bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modification and Characterization of Starch‐Based Food‐Packaging Material by Cold Plasma as a Green Approach
Authors: Bayanloo Amir‐Hossein , Shahabi‐Ghahfarrokhi Iman , Hagh Nazari Simin
Published: November 2023

This study focuses on the modification of starch using cold plasma (CP) for 0, 30, 60, and 90 seconds. The prepared films are characterized (i.e., thickness, water vapor permeability, intrinsic viscosity, solubility in water, and moisture absorption). The thickness, water vapor permeability (WVP), intrinsic viscosity, solubility in water (SW), moisture absorption (MA), and roughness of the modified starch films increases with longer plasma‐processing time (PPT). Conversely, the contact angle and density of the films decreases. However, there are no significant changes observed in the moisture content and UV–Vis spectrum of the cold plasma‐irradiated starch (CPS) films. The CP treatment has some effects on the mechanical properties of the films, such as elongation at break and tensile energy to break, but the tensile strength remains unaffected by PPT. Additionally, CP has a significant impact on the visual properties of CPS films, with increased lightness and white index with longer PPT. Most of the observed characteristics are attributed to physical changes in the starch structure caused by etching. Overall, CP is considered a green, and easy for modifying starch‐based packaging materials. However, it is not an effective method for reducing the sensitivity of the films to moisture at the applied PPT.
Six‐Membered Aromatic Nitrogen Heterocyclic Anti‐Tumor Agents: Synthesis and Applications
Authors: Li Jiatong , Gu Ao , Nong Xiao‐Mei , Zhai Shuyang , Yue Zhu‐Ying , Li Meng‐Yao , Liu Yingbin
Published: November 2023

Cancer stands as a serious malady, posing substantial risks to human well‐being and survival. This underscores the paramount necessity to explore and investigate novel antitumor medications. Nitrogen‐containing compounds, especially those derived from natural sources, form a highly significant category of antitumor agents. Among these, antitumor agents with six‐membered aromatic nitrogen heterocycles have consistently attracted the attention of chemists and pharmacologists. Accordingly, we present a comprehensive summary of synthetic strategies and clinical implications of these compounds in this review. This entails an in‐depth analysis of synthesis pathways for pyridine, quinoline, pyrimidine, and quinazoline. Additionally, we explore the historical progression, targets, mechanisms of action, and clinical effectiveness of small molecule inhibitors possessing these structural features.
Cisplatin induces acute kidney injury by downregulating miR‐30e‐5p that targets Galnt3 to activate the AMPK signaling pathway
Authors: Mao Weipu , Zhang Lei , Wang Yiduo , Sun Si , Wu Jianping , Sun Jie , Zou Xiangyu , Chen Ming , Zhang Guangyuan
Published: November 2023

Cisplatin nephrotoxicity is an etiological factor for acute kidney injury (AKI). MicroRNA (miRNA) expression is dysregulated in cisplatin‐induced AKI (cAKI) although the underlying mechanisms are unclear. A cAKI model was established by intraperitoneally injecting cisplatin, and key miRNAs were screened using high‐throughput miRNA sequencing. The functions of key miRNAs were determined using the cell viability, live/dead, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU) proliferation assays. Additionally, the macrophage membrane was wrapped around a metal–organic framework (MOF) loaded with miRNA agomir to develop a novel composite material, macrophage/MOF/miRNA agomir nanoparticles (MMA NPs). High‐throughput miRNA sequencing revealed that miR‐30e‐5p is a key miRNA that is downregulated in cAKI. The results of in vitro experiments demonstrated that miR‐30e‐5p overexpression partially suppressed the cisplatin‐induced or lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced downregulation of cell viability, proliferation, upregulation of ROS production, and cell death. Meanwhile, the results of in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that MMA NPs alleviated cAKI by exerting anti‐inflammatory effects. Mechanistically, cisplatin downregulates the expression of miR‐30e‐5p, and the downregulated miR‐30e‐5p can target Galnt3 to activate the adenosine 5‘‐monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, which promotes the progression of AKI. Our study found that miR‐30e‐5p is a key downregulated miRNA in cAKI. The downregulated miR‐30e‐5p promotes AKI progression by targeting Galnt3 to activate the AMPK signaling pathway. The newly developed MMA NPs were found to have protective effects on cAKI, suggesting a potential novel strategy for preventing cAKI.
‘All we found were bones’: Veterinary workers’ distress and trauma after Australia's Black Summer bushfires
Authors: Paul Nicola K. , Cosh Suzanne M. , Lykins Amy D.
Published: November 2023

