bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of surface roughness on the Lagrangian coherent structures in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection
Authors: Cheng Hang , Jiang Hao , Chong Kai Leong , Zhou Quan , Liu Yulu , Lu Zhiming
Published: August 2022

We perform direct numerical simulations of turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard (RB) convection in a closed square cell with roughness plates at Rayleigh number fixed at Ra=108 and the Prandtl number fixed at Pr = 1. To gain insight into the effect of surface roughness on material transport in turbulent Rayleigh–Bénard convection, the Lagrangian coherent structures (LCSs) are extracted using the finite-time Lyapunov exponent method in the cases of different roughness heights. First, we find that lobe structures are widely present in RB convection and we elucidate how they play a part in transporting heat from coner-flow rolls to large-scale circulation. Then, we quantify the heat flux along the LCSs, which contributes to 80% of the total flux. This implies that the LCSs play an important role in heat transport regardless of the roughness height. Furthermore, two different mechanisms of heat transport in RB convection induced by roughness heights are explained in the Lagrangian perspective: the decrease in Nu number in the cases of hhc is produced by the enhanced mixing events of the convection that enhance the contribution of heat transport in the bulk region.
Dual-path flow field reconstruction for a scramjet combustor based on deep learning
Authors: Deng Xue , Guo Mingming , Chen Hao , Tian Ye , Le Jialing , Zhang Hua
Published: August 2022

A flow field reconstruction algorithm based on deep learning is an effective method to detect the evolution of wave structure in a scramjet combustor, which is of great significance for accurately predicting the operating performance of the scramjet. This paper proposes a dual-branch fusion model based on a multi-head attention mechanism to reconstruct the flow field schlieren image in a supersonic combustor. The proposed model adopts a dual-path fusion mode. One branch is composed of transposed convolution and conventional convolution, forming a symmetrical structure for dimension enhancement and feature extraction. The other is formed by a multi-head attention mechanism and a full connection layer in series. It utilizes the same attention mechanism to obtain different sensitive features and enhance the global model perception. The proposed model was trained and tested on a dataset constructed from hydrogen-fueled scramjet experiments in a direct-connected supersonic pulse combustion wind tunnel at Mach 2.5. Numerous experiments prove that the model can effectively reconstruct the basic wave system structure of a complex flow field, and it is in good agreement with the original flow field. The average peak signal-to-noise ratio, structural similarity, and average linear correlation coefficient of the proposed model are reached 20.92, 0.602, and 0.943, respectively, which verify the effectiveness of the proposed model in reconstructing the supersonic flow field.
Vaccine success and challenges in northern Australia
Authors: Middleton Bianca F. , Davies Jane , Webby Rosalind
Published: August 2022

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in rural and remote Australia have lower vaccine coverage rates and experience higher rates of notification and hospitalisations for vaccine preventable diseases than non-Aboriginal people. This paper explores important public health and research activities being undertaken in the Northern Territory to reduce this disparity in vaccine program performance, with a particular focus on rotavirus, meningococcal, human papilloma virus and COVID-19 vaccines.
An EMI lecturer’s assessment practices with engineering laboratory reports
Authors: Mancho-Barés Guzman , Khan Sarah , Aguilar-Pérez Marta
Published: August 2022

EMI assessment research designed to compare academic achievement in EMI and L1-medium courses aims to examine
language and content learning outcomes (Dafouz & Camacho-Miñano, 2016; Hernández-Nanclares & Jiménez-Munoz, 2015; Yang,
2015). However, these studies provide little insight into learning processes. A genre analysis perspective, in
contrast, can offer a deeper understanding of the development of student disciplinary literacy. Based on genre analysis studies on
student writing (Nesi & Gardner, 2012; Parkinson, 2017; Swales, 1990), we aim to describe the written genre in
student laboratory reports from an EMI course on a Mechanical Engineering degree programme. Seven students’ laboratory reports as
well as the lecturer’s instructions, the assessment rubric, and written feedback were examined using genre analysis. This case
study contributes to the emerging literature on assessment in EMI by foregrounding the advantages of genre analysis as an
analytical methodology and shedding light on students’ development of literacy in disciplinary writing.
EMI programs and formative assessment
Authors: Inbar-Lourie Ofra
Published: August 2022

Research and discussion on assessment in English Medium Instruction (EMI) programs, specifically on formative
on-going assessment theory and practice, is scant. This is despite the shift in education towards assessment for learning
paradigms, and the potential contribution of on-going feedback-led assessment for coping with the challenges that the EMI
content/language framework presents. This paper attempts to account for the absence of formative assessment from EMI programs by
examining EMI as an international construct, situated in higher education institutional organizational and assessment cultures. It
emphasizes the need for training in assessment for EMI content lectures, and concludes by identifying four areas relevant to their
EMI assessment literacy (EMIAL): contextual and policy literacies; the role of language in facilitating content learning;
formative assessment for learning orientations; and awareness and understanding of students’ linguistic and content needs.
The general static spherical solution with EoS parameter w = −1/5
Authors: Semiz İbrahim
Published: August 2022

