bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Implementation of Agile Methods in GIS Web Applications for Land Suitability Selection
Authors: Rizaldi Taufiq , Arief Putranto Hermawan , Agus Kurniasari Arvita
Published: May 2024

Perusahaan Daerah Perkebunan (PDP) Kahyangan is a Regional Owned Enterprise (BUMD) in Jember Regency which was formed in order to manage plantation commodities in 3 Main Plantations and two Subdivision Plantations. PDP’s profit contribution to Jember’s PAD (Pendapatan Asli Daerah) has continued to decline in recent years. With a target of PAD from plantation products in 2020 of 20 million rupiah, only 20% can be realized (4 million rupiah). Based on the 2023 PDP Kahyangan Jember Strategic Plan, one of the problems causing the opinion deficit is external factors. One of them is the suitability between the potential of the plants planted and the land conditions in a plantation area. Where land suitability, which is the carrying capacity of the land, has a significant effect on crop production. Based on the problems that have been presented, it is necessary to design a GIS-based Decision Support System (DSS), which can provide insight to researchers, practitioners and policy makers regarding the success of managing GIS data for the land suitability evaluation process so that it can increase agricultural productivity. Several stages that will be carried out include data collection, data preparation, and data processing carried out in GIS, then continued with implementation of Decision Support System. The used of agile methods to the application development process ensures that the application is built in a shorter time through the use of continuous iteration and testing thereby ensuring that the DSS implementation on the Web GIS application can run optimally.
Portable automatic nutrient mixing based on microcontroller for hydroponic vegetable cultivation
Authors: Surateno  , Kautsar S , Wijaya R , Husain K , Widiawan B , Triwidiarto C
Published: May 2024

The growth of the hydroponic vegetable cultivation industry has become the main focus in meeting increasing food needs. However, proper and consistent nutritional management is necessary to achieve optimal results in hydroponic cultivation. This research describes the design of a microcontroller-based portable automatic nutrient mixing system designed to simplify and increase the efficiency of hydroponic vegetable cultivation. This system uses a microcontroller as the system’s brain to regulate nutrient concentrations automatically. The nutrients needed for hydroponic plants, such as liquid fertilizer, humic acid, and macro-micro nutrients, can be measured and mixed according to predetermined parameters. The success of this system is supported by the EC (Conductive Capability) sensors integrated into the system. The advantage of this nutrient mixing system is its portability, which allows users to organize hydroponic vegetable cultivation in various locations without significant limitations. The system can also be monitored and controlled remotely via a mobile app or computer, allowing users to control their plants’ nutrition even when they are away. Experimental results show that this system can produce a consistent nutrient mixture that meets the needs of hydroponic plants. Thus, this microcontroller-based portable automatic nutrient mixing system can effectively support the sustainable and efficient growth of the hydroponic vegetable cultivation industry.
Building a bioenergy system towards a circular bioeconomy in Africa
Authors: Leela D , Wening N , Kusrini E , Nur S M
Published: May 2024

Africa has much potential to spearhead the shift to a bio-based economy because of its high biodiversity and abundant natural resources. This article analysed the potential and current use and development of bioenergy as a basis for developing an integrated and sustainable bioenergy system to realize a circular bio-economy on the African continent. Current approaches involve utilizing biomass resources, including agricultural waste, forest residues, and energy crops, to produce clean and environmentally friendly bioenergy. Combining advanced technologies, such as thermal and biochemical conversion processes, increases bioenergy production efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. In addition to ecological benefits, these measures also expand economic opportunities in agriculture and related industries. However, the most significant challenges are appropriate regulatory policies, adequate supporting infrastructure, and access to financing. Furthermore, this article discusses integrating bioenergy systems with other sectors in the circular economy, including waste management, sustainable agriculture, and the biochemical industry. Additionally, the theoretical and strategic frameworks supporting the establishment of sustainable bioenergy systems in Africa are described in this paper, providing in-depth insights into the opportunities and challenges in this field and emphasizing the importance of global cooperation in achieving a circular Bioeconomy with positive environmental and economic impacts.
Techno-economic analysis of dry noodle products based on sago flour enriched with anchovy flour
Authors: Novianti F , Mayasti N K I , Indriati A , Litaay C , Andriansyah R C E , Br Ketaren E , Widiantara T
Published: May 2024

Sago (Metroxylon sp.) is a local food commodity producing carbohydrates that can be used as an alternative to wheat flour in noodle making. The weakness of sago starch is its relatively low protein content. Adding anchovy flour (S. Indicus) can increase the nutritional value of dried sago noodles. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of investment, namely the study of technical and economic performance in establishing a dry noodle industry based on sago flour enriched with anchovy flour. The research uses descriptive methods to obtain an overview of situations or events. The analysis uses primary and secondary data from direct observation in the production process and literature studies. The results showed that technical performance could be achieved at a production capacity of 10 kg of sago flour per day with a yield of 85%. This industry has an NPV value of IDR 114,882,352, an IRR of 35.36%, a Net B/C of 1.08, and a PBP of 37 months. Based on the techno-economic study, the industrial design of dry noodles based on sago flour and anchovy flour is feasible to run.
The effect of fir wood SLS surfactant concentration on the characteristics of light crude oil
Authors: Suparmanto Albert K. , Setiati Rini , Taufiq Fathaddin M. , Prakoso Suryo , Atty Mardiana Dwi , Agung Rakhmanto Pri , Nugrahanti Asri
Published: May 2024

