bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration of IT solutions for resource management in environmentally sustainable agriculture
Authors: Kurashkin Sergei , Kravtsov Kirill , Kukartsev Anatoly , Boyko Andrey , Volneikina Ekaterina
Published: November 2024

This article presents the development of a resource management system for environmentally sustainable agriculture. The main purpose of the system is to optimize the use of water, fertilizers and energy in agriculture, which significantly reduces the negative impact on the environment and increases production efficiency. The system includes modules for soil monitoring, data collection on resources and climatic conditions, as well as analytical components for processing and analysing the information received. An important element is the user interface, which allows farmers and agronomists to receive recommendations on resource allocation based on up-to-date data and forecasts. The work highlights the current challenges in the development of such systems, including the complexity of technology integration and the need for affordable solutions for various types of farms. The article also discusses the prospects for further research aimed at improving the accuracy of forecasts, expanding monitoring functions and adapting the system for use in small farms. The proposed system makes a significant contribution to the development of environmentally oriented agriculture, providing a tool for sustainable resource management and contributing to the achievement of environmental protection goals.
Sustainable urban mobility as a priority of BRICS countries national progress
Authors: Lim Cristina Teresan N. , Badmaeva Altn , Israilova Elima , Sorokina Oksana
Published: November 2024

This study explores the role of smart transportation systems in promoting sustainable urban mobility within BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa. It investigates the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), the development of smart public transportation infrastructure, and the impact of urban mobility policies on reducing traffic congestion and carbon emissions. Using qualitative research methods, including interviews with stakeholders from each BRICS nation, the study identifies key challenges such as infrastructure gaps, financial constraints, and public awareness. It also highlights the potential for technological innovation and regional collaboration to overcome these barriers. The findings underscore the importance of government policies, investments in smart technologies, and public education in facilitating the transition toward more sustainable urban transportation in BRICS countries.
Therapeutic efficacy of an azithromycin-based drug in calf cryptosporidiosis
Authors: Kryazhev Andrey , Maletin Dmitry
Published: November 2024

Cryptosporidiosis is currently a significant problem in veterinary medicine. This disease is the cause of death of calves and other animals, mainly in the dairy period of life. Currently, scientists around the world are studying various chemotherapeutic drugs to combat this pathology. In our research, a drug based on azithromycin was tested for safe use and to identify possible side effects in the treatment of calves. In April 2023 in the Vologda region in the conditions of a large livestock complex, fecal samples were taken from calves aged 3 days up to 1 month with signs of acute diarrhea, which were delivered to the laboratory, where using native mask methods with pretreatment of samples according to the Breese method, followed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and light microscopy, detection and identification of protozoa of Cryptosporidium genus were carried out. After confirmation of this diagnosis, groups of animals were formed. Animals of experimental groups No. 1 and No. 2 were intramuscularly injected with the drug for 5 and 7 days, respectively. Animals of the control group (No.3) were not administered the tested drug; they were treated with standard treatment for 7 days. Blood was also taken for studying hematological parameters before drug administration in animals of experimental groups and after its application. As a result of research, it was found that in the experimental groups, where the drug based on azithromycin was used, the effectiveness against Cryptosporidium was 100%, the period of manifestation of diarrhea significantly decreased compared to the control group, as well as the normalization of a number of hematological indicators compared to baseline data was recorded.
Hepatoses in highly productive cows, their treatment and prevention
Authors: Smolentsev Sergey , Onuchina Maria , Nikolaeva Zhanna , Goncharov Nikita , Gracheva Olga , Gasanov Alizade , Mukhutdinova Dina , Zukhrabova Zulfiyat , Karpova Natalia , Asrutdinova Rezilya
Published: November 2024

Ketone bodies in the urine of first-born heifers on the first day after calving constitute an indicator within the normal range, but by the 30th day after calving in sick animals, the reaction to ketone bodies is 8 times higher than normal. All changes indicate violations of protein and fat metabolism, as well as changes in the acid-base balance in the animal’s body, which is associated with impaired liver function and damage to this organ. In order to find the most effective method of pharmacoprophylaxis and pharmacotherapy of hepatoses and fatty liver dystrophy in the first heifers, the drug “Hepatoject”, a hepatoprotective choleretic drug, was used on the farm. To prevent liver dysfunction and treat animals with hepatosis, 100 ml of hepatoject was administered intravenously after calving for 5 days, which led to 100% preservation of animals with normalization of liver function, milk productivity, biochemical parameters of blood and urine.
Influence of poxidochemicals on enzyme systems of liver mitochondria membranes in pregnant rats
Authors: Tuychieva Dilfuza , Alimova Rano , Mirkhamidova Parida
Published: November 2024

