bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Evaluation of the Damping Characteristics of Some Silicon Rubber/Ferric Oxide Composites
Authors: Wang Xiaowen , Yan Jun , Yu Yan , Qiu Haoyan , Li Xuanchuan , Joseph Paul , Zhong Meiling , Hu Xinyue , Zhang Ri‐Chao
Published: December 2024

Generally, polymeric materials with superior damping characteristics are in great demand for many advanced functional applications, such as in building, aerospace, electronics, and transport sectors. However, it still remains a challenge to improve the damping characteristics of such materials owing to the lack of adequate practical knowledge in this area. Here, we report on the successful fabrication of silicon rubber (SR)/ferric oxide (Fe3O4) composites with excellent damping characteristics. The results obtained from the study showed that the damping characteristics of the specimens increased with the loading of Fe3O4 within a range of −105°C to 200°C. Specifically, the damping factor (tanδ) is 0.45 at room temperature, and the effective working temperature, the temperatures that correspond to the tanδ > 0.3, ranged from −105°C to 165°C for the loading of Fe3O4 at 60 phr. The scanning electron microscopy results showed that the excellent damping characteristics of composites can be attributed to the good dispersion of Fe3O4 in the SR matrix. This work, therefore, opens up a pathway toward a relatively easy and up‐scalable means for fabricating polymer composites that have superior damping characteristics and ones with a wider applicability.
ZnO quantum dots reduce acquisition of huanglongbing pathogen by Diaphorina citri
Authors: Rao Wenhua , Yue Qi , Gao Shang , Li Minyu , Lin Tao , Pan Xiaohong , Fan Guocheng , Hu Jinfeng
Published: December 2024

BACKGROUND

Diaphorina citri Kuwayama is the main vector of the Huanglongbing (HLB) pathogen Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas). Therefore, reducing CLas acquisition by D. citri is crucial for controlling the spread of HLB.

RESULTS

This study aimed to investigate the effect of ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) on CLas acquisition by D. citri. The results showed that ZnO QDs were absorbed by citrus plants and D. citri, inducing reactive oxygen species generation in the intestine and causing intestinal cell apoptosis. The uptake rate of CLas was reduced to 75% and 22.3% after treatment with 2 and 5 mg ∙ mL−1 ZnO QDs, respectively, compared with 100% in the control group. Transcription analysis showed significant changes in the expression of D. citri genes related to apoptosis, oxidative stress, and DNA replication and repair.

CONCLUSION

The results suggested that ZnO QDs could efficiently reduce CLas acquisition by D. citri, providing a safe and reliable tool for HLB prevention and control. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.
A First‐Principles Study of Structural, Elastic, Mechanical, Thermodynamic, and Electronic Properties of Rb2XIO6 (X = Ga, In) Double Perovskites
Authors: Osama Muhammad , Ali Malak Azmat , El‐marghany Adel , Gul Asif , Jehan Shafiullah , Usmani Waliullah
Published: December 2024

Double perovskites (DPs) have gained the interest of researchers due to their unique properties. In present work, structural, mechanical, electronic, and thermodynamic properties of Rb2XIO6 (X = Ga, In) DPs are investigated using first‐principles calculations. The tolerance and octahedral factors are calculated in the allowed range of DPs. The phonons dispersion curves were computed with positive frequencies. The elastic constants prove the mechanical stability. Mechanical properties explore the anisotropic, brittle, and stiffer nature of both DPs. The computed band structures discover the metallic nature, where O–p and I–s states are found to cross the Fermi level. Debye temperature for Rb2GaIO6 is calculated higher than Rb2InIO6. Grüneisen parameter is evaluated to decrease with increasing pressure and temperature. Specific heat capacity is observed to saturate at 450 K. The coefficient of thermal expansion are calculated as 9  10−5 and 8.95  10−5 K−1 at 1000 K for Rb2GaIO6 and Rb2InIO6, respectively.
Decentralized Finite‐Time Adaptive Neural Output‐Feedback Quantized Control for Switched Nonlinear Large‐Scale Delayed Systems
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Chen Hongtian , Wu Wentao , Jia Zehua , Zhang Weidong
Published: December 2024

This paper considers the problem of decentralized finite‐time adaptive neural output‐feedback quantized control for a class of switched nonlinear large‐scale delayed systems. A switched high‐gain quantized state observer is therefore constructed for each subsystem to estimate unavailable system states. Different from the traditional Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional method, multiple Lyapunov–Krasovskii functions are introduced to develop the decentralized adaptive output‐feedback control strategy with neural network approximation for the switched nonlinear large‐scale delayed systems. Under a category of switching signals with persistent dwell time, all signals in the closed‐loop switched system are semi‐globally uniformly ultimate bounded. Meanwhile, the tracking errors can remain in a small domain of origin in finite time. Case studies are finally used to illustrate the flexibility and effectiveness of the proposed control approach, including the switched two continuous stirred tank reactor delayed systems.
Regulating the Intralayer Cation Disorder in Layered Lithium‐Rich Cathodes to Improve Cycle Performance
Authors: Cai Guohong , Cai Guanqun , Cao Tong , Qu Shangqing , Chu Shengqi , Zhang Daliang , Xu Juping , Yin Wen , Liu Yiding , Li Guobao , Sun Junliang
Published: December 2024

