bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ergodic theorem in CAT(0) spaces in terms of inductive means
Authors: ANTEZANA JORGE , GHIGLIONI EDUARDO , STOJANOFF DEMETRIO
Published: March 2022

Let
$(G,+)$
be a compact, abelian, and metrizable topological group. In this group we take
$g\in G$
such that the corresponding automorphism
$\tau _g$
is ergodic. The main result of this paper is a new ergodic theorem for functions in
$L^1(G,M)$
, where M is a Hadamard space. The novelty of our result is that we use inductive means to average the elements of the orbit
$\{\tau _g^n(h)\}_{n\in \mathbb {N}}$
. The advantage of inductive means is that they can be explicitly computed in many important examples. The proof of the ergodic theorem is done firstly for continuous functions, and then it is extended to
$L^1$
functions. The extension is based on a new construction of mollifiers in Hadamard spaces. This construction has the advantage that it only uses the metric structure and the existence of barycenters, and does not require the existence of an underlying vector space. For this reason, it can be used in any Hadamard space, in contrast to those results that need to use the tangent space or some chart to define the mollifier.
Effect of electrostatic forces on the dispersion of like-charged solid particles transported by homogeneous isotropic turbulence
Authors: Boutsikakis Athanasios , Fede Pascal , Simonin Olivier
Published: March 2022

The effect of electrostatic forces on the dispersion of small like-charged inertial particles transported by a homogeneous isotropic turbulent flow is analysed by means of direct numerical simulations coupled with the Lagrangian tracking of charged particles. The results show that particle dispersion decreases for increasing charge. Since turbulent particle dispersion is related to the intensity of particle agitation and to the Lagrangian particle integral time scale, we analyse the effects of electrostatic forces on these two quantities. Particle agitation decreases for increasing particle charge. In fact, particle kinetic energy is not directly modified by electrostatic forces, which are conservative, it is rather the particle entrainment by fluid turbulence that is modified. To support this claim, one shows that the fluid–particle velocity covariance is destructed by electrostatic forces, a destruction can be predicted by drawing an analogy between inter-particle collisions and Coulomb collisions. As expected, electrostatic forces decorrelate particle velocities leading to a decrease of the Lagrangian particle integral time scale. Finally, one shows that the analogy with inter-particle collisions allows us to predict the reduction of particle dispersion.
Interruption of a Presidential Press Conference by Some Television Broadcast Stations: Censorship or a Valid Innovative Measure to Combat Fake News?
Authors: Fuentes Juan-Andrés
Published: March 2022

Censorship normally refers to the Government's actions to ban different forms of freedom of speech (i.e. suppression of words or images). However, cries of censorship were heard as a result of the decision taken by television broadcast networks to interrupt the transmission of a Presidential press conference in November 2020. Some interpreted this act as censorship against public authorities. Others thought it was a legal (and necessary) measure to combat fake news. This article addresses whether the decision to limit a televised broadcast by President Trump was censorship or, alternatively, whether it was a valid, innovative measure to fight fake news. To tackle these issues, it is necessary that some of the related duties and rights television broadcast stations have before the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), governmental authority in charge of these matters, must be revised.
Amparo as a Reflection of Mexico's Evolving Society and Judicial System
Authors: McNulty Devin C.
Published: March 2022

An aguila dorada beats its wings and lifts off a twisting sapodilla tree branch overlooking the ruins of the once-mighty jungle kingdom of Palenque. It rises above undulating hills and past the majestic strongholds of the western hemisphere's greatest ancient civilization. It soars past stonework cut to perfection without modern tools, glides past 1,000-year-old solar calendars whose ancient timekeeping rivals the modern atomic clock. The eagle heads west and passes cerulean rivers cutting through emerald jungles plunging into the fissure of the Sumidero Canyon. Thermals lift the eagle to the high, dusty plain of Monte Alban and it turns north. It approaches the eternal spring of Cuenavaca and then over the frenetic megalopolis of Cuidad de Mexico. It glides above the imposing Teatitulaican and then drifts through the pastoral Bajío. The world's two biggest oceans flank the sides of her long north/south country. The air grows warmer as she traverses the spine of the Sierra Madre. The mountains flow down and dissolve into verdant jungles which, in turn, edge right up narrow beaches with crashing blue waves. The Sierra Madre then gives way to wild, tawny country, filled again with canyons, mesas and then ends at the Rio Bravo. The national symbol of Mexico is traced over a rich tapestry of topography, cultures, economies, history, and mixture of peoples. Reflected in this diversity is Mexico's stunning contribution to world jurisprudence: the Amparo.
The Impact of Thailand's Migrant Worker Law on Literacy and Social Media among Ethnic Shan Female Migrants from Myanmar
Authors: Intahchomphoo Channarong , Vellino André , Gundersen Odd Erik , Jarusawat Piyapat , Wongjamras Pranee , Tschirhart Naomi
Published: March 2022

