bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Origin of current intermediate wheatgrass germplasm being developed for Kernza grain production
Authors: Crain Jared , Wagoner Peggy , Larson Steve , DeHaan Lee
Published: March 2024

Intermediate wheatgrass (IWG, Thinopyrum intermedium [Host] Barkworth & D. R. Dewey) has been developed as a perennial grain crop for human consumption along with providing environmental benefits and ecosystem services. Grain and products derived from IWG cultivars improved for food production have been marketed under the registered trademark, Kernza. Development of IWG as a perennial grain crop began in 1980s with a phenotypic recurrent selection program as the Rodale Institute (RI) and the Big Flats Plant Material Center (BFPMC) used IWG plant introductions (PI) from the National Plant Germplasm System (NPGS) to improve populations of IWG. Initial selections were provided to The Land Institute (TLI) where they were subsequently improved for grain production, yet the identity of the founder material of improved, food-grade IWG has not been publicly documented. Recently recovered original documents have been used to reconstruct the early breeding program to identify the most likely 20 PIs that form the founders of modern food-grade IWG. Molecular data using genotyping-by-sequencing in current elite breeding material, and remnant seed and plant material from the initial RI selections have provided supporting evidence for the historical records. The genetic origin for food-grade IWG is focused between the Black Sea and Caspian Sea in the Stavropol region of Russia, with smaller contributions likely from collections as distant as Kazakhstan in the east to Turkey in the west. This work connects the flow of germplasm and utility of NPGS PIs to present day IWG grain cultivars being developed in multiple breeding programs around the world.
Does the Relationship between Age and Brain Structure Differ in Youth with Conduct Disorder?
Authors: Koerner Sarah , Staginnus Marlene , Cornwell Harriet , Smaragdi Areti , González-Madruga Karen , Pauli Ruth , Rogers Jack C. , Gao Yidian , Chester Sally , Townend Sophie , Bernhard Anka , Martinelli Anne , Kohls Gregor , Raschle Nora Maria , Konrad Kerstin , Stadler Christina , Freitag Christine M. , De Brito Stephane A. , Fairchild Graeme
Published: April 2024

Conduct disorder (CD) is characterised by persistent antisocial and aggressive behaviour and typically emerges in childhood or adolescence. Although several authors have proposed that CD is a neurodevelopmental disorder, very little evidence is available about brain development in this condition. Structural brain alterations have been observed in CD, and some indirect evidence for delayed brain maturation has been reported. However, no detailed analysis of age-related changes in brain structure in youth with CD has been conducted. Using cross-sectional MRI data, this study aimed to explore differences in brain maturation in youth with CD versus healthy controls to provide further understanding of the neurodevelopmental processes underlying CD. 291 CD cases (153 males) and 379 healthy controls (160 males) aged 9–18 years (Mage = 14.4) were selected from the European multisite FemNAT-CD study. Structural MRI scans were analysed using surface-based morphometry followed by application of the ENIGMA quality control protocols. An atlas-based approach was used to investigate group differences and test for group-by-age and group-by-age-by-sex interactions in cortical thickness, surface area and subcortical volumes. Relative to healthy controls, the CD group showed lower surface area across frontal, temporal and parietal regions as well as lower total surface area. No significant group-by-age or group-by-age-by-sex interactions were observed on any brain structure measure. These findings suggest that CD is associated with lower surface area across multiple cortical regions, but do not support the idea that CD is associated with delayed brain maturation, at least within the age bracket considered here.
Assessment of the influence of institutions and globalization on environmental pollution for open and closed economies
Authors: Gyamfi Bright A. , Agozie Divine Q. , Ali Ernest B. , Bekun Festus V. , Asongu Simplice A.
Published: April 2024

As the environmental sustainability effectiveness of various political systems is taken into consideration, it is doubtful as to whether the presumption of the overall efficiency of democracy can be sustained in global governance architecture. The effectiveness of autocracies and democracies (i.e., governance indicators are compared in the present study) with reference to strengths and weaknesses in environmental objectives. This analysis explores the effect of autocracy, democracy, as well as the trend of globalization on CO2 emissions for open and closed economies from 1990 to 2020. Crucial indicators such as economic growth, renewable energy and non-renewable energy are controlled for while examining the roles of economic expansion on the disaggregated energy consumption portfolios for both open and closed economies. The empirical analysis revealed some insightful results. First, for the open economies, with the exception of non-renewable energy which shows a positive significant impact on emissions, all variables show a negative effect on emissions. Furthermore, the closed economies result indicate that, apart from renewable energy which has a negative relationship with emissions, all the variables including the interaction terms have a positive relation with emissions. However, an inverted U-shaped environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis was validated for both economies.
Household specialization and competition for promotion
Authors: Bastani Spencer , Dickmanns Lisa , Giebe Thomas , Gürtler Oliver
Published: March 2024