The Li/Mn ordered structure of lithium‐rich (LR) cathodes leads to the heterogeneous Li2MnO3 and LiTMO2 components, readily triggering structural degeneration and performance degradation in long‐term cycling. However, the lack of guiding principles for promoting cation disorder within the transition metal (TM) layers has posed a persistent challenge in designing homogeneous layered LR cathodes. Herein, the (Li + Mn)TM content in the TM layer as a criterion for the design of cation‐disordered layered LR cathodes is proposed. The intralayer cation disorder can be achieved by tuning the (Li + Mn)TM content less than 0.5 combined with incorporating the solute ions with suitable ionic radii. For a multicomponent LR nickel cobalt manganese (LRNCM) oxides system, multiscale structural analyses reveal that cation‐disordered layered Li1.1(Ni0.6Co0.1Mn0.3)0.9O2 (LR613) exhibits enhanced compositional homogeneity and higher Rm symmetry. The developed LR613 cathode undergoes a solid‐solution reaction during Li+ deintercalation and mitigates voltage decay during cycling. It is elucidated that intralayer cation disorder effectively alleviates microstrain within the cathode structure and enhances overall structural stability. This comprehensive understanding of the composition‐structure‐electrochemical behavior relationship inspires the development of durable cation‐disordered layered LR cathodes through composition tuning.
Prevalence of feline upper respiratory tract pathogens and risk factors for clinical disease and final outcomes in an RSPCA shelter in Queensland, Australia
Authors: Kennedy Uttara , Stevenson Mark , Paterson Mandy , Jaensch Susan , Hayward Doug , Clark Nicholas
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Feline respiratory tract infection poses a serious challenge in animal shelters. Potential risk factors include pathogens introduced through animals entering the shelter. We aimed to determine the proportion of animals shedding feline upper respiratory tract (URT) pathogens at the time of entry and to assess how this contributed to the burden of clinical disease and final outcomes.

Methods

Oropharyngeal and conjunctival swabs were collected from incoming cats over 11 months and tested using real‐time PCR. The prevalence and distribution of pathogens were reported; causal associations with clinical disease and shelter outcomes were assessed using Bayesian generalised regression models.

Results

On admission, 43% (n = 86) cats were shedding one or more pathogens (feline herpes virus, feline calici virus, Mycoplasma felis, Chlamydia felis and Bordetella bronchiseptica). Shedding was somewhat associated with subsequent clinical disease but not with risk of euthanasia. Animals placed into foster care were less likely (odds ratio [OR] 0.27, Bayesian credible interval [CI] 0.09‒0.78) and those enrolled into behavioural rehabilitation programmes were more likely to develop disease (OR 5, CI 2.4‒11). Kittens had a delayed time to onset of disease (daily hazard 0.39, CI 0.13‒1.2). Geriatric animals (OR 4.1, CI 1.8‒10) and those with comorbidities (OR 8.8, CI 3.5‒25) were most likely to be euthanased.

Conclusions

While a substantial proportion of animals were shedding pathogens on entry, animal characteristics (age and behaviour) and shelter operations (foster care) were more important in impacting the shelter's burden of clinical feline URT disease.
New constraints on gauged $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$ models via Z − Z′ mixing
Authors: Asai Kento , Miyao Coh , Okawa Shohei , Tsumura Koji
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Models based on a $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$
U

1

L
μ

−

L
τ

gauge symmetry can explain the discrepancy between the measured value and theoretical prediction of the muon anomalous magnetic moment. Based on the latest experimental results, we revisit the analysis of neutrino mass matrix structures in minimal $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$
U

1

L
μ

−

L
τ

models where the $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$
U

1

L
μ

−

L
τ

symmetry breaking is caused by a single scalar field. Due to the charge assignment of the scalar field, each model predicts a unique structure of the neutrino mass matrix, which demands non-trivial relations among neutrino mass and mixing parameters. We find that the model called type 2+1, which features an SU(2)L doublet scalar Φ+1 with the $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$
U

1

L
μ

−

L
τ

charge +1 and the hypercharge +1/2 and predicts the B3 texture structure, is marginally acceptable under the current neutrino oscillation data and cosmological observation. When the $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$
U

1

L
μ

−

L
τ

gauge symmetry is broken by the vacuum expectation value of the standard model non-singlet representation such as Φ+1, there are additional contributions to flavor-changing meson decay processes and atomic parity violation via mixing between the Z boson and the $$ \textrm{U}{(1)}_{L_{\mu }-{L}_{\tau }} $$
U

1

L
μ

−

L
τ

gauge boson Z′. We newly evaluate the model-dependent constraints on the model and find that the type 2+1 model is robustly ruled out. The model is extended to have an additional vacuum expectation value of a standard model singlet scalar in order to avoid the stringent constraints via the Z – Z′ mixing. Finally, we clarify the allowed range of the ratio of these vacuum expectation values.
Spinning waveforms in cubic effective field theories of gravity
Authors: Brandhuber Andreas , Brown Graham R. , Chen Gang , Travaglini Gabriele , Matasan Pablo Vives
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We derive analytic all-order-in-spin expressions for the leading-order time-domain waveforms generated in the scattering of two Kerr black holes with arbitrary masses and spin vectors in the presence of all independent cubic deformations of Einstein-Hilbert gravity. These are the two parity-even interactions I1 and G3, and the parity-odd ones Ĩ1 and $$ {\overset{\sim }{G}}_3 $$

