bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smoking and lower urinary tract symptoms in Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events Trial
Authors: Kramer Jordan J. , Gu Lin , Moreira Daniel , Andriole Gerald , Freedland Stephen J. , Csizmadi Ilona
Published: April 2023

Background

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is common in older men, with many developing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that impair quality of life. Smoking has many well‐established adverse effects, but its effects on benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) and associated LUTS are unclear. We sought to determine if smoking is a risk factor for the incidence of LUTS in asymptomatic men and for the progression of LUTS in symptomatic men.

Methods

We performed a post‐hoc analysis of Reduction by Dutasteride of Prostate Cancer Events in 3060 “asymptomatic” men with baseline International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) < 8 and in 2198 symptomatic men with baseline IPSS ≥ 8 not taking 5α‐reductase inhibitors or α‐blockers. We used multivariable Cox regression models to assess associations between smoking status at baseline and LUTS incidence and progression. Among asymptomatic men, incident LUTS was defined as the first report of medical or surgical treatment for BPH, or sustained clinically significant LUTS (two reports of IPSS > 14). Among symptomatic men, LUTS progression was defined as IPSS increase of ≥4 points from baseline, surgical intervention for BPH, or starting a new BPH drug.

Results

Of 3060 asymptomatic men, 15% (n = 467) were current, 40% (n = 1231) former, and 45% (n = 1362) never‐smokers. Of 2198 symptomatic men, 14% (n = 320) were current, 39% (n = 850) former, and 47% (n = 1028) never‐smokers. In asymptomatic men, compared with never‐smokers, current and former smoking at baseline were not associated with LUTS incidence (adjusted hazard ratio [adj‐HR] = 1.08; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.78–1.48 and adj‐HR = 1.01; 95% CI: 0.80–1.30). In symptomatic men, compared with never‐smokers, current and former smoking at baseline were not associated with the progression of LUTS (adj‐HR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.92–1.33 and adj‐HR = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.90–1.18).

Conclusions

In REDUCE, smoking status was not associated with either incident LUTS in asymptomatic men or progression of LUTS in symptomatic men.
Union formation, within‐couple dynamics, and child well‐being: A global macrolevel perspective
Authors: Batyra Ewa , Pesando Luca Maria , Castro Torres Andrés F. , Furstenberg Frank F. , Kohler Hans‐Peter
Published: April 2023

Studies on global changes in families have greatly increased over the past decade, adopting both a country‐specific and, more recently, a cross‐national comparative perspective. While most studies are focused on the drivers of global changes in families, little comparative research has explored the implications of family processes for the health and well‐being of children. This study aims to fill this gap and launch a new research agenda exploring the intergenerational implications of union‐formation and within‐couple dynamics for children's health and well‐being across low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs), both globally, regionally, and by the stage of fertility transition. We do so by adopting a macrolevel perspective and a multi‐axis conceptualization of children's outcomes—health at birth, health in later life, and schooling—and leveraging Demographic and Health Survey and World Bank data across 75 LMICs. Our results show that in societies where partnerships are characterized by more equal status between spouses—that is, where the age range between spouses and differences in years of schooling between partners are narrower—children fare better on several outcomes. These associations are particularly strong in mid‐ and high‐fertility settings. Despite a series of regularities, our results also highlight a set of findings whereby, at a macrolevel, the prevalence of marriage and divorce/separation are not invariably associated with children's outcomes, especially in LMICs where fertility is comparatively lower. We document little cross‐regional heterogeneity, primarily highlighting the centrality of demographic factors such as age vis‐à‐vis, for instance, region‐specific characteristics that are more tied to the social fabric of specific societies.
Blinded by the person? Experimental evidence from idea evaluation
Authors: Dahlander Linus , Thomas Arne , Wallin Martin W. , Ångström Rebecka C.
Published: April 2023

Research Summary

Seeking causal evidence on biases in idea evaluation, we conducted a field experiment in a large multinational company with two conditions: (a) blind evaluation, in which managers received no proposer information, and (b) non‐blind evaluation, in which they received the proposer's name, unit, and location. To our surprise—and in contrast to the preregistered hypotheses—we found no biases against women and proposers from different units and locations, which blinding could ameliorate. Addressing challenges that remained intractable in the field experiment, we conducted an online experiment, which replicated the null findings. A final vignette study showed that people overestimated the magnitude of the biases. The studies suggest that idea evaluation can be less prone to biases than previously assumed and that evaluators separate ideas from proposers.

