bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of polylactide composites with silver nanoparticles by sputtering deposition and their antimicrobial and antiviral applications
Authors: Demchenko Valeriy , Mamunya Yevgen , Sytnyk Illia , Iurzhenko Maksym , Krivtsun Igor , Rybalchenko Nataliya , Naumenko Krystyna , Artiukh Liubov , Kowalczuk Marek , Demchenko Olena , Marynin Andrii
Published: January 2025

Silver‐containing composites formed by sputtering deposition on the surface of polylactide (PLA) films have been developed; they contain a layer of silver nanoparticles of different thicknesses depending on the deposition time, namely 1, 3 and 5 min. It was found that with a deposition time of 5 min a layer with a thickness of ca 100 nm is formed. The average size of the Ag nanoparticles is 5.9 nm, and the average specific surface area Ssp is 97 m2 g−1. The samples obtained were characterized by wide‐angle X‐ray scattering, TEM, TGA and DSC and their antimicrobial, antiviral and cytotoxic properties were studied as well. It was found that the thinnest layer of silver (deposited for 1 min) has the greatest effect on the PLA's heat resistance and glass transition temperature. PLA‐Ag composites formed by silver sputtering deposition show antimicrobial activity against the studied test cultures of Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and the activity of the samples increases with increasing duration of silver deposition. PLA‐Ag composites formed by silver deposition for 5 min had a weak virucidal effect against herpes simplex virus type 1 and influenza virus type A. Irrespective of the sputtering time of silver the composites obtained were not cytotoxic; at a dilution of 1:10 and more they did not significantly inhibit the viability of MDCK, BHK and Hep‐2 cells. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
A New Method of Quality Evaluation for Electromagnet Products Based on SOM‐Kmeans and Enhanced TODIM
Authors: Pang Jihong , Shi Yuxuan , Zhou Siwei , Dai Jinkun , Li Yong
Published: January 2025

In order to gain an advantage in the fierce market competition, enterprises need to establish a continuous and strict evaluation system for product quality. In addition, the complexity of mechatronic products requires that the evaluation method must be able to reflect the quality information comprehensively. However, current approaches for quality evaluation often grapple with subjectivity and do not fully mine the quality data. A novel methodology for product quality evaluation grounded in clustering and decision principles is introduced in this study. Initially, a self‐organizing map (SOM) and K‐means clustering are applied to the quality data to determine the number of quality categories. Subsequently, principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to derive the decision weights for the quality assessment procedure. This step effectively reduces the complexity associated with quality evaluation data and enhances the clarity of the findings. Finally, the TODIM (abbreviation for interactive and multicriterial decision‐making in Portuguese) method is utilized to scrupulously score each quality category. The efficacy and utility of the proposed method are corroborated through an empirical case study. This research underscores that the introduced approach offers a scalable and highly adaptable solution for quality assessment of other products.
Effects of soil compost load on water‐extractable organic matter content and its UV‐ and fluorescence‐based compositional characteristics
Authors: Rotbart Nativ , Oren Adi , Guetta Yotam , Medina Shlomit , Laor Yael , Raviv Michael , Yermiyahu Uri , Borisover Mikhail , Rinot Oshri , Braude Elan , Bar‐Tal Asher
Published: January 2025

The application of compost increases soil organic matter (SOM) content; however, there is a lack of information on the short‐ and long‐term effects of compost application on the dynamics of labile SOM pools in compost‐amended soils in semiarid region. The goal of this study is to distinguish between parameters that can be used for investigating the accumulative effects of compost application and parameters that are sensitive for short‐term changes but diminish with time. To address this goal, we focused on (1) the effects of compost application rates on short‐term dynamics of soil contents of microbial biomass carbon (MBC), cold water‐extractable organic carbon (WEOC), and hot water‐extractable organic carbon (HWEOC), respectively, and (2) composition of WEOC and HWEOC characterized using (i) absorbance at 254 nm (Abs254) representing the presence of aromatic components and (ii) fluorescence spectroscopy of excitation–emission matrices coupled with parallel factor analysis. Soil samples were taken from a long‐term field experiment in semiarid region, which investigated the effects of the annual load of a cattle manure‐based compost (at rates of 0, 20, 40, or 60 m3 ha−1 year−1) on soil properties and crop performance. C concentrations in soil water extracts were found to be sensitive indicators of compost‐load effect on soil organic carbon content. Compost dose had a strong short‐term (2 weeks) impact on MBC, but no long‐term (over months and years) effect was observed. Of the variables examined in the short term, the MBC, WEOC, and Abs254 values of the extracts were found to be the most responsive to compost load. The proportion of the fluorescent constituents out of the WEOC and HWEOC decreased with compost dose. UV‐ and fluorescence‐spectroscopy were found to be useful means to characterize the influence of compost load on the composition of water‐extractable organic matter and hot water‐extractable organic matter in semiarid region.
A New Approach to Predict the Mechanical Properties of Hot‐Rolled Strip Based on Multi‐Dimensional Feature Weighted Similarity and Integrated Just‐In‐Time Learning
Authors: Lan Fang‐Jie , Liu Jian‐Hua , He Yang , Yang Yuan‐Mei , Zhang Lin , Zhang Shuai , Xu Feng , Yang Xiao‐Bo
Published: January 2025