Considerable experimental material has been accumulated on the influence of various abiotic environmental factors and various chemicals on the activity of some enzymes and multienzyme systems of mitochondria. Studying the effect of pesticides or defoliants on the functioning of the mitochondrial respiratory chain is one of the most important tests used to decipher the primary mechanisms of intoxication in the body. A study of the state of the enzyme systems of liver mitochondrial membranes of pregnant rats and embryos shows that poisoning with defoliants - butylcaptax and dropp - reduces the activities of NAD.H oxidase, succinate oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase at all stages of pregnancy and embryonic development. The NAD.H-oxidase activity of mitochondria of pregnant rats and embryos was found to be most strongly inhibited by butylcaptax poisoning. Butylcaptax leads to a deeper inhibition of the rate of electron transfer in various fragments of the respiratory chain of liver mitochondria of pregnant rats and their embryos. The most profound inhibition is observed in the NAD.H oxidase pathway in case of butylcaptax poisoning on the 19th day of pregnancy
Conceptual model of beaver population system dynamics
Authors: Logachev Maxim
Published: November 2024

All living organisms affect the environment and the livelihoods of their neighboring populations. Such neighborhood can have both positive and negative consequences. The paper presents a simulation model that determines the number of beavers in a limited area depending on external factors. Such factors include natural conditions, anthropogenic influence on their habitat, peculiarities of beaver’s life activity and conditions regulating the population (possibilities of trapping or hunting). The developed model corresponds to the system dynamics model, which allows to predict the changes of the beaver population in the given time interval depending on the given conditions, which can change. The obtained model can be used in intelligent systems providing environmental monitoring, ecosystem biodiversity and effective management of various types of resources.
Requirements for cows in organization of milk production on the basis of industrial technology
Authors: Javkharov Oybek , Madrakhimov Shodlik , Hudayberganova Khulkar
Published: November 2024

The article provides materials on the problems of industrialization of milk production from cows and solutions of these problems. Generations obtained as a result of insemination of Swiss cows bred locally with imported Swiss bulls, the Swiss breed bred locally on the morphological and functional characteristics of the udder outperformed its peers. This, in turn, had a positive effect on the adaptation of cows to machine milking and their milking on the basis of industrial technology.
Differences between black-and-white cows with alternative genotypes of the alpha-lactalbumin gene in milk features
Authors: Yanbaev Yulay , Paramonova Maria , Valitov Farit , Ianbaev Ruslan , Miftakhov Ilnur
Published: November 2024

The article presents the study results of the influence of the alpha-lactalbumin gene various genotypes on milk production and the qualitative composition of milk from black-and-white cows bred in the Republic of Bashkortostan. The predominant number of individuals carrying the LALBAAB genotype was found in the analyzed animals in the number of 276 animals (n=175, 63.4%). It was further established that the best characteristics were possessed by the cows containing the allele A in their genotype for the gene under study. These animals were superior to their peers in all indicators of the qualitative composition of milk and milk productivity. The obtained results indicate that genotypes of the milk protein gene under study having the allele A in their composition, including in the heterozygous state, are potentially desirable.
Effect of phosphorus fertilizers used in different doses on cauliflower productivity
Authors: Elmurodova Gulmira , Khaitov Mamadiyor
Published: November 2024

Research has established that in order to obtain a high and stable yield with good taste qualities of cauliflower, it is recommended to use phosphorus of 175 kg/ha P2O5 against the background of N200 K100. At the same rates of application, ammophos is more effective than nitrocalcium phosphate fertilizer. In the article, the positive aspects of using Ammafos, Superfos, fertilizers at the rate of 175 kg per hectare in the cultivation of Cauliflower Casper F1 hybrid in the conditions of irrigated meadow-gray soil of Samarkand region, and the most optimal phosphorus nutrition norm is N200 K10 0 background Determined to be P175. From this, it was determined that the length of cauliflower heads is 14-16 cm, and the mass of cauliflower heads is 800-1100 grams.The effect of new type of phosphorus-retaining fertilizers on the growth and development, productivity and quality of the Cauliflower Casper F1 hybrid in the conditions of irrigated meadow-gray soils of Samarkand region, the effect of the phosphate component of these fertilizers on the amount of mobile phosphorus in the soil, the fractional composition of soil phosphates, and the intensity of phosphates is the first study of the researcher’s research.
Analysis of soil suitability for agricultural needs using machine learning methods
Authors: Kurashkin Sergei , Kravtsov Kirill , Kukartsev Anatoly , Boyko Andrey , Volneikina Ekaterina
Published: November 2024

This study explores the application of machine learning methods to assess soil suitability for agricultural purposes, focusing on identifying and analysing key factors that influence soil productivity under drought conditions. A classification model was developed based on data from diverse U.S. regions, which included critical soil parameters such as root condition, nutrient availability, soil toxicity, and oxygen accessibility for plant roots. Correlation analysis identified the most significant factors impacting soil suitability, with root condition and nutrient availability emerging as primary determinants. The model achieved a high accuracy of 98.81%, demonstrating its effectiveness in predicting soil suitability across varying environmental conditions. This research highlights the value of machine learning in optimizing agricultural practices by enabling data-driven soil assessment. Moreover, the study addresses the importance of accessible and cost-effective data collection methods for scaling the model to different regions. Despite the model’s high accuracy, limitations related to data specificity and regional variability were observed, indicating areas for future improvement. Expanding the model with additional climatic and geographic data could enhance its generalizability and applicability in diverse agricultural settings. Overall, this study provides insights into the potential of machine learning to support sustainable agriculture and efficient land management.
Synthesis of copper-containing nanoparticles and their potential application as biocidal agents
Authors: Morenko Ivan , Isaeva Irina , Grushina Varvara , Ostaeva Galina
Published: November 2024

