bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Foot of the Ladder
Authors: Elwes Cary
Published: September 2024

It all begins with a conversion; properly speaking with a second or re-conversion.

This applies to cradle Catholics and converts alike, at least to average normal people. The normal born Catholic is usually well content to use up the spiritual capital of baptism, as it were, and make his religion a reflex action rather than a conscious effort. This is not criticism but a statement of observable fact. To become active, to awaken to the possibilities and responsibilities of the religion he practises, a further jolt of some kind is needed, whether from within or from without. It is the same with converts. It does happen that entry into the Church will coincide with or cause the beginning of an intense and active spiritual life; but these cases are rare. (We speak in general terms and not of special cases, such as direct conversion to the religious life, which have nothing to do with the life of the laity—our subject here—and so are outside our scope.)

From our own experiences and from those we have been privileged to hear of, it seems that this second conversion is necessary.
Type-directed operational semantics for gradual typing
Authors: YE WENJIA , OLIVEIRA BRUNO C. D. S.
Published: September 2024

The semantics of gradually typed languages is typically given indirectly via an elaboration into a cast calculus. This contrasts with more conventional formulations of programming language semantics, where the semantics of a language is given directly using, for instance, an operational semantics. This paper presents a new approach to give the semantics of gradually typed languages directly. We use a recently proposed variant of small-step operational semantics called type-directed operational semantics (TDOS). In a TDOS, type annotations become operationally relevant and can affect the result of a program. In the context of a gradually typed language, type annotations are used to trigger type-based conversions on values. We illustrate how to employ a TDOS on gradually typed languages using two calculi. The first calculus, called

$\lambda B^{g}$

, is inspired by the semantics of the blame calculus, but it has implicit type conversions, enabling it to be used as a gradually typed language. The second calculus, called

$\lambda e$

, explores an eager semantics for gradually typed languages using a TDOS. For both calculi, type safety is proved. For the

$\lambda B^{g}$

calculus, we also present a variant with blame labels and illustrate how the TDOS can also deal with such an important feature of gradually typed languages. We also show that the semantics of

$\lambda B^{g}$

with blame labels is sound and complete with respect to the semantics of the blame calculus, and that both calculi come with a gradual guarantee. All the results have been formalized in the Coq theorem prover.
HAZEL KYRK AND THE RISE OF EMPIRICAL RESEARCH IN INTERWAR AMERICA
Authors: Alberti Manfredi , Asso Pier Francesco
Published: September 2024

Recent studies have revalued Hazel Kyrk for her original works on consumption and the critique of neoclassical demand theory. Kyrk’s A Theory of Consumption (1923) opened up new perspectives for understanding the nature of consumption and revalued home economics as a central part of the economist agenda, taking distance from the first generation of home economists. This paper focuses on Kyrk’s post-1923 scientific production and professional activities. Our main purpose is to show her contributions to the quantitative foundations of consumption together with her attempt to feed contemporary research on consumers’ behavior with pragmatism, policy advice, and field knowledge. We selected specific issues: the education of consumers through information and a strategy of “critical consumption”; the analysis of strategic industries; the well-being of American families; and the importance of “invisible” objects (non-market activities) and their statistical processing.
RISK, UNCERTAINTY, AND ENTREPRENEURIAL PROFIT: FRED M. TAYLOR AND FRANK H. KNIGHT
Authors: Fiorito Luca , McCann Charles R.
Published: September 2024

Frank H. Knight is rightly regarded as having identified the distinction between risk and uncertainty and their respective roles in the entrepreneurial process in his 1921 Risk, Uncertainty, and Profit. Less well appreciated is his recognition of the work of Fred Manville Taylor in this work, even though throughout Knight made several laudatory references to Taylor’s Principles. This article will examine through the various editions of Taylor’s textbook parallels between Taylor and Knight in their respective understandings of the risk-uncertainty distinction and the emphasis each placed on the role of the entrepreneur.
Performance comparison of structure delineation based on image registration methods in head and neck cancer patients
Authors: Paitoon Komsorn , Watcharawipha Anirut , Tharavichitkul Ekkasit , Thongsuk Warit
Published: September 2024

Propose:

To investigate the performance of image registration methods for structure delineation in head and neck (H&N) cancer patients.

Methods and materials:

This retrospective study randomly recruited 22 patients who had been irradiated in the H&N region between January 2016 and February 2024. The sample group included nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) patients. The treatment planning structures were delineated as images of computed tomography simulation (CTsim) and were set as the ground-truth. The latest CT diagnostic (CTdiag) image sets of these selected patients were imported into third-party software for delineation. The structures of CTdiag were delineated using an artificial intelligence method except for the target. The performance of rigid and deformable image registration methods (RIR and DIR, respectively) between these two image sets were evaluated using dice similarity coefficient (DSC) and Hausdorff distance (HD). The performance evaluation scores were also compared between NPC and OPC.

Result:

The DSC revealed a significant difference in all structures between RIR and DIR, whereas the HD showed no significant difference on the target and the larynx. In terms of a comparison of treatment regions, OPC appeared to sustain the greatest benefit from DIR.

