bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Jijodoryoku: The Spirit of Self-Help in Development Cooperation
Authors: Maemura Yu Oliver
Published: May 2024

Jijodoryoku “self-help effort” is a central and prominent ODA policy concept that undoubtedly resonates amongst policymakers and industry stakeholders in Japan. However, attempts to systematically define and operationalize the concept are noticeably lacking within the development assistance literature. What such a policy principle entails in terms of its impact on, or coherence with, institutional practice, program design, or project logic, is worthy of critical examination. This chapter critically re-examines and attempts to refine the definition of jijodoryoku as a policy principle, by considering how the conceptualization of “self-help” in Japanese and international ODA policy has evolved over time. The chapter illustrates how current Japanese policy conceptualizes the term as an approach to ODA by examining the logical structure of high-level Japanese ODA policy, while distinguishing it from “self-reliance”, which can also be observed in global development policy. The historical and comparative examination of ODA policies presented in this chapter reveals how the policy principle of “support for self-help efforts” can be traced back to discussions among DAC countries regarding the sharing of the financial burden of assistance, which contrasts starkly to its current vernacular usage as an a priori condition of the approach to Japanese ODA. The chapter ends by considering the roots of “self-help” in Japan to argue that, rather than a concept denoting praxis, it would be more accurate to conceptualize jijodoryoku as a highly general and abstract term denoting the social-psychological state (i.e., the “spirit”) of a recipient, which could then be utilized to stipulate and evaluate general conditions for ODA recipients.
Mechanically guided cell fate determination in early development
Authors: Alasaadi Delan N. , Mayor Roberto
Published: May 2024

Cell fate determination, a vital process in early development and adulthood, has been the focal point of intensive investigation over the past decades. Its importance lies in its critical role in shaping various and diverse cell types during embryonic development and beyond. Exploration of cell fate determination started with molecular and genetic investigations unveiling central signaling pathways and molecular regulatory networks. The molecular studies into cell fate determination yielded an overwhelming amount of information invoking the notion of the complexity of cell fate determination. However, recent advances in the framework of biomechanics have introduced a paradigm shift in our understanding of this intricate process. The physical forces and biochemical interplay, known as mechanotransduction, have been identified as a pivotal drive influencing cell fate decisions. Certainly, the integration of biomechanics into the process of cell fate pushed our understanding of the developmental process and potentially holds promise for therapeutic applications. This integration was achieved by identifying physical forces like hydrostatic pressure, fluid dynamics, tissue stiffness, and topography, among others, and examining their interplay with biochemical signals. This review focuses on recent advances investigating the relationship between physical cues and biochemical signals that control cell fate determination during early embryonic development.
Proximal tubular FHL2, a novel downstream target of hypoxia inducible factor 1, is a protector against ischemic acute kidney injury
Authors: Wang Yan , Kuang Ziwei , Xing Xueqi , Qiu Yumei , Zhang Jie , Shao Dandan , Huang Jiaxin , Dai Chunsun , He Weichun
Published: May 2024

Four-and-a-half LIM domains protein 2 (FHL2) is an adaptor protein that may interact with hypoxia inducible factor 1α (HIF-1α) or β-catenin, two pivotal protective signaling in acute kidney injury (AKI). However, little is known about the regulation and function of FHL2 during AKI. We found that FHL2 was induced in renal tubular cells in patients with acute tubular necrosis and mice model of ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). In cultured renal proximal tubular cells (PTCs), hypoxia induced FHL2 expression and promoted the binding of HIF-1 to FHL2 promoter. Compared with control littermates, mice with PTC-specific deletion of FHL2 gene displayed worse renal function, more severe morphologic lesion, more tubular cell death and less cell proliferation, accompanying by downregulation of AQP1 and Na, K-ATPase after IRI. Consistently, loss of FHL2 in PTCs restricted activation of HIF-1 and β-catenin signaling simultaneously, leading to attenuation of glycolysis, upregulation of apoptosis-related proteins and downregulation of proliferation-related proteins during IRI. In vitro, knockdown of FHL2 suppressed hypoxia-induced activation of HIF-1α and β-catenin signaling pathways. Overexpression of FHL2 induced physical interactions between FHL2 and HIF-1α, β-catenin, GSK-3β or p300, and the combination of these interactions favored the stabilization and nuclear translocation of HIF-1α and β-catenin, enhancing their mediated gene transcription. Collectively, these findings identify FHL2 as a direct downstream target gene of HIF-1 signaling and demonstrate that FHL2 could play a critical role in protecting against ischemic AKI by promoting the activation of HIF-1 and β-catenin signaling through the interactions with its multiple protein partners.
Cell–cell contacts prevent t-BuOOH-triggered ferroptosis and cellular damage in vitro by regulation of intracellular calcium
Authors: Faust Dagmar , Wenz Christine , Holm Stefanie , Harms Gregory , Greffrath Wolfgang , Dietrich Cornelia
Published: May 2024

Tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) is an organic hydroperoxide widely used as a model compound to induce oxidative stress. It leads to a plethora of cellular damage, including lipid peroxidation, DNA double-strand breaks (DNA DSBs), and breakdown of the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP). We could show in several cell lines that t-BuOOH induces ferroptosis, triggered by iron-dependent lipid peroxidation. We have further revealed that not only t-BuOOH-mediated ferroptosis, but also DNA DSBs and loss of MMP are prevented by cell–cell contacts. The underlying mechanisms are not known. Here, we show in murine fibroblasts and a human colon carcinoma cell line that t-BuOOH (50 or 100 µM, resp.) causes an increase in intracellular Ca2+, and that this increase is key to lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis, DNA DSB formation and dissipation of the MMP. We further demonstrate that cell–cell contacts prevent t-BuOOH-mediated raise in intracellular Ca2+. Hence, we provide novel insights into the mechanism of t-BuOOH-triggered cellular damage including ferroptosis and propose a model in which cell–cell contacts control intracellular Ca2+ levels to prevent lipid peroxidation, DNA DSB-formation and loss of MMP. Since Ca2+ is a central player of toxicity in response to oxidative stress and is involved in various cell death pathways, our observations suggest a broad protective function of cell–cell contacts against a variety of exogenous toxicants.
Assessment of particle image velocimetry applied to high-speed organic vapor flows
Authors: Michelis T. , Head A. J. , Majer M. , Colonna P. , De Servi C.
Published: May 2024

Compressible flows of fluids whose thermophysical properties are related by complex equations are quantitatively and can be qualitatively different from high-speed flows of ideal gases. Nonideal compressible fluid dynamics (NICFD) is concerned with these fluid flows, which are relevant in many processes and power and propulsion systems. Typically, NICFD effects occur if the fluid is an organic compound and its vapor state is close to the vapor–liquid critical point, at high-reduced temperature and pressure (even supercritical). Current design and analysis of devices operating in the nonideal compressible regime demand for validated simulation software, characterized in terms of uncertainty. Moreover, experiments are needed to further validate related theory. Experimental data are limited as generating and measuring these flows is challenging given their high pressure or temperature or both. In addition, flows of organic compounds can be flammable, can thermally decompose, and sealing may demand for special materials. Recently, more research has been devoted to the measurement of these flows using both intrusive and less intrusive techniques relying on optical access and lasers. The transparency and refractive properties of these dense vapors pose additional problems. The ORCHID (organic Rankine cycle hybrid integrated device) at the Aerospace Propulsion and Power Laboratory of Delft University of Technology is a closed-loop facility, used to generate a continuous nonideal supersonic flow of siloxane MM with the vapor at 4$${{\textrm{bar}}}$$
bar
and 220 °C at the inlet of the test section. Within this work, we have employed particle image velocimetry for the first time to obtain the velocity field in a de Laval nozzle in such flows. Measured velocity fields (expanded uncertainty within 1.1% of the maximum velocity) have been compared with those resulting from a CFD simulation. The comparison between experimental and simulated data is satisfactory, with deviation ranging from 0.1 to 10 % from the throat to the outlet, respectively. This discrepancy is attributed to hardware limitations, which will be overcome in the future experiments. The feasibility of PIV with uncontrolled but fixed seeding density to measure high-speed vapors of organic vapors has been demonstrated, and future experimental campaigns will target flows for which nonideal effects are more pronounced, other paradigmatic configurations, and improvements to the measurement techniques.
Clinical outcomes of subtalar arthroereisis for the treatment of stage 1 flexible progressive collapsing foot deformity
Authors: Lewis Thomas L. , Goff Thomas A. J. , Ray Robbie , Dhaliwal Jagwinder , Carmody David , Wines Andrew P.
Published: May 2024

Background

The use of subtalar arthroereisis as an adjunct to the surgical treatment of stage 1 flexible progressive collapsing foot deformity (PCFD) is controversial. The aim was to investigate the clinical outcomes and report the implant removal rate of subtalar arthroereisis as an adjunct for stage 1 PCFD.

Methods

A retrospective study of 212 consecutive feet undergoing operative management of stage 1 PCFD with adjunctive subtalar arthroereisis between October 2010 and April 2018. The primary outcome was the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS). Secondary outcomes included Foot and Ankle Disability Index (FADI), Euroqol-5D-5L Index and implant removal rate.

Results

Post-operative clinical FAOS outcomes were collected for 153 feet (72.2%). At mean 2.5-year follow-up, the mean ± standard deviation FAOS for each domain was as follows; Pain: 81.5 ± 18.5, Symptoms: 79.5 ± 12.9, Activities of Daily Living: 82.5 ± 15.4 and Quality of Life: 64.2 ± 23.7. EQ-5D-5L Index was 0.884 ± 0.152. Pre-operative scores were available for 20 of these feet demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in all FAOS, FADI and EQ-5D-5L domains (p < 0.05). The implant removal rate for persistent sinus tarsi pain was 48.1% (n = 102).

Conclusion

Use of a subtalar arthroereisis implant as an adjunct to conventional procedures in stage 1 flexible PCFD can result in significant improvement in pain and function. Patients should be counselled as to the relatively frequent rate of subsequent implant removal.

