bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First scientific results of the KM3NeT neutrino telescope
Authors: Benfenati Francesco , Filippini Francesco , Chiarusi Tommaso
Published: April 2023

KM3NeT is a multidisciplinary observatory, for the detection and study of cosmic neutrinos and their sources in the Universe, as well as the measurement of neutrino properties such as the mass hierarchy and oscillation parameters. Two underwater detectors are under construction in the Mediterranean Sea. The configuration of the ARCA detector, located off-shore Sicily, Italy, is optimized for the detection of neutrinos in the energy range of 1 TeV-100 PeV. The ORCA detector off-shore Toulon, France is configured for the measurement of neutrinos with energy from about 100 MeV up to the sub-TeV region. At present, 21 and 14 detection units are taking data at the ARCA and the ORCA sites, respectively. Installation of additional detection units is foreseen in the next few years. In this contribution an overview of the expected performances of the full detectors will be reviewed and the main physics results obtained with ARCA and ORCA, still in their partial configuration, will be reported. Finally, in the context of the multi-messenger scenario the KM3NeT online alert system will be presented.
Neutrons in simulations of extensive air showers
Authors: Engel Ralph , Ferrari Alfredo , Roth Markus , Schimassek Martin , Schmidt David , Veberic Darko
Published: April 2023

We study neutrons produced in simulations of extensive air showers. By using the Monte Carlo simulation package Fluka, our examination is able to extend from the highest energy neutrons, produced in hadronic interactions, all the way down to thermal energies. The energy spectra, arrival times, and lateral distributions of neutrons at the ground are compared for different primary species, as are the longitudinal profiles of the neutron fluence. Direct comparisons are drawn with the analogous distributions for muons.
The Radio Detector of the Pierre Auger Observatory – status and expected performance
Authors: Huege Tim
Published: April 2023

As part of the ongoing AugerPrime upgrade of the Pierre Auger Observatory, we are deploying short aperiodic loaded loop antennas measuring radio signals from extensive air showers in the 30 – 80 MHz band on each of the 1,660 surface detector stations. This new Radio Detector of the Observatory allows us to measure the energy in the electromagnetic cascade of inclined air showers with zenith angles larger than ∼ 65°. The water-Cherenkov detectors, in turn, perform a virtually pure measurement of the muon component of inclined air showers. The combination of both thus extends the mass-composition sensitivity of the upgraded Observatory to high zenith angles and therefore enlarges the sky coverage of mass-sensitive measurements at the highest energies while at the same time allowing us to cross-check the performance of the established detectors with an additional measurement technique. In this contribution, we outline the concept and design of the Radio Detector, report on its current status and initial results from the first deployed stations, and illustrate its expected performance with a detailed, end-to-end simulation study.
TAx4 surface detectors data analysis
Authors: Fujisue Kozo
Published: April 2023

The TAx4 experiment aims to understand UHECR by expanding the observation area of the TA experiment by a factor of 4 and increasing the statistics of UHECR events with energy greater than 1019 eV. TAx4 consists of newly installed Surface Detectors (SD) and Fluorescence Detectors (FD). The SD was only partially developed before the COVID pandemic and it currently operates with an area 2.5 times TA including the original TA area. The TAx4 SD array has been collecting data since April 2019, and data analysis is underway. In this paper, we will report on the comparison between Monte Carlo simulation and real data acquired by the TAx4 SD array and the preliminary energy spectrum of TAx4 SD array.
Auger@TA: Deploying an independent Pierre Auger Observatory SD micro-array at the Telescope Array Project
Authors: Mayotte Sonja , Caraça-Valente Jorge , Covault Corbin , Fujii Toshihiro , Im Sungrae , James Robin , Johnsen Jeffrey , Kampert Karl-Heinz , Kern Heiko , Matthews John , Mayotte Eric , Bartz Mocellin Adriel , Quinn Sean , Rautenberg Julian , Roth Markus , Sagawa Hiroyuki , Sako Takashi , Sarazin Frederic , Sato Ricardo , Schmidt David , Thomas Stan , Wörner Günther ,   for the Pierre Auger,   Telescope Array,   Collaborations
Published: April 2023