Conclusion:

Image registration can provide the benefit of structure delineation, particularly when employing the DIR method. Although the DIR method may not offer a high degree of performance in terms of target delineation, it could effectively serve as a delineation guideline in this process.
Devolution and Social Citizenship: The Case of the Basic Income Pilot for Care Leavers in Wales
Authors: Prabhakar Rajiv
Published: September 2024

In 2022, the Welsh Government announced a basic income pilot for care leavers in Wales. This article uses this policy experiment to provide an insight into the relationship between devolution and social citizenship. This article makes two claims. First, the basic income pilot is part of an approach the Welsh Government has taken over the past twenty years to expand the idea of social citizenship to include rights to money. This is justified by a principle of progressive universalism, but this principle also has a wider UK context. Second, the financial constraints imposed by the UK Government frustrates the extent to which the Welsh Government can turn such experiments into reality.
A growth curve model to estimate longitudinal effects of parental BMI on Indonesian children’s growth patterns
Authors: Samodra Yoseph Leonardo , Chuang Ying-Chih
Published: September 2024

The global surge in childhood obesity is also evident in Indonesia. Parental body mass index (BMI) values were found to be one of the major determinants of the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity. It is uncertain if parental BMI during their offspring’s childhood significantly affects their children’s BMI trajectories into adulthood. We aimed to investigate the influence of parental BMI Z-scores on BMI trajectories of Indonesian school-aged children, with a focus on sex-specific effects. This study utilized data from the Indonesian Family Life Survey and tracked the same respondents over four time points, from wave 2 (1997–1998) to wave 5 (2014–2015). The sample of this study consisted of children aged 5–12 years in wave 2 for whom height and weight data were available. We utilized a two-level growth curve model to account for the hierarchical structure of the data, with time nested within individual children. Fathers’ BMI Z-scores in wave 2 had a pronounced influence (β = 0.31) on female children’s BMI Z-scores compared to the influence of mothers’ BMI Z-scores (β = 0.17). Mothers’ BMI Z-scores in wave 2 showed a stronger positive association with male children’s BMI Z-scores (β = 0.22) than did the father’s BMI Z-scores (β = 0.19). A significant interaction of fathers’ BMI Z-scores and years of follow-up was found for male children. As male children’s BMI Z-scores increased by year, this effect was stronger in those whose fathers’ BMI Z-scores were at a higher level. In conclusion, we found that parental BMI values profoundly influenced their children’s BMI trajectories.
Sarah and the Fear of Growing Up – A Case Study in School Psychology, Examined From a Psychoanalytic Perspective
Authors: Peiffer Christine France , Vlachopoulou Xanthie , Laimou Dimitra
Published: September 2024

Abstract: The field of school psychology has existed for 70 years in France. Although the goals of school psychologists are numerous, the main purpose is to help children be happy at school in their learning and socializing abilities. Either through a complete psychological assessment or simple interviews, the school psychologist will try to understand a child’s symptoms and how they express inner conflicts. Here, Sarah’s case, a young and bright 8-year-old schoolgirl, is examined here through a psychoanalytic perspective. Far from being bored at school, which is the reason why Sarah’s mother consulted the school psychologist, a different issue was revealed through projective tests (Rorschach and Children’s Apperception Test [CAT]). Behind creative and joyful answers, hides Sarah’s fear of growing up and this is narrowly linked with the anxiety of losing her parents, who are both in frail health with overweight problems. The discussion focuses on the value of projective and creative tools to understand the child’s inner conflicts and will highlight the link between creativity and anxiety.
Outer Zone Relativistic Electron Response to Mesoscale Periodic Density Structures in the Solar Wind: Van Allen Probes Measurements
Authors: Kurien Leenamol V. , Kanekal Shrikanth G. , Di Matteo Simone , Greeley Ashley D. , Schiller Quintin , Shumko Mykhaylo , Viall Nicholeen M. , Kepko Emil Lawrence
Published: September 2024

We investigate the relativistic and the ultra‐relativistic outer radiation belt electron response to the Periodic Density Structures (PDS) in the solar wind. We have studied four intervals between 0000 UT and 1500 UT during 17 January 2013 interplanetary coronal mass ejection (ICME) sheath event following the passage of an interplanetary shock (IP) on 16 January, at 2240 UT. Earlier studies limited to geosynchronous orbit have shown that PDS induce Ultra‐Low‐Frequency (ULF) oscillations in the magnetosphere and modulate energetic electron intensities. Our study shows for the first time, using pitch angle resolved electron intensity measurements, that PDS modulate relativistic and ultra‐relativistic electron intensities in the heart of the radiation belts (L ≈ 4). We find that the modulation of electron intensities occur at frequencies close to those of interplanetary PDS. Furthermore, electron intensity modulations occur over a wide range of energy (≈200 keV to 4 MeV) and pitch angles (≈20–120°). This event study suggests that relativistic and ultra‐relativistic electron intensity modulations driven by PDS may be largely energy and pitch angle independent.
The Influence of Wind and Waves on Saltwater Intrusion in the Yangtze Estuary: A Numerical Modeling Study
Authors: Tao Zhengjin , Chen Yongping , Pan Shunqi , Chu Ao , Xu Chunyang , Yao Peng , Rowely Samuel
Published: September 2024