This article studies the social and technological barriers that prevent documented and undocumented female migrants in Thailand's Chiang Mai Province from improving their literacy skills and using social media such as Facebook. In July 2019, our team conducted nine focus-group discussions (FGD) with 38 participants using a picture sorting activity. Using graphics in the FGDs helped us to better engage with migrant populations with low literacy skills. Demographic information of each FGD participant was also collected. Findings show that Thailand's current laws for migrant workers are the barrier that have negative impacts on literacy improvement and social media usage among both documented and undocumented ethnic Shan female migrants from Myanmar. As Thailand's law only permits migrants to work in labor-intensive jobs with minimum wage and no benefits, they do not have time and energy to spend on learning the Thai language and other skills. This reduces the migrants’ abilities to interact with Facebook. Additionally, undocumented migrants could not buy a SIM card with the cellular data plan to use their Facebook account directly from their cellphones because Thailand's laws require all network providers to officially register all SIM card purchases and only sell to documented persons.
SPECIALISING TREES WITH SMALL APPROXIMATIONS I
Authors: MOHAMMADPOUR RAHMAN
Published: March 2022

Assuming
$\mathrm{PFA}$
, we shall use internally club
$\omega _1$
-guessing models as side conditions to show that for every tree T of height
$\omega _2$
without cofinal branches, there is a proper and
$\aleph _2$
-preserving forcing notion with finite conditions which specialises T. Moreover, the forcing has the
$\omega _1$
-approximation property.
Contesting Juridical Authority: Sharia, Marriage, and Morality in Habsburg Bosnia and Herzegovina
Authors: Bumann Ninja
Published: March 2022

Following the Habsburg occupation of Bosnia, the newly built administration integrated much of the existing plural Ottoman legal system into its own. The ensuing transformation of Sharia courts saw them given “special jurisdiction” in the areas of Muslim marriage and divorce, which, in turn, fueled several legal challenges, such as how (if at all) they could prosecute “runaway” wives und unlawful marriages. This article analyzes how such legal challenges were endemic to the “translation” and transposing of Ottoman concepts of law, marriage, and morality within the new administrative setting on the basis of Sharia court records. In examining these debates, contested on the one side by Bosnian qadis and on the other by Habsburg officials, it becomes clear that Islamic and Ottoman legal understandings were reinterpreted strategically to support different views as to how an Islamic judiciary could be best integrated into the (predominantly Christian) Habsburg monarchy.
Position control of a planar cable-driven parallel robot using reinforcement learning
Authors: Sancak Caner , Yamac Fatma , Itik Mehmet
Published: March 2022

This study proposes a method based on reinforcement learning (RL) for point-to-point and dynamic reference position tracking control of a planar cable-driven parallel robots, which is a multi-input multi-output system (MIMO). The method eliminates the use of a tension distribution algorithm in controlling the system’s dynamics and inherently optimizes the cable tensions based on the reward function during the learning process. The deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm is utilized for training the RL agents in point-to-point and dynamic reference tracking tasks. The performances of the two agents are tested on their specifically trained tasks. Moreover, we also implement the agent trained for point-to-point tasks on the dynamic reference tracking and vice versa. The performances of the RL agents are compared with a classical PD controller. The results show that RL can perform quite well without the requirement of designing different controllers for each task if the system’s dynamics is learned well.
Should We Pay for Scientific Knowledge Spillovers? The Underappreciated Value of “Failed” R&D Efforts
Authors: Xie Richard Z. , Towse Adrian , Garrison Louis P.
Published: March 2022

Recent experience with COVID-19 has reminded us of the importance of scientific progress in enabling pharmaceutical innovation. Developing novel therapies is a highly risky but rewarding process: it not only produces innovative drugs, but also valuable scientific knowledge that benefits the community of innovators. This paper examines whether the existing reward system for pharmaceutical research and development (R&D) leads to socially optimal levels of scientific knowledge generation and sharing, with a particular focus on the value of failures in the pharmaceutical R&D efforts. We first outline a conceptual approach based on the idea that pharmaceutical R&D efforts produce both medicines and scientific knowledge, and illustrate this with some examples of how failures may generate information beneficial to concurrent and subsequent R&D efforts. We then summarize the relatively small literature on failures in pharmaceutical R&D and their impact on R&D decision making. Lastly, we discuss several market-based and nonmarket-based policy approaches that can address potential shortcomings in the current reward system which may lead to suboptimal R&D and knowledge sharing.
THE PRISONER'S DILEMMA PARADOX: RATIONALITY, MORALITY, AND RECIPROCITY
Authors: Collins Rory W.
Published: March 2022

This article examines the prisoner's dilemma paradox and argues that confessing is the rational choice, despite this probably entailing a less-than-ideal outcome.
Wie erleben Psychotherapeut_innen in Ausbildung ihre Selbsterfahrung?
Authors: Hahn Daniela , Weck Florian , Witthöft Michael , Maiwald Lisa Marie , Foral Annika , Kühne und Franziska
Published: March 2022

Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Selbsterfahrung ist zentraler Bestandteil der Psychotherapieausbildung. Gleichzeitig wurde Selbsterfahrung selten empirisch untersucht. Fragestellung: Ziel unserer Studie war es, Bedingungen und Effekte hilfreicher Selbsterfahrung zu explorieren. Methode: Vierzehn verhaltenstherapeutische Ausbildungskandidat_innen wurden anhand halbstrukturierter Leitfadeninterviews befragt. Die Auswertung erfolgte mittels qualitativer Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring (2015 ). Ergebnisse: Verschiedene Bedingungen wurden mit hilfreich erlebter Selbsterfahrung in Zusammenhang gebracht: Merkmale der Selbsterfahrungsleitung (u. a. Durchführungskompetenz), der Organisation, der Teilnehmer_innen (Lernbereitschaft), die behandelten Themen und die eingesetzten Techniken, sowie eine tragfähige Arbeitsbeziehung. Berichtete positive Effekte waren u. a. die Förderung interpersoneller Kompetenzen. Zudem wurden Nebenwirkungen und negative Effekte formuliert (u. a. Erschöpfung). Schlussfolgerungen: Bedingungen zur Durchführung von als hilfreich erlebter Selbsterfahrung und Effekte von Selbsterfahrung wurden aus Sicht der Teilnehmer_innen extrahiert.
Flexural Subsidence Around Ross Island, West Antarctica
Authors: Jha Sumant , Harry Dennis L. , Wenman Christopher P. , Mayle Micah
Published: March 2022

Ross Island is located in the southern Victoria Land Basin along the western margin of the West Antarctic Rift System. Episodic volcanism since ca. 4.6 Ma produced a discontinuous sedimentary moat around the island, coeval with regional extension. The moat is a composite of four smaller sub‐basins created during distinct episodes of volcanism. Subsidence within each sub‐basin is modeled as bending of a continuous elastic plate, first considering subsidence that occurred only during the time in which the associated volcano was active, and then considering cumulative subsidence since the onset of volcanism on Ross Island. Models based on strata deposited in each sub‐basin during the time interval in which the respective volcano was active yield flexural rigidities ranging from 6–36 × 1018 N‐m, with the lowest values associated with the youngest volcanoes on the south and southwest sides of the island. Models based on the entire stratigraphic interval deposited since the onset of volcanism yield flexural rigidities up to 20 times greater than models that consider only strata deposited within each sub‐basin when the associated volcano was active. Models of the composite basin overestimate the strength of the lithosphere due to inclusion of strata deposited during periods in which regional extension rather than local flexure dominated subsidence. The models indicate that Ross Island is in near flexural isostatic equilibrium with moderately low‐density (3,260 kg m−3) upper mantle, although an additional buoyant load equivalent to a mantle temperature anomaly of up to 200°C is permissible.
Source Properties of Hydraulic‐Fracturing‐Induced Earthquakes in the Kiskatinaw Area, British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Roth M. P. , Kemna K. B. , Harrington R. M. , Liu Y.
Published: March 2022

This work presents a high resolution source property study of hydraulic fracturing induced earthquakes in the Montney Formation, a low‐permeability tight shale reservoir in the Kiskatinaw area, northeast British Columbia, Canada. We estimate source parameters, including focal mechanism solutions (FMSs), seismic moment, spectral corner frequency, and static stress drop values of earthquakes recorded between July 2017 and July 2020. Waveform‐similarity‐based event classification of 8,283 earthquakes yields 52 event families (clusters) and 1,014 isolated events (individuals). We calculate a total of 64 FMSs of events ML > 2.5 with high‐quality waveforms. Of the 64 solutions, 54 come from events within families, and are used to infer an additional 3,500 focal mechanisms of smaller‐magnitude events with similar waveforms. The other 10 are isolated events. The dominant faulting style inferred from FMSs highlights multiple cascading, shallow, strike‐slip events and generally isolated, larger‐magnitude reverse‐style events in close proximity to the Fort St. John Graben system. Inferred nodal planes of strike‐slip events are at low‐angles to regional SHmax, suggesting optimally oriented, left‐lateral faults. Reverse faulting nodal planes are roughly perpendicular to SHmax and have an orientation consistent with the reactivation of pre‐existing normal basement faults. Source spectral analysis using three approaches, including spectral‐ratio fitting, suggests a constant stress drop of 1–10 MPa and self‐similarity for induced events. Constant stress drop scaling breaks down at magnitudes smaller than ∼ML 2.0, likely due to observational bandwidth limitations.
Time‐Lapse Record of an Earthquake in the Dry Felsic Lower Continental Crust Preserved in a Pseudotachylyte‐Bearing Fault
Authors: Mancktelow Neil S. , Camacho Alfredo , Pennacchioni Giorgio
Published: March 2022

The mechanisms of earthquake rupture in lower continental crust, below the usual frictional‐viscous transition, remain uncertain. In addressing this problem, the study of pseudotachylyte (quenched frictional melt produced during seismic fault slip) and related structures from deeply exhumed rocks can provide direct observational constraints. A felsic granulite from the Musgrave Ranges (central Australia) exceptionally preserves pristine microstructures spatially related to a pseudotachylyte. This sample remained dry, without introduction of hydrous fluids, during pseudotachylyte development and subsequent exhumation. It was therefore unaffected by alteration and metamorphic re‐equilibration. Fractures in the damage zone developed asymmetrically to either side of the pseudotachylyte and are marked by new, randomly oriented quartz, feldspar, and garnet grains. Pulverization of garnet occurred locally between intersecting fractures with powder injected into dilatant fractures in a quartz inclusion within the garnet host. Injection of pulverized material can explain the growth of new, compositionally different minerals (quartz, feldspar, kyanite, ilmenite, magnetite, and rutile) along dilatant fractures developed in a short‐lived seismic event. The pseudotachylyte contains only clasts of quartz, suggesting an unusually high melting temperature. The sequentially developed microstructures provide a time‐lapse record of thermomechanical processes during a single earthquake event, including initial rupture propagation with associated off‐fault damage and local pulverization during very dynamic fluctuations in the local stress field; frictional heating and eventual melting during fault slip; flow and injection of melt; and rapid solidification (quenching) and crystallization of new minerals. This occurred under lower continental crustal conditions of ca. 650°C and 1.2 GPa about 550 Myrs ago.
Modification of Internal Wave Generation and Energy Conversion in the Nearshore Due To Tide‐Tide and Tide‐Wind Interactions
Authors: Omidvar Sorush , Fagundes Matheus , Woodson C. Brock
Published: March 2022

