bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long strings and quasinormal winding modes
Authors: Ashok Sujay K. , Troost Jan
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We compute the path integral for a particle on the covering group of SL(2, ℝ) using a decomposition of the Lie algebra into adjoint orbits. We thus intuitively derive the Hilbert space of the particle on the group including discrete and continuous representations. Next, we perform a Lorentzian hyperbolic orbifold of the partition function and relate it to the Euclidean BTZ partition function. We use the particle model to inform further discussion of the spectral content of the one loop vacuum amplitude for strings on BTZ black hole backgrounds. We argue that the poles in the loop integrand code contributions of long string modes that wind the black hole. We moreover identify saddle point contributions of quasinormal winding modes.
Rigorous bounds on irrelevant operators in the 3d Ising model CFT
Authors: Reehorst Marten
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We use the recently developed navigator method to obtain rigorous upper and lower bounds on new OPE data in the 3d Ising CFT. For example, assuming that there are only two ℤ2-even scalar operators ϵ and ϵ′ with a dimension below 6 we find a narrow allowed interval for ∆ϵ′, λσσϵ′ and λϵϵϵ′. With similar assumptions in the ℤ2-even spin-2 and the ℤ2-odd scalar sectors we are also able to constrain: the central charge cT; the OPE data ∆T′, λϵϵT′ and λσσT′ of the second spin-2 operator; and the OPE data ∆σ′ and λσϵσ′ of the second ℤ2-odd scalar. We compare the rigorous bounds we find with estimates that have been previously obtained using the extremal functional method (EFM) and find a good match. This both validates the EFM and shows the navigator-search method to be a feasible and more rigorous alternative for estimating a large part of the low-dimensional operator spectrum. We also investigate the effect of imposing sparseness conditions on all sectors at once. We find that the island does not greatly reduce in size under these assumptions. We efficiently find islands and determine their size in high-dimensional parameter spaces (up to 13 parameters). This shows that using the navigator method the numerical conformal bootstrap is no longer constrained to the exploration of small parameter spaces.
Celestial Yang-Mills amplitudes and D = 4 conformal blocks
Authors: Fan Wei , Fotopoulos Angelos , Stieberger Stephan , Taylor Tomasz R. , Zhu Bin
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We discuss the properties of recently constructed “single-valued” celestial four-gluon amplitudes. We show that the amplitude factorizes into the “current” part and the “scalar” part. The current factor is given by the group-dependent part of the Wess-Zumino-Witten correlator of four holomorphic currents with a non-vanishing level of Kač-Moody algebra. The scalar factor can be expressed in terms of a complex integral of the Koba-Nielsen form, similar to the integrals describing four-point correlators in Coulomb gas models and, more generally, in the infinite central charge limit of Liouville theory. The scalar part can be also obtained by a dimensional reduction of a single D = 4 conformal block and the shadow block from Minkowski space to the celestial sphere.
Proportion and Disproportion in the Late Gothic Layout of the Charterhouse of Jerez (Cádiz, Spain)
Authors: Castellano-Román Manuel , Pinto Puerto Francisco
Published: September 2022

The construction of a large and complex monastery such as the Charterhouse of Jerez required a precise geometric plan, the layout, which once deployed on the ground becomes the shape control system of the construction process. The basic geometric figure that supports the layout is the square and the variations derived from the ratio between its side and its diagonal. This paper presents the graphic definition of this geometric layout and analyses its persistence over more than three centuries of architectural evolution (fifteenth through eighteenth centuries). During this lengthy process, it has been possible to characterise how the rigour of geometric abstraction, the natural conditions of the ground on which the monastery was founded, and the functional and symbolic demands of the Carthusian order have been balanced. Likewise, there has been an analysis of the situations in which disproportion is imposed: the alteration or abandonment of the geometric plan. These undesirable situations reveal the imposition of existing conditions and the evolution of artistic concepts.
An aeroelastic optimisation framework for manufacturable variable stiffness composite wings including critical gust loads
Authors: Wang Zhijun , Peeters Daniël , De Breuker Roeland
Published: September 2022

This work presents a new aeroelastic optimisation framework for the preliminary design of variable stiffness composite wing structures. The framework is constructed by sequentially and iteratively solving two sub-problems: aeroelastic tailoring and lay-up retrieval, using gradient-based algorithms with full-analytical sensitivities provided. During aeroelastic tailoring, the wing mass is minimised by optimising the lamination parameters and thickness of wing laminates together with wing jig twist distribution. The load cases cover not only static loads, but also the critical gust loads that are identified across the entire flight envelop at every iteration of optimisation. Further, a cruise shape constraint is included in addition to other aerostructural constraints, so that the optimal aircraft performance can be ensured. During lay-up retrieval, the manufacturable stacking sequence is retrieved according to the optimal lamination parameters with the consideration of minimal steering radius constraint. Moreover, to fix the possible constraint violations caused by lay-up retrieval, a correction strategy is incorporated to tighten the violated constraints for repeating aeroelastic tailoring. Finally, several case studies on the design of NASA common research model wing are carried out and investigated. The results indicate that the critical gust loads and cruise shape constraint have a large influence on the design of tow-steered composite wing structures, which therefore demonstrate the usefulness and benefits of the proposed optimisation framework.
Effects of developmental environment on animal personality in a tropical skink
Authors: de Jong Madeleine , Phillips Ben L. , Llewelyn John , Chapple David G. , Wong Bob B. M.
Published: September 2022