As time progresses, oil production will gradually depletes considering limited oil reserves. This is why, an advanced stage method known as tertiary oil recovery is required. One of these methods is known as Enhanced Oil Recovery method. In this laboratory study, one specific surfactant fluid was used, namely Fir wood sodium lignosulfonate (SLS) with varying concentrations of 0.50; 1.00; 1.50; 2.00; 2.50; and 3.00% each crude oil 39 ° API. This study aims to witness the stability of SLS surfactant fluid in chemical injection. SLS surfactant injection is carried out to increase oil production in the reservoir. In this study, there are various stages in order to test the characteristics of the SLS surfactant, so it can be declared as effective in oil sweeping, namely phase behaviour test, density testing, phase behaviour test, interfacial tension test, and adsorption test. Density test is carried out to determine the density of a fluid. Phase behaviour test is intended to see the stability of emulsion obtained from the utilization of SLS surfactant. The main objective of surfactant utilization is to reduce interfacial tension which leads to IFT test. The IFT (interfacial tension) results of the SLS surfactant fluid are determined from the results of the stable phase behaviour test which evidently shows the critical micelle concentration (CMC) point, so it can properly reduce the interfacial tension of oil and formation water in the reservoir. Interfacial tension test was carried out to determine the interfacial tension between SLS surfactant and oil. Adsorption test is carried out to witness the level of fluid adsorption onto the rock surface. On static adsorption test, the result showed for 2 % surfactant concentration is 9.526 mg/gr. Dynamic adsorption test was conducted on the same concentration show results of respectively 1.865 mg/gr.
Application of Monte Carlo simulation for the estimation of production availability in geothermal well
Authors: Pramesti F A , Subekti H , Candra A D
Published: May 2024

Wellbore simulation is one of the methods used in geothermal system performance analysis using a mathematical model of the geothermal system that considers parameters such as operating conditions, feed zone parameters, and well geometry. One of the methods used to perform wellbore simulation is the homogenous method. However, the results may still have a high level of uncertainty. To overcome this, probabilistic methods such as the Monte Carlo method can improve the accuracy of geothermal well production capacity modelling. The Monte Carlo method determines variability and uncertainty in the data being analysed. In determining geothermal well production capacity, the Monte Carlo method can take random samples of various influencing parameters, such as operating conditions, feed zone parameters, and well geometry. By conducting a Monte Carlo simulation, a more comprehensive probability distribution related to well production capacity will be obtained, considering the uncertainties associated with the available data. This research aims to determine the probability of production capacity of a candidate well in a geothermal field by considering uncertainty factors. In this research, a simulation is carried out until it converges using the Monte Carlo method so that the probability value will be obtained. Based on the analysis using the Montecarlo method, the probability of production capacity at the VY-1 Well of Vyatra Field is obtained, namely the P10 value with a large Mwe of 8.31 with an error of 0.102. Next, the P50 value obtained a Mwe value of 11.44 with an error of 0.001. Then P90 was obtained at 14.44 with an error of 0.012. Based on the analysis results, the most influential parameter in determining the production capacity of a Geothermal well is the productivity index value, followed by temperature and reservoir pressure.
Physical property comparison of polymeric KCl sludge composition and polyamine at different temperatures
Authors: Samura Lisa , Rosyidan Cahaya , Maulani Mustamina , Prakoso Suryo , Satiyawira Bayu , Djumantara Maman , Ridaliani Onnie , Ginting Mulia , Apriniyadi Mohammad
Published: May 2024

Drilling mud is a fluid used to assist the drilling process. The composition and physical properties of the mud greatly influence a drilling operation. Drilling operations that penetrate formations with shale content have the potential to experience drilling problems related to shale hydration. To get a good ability to prevent shale hydration, mud is added with polymeric and polyamine KCl additives (shale inhibitors) with the aim of stabilizing shale in contact with drilling fluid, as well as preventing drill cuttings from forming colloids. The results obtained in the KCl polymer mud composition at temperatures of 80°F, 250°F, and 300°F for mud weight were 9.3 ppg, 9.1 ppg, and 9 ppg, respectively. Funnel viscosity was 40 sec/qt, 36 sec/qt, and 34 sec/qt. Tap rates were 4.8 cc, 6 cc, and 6.6 cc. Mud cake remained at 1 mm and pH also remained at 9. While the results obtained on polyamine mud composition at temperatures of 80°F, 250°F, and 300°F for mud weight were 9.2 ppg, 8.9 ppg, and 8.8 ppg, respectively. Funnel viscosity was 26 sec/qt, 20 sec/qt, and 17 sec/qt. Tap rate of 10 cc, 13.8 cc, and 15 cc. Mud cake of 1 mm, 2 mm, and 2 mm. pH remains at 9. The data obtained shows that the results of the physical properties of polymeric KCl mud are better than polyamine mud.
Comparison of methanol and ethylene glycol effectiveness as chemical inhibitors in the prevention of gas hydrates in well testing barge DT-05 well Z Mahakam field
Authors: Purnomosidi  , Igor W , Erdila I
Published: May 2024