Saltwater intrusion occurs frequently in the Yangtze Estuary during winter, when the river discharges are low along with strong wind and waves. However, the influence of wind and waves on saltwater intrusion in the Yangtze Estuary remains unclear. This study uses a coupled wind‐wave‐current numerical model based on Delft3D to investigate the impacts of wind and waves on saltwater intrusion in the Yangtze Estuary. The results show that the strong northerly wind alone enhances saltwater intrusion in the estuary by inducing a counterclockwise circulation and reducing the stratification. However, with the combined effect from wind and waves, it is found that stratification is reduced in the outer North Channel, but enhanced in the inner North Channel, which results in an increase of salt transport in the estuary by approximately 40%. The results highlight the fact that saltwater intrusion in the Yangtze Estuary could be significantly underestimated without considering waves.
Bright compact ultrabroadband source by orthogonal laser-sustained plasma
Authors: Shi Zhaojiang , Yang Shichao , Hu He , Lei Haodong , Yang Zhaohua , Yu Xia
Published: September 2024

Laser-sustained plasma (LSP) source featuring high brightness and broadband spectral coverage is found to be powerful in various fields of scientific and industrial applications. However, the fundamental limit of low conversion efficiency constrains the system compactness and widespread applications of such broadband light sources. In this paper, we propose an innovative orthogonal LSP to break through the conversion efficiency limitation. Driven by the elevated conversion efficiency from absorbed laser power to ultraviolet (UV) emission, a compact broadband source (250–1650 nm) with UV spectral radiance exceeding 210 $${mW}/({{mm}}^{2}\,\cdot\, {sr}\,\cdot\, {nm})$$

m
W
/

(

m
m

2

⋅

s
r

⋅

n
m

)

is achieved with >100 W pump laser. With the plot of a two-dimensional refractive index model, we report an important conceptual advance that the orthogonal design eliminates the influence of the negative lensing effect on laser power density. Experimental results unambiguously demonstrate that we achieve a bright compact UV-VIS-NIR source with negligible thermal loss and the highest conversion efficiency to our knowledge. Significant enhancement of 4 dB contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in spectral single-pixel imaging has been demonstrated using the proposed ultrabroadband source. By establishing the quantitative link between pumping optics design and plasma absorption, this work presents a compact broadband source that combines superior conversion efficiency and unprecedented brightness, which is essential to high-speed inspection and spectroscopy applications.
Enhancing cell death in B-cell malignancies through targeted inhibition of Bcl-3
Authors: Daams Renée , Tran Thi Thu Phuong , Jemaà Mohamed , Sime Wondossen , Mickeviciute Ruta , Ek Sara , Rönnstrand Lars , Kazi Julhash U. , Massoumi Ramin
Published: September 2024

The t(14;19)(q32;q13) is a rare recurring translocation found in B-cell lymphoproliferative malignancies, involving the Bcl-3 gene. This chromosomal translocation is often found in patients under the age of 50 and causes a more progressive disease. The Bcl-3 gene encodes a protein belonging to the IκB family of proteins, which tightly regulates NFκB signaling by acting as an activator or repressor of transcription. Previously, we developed a second-generation Bcl-3 inhibitor that could directly interfere with Bcl-3 signaling pathway, resulting in reduced melanoma cell proliferation, invasion, and migration. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of a Bcl-3 inhibitor on B-cell lymphoma and leukemia cells. It was found that treatment of cells with this inhibitor caused a decrease in cell proliferation and cell survival. Furthermore, Bcl-3 inhibition in B-cell malignant cells resulted in the loss of mitochondrial membrane potential and functionality, as well as the increased expression of cleaved caspase 3, indicating that cell death occurs through the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. This observation is further supported by reduced expression of cIAP1 protein 1 (cIAP1) upon treatment of cancer cells. Given the current lack of clinical advancements targeting Bcl-3 in oncology, this opens a novel avenue for the development and investigation of highly specific therapeutic interventions against B-cell malignancies.
Heteroduplex oligonucleotide technology boosts oligonucleotide splice switching activity of morpholino oligomers in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy mouse model
Authors: Hasegawa Juri , Nagata Tetsuya , Ihara Kensuke , Tanihata Jun , Ebihara Satoe , Yoshida-Tanaka Kie , Yanagidaira Mitsugu , Ohara Masahiro , Sasaki Asuka , Nakayama Miyu , Yamamoto Syunsuke , Ishii Takashi , Iwata-Hara Rintaro , Naito Mitsuru , Miyata Kanjiro , Sakaue Fumika , Yokota Takanori
Published: September 2024

The approval of splice-switching oligonucleotides with phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PMOs) for treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) has advanced the field of oligonucleotide therapy. Despite this progress, PMOs encounter challenges such as poor tissue uptake, particularly in the heart, diaphragm, and central nervous system (CNS), thereby affecting patient’s prognosis and quality of life. To address these limitations, we have developed a PMOs-based heteroduplex oligonucleotide (HDO) technology. This innovation involves a lipid-ligand-conjugated complementary strand hybridized with PMOs, significantly enhancing delivery to key tissues in mdx mice, normalizing motor functions, muscle pathology, and serum creatine kinase by restoring internal deleted dystrophin expression. Additionally, PMOs-based HDOs normalized cardiac and CNS abnormalities without adverse effects. Our technology increases serum albumin binding to PMOs and improves blood retention and cellular uptake. Here we show that PMOs-based HDOs address the limitations in oligonucleotide therapy for DMD and offer a promising approach for diseases amenable to exon-skipping therapy.
Bacterial aggregation triggered by low-level antibiotic-mediated lysis
Authors: Tavaddod Sharareh , Dawson Angela , Allen Rosalind J.
Published: September 2024