Internal wave generation due to semi‐diurnal tides (M2) through the acceleration of barotropic tidal flow over sloped topography has received considerable attention over the past several decades. However, the contribution of other tidal constituents and their interactions with M2 have not been as extensively evaluated. Moreover, on the inner shelf, the cross‐shore wind, which is often neglected in the energy conversion studies, dominates the cross‐shore transport and can also affect the energy conversion process. This study addresses this gap by including a diurnal (K1) tidal component and a shoreward diurnal sea breeze in an idealized model of southern Monterey Bay as it represents a highly stratified system that experiences active surface and internal tides. Our simulations demonstrate the role of the K1 tide and its interaction with M2, which is constructive and insensitive to the initial phase lag. Wind‐induced perturbations grow with the wind speed and enhance M2 conversion. On the other hand, the wind interaction with the K1 and M2K1 tides highly depends on the timing with constructive (destructive) conversion occurring when the shoreward wind intensifies during the ebb (flood) tide. Interactions among tides and winds lead to highly variable conversion rates, changes in timing and location of peak conversion, and a range of internal wave frequencies. Such a dynamic alone can be responsible for the complex internal wave environments often observed in the nearshore.
Climatology of Dust Deposition in the Adriatic Sea; a Possible Impact on Marine Production
Authors: Mifka Boris , Telišman Prtenjak Maja , Kuzmić Josipa , Čanković Milan , Mateša Sarah , Ciglenečki Irena
Published: March 2022

Atmospheric mineral dust deposition plays an important role in providing nutrients to marine ecosystems. In this study, the climatology of dust deposition in the Adriatic Sea area was determined for the first time based on Modern‐Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications, version 2 reanalysis from 1989 to 2019. The annual cycle of deposition exhibits two maxima: a stronger maxima in March–April and a weaker maxima in November. Wet deposition is a dominant process with a relative contribution to overall deposition from 67.35% to 88.53%. Deposition hot spots are along the Montenegrin coast and Otrant. The average contribution of dust deposition events (DDEs) is 16.5% (60.2 dy yr−1), with the strongest deposition during 1999–2009 and a positive trend in deposited mass during the study period. The effect of dust deposition on primary production is observed by a high level of oxygen saturation up to 250% (usually it is lower, up to 150%) in the stratified middle water layer (5–8 m) of the central Adriatic marine system (Rogoznica Lake) during an intense wet deposition episode. Such extreme values of oxygen saturation can be taken as an indication of biological activity related to an increase in phytoplankton abundance and activity, diatoms in particular.
Rockfall Activity Rates Before, During and After the 2010/2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence
Authors: Massey C. I. , Olsen M. J. , Wartman J. , Senogles A. , Lukovic B. , Leshchinsky B. A. , Archibald G. , Litchfield N. , Dissen R. Van , de Vilder S. , Holden C.
Published: March 2022

The effects of strong ground shaking on hillslope stability can persist for many years after a large earthquake, leading to an increase in the rates of post earthquake land sliding. The factors that control the rate of post‐earthquake land sliding are poorly constrained, hindering our ability to reliably forecast how landscapes and landslide hazards and risk evolve. To address this, we use a unique data set comprising high‐resolution terrestrial laser scans and airborne lidar captured during and after the 2010–2011 Canterbury Earthquake Sequence, New Zealand. This earthquake sequence triggered thousands of rock falls, and rock and debris avalanches (collectively referred to as “rockfall”), resulting in loss‐of‐life and damage to residential dwellings, commercial buildings and other infrastructure in the Port Hills of Christchurch, New Zealand. This unique data set spans 5 years and includes five significant earthquakes. We used these data to (a) quantify the regional‐scale “rockfall” rates in response to these earthquakes and the postearthquake decay in rockfall rates with time; and (b) investigate the site‐specific factors controlling the location of seismic and nonseismic rockfalls using frequency ratios and logistic regression techniques. We found that rockfall rates increased significantly in response to the initial earthquake that generated the strongest shaking in the sequence—The MW 6.2 22 February 2011 event—Compared to the long‐term background rates derived from the dating of pre‐2010 talus piles at the toe of the slopes. Non seismic rockfall rates also increased immediately after the 22 February 2011 earthquake and decayed with time following a power‐law trend. About 50% of the decay back to the pre‐earthquake rockfall rates occurred within 1–5 years after the 22 February 2011 earthquake. Our results show that the short‐term decay in rockfall rates over time, after the initial earthquake, was attributed to the subsequent erosion of seismically damaged rock mass materials caused by environmental processes such as rain. For earthquake‐induced rockfall at the regional‐scale, the peak ground accelerations is the most significant variable in forecasting rockfall volume, followed by the relative height above the base of the slope. For both earthquake and non‐seismic conditions at the site‐specific scale, the probability of rockfall increases when the adjacent areas have failed previously, indicating that accrued damage preconditions localized areas of the slope for subsequent failure. Such preconditioning is a crucial factor driving subsequent rockfalls; that is, future rockfalls are likely to cluster near areas that failed in the past.
Improving Wet and Dry Deposition of Aerosols in WRF‐Chem: Updates to Below‐Cloud Scavenging and Coarse‐Particle Dry Deposition
Authors: Ryu Young‐Hee , Min Seung‐Ki
Published: March 2022

