bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AtmoSwing: Analog Technique Model for Statistical Weather forecastING and downscalING (v2.1.0)
Authors: Horton Pascal
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Analog methods (AMs) use synoptic-scale predictors to search in the past for similar days to a target day in order to infer the predictand of interest, such as daily precipitation. They can rely on outputs of numerical weather prediction (NWP) models in the context of operational forecasting or outputs of climate models in the context of climate impact studies. AMs require low computing capacity and have demonstrated useful potential for application in several contexts. AtmoSwing is open-source software written in C++ that implements AMs in a flexible way so that different variants can be handled dynamically. It comprises four tools: a Forecaster for use in operational forecasting, a Viewer to display the results, a Downscaler for climate studies, and an Optimizer to establish the relationship between predictands and predictors. The Forecaster handles every required processing internally, such as NWP output downloading (when possible) and reading as well as grid interpolation, without external scripts or file conversion. The processing of a forecast requires low computing efforts and can even run on a Raspberry Pi computer. It provides valuable results, as revealed by a 3-year-long operational forecast in the Swiss Alps. The Viewer displays the forecasts in an interactive GIS environment with several levels of synthesis and detail. This allows for the provision of a quick overview of the potential critical situations in the upcoming days, as well as the possibility for the user to delve into the details of the forecasted predictand and criteria distributions. The Downscaler allows for the use of AMs in a climatic context, either for climate reconstruction or for climate change impact studies. When used for future climate studies, it is necessary to pay close attention to the selected predictors so that they contain the climate change signal. The Optimizer implements different optimization techniques, such as a semiautomatic sequential approach, Monte Carlo simulations, and a global optimization technique, using genetic algorithms. Establishing a statistical relationship between predictors and predictands is computationally intensive because it requires numerous assessments over decades. To this end, the code was highly optimized for computing efficiency, is parallelized (using multiple threads), and scales well on a Linux cluster. This procedure is only required to establish the statistical relationship, which can then be used for forecasting or downscaling at a low computing cost.
On the uncertainty of initial condition and initialization approaches in variably saturated flow modeling
Authors: Yu Danyang , Yang Jinzhong , Shi Liangsheng , Zhang Qiuru , Huang Kai , Fang Yuanhao , Zha Yuanyuan
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Soil water movement has direct effects on environment, agriculture and
hydrology. Simulation of soil water movement requires accurate determination of model parameters as well as initial and boundary conditions. However, it is difficult to obtain the accurate initial soil moisture or matric potential profile at the beginning of simulation time, making it necessary to run the
simulation model from the arbitrary initial condition until the uncertainty of
the initial condition (UIC) diminishes, which is often known as “warming up”.
In this paper, we compare two commonly used methods for quantifying the UIC
(one is based on running a single simulation recursively across multiple
hydrological years, and the other is based on Monte Carlo simulations with
realization of various initial conditions) and identify the warm-up time twu (minimum time required to eliminate the UIC by warming up the model) required with different soil textures, meteorological conditions and soil profile lengths. Then we analyze the effects of different initial conditions on parameter estimation within two data assimilation frameworks (i.e., ensemble Kalman filter and iterative ensemble smoother) and assess several existing model initializing methods that use available data to retrieve the initial soil moisture profile. Our results reveal that Monte Carlo simulations and the recursive simulation over many years can both demonstrate the temporal behavior of the UIC, and a common threshold is recommended to determine twu. Moreover, the relationship between twu for variably saturated flow modeling and the model settings (soil textures, meteorological conditions and soil profile length) is quantitatively identified. In addition, we propose a warm-up period before assimilating data in order to obtain a better performance for parameter and state estimation.
Using R in hydrology: a review of recent developments and future directions
Authors: Slater Louise J. , Thirel Guillaume , Harrigan Shaun , Delaigue Olivier , Hurley Alexander , Khouakhi Abdou , Prosdocimi Ilaria , Vitolo Claudia , Smith Katie
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The open-source programming language R has gained a central place in the hydrological sciences over the last decade, driven by the availability of diverse hydro-meteorological data archives and the development of open-source computational tools.
The growth of R's usage in hydrology is reflected in the number of newly published hydrological packages, the strengthening of online user communities, and the popularity of training courses and events.
In this paper, we explore the benefits and advantages of R's usage in hydrology, such as the democratization of data science and numerical literacy, the enhancement of reproducible research and open science, the access to statistical tools, the ease of connecting R to and from other languages, and the support provided by a growing community.
This paper provides an overview of a typical hydrological workflow based on reproducible principles and packages for retrieval of hydro-meteorological data, spatial analysis, hydrological modelling, statistics, and the design of static and dynamic visualizations and documents.
We discuss some of the challenges that arise when using R in hydrology and useful tools to overcome them, including the use of hydrological libraries, documentation, and vignettes (long-form guides that illustrate how to use packages); the role of integrated development environments (IDEs); and the challenges of big data and parallel computing in hydrology.
Lastly, this paper provides a roadmap for R's future within hydrology, with R packages as a driver of progress in the hydrological sciences, application programming interfaces (APIs) providing new avenues for data acquisition and provision, enhanced teaching of hydrology in R, and the continued growth of the community via short courses and events.
Calcification depth of deep-dwelling planktonic foraminifera from the eastern North Atlantic constrained by stable oxygen isotope ratios of shells from stratified plankton tows
Authors: Rebotim Andreia , Voelker Antje Helga Luise , Jonkers Lukas , Waniek Joanna J. , Schulz Michael , Kucera Michal
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Stable oxygen isotopes (δ18O) of planktonic foraminifera are one of the most used tools to reconstruct environmental conditions of the water column. Since different species live and calcify at different depths in the water column, the δ18O of sedimentary foraminifera reflects to a large degree the vertical habitat and interspecies δ18O differences and can thus potentially provide information on the vertical structure of the water column. However, to fully unlock the potential of foraminifera as recorders of past surface water properties, it is necessary to understand how and under what conditions the environmental signal is incorporated into the calcite shells of individual species. Deep-dwelling species play a particularly important role in this context since their calcification depth reaches below the surface mixed layer. Here we report δ18O measurements made on four deep-dwelling Globorotalia species collected with stratified plankton tows in the eastern North Atlantic. Size and crust effects on the δ18O signal were evaluated showing that a larger size increases the δ18O of G. inflata and G. hirsuta, and a crust effect is reflected in a higher δ18O signal in G. truncatulinoides. The great majority of the δ18O values can be explained without invoking disequilibrium calcification. When interpreted in this way the data imply depth-integrated calcification with progressive addition of calcite with depth to about 300 m for G. inflata and to about 500 m for G. hirsuta. In G. scitula, despite a strong subsurface maximum in abundance, the vertical δ18O profile is flat and appears dominated by a surface layer signal. In G. truncatulinoides, the δ18O profile follows equilibrium for each depth, implying a constant habitat during growth at each depth layer. The δ18O values are more consistent with the predictions of the Shackleton (1974) palaeotemperature equation, except in G. scitula which shows values more consistent with the Kim and O'Neil (1997) prediction. In all cases, we observe a difference between the level where most of the specimens were present and the depth where most of their shell appears to calcify.
Improved Spectral Angle Mapper applications for mangrove classification using SPOT5 imagery
Authors: Su Xiu , Wang Xiang , Zhao Jianhua , Cao Ke , Fan Jianchao , Yang Zhengxian
Published: July 2019

