bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Anti‐cancer bioactivity of sweet basil leaf derived extracellular vesicles on pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Chintapula Uday , Oh Daniel , Perez Cristina , Davis Sachin , Ko Jina
Published: February 2024

Most living organisms secrete tiny lipid bilayer particles encapsulating various biomolecular entities, including nucleic acids and proteins. These secreted extracellular vesicles (EVs) are shown to aid in communication between cells and their environment. EVs are mainly involved in the signalling and manipulation of physiological processes. Plant EVs display similar functional activity as seen in mammalian EVs. Medicinal plants have many bioactive constituents with potential applications in cancer treatment. Particularly, Basil (Ocimum basilicum), has wide therapeutic properties including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐cancer, and anti‐infection, among others. In this study, we focused on using EVs purified from Apoplast Washing Fluid (AWF) of Basil plant leaves as a biological therapeutic agent against cancer. Characterization of Basil EVs revealed a size range of 100–250 nm, which were later assessed for their cell uptake and apoptosis inducing abilities in pancreatic cancer cells. Basil plant EVs (BasEVs) showed a significant cytotoxic effect on pancreatic cancer cell line MIA PaCa‐2 at a concentration of 80 and 160 μg/mL in cell viability, as well as clonogenic assays. Similarly, RT‐PCR and western blot analysis has shown up regulation in apoptotic gene and protein expression of Bax, respectively, in BasEV treatment groups compared to untreated controls of MIA PaCa‐2. Overall, our results suggest that EVs from basil plants have potent anti‐cancer effects in pancreatic cancer cells and can serve as a drug delivery system, demanding an investigation into the therapeutic potential of other medicinal plant EVs.
温泉水での溺水による高カルシウム血症の1例(A case of hypercalcemia due to near–drowning in hot spring water)
Authors: 卓也 井上 , 祐真 安田 , 元気 中村 , 裕啓 守田 , 樹生 西田 , 知世 奥村 , 将之 尾崎
Published: February 2024

わが国では温泉水での溺水は稀ではないが，それによる高Ca血症はわが国から3例しか報告がなく，認知度は低いと思われる。患者は76歳の男性。温泉施設で飲酒後に入浴し，浴槽に浮いているところを施設の職員に救助され，救急搬送された。当院搬入時，意識JCS 1，呼吸数20/分，SpO2 89%（経鼻酸素4L/分），血圧182/86mmHg，脈拍102/分，体温36.4℃であった。血液ガス分析では低酸素血症，代謝性アシドーシスを認め，胸部CT検査では両側肺に浸潤影を認めた。血液検査で補正血清Ca濃度が19.1mg/dLと高値であった。温泉水の誤嚥による急性呼吸促迫症候群（ARDS）および嘔気，嘔吐，多尿を症状とした原因不明の高Ca血症と診断し入院となった。ARDSについては非侵襲的陽圧換気療法（NPPV）を開始し，高Ca血症については生理食塩水の輸液，フロセミド，エルカトニン，およびゾレドロン酸の投与を行った。第3病日にはNPPVを離脱し，血清Ca値はほぼ正常化した。その後順調に改善し，第10病日に退院となった。第32病日の患者の血清Ca値は正常であった。後日，溺れた温泉水はCa濃度が高いと判明し，高Ca血症は誤嚥した温泉水を吸収したことが原因と考えられた。現在は溺水による電解質異常は重要視されないが，温泉水での溺水では高Ca血症を見逃さないよう注意が必要と考えられた。
Historical meteorological droughts over the CORDEX‐CAM (Central America, Caribbean and Mexico) domain: Evaluating the simulation of dry hot spots with RegCM4
Authors: Andrade‐Gómez Luisa , Cavazos Tereza
Published: February 2024

Historical meteorological droughts are analysed over the Coordinated Regional Downscaling Experiment‐Central America, Caribbean and Mexico (CORDEX‐CAM) domain during 1981–2010, with particular emphasis on the North American monsoon (NAM) and the mid‐summer drought (MSD) regions. We analyse droughts based on the standardized precipitation index (SPI‐12) and the standardized precipitation‐evapotranspiration index (SPEI‐12) using observations from CRU, CHIRPS, GPCP and ERA5‐Land reanalysis (ERA5), and assess the skill of the regional climate model RegCM4 (version 7) at 25 km resolution driven by ERA‐Interim (Reg‐ERA) and by three global climate models (Reg‐GCMs: Reg‐Had, Reg‐MPI and Reg‐GFDL). Observational data sets show large spatial variations in drought frequency, and both Reg‐ERA and Reg‐GCMs have difficulties simulating it. RegCM4 shows positive precipitation and water balance biases over mountain regions and negative ones over Central America, possibly due to the complex terrain and poor observational data coverage. Despite differences among observations, the trend in droughts, duration and severity show consistent dry hot spots (regions with long‐duration severe droughts) over the western United States, the United States‐Mexico border region, the NAM, the Yucatan Peninsula and northern Central America, with stronger values of SPEI‐12 than SPI‐12, particularly over the subtropical regions. Reg‐ERA and ERA5 show similar spatial patterns and similar positive and negative spatial biases relative to observations. Reg‐ERA and Reg‐Had adequately simulate the spatial patterns of the trend, duration and severity of droughts, with smaller biases in SPI‐12 than SPEI‐12; in contrast, Reg‐MPI and Reg‐GFDL overestimate the trend biases over northwest CAM. Observations, reanalysis, and RegCM4 capture an inverse drought response between the NAM and the MSD regions linked to climate teleconnections; however, a stronger drought signal is observed in the NAM, which appears to be linked to decadal variations from negative to positive phases of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation combined with La Niña conditions (negative El Niño 1+2 phase).
TAC: State hospital beds for adults with SMI reach historic, critical low
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2024

