bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Borderline Gradient Continuity for the Normalized p-Parabolic Operator
Authors: Akman Murat , Banerjee Agnid , Munive Isidro H.
Published: June 2023

In this paper, we prove gradient continuity estimates for viscosity solutions to $$\Delta _{p}^N u - u_t= f$$

Δ

p

N

u
-

u
t

=
f

in terms of the scaling critical $$L(n+2,1 )$$

L
(
n
+
2
,
1
)

norm of f, where $$\Delta _{p}^N$$

Δ

p

N

is the game theoretic normalized $$p-$$

p
-

Laplacian operator defined in (1.2) below. Our main result, Theorem 2.5 constitutes borderline gradient continuity estimate for u in terms of the modified parabolic Riesz potential $$\textbf{P}^{f}_{n+1}$$

P

n
+
1

f

as defined in (2.9) below. Moreover, for $$f \in L^{m}$$

f
∈

L
m

with $$m>n+2$$

m
>
n
+
2

, we also obtain Hölder continuity of the spatial gradient of the solution u, see Theorem 2.6 below. This improves the gradient Hölder continuity result in Attouchi and Parviainen (Commun Contemp Math 20(4):1750035, 2018) which considers bounded f. Our main results Theorem 2.5 and Theorem 2.6 are parabolic analogues of those in Banerjee and Munive (Commun Contemp Math 22(8):1950069, 2020). Moreover differently from that in Attouchi and Parviainen (Commun Contemp Math 20(4):1750035, 2018), our approach is independent of the Ishii–Lions method which is crucially used in Attouchi and Parviainen (Commun Contemp Math 20(4):1750035, 2018) to obtain Lipschitz estimates for homogeneous perturbed equations as an intermediate step.
A Scoping Review Using the Almere Model to Understand Factors Facilitating and Hindering the Acceptance of Social Robots in Nursing Homes
Authors: Felding Simone Anna , Koh Wei Qi , Teupen Sonja , Budak Kübra Beliz , Laporte Uribe Franziska , Roes Martina
Published: June 2023

Social robots are increasingly used in the care of older adults, including people living with dementia. An important prerequisite for effective use is knowledge about which factors facilitate and hinder the acceptance of social robots. The aim of this review at the intersection of health care research and human–robot interaction research is to understand factors facilitating and hindering the acceptance of social robots for older adults and people living with dementia in nursing homes based on the Almere model and to identify research gaps. We conducted a scoping review, systematically searching MEDLINE, PsycINFO, CINAHL and Compendex. The Almere model of acceptance was used to guide the development and conduct of this review. We used the principles of deductive content analysis, and we narratively present the review results. Twenty-six studies were included in the review. We found facilitating and/or hindering factors for all constructs of the Almere model. Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use and perceived enjoyment were the most studied constructs, whereas trust and intention to use were the least studied constructs. Across constructs, seeing robots positively impacting residents was one of the key facilitating factors, and practical difficulties were a hindering factor. The Almere model provided useful insight into the acceptance of social robots. Nevertheless, we found the concept of engagement, the nursing home context, the intervention characteristics and the individual user groups important for the acceptance of social robots in nursing homes and therefore argue for future research expanding on the model.
First contributions of Donato García as Mineralogy Professor at the Royal Cabinet of Natural History of Madrid (Spain) in the Nineteenth Century
Authors: Alcalde-Fuentes María Rosario , Giménez Rosario García , Jiménez-Martínez Ramón , Pérez-Valera Juan Alberto
Published: June 2023

Donato García
was the mineralogy professor at the Royal Cabinet of Natural History and Central University of Madrid from 1816 to 1853. In addition to teaching mineralogy, he gathered geological and mineralogical material for didactic purposes, and for exhibitions in the hall of the Cabinet. He was a key figure in developing the subject matter of mineralogy in Spain during the first half of the nineteenth century. Donato Garcia likewise promoted the careers of very important future teachers at the Military Academy of Engineers, Natural Sciences Museums, and Universities, integrating oral lectures, mineral testing, visual recognition, and the use of crystallographic models. This paper investigates how the crystallographic system proposed by Haüy (in the mid-thirties) was assimilated through unpublished documents of Donato García’s mineralogical lessons from 1824 to 1825, obtained from Spain’s Archivo General de Palacio (Madrid). Hence, this manuscript can be considered the first scientific work reliably attributable to Donato and based on the notes of his pupil José Musso y Valiente, which stands as an early attempt to create a handbook of mineralogy in Spanish. The novel approach to teaching mineralogy is furthermore compared with lessons published by disciple Antonio María Cisneros y Lanuza in 1843.
Preparation and Characterization of Dental Pit and Fissure Sealant Based on Calcium Sodium Silicate Bioactive Glasses
Authors: Safwat Engie M. , Alkabani Yasmine M. , Zaki Dalia Y. , Elbatanony Mai M. , Abd-Elsatar A. G. , Saleh Reham S. , Khater G. A.
Published: June 2023