Background

Australia's 2019/2020 Black Summer bushfires affected billions of animals, many of which were rescued and cared for by veterinary and animal care workers (VACWs). Little is known about VACWs’ disaster‐related experiences and how these experiences may affect them.

Methods

We used a convergent mixed‐methods design to explore how a variety of VACWs experienced the Black Summer bushfires. Data were gathered between April and July 2020. Participants (N = 93) were recruited via Facebook posts and emails that contained a link to an online survey. The survey included open‐ended questions about VACWs’ bushfire‐related experiences and quantitative measures of posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, psychological distress, burnout and grief.

Results

Participants reported a variety of bushfire‐related experiences and described several ways the disaster affected their work, personal lives and communities. Overall, participants scored highly on measures of psychological ill‐health.

Limitations

Our cross‐sectional design and use of non‐probability sampling limited the generalisability of the results and may have introduced a response bias.

Conclusion

Our results contribute new information on the experiences of VACWs during and after bushfires and the psychological hazards they may face due to the extreme and prolonged stressors produced by such disasters. Implications for policy and veterinary practice are discussed.
Diagnosis and treatment of dermatophytic furunculosis in a polar bear (Ursus maritimus)
Authors: Wyatt Eleanor K. , Schmidt Vanessa , Buckley Laura
Published: November 2023

A captive‐bred polar bear was presented for investigation of a non‐healing wound, suspected to be traumatic in nature. Histopathological examination of cutaneous samples, taken while the bear was under general anaesthesia, was compatible with dermatophytic furunculosis. The bear was treated with systemic itraconazole (5 mg/kg once daily) for 3 months, alongside topical 2% miconazole nitrate and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate twice weekly. Environmental decontamination of concrete flooring and metal handling facilities was performed with a detergent to remove organic matter, followed by 1:10 dilution of 5% sodium hypochlorite solution at least twice weekly and between the use of the facilities by different bears. Within 4 months, the ulceration had resolved, and the lesion had reduced to a 10 cm diameter patch of complete alopecia.
Clinical application of a described erector spinae plane block for locoregional anaesthesia technique in a cow undergoing standing laparotomy
Authors: d'Anselme Olivia , Gamsjäger Lisa , Ringer Simone Katja , Hartnack Amanda
Published: November 2023

A 5‐year‐old post‐parturient Holstein Friesian cow, with a history of decreased milk production, decreased appetite and metritis, was referred for left abomasal displacement, which was corrected by right paralumbar omentopexy. After aseptic preparation of the right flank, an erector spinae plane block was performed under ultrasound guidance, using 20 mL of lidocaine 2% per point of injection, at the level of the thoracic vertebra 13, and the lumbar vertebrae 1 and 2 to provide flank anaesthesia. The cow reacted to the last 2 cm of the oblique skin incision, that corresponded to the most caudal portion of the flank. After local infiltration of the distal incision with 20 mL lidocaine 2%, the procedure was uneventful, with no anaesthesia‐related complications and no reactions to surgical stimulation. The present report describes the clinical application of the erector spinae plane block to provide flank anaesthesia in a cow undergoing standing laparotomy.
Feasibility of electrodeionization for phosphate removal
Authors: Emir Goncagül , Engindeniz Direncan , Arar Özgür
Published: November 2023

