bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Starch Modification Using Sustainable Processing Technology: Impacts and Applications
Authors: Olawoye Babatunde , Popoola‐Akinola Oyekemi , Fagbohun Oladapo Fisoye , Adetola Deborah Bolutife , Adeloye Adenike Esther , Abdulwahab Abdulgafar Amoo , Ogunjemilusi Motunrayo Abigael , Olaoye Isaac Olatunde
Published: November 2024

Starch is an important and abundant macromolecule which has a wide application in food, textile, pharmaceuticals, etc. Due to this, a novel characteristic of the starch is necessary compared to native starch which has limited application due to high shear stress, digestibility, strong hydrophobicity, low thermal stability, mechanical strength, as well as high retrogradation and syneresis. These limitations can be overcome through starch modification. However, most starch modifications are not environmentally and energy‐sustainable while some chemical methods have led to the release of hazardous substances into the environment. To surmount these challenges, there is a need for sustainable methods of starch modification to bring about desirable properties. Therefore, this article reviews critically some sustainable technologies such as pulsed electric field, cold plasma treatment, ultrasonication, microwave, gamma radiation, and dynamic pressure used in starch modification. Their effects on the physicochemical and functional properties of starch such as crystallinity, granular, and molecular structures are reviewed. Applications of the starch as affected by various sustainable techniques in various food and non‐food systems are also reviewed. In general, the sustainable techniques of starch modification improve the functionalities of the starch and help in meeting the ever‐increasing market for reliable food and industrial ingredients.
Investigation on the flexural behavior of reinforced geopolymer concrete slabs incorporating Metakaolin and Nano‐silica composite
Authors: G Angelin Lincy , R Velkennedy
Published: November 2024

Geopolymer concrete (GPC) is an innovative construction material that shows great potential. Not only is it environmentally friendly in its manufacturing process, but it also has a minimal carbon footprint. By reducing CO2 emissions and offering a long‐term solution to the depletion of natural resources, GPC presents itself as a promising option. In this study, ambient cured GPC was prepared using ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), NaOH, Na2SiO3, manufactured sand, and natural coarse aggregates. Additionally, Metakaolin and Nano‐silica were incorporated into the mix at volume fractions of 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40%. Nano‐silica 0.5% and 1% respectively. To assess the practicality of these elements in structural applications, Reinforced Concrete (RC) slabs were casted and their flexural behavior was studied. Experimental evaluations were conducted under four‐point bending conditions. Furthermore, a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was performed using the ANSYS APDL tool to compare the experimental results. It is evident from the findings that SL2 (Metakaolin 30% + Nano‐silica 0.5%) exhibited superior properties compared to SL1 (Metakaolin 30%) in all aspects. This research showcases how GPC can be optimized for enhanced structural performance and contributes toward sustainable construction practices.
Evidence of graphical literacy in students' oral presentations: An example from undergraduate chemistry education
Authors: Silva de Lima Mikeas , Pozzer Lilian , Queiroz Salete Linhares
Published: November 2024

In the context of scholarly and scientific discourse, students often have to deal with graphic‐visual modes of communication, which requires their ability to comprehend and utilize inscriptions, that is, scientific visual representations, to convey information effectively—what we call graphical literacy. Despite its pivotal role for training scientists and facilitating scientific communication, there is a lack of resources for assessing the graphical literacy of undergraduate students during oral presentations (OPs), a common assignment in post‐secondary educational contexts. This study addresses this gap by investigating the graphical literacy of first‐year chemistry undergraduate students by analyzing the inscriptions they used during multimodal OPs designed to display the resolution of a problem posed through interrupted case studies. Our results are presented as claims that highlight how students' engagement with inscriptions in OPs makes evident their graphical literacy. These findings have significant implications for educators, providing guidance for assessing graphical literacy and the effective use of inscriptions in OPs.
Current Understandings and Open Hypotheses on Extracellular Circular RNAs
Authors: Verwilt Jasper , Vromman Marieke
Published: November 2024

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are closed RNA loops present in humans and other organisms. Various circRNAs have an essential role in diseases, including cancer. Cells can release circRNAs into the extracellular space of adjacent biofluids and can be present in extracellular vesicles. Due to their circular nature, extracellular circRNAs (excircRNAs) are more stable than their linear counterparts and are abundant in many biofluids, such as blood plasma and urine. circRNAs' link with disease suggests their extracellular counterparts have high biomarker potential. However, circRNAs and the extracellular space are challenging research domains, as they consist of complex biological systems plagued with nomenclature issues and a wide variety of protocols with different advantages and disadvantages. Here, we summarize what is known about excircRNAs, the current challenges in the field, and what is needed to improve extracellular circRNA research.
Experimental on Distributed Heating Fiber Optic Sensing for Typical Seepage of Embankment
Authors: Zhang Tao , Su Huaizhi
Published: November 2024