Abstract. The traditional Spectral Angle Mapper (SAM) is an image classification method that uses image endmember spectra. Image spatial structure information may be neglected, especially in mangrove classification research where there is greater spectral similarity between species. This study combined object-oriented classification to improve the accuracy of the method in mangrove ecosystems. A mangrove area in Guangxi's coastal zone was chosen as the study site, and spectral feature analysis and ground investigations were carried out, combining pixel purification, training sample set optimization, and watershed image segmentation algorithm to improve the SAM. The improved SAM was used to classify SPOT5 remote sensing image data for a mangrove ecosystem and then classification accuracy was assessed. The results showed that the improved SAM had better classification accuracy for SPOT5 imagery. Accuracy for each mangrove species was greater than 80 % and overall accuracy was greater than 90 %, which showed that SAM was applicable for mangrove remote sensing. This application potential for classification and information extraction lays the foundation for commercialized remote sensing monitoring of mangrove ecosystems.
Validation of a lookup-table approach to modeling turbine fatigue loads in wind farms under active wake control
Authors: Mendez Reyes Hector , Kanev Stoyan , Doekemeijer Bart , van Wingerden Jan-Willem
Published: July 2019

Abstract. Wake redirection is an active wake control (AWC) concept that is known to have a high potential for increasing the overall power production of wind farms. Being based on operating the turbines with intentional yaw misalignment to steer wakes away from downstream turbines, this control strategy requires careful attention to the loads implications. However, the computational effort required to perform an exhaustive analysis of the site-specific loads on each turbine in a wind farm is unacceptably high due to the huge number of aeroelastic simulations required to cover all possible inflow and yaw conditions. To reduce this complexity, a practical loads modeling approach is based on gridding, i.e., performing simulations only for a subset of the range of environmental and operational conditions that can occur. Based on these simulations, a multi-dimensional lookup table (LUT) can be constructed containing the fatigue and extreme loads on all components of interest. Using interpolation, the loads on each turbine in the farm can the be predicted for the whole range of expected conditions. Recent studies using this approach indicate that wake redirection can increase the overall power production of the wind farm and at the same time decrease the lifetime fatigue loads on the main components of the individual turbines. As the present level of risk perception related to operation with large yaw misalignment is still substantial, it is essential to increase the confidence level in this LUT-based loads modeling approach to further derisk the wake redirection strategy. To this end, this paper presents the results of a series of studies focused on the validation of different aspects of the LUT loads modeling approach. These studies are based on detailed aeroelastic simulations, two wind tunnel tests, and a full-scale field test. The results indicate that the LUT approach is a computationally efficient methodology for assessing the farm loads under AWC, which achieves generally good prediction of the load trends.
The Impact of Human Resource Management Practices on Perceived Organisational Justice
Authors: I. Swarts , Z. M. Leeuw , C. Mukonza
Published: July 2019