Managerial Summary

We wanted to find out if there were biases in the way managers evaluate ideas from their employees. We did a field experiment in a large multinational technology company where we tested two different ways of evaluating ideas: one where managers did not know anything about the person who came up with the idea and one where they did know the person's name, which unit they worked for, and where they were located. The results were surprising. We did not find any bias against women and employees that did not work in the same location and unit as the evaluator. Managers are advised that hiding the identity of idea proposers (from idea evaluators) may not be a silver bullet to improving idea evaluation.
Adhesive Composite Microspheres with Dual Antibacterial Strategies for Infected Wound Healing
Authors: Yang Caihong , Ma Xiao , Wu Pan , Shang Luoran , Zhao Yuanjin , Zhong Liping
Published: April 2023

Skin damage and infection pose a severe challenge to human health. Construction of a novel versatile dressing with good anti‐infection and healing‐promoting abilities is greatly expected. In this paper, nature‐source‐based composite microspheres with dual antibacterial mechanisms and bioadhesive features by microfluidics electrospray for infected wound healing is developed. The microspheres enable sustained release of copper ions, which not only show long‐term antibacterial properties, but also play important role in wound‐healing‐related angiogenesis. Additionally, the microspheres are coated with polydopamine via self‐polymerization, which renders the microspheres adhesive to the wound surface, and further enhance the antibacterial ability through photothermal energy conversion. Based on the dual antibacterial strategies provided by copper ions and polydopamine as well as the bioadhesive property, the composite microspheres exhibit excellent anti‐infection and wound healing performances in a rat wound model. These results, along with the nature‐source‐based composition and biocompatibility, indicate the great potential of the microspheres in clinical wound repair.
Advances in Ordered Architecture Design of Composite Solid Electrolytes for Solid‐State Lithium Batteries
Authors: Sun Jichang , Liu Chuanbang , Liu Huaiyin , Li Junwei , Zheng Penglun , Zheng Yun , Liu Zhihong
Published: April 2023

Solid electrolyte lithium batteries are the next generation of advanced energy devices. The incorporation of solid electrolytes can significantly improve the safety issue of lithium‐ion batteries. Organic‐inorganic composite solid electrolytes (CSE) are promising candidates for solid‐state batteries, but their application is mainly limited by low ionic conductivity. Many studies have shown that the architecture of ordered inorganic fillers in CSE can act as fast lithium‐ion transfer channels by auxiliary means, thus significantly improving the ionic conductivities. This review summarises the recent advances in CSE with different dimensional inorganic fillers. Various effective strategies for the construction of ordered structures in CSE are then presented. The review concludes with an outlook on the future development of CSE. This review aims to provide researchers with an in‐depth understanding of how to achieve ordered architectures in CSE for advanced solid state lithium batteries.
Bruno “Burl” Touschek (1921–1978)
Authors: Touschek Francis
Published: April 2023

I was kindly invited to give a small contribution to this symposium which I gladly accepted, fully aware I was surrounded by the gotha of the physics world. So, I spent a long time brooding over what might be appropriate, my first instinct was to denounce the ugliness and brutality my father had to endure throughout his whole life. I finally decided on a softer approach, impromptu and recount some of the more amusing moments I was lucky enough to share and enjoy with him. He was an extraordinary man, with a vicious sense of humour. I have never met anyone quite like him.
Technical Challenges for Future Accelerators
Authors: Rossi Lucio
Published: April 2023

Accelerators have accompanied the development of nuclear and particle physics in the last ninety years. From first cyclotrons to the LHC and the discovery of the Higgs boson, throughout the collider concept demonstrated first by Bruno Toushek, accelerators have been instrumental for the discovery of new fundamental particles and mechanisms, thanks to an undeniable progress in performance supported by a continuous technical development. Now for the after-LHC era even larger challenges have to be faced, pushing existing technologies much beyond their present limits and pursuing until practical demonstration new technologies and concepts.
Remembering Bruno Touschek
Authors: Battimelli Giovanni , Buccella Franco , Cifarelli Luisa , Di Castro Carlo , Gallavotti Giovanni , Pietronero Luciano
Published: April 2023

Participants’ recollections about their relations with Bruno Touschek.
Bruno Touschek and Statistical Mechanics
Authors: Rossi Giancarlo
Published: April 2023

In this talk I will describe the history of the birth of the “Meccanica Statistica” book, that Bruno Touschek and I wrote in 1970. The book was conceived and brought to conclusion in the broad context of the stimulating atmosphere that the Touschek scientific and teaching activity had created in the Physics Department of the University of Rome “La Sapienza”. I will present a recollection of my memories of the years from 1965 to 1970 during which the book was imagined, written, rewritten, corrected and polished till its final version. I will also briefly describe the content of the book underlining the unmistakable footprint of Touschek unconventional way of thinking.
Detectors and Experiments at the Laboratory for Electro-Strong Physics: A Personal View
Authors: Amaldi Ugo
Published: April 2023

In the first two Sections I recount few episodes that highlight the unique personality of Bruno Touschek, and I propose to call ‘Bruno’s domain’ the electron–positron energy range dominated by the one-photon channel. Section 8.3, devoted to a presentation of the four LEP detectors, is followed by three Sections describing electroweak precision tests, in particular those involving the production of b-quarks, Higgs searches and the most accurate measurements of the strong coupling. In Sects. 8.7 and 8.8, the unification of the forces is discussed from a personal point of view and the legacy of LEP to the LHC experiments is highlighted.
Safe Session-Based Concurrency with Shared Linear State
Authors: Rocha Pedro , Caires Luís
Published: April 2023

We introduce$$\textsf{CLASS}$$CLASS, a session-typed, higher-order, core language that supports concurrent computation with shared linear state.
Clustered Relational Thread-Modular Abstract Interpretation with Local Traces
Authors: Schwarz Michael , Saan Simmo , Seidl Helmut , Erhard Julian , Vojdani Vesal
Published: April 2023