The general analytical solution for the static spherically symmetric metric supported by a perfect fluid with isothermal (proportional) equation-of-state p = wρ is not known at the time of this writing, except for the trivial cases w = 0 and w = −1; and for w = −1/3. We show that if Buchdahl coordinates are used, the problem becomes analytically solvable for w = −1/5; display and discuss the solution(s), and exhibit the connection of this case to the w = −1 case.
Efficient state-symmetric beamsplitters and mirrors for atom interferometers using optimized pulses
Authors: Saywell Jack , Carey Max , Dedes Nikolaos , Kuprov Ilya , Freegarde Tim
Published: August 2022

Atom interferometers that employ atoms in superpositions of different electronic states are sensitive to any noise that affects these superposed states differently. Resilience to such noise results from using superpositions where the atomic states differ in momentum only, but implementation of such ‘state-symmetric’ diffraction can lead to population loss into unwanted states and restricts the atomic velocity acceptance of the interferometer. In this paper, by varying the laser intensities and phases as functions of time, we present optimized pulses designed for use in state-symmetric interferometers that overcome these restrictions. We extend this optimization to multi-pulse sequences designed to increase the interferometer area and demonstrate significant improvements in the fringe visibility compared with sequences of π/2 and π pulses. We discuss the limits on the temperature of the atomic source required for efficient atomic diffraction and show how optimized pulse sequences enable efficient diffraction with considerably warmer clouds, hence reducing the need for velocity selection and increasing the measurement signal-to-noise ratio.
Mathematical Model for Omnidirectional Sensor Network Using Clifford Algebra
Authors: Mahfonz Amr M. , Zaky Hany N. , Ismail Ahmed S. , Abou El Dahab Eiman T.
Published: August 2022

Wireless Sensor Networks are now very important and more usable in industrial, agricultural, commercial and military applications. Studies on wireless sensor networks have several aspects such as location, deployment, tracking. The most critical parameter of studying wireless sensor networks is sensor nodes deployment to obtain optimum coverage for the network used to minimize energy and cost. The goal of this work is to introduce a new coverage proposal to calculate the required number of sensors for a wireless sensor network in order to achieve optimum coverage for a particular task region. The other proposals that were introduced before are mostly based on coverage of a unit disk in two dimensional space or a ball in three dimensional space. These proposals didn’t provide a coverage model for targets or objects in task region with hybrid types. So, this work introduces a new coverage model using Clifford algebra, which is coordinate-free and simple in calculations.
Study and Analysis of Corona-Virus Transfer Dynamics using Enhanced SEIR Epidemic Model with Vaccination Effect
Authors: Abd ElRaouf Hazem M. , Aref Alhaytham M. , Elsherif Ahmed K. , Khalifa Mohamed E.
Published: August 2022

Corona Virus Syndrome (COVID-19) is a contagious disease and it is considered one of the deadliest viruses ever known to humanity. In this work, the transmission dynamics of the COVID- 19 has been studied using an enhanced SEIR epidemic compartmental model with a vaccination compartment. This model divides the whole population into five categories: susceptible (S), exposed (E), infectious (I), recovered (R), and vaccinated (V). Firstly, Positivity, Existence and Uniqueness of solution are illustrated. Secondly, a mathematical analysis is done to study the equilibrium points of the model and the basic reproduction number has been computed using Next Generation Matrix method. Thirdly, by using analytical computation the Stability of disease free equilibrium (DFE) point of the model is discussed and the Existence, and uniqueness of the endemic equilibrium are proved. Finally, Bifurcation coefficient is computed using the available data and Simulations are made to illustrate the effect of the transmission rate and vaccination rate on the value of the basic reproduction number.
Analytical solution of diffusion equation under chemical reaction and wet deposition from line Source
Authors: Essa Khaled S M , Mosallem Ahmed M , Taha H M
Published: August 2022

The pollutants from the environment are absorbed by wet deposition which increases the pollutants transport. To create and produce different substances, the constituent atoms of the reactants should be rearranged by the chemical reaction. The introduced theoretical model demonstrate the dispersal of pollutants inherited from point and line source without and with both wet deposition and chemical reaction, respectively. The advection-diffusion equation is solved. Taking the wind speed is a function of downwind distance, lateral eddy diffusivity is a function of wind speed and vertical eddy diffusivity is a function of both wind speed and vertical height of power “z”. In this paper the variable separable method and Hankel transform are used to get the concentration from point and line source. Predicted concentration of pollutants in unstable condition is done. Variation concentrations of both observed and predicted of radioactive Iodine135 (I-135), inside Research Reactor at Inshas Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, in unstable condition is shown without chemical reaction and wet deposition. It is discovered that the proposed model is a good harmony with observed concentrations data and the proposed data inside a factor of two. Also, studying the effect of wet deposition and chemical reaction on concentration of air contaminants of line source is analysed.
Distribution and Abundance of Marine Debris on Intertidal Zone at Three Selected Small Islands, Sabah
Authors: Zahari N Z , Rafidi F J , Cleophas F N , Budin K , Musta B
Published: August 2022