The Pierre Auger Observatory (Auger) and the Telescope Array Project (TA) are the two largest ultra-high-energy cosmic ray observatories in the world. They operate in the Southern and Northern hemispheres, respectively, at similar latitudes but with different surface detector (SD) designs. This difference in detector design changes their sensitivity to the various components of extensive air showers. The over-arching goal of the Auger@TA working group is to cross-calibrate the SD arrays of the two observatories in order to identify or rule out systematic causes for the apparent differences in the flux measured at Auger and TA. The project itself is divided into two phases. Phase-I finished in 2020 and consisted of a station-level comparison facilitated by the deployment of two Auger stations, one prototype station with a single central PMT and a standard Auger station, in the middle of the TA SD near the Central Laser Facility, along with a modified TA station to provide external triggers from the TA SD. This provided the opportunity to observe the same extensive air showers with both Auger and TA detectors to directly compare their measurements. Phase-II of Auger@TA is currently underway and aims at building a self-triggering micro-Auger-array inside the TA array. This micro-array consists of eight Auger stations, seven of which use a 1-PMT prototype configuration and form a single hexagon with a traditional 1.5 km Auger spacing. The 8th station is of the standard Auger 3-PMT configuration and is placed at the center of the hexagon, along with a TA station to form a triplet. Each Auger station will also be outfitted with an AugerPrime Surface Scintillator Detector. A custom communication system using readily available components will be used to provide communication between the stations and remote access to each station via a central communications station. The deployment of the micro-array took place at the end of September 2022. A simulation study was carried out to gauge the expected performance of the Auger@TA micro-array and to derive trigger effi ciencies and event rates.
Recent results from prototypes of the Fluorescence detector Array of Single-pixel Telescopes (FAST) in both hemispheres
Authors: Fujii Toshihiro , Albury Justin , Bradfield Fraser , Bellido Jose A. , Chytka Ladislav , Farmer John , Hamal Petr , Horvath Pavel , Hrabovsky Miroslav , Iwasaki Hiromu , Jilek Vlastimil , Kmec Jakub , Kvita Jiri , Malacari Max , Mandat Dusan , Mastrodicasa Massimo , Matthews John N. , Michal Stanislav , Nagasawa Hiromu , Namba Hiroki , Ni Xiaochen , Nozka Libor , Oka Tomohiko , Palatka Miroslav , Pech Miroslav , Privitera Paolo , Schovanek Petr , Salamida Francesco , Smida Radomir , Svozilikova Zuzana , Thomas Stan B. , Taketa Akimichi , Terauchi Kenta , Travnicek Petr , Vacula Martin
Published: April 2023

The origin and nature of ultrahigh-energy cosmic rays (UHECRs) are of uppermost importance in astroparticle physics. Motivated by the need for an unprecedented aperture for further advancements, the Fluorescence detector Array of Single-pixel Telescopes (FAST) is a prospective next-generation, ground-based UHECR observatory that aims to cover an enormous area by deploying a large array of low-cost fluorescence telescopes. The full-scale FAST prototype consists of four 20 cm photomultiplier tubes at the focus of a segmented mirror 1.6 m in diameter. Three FAST prototypes have been installed at the Telescope Array Experiment in Utah, USA, and two prototypes at the Pierre Auger Observatory in Mendoza, Argentina, commencing remote observation of UHECRs in both hemispheres. We report on recent results of the full-scale FAST prototypes operated in both hemispheres, including telescope calibrations, atmospheric monitoring, ongoing electronics upgrades, development of sophisticated reconstruction methods and UHECR detections.
Performance of the TALE infill experiment as a TA-TALE extension down to the PeV region
Authors: Iwasaki Aoi , Fujita Keitaro , Ogio Shoichi , Fujii Toshihiro , Tsunesada Yoshiki
Published: April 2023

The TALE infill experiment is a further extension of TA-TALE detectors to observe low-energy cosmic rays down to the PeV region. TALE infill utilizes the existing TALE-FD detectors, and newly developed "infill" surface detectors with 100 m and 200 m spacing. The new detectors will be deployed at the TALE site in October-November 2022. We present the design and performance of the TALE infill array in the hybrid mode, in terms of the resolutions and biases of arrival direction, energy, and Xmax.
Bridging the Gap between Large Research Infrastructures in Physics and Society through Citizen Science
Authors: Chaniotakis Emmanouil , Sotiriou Sofoklis , Hemming Gary , Spagnuolo Francesca
Published: April 2023

Despite the large progress of science in the frontiers of Physics and its impact to our lives, a gap between research and society is observed. In this article we discuss the potential of citizen science to help bridge this gap by both supporting scientific research and increasing society’s science literacy.
Citizen Science in the European Open Science Cloud
Authors: Serjeant Stephen
Published: April 2023

In 2007, Michael Longo published a startling result: he appeared to have found a fundamental handedness to the large-scale structure of the Universe, in an asymmetry between clockwise and anticlockwise spiral galaxies. His sample of 22 thousand galaxies had been examined partly by eye and partly algorithmically, and so the challenge was laid down to the community to verify or refute this result.
Influence of ultrasonic frequency on the evaluation of self-healing and repair in concrete
Authors: Lefever Gerlinde , Ranjan Malaikka , Shiotani Tomoki , Aggelis Dimitrios G.
Published: April 2023