We construct novel thread-modular analyses that track relational information for potentially overlapping clusters of global variables – given that they are protected by common mutexes. We provide a framework to systematically increase the precision of clustered relational analyses by splitting control locations based on abstractions of local traces. As one instance, we obtain an analysis of dynamic thread creation and joining. Interestingly, tracking less relational information for globals may result in higher precision. We consider the class of 2-decomposable domains that encompasses many weakly relational domains (e.g., Octagons). For these domains, we prove that maximal precision is attained already for clusters of globals of sizes at most 2.
Modal Crash Types for Intermittent Computing
Authors: Derakhshan Farzaneh , Dotzel Myra , Surbatovich Milijana , Jia Limin
Published: April 2023

Intermittent computing is gaining traction in application domains such as Energy Harvesting Devices (EHDs) that experience arbitrary power failures during program execution. To make progress, programs require system support to checkpoint state and re-execute after power failure by restoring the last saved state. This re-execution should becorrect, i.e., simulated by a continuously-powered execution. We study the logical underpinning of intermittent computing and model checkpoint, crash, restore, and re-execution operations as computation on Crash types. We draw inspiration from adjoint logic and define Crash types by introducing two adjoint modality operators to model persistent and transient memory values of partial (re-)executions and the transitions between them caused by checkpoints and restoration. We define a Crash type system for a core calculus. We prove the correctness of intermittent systems by defining a novel logical relation for Crash types.
Introduction
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 1 highlights the motivation and relevance, research background, research objective, and structure of the dissertation, and clarifies its central concepts (definitions).
Theory
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 3 addresses board theory, role theory, process theory, and disclosure theory.
Methodology and Empirical Research
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 5 deals with the research gap, research questions, and research strategy.
Research Contribution and Conclusion
Authors: Germann Cornel
Published: April 2023

Chapter 8 discusses the overall results, implications for academia and practice, research outlook, and concluding remarks.
Cosmological Perturbations in Double Field Theory
Authors: Hohm Olaf , Pinto Allison F.
Published: April 2023

Abstract

We explore perturbative double field theory about time-dependent (cosmological) backgrounds to cubic order. To this order the theory is consistent in a weakly constrained sense, so that for a toroidal geometry it encodes both momentum and genuine winding modes. We give a self-contained discussion of the consistency problems and their resolution, including the role of cocycle factors and the O(d, d, ℤ) duality. Finally, as a first step toward the computation of cosmological correlation functions, we propose a generalized scalar-vector-tensor decomposition and use it to construct gauge invariant generalized Bardeen variables. Compared to standard cosmology there are fewer tensor modes but more vector and scalar modes.
Drawing, Shapes and Parametric Design of Rod and Node Architectural Structures
Authors: Zerlenga Ornella , Cirillo Vincenzo , Cicala Margherita
Published: April 2023

This research focuses on extensible structures composed of rods and nodes, which have been developed since the mid-twentieth century. A geometric, mathematical, and graphical analysis of simple double-rod scissor structures, and then investigates the three-rod and node structures of architect E. P. Piñero, using digital and parametric modeling.
Schwere kutane Arzneimittelreaktionen bei Kindern
Authors: Mockenhaupt Maja
Published: April 2023

Schwere kutane Arzneimittelreaktionen kommen auch bei Kindern vor und reichen von blasenbildenden Reaktionsformen der Haut und Schleimhaut bis zu ausgedehnten Exanthemen mit Blutbildveränderungen und Beteiligung innerer Organe. Zu den erstgenannten gehören das Stevens-Johnson-Syndrom (SJS) und die toxische epidermale Nekrolyse (TEN), die als eine Krankheitsentität mit verschiedenen Schweregraden angesehen und auch als „epidermale“ oder „epitheliale Nekrolyse“ (EN) zusammengefasst werden. Die Gruppe der Arzneimittelreaktionen mit primär systemischen Veränderungen wird durch eine als „drug reaction with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms“ (DRESS) bezeichnete Reaktionsform repräsentiert.

Obwohl die EN allgemein als Arzneimittelreaktion gilt, lässt sich bei Kindern nur in der Hälfte der Fälle ein medikamentöser Auslöser ausmachen. Erst nach einer klaren Diagnosestellung sollten spezifische therapeutische Maßnahmen folgen, wobei das Absetzen des auslösenden Agens bei arzneimittelinduzierten Fällen die entscheidende Rolle spielt. Um das verursachende Arzneimittel identifizieren und absetzen zu können, muss eine sehr detaillierte Arzneimittelanamnese erhoben werden. Zu den hochverdächtigen Auslösern von EN und DRESS bei Kindern gehören bestimmte Antiepileptika, Sulfonamide und Sulfasalazin. Die supportive Therapie mit entsprechenden Lokalmaßnahmen, Schmerztherapie, augenärztlicher Mitbetreuung etc. ist bei EN unersetzlich, doch hat sich eine kurzzeitige immunmodulierende Therapie mit Cyclosporin A als hilfreich erwiesen. Bei DRESS hingegen wird eine mittel- bis längerfristige systemische Therapie mit Glukokortikosteroiden empfohlen.
Enhancement of shape accuracy and die quenchability of ultra-high strength steel hollow products in hot stamping of tubes using eco-friendly fiber-reinforced ice mandrel
Authors: Talebi-Anaraki Ali , Maeno Tomoyoshi , Matsubara Yuta , Ikeda Ryohei , Mori Ken-ichiro
Published: April 2023