This study aimed to prepare a resin based dental sealant loaded with novel bioactive glass formulated from (50 wt% calcium silicate and 50 wt% sodium silicate) with different percentages of fluorapatite. Four glass batches were formulated then characterized using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy analysis, X-ray powder diffraction analysis and Transmission electron microscopy. Density, microhardness and bioactivity testing after insertion in artificial saliva were done. Four bisphenol A-glycidyl methacrylate (Bis-GMA) based sealants loaded with the glass batch that showed the preeminent properties and silica fillers were prepared. The prepared sealants were compared to commercial sealants regarding flow, curing depth, compressive strength and microhardness. Sealant composition that showed comparable properties to that of the commercial sealant was selected for pH changes and ion release testing after immersion in artificial saliva for different time intervals. Results indicated amorphous nature, bioactive behavior and apatite forming ability of the tested glass batches. Experimental sealant revealed comparable tested properties with lower compressive strength compared to the commercial sealants at P < 0.001. The mean pH values of the tested sealants ranged from 6.75 to 6.35 with extended calcium and phosphorus ion release up to 90 days. It was concluded that the 85 wt% calcium silicate and sodium silicate with 15 wt% fluorapatite had the best trend regarding ion release and apatite forming ability. Sealant loaded with 65 wt% bioactive glass, 10 wt% sintered nanosilica and 10 wt% nanosilica had the best acceptable mechanical properties. The novel pit and fissure sealant is a promising bioactive and ion releasing material.
One-year outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement for bicuspid aortic valve stenosis: a report from the Japanese Nationwide registry (J-TVT registry)
Authors: Mukai Takashi , Kumamaru Hiraku , Kohsaka Shun , Mizote Isamu , Nakamura Daisuke , Matsuhiro Yutaka , Maeda Koichi , Shimamura Kazuo , Sakata Yasushi
Published: June 2023

The outcome of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for patients with bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) remains unclear, particularly among Asian patients that are known to have different valvular morphology and lower body habitus. This study investigated patient characteristics, procedural and 1-year outcome of TAVR for BAV within national TAVR registry in Japan. The patient‐level data were extracted from the J-TVT (Japanese Transcatheter Valvular Therapy) registry between August 2013 and December 2018; overall, there were 423 patients (2.5%) with BAV and 16,802 patients with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). At baseline, patients with BAV were younger and had less arteriosclerotic comorbidities. There was no statistically significant difference between BAV and TAV groups in conversion to surgery (0.5% vs. 1.1%, p = 0.34) and 30-day mortality (0.5% vs. 1.3%, p = 0.18). Cumulative all-cause survival and survival from major adverse events were analyzed. Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to estimate the hazard ratio. All-cause mortality and major adverse event rate at 1 year were comparable between the two groups. Relative hazard for all-cause mortality for BAV compared to TAV was 1.01 (0.70–1.45; p = 0.96), and for major adverse event was 0.94 (0.69–1.27; p = 0.67). From the Japanese nationwide TAVR registry, procedural and 1-year outcome of TAVR in BAV was as favorable as TAVR in TAV.
Structural characterizations and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities of four Lepidium meyenii polysaccharides with different molecular weights
Authors: Wen Luan , Wu Zhou-Wei , Lin Li-Wu , Al-Romaima Abdulbaset , Peng Xing-Rong , Qiu Ming-Hua
Published: June 2023

Four polysaccharides (MCPa, MCPb, MCPc, MCPd) were obtained from Lepidium meyenii Walp. Their structures were characterized by chemical and instrumental methods including total sugar, uronic acid and protein content determination, UV, IR and NMR spectroscopy, as well as monosaccharide composition determination and methylation analyses. Four polysaccharides were a group of glucans with different molecular weights ranging from 3.12 to 14.4 kDa, and shared a similar backbone chain consisting of (1→4)-glucose linkages with branches attached to C-3 and C-6. Furthermore, bioactivity assay showed that MCPs had concentration-dependent inhibitory activity on α-glucosidase. MCPb (Mw = 10.1 kDa) and MCPc (Mw = 5.62 kDa) with moderate molecular weights exhibited higher inhibitory activity compared with MCPa and MCPd.

Graphical Abstract
Numerical simulation of near wellbore fracture propagation in interbedded continental shales with competing perforations
Authors: Qin Yong , Shi Xian , Shan Qinglin , Li Mukun , Han Songcai , Gao Qi
Published: June 2023

To reduce near wellbore fracture complexity in continental laminated shales, in-plane perforations completion technology is introduced. The global embedded cohesive elements are capable to simulating arbitrary fracture propagation growth while the laminae effects on fracture propagation path can be considered in established finite element model. Numerical simulations reflect that the existence of weak micro fractures only locally alter the fracture propagation path but laminae can change the fracture propagation path greatly. Furthermore, the in-situ stress anisotropy, pump rate, perforation intersection angle and perforation angle with laminae are critical factors for affecting the fracture propagation path and breakdown pressure. There is a great impact of laminae on the fracture branching at the contact interface and hydraulic fracture tends to cross laminae at high approaching angle but propagate horizontally along laminae at low approaching angle. In most cases, hydraulic fracture tends to propagate along the laminae rather than across the laminae. The adjustment of pump rate, fluid viscosity, perforation intersection angle and perforation angle with laminae can enhance the possibilities of hydraulic fracture across laminae. It was also found that hydraulic fractures induced from different perforations can interact and overlap with each other, resulting in different fracture geometry and pressure behavior for individual fracture. The fracture width of interior fracture is almost close at the near wellbore zone at the end of pumping, and exterior fractures generally deviated away from the perforation tunnel direction because of stress interference of neighboring fractures. Additionally, although a fracture initiated initially from a perforation tunnel to short distance, hydraulic fractures still finally would reorient itself to maximum principle in-situ stress direction, thus increase more chances of creating one large and main fracture along the maximum principle in-situ stress orientation with larger horizontal stress contrast. Therefore, the existence of laminae can enhance the potential of fracture complexity near wellbore but the selection of suitable perforation scenarios in one defining plane can increase the possibility of form a main fracture. The simulation results from this study offer some important insights to hydraulic fracturing design with multiple perforations on interbedded continental shales stimulation.
Ion Beam Figuring System for Synchrotron X-Ray Mirrors Achieving Sub-0.2-µrad and Sub-0.5-nm Root Mean Square
Authors: Wang Tianyi , Huang Lei , Zhu Yi , Giorgio Stefano , Boccabella Philip , Bouet Nathalie , Idir Mourad
Published: June 2023