G
~

3

. Our results are obtained using three independent methods: a particularly efficient direct integration and tensor reduction approach; integration by parts combined with the method of differential equations; and finally a residue computation. For the case of the G3 and $$ {\overset{\sim }{G}}_3 $$

G
~

3

deformations we can express the spinning waveform in terms of the scalar waveform with appropriately shifted impact parameters, which are reminiscent of Newman-Janis shifts. For I1 and Ĩ1 similar shifts occur, but are accompanied by additional contributions that cannot be captured by simply shifting the scalar I1 and Ĩ1 waveforms. We also show the absence of leading-order corrections to gravitational memory. Our analytic results are notably compact, and we compare the effectiveness of the three methods used to obtain them. We also briefly comment on the magnitude of the corrections to observables due to cubic deformations.
New dimer integrable systems and defects in five dimensional gauge theory
Authors: Lee Norton
Published: December 2024

Abstract

We study the relation between the quantum integrable systems derived from the dimer graphs and five dimensional $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetric gauge theories on S1 × ℝ4. We construct integrable systems based on new dimer graphs obtained from modification of hexagon dimer diagram. We study the gauge theories in correspondence to the newly proposed integrable systems. By examining three types of defects — a line defect, a canonical co-dimensional two defect and a monodromy defect — in five-dimensional gauge theory with $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 1 supersymmetry and $$ {\Omega}_{\varepsilon_1,{\varepsilon}_2} $$

Ω

ε
1

,

ε
2

-background. We identify, in the ε2 → 0 limit, the canonical co-dimensional two defect satisfying the Baxter T-Q equation of the generalized A-type dimer integrable system, and the monodromy defect as its common eigenstate of the commuting Hamiltonians, with the eigenvalues being the expectation value of the BPS Wilson loop in the anti-symmetric representation of the bulk gauge group.
Preserving Heritage Amid War: A Protocol for Recording and Disseminating the Tomb of Djehutyhotep at the Sudan National Museum
Authors: Lemos Rennan , Abdllatief Ikhlas , Linarello Sveva , Capuchio Victor
Published: December 2024

Archaeological sites in southern Egypt and northern Sudan faced a significant threat of destruction caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam. The UNESCO Nubian campaign sponsored extensive surveys and excavations to salvage as much as possible, yielding large datasets. Temples and tombs were disassembled and relocated, including to various museums, in preservation efforts. Despite these endeavors, much information was lost. The wall paintings and inscribed features of the tomb of Djehutyhotep were among the monuments reassembled in the courtyard of the Sudan National Museum. However, the preserved tomb features are once again at risk of destruction due to war in Sudan. The first field season of a project to document, study, and disseminate information about the tomb of Djehutyhotep in April 2023 was disrupted by war, compromising the quality of collected data. Inaccessibility to the material and the threat of destruction or permanent damage pose major challenges. This paper addresses the challenges posed by incomplete datasets, inaccessibility, and the risk of destruction, proposing a protocol for documenting and digitally disseminating heritage at risk, which is potentially applicable to other conflict zones to enable remote research and outreach.
Circular Consumption Practices as Matters of Care
Authors: Mesiranta Nina , Mattila Malla , Koskinen Outi , Närvänen Elina
Published: December 2024

While a circular economy (CE) paradigm shift has gained significant momentum among academics, practitioners, and policymakers, theory regarding its social aspects remains scant, especially theory based on an ethical, micro-level perspective. Circular consumption, referring to those consumption practices that aim to extend the lifetimes of objects and materials, involves ethical considerations. However, everyday circular consumption and its ethics have not gained a foothold in the CE literature. This article builds on the existing circular consumption literature by drawing insights from the posthuman feminist theorising of care, shifting the focus of care from humans to the complex relations between humans and nonhumans and conceptualising circular consumption practices as matters of care. This conceptualisation, which follows a thinking-with-theory approach, is based on empirical material constructed in two research projects focusing on frontrunner consumers in terms of circular consumption in Finland: food waste reduction and circular clothing consumption. We identify circular consumption as care by introducing three distinct perspectives: care as tinkering, care as affective practices, and care as ethico-political action. We show that approaching circular consumption practices as matters of care, while not always easy or straightforward, is an attempt to make consumption better: more attentive, inclusive, durable, and enjoyable. Our findings emphasise the interconnected nature of circular practices, the constant performativity of circular consumption, and nonhumans as crucial stakeholders in care relations. Consequently, we offer an alternative to technocentric CE perspectives and a way to promote a sustainable world through care.
Programming education across disciplines: a nationwide study of Danish higher education
Authors: Nicolajsen Sebastian Mateos , Nielsen Sofie , Carlsen Louise Meier , Brabrand Claus
Published: December 2024