A hot stamping process of quenchable steel tubes using a mandrel reinforced with eco-friendly fibers was developed to produce ultra-high strength steel hollow parts having enhanced lightweighting and crashworthiness. High internal pressure was generated to improve the die quenchability and shape accuracy of the formed parts by the fiber reinforcement. Wood sawdust, shredded copy paper, and plant fiber made of recycled toilet paper were chosen as the fibers, and not only the strength was evaluated from a uniaxial compression test but also the melting behavior of the mandrel was examined. The influence of the fiber reinforcement on the shape accuracy and die quenchability of hot-stamped parts was investigated. The generated internal pressure with the fiber-reinforced ice mandrel was higher than that with the pure ice mandrel without the reinforcement, and thus, the shape accuracy and die quenchability of hot-stamped parts were significantly improved even for a comparatively small change in internal volume of tubes.
Systematic approach to process parameter optimization for laser powder bed fusion of low-alloy steel based on melting modes
Authors: Bergmueller Simon , Gerhold Lukas , Fuchs Lorenz , Kaserer Lukas , Leichtfried Gerhard
Published: April 2023

In the metal additive manufacturing (AM) process of laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), there are a limited number of materials suitable for producing parts with high density and desired mechanical properties. To establish novel materials, it is essential to determine optimized process parameters in order to overcome process-related challenges and mitigate defects such as lack of fusion, keyholing, and balling. Scaling laws based on thermophysical properties and process parameters can be used to transfer knowledge from other materials or LPBF systems. In this work, a scaling law is used to adjust process parameters for single-track experiments over a wide range, which are laser power PL (100–1000 W), scan speed vs (300–2500 mm/s), and laser spot size ds (0.08–0.25 mm). Compared to existing studies, the parameter range is thus extended towards large laser spot sizes and high laser powers. The scaling law used is based on the calculation of the normalized enthalpy $$\frac{\Delta H}{{h}_{s}}$$

Δ
H

h
s

. The ratio of the deposited energy density $$\Delta$$
Δ
H and the melting enthalpy hs correlates with the dimensions of the melt pool. According to the aspect ratio $${\delta }_{\mathrm{c}}$$

δ
c

of the melt pool of each single track, the respective melting mode—conduction, transition, and keyhole mode—was identified. The process parameters of the single tracks in transition mode were used to optimize the density of the LPBF specimens with varying hatch distance hd (0.06–0.12 mm), resulting in specimens with a relative density of > 99.8%. The proposed methodology can accelerate the process parameter finding for new alloys and avoid process-related defects.

Graphical Abstract
The N-terminal disordered region of ChsB regulates its efficient transport to the hyphal apical surface in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Jin Jingyun , Iwama Ryo , Horiuchi Hiroyuki
Published: April 2023

In fungi, the cell wall plays a crucial role in morphogenesis and response to stress from the external environment. Chitin is one of the main cell wall components in many filamentous fungi. In Aspergillus nidulans, a class III chitin synthase ChsB plays a pivotal role in hyphal extension and morphogenesis. However, little is known about post-translational modifications of ChsB and their functional impacts. In this study, we showed that ChsB is phosphorylated in vivo. We characterized strains that produce ChsB using stepwise truncations of its N-terminal disordered region or deletions of some residues in that region and demonstrated its involvement in ChsB abundance on the hyphal apical surface and in hyphal tip localization. Furthermore, we showed that some deletions in this region affected the phosphorylation states of ChsB, raising the possibility that these states are important for the localization of ChsB to the hyphal surface and the growth of A. nidulans. Our findings indicate that ChsB transport is regulated by its N-terminal disordered region.
A semiclassical approach to the magnetotransport in quasi-1D electron systems
Authors: Hidalgo M. A.
Published: April 2023

The issue of the magnetotransport in any quasi one-dimensional (quasi-1D) electron system has not hoarded so much attention as the magnetotransport in two-dimensional (2D) system. At most, at the beginning of the realization of those systems, some experimental studies and phenomenological models were developed. However, it is an interesting subject that can throw light on the physical mechanisms determining the transport properties of low-dimensional electron systems. In our previous paper, Hidalgo (Eur Phys J Plus 137:1–-14, 2022), we described in detail a semiclassical global approach to the quantum Hall and Shubnikov-de Haas phenomena in a 2D system for both, the integer and fractional quantum Hall effects (IQHE and FQHE), and not only in semiconductors quantum wells but also in graphene. Here, we focus on the magnetotransport in a quasi-1D electron system following also a semiclassical approach, i.e., taking into consideration the Landau-type density of states for such system and its implication in the conductivity.
Lysis of soil microbial cells by CO2 or N2 high pressurization compared with chloroform fumigation
Authors: Paliaga Sara , Laudicina Vito Armando , Badalucco Luigi
Published: April 2023

