bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expanding Initiatives and Participation
Authors: Kymissis Ioannis (John)
Published: July 2024

This year's Display Week was the largest in‐person SID event with more than 8,500 participants. It included a broad range of exhibitors, papers, posters, demonstrations, special events, tutorials, seminars, awards, and keynotes. With so much going on, it was impossible to do and see everything!
Unveiling the Future: Advancements in AR and MR Display Technologies
Authors: Lu Lu
Published: July 2024

This issue features specialists from Meta Reality Labs Research, Avegant, and RayNeo who discuss the latest advancements in the fields of augmented (AR) and mixed reality (MR) display technologies. The articles detail solutions designed to enhance consumer experiences and refine technological applications.
Liquid Crystal Technologies for Augmented and Mixed Reality Displays
Authors: Lu Lu , Wang Junren
Published: July 2024

While LC display technologies have deep roots in augmented, virtual, and mixed realities, LC optics is emerging as a pivotal area within AR/VR/MR optics and the display community.
Variance in Pneumocystis jirovecii prophylaxis practice for pediatric patients undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Lipsitt Amanda , Hijano Diego R. , Ferrolino Jose A. , Dallas Ronald , Sharma Akshay , Maron Gabriela
Published: July 2024

Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) in hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) recipients can be prevented by efficient prophylaxis. We surveyed HCT centers in North America to assess their PJP prophylaxis practices. Most institutions used intravenous (IV) pentamidine (29.6%) or inhaled pentamidine (14.8%); 37% institutions changed from trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) to another medication after conditioning; and 44% administered no PJP prophylaxis during the pre‐engraftment period. Most institutions avoided using TMP‐SMX during the pre‐engraftment period, mainly because of concerns about myelotoxicity, despite this being the preferred PJP prophylaxis agent. There is a need to evaluate the effects of TMP‐SMX on engraftment.
A case of suspected autoimmune encephalopathy with involuntary movements and cognitive dysfunction post‐COVID‐19
Authors: Tenpaku Yosuke , Mabuchi Naoki , Kawase Takahiro , Oguro Hideki , Tatsumi Hiroshi , Satoh Masayuki
Published: July 2024

Background

We report a case of suspected autoimmune encephalopathy with involuntary movements and concomitant cognitive dysfunction after COVID‐19.

Case Presentation

The patient is a male in his 20s who presented with fever and generalized involuntary movements and was diagnosed with COVID‐19. The involuntary movements improved slightly, and the fever resolved within a week of the diagnosis. However, about a month later, the patient presented with severe recurrence of the involuntary movements. Antiepileptic drugs were ineffective, and the patient was re‐hospitalized with suspected autoimmune encephalopathy. The electroencephalogram (EEG) was difficult to assess accurately due to involuntary movements. Neuropsychological testing on re‐admission revealed mild memory impairment, executive dysfunction, and decreased processing speed. We treated the patient with methylprednisolone (mPSL) 1000 mg/day for a total of 8 days and intravenous immunoglobulin therapy (IVIG) 27.5 g/day for 5 days. Involuntary movements were mild after 59 days. A repeat neuropsychological assessment conducted 3 weeks later showed improvement of both memory and executive functions. The patient was discharged on Day 75, and he returned to work the following month.

Conclusion

In our patient reported herein, early and appropriate treatment was successful. Impaired activities of daily living and cognitive dysfunction rapidly improved. The case serves to underscore the importance of early detection and intervention for the sequelae of COVID‐19.
Optimization of physical and mechanical properties of PC/ABS/PMMA blends by mixture design approach
Authors: Ezzeddine Rahma , Elfehri Karama , Marcos‐Fernández Ángel , Samet Basma
Published: July 2024

This study aims to investigate the recycling of end‐of‐life computer plastics, focusing on polycarbonate (PC) and acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) copolymer, which constitute a significant portion of collected computers. Through differential scanning calorimetry and infrared spectroscopy analyses, the properties of raw PC, ABS and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) were evaluated. Various blends of PC and ABS were prepared, incorporating different percentages of recycled PMMA as a cost‐effective coupling agent. These blends were processed through melt compounding using a contra‐rotating twin‐screw extruder and subsequently shaped by injection molding. An experimental mixture design was applied to evaluate the mechanical and physical properties of the composite materials, including melt flow index, hardness, flexural strain at break and Charpy impact strength. The results of the desirability analysis indicated that the optimal blend for achieving a balance between mechanical and physical properties consists of a high PC content (approximately 80% or more), a low ABS content (less than 20%) and less than 5% recycled PMMA. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
Differential effects of ganglioside lipids on the conformation and aggregation of islet amyloid polypeptide
Authors: McCalpin Samuel D. , Mechakra Lina , Ivanova Magdalena I. , Ramamoorthy Ayyalusamy
Published: July 2024