Observing that the number of psychiatric hospital beds for people with severe mental illness (SMI) has reached an historic and critical low, the Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC) earlier this month released a new research report, which found the critical shortage of beds to have real consequences for people with SMI. Some will wait months in jail despite not yet being found guilty of crime while others will be denied hospital admission despite being critically ill.
Age, health problems, fuel MH issues in people of color
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: February 2024

People of color with multiple chronic conditions reported persistently high levels of anxiety and depression, and poor physical function. Compared to white study participants, those who identified as non‐white experienced a lower level of health‐related quality of life as multiple chronic health conditions increased, according to a new study from Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine.
Digital Twin for the SBR Cold Emulsion Copolymerization Process
Authors: Carpio Roymel R. , Feital Thiago , Câmara Maurício M. , Gerhardt Flávio , Oliveira Leo Lincoln , Pinto José Carlos
Published: February 2024

Development of accurate and robust dynamic models for the description of emulsion copolymerization processes is fundamental for the implementation of monitoring, advanced control, and optimization strategies. There are several studies on the dynamic modeling of styrene/1,3‐butadiene rubber (SBR) emulsion copolymerization, but most of them focus on hot conditions or only one semi‐batch reactor, as in the case of cold conditions. For this reason, the present study focuses on the dynamic modeling of SBR cold emulsion copolymerization processes considering a train of 15 continuous stirred tank reactors, as in many real industrial sites. The developed dynamic model is implemented by using the digital twin (DT) concept, which involves the online reading of process variables and an adaptive strategy for online tuning of some of the model parameters, being also sensitive to the effect of real‐time changes on the number of reactors in the train, a subject that has been overlooked previously, but which is important at the plant site. The practical application of the DT for monitoring a real industrial process illustrates the robustness and accuracy of the developed tool, making it useful for opportune detection of process anomalies and opening the way for future advanced control strategies.
Universal modes: Calibration‐free time‐interleaved acquisition of modes
Authors: Schmidt Simon , He Xiaoxuan , Metzger Gregory J.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To introduce universal modes by applying the universal pulse concept to time‐interleaved acquisition of modes (TIAMO), thereby achieving calibration‐free inhomogeneity mitigation for body imaging at ultra‐high fields.

Methods

Two databases of different RF arrays were used to demonstrate the feasibility of universal modes. The first comprised 31 cardiac in vivo data sets acquired at 7T while the second consisted of 6 simulated 10.5T pelvic data sets. Subject‐specific solutions and universal modes were computed and subsequently evaluated alongside predefined default modes. For the cardiac database, subdivision into subpopulations was investigated. The optimization was performed using least‐squares (LS) TIAMO and acquisition modes optimized for refocused echoes (AMORE). Finally, universal modes based on simulated pelvis data were applied in vivo at 10.5T.

Results

In all studied cases, the universal modes yield improvements over the predefined default modes of up to 51% (cardiac) and 30% (pelvic) in terms of median excitation error when using two modes. The subpopulation‐specific cardiac solutions revealed a further improvement of universal modes at the expense of increased errors when applied outside the appropriate subpopulation. Direct application of simulation‐based universal modes in vivo resulted in up to a 14% reduction in excitation error compared to default modes and up to a 34% reduction in peak 10 g local specific absorption rate (SAR) compared to subject‐specific solutions.

Conclusions

Universal modes are feasible for calibration‐free inhomogeneity mitigation at ultra‐high fields. In addition, simulation‐based solutions can be applied directly in vivo, eliminating the need for large in vivo databases.
Characterisation of paediatric brain tumours by their MRS metabolite profiles
Authors: Gill Simrandip K. , Rose Heather E. L. , Wilson Martin , Rodriguez Gutierrez Daniel , Worthington Lara , Davies Nigel P. , MacPherson Lesley , Hargrave Darren R. , Saunders Dawn E. , Clark Christopher A. , Payne Geoffrey S. , Leach Martin O. , Howe Franklyn A. , Auer Dorothee P. , Jaspan Tim , Morgan Paul S. , Grundy Richard G. , Avula Shivaram , Pizer Barry , Arvanitis Theodoros N. , Peet Andrew C.
Published: February 2024