The paper presents the results of a study on the possibility of obtaining Cu nanoparticles stabilized with various polymers using chemical reduction method. The following stabilizer-reductant pairs were used for nanoparticles synthesis: gelatin - ascorbic acid, polyvinylpyrrolidone - tert- butylamine borane, polyethylene oxide - hydrazine borane. The formation of Cu nanoparticles was confirmed by electron spectroscopy. All the samples studied showed an absorbance maximum in the region of 580 nm, in agreement with the literature data on the phenomenon of localized plasmon resonance of copper nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the nanoparticles are spherical with an average diameter of 6 nm. The stability of the synthesis products was evaluated by long-term incubation in test tubes under normal conditions. Nanoparticles obtained in the presence of gelatin were stable for 15 days, polyvinylpyrrolidone - 6 weeks, and polyethylene oxide - 2 weeks. The potential application of the obtained nanoparticles as biocidal agents was considered. It was found that the synergistic effect of the presence of the polymer can enhance the biocidal properties of the system. The synthesized products were found to have applications in agriculture, environmental protection, medicine, and as components of antibacterial coatings for public transportation and healthcare facilities.
Influence of nutrient medium and time on lipopeptide synthesis in Bacillus subtilis GM5
Authors: Lutfullina Guzel , Abubakirova Adela , Lutfullin Marat , Mardanova Ayslu
Published: November 2024

The level of expression of
srfAD gene, a subunit AD of surfactin synthetase, and the yield of the total lipopeptide fraction were studied in relation to the composition of nutrient medium and the growth stage of the probiotic strain Bacillus subtilis GM5. The maximum concentration of the total lipopeptide fraction was observed during the growth of strain GM5 on SMN medium with soybean flour. The relative expression of the srfAD gene of B. subtilis GM5 was quantified by RT- qPCR. We conclude that the increase in the concentration of the total lipopeptide fraction on SMN medium correlates with the expression of the srfAD gene during 96-hour cultivation of GM5, which may indicate the production of mainly lipopeptide from the surfactin group by under these conditions.
Some scientific and practical research on using the experience of traditional medicine
Authors: Abdumonnonov Makhsud , Jumankulov Fozil , Suvonov Obidjon , Saparov Khazratkul , Khudjamov Ziyavuddin , Chiniyev Odil , Khudjakulov Davron
Published: November 2024

The use of medicinal herbs was known 6000 years before our era, and the fact that they were first used in the countries of the East was written about by the great physician, philosopher, mathematician Abu Ali Ibn Sina in the book “Laws of Medicine”. about the composition of medicinal herbs and their use. Place 50 g of roots in a glass container and pour 40% 500 ml of vodka, close tightly. Infuse the mixture in a dark, cool place for 3 weeks, then strain. The course of treatment can be continued after 2 weeks. The use of this drug is to drink 1 tablespoon every day 1 hour before breakfast in the treatment of inflammation of the gastric mucosa (gastritis). This process is continued for 5-10 days. The stomach lining also becomes inflamed, similar to the inflammation of the duodenum. Based on this, it should be noted that everyone is advised to beware of improper nutrition (culinary disorders) and nervous disorders.
Selection of the starting material of lucerne and clover with increased digestibility of dry matter
Authors: Lushchenko Gerasim , Gasiev Vadim
Published: November 2024

The purpose of our research was to study the digestibility of dry matter of lucerne and meadow clover, to develop methods for selecting highly digestible plants and to create a starting material with increased digestibility of dry matter. This paper presents data on the study of the digestibility of drymatter of lucerne and meadow clover, which decreases during the vegetation of plants. The content of the digestible dry matter of lucerne from the stalking phase to the beginning of flowering in the first mowing can decrease by 27%, or 1% per day. In the second mowing, the digestibility of various varieties decreases more slowly over the same period – by 10-12% (0.4-0.6% per day). The study of meadow clover varieties of various ploidy and precocity showed that from the stalking phase to the full flowering phase, the digestibility of dry matter decreases by 14-23%, or 0.4-0.7% per day. The analysis of collection samples showed that among wild forms and samples of European origin, the difference is 8-10%, and in varieties of American origin it exceeds 19%. Varietal differences in the digestibility of the dry matter of meadow clover reach 21%. The proportion of highly digestible plants in populations varies by year. The probability of meeting lucerne plants with a digestibility of 65% and meadow clover plants with a digestibility of 75% is 0.15-16.0%. The amplitude of fluctuations in the digestibility of dry matter of stems in populations reaches 26%, and leaves – does not exceed 19%.
Investigation of reduction behavior of various iron ores in a hydrogen-rich reducing atmosphere
Authors: Wang Shuo , Shen Fengman , Zhang Tianqing , Zheng Haiyan , Jiang Xin , Gao Qiangjian
Published: November 2024