Despite causing over 1 million deaths annually, Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) currently has no curative treatments. Aggregation of the islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP) into amyloid plaques plays an important role in the pathophysiology of T2D and thus presents a target for therapeutic intervention. The mechanism by which hIAPP aggregates contribute to the development of T2D is unclear, but it is proposed to involve disruption of cellular membranes. However, nearly all research on hIAPP‐lipid interactions has focused on anionic phospholipids, which are primarily present in the cytosolic face of plasma membranes. We seek here to characterize the effects of three gangliosides, the dominant anionic lipids in the outer leaflet of the plasma membrane, on the aggregation, structure, and toxicity of hIAPP. Our results show a dual behavior that depends on the molar ratio between the gangliosides and hIAPP. For each ganglioside, a low‐lipid:peptide ratio enhances hIAPP aggregation and alters the morphology of hIAPP fibrils, while a high ratio eliminates aggregation and stabilizes an α‐helix‐rich hIAPP conformation. A more negative lipid charge more efficiently promotes aggregation, and a larger lipid headgroup improves inhibition of aggregation. hIAPP also alters the phase transitions of the lipids, favoring spherical micelles over larger tubular micelles. We discuss our results in the context of the available lipid surface area for hIAPP binding and speculate on a role for gangliosides in facilitating toxic hIAPP aggregation.
Allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis in Schizophyllum commune with positive Aspergillus‐specific IgE antibodies: A case report
Authors: Takahashi Hiroshi , Hamakawa Masamitsu , Ishida Tadashi , Watanabe Akira
Published: July 2024

Schizophyllum commune is the third most common causative fungus of allergic bronchopulmonary mycosis(ABPM). Two‐thirds of ABPM caused by S. commune can be positive for Aspergillus fumigatus‐specific IgE, which can be difficult to diagnose. Our patient presented to our hospital with wet cough for 3 months and chest pain for 3 days. Blood tests showed IgE 1522 IU/mL, eosinophils 688/mm3, A. fumigatus ‐specific IgE 2.24 UA/mL, and chest computed tomography showed high‐attenuation mucus. Bronchoscopy showed mucus plugs and speculum examination showed filamentous fungi, but various culture tests did not detect A. fumigatus, Asp f 1‐specific IgE was negative, and S. commune was detected in the culture of bronchial washing. Since he was positive for S. commune‐specific IgE and IgG, he diagnosed ABPM caused by S. commune. These findings demonstrate the importance of identifying the causative fungus in ABPM by detailed examination.
Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole acute respiratory distress syndrome requiring lung transplantation
Authors: Donnan Matthew , Siemienowicz Miranda , Tay Hui Sien , McLean Catriona , Philpot Steve , Mason Chris , Snell Greg , Glaspole Ian , Stirling Rob G.
Published: July 2024

Trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole (TMP‐SMX) acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a rare, but severe complication of a commonly prescribed antibiotic. TMP‐SMX typically affects young, otherwise well patients with a specific human leukocyte antigen type (HLA‐B*07:02 and HLA‐C*07:02). The condition is poorly understood with a unique pathological appearance and mechanism that remains unclear. Mortality rate is greater than one third. We describe the case of a previously well 18‐year‐old woman treated with a prolonged course of TMP‐SMX for a complex urinary tract infection who developed rapidly progressive respiratory failure requiring prolonged intensive care admission, extra‐corporeal membranous oxygenation, and eventual lung transplantation. No targeted treatment exists, further research is required to better understand disease pathogenetic mechanisms and potential therapeutic interventions.
The effect of trapping on the migration and survival of Atlantic salmon smolts
Authors: Sortland Lene Klubben , Jepsen Niels , Kennedy Richard , Koed Anders , del Villar‐Guerra Diego , Lennox Robert J. , Birnie‐Gauvin Kim , Aarestrup Kim
Published: July 2024

Electronic tags are often used to track the freshwater‐marine migrations of smolts, where smolts are captured for tagging pre‐migration (e.g., via electrofishing) or during‐migration (e.g., via traps). Pre‐migration capture allows smolts to initiate and complete their downstream migration unhindered, but risks smolt loss before the migration commences. The contrary is the case for during‐migration trap‐caught smolts, but trapping smolts temporarily halts their seaward journey which may negatively impact their progress. This study investigated the effect of trapping on the behaviour and survival of migrating Atlantic salmon (Salmo Salar) smolts using acoustic telemetry. We compared the movements and survival of smolts tagged before the smolt run captured by electrofishing (“comparator”) with smolts trapped and tagged during the smolt run (“trapped”). A total of 478 smolts were tagged and released in River Skjern (2020 and 2022), Denmark, and 82 smolts in River Ballycastle (2022), Northern Ireland, and their seaward movements were monitored using acoustic receivers deployed in the river, fjord, and coastal area. In River Skjern in 2022, comparator smolts migrated earlier than trapped smolts, likely because these constituted more of the larger‐sized, earlier migrating individuals. We found no differences in descent trajectories, diel patterns, progression rates, or survival between trapped smolts and comparator smolts in any of the rivers or study years. Thus, our results support the use of during‐migration trapping as a low‐impact method to capture smolts for telemetry studies, with trapped samples (if held <24 h) yielding comparable results in terms of behaviour and survival with non‐delayed pre‐migration tagged fish.
Clay soil amendment suppressed microbial enzymatic activities while increasing nitrogen availability in sandy soils
Authors: Poudel Pratima , Ye Rongzhong , Parajuli Binaya
Published: July 2024