Gas hydrate is one of the production problems that are often encountered in the management of natural gas wells. Well Z is a natural gas well in the Mahakam field which routinely be tested periodically to determine the ability of flow rate and the production parameters using well testing barge. However, there are often for the formation of gas hydrate formed in several test components in well testing barge. This study aims to determine the effectiveness use of 2 inhibitor chemicals, which are methanol and glycol in handling gas hydrate in the testing barge. Natural gas flow originating from wellhead / upstream 5 MMScfd and temperature 122 °F and the operating pressure 2187 psia. From the simulation results, gas hydrate will form at 46.33 °F and it is obtained that the gas hydrate formation was predicted at the choke manifold. Fluid stream passing through the choke manifold had decreased the pressure into 254 psi and there is also a decrease in temperature from 122 °F to 41.88 °F. Methanol injection develops free of potential hydrates to form in flowlines. The temperature at which hydrates are formed changes to 33.88 °F. In the other hand, after Ethylene glycol injection in flowline, hydrates formation temperature dropped to 0.48 °F. From these results it can be resumed that the application of Ethylene Glycol injection on the process is more effective lowering the temperature of the formation of hydrates in well testing barge.
Comparison of geosite and geomorphosite quantitative analysis for geotourism purposes in Baturraden (Purwokerto) and Guci (Tegal) hot springs tourism area, Central Java
Authors: Pratomo S U , Haty I P , Ulhaq D , Martasari R D
Published: May 2024

Baturraden (Purwokerto) and Guci (Tegal) are popular tourist attractions on the hill of Gunung Slamet, Central Java Province. Each location has an object that can be analyzed as a geotourism potential, as the manifestation of hot springs. Regionally, the research area is included in the Slamet Volcano Lava Rock (Qvls), which is composed of Quaternary andesitic vesicular andesitic lava, and Undifferentiated Slamet Volcano Rock (Qvs), which is composed of Quaternary volcanic breccia, lava, and tuff. The research was carried out using three stages of research, e.g: the literature study stage, the field research stage, and the geosite and geomorphosite analysis stage, using a quantitative assessment method, according to Kubalikova (2013). Five geosites and geomorphosite are assessed: Pancuran-7 and Pancuran-3 (Baturraden), as well as Pancuran-13, Pancuran-5, and Sigeong hot spring (Guci). The results of the quantitative analysis based on the existing parameters sequentially are 82%, 75%, 79%, 79%, and 63%. These results indicate that Pancuran-7, Pancuran-3, Pancuran-13, and Pancuran-5 sites are very feasible for geotourism-based tourist objects. The Sigeong site needs to be improved in several aspects, especially infrastructure. Parameters that need to be considered for all objects are conservation values due to disaster risk factors that already exist and disaster risk factors that are still potential and have yet to occur, such as volcanic eruptions and landslides, as well as the process of destruction that occurs in several objects that can threaten the sustainability of tourist sites. In addition, it is necessary to increase the understanding of residents and visitors who come about geological information related to the formation of hot springs, both in the form of information boards posted around the site and information displayed on local websites.
Assessment of Kedung Tolok Waterfall as a new geosite potential in Bantul, Yogyakarta
Authors: Yana Putra Ghaly , Khafid Ma’ruf Abdullah , Putra Maulana Aji Sakti Heza , Salfa Nur Rahman Pratama Aditya , Prasetyadi Carolus
Published: May 2024

Kedung Tolok Waterfall has the potential to be promoted as a new geosite in the Yogyakarta geoheritage area. This waterfall is located in Selopamioro Village, Imogiri Subdistrict, Bantul Regency, DIY. Physiographically, this waterfall is included in the southern mountain zone of Java and is found in the Nglanggeran formation which has a constituent lithology in the form of volcanic breccia and agglomerate. The lithology of the Kedung Tolok Waterfall has evidence of recorded marine volcanic deposits which gives this object the potential to be promoted as a geosite. By promoting this object as a geosite, it will get protection and conservation from the government and increase exposure which will bring an economic increase for the local community. Therefore, this study aims to assess the feasibility of Kedung Tolok Waterfall as a new geosite in the Yogyakarta geoheritage area both in terms of tourism, geodiversity, and scientific value. The research uses geosite assessment, which includes intrinsic and scientific value, education value, economic value, conservation value, and additional value to determine its feasibility as a geosite object. Scientific value assesses the level of object diversity, distinctiveness, integrity, and scientific knowledge of the object. Educational value assesses representation, pedagogical use, educational products, and use of the object for education. Economic value assesses accessibility, local products, and tourist infrastructure. conservation value assesses potential and ongoing risks, object destruction status and legal protection. Added value assesses cultural relations, ecology, and beauty of the object. The assessment results obtained, are a scientific value of 75%, an educational value of 37.5%, an economic value of 50%, a conservation value of 62.5%, an added value of 28.5%, and the results of the overall total value of 52.78% which includes feasible to become a geosite. However, there is a value with a low percentage, namely the value of education. Therefore, this research provides some development suggestions to increase the assessment value of Kedung Tolok Waterfall, such as the addition of educational products, appointment as an official geosite, and the creation of further research on cultural and ecological issues.
Low-loss and broadband arbitrary ratios 1 × 2 power splitter based on asymmetrically tapered multimode interference
Authors: Zhu Zhuangzhuang , Zhong Yunxian , Lin Dong , Tong Xue , Zhong Qing , He Jinping
Published: May 2024

