bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Free amino acids accelerate the time-dependent inactivation of rat liver nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase Enpp3 elicited by EDTA
Authors: Romero Ana , Cumplido-Laso Guadalupe , Fernández Ascensión , Moreno Javier , Canales José , Ferreira Rui , López-Gómez Juan , Ribeiro João Meireles , Costas María Jesús , Cameselle José Carlos
Published: December 2024

Nucleotide-pyrophosphatases/phosphodiesterases (NPP/PDE) are membrane or secreted Zn2+-metallohydrolases of nucleoside-5´-monophosphate derivatives. They hydrolyze, for instance, ATP and 4-nitrophenyl-dTMP, and belong to the ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase (ENPP) family that contains seven members (ENPP1-ENPP7). Earlier we had shown that an NPP/PDE activity solubilized and partially purified from rat liver membranes is inactivated by EDTA in a time-dependent fashion, an effect enhanced by glycine and blocked by the 4-nitrophenyl-dTMP. Here, we extended this observation to other free amino acids. Activity assays started after different incubation lengths with EDTA provided first-order, apparent inactivation constants (ki(ap)). With the exception of cysteine (a strong inhibitor) and histidine (itself evoking a time-dependent inactivation), free amino acids themselves did not affect activity but increased ki(ap). The results are compatible with a conformational change of NPP/PDE evoked by interaction with free amino acids. The enzyme preparation was analyzed to identify what ENPP family members were present. First, the hydrolytic activity on 2´,3´-cGAMP was assayed because until very recently ENPP1 was the only mammalian enzyme known to display it. 2´,3´-cGAMP hydrolase activity was clearly detected, but mass spectrometry data obtained by LC-MS/MS gave evidence that only rat Enpp3, Enpp4 and Enpp5 were present with low abundance. This finding coincided in time with a recent publication claiming that mouse Enpp3 hydrolyzes 2´,3´-cGAMP, and that Enpp1 and Enpp3 account for all the 2´,3´-cGAMP hydrolase activity in mice. So, our results are confirmatory of Enpp3 activity towards 2´,3´-cGAMP. Finally, the effect of amino acids could be relevant to NPP/PDE actions dependent on protein-protein interactions, like the known insulin-related effects of ENPP1 and possibly ENPP3.
Using tracer particle kinematics to sense particle size in rotating drums
Authors: Laudari Sudip , Marks Benjy , Rognon Pierre
Published: December 2024

Comminution is an energy intensive process. In SAG-mills, it is achieved by rotating a drum in which large metal balls crush ore particles. In-situ monitoring of particle size would be of considerable interest to optimize their operation. However, there is no established solution to measure particle size in such a harsh mechanical environment. We show here that the acceleration of the grinding media, which can be monitored using embedded accelerometers, can be used to sense the particle size and size distribution during operation. In DEM simulations, we find that a machine learning classifier is able to detect the size and distribution of small particles solely based on the knowledge of the acceleration of larger grinding media particles. Results show that this kinematic sensing is effective over a wide range of particle size ratios, size distribution, mixture ratio and mill charge. Beyond their potential applications in mineral processing, these results point out that the kinematics of large particles is affected by the size of the smaller particles, an observation which can help advance rheological models for bi-disperse granular flows.

Graphical Abstract
Stgcn-pad: a spatial-temporal graph convolutional network for detecting abnormal pedestrian motion patterns at grade crossings
Authors: Song Ge , Qian Yu , Wang Yi
Published: December 2024

This paper presents a Spatial-Temporal Graph Convolutional Network-based Pedestrians’ behaviors Anomaly Detection system (STGCN-PAD) for grade crossings. The behaviors of pedestrians are represented in a structured manner by skeleton trajectories that are generated using a pose estimation model. The ST-GCN components are sequentially applied to capture the spatial dependencies between skeleton key points within a single video frame and the temporal relationships for each of them. Based on these features, the system reconstructs input trajectories with a constant sliding window size, and the reconstruction error is used to distinguish abnormal behaviors from those normal. To accelerate the processing of extracted multi-dimensional feature maps, an MLP-Mixer model-based reconstruction network is developed as an alternative to the traditional convolution neural network. Only trajectories of normal walking behavior are included for model training. Anomalies, such as lingering and squatting activities, can be identified as outliers by observing the magnitude of reconstruction errors. The case studies demonstrate the salient feasibility and efficiency of the proposed system, which achieves at least comparable performance (approximately 88% in the AUC evaluation metric) with several state-of-the-art approaches while using the MLP-Mixer model accelerates model inference by 10× relative to our previous effort (Song et al. in Appl Intell 53:21676–21691, 2023).
Rotifers as indicators of trophic state in small water bodies with different catchments (field vs. forest)
Authors: Kuczyńska-Kippen Natalia , Zhang Chen , Mleczek Mirosław , Špoljar Maria
Published: December 2024

