bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing Completeness of IoT Data: A Novel Probabilistic Approach
Authors: Klier Mathias , Moestue Lars , Obermeier Andreas , Widmann Torben
Published: August 2024

The Internet of Things (IoT) is one of the driving forces behind Industry 4.0 and has the potential to improve the entire value chain, especially in the context of industrial manufacturing. However, results derived from IoT data are only viable if a high level of data quality is maintained. Thereby, completeness is especially critical, as incomplete data is one of the most common and costly data quality defects in the IoT context. Nevertheless, existing approaches for assessing the completeness of IoT data are limited in their applicability because they assume a known number of real-world entities or that the real-world entities appear in regular patterns. Thus, they cannot handle the uncertainty regarding the number of real-world entities typically present in the IoT context. Against this background, the paper proposes a novel, probability-based metric that addresses these issues and provides interpretable metric values representing the probability that an IoT database is complete. This probability is assessed based on the detection of outliers regarding the deviation between the estimated number of real-world entities and the number of digital entities. The evaluation with IoT data from a German car manufacturer demonstrates that the provided metric values are useful and informative and can discriminate well between complete and incomplete IoT data. The metric has the potential to reduce the cost, time, and effort associated with incomplete IoT data, providing tangible benefits in real-world applications.
Fractional differential equation on the whole axis involving Liouville derivative
Authors: Matychyn Ivan , Onyshchenko Viktoriia
Published: August 2024

The paper investigates fractional differential equations involving the Liouville derivative. Solution to these equations under a boundary condition inside the time interval are derived in explicit form, their uniqueness is established using integral transforms technique.
Rotor–stator hydrodynamic cavitation reactor for intensification of castor oil biodiesel production
Authors: Khater M. , Aboelazayem O. , Ismail A. R. , Soliman A. , Amr S. A. Abu , El-Gendy N. Sh. , Ezzat A. A.
Published: August 2024

Nowadays, the intensification of the production of biodiesel from non-edible oil crops is mandatory to overcome petrol-fuel depletion and environmental pollution. For the first time, enhanced biodiesel production from castor oil via rotor–stator hydrodynamic cavitation has been studied in this work. Response surface methodology based on one-factor-at-a-time design of experiments was employed for modelling and optimizing the biodiesel yield and the decrease in feedstock viscosity, density, and total acid number (TAN). The predicted optimum parameters of 8.15:1 methanol:oil (M:O), 1499 rpm, 29.38 min, 48.43 °C, and a KOH catalyst concentration of 0.74 wt.% resulted in a 96% biodiesel yield with a concomitant decrease in viscosity, density, and TAN of approximately 95%, 5.12%, and 90.02%, respectively. According to the results of the breakthrough kinetic calculations, the reaction is pseudo-second order, with the activation energy, frequency factor, and reaction rate constant being 0.23 M−1 min−1, 18.77 kJ/mol, and 6.32 M−1 min−1, respectively. The fuel properties of the produced biodiesel and bio-petro-diesel blends were good, comparable to international standards and the marketed Egyptian petro-diesel.
Tessuto adiposo epicardico: dagli aspetti biomolecolari alla pratica clinica
Authors: Malavazos Alexis Elias , Dubini Carola , Meregalli Chiara , Boniardi Federico , Secchi Francesco , Piepoli Massimo , Salvetti Guido , Menicanti Lorenzo , Chessa Massimo , Spagnolo Pietro , Scravaglieri Valentina , Trevisan Manuel Bruno , Fierabracci Paola , Dozio Elena , Buscemi Paolo , Castelvecchio Serenella , Ruocco Chiara , Randazzo Cristiana , Morricone Lelio , Santini Ferruccio , Cinti Saverio , Buscemi Silvio , Guazzi Marco , Romanelli Massimiliano Marco Corsi , Carruba Michele Olivo , Nisoli Enzo
Published: August 2024

Sommario

Il tessuto adiposo epicardico (EAT) è un fattore di rischio cardiovascolare in quanto promuove la progressione della fibrillazione atriale, della malattia coronarica e dell’insufficienza cardiaca. EAT si caratterizza per rapido metabolismo, misurabilità clinica e facile modificabilità e rappresenta un bersaglio terapeutico peculiare per farmaci innovativi, quali gli agonisti del recettore del peptide glucagone-simile 1 e gli inibitori del co-trasportatore sodio-glucosio 2, che appaiono salutari dal punto di vista cardiometabolico ben oltre i loro effetti sul glucosio e sul peso corporeo (Materiale Supplementare).
Impact of Native and Nonnative Study Partners on Medical Students’ Confidence and Collaborative Strategies in Second Language Medical Dutch Learning
Authors: Yu Hao , Köhler S. Eleonore , Janesarvatan Fatemeh , van Merriënboer Jeroen J. G. , Asoodar Maryam
Published: August 2024

Objective

This study explored how native and nonnative study partners impact medical students’ confidence, learning strategies, and perceptions of learning experiences in second language (L2) medical Dutch learning using Kolb’s experiential learning framework.

