bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamically United Double Network Structure Based on Polydopamine to Enhance pH‐Sensitive Seaweed‐Based Film for Medicine
Authors: Yan Ming , Shi Junfeng , Tang Song , Zhou Guohang , Zeng Jiexiang , Zhang Yixin , Zhang Hong , Yu Yue , Guo Jing
Published: February 2022

The drug‐loaded and seaweed‐based composite film with high mechanical properties was prepared based on the dynamically united calcium alginate/carboxymethyl chitosan (CA/CMCS) double network structure with the help of polydopamine (PDA). The enhancement mechanism could be attributed to three aspects. Firstly, a dynamic cross‐linking network formed by Schiff base reaction between CMCS and oxidized starch (OXS). Secondly, sodium alginate (SA) and CaCl2 formed an ion cross‐linking network. Finally, PDA and CMCS underwent the Michael addition reaction to form dynamic covalent bonds that dynamically combined the two networks. The effect of CMCS content on wettability and mechanical properties of the composite film was explored in order to improve the comprehensive properties used in the medical field. The drug‐loaded film containing ciprofloxacin inclusion compound had excellent slow‐release performance and pH sensitivity. It had obvious antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and the excellent cell growth rate. It has broad prospects as a wound dressing to treat bacterial infections and smart drug delivery, and is expected to be applied in the field of biomedicine.
Electromagnetic Properties of Polypyrrole Metallic Magnetic Nanocomposites: First‐Principles Study
Authors: Wang Yesong , Huang Xinshu , Lu Liying , Shi Jing , Liu Jiang
Published: February 2022

Conductive polypyrrole (PPy) is an excellent polymer material for microwave absorption, which is vital for reducing electromagnetic interference (EMI) for electronic devices. To improve the microwave absorption capability and enhance the thermal stability and mechanical ductility of conductive PPy, metallic magnetic nanoparticles can be added to form PPy nanocomposites. In this paper, we present the first study to compute the electromagnetic properties of PPy nanocomposites based on the first principles method. It is discovered that (1) while doping can improve the microwave absorbing properties of PPy material, the absorption performance does not necessarily increase with the number of doping position; (2) conductivity and absorption coefficient increase significantly for the PPy nanocomposite compared with PPy. The dielectric loss is more than 2 at about 2 eV; (3) reflectivity and absorption coefficient decrease with the increase of PPy content in PPy/Co nanocomposite; (4) the average magnetic moment of the PPy nanocomposite is the same as that of pure nanoparticles, and this indicates that only nanoparticles generate magnetic loss for the nanocomposite.
Boosting Vascular Imaging‐Performance and Systemic Biosafety of Ultra‐Small NaGdF4 Nanoparticles via Surface Engineering with Rationally Designed Novel Hydrophilic Block Co‐Polymer
Authors: Jiang Zhilin , Xia Bin , Ren Feng , Bao Bolin , Xing Wei , He Tao , Li Zhen
Published: February 2022

Revealing the anatomical structures, functions, and distribution of vasculature via contrast agent (CA) enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is crucial for precise medical diagnosis and therapy. The clinically used MRI CAs strongly rely on Gd‐chelates, which exhibit low T1 relaxivities and high risks of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) for patients with renal dysfunction. It is extremely important to develop high‐performance and safe CAs for MRI. Herein, it is reported that ultra‐small NaGdF4 nanoparticles (UGNs) can serve as an excellent safe MRI CA via surface engineering with rationally designed novel hydrophilic block co‐polymer (BPn). By optimizing the polymer molecular weights, the polymer‐functionalized UGNs (i.e., UGNs‐BP14) are obtained to exhibit remarkably higher relaxivity (11.8 mm–1 s–1 at 3.0 T) than Gd‐DTPA (3.6 mm–1 s–1) due to their ultracompact and abundant hydrophilic surface coating. The high performance of UGNs‐BP14 enables us to sensitively visualize microvasculature with a small diameter of ≈0.17 mm for up to 2 h, which is the thinnest blood vessel and the longest time window for low field (1.0 T) MR angiography ever reported, and cannot be achieved by using the clinically used Gd‐DTPA under the same conditions. More importantly, renal clearable UGNs‐BP14 show lower risks of inducing NSF in comparison with Gd‐DTPA due to their negligible release of Gd3+ ions after modification with the novel hydrophilic block copolymer. The study presents a novel avenue for boosting imaging‐performance and systemic biosafety of UGNs as a robust MRI CA with great potential in precise diagnosis of vasculature‐related diseases.
Boost in Solid‐State Photon Upconversion Efficiency through Combined Approach of Melt‐Processing and Purification
Authors: Raišys Steponas , Juršėnas Saulius , Kazlauskas Karolis
Published: February 2022

