bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A New Analytical Solution for Calculating Rock Block Volume
Authors: Umili Gessica , Carriero Maria Teresa , Taboni Battista , Migliazza Maria Rita , Ferrero Anna Maria
Published: January 2024

The study of rock slope stability and evolution suffers from many uncertainty factors related to block size and shape, and slope morphology. While nothing can be done to remove the aleatory component of these uncertainties, efforts in reducing the epistemic ones are desirable. This research aims to propose a new analytical solution for calculating rock block volume in the case of three discontinuity sets whose orientation and true spacing are known. Researchers and practitioners can take advantage of such a correct analytical formula thanks to its easiness of use: guidelines based on stereogram are provided in order to explain how to obtain the required input data. The correctness of the equation is demonstrated by comparing the results of the new solution applied to 12 theoretical blocks with those obtained with 3DEC (Itasca Consulting Group). Also, the differences with respect to results obtained with the well-known Palmstrøm’s formula are reported. The new methodology is applied to the case study of Elva valley road (Northern Italy), which is overhung by steep rocky cliffs and is subject to the consequences of frequent rockfall phenomena. The results are used to discuss the proposed method’s applicability: while it is evident that such a formula is not able to compete with the great potentiality of DFNs, this user-friendly tool can quickly and at no cost assess rock block volume in rockfall or rock slope stability studies.
Clinico-serological associations of urinary activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule in systemic lupus erythematosus and lupus nephritis
Authors: Amer Arwa S. , Abdel moneam Samia M. , Hashaad Nashwa I. , Yousef Eman M. , Abd El-Hassib Dalia M.
Published: January 2024

Background

Lupus nephritis (LN) is one of the major complications associated with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM or CD166) is a promising urine biomarker that binds to CD6, a receptor found on lymphocytes. This binding results in T-cell activation, proliferation, and recruitment, which causes tissue inflammation and may explain the pathophysiology of LN.

Aim of work

Investigate the urinary ALCAM level in SLE, study its relationship to disease activity, and clarify the association with LN activity and histopathology.

Patients and methods

A case–control study was performed on 60 patients with SLE and 20 matched controls. The SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and the activity of renal disease (rSLEDAI) were evaluated. Renal biopsy and uALCAM levels were also investigated.

Results

Urinary ALCAM levels were higher significantly in active LN patients than inactive LN patients, active and inactive non-LN SLE, and the control group (p < 0.001). The cut-off value for identifying active and inactive LN was above 270 ng/mg (p < 0.001). ALCAM levels were greater in proliferative (class III, IV, and IV/V) than in non-proliferative (class II and V) LN (p < 0.001). ALCAM exhibited high positive correlations with SLEDAI and rSLEDAI (p < 0.001 each) and negative significant correlations with C3 (p < 0.001) and C4 (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

Urinary ALCAM is a sensitive biomarker evaluating LN in SLE patients. Levels above 270 ng/mg can help distinguish between active and inactive LN. ALCAM levels are correlated positively with SLEDAI and rSLEDAI but have a negative correlation with C3 and C4.

Key Points• Urinary ALCAM shows promise as a biomarker for evaluating kidney dysfunction in SLE patients.• It is a non-invasive marker that can differentiate between proliferative and non-proliferative LN.• A urinary ALCAM level above 270 ng/mg can indicate active LN, while lower levels indicate inactive LN.• Urinary ALCAM levels are correlated positively with SLEDAI and rSLEDAI scores but correlated negatively with C3 and C4.
Genetic analysis of vancomycin-variable Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates in Italy
Authors: Coccitto Sonia Nina , Cinthi Marzia , Simoni Serena , Pocognoli Antonella , Zeni Guido , Mazzariol Annarita , Morroni Gianluca , Mingoia Marina , Giovanetti Eleonora , Brenciani Andrea , Vignaroli Carla
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To investigate the occurrence of vancomycin-variable enterococci (VVE) in a hospital in central Italy.

Methods

vanA positive but vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium isolates (VVE-S) were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility tests, molecular typing (PFGE and MLST), and WGS approach. The reversion of VVE-S to a resistant phenotype was assessed by exposure to increasing vancomycin concentrations, and the revertant isolates were used in filter mating experiments. qPCR was used to analyze the plasmid copy number.

Results

Eleven putative VVE-S were selected. WGS revealed two categories of vanA cluster plasmid located: the first type showed the lack of vanR, the deletion of vanS, and an intact vanH/vanA/vanX cluster; the second type was devoid of both vanR and vanS and showed a deletion of 544-bp at the 5′-end of the vanH. Strains (n = 7) carrying the first type of vanA cluster were considered VVE-S and were able to regain a resistance phenotype (VVE-R) in the presence of vancomycin, due to a 44-bp deletion in the promoter region of vanH/vanA/vanX, causing its constitutive expression. VVE-R strains were not able to transfer resistance by conjugation, and the resistance phenotype was unstable: after 11 days of growth without selective pressure, the revertants were still resistant but showed a lower vancomycin MIC. A higher plasmid copy number in the revertant strains was probably related to the resistance phenotype.