Seepage is an important factor affecting the safety of embankment engineering. It is of great significance to strengthen seepage monitoring, obtain hidden danger information in time and deal with it scientifically for ensuring the safety of the whole embankment. Guided by the heating optical fiber sensing theory, a large scale embankment model optical fiber testing platform was designed and built. With this platform, model tests of large scale embankment are carried out under three typical conditions, including variable water level, different tangential flow velocity and different rainfall patterns. The sensing efficiency of heating fiber to seepage behavior of embankment model driven by different hydraulic conditions is compared and analyzed, and the key results are summarized. The heating fiber method has little effect on expanding the monitoring range, but it can improve the sensitivity. The optical fiber in the infiltrated area has a stronger sensing ability to frequency and amplitude of fluctuations. Tangential flow velocity was positively correlated with temperature variation only in the infiltration zone. The cumulative effect of rainfall on the seepage field can be monitored.
Study on Permeable Floor Based on Gray Analysis and AHP
Authors: Bai Jianguang , Wang Jianjun , Zhou Tianping
Published: November 2024

The urbanization process leads to many problems with resources and environment, and the problem of urban flooding is particularly prominent. The permeable floor can solve the problem of urban flooding from the perspective of ecology. Based on simulated rainfall, load test, freeze–thaw cycle test and so on, a comprehensive evaluation of permeable floor is carried out from the aspects of functional application, ecological effect and economy by means of gray analysis and AHP. It is showed that the permeable floor can reduce surface runoff and meet the functional requirements of floor. The evaluation of permeable floor mainly needs considering functional application and ecological effect index. The major factor of functional application is bearing capacity. The major factor of ecological effect is capability of conserving water. The major factor of economy is maintenance cost and durability. The gray evaluation result is between excellent and good when 4 level evaluation gray class which includes excellent, good, medium and poor is used. This study provides a reference for the solution of urban flooding and the evaluation of ecological floor.
Research on the Optimization Layout of the Connection Layout of the Multi-lock Dam Plain River Network and Pond River System in Langfang City, China
Authors: Feng Shuo , Zhao Jinyong , Zhang Jing , Fu Yicheng , Peng Wenqi
Published: November 2024

In view of the uneven distribution of water resources in the multi-lock and dam plains, the insufficient connection and layout of river systems such as isolated wetlands and pond barriers in floodplains, resulting in insufficient water resources allocation capacity, poor flood storage and drainage, and serious water ecological damage. Taking Langfang City as an example, based on graph theory and complex network theory, considering the flow capacity of DAMS and gates and human demand for water landscape, the importance of rivers and canals in river network—optimizing river network layout—establishing comprehensive evaluation index system of river network layout—comprehensive evaluation is taken as the main line to evaluate and determine the importance of rivers and canals in river network. The overall layout of river network connectivity in the north, middle and south regions of Langfang is optimized and evaluated. The results show that there are large differences in the current layout of waterways in the three regions, with poor river network connectivity in the southern part of the Langfang. The overall layout of the optimized river network was improved by 13.0%, 3.0% and 12.4% compared to the overall layout in Langfang. The optimized scheme provides technical support and theoretical basis for the optimal implementation of the regional river and lake connectivity project in Langfang.
Optimal Arrangement of Pressure Monitoring Points in Water Supply Network Based on Intelligent Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Fei Jiangang
Published: November 2024

Aiming at the optimal arrangement of pressure monitoring points in urban water supply network, with the goal of maximizing the monitoring range, an optimal arrangement model of monitoring points is constructed, considering the pressure correlation, node flow sensitivity and the effectiveness of the water flow path in the pipe network. Taking an urban water supply pipe network in East China as an example, the model is solved by three kinds of population intelligent algorithms: Krill Harvesting Algorithm (KHA), Bat Algorithm (BA), and Particle Swarm Algorithm (PSO). The optimization results of the three algorithms are compared in various aspects, and it is found that the KHA algorithm shows the most excellent search accuracy and efficiency in the problem of optimal arrangement of monitoring points, because of the strong global optimization ability and not easy to fall into local optimal solutions.
All order factorization for virtual Compton scattering at next-to-leading power
Authors: Schoenleber Jakob , Szafron Robert
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We discuss all-order factorization for the virtual Compton process at next-to-leading power (NLP) in the ΛQCD/Q and $$ \sqrt{-t} $$

−
t

/Q expansion (twist-3), both in the double-deeply-virtual case and the single-deeply-virtual case. We use the soft-collinear effective theory (SCET) as the main theoretical tool. We conclude that collinear factorization holds in the double-deeply virtual case, where both photons are far off-shell. The agreement is found with the known results for the hard matching coefficients at leading order $$ {\alpha}_s^0 $$

α
s
0

, and we can therefore connect the traditional approach with SCET. In the single-deeply-virtual case, commonly called deeply virtual Compton scattering (DVCS), the contribution of non-target collinear regions complicates the factorization. These include momentum modes collinear to the real photon and (ultra)soft interactions between the photon-collinear and target-collinear modes. However, such contributions appear only for the transversely polarized virtual photon at the NLP accuracy and in fact it is the only NLP ~ (ΛQCD/Q)1 ~ ($$ \sqrt{-t} $$

−
t

/Q)1 contribution in that case. We therefore conclude that the DVCS amplitude for a longitudinally polarized virtual photon, where the leading power ~ (ΛQCD/Q)0 ~ ($$ \sqrt{-t} $$