Realization of efficient photon upconversion (UC) mediated by triplet–triplet annihilation (TTA) in a solid state is a great challenge, even though order of magnitude higher efficiencies are routinely reported in a solution/liquid state. To address this issue in a typical emitter/sensitizer UC system, a combined approach is introduced based on 1) thorough emitter purification for reduced exciton quenching and 2) UC film fabrication via melt‐processing for attaining large emitter concentrations with suppressed aggregation. Emitter purification via vacuum sublimation is shown to reduce the number of both singlet and triplet quenchers as confirmed by fluorescence and UC quantum yield measurements along with the respective transient measurements performed on nanosecond and millisecond time domains. Application of this approach to the benchmark TTA‐UC system DPA/PtOEP is demonstrated to yield a record‐high UC efficiency (=8 ± 1%, out of maximum 50%) achieved at 40 wt% of DPA homogeneously dispersed in the PMMA host. Importantly, such high efficiency is accomplished in large‐area amorphous films, the most preferred for practical applications, and featuring low UC threshold (=5 mW cm−2) that is close to the solar irradiance. The presented approach describes the guidelines for boosting UC efficiency in the solid state, and generally, is applicable to any conventional TTA‐UC system.
2D Non‐Layered In2S3 as Multifunctional Additive for Inverted Organic‐Free Perovskite Solar Cells with Enhanced Performance
Authors: Tang Xiaoxuan , Yi Siwei , Yuan Quan , Shu Qianwen , Han Dongwei , Feng Lai
Published: February 2022

Organic‐free perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have been of rising interest due to their remarkable resistance toward long‐term thermal stress. Nevertheless, the inorganic perovskite films usually suffer from poor crystallization and high‐density defects in bulk and near/at the interfaces, which leads to significant charge recombination loss and hence inferior device performance. Herein, it is demonstrated that high‐quality CsPbI2Br perovskite films could be prepared by using 2D non‐layered materials as additives, such as In2S3 nanoflakes (Nano‐In2S3) with well‐matched lattices and unsaturated dangling bonds on the surface. In addition, it is found that the introduction of Nano‐In2S3 results in not only defect passivation but also remarkable quasi‐Fermi level splitting across the perovskite film due to its gradient doping behavior, thereby enhancing the built‐in electric field in the inverted PSCs. As a result, the optimal devices based on Nano‐In2S3:CsPbI2Br absorber and all‐inorganic interfacial layers deliver a champion power conversion efficiency of 15.17% along with excellent ambient and thermal stabilities, superior to those of the pristine devices and comparable to the best organic‐free PSCs. A novel strategy for highly efficient and stable organic‐free photovoltaics by using 2D non‐layered materials as multifunctional additives is demonstrated.
Study of Intercritical Annealing in Air‐Cooled Fe‐Mn‐Al‐C Lightweight Forging Steel for Tailoring the Mechanical Properties
Authors: Dickert Hans Henning , Suwanpinij Piyada , Bleck Wolfgang
Published: February 2022

Herein, the opportunity of lightweight medium‐manganese steel Fe‐7Mn‐6Al‐0.3C for forged components produced without quenching and tempering treatments is explored. The selected composition reveals neither cracks nor intergranular coarse κ‐carbide and has a lower density than pure iron by 9%. Despite the massive dimension of the forged bar and decreased thermal conductivity, outstanding mechanical properties can be achieved by air‐cooling followed by intercritical annealing. An intermediate tensile strength of 685 MPa with total elongation of 29% can be achieved by annealing at 800 °C for 1,000 s, whereas an ultimate tensile strength above 1,000 MPa with an elongation of 13% can be reached by forming tempered martensite with fine κ‐carbide at 400 °C.
Using electronic health records to explore negotiations around euthanasia decision making for dogs and cats in the UK
Authors: Gray Carol , Radford Alan
Published: February 2022

Background

End‐of‐life decision making for animals happens daily in veterinary practice. However, access to such discussions as they happen is difficult, in view of the highly emotional circumstances of end‐of‐life consultations. Despite the expanding literature on euthanasia, few studies have explored the circumstances of euthanasia disagreement or delay.

Methods

To explore euthanasia discussions in veterinary practice, consultations recorded in electronic health records in a UK veterinary surveillance database (SAVSNET) were examined. From a sample of 2000 identified consultations, 69 canine and 76 feline consultations were purposively sampled for detailed thematic analysis. Specifically, consultations were selected if they involved a decision to delay euthanasia, including disagreement about the timing of euthanasia.

Results

Reasons identified for euthanasia refusal or delay included client‐related factors (e.g., allowing other family members to say goodbye, differing opinions on the quality of life) and veterinary surgeon‐related factors (eg, the wish to carry out further investigations or to try a new treatment). In the instance of refusal or delay, palliative treatment was commonly provided to preserve animal welfare.

Conclusion

This study illustrates some of the processes used to negotiate end‐of‐life decision making in dogs and cats. Its findings shed light on the importance of palliative care in providing owners with time to decide.
Overcoming absorption effects in the determination of light elements in beverages by total‐reflection X‐ray spectrometry
Authors: Maltsev Artem S. , Yusupov Rafail A. , Bakhteev Sait A.
Published: February 2022

Total‐reflection X‐ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF) is one of the analytical methods for the rapid and cost‐efficient multielemental analysis of solid and liquid objects. However, the method has some issues in the quantitative analysis due to the possible matrix effects. Since alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages contain a high percentage of carbohydrates (especially sucrose), ethanol, and other organic compounds, the issues of matrix effects are significant and should be studied. Basically, absorption effects appear in the determination of “light” elements as P, S, K, and Ca. This article showed the capabilities of TXRF applying to the determination of “light” elements in alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages using two sample preparation techniques: direct analysis and acid digestion. Due to the lack of certified reference materials for beverages, the model solutions with a matrix of 5% sugar in water were prepared according to the developed experimental design. The absorption effects that influenced the accuracy of TXRF analysis of beverages were demonstrated and quantitatively estimated. The quantification procedures for direct analysis of beverages were optimized using external calibration. The real samples of wine, beer, juice, and soft drink were analyzed using the offered approaches, and results of TXRF were compared to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Non-Autonomous Evolutionary Equations
Authors: Seifert Christian , Trostorff Sascha , Waurick Marcus
Published: February 2022