Conclusion

We highlight the importance of VVE transition to VRE under vancomycin therapy resulting in a potential failure treatment. We also report the first-time identification of VVE-S isolates pstS-null belonging to ST1478.
Adoption of energy-efficiency measures by Australian low-income households
Authors: Azimi Samaneh , Hon Carol K. H. , Tyvimaa Tanja , Skitmore Martin
Published: January 2024

Increasing the adoption of energy-efficiency measures (EEM) by households is one of the practical strategies to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. For the 3.24 million low-income households in Australia, partly due to their potentially disproportionately large waste of usable energy, there is a gap between the potential for energy efficiency through existing EEM and the actual energy-efficiency level. Many measures increase energy efficiency in buildings; however, barriers persist for such households to adopt these measures, of which limited research has yet to be conducted. In response, this study examines the relationships involved by a questionnaire survey of 212 low-income households in Australia, showing that financial barriers have the greatest influence followed by split incentive barriers, with the provision of information having no significant role to play. This paper contributes to filling the gap of limited energy-efficiency research involving low-income households, revealing the effect of energy-efficiency barriers on their adoption of EEM.
Optimizing Interventions for Equitability: Some Initial Ideas
Authors: Strayhorn Jillian C. , Vanness David J. , Collins Linda M.
Published: January 2024

Interventions (including behavioral, biobehavioral, biomedical, and social-structural interventions) hold tremendous potential not only to improve public health overall but also to reduce health disparities and promote health equity. In this study, we introduce one way in which interventions can be optimized for health equity in a principled fashion using the multiphase optimization strategy (MOST). Specifically, we define intervention equitability as the extent to which the health benefits provided by an intervention are distributed evenly versus concentrated among those who are already advantaged, and we suggest that, if intervention equitability is acknowledged to be a priority, then equitability should be a key criterion that is balanced with other criteria (effectiveness overall, as well as affordability, scalability, and/or efficiency) in intervention optimization. Using a hypothetical case study and simulated data, we show how MOST can be applied to achieve a strategic balance that incorporates equitability. We also show how the composition of an optimized intervention can differ when equitability is considered versus when it is not. We conclude with a vision for next steps to build on this initial foray into optimizing interventions for equitability.
QPU integration in OpenCL for heterogeneous programming
Authors: Vázquez-Pérez Jorge , Piñeiro César , Pichel Juan C. , Pena Tomás F. , Gómez Andrés
Published: January 2024

The integration of quantum processing units (QPUs) in a heterogeneous high-performance computing environment requires solutions that facilitate hybrid classical–quantum programming. Standards such as OpenCL facilitate the programming of heterogeneous environments, consisting of CPUs and hardware accelerators. This study presents an innovative method that incorporates QPU functionality into OpenCL, standardizing quantum processes within classical environments. By leveraging QPUs within OpenCL, hybrid quantum–classical computations can be sped up, impacting domains like cryptography, optimization problems, and quantum chemistry simulations. Using Portable Computing Language (Jääskeläinen et al. in Int J Parallel Program 43(5):752–785, 2014. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10766-014-0320-y) and the Qulacs library (Suzuki et al. in Quantum 5:559, 2021. https://doi.org/10.22331/q-2021-10-06-559), results demonstrate, for instance, the successful execution of Shor’s algorithm (Nielsen and Chuang in Quantum computation and quantum information, 10th anniversary edn. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 2010), serving as a proof of concept for extending the approach to larger qubit systems and other hybrid quantum–classical algorithms. This integration approach bridges the gap between quantum and classical computing paradigms, paving the way for further optimization and application to a wide range of computational problems.
Immobilization of Xylanase into Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-67 (ZIF-67) and Manganese-Doped ZIF-67 (Mn/ZIF-67): A Comparison Study
Authors: Bakar Büşra , Dik Gamze , Ulu Ahmet , Ateş Burhan
Published: January 2024

It has been discovered that metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have desirable qualities for the immobilization of enzymes, including a high surface area, significant interior pore volumes, and easily changeable pore size. Herein, the xylanase (Xyl) enzyme was immobilized for the first time to two different carrier supports, zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67) and manganese-doped ZIF-67 (Mn/ZIF-67) by in situ method. The physicochemical characterizations of MOFs with and without Xyl were performed by FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and EDAX techniques. Xyl@ZIF-67 and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 were evaluated in terms of optimum temperature, optimum pH, kinetic parameters, thermal stability, reusability as well as juice clarification and compared with free Xyl. Optimum temperature values were 50 °C for Xyl@ZIF-67 and 70 °C for free Xyl and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67. Optimum pH values for free Xyl, Xyl@ZIF-67, and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 were recorded as 6.0, 8.0, and 7.0, respectively. Km values for free Xyl, Xyl@ZIF-67, and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 were calculated as 3.139, 5.430, and 0.799 mg/mL, respectively, while Vmax values were calculated as 0.167, 0.226, and 0.062 µmol/min/mL, respectively. The results revealed that in comparison to the free Xyl, Xyl@ZIF-67, and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 exhibited more thermal resistance. After incubation at 70 °C for 120 min, the free Xyl remained at 28.7% of the activity, while the Xyl@ZIF-67 and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 remained at 85.7% and 40.0%, respectively. Moreover, after eight cycles, the Xyl@ZIF-67 and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 retained more than 70% of their initial activity. Further, the transmittance of apple juice was increased from 65.61 to 94.73% and from 77.80 to 84.13%, respectively, when Xyl@ZIF-67 and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 were used as biocatalysts. Overall, these findings indicated that the suggested Xyl@ZIF-67 and Xyl@Mn/ZIF-67 have a high potential for juice clarification as an efficient heterogeneous biocatalyst.