Conservation management practices often produced positive but limited desirable outcomes in US Southeast sandy soils, likely due to their intrinsically low clay contents that constrain the soil's capacity to preserve organic carbon (C) and nutrients. In the field, we tested the effectiveness of a novel approach, that is, clay soil amendment, to improve sandy soils. In October 2017, clay‐rich soils (25% clay) were spread at 25 metric tons ha−1 and tilled onto a sandy soil (1.9% clay) in the field, which was further mixed by light tillage at 0‐ to 15‐cm depth, followed by planting winter cover crop mixtures (cereal rye, crimson clover, and winter pea). The crop rotation was cotton and corn with cover crop mixtures planted in the winter fallow season. Soils (0–15 cm) were collected in August 2021 and subjected to physio‐biochemical analyses. Clay amendment increased soil clay content to 3.4%, which improved nitrogen (N) availability by 51% but inhibited the activities of C (β‐d‐cellubiosidase [CB]; β‐xylosidase [BX]; N‐acetyl‐β‐glucosaminidase [NAG]) and N (leucine aminopeptidase [LAP]) cycling enzymes, resulting in up to 78% reduction in microbial respiration. A follow‐up kinetic study on BG and LAP enzymes suggested that clay addition can have different impacts on enzymes with diverse biological origins through distinct mechanisms. Clay addition can potentially improve sandy soils by stabilizing the organic inputs in soils. However, more research is required to understand its long‐term impacts making this approach practical.
Recent Advances of Bio‐Based Hydrogel Derived Interfacial Evaporator for Sustainable Water and Collaborative Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Chen Jiachuan , Wang Xiaofa , Wang Baobin , Wu Ting , Zhang Lei , Zhang Kai , Fang Guigan , Wang Yueying , Zhao Yu , Yang Guihua
Published: July 2024

Solar interfacial evaporation strategy (SIES) has shown great potential to deal with water scarcity and energy crisis. Biobased hydrogel derived interfacial evaporator can realize efficient evaporation due to the unique structure‐ properties relationship. As such, increasing studies have focused on water treatment or even potential accompanying advanced energy storage applications with respect of efficiency and mechanism of bio‐based hydrogel derived interfacial evaporation from microscale to molecular scale. In this review, the interrelationship between efficient interfacial evaporator and bio‐based hydrogel is first presented. Then, special attention is paid on the inherent molecular characteristics of the biopolymer related to the up‐to‐date studies of promising biopolymers derived interfacial evaporator with the objective to showcase the unique superiority of biopolymer. In addition, the applications of the bio‐based hydrogels are highlighted concerning the aspects including water desalination, water decontamination atmospheric water harvesting, energy storage and conversion. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives are given to unveil the bottleneck of the biobased hydrogel derived SIES in sustainable water and other energy storage applications.
C─H Activation Enables the Construction of New Bis‐Polyaryl Phenylpyridine Ruthenium Complexes: Conjugation and Rigidity Synergistic Effect for Advanced Electrochemiluminescence
Authors: Malik Fazal , Sun Yuzhu , Lv Huiping , Yan Yuting , Masota Magoti , Chen Mingyue , Ji Hongfei , Zhang Libing , Dang Yanfeng , Zhang Ruizhong , Huang Jianhui
Published: July 2024

The access to bench‐stable organometallic compounds unfolds new chemical space for medicinal and material sciences. In particular, stable organoruthenium compounds with constitutional and stereoisomeric forms for subtle regulation of electrochemiluminescence are intriguing and challenging. Here, coordination of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons on (2‐phenylpyridine)2(CO)2Ru complex allows access to bis‐polyaryl phenylpyridine (BPP) Ruthenium complex through C─H activation strategy and coupling reactions for installation of the functionalities with steric and electronic purposes. The photoluminescence and electrochemiluminescence of BPP Ru complexes are affected by the actual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons inherent properties. The anthracene derivatized BPP Ru complex (BPP‐Ant) shows the best ECL performance and reveals an enormous ECL quantum efficiency of 1.6‐fold higher than the golden standard Ru(bpy)32+. The unprecedentedly high efficiency is due to the best compromise between the structural conjugation and molecular rigidity from BPP‐Ant providing a providential energy gap that facilitated the feasibility of electron transfer and favored the radiative energy release by experimentally and DFT calculations. Moreover, PL and spooling ECL spectroscopies are used to track and link multiple emission peaks of BPP‐Ant at 445, 645, and 845 nm to different emissive species. These discoveries will add a new member to the efficient ECL ruthenium complex family and bring more potentials.
Microporous Cobalt Ferrite with Bio‐Carbon Loosely Decorated to Construct Multi‐Functional Composite for Dye Adsorption, Anti‐Bacteria and Electromagnetic Protection
Authors: Ma Guojuan , Lan Di , Zhang Yi , Sun Xiyuan , Jia Zirui , Wu Guanglei , Bu Guixian , Yin Pengfei
Published: July 2024