This work presents a low-loss and broadband 1 × 2 power splitter with arbitrary power splitting ratios (PSRs) based on asymmetrically tapered multimode interference. The asymmetrically input tapered waveguide is employed to gradually alter the direction of light propagating in the multimode region. Experimental results show that the device can maintain low losses (∼0.2–0.4 dB) with adjusted PSRs ranging from 50%:50% to 75%:25% at 1550 nm. The adjustable range of PSRs can be extended by increasing the asymmetry of the structure. Additionally, its performance is weakly dependent on wavelength within the range of 1530–1565 nm. Benefiting from the gradual alteration of the direction of light propagation, the device exhibits a low output phase difference of ±8.7°, and the maximum phase deviation is below 6.2° over the wavelength range from 1500 nm to 1600 nm.
Study on mode properties of GaAs-based hybrid plasmonic terahertz waveguides
Authors: Mahankali Pallavi , Thipparaju Rama Rao
Published: May 2024

Terahertz (THz) fields are increasingly being used to address the critical challenges associated with achieving high data rates and rapid communication. In this study, a hybrid plasmonic THz waveguide is designed and analysed operating in the 2.5–3.5 THz frequency range. The waveguide is constructed using gallium arsenide as the high-refractive-index core, surrounded by aluminium arsenide and silver placed on a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) substrate. Graphene is strategically positioned between the HDPE layers to enhance light confinement. The mode properties of the proposed waveguide are simulated with Comol Multiphysics using the finite-element method and show unique characteristics. Observation of the simulated results at 2.5–3.5 THz reveals a high effective refractive index of 3.79, a maximum effective mode area of 1.88 mm2, a high birefringence of 0.2, a low dispersion of 0.10 ps THz−1 cm−1, a high mode field diameter of 15.8 mm, a high beat length of 123 mm and a low confinement loss of 1.79 × 10−9 mm−1. These features make the proposed waveguide suitable for applications in photonic integrated circuits for THz communications.
Arno Penzias: Nobel laureate dies aged 90
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: May 2024

The cosmologist Arno Penzias, who discovered the cosmic microwave background (CMB) with Robert Wilson, has died at the age of 90.
Japan’s lunar lander successfully lands on the Moon
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: May 2024

In January, the Japanese Space Agency, JAXA, became the fifth nation to successfully land a craft softly on the Moon.
Major physics publishers join forces in ‘purpose-led’ initiative
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: May 2024

The American Institute of Physics, the American Physical Society and IOP Publishing have joined forces to announce a new “purpose-led” publishing coalition.
Cosmic concerns
Authors: Durrani Matin
Published: May 2024

Have you ever stopped to consider the ethics of human space flight?
Networking returns
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: May 2024

After so many years stuck behind screens, have we lost the art of networking? James McKenzie reminds us why it’s important to meet people face to face.
Not just the young
Authors: Grozier Jim
Published: May 2024

A reply to the Forum article by Rachel Youngman (in January 2024) about the “Bin the boffin” campaign from the Institute of Physics (IOP), which is designed to draw attention to the IOP’s new guidelines on science reporting.
Nuclear spacecraft: from dream to reality
Authors: Corfield Richard
Published: May 2024

Launching rockets into space with atomic bombs is a crazy idea that was thankfully discarded many decades ago. But as Richard Corfield discovers, the potential of using the energy from nuclear-powered engines to drive space travel is back on NASA’s agenda.
Insights into Thomas Kuhn
Authors: Elia Gino
Published: May 2024

Gino Elia reviews The Last Writings of Thomas S Kuhn: Incommensurability in Science edited by Bojana Mladenovic.
Light fever
Authors: Hiscott Laura
Published: May 2024

As well as bringing sparkle to the dance floor, could disco balls become a new educational tool in astronomy? Laura Hiscott investigates.
The physics behind ‘fractal painting’ revealed
Authors: Banks Michael
Published: May 2024

Researchers at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology in Japan have examined the physics behind dendritic painting, which involves mixing colourful inks with alcohol and applying the droplets to a surface coated with a layer of acrylic paint.
US telescopes vie for funding
Authors: Gwynne Peter
Published: May 2024