Current methods for assessing lake trophic status using zooplankton are well-established, but there is a lack of approaches for small, shallow water bodies. This study addresses the gap by analyzing rotifer communities across 100 ponds in different catchment areas (field and forest). We hypothesized that the Rotifer Trophic State Index (TSIROT) is an effective tool for assessing trophic state, yielding comparable results to the Carlson TSI index. We also proposed that variations in physical and chemical parameters would significantly affect rotifer composition, impacting the trophic state assessment. Field ponds, exposed to agricultural runoff, exhibited higher trophic states and a predominance of detritivorous species. In contrast, forest ponds, with extensive macrophyte coverage, maintained lower trophic states and supported diverse algivorous species, particularly of littoral and mesotrophic origin. This confirmed our hypothesis that catchment type strongly influences trophic state and rotifer communities. We demonstrated that rotifer traits—abundance, species diversity, habitat type preferences and proportions of eutrophic versus mesotrophic species—along with TSIROT, are effective in assessing water quality in ponds. Overall, the results validate TSIROT as a reliable tool for small water bodies, comparable to Carlson’s TSI index, and highlight the importance of catchment type in influencing water quality.
The impact of environmental regulations on carbon emissions in countries with different levels of emissions
Authors: Borowiec Justyna , Papież Monika , Śmiech Sławomir
Published: December 2024

The study analyzes the impact of environmental regulations on carbon emissions in countries with different levels of emissions, utilizing two measures of carbon emissions based on: production (PBA) and consumption (CBA) accounting. Environmental regulations are measured by means of three components of the Environmental Policy Stringency (EPS) index: market-based and non-market-based instruments, and technology support. The Moments-Quantile Regression method is employed to assess the effectiveness of these policies across countries with varying levels of emissions—high, medium, and low within the Environmental Kuznets Curve. The findings indicate that increased stringency in environmental regulations correlates with reduced carbon emissions per capita. Notably, the EPS index has a more significant effect on reducing PBA emissions compared to CBA emissions. A key finding is that the EPS index is more effective in countries with lower pollution per capita (i.e., lower quantiles) than in those with higher pollution per capita. Among the three components, market-based instruments are identified as the most effective in reducing carbon emissions. Additionally, in countries where per capita emissions are relatively low, the combination of market and non-market instruments proves to be the most effective in reducing emissions. In contrast, the highest carbon emitters per capita tend to achieve emissions reductions primarily through technological support.
Venture capital affiliation in decentralized finance: evidence from ICOs in blockchain ecosystem
Authors: Camelo Francisca Duarte , Duarte Fábio Dias
Published: December 2024

Initial coin offerings (ICOs) have emerged as a new form of digital and decentralized finance. They have the potential to disrupt conventional finance sources and expand capital-raising alternatives. However, their decentralized nature, lack of regulation, and market complexity, along with fraud events, have led to a crisis of trust. This crisis jeopardizes firms' fundraising success. This study examines the role of specialized venture capitalists (VCs) in overcoming transparency issues and restoring trust in the market and ICO issuers. Based on data from 191 ICOs, our results show that VC-backed firms have higher ICO success. This success is more pronounced for firms affiliated with VCs specializing in blockchain technologies, especially if ICO issuers are opaque and riskier. Specialist VC affiliation leads investors to buy more tokens. This effect increases with additional affiliations with other specialized VCs. For early-stage firms with a product/service, generalist VC affiliation also plays a certification role, enhancing the probability of ICO success.
Orchestrating iVR technology in an authentic classroom setting and its effects on factual knowledge, comprehension and transfer
Authors: Spangenberger P. , Matthes N. , Kapp F. , Kruse L. , Plass J. L.
Published: December 2024

An increasing number of studies has observed that immersive virtual reality (iVR) technology using head-mounted displays (HMDs) can facilitate learning outcomes. However, most studies have been exploratory and were executed in laboratory settings instead of being implemented and orchestrated in authentic teaching settings. Furthermore, iVR design approaches based on learning theories in which learning objectives are in line with relevant curricula are still scarce. Thus, we conducted a study to provide insights from a perspective of instruction in authentic settings. We present the design of an iVR learning application that was aligned with curricula and that includes specific design features to foster relevant learning objectives. Orchestrated with additional learning material and learning activities, the iVR learning application was implemented and evaluated in an authentic teaching setting in the field of electrical engineering at a German vocational school. In order to investigate the effects of a lesson orchestrated around the iVR application, we conducted a study (n = 29) in a pre-post between-subject design in which we compared learning orchestrated around an iVR experience (iVR group n = 14) with learning in a more traditional setting consisting of a typical group task (control group n = 15). Participants were randomly assigned to one of the two groups; in both conditions, the same content was addressed. We compared group differences regarding four dependent variables: motivation, factual knowledge, comprehension and transfer. In both groups, we observed an increase in knowledge and comprehension. The gain in the iVR group was significantly stronger compared to the control group, but we observed no differences in motivation and transfer. We discuss our findings from a perspective of instruction in authentic settings, along with implications for instructional iVR technology design. Despite the high organizational effort still required to embed iVR technology into a classroom setting, we stress that instructional settings that entail complex cognitive and motor tasks can benefit in particular from agency as one of the main affordances provided by iVR technology. More research should be conducted in these settings, and additional research should focus on which design features make these iVR experiences effective, and how it can be assured that transfer of knowledge is also increased.
On the quotient of affine semigroups by a positive integer
Authors: García-García J. I. , Tapia-Ramos R. , Vigneron-Tenorio A.
Published: December 2024