Graphical Abstract
Potential mechanisms underlying the effect of walking exercise on cancer-related fatigue in cancer survivors
Authors: Mast Isa Hiske , Bongers Coen C. W. G. , Gootjes Elske C. , de Wilt Johannes H. W. , Hopman Maria T. E. , Buffart Laurien M.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and debilitating long-term side effect of cancer and its treatment. While exercise has been shown to effectively reduce CRF, the underlying mechanisms are not fully clear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the effects of a 4-month walking exercise program on fatigue severity and to explore potential underlying physiological, behavioral, and psychological mechanisms of action.

Methods

We included 27 cancer survivors (59 ± 15 years, 37% female) with variable cancer diagnoses who were at least moderately fatigued and finished treatment between 6 and 36 months ago. This study with a quasi-experimental interrupted time-series design compared a 4-month walking intervention period with a 4-month control period. Measurements of fatigue and physiological, behavioral, and psychological factors were performed, supplemented with participants’ perceptions on how exercise influenced their fatigue.

Results

A significant and clinically relevant decrease in fatigue severity was found over time (β =  − 8.1, 95% CI =  − 12.1; − 4.2), but could not be attributed directly to the walking exercise intervention. Increases in muscle strength (β =  − 0.07, 95% CI =  − 0.12; − 0.02), physical activity (β =  − 0.1, 95% CI =  − 0.2; − 0.04), and sleep quality (β = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.3; 1.9), as well as decreases in muscle relaxation times (β = 0.09, 95% CI = 0.02; 0.16) and psychological distress (β = 1.1, 95% CI = 0.8; 1.3) were associated with reductions in fatigue severity. Resilience and physical well-being were perceived as most important constructs explaining the walking exercise effects on fatigue.

Conclusion

Our findings reveal potential physiological, behavioral, and psychological mechanisms underlying the multidimensional effects of exercise on fatigue severity.

Implications for Cancer Survivors.

Incorporating resistance exercise and addressing resilience and physical well-being might improve the efficacy of exercise interventions for cancer survivors.
Comparison and Enhancement of Design Procedures for Guideline Expressions to Predict the Compressive Capacity of FRP-Wrapped Concrete Members
Authors: Gedik Onur
Published: January 2024

The FRP wrapping of reinforced concrete columns is a simple way to increase the axial load capacity of such members with substandard concrete quality. A total of 2197 specimens were collected as a database to discuss the efficiency of predicting axial compressive strength of FRP-wrapped concrete columns according to several national and international guidelines. Various aspects of the database, including fiber type, unconfined strength and specimen geometry used to investigate the guidelines, and results are presented in terms of averages, standard deviations, and ratio of overestimated specimens. The performance of these expressions was compared with one another based on these statistical results and graphs, and those that captured the behavior best were identified for specific subsets. Recognizing the expressions’ inadequacy in capturing efficiency improvements related to radius to area and confinement ratios, some improvements in the form of coefficients for lateral confinement stress in the Turkish Building Earthquake Code were introduced, specifically for certain subsets.
Association of preoperative frailty with the risk of postoperative delirium in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Feng Chunyu , Wu Haotian , Qi Ziheng , Wei Yuzhi , Yang Bo , Yin Haolin , Yan Siyi , Wang Lu , Yu Yangyang , Xie Juanjuan , Xing Xueyan , Tu Shumin , Zhang Huan
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study aimed to explore the correlation between preoperative frailty and the risk of postoperative delirium (POD) in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Methods

In total, 148 patients with hip fractures who were admitted to Tsinghua Changgung Hospital (Beijing, China) between January 2022 and January 2023 were involved in this study. Preoperative frailty scales were assessed, of which the CAM scale was postoperatively administered every morning and evening on days 1, 2, 3, 5, and 7. Binary logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between preoperative frailty and the risk of POD.

Results

Among 148 older patients with hip fractures, 71 (48.0%) were identified as preoperative frail and 77 (52.0%) as non-frail. The overall incidence of POD on day 7 was 24.3% (36/148), and preoperative frailty was associated with a significantly higher risk of POD compared with non-frailty (42.3% vs. 7.8%, P < 0.001). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that preoperative frailty was noted as an independent risk factor for the risk of POD in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery (P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Preoperative frailty increased the risk of POD in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.