Wet and dry depositions of aerosols in WRF‐Chem are revisited and updated based on recent observational findings. Traditionally, in‐cloud scavenging was thought to play a more dominant role in aerosol wet removal than below‐cloud scavenging. However, recent field measurements indicated a considerable contribution of below‐cloud scavenging of 50%–60% to total wet deposition. In contrast, the simulated contribution of in‐cloud scavenging in the previous version of WRF‐Chem was too large, exhibiting 88%–95%, likely due to the binary representation of cloud fraction. To reduce the model bias, this study adopts a continuous‐type cloud fraction and implements a semi‐empirical below‐cloud scavenging parameterization. Simulation results with the new scheme show that the contribution of below‐cloud (in‐cloud) scavenging is increased to 63%–66% (decreased to 34%–37%), well capturing the observational estimates. The magnitude of total wet deposition is increased by 18.2% for SO4, 7.16% for NO3, and 14.8% for NH4, showing better agreements with observations particularly for SO4 and NH4 deposition. The increased wet removal with the new scheme reduces and so better reproduces surface PM2.5 and PM10 concentrations, which is also partly attributed to the increased contribution of below‐cloud scavenging. It is found that dry deposition velocity in the previous version was too high for coarse mode particles when friction velocity is large, which underestimates surface PM10 concentration. The updated dry deposition scheme that is constrained by observations effectively improves PM10 performance by reducing the dry deposition velocity for coarse mode particles.
Liquid Breakthrough Time in an Unsaturated Fracture Network
Authors: Zhou Zexiong , Yang Zhibing , Xue Song , Hu Ran , Chen Yi‐Feng
Published: March 2022

We present an experimental and theoretical study of unsaturated flow in discrete fracture networks. The focus is on the breakthrough time of infiltrating liquid through the fracture networks as well as the spatial distribution of local flow status under a wide range of flow rates. Through visualized experiments, the fluid motion in the fracture network is recorded and analyzed, and gravity‐driven preferential pathways are observed. The location of the breakthrough path is found to be insensitive to the flow rate under the single‐inlet flow condition. Based on analogy with slug migration in a single fracture and considering liquid accumulation due to the capillary barrier effect at the fracture intersections, we propose a theoretical model of liquid breakthrough time through an initially dry fracture network. The theoretical predictions are found to be in excellent agreement with the experimental results. Using the model, we analyze the relative contribution of times needed for liquid migration and for local liquid accumulation to the breakthrough time. We also find that the spatial distribution of local flow status at the steady‐state varies significantly with the flow rate. The improved understanding and the proposed model are of significance for predicting the time required for a fluid/contaminant to reach a certain depth in unsaturated fractured media, and may provide new physical insights on the complex unsaturated flow dynamics.
On the Estimation of Potential Evaporation Under Wet and Dry Conditions
Authors: Tu Zhuoyi , Yang Yuting
Published: March 2022

Potential evaporation (EP) is an important concept that has been extensively used in hydrology, climate, agriculture and many other relevant fields. However, EP estimates using conventional approaches generally do not conform with the underlying idea of EP, since meteorological forcing variables observed under real conditions are not necessarily equivalent to those over a hypothetical surface with an unlimited water supply. Here, we estimate EP using a recently developed ocean surface evaporation model (i.e., the maximum evaporation model) that explicitly acknowledges the inter‐dependence between evaporation, surface temperature (Ts) and radiation such that is able to recover radiation and Ts to a hypothetical wet surface. We first test the maximum evaporation model over land by validating its evaporation estimates with evaporation observations under unstressed conditions at 86 flux sites and found an overall good performance. We then apply the maximum evaporation model to the entire terrestrial surfaces under both wet and dry conditions to estimate EP. The mean annual (1979–2019) global land EP from the maximum evaporation model (EP_max) is 1,272 mm yr−1, which is 11.2% higher than that estimated using the widely adopted Priestley‐Taylor model (EP_PT). The difference between EP_max and EP_PT is negligible in humid regions or under wet conditions but becomes increasingly larger as the surface moisture availability decreases. This difference is primarily caused by increased net radiation (Rn) when restoring the dry surfaces to hypothetical wet surfaces, despite a lower Ts obtained under hypothetical wet conditions in the maximum evaporation model.
Striking Out into the Field to Track Slip on the Sumatran Fault
Authors: Lythgoe Karen , Muksin Umar ,   Arifullah, Simanjuntak Andrean , Wei Shengji
Published: March 2022