We study how the presence of promotion competition in the labor market affects household specialization patterns. By embedding a promotion tournament model in a household setting, we show that specialization can emerge as a consequence of competitive work incentives. This specialization outcome, in which only one spouse invests heavily in his or her career, can be welfare superior to a situation in which both spouses invest equally in their careers. The reason is that household specialization reduces the intensity of competition and provides households with consumption smoothing. The specialization result is obtained in a setting where spouses are equally competitive in the labor market and there is no household production. It is also robust to several modifications of the model, such as varying the number of households, two spouses competing for promotion in the same workplace, and the inclusion of household production.
A technostress–entrepreneurship nexus in the developing world
Authors: Simba Amon , Rambe Patient , Navarrete Samuel Ribeiro , Vadillo Maria Teresa Palomo
Published: April 2024

Research indicates that entrepreneurs are relying on digital technology for their entrepreneurial endeavours, yet there is little knowledge on how to balance technology usage and wellbeing. Drawing on the concept of technostress and 643 observations of nascent South African entrepreneurs’ interactions with digital technology, we advance knowledge at the technostress–entrepreneurship nexus. Partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) results reveal how digital self-efficacy moderates their behaviour and inability to balance digital technology usage with wellbeing. These results confirm entrepreneurship passion and perceived behavioural control as predictors of technostress amongst these entrepreneurs. They also suggest that the benefits of digital technology are not a predictor of technostress in African entrepreneurship; thus, extending a conceptual overlay of digital technology, digital self-efficacy, entrepreneurial passion (EP), and behaviour to define the mechanisms underlying a technostress–entrepreneurship nexus. The results show social, policy, and research implications in today’s technology-driven environments characterised by a mixture of midrange to complete digital transformations.
Crystal structure, morphology, and electrical properties of aluminum-doped LFP materials
Authors: Zou Gongsheng , Chen Kui , Luo Xianming , Fu Quanjun , Wu Bin
Published: April 2024

The effect of doping with aluminum compounds on the crystal structure, morphology, and electrochemical properties of LiFePO4 has been investigated with aluminum stearate, alumina, aluminum sulfate, and aluminum phosphate as dopants. The contraction of unit cell observed by XRD analysis and reduced lattice spacing determined by HRTEM of the doped crystals indicate that Al3+ ions, which occupy smaller space than lithium ions, are successfully doped into the lattice of LiFePO4. Lattice doping of aluminum ions enlarges Li+ transport channels; 1%-AlP-LFP has the slowest attenuation of discharge specific capacity. After 30 cycles of charge and discharge curve test at 0.5C, the retention rate of the sample is 97.43%. Owing to the substitution of S for O sites, and SO42− has a breaking effect on the carbon layer, this accelerates the capacity decay of 1%-AlS-LFP. The discharge capacity of 1%-AlS-LFP is 132.9 mAh/g, which is lower than 139.8mAh/g of LFP. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results show that the resistance of 1%-AlP-LFP is 147.1 Ω, the resistance of LFP is 138.9Ω, and the resistance of LFP is 183.9Ω. The Li+ diffusion coefficient of 1%-AlP-LFP is partially increased; the double substitution of Al3+ and S2− slows the migration rate of Li+.
Experimental and Numerical Analysis of the Three-Point Bending Behavior of Hybrid Adhesive-Bonded Aluminum–Wood Plates
Authors: Graf Eva , Matz Philipp , Auer Peter , Kurzböck Christian , Krenke Thomas , Painer Johannes , Gruber Lukas , Frieß Michael , Bauer Christoph , Sommitsch Christof , Domitner Josef
Published: April 2024

Hybrid components of wood-based materials offer a high potential for automotive lightweight applications. To investigate the bending behavior of hybrid aluminum-wood plates, commercial 1-mm-thick sheets of EN AW-6016-T4 aluminum alloy were adhesive-bonded with 4.2-mm-thick plates of birch wood. Orientations of the wood fibers parallel (longitudinal) as well as perpendicular (transverse) to the rolling direction of the aluminum alloy sheet and three different moisture contents of the wood plate were considered. The hybrid aluminum-wood plates were subjected to three-point bending at room temperature. Simple wood plates without aluminum alloy sheets were also tested. The bending force-bending angle curves monitored during bending, the bending angles at maximum bending force and the surface strains were evaluated. Moreover, a finite element model of the testing setup was created using the LS-Dyna software. The different moisture contents did not significantly influence the bending angle; however, moisture decreased the maximum bending force. Debonding was identified as critical failure mechanism. The FE model that considered the experimentally determined material properties was able to predict the bending behavior for different moisture conditions.
Improved Thermodynamic Descriptions of Carbides in Ni-Based Superalloys
Authors: Buerstmayr Richard , Schulz Bernd , Povoden-Karadeniz Erwin , Kozeschnik Ernst , Lison-Pick Michael , Primig Sophie
Published: April 2024