Predicting the mechanical properties of hot‐rolled strip poses significant challenges due to the intricate interplay of multi‐dimensional similarities within sample analysis and the time‐varying characteristics of actual production data. Relying on single similarity metrics to select appropriate samples becomes inadequate, hindering timely and accurate predictions. To address these issues, in this article, a new approach is proposed to predict the mechanical properties of hot‐rolled strip based on combining multi‐dimensional‐feature‐weighted similarity (MDFWS) and integrated just‐in‐time learning (IJITL). First, the feature weights based on multiple methods are combined with the time weight as the similarity measure to select the relevant samples, respectively. Subsequently, the linear local models are constructed based on the selected relevant samples to predict the query data. Finally, the output of each local model is given differentiated weights based on its performance on the validation set, and the final prediction result is obtained through an integrated learning strategy. Furthermore, a cumulative similarity factor is introduced to screen the optimal dataset for local models, and a similarity threshold is set to reduce the frequency of model updates. In the experimental results, it is demonstrated that the proposed MDFWS‐IJITL model excels in predicting the mechanical properties of hot‐rolled strip, offering higher predictive accuracy and better adaptability compared to traditional global modeling methods and JITL models.
Heat transfer in the entrance region of annular laminar flow with constant and different heat flux on two walls
Authors: Gökaslan Mustafa Yasin , Kuddusi Yasemen , Kuddusi Lütfullah
Published: January 2025

Heat transfer differs in the regions where the flow is developed and developing thermally. These regions can be differentiated by using the thermal entry length. Many researchers have presented correlations to determine the thermal entry length for natural and forced convection. In this study, heat transfer in the entrance region of a concentric annuli is investigated. It is accepted that beginning from the inlet of annuli the flow is developed hydrodynamically and it is developing thermally. Heat transfer is investigated where the internal or external surfaces of the annuli are at constant but different heat fluxes. The fluid velocity is assumed to be constant or radially variable. Due to thermal boundary conditions, one thermal boundary layer appears on the outer cylinder surface, another on the inner cylinder surface. The edge of two boundary layers will be adiabatic and naturally, the temperature of fluid between the two edges will be equal to free stream temperature. Transformation, Separation of Variables method, eigenvalue problem, Sturm‐Liouville system, Bessel differential equation and properties of orthogonal functions are used in solution of the problem. Exact and analytical solutions of the momentum and energy equations are presented. Velocity and temperature distributions, local Nusselt numbers and convection heat transfer coefficients are calculated for the internal and external surfaces of annuli.
The Case for Autonomy: A Military, and Legal, Option for Creating Capacity to Handle Challenges in the South China Sea
Authors: Tuckett Caroline
Published: January 2025

The number and type of disputes emerging in the South China Sea are many and complex. However, there are two key challenges, faced by many littoral States in the South China Sea which are consistent, and interlinked. The first one are attempted restrictions on the freedom of navigation as provided for under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The second one is the need to build capacity to increase Maritime Domain Awareness, which in turn, will assist in upholding the freedom of navigation.
Opportunities and Challenges Associated with Synergy Between the Mekong Sub-Regional Cooperation Frameworks and the ASEAN-Led Mechanisms
Authors: Sayavongs Mai
Published: January 2025

The Mekong River, which originates from the Tibet Plateau, China (called the Lancang River in China), is the 12th longest river in the world. The Mekong River plays a critical role in the livelihoods of the peoples in the sub-region since it is one of the main sources of food and water that supports the agricultural industry in most of the Mekong countries. Mekong sub-region is a strategic connecting point between mainland Southeast Asia and China as well as between mainland Southeast Asia and South Asia. The Mekong sub-region is one of the most dynamic and strategic geographies in the world.
Synthesis of micro-micro titanium composite powder with the electrostatic adsorption process
Authors: Ali Mubasher , Lin Feng , Tan Yuanfu , Su Zhou , Liao Wei-Hsin , Wong Hay
Published: January 2025

This study investigates the production of commercially pure grade 4 titanium (Ti) composite powder via electrostatic adsorption. Unlike previous research focusing on nano-micro particles, this study explores the utilisation of surface charges (ions) to form a micro-scale composite powder, offering a novel approach in the field. The study investigates the impact of key electrostatic adsorption variables — pH value, stirring duration, host particle size and guest particle loading — on adsorption efficiency. It analyses the composite powder’s chemical composition, crystalline structures and adsorption efficiency using EDX, XRD and SEM techniques. The results show high adsorption efficiency is achieved when the guest (at 10% loading) and host particles are adjusted with pH-2 and pH-12, respectively, and stirred for 1 min. Moreover, more abundant adsorption sites led to better efficiency of larger host particles. No significant changes were observed in the chemical and crystalline structure (remained the same; α-Ti) of the composite powder except for the presence of Na and Cl. The study uncovers methods for creating micro-micro Ti composite powder, optimising adsorption efficiency. The powder has diverse applications, including metal injection moulding, binder jetting, selective laser melting and other powder-based processes. This study investigates the creation of micro-micro commercially pure grade 4 titanium composite powder.
A model theoretic perspective on matrix rings
Authors: Klep Igor , Tressl Marcus
Published: January 2025

