bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
M1 Macrophage-Derived Exosome LncRNA PVT1 Promotes Inflammation and Pyroptosis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm by Inhibiting miR-186-5p and Regulating HMGB1
Authors: Zhang Jinhui , Zhang Xili , Liu Xunqiang , Chen Huanjun , Wang Jifeng , Ji Min
Published: March 2024

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a chronic vascular degenerative disease. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are essential for maintaining the integrity of healthy blood vessels. Macrophages play an important role in the inflammatory process of AAA. However, the effect of macrophage-derived exosome LncRNA PVT1 on VSMCs is unclear. Exosomes from M1 macrophages (M1φ-exos) were isolated and identified. The expression of LncRNA PVT1 in M1φ-exos was determined. AAA cell model was constructed by treating VSMCs with Ang-II. AAA cell model was treated with M1φ exosomes transfected with si-LncRNA PVT1 (M1φsi–LncRNA PVT1-exo). VSMCs were transfected with miR-186-5p mimic and oe-HMGB1. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8. The accumulation of LDH was detected by ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the expression of HMGB1, inflammatory factors (IL-6, TNF-α and IL-1β) and pyroptosis-related proteins (GSDMD, N-GSDMD, ASC, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and Cleaved-Capase-1). Cell pyroptosis rate was detected by flow cytometry. At the same time, the targeting relationship between miR-186-5p and LncRNA PVT1 and HMGB1 was verified by double fluorescein experiment. Exosomes from M1φ were successfully extracted. The expression of LncRNA PVT1 in M1φ-exos was significantly increased. M1φ-exo promotes inflammation and pyroptosis of VSMCs. M1φsi−LncRNA PVT1-exos inhibited the inflammation and pyroptosis of VSMCs. LncRNA PVT1 can sponge miR-186-5p mimic to regulate HMGB1 expression. MiR-186-5p mimic further inhibited inflammation and pyroptosis induced by M1φsi−LncRNA PVT1-exos. However, oe-HMGB1 could inhibit the reversal effect of miR-186-5p mimic. LncRNA PVT1 in exosomes secreted by M1φ can regulate HMGB1 by acting as ceRNA on sponge miR-186-5p, thereby promoting cell inflammatory and pyroptosis and accelerating AAA progression.
Exploring Bioactive Potential of Streptomyces thinghirensis WAE1 from Wadi El-Natron, Egypt
Authors: Osman Mohamed E. , Abo-Elnasr Amany A. , Mohamed Eslam T.
Published: March 2024

This study aimed to investigate the bioactive metabolites produced by Streptomyces thinghirensis WAE1, an actinomycete isolated from El-Hamara Lake in Egypt. The discovery of new bioactive compounds from natural sources is crucial for the advancement of therapeutic treatments, and this study aimed to contribute to this field by exploring the potential of Streptomyces thinghirensis WAE1 as a source of such compounds. Streptomyces thinghirensis WAE1 was screened for its ability to produce antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory metabolites. The results revealed that S. thinghirensis WAE1 exhibited strong antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and moderate activity against Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Streptomyces thinghirensis WAE1 also displayed antioxidant activity through scavenging free radicals and chelating iron, and moderate anti-inflammatory activity as determined by its IC50 value. The isolate's demonstration of L-asparaginase activity suggests that S. thinghirensis WAE1 is a promising source of bioactive compounds with potential therapeutic uses. The high salinity and alkalinity of El-Hamara Lake, which create favorable conditions for the production of bioactive metabolites, further add to its potential as a source of actinomycetes strains with bioactive properties. These findings make both S. thinghirensis WAE1 and El-Hamara Lake valuable subjects for further exploration in the field of bioactive compounds.
Simultaneous gastric, pancreatic, and renal metastasis from poorly differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Uchikoshi Manabu , Ito Takayoshi , Nakajima Yoko , Sugiura Ikuya , Uozumi Shoujirou , Shimozuma Yuu , Sakaki Masashi , Ohira Yasuyuki , Yamochi Toshiko , Yoshida Hitoshi
Published: March 2024

Common extrahepatic metastasis sites of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are the lungs, adrenal glands, and bones. Herein, we report a rare case of metastatic gastric, pancreatic, and renal tumors from HCC simultaneously, and review the relevant literature. A 75-year-old woman presented with right hypochondralgia, appetite loss, and weight loss. Computed tomography revealed suspected metastatic liver, lung, and renal tumors. A blood test revealed a leukocyte count of 26,210/μL and a high inflammatory reaction. As sepsis was suspected, the patient was referred to our hospital. Gadolinium–ethoxybenzyl–diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hypovascular liver tumor that was suspected to be metastatic. Upper gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed two suspected metastatic gastric tumors. Liver and gastric tumor biopsies revealed poor carcinoma in both. The patient’s condition gradually worsened and she died on day 8 of the illness. Based on autopsy findings, the patient was finally diagnosed with metastatic gastric and renal tumors originating from HCC. Additionally, a metastatic pancreatic tumor originating from the HCC was identified during autopsy. The pathological diagnosis of the pulmonary lesion was primary lung adenocarcinoma. In conclusion, HCC should be suspected in cases with multiple metastases of unknown primary lesions.
Biting into the truth: Connecting oral pathology and stable isotopes through the paradigmatic example of a hyper-specialized marine diet in Medieval Pontevedra (NW Iberia)
Authors: Veiga-Rilo Clara , Cortizas Antonio Martínez , López-Costas Olalla
Published: March 2024