The issue of marine debris has become worldwide attention since it occurs almost everywhere globally Thus, it is crucial to focus on this area to sustain the life below the water as stated by United Nations (SDG 14). This study evaluated the distribution, abundance, and composition of marine debris in three selected islands at Sabah namely Manukan, Mamutik and Sapi Islands. Marine debris was identified according to its categories as stated by the Department of Environment (DOE). The study was carried out to compare the waste abundance of three islands since the different beach types represent various activities that produce debris. The sampling design was conducted with two plot areas plotted and observed on each island for three consecutive weeks. Based on the assessment done, Mamutik Island recorded the most abundance of marine debris with 12.185 kg (66.2%) of debris found followed by Manukan Island with 5.487 kg (29.8%) of debris and Sapi Island with 0.746 kg (4.1%). It was observed that plastic debris especially plastic bags, plastic bottles, plastic straws, general plastics, polystyrene, and plastic cups were the main contributors to marine debris pollution. While among all the three islands studied, Sapi Island is considered the cleanest and smallest Island compared to others since the location of this island is quite far from the mainland. The solid and waste management on each island has been identified in order to formulate a new strategy to reduce the impact of marine debris on the intertidal zone especially on human health and the environment. These studies have provided a clear understanding of the distribution of marine debris in these islands. Several recommendations and suggestions have been listed to reduce and prevent marine debris pollution.
Comparison of macro, trace and ultra-trace minerals contents of kelulut honey (Heterotrigona itama sp) from the West Coast of Sabah
Authors: Wahid D N A , Jawan R , Nazarie W F W M , Gansau J A , Syahir A , Sabullah M K
Published: August 2022

Various minerals in Kelulut honey possess a high value in human health and are crucial in regulating multiple biological metabolisms. However, each mineral from different honey sources needs to be monitored to avoid contamination and food poisoning. In addition, the amount of minerals content varies based on geographical region and nectar sources. This study aims to identify and determine the minerals content in Kelulut honey samples collected from different locations on the West Coast of Sabah. The samples were analyzed using ICP-OES, and a total of 20 minerals elements (Ag, Al, As, Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Rb, Se, Sr, Ti, V, and Zn) were presented. The most abundant minerals which are categorized as macro minerals present in all the samples are K (1821.253 ± 35.16 mg/kg), followed by Na (371.00±5.06 mg/kg), Ca (338.643±3.07 mg/kg), and Mg (98.899±1.77 mg/kg). While from the group of minor minerals, Zn had the highest amount with a mean concentration of 6.38±10.35 mg/kg, followed by Mn (2.04±1.61 mg/kg), Cu (1.26±2.97mg/kg). No toxic elements were detected except for Ag (0.06±0.01 mg/kg), considered unbeneficial minerals, and the concentration was considered no harmful effect on the biological system.
Colours Effect Analysis on The Attention Level with A Single-Channel EEG
Authors: Yassin F M , Latip M S , Ibrahim A A A , Baco S , Alias A , Norwawi N M , Noh N A
Published: August 2022

Colours play an important role in many applications such as in education, communication, tourism, marketing, and architecture. From the previous research, especially related to education, colour could affect people’s focus or attention level. However, with further investigation, the colour could also be used for controlling or activating electronic devices. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out if turquoise, green, red, and a combination of red, orange, and yellow (picture of autumn) could trigger the attention level to be equal to or above the attention threshold. The required threshold that had been decided was 40. The attention level of five (5) respondents was recorded when they were looking at the colours for 8 seconds using a single-channel EEG of the Neurosky Mindwave headset. From the study, it is found that all colours could trigger the attention level of all respondents to be above the attention threshold of 40. However, the combination of red, orange, and yellow (autumn picture) showed the best result in triggering or maintaining the attention value within 40 to 100. The colour could be a potential input in controlling electronic devices that have an attention threshold of 40.
Trace Elements Uptake in Brassica rapa chinensis Cultivated in Ultrabasic (Oxisol) and Ultisol Soils, North Borneo
Authors: Hamdan D D M , Nizam M A M , Seow K , Zahari N Z , Rahim S A
Published: August 2022

The study aims to investigate the soil physico-chemical properties and trace elements uptake of Brassica rapa chinensis plants cultivated in ultrabasic (oxisol) and ultisoil soil of Ranau, North Borneo, Malaysia by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). This study can contribute to propose a more sustainable soil management practice. All selected trace elements bioavailability in ultrabasic soil was significantly higher than ultisols except for Ca and Cd. There was no significant amount of difference in soil pH (slightly acidic) and electrical conductivity (slightly saline) between these soil types. However, a significant amount of difference between the percentage of soil moisture and organic matter between ultrabasic and ultisol soils was observed. These might contribute to the uptake of elements into the studied plant. The B. rapa chinensis is a hyperaccumulator of Cd and Pb for both type of soils. The B. rapa chinensis is an accumulator of As when grown in ultrabasic soil, while an accumulator of Co when grown in ultisol soil. Although Pb was not detected in ultisol soil as compared to ultrabasic soil, the concentration of Pb in plants cultivated in ultisol soil had exceeded the maximum permissible limit of Malaysia Food Regulation 1985. Soil amendment in frequently use agriculture sites needs to be conducted such as the addition of organic matter to reduce transfers of trace elements from soil to plants that can pose toxicity risk.
Antioxidant screening of Garcinia Forbesii originated from Sabah
Authors: Haris M A M , Sani S A
Published: August 2022