Suspended bacterial aggregates play a central role in ocean biogeochemistry, industrial processes and probably many clinical infections – yet the factors that trigger aggregation remain poorly understood, as does the relationship between suspended aggregates and surface-attached biofilms. Here we show that very low doses of cell-wall targeting antibiotic, far below the minimal inhibitory concentration, can trigger aggregation of Escherichia coli cells. This occurs when a few cells lyse, releasing extracellular DNA – thus, cell-to-cell variability in antibiotic response leads to population-level aggregation. Although lysis-triggered aggregation echoes known trigger mechanisms for surface-attached biofilms, these aggregates may have different ecological implications since they do not show increased biofilm-forming potential or increased antibiotic resistance. Our work contributes to understanding the nature of bacterial aggregates and the factors that trigger their formation, and the possible consequences of widespread low-dose antibiotic exposure in the environment and in the body.
Evidence from 162173 Ryugu for the influence of freeze–thaw on the hydration of asteroids
Authors: Genge Matthew J. , Almeida Natasha V. , van Ginneken Matthias , Pinault Lewis , Wozniakiewicz Penelope J. , Yano Hajime
Published: September 2024

Hydrated asteroids are likely to be main source of water for the terrestrial planets. The controls on the extent of asteroid hydration, however, are poorly understood. Here we report the discovery of multiple fracture and vein sets in a sample from the C-type asteroid 162173 Ryugu that acted as pathways for the migration of distal fluids during its aqueous alteration. Early veins in Ryugu are decorated with framboidal magnetite, while later veins caused metasomatism of wall rocks. Both veins and fractures have cuspate geometries and complex intersecting geometries consistent with freeze–thaw fractures formed during experiments. We show that freeze–thaw is effective in fracturing C-type asteroids to up to 300 km in diameter and is thus crucial in the outwards migration of fluids in ice-bearing asteroids. Freeze–thaw is likely, therefore, to determine the distribution of mineral-hosted water in asteroids throughout the Cosmos.
Superhalide structure and iodide-proof interphase via electrolyte regulation enable ultrastable zinc-iodine batteries
Authors: Deng Wenjing , Feng Renfei , Wang Xiaolei
Published: September 2024

A superhalide electrolyte structure and iodide-proof solid electrolyte interphase are introduced to simultaneously obtain efficient conversion activity and anode stability for reversible zinc–iodine batteries.
Janus architecture host electrode for mitigating lithium-ion polarization in high-energy-density Li–S full cells
Authors: Um Kyungsik , Jung Chanho , Nam Hyunsuk , Lee Haeli , Yeom Saegi , Moon Jun Hyuk
Published: September 2024

A Janus architecture mitigates Li-ion polarization in high-energy-density Li–S cells, achieving uniform charge/discharge reactions and stable performance under ultra-high sulfur loading and practical operating conditions.
Immune-enhancing effect of Weizmannia coagulans BCG44 and its supernatant on cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppressed mice and RAW264.7 cells via the modulation of the gut microbiota
Authors: Xu Yafang , Wang Yi , Song Tao , Li Xiaxia , Zhou Haolin , Chaibou Oumarou Zafir , Wang Bing , Li Huajun
Published: September 2024

W. coagulans BCG44 and its supernatant possess potential immunomodulatory activity and modulate gut microbiota dysbiosis in CTX-induced immunosuppression.
Anti-Schistosomal activity and ADMET properties of 1,2,5-oxadiazinane-containing compound synthesized by visible-light photoredox catalysis
Authors: Itoh Kennosuke , Nakahara Hiroki , Takashino Atsushi , Hara Aya , Katsuno Akiho , Abe Yuriko , Mizuguchi Takaaki , Karaki Fumika , Hirayama Shigeto , Nagai Kenichiro , Seki Reiko , Sato Noriko , Okuyama Kazuki , Hashimoto Masashi , Tokunaga Ken , Ishida Hitoshi , Mikami Fusako , Kwofie Kofi Dadzie , Kawada Hayato , Lin Bangzhong , Nunomura Kazuto , Kanai Toshio , Hatta Takeshi , Tsuji Naotoshi , Haruta Junichi , Fujii Hideaki
Published: September 2024

The incorporation of saturated nitrogen-containing heterocycle 1,2,5-oxadiazinane into small molecules represents a compelling avenue in drug discovery due to its unexplored behavior within biological systems and incomplete protocols for synthesis.
A transparent p-type semiconductor designed via a polarizability-enhanced strongly correlated insulator oxide matrix
Authors: Lee Seung Yong , Kim Inseo , Kim Hyun Jae , Sim Sangjun , Lee Jae-Hoon , Yun Sora , Bang Joonho , Park Kyoung Won , Han Chul Jong , Kim Hyun-Min , Yang Heesun , Kim Bongjae , Im Seongil , Facchetti Antonio , Oh Min Suk , Lee Kyu Hyoung , Lee Kimoon
Published: September 2024

We report a novel strategy for developing an outstanding transparent p-type conducting oxide exhibiting a deep work function as well as a wide band gap by engineering the polarizability of a strongly correlated NiWO4.
Mechanical properties of freestanding few-layer graphene/boron nitride/polymer heterostacks investigated with local and non-local techniques
Authors: Lespasio Marcus , Missale Elena , Aziz Bashar , Kim Yoosuk , Speranza Giorgio , Divan Ralu , Gosztola David J. , Lei Chi-Hou , Pantano Maria F. , Kuljanishvili Irma
Published: September 2024