1H‐magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has the potential to improve the noninvasive diagnostic accuracy for paediatric brain tumours. However, studies analysing large, comprehensive, multicentre datasets are lacking, hindering translation to widespread clinical practice. Single‐voxel MRS (point‐resolved single‐voxel spectroscopy sequence, 1.5 T: echo time [TE] 23–37 ms/135–144 ms, repetition time [TR] 1500 ms; 3 T: TE 37–41 ms/135–144 ms, TR 2000 ms) was performed from 2003 to 2012 during routine magnetic resonance imaging for a suspected brain tumour on 340 children from five hospitals with 464 spectra being available for analysis and 281 meeting quality control. Mean spectra were generated for 13 tumour types. Mann–Whitney U‐tests and Kruskal–Wallis tests were used to compare mean metabolite concentrations. Receiver operator characteristic curves were used to determine the potential for individual metabolites to discriminate between specific tumour types. Principal component analysis followed by linear discriminant analysis was used to construct a classifier to discriminate the three main central nervous system tumour types in paediatrics. Mean concentrations of metabolites were shown to differ significantly between tumour types. Large variability existed across each tumour type, but individual metabolites were able to aid discrimination between some tumour types of importance. Complete metabolite profiles were found to be strongly characteristic of tumour type and, when combined with the machine learning methods, demonstrated a diagnostic accuracy of 93% for distinguishing between the three main tumour groups (medulloblastoma, pilocytic astrocytoma and ependymoma). The accuracy of this approach was similar even when data of marginal quality were included, greatly reducing the proportion of MRS excluded for poor quality. Children's brain tumours are strongly characterised by MRS metabolite profiles readily acquired during routine clinical practice, and this information can be used to support noninvasive diagnosis. This study provides both key evidence and an important resource for the future use of MRS in the diagnosis of children's brain tumours.
Cognitive behavioural therapy treatment for a fear of hypoglycaemia within a primary care psychological therapy service: a case study
Authors: Bannon Josie
Published: February 2024

Many individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D) experience a fear of hypoglycaemia (FOH) which can have detrimental consequences on management of blood glucose (BG) levels and quality of life. A cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) graded exposure approach has been recommended to treat FOH. The purpose of this case study is to examine the effectiveness of CBT in treating FOH within the context of a primary care psychological therapy service. It was found that CBT treatment led to: a reduction in threat beliefs related to FOH; lower BG levels; and reduced levels of depression and anxiety. Clinical implications are discussed for treating FOH within primary care. Copyright © 2024 John Wiley & Sons.
Review on therapeutic potential of peptides: Advancements in synthesis methods, linear and cyclic peptides, and strategies for overcoming challenges
Authors: Lalani Naurin , Tivari Sunil , Jain Vicky , Jadeja Yashwantsinh
Published: February 2024

In the realm of therapeutic peptides, tremendous progress has been achieved in the last two decades. The building block of peptides that is, ‘Amino Acid’ has been modified by various chemical modifications such as side‐chain alteration in linear peptides, cyclization, back‐bone modification, pro‐drug moiety, conjugation with heterocycles, and natural products to make peptides a foremost candidate as a therapeutic drug. Since the advent of insulin in 1922, peptides have immensely affected the development of the pharmaceutical industry giving rise to the peptide‐based drug industry. In recent years, peptides having antimicrobial, antiviral, anti‐tumor, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐aging, and antioxidant properties have developed. Also, it has now entered as a potent candidate in the field of oncology and also become a valuable tool as a radiolabeled peptide for the detection of various diseases. Generally, peptides were extracted from natural sources in the olden days, but presently work is directed towards finding alternate and sustainable ways for developing synthetic peptides. The present review covers the discussion about the historic evaluation of peptides, available effective synthetic processes, current advancements, use of bioinformatic tools, computational strategies, and the methodology to overcome the barrier for making peptides the potent candidate for the future world.
Use of bivalirudin after initial heparin management among adult patients on long‐term venovenous extracorporeal support as a bridge to lung transplant: A case series
Authors: Halawi Hala , Harris Jesse E. , Goodarzi Ahmad , Yau Simon , Youssef Jihad G. , Botros Mena , Huang Howard J.
Published: February 2024

A growing body of evidence supports the use of bivalirudin as an alternative to unfractionated heparin (UFH) for the prevention of thrombotic events in patients on venovenous (VV) extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). However, data in patients bridged to lung transplantation are limited. In this case series, we describe the outcomes of six patients who were transitioned from UFH to bivalirudin during their course of VV ECMO support as a bridge to lung transplantation. All six patients were on VV ECMO support until transplant, with a median duration of 73 days. Bivalirudin demonstrated a shorter time to first therapeutic activated thromboplastin time (aPTT) level. Additionally, time in therapeutic range was longer while patients were receiving bivalirudin compared to UFH (median 92.9% vs. 74.6%). However, major bleeding and thrombotic events occurred while patients were receiving either anticoagulant. Based on our experience, bivalirudin appears to be a viable option for anticoagulation in VV ECMO patients bridged to lung transplantation. Larger studies evaluating the optimal anticoagulation strategy in patients bridged to transplant are needed.
Development and improvement of a transient temperature model of PV modules: Concept of trailing data
Authors: Goodfriend Whyte , Pieters E. Bart , Tsvetelina Merdzhanova , Solomon Agbo , Ezema Fabian , Rau Uwe
Published: February 2024