The key to hydrogen-rich reduction technology in blast furnaces lies in the effective utilization of hydrogen-rich reducing gas. This study investigates the reduction behavior of various blast furnace charges (pellet, sinter, and lump) in hydrogen-rich reducing gas and analyzes how charge characteristics (such as pore structure and composition) influence the reduction behavior. The results indicate that, regardless of the type of iron ore, an increase in the H₂ percentage in the reducing gas (the H₂/CO ratio) significantly enhances the reduction rate under the same reduction time. High-grade charges favor the reduction process. For basicity (R) within the range of 0 to 0.25, an increase in R correlates with a decrease in the reduction degree and reduction rate index. Conversely, for Mg-Al ratio (M/A) within the range of 0.4 to 1.6, an increase in M/A corresponds to an increase in the reduction degree. SEM-EDS analysis of reduced samples shows that SiO₂ have minimal impact on the reduction process. The primary hindrance to reduction in pellets is the presence of large internal pores (>50 μm), which leads to significant carbon deposition on the surface. Smaller pore sizes and higher porosity in pellets are more favorable for reduction under hydrogen-rich conditions.
Comprendre la dysplasie de la hanche chez le chien
Authors: Auger Olivier , Cachon Thibaut , Genevois Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2024

L’étiologie et la physiopathologie de la dysplasie de la hanche reste encore mal connue. Les études génétiques ont démontré que la dysplasie coxo-fémorale est une affection héréditaire polygénique quantitative, non congénitale. Le chiot dysplasique naît donc avec une hanche normale d’un point de vue anatomique.
Les remodelages articulaires et le processus arthrosique observés par la suite résultent d’une laxité articulaire excessive qui est à l’origine d’une subluxation intermittente des têtes fémorales. Ces modifications peuvent apparaître très précocement dans la vie de l’animal.
L’affection relève d’une hérédité quantitative, ce qui signifie que l’expression phénotypique de la maladie résulte de la combinaison de facteurs génétiques, transmis par l’ascendance, et de facteurs environnementaux. Certains individus, prédisposés par des caractères génétiques, expriment de façon plus ou moins importante une dysplasie de hanche s’ils sont exposés à un environnement propice ou non à son développement.
Les auteurs s’accordent sur le fait que l’hyperlaxité coxo-fémorale est l’élément prépondérant dans le développement de la dysplasie de la hanche.
Comment réaliser une symphysiodèse pubienne
Authors: Livet Véronique , Cachon Thibaut
Published: November 2024

La symphysiodèse pubienne juvénile est une intervention chirurgicale préventive peu invasive indiquée pour des chiots âgés de 12 à 20 semaines qui présente un risque de développer une dysplasie coxo-fémorale. Elle consiste à obtenir la fermeture prématurée de la plaque de croissance pubienne chez le chiot, entraînant une fusion des deux os du pubis et elle permet ainsi un meilleur recouvrement de la tête fémorale par l’acétabulum et une meilleure conformation de la hanche.

Une amélioration de 10 à 15 degrés par hanche est attendue si l’intervention est réalisée à 16 semaines.
Cette technique s’accompagne de peu d’effets secondaires : la durée d’intervention est courte, la méthode est peu invasive et ne requiert pas d’implant orthopédique.

La complication la plus grave qui peut éventuellement survenir est la brûlure des structures internes telles l’urètre.
Aucune morbidité postopératoire n’a été cependant rapportée dans les études expérimentales et prospectives.
Künstliche Intelligenz in der onkologischen Hybridbildgebung
Authors: Feuerecker Benedikt , Heimer Maurice , Geyer Thomas , Fabritius Matthias P. , Gu Sijing , Schachtner Balthasar , Beyer Leonie , Ricke Jens , Gatidis Sergios , Ingrisch Michael , Cyran Clemens C.
Published: November 2024

Hintergrund Der Stellenwert künstlicher Intelligenz (KI) hat in der
medizinischen Bildgebung in den letzten Jahren deutlich zugenommen. Aufgrund der enormen
Datenmengen und strukturierbaren Aufgaben im diagnostischen Workflow hat die KI in der
onkologischen Hybridbildgebung besonders vielversprechende Anwendungsgebiete für die
Läsionsdetektion, die Läsionscharakterisierung und die Therapiebeurteilung. Vor dem
Hintergrund rasanter Entwicklungen im Bereich des Machine Learning (ML) und des Deep Learning
(DL) ist von einer zunehmenden Bedeutung in der onkologischen Hybridbildgebung auszugehen mit
Potenzial, die klinische Therapiesteuerung und patientenrelevante Ergebnisse zu verbessern.

Methode und Ergebnisse Diese narrative Übersichtsarbeit fasst die Evidenz in verschiedenen aufgabenbezogenen Anwendungen der Bildanalyse von KI im Bereich der onkologischen Hybridbildgebung zusammen. Nach Einführung in das Thema der KI werden ausgewählte Beispiele exploriert, vor dem Hintergrund aktueller Herausforderungen und im Hinblick auf die klinische Relevanz in der Therapiesteuerung diskutiert.

