bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
(Re)defining expert in science instruction: a community-based science approach to teaching
Authors: Gyles Symone A. , Clark Heather F.
Published: February 2024

Instructional practices in science education often create dichotomies of “expert” and “outsider” that produce distinct power differences in classrooms. Building upon the idea of “making present practice” to disrupt these binaries, this paper presents select findings from a year-long study investigating two urban teachers' use of community-based science (CBS) instructional practices to create relational shifts that reframe expert and expertise in science instruction. By examining how CBS instructional practices reframe power through co-learning experiences, our findings demonstrated that teachers positioned youth as knowledge constructors through three instructional practices: (a) creating space for students to share their knowledge and experiences, (b) positioning students’ lives and experiences as assets to/within science, and (c) being responsive to assets in future lessons. We use these findings to demonstrate how CBS instructional practices support shifts in relational dynamics by creating spaces of rightful presence, where students are viewed as legitimate classroom members who contribute scientific knowledge in practice and have power in the classroom space. By relinquishing traditional boundaries in science teaching to deconstruct ideas of who holds power, we position CBS instructional practices as a means to expand educational equity by legitimizing students’ diverse sensemaking and re-mediating hierarchical structures in classroom spaces.
Copper Metabolism and Cuproptosis: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Ban Xiao-xia , Wan Hao , Wan Xin-xing , Tan Ya-ting , Hu Xi-min , Ban Hong-xia , Chen Xin-yu , Huang Kun , Zhang Qi , Xiong Kun
Published: February 2024

Copper is an essential trace element, and plays a vital role in numerous physiological processes within the human body. During normal metabolism, the human body maintains copper homeostasis. Copper deficiency or excess can adversely affect cellular function. Therefore, copper homeostasis is stringently regulated. Recent studies suggest that copper can trigger a specific form of cell death, namely, cuproptosis, which is triggered by excessive levels of intracellular copper. Cuproptosis induces the aggregation of mitochondrial lipoylated proteins, and the loss of iron-sulfur cluster proteins. In neurodegenerative diseases, the pathogenesis and progression of neurological disorders are linked to copper homeostasis. This review summarizes the advances in copper homeostasis and cuproptosis in the nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases. This offers research perspectives that provide new insights into the targeted treatment of neurodegenerative diseases based on cuproptosis.
Dieback of managed spruce stands in western Germany promotes beetle diversity
Authors: Plath Eva , Trauth Chantal , Gerhards Jan , Griebel Laura , Fischer Klaus
Published: February 2024

Biodiversity loss is a significant problem at a global scale and may be amplified by climate change. In recent years, coniferous forests have had substantial dieback across Europe due to drought and subsequent bark-beetle outbreaks. As many studies on the consequences of disturbance and subsequent management have focused on natural stands, management implications for managed spruce stands are not well understood, even though such stands are widespread throughout Europe. In this study, beetle taxonomy, conservation value, and community composition are compared among spruce plantations and four post-disturbance management approaches: standing deadwood, lying deadwood, clear cuts, and long-term succession. Diversity and community composition differed significantly among management categories, while different beetle families responded similarly. Intact spruce stands harbored the lowest beetle diversity while the highest taxonomic diversity and conservation value was on clear cuts and stands with lying or standing deadwood. The proportion of forest specialists was highest in successional forests. In summary, different forest management categories harbored distinct beetle communities at the family-, species-, and ecological guild levels. Therefore, post-disturbance management should consider the landscape scale and include different management types. This enhances landscape heterogeneity and thus overall biodiversity but could also mitigate negative impacts of natural disturbances on ecosystem services.
Minimally invasive sacrocolpopexy: efficiency of robotic assistance compared to standard laparoscopy
Authors: Evangelopoulos Nikolaos , Nessi Aude , Achtari Chahin
Published: February 2024

Minimally invasive abdominal sacrocolpopexy (SC) is the treatment of choice for symptomatic, high-grade, apical or multi-compartmental pelvic organ prolapse (POP), in terms of anatomical correction and treatment durability. Robot-assisted sacrocolpopexy (RASC) could be an attractive alternative to the gold standard laparoscopic sacrocolpopexy (LSC), for its ergonomic advantages in such a technically demanding procedure. However, it has not yet proven its superiority, consequently raising cost-effectiveness issues. Our primary objective was to assess if RASC can achieve better overall operative time (OOT) over LSC, with at least equivalent perioperative results. This was a single-center retrospective study including 100 patients (58 consecutive RASC cases and 42 LSC within the same time-period), with primary endpoint the OOT in both groups. Secondary results included complication rate, hospital stay, short-term anatomic results and OOT within and beyond the RASC learning curve. A multivariate linear regression was carried out for our primary outcome. The groups had comparable characteristics, except for BMI, which was lower in RASC group. The mean OOT was significantly lower in the RASC group (188 vs. 217 min, p ≤ 0.01), even after adjusting for possible confounders. Short-term anatomic results, complication rate, and blood loss were similar in the two groups. Mean hospital stay was significantly longer in the RASC group. Average RASC OOT was significantly shorter after the first 20 cases realized. This study demonstrated a significant reduction of OOT for RASC compared to LSC, with similar perioperative results, encouraging further use of the robotic technology for this indication.
Design and evaluation of a smart passive dynamic arm support for robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery
Authors: Schrijvershof Pim , Rahimi A. Masie , Leone Nicola ,   EAES TC Robotics, Bloemendaal Alexander , Daams Freek , Arezzo Alberto , Mintz Yoav , Horeman Tim
Published: February 2024

