bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A novel tree-based representation for evolving analog circuits and its application to memristor-based pulse generation circuit
Authors: Shi Xinming , Minku Leandro L. , Yao Xin
Published: July 2022

When applying evolutionary algorithms to circuit design automation, circuit representation is the first consideration. There have been several studies applying different circuit representations. However, they still have some problems, such as lack of design ability, which means the diversity of evolved circuits was limited by the circuit representation, and inefficient transformation from circuit representation into SPICE (Simulation Program with Integrated Circuit Emphasis) netlist. In this paper, a novel tree-based circuit representation for analog circuits is proposed, which is equipped with an intuitive and three-terminal devices friendly mapping rule between circuit representation and SPICE netlist, as well as a suitable crossover operator. Based on the proposed representation, a framework for automated analog circuit design using genetic programming is proposed to evolve both the circuit topology and device values. Three benchmark circuits are applied to evaluate the proposed approach, showing that the proposed method is feasible and evolves analog circuits with better fitness and number of components while using less fitness evaluations than existing approaches. Furthermore, considering physical scalability limits of conventional circuit elements and the increased interest in emerging technologies, a memristor-based pulse generation circuit is also evolved based on the proposed method. The feasibility of the evolved circuits is verified by circuit simulation successfully. The experiment results show that the evolved memristive circuit is more compact and has better energy efficiency compared with existing manually-designed circuits.
A Cartan–Hartogs version of the polydisk theorem
Authors: Mossa Roberto , Zedda Michela
Published: July 2022

We extend the Polydisk Theorem for symmetric bounded domains to Cartan–Hartogs domains, and apply it to prove that a Cartan–Hartogs domain inherits totally geodesic submanifolds from the bounded symmetric domain which is based on, and to give a characterization of Cartan–Hartogs’s geodesics with linear support.
Elaborating Team Roles for Artificial Intelligence-based Teammates in Human-AI Collaboration
Authors: Siemon Dominik
Published: July 2022

The increasing importance of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday work also means that new insights into team collaboration must be gained. It is important to research how changes in team composition affect joint work, as previous theories and insights on teams are based on the knowledge of pure human teams. Especially, when AI-based systems act as coequal partners in collaboration scenarios, their role within the team needs to be defined. With a multi-method approach including a quantitative and a qualitative study, we constructed four team roles for AI-based teammates. In our quantitative survey based on existing team role concepts (n = 1.358), we used exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis to construct possible roles that AI-based teammates can fulfill in teams. With nine expert interviews, we discussed and further extended our initially identified team roles, to construct consistent team roles for AI-based teammates. The results show four consistent team roles: the coordinator, creator, perfectionist and doer. The new team roles including their skills and behaviors can help to better design hybrid human-AI teams and to better understand team dynamics and processes.
Einstein’s photon box revisited
Authors: Schmidt Heinz-Jürgen
Published: July 2022

We present a reformulation of Bohr’s analysis of Einstein’s thought experiment with the photon box, which hopefully settles some unclear issues. The box is weighed by two position measurements, the first immediately before the emission of the photon and the second after a quarter period of oscillation of the box, or alternatively after a half period. These times are precisely defined with respect to the moving clock installed in the box, but vary statistically when measured with a stationary clock outside the box, due to gravitational time dilation in accordance with Bohr’s original idea. Moreover, we will discuss two other proposals to solve the apparent inconsistency without invoking the theory of general relativity.
1,2,4-Triazine-based Materials: Spectroscopic Investigation, DFT, NBO, and TD-DFT Calculations as Well As Dye-sensitized Solar Cells Applications
Authors: Sakr Mahmoud A. S. , Kana Maram T. H. Abou
Published: July 2022

In this manuscript, we report four series for 1,2,4-triazine derivatives as dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Density functional theory (DFT) methods via utilizing Becke's three-parameter functional and LeeeYangeParr functional (B3LYP) level with 6-31G (d, p) basis set to investigate their modeling molecular structures. Optimized molecular structures for studied molecular structures are obtained using the DFT/B3LYP/6-31G (d, p) method. In addition, the time-dependant density functional theory (TD-DFT) is used to study the optoelectronic properties and absorption spectra using DFT/CAM-B3LYP/ 6-31G +  + (d, p) level in the Gaussian 09 program. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO), lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO), energy gap (Eg), light harvest efficiency (LHE), and open-circuit voltage (Voc) of the studied molecular structures are calculated and illustrated. These properties indicate that these molecular modeling structures as good candidates for utilization in organic DSSCs.
Thermoregulating gypsums by using nanoencapsulated phase change material slurry
Authors: López Pedrajas Daniel , Borreguero Simón Ana M. , Sáenz I. Garrido , Ramos F. Javier , Rodríguez Romero Juan F. , Carmona Franco Manuel
Published: July 2022