Developmental environments play a significant role in shaping animal phenotype, including behavior. Within a species, individuals often differ in behavior in a consistent and repeatable way (i.e., demonstrate animal personality). This consistency in behavior can be affected by differences in conditions experienced early in life. It is, however, unclear whether effects of developmental environments on animal personality are driven by changes in within- or between-individual variation. To investigate this, we measured activity, exploration, sociability, and boldness in adult male southern rainforest sunskinks,Lampropholis similis, incubated at either 23 °C or 26 °C, and compared behavioral phenotypes between these incubation treatments. We also compared the behavior of these incubation groups to a cohort of wild-caught skinks to determine whether rearing in captivity also affected the personality of the lizards. Skinks that had been incubated at a higher temperature were more explorative and demonstrated personality in a larger suite of traits compared to lizards incubated at a lower temperature or caught in the wild. These differences among developmental environment were primarily driven by within-individual variation, which tended to be higher among the high incubation treatment. We also found no evidence for a behavioral syndrome in either captive- or wild-reared skinks. Our results suggest the potential for greater behavioral plasticity in skinks incubated at a higher temperature, which may enable them to cope with environmental change, such as climate warming, in the short term. Overall, we show that effects of developmental environment are complex and play a pivotal role in shaping animal personality.

Significance statement

Experiences during development are expected to influence how animals develop, including their behavior. We tested early environment effects on behavior in adult southern rainforest sunskinks by comparing lizards incubated at different temperatures as well as comparing those reared in the wild with those reared in captive environments. We found that lizards incubated at the higher temperature were more exploratory. Furthermore, both incubation temperature and captivity/wild-rearing had pronounced effects on the consistency of behavior—in different directions for different traits—demonstrating developmental environments have strong effects on animal personality. Such changes in behavioral traits likely have flow-on effects for the animal’s fitness and biotic interactions.
The long-term course of subsolid nodules and predictors of interval growth on chest CT: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Linyu , Gao Chen , Kong Ning , Lou Xinjing , Xu Maosheng
Published: September 2022

Objectives

To calculate the pooled incidence of interval growth after long-term follow-up and identify predictors of interval growth in subsolid nodules (SSNs) on chest CT.

Methods

A search of MEDLINE (PubMed), Cochrane Library, Web of Science Core Collection, and Embase was performed on November 08, 2021, for relevant studies. Patient information, CT scanner, and SSN follow-up information were extracted from each included study. A random-effects model was applied along with subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Study quality was assessed by the Newcastle–Ottawa scale, and publication bias was assessed by Egger’s test.

Results

Of the 6802 retrieved articles, 16 articles were included and analyzed, providing a total of 2898 available SSNs. The pooled incidence of growth in the 2898 SSNs was 22% (95% confidence interval [CI], 15–29%). The pooled incidence of growth in the subgroup analysis of pure ground-glass nodules was 26% (95% CI: 12–39%). The incidence of SSN growth after 2 or more years of stability was only 5% (95% CI: 3–7%). An initially large SSN size was found to be the most frequent risk factor affecting the incidence of SSN growth and the time of growth.

Conclusions

The pooled incidence of SSN growth was as high as 22%, with a 26% incidence reported for pure ground-glass nodules. Although the incidence of growth was only 5% after 2 or more years of stability, long-term follow-up is needed in certain cases. Moreover, the initial size of the SSN was the most frequent risk factor for growth.

Key Points

• Based on a meta-analysis of 2898 available subsolid nodules in the literature, the pooled incidence of growth was 22% for all subsolid nodules and 26% for pure ground-glass nodules.

• After 2 or more years of stability on follow-up CT, the pooled incidence of subsolid nodule growth was only 5%.

• Given the incidence of subsolid nodule growth, management of these lesions with long-term follow-up is preferred.
Aesthetic results in children with single suture craniosynostosis: proposal for a modified Whitaker classification
Authors: Messerer Mahmoud , Cottier Rachel , Vandenbulcke Alberto , Belouaer Amani , Daniel Roy T. , Broome Martin , Cossu Giulia
Published: September 2022

Objective

Aesthetic assessment after surgery for non-syndromic single suture craniosynostosis (SSC) is crucial. Surgeons’ evaluation is generally based on Whitaker classification, while parental impression is generally neglected. The aim of this paper is to compare aesthetic perceptions of parents and surgeons after surgery for SSC, expressed by a 10-item questionnaire that complement Whitaker’s classification.

Methods

The authors submitted a 10-item questionnaire integrating Whitaker’s classification in order to evaluate the degree of satisfaction, the detailed aesthetics results and the need for surgical revision, to surgeons and parents of a consecutive series of patients operated for SSC between January 2007 and December 2018. The results were collected blindly.