Optics with high-precision height and slope are increasingly desired in numerous industrial fields. For instance, Kirkpatrick–Baez (KB) mirrors play an important role in synchrotron X-ray applications. A KB system is composed of two aspherical, grazing-incidence mirrors used to focus an X-ray beam. The fabrication of KB mirrors is challenging due to the aspherical departure of the mirror surfaces from base geometries and the high-quality requirements for slope and height residuals. In this paper, we present the process of manufacturing an elliptical cylinder KB mirror using our in-house-developed ion beam figuring (IBF) and metrology technologies. First, the key aspects of figuring and finishing processes with IBF are illustrated in detail. The effect of positioning error on the convergence of the residual slope error is highlighted and compensated. Finally, inspection and cross-validation using different metrology instruments are performed and used as the final validation of the mirror. Results confirm that relative to the requested off-axis ellipse, the mirror has achieved 0.15-µrad root mean square (RMS) and 0.36-nm RMS residual slope and height errors, respectively, while maintaining the initial 0.3-nm RMS microroughness.
Die Rolle des Kooperativen Lernens bei der Förderung sozialer Integration: Eine Interventionsstudie
Authors: Hank Corinna , Weber Simone , Huber Christian
Published: June 2023

Die evaluierte Förderung sozialer Integration wird in Praxis und Wissenschaft gleichermaßen gefordert. Die Gestaltung hochwertiger Sozialkontakte im Sinne der Kontakthypothese zwischen Schülerinnen und Schülern stellt einen möglichen Ansatz dar, um die soziale Situation an Schulen zu verbessern. Um ebendiese hochwertigen Kontakte im Unterricht umzusetzen, wurde eine integrationsförderliche Variante des Kooperativen Lernens (IKL) entwickelt und in der vorliegenden längsschnittlichen Interventionsstudie (n = 685 Grundschulkinder aus n = 33 Klassen) im Wartekontrollgruppendesign evaluiert. Mittels mehrerer Mehrebenenmodelle konnte gezeigt werden, dass die soziale Integration für Schülerinnen und Schüler sowohl auf soziometrischer als auch auf psychometrischer Ebene verbessert werden konnte. Darüber hinaus scheinen die Effekte von IKL durch die individuelle Ausgangssituation der sozialen Integration beeinflusst zu werden. Eine Berücksichtigung verschiedener Facetten sozialer Integration und der interindividuellen Unterschiede zu Beginn der Intervention wird vor dem Hintergrund der praktischen Relevanz diskutiert.
Bidirectional Associations Between Bullying Victimization and Likeability Among Indian Adolescents
Authors: Maneiro Lorena , van Geel Mitch , Thakkar Niharika , Vedder Paul
Published: June 2023

Research suggests that well-liked adolescents are less likely to be victimized by peers whereas disliked adolescents are at an increased risk for bullying victimization. Yet, bidirectional relations between likeability and bullying victimization remain understudied, particularly in non-Western countries. The main objective of this study was to analyze the bidirectional associations between bullying victimization and likeability in a sample of Indian adolescents, using a multi-informant gender-based approach. The sample was composed of 1238 students, aged 11–16 (66.6% males), from nine schools in India. Two follow-ups were carried out, spaced three-months apart, resulting in a sample of 1006 students (72% males) in the third wave of study. Two cross-lagged panel models (CLPM) were computed separately for self- and peer-reported bullying victimization, and multiple group analyses were used to examine gender differences. The results showed a complex longitudinal interplay between victimization and likeability, which differed between boys and girls. In boys, likeability and victimization were bidirectionally related over time, with slight differences between self- and peer-reports. Among girls, only two significant relations emerged, suggesting that peer victimization could lead to rejection, and having more friends could put girls at risk for future victimization. These findings indicate that bullying victimization is a complex phenomenon in which peer acceptance and rejection play a different role for boys and girls in the Indian context.
Fabrication of PVA/graphene nanofibrous membrane infused with neem extraction for packaging and biomedical applications
Authors: Haque Syed Rashedul , Chowdhury Mohammad Asaduzzaman , Rana Md. Masud , Hossain Nayem
Published: June 2023