Surgeons performing robotic-assisted laparoscopic surgery experience physical stress and overuse of shoulder muscles due to sub-optimal arm support during surgery. The objective is to present a novel design and prototype of a dynamic arm support for robotic laparoscopic surgery to evaluate its ergonomics and performance on the AdLap-VR simulation training device. The prototype was designed using the mechanical engineering design process: Technical requirements, concept creation, concept selection, 3D-design and built of the prototype. A crossover study was performed on a marble sorting task on the AdLap-VR. The first group performed four trials without the arm support, followed by four trials with the arm support, and the other group executed the sequence vice versa. The performance parameters used were time to complete (s), path length (mm), and the number of collisions. Afterward, the participants filled out a questionnaire on the ergonomic experience regarding both situations. 20 students executed 160 performed trials on the AdLap-VR Significant decreases in the subjective comfort parameters mental demand, physical demand, effort and frustration were observed as a result of introducing the novel arm support. Significant decreases in the objective performance parameters path length and the number of collisions were also observed during the tests. The newly developed dynamic arm support was found to improve comfort and enhance performance through increased stability on the robotic surgery skills simulator AdLap-VR.
An extension of localization operators
Authors: Boggiatto Paolo , Garello Gianluca
Published: February 2024

We review at first the role of localization operators as a meeting point of three different areas of research, namely: signal analysis, quantization and pseudo-differential operators. We extend then the correspondence between symbol and operator which characterizes localization operators to a more general situation, introducing the class of bilocalization operators. We show that this enlargement yields a quantization rule that is closed under composition. Some boundedness results are deduced both for localization and bilocalization operators. In particular for bilocalization operators we prove that square integrable symbols yield bounded operators on $$L^2$$

L
2

and that the class of bilocalization operators with integrable symbols is a subalgebra of bounded operators on every fixed modulation space.
Tebipenem and Sulopenem: Dynamic Duo or Double Trouble?
Authors: Mangum Blake R. , Pogue Jason M. , Barber Katie E.
Published: February 2024

Purpose of Review

Antimicrobial resistance is a growing threat to public health, leading to millions of antibiotic-resistant infections and thousands of deaths annually in the USA. One concerning issue is the rise of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Enterobacterales. Current treatments often involve intravenous carbapenems, leading to prolonged hospital stays and financial burdens.

Recent Findings

To address this, new oral penem agents, tebipenem and sulopenem, are being investigated. They are administered as prodrugs, enhancing bioavailability before becoming active in the gastrointestinal tract, potentially treating multidrug-resistant infections in outpatient settings. Despite promise in clinical trials, challenges exist, such as tebipenem’s renal excretion, requiring dose adjustments for kidney dysfunction. Additionally, sulopenem failed noninferiority margins in trials, and neither drug has established susceptibility testing standards.

Tebipenem and sulopenem offer potential oral solutions for antimicrobial resistance, especially in urinary tract infections, but further research is needed for optimal dosing and susceptibility testing.
Rapamycin Inhibits Senescence and Improves Immunomodulatory Function of Mesenchymal Stem Cells Through IL-8 and TGF-β Signaling
Authors: Sheppard Aaron J , Delgado Kristin , Barfield Ann Marie , Xu Qinqin , Massey Patrick A , Dong Yufeng , Barton Richard S
Published: February 2024

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) grown in high-density monolayers (sheets) are promising vehicles for numerous bioengineering applications. When MSC sheets are maintained in prolonged cultures, they undergo rapid senescence, limiting their downstream efficacy. Although rapamycin is a potential agent that can inhibit senescence in cell cultures, no study has investigated rapamycin’s effect on MSCs grown in high-density culture and its effect on downstream target gene expression. In this study, placental-derived MSCs (PMSCs) were seeded at high density to generate PMSC sheets in 24 hours and were then treated with rapamycin or vehicle for up to 7 days. Autophagy activity, cell senescence and apoptosis, cell size and granularity, and senescence-associated cytokines (IL-6 and IL-8) were analyzed. Differential response in gene expression were assessed via microarray analysis. Rapamycin significantly increased PMSC sheet autophagy activity, inhibited cellular senescence, decreased cell size and granularity at all timepoints. Rapamycin also significantly decreased the number of cells in late apoptosis at day 7 of sheet culture, as well as caspase 3/7 activity at all timepoints. Notably, while rapamycin decreased IL-6 secretion, increased IL-8 levels were observed at all timepoints. Microarray analysis further confirmed the upregulation of IL-8 transcription, as well as provided a list of 396 genes with 2-fold differential expression, where transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signaling were identified as important upregulated pathways. Rapamycin both decreased senescence and has an immunomodulatory action of PMSCs grown in sheet culture, which will likely improve the chemotaxis of pro-healing cells to sites of tissue repair in future bioengineering applications.

