bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nexus between digital trade and security: geopolitical implications for global economy in the digital age
Authors: Zhang Chi , Chen Xuechen , Yang Jilong , Gao Xinchuchu
Published: July 2024

This special issue explores the relationship between digital trade and security, emphasizing the geopolitical implications for the global economy in the digital age. The rapid growth of digital trade has introduced significant challenges and opportunities, necessitating robust data governance to balance national security interests with the free flow of goods, services, and data across borders. The papers explore the different models of data governance championed by the US, China, and the EU, highlighting the complexities of cross-border data flows and their impact on international relations. Through detailed analyses of various international agreements and frameworks, this special issue provides a comprehensive overview of the current landscape of digital trade and its security implications, with a particular focus on China's evolving approach to data governance and its global influence.
Stability of triple-diffusive convection in a vertical porous layer
Authors: Shankar B.M. , Shivakumara I.S.
Published: July 2024

The classical Gill's problem, focusing on the stability of thermal buoyancy-driven convection in a vertical porous slab with impermeable isothermal boundaries, is studied from a different perspective by considering a triple-diffusive fluid system having different molecular diffusivities. The assessment of stability/instability of the basic flow entails a numerical solution of the governing equations for the disturbances as Gill's proof of linear stability falls short. The updated problem formulation is found to introduce instability in contrast to Gill's original set-up. A systematic examination of neutral stability curves is undertaken for KCl–NaCl–sucrose and heat–KCl–sucrose aqueous systems which are found to exhibit an anomalous behaviour on the stability of base flow. It is found that, in some cases, the KCl–NaCl–sucrose system necessitates the requirement of four critical values of the Darcy–Rayleigh number to specify the linear stability criteria ascribed to the existence of two isolated neutral curves positioned one below the other. Conversely, the heat–KCl–sucrose system demands only two critical values of the Darcy–Rayleigh number to decide the stability of the system. The stability boundaries are presented and the emergence of a travelling-wave mode supported back and forth with stationary modes is observed due to the introduction of a third diffusing component. In addition, some intriguing outcomes not recognized hitherto for double-diffusive fluid systems are manifested.
Analyzing Measurement Invariance for Studying the Gender Gap in Educational Testing
Authors: Navarro-González M. Carmen , Padilla José-Luis , Benítez Isabel
Published: July 2024

Abstract: Gender differential item functioning (DIF) is essential to address if fair and valid test score interpretations are desired. Despite inequivalence having been addressed previously, there are no solid conclusions about the causes provoking this bias nor indications to reduce its presence. The objective of this mixed studies systematic review is to describe how measurement invariance has been addressed when studying the gender gap in educational assessments. We searched for quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods studies that tested measurement invariance/DIF and/or applied qualitative methods to explore the causes of the gender gap in educational assessments with adolescents. We used the Quality Assessment Tool (QATSDD; Sirriyeh et al., 2012 ) to assess the risk of bias, and proposed a results-based convergent synthesis design. We included 87 studies, with 3,458,853 adolescent participants. Multigroup Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and Mantel-Haenszel were the most used strategies to test measurement invariance/detect DIF. Certain methods, such as latent class analysis (LCA), mixture item response theory model (MMixIRTM), or Simultaneous Item Bias Test (SIBTEST) were most used by studies that examined sources of DIF. The most used qualitative strategy to examine sources of DIF was content analysis. Limitations due to methodological concerns and missing data are discussed. We provide an important description of invariance testing/DIF detection methods that can serve as a guide to future researchers interested in sources of gender DIF.
Reconstructing the Tropical Thermocline From Oxygen‐Isotopes in Planktonic and Benthic Foraminifera
Authors: Lakhani K. Q. , Lynch‐Stieglitz J. , Findley B.
Published: July 2024

Reconstructing the spatial patterns in thermocline depth is critical for understanding ocean‐atmosphere interactions. Previous foraminiferal proxies of thermocline depth focus on gradients between planktonic foraminifera living in the surface and subsurface ocean. However, both thermocline depth changes and stratification changes will impact this measure. In this study, we outline a method for reconstructing the tropical upper ocean vertical water column profile, enabling the separate assessment of thermocline depth and stratification changes. This method uses oxygen isotope data from surface and sub‐surface calcifying planktonic foraminifera (Globigerinoides ruber albus, Globorotalia tumida, Neogloboquadrina dutertrei, and Pulleniatina obliquiloculata) as well as data from benthic foraminifera from a core site below the thermocline. Using newly generated and compiled oxygen isotope data from Holocene‐aged marine sediments, we construct vertical profiles at 20 core sites in the Tropical Pacific Ocean. Quantitative estimates of thermocline depth along with error ranges from Monte Carlo simulations are extracted from the reconstructed profiles. There is a strong correlation between reconstructed Holocene and climatological thermocline depth, but the East‐West contrast in the depth of the thermocline is underestimated by 30%. Incorporating benthic information in thermocline estimates results in a dramatic improvement in the reconstruction of spatial gradients in thermocline depth compared to a simpler proxy, the difference in oxygen isotope ratio between a deeper calcifying planktonic species and the surface species, G. ruber.
Sustained Co‐Eruptive Increase in Seismic Velocity Below Great Sitkin Volcano Due To Magma Extrusion
Authors: Kupres Cody A. , Yang Xiaotao , Haney Matthew , Roman Diana C.
Published: July 2024

