bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mastering System Monitoring and Control
Authors: Witczak Marcin , Seybold Lothar , Bulach Eric , Maucher Niko
Published: July 2023

The chapter aims at exploiting the methods and tools described in the preceding parts to develop a set of selected process monitoring and control schemes. In particular, it starts with the transportation system, which operates on a set of selected routes. To measure the performance of such a system, a suitable cost function is introduced, which can be monitored and controlled by the designated supervisor. The proposed approach also allows determining the availability of the transportation system, which can be used as an additional measure for performance improvements. Subsequently, a quality control system design approach is proposed. The proposed system can be either manual or automatic. Irrespective of the selected method, it is shown how to determine a set of suitable statistical measures along with the p chart. Such a quality control system is capable of making binary quality decisions about the product being controlled. Thus, to overcome this restriction, a demerit quality control system is introduced. As a result, a set of useful statistical measures is obtained along with the practical demerit control chart. The last process monitoring strategy aims at calculating and visualizing overall equipment efficiency, which is widely perceived as a key measurement tool for assessing both productivity and efficiency. Finally, the chapter is summarized with a set of training exercises, which can be considered the master level test concerning KIS.ME-oriented skills.
KIS.API: Towards External Communication
Authors: Witczak Marcin , Seybold Lothar , Bulach Eric , Maucher Niko
Published: July 2023

The objective of this chapter is to provide a concise overview of KIS.API, which can be used for effective communication with external applications. In particular, the chapter starts with a general overview of KIS.API along with preliminary steps pertaining to KIS.API user registration and authorization in KIS.MANAGER. Subsequently, it is shown how to access essential functionalities explained in the preceding chapters through the KIS.API framework. Thus, the reader will be able to access the asset and user groups as well as the assets themselves. Another crucial point of this chapter is concerned with accessing data through Datapoints as well as calculated Datapoints and KPIs. Subsequently, the mechanism of Rule engine is confronted with KIS.API. In particular, it is show how to access information about the rules designed in KIS.MANGER as well as how to trigger the rules from external applications. With all the above-listed components, the concept of websockets is introduced along with sample applications concerning two-way communication with KIS.ME. Finally, the chapter is summarized with a set of training exercises concerning KIS.API-oriented skills.
Bitwuzla
Authors: Niemetz Aina , Preiner Mathias
Published: July 2023

Bitwuzla is a new SMT solver for the quantifier-free and quantified theories of fixed-size bit-vectors, arrays, floating-point arithmetic, and uninterpreted functions. This paper serves as a comprehensive system description of its architecture and components. We evaluate Bitwuzla’s performance on all benchmarks of supported logics in SMT-LIB and provide a comparison against other state-of-the-art SMT solvers.
Searching for i-Good Lemmas to Accelerate Safety Model Checking
Authors: Xia Yechuan , Becchi Anna , Cimatti Alessandro , Griggio Alberto , Li Jianwen , Pu Geguang
Published: July 2023

/ and its variants have been the prominent approaches to safety model checking in recent years. Compared to the previous model-checking algorithms like (Bounded Model Checking) and (Interpolation Model Checking), / is attractive due to its completeness (vs. ) and scalability (vs. ). / maintains an over-approximate state sequence for proving the correctness. Although the sequence refinement methodology is known to be crucial for performance, the literature lacks a systematic analysis of the problem. We propose an approach based on the definition of i- good lemmas, and the introduction of two kinds of heuristics, i.e., and , to steer the search towards the construction of $$i$$-good lemmas. The approach is applicable to and its variant (Complementary Approximate Reachability), and it is very easy to integrate within existing systems. We implemented the heuristics into two open-source model checkers, and , as well as into the mature platform, and carried out an extensive experimental evaluation on HWMCC benchmarks. The results show that the proposed heuristics can effectively compute more $$i$$-good lemmas, and thus improve the performance of all the above checkers.
Decision Procedures for Sequence Theories
Authors: Jeż Artur , Lin Anthony W. , Markgraf Oliver , Rümmer Philipp
Published: July 2023

Sequence theories are an extension of theories of strings with an infinite alphabet of letters, together with a corresponding alphabet theory (e.g. linear integer arithmetic). Sequences are natural abstractions of extendable arrays, which permit a wealth of operations including append, map, split, and concatenation. In spite of the growing amount of tool support for theories of sequences by leading SMT-solvers, little is known about the decidability of sequence theories, which is in stark contrast to the state of the theories of strings. We show that the decidable theory of strings with concatenation and regular constraints can be extended to the world of sequences over an alphabet theory that forms a Boolean algebra, while preserving decidability. In particular, decidability holds when regular constraints are interpreted as parametric automata (which extend both symbolic automata and variable automata), but fails when interpreted as register automata (even over the alphabet theory of equality). When length constraints are added, the problem is Turing-equivalent to word equations with length (and regular) constraints. Similar investigations are conducted in the presence of symbolic transducers, which naturally model sequence functions like map, split, filter, etc. We have developed a new sequence solver, SeCo, based on parametric automata, and show its efficacy on two classes of benchmarks: (i) invariant checking on array-manipulating programs and parameterized systems, and (ii) benchmarks on symbolic register automata.
Solving String Constraints Using SAT
Authors: Lotz Kevin , Goel Amit , Dutertre Bruno , Kiesl-Reiter Benjamin , Kong Soonho , Majumdar Rupak , Nowotka Dirk
Published: July 2023