Results

A total of 70 patients were included in the study. Scaphocephaly and trigonocephaly were the two most frequent craniosynostosis. Parents and surgeons general aesthetics evaluation and average rating for Whitaker’s classification were 1.86 vs 1.67 (p = 0.69) and 1.19 vs 1.1 (p = 0.45) respectively. Parents’ evaluation for scar perception and alopecia (p < 0.00001), the presence of bony crest (0.002), bony bump (p < 0.00001), or other bone irregularities (p = 0.02) are significantly worse when compared to surgeons’ perception.

Conclusions

Parents seem to be more sensitive to the detection of some aesthetic anomalies and their opinion should not be neglected. The authors propose a modified Whitaker classification based on their results to better stratify the aesthetic outcome after surgery for SSC.
Effectiveness of implantable loop recorder and Holter electrocardiographic monitoring for the detection of arrhythmias in patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy
Authors: Hoevelmann Julian , Sliwa Karen , Briton Olivia , Ntsekhe Mpiko , Chin Ashley , Viljoen Charle
Published: September 2022

Background

Patients with peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) are at increased risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). However, the exact underlying mechanisms of SCD in PPCM remain unknown. By means of extended electrocardiographic monitoring, we aimed to systematically characterize the burden of arrhythmias occurring in patients with newly diagnosed PPCM.

Methods and results

Twenty-five consecutive women with PPCM were included in this single-centre, prospective clinical trial and randomised to receiving either 24 h-Holter ECG monitoring followed by implantable loop recorder implantation (ILR; REVEAL XT, Medtronic®) or 24 h-Holter ECG monitoring alone. ILR + 24 h-Holter monitoring had a higher yield of arrhythmic events compared to 24 h-Holter monitoring alone (40% vs 6.7%, p = 0.041). Non-sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) occurred in four patients (16%, in three patients detected by 24 h-Holter, and multiple episodes detected by ILR in one patient). One patient deceased from third-degree AV block with an escape rhythm that failed. All arrhythmic events occurred in patients with a severely impaired LV systolic function.

Conclusions

We found a high prevalence of potentially life-threatening arrhythmic events in patients with newly diagnosed PPCM. These included both brady- and tachyarrhythmias. Our results highlight the importance of extended electrocardiographic monitoring, especially in those with severely impaired LV systolic function. In this regard, ILR in addition to 24 h-Holter monitoring had a higher yield of VAs as compared to 24 h-Holter monitoring alone. In settings where WCDs are not readily available, ILR monitoring should be considered in patients with severely impaired LV systolic dysfunction, especially after uneventful 24 h-Holter monitoring.

Trial registration

Pan African Clinical Trials Registry: PACTR202104866174807.

Graphical abstract

Extended electrocardiographic monitoring for the detection of arrhythmias in PPCM. (CHB, complete heart block/third degree AV block; ECG, electrocardiogram; ILR, implantable loop recorder; NSVT, non-sustained ventricular tachycardia; PPCM, peripartum cardiomyopathy)
Transcranial direct current stimulation in neglect rehabilitation after stroke: a systematic review
Authors: González-Rodriguez B. , Serradell-Ribé N. , Viejo-Sobera R. , Romero-Muñoz J. P. , Marron Elena M.
Published: September 2022

Hemispatial neglect is one of the most frequent attention disorders after stroke. The presence of neglect is associated with longer hospital stays, extended rehabilitation periods, and poorer functional recovery. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a new technique with promising results in neglect rehabilitation; therefore, the objective of this systematic review, performed following the PRISMA guidelines, is to evaluate the effectiveness of tDCS on neglect recovery after stroke. The search was done in MEDLINE (PubMed), Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and BioMed Central databases. A total of 311 articles were found; only 11 met the inclusion criteria, including 152 post-stroke patients in total. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed for all the studies, and methodological characteristics of the studies, sample sizes, methods, main results, and other relevant data were extracted. tDCS intervention ranged from one to twenty sessions distributed in 1 day to 4 weeks, with intensity ranged from 1 to 2 mA. We found moderate evidence for the efficacy of tDCS in the rehabilitation of hemispatial neglect after a stroke, being more effective in combination with other interventions. Nonetheless, the limited number of studies and some studies' design characteristics makes it risky to draw categorical conclusions. Since scientific evidence is still scarce, further research is needed to determine the advantage of this treatment in acute, sub-acute and chronic stroke patients. Future studies should include larger samples, longer follow-ups, and broader neurophysiological assessments, with the final aim of establishing the appropriate use of tDCS as an adjuvant intervention in neurorehabilitation settings.
Machine learning techniques for prediction of multiple sclerosis progression
Authors: Branco Dario , Martino Beniamino di , Esposito Antonio , Tedeschi Gioacchino , Bonavita Simona , Lavorgna Luigi
Published: September 2022