Methods

Twelve third-year international bachelor medical students participated in a mixed-methods pre-post quasi-experimental design. Four students were paired with highly proficient native Dutch partners in a mixed group, and eight nonnative students formed pairs in a homogeneous group. The need satisfaction competence scale was used for pre- and post-tests, and individual interviews were analyzed for content and themes. Code co-occurrence and network analyses were carried out to identify the relationships between themes in the two groups.

Results

Common themes in both groups included a positive atmosphere, collaboration, and confidence. The mixed group prioritized language learning and motivation, while the homogeneous group emphasized interpersonal relationships and feedback-seeking behaviors. Nonnative students in homogeneous groups gained confidence, while confidence of those in mixed groups decreased, possibly due to comparing themselves with native partners. Homogeneous groups have communication focused collaborative strategies, while the mixed group emphasized personal growth with fewer drawbacks.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that initiating the course with homogeneous nonnative student groups fosters collaboration and builds confidence among participants. However, to maintain motivation and further enhance language proficiency, it is advisable to introduce native Dutch partners at a later stage of the course. This approach allows students to benefit from both the positive collaborative atmosphere and interpersonal growth fostered in homogeneous groups, as well as the language learning and motivation gains associated with mixed-group experiences. Overall, our study highlights the importance of considering the stage of language learning and student needs in designing effective second language learning environments for medical students.
Fluorine-Modulated MXene-Derived Catalysts for Multiphase Sulfur Conversion in Lithium–Sulfur Battery
Authors: Gu Qinhua , Cao Yiqi , Chen Junnan , Qi Yujie , Zhai Zhaofeng , Lu Ming , Huang Nan , Zhang Bingsen
Published: August 2024

Fluorine owing to its inherently high electronegativity exhibits charge delocalization and ion dissociation capabilities; as a result, there has been an influx of research studies focused on the utilization of fluorides to optimize solid electrolyte interfaces and provide dynamic protection of electrodes to regulate the reaction and function performance of batteries. Nonetheless, the shuttle effect and the sluggish redox reaction kinetics emphasize the potential bottlenecks of lithium–sulfur batteries. Whether fluorine modulation regulate the reaction process of Li–S chemistry? Here, the TiOF/Ti3C2 MXene nanoribbons with a tailored F distribution were constructed via an NH4F fluorinated method. Relying on in situ characterizations and electrochemical analysis, the F activates the catalysis function of Ti metal atoms in the consecutive redox reaction. The positive charge of Ti metal sites is increased due to the formation of O–Ti–F bonds based on the Lewis acid–base mechanism, which contributes to the adsorption of polysulfides, provides more nucleation sites and promotes the cleavage of S–S bonds. This facilitates the deposition of Li2S at lower overpotentials. Additionally, fluorine has the capacity to capture electrons originating from Li2S dissolution due to charge compensation mechanisms. The fluorine modulation strategy holds the promise of guiding the construction of fluorine-based catalysts and facilitating the seamless integration of multiple consecutive heterogeneous catalytic processes.
The future of human and animal digital health platforms
Authors: Bök Patrick-Benjamin , Micucci Daniela
Published: August 2024

Electronic Health (eHealth) has emerged as a pivotal driver of change in modern healthcare, reshaping the way medical information is collected, processed, and utilized. e-health includes digital solutions aimed at improving healthcare delivery, management, and accessibility. The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) is specifically focused on establishing connections between medical devices and sensors to gather and transmit health-related data. Its primary objective is to enhance healthcare by facilitating real-time monitoring, employing data analytics, and integrating intelligent medical devices. The IoMT and, more broadly, eHealth are yielding positive outcomes, prompting their expanding application into the animal domain. Recent technological advancements facilitate the integration of health platforms, fostering a connection between human and animal health for improved well-being. This article introduces a conceptual framework that synthesizes the main activities in the medial data acquisition-processing pipeline. The framework has been derived from an analysis of the state of the art in the field of the IoMT in human healthcare. Furthermore, the article explores the application of eHealth concepts in the animal domain. Addressing both human and animal health, the paper summarizes the outstanding issues that need to be addressed for the full integration of these technologies into daily life.
Challenging violence in South African education: a feminist pedagogical and legal analysis
Authors: Pietersen Doniwen , Langeveldt Dean Collin
Published: August 2024

This study investigates the relevance of violence in the context of South African education, a country which has a history of institutionalised violence against the oppressed, including women. Using a feminist pedagogy as a theoretical lens, violence and its implications for the South African educational system are examined. Scholars such as Freire believe that in order to engage the topic of violence in education, it needs to be framed not only from a physical, but also from a structural and symbolic way since violence is deeply rooted in social inequalities and power imbalances. Violence can be perpetuated through education, which can reproduce dominant ideologies and structures which are biased against women. Therefore, Freire advocates a pedagogical approach that challenges violence and empowers students to become critical agents of social change. In the South African educational environment, violence is a prevalent issue, especially for women and girls who face high rates of gender-based violence and sexual harassment in schools. This research also examines the relevant legal frameworks and policies in South Africa that address gender-based violence and education. This research proposes a feminist pedagogy can help create safe and empowering learning environments that promote social justice and equality.
Health literacy pedagogies and assessment embedded in a school-based health education program
Authors: Ormes Emily G. , Peralta Louisa R. , Marvell Claire L.
Published: August 2024