Level of evidence

IV.
Endoscope-assisted microvascular decompression in hemifacial spasm with a teflon bridge
Authors: Rhomberg Thomas , Eördögh Márton , Lehmann Sebastian , Schroeder Henry W.S.
Published: May 2024

Background

Microvascular conflicts in hemifacial spasm typically occur at the facial nerve’s root exit zone. While a pure microsurgical approach offers only limited orientation, added endoscopy enhances visibility of the relevant structures without the necessity of cerebellar retraction.

Methods

After a retrosigmoid craniotomy, a microsurgical decompression of the facial nerve is performed with a Teflon bridge. Endoscopic inspection prior and after decompression facilitates optimal Teflon bridge positioning.

Conclusions

Endoscope-assisted microsurgery allows a clear visualization and safe manipulation on the facial nerve at its root exit zone.
Comparative features of superior versus inferior hemisphere microvasculature dropout in open-angle glaucoma
Authors: Takahashi Naoki , Omodaka Kazuko , Kikawa Tsutomu , Ninomiya Takahiro , Kiyota Naoki , Tsuda Satoru , Nakazawa Toru
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate differences in microvasculature dropout (MvD) between the superior and inferior hemispheres in glaucoma patients.

Study design

Retrospective and cross-sectional.

Methods

Fifty-eight eyes of 58 open-angle glaucoma patients (age 61.12 ± 10.19 years, mean deviation − 7.32 ± 6.36 dB) were included. MvD was detected with en face images from swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography. Blood flow at the optic nerve head was measured with laser speckle flowgraphy, represented as the mean blur rate in tissue (MBRT). Logistic and linear regression models adjusted for age, intraocular pressure, axial length, and circumpapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness were used to investigate the relationship between various factors and MvD angle in each hemisphere.

Results

The presence of inferior MvD was related to peripapillary atrophy-β area (odds ratio = 14.10 [2.49–234.00], P = 0.019). Superior MvD angle was significantly related to MBRT in the superior quadrant (β = −0.31 [− 0.60 – −0.02], P = 0.037). Inferior MvD angle was significantly related to peripapillary atrophy-β area (β = 0.49 [0.21–0.77], P = 0.001).

Conclusions

Only superior MvD demonstrated a significant relationship with reduced ocular blood flow. In contrast, inferior MvD was associated with mechanical stress. These findings may suggest a potential difference in pathophysiology between superior and inferior MvD.
Pre-surgical cryoablation in ≤ 2 cm ER + /HER2-tumors. Prognostic factors for the presence of residual invasive carcinoma
Authors: Roca Navarro María José , Oliver Goldaracena Jose Mª , Garrido Alonso Diego , Navarro Monforte Ylenia , Díaz de Bustamante Durbán Teresa , Córdoba Chicote Mª Vicenta , García Martínez Fernando , Martí Álvarez Covadonga , Yébenes Gregorio Laura , Montes Botella Jose Luis , Martín Hervás Carmen , Sánchez Méndez José Ignacio
Published: May 2024

Background

Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women. Breast-conserving surgery (BCS) is the standard approach for small low-risk tumors. If the efficacy of cryoablation is demonstrated, it could provide a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

Purpose

To determine the success of ultrasound-guided cryoablation in achieving the absence of Residual Invasive Cancer (RIC) for patients with ER + /HER2- tumors ≤ 2cm and sonographically negative axillary nodes.

Materials and Methods

This prospective study was carried out from April 2021 to June 2023, and involved 60 preoperative cryoablation procedures on ultrasound-visible, node-negative (cN0) infiltrating ductal carcinomas (IDC). Standard diagnostic imaging included mammography and tomosynthesis, supplemented by ultrasound-guided biopsy. MRI was performed in patients with associated intraductal carcinoma (DCIS) and an invasive component on core needle biopsy (18 out of 22 cases). All tumors were tagged with ferromagnetic seeds. A triple-phase protocol (freezing–thawing-freezing) with Argon was used, with an average procedure duration of 40 min.

A logistic regression model was applied to determine significant correlation between RIC and the study variables.

Results

Fifty-nine women (mean age 63 ± 8 years) with sixty low-risk unifocal IDC underwent cryoablation prior to surgery. Pathological examination of lumpectomy specimens post-cryoablation revealed RIC in only one of 38 patients with pure IDC and in 4 of 22 mixed IDC/DCIS cases. All treated tumors had clear surgical margins, with no significant procedural complications.

Conclusions

Cryoablation was effective in eradicating 97% of pure infiltrating ER + /HER2-tumors ≤ 2cm, demonstrating its potential as a surgical alternative in selected patients.