String solvers are automated-reasoning tools that can solve combinatorial problems over formal languages. They typically operate on restricted first-order logic formulas that include operations such as string concatenation, substring relationship, and regular expression matching. String solving thus amounts to deciding the satisfiability of such formulas. While there exists a variety of different string solvers, many string problems cannot be solved efficiently by any of them. We present a new approach to string solving that encodes input problems into propositional logic and leverages incremental SAT solving. We evaluate our approach on a broad set of benchmarks. On the logical fragment that our tool supports, it is competitive with state-of-the-art solvers. Our experiments also demonstrate that an eager SAT-based approach complements existing approaches to string solving in this specific fragment.
The lively siblings of the Pentagon theorem
Authors: Hungerbühler Norbert
Published: July 2023

The five circles in the classical Pentagon theorem of Miquel are given as circumcircles of five certain triangles in the pentagon. If one chooses instead the circumcircles of five other triangles, one gets a different configuration of circles. This resulting configuration of circles carries three families of five concyclic quadruples of points. Together with the five circumcircles this gives a total of 20 circles. The radical axes of each two of these twenty circles are all concurrent.
Smoking reduction using electronic nicotine delivery systems in combination with nicotine skin patches
Authors: Rose Jed E. , Frisbee Suzanne , Campbell David , Salley Alfred , Claerhout Susan , Davis James M.
Published: July 2023

Rationale

Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) are used by smokers seeking to reduce combustible cigarette (CC) use, but the role of nicotine replacement vs. behavioral and sensory factors is still poorly understood. We hypothesized that providing nicotine from ENDS in addition to nicotine skin patches would promote smoking reduction relative to non-nicotine control ENDS.

Objectives

To assess the effects on smoking behavior of using nicotine vs. placebo ENDS in smokers using nicotine vs. placebo patches.

Methods

Ninety-four daily smokers were enrolled in a study that randomly assigned them to receive ENDS with nicotine vs. without nicotine and skin patches with vs. without nicotine. Smoking reduction and cessation were assessed over an 8-week period by self-report and by expired air carbon monoxide (CO) measurements. The primary outcome was defined as reduction in expired air CO.

Results

The use of nicotine in ENDS led to significant reductions in smoking (ENDS nicotine vs. placebo difference in CO change = −9.2 ppm; 90% CI (−1.5 ppm, −16.9 ppm)) and was highly correlated with reductions in self-reported cigarettes per day (r=0.6). The effect of nicotine in nicotine patches was not statistically significant (patch nicotine vs. placebo difference in CO change = −0.1 ppm; 90% CI (−7.8 ppm, 7.6 ppm)).

Conclusions

The presence of nicotine in ENDS was associated with a large reduction in smoking. Additional studies will be needed to determine whether there may be additive effects of nicotine ENDS and nicotine patches on smoking abstinence.
Morphotextural, microbiological, and volatile characterization of flatbread containing cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) flour
Authors: Belleggia Luca , Foligni Roberta , Ferrocino Ilario , Biolcati Federica , Mozzon Massimo , Aquilanti Lucia , Osimani Andrea , Harasym Joanna
Published: July 2023

The growing awareness of the consumers on the advantages of a proper nutrition is deeply modifying their demands. Hence, the exploitation of innovative ingredients to enrich the nutritional values of staple foods is continuously explored by research institutions and food industries. This paper represents a feasibility study on the use of nonconventional ingredients, including house cricket (Acheta domesticus) powder and buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) flour, for the production of novel flatbread formulations. Experimental flatbread prototypes were evaluated by analyzing microbiological, physico-chemical, textural, colorimetric, and volatile parameters. Microbiological viable counts revealed low levels of bacterial spores in the formulations comprising cricket powder. Water activity results showed adequate values, inhibiting the growth of spoilage and pathogenic bacteria, and preventing the germination of bacterial spores. The addition of cricket powder, influenced textural properties of flatbread samples, characterized by lower hardness values respect to those not containing insects seems likely due to a high content of dietary fiber (chitin from insects). As for the color analysis, flatbread samples added with cricket powder evidenced darker tones respect to those not containing insects, thus resulting visibly comparable with whole grain products. Worthy to mention that the addition of buckwheat flours did not cause hardness reduction or color variation of experimental prototypes. The volatile component analysis highlighted numerous compounds associated with enzymatic activities and nonconventional ingredients. Overall, the results collected demonstrated that cricket powder and buckwheat flour possess a great potential to produce innovative flatbreads.
Prioritizing the selection of CMIP6 model ensemble members for downscaling projections of CONUS temperature and precipitation
Authors: Longmate Julia M. , Risser Mark D. , Feldman Daniel R.
Published: July 2023

