bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
2D‐Nanofiller‐Based Polymer Nanocomposites for Capacitive Energy Storage Applications
Authors: Bera Sumit , Singh Maninderjeet , Thantirige Rukshan , Tiwary Saurabh Kr , Shook Brian T. , Nieves Elianie , Raghavan Dharmaraj , Karim Alamgir , Pradhan Nihar R.
Published: April 2023

High‐energy‐density storage devices play a major role in modern electronics from traditional lithium‐ion batteries to supercapacitors for a variety of applications from rechargeable devices to advanced military equipment. Despite the mass adoption of polymer capacitors, their application is limited by their low energy densities and low‐temperature tolerance. Polymer nanocomposites based on 2D nanomaterials have superior capacitive energy densities, higher thermal stabilities, and higher mechanical strength as compared to the pristine polymers and nanocomposites based on 0D or 1D nanomaterials, thus making them ideal for high‐energy‐density dielectric energy storage applications. Here, the recent advances in 2D‐nanomaterial‐based nanocomposites and their implications for energy storage applications are reviewed. Nanocomposites based on conducting 2D nanofillers such as graphene, reduced graphene oxide, MXenes, semiconducting 2D nanofillers including transition metal dichalcogenides such as MoS2, dielectric 2D nanofillers including hBN, Mica, Al2O3, TiO2, Ca2Nb3O10 and MMT, and their effects on permittivity, dielectric strength, capacitive energy density, efficiency, thermal stability, and the mechanical strength, are discussed. Also, the theory and machine‐learning‐guided design of polymer 2D nanomaterial composites is learnt and the challenges and opportunities for developing ultrahigh‐capacitive‐energy‐density devices based on these nanofiller polymer composites are presented.
Automated High‐Throughput Fatigue Testing of Freestanding Thin Films
Authors: Barrios Alejandro , Kunka Cody , Nogan John , Hattar Khalid , Boyce Brad L.
Published: April 2023

Mechanical testing at small length scales has traditionally been resource‐intensive due to difficulties with meticulous sample preparation, exacting load alignments, and precision measurements. Microscale fatigue testing can be particularly challenging due to the time‐intensive, tedious repetition of single fatigue experiments. To mitigate these challenges, this work presents a new methodology for the high‐throughput fatigue testing of thin films at the microscale. This methodology features a microelectromechanical systems‐based Si carrier that can support the simultaneous and independent fatigue testing of an array of samples. To demonstrate this new technique, the microscale fatigue behavior of nanocrystalline Al is efficiently characterized via this Si carrier and automated fatigue testing with in situ scanning electron microscopy. This methodology reduces the total testing time by an order of magnitude, and the high‐throughput fatigue results highlight the stochastic nature of the microscale fatigue response. This manuscript also discusses how this initial capability can be adapted to accommodate more samples, different materials, new geometries, and other loading modes.
‘And what did you do about my emotions during Covid‐19?’ Making sense of negative emotions at work through institutional logics and Critical Systems Heuristics
Authors: Tavella Elena
Published: April 2023

The literature on Covid‐19 has demonstrated that frontline workers use different coping strategies and engage in sense‐making to address negative emotions. However, we know little about the underlying process of sense‐making. Thus, this paper uses institutional logics to investigate how sense‐making of negative emotions is enabled and constrained. This analysis draws on a diary written by a nurse at an Italian hospital, which represents an account of the emotions experienced by medical staff. The analysis identifies a set of enablers and disablers of sense‐making, as well as, the patterns that alleviate and intensify frontline workers' emotions. Based on these findings and evidence of the Covid‐task force at Papa Giovanni XXIII hospital in Bergamo, Italy, this paper illustrates Critical Systems Heuristics as a means to address the disablers of sense‐making through participatory conversations that consider different institutional logics.
Effects of differential risk attitudes in collaborative systems design
Authors: Avşar Alkım Z. , Grogan Paul T.
Published: April 2023

Collaboration enables multiple actors with different objectives to work together and achieve a goal beyond individual capabilities. However, strategic uncertainty from partners' actions introduces a potential for losses under failed collaboration relative to pursuing an independent system. The fundamental tradeoff between high‐value but uncertain outcomes from collaborative systems and lower‐value but more certain outcomes for independent systems induces a bistability strategic dynamic. Actors exhibit different risk attitudes that impact decisions under uncertainty which complicate shared understanding of collaborative dynamics. This paper investigates how risk attitudes affect design and strategy decisions in collaborative systems through the lens of game theory. First, an analytical model studies the effect of differential risk attitudes in a two‐actor problem with stag‐hunting strategic dynamics formulated as single‐ and bi‐level games. Next, a simulation model pairs actors with different risk attitudes in a 29‐game tournament based on a prior behavioral experiment. Results show that outcomes collaborative design problems change based on the risk attitudes of both actors. Results also emphasize that considering conservative lower‐level design options facilitates collaboration by providing risk‐averse actors with a safer solution. By accepting that decision‐making actors are not all risk‐neutral, future work seeks to develop new design methods to strengthen the adoption of efficient collaborative solutions.
Silencing of IGHG1 reverses the resistance of pancreatic cancer to multidrug chemotherapy by modulating autophagy
Authors: Tian Yuan , Han Wenwen , Fu Long , Lv Kaiji , Zhou Xinhua
Published: April 2023

Background

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive tumors with a high‐mortality rate. First‐line drugs include 5‐fluorouracil (5‐FU), gemcitabine (GEM), and oxaliplatin (OXA). Resistance to 5‐FU, GEM, and OXA is a major challenge. Immunoglobulin heavy chain F1 (IGHG1) participates in the regulation of cancer progression. It is still unclear how IGHG1 affects 5‐FU, GEM, and OXA in pancreatic cancer.