Schlussfolgerung Der Einsatz von KI bietet vielversprechende Anwendungen der Detektion, der Charakterisierung und der longitudinalen Therapiebeurteilung im Bereich der onkologischen Hybridbildgebung. Schlüsselherausforderungen liegen in den Bereichen der Entwicklung von Algorithmen, der Validierung und der klinischen Implementierung.

Kernaussagen Mit der onkologischen Hybridbildgebung werden große
Datenvolumen aus zwei bildgebenden Modalitäten erzeugt, deren strukturierte Analyse komplex
ist.

Für die Datenanalyse werden neue Methoden benötigt, um eine schnelle und kosteneffiziente Beurteilung in allen Aspekten der diagnostischen Wertschöpfungskette zu ermöglichen.

KI verspricht, die diagnostische Auswertung der onkologischen Hybridbildgebung zu
vereinfachen und wesentliche Verbesserungen in Qualität und Effizienz bei der Erkennung,
Charakterisierung und dem longitudinalen Monitoring onkologischer Erkrankungen zu ermöglichen.
Ziel ist, reproduzierbare, strukturierte, quantitative diagnostische Daten für die
evidenzbasierte onkologische Therapiesteuerung zu generieren.

Selektierte Anwendungsbeispiele in drei ausgewählten Tumorentitäten (Lungenkarzinom,
Prostatakarzinom, Neuroendokrine Tumore) zeigen, wie KI-gestützte Applikationen einen
wesentlichen Beitrag in der automatisierten Bildanalyse leisten und eine weitere
Individualisierung von Therapien ermöglichen könnten.
The fall of an ellipse in a stratified fluid
Authors: C Hurlen Erik , Llewellyn Smith Stefan G
Published: November 2024

The free fall of an ellipse in an infinite linearly-stratified fluid is investigated using a linear two-dimensional, Boussinesq, diffusionless, inviscid model. The oscillations of the ellipse decay because of radiation damping, but unlike the case of a circular cylinder, the ellipse can also rotate and move horizontally. The resulting equations are solved analytically for some simple cases for which there is little or no rotation. Motions with rotation are studied numerically using a spectral method to solve for the wave field in the fluid.
Sodium alginate-based biochar gel spheres: synthesis, structural analysis, and ofloxacin adsorption efficiency
Authors: Zhao Qingrui , Zhang Hongpei , Zhao Xiaohui , Wang Xiaodan , Zhang Ke , Binguo Zheng , Wang Songchao , Wang Baogui , Guo Fuzhi , Ma Yuqian , Mao Di
Published: November 2024

Composite gel spheres (SA-BC) were prepared by using sodium alginate (SA) as a carrier and adding peanut shell biochar, and their preparation conditions were optimized to evaluate their effectiveness in removing the ofloxacin (OFX) from water. In addition, antibiotic contamination in Chinese urban waters was investigated. The results showed that a variety of antibiotic pollution existed in natural water bodies, among which SA-BC performed excellently in removing OFX from water, with a removal rate of 70.72%, and maintained good adsorption performance after four cycles of use. The experiments demonstrated the general applicability and practical application potential of SA-BC in dynamic adsorption, resistance to ionic interference and removal of heavy metals from water. The fitting results of the adsorption data showed that the adsorption process of OFX by SA-BC was consistent with the Langmuir isothermal model and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Further analysis showed that three main adsorption mechanisms existed in the adsorption of OFX by SA-BC, namely, the role of surface functional groups, π–π electron donor–acceptor (EDA) interactions, and electrostatic attraction.
Performance analysis and engineering application of waste rubber crumbs in concrete
Authors: Liu Li
Published: November 2024

This study experimentally analyzed the impact of rubber particle content and KH-570 pretreatment on the workability and mechanical properties of rubberized concrete, as well as their environmental and economic benefits. The results indicated that the addition of rubber reduced workability, but this was mitigated by KH-570 pretreatment. At a 15% rubber content, pretreated rubberized concrete maintained peak stress similar to the control group, but beyond this threshold, peak stress dropped significantly. Compared to the control, RC25 exhibited a 6.9% increase in peak strain, while KRC25 only showed a 4.3% increase; the secant modulus of RC25 decreased by 46.8%, and that of KRC25 by 34.9%. In terms of toughness, the toughness index of RC25 increased by 15.4%, and KRC25 by 8.3%, demonstrating that rubber enhances concrete toughness, albeit with pretreatment affecting the deformability of rubber particles. KH-570 pretreatment significantly reduced the drying shrinkage of concrete, with a 22.7% reduction after 60 days. Rubberized concrete significantly lowered the CO2 emissions per unit volume, with RC25 reducing CO2E by 61.0% compared to the control group, highlighting the effectiveness of rubberized concrete in reducing carbon emissions associated with concrete production.
Mechanisms of forward current transport in vertical nanoscale devices: insights and applications
Authors: Chen Long , Liu Liting , Li Hongfu , Liu Xingqiang , Liu Yuan , Raskin Jean-Pierre , Flandre Denis , Liao Lei , Li Guoli
Published: November 2024