Given the mismatch between the large volume of data archived for the sixth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP6) and limited personnel and computational resources for downscaling, only a small fraction of the CMIP6 archive can be downscaled. In this work, we develop an approach to robustly sample projected hydroclimate states in CMIP6 for downscaling to test whether the selection of a single initial condition (IC) ensemble member from each CMIP6 model is sufficient to span the range of modeled hydroclimate over the conterminous United States (CONUS) and CONUS sub-regions. We calculate the pattern-centered root mean square difference of IC ensemble member anomalies relative to each model’s historical climatology for shared socioeconomic pathway (SSP) projections over 30-year time periods and compare the ratio of inter-model to intra-model variability for this metric. Regardless of SSP, inter-model variability is generally much greater than intra-model variability at the scales of the CONUS as a whole, as well as for most CONUS sub-regions. However for some variables and scenarios, inter- and intra-model variability are similar at sub-CONUS scales, indicating that selecting a single IC ensemble member per model may be sufficient to sample the range of projected hydroclimate states in the 21st Century across CONUS, but for specific regions and variables, more careful selection of ensemble members may be necessary. Regionally-resolved Taylor diagrams identify where more IC ensemble member downscaling efforts should be focused if resources are available to do so. Our results suggest that, with parsimonious sampling, the requisite computational expense of downscaling temperature and precipitation fields over the CONUS for subsequent CMIP activities may increase only marginally despite the great increase in data volumes with each successive CMIP phase.
ENSO phase space dynamics with an improved estimate of the thermocline depth
Authors: Dommenget Dietmar , Priya Priyamvada , Vijayeta Asha
Published: July 2023

The recharge oscillator model of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) describes the ENSO dynamics as an interaction between the eastern tropical Pacific sea surface temperatures (T) and subsurface heat content (thermocline depth; h), defining a dynamical cycle with different phases. h is often approximated on the basis of the depth of the 20 °C isotherm (Z20). In this study we will address how the estimation of h affects the representation of ENSO dynamics. We will compare the ENSO phase space with h estimated based on Z20 and based on the maximum gradient in the temperature profile (Zmxg). The results illustrate that the ENSO phase space is much closer to the idealised recharge oscillator model if based on Zmxg than if based on Z20. Using linear and non-linear recharge oscillator models fitted to the observed data illustrates that the Z20 estimate leads to artificial phase dependent structures in the ENSO phase space, which result from an in-phase correlation between h and T. Based on the Zmxg estimate the ENSO phase space diagram show very clear non-linear aspects in growth rates and phase speeds. Based on this estimate we can describe the ENSO cycle dynamics as a non-linear cycle that grows during the recharge and El Nino state, and decays during the La Nina states. The most extreme ENSO states are during the El Nino and discharge states, while the La Nina and recharge states do not have extreme states. It further has faster phase speeds after the El Nino state and slower phase speeds during and after the La Nina states. The analysis suggests that the ENSO phase speed is significantly positive in all phases, suggesting that ENSO is indeed a cycle. However, the phase speeds are closest to zero during and after the La Nina state, indicating that the ENSO cycle is most likely to stall in these states.
“Mother and baby plate”: a strategy to improve stability in proximal fractures of the ulna
Authors: Hoelscher-Doht Stefanie , Zufall Nicola , Heilig Maximilian , Heilig Philipp , Paul Mila Marie , Meffert Rainer Heribert
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Proximal ulna fractures with a large zone of comminution, such as in the context of Monteggia injuries, require mechanically strong osteosyntheses as they occur in regions with high physiological joint load. Consequently, implant failure and pseudarthrosis are critical and devastating complications, especially with the background of mainly young patients being affected. An effective solution could be provided by adding a small second plate 90° angulated to the standard dorsal plate in the area of non-union. Thus, this study investigates whether, from a biomechanical point of view, the use of such a mini or baby plate is worthwhile.

Materials and methods

Comminuted fractures distal to the coronoid process, equivalent to Jupiter type IIb fractures, are generated on artificial Sawbones® of the ulna and stabilized using two different plate osteosyntheses: in the first group, a dorsal locking compression olecranon plate is used (LCP group). In the second group, a small, ulnar 5-hole olecranon plate is added as a baby plate in addition to the mother plate at the level of the fracture zone (MBP group). Dynamic biomechanical loading in degrees of flexion from 0° to 90° is carried out to determine yield load, stiffness, displacement, and changes in fracture gap width as well as bending of the dorsal plate.

Results

The “mother-baby-plate” osteosynthesis had a significantly higher yield load (p < 0.01) and stiffness (p = 0.01) than the LCP group. This correlates with the increased movement of the proximal fracture element during cyclic testing for the LCP group compared to the MBP group as measured by an optical metrology system.