The development of a transient temperature model of photovoltaic (PV) modules is presented in this paper. Currently, there are a few steady‐state temperature models targeted at assessing and predicting the PV module temperature. One of the most commonly used models is the Faiman thermal model. This model is derived from the modified Hottel‐Whillier‐Bliss (HWB) model for flat‐plate solar‐thermal collector under steady‐state conditions and assumes low or no thermal mass in the modules (i.e., short time constants such that transients are neglected, and steady‐state conditions are assumed). The transient extension of the Faiman model we present in this paper introduces a thermal mass, which provides two advantages. First of all, it improves the temperature prediction under dynamic conditions. Second, our transient extension to the Faiman model allows the accurate parametrization of the Faiman model under dynamic conditions. We present our model and parametrization method. Furthermore, we applied the model and parametrization method to a 1‐year data set with 5‐min resolved outdoor module measurements. We demonstrate a significant improvement in temperature prediction for the transient model, especially under dynamic conditions.
Longitudinal effect of the parent‐child relationship in home quarantine on internalizing and externalizing problems after school reopening for students in boarding high school: A chain mediation model
Authors: Jia Xiaoyu , Li Ping , Xie Yitao
Published: February 2024

The parent‐child relationship plays an important role in shaping adolescents' mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic. However, the mechanisms underlying the association between the parent‐child relationship and mental health are unclear. Using a 2‐wave longitudinal design, this study examined the role of both mother‐child and father‐child relationships during home quarantine in boarding school students' internalizing and externalizing problems after school reopening, and the mediating roles of academic buoyancy and academic engagement. A total of 1967 boarding high school students completed a battery of self‐report questionnaires before and after school reopening. Results indicated that both father‐child and mother‐child relationships indirectly contributed to internalizing and externalizing problems through the interlinked mediation path of academic buoyancy and academic engagement. The mother‐child relationship had greater influence on internalizing and externalizing problems than the father‐child relationship. These findings clarify the associations between the parent‐child relationships and mental health problems of boarding high school students during the transition to school reopening in the COVID‐19 pandemic, expanding our understanding of psychological adjustment related to parent‐child relationships and the potential mechanisms of these relationships.
Influence of celiac disease on balance control and bone mineral density in adult women
Authors: de Melo Ostroski Isis , Jacques Bellini Angela , Parizotto Patrícia , Cabral Duarte Luiz Henrique , Nascimento Amanda Bagolin do , Moraes Santos Gilmar
Published: February 2024

Background and Purpose

Celiac Disease (CD) is a chronic form of autoimmune enteropathy caused by gluten and related prolamin consumption. CD presents as a neurological, rheumatological, and musculoskeletal disorder, with ataxia and peripheral neuropathy being the most common. These symptoms could affect balance control and consequently the daily activities and decreased bone mass of these individuals. Although balance disorders are increasingly common, and the diagnosis of celiac diseases is growing worldwide, there is no consensus on the influence of a gluten‐free diet (GFD) on balance control and bone mineral density (BMD). This study aimed to analyze the influence of celiac disease on balance control and BMD in adult women.

Methods

A total of 52 adult women aged 18–56 years participated in the study and were divided into two groups: with (26 patients) and without celiac disease (26 patients). The outcome variables were obtained by anthropometry and sociodemographic data. The Celiac Dietary Adherence Test questionnaire was used to assess adherence to the GFD, Neurocom ™ Smart Equitest® to determine balance control, and GE® Lunar Prodigy Advance DXA Bone densitometer for evaluation of BMD. The displacement of the center of pressure in the anteroposterior and mediolateral directions was evaluated under six conditions of the sensory organization test through a routine test performed in MATLAB.

Results

Adult women with CD who adhered to a GFD had vestibular system deficits and normal BMD.

Discussion

Adult women with CD presented less balance control when they required greater activation of the vestibular system, suggesting that adherence to a GFD leads to normal bone mass.
Statistical inference on qualitative differences in the magnitude of an effect
Authors: Hudson Aaron , Shojaie Ali
Published: February 2024

Qualitative interactions occur when a treatment effect or measure of association varies in sign by sub‐population. Of particular interest in many biomedical settings are absence/presence qualitative interactions, which occur when an effect is present in one sub‐population but absent in another. Absence/presence interactions arise in emerging applications in precision medicine, where the objective is to identify a set of predictive biomarkers that have prognostic value for clinical outcomes in some sub‐population but not others. They also arise naturally in gene regulatory network inference, where the goal is to identify differences in networks corresponding to diseased and healthy individuals, or to different subtypes of disease; such differences lead to identification of network‐based biomarkers for diseases. In this paper, we argue that while the absence/presence hypothesis is important, developing a statistical test for this hypothesis is an intractable problem. To overcome this challenge, we approximate the problem in a novel inference framework. In particular, we propose to make inferences about absence/presence interactions by quantifying the relative difference in effect size, reasoning that when the relative difference is large, an absence/presence interaction occurs. The proposed methodology is illustrated through a simulation study as well as an analysis of breast cancer data from the Cancer Genome Atlas.
Numerical Simulation of Heat Transfer Behavior in Hot Spot Zone of Converter Molten Bath
Authors: Jiang Rui , Sun Jiankun , Mao Xinping , Liu Qing
Published: February 2024