The paper sought to investigate the impact of perceived organisational justice and Human Resource Management (HRM) practices. HRM practices have been recognised progressively more as a vital ingredient towards sustained competitive success, especially firms and organisations that are operating in unstable, challenging and rapidly changing international competitive environments. The paper made use of quantitative methodology. Data was collected from a list HRM payment registered National Department of Public Works (NDPW). Target population were 1296 employees and only 500 employees were selected using simple random sampling.  A total of 375 questionnaires were completed. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to analyse the data using inferential and descriptive statistics. Employees are not satisfied with the following HRM practices: performance management, compensation, promotion, recruitment and selection. The study recommends that for NDPW to achieve its strategic mandate attention must be given to promote positive organisational justice.
A 40-year-old man with testicular torsion and large bilateral spermatoceles
Authors: Ameli Mojtaba , Parsapour Arezou , Gholami-Mahtaj Leila
Published: July 2019

Testicular torsion is a rare disease that mostly involves children. Peak incidence is in infancy and in adolescence. Testicular torsion is rarely seen in men over 40 years of age and has only once been accompanied with spermatocele. We report the case of a 40-year-old man with testicular pain one day prior to visiting our clinic. The patient's visit to the clinic was delayed due to history of occasional testicular pain related to his bilateral spermatoceles. On arrival, a color Doppler ultrasound test was performed, which revealed heterogeneous echo in the right testis with no vascular flow, suggestive of torsion, as well as two cystic lesions in the right and left scrotums indicating spermatoceles. The patient was immediately transferred to the operating room where the bilateral spermatoceles were resected and after detorting, the right testis was saved. After four months, a normal left testis along with partial right testicular atrophy was observed. It is highly recommended to educate patients with spermatocele who have no indication for surgical treatment to visit their physician in case any new testicular pain is experienced. Furthermore, testicular pain regardless of the co-existing pathology may always be treated as an indicator of suspected torsion.
An Investigation of the Round Robin Brainstorming in Improving English Speaking Ability Among Nakhonphanom University’s Second Year Students in Thailand
Authors: Sripradith Raweewat
Published: July 2019

As a second-year English teacher at Nakhonphanom University, it has become important to put more emphasis on the student’s ability to understand and speak the English language. The main objective as a teacher is to help the students learn the English language by utilizing the best methods. Thailand is rapidly becoming part of the global economy where university students require English speaking skills to get recognition in the global job market. As such, English teachers must double their efforts to ensure students reach international standards of communicating. Like any other university in Thailand, Nakhonphanom University has prioritized its efforts in improving the English-speaking abilities of its students. This research, therefore, aims at exploring the use of Round Robin Brainstorming as a technique to help Thai students understand and speak English through oral presentations. The researcher arranged the students in groups each having eight participants in a circular manner. Each group contained high English performing students and low English performing students. Each participant was given 5 minutes to talk about each other’s weaknesses and to brainstorm ideas that would help improve these weaknesses.

The study combined both qualitative and quantitative methods. The study used a pre-test and post-test design as well as observing the students and questionnaires as data collection instruments. The overall pre-test scores showed a mean 4.03 which was low but went to a high of 11.97 in the post-test. The SD in the pre-test was 0.83 and the post-test was 0.13 meaning an overall improvement in the speaking abilities of the participants after implementing the Round Robin technique. The findings from the research showed that the pronunciation accuracy, language appropriateness, grammatical accuracies, and English fluency had been significantly higher after the implementation of the Round Robin Brainstorming technique. The students were extremely satisfied with the technique and they also felt relaxed and comfortable in discussing any of the topics given. The Round Robin Brainstorming method facilitated teamwork and enjoyment while at the same time improving the students' ability to speak English. The findings and results of this study will be used to improve the English-speaking process for Thai students. More specifically, the findings can be used as a reference while implementing the Round Robin Brainstorming technique as well as solving problems in the classrooms.
Het doel van garanties bij bedrijfsovernames: informatie of risico?
Authors: Karsten C.G.J.
Published: July 2019

Welke functie vervullen garanties in overnamecontracten? Garanties kunnen belangrijk zijn omdat ze de onzekerheid van kopers verkleinen, of omdat ze de risico's die zich rondom een overname bevinden tussen de koper en verkoper verdelen. Maar worden garanties in de praktijk ook daartoe ingezet? Dit artikel beschrijft een rechtseconomisch onderzoek waarin deze vragen empirisch zijn onderzocht door garanties in 150 overnamecontracten te analyseren (C.G.J. Karsten & Z. Sautner, What drives variation in contracts: Economics or lawyers?, SSRN Working Paper 2014, beschikbaar op . Dit onderzoek vormt ook de basis voor hoofdstuk twee in mijn proefschrift The Law and Finance of M&A Contracts, geschreven onder begeleiding van prof. Florencio López-de-Silanes en prof. Jaap Winter.). Het onderzoek laat zien dat garanties inderdaad worden ingezet om de achterstand in informatie van de koper ten opzichte van de verkoper te verkleinen, maar ook om risico te alloceren. Daarnaast is echter de persoonlijke stijl of voorkeur van de betrokken advocaat van belang voor de bescherming door middel van garanties in het contract.
Remote Participation in Criminal Proceedings: Does the Reformed Italian Regulation Represent an Application Extension Able to Conflict with the Right to a Fair Trial?
Authors: Angiolini Giulia
Published: July 2019