Currently, facing electromagnetic protection requirement under complex aqueous environments, the bacterial reproduction and organic dye corrosion may affect the composition and micro‐structures of absorbers to weaken their electromagnetic properties. To address such problems, herein, a series of CoFe2O4@BCNPs (cobalt ferrite @ bio‐carbon nanoparticles) composites are synthesized via co‐hydrothermal and calcining process. The coupling of magnetic cobalt ferrite and dielectric bio‐carbon derived from Apium can endow the composite multiple absorption mechanisms and matched impedance for effective microwave absorption, attaining a bandwidth of 8.12 GHz at 2.36 mm and an intensity of −49.85 dB at 3.0 mm. Due to the ROS (reactive oxygen species) stimulation ability and heavy metal ions of cobalt ferrite, the composite realizes an excellent antibacterial efficiency of 99% against Gram negative bacteria of Escherichia coli. Moreover, the loose porous layer of surface stacked bio‐carbon can promote the adsorption of methylene blue for subsequent eliminating, a high removal rate of 90.37% for organic dye can be also achieved. This paper offers a new insight for rational design of composite's component and micro‐structure to construct multi‐functional microwave absorber for satisfying the electromagnetic protection demand in complicated environments.
Aligning technical knowledge to an industry domain in global software development: A systematic mapping
Authors: de Campos Vitor , David José Maria N. , Ströele Victor , Braga Regina
Published: July 2024

Finding software developers with expertise in specific technologies that align with industry domains is an increasingly critical requirement. However, due to the ever‐changing nature of the technology industry, locating these professionals has become a significant challenge for companies and institutions. This research presents a comprehensive overview of studies exploring suitable recommendation systems that can assist companies in addressing this pressing need. To conduct this study, we employ a hybrid systematic mapping approach with an initial number of 1,251 studies and a final selection of 21 studies. Our work focuses on collecting data on key technologies, methodologies, and data sets utilized in proposed recommendation systems, to design a new recommendation system that can effectively identify specialists capable of aligning specific technical knowledge with industry domains. The outcomes of this study include insights into the current research trends in this field, alongside a practical overview of considerations necessary for developing a recommendation system that successfully meets the criteria for aligning technical skills with industry domains. By following a hybrid systematic mapping methodology and presenting the outcomes in the form of insights, this research addresses the challenge of finding software developers with domain‐specific expertise in a rapidly changing technology industry, laying the groundwork for aligning technical skills with industry domains.
AuBr3 Induces CsPb(Br/I)3 QDs to Self‐Assemble into Nanowires
Authors: Mu Shouying , He Ye , Wang YueLi , Chen Wei , Lv Chunyan , Liang Xiaojuan , Xiang Weidong , Chen Zhaopin
Published: July 2024

Perovskite quantum dots can form various forms such as nanowires, nanorods, and nanosheets through self‐assembly. Nanoscale self‐assembly can be used to fabricate materials with excellent device properties. This study introduces AuBr3 into CsPb(Br/I)3 quantum dots, causing them to assemble into nanowires. The nanowires form because part of Au3+ is surface‐doped to replace Pb2+, and the [PbX6]4− octahedral structure is distorted. The symmetry of the structural surface is broken, and a dipole‐moment‐induced field is generated, thus promoting self‐assembly. Moreover, the presence of Au nanoparticles (NPs) causes a localized surface plasmon resonance and generates strong van der Waals forces that promote self‐assembly. Finally, to test other applications of perovskite nanowires, the solution method is used to prepare films by compounding the sample solution and polystyrene (PS) for backlighted displays.
Stabilizing Solution–Substrate Interaction of Perovskite Ink on PEDOT:PSS for Scalable Blade Coated Narrow Bandgap Perovskite Solar Modules by Gas Quenching
Authors: Siegrist Severin , Kurisinkal Pious Johnpaul , Lai Huagui , Kothandaraman Radha Krishnan , Luo Jincheng , Vlnieska Vitor , Tiwari Ayodhya Nath , Fu Fan
Published: July 2024

The development of scalable 1.25 eV mixed Pb–Sn perovskite solar modules by blade coating lags behind Pb‐based perovskites due to limited understanding of solution–substrate interaction of the perovskite ink on PEDOT:PSS and subsequent gas quenching. To address this challenge, the wet film deposition and quenching process to better understand narrow bandgap perovskite film formation on PEDOT:PSS are studied. It is found that the wetting of Pb–Sn perovskite ink on PEDOT:PSS is highly unstable over relevant coating time scales, causing the contact angles to decrease rapidly from 42° to 16° within seconds. This instability leads to localized irregularities in the wet film, resulting in uneven solvent extraction and inhomogeneous nuclei density. As a result, rough perovskite films with voids at the buried interface are obtained. To overcome this problem, a quasistatic wetting process by reducing the blade coating speed is developed, thereby stabilizing the wetting behavior of Pb–Sn perovskite precursor ink on PEDOT:PSS. This optimized process facilitates the deposition of high‐quality, void‐free Pb–Sn perovskite films with uniform thickness over 8 cm of coating length using moderate (1.4 bar) N2 quenching. 20% efficient narrow bandgap perovskite solar cells and minimodules with 15.8% active area efficiency on 15.9 cm2 are achieved.
Platelet transfusion prior to major surgery in a thrombocytopenic dog
Authors: Thompson Layla , Raszplewicz Joanna , Smith Matthew
Published: July 2024