Studies have focused on the development of teachers’ Health Literacy (HL) pedagogies but have yet to focus on building teachers’ assessment capacity. The aims of this research study were three-fold: 1) professionally develop teachers to enhance the HL planned in a Health and Physical Education (HPE) program and assessment task; 2) validate a previously developed curricular model of HL assessment (rubric) using student work samples; 3) measure students HL learning using an adaptation of the validated rubric. Researchers used a descriptive single school case study, using a mixed methods approach in an Independent, coeducational early learning, primary and secondary day school in Sydney, Australia to work closely with participants to review the pedagogical knowledge, learning activities and assessment within a HPE program using Nutbeam’s three level HL hierarchy. Using Messick’s six aspects of construct validity testing of the rubric was completed using 20 sample assessment tasks, as well as receiving feedback on the adaptability and feasibility of the rubric. The validated rubric was then adapted to the assessment task to measure students’ HL. Results demonstrated that professional development had a positive impact on the development of planned HL pedagogies as shown by a 17% increase in planned critical HL learning activities. Findings suggest that the validated rubric is a feasible and adaptable tool that teachers can use to measure students’ HL. This is the first study to validate a curricular model of measuring HL. Future research needs to develop teachers’ HL capabilities and assessment literacy.
Unveiling the Dynamics and Sustainability of the Nubian Aquifer System in El-Marashda, Egypt Through Geophysical, and Hydrogeochemical Investigations
Authors: Basheer Alhussein Adham , Ahmed Alaa , Kotb Adel Diab Mohammed
Published: August 2024

This research investigates the geophysical, hydrogeochemical, and geological characteristics of the Nubian Aquifer System in the El-Marashda area, located beneath the Eastern Sahara Desert in northeastern Africa. The primary objective is identifying the aquifer geometry, assessing groundwater quality, and evaluating environmental pollution levels. A Magnetotelluric survey was employed to examine the subsurface geological composition and electrical resistivity characteristics of the aquifer system. The study revealed a freshwater-saturated Nubian Sandstone layer at depths between 986 and 1009 m with resistivity values of 101 to 182 Ohm.m, indicating a substantial and potentially sustainable groundwater resource. Overlying limestone and Marly Limestone layers influence the aquifer’s permeability and storage capacity. The chemical analysis of water from three wells showed suitability for drinking and irrigation, with no sodium and magnesium levels hazards. The Heavy Metal Pollution Index (HPI) and Heavy Metal Evaluation Index (HEI) indicated low to medium contamination, posing potential environmental health risks. Human health risk assessments using USEPA methodology found acceptable non-carcinogenic risks, with Hazard Quotients (HQs) for heavy metals below 1 and a negligible Hazard Index (HI). The comprehensive investigation underscores the potential for sustainable groundwater utilization in El-Marashda. It highlights the aquifer’s suitability for irrigation, with low contamination levels and minimal health risks. These findings provide a foundation for informed and sustainable water resource management, environmental protection, and resilient infrastructure development in the region. The methodologies and results align with global standards, demonstrating their applicability in globally diverse geological contexts. This research contributes valuable baseline data for future studies and monitoring efforts, whether at local or global sites, emphasizing the importance of continued investigation to ensure sustainable groundwater management.
The effect of pre-operative exercise training on post-operative cognitive function: a systematic review
Authors: Ekici Hatice S. , Collins Jemima , Kafadar Aysegul H. , Yildirim Mehmet C. , Phillips Bethan E. , Gordon Adam L.
Published: August 2024

Background

With population aging and advances in surgical and anesthetic procedures, the incidence of surgery in patients over the age of 65 years is increasing. One post-operative complication often encountered by older surgical patients is post-operative cognitive dysfunction (POCD). Preoperative exercise training can improve the overall physiological resilience of older surgical patients, yet its impact on post-operative cognition is less well-established.

Methods

Six databases (Medline (OVID); EMBASE (OVID); EMCARE (OVID); CINAHL (EBSCOHost), the Cochrane Library, and PubMed) were searched for studies reporting the effect of pre-operative physical training on post-operative cognition. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool.

Results

A total of 3983 studies were initially identified, three of which met the inclusion criteria for this review. Two studies were pilot randomized trials, and one was a prospective randomized trial. Two of the studies were high-quality. Each study used a different type of physical exercise and cognition assessment tool. Across the studies, post-operative cognition (p = 0.005) and attention (p = 0.04) were found to be better in the intervention groups compared to control, with one study reporting no difference between the groups.