The multiphase fluid flow and heat transfer behavior in the steelmaking converter are essential for efficient and stable smelting. Herein, a mathematical model of heat transfer for the hot spot zone of the converter is established. The temperature distribution of the molten bath is clarified, and the effects of operating parameters and the exothermic rate of hot spot zone on the heat transfer behavior of the molten bath are investigated. The results show that the temperature gradient between the hot spot zone and the liquid steel as well as the circulation of liquid steel will lead to the nonuniform distribution of temperature. Both the direction of flow field and the mixing characteristics of molten bath influence the heating rate of molten bath, whereas the direction of the flow field plays a dominant role. In addition, the oxygen lance height has a significant influence on the heat transfer behavior; as the lance height increases from 1.35 to 1.65 m, the heating rate increases by 68.32%. The increase of exothermic rate will remarkably increase the temperature gradient and the heating rate increases by 65.84% and 114.28% when the exothermic rate increases by 1.5 and 2 times, respectively.
Longitudinal associations of apathy and regional tau in mild cognitive impairment and dementia: Findings from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Authors: Premnath Pranitha Y. , Locascio Joseph J. , Mimmack Kayden J. , Gonzalez Christopher , Properzi Michael J. , Udeogu Onyinye , Rosenberg Paul B. , Marshall Gad A. , Gatchel Jennifer R. ,   for the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Published: February 2024

Introduction

It is important to study apathy in Alzheimer's disease (AD) to better understand its underlying neurobiology and develop effective interventions. In the current study, we sought to examine the relationships between longitudinal apathy and regional tau burden in cognitively impaired older adults from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.

Methods

Three hundred and nineteen ADNI participants with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD dementia underwent flortaucipir (FTP) tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and clinical assessment with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) annually. Longitudinal NPI Apathy (NPI‐A) scores were examined in relation to baseline tau PET signal in three a priori selected regions implicated in AD and AD‐related apathy (supramarginal gyrus, entorhinal cortex [EC] and rostral anterior cingulate cortex [rACC]). Secondary models were adjusted for global cognition (Mini‐Mental State Examination score) and cortical amyloid (florbetapir PET).

Results

Higher baseline supramarginal gyrus and EC tau burden were each significantly associated with greater NPI‐A over time, while rACC tau was associated with higher NPI‐A but did not predict its trajectory over time. These results were retained for supramarginal and EC tau after adjusting models for global cognition and cortical amyloid.

Discussion

Our findings suggest that baseline in vivo tau burden in parietal and temporal brain regions affected in AD, and less so in a medial frontal region involved in motivational control, is associated with increasing apathy over time in older adults with MCI and AD dementia. Future work studying emergent apathy in relation to not only core AD pathology but also circuit level dysfunction may provide additional insight into the neurobiology of apathy in AD and opportunities for intervention.

Highlights

Tau (Flortaucipir PET) in regions implicated in AD was associated with increasing apathy over time

Cortical amyloid was also found to be a robust predictor of the trajectory of apathy

Evidence of synergy between regional tau and amyloid in overall higher levels of apathy
Food Policy: A Case of Punctuated Equilibrium
Authors: Rahman Andaleeb , Pingali Prabhu
Published: February 2024

Beginning as a war-time food ration in the colonial era and going on to become India’s principal instrument to fight against hunger, PDS has emerged as India’s largest and arguably the most contentious social welfare program in the country. Having undergone multiple reforms in program delivery and design, the ‘new style’ PDS is finally beginning to deliver tangible benefits in terms of reducing latent hunger, food insecurity, and improved diet diversity. Yet, there is an intensified debate around replacing food transfers with cash transfers because PDS value chain relies upon an interlocked producer–consumer incentive structure which inhibits innovation in program design and therefore potentially limits its effectiveness in improving nutritional security. In this chapter, we argue that key to innovation in PDS is to reframe the food transfer debate as an issue of nutritional security. Improved nutrition as the scope of PDS might allow for greater deliberations upon the composition basket of the PDS, whether (and when) replacing it with cash transfers would be a feasible one.
Conclusions
Authors: Damrau Milena
Published: February 2024

In this final chapter, the author concludes the thesis with a short summary of what has been achieved and an outlook regarding theoretical and practical implications.
Double copy for tree-level form factors. Part II. Generalizations and special topics
Authors: Lin Guanda , Yang Gang
Published: February 2024

Abstract

Both the Bern, Carrasco, and Johansson (BCJ) and the Kawai, Lewellen, and Tye (KLT) double-copy formalisms have been recently generalized to a class of scattering matrix elements (so-called form factors) that involve local gauge-invariant operators. In this paper, we continue the study of double copy for form factors. First, we generalize the double-copy prescription to form factors of higher-length operators tr(ϕm) with m ≥ 3. These higher-length operators introduce new non-trivial color identities, but the double-copy prescription works perfectly well. The closed formulae for the CK-dual numerators are also provided. Next, we discuss the $$ \overrightarrow{\upsilon} $$

υ
→

vectors which are central ingredients appearing in the factorization relations of both the KLT kernels and the gauge form factors. We present a general construction rule for the $$ \overrightarrow{\upsilon} $$

υ
→

vectors and discuss their universal properties. Finally, we consider the double copy for the form factor of the tr(F2) operator in pure Yang-Mills theory. In this case, we propose a new prescription which involves a gauge invariant decomposition for the form factor and a mixture of different CK-dual numerators appearing in the expansion. The new prescription for the more complicated double copy has been verified up to five external gluons.
Public Attitudes toward the Final Disposal of Radioactively Contaminated Soil Resulting from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station Accident
Authors: Takada Momo , Murakami Michio , Ohnuma Susumu , Shibata Yukihide , Yasutaka Tetsuo
Published: February 2024