Mechanical properties of large area suspended few-layer graphene/boron nitride/polymer heterostacks are studied here with local, (AFM-assisted) and non-local (tensile testing) approaches and complemented by finite element simulations.
Nanomaterial journey in the gut: from intestinal mucosal interaction to systemic transport
Authors: Qiao Xin , Bao Lin , Liu Guanyu , Cui Xuejing
Published: September 2024

Nanomaterials interact with the gut microbiome, mucus layer, and epithelial cells, influencing immune responses and facilitating transport to distant organs via blood, lymphatic, and neural pathways, impacting intestinal and systemic health.
Synergistic interfacial electronic modulation of topotactically developed bimetallic CoNiP on NiS nanorods for enhanced alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction
Authors: Dilebo Woldesenbet Bafe , Tsai Meng-Che , Chang Chia-Yu , Edao Habib Gemechu , Nikodimos Yosef , Moges Endalkachew Asefa , Lakshmanan Keseven , Angerasa Fikiru Temesgen , Guta Chemeda Barasa , Ibrahim Kassa Belay , Awoke Yohannes Ayele , Alamirew Tesfaye , Liao Wei-Sheng , Desta Gidey Bahre , Chen Jeng-Lung , Su Wei-Nien , Hwang Bing Joe
Published: September 2024

Using conductive substrates (NF) as Ni sources, Ni3S2 nanorods are coated with CoP and Ni8P3 nanoparticles, offering abundant active sites, electronic modulation interfaces, and insights into catalytically active sites for H2 evolution reaction.
Rebamipide nanocrystal with improved physicomechanical properties and its assessment through bio-mimicking 3D intestinal permeability model
Authors: Samim Sardar Md , Kashinath Kardile Punam , Kumari Mamta , Sah Sunil Kumar , Alam Kamare , Gupta Ujjwal , Ravichandiran Velayutham , Roy Subhadeep , Kaity Santanu
Published: September 2024

This study investigated the development and evaluation of rebamipide nanocrystals (REB-NCs) a BCS class IV drug for enhancing solubility and permeability, and used as anti-ulcer medication.
Landscape of exosomes to modified exosomes: a state of the art in cancer therapy
Authors: Mirgh Divya , Sonar Swarup , Ghosh Srestha , Adhikari Manab Deb , Subramaniyan Vetriselvan , Gorai Sukhamoy , Anand Krishnan
Published: September 2024

Modified exosomes are a smart tool for the upcoming precision cancer therapeutic era.
Sulfur/carbon cathode material chemistry and morphology optimisation for lithium–sulfur batteries
Authors: Safdar Tayeba , Huang Chun
Published: September 2024

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) are one of promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries because sulfur is abundant and exhibits a high theoretical capacity (1675 mA h g−1).
A new synthesis of indolo[2,3-b]quinolines from 3-acetyl-N-alkyl-2-chloroindoles with 2-aminobenzophenone
Authors: Zhang Hong , Jiang Yunhe , Sun Xiaoxue , Liang Tianyu , Wang Xiang , Li Yang
Published: September 2024

A new synthesis of N-alkyl- and 11-phenyl-modified indolo[2,3-b]quinolines was achieved via PEG-400-promoted and visible light-induced one-step reaction of 3-acetyl-N-alkyl-2-chloroindoles with 2-aminobenzophenone in 40% methanol aqueous solution.
Dye degradation and antimicrobial efficacy of cesium-doped Y2O3 nanostructures: in silico docking study
Authors: Ikram Muhammad , Shabir Yasir , Haider Ali , Shahzadi Iram , Bilal Muhammad , Ul-Hamid Anwar , Fouda Ahmed M. , Ali Salamat
Published: September 2024

Developing multifunctional nanomaterials is crucial to rising global concerns over environmental contamination caused by dye effluents and antibiotic resistance.
Recent advances in the synthesis of highly substituted imidazolidines
Authors: Olyaei Abolfazl , Sadeghpour Mahdieh
Published: September 2024

In this highlight, recent advances in the synthesis of highly substituted imidazolidines, chiral imidazolidines with high diastereoselectivities and enantioselectivities, bis-imidazolidines, and spiro-imidazolidines are presented.
Electricity-driven organic hydrogenation using water as the hydrogen source
Authors: Kundu Bidyut Kumar , Sun Yujie
Published: September 2024

Employing water as a hydrogen source is an attractive and sustainable option in electricity-driven organic hydrogenation, which can overcome the drawbacks associated with traditional hydrogen sources like H2.
Bromine radical release from a nickel-complex facilitates the activation of alkyl boronic acids: a boron selective Suzuki–Miyaura cross coupling
Authors: Oliva Monica , Pillitteri Serena , Schörgenhumer Johannes , Saito Riku , Van der Eycken Erik V. , Sharma Upendra K.
Published: September 2024

The release of bromine radicals from a nickel complex via a homolytic cleavage under visible light allows the activation of alkyl boronic acids, which participate in a Suzuki–Miyaura cross-coupling process under batch and continuous flow settings.
Closed-loop chemically recyclable covalent adaptive networks derived from elementary sulfur
Authors: Shi Chen-Yu , Zhang Xiao-Ping , Zhang Qi , Chen Meng , Tian He , Qu Da-Hui
Published: September 2024