Human feeding patterns have been reconstructed in Archaeology by analysing either oral pathology or stable isotope ratios in human skeletal remains. However, no clear agreement has been developed between these two methodologies. The main objective of this study is to determine if we can establish a link between them when analysing a population with a hyper-specialized diet, in this case marine resources (and millet/maize). To reach this goal we developed a conjoined multi-isotope analysis using collagen and bioapatite (δ13Ccol, δ15Ncoland δ13Ccar) and a detailed study of oral health (caries, antemortem loss, periapical lesions, periodontal disease, calculus, and wear). All available skeletons with at least one preserved tooth from two cemeteries of the medieval town of Pontevedra (n = 34) were studied. The buried individuals belonged to the guild of fishers and artisans, professions which were dominant among the families of medieval Pontevedra. A detailed FTIR-ATR study of extracted bone bioapatite showed a high correlation between bioapatite carbonate content, carbonate typical vibrations, and FTIR-ATR indices related to bone diagenesis, which is in line with previous research. No significant correlations were found with bioapatite yield and isotopic composition (δ13Ccarand Δ13C), ruling out possible diagenetic effects. The diet was based on marine fish protein with contributions of millets (e.g., δ13Ccar-11.9 ± 1.8‰) that seems to be slightly higher in individuals linked to artisanal guilds. The oral pathology study shows severe dental wear from an early age (Grade 2–4 in permanent dentition for 20% of infants and 60% of juveniles in M1), as well as moderate-high presence of caries in permanent dentition (64%, 22/34) and dental calculus (72%, 24/33). Both the oral pathology and the isotopic signal differ from that observed in other areas of the Iberian Peninsula. This study points to the existence of connections between findings of the two methodologies, and specifically an association between intense dental wear and high consumption of marine resources and millet. At the same time, this analysis implies the necessity of caution in estimation of age by dental wear in populations linked to the sea.
Diverse distribution patterns of segmental longitudinal strain are associated with different clinical features and outcomes in dilated cardiomyopathy
Authors: Sengoku Kaoruko , Ohtani Tomohito , Takeda Yasuharu , Onishi Toshinari , Sera Fusako , Chimura Misato , Konishi Shozo , Ichibori Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Masayoshi , Ishizu Tomoko , Seo Yoshihiro , Sakata Yasushi
Published: March 2024

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) presents with diverse clinical courses, hardly predictable solely by the left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF). Longitudinal strain (LS) offers distinct information from LVEF and exhibits various distribution patterns. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical significance of LS distribution patterns in DCM.

Methods

We studied 139 patients with DCM (LVEF ≤ 35%) who were admitted for heart failure (HF). LS distribution was assessed using a bull’s eye map and the relative apical LS index (RapLSI), calculated by dividing apical LS by the sum of basal and mid-LS values. We evaluated the associations of LS distribution with cardiac events (cardiac death, LV assist device implantation, or HF hospitalization) and LV reverse remodeling (LVRR), as indicated by subsequent LVEF changes.

Results

Twenty six (19%) and 29 (21%) patients exhibited a pattern of relatively apical impaired or preserved LS (defined by RapLSI < 0.25 or > 0.75, signifying a 50% decrease or increase in apical LS compared to other segments), and the remaining patients exhibited a scattered/homogeneously impaired LS pattern. The proportion of new-onset heart failure and LVEF differed between the three groups. During the median 595-day follow-up, patients with relatively-impaired apical LS had a higher rate of cardiac events (both log-rank p < 0.05) and a lower incidence of LVRR (both p < 0.01) compared to patients with other patterns. RapLSI was significantly associated with cardiac event rates after adjusting for age, sex, and new-onset HF or global LS.

Conclusion

DCM patients with reduced EF and distinct distribution patterns of impaired LS experienced different outcomes.
Process Mining Success Factors and Their Interrelationships
Authors: Mamudu Azumah , Bandara Wasana , Wynn Moe T. , Leemans Sander J. J.
Published: March 2024

Process mining—a suite of techniques for extracting insights from event logs of Information Systems (IS)—is increasingly being used by a wide range of organisations to improve operational efficiency. Despite extensive studies of Critical Success Factors (CSFs) in related domains, CSF studies tailored to process mining are limited. Moreover, these studies merely identify factors and do not provide essential details such as a clear conceptual understanding of success factors and their interrelationships. Through a multi-phased approach (applying published process mining case studies, conducting two in-depth case studies and expert interviews), this paper presents an empirically validated process mining CSF model and CSF interrelationships. This validated CSF model identifies ten process mining CSFs, explains how these factors relate to the process mining context and analyses their interrelationships with regard to process mining success. The findings provide a guide for organisations to invest in the right mix of CSFs for value realisation in process mining practice.
Bayesian Linear Inverse Problems in Regularity Scales with Discrete Observations
Authors: Yan Dong , Gugushvili Shota , van der Vaart Aad
Published: March 2024