Discussion

Preoperative assessment of frailty in geriatric hip surgery can timely identify potential risks and provide interventions targeting frailty factors to reduce the incidence of POD in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. The findings suggested that preoperative frailty could increase the risk of POD in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery. Further research is necessary to determine whether perioperative interventions aimed at enhancing frailty can mitigate the risk of POD and improve prognosis in older patients undergoing hip fracture surgery.
Approccio all’obesità ipotalamica: presente e futuro
Authors: Mao Federico , Sciacovelli Cristina , Garelli Silvia , Pagotto Uberto
Published: January 2024

Sommario

Con obesità ipotalamica (HO) si intende un eterogeneo gruppo di rare condizioni cliniche, genetiche o acquisite, accomunate dall’aumento di massa adiposa associato ad alterazioni dei centri ipotalamici deputati al controllo del bilancio energetico. L’HO può insorgere in età pediatrica o durante la vita adulta a seconda dell’eziologia e si correla ad aumentate morbilità e mortalità. L’HO si associa spesso, anche se non sempre, a iperfagia, alterazioni del ciclo sonno-veglia e del visus, riduzione della spesa energetica globale legata a riduzione dell’attività motoria e a intensa astenia. Il controllo terapeutico è spesso molto impegnativo. In questa rassegna vengono proposte le principali cause di HO e, soprattutto, le opzioni terapeutiche che potrebbero nel prossimo futuro migliorare l’impegnativa gestione dei pazienti affetti da questa temibile forma di obesità.
Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion in Stainless Steel by Pseudomonas aeruginosa: An Overview
Authors: Maji Koena , Lavanya M.
Published: January 2024

The loss of materials due to corrosion is inevitable and has gained significant attention at various stages in the process industries, including petroleum, food processing units, and tanneries. With significant detrimental effects occurring as a result of microbial activity, the research on microbial corrosion and methods to keep them under control has become essential. About 10% of the corrosion affliction to metals and non-metals is due to microbial activity. The Microbiologically Influenced Corrosion (MIC) is a consequence of the contact, which are synergetic between bacteria and metals. A typical marine electroactive bacterium shown to produce severe MIC is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. In the maritime environment, Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that is extremely corrosive to stainless steel. However, little is known about how P. aeruginosa causes corrosion on stainless steel. Stainless steel is a beneficial material that has been employed in various applications due to its corrosion-resistant properties and mechanical strength. The property of stainless steel to strongly resist corrosion is owed to the presence of chromium in its composition. The chromium forms a passive film of chromium-rich oxide in aerobic conditions at low temperatures, which protects it from the surroundings. This layer can be harmed by harsh weather conditions. The microbial activity and their existence can modify the inorganic passive layers, raising their dissolution levels and detaching them from the surface of the metal. The review aims to study steel corrosion as a result of microbial activity. The explicated methodologies are more significant within the broader context of metal–microbe interactions.
Numerical simulation of stress field reorientation in multi-fractures
Authors: Deng Yan , Mu Shuxing , Liu Yuxuan , Mu Na , Guo Jianchun , Zeng Jie , Yu Hao
Published: January 2024

Understanding the stress state caused by a subsequent failure is crucial for successful refracturing. However, there are many differences between the stress reorientation phenomena of a multi-fracture horizontal well and that of a single fracture in a vertical well, including the interaction of multi-fractures. These factors can lead to a change in the stress field of multiple fractures, which is more complex than that of a single fracture. In this paper, based on the elastic theory of porous media and the mechanism of fluid–structure interaction, a finite element numerical model of multi-fracture stress fields is established. The net pressure loaded on the fracture wall was corrected using the fracture line model, which was solved using the separated coupling method with a staggered strategy, and a full coupling simulation of fluid flow and rock deformation was achieved. The results showed that with an increase in production time, the stress reorientation area around the fracture and at both ends first increased at a faster rate, then slowly decreased, and finally disappeared,indicating an optimal refracturing time window. This suggests that the greater the number of fractures, the greater the fracture inclination and fracture bending degree, and the more unfavorable it is for the formation and maintenance of the stress reorientation area near the fracture and at both ends of the fracture. The reorientation of the stress field between horizontal wells may lead to the fracture of the infill wells, causing bending and propagation towards the pressure-depletion area, thus reducing productivity.
Effect of temperature on post-yield behavior of PVC foams
Authors: Vedire Anudeep Reddy , Hoo Fatt Michelle S. , Pakala Akshay Kumar
Published: January 2024

Experiments were conducted on Divinycell HCP30 foam to develop equations predicting its elastic and post-yield behavior from − 40 to + 60 °C. In these experiments, the foam was subjected to post-yield cyclic tension, compression and shear and monotonic biaxial tension and compression loading in the environmental chamber of an MTS servo-hydraulic machine. Elastic modulus and yield strength of the foam were found to decrease linearly with increasing temperature and could be expressed by a single equation in terms of room temperature properties. Post-yield behavior involved plasticity, viscoelasticity, and damage. An elastic–plastic viscoelastic damage model was used to predict post-yield behavior of the foam at different temperatures. Temperature dependent plastic hardening and viscoelastic damage functions were extracted from the experimental results and used to simulate elastic and post-yield stress–strain behavior in ABAQUS Explicit using a user-defined material subroutine. The ABAQUS user-defined material was validated with experiments on Divinycell HCP30 foam sheets at various temperatures. Good comparisons were found between ABAQUS and experimental results.
Remark on the Concentration Phenomenon for the Nonlinear Schrödinger Equations with a Repulsive Potential
Authors: Qing Jun , Liu Jing
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we study the blow-up solutions for the

$$L^2$$

L
2

-supercritical nonlinear Schrödinger equation with a repulsive harmonic potential. In terms of the new sharp Gagliardo–Nirenberg inequality proposed by Weinstein (Commun PDE 11:545–565, 1986), we obtain the

$${\dot{H}}^{s_c}$$

H
˙

s
c

-concentration phenomenon of blow-up solutions for this

$$L^2$$

L
2

-supercritical nonlinear Schrödinger equation in the space dimension

$$N=2,3,4$$

N
=
2
,
3
,
4

.
A comprehensive literature scoping review of infection prevention and control methods for viral-mediated gene therapies
Authors: Blind Jill E. , Ghosh Sumit , Niese Taylor D. , Gardner Julia C. , Stack-Simone Stephanie , Dean Abigail , Washam Matthew
Published: January 2024