Volcanic eruptions carry essential information on the dynamics of volcanic systems. Studies have documented variable eruption styles and eruptive surface deformation. However, co‐eruptive subsurface structural changes remain poorly understood. Here we characterize the seismic velocity changes from July 2019 to July 2023 at Great Sitkin Volcano in the central Aleutian volcanic arc, using single‐station ambient noise interferometry at five three‐component seismic stations. Coincident with the lava effusion since late July 2021, about two months after the explosive eruption on 26 May 2021, we observe a sustained velocity increase, most prominently to the northwest of the caldera. We attribute this velocity increase to the structural changes with magma extrusion, with the spatial variation controlled by the geometry of the magma system or the property of shallow volcaniclastics. Our findings offer insights into understanding co‐eruptive structural modifications at active volcanoes.
Sub6 GHz Non‐Line‐of‐Sight Effects in Mobile Communications: A New Perspective for Rainfall Monitoring?
Authors: Pu Kang , Liu Xichuan , Sun Xuejin , Liu Lei , Zhang Peng
Published: July 2024

Sub6 GHz non‐line‐of‐sight signals are a potential opportunistic source of rainfall information that promises to improve the current urgent need regarding near‐surface rainfall detection, but the complex mechanisms in which these signals are impacted by rainfall have hindered further development in this area. In this study, we focus on four types of microwave propagation processes to explore the theoretical basis for Sub6 GHz signal sensitivity to rainfall. We also investigate how these signals change during rainy conditions using a cellphone signal recording experiment. The results demonstrate that the indirect effect of rainfall‐induced changes in the interfacial water film may significantly affect the Sub6 GHz signal, making it an opportunity to reflect rainfall information. Finally, we offer a comprehensive overview of the potential challenges, benefits, and drawbacks of low‐frequency non‐line‐of‐sight links in the context of rainfall inversion.
Modeling Planktonic Food Web Interannual Variability of the Northern Gulf of Alaska Shelf
Authors: Conte Ludivine , Fiechter Jerome , Strom Suzanne , Hopcroft Russell R. , Danielson Seth L. , Aguilar‐Islas Ana
Published: July 2024

A 25‐year (1996–2020) hindcast from a coupled physical‐biogeochemical model is evaluated with nutrients, phytoplankton and zooplankton field data and is analyzed to identify mechanisms controlling seasonal and interannual variability of the northern Gulf of Alaska (NGA) planktonic food web. Characterized by a mosaic of processes, the NGA is a biologically complex and productive marine ecosystem. Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis combining abiotic and biotic variables averaged over the continental shelf reveals that light intensity is a main driver for nanophytoplankton variability during spring, and that nitrate availability is a main driver for diatoms during spring and for both phytoplankton during summer. Zooplankton variability is a combination of carry‐over effects from the previous year and bottom‐up controls from the current year, with copepods and euphausiids responding to diatoms and microzooplankton responding to nanophytoplankton. The results also demonstrate the effect of nitrate availability and phytoplankton community structure on changes in biomass and energy transfers across the planktonic food web over the entire growing season. In particular, the biomass of large copepods and euphausiids increases more significantly during years of higher relative diatom abundance, as opposed to years with higher nitrate availability. Large microzooplankton was identified as the planktonic group most sensitive to perturbations, presumably due to its central position in the food web. By quantifying the combined variability of several key planktonic functional groups over a 25‐year period, this work lays the foundation for an improved understanding of the long‐term impacts of climate change on the NGA shelf.
Molecular properties and diagnostic potential of monoclonal antibodies targeting cytotoxic α-synuclein oligomers
Authors: Nielsen Janni , Lauritsen Johanne , Pedersen Jannik N. , Nowak Jan S. , Bendtsen Malthe K. , Kleijwegt Giulia , Lusser Kaija , Pitarch Laia C. , Moreno Julián V. , Schneider Matthias M. , Krainer Georg , Goksøyr Louise , Khalifé Paul , Kaalund Sanne Simone , Aznar Susana , Kjærgaard Magnus , Sereikaité Vita , Strømgaard Kristian , Knowles Tuomas P. J. , Nielsen Morten Agertoug , Sander Adam F. , Romero-Ramos Marina , Otzen Daniel E.
Published: July 2024