Anionic copolymerization of chemically homologous elementary sulfur and cyclic disulfides is explored for robust sulfur-rich copolymers with chemical recyclability, which is promoted by reversible S–S cleavage of dynamic disulfide crosslinking sites.
Investigation of a high-performance solar absorber and thermal emitter based on Ti and InAs
Authors: Xiao Yifan , Ma Can , Sun Tangyou , Song Qianju , Bian Liang , Yi Zao , Hao Zhiqiang , Tang Chaojun , Wu Pinghui , Zeng Qingdong
Published: September 2024

In this work, we utilized Ti and InAs materials to design a device capable of perfect solar absorption and high thermal emission efficiency. This structure is capable of generating surface plasmon resonance (SPR) and cavity resonance (CR).
In situ construction of surface oxygen vacancies on N/TiO2 for promoting visible light photocatalytic H2 evolution
Authors: Shen Yuandong , Yang Nan , Wang Ke , Xiao Bin , He Yijun , Qiu Zhishi , Zhou Tong , Zhan Weijie , Hu Rui , Zhang Genlin , Zhang Jin , Zhu Zhongqi , Liu Feng , Cui Hao , Liu Qingju
Published: September 2024

A simple method of mixed sintering of thiourea and NH2-MIL-125(Ti) is adopted to obtain N-doped TiO2 with abundant surface OV, which significantly improves the photocatalytic performance of TiO2 under visible light.
The power of researcher communities: actions towards better mental well-being in academic workplaces
Authors: Kismihók Gábor , Cahill Brian
Published: September 2024

This article delves into the mental health crisis in academia, highlighting the challenges associated with the growing cases of psychological problems among academic employees and Early-Career Researchers (ECRs). We demonstrate how the Researcher Mental Health Observatory (ReMO) community addressed these issues through networking, awareness raising, and advocating for actions to nurture a supportive work environment and remove stigma from mental health problems. Moreover, we highlight the role of institutions in promoting mental health, showcase instruments to collect data on academic working conditions, and discuss initiatives like the well-being ambassador programme aimed at supporting ECRs in their career development and mental well-being. Additionally, we touch upon the importance of self-care behaviours and peer support in academia. We conclude by highlighting the ongoing discussions on mental health, well-being, and healthy academic working environments, underscoring the long-lasting impact of the ReMO community’s efforts in the European academic world.
Advancing precision in medical image segmentation: A performance analysis of loss functions for COVID‐19 lung infection segmentation in computed tomography images
Authors: Delgado Emilio , Rodriguez‐Echeverria Roberto , Fernández‐García Antonio Jesús , Gutiérrez Juan D. , Suero‐Rodrigo Miguel Ángel
Published: September 2024

This study evaluates the effectiveness of three loss functions Asymmetric Unified Focal Loss (AUFL), Dice Similarity Coefficient Loss (DSCL), and Cross‐Entropy (CE) for segmenting COVID‐19 lung infections in computed tomography images. Detailed analyses using the intersection over union metric assessed each function's accuracy. AUFL achieved an average Dice Similarity Coefficient (DSC) of 85.18% ± 8.86%, outperforming DSCL 85.18% ± 8.86%, which had the same average DSC but less precise segmentation, and CE, which had an average DSC of 78.31% ± 11.93%. Segmentations using AUFL demonstrated more defined contours and better alignment with actual anatomical structures than those obtained with DSCL and CE. Observations revealed that AUFL‐generated segmentations had more precise boundaries and were more consistent with the expected anatomical regions of lung infections. This study is the first to quantitatively and qualitatively compare the effectiveness of AUFL, DSCL, and CE in segmenting COVID‐19 lung infections, providing concrete evidence of AUFL's superiority in segmentation performance and reliability for clinical applications. The findings underscore the importance of selecting appropriate loss functions to enhance segmentation in medical imaging, highlighting their crucial role in improving image‐based diagnostics and treatment. The study emphasizes the need for ongoing research to optimize these segmentation techniques further.
Exploring the intermittency of magnetohydrodynamic turbulence by synchrotron polarization radiation
Authors: Wang Ru-Yue , Zhang Jian-Fu , Lu Fang , Xiang Fu-Yuan
Published: September 2024

Context. Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) turbulence plays a critical role in many key astrophysical processes, such as star formation, acceleration of cosmic rays, and heat conduction. However, its properties are still poorly understood.

Aims. In this work, we explore how to extract the intermittency of compressible MHD turbulence from synthetic and real observations.

Methods. We used three statistical methods, namely the probability distribution function, kurtosis, and scaling exponent of the multi-order structure function, to reveal the intermittency of MHD turbulence.

Results. Our numerical results demonstrate that: (1) the synchrotron polarization intensity statistics can be used to probe the intermittency of magnetic turbulence, by which we can distinguish different turbulence regimes; (2) the intermittency of MHD turbulence is dominated by the slow mode in the sub-Alfvénic turbulence regime; and (3) the Galactic interstellar medium (ISM) in the low latitude region corresponds to the sub-Alfvénic and supersonic turbulence regime.