Objective:

This comprehensive literature scoping review outlines available infection prevention and control (IPC) methods for viral-mediated gene therapies and provides one IPC strategy for the healthcare setting based on a single-center recommendation.

Methods:

A team of experts in pharmacy, healthcare epidemiology, and biosafety with experience in viral-mediated gene therapy was assembled within a pediatric hospital to conduct a comprehensive literature scoping review. The comprehensive review included abstracts and full-text articles published since 2009 and utilized prespecified search terms of the five viral vectors of interest: adenovirus (AV), retrovirus (RV), adeno-associated virus (AAV), lentivirus (LV), and herpes simplex virus (HSV). Case reports, randomized controlled trials, and bench research studies were all included, while systematic reviews were excluded.

Results:

A total of 4473 case reports, randomized control trials, and benchtop research studies were identified using the defined search criteria. Chlorine compounds were found to inactivate AAV and AV, while alcohol-based disinfectants were ineffective. There was a relative paucity of studies investigating surface-based disinfection for HSV, however, alcohol-based disinfectants were effective in one study. Ultraviolent irradiation was also found to inactivate HSV in numerous studies. No studies investigated disinfection for LV and RV vectors.

Conclusions:

The need to define IPC methods is high due to the rapid emergence of viral-mediated gene therapies to treat rare diseases, but published clinical guidance remains scarce. In the absence of these data, our center recommends a 1:10 sodium hypochlorite solution in clinical and academic environments to ensure complete germicidal activity of viral-mediated gene therapies.
Hunter–Gatherer children's close-proximity networks: Similarities and differences with cooperative and communal breeding systems
Authors: Chaudhary Nikhil , Page Abigail E. , Salali Gul Deniz , Dyble Mark , Major-Smith Daniel , Migliano Andrea B. , Vinicius Lucio , Thompson James , Viguier Sylvain
Published: January 2024

Among vertebrates, allomothering (non-maternal care) is classified as cooperative breeding (help from sexually mature non-breeders, usually close relatives) or communal breeding (shared care between multiple breeders who are not necessarily related). Humans have been described with both labels, most frequently as cooperative breeders. However, few studies have quantified the relative contributions of allomothers according to whether they are (a) sexually mature and reproductively active and (b) related or unrelated. We constructed close-proximity networks of Agta and BaYaka hunter–gatherers. We used portable remote-sensing devices to quantify the proportion of time children under the age of 4 spent in close proximity to different categories of potential allomother. Both related and unrelated, and reproductively active and inactive, campmates had substantial involvement in children's close-proximity networks. Unrelated campmates, siblings and subadults were the most involved in both populations, whereas the involvement of fathers and grandmothers was the most variable between the two populations. Finally, the involvement of sexually mature, reproductively inactive adults was low. Where possible, we compared our findings with studies of other hunter–gatherer societies, and observed numerous consistent trends. Based on our results we discuss why hunter–gatherer allomothering cannot be fully characterised as cooperative or communal breeding.
On the scaling and critical layer in a turbulent boundary layer over a compliant surface
Authors: Lu Yuhui , Xiang Tianrui , Zaki Tamer A. , Katz Joseph
Published: January 2024

Simultaneous time-resolved measurements of wall deformation and the 3-D velocity field in boundary layers over a compliant surface are performed by integrating Mach Zehnder interferometry with tomographic particle tracking velocimetry. The pressure is calculated by spatially integrating the material acceleration. Combining data obtained from several references, trends of the deformation r.m.s. scaled by the compliant wall thickness collapse when plotted vs pressure fluctuations scaled by the material shear modulus. For the present data, at all Reynolds numbers, the deformation waves travel at 53% of the free-stream velocity and have a preferred wavelength of three times the thickness. The latter is consistent with theoretical models. Adopting insight derived from atmospheric wind–wave interactions, the pressure–deformation correlations peak at or slightly above the ‘critical layer’, where the mean flow speed is equal to the surface wave speed. This layer is located within the log layer, and when expressed using inner variables, increases in elevation with increasing Reynolds number. For the entire region below the critical layer, wavenumber–frequency spectra of pressure and vertical velocity fluctuations indicate that the turbulence is phase locked and travels with the deformation, even for deformation amplitudes much smaller than a wall unit. In contrast, above the critical layer, the turbulence is advected at the local mean streamwise velocity, and its correlation with the deformation decays rapidly. These findings indicate that the height of the zone dominated by flow-deformation interactions is determined by the surface wave speed, and its variations are caused by deformation-induced modifications to the mean velocity profile.
Turbulence anisotropy effects on corner-flow separation: physics and turbulence modelling
Authors: Tamaki Yoshiharu , Kawai Soshi
Published: January 2024