Graphical Abstract
Illuminating the Nile: estimating subnational GDP in Egypt using nighttime lights and machine learning
Authors: Suleiman Hussein
Published: May 2024

Egypt has been reporting several subnational socioeconomic indicators for more than three decades. However, utilizing these valuable datasets for monitoring long temporal trends in local development and inequalities has been hindered by the lack of a key indicator, the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), which was only reported subnationally starting 2013. This paper aims to address this data gap, by employing satellite-generated nighttime lights (NTL) and machine learning, to estimate subnational GDP in Egypt from 1992 to 2012. The paper relies on the harmonized global nighttime lights dataset that extends from 1992 to 2021, to carry out a twofold process. First, it validates NTL as a useful proxy for subnational economic activity in Egypt using econometric methods; then it estimates missing GDP using machine learning algorithms. Results show that the concentration of nearly the entire Egyptian population densely around the Nile River is challenging to nighttime lights accuracy; however, upon accounting for population density and agricultural activity, NTL could serve as a valuable proxy for subnational GDP in Egypt, and consequently a coherent GDP dataset is constructed since 1992.
In silico analysis of Phaseolus vulgaris L. metalloprotease FtsH gene: characterization and expression in drought and salt stress
Authors: Inal B. , Muslu S. , Yigider E. , Kasapoglu A. G. , Ilhan E. , Ciltas A. , Yildirim E. , Aydin M.
Published: May 2024

Proteases help plants maintain protein quality and break down protein subsets in reply to environmental, developmental, biotic, and abiotic stressors. Filamentation temperature-sensitive H (FtsH) is an ATP-dependent metalloprotease detected in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes cells. The present research, the FtsH gene in the bean, which has an important place in the legume family and is an important agricultural product, was characterized for the first time using various bioinformatic tools, and qRT-PCR measured its expression level. In the study, effectively identified and characterized 17 FtsH genes present in genome the of Phaseolus vulgaris. The MW of FtsH proteins varied from 71.16 to 147.07 kDa, their amino acid lengths ranged from 642 to 1284, and their pI values varied from 5.39 to 9.60. Interestingly, the distribution of these 17 distinct PvFtsH genes across the 8 chromosomes was not uniform, exhibiting an uneven pattern throughout the genome. A pair of segmental duplication fragments were found, revealing probable processes of gene expansion and evolution. Collinearity with related genes in Arabidopsis and rice was thoroughly examined to determine the evolutionary conservation and differentiation of PvFtsH genes. Additionally, we used RNAseq and qRT-PCR to investigate the expression patterns of PvFtsH in leaf tissue under salt and drought conditions. Our data showed unique expression patterns, suggesting PvFtsH may respond to environmental and physiological stressors. Overall, this work makes major contributions to our understanding of PvFtsH genes and their roles in the context of gene evolution, chromosomal distribution, and expression patterns under various environmental situations.
Four phases of a force transient emerge from a binary mechanical system
Authors: Baker Josh E.
Published: May 2024

Accurate models of muscle contraction are important for understanding both muscle performance and the therapeutics that enhance physiological function. However, models are only accurate and meaningful if they are consistent with physical laws. A single muscle fiber contains billions of randomly fluctuating atoms that on the spatial scale of a muscle fiber generate unidirectional force and power output. This thermal system is formally constrained by the laws of thermodynamics, and a recently developed thermodynamic model of muscle force generation provides qualitative descriptions of the muscle force-velocity relationship, muscle force generation, muscle force transients, and the thermodynamic work loop of muscle with a thermodynamic (not molecular) power stroke mechanism. To demonstrate the accuracy of this model requires that its outputs be quantitatively compared with experimentally observed muscle function. Here I show that a two-state thermodynamic model accurately describes the experimentally observed four-phase force transient response to both mechanical and chemical perturbations. This is the simplest possible model of one of the most complex characteristic signatures of muscle mechanics.
UPLC-ESI-TQD-MS/MS Identification and Antioxidant, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Diabetic, Anti-Obesity and Anticancer Properties of Polyphenolic Compounds of Hawthorn Seeds
Authors: Żurek Natalia , Świeca Michał , Kapusta Ireneusz
Published: May 2024

Hawthorn seeds are a by-product of fruit processing and due to the scale of processing of this raw material, they can be an important source of bioactive compounds. This work is the first report on the phenolic composition of hawthorn seeds and their antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, antiobesity and anticancer activities. In the isolated phenolic fraction of six seed species, 23 phenolic compounds were identified using the UPLC-ESI-TQD-MS/MS method, the key ones of which included the B-type procyanidin dimer. The seeds of the tested species showed high antioxidant activity (mainly by scavenging O2•− and OH• radicals), anti-inflammatory (mainly through LOX inhibition), anti-diabetic, anti-obesity and anti-cancer, with the highest activity against colon cancer cells (Dld-1 line), showing no activity against healthy colon epithelial cells (CCD841CoN). This activity was significantly dependent on the analyzed hawthorn species and, according to PCA analysis, on the content of flavan-3-ols. These discoveries provided the theoretical basis for the possibility of industrial use of hawthorn seeds.