In this study, electrodeionization (EDI) in bath mode was tested regarding its capability to remove phosphate (PO43−) ions from aqueous solutions. Various parameters affecting the phosphate removal rate via EDI were determined. The results showed that the phosphate removal rate depends on the applied voltage and that the optimum potential was 15 V, corresponding to a phosphate removal rate of 97%. Changing the stream rate of the phosphate‐containing solution also affected the phosphate removal rate. Changing the pH of the phosphate‐containing solution from 2 to 6 enhanced the phosphate removal rate from 80% to 97%. The presence of Cl−, NO3−, and SO42− ions did not affect the phosphate removal rate. The highest mass transfer coefficient (k) of phosphate was calculated to be 7.85 × 10−4 m/s, and the flux was calculated to be 3.72 × 10−4 mol/m2 s1 at a flow velocity of 3 L/h. Thus, the study results showed the feasibility of EDI as an alternative membrane process for removing phosphate from aqueous solutions.

Practitioner Points

Electrodeionization was employed for the removal of phosphate.

The removal of phosphate exhibited dependence on applied potential.

EDI demonstrated a remarkable 97% efficiency in phosphate removal.

The pH of the solution was found to influence the removal rate.
The Social Focus Framework: Antiracist and Anticolonial Conscientization, Consequence, and Presencing in Science Education
Authors: Sanchez Anastasia
Published: November 2023

We are well past the point of accepting the rebranding or rearranging of science education with neutral standards and instructional practices that support and maintain goals of epistemic and human domination. These approaches within the colonial machinery of schooling that busy us up, feeling like action is being taken, merely mimic the rearranging of chairs on a sinking ship. As science educators committed to critical response-ability and radical care, the classroom can and should be a place of (un)learning, unraveling, and undermining logics of white supremacy and coloniality, while collectively grappling with consequential entanglements of science which threaten the lifeways and livingness of human and ecological kinfolx. To do so requires new ways to critically see, sense, and make seen, what is invisible from science teaching and learning visible to move toward pathways of antiracist and anticolonial “regenerative present futures.” Given this understanding and call for transformation, I offer up a pedagogical framework called the Social Focus, which provides the three relational and multidimensional learning principles of critical liberatory presencing, consequential concern, and critical consciousness to be elevated as new standard(s) and practice within and throughout all science and engineering learning.
Electroweak corrections to g + g → Hl,h and Hl,h → γ + γ in the Higgs-singlet extension of the Standard model
Authors: Sturm Christian , Summ Benjamin , Uccirati Sandro
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We calculate the next-to-leading order electroweak corrections for Higgs-boson production in gluon fusion and the Higgs-boson decay into two photons or gluons in the real Higgs-singlet extension of the Standard model (HSESM). For the light Higgs-boson of the HSESM the electroweak corrections for these processes are of the same order of magnitude as in the Standard model. For the heavy Higgs-boson of the HSESM the electroweak corrections can become large depending on the considered scenario.
Entanglement entropy from form factors in $$ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} $$-deformed integrable quantum field theories
Authors: Castro-Alvaredo Olalla A. , Negro Stefano , Sailis Fabio
Published: November 2023

Abstract

In two recent papers [1, 2] we have proposed a program of study which allows us to compute the correlation functions of local and semi-local fields in generalised $$ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} $$
T

T
¯

-deformed integrable quantum field theories. This new program, based on the construction of form factors, opens many avenues for future study, one of which we address in this paper: computing entanglement measures employing branch point twist fields. Indeed, over the past 15 years, this has become one the leading methods for the computation of entanglement measures, both in conformal field theory and integrable quantum field theory. Thus the generalisation of this program to $$ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} $$
T

T
¯

-perturbed theories offers a promising new tool for the study of entanglement measures in the presence of irrelevant perturbations. In this paper, we show that the natural two-particle form factor solution for branch point twist fields in replica theories with diagonal scattering admits a simple generalisation to a solution for $$ \textrm{T}\overline{\textrm{T}} $$
T