Previously, we focussed on evolutionary equations of the form
$$\displaystyle \left (\overline {\partial _{t,\nu }M(\partial _{t,\nu })+A}\right )U=F. $$

∂

t
,
ν

M
(

∂

t
,
ν

)
+
A

¯

U
=
F
.
In this chapter, where we turn back to well-posedness issues, we replace the material law operator M(∂t,ν), which is invariant under translations in time, by an operator of the form
$$\displaystyle \mathcal {M}+\partial _{t,\nu }^{-1}\mathcal {N}, $$

ℳ
+

∂

t
,
ν

−
1

N
,
where both
$$\mathcal {M}$$

ℳ
and
$$\mathcal {N}$$

N
are bounded linear operators in
$$L_{2,\nu }(\mathbb {R};H)$$

L

2
,
ν

(
ℝ
;
H
)
. Thus, it is the aim in the following to provide criteria on
$$\mathcal {M}$$

ℳ
and
$$\mathcal {N}$$

N
under which the operator
$$\displaystyle \partial _{t,\nu }\mathcal {M}+\mathcal {N}+A $$

∂

t
,
ν

ℳ
+
N
+
A
is closable with continuous invertible closure in
$$L_{2,\nu }(\mathbb {R};H)$$

L

2
,
ν

(
ℝ
;
H
)
. In passing, we shall also replace the skew-selfadjointness of A by a suitable real part condition. Under additional conditions on
$$\mathcal {M}$$

ℳ
and
$$\mathcal {N}$$

N
, we will also see that the solution operator is causal. Finally, we will put the autonomous version of Picard’s theorem into perspective of the non-autonomous variant developed here.
Evolutionary Inclusions
Authors: Seifert Christian , Trostorff Sascha , Waurick Marcus
Published: February 2022

This chapter is devoted to the study of evolutionary inclusions. In contrast to evolutionary equations, we will replace the skew-selfadjoint operator A by a so-called maximal monotone relation A ⊆ H × H in the Hilbert space H. The resulting problem is then no longer an equation, but just an inclusion; that is, we consider problems of the form
$$\displaystyle (u,f)\in \overline {\partial _{t,\nu }M(\partial _{t,\nu })+A}, $$

(
u
,
f
)
∈

∂

t
,
ν

M
(

∂

t
,
ν

)
+
A

¯

,
where
$$f\in L_{2,\nu }(\mathbb {R};H)$$

f
∈

L

2
,
ν

(
ℝ
;
H
)
is given and
$$u\in L_{2,\nu }(\mathbb {R};H)$$

u
∈

L

2
,
ν

(
ℝ
;
H
)
is to be determined. This generalisation allows the treatment of certain non-linear problems, since we will not require any linearity for the relation A. Moreover, the property that A is just a relation and not neccessarily an operator can be used to treat hysteresis phenomena, which for instance occur in the theory of elasticity and electro-magnetism.
Approximation of martingale couplings on the line in the adapted weak topology
Authors: Beiglböck M. , Jourdain B. , Margheriti W. , Pammer G.
Published: February 2022

Our main result is to establish stability of martingale couplings: suppose that $$\pi $$
π
is a martingale coupling with marginals $$\mu , \nu $$

μ
,
ν

. Then, given approximating marginal measures $$\tilde{\mu }\approx \mu , \tilde{\nu }\approx \nu $$

μ
~

≈
μ
,

ν
~

≈
ν

in convex order, we show that there exists an approximating martingale coupling $$\tilde{\pi }\approx \pi $$

π
~

≈
π

with marginals $$\tilde{\mu }, \tilde{\nu }$$

μ
~

,

ν
~

. In mathematical finance, prices of European call/put option yield information on the marginal measures of the arbitrage free pricing measures. The above result asserts that small variations of call/put prices lead only to small variations on the level of arbitrage free pricing measures. While these facts have been anticipated for some time, the actual proof requires somewhat intricate stability results for the adapted Wasserstein distance. Notably the result has consequences for several related problems. Specifically, it is relevant for numerical approximations, it leads to a new proof of the monotonicity principle of martingale optimal transport and it implies stability of weak martingale optimal transport as well as optimal Skorokhod embedding. On the mathematical finance side this yields continuity of the robust pricing problem for exotic options and VIX options with respect to market data. These applications will be detailed in two companion papers.
A hyper-parameter tuning approach for cost-sensitive support vector machine classifiers
Authors: Guido Rosita , Groccia Maria Carmela , Conforti Domenico
Published: February 2022