An international team overcame many challenges, including from the COVID-19 pandemic, to deploy a dense seismic network along an understudied fault system that poses hazards to millions in Indonesia.
Slab-derived devolatilization fluids oxidized by subducted metasedimentary rocks
Authors: Ague Jay J. , Tassara Santiago , Holycross Megan E. , Li Ji-Lei , Cottrell Elizabeth , Schwarzenbach Esther M. , Fassoulas Charalampos , John Timm
Published: March 2022

Metamorphic devolatilization of subducted slabs generates aqueous fluids that ascend into the mantle wedge, driving the partial melting that produces arc magmas. These magmas have oxygen fugacities some 10–1,000 times higher than magmas generated at mid-ocean ridges. Whether this oxidized magmatic character is imparted by slab fluids or is acquired during ascent and interaction with the surrounding mantle or crust is debated. Here we study the petrology of metasedimentary rocks from two Tertiary Aegean subduction complexes in combination with reactive transport modelling to investigate the oxidative potential of the sedimentary rocks that cover slabs. We find that the metasedimentary rocks preserve evidence for fluid-mediated redox reactions and could be highly oxidized. Furthermore, the modelling demonstrates that layers of these oxidized rocks less than about 200 m thick have the capacity to oxidize the ascending slab dehydration flux via redox reactions that remove H2, CH4and/or H2S from the fluids. These fluids can then oxidize the overlying mantle wedge at rates comparable to arc magma generation rates, primarily via reactions involving sulfur species. Oxidized metasedimentary rocks need not generate large amounts of fluid themselves but could instead oxidize slab dehydration fluids ascending through them. Proposed Phanerozoic increases in arc magma oxygen fugacity may reflect the recycling of oxidative weathering products following Neoproterozoic–Palaeozoic marine and atmospheric oxygenation.
In-vitro pH-responsive release of imatinib from iron-supplement coated anatase TiO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Bhullar Shilpy , Goyal Navdeep , Gupta Shikha
Published: March 2022

Targeted drug delivery is one such precision method of delivering medication inside the human body which can vanquish all the limitations of the conventional chemotherapeutic techniques. In the present study, two types of nanoparticles (NPs) were chosen for the in-vitro pH-responsive release study of the drug, Imatinib, namely anatase Titanium Dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs) and iron-capped TiO2 NPs, designated as Fe@TiO2 NPs. The novelty of this work lies behind the use of commercially available iron supplement ‘Autrin’ meant for human consumption, as the material to coat the TiO2 NPs to synthesize Fe@TiO2 NPs. The synthesized NPs were analyzed by XRD, HR‐TEM, SAED, EDX and VSM. UV–Vis spectroscopy was performed for absorption studies. Fe@TiO2 NPs showed superparamagnetic behavior and thus they are able to ensure the facile transfer of Imatinib via external magnetic fields. The results obtained from in-vitro drug release studies depicted that both TiO2 NPs and Fe@TiO2 NPs showed a controlled pH-sensitive delivery of the loaded Imatinib molecules. Moreover, both types of NPs do not result in the formation of ROS under human physiological conditions. These results can lay the foundation to the development of efficacious targeted drug delivery systems in the healthcare sector.
Species identification of silks by protein mass spectrometry reveals evidence of wild silk use in antiquity
Authors: Lee Boyoung , Pires Elisabete , Pollard A. Mark , McCullagh James S. O.
Published: March 2022

Silk has been a luxurious commodity throughout modern human history and sericulture has played an important role in ancient global trade as well as technological and cultural developments. Archaeological findings suggest that prior to domestication of the mulberry silkworm (Bombyxmori) silks were obtained from a range of silk-producing moth species with regional specificity. However, investigating the origins of sericulture is difficult as classification of silks by species-type has proved technically challenging. We therefore investigated a range of methods for solubilising modern and archaeological silks and developed a mass spectrometry-based proteomics method that was able to successfully differentiate modern Bombyx,Antheraea, and Samia-produced silks down to the species level. We subsequently analysed archaeological silk materials excavated from the ancient city of Palmyra. Solubilisation behaviour and proteomic analysis provided evidence that the Palmyra silks were constructed from wild silk derived from Antheraeamylitta, the Indian Tasar silkworm. We believe this is the first species-level biochemical evidence that supports archaeological theories about the production and trade of Indian wild silks in antiquity.
Protective capacity of carotenoid trans-astaxanthin in rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Akinade Temitope C. , Babatunde Oreoluwa O. , Adedara Adeola O. , Adeyemi Olugbenga E. , Otenaike Titilayomi A. , Ashaolu Onaara P. , Johnson Titilayo O. , Terriente-Felix Ana , Whitworth Alexander J. , Abolaji Amos O.
Published: March 2022