This work delves into the quotient of an affine semigroup by a positive integer, exploring its intricate properties and broader implications. We unveil an associated tree that serves as a valuable tool for further analysis. Moreover, we successfully generalize several key irreducibility results, extending their applicability to the more general class of $$\mathcal {C}$$
C
-semigroup quotients. To shed light on these concepts, we introduce the novel notion of an arithmetic variety of affine semigroups, accompanied by illuminating examples that showcase its power.
Impact of Red Wine Vinegar-Based Solution on Bacterial Communities of Squid and Shrimp Skewers: A Classic and Genomic Approach
Authors: Pinto de Rezende Lourenço , Barbosa Joana Bastos , Bento de Carvalho Teresa , Vaz-Moreira Ivone , Monteiro Maria João P. , Teixeira Paula
Published: December 2024

Seafood is an essential component of a balanced and healthy diet, which increases its demand. However, its biological composition and high moisture content make these products extremely perishable. To prevent spoilage, and the consequent food waste and financial expenses throughout the seafood supply chain, new technologies have been successfully developed to inhibit bacterial growth, the main cause of seafood spoilage. This work aimed to test a shelf life extension technique for seafood skewers whilst maintaining an all-natural label using a financially feasible red wine vinegar treatment applied by immersion or pulverisation. Bacterial growth was monitored by classical methods and by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing during the 5 days of storage. Immersion of samples in a vinegar-based solution effectively reduced Pseudomonas and Enterobacterales counts (by 2 log cfu/g), immediately after application and throughout storage. The overall structure and diversity of the bacterial community were analysed, and a strong reduction in bacterial diversity and impact on bacterial composition was observed immediately after immersion in the red wine vinegar solution. In untreated samples, Pseudomonadota (especially the Gammaproteobacteria class) was the principal phylum, whereas the microbiota of the treated samples was dominated by Bacillota (mainly the Bacilli class). Sensory analysis revealed a mild vinegar or vinaigrette flavour in treated samples; however, these characteristics were not unpleasant. Although applying a vinegar-based solution by immersion promoted a significant reduction in the growth of spoilage bacteria during the first days of storage, further tests are required to confirm the shelf life extension.
Influence of the homotopy stability perturbation on physical variations of non-local opto-electronic semiconductor materials
Authors: El-Dali A. , Othman Mohamed I. A.
Published: December 2024

In the current work, we investigate a novel technique specialized in stability perturbation theory to analyze the primary variations such as thermal, carrier, elastic, and mechanical waves in photothermal theory. The interface of the non-local semiconductor material is utilized to study the stability analysis. The problem is established using a 1D opto-electronic-thermoelastic deformation in the context of the photo-thermoelasticity (PTE) framework. The Laplace transform method is used to convert the system from the time domain into the frequency domain, and the boundary conditions for the thermal, elastic, and plasma waves are applied to the interface of the medium. The homotopy perturbation method was used as an innovative approach to analyze the stability of the non-local silicon’s primary physical fields. The numerical inversion method is applied, yielding many graphs focusing on important numerical factors such as non-local effects, thermo-energy, and thermo-electric coupling parameters. Investigating dual solutions between stable and unstable regions for critical parameters like thermo-electric and thermo-energy coupling factors demonstrates that the homotopy perturbation technique can effectively analyze the stability analysis. The comparison between silicon and germanium is illustrated graphically. Utilizing the homotopy perturbation technique, we can effectively examine the stability of the primary physical variations with the effect of some values for eigenvalues approaches.

Graphical abstract
Struggling towards co-existence of the Baltic Sea coastal fisheries and the grey seal
Authors: Svels Kristina , Salmi Pekka , Coelho Nelson F. , Eriksson Viktor , Königson Sara , Lehtonen Esa , Lunneryd Sven-Gunnar , Suuronen Petri , Vetemaa Markus , Waldo Åsa
Published: December 2024

Commercial small-scale fisheries along the Baltic Sea coasts have declined over the years although these fisheries are viewed as important for coastal development and food security at the local, national, and EU levels. The viability and future of small-scale fisheries are severely challenged by problems caused by grey seals. The conflict, occurring between Baltic Sea coastal fisheries and conservation of the grey seals, has been severe since the mid-1990s and continues despite attempts to find a more balanced situation. Resting on reviews of multiple material, this paper explores the state-of-the-art opportunities for mitigating the seal-fisheries conflict and asks how these are related to social struggles and social justice. Our paper concludes that co-existence of coastal fisheries and the grey seal is possible but necessitates political will and co-designed seal management plans that help implement context-specific measures. Seal deterrents, for instance, give hope as a supplementary conflict mitigation measure – along with seal-proof fishing gear – but provide only partial relief. From the fisheries sector’s position, influencing the size of the seal population is a logical solution. The lifting of the EU trade ban of seal products as a regional derogation would allow sustainable management of seal populations so that they be used as renewable natural resource. Monitoring changes in the seal population is crucial for maintaining a balanced population. Reaching co-existence is timely, because – unlike the seal – the diverse Baltic coastal fishing culture is increasingly endangered.
Continuous linear shift invariant systems on tempered distributions: convolutors and convolution
Authors: Poletti Mario , Martelli Mario
Published: December 2024

