bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of pomegranate (Punica granatum) on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A systematic review of in vivo interventional studies
Authors: Tangestani Hadith , Jamshidi Ali , Farhadi Akram , Ghalandari Hamid , Dehghani Pardis , Moghaddas Nika , Safaei Zahra , Emamat Hadi
Published: June 2024

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a disorder in which excess fat accumulates in hepatocytes and can lead to serious complications. Oxidative stress is one of the leading causes of NAFLD. Pomegranates are considered antioxidant‐rich fruit. This systematic review study was aimed to investigate the impact of pomegranate on NAFLD. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases/search engines (from inception up to July 2023) were searched for interventional studies (human and animal) that examined the effects of supplementation with different parts of pomegranate including fruits, peels, seeds, or flower on NAFLD outcomes. A total of 222 articles were retrieved following the initial search. After excluding duplicates, the title and abstract of 114 articles were screened. Afterward, irrelevant articles were removed and the full texts of the remaining 27 articles were reviewed. Eventually, 19 articles (16 animal and three human interventional studies) that met the inclusion criteria, published between 2009 and 2023, were included in this systematic review. Our study indicates the potential beneficial effects of different parts of pomegranate on the improvement of NAFLD. However, given that the majority of the included articles were animal studies, further investigations in the form of human clinical trials are warranted to suggest a clinical indication of such interventions.
Rainbow Trapping with Engineered Topological Corner States and Cavities in Photonic Crystals
Authors: AbdelAll Naglaa , Almokhtar Mohamed , Khouqeer Ghada , Abood Israa , El. Soliman Sayed
Published: June 2024

This work presents a pioneering photonic crystal (PC) heterostructure design exploiting tailored topological corner states and cavities to unleash a fascinating topological rainbow effect. This effect arises from the strategic integration of a nontrivial topological PC with sharp corners within a trivial PC matrix, resulting in a heterostructure rich in corner states and cavities. The critical innovation lies in manipulating the sector angle of circular columns, granting dynamic control over the rainbow effect and light localization. This manipulation induces distinct group velocities for different light frequencies, leading to their separation and localization at specific corner states. This remarkable “rainbow trapping” phenomenon manifests as highly confined light exhibiting exceptional resilience against disorder. These findings illuminate a pathway toward crafting next‐generation photonic devices boasting unparalleled functionalities. The reconfigurable rainbow trapping holds immense potential for applications in wavelength division multiplexing, optical sensing, and even venturing into quantum information processing.
Approaching a population‐level assessment of body size in pinnipeds using drones, an early warning of environmental degradation
Authors: Carroll Daire , Infantes Eduardo , Pagan Eva V. , Harding Karin C.
Published: June 2024

Body mass is a fundamental indicator of animal health closely linked to survival and reproductive success. Systematic assessment of body mass for a large proportion of a population can allow early detection of changes likely to impact population growth, facilitating responsive management and a mechanistic understanding of ecological trends. One challenge with integrating body mass assessment into monitoring is sampling enough animals to detect trends and account for individual variation. Harbour seals (Phoca vitulina) are philopatric marine mammals responsive to regional environmental changes, resulting in their use as an indicator species. We present a novel method for the non‐invasive and semi‐automatic assessment of harbour seal body condition, using unoccupied aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones). Morphological parameters are automatically measured in georeferenced images and used to estimate volume, which is then translated to estimated mass. Remote observations of known individuals are utilized to calibrate the method. We achieve a high level of accuracy (mean absolute error of 4.5 kg or 10.5% for all seals and 3.2 kg or 12.7% for pups‐of‐the‐year). We systematically apply the method to wild seals during the Spring pupping season and Autumn over 2 years, achieving a near‐population‐level assessment for pups on land (82.5% measured). With reference to previous mark‐recapture work linking Autumn pup weights to survival, we estimate mean expected probability of over‐winter survival (mean = 0.89, standard deviation = 0.08). This work marks a significant step forward for the non‐invasive assessment of body condition in pinnipeds and could provide daily estimates of body mass for thousands of individuals. It can act as an early warning for deteriorating environmental conditions and be utilized as an integrative tool for wildlife monitoring. It also enables estimation of yearly variation in demographic rates which can be utilized in parameterizing models of population growth with relevance for conservation and evolutionary biology.
Sustainable futures: Toward institutionalizing green industrial policy
Authors: Amankwah‐Amoah Joseph
Published: June 2024

Although there have been substantial accomplishments in understanding environmental sustainability policy, there remains a paucity of research categorizing the mechanisms through which firm ownership architectures can be harnessed to advance green industrial policy (GIP). The purpose of this study is to examine how different types of ownership structures can be utilized as mechanisms for capitalizing on and championing GIP. By integrating the fragmented streams of research, this study advances a four‐cell typology of GIP‐firm ownership dimensions (privately‐owned enterprises (POEs)/state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) × intra‐country/inter‐country GIP), which sheds much‐needed light on the long‐term energy transition (ETs) pathway through institutional and industrial challenges. The analysis further enhances researchers' understanding of leveraging SOEs and POEs to neutralize uncertainties inherent in scaling up renewables and addressing the “pollution haven hypothesis.” Directions for future research pertaining to ETs are outlined.
Are we there yet? Saturation analysis as a foundation for confidence in system dynamics modeling, applied to a conceptualization process using qualitative data
Authors: Tomoaia‐Cotisel Andrada , Allen Samuel D. , Kim Hyunjung , Andersen David F. , Qureshi Nabeel , Chalabi Zaid
Published: June 2024