Fresh platelet concentrate (FPC) is described as the product of choice for the control of bleeding due to severe thrombocytopenia and has recently become commercially available in the UK. We report a successful, prophylactic FPC transfusion when given in combination with tranexamic acid prior to fracture repair in a 4‐year‐old Whippet. The patient presented with right radial and ulnar fractures and severe thrombocytopenia (platelet count 23 × 109/L). Viscoelastic coagulation monitoring (VCM) revealed coagulopathy, with prolonged clot formation times, but other coagulation parameters were within normal limits. One unit (65 mL) of FPC was given pre‐operatively. The dog underwent surgery without excessive bleeding and experienced no complications. Post‐transfusion VCM showed improved clot formation and clot strength. Transfusion of FPC in combination with tranexamic acid increased this dog's ability to clot, suggesting that it is an effective perioperative therapy for severely thrombocytopenic patients requiring urgent surgery.
Storm Ciarán's effect on the boiling point of water in the southeast of the United Kingdom
Authors: Harrison Giles , Bennett Alec , Miller Caleb , Bullock David
Published: July 2024

The spatial atmospheric pressure field due to Storm Ciarán is investigated in the south‐east of the UK at high temporal and spatial resolution using data from roadside sites. During Ciarán’s passage, a reduction in the boiling point of water was measured at Reading, from which a wider effect on the boiling point of water associated with Ciarán was calculated for the populated regions of the southeast and London. For many people in this region on 2 November 2023, the boiling point of water at breakfast time would have been below the recommended temperature range for optimal brewing of tea.
Insights into metachronal propulsion's influence on Ellis fluid flow across tri‐layers amid dynamic thermal transport: Theoretical study
Authors: Shaheen Sidra , Arain Muhmmad Bilal , Ijaz Nouman , Duraihem Faisal Z. , Hu Junhui
Published: July 2024

Cilia‐based therapies are emerging for treating ciliopathies, such as inhalable drugs to propel mucus out of the lungs of patients with cystic fibrosis. This has motivated scientists and researchers to investigate cilia motion mechanics and viscoelastic fluid properties for biomedical engineering applications and disease treatments. In line with the diverse biological implications, this study focuses on the mass and heat transfer flow of tri‐layered non‐Newtonian fluids propelled by ciliary beating in a cylindrical tube. The fluid remains incompressible, with distinct layers that do not mix. The study considers the impact of mass and heat transfer in three distinct regimes, ensuring continuity at the interfaces. Mathematical modeling incorporating the lubrication approximation, small Reynolds number, and long wavelength approximation is employed for simplification. The resulting differential equations, along with boundary conditions, yield accurate solutions for temperature, velocity, and concentration fields in the three fluid layers and are discussed graphically. Key findings demonstrate that velocity and temperature fields are most pronounced in the inner fluid layer (PCL), while the concentration profile is most prominent in the outer layers (ACL), with moderate behavior in the central region. The implications of this research extend to diverse fields, including mucus clearance from the respiratory tract, microfluidics, esophageal transport, biofluid mechanics, and other areas of physiology. The insights gained from this study have promising applications in developing new treatments and biomedical engineering solutions.
Analysis of chemical characteristics of engine‐oil‐based Prandtl hybrid nanofluid flow
Authors: Awan Aziz Ullah , Qayyum Sidra , Nadeem Sohail , Ahammad N. Ameer , Gepreel Khaled A. , Alharthi Mohammed , Alosaimi Moataz
Published: July 2024

The literature showed that an empirical experiment creates another part of exploration that has been made in the field of thermal science, such that today, modern researchers are more directed to utilize hybrid types of nanoparticles due to their efficient thermal conductivity compared to single nanoparticles. The study of the hybrid flow of nanofluid is essential in many scientific and industrial arguments, such as power generation, medical equipment, oil refineries, and so forth. Furthermore, it has distinctive features to advance the expertise of their energy sources and cooling methodologies. Incentives by this research postulation: The significant objective of this investigation is to design a mathematical model of Prandtl hybrid nano liquid flow over a Riga plate when nanoparticles of aluminum alloys (AA7072 and AA7075) are suspended in engine oil. Mixed convection, activation energy, and heat radiation are also considered. The nanomaterial is modeled using a modified Buongiorno model that considers the functional qualities of hybrid nanofluids. The simulated PDEs are converted into a collection of nonlinear ODEs with appropriate and relevant similarity transformations, which are numerically addressed using finite‐difference‐oriented bvp4c procedure in MATLAB. Graphs and tables are used to evaluate and show the impacts of different factors on velocity, temperature, concentration fields, skin friction number, and Nusselt number. The velocity profile develops with the enhancement of Prandtl fluid parameters. With the increment in the magnetic parameter, both temperature and concentration profiles improve, but in the case of the Brownian motion parameter, the concentration profile declines. In terms of heat transfer, hybrid nanofluids outperform ordinary nanofluids. The current results provide an equitable contrast against the results that already exist.
Empires of the Mind
Authors: Lopes Carlos
Published: July 2024

The colonial experience has profoundly marked both Europe and Africa, the coloniser and the colonised. From the start of the scramble for Africa in the fifteenth century, African culture, language, identity, and agency have been systematically minimised and discounted while European supremacy has been amplified. This has set a tone that has persisted as the two struggle to achieve an equitable partnership. To this day, the language used by African and European leaders, writers, and influencers reflects that many are trapped in an outdated worldview that masks the true colonial legacy.