Methods

The expression status of IGHG1 in pancreatic cancer was analyzed through bioinformatics tools. IGHG1 expression in pancreatic cancer tissues and cells was determined via RT–qPCR. Cell counting kit 8 assays, and flow cytometry analysis were utilized to detect the impact of IGHG1,5‐FU, GEM, and OXA on cell proliferation and apoptosis. Western blotting was utilized to detect changes in the levels of the autophagy‐associated proteins LC3, Beclin‐1, p62, and ATG5. Immunofluorescence assays were employed to determine LC3 expression in cells. Xenograft experiments were conducted on nude mice to study tumor growth.

Results

IGHG1 was overexpressed in pancreatic cancer cells and tissues. IGHG1 expression was downregulated by 5‐FU, GEM, or OXA treatment in cells. Treatment with 5‐FU, GEM, or OXA repressed viability and promoted apoptosis and autophagy in pancreatic cancer cells. IGHG1 silencing exhibited the same results. Furthermore, IGHG1 depletion notably strengthened the effects of 5‐FU, GEM, and OXA on pancreatic cancer cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy. The combination of IGHG1 depletion with 5‐FU, GEM, or OXA significantly reduced tumor growth in vivo.

Conclusion

Silencing of IGHG1 could enhance 5‐FU, GEM, or OXA function in pancreatic cancer and reverse resistance by regulating apoptosis and autophagy.
Exposure to MoS2 nanosheets or bulk activated Kruppel‐like factor 4 in 3D Caco‐2 spheroids in vitro and mouse intestines in vivo
Authors: Xiao You , He Yuanyuan , Xu Chongsi , Li Mei , Hu Fan , Wang Wei , Wang Zhenquan , Cao Yi
Published: April 2023

MoS2 nanosheets (NSs) are novel 2D nanomaterials (NMs) being used in many important fields. Recently, we proposed the need to evaluate the influences of NMs on Kruppel‐like factors (KLFs) even if these materials are relatively biocompatible. In this study, we investigated the influences of MoS2 NSs or bulk on KLF4 signaling pathway in 3D Caco‐2 spheroids in vitro and mouse intestines in vivo. Through the analysis of our previous RNA‐sequencing data, we found that exposure to MoS2 NSs or bulk activated KLF4 expression in 3D Caco‐2 spheroids. Consistently, these materials also activated KLF4‐related gene ontology (GO) terms and down‐regulated a panel of KLF4‐downstream genes. To verify these findings, we repeatedly exposed mice to MoS2 NSs or bulk materials via intragastrical administration (1 mg/kg bodyweight, once a day, for 4 days). It was shown that oral exposure to these materials decreased bodyweight, leading to relatively higher organ coefficients. As expected, exposure to both types of materials increased Mo elements as well as other trace elements, such as Zn, Fe, and Mn in mouse intestines. The exposure also induced morphological changes of intestines, such as shortening of intestinal villi and decreased crypt depth, which may result in decreased intestinal lipid staining. Consistent with RNA‐sequencing data, we found that material exposure increased KLF4 protein staining in mouse intestines and decreased two KLF4 downstream proteins, namely extracellular signal‐regulated kinase (ERK) and serine/threonine kinase (AKT). We concluded that MoS2 materials were capable to activate KLF4‐signaling pathway in intestines both in vivo and in vitro.
Ganglionic eminence: volumetric assessment of transient brain structure utilizing fetal magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Stuempflen M. , Taymourtash A. , Kienast P. , Schmidbauer V. U. , Schwartz E. , Mitter C. , Binder J. , Prayer D. , Kasprian G. ,   Collaborators
Published: April 2023

Objective

To provide quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) super‐resolution‐based three‐dimensional volumetric reference data on the growth dynamics of the ganglionic eminence (GE) relative to cortical and total fetal brain volumes (TBV).

Methods

This was a retrospective study of fetuses without structural central nervous system anomalies or other confounding comorbidities that were referred for fetal MRI. Super‐resolution reconstructions of 1.5‐ and 3‐Tesla T2‐weighted images were generated. Semiautomatic segmentation of TBV and cortical volume and manual segmentation of the GE were performed. Cortical volume, TBV and GE volume were quantified and three‐dimensional reconstructions were generated to visualize the developmental dynamics of the GE.

Results

Overall, 120 fetuses that underwent 127 MRI scans at a mean gestational age of 27.23 ± 4.81 weeks (range, 20–37 weeks) were included. In the investigated gestational‐age range, GE volume ranged from 74.88 to 808.75 mm3 and was at its maximum at 21 gestational weeks, followed by a linear decrease (R2 = 0.559) throughout the late second and third trimesters. A pronounced reduction in GE volume relative to cortical volume and TBV occurred in the late second trimester, with a decline in this reduction observed in the third trimester (R2 = 0.936 and 0.924, respectively). Three‐dimensional rendering allowed visualization of a continuous change in the shape and size of the GE throughout the second and third trimesters.