Graphical bstract
Emerging Functional Connections Between Metabolism and Epigenetic Remodeling in Neural Differentiation
Authors: Sánchez-Ramírez Edgar , Ung Thi Phuong Lien , Stringari Chiara , Aguilar-Arnal Lorena
Published: February 2024

Stem cells possess extraordinary capacities for self-renewal and differentiation, making them highly valuable in regenerative medicine. Among these, neural stem cells (NSCs) play a fundamental role in neural development and repair processes. NSC characteristics and fate are intricately regulated by the microenvironment and intracellular signaling. Interestingly, metabolism plays a pivotal role in orchestrating the epigenome dynamics during neural differentiation, facilitating the transition from undifferentiated NSC to specialized neuronal and glial cell types. This intricate interplay between metabolism and the epigenome is essential for precisely regulating gene expression patterns and ensuring proper neural development. This review highlights the mechanisms behind metabolic regulation of NSC fate and their connections with epigenetic regulation to shape transcriptional programs of stemness and neural differentiation. A comprehensive understanding of these molecular gears appears fundamental for translational applications in regenerative medicine and personalized therapies for neurological conditions.
Academic Knowledge on Quality of Life in Urban Africa: What Do We Know?
Authors: Jacobs Niké Susan , Cornelius Selna , Claassen Carike , Niesing Christi , Cilliers Juaneé Elizelle , Burger Roelof Petrus
Published: February 2024

Even though vague and contested, the construct of the quality of life can play an important role in gauging the success of spatial governance. It is present in most spatial policy objectives and many scholars describe it as the ultimate goal of spatial governance. The question remains, however, whether the construct of the quality of life is explored in sufficient depth to understand its practical relevance within widely divergent African contexts. Africa is notorious for its low levels of life quality and many scholars argue that research on its difficulties is not focalized and conclusions are too often drawn without truly considering the unique African context. To discover the extent of the current knowledge base on African life quality, African-specific case study research was identified and analyzed. A systematic literature review was conducted following the textual narrative synthesis approach. The analysis revealed a geographically sparsely distributed knowledge base of urban African quality of life. Further to this, a wide variety of research themes were identified, ranging from socio-economic, physical, and environmental characteristics to strategic planning and sustainable development. This sparsely distributed knowledge base, along with the wide variety of research themes and the undefined nature of the quality of life, makes it difficult to compare the case studies. The paper, subsequently, calls for further case study research to enable a true understanding of the association and meaning of quality of life within the African context that would ultimately support appropriate development of measurements in urban Africa.
Effect of Rim and Web Thickness on Tooth Root Stress of Spur Gear
Authors: Park Jung-Ho , Chung Woo-Jin , Park Young-Jun , Kim Heung-Sub , Seo Jin Beom , Park Jong Sang
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the impact of spur gear rim and web thickness on root stress. A finite-element analysis model (FEM) was utilized and validated through a gear-bending test. Four gears with different rim and web specifications, including a solid gear, were designed and tested using strain gages to measure their root stress. The 3D FEM was validated by comparing the measured root stresses with that analyzed by the developed FEM. Using this model, a parametric study was conducted by varying the web position, pressure angle, and module to investigate the effect of the backup ratio on the root stress ratio of the gear. A stress-ratio map was generated based on the results. This stress-ratio map was compared with the rim thickness factor ($${Y}_{B}$$

Y
B

) for external spur gears specified in ISO 6336-3. The comparison reveals that the rim thickness factor specified in ISO 6336 is overly conservative compared to values obtained in this study. Our results suggest that the thickness of both the rim and web should be considered to reduce the weight of spur gears. These findings can be applied to the design of lightweight spur gears.
An Investigation of Tufa Microbialites in the Terrestrial Ecosystem of Adilcevaz (Bitlis) According to the Conservation Approach
Authors: Çiltepe Fırat , Uzun Alper
Published: February 2024

Due to their rarity, scientific, and aesthetic value, or being a part of an important geological process, some natural formations (like calc tufa) on Earth have to be protected. While the formation and development processes of the microbialites in Lake Van continue, the microbiolites in Adilcevaz remained outside the lake and became fossils. These structures are arranged approximately 200 m wide and 800 m long, reaching heights of 6 m in places. In this study, the area where the Adilcevaz tufa microbialites, surviving to the present day as a remnant of the level change stages of Lake Van as well as their aesthetic appearance and scientific importance, was evaluated according to the conservation approach. Phenomenology research design, one of the qualitative research designs, was used in the study. Although the research is basically a field study, secondary sources were used and face-to-face interviews were conducted. The semi-structured interview technique, one of the qualitative research techniques, was used for the interviews that were held with the participants on the basis of pre-prepared questionnaire forms. Following the interviews, the data were evaluated with descriptive and interpretive analyzes. As a result of the field observations and interviews, the area was suggested to be evaluated as a “natural monument” to protect it and carry out activities for tourism purposes. It is understood that the area has an important potential in terms of ecotourism, and should be proposed to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List together with the Lake Van microbialites, the largest microbialites in the world.
Statistical Methods for Selective Biomarker Testing
Authors: Ding A. Adam , DelRocco Natalie , Wu Samuel S.
Published: February 2024