Decades of technological development and innovation have led to an unprecedented digitalization of society. Graduates entering the modern workforce now need better computational competences. Higher education is thus forced to adapt and consider how to support these demands. To support educators in making decisions regarding how to integrate computing in their programmes, we set out to investigate to what extent and how mandatory (computer) programming has emerged in the tertiary educational system of an entire country: Denmark. We analyzed all course descriptions from 1169 tertiary educational programmes at all higher educational institutions spanning all of Denmark. This provides a “snapshot” of where and how programming education has emerged and manifested itself in higher education across faculties, study programmes, and disciplines for an entire country. Our results demonstrate that, as of 2023, 1 in 6$$\nicefrac {1}{2}$$

1
2

educational programmes (175 out of 1169) include mandatory programming. To support educators in introducing programming, we quantify and provide an overview of educational programmes with mandatory programming along several dimensions. We characterize the roles programming has in different programmes, how programming is delineated, and which families of competences are often taught in connection with programming. Based on the results of our study, we issue five recommendations directed at policymakers and educators responsible for navigating the inclusion of programming in their education.
Revolutionizing Fingerprint Detection: Ce3+ Doped SiO2-Zr2O3:Sr2+ Nanocomposites with Enhanced Luminescence and Selectivity
Authors: Qayyum Momna , Shahid Sammia , Mansoor Sana , Faizan Muhammad , Javed Mohsin , Zidan Ammar , Bahadur Ali , Iqbal Shahid , Mahmood Sajid , Farouk Abd-ElAziem , Aloufi Salman
Published: December 2024

Even though fingerprints remain one of the most reliable methods of identification, they are often lost during the recovery process. Accurate fingerprint recognition depends on the contrast between the ridges and substrate. On tough surfaces, such as glossy, colorful, and patterned materials, the contrast is harder to establish. Photoluminescent materials play a crucial role in forensic investigations as they enable the development of procedures that enhance image quality and increase the accuracy of findings from security institutions. Due to the strong emission in the red area at 620 nm, the use of trivalent Rare Earth ions (RE3+) doped materials in this work is notable. Because of the unique properties and abundance of cerium, luminous materials based on SiO2-Zr2O3: Ce3+, Sr2+ prepared via sol-gel technique present a more practical alternative for use in criminal investigations compared to current photonic materials. The sample was further co-doped with synthetic (Safranin-O and crystal violet) as well as organic (curcumin and lycopene) photoluminescent dyes. The nanocomposites were examined using X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). In conclusion, this work highlights the qualities critical to obtaining higher-resolution latent fingerprint images for potential forensic applications.
Decomposed quasiconvex optimization with application to generalized cone problems
Authors: Cunis Torbjørn
Published: December 2024

We propose a gradient-based method to solve quasiconvex optimization problems through decomposed optimization and prove local superlinear convergence under mild regularity assumptions at the optimal solution. A practical implementation further provides global convergence while maintaining the fast local convergence. In numerical examples from generalized cone programming, the proposed method reduced the number of iterations to 18 to 50% compared to bisection.
Evaluation of collision detection and avoidance methods for urban air mobility through simulation
Authors: Panchal Isha , Armanini Sophie F. , Metz Isabel C.
Published: December 2024

Urban Air Mobility is a new concept of regional aviation that has been growing in popularity as a solution to the issue of ever-increasing ground traffic. Electric vehicles with vertical take-off and landing capabilities are developed by numerous market companies as a result of the push toward environmentally sustainable aviation. The next stage in this development process would be to define the concept of operation of these conceptual aircraft and then to integrate them with the existing airspace once they are airborne. In addition to coordinating with conventional air traffic and other Urban Air Mobility vehicles, collision avoidance with uncooperative airspace users has to be addressed. Birds and drones of all sizes pose a serious risk to these low-flying aircraft. Innovative collision detection and avoidance techniques need to be employed due to the non-cooperative nature of these airspace users and different performance characteristics of Urban Air Mobility vehicles compared to classical fixed-wing aircraft. The aim of this study is to evaluate the concept of one such system by means of fast-time simulations. This system builds, similarly to the Airborne Collision Avoidance System, on safety envelopes and rule-based collision avoidance to prevent collisions with non-cooperative airspace members. The system is designed to work with all aircraft configurations used for Urban Air Mobility operations. To assess its influence on safety and capacity, different scenarios are modeled by varying parameters, such as intruder type, location, flight path. The parameters assessed are differences in flight time and closest point of approach with and without the collision avoidance system in place. Moreover, the influence of different configurations of Urban Air Mobility aircraft on these parameters is analyzed. The results show that the separation between the ownship and intruder is increased substantially which leads to safe operations at bearable delay costs.
CsLAC4, regulated by CsmiR397a, confers drought tolerance to the tea plant by enhancing lignin biosynthesis
Authors: Yang Hongbin , Xia Linxuan , Li Jingshan , Jia Xiaoyu , Jia Xinyue , Qi Yuying , Yu Youben , Wang Weidong
Published: December 2024