Conclusions.We have successfully measured the intermittency of the Galactic ISM from synthetic and realistic observations.
Thermal response in Boer goats differing in coat colour
Authors: AL-Ramamneh Diya , Gerken Martina
Published: September 2024

Context The coat is the first defense layer protecting animals from direct sunlight, influencing radiant-heat absorption and loss. Dark coat colour may increase animal heat impact because of higher absorption of solar radiation. Aims We investigated the impact of pigmentation intensity on the heads of animals and their thermal responses to solar radiation. Furthermore, we compared the thermal responses between dark and light brown-coloured animals, to determine whether the duration of sun and shade exposure (3 h each) is sufficient to differentiate the heat gain and losses between the two groups. Methods The effect of coat colour on rectal and surface temperatures in Boer goats, classified according to their head pigmentation pattern as dark (DB, N = 11) or light brown (LB, N = 11), exposed to sun and shade, was evaluated. The animals’ body and head surface temperatures were measured the same day before, during, and after sun exposure by using infrared thermography. Individual thermographic images were analysed by body regions (rump, leg, neck) and head areas (eye, ear, upper and lower part of the head, and the muzzle). Key results During solar radiation, all measured variables increased. In the shade, the rump, leg, and neck surfaces remained elevated, whereas the head area cooled down faster, with the highest temperature changes measured for the ear of about 10%. Most surface cooling occurred within 30 min after returning to the shade. Coat colour groups differed only in higher overall muzzle temperature of DB than that of LB goats (P = 0.048). Correlations between rectal and surface temperatures were low to medium, ranging from −0.02 (eye) to 0.31 (muzzle). Conclusions The head area is suggested as the important thermal window for heat dissipation and selective brain cooling. Light brown-headed animals were more efficient in eliminating the heat gained from solar radiation when returned to shade. Implications The colouration of the animal’s head may play an important role for its heat tolerance. As an easy-to-recognise characteristic, coat colour can serve as a selection trait for local goat populations. In view of global warming, selection for lighter coat colour in domestic ruminants may also become important even under temperate climates.
NOTUM-mediated WNT silencing drives extravillous trophoblast cell lineage development
Authors: Shukla Vinay , Moreno-Irusta Ayelen , Varberg Kaela M. , Kuna Marija , Iqbal Khursheed , Galligos Anna M. , Aplin John D. , Choudhury Ruhul H. , Okae Hiroaki , Arima Takahiro , Soares Michael J.
Published: September 2024

Trophoblast stem (TS) cells have the unique capacity to differentiate into specialized cell types, including extravillous trophoblast (EVT) cells. EVT cells invade into and transform the uterus where they act to remodel the vasculature facilitating the redirection of maternal nutrients to the developing fetus. Disruptions in EVT cell development and function are at the core of pregnancy-related disease. WNT-activated signal transduction is a conserved regulator of morphogenesis of many organ systems, including the placenta. In human TS cells, activation of canonical WNT signaling is critical for maintenance of the TS cell stem state and its downregulation accompanies EVT cell differentiation. We show that aberrant WNT signaling undermines EVT cell differentiation. Notum, palmitoleoyl-protein carboxylesterase (NOTUM), a negative regulator of canonical WNT signaling, was prominently expressed in first-trimester EVT cells developing in situ and up-regulated in EVT cells derived from human TS cells. Furthermore, NOTUM was required for optimal human TS cell differentiation to EVT cells. Activation of NOTUM in EVT cells is driven, at least in part, by endothelial Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domain 1 (also called hypoxia-inducible factor 2 alpha). Collectively, our findings indicate that canonical Wingless-related integration site (WNT) signaling is essential for maintenance of human trophoblast cell stemness and regulation of human TS cell differentiation. Downregulation of canonical WNT signaling via the actions of NOTUM is required for optimal EVT cell differentiation.
Topological slow light and rainbow trapping of surface wave in valley photonic crystal bounded by air
Authors: Chen 陈 Shuheng 书恒 , Qi 齐 Yi 奕 , Li 李 Yucen 昱岑 , Wang 王 Qihao 琪皓 , Xiang 项 Yuanjiang 元江
Published: September 2024

Topological slow light and rainbow trapping tend to rely on large-scale interface structure in previous research work, which have restricted further miniaturization. In this work, we propose a method to realize slow light and rainbow trapping at the zigzag edge of a single valley photonic crystals (VPCs) bounded by air, which is very different from previous studies where rainbow trapping is supported at the interface separating two VPCs with inversion symmetry. By constructing the VPC–air boundaries and VPC–VPC interfaces experimentally, we have observed the topologically protected rainbow trapping simultaneously at the external and internal boundary. This work provides a feasible platform for the miniaturized optical communication devices such as optical buffers, optical storage and optical routing.
13 Galactic Star Clusters in Gaia DR3 Identified by An Improved FoF and UPMASK Hybrid Method Using MvC
Authors: Chi Huanbin , Lai Zebang , Wang Feng , Li Zhongmu , Mei Ying
Published: September 2024

Open clusters (OCs) serve as invaluable tracers for investigating the properties and evolution of stars and galaxies. Despite recent advancements in machine learning clustering algorithms, accurately discerning such clusters remains challenging. We re-visited the 3013 samples generated with a hybrid clustering algorithm of FoF and pyUPMASK. A multi-view clustering (MvC) ensemble method was applied, which analyzes each member star of the OC from three perspectives—proper motion, spatial position, and composite views—before integrating the clustering outcomes to deduce more reliable cluster memberships. Based on the MvC results, we further excluded cluster candidates with fewer than ten member stars and obtained 1256 OC candidates. After isochrone fitting and visual inspection, we identified 506 candidate OCs in the Milky Way. In addition to the 493 previously reported candidates, we finally discovered 13 high-confidence new candidate clusters.
3D engineering of diseased blood vessels for integrative in vitro–in silico mechanobiology study
Authors: Park Wonbin , Lee Jae-Seong , Choi Min-Ju , Cho Won-Woo , Lee Seok-Hyeon , Lee Dongjun , Kim Jae Ho , Yoon Sik , Oh Sae-Ock , Ahn Minjun , Cho Dong-Woo , Kim Byoung Soo
Published: September 2024