Biomarkers are critically important tools in modern clinical diagnosis, prognosis, and classification/prediction. However, there are fiscal and analytical barriers to biomarker research. Selective Genotyping is an approach to increasing study power and efficiency where individuals with the most extreme phenotype (response) are chosen for genotyping (exposure) in order to maximize the information in the sample. In this article, we describe an analogous procedure in the biomarker testing landscape where both response and biomarker (exposure) are continuous. We propose an intuitive reverse-regression least squares estimator for the parameters relating biomarker value to response. An expression for robust standard error and corresponding confidence interval are derived. A simulation study is used to demonstrate that this method is unbiased and efficient relative to estimates from random sampling when the joint normal distribution assumption is met, and to compare the estimator to an alternative under a related sampling design. We illustrate application of proposed methods on data from a chronic pain clinical trial.
pH and ionic liquids impacts on SiO2-nanoparticles for surface phenomena modifications for heavy acidic crude oil
Authors: Abbood Nabeel Kadhim , Al-Mayyahi Mohammad A. , Mehdipour Reza , Hosseini Seyednooroldin
Published: February 2024

The current study is designed and performed to examine the impact of a combinative method including the new class of surfactants from the ionic liquids (ILs) family (imidazolium type) and nanoparticles (NPs) namely silicon dioxide nanoparticles (SiO2-NPs). Besides, the effect of pH concomitant with the other parameters was examined since pH is an essential operating parameter especially if researchers dealing with a non-neutral type of crude oil. Unfortunately, although using chemicals is highly effective, there are limited investigations dealing with a new class of surfactants, NPs, and operating conditions such as pH. In other words, although there are several investigations dealing with alkaline, polymers, and surfactants, a few studies were performed to find the interactions between the new class of surfactants such as ILs, NPs (no matter metallic-based or nonmetallic-based type) and pH which can directly manipulate the in-situ surfactant formation which acts similarly to alkaline injection. In this way, two different surfactants namely 1-dodecyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([C12mim][Cl]), and 1-octadecyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([C18mim][Cl]) and SiO2-NPs with concentrations of 0–2000 ppm and 0–1000 ppm are used for interfacial tension (IFT) and wettability alteration investigations using heavy acidic crude oil. The measured IFT values revealed that increasing the surfactant concentration to 2000 ppm can reduce the IFT to the minimum value of 0.94 and 0.88 mN/m for [C12mim][C] and [C18mim][Cl], respectively. Besides, the measurements revealed that it is possible to reach the water-wet condition with contact angles of 81.3° and 74.5° for [C12mim][Cl] and [C18mim][Cl], respectively. Moreover, the measurements revealed that increasing the pH from 3 to 11 has a considerable effect on the IFT reduction and wettability alteration because of in-situ surfactant formation (reaction between the OH− and the functional group of the crude oil) which can act as a solution including alkaline in it. Finally, the IFT and contact angle were measured using 1000 and 500 ppm of [C12mim][Cl] and [C18mim][Cl] while the pH and SiO2-NPs concentrations ranged between 3–11 and 0–1000 ppm, respectively. The measurements revealed the significant impact of SiO2-NPs for reducing the IFT and changing the wetness of the rock surface with a minimum IFT value of 0.35 mN/m and contact angle of 23.3° (strongly water-wet condition). Considering the obtained results, it can be concluded that the proposed combinative method is highly applicable for higher oil production using the lab-scale equipment. The point is that the further systematic investigations are required since using combinative methods for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) purposes are still in the preliminary stages of their appearance.
Immersive Experience and Virtual Reality
Authors: Balcerak Jackson Magdalena , Balcerak Jackson Brendan
Published: February 2024

Much of the excitement about virtual reality and its potential for things like entertainment, art, education, and activism is its ability to generate experiences that are powerfully immersive. However, discussions of VR tend to invoke the notion of immersive experience without subjecting it to closer scrutiny; and discussions often take it for granted that immersive experience is a single unified phenomenon. Against this, we argue that there are four distinct types or aspects of immersive experience that should be distinguished: representational immersion, which corresponds roughly to what is sometimes called “psychological presence”; participatory immersion, which is related to the interactive aspects of VR experience; affective immersion, which has to do with the subject’s emotional relation to the experience; and narrative immersion, which captures the phenomenon of being caught up in the flow of events experienced. We argue that this four-way distinction helps us understand the powerfully immersive character of VR, while also recognizing its continuity with the immersion we experience with media such as novels, films, and music. We also argue that the account of immersion we offer here lets us better understand the connection between VR and empathy, charting a middle course between extreme enthusiasts who view VR as the ultimate “empathy machine” and extreme skeptics who argue that this attitude is misguided.
The role of multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic model of care in Lamb-Shaffer syndrome - case report
Authors: Sajewicz-Radtke Urszula , Łada-Maśko Ariadna , Lipowska Małgorzata , Radtke Bartosz M. , Lipska-Ziętkiewicz Beata S. , Krempla-Patron Katarzyna
Published: February 2024