The classical chloroform fumigation-incubation (CFI) and fumigation-extraction (CFE) methods are nowadays among the most used for determining soil microbial biomass, although the chloroform lysing of microbial cells is not always complete. Here, we have tested a physical method, used for sterilizing foods but never in soil, based on N2 or CO2 high pressurization (N2HP or CO2HP, respectively) to cause microbial cell lysis. The N2HP and CO2HP were tested on two soils differing for their organic matter content, one agricultural (AGR) and one forest (FOR), and firstly were compared with the CFI. The CO2 extra-flush from both soils during 10-d incubation by N2HP was lower than that by CFI method, whereas that by CO2HP was greater. Then, the lysis by CO2HP was compared with that by the CFE method by varying CO2 pressure and duration. The CO2HP, at proper conditions, was more efficient than CFE method to cause the lysis of soil microbial cells. Moreover, both CO2 pressure value and duration were important in increasing the extractable organic C compared to the CFE. The most successful combination of high CO2 pressure and duration was 4.13 MPa and 32 h. However, we cannot exclude that CO2HP might have caused the release of soil organic C not ascribable to living organic matter. Further studies using 13C and/or 15N-labeled microbial cells should assess the release of abiotic organic C.
Influence of age on force and re-lengthening dynamics after tetanic stimulation withdrawal in the tibialis anterior muscle
Authors: Cogliati M. , Cudicio A. , Benedini M. , Cabral H. V. , Negro F. , Reggiani C. , Orizio C.
Published: April 2023

Purpose

During alternate movements across a joint, the changeover from one direction of rotation to the opposite may be influenced by the delay and rate of tension reduction and the compliance to re-lengthening of the previously active muscle group. Given the aging process may affect the above-mentioned factors, this work aimed to compare the dynamics of both the ankle torque decline and muscle re-lengthening, mirrored by mechanomyogram (MMG), in the tibialis anterior because of its important role in gait.

Methods

During the relaxation phase, after a supramaximal 35 Hz stimulation applied at the superficial motor point, in 20 young (Y) and 20 old (O) subjects, the torque (T) and MMG dynamics characteristics were measured.

Results

The T and MMG analysis provided: (I) the beginning of the decay after cessation of stimulation (T: 22.51 ± 5.92 ms [Y] and 51.35 ± 15.21 ms [O]; MMG: 27.38 ± 6.93 ms [Y] and 61.41 ± 18.42 ms [O]); (II) the maximum rate of reduction (T: − 110.4 ± 45.56 Nm/s [Y] and − 52.72 ± 32.12 Nm/s [O]; MMG: − 24.47 ± 10.95 mm/s [Y] and − 13.76 ± 6.54 mm/s [O]); (III) the muscle compliance, measuring the MMG reduction of every 10% reduction of torque (bin 20–10%: 15.69 ± 7.5[Y] and 10.8 ± 3.3 [O]; bin 10–0%: 22.12 ± 10.3 [Y] and 17.58 ± 5.6 [O]).

Conclusion

Muscle relaxation results are different in Y and O and can be monitored by a non-invasive method measuring physiological variables of torque and re-lengthening dynamics at the end of the electromechanical coupling previously induced by the neuromuscular stimulation.
Intuition in chess: a study with world-class players
Authors: Chassy Philippe , Lahaye Rick , Didierjean André , Gobet Fernand
Published: April 2023

Intuition plays a central role in cognition in general and expertise in particular. Dreyfus and Dreyfus’s (1986) and Gobet and Chassy’s (2008) theories of expert intuition propose that a characteristic feature of expert intuition is the holistic understanding displayed by experts. The ideal way to test this prediction is to use highly expert participants and short presentation times. Chess players (N = 63), ranging from candidate masters to world-class players, had to evaluate chess problems. Evaluating the problems required an understanding of the position as a whole. Results demonstrated an effect of skill (better players had better evaluations), complexity (simpler positions were better evaluated than complex positions) and balance (accuracy diminished when the true evaluations became more extreme). A regression analysis showed that skill accounted for 44% of the variance in evaluation error. These important results support the central role of holistic intuition in expertise.
Mallat Scattering Transformation based surrogate for Magnetohydrodynamics
Authors: Glinsky Michael E. , Maupin Kathryn
Published: April 2023

A Machine and Deep Learning (MLDL) methodology is developed and applied to give a high fidelity, fast surrogate for 2D resistive MagnetoHydroDynamic (MHD) simulations of Magnetic Liner Inertial Fusion (MagLIF) implosions. The resistive MHD code is used to generate an ensemble of implosions with different liner aspect ratios, initial gas preheat temperatures (that is, different adiabats), and different liner perturbations. The liner density and magnetic field as functions of x, y, and z were generated. The Mallat Scattering Transformation (MST) is taken of the logarithm of both fields and a Principal Components Analysis (PCA) is done on the logarithm of the MST of both fields. The fields are projected onto the PCA vectors and a small number of these PCA vector components are kept. Singular Value Decompositions of the cross correlation of the input parameters to the output logarithm of the MST of the fields, and of the cross correlation of the SVD vector components to the PCA vector components are done. This allows the identification of the PCA vectors vis-a-vis the input parameters. Finally, a Multi Layer Perceptron (MLP) neural network with ReLU activation and a simple three layer encoder/decoder architecture is trained on this dataset to predict the PCA vector components of the fields as a function of time. Details of the implosion, stagnation, and the disassembly are well captured. Examination of the PCA vectors and a permutation importance analysis of the MLP show definitive evidence of an inverse turbulent cascade into a dipole emergent behavior. The orientation of the dipole is set by the initial liner perturbation. The analysis is repeated with a version of the MST which includes phase, called Wavelet Phase Harmonics (WPH). While WPH do not give the physical insight of the MST, they can and are inverted to give field configurations as a function of time, including field-to-field correlations.
Phase-field modelling and analysis of rate-dependent fracture phenomena at finite deformation
Authors: Dammaß Franz , Kalina Karl A. , Ambati Marreddy , Kästner Markus
Published: April 2023