Trans-astaxanthin (TA), a keto-carotenoid found in aquatic invertebrates, possesses anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities. Rotenone is used to induce oxidative stress-mediated Parkinson’s disease (PD) in animals. We probed if TA would protect against rotenone-induced toxicity in Drosophila melanogaster. Trans-astaxanthin (0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 2.5, 10, and 20 mg/10 g diet) and rotenone (0, 250 and 500 μM) were separately orally exposed to flies in the diet to evaluate longevity and survival rates, respectively. Consequently, we evaluated the ameliorative actions of TA (1.0 mg/10 g diet) on rotenone (500 μM)-induced toxicity in Drosophila after 7 days’ exposure. Additionally, we performed molecular docking of TA against selected pro-inflammatory protein targets. We observed that TA (0.5 and 1.0 mg/10 g diet) increased the lifespan of D. melanogaster by 36.36%. Moreover, TA (1.0 mg/10 g diet) ameliorated rotenone-mediated inhibition of Catalase, Glutathione-S-transferase and Acetylcholinesterase activities, and depletion of Total Thiols and Non-Protein Thiols contents. Trans-astaxanthin prevented behavioural dysfunction and accumulation of Hydrogen Peroxide, Malondialdehyde, Protein Carbonyls and Nitric Oxide in D. melanogaster (p < 0.05). Trans-astaxanthin showed higher docking scores against the pro-inflammatory protein targets evaluated than the standard inhibitors. Conclusively, the structural features of TA might have contributed to its protective actions against rotenone-induced toxicity.
Insights into countries’ exposure and vulnerability to food trade shocks from network-based simulations
Authors: Grassia Marco , Mangioni Giuseppe , Schiavo Stefano , Traverso Silvio
Published: March 2022

In the context of a global food system, the dynamics associated to international food trade have become key determinants of food security. In this paper, we resort to a diffusion model to simulate how shocks to domestic food production propagate through the international food trade network and study the relationship between trade openness and vulnerability. The results of our simulations suggest that low-income and food insecure countries tend to be the more exposed to external shocks and, at the same time, they are usually not in a position to take full advantage of international food trade when it comes to shield themselves from shocks to domestic production. We also study and discuss how nodes characteristics are associated with the propagation dynamics and with countries’ vulnerability, finding that simple centrality measures can significantly predict the magnitude of the shock experienced by individual countries.
Queueing theory model of pentose phosphate pathway
Authors: Kloska Sylwester M. , Pałczyński Krzysztof , Marciniak Tomasz , Talaśka Tomasz , Miller Marissa , Wysocki Beata J. , Davis Paul , Wysocki Tadeusz A.
Published: March 2022

Due to its role in maintaining the proper functioning of the cell, the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) is one of the most important metabolic pathways. It is responsible for regulating the concentration of simple sugars and provides precursors for the synthesis of amino acids and nucleotides. In addition, it plays a critical role in maintaining an adequate level of NADPH, which is necessary for the cell to fight oxidative stress. These reasons prompted the authors to develop a computational model, based on queueing theory, capable of simulating changes in PPP metabolites’ concentrations. The model has been validated with empirical data from tumor cells. The obtained results prove the stability and accuracy of the model. By applying queueing theory, this model can be further expanded to include successive metabolic pathways. The use of the model may accelerate research on new drugs, reduce drug costs, and reduce the reliance on laboratory animals necessary for this type of research on which new methods are tested.
Development of web-based dynamic nomogram to predict survival in patients with gastric cancer: a population-based study
Authors: Talebi Atefeh , Borumandnia Nasrin , Doosti Hassan , Abbasi Somayeh , Pourhoseingholi Mohamad Amin , Agah Shahram , Tabaeian Seidamir Pasha
Published: March 2022

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most frequent malignancy worldwide and the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. The study’s goal was to construct a predictive model and nomograms to predict the survival of GC patients. This historical cohort study assessed 733 patients who underwent treatments for GC. The univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazard (CPH) survival analyses were applied to identify the factors related to overall survival (OS). A dynamic nomogram was developed as a graphical representation of the CPH regression model. The internal validation of the nomogram was evaluated by Harrell’s concordance index (C-index) and time-dependent AUC. The results of the multivariable Cox model revealed that the age of patients, body mass index (BMI), grade of tumor, and depth of tumor elevate the mortality hazard of gastric cancer patients (P < 0.05). The built nomogram had a discriminatory performance, with a C-index of 0.64 (CI 0.61, 0.67). We constructed and validated an original predictive nomogram for OS in patients with GC. Furthermore, nomograms may help predict the individual risk of OS in patients treated for GC.
Identifying the long-term survival beneficiary of preoperative radiotherapy for rectal cancer in the TME era
Authors: Wang Lei , Zhong Xiaohong , Lin Huaqin , Zhang Xueqing , Shao Lingdong , Chen Gang , Wu Junxin
Published: March 2022

This study was to verify the long-term survival efficacy of preoperative radiotherapy (preRT) for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients and identify potential long-term survival beneficiary. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, 7582 LARC patients were eligible for this study between 2011 and 2015 including 6066 received preRT and 1516 received surgery alone. Initial results showed that preRT prolonged the median overall survival (OS) of LARC patients (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.75–0.98, P < 0.05), and subgroup analysis revealed that patients with age > 65 years, stage III, T3, T4, N2, tumor size > 5 cm, tumor deposits, and lymph nodes dissection (LND) ≥ 12 would benefit more from preRT (all P < 0.05). A prognostic predicting nomogram was constructed using the independent risk factors of OS identified by multivariate Cox analysis (all P < 0.05), which exhibited better prediction of OS than the 8th American Joint Cancer Committee staging system on colorectal cancer. According to the current nomogram, patients in the high-risk subgroup had a shorter median OS than low-risk subgroup (HR 2.62, 95% CI 2.25–3.04, P < 0.001), and preRT could benefit more high-risk patients rather than low-risk patients. Hence, we concluded that preRT might bring long-term survival benefits to LARC patients, especially those with high risk.
Performance after training in a complex cognitive task is enhanced by high-definition transcranial random noise stimulation
Authors: Chenot Quentin , Hamery Caroline , Lepron Evelyne , Besson Pierre , De Boissezon Xavier , Perrey Stéphane , Scannella Sébastien
Published: March 2022