Radioactively contaminated soil from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station accident in 2011 is required by law to be finally disposed of outside Fukushima Prefecture by 2045. To gain public acceptance of this policy, it is essential to promote understanding and nationwide discussion. We conducted a web-based survey of 2000 people in Japan to examine public attitudes toward final disposal of the contaminated soil outside Fukushima Prefecture. Results show that policy approval was negatively correlated with perceived risk of a final disposal site, sense of inequity associated with building a final disposal site near residential areas, and values that are absolutely non-negotiable or protected from trade-offs with other values (protected values). Policy approval was positively correlated with high levels of interest in the Fukushima accident and subjective knowledge of decontamination and the policy. Respondents’ comments and opinions about the policy indicated that respondents who approved of the policy accepted burden sharing, while those who disapproved were unconvinced by the rationale behind disposal outside Fukushima Prefecture and were dissatisfied by the lack of information disclosure and transparency. While the government’s efforts to disseminate information about the current status and future of Fukushima have been effective to a certain extent, they are insufficient to achieve widespread public understanding of the policy. Our results indicate that attention needs to be paid to procedural fairness and explanations of risks.
Presentations of Braid Groups of Type A Arising from $$(m+2)$$-angulations of Regular Polygons
Authors: Morigi Davide
Published: February 2024

Coloured quiver mutation, introduced by Buan, A.B., Thomas, H (Adv. Math. 222(3), 971–995 2009), gives a combinatorial interpretation of tilting in higher cluster categories. In type A work of Baur, K., Marsh, B. (Trans. Am. Math. Soc. 360(11), 5789-5803 2008) shows that m-coloured quivers and m-coloured quiver mutations have a nice geometrical description, given in terms of $$(m+2)$$

(
m
+
2
)

-angulations of a regular polygon, and rotations of an m-diagonal. In this paper, using such correspondence, we describe presentations of braid groups of type A arising from coloured quivers of mutation type A.
Regenerated cellulose properties tailored for optimized triboelectric output and the effect of counter-tribolayers
Authors: Dahlström Christina , Eivazi Alireza , Nejström Malin , Zhang Renyun , Pettersson Torbjörn , Iftikhar Haider , Rojas Orlando J. , Medronho Bruno , Norgren Magnus
Published: February 2024

Cellulose has shown great potential in the development of green triboelectric nanogenerators. Particularly, regenerated cellulose (R-cellulose) has shown remarkably high output power density but the structural features and key parameters that explain such superior performance remain unexplored. In this work, wood cellulose fibers were dissolved in a LiOH(aq)-based solvent to produce a series of R-cellulose films. Regeneration in different alcohols (from methanol to n-pentanol) was performed and the films’ structural features and triboelectric performance were assessed. Nonsolvents of increased hydrophobicity led to R-cellulose films with a more pronounced (1–10) diffraction peak. An open-circuit voltage (VOC) of up to ca. 260 V and a short-circuit current (ISC) of up to ca. 150 µA were measured for R-cellulose against polytetrafluoroethylene (as negative counter-layer). However, R-cellulose showed an increased VOC of 175% (from 88.1 V) against polydimethylsiloxane when increasing the alcohol hydrocarbon chain length from methanol to n-pentanol. The corresponding ISC and output power also increased by 76% (from 89.9 µA) and by 382% (from 8.8 W m–2), respectively. The higher R-cellulose hydrophilicity, combined with soft counter-tribolayer that follow the surface structures increasing the effective contact area, are the leading reasons for a superior triboelectric performance.

Graphic abstract
Investigating problem-solving behaviours of university students through an eye-tracking system using GeoGebra in geometry: A case study
Authors: Türkoğlu Hacer , Yalçınalp Serpil
Published: February 2024

Problem solving is one of the high-level thinking skills and essential in teaching mathematical concepts and procedures. The eye-tracking method allows educators to see and interpret different problem-solving behaviours of students. The purpose of this study was to investigate the problem-solving behaviours of university students based on eye tracking statistics when faced with a geometry problem, and to explain these behaviours in terms of the students' success and learning styles. The research design was a case study approach that combined quantitative and qualitative data. Eight first-year students from the department of elementary mathematics education in a private University, Turkey, participated in this study. They were asked to solve a specific geometry question using the GeoGebra software. While solving this question, their eye movements were recorded and analysed using an eye-tracking program. Results were analysed to investigate their problem-solving skills and behaviours based on Polya’s mathematical problem-solving stages. Results of the study suggest that the effort devoted to the understanding and planning stages of problem-solving are important factors that contribute to success in this case. Results also revealed that participated students with a converger learning style were more successful in each step of the problem-solving process. Additionally, it could be concluded that the input area had only been used by converger students, indicating that they devoted time and effort to creating and trying formulas.
Evolution of automated weakness detection in Ethereum bytecode: a comprehensive study
Authors: di Angelo Monika , Durieux Thomas , Ferreira João F. , Salzer Gernot
Published: February 2024