The National Science Foundation has been told to choose between the Giant Magellan Telescope and the Thirty Meter Telescope as a next-generation ground-based observatory. Peter Gwynne reports.
Could forests be used as neutrino detectors?
Authors: Allen Michael
Published: May 2024

Trees could shed light on some of the most cataclysmic events in the universe, according to a particle physicist at the University of Kansas in the US.
From muck to magnets
Authors: McKenzie James
Published: May 2024

James McKenzie looks at the work of University of Birmingham spin-off firm HyProMag, which has developed a technique for recycling rare-earth magnets.
When Bose wrote to Einstein
Authors: Crease Robert P , Elia Gino
Published: May 2024

In 1924 an Indian physicist called Satyendra Nath Bose wrote to Albert Einstein saying he had solved a problem in quantum physics that had stumped the great man. One century on, Robert P Crease and Gino Elia explain how the correspondence led to the notion of Bose–Einstein condensation and why it revealed the power of diverse thinking.
The antimicrobial synergy of polymer based nanofiber mats reinforced with antioxidants intercalated layered double hydroxides as a potential active packaging material
Authors: Madhushika Ineesha Piumali , Yapa Piumika , Munaweera Imalka , Sandaruwan Chanaka , Weerasekera M M
Published: May 2024

Perishable food post-harvest loss is a major global concern, and research is currently concentrated on creating active packaging materials. This research is focused in multiple antioxidants intercalated Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) that are combined in one matrix, and their overall effect that defines as synergism, which successfully preserves perishable food by releasing antioxidants slowly. For this purpose, a hybrid LDH material of ascorbic-LDH (AA-LDH), salicylic-LDH (SA-LDH), and citric-LDH (CA-LDH) was synthesized, characterized and incorporate into electrospun nanofiber mat to be used as a potential active packaging material. Antioxidants intercalated Mg/Al LDH was synthesized and successfully characterized by PXRD, FTIR, XPS, Raman, SEM, and EDS. The shifts in the LDHs’ peaks in PXRD indicated the successful incorporation of antioxidants into LDH. FTIR, Raman, and XPS data clearly indicated the establishment of metal-oxygen bonds by observing the characteristic peaks. Morphological features and the layered structure were clearly observed by SEM images. Antioxidants were slowly released from the LDHs, and it was evaluated for time intervals up to 24 h. The hybrid LDH material exhibited the highest antioxidant activity with an IC50 value of 132.5 μg ml−1, where 234.1, 354.5, and 402.2 μg ml−1 were reported for ascorbic-LDH, salicylic-LDH, and citric-LDH respectively. The hybrid LDH material incorporated electrospun mats showed the best antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria and clearly evidenced the synergistic activity of the combination of the nanohybrids. It has showed a minimal bacterial growth compared to the other control samples (∼2.41 log CFU/ml). The shelf life of cherry tomatoes was studied at different physiochemical parameters with and without hybrid LDH material incorporated electrospun mats. The fabricated mat showed an extended shelf life of 42 days for cherry tomatoes, whereas the control sample showed a shelf life of 17 days. It is concluded that hybrid LDH material exhibited synergistic performance and the best antioxidant activity when comparing with mono LDH materials.
Modeling of MoS2/Si heterostructure to study charge transfer dynamics
Authors: Tiwari Vartika , Kushwaha Aditya , Goel Neeraj
Published: May 2024

Here, we synthesized a MoS2/Si heterojunction device using a scalable approach involving DC sputtering coupled with sulfurization. The observed current–voltage characteristics unequivocally indicate a rectifying behavior at MoS2/Si heterointerface. To quantitatively assess the carrier dynamics, a comprehensive analysis utilizing thermionic emission and Landauer transport formalism model was employed. The spatial variation in current across the MoS2/Si devices suggests a potential influence of MoS2’s in-plane series resistance. Furthermore, the electrical behavior of the device is found to be temperature-dependent, with higher temperatures resulting in enhanced conductivity attributed to an increase in thermally generated charge carriers. As temperature rises, the Landauer current model observes an increased ratio of density of states to carrier injection rate, along with other temperature-dependent terms. Meanwhile, the thermionic current model maintains a fixed effective value for its material-dependent term, the Richardson constant, irrespective of temperature changes. Therefore, a comparative analysis between thermionic emission and Landauer transport formalism reveals that the conventional thermionic emission model better aligns with experimentally observed leakage current in reverse bias, showcasing a minimal barrier height at the heterojunction. This comprehensive investigation provides valuable insights into the charge transfer mechanisms at the MoS2/Si interface, opening avenues for its potential innovative applications in electronic devices.
Synthesis, disorder and Ising anisotropy in a new spin liquid candidate PrMgAl11O19
Authors: Cao Yantao , Bu Huanpeng , Fu Zhendong , Zhao Jinkui , Gardner Jason S , Ouyang Zhongwen , Tian Zhaoming , Li Zhiwei , Guo Hanjie
Published: May 2024