Saturation is a useful concept for system dynamics, yet it has not been widely explored or integrated into the modeling process. In this article, we describe saturation as a metaphor describing the point at which a conceptual representation of a system meets the study purpose and no longer requires modification. When saturation is reached, additional data about the problem would not offer added information, thus indicating that additional data gathering and analysis would likely be redundant. We discuss two visualization techniques, “saturation curves” and “shared understanding diagrams,” for assessing saturation when conceptualizing with causal loop diagrams and show their application in a case example. Using saturation analysis during a system dynamics research process has many advantages, including: (i) identifying model structures potentially needing revisions, (ii) observing the extent to which evidence supports the current conceptualization, (iii) reflecting extensively, (iv) documenting important modeling decisions, and (v) potentially improving the problem statement. © 2024 The Author(s). System Dynamics Review published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of System Dynamics Society.
Uncovering Temperature‐Insensitive Feature of Phase Change Thermal Storage Electrolyte for Safe Lithium Battery
Authors: Luo Zicheng , He Yulong , Hui Jia , Yang Shubin , Li Bin
Published: June 2024

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) have emerged as highly promising energy storage devices due to their high energy density and long cycle life. However, their safety concern, particularly under thermal shock, hinders their widespread applications. Herein, a temperature‐insensitive electrolyte (TI‐electrolyte) with exceptional resistance to thermal stimuli is presented to address the safety issues arising from the lack of thermal abuse tolerance in LIBs. The TI‐electrolyte is composed of two phase‐change polymers with differentiation melting points (60 and 35°C for polycaprolactone and polyethylene glycol respectively), delivering a wide temperature‐resistant range. It is demonstrated that the TI‐electrolyte possesses a heat capacity of 27.3 J g−1. The crystalline region in the TI‐electrolyte shrinks when confronted with above‐ambient temperature, absorbing heat to unlock molecular chains fixed in the crystal lattice, becoming amorphous. Notably, the Li||LFP pouch cell delays 3 valuable minutes to achieve the same temperature as conventional liquid electrolytes (LE) when subjected to thermal shocks, paralleling with the simulation results. Moreover, symmetrical Li||Li cell cycles stably for over 600 h at 0.1 mA cm−2, and Li||LFP full cell demonstrates excellent electrochemical performance, with a capacity of 142.7 mAh g−1 at 0.5 C, thus representing a critical approach to enhancing the safety of LIBs.
Modeling the Depth Resolution of Translucent Layers in Confocal Microscopy
Authors: Maier Maximilian , Böhm Thomas
Published: June 2024

Confocal microscopy is an established technique with manifold applications that offers the capability to perform nondestructive through‐plane imaging. However, depth resolution typically decreases when focusing below the surface of a sample, which limits the applicability. A computational model is introduced that calculates the axial resolution, its decay, and the attenuation coefficient from confocal through‐plane scans of translucent layers. The model is benchmarked with different polymers and objectives (air, water, oil) using a confocal Raman microscope. The algorithm requires a single through‐plane scan that allows to identify the sample by signal intensity differences. It fits the point spread function of the objective at the top and bottom interface of the specimen to extract the resolution at both interfaces and the attenuation coefficient of the sample. It provides robust outputs on various and even multilayered samples if the signal‐to‐noise ratio of the input is sufficient and if the layers are planar and homogeneous. The algorithm of the model is provided open‐source for MATLAB and Python. Quantifying microscope resolution in through‐plane scans can improve image analysis in multiple fields, and this study is a comprehensive proof‐of‐concept for the presented model. It establishes an accessible tool to quantify the depth resolution of confocal microscopy.
A Whole‐Course‐Repair System Based on Stimulus‐Responsive Multifunctional Hydrogels for Myocardial Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Liu Wenqi , Long Linyu , Wang Zhicun , He Shuyi , Han Yaling , Yang Li , Hu Cheng , Wang Yunbing
Published: June 2024

Myocardial infarction (MI) has emerged as the predominant cause of cardiovascular morbidity globally. The pathogenesis of MI unfolds as a progressive process encompassing three pivotal phases: inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Smart stimulus‐responsive hydrogels have garnered considerable attention for their capacity to deliver therapeutic drugs precisely and controllably at the MI site. Here, a smart stimulus‐responsive hydrogel with a dual‐crosslinked network structure is designed, which enables the precise and controlled release of therapeutic drugs in different pathological stages for the treatment of MI. The hydrogel can rapidly release curcumin (Cur) in the inflammatory phase of MI to exert anti‐apoptotic/anti‐inflammatory effects. Recombinant humanized collagen type III (rhCol III) is loaded in the hydrogel and released as the hydrogel swelled/degraded during the proliferative phase to promote neovascularization. RepSox (a selective TGF‐β inhibitor) releases from Pluronic F‐127 grafted with aldehyde nanoparticles (PF127‐CHO@RepSox NPs) in the remodeling phase to against fibrosis. The results in vitro and in vivo suggest that the hydrogel improves cardiac function and alleviates cardiac remodeling by suppressing inflammation and apoptosis, promoting neovascularization, and inhibiting myocardial fibrosis. A whole‐course‐repair system, leveraging stimulus‐responsive multifunctional hydrogels, demonstrates notable effectiveness in enhancing post‐MI cardiac function and facilitating the restoration of damaged myocardial tissue.
Bacteria/Nanozyme Composites: New Therapeutics for Disease Treatment
Authors: Wang Qirui , Jin Lulu , Yang Huang , Yu Lisha , Cao Xinran , Mao Zhengwei
Published: June 2024