Drought is a prevalent abiotic stress that commonly affects the quality and yield of tea. Although numerous studies have shown that lignin accumulation holds significant importance in conferring drought tolerance to tea plants, the underlying molecular regulatory mechanisms governing the tea plant's response to drought remain largely elusive. LACCASEs (LACs), which belong to the class of plant copper-containing polyphenol oxidases, have been widely reported to participate in lignin biosynthesis in plants and are implicated in numerous plant life processes, especially in the context of adverse conditions. In this study, we detected the upregulation of CsLAC4 in response to drought induction. Remarkably, the overexpression of CsLAC4 not only substantially increased the lignin content of transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana but also simulated the development of vascular tissues, consequently leading to a significant enhancement in drought tolerance. Moreover, via dual-luciferase assays and transient overexpression in tea leaves, we revealed that CsLAC4 was negatively regulated by the upstream CsmiR397a. Interestingly, the expression of CsmiR397a was downregulated during drought stress in tea plants. Arabidopsis thaliana overexpressing CsmiR397a showed increased sensitivity to drought stress. By transient overexpression of CsmiR397a and CsLAC4 in tea plant leaves, we verified that CsLAC4, which is regulated by CsmiR397a, conferred drought tolerance to tea plants by enhancing lignin biosynthesis. These findings enhance our understanding of the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying the response of tea plants to drought stress.
Impact of Clinical Trial Enrollment on Thrombolysis Workflow in a Mobile Stroke Unit: Results from the AcT Trial
Authors: Chaggar Gurpreet , Pahwa Arth , Buck Brian H. , Jeerakathil Thomas , Shuaib Ashfaq , Almekhlafi Mohammed , Swartz Richard , Butt Asif , Catanese Luciana , Singh Nishita , Tkach Aleksander , Sajobi Tolulope T. , Menon Bijoy K. , Kate Mahesh
Published: December 2024

Background:

The Edmonton-based mobile stroke unit (MSU), which transports patients to the University of Alberta Hospital (UAH), enrolled patients in the Intravenous Tenecteplase Compared with Alteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke (AcT) trial. We examined the feasibility of trial enrollment in MSU, its impact on acute stroke workflow metrics and functional outcomes at 90–120 days.

Methods:

In this post hoc analysis, patients were divided into three groups based on enrollment site: MSU (n = 43), UAH (n = 273) and non-UAH (n = 1261). All patients were enrolled with a deferred consent process. The primary outcome for this analysis was the feasibility of enrollment defined as the proportion of patients receiving intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) during the study period who were enrolled in the trial. Multiple linear and binary logistic regression was used to evaluate the adjusted effect of the study groups on acute stroke workflow metrics and functional outcomes at 90–120 days.

Results:

100% of eligible IVT-treated patients in the MSU during the study period were enrolled in the AcT trial. Covariate-adjusted linear regression showed shorter door-to-needle (17.2 [9.7–24.6] min) and CT-to-needle (10.7 [4.2–17.1] min) times in the MSU compared to UAH and non-UAH sites. There was no difference in the proportion of patients with an excellent functional outcome (mRS 0–1) at 90–120 days or symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at 24 hours between groups.

Conclusions:

Enrollment in the AcT trial from the MSU was feasible. MSU-enrolled patients demonstrated faster door-to-needle and CT-to-needle times, resulting in earlier IVT administration and similar rates of symptomatic ICH.
An enthalpy-based model for the physics of ice-crystal icing
Authors: Peters Timothy , Shelton Josh , Tang Hui , Trinh Philippe H.
Published: December 2024

Ice-crystal icing (ICI) in aircraft engines is a major threat to flight safety. Due to the complex thermodynamic and phase-change conditions involved in ICI, rigorous modelling of the accretion process remains limited. The present study proposes a novel modelling approach based on the physically observed mixed-phase nature of the accretion layers. The mathematical model, which is derived from the enthalpy change after accretion (the enthalpy model), is compared with an existing pure-phase layer model (the three-layer model). Scaling laws and asymptotic solutions are developed for both models. The onset of ice accretion, the icing layer thickness and solid ice fraction within the layer are determined by a set of non-dimensional parameters including the Péclet number, the Stefan number, the Biot number, the melt ratio and the evaporative rate. Thresholds for freezing and non-freezing conditions are developed. The asymptotic solutions present good agreement with numerical solutions at low Péclet numbers. Both the asymptotic and numerical solutions show that, when compared with the three-layer model, the enthalpy model presents a thicker icing layer and a thicker water layer above the substrate due to mixed-phased features and modified Stefan conditions. Modelling in terms of the enthalpy poses significant advantages in the development of numerical methods to complex three-dimensional geometrical and flow configurations. These results improve understanding of the accretion process and provide a novel, rigorous mathematical framework for accurate modelling of ICI.
The Nutrition Society Satellite Symposium, Nutrition Congress: workplace diet and health
Authors: Gibson Rachel , Rogerson Georgia A. F. , Theobald Hannah E. , Alawfi Jumanah S. , Philippou Elena , David Deborah , Sum Kiu , Durrant Louise R.
Published: December 2024