−
t

/Q)0 contribution vanishes, is free of non-target collinear contributions and the collinear factorization in terms of twist-3 GPDs holds in that case as well.
Stretched horizon from conformal field theory
Authors: Das Suchetan
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Recently, it has been observed that the Hartle-Hawking correlators, a signature of smooth horizon, can emerge from certain heavy excited state correlators in the (manifestly non-smooth) BTZ stretched horizon background, in the limit when the stretched horizon approaches the real horizon. In this note, we develop a framework of quantizing the CFT modular Hamiltonian, that explains the necessity of introducing a stretched horizon and the emergence of thermal features in the AdS-Rindler and (planar) BTZ backgrounds. In more detail, we quantize vacuum modular Hamiltonian on a spatial segment of S1, which can be written as a particular linear combination of sl(2,ℝ) generators. Unlike radial quantization, (Euclidean) time circles emerge naturally here which can be contracted smoothly to the ‘fixed points’(end points of the interval) of this quantization thus providing a direct link to thermal physics. To define a Hilbert space with discrete normalizable states and to construct a Virasoro algebra with finite central extension, a natural regulator (ϵ) is needed around the fixed points. Eventually, in the dual description the fixed points correspond to the horizons of AdS-Rindler patch or (planar) BTZ and the cut-off being the stretched horizon. We construct a (Lorentzian) highest weight representation of that Virasoro algebra where vacuum can be identified with certain boundary states on the cut-off surface. We further demonstrate that two point function in a (vacuum) descendant state of the regulated Hilbert space will reproduce thermal answer in ϵ → 0 limit which is analogous to the recent observation of emergent thermality in (planar) BTZ stretched horizon background. We also argue the thermal entropy of this quantization coincides with entanglement entropy of the subregion. Conversely, the microcanonical entropy corresponding to high energy density of states exactly reproduce the BTZ entropy. Quite remarkably, all these dominant high lying microstates are defined only at finite ϵ in the regulated Hilbert space. We expect that all our observations can be generalized to BTZ in stretched horizon background where the boundary spatial coordinate is compactified.
Black hole solutions to Einstein-Bel-Robinson gravity
Authors: Sajadi S. N. , Mann Robert B. , Sheikhahmadi H. , Khademi M.
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In this paper, we study the physical properties of black holes in the framework of the recently proposed Einstien-Bel-Robinson gravity. We show that interestingly the theory propagates a transverse and massless graviton on a maximally symmetric background with positive energy. There is also a single ghost-free branch that returns to the Einstein case when β → 0. We find new black hole solutions to the equations, both approximate and exact, the latter being a constant curvature black hole solution, and discuss inconsistencies with metrics that were previously claimed to be approximate solutions to the equations. We obtain the conserved charges of the theory and briefly study the thermodynamics of the black hole solutions.
Size winding mechanism beyond maximal chaos
Authors: Zhou Tian-Gang , Gu Yingfei , Zhang Pengfei
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The concept of information scrambling elucidates the dispersion of local information in quantum many-body systems, offering insights into various physical phenomena such as wormhole teleportation. This phenomenon has spurred extensive theoretical and experimental investigations. Among these, the size-winding mechanism emerges as a valuable diagnostic tool for optimizing signal detection. In this work, we establish a computational framework for determining the winding size distribution in all-to-all interacting quantum systems, utilizing the scramblon effective theory. We obtain the winding size distribution for the large-q SYK model across the entire time domain, where potential late-time corrections can be crucial for finite-N systems. Notably, we unveil that the manifestation of size winding results from a universal phase factor in the scramblon propagator, highlighting the significance of the Lyapunov exponent. These findings contribute to a sharp and precise connection between operator dynamics and the phenomenon of wormhole teleportation.
Modification methods of the Stokes’ kernel for determining the (quasi-) geoid with the Remove-Compute-Restore technique
Authors: Ma Jian , Wei Ziqing , Zhai Zhenhe , Li Duan , Feng Changqiang , Liu Xiaogang , Guan Bin
Published: November 2024

The geoid and quasi-geoid serve as the reference surfaces of the orthometric and normal height systems, respectively. In order to improve the accuracy of the (quasi-) geoid determined by the Stokes integral with use of the Remove-Compute-Restore (RCR) technique, various modification methods for the spherical Stokes’ kernels, including the spheroidal, cosine-, power-, and Molodensky-modified kernels, are studied in this paper. In addition to the traditional Molodensky-modified Stokes’ kernel, a more effective Molodensky-modified Stokes’ kernel is put forward. A general formula for spectral decomposition of the Stokes integral in the RCR mode is derived, followed by the spectral analysis to reveal the transfer principles of gravity data when using different Stokes’ kernels. The spheroidal and modified Stokes integrals can cause spectral leakage phenomenon, and a method to eliminate spectral leakage is presented based on spectral analysis. The research indicates the low truncation degree of the spheroidal Stokes’ kernel and the low modification degrees of the modified Stokes’ kernel affect the accuracy of the (quasi-) geoid significantly. Quantitative methods for estimating the empirical values of the parameters of the low-degree spheroidal and modified Stokes’ kernels are proposed and the effectiveness of the methods is validated through numerical tests.
Health Disparities in Exercise Performance in Patients with Repaired Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Jones Andrea L. , Xiao Rui , Williamson Ariel A. , Benn Hadiya , Stephens Paul , Bhatt Shivani M. , Mercer-Rosa Laura , Weiss Pamela F.
Published: November 2024