Conclusion

Preoperative physical training may improve post-operative cognitive function, although more research with a consistent endpoint is required. Future studies should focus on patients at high risk of POCD, such as older adults, and explore the impact of different exercise regimes, including frequency, intensity, time, and type.
Cowpea leaf and pod spots caused by Periconia igniaria and their potential control using biosynthesized zinc oxide and magnesium oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Abdel-Samad Faten H. Y. , Huang Qi , Abdel-Latif Marzouk R. , Shehata Zekry A. , Armanyous Hanaa A. H. , Ahmad Abdelmonim Ali
Published: August 2024

Cowpea is subject to attacks by a wide range of plant pathogens including bacteria, fungi, viruses, and nematodes. In this study, a field survey was conducted in cowpea growing regions of El-Minya Governorate of Egypt including Minya, Beni Mazar and Maghagha districts for leaf and pod spot disease. Our results revealed that the disease was present in all surveyed fields with the highest disease incidence and severity found in Minya District. For the first time in Egypt, the causal agent of the disease was determined to be Periconia igniaria based on morphology of the fungal isolates, internal transcribed spacer sequence homology to a P. igniaria strain, and fulfillment of Koch’s postulates. To explore control measures, zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized biologically using green coffee extract. Both NPs were characterized, and their formulations confirmed using scanning electron microscopy and the energy spectrum dispersion analysis. The biosynthesized ZnO- and MgO-NPs were demonstrated to have antifungal activity against in vitro mycelium growth of P. igniaria at all tested concentrations from 25 to 200 ppm, and ZnO NPs were more effective than MgO NPs at the same concentration. When 100 ppm of ZnO NPs was tested in planta, it significantly reduced disease incidence and severity in detached cowpea leaves and pods under laboratory conditions, and in cowpea plants under greenhouse conditions. Our results demonstrated that the biosynthesized ZnO NPs have great potential to be developed into an effective and eco-friendly control method against cowpea disease caused by P. igniaria.
Friedrichs and Kreĭn type extensions in terms of representing maps
Authors: Hassi S. , de Snoo H. S. V.
Published: August 2024

A semibounded operator or relation S in a Hilbert space with lower bound $$\gamma \in {{\mathbb {R}}}$$

γ
∈
R

has a symmetric extension $$S_\textrm{f}=S \, \widehat{+} \,(\{0\} \times \mathrm{mul\,}S^*)$$

S
f

=
S

+
^

(

{
0
}

×

mul

S
∗

)

, the weak Friedrichs extension of S, and a selfadjoint extension $$S_{\textrm{F}}$$

S
F

, the Friedrichs extension of S, that satisfy $$S \subset S_{\textrm{f}} \subset S_\textrm{F}$$

S
⊂

S
f

⊂

S
F

. The Friedrichs extension $$S_{\textrm{F}}$$

S
F

has lower bound $$\gamma $$
γ
and it is the largest semibounded selfadjoint extension of S. Likewise, for each $$c \le \gamma $$

c
≤
γ

, the relation S has a weak Kreĭn type extension $$S_{\textrm{k},c}=S \, \widehat{+} \,(\mathrm{ker\,}(S^*-c) \times \{0\})$$

S

k
,
c

=
S

+
^

(

ker

(

S
∗

-
c
)

×

{
0
}

)

and Kreĭn type extension $$S_{\textrm{K},c}$$

S

K
,
c

of S, that satisfy $$S \subset S_{\textrm{k},c} \subset S_{\textrm{K},c}$$

S
⊂

S

k
,
c

⊂

S

K
,
c

. The Kreĭn type extension $$S_{\textrm{K},c}$$

S

K
,
c

has lower bound c and it is the smallest semibounded selfadjoint extension of S which is bounded below by c. In this paper these special extensions and, more generally, all extremal extensions of S are constructed via the semibounded sesquilinear form $${{\mathfrak {t}}}(S)$$

t
(
S
)

that is associated with S; the representing map for the form $${{\mathfrak {t}}}(S)-c$$

t
(
S
)
-
c

plays an essential role here.
Evaluating the prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities associated with pediatric scoliosis utilizing ResearchMatch
Authors: Chen Jeffrey W. , Koester Stefan W. , Liles Campbell , Gannon Stephen , Bonfield Christopher M.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The goal of this study is to characterize the self-reported prevalence of psychiatric comorbidities among patients with adolescent scoliosis.

Methods

Eligible patients across the US were surveyed using ResearchMatch, a validated online platform. The survey collected patient demographics, type of scoliosis, scoliosis treatment received, and the mental health diagnoses and interventions.

Results

Nearly all (98%) of the 162 respondents were patients themselves, the remainder of which were parents. The majority of whom were female (93%), Caucasian (85%), and diagnosed with idiopathic scoliosis (63%). The median age of diagnosis was 13 (IQR 11–18). Most respondents had mild to moderate scoliosis (65%), and 17% received surgical treatment. 76 of 158 (48%) responded that scoliosis affected their overall mental health, and 92 (58%) had received a mental health diagnosis-76% were diagnosed after their scoliosis diagnosis. Of the 92 with mental health diagnoses, the most common diagnoses were clinical depression (83%), anxiety (71%), negative body image (62%). Over 80% of patients received medical treatment or therapy. Of those with depression, 38.4% received counseling and 45.2% received medication. 52% of the respondents also had immediate family members with mental health diagnoses, with siblings (48%) having the highest proportion.

Conclusion

According to the CDC, the prevalence of US teenagers with diagnosed depression was found to be 3.9% and anxiety disorder to be 4.7%, notably higher among adolescent girls. In this national sample, over half of adolescent scoliosis patients report psychiatric comorbidity, often diagnosed years later. The most prevalent psychiatric condition is depression, anxiety, and body-image disturbances. These findings highlight the importance of awareness of the psychiatric impact of adolescent scoliosis, and importance of screening and treatment of comorbid mental health conditions.