Thermoregulating composites were produced by using a thermoregulating slurry (NPCS) containing nanoencapsulated phase change material (NPCM) from poly(styrene-co-divinylbenzene) as shell and the commercial paraffin Rubitherm®RT27 as core material. These composites were synthesized by using the constitutive water of the slurry as setting water and changing the NPCM/Hemihydrate (NPCM/Hem) mass ratio within 0.0–0.41. It was found that nanoparticles were uniformly dispersed into the gypsum, and the gypsum crystal morphology was tuned by the addition of the slurry. Attending to the thermal properties, these materials can work either as insulating or thermal energy storage materials, decreasing the thermal conductivity up to ~ 50%, whereas the thermal energy storage (TES) capacity is enlarged in a ~ 140%, respect to the pure gypsum, when the maximum NPCM/Hem mass ratio was used. This composite had a latent heat of 30.2 J g−1 and a heat capacity of equivalent 3.5 J g−1 K−1. Composites from a NPCM/Hem mass ratio up to 0.15 satisfied European mechanical standard EN 13,279–1 for gypsum binders and gypsum plasters and all of them, presented a bulk density higher than 0.60 g cm−3. The addition of a 41% in mass of nanocapsules allowed to save 13.5 kWh m−3 and, reducing the CO2 emissions up to 3.4 kg of CO2 per operating cycle. The use of this new material would lead to significant energy and economic savings, as well as a considerable reduction in the emission of polluting gases into the atmosphere.
Decentralized mobility hubs in urban residential neighborhoods improve the contribution of carsharing to sustainable mobility: findings from a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Czarnetzki Felix , Siek Florian
Published: July 2022

Carsharing contributes to sustainable urban mobility by reducing private car ownership and use. Thus, policy-makers and planners need to know how cities can foster carsharing and the related benefits. Decentralized mobility hubs are an emerging approach to supporting carsharing. These hubs provide designated carsharing parking spots in the public street spaces of urban residential neighborhoods. The objective is to embed carsharing services into the immediate residential environments of urban households. Thus, the hubs are intended to make carsharing more accessible, reliable, and convenient. However, there is a lack of empirical insights into the impact of decentralized mobility hubs on carsharing. This research uses survey data on carsharing users in the inner city of Hamburg, Germany, to appreciate the actual effects of such hubs on car ownership, transport mode usage, and the perception of carsharing. Decentralized mobility hubs have existed in several high-density residential neighborhoods in Hamburg since 2017. Our findings suggest that the use of these hubs leads to a substantially more positive perception of carsharing and, as a consequence, to a greater willingness of carsharing users to forgo car ownership. Ultimately, by supporting the reduction of private car ownership, the hubs promote not only carsharing, but also the use of other sustainable modes of transportation.
Topologies on the real line
Authors: Mulero M. A. , Requejo B.
Published: July 2022

We prove that if a topology on the real line endows it with a topological group structure (additive) for which the interval $$(0,+\infty )$$

(
0
,
+
∞
)

is an open set, so this topology is stronger than the usual topology. As a consequence we obtain characterizations of the usual topology as group topology and as ring topology. We also proved that if a topology on the real line is compatible with its usual lattice structure and is $$T_1$$

T
1

, so this topology is stronger than the usual topology, and as a consequence we obtain a characterization of the usual topology as lattice topology.
Sortals, bodies, and variables. A critique of Quine’s theory of reference
Authors: Glauer Ramiro , Hildebrandt Frauke
Published: July 2022

Among the philosophical accounts of reference, Quine’s (1974)The Roots of Referencestands out in offering an integrated account of the acquisition of linguistic reference and object individuation. Based on a non-referential ability to distinguish bodies, the acquisition of sortals and quantification are crucial steps in learning to refer to objects. In this article, we critically re-assess Quine’s account of reference. Our critique will proceed in three steps with the aim of showing that Quine effectively presupposes what he sets out to explain, namely, reference to objects. We are going to argue (i) that sortals do not individuate, (ii) that bodies are already objects, and (iii) that the acquisition of variables presupposes a notion of identity. The result is diagnostic of a central desideratum for any theory of reference: an explanation of spatiotemporal object individuation.
Biogenic synthesis of reduced graphene oxide from Ziziphus spina-christi (Christ’s thorn jujube) extracts for catalytic, antimicrobial, and antioxidant potentialities
Authors: Mahmoud Alaa El Din , El-Maghrabi Nourhan , Hosny Mohamed , Fawzy Manal
Published: July 2022

In the current work, various concentrations of the aqueous extract of Ziziphus spina-christi were employed for the phytoreduction of graphene oxide (GO). The green synthesized reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was characterized through UV-Vis spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX). Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) denoted the presence of numerous phytoconstituents including ketones, terpenoids, fatty acids, esters, and flavonoids, which acted as reducing and capping agents. The obtained results indicated the increase in rGO yield and shape with increasing the extract concentration. The optimized rGO was instantaneously ~100% removed methylene blue (MB) from the water at 5 mg L−1. However, the removal efficiency was slightly declined to reach 73.55 and 65.1% at 10 and 15 mg L−1, respectively. A powerful antibacterial activity for rGO particularly against gram-negative bacteria with a high concentration of 2 × 108 CFU mL−1 was confirmed. Furthermore, rGO demonstrated promising and comparable antioxidant efficiency with vitamin C against DPPH free radical scavenging. While vitamin C recorded 13.45 and 48.4%, the optimized rGO attained 13.30 and 45.20% at 12 and 50 μg mL−1, respectively.
Capacity of countries to reduce biological invasions
Authors: Latombe Guillaume , Seebens Hanno , Lenzner Bernd , Courchamp Franck , Dullinger Stefan , Golivets Marina , Kühn Ingolf , Leung Brian , Roura-Pascual Núria , Cebrian Emma , Dawson Wayne , Diagne Christophe , Jeschke Jonathan M. , Pérez-Granados Cristian , Moser Dietmar , Turbelin Anna , Visconti Piero , Essl Franz
Published: July 2022