Conclusions

Even small compartments of the fetal brain, which are not easily accessible by standardized two‐dimensional modalities, can be assessed precisely by super‐resolution processed fetal MRI. The inverse growth dynamics of GE volume compared with TBV and cortical volume reflects the transitory nature and physiological involution of this (patho‐)physiologically important brain structure. The normal development and involution of the GE is mandatory for normal cortical development. Pathological changes of this transient organ precede impairment of cortical structures, and their detection may allow an earlier diagnosis of such anomalies. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Transient torque reversals in indirect drive wind turbines
Authors: Sarkar Saptarshi , Johansson Håkan , Berbyuk Viktor
Published: April 2023

The adverse effect of transient torque reversals (TTRs) on wind turbine gearboxes can be severe due to their magnitude and rapid occurrence compared with other equipment. The primary damage is caused to the bearings as the bearing loaded zone rapidly changes its direction. Other components are also affected by TTRs (such as gear tooth); however, its impact on bearings is the largest. While the occurrence and severity of TTRs are acknowledged in the industry, there is a lack of academic literature on their initiation, propagation and the associated risk of damage. Furthermore, in the wide range of operation modes of a wind turbine, it is not known which modes can lead to TTRs. Further, the interdependence of TTRs on environmental loading like the wind is also not reported. This paper aims to address these unknowns by expanding on the understanding of TTRs using a high‐fidelity numerical model of an indirect drive wind turbine with a doubly fed induction generator (DFIG). To this end, a multibody model of the drivetrain is developed in SIMPACK. The model of the drivetrain is explicitly coupled to state‐of‐the‐art wind turbine simulator OpenFAST and a grid‐connected DFIG developed in MATLAB®'s Simulink® allowing a coupled analysis of the electromechanical system. A metric termed slip risk duration is proposed in this paper to quantify the risk associated with the TTRs. The paper first investigates a wide range of IEC design load cases to uncover which load cases can lead to TTRs. It was found that emergency stops and symmetric grid voltage drops can lead to TTRs. Next, the dependence of the TTRs on inflow wind parameters is investigated using a sensitivity analysis. It was found that the instantaneous wind speed at the onset of the grid fault or emergency shutdown was the most influential factor in the slip risk duration. The investigation enables the designer to predict the occurrence of TTRs and quantify the associated risk of damage. The paper concludes with recommendations for utility‐scale wind turbines and directions for future research.
Equiatomic intermetallic barium compounds BaTX (T=Pd, Pt, Au; X=Mg, Zn, Cd) with TiNiSi and ZrBeSi type structure
Authors: Reimann Maximilian Kai , Kösters Jutta , Pöttgen Rainer
Published: April 2023

The equiatomic ternary BaTX (T=Pd, Pt, Au; X=Mg, Zn, Cd) phases were obtained by reaction of the elements in sealed tantalum ampoules. The compounds were characterized through their X‐ray powder patterns. BaAuMg and BaTCd (T=Pd, Pt, Au) crystallize with the TiNiSi type structure, while the compounds BaTZn (T=Pd, Pt) adopt the ZrBeSi type. The structures of BaAuMg and BaPdZn were refined from single crystal X‐ray diffractometer data: Pnma, a=801.34(5), b=467.71(8), c=924.07(10) pm, wR2=0.0955, 736 F2 values, 20 variables for BaAuMg and P63/mmc, a=449.68(2), c=901.62(4) pm, wR2=0.1172, 145 F2 values, 8 variables for BaPdZn. The structures derive from the aristotype AlB2. The gold and magnesium atoms form puckered Au3Mg3 hexagons with 284–328 pm Au−Mg while the Pd3Zn3 hexagons in BaPdZn are planar (260 pm Pd−Zn). Comparison of all known BaTX phases shows a range of the valence electron count (VEC) from 13 (BaMnGe) to 18 (BaAuP). The BaTX phases crystallize with seven different structure types and there is no obvious correlation with VEC.
The Helmholtz Decomposition of a BMO Type Vector Field in a Slightly Perturbed Half Space
Authors: Giga Yoshikazu , Gu Zhongyang
Published: April 2023

We introduce a space of $$L^2$$

L
2

vector fields with bounded mean oscillation whose “normal” component to the boundary is well-controlled. We establish its Helmholtz decomposition in the case when the domain is a perturbed $$C^3$$

C
3

half space in $${\textbf{R}}^n$$

R

n

$$(n \ge 3)$$

(
n
≥
3
)

with small perturbation.
Toward a logistic model of dynamic mold growth on wood
Authors: Kopecký Pavel , Staněk Kamil , Ryparová Pavla , Richter Jan , Tywoniak Jan
Published: April 2023

This paper deals with mathematical modeling of mold growth on wood. The logistic growth equation is used to model mold growth phenomena in changing environmental conditions. Microscopic mold coverage fraction is used in the logistic equation to represent mold development on a material surface over time. The current state-of-the-art dynamic Finnish mold growth model is used as the reference model for development of the logistic mold growth model. The optimal values of mold growth coefficient are estimated by simulations of mold growth under constant environmental conditions and by finding the best agreement with the Finnish mold growth model using mathematical optimization methods. It is shown that the mold growth coefficient can be approximated as a function of relative humidity, temperature, wood species and the quality of the surface. The model parameters are then verified by a comparison with the Finnish mold growth model. In this case, cyclic step changes of constant relative humidity are used. Finally, the logistic mold growth model is compared with published experimental observations of mold growth. The discrepancy of mold growth models and experimental mold growth data, and possible improvements are discussed.
The prognostic value of [18F]FDG PET/CT based response monitoring in metastatic melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy: comparison of different metabolic criteria
Authors: Sachpekidis Christos , Weru Vivienn , Kopp-Schneider Annette , Hassel Jessica C. , Dimitrakopoulou-Strauss Antonia
Published: April 2023

Purpose

To investigate the prognostic value of [18F]FDG PET/CT as part of response monitoring in metastatic melanoma patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs).