The purpose of this paper is to try to analyse the Italian regulation of accused persons’ remote participation in criminal proceedings. The interest in this matter arises from the suspected frictions of the provisions at hand with fundamental rights to be guaranteed for a fair trial. These suspicions, aroused right after the introduction of the institute in Italian law, have been increased by the recent reform of the discipline of remote participation, and they become even clearer after a comparison of Italian regulation with those of other European Countries. Hence, an inescapable question occurs: will the European Court of Human Rights and the Italian Constitutional Court save the new regulation as they did with the previous one?
Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede von Amokläufen an Bildungseinrichtungen und islamistisch motivierten terroristischen Taten in westlichen Ländern 1999-2017
Authors: Bondü Rebecca , Tampe Laura , Menke Katharina
Published: July 2019

Terroristische Anschläge und Amokläufe an Bildungseinrichtungen erschüttern die Bevölkerung gleichermaßen. Beide zielen auf die Tötung anderer im öffentlichen Raum und erhalten aufgrund der negativen Folgen und des symbolischen Charakters häufig große mediale Aufmerksamkeit. Die Täter sind meist junge Männer, so dass auch hinsichtlich der Täter scheinbar Ähnlichkeiten bestehen. Gemeinsamkeiten und Unterschiede von Tat- und Tätermerkmalen wurden bislang aber kaum untersucht. Wir verglichen 172 Amokläufe an Schulen, 30 Amokläufe an höheren Bildungseinrichtungen und 86 islamistisch motivierte terroristische Taten in sieben westlichen Ländern zwischen 1999 und 2017 hinsichtlich objektiver Tat- und Tätermerkmale. Ähnlichkeiten bestanden in der Geschlechtsverteilung und der Häufigkeit der Verwendung von Schusswaffen. Unterschiede zeigten sich in Bezug auf das Alter und den Migrationshintergrund der Täter, die Häufigkeit der Verwendung von Klingenwaffen und Bomben, der Anzahl der Täter, dem Tatzeitpunkt sowie der Anzahl an Toten und Verletzten. Die Studie zeigt somit sowohl Ähnlichkeiten als auch Unterschiede in den Tat- und Tätermerkmalen. Unterschiede sind vermutlich durch situative Einflüsse und das Alter der Täter, welches den Zugang zu Waffen beeinflusst, bedingt, und haben wichtige Implikationen für präventive Ansätze.
Thyroid Disorders and Osteoporosis
Authors: Oladunni Ale Ayotunde
Published: July 2019

Adequate amount of thyroid hormone is an essential requirement for normal development and maturity of bones in the early life as well as for the maintenance of the skeletal system (bone remodeling). Osteoporosis, one of the most common metabolic bone disorders, is strongly associated with hyperthyroidism (endogenous and exogenous), whereas association of the same disease with hypothyroidism is not quite established. Most of the data describing the association between osteoporosis and hyperthyroidism are collected among elderly population (especially postmenopausal women), and only a few studies in literature researched into osteoporosis and hyperthyroidism in <50 years of age; hence further studies are required in the younger population (including premenopausal women and younger males).
Is Epistemic Blame Distinct from Moral Blame?
Authors: Meehan Daniella ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: July 2019

In contemporary epistemology, recent attempts have been made to resist the notion of epistemic blame. This view, which I refer to as ‘epistemic blame skepticism,’ seems to challenge the notion of epistemic blame by reducing apparent cases of the phenomenon to examples of moral or practical blame. The purpose of this paper is to defend the notion of epistemic blame against a reductionist objection to epistemic blame, offered by Trent Dougherty in “Reducing Responsibility.” This paper will object to Dougherty’s position by examining an account in favour of epistemic blame and demonstrate concerns over the reductionist methodology employed by Dougherty to argue for his sceptical position.
Knowing How One Knows
Authors: Rolla Giovanni ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: July 2019

In this paper, I argue that knowledge is dimly luminous. That is: if a person knows that p, she knows how she knows that p. The argument depends on a safety-based account of propositional knowledge, which is salient in Williamson’s critique of the ‘KK’ principle. I combine that account with non-intellectualism about knowledge-how – according to which, if a person knows how to φ, then in nearly all (if not all) nearby possible worlds in which she φes in the same way as in the actual world, she only φes successfully. Thus, the possession of first-order propositional knowledge implies secondorder practical knowledge, and this can be iterated. Because of the assumed nonintellectualism about know-how, dim luminosity does not imply bright luminosity about knowledge, which is expressed by the traditional KK principle. I conclude by considering some potential counterexamples to the view that knowledge is dimly luminous.
Quine and the Incoherence of the Indispensability Argument
Authors: Shaffer Michael J. ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: July 2019

It is an under-appreciated fact that Quine’s rejection of the analytic/synthetic distinctionwhen coupled with some other plausible and related viewsimplies that there are serious difficulties in demarcating empirical theories from pure mathematical theories within the Quinean framework. This is a serious problem because there seems to be a principled difference between the two disciplines that cannot apparently be captured in the orthodox Quienan framework. For the purpose of simplicity let us call this Quine’s problem of demarcation. In this paper this problem will be articulated and it will be shown that the typical sorts of responses to this problem are all unworkable within the Quinean framework. It will then be shown that the lack of resources to solve this problem within the Quinean framework implies that Quine’s version of the indispensability argument cannot get off the ground, for it presupposes the possibility of making such a distinction.
Screwtape’s Remedy for Love: C. S. Lewis and Ovid
Authors: Boler Michael ,   Marquette University Press
Published: July 2019