Blockchain programs (also known as smart contracts) manage valuable assets like cryptocurrencies and tokens, and implement protocols in domains like decentralized finance (DeFi) and supply-chain management. These types of applications require a high level of security that is hard to achieve due to the transparency of public blockchains. Numerous tools support developers and auditors in the task of detecting weaknesses. As a young technology, blockchains and utilities evolve fast, making it challenging for tools and developers to keep up with the pace. In this work, we study the robustness of code analysis tools and the evolution of weakness detection on a dataset representing six years of blockchain activity. We focus on Ethereum as the crypto ecosystem with the largest number of developers and deployed programs. We investigate the behavior of single tools as well as the agreement of several tools addressing similar weaknesses. Our study is the first that is based on the entire body of deployed bytecode on Ethereum’s main chain. We achieve this coverage by considering bytecodes as equivalent if they share the same skeleton. The skeleton of a bytecode is obtained by omitting functionally irrelevant parts. This reduces the 48 million contracts deployed on Ethereum up to January 2022 to 248 328 contracts with distinct skeletons. For bulk execution, we utilize the open-source framework SmartBugs that facilitates the analysis of Solidity smart contracts, and enhance it to accept also bytecode as the only input. Moreover, we integrate six further tools for bytecode analysis. The execution of the 12 tools included in our study on the dataset took 30 CPU years. While the tools report a total of 1 307 486 potential weaknesses, we observe a decrease in reported weaknesses over time, as well as a degradation of tools to varying degrees.
Numerical Study of Consolidation of Slurry Tailings Considering Continuous Update of Material Properties
Authors: Nguyen Ngoc Dung , Pabst Thomas
Published: February 2024

Explicitly modelling tailings consolidation behaviour contributes to improve integrated management approaches and accurately estimate the storage capacity of tailings storage facilities (TSFs) to better predict their static and dynamic stability. However, slurry tailings demonstrate a highly non-linear evolution of stiffness and hydraulic conductivity during consolidation, thus significantly complexifying the determination of their hydromechanical properties. In this study, an approach to update Mohr Coulomb parameters and simulate the continuous evolution of hydraulic conductivity and stiffness of tailings materials with the reduction of the void ratio was proposed and embedded in a finite difference code to more realistically simulate the evolution of material properties during sequential loadings. The model was validated using laboratory column tests and various predictive functions were tested to estimate hydraulic conductivity for field applications. Finally, the developed approach was applied to a simplified model of tailings impoundment to illustrate practical applications. Results from this study indicated that the approach developed was able to capture the non-linearity properties of tailings during consolidation, and that using continuously updated stiffness and hydraulic conductivity could induce significantly different magnitude and rate of consolidation than models with constant properties. Predictive models such as Kozeny–Carman and Kozeny–Carman Modified models also gave a satisfactory estimation of tailings behaviour, at least for preliminary studies. The simple modifications to the numerical codes proposed in this paper could therefore significantly improve the numerical simulation of tailings behaviour in the short term and contribute to a better planning of deposition plans.
Natural selection or strategic adaptation? Entrepreneurial digital technologies and survival of the species
Authors: Audretsch David Bruce , Aronica Martina , Belitski Maksim , Piacentino Davide
Published: February 2024

Research on firm survival has primarily focused on input and outcomes. We shift the conversation by performing a systematic analysis of moderating role of firm size in the relationship between firm survival and strategic adaptation. After establishing a theoretical framework, we empirically assess the impact of strategic adaptation through digital transformation and public financial aid on the likelihood of firm survival. We find that smart working helped small firms, while home delivery and e-commerce had no effect on their survival. In contrast, liquidity support from the government and deferral of credit benefited micro firms. Our study emphasizes the importance of analyzing survival probabilities by differentiating firms by size, with the ultimate goal of exploring how selection or strategic adaptation processes may variably impact them.
Investigation of the polymer material perforation time: comparison between two fiber laser wavelengths
Authors: Romano Clément , Ritt Gunnar , Henrichsen Michael , Eichhorn Marc , Kieleck Christelle
Published: February 2024

This study investigated the perforation time of polyamide 6.6 using fiber lasers at two different wavelengths: 1070 and 1943 nm. The novelty of this research lies in the comparison of perforation times at equivalent laser irradiances on the polymer sample with two different colors of polyamide 6.6: natural and black. The results revealed that, at comparable irradiance levels and beam diameters, the 1943 nm laser source perforated the polyamide 6.6 sample faster than the 1070 nm laser source. The difference in perforation time was found to be significantly higher for natural-colored polyamide 6.6 compared to black-colored polyamide 6.6. These findings suggest that, for material processing of polyamide 6.6, especially in terms of perforation, the use of 2 μm laser sources should be privileged over 1 μm laser sources.
Strigolactone and abscisic acid synthesis and signaling pathways are enhanced in the wheat oligo-tillering mutant ot1
Authors: Bai Jiaxing , Guo Huijun , Xiong Hongchun , Xie Yongdun , Gu Jiayu , Zhao Linshu , Zhao Shirong , Ding Yuping , Liu Luxiang
Published: February 2024