Graphical Abstract
Optimizing sparse general matrix–matrix multiplication for DCUs
Authors: Guo Hengliang , Wang Haolei , Chen Wanting , Zhang Congxiang , Han Yubo , Zhu Shengguang , Zhang Dujuan , Guo Yang , Shang Jiandong , Wan Tao , Li Qingyang , Wu Gang
Published: May 2024

Sparse general matrix–matrix multiplication (SpGEMM) is a crucial and complex computational task in many practical applications. Improving the performance of SpGEMM on SIMT processors like modern GPUs is challenging due to the unpredictable sparsity of sparse matrices. Although existing GPU solutions have made progress in improving performance through advanced algorithm design, they ignore some optimizations related to specific processor architectures. This can result in a partially inefficient implementation of their algorithms. This paper focuses on optimizing four inefficient parts of the NSparse algorithm on DCU (a GPU-like accelerator). The optimizations include: 1) setting parameters to improve the load balance of the second matrix by extracting maximum row information at runtime; 2) reducing overhead of binning operations by making full use of registers and shared memory effectively; 3) improving numerical SpGEMM performance by adjusting its calculation mode; and 4) enhancing global load balance through finer-grained grouping and kernel configurations. Experiment results demonstrate that when compared to five state-of-the-art SpGEMM algorithms (bhSparse, KokkosKernels, NSparse, rocSparse, and spECK), our optimized method achieves an average of 7.99x (up to 18.2x), 8.01x (up to 20.83x), 2.37x (up to 6.16x), 1.82x (up to 4.20x), and 1.63x (up to 5.01x) speedups on 29 sparse matrices with different sparse structures, respectively.
Behavioral economics and the nature of neoclassical paradigm
Authors: Esposito Lorenzo , Mastromatteo Giuseppe
Published: May 2024

Psychological observations are by now well integrated into economics, especially in the theory of finance, as can also be seen in the Nobel Prize awarded to Thaler. On the contrary, Simon’s attempt to reforge economic theory on the paradigm of bounded rationality failed. Starting from the birth of the neoclassical paradigm, we’ll describe the attempt to give it psychological foundations with a direct measurement of utility, then the axiomatic turn of the paradigm and its first anomalies. We’ll then sum up the debate on rationality, taking place in the group of economists led by Simon, which brought to the rational expectations hypothesis. Finally, we’ll discuss the development of behavioral economics and its progressive acceptance in economic theory. This historical reconstruction allows us to understand the actual hard core of the neoclassical paradigm and the growing need of the paradigm for practical flexibility that determines how to choose arguments, methods and evidence that can be useful to its development, including psychological ones.
Optimizing Large-Scale Educational Assessment with a “Divide-and-Conquer” Strategy: Fast and Efficient Distributed Bayesian Inference in IRT Models
Authors: Xu Sainan , Lu Jing , Zhang Jiwei , Wang Chun , Xu Gongjun
Published: May 2024

With the growing attention on large-scale educational testing and assessment, the ability to process substantial volumes of response data becomes crucial. Current estimation methods within item response theory (IRT), despite their high precision, often pose considerable computational burdens with large-scale data, leading to reduced computational speed. This study introduces a novel “divide- and-conquer” parallel algorithm built on the Wasserstein posterior approximation concept, aiming to enhance computational speed while maintaining accurate parameter estimation. This algorithm enables drawing parameters from segmented data subsets in parallel, followed by an amalgamation of these parameters via Wasserstein posterior approximation. Theoretical support for the algorithm is established through asymptotic optimality under certain regularity assumptions. Practical validation is demonstrated using real-world data from the Programme for International Student Assessment. Ultimately, this research proposes a transformative approach to managing educational big data, offering a scalable, efficient, and precise alternative that promises to redefine traditional practices in educational assessments.
On the Damping Performance and Mechanical Response of Additive-Manufactured and Thermo-Mechanical Processed AlSiMg Alloy
Authors: Isil Canay , Radi Amin , Yapici Guney Guven
Published: May 2024

Recent advancements in additive manufacturing (AM) fuel efforts for expanding the design envelopes for components obtained via this technology through continuous improvement in mechanical behavior. Damping properties can also be altered depending on the microstructure evolved during AM. Therefore, achieving enhanced monotonic mechanical response with better damping properties is highly sought-after. In this respect, thermo-mechanical processing via severe plastic deformation (SPD) and artificial aging is imparted on the additive-manufactured samples with the target of grain refinement and densification to further improve mechanical and damping properties. Employing microstructural characterizations and mechanical experiments, a multi-scale exploration is carried out to develop a relation between the evolved microstructure and the resulting behavior. It is concluded that introducing a refined microstructure decorated with well-distributed (Mg,Si)-rich phase and favorable dislocation substructure in AlSi10Mg positively affects the resulting mechanical behavior. Moreover, it is shown that artificial aging can be employed to improve the damping characteristics of severely deformed additive-manufactured AlSi10Mg alloy.