α-Synuclein (α-syn) accumulates as insoluble amyloid but also forms soluble α-syn oligomers (αSOs), thought to be even more cytotoxic than fibrils. To detect and block the unwanted activities of these αSOs, we have raised 30 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against different forms of αSOs, ranging from unmodified αSOs to species stabilized by lipid peroxidation products and polyphenols, αSOs formed by C-terminally truncated α-syn, and multivalent display of α-syn on capsid virus-like particles (cVLPs). While the mAbs generally show a preference for αSOs, they also bind fibrils, but to variable extents. Overall, we observe great diversity in the mAbs’ relative affinities for monomers and αSOs, varied requirements for the C-terminal extension of α-syn, and only a modest effect on α-syn fibrillation. Several mAbs show several orders of magnitude preference for αSOs over monomers in in-solution studies, while the commercial antibody MJF14 only bound 10-fold more strongly to αSOs than monomeric α-syn. Gratifyingly, seven mAbs almost completely block αSO permeabilization of membrane vesicles. Five selected mAbs identified α-syn-related pathologies like Lewy bodies (LBs) and Lewy Neurites, as well as Glial Cytoplasmic Inclusions in postmortem brains from people diagnosed for PD, dementia with LBs or multiple system atrophy, although to different extents. Three mAbs were particularly useful for pathological evaluation of postmortem brain human tissue, including early stages of PD. Although there was no straightforward connection between the mAbs’ biophysical and immunohistochemical properties, it is encouraging that this comprehensive collection of mAbs able to recognize different aggregated α-syn species in vitro also holds diagnostic potential.
An exploratory analysis of the impact of area-level exposome on geographic disparities in aggressive prostate cancer
Authors: Wiese Daniel , DuBois Tesla D. , Sorice Kristen A. , Fang Carolyn Y. , Ragin Camille , Daly Mary , Reese Adam C. , Henry Kevin A. , Lynch Shannon M.
Published: July 2024

Numbers of aggressive prostate cancer (aPC) cases are rising, but only a few risk factors have been identified. In this study, we introduce a systematic approach to integrate geospatial data into external exposome research using aPC cases from Pennsylvania. We demonstrate the association between several area-level exposome measures across five Social Determinants of Health domains (SDOH) and geographic areas identified as having elevated odds of aPC. Residential locations of Pennsylvania men diagnosed with aPC from 2005 to 2017 were linked to 37 county-/tract-level SDOH exosome measures. Variable reduction processes adopted from neighborhood-wide association study along with Bayesian geoadditive logistic regression were used to identify areas with elevated odds of aPC and exposome factors that significantly attenuated the odds and reduced the size of identified areas. Areas with significantly higher odds of aPC were explained by various SDOH exposome measures, though the extent of the reduction depended on geographic location. Some areas were associated with race (social context), health insurance (access), or tract-level poverty (economics), while others were associated with either county-level water quality or a combination of factors. Area-level exposome measures can guide future patient-level external exposome research and help design targeted interventions to reduce local cancer burden.
A virtual patient simulation modeling the neural and perceptual effects of human visual cortical stimulation, from pulse trains to percepts
Authors: Fine Ione , Boynton Geoffrey M.
Published: July 2024

The field of cortical sight restoration prostheses is making rapid progress with three clinical trials of visual cortical prostheses underway. However, as yet, we have only limited insight into the perceptual experiences produced by these implants. Here we describe a computational model or ‘virtual patient’, based on the neurophysiological architecture of V1, which successfully predicts the perceptual experience of participants across a wide range of previously published human cortical stimulation studies describing the location, size, brightness and spatiotemporal shape of electrically induced percepts in humans. Our simulations suggest that, in the foreseeable future the perceptual quality of cortical prosthetic devices is likely to be limited by the neurophysiological organization of visual cortex, rather than engineering constraints.
A new genus and species of nudibranch-mimicking Syllidae (Annelida, Polychaeta)
Authors: Jimi Naoto , Britayev Temir A. , Sako Misato , Woo Sau Pinn , Martin Daniel
Published: July 2024

Nudibranch mollusks, which are well-known for their vivid warning coloration and effective defenses, are mimicked by diverse invertebrates to deter predation through both Müllerian and Batesian strategies. Despite extensive documentation across different taxa, mimickers have not been detected among annelids, including polychaetes, until now. This study described a new genus and species of polychaete living on Dendronephthya octocorals in Vietnam and Japan. Belonging to Syllidae, it exhibits unique morphological adaptations such as a low number of body segments, simple chaetae concealed within the parapodia and large and fusiform antennae and cirri. Moreover, these appendages are vividly colored, featuring an internal dark red area with numerous terminal white spots and bright yellow tips, effectively contributing to mimicking the appearance of a nudibranch. This discovery not only documents the first known instance of such mimicry among annelids, but also expands our understanding of evolutionary adaptation and ecological strategies in marine invertebrates.
Predicting graft and patient outcomes following kidney transplantation using interpretable machine learning models
Authors: Salaün Achille , Knight Simon , Wingfield Laura , Zhu Tingting
Published: July 2024

The decision to accept a deceased donor organ offer for transplant, or wait for something potentially better in the future, can be challenging. Clinical decision support tools predicting transplant outcomes are lacking. This project uses interpretable methods to predict both graft failure and patient death using data from previously accepted kidney transplant offers. Using more than 25 years of transplant outcome data, we train and compare several survival analysis models in single risk settings. In addition, we use post hoc interpretability techniques to clinically validate these models. Neural networks show comparable performance to the Cox proportional hazard model, with concordance of 0.63 and 0.79 for prediction of graft failure and patient death, respectively. Donor and recipient ages, the number of mismatches at DR locus, dialysis type, and primary renal disease appear to be important features for transplant outcome prediction. Owing to their good predictive performance and the clinical relevance of their post hoc interpretation, neural networks represent a promising core component in the construction of future decision support systems for transplant offering.
Three taphonomic stories of three new fossil species of Darwin wasps (Hymenoptera, Ichneumonidae)
Authors: Viertler Alexandra , Verheyde Fons , Schwarz Martin , Schulz Georg , Klopfstein Seraina , Mennecart Bastien
Published: July 2024