The extent and impacts of biological invasions on biodiversity are largely shaped by an array of socio-economic and environmental factors, which exhibit high variation among countries. Yet, a global analysis of how these factors vary across countries is currently lacking. Here, we investigate how five broad, country-specific socio-economic and environmental indices (Governance, Trade, Environmental Performance, Lifestyle and Education, Innovation) explain country-level (1) established alien species (EAS) richness of eight taxonomic groups, and (2) proactive or reactive capacity to prevent and manage biological invasions and their impacts. These indices underpin many aspects of the invasion process, including the introduction, establishment, spread and management of alien species. They are also general enough to enable a global comparison across countries, and are therefore essential for defining future scenarios for biological invasions. Models including Trade, Governance, Lifestyle and Education, or a combination of these, best explained EAS richness across taxonomic groups and national proactive or reactive capacity. Historical (1996 or averaged over 1996–2015) levels of Governance and Trade better explained both EAS richness and the capacity of countries to manage invasions than more recent (2015) levels, revealing a historical legacy with important implications for the future of biological invasions. Using Governance and Trade to define a two-dimensional socio-economic space in which the position of a country captures its capacity to address issues of biological invasions, we identified four main clusters of countries in 2015. Most countries had an increase in Trade over the past 25 years, but trajectories were more geographically heterogeneous for Governance. Declines in levels of Governance are concerning as they may be responsible for larger levels of invasions in the future. By identifying the factors influencing EAS richness and the regions most susceptible to changes in these factors, our results provide novel insights to integrate biological invasions into scenarios of biodiversity change to better inform decision-making for policy and the management of biological invasions.
Fuel and vegetation changes in southwestern, unburned portions of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, 2003–2019
Authors: Coates T. Adam , Ford W. Mark
Published: July 2022

Overstory basal area, ericaceous shrub cover (Kalmia latifolia L. and Rhododendron maximum L.), and fuels (i.e., woody fuel loads and depths and O Horizon thickness) were assessed within Great Smoky Mountains National Park, USA, in 2003 − 2004. Due to recent wildfire activity within the southern Appalachian Mountain region (including Great Smoky Mountains National Park), the potential spread and expansion of ericaceous shrubs, and the impacts of the hemlock woolly adelgid (Adelges tsugae Annand) on eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carrière), these same ecosystem components were again assessed in 2019. Elevation and moisture regime (xeric, intermediate, and mesic) were included in this assessment as potential influential factors. An evaluation of repeated measurements from 40 plots suggested that O Horizon thickness did not change significantly over the 16-year period, but increased as elevation increased, and moisture regime (xeric O Horizon thickness > mesic O Horizon thickness) was a significant, related factor. The sum of 1-, 10-, and 100-h fuel loads (fuels less < 7.6 cm diameter) increased, whereas woody fuel depth decreased over the 16-year period. No significant changes in 1000-h fuel loads (> 7.6 cm diameter), total woody fuel loads, ericaceous shrub cover, total basal area, or live T. canadensis basal area were observed. Live T. canadensis basal area decreased with increasing elevation. Dead, standing T. canadensis basal area increased from 2003–2019, and that increase was most pronounced as elevation increased on xeric and intermediate sites. Overall, we found that: 1. hypothesized increases in total woody fuel loads and ericaceous shrub cover were not present; and 2. elevation and moisture regime were most related to observed changes in vegetation and fuel condition.
Centrality and interhemispheric coordination are related to different clinical/behavioral factors in attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Tarchi Livio , Damiani Stefano , Fantoni Teresa , Pisano Tiziana , Castellini Giovanni , Politi Pierluigi , Ricca Valdo
Published: July 2022