This case study illustrates a multidisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic model of care for a 7-year-old male with Lamb–Shaffer syndrome (LAMSHF). LAMSHF is an ultra-rare genetic neurodevelopmental disorder, caused by heterozygous alterations in the SOX5 gene. An integrative model of therapy of cognitive functions and speech is described. The presented approach allows the development of language competences through stimulation of basic cognitive functions, which allows the learning of the abstract rules of an inflected language. A surprising, unexpected improvement in the cognitive functioning of the child was observed (both in terms of reasoning and speech), as well as an increase in his independence. The clinically important problem of the need for continued stimulation of cognitive development, in spite of the unfavourable prognosis associated with LAMSHF, is highlighted.
An Exploratory Study of a Brief Measure of Job Satisfaction in Pennsylvania School Psychologists
Authors: Crothers Laura M. , Steeves Taylor , Kolbert Jered B. , Schreiber James B. , Schmitt Ara J. , Drischler Brianna , Paulson Kelly , Cowley Jessica , Klass Amelia , Vafiadis Athena , Perfetto Kayla
Published: February 2024

In this exploratory study, we adapted items from a previously developed measure of job satisfaction, the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS), an instrument first developed for use with community nurses in the UK, to create a brief, 15-item instrument (Job Satisfaction—Brief) applicable to practitioners of school psychology from Pennsylvania (N = 94). In order to examine the underlying factor structures of the items adapted from the Measure of Job Satisfaction (MJS) instrument, exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was applied in the JAMOVI Version 2.3.19.0 with maximum likelihood estimation to be implemented for the ordered categorical scale. Two factors were extracted from the data: Factor One: Satisfaction with Intrapersonal Development and Clinical Accomplishment and Factor Two: Satisfaction with Advancement, Financial Compensation, and Rank. The uses for the measure and recommended future directions are discussed.
Improving academic performance predictions with dual graph neural networks
Authors: Huang Qionghao , Zeng Yan
Published: February 2024

Academic performance is a crucial issue in the field of Online learning analytics. While deep learning-based models have made significant progress in the era of big data, many of these methods need help to capture the complex relationships present in online learning activities and student attributes, which are essential for improving prediction accuracy. We present a novel model for predicting academic performance in this paper. This model harnesses the power of dual graph neural networks to effectively utilize both the structural information derived from interaction activities and the attribute feature spaces of students. The proposed model uses an interaction-based graph neural network module to learn local academic performance representations from online interaction activities and an attribute-based graph neural network to learn global academic performance representations from attribute features of all students using dynamic graph convolution operations. The learned representations from local and global levels are combined in a local-to-global representation learning module to generate predicted academic performances. The empirical study results demonstrate that the proposed model significantly outperforms existing methods. Notably, the proposed model achieves an accuracy of 83.96% for predicting students who pass or fail and an accuracy of 90.18% for predicting students who pass or withdraw on a widely recognized public dataset. The ablation studies confirm the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed techniques.
Can high-skilled Mexicans’ migration adopt a positive externality view under a stakeholders’ approach?
Authors: Salamanca Elizabeth , Alcaraz Jorge
Published: February 2024

One of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is the generation and transfer of knowledge that enhances productivity. High-skilled immigrants from emerging countries have become relevant players in alleviating the talent shortage developed countries face and providing them with continuous knowledge that promotes innovation and competitiveness. But to what extent does this knowledge generation occur at the expense of emerging economies’ development? This research explores the mechanisms that may favor the attainment of this SDG in migrants’ sending countries. Through the lenses of both the externalities and the stakeholders’ approach, it analyzes the case of highly skilled Mexicans migrating to the U.S. It suggests that these talented people can integrate brain chains that lessen the weaknesses of the home country’s national innovation system and foster Mexico’s absorptive capacities if they count on the support of the private sector and the academia and the indispensable endorsement of the home country government through the creation and execution of sensible public policies.
Optimisation of Vacuum Distillation Units in Oil Refineries Using Surrogate Models
Authors: H’ng Shi Xie , Ng Lik Yin , Ng Denny K. S. , Andiappan Viknesh
Published: February 2024