Black patients with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) have higher mortality than White patients. Health disparities related to other patient-important outcomes, such as exercise performance, have not been studied in this population. We aimed to determine if there are racial disparities related to exercise performance in patients with TOF and to investigate possible mediators of those disparities. We conducted a retrospective single center study of patients aged 8–25 years with repaired TOF who completed maximal cardiorespiratory exercise tests between 2007 and 2020. The primary outcome was percent predicted oxygen consumption at peak exercise. We used linear regression to determine if race was associated with exercise performance. We used mediation analysis to investigate insurance coverage and neighborhood Child Opportunity Index as possible mediators of this relationship. The study cohort included 163 patients with TOF (136 non-Hispanic/Latinx White and 27 non-Hispanic/Latinx Black). In multivariable analysis, Black patients had a lower percent predicted peak oxygen consumption than White patients by 6.71 percentage points (95% CI − 12.71, − 0.70; p = 0.029). Mediation analysis revealed that the indirect effect of race through insurance coverage accounted for 34.1% of the decrease in exercise performance. Child Opportunity Index was not a statistically significant mediator. Black patients with TOF had worse exercise performance than White patients. Differences in insurance coverage accounted for a significant portion of this difference. Exercise performance is an important outcome for patients with TOF, and further investigation is needed to better understand this disparity and develop interventions to address it.
Directional flow in perivascular networks: mixed finite elements for reduced-dimensional models on graphs
Authors: Gjerde Ingeborg G. , Kuchta Miroslav , Rognes Marie E. , Wohlmuth Barbara
Published: November 2024

Flow of cerebrospinal fluid through perivascular pathways in and around the brain may play a crucial role in brain metabolite clearance. While the driving forces of such flows remain enigmatic, experiments have shown that pulsatility is central. In this work, we present a novel network model for simulating pulsatile fluid flow in perivascular networks, taking the form of a system of Stokes–Brinkman equations posed over a perivascular graph. We apply this model to study physiological questions concerning the mechanisms governing perivascular fluid flow in branching vascular networks. Notably, our findings reveal that even long wavelength arterial pulsations can induce directional flow in asymmetric, branching perivascular networks. In addition, we establish fundamental mathematical and numerical properties of these Stokes–Brinkman network models, with particular attention to increasing graph order and complexity. By introducing weighted norms, we show the well-posedness and stability of primal and dual variational formulations of these equations, and that of mixed finite element discretizations.
Association of daily physical activity with pulmonary artery pressure in HFpEF and HFmrEF NYHA class III patients: a pilot trial—feasibility and first results
Authors: Herrmann Ester J. , Lange Denise , Hannig Jennifer , Zimmer Gina , Gruen Dimitri , Keller Till , Edegran Albin , Johnson Linda S. , Sossalla Samuel , Guckert Michael , Assmus Birgit
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Supervised physical exercise has been shown to benefit patients with heart failure with preserved/mildly reduced ejection fraction (HFpEF/HfmrEF) by improving symptoms and diastolic function. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between unsupervised daily physical activity and changes in daily pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) in patients with stable NYHA class III heart failure (HF) and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) of 45% or higher.

Methods

Daily physical activity was monitored over a 3-month period using a Holter-ECG with an accelerometer that calculated an activity-associated, heart rate-derived metabolic equivalent of task (MET) score. PAP was measured using an implanted sensor in 17 patients.

Results

During 3 months of PAP monitoring in parallel with Holter ECG in our HF patients (median age 77 [IQR 72–79.5] years, LVEF 55 [49–56] %, mean cardiac index 1.9 ± 0.3), mean, diastolic, and systolic PAP remained unchanged. Patients engaged in unsupervised daily activity with a mean MET score of 5.0 ± 1.2 and a median daily duration of 41 [13–123] minutes. Intensity of daily activity was associated with a higher diastolic PAP on the following day (R2 = 0.017, p = 0.003), particularly in female patients and those with pulmonary hypertension (PH) (female: R2 = 0.044, p = 0.002; PH: R2 = 0.024, p = 0.004). Patients with longer daily activity durations had lower systolic and mean PAP (p = 0.038 and p = 0.048) and a similar diastolic PAP (p = 0.053) after 3 months.