Eigenvector-Centrality (EC) has shown promising results in the field of Psychiatry, with early results also pertaining to ADHD. Parallel efforts have focused on the description of aberrant interhemispheric coordination in ADHD, as measured by Voxel-Mirrored-Homotopic-Connectivity (VMHC), with early evidence of altered Resting-State fMRI. A sample was collected from the ADHD200-NYU initiative: 86 neurotypicals and 89 participants with ADHD between 7 and 18 years old were included after quality control for motion. After preprocessing, voxel-wise EC and VMHC values between diagnostic groups were compared, and network-level values from 15 functional networks extracted. Age, ADHD severity (Connor’s Parent Rating-Scale), IQ (Wechsler-Abbreviated-Scale), and right-hand dominance were correlated with EC/VMHC values in the whole sample and within groups, both at the voxel-wise and network-level. Motion was controlled by censoring time-points with Framewise-Displacement > 0.5 mm, as well as controlling for group differences in mean Framewise-Displacement values. EC was significantly higher in ADHD compared to neurotypicals in the left inferior Frontal lobe, Lingual gyri, Peri-Calcarine cortex, superior and middle Occipital lobes, right inferior Occipital lobe, right middle Temporal gyrus, Fusiform gyri, bilateral Cuneus, right Precuneus, and Cerebellum (FDR-corrected-p = 0.05). No differences were observed between groups in voxel-wise VMHC. EC was positively correlated with ADHD severity scores at the network level (at p-value < 0.01, Inattentive: Cerebellum rho = 0.273; Hyper/Impulsive: High-Visual Network rho = 0.242, Cerebellum rho = 0.273; Global Index Severity: High-Visual Network rho = 0.241, Cerebellum rho = 0.293). No differences were observed between groups for motion (p = 0.443). While EC was more related to ADHD psychopathology, VMHC was consistently and negatively correlated with age across all networks.
Production of highly purified zirconium oxide from zircon mineral leach liquor using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate as a promising extractant
Authors: Ali A. H.
Published: July 2022

In this manuscript, efficiency of the used organic solvent for recovering, separating and producing highly purified zirconium oxide from zirconium chloride leach liquor of Rosetta white zircon concentrate was investigated. Zircon mineral was thermally decomposed with caustic soda, cooled, washed with distilled water and then dissolved in hydrochloric acid. Zirconium extraction efficiency reached 91.4% using 10% bis-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate dissolved in kerosene, 15 min contact time and volume phase ratio O/A 1:1 after 3 stages. Zirconium re-extraction efficiency reached 99.95% using the following optimum conditions 4 molL−1 H2SO4 as an effective stripping agent, 15 min contact time and volume phase ratio O:A 1:1 after 2 stages. Finally, Zr (OH)4 was precipitated in presence and absence of H2O2 by NH4OH solution, filtrated, rinsed with double distilled H2O to remove any impurities several times and dehydrated at 200 °C for 2 h. From XRF and EDAX analysis the produced zirconium oxide in presence of H2O2 is purer than that produced in absence of H2O2.
Assessment in mathematics: a study on teachers’ practices in times of pandemic
Authors: Cusi Annalisa , Schacht Florian , Aldon Gilles , Swidan Osama
Published: July 2022

Lockdowns imposed by many countries on their populations at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis forced teachers to adapt quickly and without adequate preparation to distance teaching. In this paper, we focus on one of the most formidable challenges that teachers faced during the lockdowns and even in the post-lockdown emergency period, namely, developing assessment that maintains the pedagogical continuity that educational institutions typically require. Based on the results of a previous study, focused on the analysis of answers to an open-ended questionnaire administered to a population of 700 teachers from France, Germany, Israel and Italy, a semi-structured interview series was designed and implemented by the authors of this paper with a small group of teachers. The transcripts of these interviews were analysed according to the interpretative phenomenological analysis methodology, with the aim of investigating teachers’ own perspectives on the following: (a) the difficulties with which they had to contend, with respect to the question of assessment; (b) the techniques adopted to deal with these difficulties; and (c) the ways in which the lockdown experience could affect the future evolution of teachers’ assessment practices. This analysis supported us in formulating hypotheses concerning the possible long-term effects of lockdown on modes of assessment in mathematics.
Impact of Traumatic Material on Professionals in Analytical and Secondary Investigative Roles Working in Criminal Justice Settings: a Qualitative Approach
Authors: Duran Fazeelat , Woodhams Jessica
Published: July 2022

Professionals in analytical and secondary investigative roles are exposed to violent material on a daily basis with full immersion in the details of serious offenses. However, there is limited evidence of the impact of this on their mental health. Therefore, this research aims to explore the impact of traumatic material on the mental health of these professionals in police and law enforcement and the strategies they employ to cope with the nature of their work. Forty semi-structured interviews were conducted with these professionals from UK, Canada, and Europe. Five key themes were identified: “Analyzing material,” “Negative Influences,” “Coping Strategies,” “Additional Risk Factors,” and “Protective Factors.” From the findings, it is evident that these professionals are at significant risk of developing secondary traumatic stress, burnout, and sleep problems. The constant exposure to this material negatively influenced their feelings about their home and social lives. The implications of these findings and avenues for providing a supportive working environment are discussed.
The relation of school achievement with self-esteem and bullying in Chilean children
Authors: Álvarez Carolina , Szücs Dénes
Published: July 2022