In machine learning, hyperparameter tuning is strongly useful to improve model performance. In our research, we concentrate our attention on classifying imbalanced data by cost-sensitive support vector machines. We propose a multi-objective approach that optimizes model’s hyper-parameters. The approach is devised for imbalanced data. Three SVM model’s performance measures are optimized. We present the algorithm in a basic version based on genetic algorithms, and as an improved version based on genetic algorithms combined with decision trees. We tested the basic and the improved approach on benchmark datasets either as serial and parallel version. The improved version strongly reduces the computational time needed for finding optimized hyper-parameters. The results empirically show that suitable evaluation measures should be used in assessing the classification performance of classification models with imbalanced data.
Optimization approaches for defining storage strategies in maritime container terminals
Authors: Ambrosino Daniela , Xie Haoqi
Published: February 2022

In maritime container terminals, yards have a primary role in permitting the efficient management of import and export flows. In this work, a mixed 0/1 linear programming model and a heuristic approach are proposed for defining storage rules in order to minimize the space used in the export yard. The minimization of land space is pursued by defining the rules to allocate containers into the bay-locations of the yard, in such a way as to minimize the number of bay-locations used and the empty slots within them. The main aim of this work is to propose a solution approach for permitting the yard manager to compare yard storage strategies for different transport demands, in such a way to be able to evaluate and, eventually, modify the storage strategy when the characteristics of the transport demand change. Computational experiments, based on both real instances and generated ones, are presented. All instances are derived by a case study related to an Italian terminal.
The net effect of advice on strategy-proof mechanisms: an experiment for the Vickrey auction
Authors: Masuda Takehito , Mikami Ryo , Sakai Toyotaka , Serizawa Shigehiro , Wakayama Takuma
Published: February 2022

We conduct laboratory experiments for the multi-unit Vickrey auction with and without advice to subjects on strategy-proofness. The rate of truth-telling among the subjects without advice stays at 20%, whereas the rate increases to 47% among those who have received advice. By conducting similar experiments for the pay-your-bid auction, which is not strategy-proof, we confirm that the increase in truth-telling is due significantly to the net advice effect (i.e., the effect beyond the so-called experimenter demand effect). Moreover, we find that providing advice improves efficiency in the Vickrey auction, particularly in the early periods, when the subjects are less experienced. In general, subjects tend to overbid in Vickrey auction experiments. Our results indicate the possibility that providing simple advice decreases such overbidding by promoting a better understanding of the strategy-proofness of the Vickrey auction. Strategy-proof mechanisms are sometimes criticized because players often fail to recognize the benefit of telling the truth. However, our observations show that introducing advice on the property of strategy-proofness helps them behave “correctly.”
Quantifying Firebrand Production and Transport Using the Acoustic Analysis of In-Fire Cameras
Authors: Thompson Dan K. , Yip Daniel A. , Koo Eunmo , Linn Rod , Marshall Ginny , Refai Razim , Schroeder Dave
Published: February 2022

Firebrand travel and ignition of spot fires is a major concern in the Wildland-Urban Interface and in wildfire operations overall. Firebrands allow for the efficient breaching across fuel-free barriers such as roads, rivers and constructed fuel breaks. Existing observation-based knowledge on medium-distance firebrand travel is often based on single tree experiments that do not replicate the intensity and convective updraft of a continuous crown fire. Recent advances in acoustic analysis, specifically pattern detection, has enabled the quantification of the rate at which firebrands are observed in the audio recordings of in-fire cameras housed within fire-proof steel boxes that have been deployed on experimental fires. The audio pattern being detected is the sound created by a flying firebrand hitting the steel box of the camera. This technique allows for the number of firebrands per second to be quantified and can be related to the fire's location at that same time interval (using a detailed rate of spread reconstruction) in order to determine the firebrand travel distance. A proof of concept is given for an experimental crown fire that shows the viability of this technique. When related to the fire's location, key areas of medium-distance spotting are observed that correspond to regions of peak fire intensity. Trends on the number of firebrands landing per square metre as the fire approaches are readily quantified using low-cost instrumentation.
Optical, photoluminescence, and E.S.R spectral analysis of manganese ions in phosphate glasses melted under various conditions and impact of gamma irradiation
Authors: ElBatal F. H. , Azooz M. A. , Hamdy Y. M. , ElDin F. M. Ezz , Abo-Naf S. M. , ElBatal H. A.
Published: February 2022

Glasses from NaCa fluorophosphate doped with varying MnO2 dopant (0.25, 0.50, 1.0%) and melted under different conditions were prepared by normal melting annealing technique. Collective optical, FTIR, photoluminescence, and E.S.R spectral measurements for the various MnO2-doped glasses were done. Optical spectrum of the undoped host fluorophosphate glass reveals only distinct UV absorption which is correlated to contaminated trace iron (Fe3+) ions present as impurities. The MnO2-doped glasses show the same UV absorption beside two additional bands, a small one at 410 nm which is assumed to originate from (Mn2+) ions of spin-forbidden nature and a broad visible and distinct band centered at 500 nm representing the absorption of trivalent manganese (Mn3+) ions of spin-allowed nature. The effects of varying melting conditions reveal obvious changes in the intensities of the two visible bands. FTIR spectra reveal extended vibrational peaks due to phosphate (PO4) groups with sharing of some fluorophosphate (PO3F) groups and the introduction of increasing percent of the dopant that causes minor variations in the FTIR spectra. Photoluminescence spectra reveal a broad emission band centered at about 635 nm and the intensity of the emission band increases with the increase of MnO2 content and is more distinct in glass melted under reducing conditions than that melted at normal condition. E.S.R spectral measurements were carried out to confirm the optical results indicating the existence of measurable divalent Mn2+ ions which increases in reducing conditions. The effects of gamma irradiation (6Mrad dose) on the studied spectral properties were evaluated.
Effect of acid-alkali treatment on serum protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion to porous titanium
Authors: Zhong Juan , Li Xuelian , Yao Yitong , Zhou Jing , Cao Shanshan , Zhang Xinping , Jian Yutao , Zhao Ke
Published: February 2022