Amber captures a snapshot of life and death from millions of years in the past. Here, the fate of three fossil Darwin wasps in Baltic amber is virtually dissected with the help of micro-CT scanning, to better understand the taphonomic processes that affected their preservation. The states of the fossils range from nearly perfect preservation, including remains of internal organs, to empty casts that were strongly affected by decomposition. We describe the three specimens as new taxa, Osparvis aurorae gen. et sp. nov., Grana harveydenti gen. et sp. nov. and Xorides? romeo sp. nov. Based on the taphonomic and morphological interpretations, we conclude that two specimens were trapped alive, and the third ended up in resin post-mortem. The morphology and classification of the specimens provide clues regarding their ecology, and we discuss their likely hosts and parasitation modes. Taken together, our three wasp fossils showcase how an integrative analysis of amber taphonomy, taxonomic association and morphology can shed light onto past biodiversity and offer valuable insights for interpreting their evolutionary history.
CTHRC1+ fibroblasts and SPP1+ macrophages synergistically contribute to pro-tumorigenic tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Li Evan , Cheung Hoi Ching , Ma Shuangge
Published: July 2024

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an extremely lethal cancer that accounts for over 90% of all pancreatic cancer cases. With a 5-year survival rate of only 13%, PDAC has proven to be extremely desmoplastic and immunosuppressive to most current therapies, including chemotherapy and surgical resection. In recent years, focus has shifted to understanding the tumor microenvironment (TME) around PDAC, enabling a greater understanding of biological pathways and intercellular interactions that can ultimately lead to potential for future drug targets. In this study, we leverage a combination of single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to further identify cellular populations and interactions within the highly heterogeneous TME. We demonstrate that SPP1+APOE+ tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and CTHRC1+GREM1+ cancer-associated myofibroblasts (myCAF) not only act synergistically to promote an immune-suppressive TME through active extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT), but are spatially colocalized and correlated, leading to worse prognosis. Our results highlight the crosstalk between stromal and myeloid cells as a significant area of study for future therapeutic targets to treat cancer.
In-vitro cytotoxicity of biosynthesized nanoceria using Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves extract against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line
Authors: Abedi Tameh Fatemeh , Mohamed Hamza Elsayed Ahmed , Aghababaee Leila , Akbari Mahmood , Alikhah Asl Shervin , Javadi Mohammad Hasan , Aucamp Marique , Cloete Karen Jacqueline , Soleimannejad Janet , Maaza Malik
Published: July 2024

Cerium oxide nanoparticles possess unique properties that make them promising candidates in various fields, including cancer treatment. Among the proposed synthesis methods for CNPs, biosynthesis using natural extracts, offers an eco-friendly and convenient approach for producing CNPs, particularly for biomedical applications. In this study, a novel method of biosynthesis using the aqueous extract of Eucalyptus camaldulensis leaves was used to synthesize CNPs. Scanning electron microscopy and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques revealed that the synthesized CNPs exhibit a flower-like morphology. The particle size of CNPs obtained using Powder X-ray diffraction peaks and TEM as 13.43 and 39.25 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the effect of biomolecules during the synthesis process and the formation of CNPs. The cytotoxicity of biosynthesized samples was evaluated using the MTT method demonstrating the potential of these samples to inhibit MCF-7 cancerous cells. The viability of the MCF-7 cell line conducted by live/dead imaging assay confirmed the MTT cytotoxicity method and indicated their potential to inhibit cancerous cells. Furthermore, the successful uptake of CNPs by MCF-7 cancer cells, as demonstrated by confocal microscopy, provides evidence that the intracellular pathway contributes to the anticancer activity of the CNPs. In general, results indicate that the biosynthesized CNPs exhibit significant cytotoxicity against the MCF-7 cancerous cell line, attributed to their high surface area.
A validation study demonstrating portable motion capture cameras accurately characterize gait metrics when compared to a pressure-sensitive walkway
Authors: Mazurek Kevin A. , Barnard Leland , Botha Hugo , Christianson Teresa , Graff-Radford Jonathan , Petersen Ronald , Vemuri Prashanthi , Windham B. Gwen , Jones David T. , Ali Farwa
Published: July 2024

Digital quantification of gait can be used to measure aging- and disease-related decline in mobility. Gait performance also predicts prognosis, disease progression, and response to therapies. Most gait analysis systems require large amounts of space, resources, and expertise to implement and are not widely accessible. Thus, there is a need for a portable system that accurately characterizes gait. Here, depth video from two portable cameras accurately reconstructed gait metrics comparable to those reported by a pressure-sensitive walkway. 392 research participants walked across a four-meter pressure-sensitive walkway while depth video was recorded. Gait speed, cadence, and step and stride durations and lengths strongly correlated (r > 0.9) between modalities, with root-mean-squared-errors (RMSE) of 0.04 m/s, 2.3 steps/min, 0.03 s, and 0.05–0.08 m for speed, cadence, step/stride duration, and step/stride length, respectively. Step, stance, and double support durations (gait cycle percentage) significantly correlated (r > 0.6) between modalities, with 5% RMSE for step and stance and 10% RMSE for double support. In an exploratory analysis, gait speed from both modalities significantly related to healthy, mild, moderate, or severe categorizations of Charleson Comorbidity Indices (ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, p < 0.0125). These findings demonstrate the viability of using depth video to expand access to quantitative gait assessments.
Peptide-stimulated T cells bypass immune checkpoint inhibitor resistance and eliminate autologous microsatellite instable colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Schwarz Sandra , Su Zhaoran , Krohn Mathias , Löffler Markus W. , Schlosser Andreas , Linnebacher Michael
Published: July 2024

Two hypermutated colon cancer cases with patient-derived cell lines, peripheral and tumor-infiltrating T cells available were selected for detailed investigation of immunological response.