Garcinia forbesii is a wild type of plant that have been long used traditionally with broad utilities in several fields like medicines, cosmetics, food and neutraceutics. Increasing awareness towards the use of phytochemicals and other plant derives products worldwide has broaden the study of bioactivities from several industrial sectors. Therefore, the present study aims to screen the antioxidant properties of fruits and leaves of Garcinia forbesii by extraction using various types of organic solvents which are methanol, ethyl acetate, and hexane. The highest yield of crude extract is both from methanol extracts of fruits and leaves which are 9.26 ± 0.34 g and 7.04 ±0.21 g, respectively. Antioxidant activities of the leave extracts of G. forbesii in reducing power, FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) and DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) followed the same order of methanolic > ethyl acetate > hexanic. Meanwhile, extract hexane, methanol, and ethyl acetate of the fruits of G. forbesii showed IC50 values at 1.05%, 3.35% and 4.44% while for leaves are at 1.19%, 2.4% and 8.94% respectively. Methanol is therefore a better solvent to extract most of the antioxidant components from G. forbesii leaves.
toise: a framework to describe the performance of high-energy neutrino detectors
Authors: van Santen J. , Clark B.A. , Halliday R. , Hallmann S. , Nelles A.
Published: August 2022

Neutrinos offer a unique window to the distant, high-energy
universe. Several next-generation instruments are being designed and
proposed to characterize the flux of TeV–EeV neutrinos. The
projected physics reach of the detectors is often quantified with
simulation studies. However, a complete Monte Carlo estimate of
detector performance is costly from a computational perspective,
restricting the number of detector configurations considered when
designing the instruments. In this paper, we present a new
Python-based software framework, toise, which forecasts the
performance of a high-energy neutrino detector using
parameterizations of the detector performance, such as the effective
areas, angular and energy resolutions, etc. The framework can be
used to forecast performance of a variety of physics analyses,
including sensitivities to diffuse fluxes of neutrinos and
sensitivity to both transient and steady state point sources. This
parameterized approach reduces the need for extensive simulation
studies in order to estimate detector performance, and allows the
user to study the influence of single performance metrics, like the
angular resolution, in isolation. The framework is designed to
allow for multiple detector components, each with different
responses and exposure times, and supports paramterization of both
optical- and radio-Cherenkov (Askaryan) neutrino telescopes. In the
paper, we describe the mathematical concepts behind toise
and introduce the reader to the use of the framework.
Chiral effects in classical spinning gas
Authors: Bubenchikov M A , Kaparulin D S , Nosyrev O D
Published: August 2022

We consider a statistical mechanics of rotating ideal gas consisting of classical non-relativistic spinning particles. The microscopic structure elements of the system are massive point particles with a nonzero proper angular momentum. The norm of proper angular momentum is determined by spin. The direction of proper angular momentum changes continuously. Applying the Gibbs canonical formalism for the rotating system, we construct the one-particle distribution function, generalising the usual Maxwell–Boltzmann distribution, and the partition function of the system. The model demonstrates a set of chiral effects caused by interaction of spin and macroscopic rotation, including the change of entropy, heat capacity, chemical potential and angular momentum.
P-type ohmic contacts of MBenes with MoS2 for nanodevices and logic circuits
Authors: Hou Pengfei , Liu Jingyi , Jin Di , Tian Yumiao , Liu Xiaochun , Xie Yu , Du Fei , Gogotsi Yury , Vojvodic Aleksandra , Meng Xing
Published: August 2022

Based on first-principles calculations and quantum transport simulations, we systematically investigate the possibility of using two-dimensional transition metal borides (MBenes) as electrodes for two-dimensional monolayer MoS2 via interfacial interactions, band bending, vertical Schottky barrier, tunneling probability, and lateral Schottky barrier. The weak interaction between the functionalized MBenes and MoS2 results in MoS2 retaining its original intrinsic properties while significantly reducing the Fermi level pinning effect; this, is perfectly consistent with the revised Schottky–Mott model after considering charge redistribution. Combined with band calculations and device local projection density of states, MoS2/TiBO, MoS2/TiBF, and MoS2/MoBO, either with the vertical hole Schottky barrier or the lateral hole Schottky barrier, are negative, forming p-type ohmic contacts. Our work provides theoretical guidance for constructing high-performance nanodevices and MoS2-based logic circuits for large-scale integrated circuits. We demonstrate the outstanding potential of MBenes as electrodes for nanodevices.
The role of Sn on microstructure, wear and corrosion properties of Al-5Zn-2.5Mg-1.6Cu-xSn alloy
Authors: Sadawy Mosaad , Metwally Hassan , Abd El-Aziz Hussein , Adbelkarim Ahmed , mohrez Waleed , Mashaal Heba , Kandil Amr
Published: August 2022