Graphical Abstract
Super-Resolution Imaging of Sub-diffraction-Limited Pattern with Superlens Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Guan Yizhao , Masui Shuzo , Kadoya Shotaro , Michihata Masaki , Takahashi Satoru
Published: May 2024

The development of super-resolution imaging techniques has revolutionized our ability to study the nano-scale world, where objects are often smaller than the diffraction limit of traditional optical microscopes. Super-resolution superlenses have been proposed to solve this problem by manipulating the light wave in the near field. A superlens is a kind of metamaterial-based lens that can enhance the evanescent waves generated by nano-scale objects, utilizing the surface plasmon phenomenon. The superlens allows for the imaging of nano-scale objects that would otherwise be impossible to resolve using traditional lenses. Previous research has shown that nanostructures can be imaged using superlenses, but the exact shape of the superlens must be known in advance, and an analytical calculation is needed to reconstruct the image. Localized plasmon structured illumination microscopy is an approach to achieve super-resolution by imaging the superlens-enhanced evanescent wave with illumination shifts. This study proposes a new approach utilizing a conditional generative adversarial network to obtain super-resolution images of arbitrary nano-scale patterns. To test the efficacy of this approach, finite-difference time-domain simulation was utilized to obtain superlens imaging results. The data from the simulation were then used for deep learning to develop the model. With the help of deep learning, the inverse calculation of complex sub-diffraction-limited patterns can be achieved. The super-resolution feature of the superlens based on deep learning is investigated. The findings of this study have significant implications for the field of nano-scale imaging, where the ability to resolve arbitrary nano-scale patterns will be crucial for advances in nanotechnology and materials science.
Application of artificial intelligence to predict rock strength and drilling efficiency using in-cutter sensing data and vibration modes
Authors: Koulidis Alexis , Ooi Guang , Ahmed Shehab
Published: May 2024

Drilling is a complex destructive action that induces vibrations due to the rock-bit interaction, which affects the overall drilling efficiency and wellbore quality. This study aims to enhance drilling efficiency by deploying artificial neural networks (ANNs) to integrate in-cutter force sensing and vibration data. Data is collected from experiments conducted with sharp cutters on rock samples of varying mechanical properties, measuring variables such as weight on bit, torque, rotational speed, in-cutter force, and vibration measurements. A scoring system is used to evaluate the drilling efficiency by coupling the mechanical specific energy and vibration modes. An ANN is trained with these variables to predict the rate of penetration and rock strength, which are also measured in the experiments to be used as ground truth. The reliability of the framework is demonstrated by testing the validity of the ANN model on samples with various mechanical properties. It introduces a reliable and swift method for determining optimal drilling parameters, supported by a sensitivity analysis to fine-tune the ANN and assess the influence of each parameter on performance. This study demonstrates that ANN could be successfully implemented to predict the rate of penetration and rock strength on a laboratory-scaled drilling rig. The results show that the ANN model accurately predicts training and testing datasets for scoring while drilling multiple layers with a correlation coefficient of 0.966. Integration of in-cutter sensing technology, vibration data, and ANN can be of significant interest and be used on field applications to provide a reliable and rapid decision about drilling efficiency.
Experimental design and manufacturing of a smart control system for horizontal separator based on PID controller and integrated production model
Authors: Fadaei Mehdi , Ameri Mohammad Javad , Rafiei Yousef , Asghari Morteza , Ghasemi Mehran
Published: May 2024

During oil production, the reservoir pressure declines, causing changes in the hydrocarbon components. To ensure better separation of produced phases, separator dimensions should also be adjusted. It is not possible to change the dimensions of the separator during production. Therefore, to improve the separation of the phases, the level of the separator needs to be adjusted. An intelligent system is required to ensure that the liquid level is maintained at the desired level for optimal phase separation during changes in reservoir pressure. In this study, a novel correlation is presented to measure the desired liquid level using new separator pressures. For this purpose, an intelligent system was built in the laboratory and tested in different operational conditions. The intelligent system effectively maintained the desired liquid level of the separator through a new correlation technique. The system accomplished this by acquiring new separator pressure readings collected by installed sensors. This approach helped mitigate the negative effects of the slug flow regime and minimized issues such as foam formation and over-flushing of the separator. It could achieve a 99.1% separation efficiency between gas and liquid phases. This was possible during liquid and gas flow rates ranging from 0 to 2.35 and 8–17 m3/h, respectively. The system could operate under bubble, stratified, plug, and slug flow regimes. Then the intelligent model obtained from lab experiments was integrated into the production model for the southern Iranian oil field. The smart model increased oil production by 13% and prevented the separator from over-flushing in 840 days.
Optimizing cluster spacing in multistage hydraulically fractured shale gas wells: balancing fracture interference and stress shadow impact
Authors: Ibrahim Ahmed Farid
Published: May 2024