Current transport at metal/semiconductor interface becomes critical to determining ultimate limit in performance of two-dimensional (2D) electronic devices. In this work, we study output characteristics as well as carrier transport of the vertical Schottky-contact 2D transistors and diodes, by experimental measurements and detailed TCAD simulations. Device output current under the forward bias is primarily attributed to thermionic emission (TE) mechanism, then tunneling occurs and becomes the dominant interfacial charge transport in the few-layered MoS2 transistors.While shrinking the vertical channel length from 20 nm to 3.6 and increasing the applied voltage, tunneling ratio rises above 90% for the sub-5 nm scale, indicating the dominated tunneling mechanism. Simultaneously, the Schottky diode loses its rectification ability. Noticeably, Fowler-Nordheim tunneling (FNT) mechanism cannot be accurately identified through the linear slope of ln(I/V2
) versus 1/V (FN-relation) of output current under high electric field, due to the co-existing thermionic current that displays a linear-like feature in the FN-relation plots. The transition from TE to FNT and direct tunneling (DT) regimes can be identified by analyzing the output current components and FN-relation of tunneling current. These results can be employed to understand physical insights and transport limitations of the nanoscale electronics, and to optimize the device design and performance for their ultra-scaled, low-power applications.
Making and Composing Cathedral Music
Authors: Davies Drew Edward
Published: November 2024

This chapter looks at how church musicians engaged in a variety of creative musical practices beyond original composition, including adapting and arranging preexisting pieces, in order to create suitable institutional music repertories. In so doing, it considers the virtuosic violin parts Santiago Billoni wrote for himself at Durango Cathedral, the multiple versions of Francisco Javier García Fajer’s Office for the Dead arranged at Mexico City Cathedral, by Antonio Juanas and others, the phenomenon of religious contrafacts based upon excerpts from Italian opera, and vestiges of improvisatory practices in orchestral versets by Ignacio Jerusalem and polyphony by Hernando Franco. The history of hymnody in particular shows the establishment of a canon of peninsular pieces by Francisco Guerrero, which local creators supplemented with music of equivalent solemnity.
The Miraculous School of St. Peter
Authors: Davies Drew Edward
Published: November 2024

New Spanish composers created a unique repertory of music for St. Peter, the founder of the Roman church. In these works, Peter assumes the role of a divine chapel master whose counterpoint regulates the harmony of creation, as symbolized by Neoplatonic literary conceits and musical gestures derived from textual references to solfège. The chapter argues that Petrine works by Manuel de Sumaya, Ignacio Jerusalem, and others celebrate the secular church itself, in contrast to the religious orders, within an erudite culture with local roots in the music of Francisco López Capillas, the literature of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, and an elite Petrine confraternity. It also discusses late eighteenth-century works by the local Durango composer José Bernardo Abella Grijalva, which offer late but delightful examples of neaplatonic theology in the villancico.
Introduction
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: November 2024

The Introduction frames Consent Under Duress’s topic as misconduct that is constituted by acting on someone’s consent that is given under duress. The Introduction explains how the book addresses this topic using two key approaches. First, the expansive approach broadens the class of this misconduct. As well as severe interpersonal coercion, such as threats of physical violence, Consent Under Duress argues that consent is also undermined by minor duress, by duress that comes from natural causes, by duress that comes from social norms, and by duress that is merely apparent to the consent-giver with no objective basis in reality. Second, the scalar approach allows that consent can be invalidated to varying degrees. In turn, these degrees of validity track the degrees of the severity of the duress that someone is under when giving consent. The expansive and scalar approaches work in tandem. Once there is an expansion of the class of misconduct that is constituted by acting on someone’s consent that is given under duress, additional theoretical resources are then needed to draw moral distinctions within this heterogeneous class. By providing these resources, the scalar approach supplements the expansive approach. Meanwhile, once it is recognized that consent can be undermined by minor duress, it is necessary to expand the class of what constitutes misconduct that is constituted by acting on someone’s consent that is given under duress. By developing independent arguments for these mutually reinforcing approaches, Consent Under Duress offers a robust defense of their combination.
Framing the Book’s Inquiry
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: November 2024

To frame the inquiry, some initial set-up will help. First, an explanation is offered of why the concept of consent is used to theorize certain types of sexual misconduct. Second, there is an explanation of substantive assumptions that frame the investigation, including the assumption that consent releases people from directed duties and the assumption that the ethics of consent should be understood in terms of interpersonal justification. Third, there is an explanation of key methodology that will be used in the investigation, including the method of cases. Finally, there is an explanation of terminological choices that will be made throughout the investigation, including the use of the word “duress” (instead of “coercion”) and the use of the terms “valid consent” and “invalid consent.”
Why does Duress Undermine Consent?
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: November 2024