Patients afflicted by multiple sclerosis experience a relapsing-remitting course in about 85% of the cases. Furthermore, after a 10/15-year period their situation tends to worse, resulting in what is considered the second phase of multiple sclerosis. While treatments are now available to reduce the symptoms and slow down the progression of the disease, the administration of drugs must be adapted to the course of the disease, and predicting relapsing periods and the worsening of the symptoms can greatly improve the outcome of the treatment. For this reason, indicators such as the patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) have been largely used to support early diagnosis and prediction of future relapsing periods in patients affected by multiple sclerosis. However, such indicators are insufficient, as the prediction they provide is often not accurate enough. In this paper, machine learning techniques have been applied to data obtained from clinical trial, in order to improve the prediction capabilities and provide doctors with an additional instrument to evaluate the clinical situation of patients. After the application of correlation indicators and the use of principal component analysis for the reduction of the dimensionality of the feature space, classification algorithms have been applied and compared, in order to identify the best suiting one for our purposes. After the application of re-balance algorithms, the accuracy of the machine learning-based prediction system reaches 79%, demonstrating the capability of the framework to correctly predict future progression of disability.
Effect of MBT on landfill behavior: an Italian case study
Authors: Amato Alessia , Magi Galluzzi Lorenzo , Beolchini Francesca
Published: September 2022

Bad choices in municipal waste (MW) management cause negative effects on sustainability. Evolving regulation has identified prevention and recycling as the best strategies; nevertheless, disposal in landfilling sites plays an essential role since a complete zero-waste scenario is not realistic, currently. Nowadays, policies require a preliminary waste stabilization to decrease the putrescible content. Therefore, mechanical biological treatment (MBT) has replaced the previous crushing, aimed at simple volume reduction. Literature has proved the effectiveness of MBT when MW collection system is ineffective. The present paper considered a facility in an area with a high-performance MW collection system. A long-term (1999–2019) on-site sampling allowed the comparison between two sites of the facility: the old site (before the MBT activation) and the new area, where the stabilized waste is disposed of. Monitoring of biogas, leachate (analyzed parameters: pH, BOD5, COD, ammonia-nitrogen) and odorous emissions was performed to verify the effect of the stabilization process. The considered long period and the on-site sampling support the relevance of the results, compared to the available literature, often referred to as laboratory scale. The results proved the relatively low benefit of stabilization at the considered facility, which cannot justify the energy consumption of MBT.
Breaking the Cycle of Marginalization: How to Involve Local Communities in Multi-stakeholder Initiatives?
Authors: Eikelenboom Manon , Long Thomas B.
Published: September 2022

While the benefits of including local communities in multi-stakeholder initiatives have been acknowledged, their successful involvement remains a challenging process. Research has shown that large business interests are regularly over-represented and that local communities remain marginalized in the process. Additionally, little is known about how procedural fairness and inclusion can be managed and maintained during multi-stakeholder initiatives. The aim of this study was therefore to investigate how marginalized stakeholders, and local communities in particular, can be successfully involved during the course of a multi-stakeholder initiative. An action research approach was adopted where the first author collaborated with a social housing association on an initiative to involve the local community in the design and implementation of circular economy approaches in a low-income neighbourhood. This study contributes to the multi-stakeholder initiative literature by showing that the successful involvement of marginalized stakeholders requires the initiators to continuously manage a balance between uncertainty–certainty, disagreement–agreement and consensus- and domination-based management strategies. Furthermore, our study highlights that factors which are regularly treated as challenges, including uncertainty and disagreement, can actually play a beneficial role in multi-stakeholder initiatives, emphasizing the need to take a temporally sensitive approach. This study also contributes to the circular economy literature by showing how communities can play a bigger role than merely being consumers, leading to the inclusion of a socially oriented perspective which has not been recognized in the previous literature.
Glycyrrhizin and boswellic acids, the golden nutraceuticals: multitargeting for treatment of mild–moderate COVID-19 and prevention of post-COVID cognitive impairment
Authors: Gomaa Adel A. , Abdel-Wadood Yasmin A. , Gomaa Mohamed A.
Published: September 2022