Fracture of materials with rate-dependent mechanical behaviour, e.g. polymers, is a highly complex process. For an adequate modelling, the coupling between rate-dependent stiffness, dissipative mechanisms present in the bulk material and crack driving force has to be accounted for in an appropriate manner. In addition, the resistance against crack propagation can depend on rate of deformation. In this contribution, an energetic phase-field model of rate-dependent fracture at finite deformation is presented. For the deformation of the bulk material, a formulation of finite viscoelasticity is adopted with strain energy densities of Ogden type assumed. The unified formulation allows to study different expressions for the fracture driving force. Furthermore, a possibly rate-dependent toughness is incorporated. The model is calibrated using experimental results from the literature for an elastomer and predictions are qualitatively and quantitatively validated against experimental data. Predictive capabilities of the model are studied for monotonic loads as well as creep fracture. Symmetrical and asymmetrical crack patterns are discussed and the influence of a dissipative fracture driving force contribution is analysed. It is shown that, different from ductile fracture of metals, such a driving force is not required for an adequate simulation of experimentally observable crack paths and is not favourable for the description of failure in viscoelastic rubbery polymers. Furthermore, the influence of a rate-dependent toughness is discussed by means of a numerical study. From a phenomenological point of view, it is demonstrated that rate-dependency of resistance against crack propagation can be an essential ingredient for the model when specific effects such as rate-dependent brittle-to-ductile transitions shall be described.
Models and algorithms for U-shaped assembly line balancing problem with collaborative robots
Authors: Li Zixiang , Janardhanan Mukund , Tang Qiuhua , Zhang Zikai
Published: April 2023

The collaborative robots (cobots) are increasingly being utilized in industries due to the advancement in the field of robotic technology and also due to the increase in labor costs. The cobots on the assembly line can be utilized to complete the tasks independently or assist the workers to complete the tasks. This study considers the U-shaped assembly line balancing problem with cobots, where several cobots with different purchasing costs are selected under the budget constraint. Three mixed-integer programming models are formulated to optimize the cycle time, and the built models are capable of solving the small-sized instances optimally. Two algorithms, artificial bee colony algorithm and migrating bird optimization algorithm, are developed and improved to tackle the large-sized instances, where new encoding scheme and decoding procedure are developed for this new problem. The computational tests demonstrate that the utilization of collaborative robots reduces the cycle time effectively in the assembly line. The comparative study on a set of instances shows that the proposed methodologies obtain competing performance in comparison with other 12 implemented algorithms.
The paleo-community of the Sciacca red coral
Authors: Bavestrello Giorgio , Betti Federico , Calcagnile Lucio , Canessa Martina , D’Elia Marina , Quarta Gianluca , Bo Marzia
Published: April 2023

The sub-fossil red coral deposits of Sciacca (Sicily Channel) have attracted scientific attention for nearly 150 years. Their origin and formation have been long questioned and investigated, given the fact that they represent one of the most intriguing geobiological events ever to occur in the Mediterranean basin. Less attention was given to the paleo-community associated with the sub-fossil coral. Radiocarbon age determinations, in particular, were provided only for red coral, neglecting the possibility of understanding which species were simultaneously present in the coralline paleo-community and which was their role. The study of cemented coral rubble pieces revealed that Corallium rubrum covered the largest time interval (more than 3000 years) and was contemporary to many secondary epibionts over two millennia and to Madrepora oculata for about 500 years; this last finding suggested that an uncommon co-dominance between the two structuring species occurred in the nearby living communities. The lack of Fe–Mg deposits on the cemented coral rubbles coupled with the low bioerosion rate of the red coral skeletons by the demosponge Siphonodictyon coralliirubri (assessed through the analysis of the erosive paleo-scars) suggested that the deposits met with a rapid sediment cover-up. Moreover, for the first time, the analysis of a piece of cemented coral rubble of sub-fossil red coral coming from Sardinian waters confirmed that, albeit to a lesser extent, the conditions favouring the preservation of dead corals can occur also in different localities far from Sciacca.
A multi-robot deep Q-learning framework for priority-based sanitization of railway stations
Authors: Caccavale Riccardo , Ermini Mirko , Fedeli Eugenio , Finzi Alberto , Lippiello Vincenzo , Tavano Fabrizio
Published: April 2023