Chapter 1 introduces duress from the consent-receiver. In the Threat case, Bully sincerely threatens to smash Victim’s glasses unless Victim lets Bully pinch them. Bully’s coercion means that Victim’s consent fails to release Bully from their duty not to pinch them. Chapter 1 considers how this datum might be explained by various claims: “Consent is undermined by threats but not offers”; “Duress prevents the consent from being given voluntarily, autonomously, or responsibly”; “Consent is invalidated by attempts to illegitimately manipulate the consent-giver”; and “Consent is invalid when the consent-giver is choosing to consent instead of submitting to an action that would infringe their rights or wrong them.” These claims are unsatisfactory because they fail to provide adequate explanations of various cases. Perhaps the most important of these is a pair of similar cases. In the Boycott case, Uncool says that if Club-Owner does not let Uncool into the VIP area, then they will stop coming to the club, and it will lose $1000 in profit. In the Slander case, Uncool says that if Club-Owner does not let Uncool into the VIP area, then they will spread false rumors, and the club will lose $1000 in profit. To explain why Club-Owner’s consent is valid in Boycott but not Slander, an account must focus on the moral acceptability of the duress to which Uncool subjects Club-Owner.
The Problem of Minor Duress
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: November 2024

The draft of the Consent-Receiver Principle is not sensitive to the degrees of severity that duress comes in. Roughly, the draft states that someone’s consent is not valid when they are subject to illegitimate duress from the consent-receiver. Since this duress could be minor, the principle allows that minor duress can invalidate consent. However, it seems that when consent is given under minor duress, it can still have a moral effect. To illustrate this, consider two cases. In the Anger case, Morgan consents to sex with Cameron to avoid angry behavior from Cameron. In the Refusal case, Morgan does not consent at all, and Cameron uses physical force to have sex with Morgan. While Cameron wrongs Morgan in the Anger case, this is not a wronging of the same magnitude as the one Cameron commits in the Refusal case. Therefore, it seems that Morgan’s consent is having a moral effect in the Anger case, even though it is given under duress. The “Problem of Minor Duress” is the problem of explaining what this effect is. It is necessary to take the problem seriously as there is no satisfactorily general explanation of why the relevant misconduct is less gravely wrong by appealing to phenomena besides consent. In addition, the problem cannot be solved by placing a threshold restriction on the Consent-Receiver Principle—a restriction that would have the consequence that the principle would imply that consent is invalidated by coercion or other forms of duress that meet or exceed a threshold of severity.
The Constraint Solution to the Problem of Minor Duress
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: November 2024

Chapter 5 offers a solution to the Problem of Minor Duress, which concerns the degrees of duress’s severity. The solution distinguishes two ways that an agent can fail to be guided by consent that an individual gives in a sufficiently good position to give consent. First, the agent can act without the individual’s consent. This is a very grave wronging in the case of sexual consent. When the individual’s consent is given under minor duress, the consent’s presence at least means that the agent does not wrong the individual in this way. Second, the agent can act on the basis of consent that the individual has given in response to illegitimate duress from the consent-receiver. The fact that the duress is minor does not prevent the agent from wronging the individual in this way. However, the minor nature of the duress does reduce the gravity of the wronging. Thus, the presence of consent under minor duress reduces the overall gravity of the consent-receiver’s misconduct, even though it does not imply that the consent-receiver avoids misconduct altogether. This is an “ameliorative effect” of the consent.
Conclusion—Cat Person Revisited
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: November 2024

Consent under Duress defends a set of principles that offer new ways of thinking about consent under duress. To illustrate how these principles shine light on sexual encounters, the Conclusion returns to a scene from Kristen Roupenian’s short story, “Cat Person.” The Conclusion argues that this case is illuminated by the scalar approach that allows that minor duress can render consent partially valid, the thesis that consent is undermined by social norms, and the thesis that a consent-giverâ€™s perception of duress undermines the validity of their consent. This analysis illustrates how particular cases can be analyzed by combining the expansive approach and the scalar approach that have been defended in Consent under Duress.
The world of Thucydides
Authors: Roberts Jennifer T.
Published: November 2024

This chapter introduces Thucydides, son of Olorus. Thucydides grew up when Athens was at the height of its power and enjoying an extraordinary cultural florescence. Athens entered a ruinous war with the expectation that it could be easily won, which then resulted in the downfall that Thucydides chronicles in his History. The chapter then highlights the pivotal role the Peloponnesian War played in Greek history as it brought the Athenian Empire to an end and positioned Sparta to dominate Greece. It explains Thucydides’ concern about the lack of muthodes (charm/romance) from his History that may have put his readers off.
Thucydides the narrator
Authors: Roberts Jennifer T.
Published: November 2024

This chapter examines the narratives of Thucydides, who depicted the war as a violent teacher. It explains that international affairs were plainly compelling for Thucydides as a laboratory in which to explore human nature. Unlike the poets, Thucydides cannot claim the muses as a source of his information and understanding, and he is careful to establish his credibility as a narrator. Throughout the majority of the History, Thucydides seeks to erase himself from the narrative while creating the illusion that the story is simply telling itself. The chapter considers the conflicting perspectives of Thucydides’ history as either intensely personal or severely impersonal.
The future of social science
Authors: Betts Alexander
Published: November 2024