Methods

Sixty-seven patients underwent [18F]FDG PET/CT before start of treatment (baseline PET/CT), after two cycles (interim PET/CT) and after four cycles of ICIs administration (late PET/CT). Metabolic response evaluation was based on the conventional EORTC and PERCIST criteria, as well as the newly introduced, immunotherapy-modified PERCIMT, imPERCIST5 and iPERCIST criteria. Metabolic response to immunotherapy was classified according to four response groups (complete metabolic response [CMR], partial metabolic response [PMR], stable metabolic disease [SMD], progressive metabolic disease [PMD]), and further dichotomized by response rate (responders = [CMR] + [PMR] vs. non-responders = [PMD] + [SMD]), and disease control rate (disease control = [CMR] + [PMR] + [SMD] vs. [PMD]). The spleen-to-liver SUV ratios (SLRmean, SLRmax) and bone marrow-to-liver SUV ratios (BLRmean, BLRmax) were also calculated. The results of PET/CT were correlated with patients’ overall survival (OS).

Results

Median patient follow up [95% CI] was 61.5 months [45.3 – 66.7 months]. On interim PET/CT, the application of the novel PERCIMT demonstrated significantly longer survival for metabolic responders, while the rest criteria revealed no significant survival differences between the different response groups. Respectively on late PET/CT, both a trend for longer OS and significantly longer OS were observed in patients responding to ICIs with metabolic response and disease control after application of various criteria, both conventional and immunotherapy-modified. Moreover, patients with lower SLRmean values demonstrated significantly longer OS.

Conclusion

In patients with metastatic melanoma PET/CT-based response assessment after four ICIs cycles is significantly associated with OS after application of different metabolic criteria. The prognostic performance of the modality is also high after the first two ICIs cycles, especially with employment of novel criteria. In addition, investigation of spleen glucose metabolism may provide further prognostic information.
Diagnose und Management der Osteoporose bei Diabetes mellitus (Update 2023)
Authors: Muschitz Christian , Kautzky-Willer Alexandra , Winhofer Yvonne , Rauner Martina , Haschka Judith , Cejka Daniel , Wakolbinger-Habel Robert , Pietschmann Peter
Published: April 2023

Diabetes mellitus und Osteoporose zählen zu den häufigsten chronischen Erkrankungen und kommen deshalb beide häufig in ein und demselben Individuum vor. Da die Prävalenz beider mit steigendem Alter zunimmt, wird in Anbetracht der Altersstruktur unserer Bevölkerung deren Häufigkeit zunehmen.

Patient:innen mit Diabetes haben ein erhöhtes Risiko für Fragilitätsfrakturen. Die Pathophysiologie ist unklar und vermutlich multifaktoriell.

Longitudinale Studien haben den Nachweis erbracht, dass das Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX) und die Knochendichte (BMD) mittels DXA (T-score) Messungen und einem eventuell vorhandenen Trabecular Bone Score (TBS) das individuelle Frakturrisiko vorhersagen können. Hierfür muss allerdings eine Adjustierung vorgenommen werden, um das Risiko nicht zu unterschätzen.

Es gibt derzeit aus osteologischer Sicht noch nicht den optimalen Ansatz, da es keine Studien mit rein diabetischen Patient:innen und Osteoporose gibt.

Patient:innen mit Diabetes mellitus und einem erhöhten Frakturrisiko sollten genauso wie Patient:innen ohne Diabetes und einem erhöhten Frakturrisiko behandelt werden.

Der Vitamin-D-Spiegel sollte auf jeden Fall immer optimiert werden und auf eine ausreichende Kalziumaufnahme (vorzugsweise durch die Nahrung) ist zu achten.

Bei der Wahl der antihyperglykämischen Therapie sollten Substanzen mit nachgewiesen negativem Effekt auf den Knochen weggelassen werden. Bei Vorliegen einer Fragilitätsfraktur ist auf jeden Fall – unabhängig von allen vorliegenden Befunden – eine langfristige spezifische osteologische Therapie indiziert.