In the present investigation, Al-5Zn-2.5Mg - 1.6Cu -xSn (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and 1.0 wt%) alloys were fabricated using melting and casting technique. The microstructures of the alloys were studied using optical, scanning electronic microscope/EDS and X-ray diffraction. The corrosion behaviour was performed using electrochemical measurements and immersion tests while the wear behaviour was carried out by pin-on-disc technique. The findings revealed that incorporating Sn to the Al-5Zn-2.5Mg alloy improved its corrosion and wear resistance due to refining the grains. The corrosion potentials shifted from −884 to −943,−955, −996,−1008 and −1012 mV (Ag / AgCl), while the coefficient of friction declined from 0.69 to 0.62 , 0.51 , 0.34, 0.29 and 0.22 with increment of Sn content from 0.0 to 0.2, 0.4. 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 wt%, respectively. On the other hand, the results illustrated that the wear rate diminished from 4.42 *10−3to 1.47 * 10−3(mm3/Nm) with increasing Sn from 0.0 to 1.0 wt%. Furthermore, the findings showed that increment of Sn content stimulated the uniform corrosion on the surface of alloys.
Experimental and numerical investigation of a self-supplementing dual-cavity plasma synthetic jet actuator
Authors: ZHENG Borui , ZHANG Qian , ZHAO Taifei , SONG Guozheng , CHEN Quanlong
Published: August 2022

The primary issue regarding the plasma synthetic jet actuator (PSJA) is its performance attenuation at high frequencies. To solve this issue, a self-supplementing, dual-cavity, plasma synthetic jet actuator (SD-PSJA) is designed, and the static properties of the SD-PSJA are investigated through experiments and numerical simulations. The pressure measurement shows that the SD-PSJA has two saturation frequencies (1200 Hz and 2100 Hz), and the experimental results show that both the saturation frequencies decrease as the volume of the bottom cavity of the SD-PSJA increases. As the size of the supplement hole increases, the first saturation frequency increases continuously, while the second saturation frequency shows a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. Numerical simulations show that the working process of the SD-PSJA is similar to that of the PSJA, but the volume of the cavity in the SD-PSJA is smaller than that of the PSJA; the SD-PSJA can supplement air to the top cavity through two holes, thus reducing the refresh time and effectively improving the jet intensity of the actuator at high frequencies.
Effective qubit dephasing induced by spectator-qubit relaxation
Authors: Jurcevic P , Govia L C G
Published: August 2022

In many leading architectures for quantum computing, it remains to be understood if we can equate single-qubit coherence times measured in isolation, to that of coherence times measured in multi-qubit devices. On a multi-qubit superconducting circuit platform we show an increase in the dephasing rate of a control qubit due to the spontaneous relaxation of spectator qubits coupled to the control qubit. We attribute this increased dephasing to random in time Z-phase kicks on the control qubit due to the interplay between spectator relaxation and the control-spectator ZZ-interaction. We measure the magnitude of this extra dephasing using Ramsey decay experiments, show how it can be corrected via dynamical decoupling pulse sequences, and demonstrate that randomized benchmarking is insensitive to the effect. Our experimental results are supported by a robust theoretical model that captures an arbitrary number of spectator qubits, and gives a simple, intuitive picture for the mechanism behind the enhanced dephasing.
Frequently Interrupting Prolonged Sitting With Light Body-Weighted Resistance Activity Alters Psychobiological Responses to Acute Psychological Stress: A Randomized Crossover Trial
Authors: Chauntry Aiden J , Bishop Nicolette C , Hamer Mark , Paine Nicola J
Published: August 2022

Background

Uninterrupted prolonged sitting and exaggerated psychobiological reactivity to acute psychological stress are associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Breaking up prolonged sitting with frequent, short bouts of light-intensity physical activity acutely lowers CVD risk markers under resting conditions.

Purpose

To examine whether frequent interruptions to prolonged sitting with body-weighted resistance activity can acutely lower systolic blood pressure (SBP; primary outcome) and other cardiovascular (CV), inflammatory, and cortisol (secondary outcomes) responses to acute psychological stress.

Methods

This randomized crossover trial included 17 sedentary participants (9 men; mean ± SD age; 24.0 ± 0.5 years) who completed two conditions: (i) interrupting 4 hr of sitting with 4 min of light body-weighted resistance activity every 30-min (BREAK), and (ii) 4 hr of uninterrupted sitting (SIT). Following the BREAK and SIT intervention windows, CV, inflammatory, and cortisol markers were measured at rest, during stress tasks (8-min Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test [PASAT] and 3-min cold pressor [CP]), and 45-min recovery periods.