Sanitizing railway stations is a relevant issue, primarily due to the recent evolution of the Covid-19 pandemic. In this work, we propose a multi-robot approach to sanitize railway stations based on a distributed Deep Q-Learning technique. The proposed framework relies on anonymous data from existing WiFi networks to dynamically estimate crowded areas within the station and to develop a heatmap of prioritized areas to be sanitized. Such heatmap is then provided to a team of cleaning robots - each endowed with a robot-specific convolutional neural network - that learn how to effectively cooperate and sanitize the station’s areas according to the associated priorities. The proposed approach is evaluated in a realistic simulation scenario provided by the Italian largest railways station: Roma Termini. In this setting, we consider different case studies to assess how the approach scales with the number of robots and how the trained system performs with a real dataset retrieved from a one-day data recording of the station’s WiFi network.
Isolation of cellulose microfibers and nanofibers by mechanical fibrillation in a water-free solvent
Authors: Hernández-Becerra E. , Osorio M. , Marín D. , Gañán P. , Pereira M. , Builes D. , Castro C.
Published: April 2023

Cellulose from vegetable sources is the most abundant biopolymer on earth. In plants, cellulose is a reinforcement element that conforms to a hierarchical structure. Cellulose micro-/nanofibers can be isolated from the cell wall by top-down strategies involving mechanical processes to be used in applications as a reinforcing material. Nonetheless, its use has been limited as its extraction in an aqueous medium is unfavorable when employed in low-hydrophilic matrices. Therefore, this work proposes a novel homogenization route in which cellulose micro-/nanofibers are directly obtained and dispersed in propylene glycol (PG), which generates more possibilities for these (nano) structures in applications that require water-free environments. Moreover, the influence on the cycle numbers in the morphological, chemical, thermal, and rheological properties was researched. Thus, the obtained micro-/nanofibers presented TEM diameters even below 20 nm. XRD analysis evidenced crystalline planes located at $$1\overline{1 }0$$

1

1
¯

0

, 110, and 200, and crystallinity degree values up to 80%. Also, FTIR spectra bands in 3340 cm−1, 2890 cm−1, 1314 cm−1, and in the fingerprint region corresponded to native cellulose Iβ. FTIR and TGA confirmed no influence of mechanical cycles on cellulose fibers’ chemical and thermal properties. Furthermore, the increase in the cycle number evidenced a shear-thinning rheological behavior of the suspensions. Considering the above results, it was concluded that the proposed high-pressure homogenization within PG is an approach for vegetable nanocellulose homogenization while maintaining high crystallinity, thermal, and chemical features with huge importance for subsequent processes in the development of nanocomposites with hydrophilic matrices for industrial applications.

Graphical abstract
Rapid cellulose nanomaterial characterisation by rheology
Authors: Cainglet Hans Estrella , Tanner Joanne , Nasiri Naghmeh , Browne Christine , Garnier Gil , Batchelor Warren
Published: April 2023

Cellulose nanomaterial (CNM) aspect ratio strongly influences sheet formation and resulting mechanical, optical, and barrier properties. However, there is a lack of fast and reliable methods for CNM aspect ratio determination, limiting the reliable production of nanocellulose at industrial-scale. Current laboratory approaches comprise microscopic (e.g. atomic force microscopy (AFM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM)), and sedimentation methods, which are time-consuming and limited to specific CNM fibre sizes. Here, we describe a new rheological method to determine the aspect ratios for the whole size range of cellulose fibres using rheology. Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), cellulose nanofibres (CNFs), and wood fibres in the form of Bleached Eucalyptus Kraft (BEK) were investigated. The aspect ratios of these three scales of cellulose fibres were determined by measuring the specific viscosity profiles of their suspensions at different concentrations from high to low shear rates (2000–0.001 s−1), and evaluating whether the fibre suspensions exhibited entangled or disentangled behaviour. The rheological results agreed well with those produced by AFM and sedimentation methods. Furthermore, cellulose fibre aspect ratios determined with specific viscosity measurements were generated in 5 hours for each feedstock, while sedimentation and AFM required at least 2 days to produce the same results. Ultimately, we demonstrate that rheology is a rapid and accurate method to determine the aspect ratio for the whole range of cellulose fibre sizes, a critical step towards facilitating their full-scale application.
An investigation of the fluid-holding cavities in a lignocellulose-based bamboo matrix via a combined X-ray microtomography and proton time-domain NMR approach
Authors: da Rocha Rodrigues Elton Jorge , Pinto Cucinelli Neto Roberto , Diniz Lopes Alves Haimon , Paciornik Sidnei , Santos de Sá Druval , Ghavami Khosrow , Ginoble Pandoli Omar
Published: April 2023

Bamboo (Dendrocalamus giganteus) is a functionally graded material with well-organized hierarchical structures. Its micrometer-sized vascular bundles and parenchymatic living cells allow an efficient upward flow of water and nutrients, endowing the organism with remarkably fast growth. As demonstrated recently, the hollow microstructure channels can be explored as a natural template for microfluidics applications in chemical synthesis, analytical detection, solar steam generation, and electrochemical devices. Thus, the knowledge of the kinetics of the imbibition and spatial distribution of fluid through the microcavities of the bamboo vegetal tissue became of interest. Here, we employed a combination of X-ray microtomography (µCT) and proton time-domain NMR (TD-NMR) to identify, measure, and investigate empty volumes embedded in the bamboo’s tissue as experienced by different organic and inorganic fluids, namely dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and distilled water (H2O). Results have shown that the extensive communication between the voids (parenchymal cells and vascular channels) does not prevent the individuation of fluid reservoirs with different behaviors, as evidenced by the H2O desorption profile. Bamboo parenchyma was the tissue that retained more residual H2O after desorption. The difference in wettability of bamboo tissues by DMSO and H2O was detected.