In this paper natural necessary and sufficient conditions for quantifier elimination of matrix rings

$$M_n(K)$$

M
n

(
K
)

in the language of rings expanded by two unary functions, naming the trace and transposition, are identified. This is used together with invariant theory to prove quantifier elimination when K is an intersection of real closed fields. On the other hand, it is shown that finding a natural definable expansion with quantifier elimination of the theory of

$$M_n(\mathbb {C})$$

M
n

(
C
)

is closely related to the infamous simultaneous conjugacy problem in matrix theory. Finally, for various natural structures describing dimension-free matrices it is shown that no such elimination results can hold by establishing undecidability results.
The localization method applied to k-elongated plane partitions and divisibility by 5
Authors: Banerjee Koustav , Smoot Nicolas Allen
Published: January 2025

The enumeration

$$d_k(n)$$

d
k

(
n
)

of k-elongated plane partition diamonds has emerged as a generalization of the classical integer partition function p(n). We have discovered an infinite congruence family for

$$d_5(n)$$

d
5

(
n
)

modulo powers of 5. Classical methods cannot be used to prove this family of congruences. Indeed, the proof employs the recently developed localization method, and utilizes a striking internal algebraic structure which has not yet been seen in the proof of any congruence family. We believe that this discovery poses important implications on future work in partition congruences.
Hecke categories, idempotents, and commuting stacks
Authors: Gorsky Eugene , Neguţ Andrei
Published: January 2025

We formulate a connection between a topological and a geometric category. The former is the idempotent completion of the (horizontal) trace of the affine Hecke category, while the latter is the equivariant derived category of the (semi-nilpotent) commuting stack. This provides a more precise and improved version of our proposal in Gorsky and Neguț (Proc Lond Math Soc (3) 126(6): 2013–2056, 2023).
Effectiveness of Low-Volume Versus High-Volume Ropivacaine for Ultrasound-Guided Maxillary Nerve Block in Double-Jaw Surgery: A Randomized Non-inferiority Trial
Authors: Chen Ming-Kai , Zhao Le , Luo Wei , Luo Kai , Lin Jie , Ji Yang
Published: January 2025

Background

Ultrasound-guided maxillary nerve block (UGMNB) is applied in oral and maxillofacial surgery to improve perioperative analgesia, decrease the risk of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and enhance recovery. However, the optimum volume of ropivacaine used for UGMNB is undetermined. Thus, it was hypothesized that in patients undergoing double-jaw surgery, low- and high-volume ropivacaine reduces perioperative pain with similar efficacy.

Methods

Adults undergoing double-jaw surgery were enrolled in a randomized non-inferiority trial to receive a bilateral single-injection UGMNB with 2 mL (low-volume [LV] group) or 5 mL (high-volume [HV] group) of 0.375% ropivacaine on each side. A visual analog scale (VAS) score for maxillary pain at 2 h postoperatively was taken as the primary outcome. VAS score for maxillary and mandibular pain at 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h postoperatively, hemodynamic changes intraoperatively, consumption of intraoperative opioids and sedatives, vasoactive medication use, extubation time, postoperative rescue analgesia, time to the first analgesia, postoperative nausea and vomiting and UGMNB-related complications within 48 h post-surgery were assessed as the secondary outcomes.

Results

Sixty-four adults were included. The maxillary pain score in the LV group was not inferior to that in the HV group at 2 h postoperatively, with a non-inferiority margin of 1 (mean difference − 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI] − 0.6 to 0.8, P = 0.414 for non-inferiority). Maxillary and mandibular pain demonstrated no difference in the measured times between groups. The incidence of postoperative nausea was significantly higher in the LV group than that in the HV group at 6–24 h (12 (37.5%) vs. 5 (15.6%), P = 0.048). Moreover, no differences in intraoperative hemodynamic parameters, medications during anesthesia, time to extubation, rescue analgesia, time to the first analgesia, and postoperative vomiting were observed. Only one patient in the LV group was observed to have maxillary nerve block-related complications.

Conclusions

To conclude, the efficacy of UGMNB with 2 mL of 0.375% ropivacaine has the same efficacy as the 5 mL drug in reducing perioperative pain in patients undergoing double-jaw surgery.