Here we report the successful synthesis of large single crystals of triangular frustrated PrMgAl11O19 using the optical floating zone technique. Single crystal x-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements unveiled the presence of quenched disorder within the mirror plane, specifically ~7% of Pr ions deviating from the ideal 2d site towards the 6h site. Magnetic susceptibility measurements revealed an Ising anisotropy with the c-axis being the easy axis. Despite a large spin–spin interaction that develops below ~10 K and considerable site disorder, the spins do not order or freeze down to at least 50 mK. The availability of large single crystals offers a distinct opportunity to investigate the exotic magnetic state on a triangular lattice with an easy axis out of the plane.
Introduction
Authors: Sykes Katharine
Published: May 2024

This chapter introduces some of the previous discussions and debates surrounding the relationship between secular and monastic households in early medieval England. In contrast with previous scholarship, which tends to explore monastic and secular households separately, and to focus on either the earlier period (600–800) or the later period (800–1100), the author argues that some of the key mutations in the shape and size of monastic and secular households that become visible in the tenth and eleventh centuries should be traced back to the introduction of ‘new and unknown forms of life’ in the seventh century. These new forms of life include the practice of lifelong virginity and the creation of households which reproduced through social rather than biological means.
The Reproduction of Mothering
Authors: Sykes Katharine
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the impact of one of the most significant ‘new and unknown forms of life’ that were introduced in the seventh century, namely the idea that reproduction might take non-biological as well as biological form. The author traces the ways in which this new idea interacted with existing gender hierarchies, roles, and symbols. She argues that mothering proved to be a more elastic concept than fathering: any woman in a position of leadership might be conceived of as a mother, regardless of her sexual or reproductive status, but fathering was more zealously protected, and spiritual and biological forms of paternity were more clearly distinguished from one another.
The Traffic in Women
Authors: Sykes Katharine
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores a second factor that had a considerable impact on the household, namely the idea of virginity as a lifelong state, rather than a stage in the lifecycle. This not only had implications for the ways in which households were reproduced; it also had a considerable impact on existing forms of consumption, exchange, and display. The oblation of children—especially daughters from high-status families—provided an opportunity for conspicuous display through the removal of an object from circulation, just as earlier communities had buried valuable objects with their dead. Over the course of the seventh and early eighth centuries, monasteries came to hold significant reserves of wealth in both human and material form; as such, they were vulnerable to predation.
Speculum of the Other Woman
Authors: Sykes Katharine
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores the ways in which monastic households in the tenth and eleventh centuries adapted the rhetoric of spiritual maternity that had been developed in the seventh and eighth centuries to new ends. In contrast with scholarship that views similarities between hagiographical accounts of early female saints as evidence of the transmission of fragmentary knowledge via maternal genealogies, I suggest that these patterns help to shed light on practices of embroidery, forgery, and mimicry in the tenth and eleventh century that were designed to reinforce a community’s claims to the lands and relics of a virginal founder figure.
Stones and Lives
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

The fate of heritage in war has attracted considerable attention in recent years, due in no small part to ISIS’s campaign of destruction across the Middle East and, in 2012, the International Criminal Court’s first prosecution of heritage destruction as a war crime. Regular armed forces have been criticised both for failing to protect and for damaging heritage sites. In response, heritage organisations urge the better implementation of existing international laws on heritage protection in war. This book argues that any such law or policy will require combatants to choose between safeguarding heritage and safeguarding other goods, including human life. It rejects the view, common among heritage professionals, that the apparent choice between protecting heritage and protecting lives presents a false dichotomy. Existing international law not only implies such choices but also, and more worryingly, gives no indication of how they should be resolved. Drawing on contemporary work on the ethics of war, this book develops an account of the permissible protection of heritage in war. It argues that heritage is not morally special; rather, heritage is one of many goods that contribute to individuals’ lives going well and that we routinely trade off against each other. By drawing on these more familiar dilemmas, we can make progress on how to balance the protection of heritage against risks to human life. Amongst other things, the book considers the ways in which heritage might contribute to individual flourishing, the role of consent in justifying the imposition of risk on combatants and civilians, the permissibility of forcefully defending heritage and what, if anything, could compensate for the loss of heritage in war.
Conflicts in Heritage Protection
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

This chapter introduces the Inseparability Thesis—that is, the claim that protecting heritage is inseparable from protecting people and thus the two cannot conflict. The Inseparability Thesis holds considerable sway amongst heritage professionals, including some of those charged with delivering cultural heritage training to armed forces. We identify numerous ways in which protecting heritage can conflict with protecting people, including conflicts arising from the obligations laid out in the 1954 Hague Convention on the Protection of Cultural Property in Times of Armed Conflict. Both the necessity and proportionality constraints contained within the Convention require trading the protection of heritage against other goods at stake in war. More generally, conflicts between protecting heritage and protecting lives arise whenever there is a scarcity of relevant resources, including money, time, labour, and space. Given that such conflicts are pervasive, the influence of the Inseparability Thesis is puzzling. This chapter suggests that its popularity rests on a mistake about the implications of value pluralism. We can recognise that protecting heritage can conflict with protecting people without committing ourselves to consistently sacrificing heritage for the sake of other goods. The chapter argues that recognising conflicts between people and heritage is essential for understanding the scope of permitted heritage protection.
Instrumental Justifications for Risky Heritage Protection
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