Horizontal drilling and multistage hydraulic fracturing have seen widespread application in shale formations during the past decade, leading to significant economic productivity gains through the creation of extensive fracture surfaces. The determination of the ideal cluster spacing in shale gas wells is contingent upon the unique geological and formation characteristics. Generally, reducing the spacing between clusters has the potential to augment gas recovery, albeit at the expense of higher drilling and completion costs, as well as the influence of stress shadows on fracture propagation. This study introduces an integrated methodology designed to explore the impact of cluster interference on well performance. Commencing with a fracture propagation model accommodating stress shadow effects for an equivalent slurry volume injection, analytical rate transient analysis (RTA) was amalgamated with reservoir numerical simulation to compute the effective fracture surface area (Aca.) for hydrocarbon production. The correlation between the effective fracture surface area determined by RTA and the actual stimulated fracture area (Aca.) derived from numerical simulations was established in relation to cluster spacing. The findings of this research reveal that wells featuring a greater number of stages and tighter cluster spacing tend to exhibit elevated cluster interference, resulting in a lower effective-to-actual fracture surface area ratio and heightened stress shadow effects impeding fracture propagation. A cluster spacing of 33 feet with six clusters per stage emerges as the optimal choice at formation permeability of 0.00005 md that decreased to 18 ft at formation permeability of 0.00001 md. ACe either stabilizes or decreases above the optimal value, suggesting that more clusters would not have a major impact on increasing the effective stimulated area. Allowing 20% interference, regardless of the permeability of the formation, maximized cumulative production while preventing thief zones and excessive cluster interference. The insights gained from this study will serve as a valuable resource for completion and reservoir engineers, enabling them to fine-tune cluster spacing to maximize well revenue in the dynamic landscape of shale gas extraction.
Ideas in transition? Policymakers’ ideas of the social dimension of the green transition
Authors: Gerstenberg Anne
Published: May 2024

Climate change and its associated mitigation policies have an impact on people’s livelihoods. Therefore, how best to react to such impacts is currently a prominent topic in academic and policymaking debates. The article contributes to this new and rapidly developing academic discourse by identifying different understandings of the social dimension within current paradigms of the green transition and analysing policymakers’ understandings of this dimension in Germany and the European Union. The integration of the social dimension ultimately depends on underlying understandings of redistribution and the state-society relationship. The market-liberal Green Economy approach is dominant in the discourse; its narrow social dimension is mostly seeking to increase the acceptance of climate policy through earmarking revenues of carbon trading. Green Keynesian arguments, which examine structural policies and allow for more integrated approaches of social protection are fighting to be heard. Ideas from the Degrowth sphere gain only fragmented access to the policy debates, as they are often framed as unrealistic and politically unfeasible. An interest-based understanding of the welfare state would be suited to mediate interests within the transformation process and socially legitimise climate policy, but current Green Economy discourses primarily aim for social policy to fulfil an appeasing role.
Manufacture and use of cutting inserts made of different glass ceramics
Authors: Breidenstein Bernd , Grzeschik Florian , Wolters Philipp , Petersen Hilke
Published: May 2024

The most commonly used materials for cutting tools worldwide are carbide-based. Its production requires the increasingly scarce metals tungsten and cobalt, the latter is often obtained under ethically questionable circumstances. In addition, a lot of manufacturing effort along the process chain is required to produce the final tool. The intensive manufacturing efforts are what carbide-based tools have in common with other important cutting materials such as cubic boron nitride, ceramics, or synthetic diamond. For this reason, efforts are underway to expand the range of cutting materials beyond current options such as e.g. cemented carbides, high-speed steel, or cubic boron nitride. This work shows that, in principle, glass ceramics can also be included in the investigations. The glass ceramic materials examined here can be ground into indexable inserts and have been successfully used in the machining of polyether ether ketone and aluminum EN AW 2007. These first results are intended to pave the way for further research in this area.
Helicobacter pylori infection in Africa: comprehensive insight into its pathogenesis, management, and future perspectives
Authors: Emmanuel Blessing N. , Peter Deborah A. , Peter Mercy O. , Adedayo Ibrahim S. , Olaifa Kayode
Published: May 2024

Helicobacter pylori is a widespread bacterium that has effectively colonized half of the global population, with Africa having over 70% of the total burden of H. pylori infections (HPI). Considering its acknowledged classification of as bacterial carcinogens and their significant contribution to the development of gastrointestinal disorders such as gastritis, peptic ulcers, and gastric neoplasia, together with their growing resistance to antibiotics. Gaining insight into the etiology of this organism is crucial in order to investigate and develop appropriate treatment strategies. Furthermore, the rise of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics presents an extra danger in managing this detrimental bacterium. Our review focuses on investigating the presence of H. pylori in Africa and analyzing the various factors that contribute to its extensive prevalence. We simplified the complex mechanisms that H. pylori utilizes to flourish in the human body, with a specific emphasis on its virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. These variables pose significant challenges to conventional treatment strategies. In addition, we analyze both conventional and developing diagnostic methods, as well as the current treatment approaches implemented in various African nations. In addition, we tackle the distinct healthcare obstacles of the region and put-up practical remedies. The main goal of this review is to improve the formulation of more efficient methods for the management and treatment of HPI in Africa.
Geographical flows: a fresh perspective on quantifying urban function
Authors: Pei Tao , Yan Xiaorui , Shu Hua , Wang Xi , Chen Xiao , Guo Sihui , Jiang Jingyu , Song Ci , Chen Jie
Published: May 2024