Conclusions

Here, we show evidence that the addition of a small plate to the standard plate is highly effective in increasing the biomechanical stability in severe fractures equivalent to Jupiter type IIb. As it hopefully minimizes complications like pseudarthrosis and implant failure and as the additional preparatory effort leading to compromised blood supply is regarded to be negligible, this justifies and highly advises the use of a mother–baby-plate system.
Effective use of artificial intelligence in healthcare supply chain resilience using fuzzy decision-making model
Authors: Deveci Muhammet
Published: July 2023

AI technologies are absolutely changing the rules of the game all around the world. However, the diffusion rate of AI is widely ranging across countries. This study aims to fulfill a research gap regarding multidimensional comprehensive studies which could provide academic information to the policy makers, technology producers, adopters of technology and the workforce. Friction against the use of new technologies has been existing since the beginning of industrial revolution. This study examines the possible factors behind the friction in AI adoption process. The subject of the course in this study is the supply chain resilience which is a keystone in healthcare sector especially after the recent pandemics. Studies promise the efficiency improvements and cost reductions in healthcare when AI technologies are implemented in supply chain management of the industry. This paper proposes a fuzzy Aczel–Alsina-based decision-making model to analyze the factors that enhance the diffusion of AI technologies in healthcare supply chain management. The model is tested for the case of Turkish healthcare industry. Fuzzy decision-making model is used to solve the complexities in unveiling success factors in the implementation and diffusion phases. Results show that among many other factors tested, technology intensity, trialability and government support and policies are the most important AI success factors. The results are discussed to reveal potential policy recommendations.
Mean-to-max ratio of the torsion function and honeycomb structures
Authors: Briani Luca , Bucur Dorin
Published: July 2023

In this paper we study extremal behaviors of the mean to max ratio of the p-torsion function with respect to the geometry of the domain. For p larger than the dimension of the space N, we prove that the upper bound is uniformly below 1, contrary to the case $$p \in (1,N]$$

p
∈
(
1
,
N
]

. For $$p=+\infty $$

p
=
+
∞

, in two dimensions, we prove that the upper bound is asymptotically attained by a disc from which is removed a network of points consisting on the vertices of a tiling of the plane with regular hexagons of vanishing size.
Association between maternity leave policies and postpartum depression: a systematic review
Authors: Hidalgo-Padilla Liliana , Toyama Mauricio , Zafra-Tanaka Jessica Hanae , Vives Alejandra , Diez-Canseco Francisco
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Working mothers are at greater risk for postpartum depression. Maternity leave characteristics, including length, wage replacement and employment protection, could have relevant implications for mothers’ mental health. We propose to explore whether there is an association between maternity leave characteristics and postpartum depression.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review searching for randomized controlled trials, quasi-experimental, cohort or cross-sectional studies on five databases using search terms including maternity and parental leave and depression, as well as references in relevant articles. We identified 500 articles and included 23 of those. We used the EPHPP Quality Assessment Tool for Quantitative Studies to assess the quality of the studies.

Results

Paid and longer maternity leaves tend to be associated with a reduction of postpartum depression symptoms in high-income countries. No studies explored the association between employment protection and postpartum depression. The quality of studies ranged from strong to weak, mostly influenced by study design.

Conclusion

More restrictive maternity leave policies tend to be associated with higher rates of postpartum depression, although more research needs to be conducted in the Global South.
Einsatzverhalten und Verschleiß von PVD-beschichteten und fluid-frei geschmierten Zahnrädern
Authors: Sklenak Sebastian , Mevissen Dieter , Brimmers Jens , Brecher Christian , Lenz Bastian , Mehner Andreas
Published: July 2023

Der Einsatz von Flüssigschmierstoffen in Zahnradantrieben ist aufgrund der Schmierstoffeigenschaften, zum Beispiel durch Hygienerichtlinien oder hohe Temperaturschwankungen, eingeschränkt. Festschmierstoffe sind eine Alternative zu Flüssigschmierstoffen in Zahnradantrieben. Die Anforderungen an den Schmierstoff im Zahnflankenkontakt werden jedoch von einem Festschmierstoff nicht in gleichem Maße erfüllt wie von einem Flüssigschmierstoff. Der Stand der Forschung zeigt, dass das Einsatzverhalten in Bezug auf die Reibungskraft und die Prüflingstemperatur nicht stationär ist. Zur Kenntnis des Einsatz- und Verschleißverhaltens im Zahnflankenkontakt werden Prüfzahnräder mit einem MoS2:Ti-TiCN Festschmierstoffsystem beschichtet und in Laufversuchen analysiert. Der Vergleich der Lastspielzahlen bei zwei verschiedenen Belastungsstufen zeigt, dass die Lebensdauer des feststoffgeschmierten Zahnradsatzes mit zunehmendem Drehmoment abnimmt. Bei der Analyse der Zahnflanken nach den Laufversuchen lassen sich verschiedene Verschleißerscheinungen feststellen. Es kann zwischen Verschleiß der Festschmierstoffschicht, lokalem Schichtversagen und vollständigem Schichtversagen unterschieden werden. Die mikroskopische Verschleißanalyse zeigt, dass der Verschleiß an Ritzel und Rad unterschiedlich stark ist. Tendenziell ist ein höherer Verschleiß in den Bereichen mit hohen Gleitgeschwindigkeiten in Kombination mit negativem Schlupf zu beobachten. Für zukünftige Laufversuche mit trockenen und feststoffgeschmierten Zahnrädern muss die Früherkennung von Schichtversagen untersucht werden. Darüber hinaus ist die Übertragbarkeit des Verschleißes vom Zwei-Scheibe-Kontakt auf den Zahnflankenkontakt zu untersuchen.
Singing more, singing harsher: occurrence of nonlinear phenomena in a primate’ song
Authors: Cristiano Walter , Raimondi Teresa , Valente Daria , De Gregorio Chiara , Torti Valeria , Ferrario Valeria , Carugati Filippo , Miaretsoa Longondraza , Mancini Laura , Gamba Marco , Giacoma Cristina
Published: July 2023