Zur Prävention von Fragilitätsfrakturen sind antiresorptive Medikamente die erste Wahl, entsprechend den nationalen Erstattungskriterien auch anabole Medikamente. Das Therapiemonitoring soll im Einklang mit der nationalen Osteoporose Leitlinie erfolgen.
Individualisierung der antihypertensiven Therapie bei Patient:innen mit Diabetes mellitus. Leitlinie der Österreichischen Diabetes Gesellschaft (Update 2023)
Authors: Saely Christoph H. , Schernthaner Gerit-Holger , Brix Johanna , Klauser-Braun Renate , Zitt Emanuel , Drexel Heinz , Schernthaner Guntram
Published: April 2023

Hypertonie ist eine sehr häufige Komorbidität bei Patient:innen mit Diabetes mellitus, die – wenn unzureichend behandelt – signifikant zur erhöhten Mortalität und zum Auftreten von mikrovaskulären und makrovaskulären Komplikationen beiträgt. Eine Individualisierung der Blutdruckzielwerte in Abhängigkeit vom Patient:innenalter und vom Vorliegen bestimmter vaskulärer Komplikationen wird heute weltweit diskutiert. Blutdruckzielwerte um 130/80 mm Hg waren in den Studien mit der geringsten Ereignisrate an Komplikationen assoziiert, wobei die Blutdruckzielwerte je nach Alter und Komorbiditäten individualisiert werden sollten; am wichtigsten ist für die meisten Patient:innen, dass ein Blutdruck < 140/90 mm Hg erreicht wird. ACE-Hemmer oder Angiotensin-Rezeptorblocker sollen in der Hypertonie-Therapie bei Patient:innen mit Diabetes mellitus bevorzugt werden, vor allem wenn Albuminurie oder KHK vorliegen. Für die meisten Patient:innen mit Diabetes ist eine Kombinationstherapie notwendig, wobei Medikamente mit nachgewiesenem kardiovaskulärem Nutzen (neben ACE-Hemmern und altenativ Angiotensin-Rezeptorblockern, Dihydropyridin-Calciumantagonisten und Thiazid-Diuretika) eingesetzt werden sollten, präferentiell als Kombinationspräparate. Nach Erreichung der Zielwerte muss die antihypertensive Therapie fortgeführt werden, wobei regelmäßige Blutdruckmessungen durch die Patient:innen für die Optimierung der Blutdruckeinstellung sehr hilfreich sind. Neuere Antidiabetika wie SGLT2-Inhibitoren oder GLP1-Rezeptoragonisten tragen ebenfalls zur Blutdrucksenkung bei.
Patients’ experience with chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy for DLBCL in China: a qualitative study
Authors: Mao Yiwen , Huang Lihong , Ruan Haitao , Guo Yue , Ni Sha , Ling Yuying
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The experiences of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) treated with chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy have received little attention. This study aimed to explore the treatment experiences of patients with relapsed or refractory (R/R) B-cell lymphoma during CAR T-cell therapy in China.

Methods

This descriptive qualitative study was conducted using face-to-face semi-structured interviews with 21 DLBCL patients 0–2 years after CAR-T infusion. Two researchers independently coded the interviews in MAXQDA 2022, and the original data were analyzed by conventional content analysis.

Results

Four themes emerged from the transcripts: (1) physiological distress, (2) functional impacts, (3) psychological experience, and (4) support requirement. Participants expressed 29 short-term or long-term symptoms related to their disease and treatment, influencing their daily life and function in a social setting. The participants expressed different negative emotions, polarized expectations about efficacy, and over-reliance on authoritative medical care. Their major concerns and hopes were achieving life goals, being treated with respect, obtaining more information about CAR T-cell therapy, and receiving government financial sponsorship.

Conclusions

The patients experienced short-term and long-term symptoms of physical distress. Patients who have experienced failure in CAR T-cell therapy also experience strong negative emotions, such as dependency and guilt. They also require authentic spiritual and financial information that is authentic. Our study may guide the development of standardized and comprehensive nursing care for R/R DLBCL patients undergoing CAR T-cell therapy in China.
July 2020 heavy rainfall in Japan: effect of real-time river discharge on ocean circulation based on a coupled river-ocean model
Authors: Chang Yu-Lin K. , Varlamov Sergey M. , Guo Xinyu , Miyama Toru , Miyazawa Yasumasa
Published: April 2023

In July 2020, a stationary atmospheric front over Japan caused persistent, nearly continuous rain for most of the month that resulted in new historical highest rainfall records in several areas and caused serious river floods, landslides, and debris-flow events. An existing hindcast and forecast ocean circulation model that includes climatological discharge information of major rivers failed to represent the extreme river discharge under heavy rainfall. New experiments were conducted using real-time river discharge information based on Today's Earth CaMa-Flood simulation that includes 368 rivers in Japan. The inclusion of real-time river discharge improved the salinity bias in the near-surface waters. The differences were significant compared to the observations in the heavy rain region (i.e., Ariake Bay and Tosa Bay), and insignificant at offshore stations. The ensemble experiments of real-time river discharge cases suggested the difference between the climatological and the real-time river discharge experiments was not random, but was robust. The freshening water changed the shelf circulation, and its far-reaching effect appeared hundreds of kilometers away from the shore. Passive particle tracking was conducted for examining the cross-shelf exchange. More particles released from Bungo Channel went offshore in near-surface water when the real-time river discharge was used compared to using the climatology discharge. Particles released in Tosa Bay, Seto Inland Sea, and Kii Channel showed the opposite tendency. The real-time river discharge not only changed the modeled coastal salinity distribution, but also the coastal and offshore currents. The role of the real-time river discharge on modeling normal flow periods or drought events, and its influence on a longer time scale model simulation remain to be explored.
Biodiversity in a box: three non-native invertebrates preferentially find refugia in green space management infrastructure across urban Los Angeles
Authors: Beninde Joscha , Vendetti Jann E. , Shaffer H. Bradley
Published: April 2023