Graphical abstract
Differentially private tree-based redescription mining
Authors: Mihelčić Matej , Miettinen Pauli
Published: April 2023

Differential privacy provides a strong form of privacy and allows preserving most of the original characteristics of the dataset. Utilizing these benefits requires one to design specific differentially private data analysis algorithms. In this work, we present three tree-based algorithms for mining redescriptions while preserving differential privacy. Redescription mining is an exploratory data analysis method for finding connections between two views over the same entities, such as phenotypes and genotypes of medical patients, for example. It has applications in many fields, including some, like health care informatics, where privacy-preserving access to data is desired. Our algorithms are the first tree-based differentially private redescription mining algorithms, and we show via experiments that, despite the inherent noise in differential privacy, it can return trustworthy results even in smaller datasets where noise typically has a stronger effect.
Elementium: design and pilot evaluation of a serious game for familiarizing players with basic chemistry
Authors: Filippas Alexandros , Xinogalos Stelios
Published: April 2023

Serious games (SGs) about Chemistry have the potential to cope with challenges, such as students’ low performance and lack of motivation for the subject. However, the majority of existing SGs for Chemistry have the form of educational applications infused with some elements of entertaining games. The aim of the study presented was to design and evaluate a new SG with rich game mechanics for Chemistry. The game is called Elementium and revolves around basic topics of Chemistry, such as chemical elements and compound terminology, creation and everyday usage of such elements. The main goal of the game is to familiarize junior high school students with the aforementioned subjects. The design of Elementium was carried out implementing the dimensions described in the Four-Dimensional framework, as proposed by de Freitas and Jarvis in 2006. After the development process, Elementium was evaluated by people in the field of education that are currently teaching or have taught Chemistry in the past. The participants play-tested the game at leisure in their homes and evaluated it based on the key criteria for SGs design proposed by Sanchez in 2011, as well as other quality indicators established in the literature. Elementium was positively evaluated by Chemistry teachers in terms of its acceptance, usability, didactic utility, and game environment. The positive results concluded from this evaluation show that Elementium is fulfilling its main purpose and can be used as a supplementary tool in the teaching process. However, its true didactical effectiveness has to be confirmed through a study with high school students.
The microbiome of the endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae in corals exposed to thermal stress
Authors: Gardner Stephanie Grace , Leggat William , Ainsworth Tracy Danielle
Published: April 2023

The coral reef crisis has influenced research for over two decades, during which time the capacity of corals to withstand and respond to environmental stress has been documented from the cellular to ecosystem level. Over the past decade, research is increasingly working towards uncovering the extent of coral–bacterial interactions, finding that diverse and stable microbial interactions can be indicative of the health of the coral host. However, we have yet to determine at which level of organismal organisation these interactions occur, in particular those with the coral’s photosynthetic dinoflagellate symbionts. This information is critical if we are to understand the impact of stress on meta-organism functioning. Using 16S gene amplicon sequencing, we investigated the bacterial microbiome of endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae from thermally stressed Acropora aspera, under 3 ecologically relevant temperature trajectories (defined as protective, repetitive and single) that are expected under a changing climate. We show that endosymbiotic Symbiodiniaceae host a distinct and diverse bacterial assemblage when compared with the A. aspera host. Alphaproteobacteria (mainly Rhodobacteraceae and Bradyrhizobiaceae), from the Rhizobiales order dominated the Symbiodiniaceae microbiome, while Gammaproteobacteria (mainly Endozoicomonadaceae) dominated the coral microbiome. The Symbiodiniaceae core microbiome also reflected the distinct microbiomes of the two partners, specifically, Rhizobiales were not present in the A. aspera core, while Endozoicomonadaceae were not present in the Symbiodiniaceae core. We show the Symbiodiniaceae-associated microbiome was highly responsive to increases in temperature, and the microbial consortium was significantly altered in the Symbiodiniaceae retained in the host exposed to different temperature. Most notably, Myxococcolaes were up to 25-fold higher relative abundance in dinoflagellate partner microbiomes under the single temperature trajectory, compared with the repetitive and control treatments. The distinct composition of bacteria associated with Symbiodiniaceae suggests a previously unrecognised, yet important functional role of these associations to overall coral health, which is increasingly important as reefs decline worldwide. Our study provides the first characterisation of Symbiodiniaceae-associated microbes from a coral host under a range of temperature trajectories occurring on the Great Barrier Reef.
How to Be Indigenous in India?
Authors: Bhagabati Dikshit Sarma
Published: April 2023

Although international law grants a distinct juristic personality to indigenous peoples, this subjecthood is premised on a hierarchical reading of ethnicity and indigeneity. Through illustrations of Adivasi experiences in India, this article interrogates the prejudices of the global juridical discourse that are reproduced by the domestic jurisdiction, exposing the voyeuristic performance of legality in constructing indigenousness.