The Ni-based superalloy René 41 has sparked recent interest for applications in next-generation aircraft engines due to its high-temperature strength that is superior to all similar grades. These desirable properties are achieved by careful control of the microstructure evolution during thermomechanical processing, and this is commonly informed by simulations. In particular, the grain boundary carbides M6C and M23C6 play an essential role in controlling the grain size and strength of the final product. Therefore, a solid understanding of the thermodynamic stability and thermokinetic evolution of these carbides is essential. However, thermokinetic simulations using existing thermodynamic databases have been demonstrated to have discrepancies between thermodynamic stabilities and experimental observations. Here, we collected a new experimental time–temperature–precipitation diagram. In conjunction with improved crystallographic descriptions, these experimental results are used to modify a CALPHAD database for M6C and M23C6. The modified database correctly identifies temperature regions with rapid carbide precipitation kinetics. Further, kinetic simulations and strengthening models successfully predict the hardness increase due to γ′ precipitation. The modified database has been applied to Udimet 700, Waspaloy, and Haynes 282, demonstrating improved results. These updates will facilitate more accurate simulations of the microstructure evolution during thermomechanical processing of advanced Ni-based superalloys for aerospace and other applications.
Comparative Analysis and Error Assessment of Nanoindentation Evaluation Techniques for NafionTM117
Authors: Yonkova Velislava , Utsch Nikolai , Borowec Julian , Eichel Rüdiger-A. , Hausen Florian , Scheepers Fabian , Brinckmann Steffen , Schwaiger Ruth
Published: April 2024

Advances in the application of polymers for electrochemical cells require an understanding of their viscous deformation mechanisms and their interaction with moisture. Nanoindentation offers a localized, microscale testing alternative to traditional tensile testing. However, the viscoelastic nature of the polymers, combined with their increased compliance, presents challenges in the analysis of nanoindentation results. In addition, the dependence on moisture results in significant scatter and low repeatability. This study combines nanoindentation and tensile testing as a verification method and compares different correction protocols for static nanoindentation to investigate the mechanical behavior of polymer electrolyte membranes. Comparisons of different indentation devices, analysis methods, and indentation protocols show a significant overestimation of Young’s modulus using the classical Oliver–Pharr method compared to values determined from tensile tests. Nanoindentation at different humidity levels revealed different mechanisms leading to a decrease in Young’s modulus and hardness with increasing humidity.
Strategies for solving multiplicative problems using a conceptual model-based problem-solving approach. A case study with a student with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Bruno Alicia , Polo-Blanco Irene , Van Vaerenbergh Steven , Fernández-Cobos Raúl , González-López María José
Published: April 2024

This study examines the multiplicative problem-solving strategies used by a 14-year-old student with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disabilities during an instructional process based on the Conceptual Model-based Problem Solving (COMPS) approach. The instruction aimed to enhance conceptual comprehension of problem-solving by the use of model diagrams representing mathematical relations involved in word problems. These diagrams aid in selecting the appropriate operation for each type of multiplicative problem, including equal-groups, multiplicative comparison, and combination problems. We further discuss how the instructional process promoted conceptual understanding for the three problem types, highlighting the development of strategies (modeling, counting, and operations) and the pivotal role of the COMPS methodology components in this progression. The results indicate that the student adeptly adopted the COMPS approach, facilitating the transition from informal modeling to written operations, with his choice of strategies varying depending on the type of problem. While there was a higher utilization of modeling strategies in equal-groups and combination problems, modeling was not as frequently employed in comparison problems. We speculate how this differentiated strategy preference could be associated with certain characteristics of the disorder.
The Effect of Donepezil Hydrochloride in the Twitcher Mouse Model of Krabbe Disease
Authors: Papakyriakopoulou Paraskevi , Valsami Georgia , Dev Kumlesh K.
Published: April 2024

Krabbe disease (KD) is a rare demyelinating disorder characterized by demyelination caused by mutations in the GALC gene, resulting in toxic accumulation of psychosine. Psychosine has been identified as detrimental to oligodendrocytes, leading to demyelination through diverse hypothesized pathways. Reducing demyelination is essential to maintain neurological function in KD; however, therapeutic interventions are currently limited. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEi) are commonly used for symptomatic management of Alzheimer's Disease and are suggested to have potential disease-modifying effects, including regulating myelin state. In particular, donepezil, an AChEi, has demonstrated promising effects in cellular and animal models, including promotion of the expression of myelin-related genes and reduction of glial cell reactivity. This drug also acts as an agonist for sigma-1 receptors (Sig-1R), which are implicated in demyelination diseases. In the context of drug repurposing, here, we demonstrate that administration of donepezil has protective effects in the twitcher mouse model of KD. We provide data showing that donepezil preserves myelin and reduces glial cell reactivity in the brains of twitcher mice. Moreover, donepezil also improves behavioral phenotypes and increases lifespan in twitcher animals. These findings suggest that donepezil, with its dual activity as an AChE inhibitor and Sig-1R agonist, may hold promise as a therapeutic candidate for demyelinating diseases, including KD.
Persist or Perish. The Dynamics of Irrigated Agriculture in Urbanising Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Authors: Wessels Matthijs T. , Mgana Shaaban M.
Published: April 2024

Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) is one of the fastest urbanising cities in sub-Saharan Africa, which has implications for its food security. Based on ethnographic research that focused on understanding how day-to-day agricultural practices are configured, we study the responses of farmers to a changing urban environment. We describe urban agriculture as an expression of active city-making; something which is uncommon since the agricultural sector is typically presented as passive and helpless in the face of urban growth. This paper shows that farmers, despite not being accounted for in urban narratives, co-shape what the city looks like and how it functions. By crafting networks of provision based on the informal access to land and water, they offer food, employment, and more for the improvement of their lives and the wider citizenry. In opposition to land pressure and water resource degradation, farmers adapt their agricultural strategies to benefit from what they can access while dealing with the uncertainties of changing realities. Based on our findings which reflect the characteristics of everyday urbanism, we discuss implications for theory and governance. With African cities risking to grow hungry, a better representation of urban farmers and their irrigated agricultural production in urban planning and governance reduces uncertainties and risks, both for farmers and the wider city.
Proactive verbal behavior in team meetings: effects of supportive and critical responses on satisfaction and performance
Authors: Berg Ann-Kathleen , Kauffeld Simone
Published: April 2024

Proactivity has rarely been considered as a subject of investigation in social settings, such as team meetings. In this study, we investigate proactive behavior during meetings and examine how reactions to proactive behavior impact work-related outcomes. Drawing on meeting science and the wise proactivity framework, we hypothesized that supportive and critical patterns would emerge in response to proactive behavior. We also tested whether these patterns influenced team meeting satisfaction and team performance. We video recorded team meetings involving 252 participants in 43 teams and conducted micro-interaction coding of verbal behavior. Lag sequential analyses revealed that proactive verbal behavior followed by supportive responses occurred above chance. Team-level regression analyses showed that these patterns predicted meeting satisfaction and team performance. Notably, proactive-support patterns indirectly predicted team performance through increased meeting satisfaction. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of proactive verbal behavior in teams and supportive reactions as antecedents to positive outcomes.
AI Literacy for the top management: An upper echelons perspective on corporate AI orientation and implementation ability
Authors: Pinski Marc , Hofmann Thomas , Benlian Alexander
Published: April 2024

We draw on upper echelons theory to examine whether the AI literacy of a firm’s top management team (i.e., TMT AI literacy) has an effect on two firm characteristics paramount for value generation with AI—a firm’s AI orientation, enabling it to identify AI value potentials, and a firm’s AI implementation ability, empowering it to realize these value potentials. Building on the notion that TMT effects are contingent upon firm contexts, we consider the moderating influence of a firm’s type (i.e., startups vs. incumbents). To investigate these relationships, we leverage observational literacy data of 6986 executives from a professional social network (LinkedIn.com) and firm data from 10-K statements. Our findings indicate that TMT AI literacy positively affects AI orientation as well as AI implementation ability and that AI orientation mediates the effect of TMT AI literacy on AI implementation ability. Further, we show that the effect of TMT AI literacy on AI implementation ability is stronger in startups than in incumbent firms. We contribute to upper echelons literature by introducing AI literacy as a skill-oriented perspective on TMTs, which complements prior role-oriented TMT research, and by detailing AI literacy’s role for the upper echelons-based mechanism that explains value generation with AI.
Laboratory weathering studies to evaluate the water quality impact of a lithium mining in Portugal
Authors: Antão Ana Maria M. C. , Rodrigues Pedro M. S. M. , Rodrigues Ricardo , Couto Guilherme
Published: March 2024