This chapter explores some existing arguments for heritage protection, drawing on influential views in the literature and current military practice, and considers their plausibility as justifications for risky heritage protection. These arguments are instrumental in character: for example, that protecting heritage prevents genocide, thwarts terrorist attacks, prevents economic harm, or promotes military success. Thus, according to these arguments, we ought to protect heritage because, and insofar as, doing so is a means to securing some further good that has no particular connection to the heritage itself. Correlatively, what justifies the imposition of risk in the course of protecting heritage is not the importance of heritage but rather the importance of the further good being sought—for example, the prevention of genocide. Being instrumental in character, these arguments offer only contingent protection for heritage, dependent upon the effectiveness of heritage protection in achieving these other goods. They are also markedly different to the rationale manifested in the Hague Convention. The Hague Convention assumes that risky heritage protection is justified by the value heritage has in its own right. If successful, this rationale might offer heritage more robust protection than instrumental alternatives. But it demands an account—that is currently lacking—of why and how the intrinsic value of heritage justifies the imposition of risk on persons.
Imposing Risks on Civilians
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

Chapter 5 argues that the risks of harm that combatants typically impose on civilians in war exceed those that may be non-consensually imposed for the sake of protecting tangible heritage. The imposition of such risks can be justified only if the civilians consent to bear them and, as we argue, this means univocal consent. Civilians do not typically give univocal consent to bear those risks. This means that it is typically unjustified for combatants to impose such risks. It also argues that there are limits to the total harm that may be imposed on civilians for the sake of protecting heritage even if they univocally consent. Consent is necessary, but not sufficient, to justify harming. Our account thus secures a stringent prohibition on risking harm to civilians for the sake of protecting heritage.
Combatants, Consent, and Contracts
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

Chapter 6 argues that the risks that combatants will typically bear or incur in protecting heritage exceed the risks that a person can ordinarily be required to incur to that end. This means that unless combatants have consented to bear or incur risks for the sake of heritage, it is impermissible to order them to incur more than low risks of serious harm to themselves to rescue heritage from some other threats. It is also impermissible to order them to incur moderate risks of serious harm to themselves to refrain from damaging heritage. The chapter argues that the majority of currently serving combatants have not consented to bear or incur the risks of combat quite generally and, therefore, have not consented to bear or incur risks for the sake of heritage. Moreover, combatants are often misled about the risks of heritage protection. Taking consent seriously poses a significant moral obstacle to implementing and enforcing the Hague Convention, along with any other law or policy that requires combatants to incur risks for the sake of protecting heritage. However, unlike with civilians, there are plausible routes to obtaining consent from combatants to incur what would otherwise be supererogatory risks. Most obviously, states could improve their recruiting practices to this end. If combatants consent to incurring increased risks for the sake of heritage, then it can be permissible to order them to do so.
Compensation for Damaged Heritage
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

Chapter 9 considers how we ought to respond, post bellum, to damaged heritage—that is, what ought to be done with such heritage. We approach this question from the perspective of compensatory duties. When heritage is damaged in war, the primary victims of that damage—that is, those whose flourishing is significantly set back by the damage—are wronged and are owed compensation for that wrong. This raises a more familiar version of the ‘stones versus lives’ challenge: given that compensation demands scarce resources, is it ever permitted to use those resources to compensate for the loss of heritage rather than to meet people’s more basic interests? This chapter argues that since wrongdoers’ duties to compensate their victims ordinarily take precedence over their duties of assistance, wrongdoers can be under an obligation to compensate for damaging heritage even if those resources would do more good if they were directed towards poverty alleviation. However, innocent third parties do not incur duties to compensate for the damaging of heritage in war. Indeed, third-party states are under duties not to compensate for the loss of heritage, since such use of their citizens’ resources would not discharge their citizens’ duties to aid. It is, nonetheless, permissible for non-state third parties to provide compensatory resources for the loss of heritage. On the non-consequentialist view that we endorse, individuals who have discharged their duties to aid may use their remaining resources to pursue their own ends and projects, which can of course include heritage protection.
Conclusions
Authors: Frowe Helen , Matravers Derek
Published: May 2024

Chapter 10 summarises the key claims of the book, identifying ways in which our account makes progress on some of the central issues concerning the permissible protection of heritage in war. It notes that our account secures what will likely be intuitively appealing restrictions on risking harm to civilians for the sake of protecting heritage. But these restrictions emerge from a broader moral framework that also limits what combatants may be ordered to do for the sake of protecting heritage. The chapter acknowledges that our account swims against the tide in various respects: at a time when most people are calling for greater protection of heritage in war, our account identifies a range of moral constraints on how this protection may be pursued, both within war and in its aftermath.
Lost, mislabeled, and mishandled surgical and clinical pathology specimens: A systematic review of published literature
Authors: Carmack Heather J , Lazenby Braidyn S , Wilson Kylie J , Bakkum-Gamez Jamie N , Carranza Leslie
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To perform a systematic review of published academic literature related to lost, mislabeled, and mishandled surgical and clinical pathology specimens during the preanalytical stage.