Self-esteem and bullying and academic achievement measures are related in Western countries. However, evidence from other culture spaces is extremely sparse. To fill this gap, here, we analyze a wide range of relevant measures from 8,381 8- to 12-year-old Latin American children enrolled in the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey in Chile. We considered the relationship of math achievement, receptive vocabulary, Grade Point Average (GPA), self-esteem and bullying. We found positive relationships between most achievement measures, and a negative relationship between self-esteem and bullying. Unlike the international literature, we found a stronger relationship between self-esteem and GPA, and a weaker relationship between bullying and GPA. Findings suggest that children’s learning and their experiences at school are connected. Results provide useful information for stakeholders.
Benefits and harms of social media use: A latent profile analysis of emerging adults
Authors: Keum Brian TaeHyuk , Wang Yu-Wei , Callaway Julia , Abebe Israel , Cruz Tiana , O’Connor Seini
Published: July 2022

The rise in social media use among emerging adults in the United States has been well-documented, but researchers are still working on identifying how the type—not just the frequency—of use impacts psychological well-being. We identified “profiles” of social media use among young adults based on the frequency and purposes of use, and examined their associations with benefits and harms to psychosocial well-being, using data from 2828 incoming undergraduate students (Mage = 18.29 years; age range: 17 to 25 years). Using Latent Profile Analysis, we identified three unique profiles of individuals who used social media with varying levels of intensity across different purposes: Active Users (32.4%), Passive Users (25.3%), and Average Users (42.4%). Each profile was associated with varying levels of beneficial and harmful psychosocial outcomes. Compared to Average Users, (a) Active Users reported significantly better psychosocial well-being, but also more harmful outcomes; and (b) Passive Users experienced significantly lower levels of perceived social media benefits and social connectedness, while also reporting less problematic social media use and social media stress. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed.
Cobalt-iron oxide/black phosphorus nanosheet heterostructure: Electrosynthesis and performance of (photo-)electrocatalytic oxygen evolution
Authors: Zhao Man , Cheng Xiaoru , Xiao He , Gao Jianru , Xue Shoufeng , Wang Xiaoxia , Wu Haishun , Jia Jianfeng , Yang Nianjun
Published: July 2022

Highly active, stable, and cut-price (photo-)electrocatalysts are desired to overwhelm high energy barriers for anodic oxygen evolution reaction processes. Herein, a heterostructure of cobalt-iron oxide/black phosphorus nanosheets is in-situ synthesized via a facile and novel three-electrode electrolysis method. Bulky black phosphorus is exfoliated into its nanosheets at the cathode while the CoFe oxide is derived directly from the metal wire anode during the electrolysis process. This heterostructure exhibits excellent electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance, and the overpotential at 10 mA·cm−2 is 51 mV lower than that of the commercial RuO2 catalyst. Its superior OER performance stems from the favorable adsorption behavior and an enlarged electrochemical active surface area of the catalyst. To reveal the origin of excellent OER performance from the point of adsorption strength of OH*, methanol oxidation reaction (MOR) test is applied under the identified OER operating conditions. Further introduction of light illumination enhances the OER activity of this heterostructure. The overpotential drops down to 280 mV, benefiting from pronounced photochemical response of black phosphorus nanosheets and iron oxide inside the heterostructure. This work develops a new electrochemical method to construct high performance and light-sensitive heterostructures from black phosphorus nanosheets for the OER.
Long-term English Learners: Untangling Language Acquisition and Learning Disabilities
Authors: Rhinehart Laura V. , Bailey Alison L. , Haager Diane
Published: July 2022

Students who have remained classified as English Learners (ELs) for more than six years are often labeled “Long-term English Learners” (LTELs). The present study examined the English Language Development (ELD) test scores and demographic information in a group of 560 students identified as LTELs. Despite assumptions that these students are still learning English, results showed many students who are labeled LTELs exhibited advanced English skills, especially on measures of expressive and receptive oral language (i.e., speaking and listening subtests). At the same time, ELD assessments showed many of these students struggled with literacy skills, especially reading. Perhaps due to these overlapping circumstances, we found many LTELs were also identified with learning disabilities. Based on these findings, we explored the impact of restricting domains needed for reclassification as English proficient on reclassification rates. Compared with existing decision rules in the students’ state, proposed models allow many more LTELs to reclassify as English proficient, and most LTELs not reclassifying are students in special education. Discussion focuses on interpreting ELD scores for students who have remained classified as ELs for more than a few years.
Platelet Transfusion for Trauma Resuscitation
Authors: Starr Nichole , Matthay Zachary , Fields Alexander , Neal Matthew D. , Kornblith Lucy Zumwinkle
Published: July 2022

Purpose of Review

To review the role of platelet transfusion in resuscitation for trauma, including normal platelet function and alterations in behavior following trauma, blood product transfusion ratios and the impact of platelet transfusion on platelet function, platelet function assays, risks of platelet transfusion and considerations for platelet storage, and potential adjunct therapies and synthetic platelets.