We obtain rates of contraction of posterior distributions in inverse problems with discrete observations. In a general setting of smoothness scales we derive abstract results for general priors, with contraction rates determined by discrete Galerkin approximation. The rate depends on the amount of prior concentration near the true function and the prior mass of functions with inferior Galerkin approximation. We apply the general result to non-conjugate series priors, showing that these priors give near optimal and adaptive recovery in some generality, Gaussian priors, and mixtures of Gaussian priors, where the latter are also shown to be near optimal and adaptive.
Multifold increase in dye adsorption by nanoparticles of a nanobiocomposite through its controlled simultaneous synthesis with simultaneous adsorption and photodegradation
Authors: Rakhshaee Roohan , Ertegha Nasim
Published: March 2024

It was shown for the first time that the efficiency of dye adsorption by nanoparticles (NPs) in a cheap and safe nanobiocomposite was increased several times (713%) due to the synchronization of the controlled synthesis of nanobiocomposite (α-Fe2O3NPs/lemon peel (LP)/Fe3O4NPs) in the final stages of its nanoparticles growth with the removal process of Brilliance Green, compared to that of the separate synthesis from the removal process. It was only performed during the simultaneous adsorption and photodegradation (SAP) because of the stabilization of its NPs by the small substances obtained from dye photodegradation, unlike alone adsorption (AA) with agglomeration of its NPs. It turned out that only in the case of simultaneous nanobiocomposite synthesis with dye removal process during SAP, the percentage of dye adsorption by nanoparticles of nanobiocomposite is higher than that of organic substances of its LP. A competitive process was happened between NPs and the organic substances of LP in nanobiocomposite including hydrolyzable tannin, cellulose and effective alcohols, in the absence of performance of pectin at pH = 6.0 and, with participation of only pectin at pH = 4.0, for adsorption with and without photodegradation of the dye which was studied by reaching the quantitative values and the mass balances.
Watering Sundarban's fields: a systematic review of groundwater and surface water suitability for irrigation
Authors: Monika  , Dimple  , Kumar Sunil , Giri Arup
Published: March 2024

The Sundarban region—located from the Hooghly River in India's state of West Bengal to the Baleswar River in Bangladesh—renowned for its distinctive ecosystem and agricultural techniques, heavily depends on groundwater for irrigation purposes. However, concerns arise regarding the suitability of groundwater for sustainable agriculture in this vulnerable coastal zone. This systematic review aims to comprehensively evaluate the quality and appropriateness of groundwater and surface water for irrigation in the Sundarban region. By extensively searching scientific databases and relevant literature, we identified eighteen studies meeting our inclusion criteria. These studies encompassed hydrological, hydrochemical, and agronomic parameters, facilitating a thorough assessment of groundwater quality and its potential impacts on crop productivity. The review evaluates key parameters such as total hardness, residual sodium carbonate, potential salinity, permeability index, Kelly's ratio, sodium absorption ratio, corrosivity ratio, and chloroalkaline indices. The results revealed that irrigation water displays an alkaline nature, and both surface water and groundwater were unsuitable for irrigation due to exceedingly high-quality parameters beyond the standard limits. Nevertheless, groundwater exhibited favorable physiochemical properties. The review identifies critical research gaps and proposes future directions to enhance the understanding of groundwater suitability for irrigation in the Sundarban region. The findings emphasize the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach to ensure sustainable agricultural practices and safeguard the delicate ecosystem of the Sundarban region.
Machining of a functional hip prosthesis cone in TI-6AL-4V ELI titanium alloy produced by electron beam melting
Authors: Festas A. J. , Ramos A. , Davim J. P.
Published: March 2024

Digital manufacturing using 3D models and innovative fabrication methods present challenges for functional areas of medical devices. The advantages arising from 3D manufacturing processes like electron beam melting (EBM) play a major role in producing medical devices as, for example, orthopaedic implants. However, surfaces with functional demands for surface roughness and dimensional accuracy require machining operations to achieve the necessary standards. This study aimed to manufacture a functional cone of the modular component of the hip prosthesis through turning and to assess if an EBM-obtained component could offer better machinability as compared to wrought titanium and ensure functionality. To achieve this, the variances in cutting forces and surface roughness of the resulting surface were analysed during the turning tests. The results show that the EBM test samples had higher roughness (Ra) values, yet it was possible to achieve Ra = 0.4 μm for f = 0.1 mm/rev. and approximately 20% lower resulting cutting forces, for example, for f = 0.1 mm/rev, 122N compared to 101N. Using the Kienzle-Victor model, the specific cutting force of titanium EBM was determined to be 1775 N/mm2. The impact of the shell geometry of the EBM test samples had no significant effect on the results. This allows for the exploration of its potential in component design, as it provides an economic advantage in manufacturing. In conclusion, the cutting forces and surface roughness showed similar or superior machinability compared to that of wrought titanium. The EBM technology enables the production of intricate forms and facilitates finishing operations in functional zones.
The cost of proportional representations in electoral system design
Authors: Jeong Byeong-hyeon
Published: March 2024