Nonlinear phenomena (NLP) in animal vocalizations arise from irregularities in the oscillation of the vocal folds. Various non-mutually exclusive hypotheses have been put forward to explain the occurrence of NLP, from adaptive to physiological ones. Non-human primates often display NLP in their vocalizations, yet the communicative role of these features, if any, is still unclear. We here investigate the occurrence of NLP in the song of a singing primate, the indri (Indri indri), testing for the effect of sex, age, season, and duration of the vocal display on their emission. Our results show that NLP occurrence in indri depends on phonation, i.e., the cumulative duration of all the units emitted by an individual, and that NLP have higher probability to be emitted in the later stages of the song, probably due to the fatigue indris may experience while singing. Furthermore, NLP happen earlier in the vocal display of adult females than in that of the adult males, and this is probably due to the fact that fatigue occurs earlier in the former because of a greater contribution within the song. Our findings suggest, therefore, that indris may be subjected to physiological constraints during the singing process which may impair the production of harmonic sounds. However, indris may still benefit from emitting NLP by strengthening the loudness of their signals for better advertising their presence to the neighboring conspecific groups.
Soil bacteria and fungi communities are shaped by elevation influences in Colombian forest and páramo natural ecosystems
Authors: Vélez-Martínez Glever Alexander , Reyes-Ardila Wendy Lorena , Duque-Zapata Juan Diego , Rugeles-Silva Paula Andrea , Muñoz Flórez Jaime Eduardo , López-Álvarez Diana
Published: July 2023

The influence of elevation on natural terrestrial ecosystems determines the arrangements of microbial communities in soils to be associated with biotic and abiotic factors. To evaluate changes of fungi and bacteria at the community level along an elevational gradient (between 1000 and 3800 m.a.s.l.), physicochemical measurements of soils, taxonomic identifications of plants, and metabarcoding sequences of the 16S rRNA gene for bacteria and the ITS1 region for fungi were obtained. The bacterial taxonomic composition showed that Acidobacteriota increased in abundance with elevation, while Actinobacteriota and Verrucomicrobiota decreased. Furthermore, Firmicutes and Proteobacteria maintained maximum levels of abundance at intermediate elevations (1200 and 2400 m.a.s.l.). In fungi, Ascomycota was more abundant at higher elevations, Basidiomycota tended to dominate at lower elevations, and Mortierellomycota had a greater presence at intermediate sites. These results correlated with the edaphic parameters of decreasing pH and increasing organic carbon and available nitrogen with elevation. In addition, the Shannon index found a greater diversity in bacteria than fungi, but both showed a unimodal pattern with maximum values in the Andean Forest at 2400 m.a.s.l. Through the microbial characterization of the ecosystems, the elevational gradient, soil properties, and vegetation were found to exert significant effects on microbial communities and alpha diversity indices. We conclude that the most abundant soil microorganisms at the sampling points differed in abundance and diversity according to the variations in factors influencing ecological communities.
Computational modelling of the separation of molten polymer blends by a centrifugal technique
Authors: Medvid V. , Steiner H. , Irrenfried C. , Feuchter M. , Brenn G.
Published: July 2023

Computational modelling of a centrifugal technique for separating binary mixtures of thermoplastic polymers in the molten state is presented. The technique may be useful for the recycling of polymeric materials. The study investigates the physical process of component separation due to the centrifugal force in a batch process, showing the potential of using a dispersed model for describing the complex mechanism underlying the technique. Given the long time scales of change of the flow field, the polymer melts are modelled as inelastic, shear-thinning materials. The centrifugal force drives the component with the higher density to the outer region of an annular cross section occupied by the melt inside a rotating containment. The model system PET/LDPE is investigated in detail. The simulations allow to predict the process time needed for the separation. The simulations are the basis for studying a continuous process in a rotating tube.
Towards a logic for ‘because’
Authors: Raidl Eric , Rott Hans
Published: July 2023