To ensure the optimum performance of downstream processes in a petrochemical refinery, the operation of a vacuum distillation unit (VDU) is critical. It needs to satisfy the yield and quality requirements of the downstream process. Otherwise, it will result in a loss of profitability in the refinery. Hence, it is important to optimise the operation of the VDU to ensure optimum performance. Traditionally, VDU is operated within the design envelope, and its operation condition is fine-tuned based on the operator’s experience. However, such action does not guarantee the optimum performance of the entire refinery as it only considers the operation of VDU without understanding the effects towards downstream processes. Therefore, this work presents a framework to optimise VDU operations with consideration of the downstream processes. The framework consists of process simulation, surrogate modelling, and multi-objective optimisation. The developed framework aims to determine trade-offs between high vacuum gas oil (HVGO) yield and total annualised cost (TAC) of a refinery that considers the needs of downstream operations. In this work, crude oil blending ratio, furnace outlet temperature, flash zone temperature, column top pressure, column bottom pressure, stripping steam flowrate, HVGO pump-around flowrate, and light vacuum gas oil (LVGO) pump-around flowrate of the VDU are to be optimised. Based on the optimised result, the heavy-light crude blend achieves higher HVGO yield and lower TAC, and the optimised results were validated with the simulation results via Aspen HYSYS. The proposed methodology was proven to have accurate estimations of the VDU operation in the process simulation environment. Moreover, the optimised results can provide insight into the optimal process conditions of VDU for the refiners. With this insight, effective operating strategies can be developed to overcome the limitations present in real VDU operations.
Overview of Medical and Biological Applications of Indium(III) Complexes
Authors: Ajiboye Timothy O. , Amao Isaac O. , Adeyemi Wale J. , Babalola Stephen O. , Akinsuyi Oluwamayowa S. , Ogunrombi Modupe O. , Ogunlaja Adeniyi S. , Mhlanga Sabelo D.
Published: February 2024

Indium(III) complexes are versatile species that emit Auger electrons which made them a choice for a wide range of biological and medical applications. The properties of these complexes depend on the primary ligand that was used for their syntheses. Herein, methods of synthesizing xanthates, dithiocarbamate, phthalocyanine, thiosemicarbazone and naphthalocyanine complexes of indium(III) are discussed. Also, the methods for synthesizing indium(III) complexes having other ligands are highlighted. Furthermore, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral potential of the indium(III) complexes are comprehensively discussed. Other biological applications of the complexes such as anticancer, bioimaging, radiopharmaceutical, photodynamic chemotherapy, antioxidants, and optical limiting applications of these indium(III) complexes are comprehensively reviewed. In addition, toxicity of indium(III) complexes towards biological samples are examined because these must be considered in evaluating the safety and efficacy of indium(III) complexes for these numerous applications. Overall, indium(III) complexes are reported to have displayed a good performance in all these biological and medical applications. The future perspectives on the applications of indium(III) complexes are therefore suggested.
Understanding Teachers’ Likelihood of Intervention in Bullying Situations: Testing the Theory of Planned Behavior
Authors: van Aalst Danelien A. E. , Huitsing Gijs , Veenstra René
Published: February 2024

Despite the expanding body of research on school bullying and interventions, knowledge of what makes teachers intervene in bullying situations remains limited. Based on the Theory of Planned Behavior, a theoretical framework that combined the predictive elements contributing to teachers’ likelihood of intervening was tested empirically. The model used teachers’ characteristics and behavior as predictors of their tendencies to identify, prevent, and reduce bullying. Survey data of 114 primary school teachers (Mage = 42 years, 87% female, 10 schools) and 66 secondary school teachers (Mage = 40 years, 44% female, 5 schools) were analyzed using multilevel regression models. Teachers’ attitudes (including perceived seriousness of bullying) and behavioral control (including attribution styles) were related to teachers’ likelihood of intervening in six hypothetical bullying situations. Two other main elements of the Theory of Planned Behavior (subjective norms, as measured with perceived collegial support) and the additional element of knowledge (about the distinguishing characteristics of bullying) were unrelated to the likelihood of intervention. These findings emphasize the importance of teachers’ attitudes and attribution styles to the likelihood of intervention. These can be emphasized in teacher training and anti-bullying programs to empower teachers more systematically.
Two Key Mechanisms of Large‐Scale Cross‐Shelf Penetrating Fronts in the East China Sea: Flow Convergence and Thermocline Undulation
Authors: He Zhiwei , Yang Dezhou , Yin Baoshu , Wu Hui
Published: February 2024

Cross‐shelf penetrating fronts (CPFs) induce significant cross‐shelf exchange of water properties and nutrients, and thus are important to coastal environments. In this study, the characteristics and mechanisms of realistic large‐scale CPFs in the East China Sea in summer were investigated based on a data assimilative model. The model reproduced CPFs matched well with satellite observations. Although the cross‐shelf currents were predominantly offshore off the Zhe‐Min Coast, only three strong large‐scale CPFs occurred in the summer of 2014. The three‐dimensional structure of CPF in the model was similar with that observed in previous research. Two different mechanisms were responsible for the formation of observed CPFs. Two CPFs formed as a result of the convergence of the Taiwan Warm Current (TWC) and the Zhe‐Min Coastal Current (ZMCC), while the other one was caused by the undulation of thermocline. Heat budget analysis suggests that the undulation of thermocline was caused by horizontal and vertical advection. Sensitivity experiments suggest that southerly wind relaxation and tidal forcing are indispensable conditions for CPF formation. Tidal forcing makes the axis of the ZMCC shift offshore by ∼50 km, so that the ZMCC could impinge right against the axis of the TWC. The relaxation of the southerly winds allows the ZMCC to extend southward. Southerly wind relaxation in summer is mostly associated with tropical cyclones. Without winds and synoptic variation of the TWC, CPFs form periodically due to the strengthening of the ZMCC during neap tide period.
High School and Undergraduate Student Volunteers as an Imperfect Solution to Machine Learning Geoscience Research Needs
Authors: Esenther Sarah E. , Gupta Neiv , Vongkitbuncha Chanatip , Lee Mason N. , Smith Laurence C.
Published: February 2024