We present an impossibility result concerning the design of dual vote electoral systems that meet three key conditions: proportional party representation, proportional local representation, and local accountability. By identifying the necessary number of compensatory seats to meet these three conditions in dual vote systems, we show that the number is not bounded in general; thus, it can be very costly to achieve the three conditions. When a cap is applied to the total seats, combined with a district-decentralization, semi-compensatory dual vote systems that distribute the limited compensatory seats to enhance proportionality become vulnerable to strategic manipulations. Specifically, when political parties seek to maximize their legislative representation, they might employ the strategy of creating ‘decoy’ party lists.
Robotic realization of human perceptual changes with lateral balance task
Authors: Tomabechi Kazuya , Morita Ryosuke , Ito Satoshi
Published: March 2024

Human motor learning affects not only motion pattern but also perception. On the basis of this idea, we investigated some human-balancing tasks to observe changes in the balance perception. We simulated one of the results to replay the human behavior. In this study, we aim to demonstrate the human adaptive behavior in a motor and sensory system using a robot in a real-world scenario. The subjective upright, i.e., the inclination angle was considered as upright, was evaluated as perception in a balance position, and its lateral shift was determined after a motor-learning task under lateral disturbances. The adaptation dynamics were defined based on our hypothesis that stated that the subjective upright tends to vary toward the posture in which balance can be best maintained. Consequently, the change in the subjective upright similar to the human result was reproduced using a two-link robot that was subjected to the same environmental condition as that in the human experiment.
Transport Coefficients for the Simple Reacting Spheres Kinetic Model II: Thermal Conductivity, Diffusion, Thermal-Diffusion Ratio
Authors: Polewczak Jacek , Silva Adriano W. , Soares Ana Jacinta
Published: March 2024

We investigate the transport coefficients for a dilute reactive mixture of four constituents undergoing a chemical reaction of type $$A+B \rightleftharpoons C+ D$$

A
+
B
⇌
C
+
D

, which is described by the Simple Reacting Spheres (SRS) kinetic model. The dynamics of the SRS model is very interesting and relatively simple. Both reactive and inert collisions obey to the hard spheres potential and the collisional operator incorporates a “correction” term that singles out those pre-collisional pairs of particles having enough energy to react chemically. Starting from this setting, we consider the mixture in a chemical regime for which both elastic and reactive collisions occur with comparable characteristic times and use the Chapman–Enskog method to determine the first-order approximation of the non-equilibrium solution to the SRS system. In a preceding paper (part I), the focus was on the coefficients associated to reaction rate and shear viscosity and in the present work we are interested on the coefficients associated to thermal conductivity, diffusion, and thermal-diffusion ratio. These coefficients are analysed numerically for both exothermic and endothermic reactions. The analysis allows to investigate the influence of the chemical reaction and the impact of the “correction” term proper of the SRS model on the transport coefficients.
Standardized nomenclature for litigational legal prompting in generative language models
Authors: Sivakumar Aditya , Gelman Ben , Simmons Robert
Published: March 2024

With the increasing availability of commercial Artificial Intelligence, General Language Models (GLMs) have been widely explored in various domains, including law. However, to ensure accurate and standardized legal results, it is crucial to establish a consistent framework for prompting GLMs. This paper presents one of the first instances of such nomenclature, providing a robust framework of “variables” and “clauses” that enhances legal-focused results. The proposed framework was applied in diverse legal scenarios, demonstrating its potential from both client and attorney perspectives. By introducing standardized variables and clauses, legal professionals can effectively communicate with GLMs. This not only improves the accuracy of the generated outcomes but also facilitates collaboration between AI systems and legal experts. With a common framework in place, legal practitioners can leverage AI technology confidently, knowing that the results produced align with established legal principles. Furthermore, the framework serves as a foundation for future research in the field of legal prompting with GLMs, and several avenues for future research are recommended in this paper. This standardization of nomenclature is expected to contribute to the wider adoption and benefit of GLMs in the legal field, leading to more accurate and reliable outcomes.
Liquid phase oxidation enables stable soft carbon anodes for potassium-ion batteries
Authors: Yao Junjun , Liu Chang , Zhu Yaming , Sun Ying , Feng Daming , Yao Yali , Mao Quanxing , Ma Tianyi
Published: March 2024

Soft carbon has been recognized as a promising anode material for potassium-ion batteries (PIBs), due to low cost, high conductivity and low voltage platform. However, their practical application is hampered by slow storage kinetics and unsatisfactory cycle life. In this work, pitch-derived needle coke, a typical soft carbon, was incorporated with oxygenated functional groups through liquid phase oxidation by using H2O2 oxidant. When used as anode materials for PIBs, the oxidized needle coke delivers a high reversible capacity of 322.7 mAh g−1, significantly superior to that of the needle coke (237.9 mAh g−1). The enhanced electrochemical performance can be attributed to the abundant oxygenated functional groups and resultant defects on the surface of oxidized needle coke, which not only serve as extra active sites for potassium storage, but also provide sufficient pathways for K+ migration across the adjacent carbon layers. Moreover, the expanded interlayer spacing derived from H2O2 oxidation facilitates rapid K+ intercalation and deintercalation. This work offers an effective modification strategy for the fabrication of high-performance pitch-based soft carbon anodes for PIBs.