Level of evidence

IV.
O2-H2O2 high-efficient co-oxidation of carbohydrate biomass to formic acid via Co3O4/C nanocatalyst
Authors: Chen Yujie , Yang Yang , Liu Xu , Jin Fangming
Published: August 2024

The conversion of biomass to chemicals/fuels has emerged as a valuable solution that offers both environmental and economic benefits, with the transformation of carbohydrate into formic acid garnering escalating scholar interest. However, the relative limited efficiency of catalyzed-oxidation or expensive cost of H2O2 and alkali in wet hydrothermal oxidation impose limitations on industrialization. This paper proposed a new idea for formic acid production by O2-H2O2 co-oxidation of carbohydrate. A two-step reaction method was developed, where the initial step is engineered to regulate the carbon chain cleavage of carbohydrates to augment the production of active intermediate. Oxygen was employed in the subsequent step as effective oxidant through free radical mechanism, resulting in a formic acid yield of 82.6%. Theoretical calculation, intermediates detection and real time EPR confirmed the reaction mechanism. Finally, the universality of the reaction was verified by using disaccharides and polysaccharides such as cellulose as substrates.
Auto-Correlation and Channel Attention Enhanced Deep Graph Convolution Networks for Gait Phase Prediction Based on Multi-IMU System
Authors: Yan Jianjun , Xu Yingjia , Yang Zhihao , Jin Li , Jiang Jinlin , Lin Yue , Xiong Weixiang
Published: August 2024

Gait phase prediction is important in controlling assistive robotic devices such as exoskeletons, where the control unit must differentiate between gait phases to provide the necessary assistance when the user is wearing the exoskeleton. To achieve the objective of precisely identifying the gait phase of users for the accurate control of the exoskeleton, this study proposes Auto-Correlation and Channel Attention enhanced Deep Graph Convolutional Networks (ACCA-DGCN) for gait phase prediction, and a gait phase prediction model based on multiple inertial measurement units (IMUs) and skeleton graph was established, in order to fully utilize the dependency among joints, and enhance accuracy and reliability of gait phase prediction. First, a human lower limb gait data acquisition equipment was developed, and the gait data of human walking were collected. The skeleton graph of the human lower limb was constructed through the natural connection relationship of joints in the human skeleton. After that, the ACCA-DGCN-based gait phase prediction model was constructed by using the gait data of human walking. Auto-Correlation (AC) and Efficient Channel Attention (ECA) were introduced to effectively capture periodic features of gait data and focus on the channels with high contributions to gait phase prediction. Finally, the effect of the window size on the performance of the ACCA-DGCN model was explored, and the proposed algorithm was compared with the other five deep learning algorithms: CNN, RNN, TCN, LSTM, and DGCN. The experimental results show that the average accuracy of gait phase prediction model based on ACCA-DGCN reaches up to 92.26% and 97.21% in user-independent and user-dependent experiments, respectively, which is superior to the other five algorithms. This study provides a new method for gait phase prediction, which is useful for improving the control of exoskeleton robots.
Transparency materialised: how registers can regulate access to documents?
Authors: Heikkonen Sofia
Published: August 2024

Proactive transparency in the form of electronic provision of documents is required by law in the EU. It has long been acknowledged in law and technology studies that digital technology can have legal consequences when implemented to perform a legal function. Consequently, the technological design of document registers has the ability to limit as well as enhance access to documents. When technology can have such regulatory powers, incorporating it into a legal function requires closer attention as to how or why it is so. This article will provide a close analysis of the European Commission’s main Register of Documents (RegDoc) to study the implications of technological design for access to documents. Transparency is approached through a procedural view, highlighting its mechanisms. The article uses a HCI based walkthrough method for the case-study artefact critique of the RegDoc. The main findings suggest that there are two specific affordances of the RegDoc that limit access, especially for users who do not have pre-existing knowledge of the documents they are searching for. These affordances are, first, the scope of the dataset and, second, searchability. Overall, designing technology for legally relevant functions should take into account the wider legal framework that the technology aims to cater for. Attention should be paid to the affordances that can make a legal difference in a technology created to perform a legally relevant task.
Generalizing electroosmotic-flow predictions over charge-modulated periodic topographies: tuneable far-field effects
Authors: Goyal Vishal , Datta Subhra , Chakraborty Suman
Published: August 2024