Conclusions

Tracking changes in daily PAP based on intensity and duration of unsupervised daily activity using implanted sensors and a PocketECG® is feasible. While daily activity duration was not directly linked to diastolic PAP on the first day after daily activity, intensity, especially in female and PH patients, was associated with increased diastolic PAP. In addition, longer daily activity, rather than higher intensity, might be more important for lowering PAP in the long term. Further research in larger trials is warranted to confirm these findings.
On the Laplace equation on bounded subanalytic manifolds
Authors: Valette Guillaume
Published: November 2024

We prove a trace formula for integration by parts on subanalytic bounded submanifolds of $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, possibly non closed. We also establish density results for $${\textbf{W}}^{1,p}_\nabla (M)$$

W

∇

1
,
p

(
M
)

, M bounded subanalytic manifold, which is the space of the $$L^p$$

L
p

tangent vector fields v on M for which $$\nabla v$$

∇
v

is $$L^p$$

L
p

, where $$\nabla $$
∇
is the divergence operator. We derive from these results some theorems of existence and uniqueness of solutions of the Laplace equation with Dirichlet and Neumann boundary type conditions. We then study the p-Laplace equation, for $$p\in [1,\infty )$$

p
∈
[
1
,
∞
)

large.
Gabor Phase Retrieval via Semidefinite Programming
Authors: Jaming Philippe , Rathmair Martin
Published: November 2024

We consider the problem of reconstructing a function $$f\in L^2({\mathbb R})$$

f
∈

L
2

(
R
)

given phase-less samples of its Gabor transform, which is defined by $$\begin{aligned} {\mathcal {G}}f(x,y) :=2^{\frac{1}{4}} \int _{\mathbb R}f(t) e^{-\pi (t-x)^2} e^{-2\pi i y t}\,\text{ d }t,\quad (x,y)\in {\mathbb R}^2. \end{aligned}$$

G
f

(
x
,
y
)

:
=

2

1
4

∫
R

f

(
t
)

e

-
π

(
t
-
x
)

2

e

-
2
π
i
y
t

d

t
,

(
x
,
y
)

∈

R

2

.

More precisely, given sampling positions $$\Omega \subseteq {\mathbb R}^2$$

Ω
⊆

R

2

the task is to reconstruct f (up to global phase) from measurements $$\{|{\mathcal {G}}f(\omega )|: \,\omega \in \Omega \}$$

{
|
G
f
(
ω
)
|
:

ω
∈
Ω
}

. This non-linear inverse problem is known to suffer from severe ill-posedness. As for any other phase retrieval problem, constructive recovery is a notoriously delicate affair due to the lack of convexity. One of the fundamental insights in this line of research is that the connectivity of the measurements is both necessary and sufficient for reconstruction of phase information to be theoretically possible. In this article we propose a reconstruction algorithm which is based on solving two convex problems and, as such, amenable to numerical analysis. We show, empirically as well as analytically, that the scheme accurately reconstructs from noisy data within the connected regime. Moreover, to emphasize the practicability of the algorithm we argue that both convex problems can actually be reformulated as semi-definite programs for which efficient solvers are readily available. The approach is based on ideas from complex analysis, Gabor frame theory as well as matrix completion. As a byproduct, we also obtain improved truncation error for Gabor expensions with Gaussian generators.
Knockdown resistance in Stomoxys calcitrans stable fly populations on German dairy farms: kdr alleles explain susceptibility of individual flies to deltamethrin
Authors: Daher Ricarda , Krücken Jürgen , Bauer Burkhard , da Silva Virginia Maria Góes , Reissert Sophia , Weiher Wiebke , Nijhof Ard M. , Clausen Peter-Henning , Steuber Stephan
Published: November 2024

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans, is a globally important pest causing stress, economic losses and transmission of pathogens in livestock. Control on commercial farms relies predominantly on the use of insecticides, with pyrethroids being the most frequently used class of insecticides in industrialised countries. Here, laboratory isolates were obtained from four dairy farms in Brandenburg (Germany) and tested for phenotypic resistance to deltamethrin in comparison to a susceptible reference isolate using topical application. Individual flies were subsequently genotyped using allele-specific real-time PCRs. Phenotypic resistance was observed in all four field isolates with resistance ratios between 46 and 119 compared to the susceptible laboratory strain. At position 1014 of the voltage-sensitive sodium channel, allele-specific PCRs detected the wild-type, kdr-his and kdr genotypes encoding leucine, histidine and phenylalanine, respectively. In the susceptible laboratory isolate, only the wild-type was identified. On the farms with very high LD50 values, the kdr variant was most prevalent and logistic regression analysis revealed that the kdr variant increased the odds to survive exposure to deltamethrin more than the kdr-his genotype. Flies carrying two resistance alleles were less susceptible than flies that also carried one wild-type allele. In three out of four field isolates, the allele frequencies were significantly different from the expectations of the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium suggesting ongoing selection. The data show that the phenotype can be largely explained by the kdr genotype and represent high frequencies of the L1014F kdr and L1014H kdr-his variants conferring high levels of resistance in northern Germany.
Mixed method evaluation of factors influencing the adoption of organic participatory guarantee system certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers
Authors: Tennhardt Lina M. , Home Robert , Yen Nguyen Thi Bich , Van Hoi Pham , Ferrand Pierre , Grovermann Christian
Published: November 2024