In Southern California, irrigation infrastructure is a prerequisite for urban green space management, and valve boxes are installed widely to manage water flow. These below-ground, plastic boxes protect valves and manifolds, create space for connecting pipes, and present a scarce ecological resource—elevated humidity and shelter from potential predators. We provide the first systematic survey of the biodiversity of valve boxes and evaluate their role in the establishment of non-native species. We conducted comprehensive surveys of slug and spider refugial habitat elements, including leaf litter, crevices, decaying logs and other cover objects, and valve boxes, across urban Greater Los Angeles and adjacent wildland areas. We found that valve boxes comprised nearly all of the surveyed habitat for three common non-native species, including two slugs in the genus Ambigolimax and a spider in the genus Steatoda. At 83 of 85 sites, we detected these species only in valve boxes and not in any other habitat elements. While valve boxes were significantly more frequent in urban than wildland areas, detections in wildland areas were also largely restricted to valve boxes. All of these species share a preference for elevated levels of humidity, and we speculate that introduced slug and spider taxa within irrigation infrastructure may be a general feature of many urban areas, especially in relatively xeric climates with locally high densities of valve boxes. Under these conditions, irrigation infrastructure likely facilitates the establishment and persistence of non-native species requiring high humidity throughout the urbanized world, and could contribute to their cosmopolitan distribution.
Gelatin–chitosan–cellulose nanocrystals as an acellular scaffold for wound healing application: fabrication, characterisation and cytocompatibility towards primary human skin cells
Authors: Cheah Yt Jun , Yunus Mohd Heikal Mohd , Fauzi Mh Busra , Tabata Yasuhiko , Hiraoka Yosuke , Phang Shou Jin , Chia Min Rui , Buyong Muhamad Ramdzan , Yazid Muhammad Dain
Published: April 2023

Biopolymers that mimic the extracellular matrix are favourable in tissue engineering. However, the rapid degradation and the lack of mechanical and enzymatic stabilities of these biopolymers prompt researchers to composite different biopolymers. In this study, we aim to develop an acellular gelatin-chitosan-cellulose nanocrystal (GCCNC) scaffold as a potential wound dressing. The GCCNC mixture was homogenised via ultrasonication and the genipin crosslinking was performed by magnetic stirring. The mixture was then frozen at − 80 °C for 6 h and freeze-dried. The effects of different ratios of gelatin and chitosan with cellulose nanocrystals on the physiochemical properties, mechanical properties, and cellular biocompatibility were studied. Our results herein showed that G3C7CNC demonstrated a homogenous interconnected porous structure with a good porosity (67.37 ± 9.09%) and pore size (148.46 ± 48.68 µm), acceptable swelling ratio (1071.11 ± 140.26%), adequate water vapour transmission rate (315.59 ± 25.27 g/m2/day), low contact angle (70.21 ± 6.79°), and sufficient mechanical strength (modulus of 64.67 ± 12.42 MPa). The lower biodegradation rate in the G3C7CNC (0.06 ± 0.01 mg/hr) compared to G10CNC (0.48 ± 0.07 mg/hr) together with the absence of glass transition phenomenon indicated an increase in both enzymatic and thermal stabilities. Furthermore, G3C7CNC was non-cytotoxic and biocompatible with human epidermal keratinocytes (HEKs) and human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). The presence of collagen type I and α-smooth muscle actin expression in HDFs, together with the expression of cytokeratin-14 in HEKs, demonstrated our scaffold’s ability to maintain normal skin physiological functions. Therefore, this study proposes that the fabricated GCCNC scaffold could serve as a potential acellular skin substitute in managing chronic wounds.
Making Sense of Generative Learning
Authors: Fiorella Logan
Published: April 2023

How do learners make sense of what they are learning? In this article, I present a new framework of sense-making based on research investigating the benefits and boundaries of generative learning activities (GLAs). The generative sense-making framework distinguishes among three primary sense-making modes—explaining, visualizing, and enacting—that each serve unique and complementary cognitive functions. Specifically, the framework assumes learners mentally organize and simulate the learning material (via the visualizing and enacting modes) to facilitate their ability to generalize the learning material (via the explaining mode). I present evidence from research on GLAs illustrating how visualizations and enactments (instructor-provided and/or learner-generated) can facilitate higher quality learner explanations and subsequent learning outcomes. I also discuss several barriers to sense-making that help explain when GLAs are not effective and describe possible ways to overcome these barriers by appropriately guiding and timing GLAs. Finally, I discuss implications of the generative sense-making framework for theory and practice and provide recommendations for future research.
Evaluating the harmonisation potential of diverse cohort datasets
Authors: Bauermeister Sarah , Phatak Mukta , Sparks Kelly , Sargent Lana , Griswold Michael , McHugh Caitlin , Nalls Mike , Young Simon , Bauermeister Joshua , Elliott Paul , Steptoe Andrew , Porteous David , Dufouil Carole , Gallacher John
Published: April 2023