Breakthrough infections have been reported in fully vaccinated persons. Furthermore, rebound symptoms have been reported following the new FDA granted emergency use to combat SARS-CoV-2. Glycyrrhizin (GR) and boswellic acids (BAs) combination has been shown to have highly successful actions against COVID-19 in our recent clinical trial. However, the study is limited by the small sample size, and therefore, the aim of this article is to comprehensively evaluate recent evidence on the efficacy of GR and BAs in preventing the development of COVID-19 in patients with mild and moderate infections and in preventing post-COVID-19 cognitive impairment, which is the most important symptom after recovery from Covid-19 disease. We have reviewed and discussed information published since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic until July 2022 on preclinical (in vivo, in vivo and bioinformatics) and clinical studies related to the antiviral, anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory activity of Gr and BAs. Sixteen studies were performed to determine the efficacy of GR against SARS-CoV-2. Ten studies were used primarily for in vitro and in vivo assays and six used molecular docking studies. However, the antiviral activity of BAs against SARS-CoV-2 was determined in only five studies using molecular modeling and bioinformatics. All these studies confirmed that GR n and BAs have strong antiviral activity and can be used as a therapeutic agent for COVID-19 and as a protective agent against SARS-CoV-2. They may act by inhibiting the main protease SARS-CoV-2 (Mpro) responsible for replication and blocking spike protein-mediated cell entry. Only seven rigorously designed clinical trials regarding the usefulness of GR, BAs or their combinations in the treatment of COVID-19 have been published as of July 2022. Although there is no clinical study regarding the treatment of cognitive impairment after COVID-19 that has been published so far, several preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the potential effect of GR and BAs in the prevention and treatment of cognitive impairment by inhibiting the activity of several molecules that activate inflammatory signaling pathway. In conclusion, the findings of our study documented the beneficial use of GR and BAs to treat SARS-CoV-2 and its variants and prevent post-COVID cognitive impairment. However, it warrants further studies with a larger randomized sample size to ensure that the studies have sufficient evidence of benefits against COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 symptoms.
The role of customers’ awareness towards the sustainable development goals (SDGs) of banks on their behavior
Authors: Stauropoulou Athanasia , Sardianou Eleni , Malindretos George , Evangelinos Konstantinos , Nikolaou Ioannis
Published: September 2022

Banks and sustainable development have lately gone hand in hand. Of late, banks have focused on sustainable management in order to improve their environmental footprint, to eliminate financial risks, to promote social issues, and to exploit new opportunities. The sustainable development management of organizations attracts new customers over and above conventional institutions thus leading to greater market share and increased revenues. This paper aims to examine if and how sustainable development goals (SDGs) adopted by banking institutions play a role in customers’ decisions and behavior. The way that banks, SDGs, and sustainable image affect customer behavior, attitudes, trust, loyalty, satisfaction, and perceived fair pricing policy is assessed. To this end, 1084 questionnaires were collected and the PLS-SEM method was utilized. The findings show a positive relationship between the stance of banks relating to SDGs and customer trust, loyalty, and perceived fair pricing policy. Finally, the SDGs adopted by banks are an important strategic tool which strengthens relationship with their customers.
The role of epistemic emotions in undergraduate students’ proof construction
Authors: Schubert Sandra , Pekrun Reinhard , Ufer Stefan
Published: September 2022

Proofs as epistemic tools are central to mathematical practice, as they establish and provide explanations for the validity of mathematical statements. Considering the challenge that proof construction poses to learners of all ages, prior research has investigated its cognitive determinants, but the impact of affective-motivational experiences on proof construction has been insufficiently investigated. Emotions related to knowledge acquisition (i.e., epistemic emotions) are assumed to play a key role in epistemic processes. In this study we investigated how the performance of 80 mathematics undergraduate students in a geometric proof construction task relates to the epistemic emotions experienced during proof construction. Controlling for geometry knowledge, we included control and value appraisals as antecedents in our investigation of epistemic emotions, and attention and motivation as mediators of their effects on proof construction performance. The results indicate that positive as well as negative emotions are influenced by students’ appraisals, also indicating an interaction of both appraisal dimensions. Primarily enjoyment and curiosity mediate the effects of these appraisals on attention and motivation. These two markers of the proof construction process, in turn, mediate the effects of enjoyment and boredom on proof construction performance. In this study we investigated systematically the role of epistemic emotions in geometric proof construction and we offer insights that complement the existing research on the cognitive determinants of proof performance. Moreover, this study extended research on epistemic emotions into the area of proof construction, an epistemic process central to mathematics.
The exploration of a ‘model’ for understanding the contribution of emotion regulation to students learning. The role of academic emotions and sense of coherence
Authors: Karagiannopoulou Evangelia , Desatnik Alex , Rentzios Christos , Ntritsos Georgios
Published: September 2022

The present study is exploring a pathway connecting emotion regulation with academic progress. Specifically, the pattern through which emotion regulation is implicated in learning and academic progress through academic emotions and sense of coherence. This cross-sectional study involves of 406 undergraduate social science students recruited from a university in western Greece. Participants anonymously and voluntarily completed a number of self-report measures. The Emotion Regulation Questionnaire, the Sense of Coherence Scale, the Student Experience of Emotions Inventory and the Approaches to Learning and Studying Inventory, were used to measure emotion regulation, sense of coherence, academic emotional experiences and approaches to learning, respectively. Α four-stage model was tested with structural equation modelling techniques. In particular, the model examined associations between emotion regulation, sense of coherence, academic emotions, approaches to learning and academic progress. The analysis revealed pathways through which these associations appear to be maintained and driven by emotion regulation. Emotion regulation is associated with students’ academic emotions that in turn are linked with approaches to learning and academic progress. Both positive and negative emotions appear to play a role in enabling an adaptive approach to learning. Moreover, sense of coherence may serve as an important meta-cognitive factor enabling students to approach the learning process more effectively. The findings are discussed in the light of the recent literature.
German fishery’s adaptation to historic events, Western Baltic Sea, 1890–1950
Authors: Schacht Karoline , Voss Rudi
Published: September 2022