The workplace is a key environmental determinant of health and well-being. Food choices can be influenced by several workplace-related factors including, but not limited to, working hours, the workplace food environment, job roles and workplace culture. Therefore, the workplace is increasingly viewed as an important place for public health nutrition interventions. However, research in this area is fragmented and heterogeneous due to the wide range of workplace settings and occupational groups. This editorial summarises the research presented at The Nutrition Society Workplace Diet and Health Special Interest Group Satellite Symposium in July 2024 as part of the inaugural Nutrition Society Congress.
Measles and rubella seroprevalence in adults using residual blood samples from health facilities and household serosurveys in Palghar District, Maharashtra, India, 2018 – 2019
Authors: Prosperi Christine , Hasan Alvira Z. , Winter Amy K. , Chaaithanya Itta Krishna , Salvi Neha R. , Chauhan Sanjay L. , Kulkarni Ragini N. , Lachyan Abhishek , Gawali Poonam , Kapoor Mitali , Bhatt Vaishali , Kaduskar Ojas , Deshpande Gururaj Rao , Esteban Ignacio , Ramasamy Sabarinathan , Kumar Velusamy Saravana , Truelove Shaun A. , Kumar Muthusamy Santhosh , Thangaraj Jeromie W. Vivian , Sangal Lucky , Mehendale Sanjay M. , Sapkal Gajanan N. , Gupta Nivedita , Hayford Kyla , Moss William J. , Murhekar Manoj V.
Published: December 2024

Residual blood specimens collected at health facilities may be a source of samples for serosurveys of adults, a population often neglected in community-based serosurveys. Anonymized residual blood specimens were collected from individuals 15 – 49 years of age attending two sub-district hospitals in Palghar District, Maharashtra, from November 2018 to March 2019. Specimens also were collected from women 15 – 49 years of age enrolled in a cross-sectional, community-based serosurvey representative at the district level that was conducted 2 – 7 months after the residual specimen collection. Specimens were tested for IgG antibodies to measles and rubella viruses. Measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates using facility-based specimens were 99% and 92%, respectively, with men having significantly lower rubella seropositivity than women. Age-specific measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates were similar between the two specimen sources. Although measles seropositivity was slightly higher among adults attending the facilities, both facility and community measles seroprevalence estimates were 95% or higher. The similarity in measles and rubella seroprevalence estimates between the community-based and facility serosurveys highlights the potential value of residual specimens to approximate community seroprevalence.
Executive functioning as a prospective moderator of the relations between maltreatment in childhood and externalizing symptoms and wellbeing from adolescence to young adulthood
Authors: Jakubovic Rafaella J. , Drabick Deborah A. G.
Published: December 2024

Although childhood maltreatment is associated with externalizing symptoms, not all individuals with these experiences develop externalizing behaviors and some exhibit positive adjustment. To address this multifinality, we used latent growth curve modeling to identify trajectories of (a) externalizing symptoms and (b) subjective wellbeing from late adolescence through young adulthood, determine whether types of childhood maltreatment and domains of executive functioning (EF) are associated with initial levels and growth (slopes) of externalizing symptoms or subjective wellbeing, and investigate whether EF moderates these relations. Participants were youth recruited at ages 10–12 (N = 775; 69% male, 31% female; 76% White, 21% Black/African American, 3% multiracial). We examined EF at ages 10–12, childhood maltreatment reported retrospectively at age 25, and externalizing symptoms and subjective wellbeing at multiple points between ages 16 and 28. Experience of childhood maltreatment and certain EF domains were associated with externalizing symptoms and subjective wellbeing at age 16. EF domains were associated with rate of change in externalizing problems, though not in expected directions. EF variables moderated the relation between maltreatment and initial levels of both outcomes and change in externalizing symptoms. Findings have implications for intervention efforts to mitigate externalizing problems and bolster positive adjustment.
Twelve days in the career of a China missionary: Timothy Richard at the Protestant Conference in Shanghai in 1890
Authors: Kwong Luke
Published: December 2024

This article proposes to examine an obscure episode in the long career of the well-known Welsh Baptist missionary Timothy Richard, who went to China in 1870 and spent most of the next 45 years there. Richard attended the second general Protestant Missionary Conference in Shanghai in 1890 and served on committees, spoke at meetings, and presented a paper. The information available, though scanty, confirms key components of his approach to mission at this time: his goal was to achieve Chinese ‘salvation’ by promoting the principles and practices of what might be broadly termed ‘Christian civilisation’; his means of propagation was the written word; his preferred point of entry was contact with members of China's ‘ruling’ or ‘governing’ classes. In response to his call for action against anti-Christian, anti-Church propaganda, the conference appointed a permanent committee, with Richard as chair, to present an address on the ‘missionary question’ to the Qing government. It was this project that took him to Beijing in 1895, where he met with court officials and members of the educated elite, and established connections that involved him, rather haphazardly, in court politics in 1898. The sequence of events sheds light on an intriguing aspect of Sino–foreign relations during the late Qing period.
Mikroschulungen für Patientinnen und Patienten in Leichter Sprache
Authors: Klein Katharina , Schuster Johanna , Petersen Sarah-Charlotte , Kendel Friederike
Published: December 2024