Recent Findings

Platelets are a critical component of clot formation and breakdown following injury, and in addition to these hemostatic properties, have a complex role in vascular homeostasis, inflammation, and immune function. Evidence supports that platelets are activated following trauma with several upregulated functions, but under conditions of severe injury and shock are found to be impaired in their hemostatic behaviors. Platelets should be transfused in balanced ratios with red blood cells and plasma during initial trauma resuscitation as this portends improved outcomes including survival. Multiple coagulation assays can be used for goal-directed resuscitation for traumatic hemorrhage; however, these assays each have drawbacks in terms of their ability to measure platelet function. While resuscitation with balanced transfusion ratios is supported by the literature, platelet transfusion carries its own risks such as bacterial infection and lung injury. Platelet supply is also limited, with resource-intensive storage requirements, making exploration of longer-term storage options and novel platelet-based therapeutics attractive. Future focus on a deeper understanding of the biology of platelets following trauma, and on optimization of novel platelet-based therapeutics to maintain hemostatic effects while improving availability should be pursued.

While platelet function is altered following trauma, platelets should be transfused in balanced ratios during initial resuscitation. Severe injury and shock can impair platelet function, which can persist for several days following the initial trauma. Assays to guide resuscitation following the initial period as well as storage techniques to extend platelet shelf life are important areas of investigation.
NVRAM as an Enabler to New Horizons in Graph Processing
Authors: Capelli Ludovic Anthony Richard , Brown Nicholas , Bull Jonathan Mark
Published: July 2022

From the world wide web, to genomics, to traffic analysis, graphs are central to many scientific, engineering, and societal endeavours. Therefore an important question is what hardware technologies are most appropriate to invest in and use for processing graphs, whose sizes now frequently reach terabytes. Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM) technology is an interesting candidate enabling organisations to extend the memory in their systems typically by an order of magnitude compared to Dynamic Read Access Memory (DRAM) alone. From a software perspective, it permits to store a much larger dataset within a single memory space and avoid the significant communication cost incurred when going off node. However, to obtain optimal performance one must consider carefully how best to integrate this technology with their code to cope with NVRAM esoteric properties such as asymmetric read/write performance or explicit coding for deeper memory hierarchies for instance. In this paper, we investigate the use of NVRAM in the context of shared memory graph processing via vertex-centric. We find that NVRAM enables the processing of exceptionally large graphs on a single node with good performance, price and power consumption. We also explore the techniques required to most appropriately exploit NVRAM for graph processing and, for the first time, demonstrate the ability to process a graph of 750 billion edges whilst staying within the memory of a single node. Whilst the vertex-centric graph processing methodology is our main focus, not least due to its popularity since introduced by Google over a decade ago, the lessons learnt in this paper apply more widely to graph processing in general.
Modeling of Ventilation’s Influence on Energy Consumption in Multi-cylinder Dryer Section Part1: Theoretical Model
Authors: Yin Yongjun , Liu Jiang , Wang Yang , Zhuo Yinru , Meng Yu
Published: July 2022

Ventilation system affects the water evaporation rate, energy consumption and the paper quality, which is considered as the largest optimization potential part of multi-cylinder dryer section. Energy consumption of drying system is divided into three parts: steam consumption of cylinders, steam consumption of air heaters, power consumption of blowers and exhaust fans. An energy consumption model of drying system integrating steam condensation system and ventilation system is constructed according to the control logic and process flow of the actual ventilation system, by combining the established models of each module and energy consumption indexes. It is the premise to realize the intelligent control of paper drying process. The research results perfects the mechanism of ventilation system for assisted drying, which can promote the improvement of the monitoring, and enable intelligent computing technology to play a greater role in optimizing drying operation and reducing drying energy consumption.
Vestibulodynia and the Vaginal Microbiome: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Panzarella Doreen A. , Peresleni Tatyana , Collier Jackie L. , Kocis Christina , Baker David A.
Published: July 2022

Background

Recent studies of the vaginal microbiome have led to a better understanding of the microbiota and interactions with the host environment, however the role of the vaginal microbiome in vestibulodynia remains unclear.

Aim

This study aims to investigate and examine differences in the bacterial and fungal microbiome among patients with vestibulodynia and healthy controls.

Methods

A case-control study was conducted examining the vaginal microbiome of 29 patients with vestibulodynia and 26 controls through Stony Brook University Obstetrics and Gynecology ambulatory clinic. Exclusion criteria included a diagnosis of vaginal infection at the time of presentation, a prior diagnosis of vulvodynia or receipt of treatment, immunosuppression, and receipt of steroid or antibiotic therapy. Vaginal swab samples were obtained from participants. DNA was extracted and sent for diversity assay of 16S rRNA for prokaryotic species and internal transcribed spacers (ITS) for fungi. Demographic characteristics for both cases and controls were obtained through a retrospective chart review.

Outcome Measure

Principal component analysis (PCA) and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LefSe) were used to identify differences in relative abundance of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) for the vaginal microbiome between vestibulodynia patients and controls.

Results

Lactobacillus species were dominant amongst both cases and controls. PCA of 16S and ITS OTUs did not show significant differences in microbiome composition between vestibulodynia patients and controls. LefSe demonstrated higher abundance of Bifidobacterium longum, the Genus Sneathia, and the Family Leptotrichiaceae, in controls compared to vestibulodynia samples. For ITS, Aspergillus spp. was significantly more prevalent in controls than in vestibulodynia cases.