Lithium mining driven by the growing demand for lithium-ion batteries, has environmental consequences linked to soil and water pollution. Nevertheless, research on the environmental impacts of lithium extraction still needs to be improved, highlighting the imperative for additional research. The article addresses the potential impact of the C57 lithiniferous feldspar mine on water quality, specifically focusing on surface, groundwater and spring water samples collected at the mining site and surrounding area in Gonçalo (Guarda, Portugal). The objective is to evaluate the environmental consequences of mining activities, with particular emphasis on mineral leaching. This study aims to evaluate the water quality around the C57 mine and the potential environmental impacts of mining operations. Water samples were collected from different sources, such as surface, underground, and spring waters, and chemical analyses were carried out to determine concentrations of different parameters, which were later compared with national and international reference guidelines. In addition to analysing the water samples, weathering tests were carried out using the Soxhlet extractor method to simulate the leaching of minerals over a shorter period (about 125 days). The concentrations of the analysed elements by atomic absorption spectroscopy (Al, Ca, Cd, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Li, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb and Zn) in the weathering solutions were generally low and decreased throughout the testing period, with significant concentrations of aluminium and chromium exceed Canadian environmental quality guidelines for surface waters. The detected lithium concentrations are quite different, ranging from 8.7 to 19.8 μg/L in surface waters, from 6.9 to 74.1 μg/L in groundwater, and from 25.6 to 35.4 μg/L in spring waters, but are all below the US EPA (2021) recommendations threshold of 0.7 mg/L. Based on the findings, the article concludes that there is currently no clear evidence to indicate the environmental impact of mining activities on water quality in the analysed samples. However, weathering tests suggest potential long-term implications regarding the leaching of specific chemical elements, particularly aluminium and chromium.
Evolving Therapeutic Landscape of Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Emerging Cutting-Edge Advancements in Surgical Robots, Regenerative Medicine, and Neurorehabilitation Techniques
Authors: Chen Danyang , Zhao Zhixian , Zhang Shenglun , Chen Shiling , Wu Xuan , Shi Jian , Liu Na , Pan Chao , Tang Yingxin , Meng Cai , Zhao Xingwei , Tao Bo , Liu Wenjie , Chen Diansheng , Ding Han , Zhang Ping , Tang Zhouping
Published: April 2024

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most serious form of stroke and has limited available therapeutic options. As knowledge on ICH rapidly develops, cutting-edge techniques in the fields of surgical robots, regenerative medicine, and neurorehabilitation may revolutionize ICH treatment. However, these new advances still must be translated into clinical practice. In this review, we examined several emerging therapeutic strategies and their major challenges in managing ICH, with a particular focus on innovative therapies involving robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, stem cell transplantation, in situ neuronal reprogramming, and brain-computer interfaces. Despite the limited expansion of the drug armamentarium for ICH over the past few decades, the judicious selection of more efficacious therapeutic modalities and the exploration of multimodal combination therapies represent opportunities to improve patient prognoses after ICH.
RPA as a Challenge Beyond Technology: Self-Learning and Attitude Needed for Successful RPA Implementation in the Workplace
Authors: Gómez Gandía José Andrés , Gavrila Gavrila Sorin , de Lucas Ancillo Antonio , del Val Núñez Maria Teresa
Published: April 2024

Companies are immersed in a process of digitalization that transforms business models and creates value due to the increase in technology. The adoption of new technologies has a great impact on organizations, not only at an economic level but also on their products, processes, and human resources. This process will result in a series of necessary changes to align with their internal competencies and optimize the investment made. This digitalization generates a digital transformation that affects both large companies and SMEs, with the result that new technologies are subject to continuous change, requiring the development and training of workers with the necessary skills to cope with it. Within this transformation, the automation of processes is a constantly growing topic in the business world, as it generates a series of benefits for organizations that they would not otherwise be able to acquire. Process automation reduces the workload in repetitive processes and provides more time for employees to attend to end-customer requests. The adoption of this technology will provide the company to be adapted to a changing world experiencing an increase in productivity, effectiveness, and efficiency. This research focuses on how the process automation provides the organization with a wide range of benefits such as workload reduction and increased productivity for most of the company. Although process automation can bring many benefits to the workplace, it is important to recognize that its use does not always automatically lead to a systematic improvement of workers’ skills. In this context, it is also important to note how employee training is necessary to face this new reality. Employee training and adaptation is critical to the organization’s sustainability. Training will need to be aimed at equipping the employee with technical skills to enable them to effectively use and implement technology and to assimilate it as a complement and not as a threat. To analyse the individual’s awareness of the digitization of the workplace, the automation of tasks and the advantages or disadvantages that may result from the introduction of technology, a questionnaire was developed, and 103 valid responses were obtained and analysed. This has resulted in a series of hypotheses that have been tried to be validate throughout the research work. These results have important implications for organizations seeking to implement automation and provide a basis for future research in this constantly evolving field.
Postoperative Acute Kidney Injury After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
Authors: Ayala Sebastian , Ma Zhengmin , Peng Ke , Ji Fuhai , Li David
Published: April 2024

Purpose of Review

The purpose of this review serves to briefly summarize the current literature surveying the incidence of posttranscatheter aortic valve replacement acute kidney injury (TAVR AKI). Furthermore, this review extends itself to evaluate and potentially address modifiable risk factors, while acknowledging non-modifiable risk factors in the perioperative setting. These modifiable risk factors include but are not limited to access method, perioperative hypotension events, and need for blood transfusion in the setting of preoperative anemia.