Bacterial therapy is recognized as a cost‐effective treatment for several diseases. However, its development is hindered by limited functionality, weak inherent therapeutic effects, and vulnerability to harsh microenvironmental conditions, leading to suboptimal treatment activity. Enhancing bacterial activity and therapeutic outcomes emerges as a pivotal challenge. Nanozymes have garnered significant attention due to their enzyme‐mimic activities and high stability. They enable bacteria to mimic the functions of gene‐edited bacteria expressing the same functional enzymes, thereby improving bacterial activity and therapeutic efficacy. This review delineates the therapeutic mechanisms of bacteria and nanozymes, followed by a summary of strategies for preparing bacteria/nanozyme composites. Additionally, the synergistic effects of such composites in biomedical applications such as gastrointestinal diseases and tumors are highlighted. Finally, the challenges of bacteria/nanozyme composites are discussed and propose potential solutions. This study aims to provide valuable insights to offer theoretical guidance for the advancement of nanomaterial‐assisted bacterial therapy.
Mitigating Delamination in Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Modules
Authors: Bristow Helen , Li Xiaole , Babics Maxime , Kosar Sofiia , Pininti Anil Reddy , Zhang Shanshan , Vishal Badri , Sarwade Shruti , Razzaq Arsalan , Said Ahmed Ali , Lubineau Gilles , De Wolf Stefaan
Published: June 2024

As perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells head toward industrialization, one emerging challenge relates to the mechanical reliability of these organic–inorganic multilayer devices. Herein, the fracture toughness and interfacial strength of monolithic p–i–n perovskite/silicon tandems are assessed in the context of module integration. While the weakest layer in the tandem stack investigated is found to be C60, used here as electron‐transport layer (interfacial tensile strength of 0.64 MPa), more concerningly, the fracture energy of the C60/tin‐oxide interface is found to be only 1.2 J m−2. The low fracture toughness of perovskite/silicon tandems can encourage crack propagation and large‐scale delamination during processes used for their integration into modules such as cell cutting, interconnection, and vacuum lamination. By improving the tin oxide buffer layer properties and reducing sputtering‐induced internal stress (associated with the transparent top electrode deposition onto the tin the oxide buffer layer), the fracture energy is improved to over 160 J m−2. A second strategy to mitigate delamination due to the low fracture toughness of the cells is tailoring encapsulation and cell processing techniques specifically toward the perovskite/silicon tandem technology. In this work, a critical reliability issue, relevant for any perovskite‐based optoelectronic technology requiring device packaging, is addressed.
Influence of Tramp Elements on Surface Properties of Liquid Medium‐Carbon Steels
Authors: Cejka Julian , Sammer Bernhard , Gruber Isabell , Klösch Gerald , Michelic Susanne K.
Published: June 2024

The transformation of the steel industry is inevitably linked to increased recycling rates of steel. However, end‐of‐life scrap is often contaminated with tramp elements like copper, molybdenum, and tin and while their influence on mechanical properties of steels is well described, their effect on nonmetallic inclusions remains largely unknown. Therefore, herein, two medium‐carbon steels are alloyed with up to 1 wt% of the listed tramp elements. The influence these elements have on the inclusion behavior in liquid steel is investigated using the sessile drop method in contact with alumina and zirconia as well as in steel/slag melting experiments to evaluate the formation and separation of new inclusions. Additionally, a semiempirical approach using CALPHAD to model the surface tension of steels with tramp elements is done. Copper and tin decrease the surface tension, while molybdenum increases the surface tension. It is demonstrated that most investigated alloys lead to a decrease of wetting angle as compared to the nonalloyed steels. The shown trends in the sessile drop experiments are lower contact angles with increased surface tension while a higher number of inclusions occurs with a decrease in surface tension. Thus, this study demonstrates that tramp elements affect the oxidic cleanness of steels.
Target reliabilities for heritage structures derived from cost optimization
Authors: Van Den Hende Karel , Caspeele Robby , Sykora Miroslav , Way Andrew
Published: June 2024