Clinical Implications

Additional studies are needed to further assess the clinical significance of these findings.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths of this study include ITS amplicon sequence analysis for fungal species diversity. Limitations of this study include small sample size and lack of racial diversity.

Conclusions

Our study did not find significant differences in composition or diversity between the vaginal microbiomes of cases of vestibulodynia and controls; however, the data suggests differences in abundance of biota requiring further research for biological and clinical significance.
The Atom in Seventeenth-Century Literature
Authors: Gorman Cassandra
Published: July 2022

An investigation into the remarkable poetics of the atom in English literary texts from the mid- to late-seventeenth century.
Coastal Resource Integration and Reuse in Iron Age South-Eastern Iberia: The Lead Ingots Cast fromPinna nobilisShells
Authors: Gosner Linda R.
Published: July 2022

The Iron Age shipwrecks of Agde K (Brescou Island, France) and Cabrera B (Balearic Islands), discovered in the 1960s, together yielded seven lead ingots cast in the large shells ofPinna nobilismolluscs. Lead isotope analysis later traced the ingots to lead sources in south-eastern Iberia. These ingots are reassessed here as evidence for the integration of coastal production strategies in Iron Age south-eastern Iberia, revealing material connections between metallurgy and coastal industries linked to the exploitation ofPinna nobilis, such as sea silk manufacture. This compelling example of reuse of materials from one industry in another attests to a circular economic activity that is likely to have had practical and environmental motivations. The author aims to promote the recognition ofPinna nobilisshell casting and similar reuse phenomena elsewhere in the Mediterranean basin.
The relation of unrest-related distress with probable depression during and after widespread civil unrest
Authors: Tao Tiffany Junchen , Li Tsz Wai , Yim Sammi Sum Wai , Hou Wai Kai
Published: July 2022

Background

This study investigated whether subjective unrest-related distress was associated with probable depression during and after the 2019 anti-ELAB movement in Hong Kong.

Methods

Population-representative data were collected from 7157 Hong Kong Chinese in four cross-sectional surveys (July 2019–July 2020). Logistic regression examined the association between subjective unrest-related distress and probable depression (PHQ-9 ⩾ 10), stratified by the number of conflicts/protests across the four timepoints.

Results

Unrest-related distress was positively associated with probable depression across different numbers of conflicts/protests.

Conclusion

Unrest-related distress is a core indicator of probable depression. Public health interventions should target at resolving the distress during seemingly peaceful period after unrest.
Three-dimensional, rotational flamelet closure model with two-way coupling
Authors: Sirignano William A.
Published: July 2022

A new flamelet model is developed to be used for subgrid modelling and coupled with the resolved flow description for turbulent combustion. The model differs from current models in several critical ways. (i) Non-premixed flames, premixed flames or multi-branched flame structures are determined rather than prescribed. (ii) The effects of shear strain and vorticity on the flames are determined. (iii) The strain rates and vorticity applied at the subgrid level are directly determined from the resolved-scale strain rates and vorticity without the use of a contrived progress variable. (iv) The flamelet model is three-dimensional without need for assuming axisymmetry or planar geometry. (v) The effect of variable density is addressed in the flamelet model. Solutions to the Navier–Stokes equations and the associated scalar equations governing the flamelet model are obtained without the boundary-layer approximation. By appropriate coordinate transformation, a similar solution is found for the rotational flamelet model, reducing it to a system of ordinary differential equations. Vorticity is shown to create a centrifugal force on the subgrid counterflow that modifies the molecular transport rates and burning rate. Sample computations of the rotational flamelet model without coupling to the resolved flow are presented first to demonstrate the importance of the new features of the model. Scaling laws are presented for relating strain rates and vorticity at the subgrid level to those quantities at the resolved-flow level for coupling with large-eddy simulations or the time-averaged mean-flow level for Reynolds-averaged flows. The time-averaged behaviour of a simple turbulent flow is resolved with coupling to the rotational flamelet model. Specifically, a two-dimensional, multicomponent, time-averaged planar shear layer with variable density and energy release is employed using a mixing-length description for the eddy viscosity. Needs for future study are identified.
Late Palaeozoic tectonic evolution of the eastern Palaeo-Asian Ocean: new evidence from the early Permian arc magmatic suites in the Kulun region
Authors: Jing Yan , Ge Wen-chun , Yang Hao , Dong Yu , Ji Zheng , Bi Jun-hui , Zhou Hong-ying , Xing Dehe
Published: July 2022