Recent Findings

Recent retrospective studies have highlighted the incidence of post-TAVR AKI, citing as high as 1 in 6 patients. Despite exclusion of patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) from pivotal TAVR trials, data shows that over 50% of high-risk patients suffer > 3a chronic kidney disease (CKD) and about 10% of them suffer > 4 CKD, with the risk of AKI increasing significantly at each stage of CKD advancement. Meta-analyses have shown that patients who underwent TAVR via transfemoral (TF) approach compared to those who had transapical (TA) or transaortic (TaO) approach had significantly less AKI post-TAVR. Furthermore, in patients who developed post-TAVR AKI, 55% of them had received packed red blood cell (pRBC) transfusion, while only 21% of the patients who did not receive pRBCs develop post-TAVR AKI (p = .002). Post-TAVR AKI has been shown in multiple studies that it is an independent risk factor for increased short term and long-term mortality. These findings together highlight both the clinical significance and continued perioperative vigilance to further improve clinical outcomes.

This review aims to summarize recent literature regarding the association of AKI in the perioperative setting of TAVR. In addition, it parses the risk factors into both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors. Furthermore, it provides some recommendations including procedure approach, appreciating transfusion implication, and most importantly, preventing hypotension events in the perioperative period.
The Art and Science of Predicting Prognosis in Cancer Rehabilitation
Authors: Stubblefield Michael D.
Published: April 2024

Purpose of Review

Oncologists are often extremely hesitant to provide life expectancy to patients, their families, and rehabilitation clinicians who need this data to develop a realistic and compassionate plan of care. This review will discuss the art and science of determining prognosis for patients considered for admission to an inpatient rehabilitation facility (IRF).

Recent Findings

Oncologist overestimate prognosis by as much as fivefold and generally communicate a significantly longer life expectancy to patients and families. Patients with active cancer requiring maximal assistance on admission to an IRF have a nearly 60% chance of acute care discharge.

This paper will discuss the art and science of using prognostic determination as a key component of making good decisions with respect in the admission of cancer patients to IRF. Prognosis is best determined prior to admission by rehabilitation professionals based on a comprehensive assessment of the patient’s oncologic history, functional status, and importantly presence or absence of meaningful treatment options. Patients with extremely limited life expectancy should only be admitted on a supportive pathway intent on expeditious discharge home with hospice.
Employing optical lightning data to identify lightning flashes associated to terrestrial gamma-ray flashes
Authors: Köhn Christoph , Heumesser Matthias , Chanrion Olivier , Reglero Victor , Østgaard Nikolai , Christian H. J. , Lang T. J. , Blakeslee R. J. , Neubert Torsten
Published: April 2024

Terrestrial gamma-ray flashes (TGFs) are bursts of energetic X- and gamma-rays emitted from thunderstorms. The Atmosphere-Space Interactions Monitor (ASIM) mounted onto the International Space Station (ISS) is dedicated to measure TGFs and optical signatures of lightning; ISS LIS (Lightning Imaging Sensor) detects lightning flashes allowing for simultaneous measurements with ASIM. Whilst ASIM measures

$$\sim $$

∼

300-400 TGFs per year, ISS LIS detects

$$\sim 10^6$$

∼

10
6

annual lightning flashes giving a disproportion of four orders of magnitude. Based on the temporal evolution of lightning flashes and the spatial pattern of the constituing events, we present an algorithm to reduce the number of space-detected flashes potentially associated with TGFs by

$$\sim $$

∼

60% and of associated LIS groups by

$$\sim $$

∼

95%. We use ASIM measurements to confirm that the resulting flashes are indeed those associated with TGFs detected at approx. 400 km altitude and thus benchmark our algorithm preserving 70–80% of TGFs from concurrent ASIM-LIS measurements. We compare how the radiance, footprint size and the global distribution of lightning flashes of the reduced set relates to the average of all measured lightning flashes and do not observe any significant difference. Finally, we present a parameter study of our algorithm and discuss which parameters can be tweaked to maximize the reduction efficiency whilst keeping flashes associated to TGFs. In the future, this algorithm will hence be capable of facilitating the search for TGFs in a reduced set of lightning flashes measured from space.
The Feldstein–Horioka Puzzle or Paradox after 44 years: a fallacy of composition
Authors: Horioka Charles Yuji
Published: April 2024

The finding of Feldstein and Horioka (1980) that domestic saving and domestic investment are highly correlated across countries despite the rapid globalization and liberalization of financial markets in recent decades has been regarded as a Puzzle or Paradox. However, in this paper, we show that countries as a whole may not be able to transfer their capital abroad and that the Feldstein–Horioka Finding of domestic saving and domestic investment being highly correlated across countries may arise even if there are no frictions in financial markets and even if individual investors can freely transfer their capital abroad if there are frictions in goods markets such as transport costs, tariffs, nontariff barriers, the cost of regulatory compliance, etc. In fact, there is evidence that frictions in goods markets are a more serious impediment to countries as a whole being able to transfer their capital abroad than frictions in financial markets, especially in the short run.
Metabolomic and genome-wide association studies drive genetic dissection and gene mining in tea plant
Authors: Jiang Xiaohui , Zhao Jingjing , Gao Dawei , Zhang Xiaoliang , Qiu Haiji , Liu Lin , Zhang Wenjiao , Ren Yujia , Wen Weiwei
Published: March 2024