Graphene nanofibrous membranes have been synthesized in the present study by combining neem with graphene and using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The nanofibrous membranes have been synthesized using an electrospinning under optimum processing conditions for food packaging and biomedical applications. The FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of different organic compounds in the materials. XRD analysis confirmed the crystallinity of the fabricated materials. The minimum average diameter of the fibers was 276.9 nm, approved by the SEM images. The fabricated materials contained Al as the maximum atomic percentage confirmed by the EDX analysis. All the samples had the same top absorption rate. The addition of neem increased the thermal stability of the materials, approved by the thermal analysis. The maximum bacterial reduction rate was observed against the gram-negative bacteria strain Escherichia coli in sample R3. The results demonstrated that the synthesized nanofibrous membranes can be used for biomedical applications.
Lipidomic insights into the response of Arabidopsis sepals to mild heat stress
Authors: Chen Zican , Jasinska Weronika , Ashraf Muhammad , Rosental Leah , Hong Jung , Zhang Dabing , Brotman Yariv , Shi Jianxin
Published: June 2023

Arabidopsis sepals coordinate flower opening in the morning as ambient temperature rises; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. Mutation of one heat shock protein encoding gene, HSP70-16, impaired sepal heat stress responses (HSR), disrupting lipid metabolism, especially sepal cuticular lipids, leading to abnormal flower opening. To further explore, to what extent, lipids play roles in this process, in this study, we compared lipidomic changes in sepals of hsp70-16 and vdac3 (mutant of a voltage-dependent anion channel, VDAC3, an HSP70-16 interactor) grown under both normal (22 °C) and mild heat stress (27 °C, mild HS) temperatures. Under normal temperature, neither hsp70-16 nor vdac3 sepals showed significant changes in total lipids; however, vdac3 but not hsp70-16 sepals exhibited significant reductions in the ratios of all detected 11 lipid classes, except the monogalactosyldiacylglycerols (MGDGs). Under mild HS temperature, hsp70-16 but not vdac3 sepals showed dramatic reduction in total lipids. In addition, vdac3 sepals exhibited a significant accumulation of plastidic lipids, especially sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerols (SQDGs) and phosphatidylglycerols (PGs), whereas hsp70-16 sepals had a significant accumulation of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and simultaneous dramatic reductions in SQDGs and phospholipids (PLs), such as phosphatidylcholines (PCs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs), and phosphatidylserines (PSs). These findings revealed that the impact of mild HS on sepal lipidome is influenced by genetic factors, and further, that HSP70-16 and VDAC3 differently affect sepal lipidomic responses to mild HS. Our studies provide a lipidomic insight into functions of HSP and VDAC proteins in the plant’s HSR, in the context of floral development.
Activation of SGK1/ENaC Signaling Pathway Improves the Level of Decidualization in Unexplained Recurrent Spontaneous Abortion
Authors: Di Xiaoqian , Hao Yanzhi , Duan Zibo , Ma Yucong , Cao Ying , Tan Zhanwang , Song Cuimiao , Lin Xiaohua
Published: June 2023

Recurrent spontaneous abortion (RSA) is one of the most common complications during pregnancy and seriously affects women's physical and mental health. About 50% of RSA cases are of unknown etiology. Our previous study found that the decidual tissue of patients with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) had low expression levels of serum and glucocorticoid-induced protein kinase (SGK) 1. Endometrial decidualization is a key link in the early stage of pregnancy and is crucial to the development and maintenance of pregnancy. Decidualization is the proliferation and differentiation of endometrial stromal cells into deciduals, which involves a complex physiological process such as ovarian steroid hormones (estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, etc.), growth factors, and intercellular signaling. The binding of estrogen and its receptor stimulates the synthesis of endometrial deciduating markers prolactin (PRL) and insulin-like growth factor binding protein 1 (IGFBP-1), which mediates the occurrence of decidualization. Among them, SGK1/ENaC is a signaling pathway closely related to decidualization. The purpose of this study was to further investigate the expression of SGK1 and decidualization-related molecules in the decidual tissue of URSA patients and to explore the potential mechanism of SGK1’s protective effect in URSA patients and in mouse models. Decidual tissue samples from 30 URSA patients and 30 women who actively terminated pregnancy were collected, and a URSA mouse model was established and treated with dydrogesterone. Expression levels of SGK1 and its signaling pathway-related proteins (p-Nedd4-2, 14–3-3 protein and ENaC-a), estrogen and progesterone receptors (ERβ, PR), and decidualization markers (PRLR, IGFBP-1) were assessed. Our study found that SGK1, p-Nedd4-2, 14–3-3 proteins, and ENaC-a expression levels were reduced in the decidual tissue, the SGK1/ENaC signaling pathway was inhibited, and the expression levels of the decidualization markers PRLR and IGFBP-1 were downregulated in the URSA group compared with the controls. Additionally, the concentrations of E2, P, and PRL in the serum of mice were decreased in the URSA group compared with the controls. However, SGK1/ENaC pathway-related proteins, estrogen and progesterone and their receptors, and decidualization-related molecules were upregulated by dydrogesterone. These data suggest that estrogen and progesterone can induce decidualization by activating the SGK1/ENaC signaling pathway; disruption of this pathway can lead to the development of URSA. Dydrogesterone can increase the expression level of SGK1 protein in decidual tissue.
Intraoperative Three-Dimensional Transvaginal Ultrasound for Hysteroscopic Metroplasty: a Controlled Study
Authors: Muzii Ludovico , Galati Giulia , Mattei Giulia , Romito Alessia , Di Donato Violante , Palaia Innocenza , Bogani Giorgio , Angioli Roberto
Published: June 2023