The classical Helmholtz–Smoluchowski (HS) model of electroosmosis holds for homogeneously charged interfaces in contact with a fluid layer bearing an equal and opposite net charge. However, inhomogeneities in the surface charge and topography are inevitable, either as practical materials and fabrication artefacts, or at times as deliberately introduced modulations for flow control. In an effort to arrive at an analytically tractable theoretical framework for addressing the underlying electro-mechanical coupling, here, we generalize the traditional HS theory to an extent where both the surface charge and topographies may bear arbitrary and independent periodic forms. Using a spectral-asymptotic approach, we further arrive at closed-form expressions for describing the resulting electroosmotic pumping for topographic features with small characteristic amplitude to pattern period ratio, as relevant for most practical scenarios. We subsequently execute full-scale numerical simulations without any restrictions on the surface charge and topography variations to assess the efficacy of the theoretical framework. The corresponding test beds include distinctive signature patterns – for example, a square-wave surface charge distribution on trapezoidal pit topographies. Our results reveal that the charge–topography interplay induces an anisotropic flow drift, deviating from the classical HS paradigm. This, in turn, provides new quantitative insights into highly selective electroosmotic flow control via judicious design of the charge and topographical patterns, resulting in controllable accentuation, attenuation, nullification, deflection and even complete reversal of the flow. Our analysis further establishes a provision of estimating the zeta potentials of naturally ‘contaminated’ surfaces, as well as explaining the electrophoresis of large inhomogeneous particles; a paradigm that remained to be explored thus far.
Thermodynamically consistent diffuse-interface mixture models of incompressible multicomponent fluids
Authors: ten Eikelder Marco F.P. , van der Zee Kristoffer G. , Schillinger Dominik
Published: August 2024

The prototypical diffuse-interface model for incompressible fluid mixtures is the Navier–Stokes Cahn–Hilliard (Allen–Cahn) model. Despite its foundation in continuum mixture theory, it is not fully compatible with this theory due to the diffusive flux approximation. This paper introduces a class of thermodynamically consistent diffuse-interface incompressible fluid mixture models that is fully compatible with the continuum theory of mixtures. The proposed models can be formulated in either constituent or mixture quantities, enabling a direct comparison with the Navier–Stokes Cahn–Hilliard (Allen–Cahn) model with non-matching densities. This comparison reveals the key modelling simplifications employed in the latter.
Transport of inertial spherical particles in compressible turbulent boundary layers
Authors: Yu Ming , Zhao Lihao , Yuan Xianxu , Xu Chunxiao
Published: August 2024

In the present study, we perform direct numerical simulations of compressible turbulent boundary layers at free stream Mach numbers

$2\unicode{x2013}6$

laden with dilute phase of spherical particles to investigate the Mach number effects on particle transport and dynamics. Most of the phenomena observed and well-recognized for inertia particles in incompressible wall-bounded turbulent flows – such as near-wall preferential accumulation and clustering beneath low-speed streaks, flatter mean velocity profiles, and trend variation of the particle velocity fluctuations – are identified in the compressible turbulent boundary layer as well. However, we find that the compressibility effects are significant for large inertia particles. As the Mach number increases, the near-wall accumulation and the small-scale clustering are alleviated, which is probably caused by the variations of the fluid density and viscosity that are crucial to particle dynamics. This can be affected by the fact that the forces acting on the particles with viscous Stokes number greater than 500 are modulated by the comparatively high particle Mach numbers in the near-wall region. This is also the reason for the abatement of the streamwise particle velocity fluctuation intensities with the Mach numbers.
Origin of Basaltic Subplinian Eruption at Shishaldin Volcano (Alaska): A Vigorously Degassing Magma Reservoir Hosting Small Bubbles
Authors: Vergniolle S.
Published: August 2024

The 1999 basaltic eruption of Shishaldin volcano (Alaska) displayed a transition between Subplinian and Strombolian activity. Strombolian bubbles indicate the presence of a periodically unstable foam at the top of magma reservoir. In contrast, a long foam, whose rupture led to the eruptive column, was also able to collect in the conduit. Laboratory experiments show that long foams can be produced in a conduit by the spreading of a stable foam accumulated at the top of the reservoir. The existence of a Taylor bubble at the onset of the Subplinian phase, also reproduced by my laboratory experiments, suggests that the foam in the reservoir was just at the transition between stable and unstable. This constrains the bubble diameter prior to the Subplinian phase to be 0.034–0.038 mm when using the foam dimensionless analysis and the underlying gas flux (0.52–0.80 m3/s). The increase in bubble diameter and potentially gas flux prior to the Strombolian activity, 0.81–1.4 m3/s, is sufficient to explain the foam in transition to be unstable. The radius of the magma reservoir is small, 200–210 m, as expected. The bubble diameter is the smallest of those estimated for classical basaltic eruptions (Etna, Kı̄lauea, Erta 'Ale), while the gas flux is among the largest. A dilute suspension of small and isolated bubbles cannot explain the large gas flux at Shishaldin. This implies numerous bubbles with a gas volume fraction ≥0.63−2%, a regime for which the bubbles form bubble clusters. The diameter of these bubble clusters, 3.0–5.4 mm, is sufficient to explain large gas fluxes.
Precipitation Over a Wide Range of Climates Simulated With Comprehensive GCMs
Authors: Bonan David B. , Schneider Tapio , Zhu Jiang
Published: August 2024