Self-healing and repair of cementitious media entails restoration of mechanical properties. However, testing of the effectiveness of the process is not straightforward. Microscopy, and computed tomography can potentially verify the deposition of healing/repairing material in the crack, while other tests like water permeability evaluate the “sealing” properties. However, they do not supply information on the mechanical performance of the healed or repaired layer. It is only possible to check mechanical properties by re-loading, but this cannot be used in-situ while the monitoring of continuous healing cannot take place on the same specimen even in laboratory since the measurement is destructive. This is the research gap that ultrasound can fill. Since elastic waves physically propagate through the material, they gather information on the elastic properties of the different constituents. Ultrasound has been recently used to monitor the healing and repair effectiveness in cementitious materials and structures. The present paper addresses the importance of the applied frequency in different modalities. In one-sided measurements, the wavelength defines the Rayleigh wave penetration and therefore a modification of the frequency defines the depth of material that can be characterized. On the other hand, in through transmission, the wavelength defines essentially the resolution of the technique. This becomes very important for heterogeneous materials and specifically, for crack interfaces at various conditions, like totally empty -acting as discontinuities-, having bridging points between the sides, and partially or fully healed.
Experimental investigation on the ability of macro-encapsulated polyurethane to resist cyclic damaging actions in self-repaired cement-based elements
Authors: Anglani Giovanni , Tulliani Jean-Marc , Antonaci Paola
Published: April 2023

The use of polymer precursors as repairing agents in capsule-based self-healing systems has been extensively studied in recent years. In particular, the effectiveness of macro-encapsulated polyurethane in restoring both watertightness and mechanical properties has been demonstrated at the laboratory level, and the experimental methods to test the effectiveness have been validated following pre-standard procedures. However, the use of macro-capsules containing polyurethane precursors for field applications has not been sufficiently implemented yet. For these systems to become appealing to the construction industry, it is essential to further characterize the self-healing effect in terms of stability in time, namely, to investigate the behavior of the self-healing system when subjected to recurring actions that can affect structures in time, after cracking and subsequent self-repairing. The goal of this study was to characterize the ability of commercial polyurethane foams to withstand cyclic flexural actions and repeated temperature variations after release from cementitious macro-capsules embedded in mortar specimens. The specimens were tested immediately after pre-cracking and self-repairing to characterize the initial sealing efficiency through a water-flow test. The same test was repeated at prescribed time intervals to analyze the evolution of the sealing efficiency with the applied mechanical and thermal stresses. The results showed that the proposed system has good stability against the selected damaging actions and confirmed the potential of encapsulated polyurethane for self-healing applications.
A novel measurement system for self-sensing graphite-cement composites
Authors: Wang Xueying , Al-Tabbaa Abir , Haigh Stuart K.
Published: April 2023

Carbon-based conductive fillers have been incorporated into cement matrix to develop smart self-sensing materials with piezoresistive properties. However, accurately measuring the sensing property of the cement composite without compromising its mechanical performance is not easy to achieve in practical engineering. Therefore, in this study, a novel experimental setup for measuring the self-sensing properties of conductive fillers embedded cementitious composites was developed. This multi-functional measurement system is able to measure specimens under compressive and flexural stress with different loading profiles, apply various loading rates, obtain the electrical properties, and measure the strain using both LVDT and Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) or Digital Image Correlation (DIC) techniques with all the data synchronised to one file sharing the same time stamp controlled by Python codes. In this study, the piezoresistivity and the performance on damage detection of the cementitious composites with low graphite concentration (5%) in a bulk form were investigated through monotonic compressive and flexural tests. Experiment results include the specimens’ stress, strain and Fractional Change in Resistivity (FCR). Data analysis showed that the set-up and methodology developed in this study are effective to test self-sensing cementitious composites, and the graphite-cement composites used in this study have a stable piezoresistivity and able to detect damage upon failure.
The sustainability profile of a biomimetic 3D printed vascular network to restore the structural integrity of concrete
Authors: di Summa Davide , Shields Yasmina , Cappellesso Vanessa , Ferrara Liberato , De Belie Nele
Published: April 2023

Among the various possibilities to tackle the issue of concrete damage within its structural service life, the biomimetic approach has favoured the development of innovative solutions such as the use of 3D printed vascular networks suitably incorporated into concrete structural elements to inject and convey the most suitable healing agent upon crack occurrence. These systems, able to cope with damage of different intensities, may lead to improvements of the structure’s durability, through the closure of cracks, and a consequent reduction of the frequency of major maintenance activities. The present work investigates the environmental sustainability of the aforesaid self-healing technology through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) analysis. The attention has been also focused on the 3D printing process of the network due to the key role that it could play, in terms of environmental burdens, when upscaled to real-life size applications. The case study of a beam healed by means of polyurethane injected through the network and exposed to a chloride environment is reported to better predict the potential improvements in terms of overall durability and consequent sustainability within the pre-defined service life.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of Microcapsule based self-healing in concrete
Authors: Rengaraju Sripriya , Al-Tabbaa Abir
Published: April 2023