This study aims to evaluate the role of intraoperative transvaginal three-dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) during hysteroscopic metroplasty. This is a prospective cohort of consecutive patients with septate uterus undergoing hysteroscopic metroplasty with intraoperative transvaginal 3DUS guidance compared to a historical control group of patients undergoing hysteroscopic metroplasty without 3DUS. We conducted our research in a tertiary care university hospital in Rome, Italy. This study involved nineteen patients undergoing 3DUS-guided hysteroscopic metroplasty for recurrent abortion or infertility compared to 19 age-matched controls undergoing metroplasty without 3DUS guidance. During hysteroscopic metroplasty, 3DUS was performed in the study group when the operator considered the procedure to be completed, according to standards of operative hysteroscopy. If 3DUS diagnosed a residual septum, the procedure was continued until a 3DUS diagnosis of a normal fundus was obtained. The patients were followed with a 3DUS performed 3 months after the procedure. The numbers of complete resections (residual septum absent), suboptimal resections (measurable residual septum of less than 10 mm), and incomplete resections (residual septum > 10 mm) in the intraoperative 3DUS group were compared to the numbers in the control group with no intraoperative 3DUS. At follow-up, measurable residual septa were obtained in 0% of the patients in the 3DUS-guided group versus 26% in the control group (p = 0.04). Residual septa of > 10 mm were obtained in 0% of the 3DUS group versus 10.5% in the control group (p = 0.48). Intraoperative 3DUS reduces the incidence of suboptimal septal resections at hysteroscopic metroplasty.
Occurrence of enteroviruses, noroviruses, rotaviruses, and adenoviruses in a wastewater treatment plant
Authors: Soltane Raya , Allayeh Abdou Kamal
Published: June 2023

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the quality of wastewater by molecular identification of enteroviruses, rotaviruses, and adenoviruses in wastewater samples collected from the ElSerw wastewater treatment facility in Damietta Governorate, Egypt. An additional objective is to assess the usefulness of these viruses as markers of viral reduction during wastewater treatment. A treatment facility's inflow and discharge were sampled 48 times. The incidence of enteric viruses was found in 29 wastewater samples (60.4%). 6.25% (3/48), 0% (0/48), 37.5% (18/48), and 20.8% (10/48) of the samples tested positive for enteroviruses (EVs), noroviruses, rotaviruses, and adenoviruses, respectively. Co-infections with two or more viruses were found in 10.4% (5/48) and 2% (1/48) of all cases, respectively. The viral burden in the wastewater treatment plant's discharge effluents dropped non-significantly when compared to intake samples. According to our findings, rotaviruses and adenoviruses have been found in 10 outlet effluent samples. The removal rates for enteroviruses, rotaviruses and adenoviruses were 39%, 61.5% and 33.3%, respectively. As a result of their high frequency and lower removal rates, both rotaviruses and adenoviruses were deemed an appropriate indicator of human enteric viral reduction during the wastewater treatment process.
Quantum Mechanics for Tomorrow's Engineers
Authors: Kono Junichiro
Published: June 2023

Discover the foundations of quantum mechanics, and explore how these principles are powering a new generation of advances in quantum engineering, in this ground-breaking undergraduate textbook. It explains physical and mathematical principles using cutting-edge electronic, optoelectronic and photonic devices, linking underlying theory with real-world applications; focuses on current technologies and avoids historic approaches, getting students quickly up-to-speed to tackle contemporary engineering challenges; provides an introduction to the foundations of quantum information, and a wealth of real-world quantum examples, including quantum well infrared photodetectors, solar cells, quantum teleportation, quantum computing, band gap engineering, quantum cascade lasers, low-dimensional materials, and van der Waals heterostructures; and includes pedagogical features such as objectives and end-of-chapter homework problems to consolidate student understanding, and solutions for instructors. Designed to inspire the development of future quantum devices and systems, this is the perfect introduction to quantum mechanics for undergraduate electrical engineers and materials scientists.
Small elementary components of Hilbert schemes of points
Authors: Satriano Matthew , Staal Andrew P.
Published: June 2023

We answer an open problem posed by Iarrobino,Hilbert scheme of points: Overview of last ten years. Proceedings of Symposia in Pure Mathematics, 46 (American Mathematical Society, Providence, RI, 1987), 297–320: Is there a component of the punctual Hilbert scheme [Grothendieck, Techniques de construction et théorèmes d'existence en géométrie algébrique. IV. Les schémas de Hilbert',in Séminaire Bourbaki, 6 (Societe Mathematique de France, Paris, 1995), 221, 249–276]$\operatorname {\mathrm {Hilb}}^d({\mathscr {O}}_{\mathbb {A}^n,p})$with dimension less than$(n-1)(d-1)$? For each$n\geq 4$, we construct an infinite class of elementary components in$\operatorname {\mathrm {Hilb}}^d(\mathbb {A}^n)$producing such examples. Our techniques also allow us to construct an explicit example of a local Artinian ring [Iarrobino and Kanev,Power sums, Gorenstein algebras, and determinantal loci(Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 1999), 221–226] of the formwith trivial negative tangents, vanishing nonnegative obstruction space, and socle-dimension$2$.
‘Come and Give my Child Wit’. Animal Remains, Artefacts, and Humans in Mesolithic and Neolithic Hunter-gatherer Graves of Northern Europe
Authors: PASARIĆ MAJA
Published: June 2023