T cells co-cultured with autologous tumor cells showed only low levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and failed at tumor recognition. Similarly, treatment of co-cultures with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) did not boost antitumor immune responses. Since proteinase inhibitor 9 (PI-9) was detected in tumor cells, a specific inhibitor (PI-9i) was used in addition to ICI in T cell cytotoxicity testing. However, only pre-stimulation with tumor-specific peptides (cryptic and neoantigenic) significantly increased recognition and elimination of tumor cells by T cells independently of ICI or PI-9i.

We showed, that ICI resistant tumor cells can be targeted by tumor-primed T cells and also demonstrated the superiority of tumor-naïve peripheral blood T cells compared to highly exhausted tumor-infiltrating T cells. Future precision immunotherapeutic approaches should include multimodal strategies to successfully induce durable anti-tumor immune responses.
Preparation and thermal decomposition of micron-sized spherical TATB
Authors: Guo Hao , Luo Liancong , Lu Yuewen , Tang Xiaoya , Tang Yingbing , Wang Qian , Guo Changping , Yang Guangcheng
Published: July 2024

This paper successfully prepared micron-sized spherical TATB for the first time using the oil-in-oil emulsion method, which can provide new insights for the spherization of other insoluble explosives.
Theoretical analysis of the OH-initiated atmospheric oxidation reactions of imidazole
Authors: Golin Almeida Thomas , Martí Carles , Kurtén Theo , Zádor Judit , Johansen Sommer L.
Published: July 2024

Imidazole's gas-phase oxidation by OH radicals leads to the formation of two major closed-shell products, 4H-imidazol-4-ol and N,N′-diformylformamidine.
Numbering up and sizing up gliding arc reactors to enhance the plasma-based synthesis of NOx
Authors: van Raak Thijs , van den Bogaard Huub , De Felice Giulia , Emmery Daniël , Gallucci Fausto , Li Sirui
Published: July 2024

A scaling up strategy was employed to explore the intensification of plasma-based NOx synthesis by connecting two reactors in a series- and parallel-configuration. This strategy was then compared with the sizing up of the narrowest discharge gap.
Biobased, biodegradable but not bio-neutral: about the effects of polylactic acid nanoparticles on macrophages
Authors: Collin-Faure Véronique , Vitipon Marianne , Diemer Hélène , Cianférani Sarah , Darrouzet Elisabeth , Rabilloud Thierry
Published: July 2024

Macrophages treated with polylactide beads degrade them but show various responses in the meantime.
Visible light-promoted defluorinative alkylation/arylation of α-trifluoromethyl alkenes with thianthrenium salts
Authors: Zhang Yue , Mao Jianyou , Wang Zhihong , Tang Liangfu , Fan Zhijin
Published: July 2024

Defluorinative alkylation and arylation between thianthrenium salts and α-trifluoromethyl alkene to afford gem-difluoroolefins by easily recycling thianthrene under visible light irradiation and free of metal photocatalyst.
A multi-stimuli responsive carbazole based low molecular weight gelator: nanomolar sensing of cyanide ions and electrochromic switching in real-time
Authors: Rooth Celin , Pratihar Swatilekha , Palani Yuvaraj , Sukeri Anandhakumar , Prasad Edamana
Published: July 2024

A carbazole based gelator (CBG) capable of sensing CN− has been developed and the novel molecule can exhibit electrochromism in the solution state.
Effective treatment of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene from aqueous media using a sono–photo-Fenton-like process with a zero-valent iron nanoparticle (nZVI) catalyst
Authors: Van Nguyen Hoang , Tung Pham Son , Vu Toan Ngoc , Van Nguyen Huong , La Duong Duc
Published: July 2024

This work provides an effective approach to remove 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene from aqueous media using a sono–photo-Fenton-like process with catalytic zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI).
Optimizing methylene blue adsorption conditions on hydrothermally synthesized NaX zeolite through a full two-level factorial design
Authors: Hadda Aya Hammoudi , Djamel Nibou , Samira Amokrane , Otero Marta , Ali Khan Moonis
Published: July 2024

Besides being hazardous to humans and aquatic organisms, dyes present in water reservoirs limit sunlight's availability to aquatic plants and animals, making significant impact on their growth and development.
A chemically engineered water-soluble block copolymer for redox responsive SO2 release in antibacterial therapy
Authors: Mondal Anushree , Mondal Tanushree , Chattopadhyay Sayan , Jana Subhamoy , Banerjee Arindam , De Priyadarsi
Published: July 2024