Self-healing technologies provide the long-term resilience of concrete structures by enabling self-diagnose and self-repair of damages (aging cracks, cyclic load damages, and corrosion-induced cracks). However, self-healing technologies require special additives and materials in addition to the ones in conventional concrete. Hence, it is often perceived to have higher environmental impacts, and therefore, it is necessary to understand the same. This study is aimed to analyse the life cycle assessment (LCA) of concrete with microcapsules produced by different techniques to investigate the sustainability of these concretes. Two microcapsule techniques, namely complex coacervation and membrane emulsification, were studied at the laboratory scale and then projected to the industrial scale. The analysis shows that the concrete with microcapsules does not adversely impact the emissions in the production stage if supplementary cementitious materials are used. Further, if the beneficial effects of the self-healing technologies are considered in the use phase, the impacts are much lower. Thus, this assessment gives meaningful insights by identifying major impacts in the production of self-healing technologies and helps to improve their design and application in concrete.
Practical challenges of fiscal/monetary response to COVID-19 situation in the USA
Authors: Li Junlin
Published: April 2023

The article’s main objective was to analyze sentiment, financial markets, and Consumer Price Index (CPI) emotional impact. It narrates and summarizes the changes that have occurred since the onset of the financial crisis and financial recession in 2003. Data document review is the main method used to collect data for the article. The article borrows concepts and theories from the cited sources. As per the article, it is hard for the government to target specific parts of the economy. The mainstream economic limits in the covid-19 era disproved several theoretical pillars of the mainstream economy. According to studies, conventional economic theory holds that people are constantly eager to adapt their requirements and satisfactions to better their balance sheets for increased utility. The demand and supply rules serve as the foundation for modern economics models. It demonstrates how the market continually seeks equilibrium. One of the key tenets of orthodox economics is that since economists are practical by nature, it follows that everyone wants their unique needs to be satisfied. People occasionally judge and make decisions, which is the limitation of contemporary mainstream economics in addressing real-world issues. The key dangers are that these markets could cause the real economy to suffer from risk re-pricing, decreased confidence, falling asset values, and tighter financial conditions. Mainstream economics influences most people’s lives aspects. Its majority dealings are at the house level and are deeply flawed in terms of their real-life impact. Individuals commonly follow market trends and predictions, and any shift will undoubtedly impact the individual.
The Economic Impact of Covid-19 on African Countries: The Case of Madagascar
Authors: Harisoa Razafimanantsoa , David Boredison Jack
Published: April 2023

The emergence of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) on the global public health scene has stunned the entire world in terms of the pandemic’s impact and origin. Almost all economic activities worldwide were paralyzed by the pandemic, especially in developing countries with their intrinsic domestic and international services, including Madagascar. However, in the pre-covid situation, Madagascar is known as one of the weak countries economically, meanwhile, the outbreak of the said pandemic jeopardized its economic policy. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to examine Madagascar`s economy impacted by Covid-19 to analyze a better understanding of the post-covid future economy restoration and seek to point out further highlights of the main policy measures adopted by the Malagasy government, involving restrictions on the island economic. Basically, the research study applied an empirical data approach and data analysis collection to discover Madagascar’s economic issues, and analyze the impact of the covid-19. Thereupon, this study found that, in the post-covid period, Madagascar is still bearing negative impacts on its economic sector. As a result of this study, Malagasy authorities need to assist vulnerable households and social poverty high rates caused by the unemployment, daily expenses, and uncontrolled isolation.
Research on the Impact of Digital Transformation of Commercial Banks on Profitability
Authors: Huang Zijing
Published: April 2023

Under the background of digital finance, this paper uses Stata to empirically study the impact of digital transformation on the profitability of commercial banks. This study examines how digital transformation affects the profitability of commercial banks by developing a fixed effect regression model using data from 16 Chinese listed commercial banks from 2012 to 2021 as research samples. Furthermore, the heterogeneity analysis is conducted to investigate the difference of the impact of digital transformation of different types of commercial banks on profitability. The research results show that digital transformation significantly increases the profitability of commercial banks. The digital transformation of large state-owned commercial banks cannot significantly improve their profitability, while the digital transformation of joint-stock commercial banks and urban commercial banks can significantly improve their profitability. Finally, based on the research results, suggestions are made for commercial banks and financial regulators.
Integration of occupational health and safety management, social responsibility of business, and sustainability: A stakeholder-based qualitative study on China’s electric power industry
Authors: Song Yu
Published: April 2023

Improving working conditions and promoting the health, safety and well-being of workers are highly relevant to the social responsibility of business and the sustainability of enterprises. This empirical study investigates the successes and barriers of the integration of occupational health and safety management (OHSM), corporate social responsibility (CSR), and sustainability in China’s electric power industry, with the combined theoretical framework of New St. Gallen Management Model and stakeholder theory. Semi-structured interviews were carried out among the internal, external and distal stakeholders (n=90), supplemented with on-the-spot observations. Through statistical and discourse analysis, it is found that the integration of OHSM, CSR, and sustainability has been achieved at the structural, operational, and organizational levels in China’s electric power industry, due to the fast development of technology and the legal system ensuring a good environmental sphere, with people-centered philosophy being highlighted. However, some deficiencies such as law reenforcement and the coherence between internal and external stakeholder management systems must be improved, particularly with respect to frontline workforce training. The communication of OHSM, CSR, and sustainability outside of the industry should also be enhanced for a better environmental sphere and public support.
Research on collaborative operation of diversified business for large energy enterprises
Authors: Ma Li , Li Rui
Published: April 2023