The secondary motion caused by turbulence anisotropy is one of the crucial factors for determining the size of corner-flow separation in a side-wall interference flow field. Therefore, through a wall-resolved large-eddy simulation (LES) of a side-wall interference flow field, this study investigates the effects of the secondary motion on the corner-flow separation and explores the turbulence modelling that can reproduce the secondary flow motion. The momentum transport analysis using the LES results shows that the secondary vortex has twofold effects on delaying the corner-flow separation: the convective transport of the streamwise momentum towards the corner, and the enhanced production of turbulence by increasing the shear. Also, the vorticity transport analysis reconfirms that the secondary motion is caused primarily by turbulence anisotropy in the outer layer of the turbulent boundary layer. Furthermore, a quadratic constitutive relation (QCR) is proposed based on the analysis of the relationship between the Reynolds stress and velocity gradient. The proposed QCR consists of two quadratic terms and three constant parameters. The a priori analysis using the LES data shows that the proposed QCR represents the anisotropy of the Reynolds stress overall better than the existing QCR. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes simulation using the proposed QCR with the Spalart–Allmaras turbulence model shows improvements in the prediction of the corner-flow separation compared to the results obtained by the existing QCR with the same turbulence model.
Coulomb-driven electroconvection turbulence in two-dimensional cavity
Authors: Zhang Yu , Chen Di-Lin , Luo Xiao-Ping , Luo Kang , Wu Jian , Yi Hong-Liang
Published: January 2024

A comprehensive direct numerical simulation of electroconvection (EC) turbulence caused by strong unipolar charge injection in a two-dimensional cavity is performed. The EC turbulence has strong fluctuations and intermittency in the closed cavity. Several dominant large-scale structures are found, including two vertical main rolls and a single primary roll. The flow mode significantly influences the charge transport efficiency. A nearly$Ne \sim T^{1/2}$scaling stage is observed, and the optimal$Ne$increment is related to the mode with two vertical rolls, while the single roll mode decreases the charge transport efficiency. As the flow strength increases, EC turbulence transitions from an electric force-dominated mode to an inertia-dominated mode. The former utilizes the Coulomb force more effectively and allocates more energy to convection. The vertical mean profiles of charge, electric field and energy budget provide intuitive information on the spatial energy distribution. With the aid of the energy-box technique, a detailed energy transport evolution is illustrated with changing electric Rayleigh numbers. This exploration of EC turbulence can help explain more complicated electrokinetic turbulence mechanisms and the successful utilization of Fourier mode decomposition and energy-box techniques is expected to benefit future EC studies.
The Effects of Decision Fatigue on Judicial Behavior: A Study of Arkansas Traffic Court Outcomes
Authors: Hemrajani Rahul , Hobert Tony
Published: January 2024

Judges who hear multiple cases a day may become exhausted by the time later cases are heard, increasing susceptibility to cognitive depletion, yet the role of workload fatigue in decision-making from hearing cases has rarely been tested in the U.S. One problem is the lack of public data—most U.S. courts do not maintain time-stamped records of case hearings. Using an original dataset of all traffic cases heard in Pulaski County, Arkansas in 2019 and 2020, we examine whether decision fatigue affects case outcomes. We find that charges are less likely to be dismissed in arraignment hearings at the end of a court session than in those at the beginning. This pattern, however, does not hold for trial hearings, suggesting that the effects of fatigue may be context-specific. We suggest policy recommendations to mitigate the effects of decision fatigue in lower courts—courts having the most contact with citizens.
Catholic Social Teaching Reframed: One Fruit of a Culture of Encounter
Authors: Rowe Gareth L. M.
Published: January 2024

Catholic social thought and teaching is sometimes conceptualised using an historical or principles-based approach. This paper proposes an alternative framing, construing Catholic social teaching (CST) as a multi-layered phenomenon that can be grouped into three broad tiers, each with a distinctive role. This framing is not intended to supercede the others, nor is it inconsistent with them. The proposal emerges out of a series of discussions hosted by the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development, a Catholic UK-based development agency, member of Caritas Internationalis, and an official agency of the Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales. The paper operates on two levels simultaneously: it attempts a distinctive reframing of CST using a distinctive source, and it attempts an enactment of CST methodologically and structurally. Construing CST as a multi-layered phenomenon that can be grouped into three broad tiers provides a clarity that empowers us in two ways. First, it clarifies the distinctive role of CST at each level. Second, it makes clear that CST is a work of the Spirit rather than a human phenomenon. Such an understanding of CST brings out with particular clarity a vision of the role, purpose, and even the agency of Catholic social thought in relation to a troubled world.
Trait sensitivity to stress and cognitive bias processes in fish: A brief overview
Authors: Buenhombre Jhon , Daza-Cardona Erika Alexandra , Mota-Rojas Daniel , Domínguez-Oliva Adriana , Rivera Astrid , Medrano-Galarza Catalina , de Tarso Paulo , Cajiao-Pachón María Nelly , Vargas Francisco , Pedraza-Toscano Adriana , Sousa Pêssi
Published: January 2024