In the Ars Amatoria Ovid claims to make his audience experts in love; in the Remedia Amoris he teaches them how to fall out of love. These two poems are masterpieces of satirical comedy. At first glance Ovidian satire seems worlds apart from The Screwtape Letters of C.S. Lewis. While written for entirely different aims and differing in many obvious aspects, both works describe the surest means by which to suffocate love. For Ovid, it is romantic love that must be extinguished; for Screwtape, it is the love of God. While it might seem that the irony of The Screwtape Letters is distinctively modern, Lewis’s special form of irony finds its ancient precedent and model in the master of mock-didacticism, Ovid. Not only can the influence of Ovid’s Remedia Amoris be seen in the broad themes contained in The Screwtape Letters, but many of Screwtape’s specific avenues of attack were recommended by Ovid centuries ago.
Atributos do solo e dimensão fractal em ambientes naturais e transformados na região amazônica
Authors: Frozzi José Cezar , Bergamin Anderson Cristian , Cunha José Maurício da , Campos Milton César Costa , Lima Alan Ferreira Leite de , Brito Wildson Benedito Mendes , Lourenço Igor Hister , Silva Wellington Luiz de Melo
Published: July 2019

A região Amazônica apresenta ambientes naturais e ambientes transformados, sendo a pecuária a principal atividade. A utilização inadequada do solo tem ocasionado a degradação de suas propriedades físicas, químicas e biológicas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um levantamento bibliográfico sobre as relações entre os atributos físicos e carbono orgânico do solo com a sua qualidade e a possibilidade de utilizar a dimensão fractal como instrumento para avaliar a textura do solo, em ambientes naturais e transformados na Amazônia. Os atributos físicos e a matéria orgânica do solo podem ser diretamente afetados pelos diferentes sistemas de uso e manejo. Diante disso, verificou-se que atributos do solo, como a estabilidade de agregados, porosidade, densidade, umidade, resistência do solo à penetração, textura e matéria orgânica, podem ser utilizados como indicadores de qualidade do solo. Verificou-se, também, diante dos resultados revistos, que a dimensão fractal pode servir como instrumento na avaliação da textura do solo, uma vez que a textura é uma composição fracionada de partículas de solo.
Caracterização de escória de ferro silício-manganês para uso em camadas de base e sub-base rodoviárias
Authors: Ribeiro Filipe Batista , Silva Ben-Hur de Albuquerque e , Vieira Ãlvaro
Published: July 2019

O impacto gerado pelos resíduos da indústria siderúrgica provoca discussões acerca das melhores formas de destinação final dos subprodutos resultantes do processo de geração de ligas metálicas. Visando mitigar esses problemas, este trabalho apresenta os resultados dos estudos sobre a caracterização da escória de ferro silício-manganês para potencial aplicação em projetos de misturas com solo, na construção de camadas de base e sub-base de pavimento rodoviário. A relevância deste trabalho se mostra diante da necessidade de prover uma destinação ambientalmente adequada para subprodutos de processos siderúrgicos que podem prover a sociedade de soluções viáveis, ou seja, se tornar um coproduto que reduza o consumo de matéria-prima natural, além de promover economia financeira. Alguns métodos utilizados são tradicionais, como Granulometria, Densidade e absorção, e Abrasão Los Angeles. Outros são usados mais recentemente para caracterizar agregados, como Microscópio Eletrônico de varredura (MEV) e Sistema de caracterização de agregados por imagem (AIMS). Complementarmente, são apresentados os dados obtidos na Degradação após o teste de compactação Proctor e a determinação da perda ao choque no equipamento Treton. Os resultados encontrados nos ensaios mencionados se mostram satisfatórios diante dos valores estabelecidos nas normas específicas para cada metodologia. Finalmente, conclui-se que a escória de ferro de silício-manganês apresenta propriedades geotécnicas compatíveis com as estabelecidas para uso em base e sub-base de pavimentos flexíveis.
Revisiting the Dickensian echo of the HBO TV series The Wire:
Authors: Ruano San Segundo Pablo
Published: July 2019

This article analyzes the alleged Dickensian echo of the highly-acclaimed HBO TV series The Wire. Charles Dickens is probably the literary author to whom the series has most frequently been likened. This correspondence is scrutinized here, as it seems to have been built upon impressionistic references, rather than on methodical intertextual analyses of both the series and the Victorian author. The analysis is intended to throw new light on the Dickensian ambience of The Wire, which seems to be different than previous critical appreciations of the series have suggested.
“They don’t have a name for what he is”: The strategic de-characterization of Hannibal Lecter
Authors: Cámara-Arenas Enrique
Published: July 2019