Results

There were main effects of time for CV parameters (SBP, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, cardiac output, and total peripheral resistance [all p < .001]), inflammatory markers (interleukin-6 [IL-6]), and cortisol (p < .05) in response to stress. Time-by-condition interaction effects revealed that in the BREAK-condition there was lower SBP during immediate recovery from the CP (mean {95% confidence interval [CI]}: 127.2 [121.3, 133.4] vs 133.4 [125.5, 141.7] mmHg; p = .020), higher concentrations of plasma IL-6 45-min post-PASAT (2.70 [1.97, 3.70] vs 1.71 [1.32, 2.22] pg/mL; p = .010), and larger (nonsignificant) salivary cortisol concentrations 8-min post-CP (6.29 [4.60, 8.58] vs 3.97 [3.16, 4.99] nmol/L; p = .079).

Conclusions

Interrupting prolonged sitting with frequent bouts of light intensity body-weighted resistance activity alters psychobiological responses to acute psychological stress. Further research should explore the longer-term implications for CVD risk.
Subnational nominations and elections
Authors: Maisel L. Sandy
Published: August 2022

“Subnational Nominations and Elections” examines how candidates are selected to run for office below the level of the presidency and how they run in general election campaigns. The importance of single-member districts, the ways in which electoral districts are drawn, the financing of elections, and the ways that campaigns are contested are each explored, though it is concluded that the overwhelmingly important factors in these elections are whether the president and party in power are popular and whether the electorate is satisfied with their performance. If they are, the status quo will be maintained. Incumbents of an unpopular party are, however, difficult to unseat.
The origins of anarchism
Authors: Prichard Alex
Published: August 2022

This chapter explores the origins and development of anarchism as an ideology. It identifies key classical anarchists and explores their differences in terms of the unique local conditions and ideas that they were challenged to engage. Classical anarchist thought arose out of an engagement with the failures of the French Revolution, the experiences of slavery in the United States and Russia, and in response to the Utopian socialism of Robert Owen and others. Crucially, anarchists rejected the republican idea that freedom was only possible in the state. Anarchists argued that the state and private property were antithetical to freedom from domination, associating both with the enforcement of a new form of ‘wage slavery’.
Anarchism and the provision of public goods: health and policing
Authors: Prichard Alex
Published: August 2022

Anarchists argue that there is an alternative to the binary choice of nationalization and privatization of public goods: mutual aid. Mutual aid has underpinned human society in the absence of states for most of recorded human history and continues to underpin how most people get by in the world today. This chapter explores this anarchist argument in relation to the history and provision of public health and policing, exploring the history of both and how anarchists envision alternatives. The chapter begins with a general description of public goods, then moves to the history of non-state provision, before turning to anarchist experiments in public health and policing.
Anarchism and the provision of public goods: work and education
Authors: Prichard Alex
Published: August 2022

Anarchists, like the Marxists that followed them, argue that capitalism is an agreement between the propertied class and the state to exploit the labour of the people. This chapter looks at this political economy of labour and value, and shows how it is a critique of modern power. This is followed by a discussion of the anarchist alternatives: syndicalism and cooperativism. Anarchists have been educational innovators from the first stirrings in the writings of William Godwin, through to the Modern School movement. Extending the anarchist focus on equitable processes, the focus is on how to learn, not what to learn. Education is emancipation, for anarchists.
The History of Computing: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Swade Doron
Published: August 2022

This book describes the central events, machines, and people in the history of computing, and traces how innovation has brought us from pebbles used for counting, to the modern age of the computer. It has a strong historiographical theme that offers a new perspective on how to understand the historical narratives we have constructed, and examines the unspoken assumptions that underpin them. It describes inventions, pioneers, milestone systems, and the context of their use. It starts with counting, and traces change through calculating aids, mechanical calculation, and automatic electronic computation, both digital and analogue. It shows how four threads—calculation, automatic computing, information management, and communications—converged to create the ‘information age’. It examines three master narratives in established histories that are used as aids to marshal otherwise unmanageable levels detail. The treatment is rooted in the principal episodes that make up canonical histories of computing.
Difference in the world
Authors: Belsey Catherine
Published: August 2022

A familiar objection to poststructuralism is that it privileges words over things. Detractors pounce gleefully on Derrida’s hostage to fortune in Of Grammatology, translated as ‘There is nothing outside of the text’ [il n’y a pas de hors-texte]. ‘So deconstruction does disavow the world, after all,’ they gloat. ‘Poststructuralists are saying that materiality doesn’t exist outside our own heads. Any statements about the world are as valid as any others and poststructuralism is complicit with the post-truth age of lies, fake news, and alternative facts.’ In practice, however, the material world exercises determinations that language struggles to accommodate, and poststructuralists are more likely to see symbolization as inadequate than all-encompassing. Understood in context, Derrida’s statement doesn’t deny the world, or claim that nothing exists but textuality. Instead, it points to the limitations of texts. They cannot make present what they only represent or stand in for, but only subject it to differance (with an a). Nothing in Derrida’s account implies that the world does not exist or that there is only the signifier. This chapter addresses poststructuralism’s many accounts of the relationship between language and the world. It engages with the work of Jacques Derrida, Gilles Deleuze, Roland Barthes, Jean-François Lyotard, Sigmund Freud, Jacques Lacan, and Sarah Kofman in order to outline poststructuralism’s attention to the limits of language. Examples discussed include: the holocaust; the climate emergency; pandemics; animals; love; and 9/11.
LipidMS 3.0: an R-package and a web-based tool for LC-MS/MS data processing and lipid annotation
Authors: Alcoriza-Balaguer María Isabel , García-Cañaveras Juan Carlos , Ripoll-Esteve Francisco Javier , Roca Marta , Lahoz Agustín
Published: August 2022