Like other animals, fish have unique personalities that can affect their cognition and responses to environmental stressors. These individual personality differences are often referred to as “behavioural syndromes” or “stress coping styles” and can include personality traits such as boldness, shyness, aggression, exploration, locomotor activity, and sociability. For example, bolder or proactive fish may be more likely to take risks and present lower hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal/interrenal axis reactivity as compared to shy or reactive individuals. Likewise, learning and memory differ between fish personalities. Reactive or shy individuals tend to have faster learning and better association recall with aversive stimuli, while proactive or bold individuals tend to learn more quickly when presented with appetitive incentives. However, the influence of personality on cognitive processes other than cognitive achievement in fish has been scarcely explored. Cognitive bias tests have been employed to investigate the interplay between emotion and cognition in both humans and animals. Fish present cognitive bias processes (CBP) in which fish’s interpretation of stimuli could be influenced by its current emotional state and open to environmental modulation. However, no study in fish has explored whether CBP, like in other species, can be interpreted as long-lasting traits and whether other individual characteristics may explain its variation. We hold the perspective that CBP could serve as a vulnerability factor for the onset, persistence, and recurrence of stress-related disorders. Therefore, studying fish’s CBP as a state or trait and its interactions with individual variations may be valuable in future efforts to enhance our understanding of anxiety and stress neurobiology in animal models and humans.
Threatened or poorly known? The case of the Mediterranean narrow endemic Valeriana amazonum in Sardinia
Authors: Fenu Giuseppe , Calderisi Giulia , Cogoni Donatella
Published: January 2024

The Mediterranean flora is characterized by a high number of narrow endemic plant species that are often restricted to a few small populations. One of these species, Valeriana amazonum, a perennial plant occurring only in the Supramontes region of central eastern Sardinia, is categorized as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List because of its restricted range, small population size and an inferred decline caused by several threats. During 2007–2022, we monitored all mature individuals of this plant annually and surveyed ecologically suitable sites for the species. We identified two previously unknown populations and also learnt of two successful translocations carried out independently by an unknown local citizen. As our monitoring data indicate there has been no decline in the number of mature individuals over the period of monitoring, the species’ conservation status requires reassessment. We recommend that V. amazonum should be recategorized as Near Threatened as it seems to be poorly known rather than highly threatened. This could also be the case with other narrow Mediterranean endemics, especially those that grow in inaccessible habitats for which long-term studies are needed to assess conservation status.
Family History of Twinning and Fertility Traits in Nigerian Mothers of Dizygotic Twins
Authors: Hur Yoon-Mi , Martin Nick , Oginni Olakunle , Boomsma Dorret , Hubers Nikki , Mbarek Hamdi
Published: January 2024

Familial twinning and fertility traits were investigated in Nigerian mothers of dizygotic (DZ) twins (MoDZT; N = 972) and controls (N = 525) who responded to our person-to-person interview, which included questions on pregnancy history and family history of DZ twinning. Controls were defined as women who are not twins themselves and do not have twins in their first-degree relatives. Over 95% of the participants were Yoruba. We found that Nigerian MoDZT had an average of 4.0 (±2.6) pairs of twins among their relatives, and of these, the prevalence of DZ twins was significantly higher than that of monozygotic (MZ) twins (45.9% vs. 25.8%). Controls had an average of 0.5 (±0.4) pairs, and over 95% of the controls had no twins in their relatives. These results suggest genetic influences on DZ twinning in Nigerians. MoDZT were significantly younger in their mean age at first child, and had higher parity than controls, suggesting increased fertility in MoDZT. As compared to mothers with a single set of twins, mothers (N = 130) with multiple sets had significantly more twins among their relatives (5.4 pairs vs. 3.7 pairs) and had their first twins at a younger age (28.4 vs. 30.7 years), indicating that mothers with multiple sets of twins might have higher genetic propensity for twinning associated with earlier age at twin pregnancy. Our findings argue for genomewide association studies for DZ twinning in Nigerians, and may help to develop intervention strategies to overcome infertility/subfertility problems.
Deep Structure of the Santos Basin, Offshore Brazil From 3D Inversion of magnetotelluric Data
Authors: Benevides A. S. , Meju M. A. , Fontes S. L. , Maurya V. P. , Meqbel N. M. , Ribeiro P. L. , La Terra E. F.
Published: January 2024