Achieving strategic synergy between diversified businesses is one of the important objectives of world-class enterprises, and relevant operational decision-making technology is a hot topic. At present, the world’s leading enterprises, including large energy enterprises, are widely engaged in diversified operations, and continue to promote the synergy between the main business and financial business, international business, strategic emerging industries and other auxiliary businesses. In this paper, the existing achievements of enterprise diversification decision-making technology are summarized from the perspectives of basic theories and typical practices. Subsequently, after in-depth analysis of the major problems faced by energy enterprises in promoting the coordinated development of diversified businesses, a key element identification model for large energy enterprises is proposed to promote the coordinated development of diversified businesses, and in the meanwhile puts forward relevant suggestions on the important mechanism for energy enterprises to carry out the coordinated development of diversified businesses.
Topology optimization of engine bracket arm using BESO
Authors: Srivastava Saurabh , Salunkhe Sachin , Pande Sarang
Published: April 2023

An engine bracket is one of the most critical components of the engine used for mounting and supporting the engine in the vehicles. Today, the automobile industry requires lightweight components, which will reduce the car's overall weight when fitted into the vehicle. Topology optimization is a technique with the help of which the surface of a component is optimized to get the required shape for having reduced weight. The weight is reduced by optimizing the material on the surface of the details. In this paper, the work done is the application of topology optimization on the surface of the engine bracket arm. Then the optimized model is tested computationally using realistic conditions. Bi-directional evolutionary structural optimization is used as a technique for topology optimization. With the help of the BESO method, the material optimization is done, and then the weights are compared with the original component. A new algorithm is developed using MATLAB codes. The sensitivity ratio is considered using the von Mises strength as a critical parameter for the BESO method for optimization. The optimized bracket model is then assembled with the hub of the component, and then the assembly is simulated for verification using standard conditions. A comparison of weight reduction is there using topology optimization.
Post-Topotecan Mixed Response and ‘Redifferentiation-akin’ Phenomenon on Dual Tracer PET-CT in Multiple Treatment-Resistant Metastatic Neuroendocrine Neoplasm
Authors: Loharkar Sarvesh , Basu Sandip
Published: April 2023

A 50-year-old female patient of heavily pre-treated (chemotherapy and multiple treatment-resistant) and progressive intermediate-grade metastatic neuroendocrine neoplasm is presented, wherein the lesions showed mixed response following topotecan treatment and multiple hepatic metastasis showed increase in the SSTR expression and decrease in FDG concentration on dual-tracer PET/CT (68Ga-DOTATATE and 18F-FDG PET/CT). Such observation allowed 177Lu-DOTATATE PRRT to be considered for an advanced, symptomatic, and multiple treatment-resistant patient with limited palliative treatment options left.
Performance Monitoring and Cognitive Inhibition during a Speech-in-Noise Task in Older Listeners
Authors: Ryan David B. , Eckert Mark A. , Sellers Eric W. , Schairer Kim S. , McBee Matthew T. , Ridley Elizabeth A. , Smith Sherri L.
Published: April 2023

The goal of this study was to examine the effect of hearing loss on theta and alpha electroencephalography (EEG) frequency power measures of performance monitoring and cognitive inhibition, respectively, during a speech-in-noise task. It was hypothesized that hearing loss would be associated with an increase in the peak power of theta and alpha frequencies toward easier conditions compared to normal hearing adults. The shift would reflect how hearing loss modulates the recruitment of listening effort to easier listening conditions. Nine older adults with normal hearing (ONH) and 10 older adults with hearing loss (OHL) participated in this study. EEG data were collected from all participants while they completed the words-in-noise task. It hypothesized that hearing loss would also have an effect on theta and alpha power. The ONH group showed an inverted U-shape effect of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), but there were limited effects of SNR on theta or alpha power in the OHL group. The results of the ONH group support the growing body of literature showing effects of listening conditions on alpha and theta power. The null results of listening condition in the OHL group add to a smaller body of literature, suggesting that listening effort research conditions should have near ceiling performance.
Treatment Results of Vocal Process Granuloma: Intubation versus Contact Granuloma
Authors: Woo Joo Hyun , Oh Jae Hwan , Lim Byung Woo , Kim Dong Young
Published: April 2023

Introduction Contact granulomas (CGs) and intubation granulomas (IGs) are known to have different clinical manifestations despite having the same pathological features.

Objective The purpose of the present study was to analyze the treatment results for CG and IG and to obtain clinical information.

Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with vocal process granuloma (VPG) between January 2015 and December 2018. The patient's age, sex, medical history, lesion size, lesion type, reflux finding score (RFS), response to treatment, duration of treatment, and follow-up period were compared.