A redox-responsive sulfur dioxide (SO2)-releasing water-soluble amphiphilic block copolymer was synthesized, and it exhibited sustainable SO2 release and antibacterial activity against Gram-positive bacteria Bacillus subtilis.
Dranbleiben heißt die Devise!
Authors: Börsch Hans-Josef
Published: July 2024

In Baden-Württemberg wird es nicht zur Errichtung einer Landespflegekammer kommen. Leider wurde das
notwendige Quorum knapp verfehlt. Lesen Sie, warum es sich trotzdem lohnt, weiter für die
Selbstverwaltung einzustehen.
Numerical simulation of double diffusion convection in a six-constant Jeffreys nanofluid with an inclined magnetic field and viscous dissipation: Multiple slips and thermal radiation analysis with peristalsis
Authors: Akram Safia , Athar Maria , Saeed Khalid , Riaz Arshad , Razia Alia , Alhamzi Ghaliah
Published: July 2024

The exploration of peristaltic pumping and heat transfer in magnetohydrodynamic biofluids holds considerable significance with diverse physiological applications, including their use in surgical equipment for the heart, drug injection, cancer therapies, and dialysis. These studies find relevance in various industrial processes, such as the production of pharmaceutical fluids, liquid filtration, and the contamination-free dispensing of cosmetic/glue emulsions. Consequently, the current analysis delves into the intricacies of thermal emission and viscous dissolution in the peristaltic movement of a six-constant Jeffreys magneto-nanofluid within an asymmetric channel. This investigation considers double diffusion convection and incorporates slip conditions. The energy equation is formulated, incorporating features of thermal dispersion and viscous dissolution. The initial model includes a collection of non-linear partial differential equations (PDEs). To simplify the problems, the analysis is made simpler under the supposition of a small Reynolds number and large wavelength, leading to the governing system of PDEs that is further computed using the numerical technique NDSolve. A detailed analysis is conducted for various parameters, including nanoparticle fraction, pressure increase, velocity, temperature, pressure gradient, concentration, and stream functions. Graphical presentations of the obtained results showcase the influence of different flow quantities, noting that the temperature profile boosts due to the growing impact of the increasing concentration of thermal slip, while concentration decreases owing to the increasing concentration of the slip parameter. Moreover, it is also noted that as the thermophoresis parameter, thermal slip parameter, and Brinkman number increase, the temperature profile increases; conversely, it decreases with the thermal radiation parameter.
Enhanced repair of osteoporotic bone defects through gelatin methylacryloyl loaded with exosomes
Authors: Su Shenghui , Wang Xiaoyong , Lin Jiuzao , Zeng Wei
Published: July 2024

Treating bone defects presents a formidable clinical challenge. The sustained release of exosomes (Exos) by hydrogel-based materials can contribute substantially to bone formation through bioactive paracrine secretion of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Our study proposed a method to use an extracellular matrix-simulated gelatin methylacryloyl (GM) hydrogel loaded with BMSC-derived Exos for repairing bone defects. Using BMSCs, we isolated Exos and characterized them. These Exos were then loaded into GM hydrogel and studied for their osteogenic effects in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that GM hydrogel had good biocompatibility and showed good Exo carrier characteristics. In addition, Exos derived from BMSCs played a significant role in promoting the proliferation of BMSCs, and GM hydrogel could enhance this effect through slow release. Similarly, in vivo experiments have shown that GM-Exos promoted bone regeneration and related osteoblast protein synthesis in cranial defects in rats.
Climate resilience through ecocultural stewardship
Authors: Hankins Don L.
Published: July 2024

The climate crisis has exacerbated many ecological and cultural problems including wildfire and drought vulnerability, biodiversity declines, and social justice and equity. While there are many concepts of social and ecological resilience, the exemplar practices of Indigenous stewardship are recognized in having sustained Indigenous peoples and their countries for millennia and past climate change events. California has been at the crossroads of many of these issues, and the historic and current contributions of Indigenous peoples to addressing these provide an excellent study of ecocultural stewardship and leadership by Indigenous peoples to achieve climate resilience.
Cultivating climate resilience in California agriculture: Adaptations to an increasingly volatile water future
Authors: Medellín-Azuara Josué , Escriva-Bou Alvar , Gaudin Amélie C. M. , Schwabe Kurt A. , Sumner Daniel A.
Published: July 2024

California agriculture will undergo significant transformations over the next few decades in response to climate extremes, environmental regulation and policy encouraging environmental justice, and economic pressures that have long driven agricultural changes. With several local climates suited to a variety of crops, periodically abundant nearby precipitation, and public investments that facilitated abundant low-priced irrigation water, California hosts one of the most diverse and productive agroecosystems in the world. California farms supply nearly half of the high-nutrient fruit, tree nut, and vegetable production in the United States. Climate change impacts on productivity and profitability of California agriculture are increasing and forebode problems for standard agricultural practices, especially water use norms. We highlight many challenges California agriculture confronts under climate change through the direct and indirect impacts on the biophysical conditions and ecosystem services that drive adaptations in farm practices and water accessibility and availability. In the face of clear conflicts among competing interests, we consider ongoing and potential sustainable and equitable solutions, with particular attention to how technology and policy can facilitate progress.
Indigenous food production in a carbon economy
Authors: Ready Elspeth , Ross Cody T. , Beheim Bret , Parrott Jenn
Published: July 2024