Modification of the titanium (Ti) surface is widely known to influence biological reactions such as protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion in vivo, ultimately controlling osseointegration. In this study, we sought to investigate the correlation of protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion with the nanoporous structure of acid-alkali-treated Ti implants, shedding light on the modification of Ti implants to promote osseointegration. We fabricated nontreated porous Ti (NTPT) by powder metallurgy and immersed it in mixed acids and NaOH to obtain acid-alkali-treated porous Ti (AAPT). Nontreated dense sample (NTDT) served as control. Our results showed that nanopores were formed after acid-alkali treatment. AAPT showed a higher specific surface area and became much more hydrophilic than NTPT and NTDT (p < 0.001). Compared to dense samples, porous samples exhibited a lower zeta potential and higher adsorbed protein level at each time point within 120 min (p < 0.001). AAPT formed a thicker protein layer by serum precoating than NTPT and NTDT (p < 0.001). The main adsorbed proteins on AAPT and NTPT were albumin, α1 antitrypsin, transferrin, apolipoprotein A1, complement C3 and haptoglobin α1 chain. The amounts of bacteria adhering to the serum-precoated samples were lower than those adhering to the nonprecoated samples (p < 0.05). Lower-molecular-weight proteins showed higher affinity to porous Ti. In conclusion, acid-alkali treatment facilitated protein adsorption by porous Ti, and the protein coating tended to prevent bacteria from adhering. These findings may be utilized for Ti implant modification aimed at reducing bacterial adhesion and enhancing osseointegration.
Student Self-perception on Digital Literacy in STEM Blended Learning Environments
Authors: Le Branda , Lawrie Gwendolyn A. , Wang Jack T. H.
Published: February 2022

As students transition into tertiary blended learning environments, their digital literacy in terms of technical capabilities have potential to impact on their access to digital resources. The first foundational year of STEM degrees includes compulsory courses across a broad range of scientific areas, each of which incorporates online technology in a discipline-specific manner. Given the diversity of online resources that STEM students need to access across their first-year coursework, this study applies learning analytical methods to determine whether students’ perceived level of digital literacy has an effect on their navigation of learning management systems (LMS) and overall academic performance. The frequency and nature of LMS interactivity were examined across four first-year STEM courses offered in the same semester at a single institution, using a K-means cluster analysis to group student responses. It was observed that high achieving students accessed LMS resources more frequently than mid or low-achieving students across all four STEM courses. Students’ perceived level of digital literacy was collected via survey (n = 282), and students were sorted high (n = 106) and low-level (n = 176) of perceived digital literacy—HDL and LDL, respectively. HDL students were not consistently found in the high-achieving academic group and did not perform better in their overall grade when compared to LDL students. LDL students were observed to perform better in specific online assessment tasks, which may be attributed to their increased frequency of LMS interactivity. These findings highlight the delicate balance between students’ perceived level of digital literacy, motivation for engaging with online learning environments, and academic performance.
Dangerous liasons and hot customers for banks
Authors: Cerqueti Roy , Pampurini Francesca , Pezzola Annagiulia , Quaranta Anna Grazia
Published: February 2022

Understanding the correlation between different customers’ loss of creditworthiness is crucial to credit risk analysis. This paper describes a novel method, based on a weighted network model, in which a set of firms, customers of the same bank, represent the nodes while their links and weights derive from the total transaction amounts. We explore the contagion mechanism deriving from the transmission of the difficulties of one customer to other clients of the same bank so highlighting areas where contagion risk is higher. We use a real proprietary data set provided by a bank to illustrate the proposed approach.
Foliar water uptake in the needles of Pinus torreyana
Authors: Tianshi Emily , Chau Pao C.
Published: February 2022

The natural habitat of Pinus torreyana, the Torrey pine, is restricted to two locales in coastal Southern California that experience substantial fog and low clouds during the dry months of a Mediterranean climate. In similar semi-arid climate systems that encounter fog or low clouds, many plants can capture atmospheric moisture and are capable of direct foliar water uptake to reduce water stress. In this study, we investigated if the needles of P. torreyana are also capable of direct water uptake. In addition to water immersion, we measured the surface properties along a needle using microdroplets. The droplet contact angle is a measure of surface wettability, and the droplet absorption is a measure of localized foliar water uptake. The results showed that the entire length of the P. torreyana needle, including under the base sheath, is hydrophilic and capable of direct water uptake. The spatial gradients of the wettability and the water uptake along the needle are relatively small. Moreover, the wettability and water uptake increase from young shoots to one-year and two-year old needles. Our results also showed that the decrease in water uptake at higher contact angles can be described by a linear regression. Compared with the leaves of four shrubs in the same habitat, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Malosma laurina, Rhus integrifolia, and Eriodictyon crassifolium, the P. torreyana needles have lower contact angles and higher water uptake rates.
Pathogenese, Klinik und Therapie des Erysipels
Authors: Borst C. , Symmank D.
Published: February 2022