Results Eighteen patients with CG and 14 patients with IG were included in the study. The IG group had more female patients (p = 0.0009), showed better response to proton pump inhibitor (PPI) and steroid inhalation (SI) (p = 0.036), and had a shorter treatment period (p = 0.0029) than the CG group. Five patients who received botulinum toxin injections in their vocal cords had complete remission.

Conclusion Compared with CG, IG was more responsive to treatment with PPI and SI and required a shorter duration of treatment.
Mismatch Negativity in Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Mayerle Maria Clara Clack da Silva , Riesgo Rudimar , Gregory Letícia , Borges Viviann Magalhães Silva , Sleifer Pricila
Published: April 2023

Introduction Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have abnormalities in auditory perception and sensitivity. The mismatch negativity (MMN) component of the evoked potential demonstrates a brain detection response to an auditory change due to memory, and enables the identification of changes in the auditory system.

Objective To analyze MMN responses in children and adolescents with ASD and compare them with those of a control group.

Methods Cross-sectional and comparative study. The sample was composed of 68 children and adolescents, divided into study group (SG), which contained those diagnosed with ASD, and the control group (CG), which contained those with typical development, normal hearing thresholds, and without hearing complaints. All participants were submitted to peripheral and central electrophysiological auditory evaluations. For the electrophysiological auditory evaluation and MMN recording, the electrodes were fixed in the following positions: Fz (active electrode), M1 and M2 (reference electrodes), and on the forehead (ground electrode). Auditory stimuli were presented in both ears simultaneously, with a frequency of 1,000 Hz for the frequent stimulus, and of 2,000 Hz for the rare stimulus, in an intensity of 80 dBNA.

Results Latency and amplitude values were increased in the SG, with a statistically significant difference in comparison with the CG. In the MMN analysis, there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison between right and left ears and between genders.

Conclusion Children and adolescents with ASD had higher latency and amplitude values in the MMN component than the individuals in the CG.
Integrated macro and micro analyses of student burden reduction policies in China: call for a collaborative “family–school–society” model
Authors: Li Jian , Xue Eryong , Liu Chang , Li Xingcheng
Published: April 2023

The ultimate goal of China’s student burden reduction policy is to promote quality education, which is also the core task of UNESCO’s Sustainable Development Goal for education (SDG 4). China aims to achieve quality education development through continuous implementation of student burden reduction policies. However, no previous studies have simultaneously explored the macro-level dynamic changes and micro-level stakeholders’ (parents) views regarding the implementation of student burden reduction policies. Here, we examined 232 policy documents from 1951 to 2021 and analyzed 23,567 parents’ responses to a questionnaire survey across 29 provinces to obtain holistic insight into student burden reduction policies. We found that student burden reduction policies followed the form “Central leadership + Ministry of Education sovereignty + multi-department coordination”, while parents received relatively little attention. There is a significant correlation between students’ burden level and parents’ attitude towards student burden reduction policies. We suggest building a collaborative “family–school–society” sustainable education system in China.
Psychological Correlates of Self-Rated Resilience in the Context of Subjective Cognitive Concerns in Older Adults
Authors: Donders Jacobus , Wang Qingzheng
Published: April 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to evaluate psychological correlates of self-rated resilience, as assessed with the 10-item version of the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale (CD–RISC–10), in older adults. In particular, we were interested in the degree to which self-rated resilience might be a protective factor against cognitive decline.

Method

In total, 100 adults aged 60–90 years who had been referred because of subjective cognitive concerns completed self-report measures of resilience, symptoms of anxiety and depression, and satisfaction with life. They also completed a test of learning and memory. Ratings about daily functioning at home and in the community were obtained from both participants and proxy informants.

Results

Resilience ratings correlated strongly negatively with concurrent self-rated symptoms of anxiety and depression, and strongly positively with self-rated life satisfaction. However, only informant ratings of daily functioning correlated with actual participant performance on a test of learning and memory, with lower ratings being associated with worse test performance.

Conclusions

Self-rated resilience, as measured by the CD–RISC–10, is primarily related to subjective well-being and does not inform sufficiently about relative risk for cognitive dysfunction in older adults.
The effects of leaving the EU on the geography of UK trade
Authors: Gasiorek Michael , Tamberi Nicolò
Published: April 2023

This paper investigates the effect of the 2016 Brexit referendum and the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) signed by the United Kingdom and the EU in December 2020 on UK–EU trade in goods up to December 2021. The 2016 referendum introduced uncertainty, but new trade barriers between the United Kingdom and the EU were not put in place until the new agreement, the TCA, entered into force in January 2021. Using a set of different econometric techniques, and looking up to the end of the first year of the implementation of the TCA, we find no evidence that the 2016 referendum had any impact on aggregate UK–EU trade relative to comparator trade flows. On the other hand, our results show that the TCA reduced UK trade with the EU, but asymmetrically for exports and imports. After a sharp drop of around 41% in January 2021, UK exports to the EU quickly recovered in the following months. This pattern of recovery was not the case for UK imports from the EU, which were negatively impacted throughout 2021, with a cumulative loss over the first year of implementation between −24% and −28%. Asymmetric effects between exports and imports do not appear to be driven by difference in product composition of the two flows. Instead, we find evidence that a plausible explanation for these differential effects is the relative importance of the EU market for UK firms, in comparison to the importance of the UK market for EU firms.
Characterization of Staphylococcus aureus RecX protein: Molecular insights into negative regulation of RecA protein and implications in HR processes
Authors: Kiran Kajal , Patil K Neelakanteshwar
Published: April 2023