Graphical Abstract
Mobile Landscapes and Their Enduring Places
Authors: David Bruno , Delannoy Jean-Jacques , Birkett-Rees Jessie
Published: March 2024

This Element presents emerging concepts and analytical tools in landscape archaeology. In three major sections bookended by an Introduction and Conclusion, the Element discusses current and emerging ideas and methods by which to explore how people in the past engaged with each other and their physical settings across the landscape, creating their lived environments in the process. The Element reviews the scales and temporalities that inform the study of human movements in and between places. Learning about how people engaged with each other at individual sites and across the landscape deep in the past is best achieved through transdisciplinary approaches, in which archaeologists integrate their methods with those of other specialists. The Element introduces these ideas through new research and multiple case studies from around the world, culminating in how to 'archaeomorphologically' map anthropic constructions in caves and their contemporary environments.
Offshore Wind Energy
Authors: Nielsen Finn Gunnar
Published: March 2024

Many countries have plans to expand wind energy to meet CO2 emissions targets. Lack of available land area and the need for good and stable wind conditions have stimulated the development of offshore wind turbines, which allows for the development of larger turbines. The offshore environment, however, involves new challenges related to the design, installation, operation and maintenance of the turbines. Based on a graduate-level course taught by the author, this book focuses on the opportunities and challenges related to offshore wind turbines. It introduces the offshore environment, including wind and wave dynamics, before discussing the aerodynamics of wind turbines, hydrodynamic loading, marine operations, and wind farm layout. Featuring examples that demonstrate practical application of the topics covered and exercises to consolidate student understanding, this is an indispensable reference text for advanced students and researchers of environmental science and engineering and for industry professionals working in the wind energy sector.
Ritual and Language
Authors: Kádár Dániel Z.
Published: March 2024

While ritual is often associated with phenomena such as ceremonies, cursing and etiquette, it actually encompasses something much more important: it includes all instances of communally oriented language use. As such, ritual manifests itself in many forms in our daily lives, such as politeness, swearing and humour, and in many different life situations, spanning trash talk in sports events, through market bargaining, to conventional social pleasantries. This pioneering book provides an introduction to ritual language use by providing a cutting-edge, language-anchored and replicable framework applicable for the study of ritual in different datatypes and languages. The framework is illustrated with a wealth of case studies drawn from Chinese and Anglophone rituals which demonstrate how to use it effectively. The book is essential reading for both academics and students, and is relevant to pragmatics, applied linguistics and other ﬁelds.
Determining the Impact of Hurricane Dorian and the Covid-19 Pandemic on Moral Distress in Emergency Medical Providers at the Rand Memorial Hospital: Moral distress in emergency medical personnel
Authors: Storr Latoya E. , Hertelendy Attila J. , Hart Alexander , Cheng Lenard , Issa Fadi , Benham Todd , Ciottone Gregory
Published: March 2024

Objectives:

The aim of this work was to determine the impact of Moral Distress (MD) in emergency physicians, nurses, and emergency medical service staff at the Rand Memorial Hospital (RMH) in the Bahamas, and the impact of Hurricane Dorian and the COVID-19 pandemic on Moral Distress.

Method:

A cross-sectional study utilizing a 3-part survey, which collected sociodemographic information, Hurricane Dorian and COVID-19 experiences, as well as responses to a validated modified Moral Distress Scale (MDS).

Results:

Participants with 2 negatively impactful experiences from COVID-19 had statistically significantly increased MD compared to participants with only 1 negatively impactful experience (40.4 vs. 23.6, P = 0.014). Losing a loved one due to COVID-19 was associated with significantly decreased MD (B = - 0.42, 95% CI -19.70 to -0.88, P = 0.03). Losing a loved one due to Hurricane Dorian had a non-statistically significant trend towards higher MD scores (B = 0.34, 95% CI -1.23 to 28.75, P = 0.07).

Conclusion:

The emergency medical staff at the RMH reported having mild - moderate MD. This is one of the first studies to look at the impact of concurrent disasters on MD in emergency medical providers in the Bahamas.
How the Laws of Logic Lie
Authors: Russell Gillian K.
Published: March 2024

Nancy Cartwright's 1983 book How the Laws of Physics Lie argued that theories of physics often make use of idealisations, and that as a result many of these theories were not true. The present paper looks at idealisation in logic and argues that, at least sometimes, the laws of logic fail to be true. That might be taken as a kind of skepticism, but I argue rather that idealisation is a legitimate tool in logic, just as in physics, and recognising this frees logicians up to use false laws where these are helpful.
Going Local, Going Mainstream? Ethnographic Study of Two French Cities Governed by the Rassemblement National
Authors: Bellè Elisa , Faury Félicien
Published: March 2024