Interest for neuromodulation, and transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) in particular, is growing. It concerns patients rehabilitation, but also healthy people who want or need to improve their cognitive and learning abilities. However, there is no consensus yet regarding the efficacy of tRNS on learning and performing a complex task. In particular, the most effective electrode montage is yet to be determined. Here, we examined the effect of two different tRNS montages on learning rate, short- and long-term performance in a video game (Space Fortress) that engages multiple cognitive abilities. Sixty-one participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups (sham vs. simple-definition tRNS vs. high-definition tRNS) in a double-blind protocol. Their performance on the Space Fortress task was monitored during a 15-day experiment with baseline (day 1), stimulation (day 2 to 4), short- (day 5) and long-term (day 15) evaluations. Our results show that the high-definition tRNS group improved more on the long term than simple-definition tRNS group, tended to learn faster and had better performance retention compared to both simple-definition tRNS and sham groups. This study is the first to report that high-definition tRNS is more effective than conventional simple-definition tRNS to enhance performance in a complex task.
Cooler canopy leverages sorghum adaptation to drought and heat stress
Authors: Pradhan Aliza , Aher Lalitkumar , Hegde Vinay , Jangid Krishna Kumar , Rane Jagadish
Published: March 2022

In the present study, individual and combined effects of drought and heat stress were investigated on key physiological parameters (canopy temperature, membrane stability index, chlorophyll content, relative water content, and chlorophyll fluorescence) in two popular sorghum cultivars (Sorghum bicolor cvs. Phule Revati and Phule Vasudha) during the seedling stage. Estimating canopy temperature through pixel-wise analysis of thermal images of plants differentiated the stress responses of sorghum cultivars more effectively than the conventional way of recording canopy temperature. Cultivar difference in maintaining the canopy temperature was also responsible for much of the variation found in critical plant physiological parameters such as cell membrane stability, chlorophyll content, and chlorophyll fluorescence in plants exposed to stress. Hence, the combined stress of drought and heat was more adverse than their individual impacts. The continued loss of water coupled with high-temperature exposure exacerbated the adverse effect of stresses with a remarkable increase in canopy temperature. However, Phule Vasudha, being a drought-tolerant variety, was relatively less affected by the imposed stress conditions than Phule Revati. Besides, the methodology of measuring and reporting plant canopy temperature, which emerged from this study, can effectively differentiate the sorghum genotypes under the combined stress of drought and heat. It can help select promising genotypes among the breeding lines and integrating the concept in the protocol for precision water management in crops like sorghum.
Results of the gErman migraine PatIent Survey on medical Care and prOPhylactic treatment Experience (EPISCOPE)
Authors: Groth Marie , Katsarava Zaza , Ehrlich Marc
Published: March 2022

Migraine affects about 12% of the worldwide population causing substantial personal and societal burden. Yet, migraine remains underdiagnosed and untreated. EPISCOPE was a web-based survey among a German migraine patient cohort to characterize the medical care and prophylactic treatment status aiming to identify unmet needs. Potential migraine patients were identified via an ID Migraine screener. Their socioeconomic background, medical care experience, acute medication use, as well as use and experience of migraine prophylaxis was assessed by a questionnaire. Data of 29,011 participants was collected. 21,504 participants were identified as migraine patients. Patients with a higher number of monthly migraine days experienced better medical care. However, even among chronic migraine patients, 54% were not consulting a physician, 30% did not feel well-informed about medication overuse and 48% had never tried prophylactic migraine treatment. Among patients receiving prophylactic migraine treatment, up to 33% were not satisfied with their prophylaxis due to insufficient efficacy. Taken together, EPISCOPE describes the largest German migraine patient cohort so far. The survey provides detailed and valuable insight into the current medical care and prophylactic treatment situation in a highly developed European country and identifies reasons why the medical care of migraine patients is still insufficient.
Seismic wave simulation using a 3D printed model of the Los Angeles Basin
Authors: Park Sunyoung , Shin Changsoo , Kim Younglib , Clayton Robert W.
Published: March 2022

Studying seismic wave propagation through complex media is crucial to numerous aspects of geophysics and engineering including seismic hazard assessment. In particular, small-scale structure such as sedimentary basins and their edges can have significant effects on high-frequency earthquake ground motion, which is the main cause for the damage to buildings and infrastructure. However, such structural effects are poorly understood due to limitations in numerical and analytical methods. To overcome this challenge, for the first time, we utilize the 3D printing technique to build a scaled-down physical representation of geological structure and perform lab-scale seismic experiments on it. Specifically, a physical model based on the Los Angeles Basin is printed and used as synthetic medium to propagate ultrasonic waves, to mimic seismic wave propagation from local earthquakes. Our results show clear body and surface waves recorded at expected time and locations, as well as waves that are scattered from the basin edges. We find that high-frequency energies are significantly reduced at the basin, which is at odds with the conventional view of basins as ground motion amplifiers. This novel waveform modeling approach with 3D printed Earth models is largely automated and provides an effective means to tackle geophysical problems of significance.