Level of Evidence I

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266.
Trisomy 18 and the possibility of choice: The importance of Perinatal Hospice’s support
Authors: Visconti D. , Esposito V. , Brugnoli F. , Gallitelli V. , Corsano B. , Papacci P. , Pellegrino M. , De Santis M. , Lanzone A. , Noia G.
Published: January 2025

Trisomy 18 is a severe aneuploidy associated with multiple malformations and a poor prognosis. The diagnosis is typically made prenatally, leading to a high rate of pregnancy terminations. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that even though the prognosis is heterogeneous, prolonged survival is possible and these children are an enrichment for their families after all. A retrospective, descriptive and monocentric study was conducted on fetuses diagnosed with trisomy 18, evaluated between March 2017 and June 2023 at our Institution. The objective was to investigate the natural history of trisomy 18 and the psychological impact on parents who choose to carry the pregnancy on, through a retrospective data collection and the use of a questionnaire. Sixteen couples with a diagnosis of trisomy 18 were cared for within the Perinatal Hospice Pathway during the study period. Cardiac defects were identified in 93.7% of cases, structural abnormalities in 71.4%, respiratory defects in 14.3% of the fetuses, while genitourinary defects affected nearly half of the study population. The survival rate was typically less than one day, however two babies survived for more than four years. All couples reported being satisfied with their decision to continue the pregnancy and would do so again if given the opportunity.

Conclusions: despite the severity of the diagnosis, couples may choose to continue the pregnancy and give birth. Our study shows that trisomy 18 is not merely a lethal condition and the Perinatal Hospice plays a crucial role in supporting these families.

What is Known:
• Trisomy 18 is a severe aneuploidy with a poor prognosis and a high rate of pregnancy terminations.

What is New:
• Despite the severity of this condition, prolonged survival is a possibility. If couples are adequately supported by Perinatal Hospices, they may choose to continue the pregnancy, thereby enriching their experience.
FTO effects the proliferation, invasion, and glycolytic metabolism of colon cancer by regulating PKM2
Authors: Zhang Kongyan , Zhang Fei , Wang Jiahe
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The Fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO), a genetic variant associated with obesity, significantly impact the energetic metabolism of mechanical tumors. However, research on the function of FTO in CRC is scarce.

Methods

Bioinformatics analysis of TCGA and UALCAN databases was conducted to examine FTO expression in CRC. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess FTO and PKM2 protein expression in clinical specimens. In vitro experiments utilized five human colon cancer cell lines and a normal colon epithelial cell line, with Western blotting and RT-PCR for protein and mRNA quantification, respectively, and lentiviral transfection to modulate FTO expression. Cellular behaviors such as proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis were evaluated using various assays. Immunofluorescence and Seahorse Xfe96 metabolic analysis were employed to study PKM2 expression changes and glycolytic stress. The effects of PKM2 inhibition by shikonin on cell viability and glycolytic activity were assessed using CCK-8 assay and Seahorse analysis.

Results

An upregulation of FTO was observed in colon cancer through data mining and analysis of pathological specimens. Besides, we discovered that the impact of FTO on colon cancer glycolysis has significant implications for colon proliferation, invasion, and metastasis. The protein expression of PKM2 and the intensity of fluorescence staining in the nucleus of PKM2 were detected to be increased in colon carcinoma cells with over-expression of FTO.

Conclusion

FTO plays a significant role in CRC progression by regulating PKM2 and promoting glycolysis.
The effect of healthcare professional-implemented interventions on adherence to oral targeted therapy in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Angus Fiona , Liao Wan-Chuen , Adekoya Victoria , Chen Li-Chia
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study investigated the impact of healthcare professional-led interventions on adherence to oral targeted therapy and identified the behavior change techniques (BCTs) underpinning the interventions.

Methods

A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL Plus, PubMed, and Web of Science up to July 2024 identified randomized controlled trials and cohort studies involving adult patients (≥ 18 years) with cancer on oral targeted therapy receiving healthcare professional-led interventions to improve adherence. Adherence-related outcomes, including proportions of patients continuing treatments or with a medication possession ratio (MPR) ≥ 90%, were compared between intervention and control (usual care) groups. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and heterogeneity (I
2 statistic) were reported. Differences in median time to treatment discontinuation were calculated and synthesized where applicable. Interventions were categorized using the BCT taxonomy.

Results

This review included 11 studies (1,654 patients). The pooled results for proportions of patients continuing treatment (OR 17.91; 95%CI 3.18, 100.73; I

2
 < 0.1%) or with an MPR ≥ 90% (OR 3.67; 95%CI 1.98, 6.80; I

2
 < 0.1%) showed a significantly favorable outcome in the intervention group compared to the control group. In two studies, the median time to treatment discontinuation was longer in the intervention group than in the control group. The most commonly used BCTs were “credible source” (n = 11), “problem-solving” (n = 9), “instruction on how to perform a behavior” (n = 9), and “pharmacological support” (n = 8).

Conclusion

Despite limited evidence, healthcare professional–led interventions significantly improve treatment adherence. Future studies should tailor strategies for individual needs and apply BCTs in designing effective interventions.