Late Palaeozoic igneous rock associations in response to subduction, accretion, and final closure of the eastern Palaeo-Asian Ocean play a significant role in understanding the geodynamic evolution of the southeastern Central Asian Orogenic Belt. Previous studies have identified a Permian arc magmatic belt associated with the southward-dipping subduction of the eastern Palaeo-Asian Ocean along the Solonker–Changchun suture zone. The genetic mechanism and associated geodynamic settings are of great importance in deciphering the evolution of the eastern Palaeo-Asian Ocean. This paper presents zircon U–Pb–Hf isotope and whole-rock geochemical analyses for a suite of magmatic rocks including the early Permian diorite porphyrites (ca. 281.0 Ma), andesites (ca. 276 Ma) and rhyolites (ca. 275 Ma) in the Kulun region. The diorite porphyrites and andesites have high SiO2and total alkali contents, and low MgO contents and Mg no. values, with enrichments in large ion lithophile elements and depletions in high-field-strength elements. These geochemical characteristics, together with low-Sr and high-Yb contents, a weak concave-upward shape of middle rare earth elements and negative Eu anomalies, suggest that these intermediate igneous rocks were generated by partial melting of amphibolitic lower crust at a crustal depth of 30–40 km. The rhyolites have heterogeneous isotopic compositions, withϵHf(t) values andTDM2ages of –20.8 to +0.5 and 3578∼1494 Ma, implying that they were likely derived from partial melting of a mixed source dominated by recycled ancient crust with minor juvenile crustal materials. The rhyolites show potassic affinity with relatively high K2O and very low Na2O, which was attributed to liquid immiscibility of felsic magma and subsequent limited fractional crystallization of plagioclase. The regional igneous associations, metamorphic events, and coeval sedimentary rocks along the Solonker–Changchun suture zone indicate that the early Permian igneous rocks were formed in an active continental arc environment in response to southward subduction of the eastern Palaeo-Asian Ocean.
Credit Default Swaps and Lender Incentives in Bank Debt Renegotiations
Authors: Chakraborty Indraneel , Chava Sudheer , Ganduri Rohan
Published: July 2022

Using a regression-discontinuity design and within lender–borrower variation, we analyze how credit default swaps (CDSs) affect bank incentives and borrower outcomes in renegotiations after covenant violations. While existing studies document an investment decline after covenant violations, we find that covenant-violating firms maintain their investment subsequent to the introduction of CDS trading. Moreover, after CDS introduction, covenant-violating firms are less likely to default. Our results suggest that in the private debt markets, CDSs discipline borrowers, while the empty creditor problem due to CDS is mitigated because of lenders’ reputation concerns and lower coordination frictions.
Molecular identification of trematode parasites infecting the freshwater snail Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos in Thailand
Authors: Pitaksakulrat O. , Sithithaworn P. , Kopolrat K.Y. , Kiatsopit N. , Saijuntha W. , Andrews R.H. , Petney T.N. , Blair D.
Published: July 2022

Digenetic trematodes are important parasites of humans and animals. They have complex life cycles and typically infect a gastropod as the first intermediate host. Bithynia siamensis goniomphalos, the first intermediate host of the liver fluke, Opisthorchis viverrini, harbours a wide variety of other trematode species. Morphological details of cercariae of 20 trematode taxa from B. s. goniomphalos, collected mainly in Thailand from 2009 to 2014, were provided in an earlier paper. Correct identification to the species or genus level based on morphology of these cercariae is generally not possible. Therefore, we used molecular data to improve identification and to investigate the diversity of the species of trematodes infecting B. s. goniomphalos. We were successful in extracting, amplifying and sequencing portions of the 28S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene for 19 of these 20 types of cercaria, and the internal transcribed spacer 2 region for 18 types. BLAST searches in GenBank and phylogenetic trees inferred from the 28S rRNA sequences identified members of at least nine superfamilies and 12 families. Only a few cercariae could be assigned confidently to genus or species on the basis of the sequence data. Matching sequence data from named adult trematodes will be required for definitive identification. There is clearly a great diversity of trematode species utilizing B. s. goniomphalos in Thailand.
A systematic review of relational-based therapies for the treatment of auditory hallucinations in patients with psychotic disorders
Authors: Dellazizzo Laura , Giguère Sabrina , Léveillé Nayla , Potvin Stéphane , Dumais Alexandre
Published: July 2022

Background

Auditory hallucinations in patients with psychotic disorders may be very distressing. Unfortunately, a large proportion of individuals are resistant to pharmacological interventions and the gold-standard cognitive-behavioral therapy for psychosis offers at best modest effects. To improve therapeutic outcomes, several therapies have been created to establish a relationship between voice-hearers and their voices. With increasing literature, we conducted a systematic review of dialogical therapies and examined the evidence behind their efficacy.

Methods

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Articles were included if they discussed the effects of dialogical interventions for patients with psychotic disorders.

Results

A total of 17 studies were included within this systematic review. Cumulative evidence from various therapies has shown that entering in a dialog with voices is beneficial to patients, even those who are resistant to current pharmacological treatments. Heightened benefits have been mainly observed with Relating Therapy and Avatar Therapy/Virtual Reality assisted Therapy, with evidence generally of moderate quality. Both these interventions have shown large to very large effects on voices and voice-related distress as well as moderate to large magnitude improvements on affective symptoms. Though, cognitive-behavioral therapy for command hallucinations and making sense of voices noted no improvements on voices.

Conclusions

Literature on relational-based interventions with a strong emphasis on the relational aspects of voice hearing has shown positive effects. Results suggest that these dialogical therapies might surpass the efficacy of current gold-standard approaches.