Data discovery, the ability to find datasets relevant to an analysis, increases scientific opportunity, improves rigour and accelerates activity. Rapid growth in the depth, breadth, quantity and availability of data provides unprecedented opportunities and challenges for data discovery. A potential tool for increasing the efficiency of data discovery, particularly across multiple datasets is data harmonisation.A set of 124 variables, identified as being of broad interest to neurodegeneration, were harmonised using the C-Surv data model. Harmonisation strategies used were simple calibration, algorithmic transformation and standardisation to the Z-distribution. Widely used data conventions, optimised for inclusiveness rather than aetiological precision, were used as harmonisation rules. The harmonisation scheme was applied to data from four diverse population cohorts.Of the 120 variables that were found in the datasets, correspondence between the harmonised data schema and cohort-specific data models was complete or close for 111 (93%). For the remainder, harmonisation was possible with a marginal a loss of granularity.Although harmonisation is not an exact science, sufficient comparability across datasets was achieved to enable data discovery with relatively little loss of informativeness. This provides a basis for further work extending harmonisation to a larger variable list, applying the harmonisation to further datasets, and incentivising the development of data discovery tools.
Tournament incentives affect perceived stress and hormonal stress responses
Authors: Dohmen Thomas , Rohde Ingrid M. T. , Stolp Tom
Published: April 2023

We conduct a laboratory experiment among male participants to investigate whether rewarding schemes that depend on work performance—in particular, tournament incentives—induce more stress than schemes that are independent of performance—fixed payment scheme. Stress is measured over the entire course of the experiment at both the hormonal and psychological level. Hormonal stress responses are captured by measuring salivary cortisol levels. Psychological stress responses are measured by self-reported feelings of stress and primary appraisals. We find that tournament incentives induce a stress response whereas a fixed payment does not induce stress. This stress response does not differ significantly across situations in which winners and losers of the tournament are publically announced and situations in which this information remains private. Biological and psychological stress measures are positively correlated, i.e. increased levels of cortisol are associated with stronger feelings of stress. Nevertheless, neither perceived psychological stress nor elevated cortisol levels in a previous tournament predict a subsequent choice between tournaments and fixed payment schemes, indicating that stress induced by incentives schemes is not a relevant criterion for sorting decisions in our experiment. Finally, we find that cortisol levels are severely elevated at the beginning of the experiment, suggesting that participants experience stress in anticipation of the experiment per se, potentially due to uncertainties associated with the unknown lab situation. We call this the novelty effect.
Parenting Deaf Children: Exploring Relationships Between Resolution of Diagnosis, Parenting Styles and Morale, and Perceived Child Vulnerability
Authors: Sealy Joshua , McMahon Catherine , Sweller Naomi
Published: April 2023

Raising a deaf child can have significant impacts on parents’ wellbeing, their relationship with the deaf child, and their ability to parent effectively. Using an online survey, this study explored two questions: First, to examine whether hearing parents treat and perceive their deaf and hearing children differently while controlling for parent characteristics (including resolution of diagnosis), specifically in terms of parenting styles and perceived vulnerability. Second, whether hearing parents’ ability to resolve their feelings about their child’s hearing loss diagnosis was related to their parenting morale, and whether they perceived their deaf child as vulnerable. A total of 84 parents with a deaf child aged 5–12 years completed the survey, with 32 of those also reported about a second child without hearing loss in the same age range. They were asked to answer questions from the Reaction to Diagnosis Interview, and to complete several questionnaires addressing parenting morale, child vulnerability, and parenting styles. Findings suggest that unresolved feelings of diagnosis were linked to lower parenting morale and greater perception of child vulnerability. Sibling comparisons indicated that parents also reported a higher perceived child vulnerability score for the deaf child compared to the hearing sibling. No sibling differences were found regarding parenting styles. These findings suggest that the experience of having a deaf child can have a negative impact on hearing parents’ morale and perception of child vulnerability, particularly when parents remain unresolved about the diagnosis, highlighting the need for targeted supports and further research.
Coding Interactive Behaviour Instrument: Mother-Infant Interaction Quality, Construct Validity, Measurement Invariance, and Postnatal Depression and Anxiety
Authors: Stuart Anne Christine , Egmose Ida , Smith-Nielsen Johanne , Reijman Sophie , Wendelboe Katrine Isabella , Væver Mette Skovgaard
Published: April 2023

The quality of parent-child interaction has consistently been associated with child psychosocial outcomes. Postnatal depression (PND) and anxiety (PNA) can have an adverse effect on the parent-child interaction. The Coding Interactive Behaviour (CIB) measure has frequently been used to assess parent-infant interaction quality; however, few have investigated the construct validity. The purpose of this study is to: (1) compare two theoretical models and one data-driven model for best fit and to test the best fitting one for measurement invariance among mothers with and without PND, and (2) compare effects of PND and PNA on the mother-infant interactions. The sample consisted of mothers with PND (n = 236) and a subclinical sample of mothers with elevated symptoms of PND but did not meet criteria for a diagnosis (n = 183) and their infants (aged ≤ 6 months). PND was assessed with a diagnostic interview and PNA using a self-report measure. Confirmatory factor analyses showed that the data-driven model, consisting of the composites ‘Maternal Sensitivity’, ‘Child Engagement’, ‘Maternal Social Withdrawal’, and ‘Maternal Controlling Behaviour’, reached the best fit and showed measurement invariance with regard to PND. Factorial ANOVAs showed no effects of PND and PNA on the composites. The study is the first to investigate and find measurement invariance in the CIB, providing evidence of construct validity. The importance of investigating the factor structure of an instrument liable to change due to contextual factors is discussed.
Empty satisfaction—a social phenomenology of late modern enjoyment
Authors: Sik Domonkos
Published: April 2023