T
¯

-perturbed theories. Starting with this solution, some of the known properties of entanglement measures in massive integrable quantum field theories can be generalised to the perturbed models. We show this by focusing on the Ising field theory. During the completion of this paper, we became aware of the recent publication [3] where the same problem has been addressed.
Hilbert series for ALP EFTs
Authors: Grojean Christophe , Kley Jonathan , Yao Chang-Yuan
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Axions and axion-like particles (ALPs) are ubiquitous in popular attempts to solve supercalifragilisticexpialidocious puzzles of Nature. A widespread and vivid experimental programme spanning a vast range of mass scales and decades of couplings strives to find evidence for these elusive but theoretically well-motivated particles. In the absence of clear guiding principle, effective field theories (EFTs) prove to be an efficient tool in this experimental quest. Hilbert series technologies are a privileged instrument of the EFT toolbox to enumerate and classify operators. In this work, we compute explicitly the Hilbert series capturing the interactions of a generic ALP to the Standard Model particles above and below the electroweak symmetry scale, which allow us to build bases of operators up to dimension 8. In particular, we revealed a remarkable structure of the Hilbert series that isolates the shift-symmetry breaking and preserving interactions. In addition, with the Hilbert series method, we enumerate the sources of CP violation in terms of CP-even, CP-odd and CP-violating operators. Furthermore, we provide an supplementary file of the Hilbert series up to dimension 15 to supplement our findings, which can be used for further analysis and exploration.
Renormalisation group flows of deformed SYK models
Authors: Anninos Dionysios , Galante Damián A. , Sheorey Sameer U.
Published: November 2023

Abstract

We explore computationally tractable deformations of the SYK model. The deformed theories are described by the sum of two SYK Hamiltonians with differing numbers, q and $$ \overset{\sim }{q} $$

q
~

, of interacting fermions. In the large N limit, employing analytic and numerical tools, we compute finite temperature correlation functions and thermodynamic quantities. We identify a novel analytically solvable model in the large q limit. We find that, under certain circumstances, the thermal RG flow in the strongly coupled infrared phase exhibits two regions of linear-in-temperature entropy, which we interpret in terms of Schwarzian actions. Using conformal perturbation theory we compute the leading relevant correction away from the intermediate near-conformal fixed point. Holographic spacetimes in two spacetime dimensions that reproduce the thermodynamics of the microphysical theory are discussed. These are flow geometries that interpolate between two Euclidean near-AdS2 spacetimes with different radii. The Schwarzian soft mode corresponding to the AdS2 region in the deep interior resides entirely within the geometric regime.
Effect of labour costs on wood harvesting costs and timber provision
Authors: Bont Leo G. , Schweier Janine , Temperli Christian
Published: November 2023

Efficient forest operations are essential for forest enterprises, who provide wood and numerous ecosystem services for the society. Important factors influencing the efficiency of forest operations, and thus the harvesting costs, are the level of mechanization, the harvesting method applied, the forest road network, and the training of the labourers. The cost of labour, i.e. salaries, is another important driver of harvesting costs. However, its effect on and relative importance for overall harvesting costs is poorly described in the scientific literature. Thus, this study aims to analyse the influence of labour costs in more detail, especially on the country-wide wood harvesting potentials. In addition, we aimed to cross-compare the effect of labour costs with the effect of switching to a more efficient harvesting method. For this purpose, we calculated timber harvesting costs with varying salaries for all sample plots of the Swiss National Forest Inventory (NFI) for both, the currently applied harvesting method recorded in the NFI, and the potential best suitable harvesting method. A 1% change in labour costs affects harvesting costs by 0.33–0.77%, depending on the harvesting method applied. The influence is larger for systems that involve a large share of motor-manual work and for cable-based methods. Changing labour costs by ± 30% affects the number of plots for which timber harvesting is economically feasible, by 5 to 15 percent points. The effect of switching from the current to the best suitable harvesting method is comparable to that of reducing labour costs by 15–30%. These results indicate that the efficiency of wood harvesting can be increased with further mechanization and does not require cutting salaries of forestry personnel. In that, our results may inform forestry planning and policy making at regional to national level.
Optimization of rainfall thresholds for landslide early warning through false alarm reduction and a multi-source validation
Authors: Nocentini Nicola , Medici Camilla , Barbadori Francesco , Gatto Alessio , Franceschini Rachele , del Soldato Matteo , Rosi Ascanio , Segoni Samuele
Published: November 2023