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Die Mikroschulung ist eine Kernkompetenz von Pflegefachpersonen. Eine besondere Herausforderung stellt dabei die Schulung der immer größer werdenden Gruppe von Menschen dar, die über eine geringe Literalität verfügen. Ziel: Ziel unseres Projektes war es, ein Lehrkonzept zu entwickeln und zu evaluieren, das angehende Pflegefachpersonen schrittweise dazu befähigt, eigenständig Mikroschulungen für Menschen mit einer geringen Literalität durchzuführen. Methode: Zunächst wurde ein Lehrkonzept für eine Mikroschulung in Leichter Sprache entwickelt, das mit angehenden Pflegefachpersonen des Bachelorstudiengangs Pflege der Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin umgesetzt und in einer Pilotstudie im Prä-Post-Design überprüft wurde. Mit selbstentwickelten Items wurden Erfahrung, Sicherheit, Kompetenz und Lernzuwachs gemessen. Ergebnisse: Vor Beginn des Lehrkonzepts hatten 56% (n = 14) der Teilnehmenden bereits erste Erfahrungen mit Patientenschulungen. Die Relevanz des Themas wurde als sehr hoch eingeschätzt (Median = 9; IQR = 10–8; n = 25). Nach Abschluss des Lehrkonzepts fühlten sich die Teilnehmenden sicherer in der Durchführung von Mikroschulungen (T0: 36% vs. T1: 79%) und kompetenter im Umgang mit Leichter Sprache (T0: 4% vs. T1: 26%). Schlussfolgerung: Ein Lehrkonzept, das die Entwicklung einer Mikroschulung von Anfang an mit dem zielgruppenspezifischen Ansatz der Leichten Sprache verbindet, erhöht die Sicherheit der Pflegenden bei der Durchführung einer Schulung sowie das Selbstmanagement von Menschen mit geringer Literalität.
Multi‐Scale Interactions Associated With Two Offshore Rainfall Events Near the West Coast of Sumatra
Authors: Stoddard Johnathan , Pu Zhaoxia
Published: December 2024

This study investigates the offshore propagation of precipitation off the west coast of Sumatra on February 1 and 4, 2018, focusing on specific events to complement previous studies on seasonality. We use ERA5, MERRA–2, IMERG, Padang radar data, and cloud‐permitting scale simulations with WRF‐ARW V4.1.3 to understand the roles of the land breeze, gravity waves, and convective outflow in these two events. On February 1, convection organizes north of Padang and propagates approximately 100 km offshore. On February 4, a multicellular system organizes south of Padang and travels over 150 km offshore. Large‐scale environmental conditions reveal stronger westerly winds from the Indian Ocean on February 1 and strong northeasterly winds from the South China Sea on February 4. Both events occur in regions with high surface humidity and weak 900 mb winds along the coastline. WRF simulations show that on February 1, the sea breeze uniformly transitions to a land breeze, while on February 4, it forms chaotically. Convective outflow enhances offshore precipitation by interacting with the land breeze, creating additional convergence zones and intensifying convection. Gravity waves played a minor role, contributing to atmospheric instability. The results of this study conclude that offshore‐moving convection is primarily driven by the land breeze and convective outflow, with gravity waves playing a minor role. The land breeze initiates convection, while the convective outflow enhances and sustains offshore propagation by creating additional convergence zones and intensifying convection. Moisture advection precedes nocturnal propagation, increasing atmospheric instability and creating favorable conditions for nighttime offshore precipitation.
Systematic Regional Aerosol Perturbations (SyRAP) in Asia Using the Intermediate‐Resolution Global Climate Model FORTE2
Authors: Stjern Camilla W. , Joshi Manoj , Wilcox Laura J. , Gollop Amee , Samset Bjørn H.
Published: December 2024

Emissions of anthropogenic aerosols are rapidly changing, in amounts, composition and geographical distribution. In East and South Asia in particular, strong aerosol trends combined with high population densities imply high potential vulnerability to climate change. Improved knowledge of how near‐term climate and weather influences these changes is urgently needed, to allow for better‐informed adaptation strategies. To understand and decompose the local and remote climate impacts of regional aerosol emission changes, we perform a set of Systematic Regional Aerosol Perturbations (SyRAP) using the reduced‐complexity climate model FORTE 2.0 (FORTE2). Absorbing and scattering aerosols are perturbed separately, over East Asia and South Asia, to assess their distinct influences on climate. In this paper, we first present an updated version of FORTE2, which includes treatment of aerosol‐cloud interactions. We then document and validate the local responses over a range of parameters, showing for instance that removing emissions of absorbing aerosols over both East Asia and South Asia is projected to cause a local drying, alongside a range of more widespread effects. We find that SyRAP‐FORTE2 is able to reproduce the responses to Asian aerosol changes documented in the literature, and that it can help us decompose regional climate impacts of aerosols from the two regions. Finally, we show how SyRAP‐FORTE2 has regionally linear responses in temperature and precipitation and can be used as input to emulators and tunable simple climate models, and as a ready‐made tool for projecting the local and remote effects of near‐term changes in Asian aerosol emissions.
Kinetic Isotopic Degassing of CO2 During the 2021 Fagradalsfjall Eruption and the δ13C Signature of the Icelandic Mantle
Authors: Moussallam Yves , Rose‐Koga Estelle F. , Fischer Tobias P. , Georgeais Guillaume , Lee Hyun Joo , Birnbaum Janine , Pfeffer Melissa A. , Barnie Talfan , Regis Edouard
Published: December 2024