Tiller number greatly contributes to grain yield in wheat. Using ethylmethanesulfonate mutagenesis, we previously discovered the oligo-tillering mutant ot1. The tiller number was significantly lower in ot1 than in the corresponding wild type from the early tillering stage until the heading stage. Compared to the wild type, the thousand-grain weight and grain length were increased by 15.41% and 31.44%, respectively, whereas the plant height and spike length were decreased by 26.13% and 37.25%, respectively. Transcriptomic analysis was conducted at the regreening and jointing stages to identify differential expressed genes (DEGs). Functional enrichment analysis with the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) databases showed differential expression of genes associated with ADP binding, transmembrane transport, and transcriptional regulation during tiller development. Differences in tiller number in ot1 led to the upregulation of genes in the strigolactone (SL) and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways. Specifically, the SL biosynthesis genes DWARF (D27), D17, D10, and MORE AXILLARY GROWTH 1 (MAX1) were upregulated by 3.37- to 8.23-fold; the SL signal transduction genes D14 and D53 were upregulated by 1.81- and 1.32-fold, respectively; the ABA biosynthesis genes 9-CIS-EPOXICAROTENOID DIOXIGENASE 3 (NCED3) and NCED5 were upregulated by 1.66- and 3.4-fold, respectively; and SNF1-REGULATED PROTEIN KINASE2 (SnRK2) and PROTEIN PHOSPHATASE 2C (PP2C) genes were upregulated by 1.30- to 4.79-fold. This suggested that the tiller number reduction in ot1 was due to alterations in plant hormone pathways. Genes known to promote tillering growth were upregulated, whereas those known to inhibit tillering growth were downregulated. For example, PIN-FORMED 9 (PIN9), which promotes tiller development, was upregulated by 8.23-fold in ot1; Ideal Plant Architecture 1 (IPA1), which inhibits tiller development, was downregulated by 1.74-fold. There were no significant differences in the expression levels of TILLER NUMBER 1 (TN1) or TEOSINTE BRANCHED 1 (TB1), indicating that the tiller reduction in ot1 was not controlled by known genes. Our findings provide valuable data for subsequent research into the genetic bases and regulatory mechanisms of wheat tillering.
Discrete-time systems properties defined on state-space regions
Authors: Malesza Wiktor , Bednarski Bogdan
Published: February 2024

In this paper various properties of discrete-time dynamic control systems trajectories with respect to state-space corner regions are considered. The known notion of state-space invariance serves as a basis for derivation of the whole family of dynamics behaviors for which both necessary and sufficient conditions are derived in a general nonlinear case as well as in the linear time-invariant case, shortly LTI-case. Specific examples are given for every case considered, and the proposed notions are analyzed with both theoretical and practical usefulness in mind. For the general nonlinear case a geometric approach is used, which provides a direct insight into the nature of trajectories’ behavior. In the LTI-case a geometric approach is used as well, but it is also translated into the purely algebraic set of conditions allowing for a direct analysis of system matrices. The presented family of control systems expands on the classical state-space invariance (and positive systems) analysis, thus potentially opening new research venues in this branch of control theory and system dynamics in general.
The semi-implicit DLN algorithm for the Navier-Stokes equations
Authors: Pei Wenlong
Published: February 2024

Dahlquist, Liniger, and Nevanlinna design a family of one-leg, two-step methods (the DLN method) that is second order, $$\varvec{A}-$$

A

-

and $$\varvec{G}-$$

G

-

stable for arbitrary, non-uniform time steps. Recently, the implementation of the DLN method can be simplified by the refactorization process (adding time filters on the backward Euler scheme). Due to these fine properties, the DLN method has strong potential for the numerical simulation of time-dependent fluid models. In the report, we propose a semi-implicit DLN algorithm for the Navier-Stokes equations (avoiding non-linear solver at each time step) and prove the unconditional, long-term stability, and second-order convergence with the moderate time step restriction. Moreover, the adaptive DLN algorithms by the required error or numerical dissipation criterion are presented to balance the accuracy and computational cost. Numerical tests will be given to support the main conclusions.
Science with a Small Two-Band UV-Photometry Mission I: Mission Description and Follow-up Observations of Stellar Transients
Authors: Werner N. , Řípa J. , Thöne C. , Münz F. , Kurfürst P. , Jelínek M. , Hroch F. , Benáček J. , Topinka M. , Lukes-Gerakopoulos G. , Zajaček M. , Labaj M. , Prišegen M. , Krtička J. , Merc J. , Pál A. , Pejcha O. , Dániel V. , Jon J. , Šošovička R. , Gromeš J. , Václavík J. , Steiger L. , Segiňák J. , Behar E. , Tarem S. , Salh J. , Reich O. , Ben-Ami S. , Barschke M. F. , Berge D. , Tohuvavohu A. , Sivanandam S. , Bulla M. , Popov S. , Chang Hsiang-Kuang
Published: February 2024

This is the first in a collection of three papers introducing the science with an ultra-violet (UV) space telescope on an approximately 130 kg small satellite with a moderately fast re-pointing capability and a real-time alert communication system approved for a Czech national space mission. The mission, calledQuick Ultra-Violet Kilonova surveyor—QUVIK, will provide key follow-up capabilities to increase the discovery potential of gravitational wave observatories and future wide-field multi-wavelength surveys. The primary objective of the mission is the measurement of the UV brightness evolution of kilonovae, resulting from mergers of neutron stars, to distinguish between different explosion scenarios. The mission, which is designed to be complementary to theUltraviolet Transient Astronomy Satellite—ULTRASAT, will also provide unique follow-up capabilities for other transients both in the near- and far-UV bands. Between the observations of transients, the satellite will target other objects described in this collection of papers, which demonstrates that a small and relatively affordable dedicated UV-space telescope can be transformative for many fields of astrophysics.