This essay challenges the myth of Hannibal Lecter, in Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs, as an enigmatic and unclassifiable character. Lecter’s enigma is generated through a largely unexplored process of de-characterization, i.e. by recurrently presenting him through the speech of other characters who describe him as unknowable. After considering Lecter’s case against the background of well-known literary unknowabilities, a deductive phenomenological exploration of Lecter’s de-characterization is carried out with the assistance of tools from the disciplines of personality and social psychology, and supported by empirical evidence from those fields. The demystifying of Lecter’s unreadability does not entail a debasement of the film or the character. On the contrary, Lecter’s de-characterization, albeit a form of narrative manipulation, is viewed as responsible for much of the film’s impact and success. It produces sensitivity-boosting effects; it mediates the indirect characterization of the other characters; and it engages the spectators’ self-image thus contributing importantly to the enjoyment and appreciation of the film.
Characterization and Diversity of Peppers (Capsicum spp.) Genotypes Based on Morphological Traits Using Multivariate Analysis
Authors: Santos Talles de Oliveira , Moulin Monique Moreira , Rangel Leandro Heitor , Pirovani Raíssa Olmo Lacerda , Valadares Fernanda Vargas , Almeida Rafael Nunes de , Silva Laricia Olária Emerick
Published: July 2019

The present work aimed to characterize and evaluate Capsicum peppers in the South of the State of Espírito Santo, in order to estimate the variability among the accessions for the Germplasm Bank implementation. For this, 33 genotypes were collected through donations in four municipalities in the region. The genotypes were characterized based on nine quantitative descriptors: number of seeds per fruit (NS), number of fruit locules (NL), number of fruits per plant (NFR), plant height (PH), leaf width (LW), leaf length (LL), fruit length (FRL) and fruit diameter (FRD). Analysis of variance and means grouping by the Scott-Knott test was performed (P=.01). To estimate the diversity, the Tocher method was realized. The GT Biplot analysis was performed with using RStudio program to estimate discrimination, representativeness and correlation of characteristics. It was found a great diversity among the studied genotypes, being able to emphasize the accession Ifes 01 and Ifes 03 as the most divergent ones. The Tocher grouping allowed the formation of seven groups. The biplot analysis presented the formation of three groups of characteristics. The access Ifes 01 stood out for the group of characteristics FRL, NS and FRD. The Ifes 32 accession was highlighted for the PH and DC characteristics group, and the Ifes 20 accession was highlighted for the group formed by the NFR characteristic. It was observed that the characteristics that contributed the most to the divergence of accessions were PH and DC, and the most representative characteristic was DC. So, it’s concluded that there is great variability among the genotypes collected, presenting great phenotypic variation for the nine characters studied. In addition, some accesses were promising for plant breeding programs, pointing to gains in the various segments of the peppers market, which shows the importance of the collections of the producers in the South of Espírito Santo.
The CDK12–BRCA1 signaling axis mediates dinaciclib‐associated radiosensitivity through p53‐mediated cellular senescence
Authors: Flores Natalia García , Fernández‐Aroca Diego M. , Garnés‐García Cristina , Domínguez‐Calvo Andrés , Jiménez‐Suárez Jaime , Sabater Sebastià , Fernández‐Aroca Pablo , Andrés Ignacio , Cimas Francisco J. , de Cárcer Guillermo , Belandia Borja , Palmero Ignacio , Huertas Pablo , Ruiz‐Hidalgo María José , Sánchez‐Prieto Ricardo
Published: December 2024

Pan‐cyclin‐dependent‐kinase (CDK) inhibitors are a new class of targeted therapies that can act on multiple CDKs, with dinaciclib being one of the most promising compounds. Although used as a monotherapy, an interesting approach could be to combine it with radiotherapy. Here, we show that dinaciclib increases radiosensitivity in some experimental models of lung and colon cancer (A549 or HCT 116) but not in others (H1299 or HT‐29). Dinaciclib did not alter serine‐protein kinase ATM signalling or cell cycle profiling after ionising‐radiation exposure, which have been described for other CDK inhibitors. Interestingly, in terms of apoptosis, although the combination renders a clear increase, no potentiation of the ionising‐radiation‐induced apoptosis was observed. Mechanistically, inhibition of CDK12 by dinaciclib diminishes BRCA1 expression, which decreases homologous recombination (HR) and probably promotes the nonhomologous end joining repair process (NHEJ), which ultimately promotes the induction of ionising‐radiation‐associated cellular senescence in a TP53‐dependent manner, explaining the lack of effect observed in some experimental models. In conclusion, our report proposes a molecular mechanism, based on the signalling axis CDK12–BRCA1, involved in this newly identified therapeutic effect of dinaciclib, although other players implicated in HR should not be discarded. In addition, our data provide a rationale for more selective and personalised chemo/radiotherapy treatment according to the genetic background of the tumour.
Feasibility study of structural similarity index for patient‐specific quality assurance
Authors: Lee Jae Choon , Park Hyeong Wook , Kang Young Nam
Published: December 2024

Background

The traditional gamma evaluation method combines dose difference (DD) and distance‐to‐agreement (DTA) to assess the agreement between two dose distributions. However, while gamma evaluation can identify the location of errors, it does not provide information about the type of errors.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to optimize and apply the structural similarity (SSIM) index algorithm as a supplementary metric for the quality evaluation of radiation therapy plans alongside gamma evaluation. By addressing the limitations of gamma evaluation, this study aims to establish clinically meaningful SSIM criteria to enhance the accuracy of patient‐specific quality assurance (PSQA).