Unmodified and modified animal remains and animal representations significantly contribute to the content of Mesolithic and, in some cases, Early Neolithic hunter-gatherer burial assemblages in Northern Europe. Though these finds have received noteworthy attention, predominant archaeological narratives focus on their economic, aesthetic, or symbolic values in relation to humans. This contribution explores ways of looking at these assemblages beyond seeing them primarily as signifiers of human identities and human symbolic and/or economic choices. Drawing on insights from Russian ethnographic literature about near-recent East Siberian hunting and gathering communities, this paper explores paths for understanding unmodified and modified animal remains and animal representations from Mesolithic and Neolithic hunter-gatherer graves as animate objects and investigates ways of recognising their personhood. The paper outlines what could be considered as the material consequences of communicative actions and performative acts in relation to artefacts and animal remains that might have been perceived as having the qualities of a person, such as their placement and arrangement within the burial and treatment prior to deposition.
Cetacean diversity of the eastern South Atlantic Ocean and Vema Seamount detected during a visual and passive acoustic survey, 2019
Authors: Elwen Simon , Fearey Jack , Ross-Marsh Erin , Thompson Kirsten , Maack Thilo , Webber Thomas , Gridley Tess
Published: June 2023

Cetaceans in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean are poorly studied. We present results from a 2 week ship-based survey from Cape Town to Vema Seamount (980 km to the west) during October–November 2019, including visual and towed-hydrophone observations from the vessel, and 10 days of acoustic monitoring on the seamount. Fifty-two hours of visual surveys resulted in 39 encounters of whale groups including seven of humpback, six of fin and one sei whale, as well as four unidentified baleen whales, 18 unidentified balaenopterid whales and four unidentified odontocetes. Two humpback whales at the seamount were engaged in possible feeding behaviour. A large aggregation of mostly fin whales was observed near the continental shelf edge (22 encounters over a 70 × 50 km2 area, six fin, one sei whale, 15 not confirmed to species), an historic whaling ground for both fin and sei whales. Towed-hydrophone data (78.7 h) detected five groups of sperm whales, 45 of delphinids, one beaked whale and no Kogiids. Acoustic data from the seamount detected calls from several baleen whale species including humpback whale non-song calls, Antarctic minke ‘bioduck’ calls, sei whale down-sweep calls and a likely Bryde's whale call. Two call types could not be assigned to species, including the most detected – a simple frequency-modulated call with peak power around 130 Hz. This study contributes to an improved understanding of cetacean occurrence in the eastern South Atlantic Ocean and highlights the need for more research to improve identification of cetacean vocalizations in the region.
Non-personal immortality
Authors: Gäb Sebastian
Published: June 2023

This article explores the concept of non-personal immortality. Non-personal theories of immortality claim that even though there is no personal or individual survival of death, it is still possible to continue to exist in a non-personal state. The most important challenge for non-personal conceptions of immortality is solving the apparent contradiction between on the one hand accepting that individual existence ends with death and on the other hand maintaining that death nevertheless is not equal to total annihilation. I present two theories of non-personal immortality found in Schopenhauer and William James and derive a set of systematic core theses from them. Finally, I discuss whether the notion of non-personal immortality is consistent, and whether a non-personal afterlife could be desirable.
Cost-effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation for the treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea: an exploratory analysis
Authors: Liu Shan , Cao Khoa N. , Garner Abigail M. , Punjabi Naresh M. , Pietzsch Jan B.
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To assess the potential cost-effectiveness of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) for treatment of mild obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods

A decision-analytic Markov model was developed to estimate health state progression, incremental cost, and quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gain of NMES compared to no treatment, continuous airway pressure (CPAP), or oral appliance (OA) treatment. The base case assumed no cardiovascular (CV) benefit for any of the interventions, while potential CV benefit was considered in scenario analyses. Therapy effectiveness was based on a recent multi-center trial for NMES, and on the TOMADO and MERGE studies for OA and CPAP. Costs, considered from a United States payer perspective, were projected over lifetime for a 48-year-old cohort, 68% of whom were male. An incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) threshold of USD150,000 per QALY gained was applied.

Results

From a baseline AHI of 10.2 events/hour, NMES, OA and CPAP reduced the AHI to 6.9, 7.0 and 1.4 events/hour respectively. Long-term therapy adherence was estimated at 65-75% for NMES and 55% for both OA and CPAP. Compared to no treatment, NMES added between 0.268 and 0.536 QALYs and between USD7,481 and USD17,445 in cost, resulting in ICERs between USD15,436 and USD57,844 per QALY gained. Depending on long-term adherence assumptions, either NMES or CPAP were found to be the preferred treatment option, with NMES becoming more attractive with younger age and assuming CPAP was not used for the full night in all patients.