PROSPERO registered: no. CRD42024571808.
Physical activity and quality of life among breast cancer survivors: Pink SWAN
Authors: Leitzelar Brianna N. , Crawford Sybil L. , Levine Beverly , Ylitalo Kelly R. , Colvin Alicia B. , Gabriel Kelley Pettee , Greendale Gail A. , Avis Nancy E.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

To describe physical activity (PA) trajectories across 10 years post-breast cancer diagnosis and examine their association with quality of life (QoL).

Methods

Participants from the longitudinal Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation who developed incident breast cancer completed the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors scale (QLACS) which has 12 domains. Breast cancer survivors (BCS) with at least one post-diagnosis measure of the Kaiser Physical Activity Survey (PA) were included (n = 96). We estimated metabolic equivalents of task minutes per week (MET-min/week) for the two most frequent sport/exercise activities. Group-based trajectory modeling determined PA trajectories over 10 years post-diagnosis. Analysis of covariance assessed associations between PA trajectory group and the three QLACS domains with the worst scores (fatigue, pain, and recurrence-related distress), adjusted for PA and other relevant covariates.

Results

There were four post-diagnosis PA trajectories: consistently very low/no PA (“inactive,” 11.5%); consistently some, but below aerobic PA guideline (“below guideline,” 48.9%); generally met aerobic PA guideline with a slight decline (“met guideline,” 22.2%); and exceeded aerobic PA guideline (“exceeded guideline,” 18.8%). In adjusted models, the below guideline group reported more fatigue than the met or exceeded groups and more pain than the met guideline group, but there were no group differences in recurrence-related distress.

Conclusion

The majority of BCS did not meet the aerobic PA guideline over 10 years post diagnosis. BCS who met the aerobic PA guideline reported less fatigue and pain compared to those who did not meet the guideline in adjusted analyses, suggesting a negative association between PA and QoL.
Revisiting Africa’s Stroke Obstacles and Services (SOS)
Authors: Roushdy Tamer , Elbassiouny Ahmed , Kesraoui Selma , Temgoua Michael , Nono Kiatoko Ponte , Melkamu Selam Kifelew , Sadiq Eitzaz , Francis Patty , Omar Oday F. , Peter Waweru , Gopaul Urvashy , Belahsen Mohammed Faouzi , Ugbem Lukpata Philip , Ben-Adji Djibrilla , Woodcock Noëmie , Mohamed Muhyadin Hassan , Matuja Sarah , Mhiri Chokri , Saylor Deanna , Maged Mohamed , Shokri Hossam , Nahas Nevine El
Published: January 2025

Background

As one of the most common non-communicable diseases in Africa, Stroke ought to be dealt with properly with intensifying efforts to control its burden and to face obstacles in its management.

Methods and Results

In this follow-up study we reanalyzed stroke services and related obstacles in 17 African countries that were previously studied in 2021/22 in aspects related to manpower, acute stroke services, rehabilitation programs, number of stroke units/centers, telestroke services, awareness campaigns, and national and international stroke registries through a survey that was sent to stroke specialists and national stroke societies. Overall, there is an improvement in many fields yet many obstacles in the implementation of telestroke services, acute management, secondary prevention, post-discharge services, and follow-ups whether governmental, medical, or societal are prevalent.

Conclusion

Stroke services in Africa are improving in 2024 compared to 2021/22 in many fields, stationary in some fields, and regressing in a few. Managing obstacles that are raised by stroke specialists collectively and on individual countries basis will pave the way for better services for the wellness of stroke victims in Africa.
Effects of Wall Temperature on Scalar and Turbulence Statistics During Premixed Flame–Wall Interaction Within Turbulent Boundary Layers
Authors: Ghai Sanjeev Kr. , Ahmed Umair , Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: January 2025

Direct numerical simulations (DNS) have been utilised to investigate the impact of different thermal wall boundary conditions on premixed V-flames interacting with walls in a turbulent channel flow configuration. Two boundary conditions are considered: isothermal walls, where the wall temperature is set either equal to the unburned mixture temperature or an elevated temperature, and adiabatic walls. An increase in wall temperature has been found to decrease the minimum flame quenching distance and increase the maximum wall heat flux magnitude. The analysis reveals notable differences in mean behaviours of the progress variable and non-dimensional temperature in response to thermal boundary conditions. At the upstream of the flame–wall interaction location, higher mean friction velocity values are observed for the case with elevated wall temperature compared to the other cases. However, during flame–wall interaction, friction velocity values decrease for isothermal walls but initially rise before decreasing for adiabatic walls, persisting at levels surpassing isothermal conditions. For all thermal wall boundary conditions, the mean scalar dissipation rates of the progress variable and non-dimensional temperature exhibit a decreasing trend towards the wall. Notably, in the case of isothermal wall boundary condition, a higher scalar dissipation rate for the non-dimensional temperature is observed in comparison to the scalar dissipation rate for the progress variable. Thermal boundary condition also has a significant impact on Reynolds stress components, turbulent kinetic energy, and dissipation rates, showing the highest magnitudes with isothermal case with elevated wall temperature and the lowest magnitude for the isothermal wall with unburned gas temperature. The findings of the current analysis suggest that thermal boundary conditions can potentially significantly affect trubulence closures in the context of Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes simulations of premixed flame–wall interaction.
RANS model predictions for desalination discharges implemented with a dynamic turbulent Schmidt number approach
Authors: Law Shuen , Davidson Mark , McConnochie Craig , Lagrava Daniel
Published: January 2025