Methods

We analyzed the relationship between the gamma passing rate (GPR) and the SSIM index with respect to distance and dose errors. For SSIM analysis corresponding to gamma evaluation criteria of 3%/2 mm, we introduce the concept of SSIM passing rate (SPR). We determined a valid SSIM index that met the gamma evaluation criteria and applied it. Evaluations performed for 40 fields measured with an electronic portal imaging device (EPID) were analyzed using the GPR and the applied SPR.

Results

The study results showed that distance errors significantly affected both the GPR and the SSIM index, whereas dose errors had some influence on the GPR but little impact on the SSIM index. The SPR was 100% for distance error of 2 mm but began to decrease for distance errors of 3 mm or more. An optimal SSIM index threshold of 0.65 was established, indicating that SPR fell below 100% when distance errors exceeded 2 mm.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the SSIM algorithm can be effectively applied for the quality evaluation of radiation therapy plans. The SPR can serve as a supplementary metric to gamma evaluation, offering a more precise identification of distance errors. Future research should further validate the efficacy of SSIM algorithm across a broader range of clinical cases.
Sb2S3 Nanorods for Photoenhanced Li‐Ion Batteries: A Synergetic Balance Between Energy Harvesting and Storage
Authors: Chamola Shubham , Zhou Renqian , Bakr Osman M. , Ahmad Shahab
Published: December 2024

Photobattery technology using a single active material for simultaneous solar energy harvesting and storage presents a significant leap in solar energy storage for low‐power IoT (Internet of Things) applications. However, most of the photobatteries rely either on conventional photovoltaic or battery material to achieve bifunctionality, leading to mismatch between solar absorption and electrochemical stability, thus ultimately compromising overall device performance. This study demonstrates the use of low‐cost sol‐gel synthesized antimony sulphide (Sb2S3) nanorods (NRs) as the active material for stable two‐electrode Lithium‐ion photobattery, which shows excellent optical (Eg≈1.80 eV, direct), optoelectronic (photocurrent ≈4 µA cm−2) and electrochemical attributes (specific capacity ≈715 mAh g−1, 200 mA g−1). Photoelectrochemical measurements show enhanced kinetics with increase in sites for Li‐ions under illumination, resulting in 40.16% enhancement in specific capacity at 1000 mA g−1. Additionally, a galvanostatic photoconversion and storage efficiency of ≈24.53% at 2200 mA g−1 is recorded under white LED illumination (12 mW cm−2). The demonstrated photobattery successfully powered a commercial thermo‐hygrometer continuously for 7 days. These attributes highlight the potential of Sb2S3‐based photobatteries to drive low‐power off‐grid IoT devices and offer advanced energy solutions aligned with a sustainable future.
Large Scale Lead‐Free Perovskite Polycrystalline Wafer Achieved by Hot‐Pressed Strategy for High‐Performance X‐Ray Detection
Authors: Yu Ji , Luo Yinxian , Tian Ning , Liu Yucheng , Yang Zhou , Pi Jiacheng , Li Lin , Zheng Ruoning , Wang Chengyuan , Liu Shengzhong (Frank)
Published: December 2024

Halide perovskites (HPs) have demonstrated excellent direct X‐ray detection performance. Lead‐free perovskite polycrystalline wafers have outstanding advantages in large‐area X‐ray imaging applications due to their area‐scalability, thickness‐controllability, large bulk resistivity, and ease of integration with large‐area thin film transistor arrays. However, currently lead‐free perovskite polycrystalline wafers possess low sensitivity, typically less than 1000 µC Gy−1 cm−2, which severely limits their X‐ray detection applications. Here, high‐quality and large scale polycrystalline wafers of AG3Bi2I9 (AG: aminoguanidinium) with short intercluster distances are successfully prepared using a hot‐pressing method. The wafers possess high mobility‐lifetime product of 5.66 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 and therefore achieve high X‐ray sensitivity of 2675 µC Gy−1 cm−2, which can be comparable to those of the high‐quality single crystal counterpart reported by the previous research (7.94 × 10−3 cm2 V−1 and 5791 µC Gy−1 cm−2), and represent the best results of the currently lead‐free HP polycrystalline wafers. Besides, the wafers exhibit the X‐ray detection limit as low as 11.8 nGy s−1, excellent long‐term working stability, and high spatial resolution of 5.9 lp mm−1 in imaging. The findings demonstrate that AG3Bi2I9 polycrystalline wafers are feasible for high‐performance X‐ray detection and imaging system.
On‐Demand 3D Print Mechanically Adaptive Lacrimal Bypass Tube Implants
Authors: Ke Dandan , Liang Jianyuan , Shao Guangbin , Ye Lin , Wang Ling , Ai Huiyang , Guo Jingmin , Zhang Xian , Liu Rong
Published: December 2024