Das Erysipel ist eine häufig vorkommende, akut auftretende, bakterielle Infektion der Haut, welche oft mit Systemzeichen einhergeht. Ursächlich für diese häufige Dermatose sind zumeist β‑hämolysierende Streptokokken der Gruppe A (Streptococcus pyogenes). Typischerweise dringen Bakterien durch einen Substanzdefekt in die Haut ein und siedeln sich in den superfiziellen Lymphgefäßen der Dermis an. Das Erysipel tritt üblicherweise an der unteren Extremität auf, kann aber jedes Körperareal betreffen. Klinisch zeichnet es sich durch eine Rötung mit flammenartigen Ausläufern, einer Schwellung und Überwärmung des betroffenen Areals aus. Die Rötung kann aufgrund der Oberflächlichkeit des Entzündungsprozesses in der Regel gut von gesundem Gewebe abgegrenzt werden. Im Bereich des respektiven Lymphabstromgebiets kann es zu einer reaktiven Lymphadenopathie kommen. Darüber hinaus können sich die Patienten mit Fieber, Schüttelfrost und Tachykardie präsentieren. Laborchemisch zeichnet sich die Erkrankung durch eine Erhöhung der Leukozytenzahl mit Neutrophilie, des C‑reaktiven Proteins und der Blutsenkungsgeschwindigkeit aus. Therapeutisch kommt Penicillin zum Einsatz, wobei Clindamycin eine bewährte Therapiealternative darstellt. Das Erysipel heilt meist komplikationslos ab, allerdings können sich chronisch-rezidivierende Verläufe etablieren.
Caprine dental microwear reveals livestock management and exploitation of landscape during the Middle and Late Bronze Age of the Balearic Islands (ca. 1500–850 cal. BC)
Authors: Valenzuela-Suau Lua , Rivals Florent , Ramis Damià , Valenzuela-Lamas Sílvia
Published: February 2022

In the last few decades, bioarchaeological studies have grown exponentially on the Balearic Islands. In general, animal husbandry based on domestic triad and a Mediterranean macchia landscape is well-attested during the prehistory of this archipelago. Despite providing meaningful data about dietary patterns and livestock practices, dental microwear analyses on animal teeth have not been previously applied to the research of the Balearic Islands. This study presents the results of dental microwear analyses from 107 caprine teeth from seven archaeological sites from the Balearics dated from the Middle and Late Bronze Age. The results suggest that sheep and goats were predominantly browsers, having a shrubby-predominant diet, with the exception of Cala Blanca caprines (Menorca) that were mixed feeders with a tendency towards a grazering diet. Dental microwear results also suggest that caprines from two archaeological sites located on the coast did not feed near to the settlements, thus suggesting livestock movement. The combination of these results with the archaeobotanical information available from some sites has allowed a better understanding about livestock management and its impact on the transformation of the prehistoric landscape of the Balearic Islands.
CENPO regulated proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer in a p53-dependent manner
Authors: Liu Zhicheng , Chen Chuangqi , Yan Mei , Zeng Xiangtai , Zhang Yuchao , Lai Dongming
Published: February 2022

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is considered to be a leading cause of cancer-related death. Centromere protein O (CENPO) can prevent the separation of sister chromatids and cell death after spindle injury. Nevertheless, the role of CENPO in CRC has not been reported. The expression level of CENPO in CRC was revealed by TCGA database and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining. Subsequently, the loss-of-function assays were performed to identified the role of CENPO in CRC in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrated that CENPO was highly expressed in CRC. The expression of CENPO was positively correlated with the deterioration of CRC. Moreover, CENPO knockdown inhibited the malignant phenotypes of CRC cells, which was characterized by slowed proliferation, cycle repression at G2, promotion of apoptosis, reduced migration and weakened tumorigenesis. Furthermore, CENPO knockdown downregulated the expression of N-cadherin, Vimentin, Snail, CCND1, PIK3CA and inhibited AKT phosphorylation in CRC cells. Moreover, the function of CENPO in regulating proliferation and apoptosis depended on p53. In summary, CENPO may play a promoting role in CRC through the epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, which can be regarded as a molecular therapeutic target for CRC.
Current status of intra-cranial stereotactic radiotherapy and stereotactic radiosurgery in Australia and New Zealand: key considerations from a workshop and surveys
Authors: Pudsey Lauren , Haworth Annette , White Paul , Moutrie Zoe , Jonker Benjamin , Foote Matthew , Poder Joel
Published: February 2022