It takes conscious work to do away with the heavy presence of colonial narratives and perceptions. This chapter reviews the works of many scholars who have attempted to do just this. From seminal books such as Born in Blackness (French, Born in Blackness: Africa, Africans, and the Making of the Modern World, 1471 to the Second World War, 2021), African Europeans (Otele, African European: An Untold History, 2020), and The EU and Africa (Adebajo & Whiteman, 2012) to others that frame the discussion in terms of the historical reasons for continuity in the stigmatisation of Africa, this chapter seeks to capture some of the critical insights of those who can help us construct a new narrative. Frantz Fanon’s and Amilcar Cabral’s theories on decolonising minds are also mentioned. Additionally, references to the current post-colonial academic debates are included.
A Survey of Mathematical Modeling of Hormonal Contraception and the Menstrual Cycle
Authors: Zhao Lihong , Kim Ruby , Oremland Lucy S. , Chowkwale Mukti , Pillis Lisette G. de , Brooks Heather Z.
Published: July 2024

In this survey, we review the current state of the art in mathematical modeling of the menstrual cycle. We compare and contrast different modeling choices and the benefits and limitations of various models. We investigate the sensitivity of these models to variations in parameter values, highlighting that these models display particular sensitivity to the growth rate of the reserve pool of follicular stimulating hormone. We also describe the incorporation of time delays in the model equations and discuss the ways in which these delays reflect the biological system and impact the dynamics. We explore the qualitative effects that introducing exogenous hormones into these models plays on inducing a contraceptive state. Through our comparative study of these models, we are able to highlight important areas of future work in the mathematical modeling of hormonal contraception and the menstrual cycle.
Deconstructing the Contributions of Heterogeneity to Combination Treatment of Hormone-Sensitive Breast Cancer
Authors: Linn Samantha , Moore-Ott Jenna A. , Shuttleworth Robyn , Zhang Wenjing , Craig Morgan , Jenner Adrianne L.
Published: July 2024

Combination therapies are fundamental to cancer treatments, including in breast cancer, which is the most common invasive malignancy in women. Breast cancer treatment is determined based on molecular subtypes. Since 2016, combination palbociclib and fulvestrant has been used to treat hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. However, the impact of heterogeneity of the tumor landscape and tumor composition dynamics on scheduling decisions remains poorly understood. To elucidate the contributions of variability at multiple scales to treatment outcomes in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, we developed a simple mathematical model of two unique estrogen receptor-positive (ER$$+$$
+
) breast cancer cell types and their responses to combination treatment with palbociclib and fulvestrant. We used this model to understand how the initial fraction of either cell type may impact the fraction remaining after treatment and examined how heterogeneity in pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics results in a large distribution of outcomes. Our results suggest that the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of fulvestrant were the major drivers of final tumor size and composition. We then leveraged our model to guide therapeutic scheduling of combination palbociclib and fulvestrant, demonstrating the use of mathematical modeling to improve our understanding of cancer biology and treatments.
Argumentation-Based Probabilistic Causal Reasoning
Authors: Bengel Lars , Blümel Lydia , Rienstra Tjitze , Thimm Matthias
Published: July 2024

We introduce an argumentation-based approach for conducting probabilistic causal reasoning. For that, we consider Pearl’s causal models where causal relations are modelled via structural equations and a probability distribution over background atoms. The probability that some causal statement holds is then computed by constructing a probabilistic argumentation framework and determining its extensions. This framework can then be used to generate argumentative explanations for the (non-)acceptance of the causal statement. Furthermore, we present an argumentation-based version of the twin network method for dealing with counterfactuals. Finally, we show that our approach yields the same results for causal and counterfactual queries as Pearl’s model.
From Networks to Narratives: Bayes Nets and the Problems of Argumentation
Authors: Keshmirian Anita , Fuchs Rafael , Cao Yuan , Hartmann Stephan , Hahn Ulrike
Published: July 2024