As a vital reproductive organ, flowers significantly influence the yield, sensory quality, and breeding efficacy of Camellia sinensis. Many biological characteristics of tea plants are influenced by metabolites; however, our knowledge of metabolites in tea flowers is limited. To investigate the physiological basis and molecular mechanisms underlying tea flower metabolism, we integrated metabolomics and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) to analyze the metabolites present in the flowers of 171 tea genotypes. Untargeted metabolomic analysis detected 581 and 295 metabolites in positive and negative ionization modes, respectively. Twenty-seven distinct metabolites were observed between C. sinensis var. assamica (CSA) and C. sinensis var. sinensis (CSS). GWAS identified 1238 quantitative trait loci (QTL) associated with 505 metabolites. Some structurally related metabolites tended to share common QTL. Integrating GWAS findings with secondary mass spectrometry (MS/MS) fragmentation and haplotype analysis for metabolites (-)-epigallocatechin-3-(3"-O-methyl) gallate (EGCG-3''-O-ME), (-)-Epicatechin-3-(3''-O-methyl) gallate (ECG-3''-O-ME), Pos_1118, and Neg_365 (p-coumaroylquinic acid) resulted in the identification of three candidate genes (W07g015551, W08g018636, and W01g002625). Taken together, our findings provide a foundation for exploring comprehensive metabolic pathways in various tissues of C. sinensis.
Thematic Analysis of Indigenous Perspectives on Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management Industries
Authors: McLellan Alec , Woolsey Cora A.
Published: April 2024

This article explores Indigenous perspectives on archaeology in Canada and the United States and the role of archaeologists in engaging with Indigenous communities. As part of our study, we interviewed Indigenous community members about their experiences in archaeology and their thoughts on the discipline. We analyzed each interview thematically to identify patterns of meaning across the dataset and to develop common themes in the interview transcripts. Based on the results of our analysis, we identified six themes in the data: (1) Euro-colonialism damaged and interrupted Indigenous history, and archaeology offers Indigenous community members an opportunity to reconnect with their past; (2) archaeological practices restrict access of Indigenous community members to archaeological information and archaeological materials; (3) cultural resource management (CRM) is outpacing the capacity of Indigenous communities to engage meaningfully with archaeologists; (4) the codification of archaeology through standards, guidelines, and technical report writing limits the goals of the discipline; (5) archaeological methods are inconsistent and based on individual, or company-wide, funding and decision-making; and (6) archaeological software offers a new opportunity for Indigenous communities and archaeologists to collaborate on projects.
Obligation, Informed Consent, and Health-Care Reforms in China
Authors: Liu Jia
Published: April 2024

Drawing on recent jurisprudential literature that emphasizes the role and function performed by obligation, this article examines how the ethical doctrine of informed consent has been implemented in the context of health-care reforms in China. It argues that, while the Chinese incorporation of informed consent has sought to empower patients, the major medical laws and social policies fail to instantiate the obligations. Along with this failure, the Chinese medical laws have also failed to secure the bond of trust between them. This article also points out that a rounded analysis of the implementation of informed consent in China must take into account the obligation and function of the major components of the health-care delivery system other than physicians and hospitals, such as health-care insurance schemes.
DNA methylation in necrotizing enterocolitis
Authors: Frazer Lauren C. , Yamaguchi Yukihiro , Singh Dhirendra K. , Akopyants Natalia S. , Good Misty
Published: April 2024

Epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, are enzymatically regulated processes that directly impact gene expression patterns. In early life, they are central to developmental programming and have also been implicated in regulating inflammatory responses. Research into the role of epigenetics in neonatal health is limited, but there is a growing body of literature related to the role of DNA methylation patterns and diseases of prematurity, such as the intestinal disease necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). NEC is a severe intestinal inflammatory disease, but the key factors that precede disease development remain to be determined. This knowledge gap has led to a failure to design effective targeted therapies and identify specific biomarkers of disease. Recent literature has identified altered DNA methylation patterns in the stool and intestinal tissue of neonates with NEC. These findings provide the foundation for a new avenue in NEC research. In this review, we will provide a general overview of DNA methylation and then specifically discuss the recent literature related to methylation patterns in neonates with NEC. We will also discuss how DNA methylation is used as a biomarker for other disease states and how, with further research, methylation patterns may serve as potential biomarkers for NEC.
Cohomological -dependence of ring structure for the moduli of one-dimensional sheaves on
Authors: Lim Woonam , Moreira Miguel , Pi Weite
Published: April 2024

We prove that the cohomology rings of the moduli space

$M_{d,\chi }$

of one-dimensional sheaves on the projective plane are not isomorphic for general different choices of the Euler characteristics. This stands in contrast to the

$\chi $

-independence of the Betti numbers of these moduli spaces. As a corollary, we deduce that