This paper characterizes the Continuous, Linear and Shift Invariant Systems on Tempered Distributions. The needed classical notions on Distributions, and on Tempered Distributions, are reminded. The delicate and unusual subjects of Convolutors, and of their Convolution with Tempered Distributions, are made accessible, and easy to handle, through autonomous elementary definitions: equivalence with Schwartz’s Definitions is proven. Convolutors describe the family of the Continuous Linear, and Shift Invariant Systems on Tempered Distributions; Convolution describes their behaviour.
Perceptions of clinicians and research ethics boards regarding ethical issues in investigator-initiated trials: a multicenter qualitative study in China
Authors: Li Jing , Yu Hongfan , Wei Xing , Lei Cheng , Zhang Jingyu , Zhou Wen , Markar Sheraz , Huang Lin , Li Shizhu , Yan Zhao , Shi Qiuling
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This multicenter qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions of clinicians and research ethics boards (REBs) regarding ethical issues in Investigator Initiated Trials (IITs).

Methods

Between February and April 2024, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 participants from 15 tertiary hospitals, including clinical doctors and members of REBs. Responses were grouped and analyzed using a descriptive phenomenological approach.

Results

Clinicians expressed challenges in navigating the formal review process due to limited access to information and unclear guidelines. Academic review highlighted a deficiency in research literacy among clinical investigators, leading to flawed study design. Ethical review revealed concerns about inadequate ethical awareness among clinicians, resulting in failed ethical approvals. Moreover, delays in review processes and resource shortages were noted, hindering the efficient conduct of IITs.

Conclusion

The findings underscore the need for comprehensive training programs to enhance clinicians’ research literacy and ethical awareness. Establishing a comprehensive system to support IITs, including enhanced guidance and support from REBs, is essential to ensure the quality and integrity of IITs in China.
Contemporary Pagan Philosophy
Authors: Steinhart Eric
Published: December 2024

One of the most remarkable features of the current religious landscape in the West is the emergence of new Pagan religions. Here the author will use techniques from recent analytic philosophy of religion to try to clarify and understand the major themes in contemporary Paganisms. They will discuss Pagan concepts of nature, looking at nature as a network of animated agents. They will examine several Pagan theologies, and Pagan ways of relating to deities, such as theurgy. They will discuss Pagan practices like divination, visualization, and magic. And they will talk about Pagan ethics. Their discussions are based on extensive references to contemporary Pagan writings, from many different traditions. New Pagan religions, and new Pagan philosophies, have much to contribute to the religious future of the West, and to contemporary analytic philosophy of religion.
A molecular dynamics simulation study of paraquat intercalated montmorillonite
Authors: Su Haotian , Zhang Yingchun , Liu Xiandong , Hou Qingfeng , Lu Xiancai
Published: December 2024

Paraquat, one of the most widely utilized herbicides globally, causes a significant environmental challenge due to its poor degradation rate and tendency to adsorb into clay interlayers. Several remediation methods have been proposed but their effectiveness remains suboptimal. The primary reason for this is the lack of microscopic understanding of paraquat–montmorillonite interactions. In this work molecular dynamics simulations were applied to study the interlayer structures and mobility of paraquat intercalated montmorillonite. Two stable hydration states were identified from the calculated immersion energy curve, which corresponded to a water content of 185 mgwater/gclay and 278 mgwater/gclay (the most stable). Paraquats remained in direct contact with the clay surface in both the anhydrous and hydrated states. At the water content of 185 mgwater/gclay, paraquats formed π-π stacking while at 278 mgwater/gclay, they were separated by a layer of water. Paraquat showed very small self-diffusion coefficients in the interlayer space of montmorillonite, indicating rather limited motions. The results in this work provide a basis for a better understanding of the interaction of paraquat with clay minerals.
The Impact of Disaster Preparedness Training on Disaster Preparedness and Attitudes Toward Fertility and Childbearing Among Women of Reproductive Age
Authors: Cirban Ekrem Ebru , Örenlioğlu Beyzanur , Davulcu Elif
Published: December 2024

Objectives

Natural disasters are frequent occurrences worldwide and can influence fertility preferences. This study aimed to assess the impact of disaster preparedness training on the disaster readiness levels of women of reproductive age and their fertility and childbearing attitudes.

Methods

The study employed a classic experimental design with a pre-test and post-test control group. The sample consisted of women of reproductive age in Turkey, determined through the G-Power 3.1.9.7 program, with intervention (n = 88) and control (n = 88) groups totaling 176 participants. Data were collected using a “Preliminary Evaluation Form,” “Descriptive Information Form,” “Disaster Preparedness Scale (DPS),” and “Attitudes Toward Fertility and Childbearing Scale (AFCS).”