Recently, there has been increased interest worldwide in the use of conventional linear accelerator (linac)-based systems for delivery of stereotactic radiosurgery/radiotherapy (SRS/SRT) contrasting with historical delivery in specialised clinics with dedicated equipment. In order to gain an understanding and define the current status of SRS/SRT delivery in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) we conducted surveys and provided a single-day workshop. Prior to the workshop ANZ medical physicists were invited to complete two surveys: a departmental survey regarding SRS/SRT practises and equipment; and an individual survey regarding opinions on current and future SRS/SRT practices. At the workshop conclusion, attendees completed a second opinion-based survey. Workshop discussion and survey data were utilised to identify areas of consensus, and areas where a community consensus was unclear. The workshop was held on the 8th Sept 2020 virtually due to pandemic-related travel restrictions and was attended by 238 radiation oncology medical physicists from 39 departments. The departmental survey received 32 responses; a further 89 and 142 responses were received to the pre-workshop and post-workshop surveys respectively. Workshop discussion indicated a consensus that for a department to offer an SRS/SRT service, a minimum case load should be considered depending on availability of training, peer-review, resources and equipment. It was suggested this service may be limited to brain metastases only, with less common indications reserved for departments with comprehensive SRS/SRT programs. Whilst most centres showed consensus with treatment delivery techniques and image guidance, opinions varied on the minimum target diameter and treatment margin that should be applied.
Frequency of positive allergy tests in children, adults and seniors
Authors: Heindl Benjamin , Braunsteiner Tobias , Klug Livia , Wantke Felix , Hemmer Wolfgang , Wöhrl Stefan
Published: February 2022

Background

Among allergists, it is often assumed that allergies primarily affect children and young adults and are “lost” during life.

Methods

To challenge this assumption, we analysed skin prick tests and patch tests from a large patient cohort of 5857 consecutive patients seen by the same physician in 2018 in a large allergy outpatient clinic in Vienna.

Results

We observed a clustering of patients suffering from inhalant allergy between the ages of 5 and 59 years (44.6% = 2155/4828), although inhalant allergies were still frequent beyond the age of 60 years with 20.2% (167/826). Food allergies were most relevant in infants under 5 years of age, at 16.3% (33/203). The proportion of contact allergies was low in childhood, but steadily increased over the age and affected more often women (women: 5.28% = 187/3544, men: 1.99% = 46/2313).

Conclusion

Inhalant allergies play a relevant role until old age. Food allergies are mainly a disease of infancy, and contact allergies predominantly affect adult women.
Symmetry of odd solutions to equations with fractional Laplacian
Authors: Djitte Sidy M. , Jarohs Sven
Published: February 2022

We present a symmetry result to solutions of equations involving the fractional Laplacian in a domain with at least two perpendicular symmetries. We show that if the solution is continuous, bounded, and odd in one direction such that it has a fixed sign on one side, then it will be symmetric in the perpendicular direction. Moreover, the solution will be monotonic in the part where it is of fixed sign. In addition, we present also a class of examples in which our result can be applied.
Experimental study of the effect of temperature and velocity in channel forming of polyvinyl chloride composite reinforced by 3D-fiberglass with an aluminum middle layer
Authors: Hashemi Seyed Jalal , Sadooghi Ali , Rahmani Kaveh , Akbari Saeed
Published: February 2022

In this paper, the stamp forming process of a U-shaped cross-section channel with sharp corners of composite laminates including aluminum sheet and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) reinforced with 3D-fiberglass was investigated. The laminates were produced by manual layup and arrangement of fibers with different angles of [0°/90°] and [± 45°] degrees using hot press. The process of forming composite samples was carried out at temperatures of 25, 80, 120, 160°C and different velocities of punch. The effect of parameters including layup configuration, temperature, and forming speed on the spring-back of the formed laminates and the required forming force were evaluated. The results showed that as the forming temperature increased, the forming force decreased sharply. The lowest forming force was obtained for the laminate with [± 45°, Al, ± 45°] layout at 160°C temperature which was equal to 0.7KN. Also, with the increase in temperature, the spring-back angle has been reduced, the lowest of which is obtained with the laminate with [0°/90°] 3 layout equal to 8 degrees. Finally, it was concluded that increasing the speed of the forming process results in a decrease in the spring-back angle and this effect is more pronounced at higher temperatures.

Graphical abstract
Evaluation of Satellite’s Point-Ahead Angle Derived from TLE for Laser Communication
Authors: Lazzaro Riccardo , Bettanini Carlo
Published: February 2022

Advances in lasers, optics and electronics for Satellite’s optical communication are opening the possibility of very high performance near Earth space links with data rate up to several Gbps. Being the divergence of the laser beam typically of tens of $$\mu$$
μ
rad, an extremely high precision pointing is needed to correctly establish and maintain data optical link. In particular, the relative motion between the satellite and the ground station shall be accurately evaluated to estimate how to correct pointing angles for future orbital locations. This correction is made via a point-ahead mirror (PAM) mechanism, which deviates the laser beam by an angle called point-ahead angle (PAA). The purpose of this paper is evaluate the possibility of accurately estimate the point-ahead angle in advance using the two-line elements sets for the orbiting satellite, which are available before the ground station overpass. The study evaluated TLE-based orbital evolution of Sentinel-6 satellite, comparing the results with the high precision data obtained by laser ranging from the crustal dynamics data information system (CDDIS). The maximum error observed between the estimated and measured point-ahead angles was less than 1$$\mu$$
μ
rad, demonstrating the possibility of this point-ahead correction technique for LEO orbiting satellites.
Kuhn's Intellectual Path
Authors: Wray K. Brad
Published: February 2022