Desalination discharges are commonly in the form of inclined negatively buoyant jets (INBJs). Numerical predictions of INBJs remain a challenge. While accurate large eddy simulations (LES) of INBJs have become available very recently, they are substantially more resource intensive. Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) modelling is potentially more efficient and can be more readily applied in practice. However, existing RANS simulations show substantial error when compared with experimental measurements. In this study, RANS simulations of 45° INBJs are performed with a dynamic turbulent Schmidt number (DTSN) approach. This new approach involves extracting turbulent Schmidt number (

$$S{c}_{t}$$

S

c
t

) profiles in the INBJs from recently published LES data that have been validated by experiments. Detailed cross-sectional

$$S{c}_{t}$$

S

c
t

profiles in INBJs are reported here for the first time. The relationship between

$$S{c}_{t}$$

S

c
t

and a local mean flow parameter is also determined from the LES data. RANS simulations are then performed—with

$$S{c}_{t}$$

S

c
t

being allowed to change dynamically during the simulation according to the pre-determined relationship. The results show that the DTSN approach improved the overall predictive capabilities of the RANS model to a limited extent. However, significant issues remain in terms of the models’ ability to predict dilutions in the descending portion of the flow. Importantly, the DTSN simulations demonstrate that the model predictions are sensitive to the determination of the relationship between

$$S{c}_{t}$$

S

c
t

and the local flow parameter. Further improvements in the DTSN approach are therefore possible with refinement to the characterisation of this relationship. Based on a discussion of the present and recent literature describing RANS simulations of INBJs, the authors encourage a more cautious interpretation of the current predictive capabilities of RANS simulations in the context of INBJs.
Misclassification bounds for PAC-Bayesian sparse deep learning
Authors: Mai The Tien
Published: January 2025

Recently, there has been a significant focus on exploring the theoretical aspects of deep learning, especially regarding its performance in classification tasks. Bayesian deep learning has emerged as a unified probabilistic framework, seeking to integrate deep learning with Bayesian methodologies seamlessly. However, there exists a gap in the theoretical understanding of Bayesian approaches in deep learning for classification. This study presents an attempt to bridge that gap. By leveraging PAC-Bayes bounds techniques, we present theoretical results on the prediction or misclassification error of a probabilistic approach utilizing Spike-and-Slab priors for sparse deep learning in classification. We establish non-asymptotic results for the prediction error. Additionally, we demonstrate that, by considering different architectures, our results can achieve minimax optimal rates in both low and high-dimensional settings, up to a logarithmic factor. Moreover, our additional logarithmic term yields slight improvements over previous works. Additionally, we propose and analyze an automated model selection approach aimed at optimally choosing a network architecture with guaranteed optimality.
Credal ensembling in multi-class classification
Authors: Nguyen Vu-Linh , Zhang Haifei , Destercke Sébastien
Published: January 2025

In this paper, we present a formal framework to (1) aggregate probabilistic ensemble members into either a representative classifier or a credal classifier, and (2) perform various decision tasks based on this uncertainty quantification. We first elaborate on the aggregation problem under a class of distances between distributions. We then propose generic methods to robustify uncertainty quantification and decisions, based on the obtained ensemble and representative probability. To facilitate the scalability of the proposed framework, for all the problems and applications covered, we elaborate on their computational complexities from the theoretical aspects and leverage theoretical results to derive efficient algorithmic solutions. Finally, relevant sets of experiments are conducted to assess the usefulness of the proposed framework in uncertainty sampling, classification with a reject option, and set-valued prediction-making.
Gender differences in entrepreneurial equity financing—a systematic literature review
Authors: Koziol Kevin , Schmitz Maja , Bort Suleika
Published: January 2025

A growing body of literature explores whether and why female and male entrepreneurs differ in their access to equity financing. This trend has led to an increasing fragmentation of the research field, as many studies analyze various mechanisms and focus on a certain form of equity financing. To advance research on gender differences in equity financing, it is necessary to identify patterns and inconsistent findings in the literature related to these mechanisms. Therefore, we perform a systematic literature review to provide an overview of the current state of knowledge on gender differences in the key forms of entrepreneurial equity financing (venture capital, angel investment, and equity crowdfunding). Based on 75 studies from 2001 to mid-2024, our review indicates that male entrepreneurs have an advantage in raising capital from venture capitalists and business angels, whereas female entrepreneurs are more successful in equity crowdfunding. These gender differences stem from a complex combination of mechanisms, which we categorize into four thematic dimensions that capture entrepreneurs’ characteristics, investors’ characteristics, the ventures’ characteristics and strategies, and contextual factors. We propose specific future research directions for each dimension, and discuss theoretical and methodological research opportunities that are applicable across dimensions to improve our understanding of gender differences in equity financing.
Estimation of Monthly Water Table Depth Anomalies Based on the Integration of GRACE and ERA5-Land with Large-Scale Simulations Using Random Forest and LSTM Networks
Authors: Avila Leandro , de Lavenne Alban , Ramos Maria-Helena , Kollet Stefan
Published: January 2025