Results

In the intervention group, the post-test scores significantly increased for the DPS and the AFCS sub-scale on the importance of fertility for the future (P<0.05).

Conclusions

The study found that disaster preparedness training provided to women of reproductive age improved their disaster readiness levels. Following the training, the women’s knowledge about physical protection during disasters, assistance in disasters, and disaster warnings and systems also increased. Additionally, the training enhanced the positive attitudes of these women toward childbearing.
Assessing local service providers’ needs for scaling up MHPSS interventions for Ukrainian refugees: Insights from Poland, Slovakia, and Romania
Authors: Purgato Marianna , Bartucz Monica , Turrini Giulia , Compri Beatrice , Prina Eleonora , Patania Federica , Kucukozkan Emrah , Zubachova Anna , Mňahončak Martin , Čavojská Katarína , Koval Olena , Lupea Gabriela , Klymchuk Vitalii , Maximets Natalie , Mediavilla Roberto , Ayuso-Mateos José Luis , Sijbrandij Marit , van der Ven Els , Frankova Iryna , Barbui Corrado
Published: December 2024

Providing Mental Health and Psychosocial Support interventions (MHPSS) for forcibly displaced Ukrainians in Central and Eastern Europe poses numerous challenges due to various socio-cultural and infrastructural factors. This qualitative study explored implementation barriers reported by service providers of in-person and digital MHPSS for Ukrainian refugees displaced to Poland, Romania and Slovakia due to the war. In addition, the study aimed to generate recommendations to overcome these barriers. Semi-structured Free List and Key Informant interviews were conducted using the Design, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation protocol with 18 and 13 service providers, respectively. For in-person interventions, barriers included stigma, language, shortage of MHPSS providers, lack of financial aid and general lack of trust among refugees. For digital MHPSS, barriers included generational obstacles, lack of therapeutic relationships, trust issues, and lack of awareness. Recommendations included advancing public health strategies, organizational interventions, building technical literacy and support, enhancing the credibility of digital interventions and incorporating MHPSS into usual practice. By implementing the recommendations proposed in this study, policymakers, organizations and service providers can work towards enhancing the delivery of MHPSS and addressing the mental health needs of Ukrainian refugees in host countries, such as Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
Back to the Future? The Electoral Breakthrough of Far-Right Parties
Authors: Manucci Luca
Published: December 2024

In contemporary Europe, far-right parties threaten liberal democratic principles such as pluralism, media freedom and minority rights. Despite the stigma they normally face, far-right parties have experienced electoral breakthroughs even in countries where they remained electorally marginal such as Germany, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. We advance the idea that this happened because the level of stigmatization faced by these parties decreased before their electoral breakthrough. Therefore, we form a theoretical framework based on a threefold mechanism: far-right parties manage to reduce the stigma they face because of a reputational shield or by moderating their message; the media help the far right gain visibility and legitimacy by accommodating its views; established parties accommodate far-right parties without ostracizing them. Then, we test the framework by looking at the electoral breakthroughs of four parties: the results confirm the expectations except for the role of established parties, which is inconclusive.
Schelling versus Hegel on Individuation
Authors: Weiss Leonard
Published: December 2024

This paper compares the views of Hegel and Schelling regarding the problem of individuation, i.e. the question of what makes an individual (a) numerically distinct from others and (b) the very individual it is. My focus is on how Hegel approaches this problem in his metaphysics and how that relates to Schelling’s views as articulated in his ‘negative philosophy’. While Hegelians like Robert Stern and Karen Ng are optimistic that Hegel can solve the problem of individuation, I argue that Schelling puts forward an objection that both challenges Hegel’s account and provides a rationale for taking seriously Schelling’s own insistence on a pre-logical dimension of being.
10 GeV proton generation driven by 5 PW light spring pulses
Authors: Guo Yi , Zhang Xiaomei , Shen Baifei , Tajima Toshiki
Published: December 2024

Proton acceleration in a near-critical-density gas driven by a light spring (LS) pulse with a helical structure in its intensity profile is investigated using three-dimensional particle-in-cell simulations. Compared with other pulse modes with the same laser power, such as the Gaussian pulse or the donut Laguerre–Gaussian (LG) pulse, the LS structure significantly enhances the peak intensity and drives a stronger longitudinal acceleration field and transverse focusing field. Both the high intensity and helical structure of the LS pulse contribute to the formation of a bubble-like structure with a fine electron column on the axis, which is critical for stable proton acceleration. Therefore, it is very promising to obtain ultra-high-energy protons using LS pulses with a relatively lower power. For example, by using LS pulses with the same power of 4.81 PW, the proton in the gas can be accelerated up to 8.7 GeV, and the witness proton can be accelerated to 10.6 GeV from 0.11 GeV, which shows the overwhelming advantage over the Gaussian and LG pulse cases.
A diffusion-based wind turbine wake model
Authors: Ali Karim , Stallard Tim , Ouro Pablo
Published: December 2024