Methods

The authors used Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines to search PubMed, MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus for relevant articles published from January 1, 1990, to May 1, 2023.

Results

The authors screened 1313 articles and identified 44 peer-reviewed, English-language articles published between 1990 and 2021 for inclusion in the final systematic review. Most articles (n = 36) reported results from US-based facilities. Articles primarily focused on general clinical and general surgical pathology. Analysis of the articles revealed that articles reported a range of methodological approaches, including incident reports, implementation analyses, case studies, and commentary recommendations. Most articles focused on mislabeling errors (61.3%) and missing or lost specimens (18.2%), while several articles combined specimen errors (20.5%). Several implementation studies (22.7%) reported using multiple interventions to mitigate errors. Implementation efforts reported between 70% and 100% reduction in pathology errors.

Conclusions

The review highlights the limited research on the topic, with an average of 2 articles per year discussing lost, mislabeled, or mishandled specimens. Intervention studies addressed The Joint Commission’s patient safety goals for laboratory practice. More research is needed about error incidents and reporting in non-Western countries to gain a more global perspective on the topic.
Bayesian modelling of time series data (BayModTS)—a FAIR workflow to process sparse and highly variable data
Authors: Höpfl Sebastian , Albadry Mohamed , Dahmen Uta , Herrmann Karl-Heinz , Kindler Eva Marie , König Matthias , Reichenbach Jürgen Rainer , Tautenhahn Hans-Michael , Wei Weiwei , Zhao Wan-Ting , Radde Nicole Erika
Published: May 2024

Motivation

Systems biology aims to better understand living systems through mathematical modelling of experimental and clinical data. A pervasive challenge in quantitative dynamical modelling is the integration of time series measurements, which often have high variability and low sampling resolution. Approaches are required to utilize such information while consistently handling uncertainties.

Results

We present BayModTS (Bayesian modelling of time series data), a new FAIR (findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable) workflow for processing and analysing sparse and highly variable time series data. BayModTS consistently transfers uncertainties from data to model predictions, including process knowledge via parameterized models. Further, credible differences in the dynamics of different conditions can be identified by filtering noise. To demonstrate the power and versatility of BayModTS, we applied it to three hepatic datasets gathered from three different species and with different measurement techniques: (i) blood perfusion measurements by magnetic resonance imaging in rat livers after portal vein ligation, (ii) pharmacokinetic time series of different drugs in normal and steatotic mice, and (iii) CT-based volumetric assessment of human liver remnants after clinical liver resection.

Availability and implementation

The BayModTS codebase is available on GitHub at https://github.com/Systems-Theory-in-Systems-Biology/BayModTS. The repository contains a Python script for the executable BayModTS workflow and a widely applicable SBML (systems biology markup language) model for retarded transient functions. In addition, all examples from the paper are included in the repository. Data and code of the application examples are stored on DaRUS: https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3876. The raw MRI ROI voxel data were uploaded to DaRUS: https://doi.org/10.18419/darus-3878. The steatosis metabolite data are published on FairdomHub: 10.15490/fairdomhub.1.study.1070.1.
Cryptorchidism and testicular cancer in the dog: unresolved questions and challenges in translating insights from human studies
Authors: Soto-Heras Sandra , Reinacher Lindsey , Wang Bensen , Oh Ji Eun , Bunnell Mary , Park Chan Jin , Hess Rex A , Ko CheMyong Jay
Published: May 2024

Cryptorchidism, the failure of one or both testes to descend into the scrotum, and testicular cancer show a strong correlation in both dogs and humans. Yet, long-standing medical debates persist about whether the location of undescended testes directly causes testicular cancer in humans or if both conditions stem from a common origin. Although testicular cancer is a prevalent disease in dogs, even less is known about its cause and correlation with testicular descent in this species. This review investigates the relation between these two disorders in dogs, drawing insights from human studies, and examines key biomarkers identified thus far. In addition, it explores potential causal links, including the impact of temperature on maturing testicular cells and a potential shared genetic origin. Notably, this literature review reveals significant differences between men and dogs in reproductive development, histological and molecular features of testicular tumors, and the prevalence of specific tumor types, such as Sertoli cell tumors in cryptorchid dogs and germ cell tumors in humans. These disparities caution against using dogs as models for human testicular cancer research and underscore the limitations when drawing comparisons between species. The paper concludes by suggesting specific research initiatives to enhance our understanding of the complex interplay between cryptorchidism and testicular cancer in dogs.
Targeting excitatory:inhibitory network imbalance in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Blum David , Levi Sabine
Published: May 2024

This scientific commentary refers to ‘Seizures exacerbate excitatory: inhibitory imbalance in Alzheimer’s disease and 5XFAD mice’ by Barbour et al. (https://doi.org/10.1093/brain/awae126).