Homologous recombination (HR) is essential for genome stability and for maintaining genetic diversity. In eubacteria, RecA protein plays a key role during DNA repair, transcription, and HR. RecA is regulated at multiple levels, but majorly by RecX protein. Moreover, studies have shown RecX is a potent inhibitor of RecA and thus acts as an antirecombinase. Staphylococcus aureus is a major food-borne pathogen that causes skin, bone joint, and bloodstream infections. To date, RecX's role in S. aureus has remained enigmatic. Here, we show that S. aureus RecX (SaRecX) is expressed during exposure to DNA-damaging agents, and purified RecX protein directly interacts physically with RecA protein. The SaRecX is competent to bind with single-stranded DNA preferentially and double-stranded DNA feebly. Significantly, SaRecX impedes the RecA-driven displacement loop and inhibits formation of the strand exchange. Notably, SaRecX also abrogates adenosine triphosphate hydrolysis and abolishes the LexA coprotease activity. These findings highlight the role of the RecX protein as an antirecombinase during HR and play a pivotal role in regulation of RecA during the DNA transactions.
Thrips in genusMegalurothrips(Thysanoptera: Thripidae): biodiversity, bioecology, and IPM
Authors: Tang Liang-De , Guo Ling-Hang , Wu Jian-Hui , Zang Lian-Sheng
Published: April 2023

Currently, there are a total of 15 thrips species in the genus Megalurothrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Megalurothrips sjostedti Trybom and Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) are the most economically important pest species because of the serious damage they can do to leguminous crops, especially cowpea, which is an important grain crop for Africa and a vegetable crop for the rest of the world. Megalurothrips sjostedti is only distributed in Africa, while M. usitatus is widely spread in subtropical and tropical regions of the world and is more invasive. Nigeria is the only area where both thrips species are shared. Inexplicably, M. usitatus does not seriously damage cowpea in Africa. Bioecological characteristics indicated that M. usitatus adapts to a wider temperature and humidity range, which may result in its current geographic distribution. Since the 2010s, M. usitatus has received more attention and research. The integrated pest management (IPM) strategy of both thrips as case studies was reviewed in this paper, along with multiple complementary tactics, including agronomic measures, physical-chemical lure control, biological control, and chemical control, and insecticide resistance. Lessons have been learned from both M. sjostedti and M. usitatus, as well as from another widespread invasive thrips species, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), thus enhancing our overall understanding of the biology, ecology, and IPM practices of M. sjostedti and M. usitatus.
Re-educating thinking: philosophy, education, and pragmatism
Authors: Tubbs Nigel
Published: April 2023

John Dewey stated that ‘[h]owever far apart philosophy and educational theory may later have become, in their beginnings they were strictly identical.' Dewey's ‘progressivism' in Democracy and Education rests on this communion. A self-reflective philosophical education by the community, about the community, for the community, would create the conditions for the advance of social justice. But new progressive ideas championing redistributive justice might appear to be in worryingly short supply. That is one reason, among many, why Philip Kitcher’s The Main Enterprise of the World is to be welcomed. His rethinking about education amounts to a radical re-education of our thinking about social justice, seeking redistribution of wealth, reduction of privilege, and a redefinition of what is valuable for people and planet in regard to production, distribution, and consumption. I will summarize his book and offer critical thoughts on it relating to three themes: the relation of his proposed Deweyan Society to some current and powerful criticisms of Western rationality; his proposals for classrooms; and the extent to which its own pragmatic philosophical justifications are open to deeper philosophical and educational significance.
Arming Hospital Ships of the Future: Hybrid Wars Require a Major Change
Authors: Baker Michael S , Baker Jacob B , Burkle Frederick M
Published: April 2023

Introduction

It is time to provide heavier defense systems to U.S. Navy hospital ships. They serve vital functions in both the military and emergency management spaces. They provide medical support for combat operations and can also convey the empathy and generosity of the American people when used in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief response. Hospital ships are often key to success in scenarios that require the international deployment of resources and medical expertise. Hospital ships serve a dual purpose and hence are subject to regulations that do not address all wartime mission requirements and necessary defensive capabilities. The current U.S. Navy’s interpretation of the Geneva Conventions regarding the visibility, lack of defensive capabilities, and inability to use encrypted communications needlessly endangers medical platforms and personnel in the modern environment.