Describing the evolution of a wind turbine's wake from a top-hat profile near the turbine to a Gaussian profile in the far wake is a central feature of many engineering wake models. Existing approaches, such as super-Gaussian wake models, rely on a set of tuning parameters that are typically obtained from fitting high-fidelity data. In the current study, we present a new engineering wake model that leverages the similarity between the shape of a turbine's wake normal to the streamwise direction and the diffusion of a passive scalar from a disk source. This new wake model provides an analytical expression for a streamwise scaling function that ensures the conservation of linear momentum in the wake region downstream of a turbine. The model also considers the different rates of wake expansion that are known to occur in the near- and far-wake regions. Validation is presented against high-fidelity numerical data and experimental measurements from the literature, confirming a consistent good agreement across a wide range of turbine operating conditions. A comparison is also drawn with several existing engineering wake models, indicating that the diffusion-based model consistently provides more accurate wake predictions. This new unified framework allows for extensions to more complex wake profiles by making adjustments to the diffusion equation. The derivation of the proposed model included the evaluation of analytical solutions to several mathematical integrals that can be useful for other physical applications.
Good practices and common pitfalls of machine learning in nutrition research
Authors: Kirk Daniel
Published: December 2024

Machine learning is increasingly being utilised across various domains of nutrition research due to its ability to analyse complex data, especially as large datasets become more readily available. However, at times, this enthusiasm has led to the adoption of machine learning techniques prior to a proper understanding of how they should be applied, leading to non-robust study designs and results of questionable validity. To ensure that research standards do not suffer, key machine learning concepts must be understood by the research community. The aim of this review is to facilitate a better understanding of machine learning in research by outlining good practices and common pitfalls in each of the steps in the machine learning process. Key themes include the importance of generating high-quality data, employing robust validation techniques, quantifying the stability of results, accurately interpreting machine learning outputs, adequately describing methodologies, and ensuring transparency when reporting findings. Achieving this aim will facilitate the implementation of robust machine learning methodologies, which will reduce false findings and make research more reliable, as well as enable researchers to critically evaluate and better interpret the findings of others using machine learning in their work.
German schon and noch as scalar additives with a marginality twist
Authors: Persohn Bastian
Published: December 2024

This article presents a description of German schon and noch as nontemporal scalar focus operators. Both items operate in a scalar model of sufficiency and signal that the focus value yields a more informative proposition than all alternatives under consideration; that is, they are special cases of scalar additives. Where the two expressions differ is in the complementary perspectives they evoke. Schon relates to higher alternatives. Noch relates to lower alternatives, but brings about an inverse (i.e., antonymically ordered) scalar model. The use of schon and noch as scalar sufficiency operators is traced back to an amalgamation of two other uses of the same items. The descriptive findings contribute to the advancement of our cross-linguistic understanding of scalar focus operators and raise fundamental questions pertaining to the typological and theoretical status of scale reversal phenomena.*
European Soil NOx Emissions Derived From Satellite NO2 Observations
Authors: Lin Xiaojuan , van der A Ronald , de Laat Jos , Huijnen Vincent , Mijling Bas , Ding Jieying , Eskes Henk , Douros John , Liu Mengyao , Zhang Xin , Liu Zhu
Published: December 2024

We introduce an innovative method to distinguish soil nitrogen oxides (NOx = NO + NO2) emissions from satellite‐based total NOx emissions. To evaluate the approach, we compare the deviation between the tropospheric NO2 concentration observed by satellite and two atmospheric composition model simulations driven by the newly estimated soil NOx emissions and the Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service (CAMS) inventory. The estimated average soil NOx emissions in Europe are 1.7 kg N ha−1 yr−1 in 2019, and the annual soil NOx emissions are approximately 1.7 times larger than that of the CAMS inventory. The discrepancy originates mainly from the forests, which would mean that the soil NOx emissions over forest areas in Europe are currently underestimated by the CAMS inventory. The model evaluation indicates that the simulations driven by DECSO‐soil emissions performed significantly better than using CAMS‐soil. Overall, the simulated RMSE% of DECSO‐soil is lower than that of CAMS‐soil, approximately 6% lower in spring and 2% lower in autumn. Our method can easily be extended to other regions in the world despite having monthly variations that are very different from those in Europe.
All‐Sky Microwave Radiance Observation Operator Based on Deep Learning With Physical Constraints
Authors: Li Zeting , Han Wei , Xu Xiaoze , Sun Xiuyu , Li Hao
Published: December 2024