Increasing pressure on groundwater resources, exacerbated by climate change, highlights the need to develop advanced methods for monitoring groundwater storage and levels. While numerical and physics-based models are widely used to analyze the spatial and temporal dynamics of groundwater levels, they require extensive input data and can be computationally expensive for high-resolution and large-scale simulations. In contrast, remote sensing products such as the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) provide global-scale information on total water storage anomalies. However, due to its coarse spatial resolution (0.25
$$^{\circ }$$
), GRACE data cannot be used directly to assess groundwater conditions at local and regional scales. In order to obtain local groundwater levels that can be quickly accessed by stakeholders to monitor and define appropriate groundwater management, this study implements a methodology based on data-driven models to estimate monthly water table depth anomalies (wtda), integrating simulations from the Terrestrial Systems Modeling Platform (TSMP) with GRACE and reanalysis ERA5-Land datasets. Considering the spatial resolution of current TSMP simulations (TSMP-G2A - 0.11 degrees), we tested and compared multiple Random Forest (RF) and LSTM networks at the pixel scale over the Seine River Basin, combining different hydrological and climatological variables with GRACE as input features. For each data-driven approach, we selected the model that best represents the temporal pattern of the wtda during the test period and compared the results with the original TSMP simulation, as well as in-situ groundwater observations. The results indicate that both RF and LSTM networks can well reproduce the temporal patterns of groundwater levels across the Seine Basin obtained by the TSMP simulations, with average Pearson correlations of 0.65 and average KGE of 0.6, respectively. A comparison with multiple groundwater wells allowed us to identify the regions where the applied models are more reliable for representing wtda over the Seine River Basin. In general, the proposed models show good agreement with in-situ observations, independent of the groundwater well depth. However, we found significant differences between observed and simulated water table depths in the downstream regions of the Seine River Basin, where coastal systems and the presence of karst in the chalk might influence groundwater levels and the performance of the adopted models, respectively. The proposed methods provide end users with an extremely lightweight reconstruction and prediction tool for wtda at the pixel level, including reliability estimates, which is easy to implement in an ad hoc fashion in any evaluation and groundwater management workflow.
Modeling tritium release to the atmosphere during the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and application to estimating post-accident water system transit times
Authors: Cauquoin Alexandre , Gusyev Maksym , Bong Hayoung , Okazaki Atsushi , Yoshimura Kei
Published: January 2025

During the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident on March 11, 2011, radionuclides such as tritium were released into the environment across Japan, obscuring the natural background signal of tritium in precipitation. This anthropogenic component was rapidly washed out by precipitation according to measurements in Japan. However, the impact of the accident on the natural tritium-based estimation of water system transit times in Fukushima and other prefectures in Japan remains uncertain. For the first time, anthropogenic tritium from the FDNPP accident together with natural tritium were simulated in an atmospheric general circulation model with a good ability to represent tritium variations in daily and monthly precipitation. For the FDNPP accident, we estimate the maximum tritium atmospheric emission of 0.815 PBq with a tritium in precipitation peak of 68.7 Bq/L (582 tritium units) on March 2011 at Fukushima, which are consistent with previous estimations. Using our modeled outputs with tritium measurements, we improve tritium-tracer application for estimating mean transit times of Fukushima surface and groundwater systems impacted by the anthropogenic tritium from the FDNPP accident. While the anthropogenic impact of the FDNPP accident was limited compared to the tritium peak due to the thermonuclear testing, globally modeled tritium in precipitation is useful to apply for other areas of tritium-tracer studies.
Sunlight promotes aboveground carbon loss by producing polysaccharides from litter decomposition in a temperate forest
Authors: Chang Lu , Deng Jiaojiao , Zhang Juanjuan , Fu Qinglong , Wang Tao , Osono Takashi , Peng Huan , Robson Thomas Matthew , Kurokawa Hiroko , Wang Qing-Wei
Published: January 2025

