean cyst nematode (SCN) disease, caused byHeterodera glycines, poses a substantial threat globally, resulting in significant annual economic losses. While cultivating resistant varieties is an eco-friendly approach to control SCN, the excessive use of a single variety triggers ongoing evolution of SCN races, jeopardizing the soybean industry's stability. Leveraging advanced technologies, research on soybean SCN resistance mechanisms has progressed significantly across genetics, transcriptomics, and protein functions. This review consolidates insights into major resistance loci (rhg1andRhg4), elucidating their connections with vesicle transport and plant hormone signaling pathways. It also discusses the role of key functional proteins in soybean resistance and addresses potential research issues. This study explores superior soybean resistance genes, laying a foundation for creating new SCN-resistant germplasms, thereby ensuring the sustainable growth of the global soybean industry.
Instability of the optimal edge trajectory in the Blasius boundary layer
Authors: Beneitez Miguel , Duguet Yohann , Schlatter Philipp , Henningson Dan S.
Published: September 2023

In the context of linear stability analysis, considering unsteady base flows is notoriously difficult. A generalisation of modal linear stability analysis, allowing for arbitrarily unsteady base flows over a finite time, is therefore required. The recently developed optimally time-dependent (OTD) modes form a projection basis for the tangent space. They capture the leading amplification directions in state space under the constraint that they form an orthonormal basis at all times. The present numerical study illustrates the possibility to describe a complex flow case using the leading OTD modes. The flow under investigation is an unsteady case of the Blasius boundary layer, featuring streamwise streaks of finite length and relevant to bypass transition. It corresponds to the state space trajectory initiated by the minimal seed; such a trajectory is unsteady, free from any spatial symmetry and shadows the laminar–turbulent separatrix for a finite time only. The finite-time instability of this unsteady base flow is investigated using the 8 leading OTD modes. The analysis includes the computation of finite-time Lyapunov exponents as well as instantaneous eigenvalues, and of the associated flow structures. The reconstructed instantaneous eigenmodes are all of outer type. They map unambiguously the spatial regions of largest instantaneous growth. Other flow structures, previously reported as secondary, are identified with this method as relevant to streak switching and to streamwise vortical ejections. The dynamics inside the tangent space features both modal and non-modal amplification. Non-normality within the reduced tangent subspace, quantified by the instantaneous numerical abscissa, emerges only as the unsteadiness of the base flow is reduced.
Tomographic PIV investigation on near-wake structures of a hemisphere immersed in a laminar boundary layer
Authors: Tu Han , Wang Zhongyi , Gao Qi , She Wenxuan , Wang Fujun , Wang Jinjun , Wei Runjie
Published: September 2023

The near wake of a hemisphere immersed in a laminar boundary layer is studied utilizing time-resolved tomographic particle image velocimetry (TPIV). Focus is placed on the three-dimensional vortical structures and the formation details of hairpin vortices before the onset of transition. The three-dimensional instantaneous pressure field of the hemisphere wake is reconstructed for better understanding the flow mechanism. Experiments are carried out with Reynolds number

$Re_{r}=1370$

, based on the hemisphere radius

$R$

. Features of periodicity of the near wake are analysed using proper orthogonal decomposition and Fourier transformation. The velocity fluctuation in the wall-normal direction is shown to be crucial to the formation of hairpin vortices in the near wake. By investigating the transport of mass and vorticity, and the correlation between pressure and hairpin vortex strength, the formation mechanism is revealed clearly. Specifically, the main hairpin vortices (MHVs) are formed within the reaction of outer high-speed flow and near-wall flow. The formation of the head portion is followed by the leg portion formation. The shedding of the MHVs is highly correlated with the pressure, as well as the pressure gradient in the wall-normal direction. For the side hairpin vortices (SHVs), the leg portion is formed first, followed by the generation of the head portion thanks to induction of the re-oriented standing vortices. The generation of the SHVs can be regarded as the downstream bridging of the standing vortices, similar to the generation of hairpin vortices due to the connection of streamwise vortices in turbulent boundary layers.
Gnawa Mirror: Race, Music, and the “Imperialism of Categories”
Authors: Aidi Hisham
Published: September 2023

It was a routine winter night. Men sat gathered at the Café Fuentes, one of the fabled coffee houses in the medina of Tangier. A chilly gust blew up from the port, dispersing the aroma of tea and cannabis in the air. During the colonial days Hotel Fuentes, owned by the famed Spanish painter Antonio Fuentes, was a favored brasserie for high society. As European and American expats departed, Café Fuentes became a gathering spot for local elders, fishermen working in the port, random hawkers, and jobless youth. By the early 2000s, it was drawing West African migrants who had settled in the medina, hoping to try their luck and cross the Straits of Gibraltar to Spain.
Second language speech comprehensibility: A research agenda
Authors: Crowther Dustin , Isbell Daniel R.
Published: September 2023

Interest in second language (L2) speech comprehensibility, or listeners’ perceived ease or difficulty of understanding a given utterance, has seen continual growth since Munro and Derwing's (1995) seminal publication in Language Learning. While recognizing the body of knowledge that has developed in the 25 plus years since Munro and Derwing's study, in the present paper we look to the future as we consider what an active and informative research agenda might look like for the next 10–15 years. In this regard, we propose four primary areas of future research, including a need to: (1) extend inquiry beyond a primary focus on L2 English speech, (2) explore comprehensibility more thoroughly as a social construct, (3) investigate the effects of more targeted task manipulations, and (4) delve deeper into the effects of comprehensibility-oriented instruction. We additionally discuss the need for more replication in L2 comprehensibility research while also promoting several scholarly disciplines we feel can greatly inform future research, such as task-based literature.
A review of robotic grasp detection technology
Authors: Dong Minglun , Zhang Jian
Published: September 2023

In order to complete many complex operations and attain more general-purpose utility, robotic grasp is a necessary skill to master. As the most common essential action of robots in factory and daily life environments, robotic autonomous grasping has a wide range of application prospects and has received much attention from researchers in the past decade. However, the accurate grasp of arbitrary objects in unstructured environments is still a research challenge that has not yet been completely overcome. A complete robotic grasp system usually involves three aspects: grasp detection, grasp planning, and control subsystem. As the first step, identifying the location of the object and generating the grasp pose is the premise of successful grasp, which is conducive to planning the subsequent grasp path and the realization of the entire grasp action. Therefore, this paper conducts a literature review focusing on grasp detection technology and concludes two significant aspects: the analytic and data-driven methods. According to the previous grasp experience of the target object, this paper divides the data-driven methods into the grasp of known and unknown objects. Then it describes in detail the typical grasp detection methods and related characteristics of each classification in the grasp of unknown objects. Finally, current research status and potential research directions in this field are discussed to provide some reference for related research.