Indigenous communities in the North American Arctic are characterized by mixed economies that feature hunting, fishing, gathering, and trapping activities—and associated sharing practices—alongside the formal wage economy. The region is also undergoing rapid social, economic, and climate changes, including, in Canada, carbon taxation, which is impacting the cost of fuel used in local food harvesting. Because of the importance of local foods to nutrition, health, and well-being in Arctic Indigenous communities, there is an urgent need to better understand the sensitivity of Arctic food systems to social, economic, and climate changes and to develop plans for mitigating potential adverse effects. Here, we develop a Bayesian model to calculate the substitution value and carbon emissions of market replacements for local food harvests in the Inuvialuit Settlement Region, Canada. Our estimates suggest that under plausible scenarios, replacing locally harvested foods with imported market substitutes would cost over 3.1 million Canadian dollars per year and emit over 1,000 tons of CO
2
-equivalent emissions per year, regardless of the shipping scenario. In contrast, we estimate that gasoline inputs to harvesting cost approximately $295,000 and result in 315 to 497 tons of emissions. These results indicate that climate change policies that fail to account for local food production may undermine emissions targets and adversely impact food security and health in Arctic Indigenous communities, who already experience a high cost of living and high rates of food insecurity.
First ClearMind gamma detector prototype for TOF-PET imaging
Authors: Galindo-Tellez A. , Sharyy V. , Sung C.-H. , Follin M. , Cappellugola L. , Curtoni S. , Dupont M. , Morel C. , Breton D. , Maalmi J. , Yvon D.
Published: July 2024

The ClearMind project aims to develop a TOF-PET
position-sensitive detection module optimized for time and spatial
resolutions and detection efficiency. For this, we use a
59 mm× 59 mm × 5 mm monolithic PbWO4 (PWO)
crystal, which is encapsulated within a commercial Micro-Channel
Plate Photomultiplier tube MAPMT253 with a bialkali photocathode
directly deposited on the crystal. We report the proof of concept of
the directly deposited of a bialkali photocathode on a PWO crystal
and its stability over time. The full calibration of the ClearMind
photodetector module in the single-photoelectron regime is
described. We measured a time resolution of 70 ps FWHM using a
20 ps pulsed laser. We present the performance of the prototype
used in coincidence with a 3 × 3 × 3 mm3
LYSO:Ca,Ce crystal readout by a SiPM. We obtained a coincidence time
resolution of 350 ps FWHM, a spatial resolution of 4 to 5 mm, and
a detection efficiency of 28 %, consistent with Monte Carlo
simulations of the ClearMind detector module.
Transparent and flexible fish-tail shaped antenna for ultra-wideband MIMO systems
Authors: Lian Shilin , Sun Haoyuan , Zhang Hua , Zhang Dan , Liu Tian , Jin Zhejun , Zheng Yu
Published: July 2024

The article presents an innovative transparent, flexible antenna design tailored specifically for ultra-wideband multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. Using polyethylene terephthalate substrates as the base material, we enhance the antenna’s radiation performance, transparency, and flexibility. Broadband impedance matching is achieved through a hollow ground plane fed by a fish-tail radiator and coplanar waveguide. Additionally, significant MIMO antenna isolation in ultra-wideband scenarios is achieved through the vertical arrangement of units and neutral lines. The MIMO antennas we manufactured exhibit minimum transparencies of 71.1% and 85.9% with and without reflectors, respectively. Measurement results demonstrate that the antenna operates within the 3–20 GHz frequency range, with over 24 dB of isolation, 2 ± 2 dBi of peak gain, and 45% ± 5% of radiation efficiency, suitable for applications in wearable devices, vehicle intelligence, and other fields.
Why Ethics and Aesthetics Are Practically the Same
Authors: Ridley Aaron
Published: July 2024

Discussion of the relations between ethics and aesthetics has tended to focus on issues concerning judgement: for example, philosophers have often asked whether, or to what extent, ethical considerations of one sort or another should inform aesthetic verdicts. Much less discussed, however, have been the relations between these two domains in their practical aspects. In this essay, I try to defuse a cluster of reasons for believing that practical competence in the ethical domain and practical competence in the aesthetic domain must be understood as structurally distinct from one another.
Kant’s Aesthetic Ideas
Authors: Ridley Aaron
Published: July 2024

In the third Critique, Kant offers an elusive discussion of what he calls ‘aesthetic ideas’, claiming that ‘beauty’ is ‘the expression of aesthetic ideas’ and that ‘genius’ is the power to ‘exhibit aesthetic ideas’. In this essay, I distinguish two theses to which Kant appears committed: the ‘indefinability’ thesis, which says that aesthetic ideas convey much that is indefinable in words; and the ‘unformulability’ thesis, which says that the genius’s creative activity is one for which no rule can be ‘set down in a formula’ so as to ‘serve as a precept’. I give the most charitable readings of these theses that I can, and then ask (a) what, as aestheticians, we should want to say about them, and (b) to what extent Kant himself can say the same. I conclude that he is unable to meet us much more than halfway, however valuable his discussion might otherwise be.
Song as a Whole
Authors: Ridley Aaron
Published: July 2024