The government actions of populist radical right (PRR) parties have predominantly been scrutinized at the national level, leaving a critical aspect – their territorial foothold – largely unexplored. Through a comparative ethnographic study of two medium-sized French towns governed by the Rassemblement National since 2014, this article delves into how seizing municipal power has influenced the party's efforts towards mainstreaming. We examine the party's strategy, aimed at institutionalization, which relies on a blend of rhetoric emphasizing proximity, pragmatism, and non-partisan administration while preserving fundamental ideological elements of the radical right. This amalgamation of mainstreaming and radicalism, adaptive to different contexts and audiences, is termed ‘adaptable ideology’. Our study makes significant contributions to two pivotal aspects of the literature: understanding the mainstreaming trajectory of PRR parties and exploring the recent, localist turn in the study of this political realm.
Candida auris screening practices at healthcare facilities in the United States: An Emerging Infections Network survey
Authors: Hennessee Ian P. , Forsberg Kaitlin , Beekmann Susan E. , Polgreen Philip M. , Gold Jeremy A.W. , Lyman Meghan
Published: March 2024

We surveyed members of the Emerging Infections Network about Candida auris screening practices at US healthcare facilities. Only 37% of respondents reported conducting screening; among these, 75% reported detection of at least 1 C. auris case in the last year. Increased screening could improve C. auris detection and prevent spread.
Detailed characterization of extreme clustering at near-contact scales in isotropic turbulence
Authors: Johnson Danielle R. , Hammond Adam L. , Bragg Andrew D. , Meng Hui
Published: March 2024

Recent measurements of inertial particles in isotropic turbulence (Hammond & Meng, J. Fluid Mech., vol. 921, 2021, A16) revealed surprising extreme clustering of particles at near-contact separations

$(r)$

, whereby the radial distribution function,

$g(r)$

, grows from

$O(10)$

to

$O(10^3)$

with a

$(r/a)^{-6}$

scaling (where

$a$

is the particle radius), and a surprising upturn of the mean inward particle-pair relative velocity (MIRV). Hydrodynamic interactions (HIs) were proposed to explain the extreme clustering, but despite predicting the correct scaling

$(r/a)^{-6}$

, the HI theory underpredicted

$g(r)$

by at least two orders of magnitude (Bragg et al., J. Fluid Mech., vol. 933, 2022, A31). To further understand the extreme clustering phenomenon and the relevance of HI, we characterize

$g(r)$

and particle-pair kinematics for Stokes numbers

$0.07 \leq St \leq 3.68$

in a homogeneous isotropic turbulence chamber using three-dimensional (3-D) particle tracking resolved to near–contact. A drift–diffusion equation governing

$g(r)$

is presented to investigate the kinematic mechanisms of particle pairs. Measurements in all 24 conditions show that when

$r/a\lessapprox 20$

, extreme clustering consistently occurs, scaling as

$g(r) \sim (r/a)^{-k}$

with

$4.5 \leq k \leq 7.6$

, which increases with

$St$

. Here

$g(r)$

varies with

$St$

, particle size, density and polydispersity in ways that HI cannot explain. The extreme clustering region features an inward drift contributed by particle-pair turbophoresis and an inward radial relative acceleration. The latter indicates an interparticle attractive force at these separations that HI also cannot explain. The MIRV turns upward when approaching the extreme clustering region, opposite to direct numerical simulation predictions. These observations further support our previous assessment that extreme clustering arises from particle–particle interactions, but HI is not the main mechanism.
The sub-microscale dynamics of double-diffusive convection
Authors: Radko Timour
Published: March 2024

This study investigates the dynamics of fingering convection on scales much smaller than the typical size of individual salt fingers. On such scales, salinity patterns exhibit the spontaneous emergence of sharp fronts induced by finger-scale strain. In contrast, velocity and temperature fields are largely devoid of sub-microscale variability, which is attributed to the rapid molecular dissipation of heat and momentum. The presence of fine salinity structures fundamentally limits the efficiency of direct numerical simulations (DNS) of double-diffusive processes. In the oceanographic context, the computational cost of resolving sub-microscale salinity features exceeds that of temperature-only DNS by up to four orders of magnitude, severely restricting the types of double-diffusive systems that can be studied numerically. To address this complication, we introduce the sub-microscale filtering (SMF) algorithm, which resolves temperature and velocity while parameterizing the sub-microscale dynamics of salinity. The proposed closure draws inspiration from the Smagorinsky scheme, which represents unresolved processes by the downgradient strain-dependent momentum flux. The SMF model is successfully validated through fully resolved simulations.
Optimal inverse problems of potentials for two given eigenvalues of Sturm–Liouville problems
Authors: Zhao Min , Qi Jiangang
Published: March 2024

The present paper is concerned with the infimum of the norm of potentials for Sturm–Liouville eigenvalue problems with Dirichlet boundary condition such that the first two eigenvalues are known. The explicit quantity of the infimum is given by the two eigenvalues.
Why Seeing Is Not Believing and Why Believing Is Seeing: On the Politics of Sight
Authors: CASTELLÓ PABLO P.
Published: March 2024