Methods

The authors (including senior author F.M.B.—a recognized (International Health Law expert) reviewed relevant literature and have evaluated the policies of belligerent parties in past and current conflicts. These increasingly appear to target civilian infrastructure including medical facilities and may increase the risk to hospital ships. This demonstrable current hybrid warfare appears to include purposeful attacks on health care facilities and as such hospital ships should have additional defensive measures.

Results

Hybrid warfare and its focus on civilian infrastructure and health care targets are highly visible in the acts of both state and non-state actors and may encourage others to purposefully target health care facilities and personnel. Evidence of this is seen in the current Russian invasion of Ukraine, where since the invasion a year ago 1,218 Ukrainian health facilities have been damaged, including 540 damaged hospitals, 173 of which were totally destroyed and turned into “piles of stones.”

Conclusions

In today’s conflicted global environment, the clear identification of hospital ships leaving them relatively undefended and denying encrypted communication is the folly of a bygone era. Hospital ships may be targeted because they are brightly lit soft targets that can deliver a large payoff by their destruction. It is time to adapt to the global reality and move on from the tradition of painting hospital ships white, adorning them with red crosses, keeping them unarmed, maintaining open communications, and illuminating them at night. The increasing threats from hybrid warfare and unprincipled adversaries to medical platforms and providers of health care demonstrate that hospital ships must be capable of self-defense. The U.S. Navy is designing new platforms for medical missions and the debate, no matter how uncomfortable, must now occur among major decision-makers to make them more tactical and defensible.
The Funk of White Souls: Toward a Du Boisian Theory of the White Church
Authors: Mayrl Damon
Published: April 2023

This article revisits the writings of W.E.B. Du Bois on the white church. Drawing on a synthetic reading of his scholarship on white Christianity, I argue that Du Bois conceives of the white church as a racialized organization that has been indelibly shaped by white supremacy. I then elaborate six mechanisms identified by Du Bois through which white churches further perpetuate white supremacy: legitimation, revisionism, inaction, segregation, missionary work, and charitable giving. Building on this analysis, I sketch a Du Boisian agenda for research on the white church and show how it can enrich scholarship in the sociology of religion, critical scholarship on race, and the Du Boisian renaissance more broadly.
From Male “Chance Narratives” to Female “Defeat Narratives”: Researchers in Catalonia Narrating the Impact of the Covid-19 Pandemic on their Lives and Jobs
Authors: Rosàs Tosas Mar , Riba Caterina , Godayol Pilar , Pérez-Quintana Anna , Sanmartí Carme , Torralba Francesc , Pagès Anna , Pagès Bàrbara , Illa Patrícia
Published: April 2023

This article proposes a three-fold typology to classify the narratives of forty-eight researchers in Catalonia describing the impact the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic had on their professional and personal lives: a “chance narrative,” which presents the pandemic as an occasion for growth; a “resistance narrative,” according to which the pandemic presents a burden, but one is skilled enough to navigate it successfully; and a “defeat narrative,” for which the pandemic deeply shattered one’s well-being. This analysis reveals that each narrative type is produced by researchers with certain sociodemographic features—defeat narratives were mostly produced by female researchers, holding precarious contracts, and assuming most of the increase of childcare and domestic work. These findings are consistent with studies revealing that the implementation of the “new fatherhood model” is limited and might orient the design of policies aimed at reducing gender discrimination in academia, both in Catalonia and beyond.
The antioxidant protein glutaredoxin 1 is essential for oxidative stress response and pathogenicity ofToxoplasma gondii
Authors: Li Ting‐Ting , Zhao Dan‐Yu , Liang Qin‐Li , Elsheikha Hany M. , Wang Meng , Sun Li‐Xiu , Zhang Zhi‐Wei , Chen Xiao‐Qing , Zhu Xing‐Quan , Wang Jin‐Lei
Published: April 2023

Glutaredoxins (Grxs) are ubiquitous antioxidant proteins involved in many molecular processes to protect cells against oxidative damage. Here, we study the roles of Grxs in the pathogenicity ofToxoplasma gondii. We show that Grxs are localized in the mitochondria (Grx1), cytoplasm (Grx2), and apicoplast (Grx3, Grx4), while Grx5 had an undetectable level of expression. We generated Δgrx1‐5mutants ofT. gondiitype I RH and type II Pru strains using CRISPR‐Cas9 system. No significant differences in the infectivity were detected between four Δgrx(grx2‐grx5) strains and their respective wild‐type (WT) strains in vitro or in vivo. Additionally, no differences were detected in the production of reactive oxygen species, total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase activity, and sensitivity to external oxidative stimuli. Interestingly, RHΔgrx1or PruΔgrx1exhibited significant differences in all the investigated aspects compared to the othergrx2‐grx5mutant and WT strains. Transcriptome analysis suggests that deletion ofgrx1altered the expression of genes involved in transport and metabolic pathways, signal transduction, translation, and obsolete oxidation–reduction process. The data support the conclusion thatgrx1supportsT. gondiiresistance to oxidative killing and is essential for the parasite growth in cultured cells and pathogenicity in mice and that the active site CGFS motif was necessary for Grx1 activity.