Like many recent aestheticians, I find the standard account of what songs are—a simple conjunction of words and music, the former functioning in a purely literary way, the latter in a purely musical way—unsatisfactory. Also like them, I prefer a more holistic account, one that understands the relations between words and music as far closer than the conjunctive model can capture, and which therefore construes the value of an individual song as deriving from more than a mere matching (or productive mismatching) between its verbal and musical components. Here, I defend one version of holism—I call it ‘strong’ holism—against several of the weaker varieties to be found in the literature, and suggest that only the strong version is able to do justice to the character and value of song as a whole.
Art Works
Authors: Ridley Aaron
Published: July 2024

Recent attempts to analyse the concept of functional beauty have tended to move natural and/or everyday objects centre-stage. This essay, by contrast, is about functional beauty in art. I argue, first, that—whatever is centre-stage—it matters whether an analysis of functional beauty construes the relation between function and beauty as one-way or two-way; and that it does so partly because, second, there are significant differences between functional properties and aesthetic properties. The upshot is that a one-way analysis should, on the face of it, be preferable. Two such analyses are investigated—one ‘function-first’, the other ‘beauty-first’—and both found wanting. I argue that what is required is a hybrid version of the two-way analysis that exploits, rather than being stymied by, the peculiarities of aesthetic properties. The essay concludes with some reflections on why the issue of functional beauty in art matters.
Morality: From Error to Fiction
Authors: Joyce Richard
Published: July 2024

We make moral judgments about all sorts of things, both mundane and momentous. But are any of these moral judgments actually true? The moral error theorist argues that they are not. According to this view, when people make moral judgments (e.g., “Stealing is morally wrong”), although they purport to say true things about the world, in fact the world does not contain any of the properties or relations that would be necessary to render such judgments true. Nothing is morally right; nothing is morally wrong. The first part of this book (“Morality in Error”) argues in favor of this version of moral skepticism. Moral properties, it is claimed, have features that cannot be accommodated within the naturalistic worldview. Some of these problematic features pertain to the “reason-giving” nature of moral properties; some pertain to puzzles surrounding the notion of moral responsibility. Suppose that we decided that this radical skepticism about morality is correct—what, then, should we do with our faulty moral discourse? The abolitionist presents the most obvious answer: that we should just do away with morality (in the way that in the past we eliminated talk of bodily humors, say). The fictionalist presents a less obvious answer: that we should retain moral discourse even though we know (at some level) that it is false. The second part of this book (“Morality as Fiction”) advocates an ambitious version of moral fictionalism. This book is a sequel to the author’s 2001 work The Myth of Morality.
Introduction
Authors: Baum Robert M
Published: July 2024

This chapter studies the representation of African history and African religions from Herodotus to contemporary scholars, many of which described Africa as a place without history and without religion. It provides a critical perspective on various evolutionary theories of religion which share a tendency to place Africa toward the bottom of their stages of religion. It demonstrates the pervasive theism and this-worldly focus of African religious traditions. It analyzes the sources available for the study of the history of ancient African religions, including written texts, oral traditions, archaeological evidence, and linguistic sources. The chapter also examines theories about African religions, including debates about the nature of African religious traditions.
Egypt and the Nile Valley before the Roman Occupation
Authors: Baum Robert M
Published: July 2024

This chapter examines the history of religions in the Nile valley from the Ramesside Dynasty to the fall of the Ptolemies. This period covers the peak of the Egyptian empire followed by Libyan and Nubian dynasties, followed by a series of foreign rulers—Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks, each introducing new religious ideas and practices. Both the Nubians and Alexander the Great sought the support of Amun-Re to legitimate their rule. The Ptolemies created a Hellenistic-Egyptian god, Serapis, in an effort to unite the two peoples. Egyptian religion increasingly emphasized the importance of dreams in their religious practice. Nubians retained many of their own deities, while incorporating Amun-Re as the supreme god, but with a Nubian birthplace.
Explorer: efficient DNA coding by De Bruijn graph toward arbitrary local and global biochemical constraints
Authors: Dou Chang , Yang Yijie , Zhu Fei , Li BingZhi , Duan Yuping
Published: July 2024

With the exponential growth of digital data, there is a pressing need for innovative storage media and techniques. DNA molecules, due to their stability, storage capacity, and density, offer a promising solution for information storage. However, DNA storage also faces numerous challenges, such as complex biochemical constraints and encoding efficiency. This paper presents Explorer, a high-efficiency DNA coding algorithm based on the De Bruijn graph, which leverages its capability to characterize local sequences. Explorer enables coding under various biochemical constraints, such as homopolymers, GC content, and undesired motifs. This paper also introduces Codeformer, a fast decoding algorithm based on the transformer architecture, to further enhance decoding efficiency. Numerical experiments indicate that, compared with other advanced algorithms, Explorer not only achieves stable encoding and decoding under various biochemical constraints but also increases the encoding efficiency and bit rate by ¿10%. Additionally, Codeformer demonstrates the ability to efficiently decode large quantities of DNA sequences. Under different parameter settings, its decoding efficiency exceeds that of traditional algorithms by more than two-fold. When Codeformer is combined with Reed–Solomon code, its decoding accuracy exceeds 99%, making it a good choice for high-speed decoding applications. These advancements are expected to contribute to the development of DNA-based data storage systems and the broader exploration of DNA as a novel information storage medium.