In the last decade, structural reliability and safety efforts have been oriented toward the assessment of existing structures and the development of related target reliability levels. However, up‐to‐date there is no consensus on the reliability philosophy that should be followed when considering the assessment of heritage structures, and the level of reliability which is appropriate to them. In this study, a framework is proposed which derives new values for the economically optimal target reliability for the upgrade of a structure, , and the reliability threshold for upgrade, , considering the cultural heritage value of the structure. The total expected life cycle cost is minimized, assuming that the structure is given up after collapse, as heritage value is typically lost after failure. The target reliability values are based on three main parameters: the relative annual benefit of using the structure (affected by its heritage value), the relative cost of failure and the relative cost of increasing the reliability. Target reliability values are proposed specifically for heritage structures, considering a range of the main input parameters.
A Comparative Study on the Interaction Between Protein and PET Micro/Nanoplastics: Structural and Surface Characteristics of Particles and Impacts on Lung Carcinoma Cells (A549) and Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Baysal Asli , Saygin Hasan , Soyocak Ahu
Published: June 2024

The interaction between particles and proteins is a key factor determining the toxicity responses of particles. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the interaction between the emerging pollutant polyethylene terephthalate micro/nanoplastics from water bottles with bovine serum albumin. The physicochemical characteristics of micro/nanoplastics were investigated using nuclear magnetic resonance, x‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, dynamic light scattering, and x‐ray energy dispersive spectroscopy after exposure to various concentrations and durations of protein. Furthermore, the impact of protein‐treated micro/nanoplastics on biological activities was examined using the mitochondrial activity and membrane integrity of A549 cells and the activity and biofilm production of Staphylococcus aureus. The structural characteristics of micro/nanoplastics revealed an interaction with protein. For instance, the assignment of protein‐related new proton signals (e.g., CH2, methylene protons of CH2O), changes in available protons s (e.g., CH and CH3), crystallinity, functional groups, elemental ratios, zeta potentials (−11.3 ± 1.3 to −12.4 ± 1.7 to 25.5 ± 2.3 mV), and particle size (395 ± 76 to 496 ± 60 to 866 ± 82 nm) of micro/nanoplastics were significantly observed after protein treatment. In addition, the loading (0.012–0.027 mM) and releasing (0.008–0.013 mM) of protein also showed similar responses with structural characteristics. Moreover, the cell‐based responses were changed regarding the structural and surface characteristics of micro/nanoplastics and the loading efficiencies of protein. For example, insignificant mitochondrial activity (2%–10%) and significant membrane integrity (12%–28%) of A549 cells increased compared with control, and reductions in bacterial activity (5%–40%) in many cases and biofilm production specifically at low dose of all treatment stages (13%–46% reduction) were observed.
Live and Dead Clostridium butyricumGKB7 Diminish Osteoarthritis Pain and Progression in Preclinical Animal Model
Authors: Chen Li‐Chai , Lin Yen‐You , Tsai You‐Shan , Chen Chin‐Chu , Chang Tzu‐Ching , Chen Hsien‐Te , Hsu Chin‐Jung , Tang Chih‐Hsin
Published: June 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease primarily affecting the elderly. It is characterized by the progressive decline of joint cartilage and alterations in the underlying bone. Several probiotic strains have exhibited immunomodulatory and anti‐inflammatory properties. Here, we examined the functions of live and dead Clostridium butyricum GKB7 (GKB7‐L and GKB7‐D) in a preclinical anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)‐enhanced OA procedure. Oral administration of GKB7‐L and GKB7‐D ameliorated ACLT‐induced bone pain as assessed by weight‐bearing behavioral testing but did not affect body weight. Micro‐computed tomography (CT) results showed that GKB7‐L and GKB7‐D diminished ACLT‐induced bone destruction and loss. GKB7‐L and GKB7‐D‐enriched therapies also reduced ACLT‐induced production of the pro‐inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)‐1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, as well as the chondrolytic factor matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐3, leading to inhibition of aggrecan and collagen type II degradation and thereby blocking cartilage breakdown. We therefore suggest that oral supplementation with GKB7‐L or GKB7‐D can be beneficial in the prevention and treatment of OA.
Assessment of the Pollution Levels, Sources, and Exposure Risks of Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) in Urban Park Dusts within Lagos Metropolis
Authors: Adeniran Jamiu Adetayo , Odediran Emmanuel Toluwalope , Ogunlade Benjamin Toba , Adeagbo Toheeb Opeyemi , Akanbi Omodamola Fawaz , Adesina Olusola Adedayo
Published: June 2024

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) represent organic contaminants that are persistent hazardous, carcinogenic, and genotoxic, thereby endangering both human well‐being and the ecosystem. This research delved into concentration patterns, sources, and health hazards associated with PCBs in dust collected from vehicle parks in Lagos metropolis. PCBs in samples of Lagos park dust extended from 1.00 to 36.80 ng/g, with PCB 18 exhibiting the highest mean concentration of 17.02 ng/g. Among the 12 PCBs studied, 5 Cl atom PCBs contributed the highest percentage, constituting 30% of the total PCB content in Lagos park dust. Dioxin‐like PCBs (DLPCBs) made up 27% of the overall PCBs composition in the dust. Using the positive matrix factorization method, eight sources of PCBs were identified, with biomass combustion contributing the highest proportion at 42% of the total PCB emissions. Health risk estimates revealed that the magnitude of PCBs exposure in human followed the order: ingestion > dermal contact > inhalation. PCBs exposure through ingestion in children was 9.33 times higher than that of adults, potentially attributed to the inadvertent intake of dust particles by children via hand‐to‐mouth contact. Cancer risk assessments for all PCB congeners remained below 10−6, indicating acceptable risk levels. PCB 18 had the highest cancer risk values, reaching 8.69 × 10−9 for children and 1.19 × 10−9 for adults.
Pros and cons of auxin‐inducible degron as a tool for regulated depletion of telomeric proteins from Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Petrík Tomáš , Brzáčová Zuzana , Sepšiová Regina , Veljačiková Katarína , Tomáška Ľubomír
Published: June 2024