Idealized general circulation models (GCMs) suggest global‐mean precipitation ceases to increase with warming in hot climates because evaporation is limited by the available solar radiation at the surface. We investigate the extent to which this generalizes in comprehensive GCMs. We find that in the Community Atmosphere Model, global‐mean precipitation increases approximately linearly with global‐mean surface temperatures up to about 330 K, where it peaks at 5 mm day−1. Beyond 330 K, global‐mean precipitation decreases substantially despite increasing surface temperatures because of increased atmospheric shortwave absorption by water vapor, which decreases the shortwave radiation available for evaporation at the surface. Precipitation decreases in the tropics and subtropics but continues to increase in the extratropics because of continuously strengthening poleward moisture transport. Precipitable water increases everywhere, resulting in longer water‐vapor residence times and implying more episodic precipitation. Other GCMs indicate global‐mean precipitation might exhibit a smaller maximum rate and begin to decrease at lower surface temperatures.
Vertical Crustal Deformation Due To Viscoelastic Earthquake Cycles at Subduction Zones: Implications for Nankai and Cascadia
Authors: Li Shaoyang , Chen Ling
Published: August 2024

Despite significant progress in studying subduction earthquake cycles, the vertical deformation is still not well understood. Here, we use a generic viscoelastic earthquake‐cycle model that has recently been validated by horizontal observations to explore the dynamics of vertical earthquake‐cycle deformation. Conditioned on two dimensionless parameters (i.e., the ratio of earthquake recurrence interval T to mantle Maxwell relaxation time tM (T/tM) and the ratio of downdip seismogenic depth D to elastic upper‐plate thickness Hc (D/Hc)), the modeled viscoelastic deformation exhibits significant spatiotemporal deviations from the simple time‐independent elastic solution. Caution thus should be exercised in interpreting fault kinematics with vertical observations if ignoring Earth's viscoelasticity. By systematically exploring these two parameters, we further investigate three metrics that characterize the predicted vertical deformation: the coastal pivot line (CPL), the uplift zone (UZ) landward above the downdip seismogenic extent, and the secondary subsidence zone (SSZ) in the back‐arc region. We find that these metrics can all be time‐dependent, subject to D/Hc and T/tM. The CPL location and the UZ width are mainly controlled by D/Hc and T/tM, respectively. The presence of the SSZ is prevalent during the interseismic phase due to viscous mantle flow driven by ongoing plate convergence. Contemporary vertical deformation in Nankai and Cascadia is largely consistent with the model predictions and features differences mainly related to contrasting D/Hc values in the two margins. These findings suggest that vertical crustal deformation bears fruitful information about subduction‐zone dynamics and is potentially useful for inversions of key subduction‐zone parameters, deserving properly designed monitoring.
Evolution of Light Absorption Enhancement of Black Carbon Aerosols From Biomass Burning in Atmospheric Photochemical Aging
Authors: Fu Xuewei , Li Xinyi , Zhang Fang , Ren Zhuoyue , Ge Aoqi , Zhang Xiangyu , Fang Zheng , Song Wei , Deng Wei , Zhang Yanli , Rudich Yinon , Wang Xinming
Published: August 2024

The light absorption enhancement (Eabs) of black carbon (BC) coated with non‐BC materials is crucial in the assessment of radiative forcing, yet its evolution during photochemical aging of plumes from biomass burning, the globe's largest source of BC, remains poorly understood. In this study, plumes from open burning of corn straw were introduced into a smog chamber to explore the evolution of Eabs during photochemical aging. The light absorption of BC was measured with and without coating materials by using a thermodenuder, while the size distributions of aerosols and composition of BC coating materials were also monitored. Eabs was found to increase initially, and then decrease with an overall downward trend. The lensing effect dominated in Eabs at 520 nm, with an estimated contribution percentages of 47.5%–94.5%, which is far greater than light absorption of coated brown carbon (BrC). The effects of thickening and chemical composition changes of the coating materials on Eabs were evaluated through comparing measured Eabs with that calculated by the Mie theory. After OH exposure of 1 × 1010 molecules cm−3 s, the thickening of coating materials led to an Eabs increase by 3.2% ± 1.6%, while the chemical composition changes or photobleaching induced an Eabs decrease by 4.7% ± 0.6%. Simple forcing estimates indicate that coated BC aerosols exhibit warming effects that were reduced after aging. The oxidation of light‐absorbing CxHy compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to CxHyO and CxHyO>1 compounds in coating materials may be responsible for the photobleaching of coated BrC.
Breaking the in-coupling efficiency limit in waveguide-based AR displays with polarization volume gratings
Authors: Ding Yuqiang , Gu Yuchen , Yang Qian , Yang Zhiyong , Huang Yuge , Weng Yishi , Zhang Yuning , Wu Shin-Tson
Published: August 2024

Augmented reality (AR) displays, heralded as the next-generation platform for spatial computing, metaverse, and digital twins, empower users to perceive digital images overlaid with real-world environment, fostering a deeper level of human-digital interactions. With the rapid evolution of couplers, waveguide-based AR displays have streamlined the entire system, boasting a slim form factor and high optical performance. However, challenges persist in the waveguide combiner, including low optical efficiency and poor image uniformity, significantly hindering the long-term usage and user experience. In this paper, we first analyze the root causes of the low optical efficiency and poor uniformity in waveguide-based AR displays. We then discover and elucidate an anomalous polarization conversion phenomenon inherent to polarization volume gratings (PVGs) when the incident light direction does not satisfy the Bragg condition. This new property is effectively leveraged to circumvent the tradeoff between in-coupling efficiency and eyebox uniformity. Through feasibility demonstration experiments, we measure the light leakage in multiple PVGs with varying thicknesses using a laser source and a liquid-crystal-on-silicon light engine. The experiment corroborates the polarization conversion phenomenon, and the results align with simulation well. To explore the potential of such a polarization conversion phenomenon further, we design and simulate a waveguide display with a 50° field of view. Through achieving first-order polarization conversion in a PVG, the in-coupling efficiency and uniformity are improved by 2 times and 2.3 times, respectively, compared to conventional couplers. This groundbreaking discovery holds immense potential for revolutionizing next-generation waveguide-based AR displays, promising a higher efficiency and superior image uniformity.
Feasibility and acceptability of implementing an evidence-based ESCALATION system for paediatric clinical deterioration
Authors: Gill Fenella J. , Cooper Alannah , Falconer Pania , Stokes Scott , Roberts Alison , Szabo Matthew , Leslie Gavin D.
Published: August 2024