Motivation

LipidMS was initially envisioned to use fragmentation rules and data-independent acquisition (DIA) for lipid annotation. However, data-dependent acquisition (DDA) remains the most widespread acquisition mode for untargeted LC-MS/MS-based lipidomics. Here, we present LipidMS 3.0, an R package that not only adds DDA and new lipid classes to its pipeline but also the required functionalities to cover the whole data analysis workflow from pre-processing (i.e. peak-peaking, alignment and grouping) to lipid annotation.

Results

We applied the new workflow in the data analysis of a commercial human serum pool spiked with 68 representative lipid standards acquired in full scan, DDA and DIA modes. When focusing on the detected lipid standard features and total identified lipids, LipidMS 3.0 data pre-processing performance is similar to XCMS, whereas it complements the annotations returned by MS-DIAL, providing a higher level of structural information and a lower number of incorrect annotations. To extend and facilitate LipidMS 3.0 usage among less experienced R-programming users, the workflow is also implemented as a web-based application.

Availability and implementation

The LipidMS R-package is freely available at https://CRAN.R-project.org/package=LipidMS and as a website at http://www.lipidms.com.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
propeller:testing for differences in cell type proportions in single cell data
Authors: Phipson Belinda , Sim Choon Boon , Porrello Enzo R , Hewitt Alex W , Powell Joseph , Oshlack Alicia
Published: August 2022

Motivation

Single cell RNA-Sequencing (scRNA-seq) has rapidly gained popularity over the last few years for profiling the transcriptomes of thousands to millions of single cells. This technology is now being used to analyse experiments with complex designs including biological replication. One question that can be asked from single cell experiments, which has been difficult to directly address with bulk RNA-seq data, is whether the cell type proportions are different between two or more experimental conditions. As well as gene expression changes, the relative depletion or enrichment of a particular cell type can be the functional consequence of disease or treatment. However, cell type proportion estimates from scRNA-seq data are variable and statistical methods that can correctly account for different sources of variability are needed to confidently identify statistically significant shifts in cell type composition between experimental conditions.

Results

We have developed propeller, a robust and flexible method that leverages biological replication to find statistically significant differences in cell type proportions between groups. Using simulated cell type proportions data, we show that propeller performs well under a variety of scenarios. We applied propeller to test for significant changes in cell type proportions related to human heart development, ageing and COVID-19 disease severity.

Availability and implementation

The propeller method is publicly available in the open source speckle R package (https://github.com/phipsonlab/speckle). All the analysis code for the article is available at the associated analysis website: https://phipsonlab.github.io/propeller-paper-analysis/. The speckle package, analysis scripts and datasets have been deposited at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7009042.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Territory in the Work of the Institut de Droit International
Authors: Yee Sienho
Published: August 2022

This essay reviews the work of the Institut de Droit International, for the occasion of the 150th anniversary of its founding in 1873, that addresses the acquisition or status of territory during the epochs of imperialism, sacred trust of civilization, and territorial administration by or under the United Nations. Section A of this essay introduces the work in a summary fashion. Section B briefly describes the context for each epoch. Section C highlights the challenges and controversies in each epoch surrounding the related topics studied by the Institute. Section D analyzes the three resultant resolutions. Section E briefly comments on the impact of the work, and Section F concludes by taking a look into the future. By and large, the work of the Institute relating to acquisition or status of territory stays very close to the leitmotifs or practices of the different epochs, although one can glean glimpses of inching forward on the part of the Institute, or more so of certain members. Notable examples are its assessment that notice of occupation is required to make it effective and may be done in the normal way of giving publicity to official acts or through the diplomatic channel, and its view on the international mandates system that, “The communities under mandate are subjects of international law. They have a patrimony distinct from that of the mandatory State; they possess a national status, and they may acquire rights or be held to their obligations.” The Institute’s work can be considered solid “codification” efforts. As such, the work, just like any other private codification efforts, may conceivably contribute to the strengthening of the relevant practice, for good or ill, or for good and ill, as we can see that such practice in the past, together with the codification that aspired to reflect it, can never catch up with the future.
An actionable annotation scoring framework for gas chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Koelmel Jeremy P , Xie Hongyu , Price Elliott J , Lin Elizabeth Z , Manz Katherine E , Stelben Paul , Paige Matthew K , Papazian Stefano , Okeme Joseph , Jones Dean P , Barupal Dinesh , Bowden John A , Rostkowski Pawel , Pennell Kurt D , Nikiforov Vladimir , Wang Thanh , Hu Xin , Lai Yunjia , Miller Gary W , Walker Douglas I , Martin Jonathan W , Godri Pollitt Krystal J
Published: August 2022