In markets where vegetables are commonly cultivated with heavy use of synthetic pesticides, it is particularly important for consumers to be able to identify genuine organic produce. Organic Participatory Guarantee Systems (PGS) certification offers smallholder farmers an affordable way to build trust among consumers and secure premium prices for their organic produce. In Vietnam, the demand for vegetables with no, or low, pesticide residues is growing. The attractiveness of PGS certification should increase accordingly, but the number of organic PGS certified farmers in Vietnam are stagnating or even decreasing. The aim of this study is to explain this paradox by investigating the factors that influence the adoption of organic PGS certification among Vietnamese vegetable farmers. We follow a mixed methods approach, combining a qualitative analysis of farmer interviews (n = 62) and a quantitative analysis of a farm survey data (n = 434) using a sample selection model that estimates adoption contingent on farmers’ awareness of PGS certification. Drawing on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology, we found that social relationships and positive attitudes towards farming and the environment drive the adoption of organic PGS. Barriers include insufficient knowledge of organic farming techniques, labour shortages, and ageing farmers. At the systemic level, support by (non-)governmental institutions facilitates adoption, but challenges such as lower yields and limited access to premium markets remain. To promote organic PGS among Vietnamese vegetable farmers, efforts should focus on disseminating organic farming techniques that boost yields, alleviate labour demands, and ensure secure markets for premium-priced organic vegetables.
Revisiting streaming anomaly detection: benchmark and evaluation
Authors: Cao Yang , Ma Yixiao , Zhu Ye , Ting Kai Ming
Published: November 2024

Anomaly detection in streaming data is an important task for many real-world applications, such as network security, fraud detection, and system monitoring. However, streaming data often exhibit concept drift, which means that the data distribution changes over time. This poses a significant challenge for many anomaly detection algorithms, as they need to adapt to the evolving data to maintain high detection accuracy. Existing streaming anomaly detection algorithms lack a unified evaluation framework that validly assesses their performance and robustness under different types of concept drifts and anomalies. In this paper, we conduct a systematic technical review of the state-of-the-art methods for anomaly detection in streaming data. We propose a new data generator, called SCAR (Streaming data generator with Customizable Anomalies and concept dRifts), that can synthesize streaming data based on synthetic and real-world datasets from different domains. Furthermore, we adapt four static anomaly detection models to the streaming setting using a generic reconstruction strategy as baselines, and then compare them systematically with 9 existing streaming anomaly detection algorithms on 76 synthesized datasets that have various types of anomalies and concept drifts. The challenges and future research directions for anomaly detection in streaming data are also presented.
Pre-emergence herbicides used in urban and agricultural settings: dissipation and ecological implications
Authors: Parven Aney , Meftaul Islam Md , Venkateswarlu Kadiyala , Megharaj Mallavarapu
Published: November 2024

Herbicides are widely recognized as the most cost-effective solution for weed control, but their extensive use in both urban and agricultural settings raise serious concerns about nontarget effects. We assessed the possible hazards associated with pre-emergence herbicides such as dimethenamid–P, metazachlor, and pyroxasulfone, which are frequently applied in both urban and agricultural soils. The dissipation rate constant values (k day−1: 0.010–0.024) were positively linked to total organic carbon (TOC), silt, clay, soil pH, and Al and Fe oxides, but negatively correlated with sand content. In contrast, half-life values (DT50: 29–69 days) of the herbicides showed negative correlations with TOC, clay, silt, soil pH, and Fe and Al oxides, while sand content showed a positive impact. The selected herbicides showed minimal impact on soil dehydrogenase activity (DHA). Mostly, soils with higher organic matter (OM) content exhibited increased DHA levels, highlighting the role of OM in influencing this soil enzyme across different soils. Assessment of environmental indicators like groundwater ubiquity score (GUS:1.69–6.30) and leachability index (LIX: 0.23–0.97) suggested that the herbicides might reach groundwater, posing potential risks to nontarget biota and food safety. Human non-cancer risk evaluation, in terms of hazard quotient (HQ < 1) and hazard index (HI < 1), suggests minimal or no risks from exposure to soil containing herbicide residues at 50% of the initial concentrations. Our data thus help the stakeholders and regulatory agencies while applying these pre-emergence herbicides in soils and safeguarding human and environmental health.
Unconditional basic sequences in function spaces with applications to Orlicz spaces
Authors: Ansorena José L. , Bello Glenier
Published: November 2024

We find conditions on a function space

$${\varvec{L}}$$

L

that ensure that it behaves as an

$$L_p$$

L
p

-space in the sense that any unconditional basis of a complemented subspace of

$${\varvec{L}}$$

L

either is equivalent to the unit vector system of

$$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

or has a subbasis equivalent to a disjointly supported basic sequence. This dichotomy allows us to classify the symmetric basic sequences of

$${\varvec{L}}$$

L

. Several applications to Orlicz function spaces are provided.
Estimated frequency and economic burden of incident fragility fractures during 2023 in Mexico
Authors: Carlos-Rivera Fernando , Guzmán-Caniupan Jorge Antonio , Camacho-Cordero Luis Miguel , Aubry de Maraumont Therese , Soria-Suárez Noe
Published: November 2024

Summary

Epidemiologic and economic data regarding osteoporotic fractures in Mexico is scarce and mostly outdated. Through a model, we estimated the incidence and costs of osteoporotic fractures in adults ≥ 50 years old in Mexico during the year 2023. Results showed that these events are both frequent and costly, leading to a considerable economic impact.

Purpose

Osteoporosis and its fractures impose a high clinical and economic burden. The objective of this analysis was to estimate the frequency and costs owing to incident fragility fractures (FFs) during the year 2023 in Mexico.