Marine social-ecological systems (SES) have been providing important cultural, social, and economic services for many centuries. They are, however, increasingly threatened by fast changing environmental, ecological, and socio-economic conditions. As historical marine research is increasingly developing into a multidisciplinary endeavour, it offers outstanding points of departure to analyse historic events and the response and adaptation of the respective SES. Such knowledge helps to inform today’s fisheries management and promotes successful management of changing ecosystems. Here, we compile and analyse historical data (1890–1950) of the German Western Baltic Sea fishery SES. This period is characterised by a series of strong impacts due to political, technological, economic, and ecological changes, such as two world wars, a global economic crisis, and other economic or ecological disasters. In our opinion, potential negative effects of those events were in the past attenuated by the system’s high capacity to adapt. However, most of the fishers´ historic options on how to respond and adapt have recently become no longer available. New threats (e.g. climate change) have emerged instead. We conclude that today’s fisheries management needs to integrate options of adaptation by exhausting all present or future opportunities. Adaptive fisheries management should not only focus on environmental change but need to include socio-economic change as well.
Assessment of COVID -19 associated coagulopathy and multiple hemostatic markers: a single center study in Egypt
Authors: Abdelaal Azza , Abu-Elfatth Ahmed , Bakkar Lamees M. , El-Azeem Hanan G. Abd , Hetta Helal F. , Badawy Eman R.
Published: September 2022

Background

Coagulopathy is still a serious pattern of coronavirus-19 disease. We aimed to evaluate COVID-19-associated coagulopathy and multiple hemostatic markers in Egyptian patients. In addition, to assess coagulation acute phase reactants and its effect on the outcome.

Methods

The study included 106 COVID-19 patients, and 51 controls. All patients were positive for COVID-19 infection by nasopharyngeal swab for detection of viral RNA by real-time PCR. In addition to baseline data and radiological findings, the coagulation profile was done with special attention to Fibrinogen, d-dimer, Factor VIII, von Willebrand factor (VWF), Protein C, Protein S, Antithrombin III (ATIII) and Lupus anticoagulant (LA)-1 and 2.

Results

The results showed significantly higher VWF, d-dimer, and LA1 (screening) and LA2 (confirmation) in patients than a control group. Significantly higher d-dimer FVIII, VWF and LA1-2 were detected in the severe group. ATIII had high diagnostic accuracy in severity prediction. We found a significantly higher international randomized ratio (INR) and VWF among patients with thrombotic events. For prediction of thrombosis; VWF at cutoff > 257.7 has 83.3% sensitivity and 83.3% specificity.

Conclusion

Patients with COVID-19 infection are vulnerable to different forms of coagulopathy. This could be associated with poor outcomes. d-Dimer is a chief tool in diagnosis, severity evaluation but not thrombosis prediction. Early screening for this complication and its proper management would improve the outcome.
Nonlinear Markov chains with finite state space: invariant distributions and long-term behaviour
Authors: Neumann Berenice Anne
Published: September 2022

Nonlinear Markov chains with finite state space were introduced by Kolokoltsov (Nonlinear Markov Processes and Kinetic Equations, 2010). The characteristic property of these processes is that the transition probabilities depend not only on the state, but also on the distribution of the process. Here we provide first results regarding their invariant distributions and long-term behaviour: we show that under a continuity assumption an invariant distribution exists and provide a sufficient criterion for the uniqueness of the invariant distribution. Moreover, we present examples of peculiar limit behaviour that cannot occur for classical linear Markov chains. Finally, we present for the case of small state spaces sufficient (and easy-to-verify) criteria for the ergodicity of the process.
Spleen as an organ at risk in adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer: a retrospective dosimetric study
Authors: Velu Umesh , Shetty Preethi S. , Sharan Krishna , Salins Shirley , Singh Anshul
Published: September 2022

Introduction:

This study aimed to determine the radiation dose to the spleen in adjuvant chemoradiotherapy for gastric cancer, resulting in haematological toxicities.

Methods:

This retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was conducted at a tertiary referral cancer centre. All patients with biopsy-proven non-metastatic gastric adenocarcinoma planned for adjuvant chemoradiotherapy from January 2017 to December 2021 were included. The mean dose to the spleen (Dmean) was estimated and correlated with the development of haematological toxicities.

Results:

The mean spleen volume was 186·65 cc. The Dmean to the spleen was 35·35 Gy (20–42 Gy). Grade 3 leukopenia was observed in 67%, grade 4 in 15%, and grade 3 thrombocytopenia was noted in 41% of patients. Radiotherapy (RT) dose > 35·5 Gy to the spleen resulted in ≥ grade 3 leukopenia. RT dose ≥ 36·5 Gy resulted in grade 3 thrombocytopenia. The occurrence of leukopenia and thrombocytopenia was also affected by the location of the primary gastric cancer (higher incidence in distal than in proximal tumours).