To assess the immediate responses of the yeast cells to telomere defects, we employed the auxin‐inducible degron (AID) enabling rapid depletion of essential (Rap1, Tbf1, Cdc13, Stn1) and non‐essential (Est1, Est2, Est3) telomeric proteins. Using two variants of AID systems, we show that most of the studied proteins are depleted within 10–30 min after the addition of auxin. As expected, depletion of essential proteins yields nondividing cells, provided that the strains are cultivated in an appropriate carbon source and at temperatures lower than 28°C. Cells with depleted Cdc13 and Stn1 exhibit extension of the single‐stranded overhang as early as 3 h after addition of auxin. Notably, prolonged incubation of strains carrying AID‐tagged essential proteins in the presence of auxin resulted in the appearance of auxin‐resistant clones, caused at least in part by mutations within the OsTIR1 gene. Upon assessing the length of telomeres in strains carrying AID‐tagged non‐essential telomeric proteins, we found that the depletion of Est1 and Est3 leads to auxin‐dependent telomere shortening. However, the EST3‐AID strain had slightly shorter telomeres even in the absence of auxin. Furthermore, a strain with the AID‐tagged version of Est2 (catalytic subunit of telomerase) not only had shorter telomeres in the absence of auxin but also did not exhibit auxin‐dependent telomere shortening. Our results demonstrate that while AID can be useful in assessing immediate cellular responses to telomere deprotection, each strain must be carefully evaluated for the effect of AID‐tag on the properties of the protein of interest.
Synthesis and Crystal Structures of Novel Group 6B Metal Carbonyl Complexes with N‐(4‐methyl‐2‐pyridinyl)‐P,P‐diphenylphosphinous Amide Ligand
Authors: Al‐Masri Harbi Tomah , Alrawashdeh Suzan Mohammed , Almejled Akram Ali , Moussa Ziad
Published: June 2024

The reaction of N‐(4‐methyl‐2‐pyridinyl)‐P,P‐diphenylphosphinous amide ligand 4‐Me‐C5H3N‐2‐NH(PPh2) (1) with M(CO)6 (M=Cr, Mo, W) in refluxing toluene afforded a mononuclear group VIB metal tetracarbonyls [M(CO)4{1‐κ2P,N}] (M=Cr(2), Mo(3), W(4)). Complexes 2–4 were characterized by multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C and 31P NMR) and IR spectroscopy, and their structures were also determined by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. 2 and 4 represent the first examples of structurally characterized complexes of such ligands with group 6B metal carbonyls.
Space
Authors: McIvor Charlotte , Walsh Ian R.
Published: June 2024

With Ireland’s division into two territories under different governance, its geographic location at the edge of Europe and its colonial history where its people were dispossessed of their land, it is perhaps unsurprising that space, as a mode of meaning-making in performance, is a key feature of Irish theatre. This chapter examines how space functions in Irish theatre, contextualising cultural and political considerations of space; showing how these contexts can be read into the dramaturgies of theatrical productions and site-specific performances. The three frameworks and accompanying case studies that model the application of these critical lenses are:

The Home Place (Stewart Parker’s Pentecost).

Liminal Spaces (Marina Carr’s By the Bog of Cats).

Sites of Performance/Non-theatre Spaces (ANU’s The Boys of Foley Street).
Economic Expansion and Moral Conservatism (1957–1966)
Authors: McIvor Charlotte , Walsh Ian R
Published: June 2024

While the late 1950s and early 1960s are marked by abrupt change in political policies with the Republic of Ireland committed to a new plan of economic expansion, societal transformation was not sudden as this turnabout in approach aimed to continue nationalist objectives of a united Ireland and preserve a way of life based on agriculture. Women’s bodies and sexuality remained contained and policed by a patriarchal society dominated by strict Catholic dogma. This chapter tells how theatre productions confronted these issues. It also charts how the roles of directors, designers and producers rose to prominence at this time buoyed by exposure to international work through the Dublin Theatre Festival and audiences' appetite for non-naturalistic staging methods.
Nation
Authors: McIvor Charlotte , Walsh Ian R
Published: June 2024

Arguably the nation and its many anti-colonial, postcolonial, Troubles-era, post-conflict and early twenty-first-century permutations remain the defining thematic obsession of contemporary Irish theatre. This chapter contributes elucidating frameworks for navigating how contemporary Irish theatre continues to dramatise and negotiate these complex and contested dimensions of the nation from the perspective of past, present and future. The three frameworks and accompanying case studies that model the application of these critical lenses to key theatre productions are:

Theatre and the political work of nation-building (Michael West/Corn Exchange’s Dublin By Lamplight),