The machine learning revolution presents geoscientists with exciting new opportunities for research, but is constrained by the need for large, high quality training data sets. Simultaneously, undergraduate and graduate program admissions have become increasingly competitive, pressuring high school and undergraduate students to differentiate themselves through involvement in research at earlier stages. Aligning these two interests provides mutually beneficial opportunities for both geoscientists and early‐stage students. We describe our experiences working with 20 early‐stage students to build a large training data set digitized from satellite images of meltwater drainage patterns on ice sheets. The intent of this Perspective is to share our experience and lessons learned with other machine learning researchers who, like us, may have minimal experience mentoring young volunteer researchers but may seek such partnerships for the first time in response to their machine learning training data set needs. These partnerships enabled creation of a powerful new machine learning model that would have otherwise been infeasible. Student benefits varied with their commitment and proactiveness, ranging from exposure to geoscience research and a resume line item to strong letters of recommendation and ongoing connections with geoscience researchers at an elite university lab. Many students were attracted to the project solely out of interest in machine learning, so the opportunity reached students who would not otherwise have conducted research in geoscience. Still, without incentives for researchers to engage less‐privileged students, our experience suggests that mutually beneficial partnerships between researchers and early‐stage students may exacerbate issues of inequality and lack of diversity within the geosciences.
Mountain Waves in the Upper Atmosphere of Venus
Authors: Navarro T. , Schubert G.
Published: February 2024

Planetary‐scale mountain waves have been observed at the cloud top of Venus and throughout the cloud deck. As they propagate from the surface to the cloud layers, multiple observations and numerical simulations have shown that they grow in size and do not break. However, the fate of mountain waves in the transition region and thermosphere, above the super‐rotating atmosphere, has only been addressed with two‐dimensional models. We conduct for the first time a simulation of mountain waves with a state‐of‐the‐art Venus climate model that includes the thermosphere. We find that mountain waves can propagate up to at least 150 km altitude, well above the transition region. They affect the circulation of the transition region, by reducing winds speeds, and the subsolar‐to‐antisolar circulation.
Phase‐Accurate Internal Tides in a Global Ocean Forecast Model: Potential Applications for Nadir and Wide‐Swath Altimetry
Authors: Yadidya Badarvada , Arbic Brian K. , Shriver Jay F. , Nelson Arin D. , Zaron Edward D. , Buijsman Maarten C. , Thakur Ritabrata
Published: February 2024

Internal tides (ITs) play a critical role in ocean mixing, and have strong signatures in ocean observations. Here, global IT sea surface height (SSH) in nadir altimetry is compared with an ocean forecast model that assimilates de‐tided SSH from nadir altimetry. The forecast model removes IT SSH variance from nadir altimetry at skill levels comparable to those achieved with empirical analysis of nadir altimetry. Accurate removal of IT SSH is needed to fully reveal lower‐frequency mesoscale eddies and currents in altimeter data. Analysis windows of order 30–120 days, made possible by the frequent (hourly) outputs of the forecast model, remove more IT SSH variance than longer windows. Forecast models offer a promising new approach for global internal tide mapping and altimetry correction. Because they provide information on the full water column, forecast models can also help to improve understanding of the underlying dynamics of ITs.
Diurnal Patterns in the Observed Cloud Liquid Water Path Response to Droplet Number Perturbations
Authors: Smalley Kevin M. , Lebsock Matthew D. , Eastman Ryan
Published: February 2024

A key uncertainty in Aerosol‐cloud interactions is the cloud liquid water path (LWP) response to increased aerosols (λ). LWP can either increase due to precipitation suppression or decrease due to entrainment‐drying. Previous research suggests that precipitation suppression dominates in thick clouds, while entrainment‐drying prevails in thin clouds. The time scales of the two competing effects are vastly different, requiring temporally resolved observations. We analyze 3‐day Lagrangian trajectories of stratocumulus clouds over the southeast Pacific using 2019–2021 geostationary data. We find that clouds with a LWP exceeding 200 g m−2 exhibit a positive response, while clouds with lower LWP show a negative response. We observe a significant diurnal cycle in λ, indicating a more strongly negative daytime adjustment driven by entrainment‐drying. In contrast, at night, precipitation suppression can occasionally fully counteract the entrainment‐drying mechanism. Overall, λ appears weaker than previously suggested in studies that do not account for the diurnal cycle.
Estimation of Intensity‐Duration‐Area‐Frequency Relationships Based on the Full Range of Non‐Zero Precipitation From Radar‐Reanalysis Data
Authors: Haruna Abubakar , Blanchet Juliette , Favre Anne‐Catherine
Published: February 2024