Conclusion:

The spleen should be considered as an important organs at risk during adjuvant RT for gastric cancer. Dmean to the spleen should be < 35·5 Gy to prevent major haematological toxicities.
Analysis of Magmatic Crystal Destruction by Backscattered Electron Imaging
Authors: Sturm Robert
Published: September 2022

After their crystallization from magmatic melt, minerals such as accessory zircon are often subject to different kinds of chemical impairment. This includes the radiation-induced damage of the crystal lattice due to the incorporation of radioactive elements (U, Th) and the dissolution of the mineral structure due to the permanent action of aggressive fluid phases. Both phenomena can be best studied by using specific crystal sections and electron microscopy visualization techniques (backscattered electron imaging, BSEI). Crystal damage by the emission of α-particles corresponds to a continuous transformation of the regularly structured lattice into an amorphous mass. Mineral dissolution is expressed by the formation of specific corrosion pits, which may be refilled by recrystallized material.
Hygroscopicity and CCN Activity of Water‐Soluble Extracts From the Arctic Aerosols in Winter to Early Summer
Authors: Kawana Kaori , Kawamura Kimitaka , Fu Pingqing , Barrie Leonard A.
Published: September 2022

The hygroscopicity and cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activity of water‐soluble extracts from Arctic lower tropospheric aerosols during winter to summer were investigated under sub‐ and super‐saturated conditions, with chemical composition and air mass origin. The κ values from the hygroscopic growth factor at 80%–90% relative humidity (κHTDMA) during winter, spring, and summer were 0.34 ± 0.06, 0.41 ± 0.05, and 0.25 ± 0.02, respectively, whereas those derived from CCN activation diameter at 0.29%–0.59% supersaturation (κCCNC) were 0.42 ± 0.03, 0.43 ± 0.05, and 0.34 ± 0.11, respectively. The hygroscopicity and CCN activity showed clear seasonal variations following changes in composition that are linked to natural, anthropogenic, and biogenic sources. During winter and spring, κ was high when highly hygroscopic components such as sea salts, sulfate, and highly‐oxidized/aged particles were dominant due to long‐range atmospheric transport and photochemical reactions. In contrast, κ was significantly lower in summer when water‐insoluble (22%) and water‐soluble organic matter (OM) (17%) were dominated with high biogenic activity associated with ice‐edge zones. The κCCNC and κHTDMA values agreed well within 8% and the surface tension agreed with that of pure water within 10%. The κ for OM (κOM) estimated from chemical composition during spring and summer was on average 0.04 ± 0.06 (up to ∼0.17). This result suggests that highly hygroscopic components such as sea salt and sulfate mainly controlled particle hygroscopicity and CCN activity in winter, but water‐soluble OM could also contribute in spring and summer.
Mechanisms of the Non‐Uniform Breach Morphology Evolution of Landslide Dams Composed of Unconsolidated Sediments During Overtopping Failure
Authors: Zhou Gordon G. D. , Lu Xueqiang , Xie Yunxu , Cui Kahlil F. E. , Tang Hui
Published: September 2022

Overtopping flows in landslide dams erode and entrain materials on the dam surface resulting in erosional features that undermine the dam stability and facilitate the subsequent outburst flooding. A comprehensive understanding of dam surface evolution is therefore crucial for flood risk assessment and hazard mitigation. In this research, we study the mechanisms that influence the non‐uniform morphology evolution of landslide dam breaches (i.e., non‐linear variation of the dam surface gradient) through experiments and numerical modeling. Analog landslide dam models, constructed using unconsolidated poorly sorted soils, are exposed to different inflow discharges. We find that although the breach discharge evolves more consistently with the erosion along the sidewalls than with bed erosion, it is the erosion along the bed that controls the change in dam surface profiles. Erosion rates, expressed as a function of the difference between the flow shear stress and the apparent erosion resistance, vary at different points along the dam surface due to localized erosional features induced by scouring. The apparent erosion resistance is found to increase linearly along the dam surface. Dam failure is numerically modeled using depth‐averaged equations which assume that the complex evolution of the dam profiles is due to the coupled effects of erosion, entrainment, and channel bed collapse. Good agreement between the observed and modeled dam profiles further demonstrates that the gradual saturation of the breach flow with entrained sediment is responsible for the linear variation of the apparent erosion resistance, which in turn contributes to the formation of the surface scouring.
Mechanisms Controlling Water‐Level Variations in the Middle Yangtze River Following the Operation of the Three Gorges Dam
Authors: Hu Yong , Li Dongfeng , Deng Jinyun , Yue Yao , Zhou Junxiong , Chai Yuanfang , Li Yitian
Published: September 2022