CO2 is the first volatile to exsolve in magmatic systems and plays a crucial role in driving magma ascent and volcanic eruptions. Carbon stable isotopes serve as valuable tracers for understanding the transfer of CO2 from the melt to the gas phase during passive degassing or active eruptions. In this study, we present δ13C measurements from the 2021 Fagradalsfjall eruption, obtained from (a) volcanic gases emitted during the eruption and collected via unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and (b) a series of mineral‐hosted melt inclusions from the corresponding tephra deposits. These data sets jointly track the carbon isotopic evolution of the melt and gas phases during the last 10 km of magma ascent. The isotopic evolution of both phases indicates that kinetic degassing, a process previously only identified in mid‐ocean ridge basalts, took place in the 10 to 1 km depth range, followed by equilibrium degassing at near‐surface conditions in the last kilometer. Postulating that the melt was first saturated with CO2 at 27 km depth and that degassing from then to 10 km depth took place via equilibrium isotopic fractionation, the melt inclusion data constrain the initial δ13C signature of the Icelandic mantle to −6.5 ± 2.5‰ but also show indications of possible isotopic heterogeneity in the mantle source.
Observed Climatology and Formation Mechanisms of Sea Fog Along the Trans‐Arctic Shipping Routes
Authors: Song Shutong , Chen Xianyao
Published: December 2024

As Arctic sea ice rapidly melts, trans‐Arctic shipping routes are emerging with significant economic value and potentially reshaping global shipping patterns. The safety of ships navigating along these routes will be severely threatened by low visibility caused by Arctic sea fog. Here, we utilize ship and coastal site observations spanning 1979–2023 to investigate the climatological features and mechanisms of Arctic sea fog from June to September. We find that the Northern Sea Route (NSR, along the Russian coast) experiences a mean fog frequency of 20.0%, significantly higher than the 11.5% fog frequency observed along the Northwest Passage (NWP, along the Canadian coast). Fog frequency shows null correlation with sea ice but a strong negative correlation (−0.80) with surface air temperature. The lower mean surface air temperature in the NSR region enhances relative humidity and atmospheric stability, which are conducive to fog formation and maintenance. We further reveal that fog formation mechanisms differ between the NSR and NWP. Along the NSR, fog is usually advection fog, associated with upper boundary layer warming and moistening; in contrast, along the NWP, fog is typically radiation fog linked to near‐surface cooling. Our study highlights the distinct fog frequency and dominant mechanisms along the different trans‐Arctic shipping routes, thereby establishing observed reference for the model validation of simulating Arctic sea fog.
Biogenic Silica: Sources, Structure and Properties
Authors: Thakur Bandana , Shrivastava Rahul , Gupta Vijai Kumar , Nadda Ashok Kumar
Published: December 2024

Biogenic silica (bSi) is also known as opal, biogenic opal, and amorphous opaline silica and it can be described as silica or silicon dioxide that is produced by living organisms. There are a number of organisms that produce bSi in both terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, diatoms being one of the major producers in marine ecosystems. The biological origin of bSi makes it an advantageous alternative to the existing conventional forms of synthetic Si since it is sustainable, economic and environmentally viable. Also, bSi is characterized by various structural shapes, (including globular, fibrillar, helical, tubular, and folded sheets) and variations in density, and content. The various physical and chemical properties of bSi have made it a hot topic of research in recent times. Also, using the current ecological and sustainable extraction techniques such as the thermal, chemical and biological methods has enhanced the scope of bSi in various fields. In addition to its chemical inertness, which makes bSi extremely demanding in terms of science, it also demonstrates some of its remarkable inherent qualities that could be used to advance the existing technologies or even to create new ones. The remarkable intrinsic properties of bSi have been customized so that it can be used in several applications, such as biomedical, photocatalysis, enzyme immobilization, photonics, energy conversion, and storage.
Biogenic Silica in Ocean and Terrestrial Environments
Authors: Suman Diksha , Kumar Sourav , Nadda Ashok Kumar , Shrivastava Rahul
Published: December 2024

Biosilica, also known as “biogenic silica,” is a naturally occurring substance created by a variety of living beings, including sponges, radiolarians, and diatoms. The biological processes of these organisms produce a particular kind of silica (SiO2). Their life and ecological functioning depend heavily on the structural and protective properties of biogenic silica. Under the control of organic molecules found inside the organisms, silica is precipitated from dissolved silicic acid, a soluble form of silicon, to create biogenic silica. For instance, diatoms use biogenic silica to build complex cell walls, known as frustules, that display a variety of and frequently species-specific nano- and micro-scale patterns. These frustules support the diatom species mechanically, control buoyancy, and contribute to their distinctive forms and sizes, which affect how they interact with one another ecologically and how sediment accumulates. Additionally, biogenic silica has potential applications in materials science. Understanding the processes of biogenic silica production, its ecological relevance, and its potential uses requires research across the domains of biology, geology, chemistry, and materials science. Further research on biogenic silica might lead to the development of novel biomaterials, a better understanding of the complex interactions that occur between live organisms and their surroundings, and new insights into the evolution of various ecosystems.