Artificial lacrimal bypass tube (LBT) implantation has been widely used for treating proximal lacrimal drainage obstruction. However, its long‐term clinical success is still constrained by the frequent tube dislodgement due to the mismatch mechanical properties to surrounding soft tissue and poor tissue fusion along its smooth surface. Aiming to tackle this challenge, here a method of 3D printing LBT is reported that comprises three key features: 1) mechanical adaptability to match with the characteristics of surrounding soft tissue, 2) tailorable surface porosity to promote tissue binding, and 3) customization to accommodate individual patient's anatomies. Using hydrogel‐based biocompatible ink, LBTs are 3D printed that are initially rigid (compressive Young's moduli E: ≈1.6 GPa) for the ease of surgical insertion but become compliant (E: 0.16–3.36 MPa) after implantation to better match with the surrounding tissue. The inherent manufacturing flexibility of 3D printing enables integration of the LBT and porous shell to prompt tissue infusion to ensure its mechanical integrity. Ultimately, in vivo intramuscular and orthotopic implantation studies demonstrate that the LBTs exhibit excellent tolerance in rabbits with minimal inflammation observed, and the porous shells help to significantly reduce the dislocation rate from 80% to 13.3%.
Nanomaterial‐Mediated Modulation of TRPV1 Ion Channels for Biomedical Applications
Authors: Pei Peng , Du Yafei , Wang Jiong‐Wei , Liu Xiaogang
Published: December 2024

Transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 1 (TRPV1) is a nonselective cation channel involved in various physiological processes such as pain perception, thermoregulation, and inflammatory responses. Nanomaterials have emerged as precise tools to modulate TRPV1 activity, offering high spatiotemporal resolution and specificity. These nanomaterials act as transducers, responding to internal or external stimuli such as pH, light, electric, and magnetic fields to deliver modulatory agents like agonists, antagonists, heat, reactive species, and mechanical forces to TRPV1 channels. This strategy enables non‐invasive and targeted therapeutic interventions for diseases associated with TRPV1 dysfunction. In this review, recent advances are highlighted in nanomaterial‐mediated TRPV1 modulation and its biomedical applications. The TRPV1 structure and activation mechanisms, the integration of nanomaterials for effective TRPV1 modulation, and the required material properties are covered. Moreover, biomedical applications are discussed, including neurostimulation, neurological disorder therapies, cancer therapies, metabolic disease treatments, and cardiovascular disease interventions. Future research directions and challenges in this field are also proposed.
Arterial calcification in the heart–brain axis and cognitive performance over time
Authors: Streiber Anna M. , van den Beukel Tim C. , vom Hofe Ilse , Neitzel Julia , Vernooij Meike W. , Bos Daniel , Vinke Elisabeth J.
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

While cross‐sectional studies suggest a link between arteriosclerosis and cognition, longitudinal research is lacking. We investigated how arteriosclerosis in the heart–brain axis is related to cognitive performance trajectories over time.

METHODS

Within the population‐based Rotterdam Study, 2368 participants underwent noncontrast CT to quantify arterial calcification, a hallmark of arteriosclerosis, in five major arteries in the heart–brain axis. Following this scan, participants underwent repeated cognitive testing. The association between baseline calcification and longitudinal cognitive test performance was investigated using mixed models.

RESULTS

Higher calcification was associated with worse baseline cognitive performance across domains (e.g., β for global cognition per 10‐percentile increase of intracranial carotid artery calcification: −0.01 [95% confidence interval (CI): −0.03, −0.00]). Cognition declined faster across all cognitive tests, specifically for the intracranial carotid artery (p ≤ 0.001).

DISCUSSION

Arterial calcification is associated with accelerated cognitive decline across domains, especially for arteries closer to the brain. This effect may be attributable to hemodynamic changes preceding neurovascular damage.

Highlights

Arterial calcification is related to accelerated cognitive decline.

Arterial calcification closer to the brain exerts the most influence on cognitive decline.

Vascular damage influences cognitive decline across various domains.
Configuration‐Mediated Efficient Non‐Radiative Transition for R848‐Assisted Photothermal Immunotherapy to Inhibit Tumor Growth and Metastasis by An In Situ Tumor Vaccine Strategy
Authors: Dai Jianan , Fang Laiping , Wang Xuan , Hua Jie , Tu Yike , Li Shufang , He Kuo , Hang Lifeng , Xu Yuan , Fang Jin , Wang Lina , Wang Jin , Ma Ping'an , Jiang Guihua
Published: December 2024

Cancer metastasis remains a critical factor contributing to the current limitations in cancer treatment. Photothermal immunotherapy has emerged as a safe and potent therapeutic approach, demonstrating the capability to suppress tumor growth and metastasis. While researchers have extensively investigated various structural modifications to enhance photothermal conversion performance, the influence of molecular configuration has received comparatively limited attention. In this study, we synthesized two isomers, CZTBT and LVTBT, which possessed distinct configurations. LVTBT, characterized by a flatter molecular configuration, exhibited an extended absorption wavelength and a higher molar extinction coefficient. Its excited state facilitated stronger rotation for non‐radiative transitions, leading to a high photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) of 36.3 %. When combined with R848, LVTBT@R848 nanoparticles (NPs)‐mediated photothermal immunotherapy functioned as an in situ tumor vaccine, promoting the maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), T cell infiltration, and the differentiation of natural killer (NK) cells and memory T cells, thereby activating the strong immune response. Consequently, it significantly inhibited the growth of both primary and distant tumors, while also limiting lung metastasis. In summary, this study proposed a configuration‐mediated non‐radiative transition strategy for efficient photothermal immunotherapy, advancing the frontiers of organic photothermal agents (OPTAs) design and synthesis.