Intensity‐Duration‐Area‐Frequency (IDAF) models provide the mathematical link between precipitation intensities (I), durations (D), areas (A), and frequency of occurrence (F). They play a critical role in hydrological design, areal rainfall hazard quantification, storm characterization, and early warning system development. IDAF models extend the conventional Intensity‐Duration‐Frequency models by accounting for the spatial extent of precipitation (i.e., the area). In this study, we develop IDAF models using the entire non‐zero precipitation intensities, not only the extremes. We use the extended generalized Pareto distribution (EGPD) to model the precipitation intensities. To build the IDAF models, we adopt a data‐driven approach that allows the linkage of EGPD parameters with duration and area, based on empirically determined parametric relationships. The inference of model parameters is done using a global maximum likelihood estimation, and uncertainties are assessed by the bootstrap method. The study area is Switzerland, a topographically complex region of 42,000 km2 with regional precipitation variability and clear seasonality. The study utilizes 17 years of data from CombiPrecip, a radar‐reanalysis product developed by geostatistically merging radar and rain gauge data in an operational setting. We build the IDAF models for the spatiotemporal range of 1–72 hr and 1 to 1,089 km2 at each pixel in the study area. To the best of our knowledge, our study is the first attempt to use the EGPD in IDAF curve modeling. It discusses the use and limitations of CombiPrecip in extreme value analysis and highlights the challenges of modeling areal precipitation in a complex topographical environment.
A Living Statement of DEI and Ethics Expectations Within the Community Science Exchange
Authors: Parrish Julia K. , Haklay Muki , Pandya Raj , Schensul Jean , Ricci Mia , Schuette Allison
Published: February 2024

Key Points

Ethical science must include community engagement

The Community Science Exchange promotes ethical responsibilities of editors and authors

The grand environmental challenges can only be faced and surmounted with ethical, inclusive approaches
Antarctica’s Ocean Acidity Set to Rise Rapidly by Century’s End
Authors: Scharping Nathaniel
Published: February 2024

New research shows acidity levels could as much as double by 2100, imperiling fragile ecosystems in the frigid Southern Ocean.
Tumorigenic role of tacrolimus through mTORC1/C2 activation in post-transplant renal cell carcinomas
Authors: Moldvai Dorottya , Sztankovics Dániel , Dankó Titanilla , Vetlényi Enikő , Petővári Gábor , Márk Ágnes , Patonai Attila , Végső Gyula , Piros László , Hosszú Ádám , Pápay Judit , Krencz Ildikó , Sebestyén Anna
Published: February 2024

Background

Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) face an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC), in which the immunosuppressive regimen plays an important role. This study aimed to identify intracellular signalling alterations associated with post-transplant (post-tx) tumour formation.

Methods

Expression of mTOR-related proteins were analysed in kidneys obtained from end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients and RCCs developed in KTRs or non-transplant patients. The effects of tacrolimus (TAC) and rapamycin (RAPA) on mTOR activity, proliferation, and tumour growth were investigated through different in vitro and in vivo experiments.

Results

Elevated mTORC1/C2 activity was observed in post-tx RCCs and in kidneys of TAC-treated ESRD patients. In vitro experiments demonstrated that TAC increases mTOR activity in a normal tubular epithelial cell line and in the investigated RCC cell lines, moreover, promotes the proliferation of some RCC cell line. In vivo, TAC elevated mTORC1/C2 activity in ischaemic kidneys of mice and enhanced tumour growth in xenograft model.

Conclusions

We observed significantly increased mTOR activity in ischaemic kidneys and post-tx RCCs, which highlights involvement of mTOR pathway both in the healing or fibrotic processes of kidney and in tumorigenesis. TAC-treatment further augmented the already elevated mTOR activity of injured kidney, potentially contributing to tumorigenesis during immunosuppression.
Tetralol derivative NNC-55-0396 targets hypoxic cells in the glioblastoma microenvironment: an organ-on-chip approach
Authors: Bayona Clara , Alza Lía , Ranđelović Teodora , Sallán Marta C. , Visa Anna , Cantí Carles , Ochoa Ignacio , Oliván Sara , Herreros Judit
Published: February 2024

Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly malignant brain tumour characterised by limited treatment options and poor prognosis. The tumour microenvironment, particularly the central hypoxic region of the tumour, is known to play a pivotal role in GBM progression. Cells within this region adapt to hypoxia by stabilising transcription factor HIF1-α, which promotes cell proliferation, dedifferentiation and chemoresistance. In this study we sought to examine the effects of NNC-55-0396, a tetralol compound which overactivates the unfolded protein response inducing apoptosis, using the organ-on-chip technology. We identified an increased sensitivity of the hypoxic core of the chip to NNC, which correlates with decreasing levels of HIF1-α in vitro. Moreover, NNC blocks the macroautophagic process that is unleashed by hypoxia as revealed by increased levels of autophagosomal constituent LC3-II and autophagy chaperone p62/SQSTM1. The specific effects of NNC in the hypoxic microenvironment unveil additional anti-cancer abilities of this compound and further support investigations on its use in combined therapies against GBM.