This paper explores the connective ‘because’, based on the idea that ‘C because A’ implies the acceptance/truth of the antecedent A as well as of the consequent C, and additionally that the antecedent makes a difference for the consequent. To capture this idea of difference-making a ‘relevantized’ version of the Ramsey Test for conditionals is employed that takes the antecedent to be relevant to the consequent in the following sense: a conditional is true/accepted in a state $$\sigma $$
σ
just in case (i) the consequent is true/accepted when $$\sigma $$
σ
is revised by the antecedent and (ii) the consequent fails to be true/accepted when $$\sigma $$
σ
is revised by the antecedent’s negation. To extend this to a semantics for ‘because’, we add that (iii) the antecedent and (iv) the consequent are accepted/true in the state $$\sigma $$
σ
. We get metaphysical or doxastic interpretations of these clauses, depending on what we mean by a model and a state. We introduce several semantics known from suppositional conditionals, which we reinterpret for difference-making conditionals and ‘because’. We present a minimal logic for ‘because’ sentences and show how it can be extended in ways that parallel the hierarchy of extensions of the logic of suppositional conditionals. We establish correspondence results between axioms for ‘because’ and properties of states, and prove that the specified logics are sound with respect to the semantics.
Collective arrogance: a norms-based account
Authors: Roe Henry
Published: July 2023

How should we understand the arrogance of groups that do not seem to exhibit group agency? Specifically, how should we understand the putative epistemic arrogance ascribed to men and privileged or powerful groups in cases raised in the extant philosophical literature? Groups like these differ from others that are usually the subject of work on collective vice and virtue insofar as they seem to lack essential features of group agency; they are sub-agential groups. In this article, I ask whether extant summative or anti-summative accounts of collective epistemic vice offer a basis for understanding the structure of the epistemic arrogance of men and the privileged. I argue that a summative formulation and two prominent anti-summative positions fail to adequately account for the structure of group arrogance in such cases. This leaves us lacking an understanding of how sub-agential group arrogance works. To address this, I defend a collectivist account of group arrogance that takes social norms as the determinative basis of group arrogance.
Synthesis of Cu and CuO nanoparticles from e-waste and evaluation of their antibacterial and photocatalytic properties
Authors: Abdelbasir Sabah M. , Rayan Diaa A. , Ismail Mahmoud M.
Published: July 2023

Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) contain a plethora of valuable metals, considered an attractive secondary resource. In the current research, a hydrometallurgical process combined ammonia/ammonium chloride leaching and reduction (using L-ascorbic acid) to recover copper and its oxide (CuO) as nanosized particles from WPCBs was investigated. The results of leaching indicated that 96.7% of copper could be recovered at a temperature of 35 °C for a leaching duration of 2 h with ammonium chloride and ammonia concentration of 2 mol/L at a solid:liquid ratio of 1:10 g/cm3. The synthesized particles exhibit spherical and distorted sphere morphology with average particle size of 460 nm and 50 nm for Cu and CuO NPs, respectively. The antibacterial activity of Cu, CuO, and a (1:1) blend of both (Cu/CuO) has been examined against five different bacterial and fungal strains. The highest zone of inhibition was measured as 21.2 mm for Cu NPs toward Escherichia coli and 16.7 mm for Cu/CuO blend toward Bacillus cereus bacteria. The highest zone of inhibition was measured as 13 mm and 13.8 mm for Cu/CuO blend toward Fusarium proliferatum and Penicillium verrucosum fungi. Cu/CuO blend showed notable photocatalytic activity towards Rhodamine B dye under visible light irradiation with 96% degradation rate within 120 min. Using the process developed in this study, copper and its oxide as nanoparticles can be produced from WPCBs and used for multifunctional applications.

Graphical abstract
Flexemes in theory and in practice
Authors: Pellegrini Matteo
Published: July 2023

This paper provides an in-depth investigation of the possibility of systematically using flexemes – i.e., lexical units characterized in terms of form, as opposed to lexemes, characterized in terms of meaning – to model overabundance – i.e., the availability of more than one form in the same paradigm cell. The starting point is a preliminary evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of using flexemes to account for different overabundance phenomena, showing that flexemes are a good way to capture the systematicity of overabundance, either across lexemes or across cells. Consequently, it is suggested that flexemes can be an interesting technical solution for the creation of a lexicon of Latin verbs that not only documents all the competing wordforms available as principal parts, but also captures the systematic relationship that sometimes holds between variants filling different cells. A principled method to identify such systematicity is then described in detail. It is argued that a constructive approach based on the identity of stems and/or inflection class is not fully adequate for the data at hand. Therefore, the proposed procedure adopts an abstractive, word-based perspective that only relies on alternation patterns between unsegmented wordforms. Practical and theoretical implications of the work are finally discussed, particularly regarding the usefulness of a formal approach to the identification of lexical units and paradigm cells.
Modelling Cell Orientation Under Stretch: The Effect of Substrate Elasticity
Authors: Colombi Annachiara , Preziosi Luigi , Scianna Marco
Published: July 2023