Woman and/as nation (Anne Devlin’s Ourselves Alone),

Interrogating national histories through the Irish history play (Frank McGuinness’s Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme).
Why Are They Inconsistent? Discussing Norwegian History Student Teachers’ Understanding of the Beliefs about Learning and Teaching History Questionnaire, Through Cognitive Interviewing
Authors: Wagner David-Alexandre
Published: June 2024

Wagner discusses the challenges usually met when assessing epistemic beliefs in history through quantitative questionnaires. After a short review of these common problems—epistemic wobbling, epistemic inconsistencies, problems of reliability and influence of the different national cultural contexts—Wagner analyses how ten history student teachers (five male and five female) understood a Norwegian version of Maggioni’s BLTHQ (Beliefs about Learning and Teaching History Questionnaire) and reflected about their own epistemic beliefs. The analysis of these in-depth interviews paves the way for a discussion and a better qualitative understanding of the abovementioned problems.
From the Ideal-Type Historian and its Associated Conceptions of Teaching History to a More Embodied and Practical Life Approach
Authors: Zanazanian Paul
Published: June 2024

In his commentary, Zanazanian identifies two areas of reflection with two concomitant tensions that emerge from the book’s chapters and from the broader scholarship in history education on epistemological beliefs about history and its epistemic uses when teaching. Given the evidently strong overreliance on history-as-discipline for viewing history and its workings and the consequent assumption of a direct influence between epistemological beliefs and how (disciplinary) history should be taught, Zanazanian calls for scholars to self-reflexively problematize their thinking patterns and to be open to transforming their unintentional preferences and normative assumptions when conducting research in the field. By espousing a more embodied and practical life approach to history, Zanazanian argues, the inclusion of other (non-disciplinary) epistemologies, along with newer thoughts and practices, can emerge.
The Epistemic Considerations of Post-graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)-History Students: A South African Case Study
Authors: Wassermann Johan , Angier Kate
Published: June 2024

This chapter discusses the preliminary findings from a collaborative case study conducted at two South African universities by Post-graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) students registered for a History Methodology course. Using a research design informed by grounded theory and inductive reasoning, we gathered and analysed data which shed light on our students’ journey into and opinions about the teaching of History. By enabling our students’ authentic voices to be heard, we intended to better understand their epistemological considerations towards history as a school subject and the beliefs with which they entered our PGCE-History Methodology classes. The study brought a mosaic of epistemological considerations to the surface for us and highlighted the importance of giving space to history teacher education for critical reflection. Two components of this mosaic which will be unpacked in this chapter are “history is about the present, and it is personal” and “history is African in perspective”.
“Both Sides of the Story”: The Epistemic Nature of Historical Knowledge as Understood by Pre-service History Teachers in a South African University
Authors: Godsell Sarah
Published: June 2024

Godsell draws on “Both sides of the story”, a concept outlined by Teeger (American Sociological Review, 80(6):1175–1200, 2015), to explore ways in which pre-service history teachers in a South African institution position themselves towards history epistemically, including positions on neutrality, and historical “truth.” Godsell draws on how pre-service teachers grapple with the “both sides of the story” concept—which Teeger has shown as a false narrative used to quell discomfort when teaching uncomfortable Apartheid history in South African schools. Godsell draws on her own students’ interaction with this concept, often defending it as an appropriate pedagogical choice to navigate painful history. Godsell argues for an understanding of epistemic stance that takes into account a range of issues about learning context: the students’, the country, and the history curriculum.
Two-loop mixed QCD-electroweak amplitudes for Z+jet production at the LHC: bosonic corrections
Authors: Bargieła Piotr , Caola Fabrizio , Chawdhry Herschel , Liu Xiao
Published: June 2024

Abstract

We present a calculation of the bosonic contribution to the two-loop mixed QCD-electroweak scattering amplitudes for Z-boson production in association with one hard jet at hadron colliders. We employ a method to calculate amplitudes in the ’t Hooft-Veltman scheme that reduces the amount of spurious non-physical information needed at intermediate stages of the computation, to keep the complexity of the calculation under control. We compute all the relevant Feynman integrals numerically using the Auxiliary Mass Flow method. We evaluate the two-loop scattering amplitudes on a two-dimensional grid in the rapidity and transverse momentum of the Z boson, which has been designed to yield a reliable numerical sampling of the boosted-Z region. This result provides an important building block for improving the theoretical modelling of a key background for monojet searches at the LHC.
The black hole interior from non-isometric codes and complexity
Authors: Akers Chris , Engelhardt Netta , Harlow Daniel , Penington Geoff , Vardhan Shreya
Published: June 2024

Abstract

Quantum error correction has given us a natural language for the emergence of spacetime, but the black hole interior poses a challenge for this framework: at late times the apparent number of interior degrees of freedom in effective field theory can vastly exceed the true number of fundamental degrees of freedom, so there can be no isometric (i.e. inner-product preserving) encoding of the former into the latter. In this paper we explain how quantum error correction nonetheless can be used to explain the emergence of the black hole interior, via the idea of “non-isometric codes protected by computational complexity”. We show that many previous ideas, such as the existence of a large number of “null states”, a breakdown of effective field theory for operations of exponential complexity, the quantum extremal surface calculation of the Page curve, post-selection, “state-dependent/state-specific” operator reconstruction, and the “simple entropy” approach to complexity coarse-graining, all fit naturally into this framework, and we illustrate all of these phenomena simultaneously in a soluble model.
Hydrodynamics as vs → c
Authors: Moore Guy D.
Published: June 2024