The relationship between deep crustal structure and the deformation in the overlying sedimentary wedge in Santos basin, Brazil is not well understood, and the origin and evolution of the salt‐related “Albian Gap (AG)” remain a topic of debate. We investigate the deep structure using three‐dimensional inversion of full tensor marine magnetotelluric (MT) data (of 10−1 to 104 s period bandwidth) from 92 stations along three NW–SE lines in 50–1,700 m water depth, one crossing the Cretaceous hinge line (CHL), AG, and Cabo Frio Fault (CFF). The geological validity of the resulting MT resistivity models was determined using resistivity logs from 11 wells and seismic data. The model shows two regionally persistent electrically conductive layers (C2 and C3) related to key Cenozoic and Cretaceous unconformities in the upper part of the sedimentary wedge. Beneath this wedge, the resistive continental crust is ∼35 km thick across the CHL until the 200 m isobath and thereafter thins rapidly seaward to ∼21 km over a lateral distance of ∼80 km defining a domain of highly extended and faulted crust. Our models show a mantle‐associated basement high and evidence of significant uplift of the lower part of the sedimentary wedge at 100–150 km distance along our central profile which spatially coincides with the AG and a previously proposed Moho high. This implies a mantle‐driven deformation of the crust and basin fill. We propose that mantle flow and magmatism may have played a significant role in the inferred displacement at the AG.
Future Changes in Global Atmospheric Rivers Projected by CMIP6 Models
Authors: Zhang Lujia , Zhao Yang , Cheng Tat Fan , Lu Mengqian
Published: January 2024

Understanding the present and future features of atmospheric rivers (ARs) is critical for effective disaster prevention and mitigation efforts. This study comprehensively assesses the performance of ARs in Phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) models on both seasonal and interannual timescales within the historical period and investigates the future projection of ARs under different emission scenarios on a global scale. The multi‐model mean results obtained using the PanLu detection algorithm consistently exhibit agreement with the observational AR climatology and capture interannual fluctuations as well as the relationships with large‐scale drivers. The future projections reveal increased AR frequency, intensity, duration, and spatial extent and decreased landfall intervals with regional variations and seasonal fluctuations. Besides, the AR frequency increase will accelerate around the middle of the century, attributed to a non‐linear rise in surface temperature. Furthermore, mid‐latitude ARs are gradually shifting toward higher latitudes in both hemispheres under SSP585, with Greenland experiencing a substantial increase in AR frequency and AR‐induced precipitation. The hydrological implications arising from more frequent ARs are manifested more prominently in AR‐induced heavy precipitation (HP), with regions historically characterized by lower AR occurrence also receiving a higher percentage of precipitation from ARs. At last, an incremental decomposition highlights the dominant role of thermal effects and relatively limited contributions from dynamical effects in AR changes. Besides, the interplay between regionally divergent temperature amplification results in different dynamically driven AR responses across the globe.
Unveiling the Role of Carbonate Radical Anions in Dust‐Driven SO2 Oxidation
Authors: Liu Yangyang , Wang Tao , Ge Qiuyue , You Wenbo , Li Kejian , Wang Wei , Xie Lifang , Wang Longqian , Fang Xiaozhong , Ruan Xuejun , Yang Le , Wang Runbo , Zhang Liwu
Published: January 2024

Carbonate radical anion () is generally overlooked in atmospheric chemistry. Our recent work emphasizes the important role of carbonate radicals produced on mineral dust surfaces in fast sulfate production under solar irradiation in the presence of CO2 at specifically low RH and light intensity. Yet so far how involves and affects secondary sulfate production under diverse RH, light intensity, and complex constituent matrix remains unknown, which essentially limits our comprehensive knowledge of initiated SO2 oxidation scheme in the atmosphere. Herein, we explored the heterogeneous SO2 oxidation over both model and authentic dust and clays in the presence of CO2 at atmospheric relevant RHs and light intensities. Interestingly, we observe that CO2 promotes sulfate yield over authentic dust and clays at atmospheric‐relevant RH and light intensity. This observation relates to the favorable kinetic between SO2 oxidation and while auto‐quenching of these radical ions is largely minimized due to the sufficient sites of crustal constituents. Furthermore, employing a suite of authentic dust and machine learning strategies, we evaluated the relative importance of each constituent within airborne minerals or clays as well as environmental conditions including relative humidity, light intensity, and CO2 concentration in affecting SO2 uptake capability. On this basis, sulfate formation mediated by dust‐driven pathway, accounting for nearly ∼20.9% of overall contribution by the end of this century during some pollution episodes, even higher than gas‐phase (∼16.9%), will be increased by 163% if CO2‐initiated SO2 oxidation scheme is incorporated.
Changes in Atmospheric Dynamics Over Dansgaard‐Oeschger Climate Oscillations Around 40 ka and Their Impact on Europe
Authors: Stadelmaier Kim H. , Ludwig Patrick , Pinto Joaquim G. , Újvári Gábor
Published: January 2024

Dansgaard‐Oeschger (D‐O) climate variability during the last glaciation was first evidenced in ice cores and marine sediments, and is also recorded in various terrestrial paleoclimate archives in Europe. The relative synchronicity across Greenland, the North Atlantic and Europe implies a tight and fast coupling between those regions, most probably effectuated by an atmospheric transmission mechanism. In this study, we investigated the atmospheric changes during Greenland interstadial (GI) and stadial (GS) phases based on regional climate model simulations using two specific periods, GI‐10 and GS‐9 both around 40 ka, as boundary conditions. Our simulations accurately capture the changes in temperature and precipitation as reconstructed by the available proxy data. Moreover, the simulations depict an intensified and southward shifted eddy‐driven jet during the stadial period. Ultimately, this affects the near‐surface circulation toward more southwesterly and cyclonic flow in western Europe during the stadial period, explaining much of the seasonal climate variability recorded by the proxy data, including oxygen isotopes, at the considered proxy sites.