Phenomenological analyses of enjoyment are relatively rare; also, the few known attempts (e.g. Levinas) are elaborated in a transcendental fashion, without reflecting on the socio-historical constituents. The article aims at filling this gap by elaborating a social phenomenology of late modern enjoyment. Firstly, the experience is analysed with the help of general phenomenological descriptions: the visceral, existential and ethical constituents are mapped. The second section explores the structural transformations affecting these constituents, based on various critical theories of modernization: the impact of the reified control over the visceral; social disintegration; persistent inequalities; over-burdening of intimacy is analysed. In the concluding section, a diagnosis of times is elaborated: the cost of controlling enjoyment on the visceral level is the giving up of its existential and ethical constituents. To break this paradoxical cycle, the “actor-networks” (Latour) of visceral stimulation need to be “hacked” by including existential and ethical dimensions as well.
Differences in Skill Requirements Between Jobs Held by Immigrant and Native Women Across Five European Destinations
Authors: Adserà Alícia , Ferrer Ana M. , Hernanz Virginia
Published: April 2023

We examine whether the requirements of analytical skills and physical strength in jobs held by immigrant women in five major European destinations (France, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the UK) converge to those of jobs of native-born women in their first ten years in the destination country. To this aim, we combine data from the European Labour Force Survey (2005–2015) of immigrant women arriving in these five countries and information about skill requirements from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). At arrival, migrants in Spain and France use much less analytical skills, but for the period before the Great Recession, that gap closes relatively fast over time compared to other destinations, particularly in the low end of the skill distribution. Physical strength requirements of immigrant’s jobs increase over time and the gaps open in countries where immigrants depart from relatively more strength-intense jobs, while they close in Spain where immigrants use less strength than natives at arrival. Our estimates are also robust to selection into employment both at the average and across the skill distribution using recent techniques. Since the Labour Force Survey does not have information on wages, we use wage information from the European Union Structure of Earnings Survey to proxy average immigrant-native wage gaps implied by our estimated skill gaps by country.
Semantics of Computable Physical Models
Authors: Szudzik Matthew P.
Published: April 2023

This article reformulates the theory of computable physical models, previously introduced by the author, as a branch of applied model theory in first-order logic. It provides a semantic approach to the philosophy of science that incorporates aspects of operationalism and Popper’s degrees of falsifiability.
Linguistic modalities and the sources of linguistic utterances
Authors: Drożdżowicz Anna
Published: April 2023

As an object of philosophical study, language is typically considered as an abstract object rather than a lived phenomenon that comes with rich and varied phenomenology. And yet our modes of engaging with language are complex and many. The first goal of this paper is to illustrate this variety by looking at some of the linguistic modalities and forms of communication. The second goal is to suggest that at least in some specific philosophical debates, language and communication should be investigated in the context of the various linguistic modalities and forms of communication. This will be done by considering how attention to some of the linguistic modalities and forms of communication may affect philosophical debates concerning: the nature of words, language and linguistic understanding, as well as the relation between linguistic utterances and their sources.
Mapping enablers for SDG implementation in the private sector: a systematic literature review and research agenda
Authors: Palau-Pinyana Erola , Llach Josep , Bagur-Femenías Llorenç
Published: April 2023

Academics and practitioners alike recognize the important role of businesses in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, research is still needed to understand strategies that can aid the private sector in this regard. The objective of the current paper is twofold. First, it provides an interdisciplinary systematic literature review of 96 papers published between 2015 and 2022 to analyse the state-of-the-art of the academic literature on the enablers that can facilitate SDG implementation in businesses. The analysis provides evidence that enablers can be categorized depending on whether they are external to the company (industry, tools, and education), internal to the company (company characteristics, governance, and adoption of innovation and technology), or a combination of both (Public–Private Partnerships). Second, it provides a specific research agenda on each enabler, offering relevant recommendations for academics, practitioners and policy makers to work simultaneously to achieve the UN’s 2030 Agenda.
In Situ Study of Peritectic Couple Growth Under Purely Diffusive Conditions
Authors: Ludwig Andreas , Mogeritsch Johann
Published: April 2023

Herein, in a microgravity campaign onboard the International Space Station, peritectic coupled growth (PCG) is studied by solidifying alloys of the peritectic transparent organic system TRIS–NPG under purely diffusive conditions. The experiment reveals that the formation of PCG begins with coagulated lateral bands comprising the peritectic phase at temperatures below the peritectic one. After reaching the growth front of the pro-peritectic phase, growth competition between both solid phases occurs such that the patches of the pro-peritectic phase, lamellae, and fibers/rods grow in the stated order, coupled with the peritectic phase. As the entire solidification process occurs during the initial transient stage, the diffusion coupling between the two solid phases is weak. With the gradual decrease in the interface temperature during the initial transient, the necessary growth conditions for the pro-peritectic phase diminish. Additionally, different concentrations along the inclined solid/liquid interface favor the peritectic phase at the rear window and the pro-peritectic phase at the front window. The corresponding PCG lasts 19 hours while the recoil of the inclined interface continues to a temperature level that makes alterations of the ‘effective’ TRIS–NPG phase diagram necessary.