Satellite data assimilation relies on the radiative transfer models (RTMs) to establish the relationships between model state variables and satellite radiances. However, atmospheric radiative transfer calculations are computationally expensive, especially when involving multiple‐scattering calculations in cloudy areas. In recent years, deep learning (DL) models have been increasingly applied to emulate and accelerate physical models. This study, for the first time, explores DL techniques to emulate all‐sky radiative transfer in microwave bands. The FengYun‐3E (FY‐3E) Microwave Humidity Sounder‐2 (MWHS‐2) was selected as the target instrument due to its comprehensive spectral coverage, with the radiative transfer for TOVS scattering module (RTTOV‐SCATT) serving as the reference model. Three DL architectures were trained and compared, including multilayer perceptron (MLP), Bidirectional Long Short‐Term Memory with Attention (BiLSTM‐Attention), and Transformer. The BiLSTM‐Attention architecture demonstrated superior performance in both clear‐sky and cloudy radiance simulations. This may be attributed to its bidirectional recurrent structure resembling physical radiative transfer processes and the attention mechanism's ability to link MWHS‐2 channels with corresponding vertical layers. Although DL models achieve high accuracy in forward prediction, they often struggle with instability in Jacobian calculations. To address this issue, the trained BiLSTM‐Attention model was fine‐tuned using the reference model Jacobians as physical constraints. The fine‐tuned BiLSTM‐Attention model accurately characterized radiance sensitivities to temperature, water vapor, and hydrometeors under different cloud conditions, indicating its potential to serve as a radiance observation operator in data assimilation and physical retrieval applications.
Diagenesis of the Clay‐Sulfate Stratigraphic Transition, Mount Sharp Group, Gale Crater, Mars
Authors: Seeger C. H. , Grotzinger J. P.
Published: December 2024

The diversity and abundance of diagenetic textures observed in sedimentary rocks of the clay‐sulfate transition recorded in the stratigraphic record of Gale crater are distinctive within the rover's traverse. This study catalogs all textures observed by the MAHLI instrument, including their abundances, morphologies, and cross‐cutting relationships in order to suggest a paragenetic sequence in which multiple episodes of diagenetic fluid flow were required to form co‐occurring color variations, pits, and nodules; secondary nodule populations; and two generations of Ca sulfate fracture‐filling vein precipitation. Spatial heterogeneities in the abundance and diversity of these textures throughout the studied stratigraphic section loosely correlate with stratigraphic unit, suggesting that grain size and compaction controls on fluid pathways influenced their formation; these patterns are especially prevalent in the Pontours member, where primary stratigraphy is entirely overprinted by a nodular fabric, and the base of the stratigraphic section, where increased textural diversity may be influenced by the underlying less permeable clay‐bearing rocks of the Glen Torridon region. Correlations between quantitative nodule abundance and subtle variations in measured bulk rock chemistry (especially MgO and SO3 enrichment) by the Alpha Particle X‐Ray Spectrometer instrument suggest that an increase in Mg sulfate upsection is linked to precipitation of pore‐filling diagenetic cement. Due to a lack of sedimentological evidence for widespread evaporite or near‐surface crust formation of these Mg sulfates, we propose three alternative hypotheses for subsurface groundwater‐related remobilization of pre‐existing sulfates and reprecipitation at depth in pore spaces.
Organic Matter Composition and Water Stoichiometry Are Main Drivers of Heterotrophic Nitrate Uptake in Mediterranean Headwater Streams
Authors: Peñarroya Xavi , Catalán Núria , Freixa Anna , Lupon Anna , Triadó‐Margarit Xavier , Martí Eugènia , Soler Montserrat , Casamayor Emili O. , Bernal Susana
Published: December 2024

Heterotrophic bacteria can contribute to improve stream water quality by taking up nitrate (NO3−) from the water column, although microbial demand for this nutrient is usually lower than for other inorganic nitrogen (N) forms, such as ammonium. Heterotrophic NO3− uptake has been related to the availability of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) relative to nutrients (i.e., DOC: nutrients ratios). Yet, how dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition and specific microbial assemblages influence NO3− uptake remains poorly understood. We conducted laboratory incubations to investigate heterotrophic NO3− uptake kinetics in 9 Mediterranean freshwater ecosystems, primarily headwater streams, exhibiting wide variation in DOC:NO3 ratios (from 1.5 to 750). Moreover, we characterized DOM composition using spectroscopic indexes and its degradation via a reactivity continuum model approach. Microbial community composition and functioning were assessed by analyzing extracellular enzymatic activities and the potential abundance of N‐cycling genes. Our results revealed that NO3− uptake rates (kNO3) were positively related with DOC:NO3 ratios (r2 = 0.4) and to NO3:SRP ratios as well (r2 = 0.6). Furthermore, kNO3 was negatively correlated to the humification index (r2 = 0.7), suggesting that a higher proportion of humic‐like compounds slow down heterotrophic NO3− uptake. A partial least squares regression model (PLS) pinpointed that DOC and nutrient stoichiometry, DOM composition and reactivity, and microbial composition and activity collectively contributed to explain the variability in kNO3 observed across treatments. Our findings suggest that heterotrophic NO3− uptake may show significant responsiveness to shifts toward more labile DOM sources and nutrient imbalances induced by global change.
Dissipation Scaled Internal Wave Drag in a Global Heterogeneously Coupled Internal/External Mode Total Water Level Model
Authors: Blakely Coleman P. , Wirasaet Damrongsak , Cerrone Albert R. , Pringle William J. , Zaron Edward D. , Brus Steven R. , Seroka Gregory N. , Moghimi Saeed , Meyers Edward P. , Westerink Joannes J.
Published: December 2024