This chapter explores the future of social science. It explains that many of the most cutting-edge breakthroughs have come from working across disciplines, which includes transcending traditional boundaries between the social and the natural sciences. The chapter provides an overview of the key concepts of behavioural science and human data science. Moreover, interdisciplinary research is changing the face of social science as social scientists increasingly work with natural scientists and humanities researchers in areas such as conservation, pandemics, and neuroscience. Finally, the chapter reflects on the importance of equality, diversity, and inclusion within social science, and the decolonization of social science research and teaching.
The epic hero
Authors: Welch Anthony
Published: November 2024

This chapter examines the heroes of epics. Although they vary widely across cultures, epic heroes share a drive to impose their will on the world, to be seen and remembered. They are born with extraordinary gifts of body or mind, but most are fundamentally human; they struggle to align their outsized ambitions with their human limitations. The chapter explores how epic heroes’ identities are shaped by mythology and religion, as well as by folktales, praise poetry, and hero cults. It outlines the theory of the hero’s journey popularized by Joseph Campbell and surveys some common traits of heroes in traditional oral epics around the world. Also addressed are the epic hero’s troubled relationship with political authority, the figure of the female epic hero, and the challenges of depicting heroic action in the modern world. The chapter concludes by pondering the epic hero’s relationship with death and the afterlife.
War
Authors: Welch Anthony
Published: November 2024

Chapter 4 addresses epic violence and warfare. The traditional epic is an arena of male competition, where heroes exert their will through conflict and aggression. Yet no literary form broods more deeply over the consequences of war. The chapter describes the warrior culture of the traditional epic, driven by an economy of glory and shame, and explores the epic’s fascination with the aesthetics of combat. Epics often dwell on what happens when anger spirals out of control, causing the breakdown of societal systems that aim to manage violence. The chapter discusses several epics that portray blood feuds and civil wars, ranging from ancient Greece to medieval Scandinavia. It then turns to European epics of imperial conquest and religious violence from Virgil’s Aeneid to the chivalric epics of Renaissance Italy. It also considers the impact of changing military technologies on epic literature, such as the European gunpowder revolution. A final section reflects on how martial epics portray grief and loss, as the survivors of war remember the fallen and consign their bodies to death.
A Dilemma for Proceduralist Theories of Democracy: Elected Delegates or Elected Monarchs?
Authors: Flanagan Brian
Published: November 2024

Emphasizing the intrinsic value of formal political equality, a prominent strand of democratic theory—proceduralism—sharply disassociates democracy from substantive justice. This paper elucidates a resultant dilemma: that proceduralism is either underinclusive in its exclusion of robust forms of representative democracy or overinclusive in its inclusion of elective dictatorship. I show how the horns of this dilemma respectively derive from different conceptions of political equality: the standard view, which foregrounds the choice of legislative text itself, and an alternative view, drawn from Robert Dahl’s model of “procedural democracy,” which privileges the choice of procedure by which to resolve disagreement over the choice of text. Conceiving of democracy in terms of political equality alone leads to a rigid characterization of the elected legislature either as an institution whose structure is entirely open or as a mechanism for enacting citizens’ wishes that denies legislators their intuitive input.
Patient Satisfaction After 3D Nipple-Areolar Complex Tattooing: A Case Series of Hispanic Women Following Breast Reconstruction Surgery
Authors: Cálix Garcia Miguel Alexander , Salazar Vizuet Israel , Melchor González Juan Manuel , Escobar Rivera Carlos Godofredo , Alvarenga Funes Guillermo Ernesto , Sorto Figueroa Martha María
Published: November 2024

Background

Breast cancer is a prevalent cancer worldwide, leading many women to undergo mastectomy and breast reconstruction surgery. Nipple-areolar complex (NAC) reconstruction is critical in achieving aesthetic and psychological satisfaction. Recently, 3-dimensional (3D) NAC tattooing has become an option for this purpose.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate patient-reported outcomes for satisfaction among Hispanic women who underwent NAC reconstruction with 3D tattooing after breast reconstruction.

Methods

Data were collected from a retrospective database covering a number of academic settings between 2014 and 2024. Participants were Hispanic women aged 32 to 60 years who had undergone various NAC reconstruction techniques. Follow-up was conducted no more than 6 months after surgery, utilizing the BREAST-Q version 2.0 questionnaire to measure satisfaction in 2 groups: Group 1, in which patients received alternative NAC reconstruction methods; and Group 2, which received 3D NAC tattooing.

Results

Patients who underwent 3D NAC tattooing (Group 2) demonstrated increased psychosocial well-being, with a mean [standard deviation] score of 84.73 [8.56]. Regarding surgeon experience, Group 2 achieved a mean score of 86.21 [10.33], which was lower than the Group 1 mean of 88.70 [10.78]. Notably, Group 2 expressed greater satisfaction with nipple reconstruction, with a mean score of 3.73 [0.44] compared with the Group 1 mean score of 3.48 [0.65].

Conclusions

The findings indicate that 3D NAC tattooing may enhance aesthetic outcomes of the NAC and psychosocial well-being in Hispanic women. This highlights the importance of incorporating unique techniques in breast reconstruction and the need for a multidisciplinary approach.

Level of Evidence: 4 (Therapeutic)