When cells are seeded on a cyclically deformed substrate like silicon, they tend to reorient their major axis in two ways: either perpendicular to the main stretching direction, or forming an oblique angle with it. However, when the substrate is very soft such as a collagen gel, the oblique orientation is no longer observed, and the cells align either along the stretching direction, or perpendicularly to it. To explain this switch, we propose a simplified model of the cell, consisting of two elastic elements representing the stress fiber/focal adhesion complexes in the main and transverse directions. These elements are connected by a torsional spring that mimics the effect of crosslinking molecules among the stress fibers, which resist shear forces. Our model, consistent with experimental observations, predicts that there is a switch in the asymptotic behaviour of the orientation of the cell determined by the stiffness of the substratum, related to a change from a supercritical bifurcation scenario, whereby the oblique configuration is stable for a sufficiently large stiffness, to a subcritical bifurcation scenario at a lower stiffness. Furthermore, we investigate the effect of cell elongation and find that the region of the parameter space leading to an oblique orientation decreases as the cell becomes more elongated. This implies that elongated cells, such as fibroblasts and smooth muscle cells, are more likely to maintain an oblique orientation with respect to the main stretching direction. Conversely, rounder cells, such as those of epithelial or endothelial origin, are more likely to switch to a perpendicular or parallel orientation on soft substrates.
Establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients and healthy siblings of a nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome family
Authors: Nakase Yoji , Hamada Atsuko , Obayashi Fumitaka , Kitamura Naoya , Hata Tsuyoshi , Yamamoto Tetsuya , Okamoto Tetsuji
Published: July 2023

It is known that a nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS) is characterized by a combination of developmental abnormalities and a predisposition to form various tumors. Although it is possible to create disease models via gene editing, there are significant potential problems with this approach such as off-target mutations and differences in SNPs. On the other hand, since disease families share common SNPs, research using iPSCs derived from both patients and healthy siblings of the same disease family is very important. Thus, establishment of induced pluripotent stem cells derived from patients and healthy siblings of the same NBCCS family will be of great importance to study the etiology of this disease and to develop therapeutics. In this study, we generated hiPSCs using peripheral blood mononuclear cells derived from the patients and healthy siblings of familial NBCCS with the novel mutation in PTCH1_c.3298_3299insAAG in the feeder- and serum-free culture conditions using SeVdp. In addition, disease-specific hiPSCs such as those expressing the PTCH1_c.3298_3299insAAG mutation could be powerful tools for revealing the genotype-phenotype relationship and pathogenicity of NBCCS.
Changes in the Nardus grasslands in the (Sub)Alpine Zone of Western Carpathians over the last decades
Authors: Palaj Andrej , Kollár Jozef , Michalová Martina
Published: July 2023

Nardus stricta dominated grassland is a specific habitat occurring on the nutrient-poor soils. Its large areas were formed as a result of livestock grazing. However, landscape management underwent significant changes over the last decades including grazing cessation. This triggered successional processes leading to considerable changes in floristic composition reported from numerous European regions. We focused on this phenomenon in the Western Carpathian high mountains, where the issue was not studied sufficiently. Our research, based on pairwise comparison of 19 historical and recent phytocoenological relevés, confirmed changes here. These include (i) decrease in cover of some diagnostic species of Nardetea strictae class, especially Nardus stricta, (ii) increase in competitively strong species with their high biomass productivity, (iii) shift in floristic composition indicating conversion of Nardion strictae vegetation into other communities, especially those of Loiseleurio-Vaccinietea class, (iv) increase in Shannon-Wiener index values and (v) enrichment of originally oligotrophic grasslands with some nutrient-demanding species, mainly at lower altitudes and decrease in light-demanding species.
Glomus versiforme and Micrococcus yunnanensis reduce the negative effects of salinity stress by regulating the redox state and ion homeostasis in Brassica napus L. crops
Authors: Afrangan Fahime , Kazemeini Seyed Abdolreza , Alinia Mozhgan , Mastinu Andrea
Published: July 2023

Salinity stress is a major threat that negatively affects plant growth and production in arid and semi- arid regions. Application of biofertilizers could mitigate this stress. Accordingly, a pot experiment was conducted on rapeseed grown under salinity stress (0, 5, 10, and 15 dS m−1) while considering the following additives: (1) AMF (non-inoculated and inoculated with Glomus versiforme) and (2) PGPR (non-inoculated and inoculated with Micrococcus yunnanensis). The present results showed that salinity stress led to significant reductions in growth, yield, yield components, and physiological attributes, while raising the Na+/K+ ratio. However, with the application of PGPR and AMF, the increased salinity tolerance of rapeseed resulted in a significant improvement in redox status and ion homeostasis. They considerably improved antioxidant enzymatic activity and plant nutrition status. Furthermore, the co-inoculation of PGPR and AMF increased chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, carotenoids, photosynthesis rate, and percentage of rapeseed oil under 15 dS m−1 1.7-, 1.8-, 2.3-, 2.0- and 1.3-times, respectively, compared with the non-inoculation treatment. These findings indicate that the integral application of PGPR and AMF is essential for alleviating salinity stress.
χ(2) nonlinear photonics in integrated microresonators
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Wen Hao , Ren Linhao , Shi Lei , Zhang Xinliang
Published: July 2023

Second-order (χ(2)) optical nonlinearity is one of the most common mechanisms for modulating and generating coherent light in photonic devices. Due to strong photon confinement and long photon lifetime, integrated microresonators have emerged as an ideal platform for investigation of nonlinear optical effects. However, existing silicon-based materials lack a χ(2) response due to their centrosymmetric structures. A variety of novel material platforms possessing χ(2) nonlinearity have been developed over the past two decades. This review comprehensively summarizes the progress of second-order nonlinear optical effects in integrated microresonators. First, the basic principles of χ(2) nonlinear effects are introduced. Afterward, we highlight the commonly used χ(2) nonlinear optical materials, including their material properties and respective functional devices. We also discuss the prospects and challenges of utilizing χ(2) nonlinearity in the field of integrated microcavity photonics.