Conclusions

NMES might be a cost-effective treatment option for patients with mild OSA.
Focusing on potential named entities during active label acquisition
Authors: Şapcı Ali Osman Berk , Kemik Hasan , Yeniterzi Reyyan , Tastan Oznur
Published: June 2023

Named entity recognition (NER) aims to identify mentions of named entities in an unstructured text and classify them into predefined named entity classes. While deep learning-based pre-trained language models help to achieve good predictive performances in NER, many domain-specific NER applications still call for a substantial amount of labeled data. Active learning (AL), a general framework for the label acquisition problem, has been used for NER tasks to minimize the annotation cost without sacrificing model performance. However, the heavily imbalanced class distribution of tokens introduces challenges in designing effective AL querying methods for NER. We propose several AL sentence query evaluation functions that pay more attention to potential positive tokens and evaluate these proposed functions with both sentence-based and token-based cost evaluation strategies. We also propose a better data-driven normalization approach to penalize sentences that are too long or too short. Our experiments on three datasets from different domains reveal that the proposed approach reduces the number of annotated tokens while achieving better or comparable prediction performance with conventional methods.
A qualitative exploration of black psychotherapists’ personal experience of racism and the challenges that exist for black therapists who work with clients in therapy who have also experienced racism. A pilot study using interpretive phenomenological analysis
Authors: Brooks-Ucheaga Michelle
Published: June 2023

The impact of racism to the individual is arguably immeasurable; however, the impact on psychotherapists who themselves have personally had either one or multiple experiences of racism and work with clients in therapy who have also experienced racism is an area with very little research. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with black cognitive behavioural therapists who have personally experienced racism and have also worked with clients who have experienced racism; data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis. As this was a pilot study, only two participants were recruited to the study. Superordinate and subordinate themes were identified from the data and explored. The study highlighted that the impact of racism, racist experiences and microaggressions can lead to mental health problems, and there is need for further support for therapists, especially within the contexts of clinical supervision and from their organisation leadership. In addition, the need for further research was also identified, as well as improved training in working with disclosures of racism, and racial trauma within a therapeutic context was considered as important to the therapists of this pilot study.

Key learning aims

(1)

To explore and understand the personal experiences of black therapists who have personally experienced racism.

(2)

To identify some of the challenges that exist for black therapists who work with clients who have experienced racism and to explore possible solutions to overcome such challenges.
Metal-rimmed eight-element tri-band multiple-input multiple-output system with high efficiency for modern 5G smartphones
Authors: Thakur Vishakha , Jaglan Naveen
Published: June 2023

For future fifth-generation (5G) smartphones, a high-efficiency multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) antenna system capable of operating in Long Term Evolution (LTE) 42/43/46 is suggested. A pair of small microstrip-fed slot antenna and inverted F antenna is part of the single antenna design structure. They are positioned on the longer side of the FR-4 printed circuit board. In an effort to lessen the mutual coupling, two antenna elements have a U-shaped rectangular slot inserted between them. The detailed study of the suggested MIMO system includes measurement of the reflection parameter, analyzing the radiation performance, performing envelope correlation coefficient (ECC) and channel capacity calculations, and analyses of the effects of user’s hand in the vicinity of the antenna array. Simulation and measurement results demonstrate the required performance of the proposed design, that is, greater than 80% of total efficiency, isolation >12 dB, and ECC <0.15. The suggested antenna has the benefits of multiband operation, high efficiency, good isolation, and a small footprint.
Comments on “New Insights From the 2003 Halloween Storm Into the Colaba 1600 nT Magnetic Depression During the 1859 Carrington Storm” by S. Ohtani (2022)
Authors: Tsurutani Bruce T. , Lakhina Gurbax S. , Hajra Rajkumar
Published: June 2023

The Colaba, India ∼−1,600 nT magnetic spike caused by an interplanetary sheath magnetic field inducing a “dayside R1‐field aligned current wedge” during the Carrington magnetic storm proposed by Ohtani (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JA030596 seems highly improbable. Normal interplanetary magnetic field intensities of ∼5 nT have previously been shown to be sufficient to explain the ∼+120 nT sudden impulse (SI+) observed at Colaba during the storm (Tsurutani et al., 2018, https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA024779). Magnetohydrodynamic theory (Kennel et al., 1985, https://doi.org/10.1029/GM034p0001) predicts a maximum of 4× magnetic field compression by a fast shock, giving an interplanetary sheath field of ∼20 nT, a value too low to support the Ohtani (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JA030596 hypothesis. The Ohtani (2022), https://doi.org/10.1029/2022JA030596 (and G. Siscoe et al., 2006, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.asr.2005.02.102) claim of a further 10× amplification of the interplanetary sheath fields has not been verified in near‐Earth interplanetary sheaths. The original (Tsurutani et al., 2003, https://doi.org/10.1029/2002JA009504) hypothesis that an interplanetary coronal mass ejection magnetic cloud (MC) having southward magnetic fields of ∼90 nT caused the Carrington magnetic storm main phase of peak SYM‐H/Dst = −1,760 nT seems more likely. The short time between the SI+ and the storm main phase onset implies a foreshortened interplanetary sheath. The extremely rapid recovery of the magnetic storm was hypothesized by Tsurutani et al. (2018), https://doi.org/10.1002/2017JA024779 as being due to nonlinear ring current losses. We point out that the Hydro‐Quebec 1989 storm was caused by multiple shock‐sheaths and MCs (Lakhina & Tsurutani, 2016, https://doi.org/10.1186/s40562‐016‐0037‐4) unlike the interplanetary causes of the Carrington storm. The Hydro‐Quebec event was a “stealth” magnetic storm.
A new function of photochromic spiropyran: an efficient photoinitiator for two-photon polymerization
Authors: Wang Xuanhang , Xu Bin , Tian Wenjing
Published: June 2023