This study proposes an innovative approach to develop a regional-scale landslide forecasting model based on rainfall thresholds optimized for operational early warning. In particular, it addresses two main issues that usually hinder the operational implementation of this kind of models: (i) the excessive number of false alarms, resulting in civil protection system activation without any real need, and (ii) the validation procedure, usually performed over periods too short to guarantee model reliability. To overcome these limitations, several techniques for reducing the number of false alarms were applied in this study, and a multiple validation phase was conducted using data from different sources. An intensity-duration threshold system for each of the five alert zones composing the Liguria region (Italy) was identified using a semiautomatic procedure called MaCumBA, considering three levels of criticality: low, moderate, and high. The thresholds were developed using a landslide inventory collected from online newspapers by a data mining technique called SECaGN. This method was chosen to account for only those events that echo on the Internet and therefore impact society, ignoring landslides occurred in remote areas, not of interest for civil protection intervention, which would adversely affect the model performance because they would result in false alarms. A calibration phase was performed to minimize the impact of false alarms, allowing at least one false alarm per year over the moderate criticality level. In addition, an innovative approach to include antecedent rainfall as the third dimension of the intensity-duration thresholds was applied, generating a consistent reduction in false alarms. The results were validated through an independent landslide inventory and were compared with (i) the alert issued by the regional civil protection agency to observe the improvements achieved with the proposed model and to evaluate to what extent the proposed model is consistent with the assessments of the civil protection and (ii) a dataset of the national states of emergency to verify the suitability of the developed thresholds for alerting citizens. The thresholds obtained showed high predictive capabilities, confirming their suitability for implementation in an operational landslide early warning system.
Basin boundary seismic effects in Mexico City southern region
Authors: Mayoral Juan Manuel , Pérez Mauricio
Published: November 2023

Rapid changes in geotechnical and geological ground conditions lead to significant ground motion variability. This condition mainly occurs at the so-called basin edges, where there is an abrupt transition between soft highly compressible soils and stiffer materials. This problem becomes more relevant in areas where ground subsidence drastically changes the dynamic response of high plasticity clay deposits, such as those found in Mexico City, due to fundamental site period evolution with time. This paper presents site response analyses at an abrupt transition area in the southeast Mexico City region, along the edges of the Xochimilco-Chalco lakes. Considerable damage associated with three-dimensional wave propagation effects was observed in this zone during the September 2017 Puebla-Mexico earthquake. A series of three-dimensional finite difference numerical models of the basin edge were developed to evaluate ground motion variability, considering topographic effects and soil non-linearities. Good agreement between the computed response and the observed damage during the 2017 Puebla-Mexico earthquake reconnaissance was found. In addition, several normal and subduction events with a return period of 250 years were considered to evaluate the effect that frequency content, and strong ground motion duration have on the soil response variability. From the results gathered here, it was established the relevance of accounting for three-dimensional wave propagation fields to assess site effects at basin-edge zones properly and to be able to implement proper risk mitigation measurements at these zones.
Defaults and effortful tasks
Authors: Behlen Lars , Himmler Oliver , Jäckle Robert
Published: November 2023

Nothing is known about the effectiveness of defaults when moving the target outcomes requires substantial effort. We conduct two field experiments to investigate how defaults fare in such situations: we change the university exam sign-up procedure in two study programs to “opt-out” (a) for a single exam, and (b) for many exams. Both interventions increase task uptake (exam sign-up). Concerning the outcomes which require effort, we find no effects for many exams. For a single exam, the opt-out increases task completion (exam participation) in the study program where the default arguably entails stronger endorsement. Within this program, the effects on successful task completion (exam passing) are heterogeneous: treated students who in the past were willing to communicate with the university (responsive individuals) invest more effort into exam preparation and are more likely to pass the exam than their control counterparts.For non-responsive individuals, we find increased sign-ups but no effects on the target outcomes. Defaults can thus be effective and may be an attractive policy option even when the target outcome requires substantial effort provision. It is, however crucial that the interventions target the appropriate individuals.
Combining machine learning and optimization for the operational patient-bed assignment problem
Authors: Schäfer Fabian , Walther Manuel , Grimm Dominik G. , Hübner Alexander
Published: November 2023