Graphical Abstract
A sufficient and necessary condition for $${\mathcal {A}}$$-quasiaffinity
Authors: Schiffer Stefan
Published: July 2023

We consider a homogeneous differential operator $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
and show an improved version of Murat’s condition for $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
-quasiaffine functions, provided that the operator $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
satisfies the constant rank condition. As a consequence, we obtain that affinity along the characteristic cone of $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
implies $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
-quasiaffinity if $${\mathcal {A}}$$
A
admits a first order potential.
Narrationen und Soziale Arbeit
Authors: Thole Werner , Dollinger Bernd
Published: July 2023

In sozial- und erziehungswissenschaftlichen, aber auch in psychologischen, geschichts- und kulturwissenschaftlichen Diskursen erfährt der Bezug auf Narrationen in den letzten Jahren einen Bedeutungsgewinn. In dem Beitrag werden Bezugnahmen auf Narrationen in der sozialpädagogischen Handlungspraxis und Forschung referiert. Diskutiert wird, inwieweit Narrationen subjektive Positionierungen oder auch kollektiv hergestellte Erfahrungen und Sichtweisen artikulieren.
Organic Leachate and Biogas Utilization in Outdoor Microalgae Cultivation Under Alkaline Conditions at Pilot-Scale
Authors: Velasco Antonio , Franco-Morgado Mariana , Saldivar Alexis , Cuetero-Martínez Yovany , Buitrón Germán , de los Cobos-Vasconcelos Daniel , Monroy Óscar , González-Sánchez Armando
Published: July 2023

The performance of an outdoor pilot-scale system consisting of a high rate algal pond interconnected to an absorption bubble column and seeded with a microalgal-bacterial consortium is presented. Biogas and organic leachate (from food waste anaerobic hydrolysis) were used as sources of CO2 and nutrients for the consortium, respectively. The removal efficiencies for CO2 and H2S from biogas were 80.0% and 99.9%, respectively, provoking a methane content in the utilized biogas of approximately 55 vol% for anaerobically-produced biogas and 90 vol% for a prepared gaseous mixture. The molecular oxygen produced by microalgae photosynthesis induced undesirable cumulation of O2 in utilized biogas up to 5%vol. The organic leachate was diluted in an alkaline mineral medium (15:1 v/v), and this rich-nutrient mixture was fed to the system at a hydraulic retention time of 138 d. The biomass productivity applying organic leachate and anaerobically-produced biogas was 2.6 g m−3 d−1, nine times lower than biomass productivity achieved when only mineral salt medium was fed, suggesting the existence of limited nutrient bioavailability. Microalgal-bacterial community shifts evaluated through molecular and morphological methods showed that a robust and stable photosynthetic population was maintained throughout the entire operation of the system, formed mainly by Picochlorum sp., Pseudanabaena sp., Spirulina sp., and Nitzschia sp., as well as heterotrophic bacteria and some microalgae predators. The valued by-products after waste utilization were clean and highly calorific biogas besides microalgae biomass, where the commercialization of the latter would determine the economic viability of biogas and leachate utilization.

Graphical Abstract
Divisibility of Finite Geometric Series
Authors: Hartwig Robert E. , Patrício Pedro
Published: July 2023

We give necessary and sufficient conditions for the divisibility of two finite geometric series $$ G_n(x) = 1 + x + x ^ 2 + \cdots + x^{n-1} $$

G
n

(
x
)

=
1
+
x
+

x
2

+
⋯
+

x

n
-
1

over a field of characteristic zero.
Do people believe that machines have minds and free will? Empirical evidence on mind perception and autonomy in machines
Authors: Astobiza Aníbal M.
Published: July 2023

Recently, we are witnessing an unprecedented advance and development in Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI systems are capable of reasoning, perceiving, and processing spoken (and written) natural language, and their applications vary from recommendation systems, automated translation software, prioritization of news in social media, to self-driving cars and/or robotics. A dystopian narrative predicts that AI may reach a point of singularity or a phase where machines surpass human beings in general intelligence and enslave us, but until that day comes, it is interesting to know how the general public perceive current artificial systems. Do people really attribute mind (i.e., mental states) and/or free will to artificial systems? Knowing how the general public perceive artificial systems is crucial because it could help understand how to apply AI in medicine, law, politics and other areas of human life. One study that I present here with a convenience sample (N = 25) suggests this is not the case. General public do not perceive artificial systems can have mind nor do they attribute free will to them (F (5,57), (dif1 1), (dif2 47,6), p < 0.002).