Abstract

I present the simplest 3+1 dimensional quantum field theory for which the speed of sound can be arbitrarily close to the speed of light. Examining the hydrodynamics, I find cases where the shear viscosity is finite, but the “shear relaxation coefficient” appears always to be divergently large.
Guideline for the verification of digital PCR methods in analytical GMO testing
Authors: Weidner Christopher , Frenzel Jakob , Bartsch Daniela , Waiblinger Hans-Ulrich , Mankertz Joachim
Published: June 2024

The international working group “Development of methods for identification of foodstuffs produced by means of genetic engineering techniques” was established pursuant to § 64 of the German Food and Feed Code (LFGB). It has developed a guideline for implementing and verifying digital PCR methods previously validated as real-time PCR techniques. While event-specific methods in testing of genetically modified organisms (GMO) have traditionally relied on real-time PCR, new digital PCR technologies offer significant advantages and therefore, leading to an increased use by control laboratories. This guideline provides practical recommendations for transferring the real-time PCR to digital PCR and for verifying the digital PCR method. The guideline is applicable to analysis of GMO in food, feed and seed and is freely available on the website of the Federal Office of Consumer Protection and Food Safety (BVL).
AIM2 enhances Candida albicans infection through promoting macrophage apoptosis via AKT signaling
Authors: Jiang Qian , Chen Yayun , Zheng Siping , Sui Lina , Yu Dalang , Qing Furong , He Wenji , Xiao Qiuxiang , Guo Tianfu , Xu Li , Liu Zhichun , Liu Zhiping
Published: June 2024

Candida albicans is among the most prevalent invasive fungal pathogens for immunocompromised individuals and novel therapeutic approaches that involve immune response modulation are imperative. Absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), a pattern recognition receptor for DNA sensing, is well recognized for its involvement in inflammasome formation and its crucial role in safeguarding the host against various pathogenic infections. However, the role of AIM2 in host defense against C. albicans infection remains uncertain. This study reveals that the gene expression of AIM2 is induced in human and mouse innate immune cells or tissues after C. albicans infection. Furthermore, compared to their wild-type (WT) counterparts, Aim2−/− mice surprisingly exhibit resistance to C. albicans infection, along with reduced inflammation in the kidneys post-infection. The resistance of Aim2−/− mice to C. albicans infection is not reliant on inflammasome or type I interferon production. Instead, Aim2−/− mice display lower levels of apoptosis in kidney tissues following infection than WT mice. The deficiency of AIM2 in macrophages, but not in dendritic cells, results in a phenocopy of the resistance observed in Aim2−/− mice against C. albican infection. The treatment of Clodronate Liposome, a reagent that depletes macrophages, also shows the critical role of macrophages in host defense against C. albican infection in Aim2−/− mice. Furthermore, the reduction in apoptosis is observed in Aim2−/− mouse macrophages following infection or treatment of DNA from C. albicans in comparison with controls. Additionally, higher levels of AKT activation are observed in Aim2−/− mice, and treatment with an AKT inhibitor reverses the host resistance to C. albicans infection. The findings collectively demonstrate that AIM2 exerts a negative regulatory effect on AKT activation and enhances macrophage apoptosis, ultimately compromising host defense against C. albicans infection. This suggests that AIM2 and AKT may represent promising therapeutic targets for the management of fungal infections.
Legendre Theorems for a Class of Partitions with Initial Repetitions
Authors: Nyirenda Darlison , Mugwangwavari Beaullah
Published: June 2024

Partitions with initial repetitions were introduced by George Andrews. We consider a subclass of these partitions and find Legendre theorems associated with their respective partition functions. The results in turn provide partition-theoretic interpretations of some Rogers–Ramanujan identities due to Lucy J. Slater.
Combining biotelemetry and genetics provides complementary insights relevant to the management and conservation of a freshwater predator (Esox lucius) living in brackish lagoons
Authors: Lukyanova Olga , Dhellemmes Félicie , Dennenmoser Stefan , Nolte Arne W. , Arlinghaus Robert
Published: June 2024

To inform the management of wild fish populations, it is equally important to understand both the ecological connectivity of habitat patches, apparent at annual and seasonal scales, and the genetic connectivity, emerging at evolutionary scales across generations. Ecological connectivity indicates the potential for rapid recolonization upon local depletion, while genetic connectivity informs about the conservation needs related to the evolution of subpopulations and ecotypes in metapopulations. We combined acoustic biotelemetry and pooled-genome sequencing to study a northern pike (Esox lucius) population as a model of a freshwater piscivore that inhabits a network of shallow brackish lagoons in the southern Baltic Sea. We found limited ecological connectivity among genetically similar subpopulations of pike, suggesting a metapopulation structure characterized by discrete local subpopulations with infrequent migrations between them. Connectivity of different lagoons increased during spawning, suggesting directed spawning migrations to either freshwater rivers or low salinity patches in connected lake-like bays. Spawning site fidelity to either brackish or freshwater spawning sites was observed, further contributing to the reproductive isolation of certain subpopulations. The genetic population structure aligned with salinity gradients and geographical distance and was significant between pairs of rivers draining into the lagoon network, but it was unrelated to ecological connectivity. The results collectively suggest that local subpopulations may not rapidly replenish upon local depletion and that even weak connectivity among subpopulations was sufficient to maintain genetic homogeneity across lagoons with similar salinity levels. Effective management and conservation of species forming metapopulations, such as the coastal northern pike studied here, necessitate localized approaches that adapt fishing mortality to local abundance and promote access to specific habitats, especially
rivers, during spawning to conserve the entire genetic biodiversity and foster resilience of the metapopulation.
Komplexe kutane Leishmaniose mit ossärer Beteiligung
Authors: Hübner G. A. , Prüßmann W. , Jossifov N. , Mischnik A. , Terheyden P.
Published: June 2024