Omics-based technologies have enabled comprehensive characterization of our exposure to environmental chemicals (chemical exposome) as well as assessment of the corresponding biological responses at the molecular level (eg, metabolome, lipidome, proteome, and genome). By systematically measuring personal exposures and linking these stimuli to biological perturbations, researchers can determine specific chemical exposures of concern, identify mechanisms and biomarkers of toxicity, and design interventions to reduce exposures. However, further advancement of metabolomics and exposomics approaches is limited by a lack of standardization and approaches for assigning confidence to chemical annotations. While a wealth of chemical data is generated by gas chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC-HRMS), incorporating GC-HRMS data into an annotation framework and communicating confidence in these assignments is challenging. It is essential to be able to compare chemical data for exposomics studies across platforms to build upon prior knowledge and advance the technology. Here, we discuss the major pieces of evidence provided by common GC-HRMS workflows, including retention time and retention index, electron ionization, positive chemical ionization, electron capture negative ionization, and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization spectral matching, molecular ion, accurate mass, isotopic patterns, database occurrence, and occurrence in blanks. We then provide a qualitative framework for incorporating these various lines of evidence for communicating confidence in GC-HRMS data by adapting the Schymanski scoring schema developed for reporting confidence levels by liquid chromatography HRMS (LC-HRMS). Validation of our framework is presented using standards spiked in plasma, and confident annotations in outdoor and indoor air samples, showing a false-positive rate of 12% for suspect screening for chemical identifications assigned as Level 2 (when structurally similar isomers are not considered false positives). This framework is easily adaptable to various workflows and provides a concise means to communicate confidence in annotations. Further validation, refinements, and adoption of this framework will ideally lead to harmonization across the field, helping to improve the quality and interpretability of compound annotations obtained in GC-HRMS.
Identification and characterization of a deaminoneuraminic acid (Kdn)-specific aldolase from Sphingobacterium species
Authors: Nakagawa Takahiro , Iwaki Yuya , Wu Di , Hane Masaya , Sato Chihiro , Kitajima Ken
Published: August 2022

Sialic acid (Sia) is a group of acidic sugars with a 9-carbon backbone, and classified into 3 species based on the substituent group at C5 position: N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and deaminoneuraminic acid (Kdn). In Escherichia coli, the sialate aldolase or N-acetylneuraminate aldolase (NanA) is known to catabolize these Sia species into pyruvate and the corresponding 6-carbon mannose derivatives. However, in bacteria, very little is known about the catabolism of Kdn, compared with Neu5Ac. In this study, we found a novel Kdn-specific aldolase (Kdn-aldolase), which can exclusively degrade Kdn, but not Neu5Ac or Neu5Gc, from Sphingobacterium sp., which was previously isolated from a Kdn-assimilating bacterium. Kdn-aldolase had the optimal pH and temperature at 7.0–8.0 and 50 °C, respectively. It also had the synthetic activity of Kdn from pyruvate and mannose. Site-specific mutagenesis revealed that N50 residue was important for the Kdn-specific reaction. Existence of the Kdn-aldolase suggests that Kdn-specific metabolism may play a specialized role in some bacteria.
A novel TcS allele conferring the high-theacrine and low-caffeine traits and having potential use in tea plant breeding
Authors: Zhong Hong , Wang Yi , Qu Fu-Rong , Wei Meng-Yuan , Zhang Chen-Yu , Liu Hao-Ran , Chen Liang , Yao Ming-Zhe , Jin Ji-Qiang
Published: August 2022

Theacrine (1,3,7,9-tetramethyluric acid) is a natural product with remarkable pharmacological activities such as antidepressant, sedative and hypnotic activities, while caffeine (1,3,7-trimethylxanthine) has certain side effects to special populations. Hence, breeding tea plants with high theacrine and low caffeine will increase tea health benefits and promote consumption. In this study, we construct an F1 population by crossing ‘Zhongcha 302’ (theacrine-free) and a tea germplasm ‘Ruyuan Kucha’ (RY, theacrine-rich) to identify the causal gene for accumulating theacrine. The results showed that the content of theacrine was highly negatively correlated with caffeine (R2 > 0.9). Bulked segregant RNA sequencing analysis, molecular markers and gene expression analysis indicated that the theacrine synthase (TcS) gene was the candidate gene. The TcS was located in the nucleus and cytoplasm, and the theacrine can be detected in stably genetic transformed tobacco by feeding the substrate 1,3,7-trimethyluric acid. Moreover, an in vitro enzyme activity experiment revealed that the 241st amino acid residue was the key residue. Besides, we amplified the promoter region in several tea accessions with varied theacrine levels, and found a 234-bp deletion and a 271-bp insertion in RY. Both GUS histochemical analysis and dual-luciferase assay showed that TcS promoter activity in RY was relatively high. Lastly, we developed a molecular marker that is co-segregate with high-theacrine individuals in RY’s offspring. These results demonstrate that the novel TcS allele in RY results in the high-theacrine and low-caffeine traits and the developed functional marker will facilitate the breeding of characteristic tea plants.