Bayesian Belief Networks (BBNs) are gaining traction in practical fields such as law and medicine. Given this growing relevance, it is imperative to make Bayesian methodologies accessible to professionals in these fields, many of whom might lack formal training in probability calculus. Argumentation offers a promising avenue to achieve this. It serves a dual purpose: (i) generating an explanation of the important reasoning steps that occur in Bayesian inference and (ii) exploring the structure of complex problems, which can help to elicit a BBN representation. Since Bayesian probabilistic inference also provides clear normative criteria for argument quality, there is a tight conceptual connection between the argumentative structure of a problem and its representation as a BBN. The primary challenge is representing the argumentative structure that renders BBN inference transparent to non-experts. Here, we examine algorithmic approaches to extract argument structures from BBNs. We critically review three algorithms - each distinguished by its unique methodology in extracting and evaluating arguments. We show why these algorithms still fall short when it comes to elucidating intricate features of BBNs, such as “explaining away” [44] or other complex interactions between variables. We conclude by diagnosing the core issue and offering a forward-looking suggestion for enhancing representation in future endeavors.
Enhancing Argument Generation Using Bayesian Networks
Authors: Cao Yuan , Fuchs Rafael , Keshmirian Anita
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we examine algorithms that utilize factor graphs from Bayesian Belief Networks to generate and evaluate arguments. We assess their strengths and weaknesses, which leads to the creation of our improved algorithm that rectifies the issues that we identified. Our approach includes applying the original and modified algorithms to previously known networks to pose challenges in generating robust arguments for humans and computers. Our findings reveal significant improvements in the creation of more robust arguments. Moreover, we delve into the dynamics of argument interaction, offering detailed insight into the algorithms’ practical efficacy.
Are Large Language Models Reliable Argument Quality Annotators?
Authors: Mirzakhmedova Nailia , Gohsen Marcel , Chang Chia Hao , Stein Benno
Published: July 2024

Evaluating the quality of arguments is a crucial aspect of any system leveraging argument mining. However, it is a challenge to obtain reliable and consistent annotations regarding argument quality, as this usually requires domain-specific expertise of the annotators. Even among experts, the assessment of argument quality is often inconsistent due to the inherent subjectivity of this task. In this paper, we study the potential of using state-of-the-art large language models (LLMs) as proxies for argument quality annotators. To assess the capability of LLMs in this regard, we analyze the agreement between model, human expert, and human novice annotators based on an established taxonomy of argument quality dimensions. Our findings highlight that LLMs can produce consistent annotations, with a moderately high agreement with human experts across most of the quality dimensions. Moreover, we show that using LLMs as additional annotators can significantly improve the agreement between annotators. These results suggest that LLMs can serve as a valuable tool for automated argument quality assessment, thus streamlining and accelerating the evaluation of large argument datasets .
The Impact of Argument Arrangement on Essay Scoring
Authors: Knaebel René , Schaefer Robin , Stede Manfred
Published: July 2024

We study the question to what extent the task of predicting the quality of student essays can be supported with computing “flows” of semantic types of argumentative units. Specifically, we use tagsets for claim and premise types that were recently applied to the Argument Annotated Essays corpus (AAE; Stab/Gurevych 2017) by Schaefer et al (2023). We train argument component and semantic type classification models on AAE and then use them to label the essays in two corpora that have numeric essay ratings, viz. FEEDBACK/PERSUADE and ICLE. We train linear classification models on flow features and find that flows of our semantic types are a better predictor for essay quality (in a simplified, good/bad dichotomy) than flows of coarse argument components (major claim, claim, premise). Finally, we calculate feature impact and perform a qualitative inspection, which shows some tendencies for pattern occurrence in the two essay classes.
Incoherent diffractive dijet production and gluon Bose enhancement in the nuclear wave function
Authors: Kar Tiyasa , Kovner Alexander , Li Ming , Skokov Vladimir V.
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We investigate the effect of gluon Bose enhancement in the nuclear wave function on the dijet production in incoherent diffractive processes in DIS and ultraperipheral collisions. We demonstrate that Bose enhancement leads to an enhancement of diffractive dijet production cross section when the transverse momenta of the two jets are aligned at zero relative angle. This enhancement is maximal when the magnitude of the transverse momenta of the two jets are equal, and disappears rather quickly as a function of the ratio of the two momenta. We study both the dilute limit and fully nonlinear dense regime where the nuclear wave function is evolved with the leading order JIMWLK equation. In both cases we observe a visible effect, with it being enhanced by the evolution due to the dynamical generation of the color neutralization scale.
Comparison of fatalities due to COVID-19 and other nonexternal causes during the first five pandemic waves
Authors: Buschner Andrea , Katz Katharina , Beyerlein Andreas
Published: July 2024

Background

Older age is a risk factor for a fatal course of SARS-CoV‑2 infection, possibly due to comorbidities whose exact role in this context, however, is not yet well understood. In this paper, the characteristics and comorbidities of persons who had died of COVID-19 in Bavaria by July 2022 are shown and compared with the characteristics of other fatalities during the pandemic.

Methods

Based on data from multiple cause of death statistics, odds ratios for dying from COVID-19 (compared to dying from other nonexternal causes of death) were calculated by using logistic regression models, stratified by age, sex, and pandemic waves.

Results

In Bavaria, a total of 24,479 persons (6.5% of all deaths) officially died from COVID-19 between March 2020 and July 2022. In addition to increasing age and male sex, preexisting diseases and comorbidities such as obesity, degenerative diseases of the nervous system, dementia, renal insufficiency, chronic lower respiratory diseases, and diabetes mellitus were significantly associated with COVID-19–related deaths. Dementia was mainly associated with increased COVID-19 mortality during the first and second waves, while obesity was strongly associated during the fourth wave.