Social movements often appeal to the politics of sight, meaning that if people knew about a given injustice, political transformation would follow. Jasmine English and Bernardo Zacka articulate two central premises of the politics of sight: “(1) exposing morally repugnant practices will make us see them, (2) seeing such practices will stop us from acquiescing to them.” Considering the case of slaughterhouse workers, Timothy Pachirat and English and Zacka challenge the previous premises. This article complements their contributions by theorizing what I call Western conceptuality/language and the role this plays in forming our subjectivities not to recognize violence on the one hand, and to be sovereign masters over animals on the other. I conclude by discussing the political implications of these arguments for the politics of sight, including the role of concealment and exposure, and the conditions needed for humans to see animals in their full ethical weight.
Endogenous Colonial Borders: Precolonial States and Geography in the Partition of Africa
Authors: PAINE JACK , QIU XIAOYAN , RICART-HUGUET JOAN
Published: March 2024

We revise the conventional wisdom that Africa’s international borders were drawn arbitrarily. Europeans knew very little about most of Africa in the mid-1880s, but their self-interested goals of amassing territory prompted intensive examination of on-the-ground conditions as they formed borders. Europeans negotiated with African rulers to secure treaties and to learn about historical state frontiers, which enabled Africans to influence the border-formation process. Major water bodies, which shaped precolonial civilizations and trade, also served as focal points. We find support for these new theoretical implications using two original datasets. Quantitatively, we analyze border-location correlates using grid cells and an original spatial dataset on precolonial states. Qualitatively, we compiled information from treaties and diplomatic histories to code causal process observations for every bilateral border. Historical political frontiers directly affected 62% of all bilateral borders. Water bodies, often major ones, comprised the primary border feature much more frequently than straight lines.
The Effect of Protesters’ Gender on Public Reactions to Protests and Protest Repression
Authors: NAUNOV MARTIN
Published: March 2024

This study examines how protesters’ gender shapes public reactions to protests and protest repression. Using an original survey experiment, I demonstrate that protests involving extensive participation by women are perceived as less violent and meriting of repression than male-dominated protests. But perceptions of female protesters vary. Patriarchy-defiant female protesters like feminists are deemed more deserving of repression despite being perceived as equally likely to be peaceful as female protesters who emphasize patriarchy-compliant femininities, such as women who highlight their roles as mothers and wives. This, I show, is because patriarchy-defiant women are viewed as more immoral, which renders their protest accounts less trustworthy when they clash with government propaganda seeking to legitimize repression. These findings underscore the value of disaggregating the binary category of man or woman when examining sentiments toward political agents and of considering stereotypes when studying perceptions, and ultimately the risks and effectiveness, of protest movements.
Unit sphere fibrations in Euclidean space
Authors: Asimov Daniel , Frick Florian , Harrison Michael , Pegden Wesley
Published: March 2024

We show that if an open set in $\mathbb{R}^d$ can be fibered by unit n-spheres, then $d \geq 2n+1$, and if $d = 2n+1$, then the spheres must be pairwise linked, and $n \in \left\{0, 1, 3, 7 \right\}$. For these values of n, we construct unit n-sphere fibrations in $\mathbb{R}^{2n+1}$.
Proof of some conjectural congruences involving Apéry and Apéry-like numbers
Authors: Mao Guo-Shuai , Wang Lilong
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we mainly prove the following conjectures of Sun [16]: Let p > 3 be a prime. Then
\begin{align*}
&A_{2p}\equiv A_2-\frac{1648}3p^3B_{p-3}\ ({\rm{mod}}\ p^4),\\
&A_{2p-1}\equiv A_1+\frac{16p^3}3B_{p-3}\ ({\rm{mod}}\ p^4),\\
&A_{3p}\equiv A_3-36738p^3B_{p-3}\ ({\rm{mod}}\ p^4),
\end{align*}

where $A_n=\sum_{k=0}^n\binom{n}k^2\binom{n+k}{k}^2$ is the nth Apéry number, and Bn is the nth Bernoulli number.
Nonlinear electron scattering by electrostatic waves in collisionless shocks
Authors: Kamaletdinov Sergei R. , Vasko Ivan Y. , Artemyev Anton V.
Published: March 2024

We present a theoretical analysis of electron pitch-angle scattering by ion-acoustic electrostatic fluctuations present in the Earth's bow shock and, presumably, collisionless shocks in general. We numerically simulate electron interaction with a single wave packet to demonstrate the scattering through phase bunching and phase trapping and quantify electron pitch-angle scattering in dependence on the wave amplitude and wave normal angle to the local magnetic field. The iterative mapping technique is used to model pitch-angle scattering of electrons by a large number of wave packets, which have been reported in the Earth's bow shock. Assuming that successive electron scatterings are not correlated, we revealed that the long-term dynamics of electrons is diffusive. The diffusion coefficient depends on the ratio

$\varPhi _0/W$

between the wave packet amplitude and electron energy,

$D\propto (\varPhi _0/W)^{\nu }$

. A quasi-linear scaling (

$\nu \approx 2$

) is observed for sufficiently small wave amplitudes,

$\varPhi _0\lesssim 10^{-3}W$

, while the diffusion is nonlinear (

$1<\nu <2$

) above this threshold. We show that pitch-angle diffusion of

${\lesssim }1$

 keV electrons in the Earth's bow shock can be nonlinear. The corresponding diffusion coefficient scales with the intensity