Methods

This is an incidence-based cost-of-illness study. The target population is adults ≥ 50 years old sustaining a fracture related to osteoporosis (caused by a fall on the same level). The model estimates the costs and productivity losses associated with their treatment within 1 year post-fracture. National epidemiologic databases supplemented with information, derived from literature when appropriate, were used to estimate the frequency of new FFs during 2023 in the study population. Resource use included surgical and non-surgical inpatient or ambulatory care the patients received immediately after fracture plus the outpatient physiotherapy post-discharge and the eventual follow-up with a specialist who may prescribe pharmacotherapy. Sick days taken in employed patients were estimated from the literature. Local unitary costs of services and drugs for both public and private settings as well as average income in those occupied were applied. All costs are reported in Mexican pesos (MXN) from 2023.

Results

The model estimated a total of 229,239 FFs, among which 63% were classified as a major osteoporotic fracture, including 53,842 and 41,459 fractures located at the hip and vertebral, respectively. The total costs were estimated at 15,593 million MXN; most of them (75.2%) were attributable to acute-phase care.

Conclusions

Fragility fractures represent a serious health problem for Mexico. Better preventive/therapeutic strategies may help to mitigate their significant financial toll.
Association of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) with Weight Loss After Sleeve Gastrectomy and Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass at 10 Years: A Secondary Analysis of the SLEEVEPASS Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Saarinen Ilmari , Strandberg Marjatta , Hurme Saija , Grönroos Sofia , Juuti Anne , Helmiö Mika , Salminen Paulina
Published: November 2024

Background

Severe obesity is associated with a low-grade chronic inflammation, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is a marker that can be used to evaluate chronic inflammation status. Metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) is shown to decrease hs-CRP level, but long-term results are scarce, and association with weight loss outcomes is undetermined. This study aims to evaluate chronic inflammation in patients with obesity using hs-CRP, and its association with long-term weight loss outcomes after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB).

Methods

The long-term follow-up data of SLEEVEPASS (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00793143) randomized clinical trial (RCT) was used. Hs-CRP was measured at baseline, and at 6 months, 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 years after surgery, and the association with weight and weight loss outcomes were analyzed.

Results

Hs-CRP at baseline was available for 59 out of 240 (24.6%) patients. In the whole study population, the nadir hs-CRP (mean estimate 1.14 mg/ml, 95% CI 0.87–1.49) was achieved at 3 years after surgery with a statistically significant difference to baseline (p = 0.003). No statistically significant difference was seen between LSG and LRYGB in hs-CRP change over time (operation*time interaction p = 0.540). Higher hs-CRP correlated with higher BMI at baseline (Spearman correlation 0.282, p = 0.030) and at 10 years (Spearman correlation 0.490, p = 0.001). At 10 years, a greater percentage total weight loss (%TWL) correlated with lower hs-CRP level (Spearman correlation − 0.558, p < 0.001). Baseline hs-CRP (Spearman correlation − 0.152, p = 0.299) and hs-CRP change in first 6 months postoperatively (Spearman correlation 0.167, p = 0.254) did not correlate statistically significantly with %TWL at 10 years.

Conclusions

MBS decreases hs-CRP also at long-term follow-up with weight loss as the driving force. Neither baseline hs-CRP nor hs-CRP change at 6 months were feasible as a predictive marker for long-term outcomes.
Regularity of the minmax value and equilibria in multiplayer Blackwell games
Authors: Ashkenazi-Golan Galit , Flesch János , Predtetchinski Arkadi , Solan Eilon
Published: November 2024

A real-valued function φ that is defined over all Borel sets of a topological space is regular if for every Borel set W, φ(W) is the supremum of φ(C), over all closed sets C that are contained in W, and the infimum of φ(O), over all open sets O that contain W.

We study Blackwell games with finitely many players. We show that when each player has a countable set of actions and the objective of a certain player is represented by a Borel winning set, that player’s minmax value is regular.

We then use the regularity of the minmax value to establish the existence of ε-equilibria in two distinct classes of Blackwell games. One is the class of n-player Blackwell games where each player has a finite action space and an analytic winning set, and the sum of the minmax values over the players exceeds n − 1. The other class is that of Blackwell games with bounded upper semi-analytic payoff functions, history-independent finite action spaces, and history-independent minmax values. For the latter class, we obtain a characterization of the set of equilibrium payoffs.
Multi-Omics Approach Reveals Genes and Pathways Affected in Miller-Dieker Syndrome
Authors: Mahendran Gowthami , Breger Kurtis , McCown Phillip J. , Hulewicz Jacob P. , Bhandari Tulsi , Addepalli Balasubrahmanyam , Brown Jessica A.
Published: November 2024

Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS) is a rare neurogenetic disorder resulting from a heterozygous deletion of 26 genes in the MDS locus on human chromosome 17. MDS patients often die in utero and only 10% of those who are born reach 10 years of age. Current treatments mostly prevent complications and control seizures. A detailed understanding of the pathogenesis of MDS through gene expression studies would be useful in developing precise medical approaches toward MDS. To better understand MDS at the molecular level, we performed RNA sequencing on RNA and mass spectrometry on total protein isolated from BJ (non-MDS) cells and GM06097 (MDS) cells, which were derived from a healthy individual and an MDS patient, respectively. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) at the RNA and protein levels involved genes associated with phenotypic features reported in MDS patients (CACNG4, ADD2, SPTAN1, SHANK2), signaling pathways (GABBR2, CAMK2B, TRAM-1), and nervous system development (CAMK2B, BEX1, ARSA). Functional assays validated enhanced calcium signaling, downregulated protein translation, and cell migration defects in MDS. Interestingly, overexpression of methyltransferase-like protein 16 (METTL16), a protein encoded in the MDS locus, restored defects in protein translation, phosphor states of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) pathway regulators, and cell migration in MDS cells. Although DNA- and RNA-modifying enzymes were among the DEGs and the intracellular SAM/SAH ratio was eightfold lower in MDS cells, global nucleoside modifications remained unchanged. Thus, this study identified specific genes and pathways responsible for the gene expression changes, which could lead to better therapeutics for MDS patients.
A new species of Fissidentalium (Scaphopoda: Dentaliidae) in association with an actinostolid anemone from the abyssal Labrador Sea
Authors: Linse Katrin , Neuhaus Jenny
Published: November 2024

The benthic biodiversity of the abyssal Labrador Sea was investigated using Agassiz trawl and in situ imagery. A megafaunal scaphopod associated with an epizoic anemone was recovered from soft sediments. Morphological and molecular investigations revealed the scaphopod to be an undescribed species in the dentaliid genus Fissidentalium P. Fischer, 1885. The new scaphopod species is characterised by a large size for the genus, is moderately curved, with numerous narrow, longitudinal ribs (60 ribs at 11 mm diameter ventral aperture), a dentaliid radula, and is described herein as Fissidentalium aurae sp. nov. The new species shows a close genetic relationship to congeners of Fissidentalium and separates from the sister genera Dentalium Linnaeus, 1758 and Antalis H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854. Genetic COI barcoding of the epizoic anemone suggests the species is a member of the family Actinostolidae Carlgren, 1932. The discovered association of a burrowing scaphopod with an epifaunal anemone at abyssal depth is a new record for the region and is indicative of how little is known about symbioses in the deep sea.
Comprehensive study on statistical methods for optimization of process parameters and material properties of AlSi10Mg in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Krasniqi Mergim , Löffler Frank
Published: November 2024

This study provides a systematic investigation of the effects of process parameters and heat treatments on the material properties of AlSi10Mg, produced by laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF). Using a central composite design (CCD) with 106 test specimens (49 cubes, 57 tensile), the samples were studied for key properties: density (up to 99.96%), hardness (up to 154.6 HV1), surface roughness (as low as 1.9 Ra), tensile strength (up to 487.5 MPa), and elongation at break (up to 16.6%). Statistical analysis (ANOVA) identified laser power and scanning speed as the most influential parameters on these properties. Additionally, heat treatment was shown to reduce hardness and tensile strength but increase elongation at break, demonstrating the ability to modify mechanical properties based on the desired outcome. Process parameter optimization yielded properties comparable to some of the highest reported values for AlSi10Mg in the literature. The study also discusses the transferability and reproducibility of L-PBF results across different machines, highlighting challenges related to machine-to-machine variations, lack of calibration and standardization and parameter consistency. The results demonstrate the potential of L-PBF to produce AlSi10Mg parts with tailored properties for industrial applications.
Albert Algebras over Commutative Rings
Authors: Garibaldi Skip , Petersson Holger P. , Racine Michel L.
Published: November 2024

Albert algebras provide key tools for understanding exceptional groups and related structures such as symmetric spaces. This self-contained book provides the first comprehensive reference on Albert algebras over fields without any restrictions on the characteristic of the field. As well as covering results in characteristic 2 and 3, many results are proven for Albert algebras over an arbitrary commutative ring, showing that they hold in this greater generality. The book extensively covers requisite knowledge, such as non-associative algebras over commutative rings, scalar extensions, projective modules, alternative algebras, and composition algebras over commutative rings, with a special focus on octonion algebras. It then goes into Jordan algebras, Lie algebras, and group schemes, providing exercises so readers can apply concepts. This centralized resource illuminates the interplay between results that use only the structure of Albert algebras and those that employ theorems about group schemes, and is ideal for mathematics and physics researchers.
An Introduction to International Criminal Law and Procedure
Authors: Robinson Darryl , Vasiliev Sergey , van Sliedregt Elies , Oosterveld Valerie
Published: November 2024

Building on the success of previous editions (Cryer et al.), this popular textbook is now expanded and updated in a 5th edition featuring two new co-authors, Elies van Sliedregt and Valerie Oosterveld. A market leader and one of the most globally trusted textbooks on international criminal law, it is known for its accessible and engaging tone and for an even-handed approach that is both critical and constructive. Comprehensively updated and rewritten, this new edition introduces readers to the main concepts of international criminal law, as well as the domestic and international institutions that enforce it, and addresses the latest challenges and controversies surrounding the International Criminal Court. Written by a team of international criminal lawyers who have extensive academic and practical experience in the field, the book engages with critical questions, political and moral challenges, and alternatives to international justice. It contains helpful references to other literature, making it a valuable research resource.