Discussion

The frequency of specific comorbidities in COVID-19 deaths varied over the course of the pandemic. This suggests that wave-specific results also need to be interpreted against the background of circulating virus variants, changing immunisation levels, and nonpharmaceutical interventions in place at the time.
Time to bury the chisel: a continuous dorsal association tract system
Authors: van den Hoven Emiel , Reisert Marco , Musso Mariacristina , Glauche Volkmar , Rijntjes Michel , Weiller Cornelius
Published: July 2024

The arcuate fasciculus may be subdivided into a tract directly connecting frontal and temporal lobes and a pair of indirect subtracts in which the fronto-temporal connection is mediated by connections to the inferior parietal lobe. This tripartition has been advanced as an improvement over the centuries-old consensus that the lateral dorsal association fibers form a continuous system with no discernible discrete parts. Moreover, it has been used as the anatomical basis for functional hypotheses regarding linguistic abilities. Ex hypothesi, damage to the indirect subtracts leads to deficits in the repetition of multi-word sequences, whereas damage to the direct subtract leads to deficits in the immediate reproduction of single multisyllabic words. We argue that this partitioning of the dorsal association tract system enjoys no special anatomical status, and the search for the anatomical substrates of linguistic abilities should not be constrained by it. Instead, the merit of any postulated partitioning should primarily be judged on the basis of whether it enlightens or obfuscates our understanding of the behavior of patients in which individual subtracts are damaged.
Sex-related variability of white matter tracts in the whole HCP cohort
Authors: Herlin B. , Uszynski I. , Chauvel M. , Dupont S. , Poupon C.
Published: July 2024

Behavioral differences between men and women have been studied extensively, as have differences in brain anatomy. However, most studies have focused on differences in gray matter, while white matter has been much less studied. We conducted a comprehensive study of 77 deep white matter tracts to analyze their volumetric and microstructural variability between men and women in the full Human Connectome Project (HCP) cohort of 1065 healthy individuals aged 22–35 years. We found a significant difference in total brain volume between men and women (+ 12.6% in men), consistent with the literature. 16 tracts showed significant volumetric differences between men and women, one of which stood out due to a larger effect size: the corpus callosum genu, which was larger in women (+ 7.3% in women, p = 5.76 × 10–19). In addition, we found several differences in microstructural parameters between men and women, both using standard Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) parameters and more complex microstructural parameters from the Neurite Orientation Dispersion and Density Imaging (NODDI) model, with the tracts showing the greatest differences belonging to motor (cortico-spinal tracts, cortico-cerebellar tracts) or limbic (cingulum, fornix, thalamo-temporal radiations) systems. These microstructural differences may be related to known behavioral differences between the sexes in timed motor performance, aggressiveness/impulsivity, and social cognition.
New thermal insulating polyurethane biofoams based on cherry seed oil
Authors: Malewska Elżbieta , Pulit-Prociak Jolanta , Zielina Michał , Matyjasik Wiktoria , Hodacka Gabriela , Prociak Tomasz , Banach Marcin , Kurańska Maria , Prociak Aleksander
Published: July 2024

Cherry fruits were used in clean technologies for preparation of hydroxyl components applied in polyurethane foams. Polyphenols from cherry fruits helped to obtain a stable suspension of nanosilver particles dispersed in diethylene glycol, while cherry seeds constituted a renewable source of oil, which was transesterified into biopolyol. Such biocomponents containing nanosilver particles were applied to obtain open cell heat insulating polyurethane foams resistant to a fungus strain Candida albicans. The influence of nanosilver concentration in diethylene glycol, reaction temperature, and catalyst concentration on the biopolyols and the properties of the final foams were subjected to a statistical analysis. It was found that the following process conditions were crucial in obtaining the most desired foams (in terms of their physical and mechanical properties): the catalyst content—0.225%, the concentration of DEG with nanoAg—25%, temperature—188 °C. Such an approach allowed us to obtain open cell polyurethane foams in line with Green Chemistry rules.

Graphical abstract
Upgrading low-concentration oxygen-bearing coal bed methane by dual-reflux vacuum swing adsorption
Authors: Guo Yalou , Hu Guoping , Liu Liying , Wang Jian , Webley Paul A. , Li Gang Kevin
Published: July 2024

Fugitive methane (CH4) is a typical by-product of mining processes, which is commonly known as coal bed methane (CBM) or coal mine gas (CMG). The capture of these CH4 gases can simultaneously avoid greenhouse gas emissions and provide extra energy benefits. However, the explosion risk of low-concentration CBM (CH4 molar fraction ≤ 30%) requires strictly safe operating protocols to conduct the capture process. Dual reflux vacuum swing adsorption (DR-VSA) is a promising candidate with a vacuum operating condition which can lower the explosion risk and simultaneously reach CH4 enrichment and O2 removal targets in product and effluent streams. Herein, a low-concentration oxygen-bearing CBM (20% CH4, 16% O2 and 64% N2) can be upgraded to 69.7 mol% in the product gas while ensuring an effluent concentration of 2.5 mol% by the DR-VSA cycle using ionic liquidic zeolites (ILZ) as the adsorbents. A rigorous safety analysis has been conducted to investigate the explosion risk in the adsorption column and product tank, suggesting that the DR-VSA process is a safe technology for upgrading low-concentration oxygen-bearing methane.