Understanding the mechanisms controlling downstream water‐level variations after the operation of the Three Gorges Dam is important for riverine flood and drought management. However, our quantitative understanding of the multiple controls of river morphology, vegetation, and floodplain resistance on water levels in the Middle Yangtze River (MYR) remains limited. Here, we analyze changes in river channels and floodplain resistance in the MYR using 450 cross‐sectional profiles as well as data on discharge, water levels, sediment, and satellite images from 2003 to 2015. Results show an overall decline in low‐flow water‐levels (at a given small discharge) due to severe incisions of low‐flow channels caused by a sharp reduction of ∼90% in sediment loads from 1950–2002 to 2003–2020. In contrast, high‐flow water‐levels (at a given large discharge) display minor changes. Our analysis shows that the notably increased floodplain resistance due to vegetation growth is likely the dominant factor elevating flood water‐levels, followed by riverbed coarsening and greater fluctuations in the river longitudinal profiles. Our findings further the understanding of downstream geomorphic response to dam operation and their impacts on water levels and have important implications for riverine flood management in dammed river systems.
Tracking mutational semantics of SARS-CoV-2 genomes
Authors: Singh Rohan , Nagpal Sunil , Pinna Nishal K. , Mande Sharmila S.
Published: September 2022

Natural language processing (NLP) algorithms process linguistic data in order to discover the associated word semantics and develop models that can describe or even predict the latent meanings of the data. The applications of NLP become multi-fold while dealing with dynamic or temporally evolving datasets (e.g., historical literature). Biological datasets of genome-sequences are interesting since they are sequential as well as dynamic. Here we describe how SARS-CoV-2 genomes and mutations thereof can be processed using fundamental algorithms in NLP to reveal the characteristics and evolution of the virus. We demonstrate applicability of NLP in not only probing the temporal mutational signatures through dynamic topic modelling, but also in tracing the mutation-associations through tracing of semantic drift in genomic mutation records. Our approach also yields promising results in unfolding the mutational relevance to patient health status, thereby identifying putative signatures linked to known/highly speculated mutations of concern.
Investigation of bioactivity of unsaturated oligo‑galacturonic acids produced from apple waste by Alcaligenes faecalis AGS3 and Paenibacillus polymyxa S4 Pectinases
Authors: Ashrafian Behnam , Hosseini-Abari Afrouzossadat
Published: September 2022

Pectin is one of the main structural components in fruits and an indigestible fiber made of d-galacturonic acid units with α (1-4) linkage. This study investigates the microbial degradation of pectin in apple waste and the production of bioactive compounds. Firstly, pectin-degrading bacteria were isolated and identified, then pectinolytic activity was assessed by DNS. The products were evaluated by TLC and LC–MS–ESI. The antioxidative effects were investigated using DPPH and anti-cancer effects and cytotoxicity were analyzed by MTT and flow cytometry. In this study two new bacterial isolates, Alcaligenes faecalis AGS3 and Paenibacillus polymyxa S4 with the pectinolytic enzyme were introduced. Structure analysis showed that the products of enzymatic degradation include unsaturated mono, di, tri, and penta galacturonic acids with 74% and 69% RSA at 40 mg/mL for A. faecalis and P. polymyxa S4, respectively. The results of anti-tumor properties on MCF-7 cells by MTT assay, for products of AGS3 and S4 at 40 mg/mL after 48 h, showed 7% and 9% survival, respectively. In the flow cytometric assessment, the compounds of AGS3 at 40 mg/mL were 100% lethal in 48 h and regarding S4 isolate caused 98% death. Cytotoxicity evaluation on L-929 cells showed no significant toxicity on living cells.
CeO2decorated on Co-ZIF-L-derived nickel–cobalt sulfide hollow nanosheet arrays for high-performance supercapacitors
Authors: Hu Xuanying , Tao Kai , Han Lei
Published: September 2022

A hierarchical NiCoS/CeO2hollow nanosheet array electrode has been synthesized by a MOF-engaged strategy, and it shows excellent electrochemical performance.
Rational design of 3D N-doped graphene with a holey structure as a bifunctional electrode for sensitive methyl parathion detection and supercapacitors
Authors: Xu Shusheng , Wang Peijie , Huang Mengru , Hong Min , Zhang Yan , Su Chen , Shi Xue-Rong
Published: September 2022

N-doped graphene with nano-sized holes possesses abundant electrochemically active sites at the exposed edge, leading to a better electrochemical performance and faster electron and ion transport than the basal planes in graphene.
Unexpected synthesis, delayed emission and solid-state acidochromism of novel 2,7-naphthyridine derivatives obtained from 2-(3,5-diaryl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene)malononitrile
Authors: Jiang Yitian , Liu Miaochang , Wang Mengzhu , Lei Yunxiang , Ding Qiuping , Wu Huayue , Huang Xiaobo
Published: September 2022

Two novel 2,7-naphthyridines which are unexpectedly obtained from 2-(3,5-diaryl-4H-pyran-4-ylidene)malononitrile and benzylamine display phosphorescence, thermally activated delayed fluorescence, and high contrast solid-state acidochromism.
Highly stretchable ionically crosslinked acrylate elastomers inspired by polyelectrolyte complexes
Authors: Cai Hongyi , Wang Zhongtong , Utomo Nyalaliska W. , Vidavsky Yuval , Silberstein Meredith N.
Published: September 2022

A highly stretchable, tunable, self-healing elastomer is realized by separately synthesizing cationic and anionic polymer chains and complexing them.