Vascular diseases are complex conditions orchestrated by multiple factors, including cellular components, biochemical stimuli, and mechanical forces. Despite the advancement of numerous therapeutic approaches, the global mortality associated with the diseases continues to escalate owing to a lack of understanding of the underlying pathologies. Tissue engineering and computational strategies have been recently developed to investigate diseased blood vessels from multifactorial perspective, enabling more accurate prediction of disease progression and opening new avenues for preclinical advances. This review focuses on in vitro and in silico blood vessel models to elucidate the pathomechanisms of vascular diseases. Following a discussion of biofabrication and computational modeling strategies, the recent research that utilizes the models of various blood vessel diseases, such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms, varicose veins, and thrombosis, are introduced. Finally, current breakthroughs, existing challenges, and outlooks in the field are described.
Mapping quantum circuits to shallow-depth measurement patterns based on graph states
Authors: Kaldenbach Thierry N , Heller Matthias
Published: September 2024

The paradigm of measurement-based quantum computing (MBQC) starts from a highly entangled resource state on which unitary operations are executed through adaptive measurements and corrections ensuring determinism. This is set in contrast to the more common quantum circuit model, in which unitary operations are directly implemented through quantum gates prior to final measurements. In this work, we incorporate concepts from MBQC into the circuit model to create a hybrid simulation technique, permitting us to split any quantum circuit into a classically efficiently simulatable Clifford-part and a second part consisting of a stabilizer state and local (adaptive) measurement instructions—a so-called standard form—which is executed on a quantum computer. We further process the stabilizer state with the graph state formalism, thus, enabling a significant decrease in circuit depth for certain applications. We show that groups of mutually-commuting operators can be implemented using fully-parallel, i.e. non-adaptive, measurements within our protocol. In addition, we discuss how groups of mutually commuting observables can be simulatenously measured by adjusting the resource state, rather than performing a costly basis transformation prior to the measurement as it is done in the circuit model. Finally, we demonstrate the utility of our technique on two examples of high practical relevance—the Quantum Approximate Optimization Algorithm and the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE) for the ground-state energy estimation of the water molecule. For the VQE, we find a reduction of the depth by a factor of 4 to 5 using measurement patterns vs. the standard circuit model. At the same time, since we incorporate the simultaneous measurements, our patterns allow us to save shots by a factor of at least 3.5 compared to measuring Pauli strings individually in the circuit model.
Delayed ENSO impact on phytoplankton variability over the Western-North Pacific Ocean
Authors: Lee Dong-Geon , Oh Ji-Hoon , Kug Jong-Seong
Published: September 2024

The El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is a prominent climatological phenomenon in the Pacific Ocean that exerts a significant influence on both physical states and biological activities across the globe through oceanic and atmospheric teleconnections. In this study, we investigate the impact of ENSO on phytoplankton variability in the Western North Pacific (WNP) region, revealing a delayed relationship with a time lag of more than one year. During the boreal early spring after the peak phase of El Niño, we find a significant increase in chlorophyll-a concentrations in the WNP. This delayed ENSO impact is due to the propagation of reflected ocean Rossby waves from the eastern to the western Pacific. As the Rossby waves reach the western Pacific, they initiate continuous northward transports of the nutrients. The increased nutrient supply promotes phytoplankton growth in the WNP region, where phosphate (PO4) - limited conditions prevail. Our finding suggests the role of ENSO in shaping the biological dynamics in the WNP over an extended time scale through the specific mechanisms involved. Long-term climate model simulation supports these observed findings.
Changes in per capita and aggregate apparent consumption of livestock-derived foods in Canada from 1960–2020
Authors: Arsenault J Nicole , Tyedmers Peter H , Dias Goretty M
Published: September 2024

Food systems are a major driver of resource depletion and environmental degradation globally, with livestock-derived food production accounting for a disproportionate fraction of these impacts. At the same time, meat, eggs, and dairy products are important sources of protein, energy, and micronutrients in human diets. Higher rates of red and processed meat consumption has, however, also been linked to increased heath risks in high-income countries. Given the important role that livestock-derived foods play in both planetary and human health, it is important to understand patterns in their consumption and how these have changed over time. Here, we report and assess changes in Canadian apparent consumption of livestock-derived foods, as both mass of edible unprocessed products and total contained protein, between 1960 and 2020. We used Statistics Canada food availability data, as it is the closest available proxy for historical consumption data. The animal foods included are dairy, eggs, and chicken, turkey, pork, and beef meat, with results expressed in kilograms of boneless meat, shell-less eggs, and total milk solids per capita per year. Total national apparent livestock food consumption was also calculated, by multiplying annual per capita availability by national population, for each year included in this analysis. Results indicate that, over the last six decades, apparent per capita consumption of livestock-derived foods in Canada has remained surprisingly constant, peaking in the 1970s at 108 kg/person/year, and varying narrowly between 91–101 kg/person/year for the most recent 35 years. The composition of Canadians’ livestock-derived food intake, however, does appear to have changed markedly, with apparent consumption of beef declining since its zenith in the late 1970s, while the apparent consumption of chicken meat has grown rapidly. Substantial reductions in the consumption of livestock foods in Canada are required to stay within planetary boundaries.