Background

The ESCALATION system is a novel paediatric Early Warning System that incorporates family involvement and sepsis recognition. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and iteratively refine the ESCALATION system in a variety of hospital settings in preparation for full-service implementation.

Methods

A series of four multi-methods studies using an Implementation Science and co-design approach were conducted. We examined concepts of implementation, context, and mechanisms of action across a variety of hospitals. Data collected included practice and chart audits, surveys (health professionals), interviews (families) and focus groups (health professionals). Quantitative data were analysed descriptively with qualitative findings assessed by content analysis or thematic analysis.

Results

There were 650 audits (Study I–IV), 205 health professional survey responses (Study I), 154 health professionals participated in focus groups (Study II–IV), 13 parents of hospitalised children interviewed (Study I), and 107 parents reported their involvement in the ESCALATION system (Study III–IV). Each of the studies further refined and confirmed the feasibility, specifically the components of family involvement and the sepsis recognition pathway.

Conclusion

The Implementation Science evaluation of the ESCALATION system resulted in a uniform approach that was feasible and acceptable to users and appropriate for full-service implementation.

Impact

This series of four studies used a co-production approach built on the Medical Research Council framework to understand feasibility and acceptability of an intervention to improve recognition and response to clinical deterioration in children to the point of full-service implementation.

We have reported a detailed, systematic approach to assessing feasibility and acceptability of a complex intervention using established methodologies for whole of health system implementation.

The ESCALATION System is an evidence based paediatric early warning system that is a highly refined, well accepted and accommodates a health system that has substantial contextual variation.
Substrates mimicking the blastocyst geometry revert pluripotent stem cell to naivety
Authors: Xu Xun , Wang Weiwei , Liu Yue , Bäckemo Johan , Heuchel Matthias , Wang Wei , Nie Yan , Iqbal Imran , Kratz Karl , Lendlein Andreas , Ma Nan
Published: August 2024

Naive pluripotent stem cells have the highest developmental potential but their in vivo existence in the blastocyst is transient. Here we report a blastocyst motif substrate for the in vitro reversion of mouse and human pluripotent stem cells to a naive state. The substrate features randomly varied microstructures, which we call motifs, mimicking the geometry of the blastocyst. Motifs representing mouse-blastocyst-scaled curvature ranging between 15 and 62 mm−1 were the most efficient in promoting reversion to naivety, as determined by time-resolved correlative analysis. In these substrates, apical constriction enhances E-cadherin/RAC1 signalling and activates the mechanosensitive nuclear transducer YAP, promoting the histone modification of pluripotency genes. This results in enhanced levels of pluripotency transcription factor NANOG, which persist even after cells are removed from the substrate. Pluripotent stem cells cultured in blastocyst motif substrates display a higher development potential in generating embryoid bodies and teratomas. These findings shed light on naivety-promoting substrate design and their large-scale implementation.
Staphylococcus aureus adapts to exploit collagen-derived proline during chronic infection
Authors: Urso Andreacarola , Monk Ian R. , Cheng Ying-Tsun , Predella Camilla , Wong Fok Lung Tania , Theiller Erin M. , Boylan Jack , Perelman Sofya , Baskota Swikrity U. , Moustafa Ahmed M. , Lohia Gaurav , Lewis Ian A. , Howden Benjamin P. , Stinear Timothy P. , Dorrello Nicolino V. , Torres Victor , Prince Alice S.
Published: August 2024

Staphylococcus aureus is a pulmonary pathogen associated with substantial human morbidity and mortality. As vaccines targeting virulence determinants have failed to be protective in humans, other factors are likely involved in pathogenesis. Here we analysed transcriptomic responses of human clinical isolates of S. aureus from initial and chronic infections. We observed upregulated collagenase and proline transporter gene expression in chronic infection isolates. Metabolomics of bronchiolar lavage fluid and fibroblast infection, growth assays and analysis of bacterial mutant strains showed that airway fibroblasts produce collagen during S. aureus infection. Host-adapted bacteria upregulate collagenase, which degrades collagen and releases proline. S. aureus then imports proline, which fuels oxidative metabolism via the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Proline metabolism provides host-adapted S. aureus with a metabolic benefit enabling out-competition of non-adapted strains. These data suggest that clinical settings characterized by airway repair processes and fibrosis provide a milieu that promotes S. aureus adaptation and supports infection.