$M_{d,\chi }$

are topologically different unless they are related by obvious symmetries, strengthening a previous result of Woolf distinguishing them as algebraic varieties.
Subconvective wall-pressure fluctuations in low-Mach-number turbulent channel flow
Authors: Liu Yi , Wang Kan , Wang Meng
Published: April 2024

Compressible direct numerical simulations are employed to elucidate the low-wavenumber behaviour of wall-pressure fluctuations in turbulent channel flow and the effect of flow Mach number in the nearly incompressible regime. Simulations are conducted at bulk Mach numbers 0.4, 0.2 and 0.1, and friction Reynolds number 180. In addition to the convective ridge that is virtually Mach-number-independent, acoustic ridges, whose magnitudes are orders of magnitude lower, are identified in the two-dimensional wavenumber–frequency spectrum. At lower frequencies, the acoustic ridges represent propagating longitudinal and oblique waves that match the theoretical predictions of two-dimensional duct modes with a uniform mean flow. They decay with decreasing Mach number but remain distinctly identifiable even at Mach 0.1. At high frequencies, in contrast, no propagating waves are found, and the spectral level in the supersonic wavenumber range is broadly elevated and increases with decreasing Mach number.
Curved detonation and its reflections
Authors: Yan Hao , Han Xin , Xiong Haochen , Shi Chongguang , You Yancheng
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates the effect of curvature on curved detonation and its reflections. Specifically, the study focuses on two aspects: the effect of curvature on the postwave parameters and their gradients, and the stabilization of Mach reflection. Relationships are established between the curvature and the gradients of the postwave parameters, thus providing a basis for examining detonation reflections and obtaining a comprehensive understanding of curved detonation. In particular, these relationships offer a valuable analytical tool to predict the postwave gradients, as well as providing a fresh perspective to understand the transformation from Mach reflection to regular reflection in curved detonation. The validity of these relationships is confirmed by comparison with simulation results. Two mechanisms by which curvature influences the stationarity of Mach reflection are identified. An increase in wave angle and interference between wave systems leading to the generation and integration of subsonic zones are the reasons for the non-stationarity of the Mach reflection in curved detonation. Besides, the effect mechanisms of choked flow which is considered to be the root cause are analysed in detail. On the basis of a theoretical model, the development of a quantitative criterion for the stability of detonation reflection is proposed, and its validity is confirmed by simulations. This criterion is used in a comprehensive investigation of the primary factors affecting the stability of detonation wave reflections, providing insights that will be of great value for the further development of detonation engines.
An Earth-fixed observer to ship waves
Authors: Liang Hui , Li Yan , Chen Xiaobo
Published: April 2024

This work deals with the linear surface waves generated by a vessel advancing at a constant forward speed. These waves, known as ship waves, appear stationary to an observer on the vessel. Rather than exploring the well-studied stationary ship waves, this work delves into the physical properties of ship waves measured at Earth-fixed locations. While it might have been expected that analysing these waves in an Earth-fixed coordinate system would be a straightforward transformation from existing analytical theories in a moving coordinate system, the reality proves to be quite different. The properties of waves measured at fixed locations due to a passing ship turn out to be complex and non-trivial. They exhibit unique characteristics, being notably unsteady and short crested, despite appearing stationary to an observer on the generating vessel. The analytical expressions for the physical properties of these unsteady waves are made available in this work, including the amplitude, frequency, wavenumber, direction of propagation, phase velocity and group velocity. Based on these newly derived expressions and two-point measurements, an inverse method has been presented for determining the advancing speed and the course of motion of the moving ship responsible for the wave generation. The results from this study can be used in a wide range of applications, such as interpreting data from point measurements and assessing the roles of ship waves in transporting ocean particles.
A streamline coordinate analysis of a turbulent boundary layer subject to pressure gradients and curvature on the windward side of a bump
Authors: Prakash Aviral , Balin Riccardo , Evans John A. , Jansen Kenneth E.
Published: April 2024

Direct numerical simulation (DNS) of a turbulent boundary layer over the Gaussian (Boeing) bump is performed. This boundary layer exhibits a series of adverse and favourable pressure gradients and convex and concave curvature effects before separating. These effects on turbulent boundary layers are characterised and compared with a lower-Reynolds-number flow over the same geometry. The momentum budgets are analysed in the streamline-aligned coordinate system upstream of the separation region. These momentum budgets allow the simplification of equations to facilitate an integral analysis. Integral-analysis-based approximations for Reynolds stresses in the inner and outer regions of the boundary layer are also formulated. The shear and wall-normal Reynolds stress profiles normalised by these approximations exhibit a better collapse compared with friction velocity and Zagarola–Smits normalisations in the strong favourable pressure gradient region and in the mild adverse pressure region that precedes it in this flow. Simplification of these Reynolds stress approximations along with results from the DNS are used to obtain semi-empirical approximations that are able to provide stress closure in terms of wall solution fields for the turbulent boundary layer under consideration.