This study showcases a global, heterogeneously coupled total water level system wherein salinity and temperature outputs from a coarser‐resolution (12 km) ocean general circulation model are used to calculate density‐driven terms within a global, higher‐resolution (2.5 km) depth‐averaged total water level model. We demonstrate that the inclusion of baroclinic forcing in the barotropic model requires modification of the internal wave drag term to prevent excess degradation of tidal results compared to the barotropic model. By scaling the internal tide dissipation by an easy to calculate dissipation ratio, the resulting heterogeneously coupled model has complex root mean square errors (RMSE) of 2.27 cm in the deep ocean and 12.16 cm in shallow waters for the tidal constituent. While this represents a 10%–20% deterioration as compared to the barotropic model, the improvements in total water level prediction more than offset this degradation. Global median RMSE compared to observations of total water levels, 30‐day sea levels, and non‐tidal residuals improve by 1.86 (18.5%), 2.55 (42.5%), and 0.36 (5.3%) cm respectively. The drastic improvement in model performance highlights the importance of including density‐driven effects within global hydrodynamic models and will help to improve the results of both hindcasts and forecasts in modeling extreme and nuisance flooding. With only an 11% increase in model run time compared to the fully barotropic total water level model, this approach paves the way for high resolution coastal water level and flood models to be used alongside climate models, improving operational forecasting of total water levels.
Formation of Common Preferential Two‐Phase Displacement Pathways in Porous Media
Authors: Vahid Dastjerdi Samaneh , Karadimitriou Nikolaos , Hassanizadeh S. Majid , Steeb Holger
Published: December 2024

Including specific interfacial area and saturation of the percolating phase into two‐phase porous media flow models, on the Darcy scale, enhances our ability to capture the physical properties of porous media flow more effectively. Using optical microscopy and microfluidic devices, we perform sequential drainage and imbibition experiments. The relevant processes, images, and boundary pressures are monitored, recorded, and logged at all times. For comparative purposes, two PDMS micromodels are used, one with an ortho‐canonical, homogeneous, and the other with a periodic heterogeneous pore network, with similar macro‐ but different pore‐scale properties. After processing the images, parameters like interfacial area belonging to percolating and non‐percolating phases and the corresponding phase saturations are determined. Our experimental results show that the relation between specific interfacial area and saturation of the percolating invading phase is a linear relationship with interesting properties. Additionally, after a number of fluid displacement processes (drainage and imbibition), and for both pore networks, unique flow paths for both phases are formed. We speculate that this happens due to the establishment of an effective porous medium, meaning a hydro‐dynamically active region within the pore space where the corresponding phase remains connected and flowing, where the capillary forces act as the guide for creating the “path of least resistance” in a highly viscous flow regime by keeping the non‐percolating phases in place. As the results can be specific to our experiments, more work needs to be done toward the potential generalization of these findings, especially in 3D flow domains.
Dual anaerobic reactor model to study biofilm and microbiologically influenced corrosion interactions on carbon steel
Authors: Jones Liam , Salta Maria , Skovhus Torben Lund , Thomas Kathryn , Illson Timothy , Wharton Julian , Webb Jeremy
Published: December 2024

Continual challenges due to microbial corrosion are faced by the maritime, offshore renewable and energy sectors. Understanding the biofilm and microbiologically influenced corrosion interaction is hindered by the lack of robust and reproducible physical models that reflect operating environments. A novel dual anaerobic biofilm reactor, using a complex microbial consortium sampled from marine littoral sediment, allowed the electrochemical performance of UNS G10180 carbon steel to be studied simultaneously in anaerobic abiotic and biotic artificial seawater. Critically, DNA extraction and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing demonstrated the principal biofilm activity was due to electroactive bacteria, specifically sulfate-reducing and iron-reducing bacteria.
Mapping the microRNA landscape in the older adult brain and its genetic contribution to neuropsychiatric conditions
Authors: Vattathil Selina M. , Gerasimov Ekaterina S. , Canon Se Min , Lori Adriana , Tan Sarah Sze Min , Kim Paul J. , Liu Yue , Lai Eric C. , Bennett David A. , Wingo Thomas S. , Wingo Aliza P.
Published: December 2024

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in regulating gene expression and influence many biological processes. Despite their importance, understanding of how genetic variation affects miRNA expression in the brain and how this relates to brain disorders remains limited. Here we investigated these questions by identifying microRNA expression quantitative trait loci (miR-QTLs), or genetic variants associated with brain miRNA levels, using genome-wide small RNA sequencing profiles from dorsolateral prefrontal cortex samples of 604 older adult donors of European ancestry. Here we show that nearly half (224 of 470) of the analyzed miRNAs have associated miR-QTLs, many of which fall in regulatory regions such as brain promoters and enhancers. We also demonstrate that intragenic miRNAs often have genetic regulation independent from their host genes. Furthermore, by integrating our findings with 16 genome-wide association studies of psychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders, we identified miRNAs that likely contribute to bipolar disorder, depression, schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease. These findings advance understanding of the genetic regulation of miRNAs and their role in brain health and disease.