Urban function refers to various roles and activities that take place in an urban region or a public facility. Previous research only focused on the types of urban function and its quantitative characterization did not attract enough attention. In this paper, we highlight the issue of quantifying the urban function and divide it into two aspects: one is the intensity of the urban function, which can be seen as the capacity to accommodate people engaging in activities related to the function, and the other is its influence on the surrounding area. Due to the cause-and-effect dynamics between urban functions and geographical flows, which refer to the human or objects moving between locations, geographical flows have been used to estimate the intensity and influence of urban function. Based on the review of recent updates, this paper provides a research framework for utilizing flow data to quantify urban function in terms of intensity and influence. Regarding the intensity, the indices are mainly based on the volume of inflow/outflow and their ratio. Regarding the influence, there are two types of indices for evaluating it: one for planar facilities and the other for linear facilities. To describe the intensity and influence of the urban function simultaneously, the volume along with the length of flows are considered into the indices, which can quantify the importance or irreplaceability of a place or facility. The analysis shows that the geographical flows provide a new perspective for quantifying urban function in terms of intensity and influence.
Contests
Authors: Beviá Carmen , Corchón Luis
Published: May 2024

Contest theory is an important part of game theory used to analyse different types of contests and conflicts. Traditional microeconomic models focus on situations where property rights are well defined, and agents voluntarily trade rights over goods or produce rights for new goods. However, much less focus has been given to other situations where agents do not trade property rights, but rather fight over them. Contests: Theory and Applications presents a state-of-the art discussion of the economics of contests from the perspective of both core theory and applications. It provides a new approach to standard topics in labour, education, welfare and development and introduces areas like voting, industrial organisation, mechanism design, sport, and military conflict. Using elementary mathematics, this book provides a versatile framework for navigating this growing area of study and serves as an essential resource for its wide variety of applications in economics and political science.
Audio degradation of climax mode transmission in air traffic control
Authors: Vignoli Muniz H. , Parente Ribeiro E.
Published: May 2024

Airspace control plays an important role in the safety and fluidity of air traffic. A fundamental service for this purpose is audio communication through frequencies in the VHF bands. This paper describes the evaluation of the audio degradation of voice transmissions from control centre to the aircraft. The effects of more than one station broadcasting on the same frequency with carrier offset (climax mode) are analysed using perceptual evaluation of speech quality (PESQ) perceptual model. Comparative studies are performed to verify the degree of degradation of different audio transport systems and climax situation.
A Better Account of Constitutional Contractarianism Implies a Cooperative Form of Governance of the Sharing Economy: Critical Assessment of Hielscher, Everding, and Pies’ (2022) “Ordo-responsibility in the Sharing Economy: A Social Contracts Perspective”
Authors: Ghirlanda Pietro , Sacconi Lorenzo
Published: May 2024

This commentary aims to discuss the article “Ordo-responsibility in the Sharing Economy: A Social Contracts Perspective” from a sympathetic viewpoint toward its implementation of a constitutional contractarian approach to business ethics and due consideration of digital platforms as institutions resulting from a social contract. Nevertheless, the commentary also wants to criticize the article’s interpretation of constitutional contractarian theory and institutional reconstruction of the phenomenon, and thus even the governance structure it is proposed for sharing platforms. The commentary presents another understanding of constitutional contractarianism, referring to both the ex ante agreement and the ex post compliance problem. Moreover, it reframes the history of the evolutionary process of institutions’ selection within the domain of the sharing economy consistently with the idea that the Internet should be framed as a common pool resource. In this way, the commentary suggests an alternative governance structure for sharing platforms, that is, platform cooperatives.
Relationship between body weight and hip width in dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)
Authors: Cruz-Tamayo Alvar Alonzo , Ramírez-Bautista Marco Antonio , Mota-Rojas Daniel , Escobar-España José Carlos , García-Herrera Ricardo , Gurgel Antonio Leandro Chaves , Dias-Silva Tairon Pannunzio , de Araújo Marcos Jácome , Santana Juliana Caroline Santos , Aguiar Isadora Osorio Maciel , Ítavo Luís Carlos Vinhas , Chay-Canul Alfonso Juventino
Published: May 2024

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between body weight (BW) and hip width (HW) in dairy buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis). HW was measured in 215 Murrah buffaloes with a BW of 341 ± 161.6 kg, aged between three months and five years, and raised in southeastern Mexico. Linear and non-linear regressions were used to construct the prediction models. The goodness of fit of the models was evaluated using the Akaike information criterion (AIC), Bayesian information criterion (BIC), coefficient of determination (R2), mean squared error (MSE), and root MSE (RMSE). Additionally, the developed models were evaluated through internal and external cross-validation (k-folds) using independent data. The ability of the fitted models to predict the observed values was assessed based on the root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP), R2, and mean absolute error (MAE). The relationship between BW and HW showed a high correlation coefficient (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). The chosen fitted model to predict BW was: −176.33 (± 40.83***) + 8.74 (± 1.79***) × HW + 0.04 (± 0.01*) × HW2, because it presented the lowest MSE, RMSE, and AIC values, which were 1228.64, 35.05 and 1532.41, respectively. Therefore, with reasonable accuracy, the quadratic model using hip width may be suitable for predicting body weight in buffaloes.