Wir berichten über einen immunsupprimierten Patienten mit einer komplexen kutanen Leishmaniose (Erreger: Leishmania [L.] infantum), der eine ossäre Beteiligung des Digitus V des linken Fußes aufwies und erfolgreich mit Miltefosin behandelt wurde. Die Erregerdiagnostik erfolgte mittels positiver Polymerasekettenreaktion (PCR) in Haut- und Knochengewebe. Bei Immunsupprimierten sollte immer nach extrakutanen Manifestationen der Leishmaniose gesucht werden. Eine ossäre Beteiligung bei kutaner Leishmaniose mit L. infantum ist bisher noch nicht beschrieben worden.
Lithium, the gold standard drug for bipolar disorder: analysis of current clinical studies
Authors: Airainer Magdalena , Seifert Roland
Published: June 2024

Lithium is the gold standard drug in the treatment of bipolar disorder. Despite increasing scientific interest, relatively few patients with bipolar disorder receive lithium therapy. Lithium is the only drug that is effective in the prophylaxis of manic, depressive, and suicidal symptoms. Lithium therapy is also associated with a variety of adverse drug reactions and the need for therapeutic drug monitoring. Numerous studies have focussed on the efficacy and safety of both lithium-monotherapy and lithium-add-on therapy. The aim of this study is to provide a systematic overview of clinical studies on lithium therapy for bipolar disorder from the last 7 years and to present a critical analysis of these studies. The results provide an up-to-date overview of the efficacy, tolerability, and safety of lithium therapy for bipolar disorder and thus improve the pharmacotherapy of bipolar disorder. A total of 59 studies were analysed using various analysis parameters. The studies were also categorised into different subgroups. These are lithium-monotherapy, lithium vs. placebo/drug, and lithium + adjunctive therapy. The majority of the studies (N = 20) had a duration of only 3–8 weeks. Only 13 studies lasted for > 40 weeks. Lithium was superior to aripiprazole, valproic acid, and quetiapine in terms of improving manic symptoms. Lithium therapy resulted in a lower relapse rate compared to valproic acid therapy. Lithium was more neuroprotectively effective than quetiapine. Fourteen of the 22 add-on therapies to lithium showed a predominantly positive effect on the treatment outcome compared to lithium-monotherapy. Only the add-on therapy with sertraline led to a higher rate of study discontinuations than lithium-monotherapy. Lithium is a safe and effective treatment option for children. However, risperidone and quetiapine were superior to lithium in some aspects, which is why these drugs should be considered as an alternative treatment option for children. Collectively, current clinical studies highlight the relevance of lithium in the treatment of bipolar disorder.
Effect of temperature and body size on anterior and posterior regeneration in Hermodice carunculata (Polychaeta, Amphinomidae)
Authors: Toso Andrea , Mammone Marta , Rossi Sergio , Piraino Stefano , Giangrande Adriana
Published: June 2024

In recent years, population outbreaks of the annelid Hermodice carunculata (Polychaeta, Amphinomidae) are recurrently detected along the coastal zone of the Salento peninsula (Southern Italy), with impacts on marine benthic ecosystems. Annelida are renowned for their remarkable regeneration potential, enabling them to reform lost body parts. A handful of studies have reported posterior regeneration of H. carunculata, but anterior regeneration has not been fully explored. In this study, we investigated the capacity of H. carunculata collected in shallow coastal areas (Ionian Sea, 40°08’26.9” N 17°58’44.1” E) to regenerate anterior body parts under different temperature conditions (22 and 14 °C) and considering two different body sizes (∼ 4 g and 25 g). In addition, histological analysis and lipid analyses were carried out to detect changes in the reproductive cycle and lipid storage during ongoing regeneration. The results suggest that small and large-sized specimens of H. carunculata can regenerate efficiently anterior body parts in 12–20 weeks post amputation when kept at 22 °C. Small-sized worms kept at 14 °C regenerated slower but died in 24 weeks post amputation before regenerating a mouth, while large-sized worms kept at 14 °C were affected by a 100% mortality during blastema formation. In addition, lipid extraction analyses show that H. carunculata can regenerate during extended periods of starvation by de novo synthesizing lipid reserves and regeneration in H. carunculata does not negatively impact the reproductive cycle, as gametogenesis occurs also during the regenerative processes.