Thomas Kuhn's The Structure of Scientific Revolutions offers an insightful and engaging theory of science that speaks to scholars across many disciplines. Though initially widely misunderstood, it had a profound impact on the way intellectuals and educated laypeople thought about science. K. Brad Wray traces the influences on Kuhn as he wrote Structure, including his 'Aristotle epiphany', his interactions, and his studies of the history of chemistry. Wray then considers the impact of Structure on the social sciences, on the history of science, and on the philosophy of science, where the problem of theory change has set the terms of contemporary realism/anti-realism debates. He examines Kuhn's frustrations with the Strong Programme sociologists' appropriations of his views, and debunks several popular claims about what influenced Kuhn as he wrote Structure. His book is a rich and comprehensive assessment of one of the most influential works in the modern sciences.
Water Quality Impacts of the Energy-Water Nexus
Authors: Vengosh Avner , Weinthal Erika
Published: February 2022

Energy and water have been fundamental to powering the global economy and building modern society. This cross-disciplinary book provides an integrated assessment of the different scientific and policy tools around the energy-water nexus. It focuses on how water use, and wastewater and waste solids produced from fossil fuel energy production affect water quality and quantity. Summarizing cutting edge research, it describes the scientific methods for detecting contamination sources in the context of policy and regulations. The authors highlight the growing evidence that fossil fuel production, from both conventional and unconventional sources, leads to water quality degradation, while regulations for the water and energy sector remain fractured and highly variable across and within countries. This volume will be a key reference for scholars, industry professionals, environmental consultants and policy makers seeking information on the risks associated with the energy cycle and its impact on the environment, particularly water resources.
A participatory approach for empowering community engagement in data governance: The Monash Net Zero Precinct
Authors: Sharp Darren , Anwar Misita , Goodwin Sarah , Raven Rob , Bartram Lyn , Kamruzzaman Liton
Published: February 2022

Data governance is an emerging field of study concerned with how a range of actors can successfully manage data assets according to rules of engagement, decision rights, and accountabilities. Urban studies scholarship has continued to demonstrate and criticize lack of community engagement in smart city development and urban data governance projects, including in local sustainability initiatives. However, few move beyond critique to unpack in more detail what community engagement should look like. To overcome this gap, we develop and test a participatory methodology to identify approaches to empowering community engagement in data governance in the context of the Monash Net Zero Precinct in Melbourne, Australia. Our approach uses design for social innovation to enable a small group of “precinct citizens” to co-design prototypes and multicriteria mapping as a participatory appraisal method to open up and reveal a diversity of perspectives and uncertainties on data governance approaches. The findings reveal the importance of creating deliberative spaces for pluralising community engagement in data governance that consider the diverse values and interests of precinct citizens. This research points toward new ways to conceptualize and design enabling processes of community engagement in data governance and reflects on implementation strategies attuned to the politics of participation to support the embedding of these innovations within specific socio-institutional contexts.
Leading-edge pressure gradient effect on boundary layer receptivity to free-stream turbulence
Authors: Mamidala Santhosh B. , Weingärtner A. , Fransson J.H.M.
Published: February 2022

Free-stream turbulence (FST) induced boundary layer transition is an intricate physical process that starts already at the leading edge (LE) with the LE receptivity process dictating how the broad spectrum of FST scales is received by the boundary layer. The importance of the FST integral length scale, apart from the turbulence intensity, has recently been recognized in transition prediction but a systematic variational study of the LE pressure gradient has still not been undertaken. Here, the LE pressure gradient is systematically varied in order to quantify its effect on the transition location. To this purpose, we present a measurement technique for accurate determination of flat-plate boundary layer transition location. The technique is based on electret condenser microphones which are distributed in the streamwise direction with high spatial resolution. All time signals are acquired simultaneously and post-processed giving the full intermittency distribution of the flow over the plate in a few minutes. The technique is validated against a similar procedure using hot-wire anemometry measurements. Our data clearly shows that the LE pressure gradient plays a decisive role in the receptivity process for small integral length scales, at moderate turbulence intensities, leading to variations in the transitional Reynolds number close to 40 %. To our knowledge, this high sensitivity of LE pressure gradient to transition has so far not been reported and our experiments were therefore partly repeated using another LE to ensure set-up independence and result repeatability.
Linear instability and resonance effects in large-scale opposition flow control
Authors: Guseva Anna , Jiménez Javier
Published: February 2022

Opposition flow control is a robust strategy that has been proved effective in turbulent wall-bounded flows. Its conventional set-up consists of measuring wall-normal velocity in the buffer layer and opposing it at the wall. This work explores the possibility of implementing this strategy with a detection plane in the logarithmic layer, where control could be feasible experimentally. We apply control on a channel flow at

$Re_\tau = 932$

, only on the eddies with relatively large wavelengths (

$\lambda / h > 0.1$

). Similarly to the buffer layer opposition control, our control strategy results in a virtual-wall effect for the wall-normal velocity, creating a minimum in its intensity. However, it also induces a large response in the streamwise velocity and Reynolds stresses near the wall, with a substantial drag increase. When the phase of the control lags with respect to the detection plane, spanwise-homogeneous rollers are observed near the channel wall. We show that they are a result of a linear instability. In contrast, when the control leads with respect to the detection plane, this instability is inactive and oblique waves are observed. Their wall-normal profiles can be predicted linearly as a response of the turbulent channel flow to a forcing with the advection velocity of the detection plane. The linearity, governing the flow, opens a possibility to affect large scales of the flow in a controlled manner, when enhanced turbulence intensity or mixing is desired.