$E_{w}^{2}$

of the electrostatic fluctuations in a nonlinear fashion,

$D\propto E_{w}^{\nu }$

with

$\nu <2$

, while its expected values in the Earth's bow shock are

$D\sim 0.1\unicode{x2013}100$

$(T_{e}/W)^{\nu -1/2}\,{\rm rad}^{2}\,{\rm s}^{-1}$

. We speculate that in the Earth's quasi-perpendicular bow shock the stochastic shock drift acceleration mechanism with pitch-angle scattering provided by the electrostatic fluctuations can contribute to the acceleration of thermal electrons up to approximately 1 keV. The potential effects of a finite perpendicular coherence scale of the wave packets on the efficiency of electron scattering are discussed.
Force analysis of a soft-rigid hybrid pneumatic actuator and its application in a bipedal inchworm robot
Authors: Jiang Zhujin , Zhang Ketao
Published: March 2024

This paper systematically investigates a soft-rigid hybrid pneumatic actuator (SRHPA), which consists of a rigid-foldable twisting skeleton capable of a large range of helical motion and a soft bellows muscle with high linear driving force. Considering the unique varying-pitch helical motion of the foldable skeleton, the analytical model mapping the input force generated by the bellows muscle and output forces of the actuator is revealed and verified with a simulation of the force analysis. Prototypes of the actuator are developed by fabricating the twisting skeleton with multilayered aluminum composite panels and 3D-printing the bellows muscle with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) 95A filament. The static and dynamic performances of the prototypes are tested to validate the analytical modeling of output forces. Using the actuator as a module, a novel bipedal inchworm robot with four modules is developed and tested to demonstrate its adaptability in confined space by switching between the going-straight, the turning-around, and the rotating gaits. The hybrid actuator and the inchworm robot with zero onboard electronics have the potential to be deployed in extreme environments where pneumatically actuated systems are preferred over electrical machines and drives, such as in nuclear and explosive environments.
Adaptive fractional-order integral fast terminal sliding mode and fault-tolerant control of dual-arm robots
Authors: Tuan Le Anh , Ha Quang Phuc
Published: March 2024

Closed-loop kinematics of a dual-arm robot (DAR) often induces motion conflict. Control formulation is increasingly difficult in face of actuator failures. This article presents a new approach for fault-tolerant control of DARs based on advanced sliding mode control. A comprehensive fractional-order model is proposed taking nonlinear viscous and viscoelastic friction at the joints into account. Using integral fast terminal sliding mode control and fractional calculus, we develop two robust controllers for robots subject to motor faults, parametric uncertainties, and disturbances. Their merits rest with their strong robustness, speedy finite-time convergence, shortened reaching phase, and flexible selection of derivative orders. To avoid the need for full knowledge of faults, robot parameters, and disturbances, two versions of the proposed approach, namely adaptive integral fractional-order fast terminal sliding mode control, are developed. Here, an adaptation mechanism is equipped for estimating a common representative of individual uncertainties. Simulation and experiment are provided along with an extensive comparison with existing approaches. The results demonstrate the superiority of the proposed control technique. The robot performs well the tasks with better responses (e.g., with settling time reduced by at least 16%).
Conscience des déficits dans le cadre de la maladie d’Alzheimer : représentations et vécu des professionnels soignants
Authors: Vignolo Julie , Jacus Jean-Pierre , Darnaud Thierry , Cuervo-Lombard Christine Vanessa
Published: March 2024

La qualité des soins apportés aux personnes vivant avec la maladie d’Alzheimer (MA) dépend en partie de la capacité des professionnels à déterminer le degré de conscience de la maladie chez les patients. La présente recherche s’est intéressée aux représentations des soignants concernant la conscience des troubles chez les résidents d’établissements de soins de longue durée présentant un diagnostic de MA. Le pouvoir prédicteur de l’anosognosie sur le fardeau soignant a également été examiné. L’anosognosie des troubles de la construction (r = 0,40, p = 0,0164) et de l’initiation (r = 0,32, p = 0,052) était corrélée au fardeau soignant. Les professionnels se représentaient les résidents comme ayant une conscience altérée de leurs capacités, même en l’absence d’anosognosie. Les scores réels d’anosognosie ne prédisaient pas les estimations soignantes, hormis le score global sous forme de tendance (χ2 = 3,38, p = 0,066). Les soignants surestimaient pourtant les performances cognitives des résidents, telles que mesurées au moyen du protocole Misawareness (prédictions aidants/performances réelles : DC = 12,32, p < 0,0001).
Medical Trainees Abroad: Neglected Human Rights Considerations
Authors: Appel Jacob M.
Published: March 2024

Medical trainees (applicants, students, and house officers) often engage in global health initiatives to enhance their own education through research and patient care. These endeavors may concomitantly prove of value to host nations in filling unmet clinical needs. At present, healthcare institutions generally focus on the safety of the trainee and the welfare of potential patients and research subjects when sanctioning such programs. The American medical community has historically afforded less consideration to the ethics of engagement by trainees from the United States in nations known for serious human rights transgressions. This essay examines the ethics of such endeavors and argues for increased consideration of these broader considerations when trainees engage in global health work abroad.