Photodegradation is considered as a universal contributing factor to litter decomposition and carbon (C) cycling within the Earth’s biomes. Identifying how solar radiation modifies the molecular structure of litter is essential to understand the mechanism controlling its decomposition and reaction to shifts in climatic conditions and land-use. In this study, we performed a spectral-attenuation experiment following litter decomposition in an understory and gap of a temperate deciduous forest. We found that short-wavelength visible light, especially blue light, was the main factor driving variation in litter molecular structure of Fagus crenata Blume, Quercus crispula Blume, Acer carpinifolium Siebold & Zuccarini and Betula platyphylla Sukaczev, explaining respectively 56.5%, 19.4%, 66.3%, and 16.7% of variation in its chemical composition. However, the variation also depended on canopy openness: Only in the forest gap was lignin aromatic C negatively associated with C-oxygen (C–O) bonding in polysaccharides receiving treatments containing blue light of the full spectrum of solar radiation. Regardless of species, the decomposition index of litter that explained changes in mass and lignin loss was driven by the relative content of C–O stretching in polysaccharides and lignin aromatic C. The results suggest that the availability of readily degradable polysaccharides produced by the reduction in lignin aromatic C most plausibly explains the rate of litter photodegradation. Photo-products of photodegradation might augment the C pool destabilized by the input of readily degradable organic compounds (i.e., polysaccharides).
Psychometric evaluation of the Chinese version of self- and social recognition scales: exploring well-being and career development of young adults amidst economic constraints and marginalization
Authors: Su Xuebing , Wong Victor , Rossier Jérôme , Atitsogbe Kokou A.
Published: January 2025

Informed by Axel Honneth’s recognition theory, the Self- and Social Recognition Scales were initially developed in Western contexts to measure the acknowledgment individuals receive from themselves and others within a specific society. However, there is no Chinese version of these scales. This study aims to assess the psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Self- and Social Recognition Scales and examine the links of self- and social recognition with the well-being and career development of Chinese young adults, considering the influence of economic constraints and marginalization. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Hong Kong from October to November 2022, involving 1,016 university students aged 18–29. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses supported a three-factor-11-item structure for the Self- and Social Recognition Scales. The findings distinguished self- and social recognition from self-judgment. The scales exhibited satisfactory internal consistency. Overall, the Chinese version of these scales displayed adequate psychometric properties, supporting their future use in Chinese contexts. Moreover, the findings of this study demonstrated the mediating roles played by self- and social recognition in a structural equation model explaining how economic constraints and marginalization influence young adults’ well-being and career development. The findings of this study suggested the potential for utilizing self- and social recognition in career support services to mitigate the adverse effects of contextual constraints on the well-being and career development of young adults. (224 words)
An Efficient, Organic Solvent-Free Method for Extraction and Concentration of Hepatitis E Virus from Pig Liver
Authors: Santamaría-Palacios Jorge , García Nerea , Rodríguez-Lázaro David
Published: January 2025

The presence of the hepatitis E virus (HEV) in pork products, particularly in pig liver has been frequently described. However, a standardized method is not still available for the detection of HEV in foods, particularly in those difficult food matrixes such as pig meat and pork products. The aim of this study was to design, optimize and evaluate a new method of food-separation and virus concentration for HEV in pig liver samples. This method is based on organic flocculation and avoids the use of organic solvents. The virus recovery rates and analytical sensitivity of the method using murine norovirus MNV-1 as a surrogate were 73.6–82.2% and at least 1 × 103 TCID50 per g of liver in 100% of the replicates, respectively. Furthermore, this new methodology was validated by testing the presence of HEV RNA in naturally infected pig liver samples, comparing it with two other commonly used concentration methods. The new extraction method run satisfactory in comparison with the two reference methods; statistically equivalent (p < 0.05) to one of the methods used while presented statistically significant better results (p < 0.05) compared to the second method. Consequently, our results indicate that the new extraction method can be an adequate cost-effective and ecologically friendly alternative for the food separation and concentration of HEV RNA in pig liver samples.
Adversity, Trauma Symptoms and the Effectiveness of an Australian Individualised Developmental Trauma Intervention Program
Authors: Smith Pamela , Sharmin Sonia , Ambry Dallas , Cox Allison , Hambrick Erin , Frederico Margarita , Mosse Holly
Published: January 2025

This study evaluated the effectiveness of a therapeutic intervention program Take Two; designed to address developmental trauma experienced by Child Protection clients in Victoria, Australia. Replicating a 2010 evaluation study of the program, we utilised a Time 1—Time 2 design to identify the impact of tailored Take Two treatments informed by the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics’ (NMT™). Change in the overall sample was measured by the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC; ages 8–16 years) and Trauma Symptom Checklist for Young Children (TSCYC; ages 3—12 years). In addition, a sub-cohort of children with severe adverse infant experiences was identified using a developmental history of adversity tool; Part A of the Neurosequential Network’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics (NMT™) Metric. Treatment effects were also evaluated to determine the extent to which this potentially more vulnerable subgroup was improving. Significant improvement was found in the TSCC cohort (8–16 years) with effect sizes ranging from small to medium (d = 0.23–0.54) on TSCC sub-scales. The largest effects were found on Anxiety (0.54), which moved from sub-clinical to non-clinical. The TSCYC cohort (3–12 years) showed significant symptom reduction on all trauma scales with medium sized effects (d = 0.44–0.53), and the largest effect on Posttraumatic Stress-Total (0.53). In the sub-cohort experiencing moderate-to-severe adversity in infancy, effect sizes were small to medium (d = 0.15–0.59). Take Two interventions were associated with significantly reduced trauma symptoms even when children’s adverse experiences in infancy were moderate to severe, highlighting the benefits of NMT™ guided systemic and individually tailored therapeutic interventions.