Photochromic spiropyran molecule shows a brand new function for serving as an efficient photoinitiator to activate two-photon photopolymerization, thus paving the way for developing a fast 3D printing technology.
Pre-intensive care unit use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and mortality in critically ill adults with mental disorders: analysis from the MIMIC-IV database
Authors: Gu Wan-Jie , Zhang Lu-Ming , Wang Chun-Mei , Zhao Feng-Zhi , Yin Hai-Yan , Lyu Jun
Published: June 2023

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are the most commonly prescribed drugs for mental disorders in critically ill patients. We performed a retrospective cohort study to investigate the association between pre-ICU use of SSRIs and mortality in critically ill adults with mental disorders. We identified critically ill adults with mental disorders based on the Medical Information Mart in Intensive Care-IV database. The exposure was the use of SSRIs during the period after hospital admission and before ICU admission. The outcome was in-hospital mortality. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) with 95% confidence interval (CI). To further test the robustness of the results, we performed propensity score matching and marginal structural Cox model estimated by inverse probability of treatment weighting. The original cohort identified 16601 patients. Of those, 2232 (13.4%) received pre-ICU SSRIs, and 14369 (86.6%) did not. Matched cohort obtained 4406 patients, with 2203 patients in each group (SSRIs users vs. non-users). In the original cohort, pre-ICU use of SSRIs was associated with a 24% increase in the hazard for in-hospital mortality (aHR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.05–1.46; P = 0.010). The results were robust in the matched cohort (aHR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.02–1.57; P = 0.032) and the weighted cohort (aHR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.32–1.54; P < 0.001). Pre-ICU use of SSRIs is associated with an increase in the hazard for in-hospital mortality in critically ill adults with mental disorders.
Chromatin alternates between A and B compartments at kilobase scale for subgenic organization
Authors: Harris Hannah L. , Gu Huiya , Olshansky Moshe , Wang Ailun , Farabella Irene , Eliaz Yossi , Kalluchi Achyuth , Krishna Akshay , Jacobs Mozes , Cauer Gesine , Pham Melanie , Rao Suhas S. P. , Dudchenko Olga , Omer Arina , Mohajeri Kiana , Kim Sungjae , Nichols Michael H. , Davis Eric S. , Gkountaroulis Dimos , Udupa Devika , Aiden Aviva Presser , Corces Victor G. , Phanstiel Douglas H. , Noble William Stafford , Nir Guy , Di Pierro Michele , Seo Jeong-Sun , Talkowski Michael E. , Aiden Erez Lieberman , Rowley M. Jordan
Published: June 2023

Nuclear compartments are prominent features of 3D chromatin organization, but sequencing depth limitations have impeded investigation at ultra fine-scale. CTCF loops are generally studied at a finer scale, but the impact of looping on proximal interactions remains enigmatic. Here, we critically examine nuclear compartments and CTCF loop-proximal interactions using a combination of in situ Hi-C at unparalleled depth, algorithm development, and biophysical modeling. Producing a large Hi-C map with 33 billion contacts in conjunction with an algorithm for performing principal component analysis on sparse, super massive matrices (POSSUMM), we resolve compartments to 500 bp. Our results demonstrate that essentially all active promoters and distal enhancers localize in the A compartment, even when flanking sequences do not. Furthermore, we find that the TSS and TTS of paused genes are often segregated into separate compartments. We then identify diffuse interactions that radiate from CTCF loop anchors, which correlate with strong enhancer-promoter interactions and proximal transcription. We also find that these diffuse interactions depend on CTCF’s RNA binding domains. In this work, we demonstrate features of fine-scale chromatin organization consistent with a revised model in which compartments are more precise than commonly thought while CTCF loops are more protracted.
Observationally-constrained projections of an ice-free Arctic even under a low emission scenario
Authors: Kim Yeon-Hee , Min Seung-Ki , Gillett Nathan P. , Notz Dirk , Malinina Elizaveta
Published: June 2023

The sixth assessment report of the IPCC assessed that the Arctic is projected to be on average practically ice-free in September near mid-century under intermediate and high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, though not under low emissions scenarios, based on simulations from the latest generation Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models. Here we show, using an attribution analysis approach, that a dominant influence of greenhouse gas increases on Arctic sea ice area is detectable in three observational datasets in all months of the year, but is on average underestimated by CMIP6 models. By scaling models’ sea ice response to greenhouse gases to best match the observed trend in an approach validated in an imperfect model test, we project an ice-free Arctic in September under all scenarios considered. These results emphasize the profound impacts of greenhouse gas emissions on the Arctic, and demonstrate the importance of planning for and adapting to a seasonally ice-free Arctic in the near future.