Assigning inpatients to hospital beds impacts patient satisfaction and the workload of nurses and doctors. The assignment is subject to unknown inpatient arrivals, in particular for emergency patients. Hospitals, therefore, need to deal with uncertainty on actual bed requirements and potential shortage situations as bed capacities are limited. This paper develops a model and solution approach for solving the patient bed-assignment problem that is based on a machine learning (ML) approach to forecasting emergency patients. First, it contributes by improving the anticipation of emergency patients using ML approaches, incorporating weather data, time and dates, important local and regional events, as well as current and historical occupancy levels. Drawing on real-life data from a large case hospital, we were able to improve forecasting accuracy for emergency inpatient arrivals. We achieved up to 17% better root mean square error (RMSE) when using ML methods compared to a baseline approach relying on averages for historical arrival rates. We further show that the ML methods outperform time series forecasts. Second, we develop a new hyper-heuristic for solving real-life problem instances based on the pilot method and a specialized greedy look-ahead (GLA) heuristic. When applying the hyper-heuristic in test sets we were able to increase the objective function by up to 5.3% in comparison to the benchmark approach in [40]. A benchmark with a Genetic Algorithm shows also the superiority of the hyper-heuristic. Third, the combination of ML for emergency patient admission forecasting with advanced optimization through the hyper-heuristic allowed us to obtain an improvement of up to 3.3% on a real-life problem.
Transdisciplinary Learning Opportunities: Exploring Differences in Complex Thinking Skill Development Between STEM and Non-STEM Majors
Authors: Amelink Catherine T. , Grote Dustin M. , Norris Matthew B. , Grohs Jacob R.
Published: November 2023

As higher education institutions look to educate and graduate degree earners that have the skills and knowledge necessary to design, communicate, and collaborate in ways that allow for innovative solutions to complex socio-technical challenges, new approaches to educational efforts are being considered and implemented. Institutional responses have included new courses that have a transdisciplinary focus and embedded course experiences that use problem-based approaches coupled with cross-disciplinary team exposure. Often these initiatives have a singular thematic focus (i.e., sustainability). Little is known about the efficacy of transdisciplinary learning initiatives, especially those that encompass a breadth of thematic areas, as it relates to development of complex thinking skills and whether these learning environments provide for similar benefits across student majors. This study, conducted at a Research I university, was designed to address this gap in the literature by examining whether a university level learning initiative using transdisciplinary approaches was achieving desired goals to advance undergraduate students’ complex thinking skills. Findings among the respondents (n = 592) indicate that the initiative is advancing fundamental complex thinking skills in that specific courses allow students to learn about other disciplines and provide exposure to different disciplinary perspectives. However, results reveal that across all majors courses would benefit from increased real-world problem-based exposure and opportunities to interact with community stakeholders. Additionally, results suggest that undergraduates may need opportunities to develop a deeper understanding of the complexities that exist in cross-disciplinary collaboration, including how to develop integrated solutions that leverage the strengths of technical and non-technical approaches.
Design and Implementation of an IIoT Driven Information System: A Case Study
Authors: Gupta Shivam , Modgil Sachin , Bhushan Bharat , Sivarajah Uthayasankar , Banerjee Santanu
Published: November 2023

Information systems are critical for companies since they offer quick and easy access to complex and significant data in a structured manner to make informed and effective business decisions. Hence, the objective of this study is to conceptualize and implement an innovative information system in the case study organization. The study identified the requirements for Organizing Vision Theory (OVT) and developed architecture based on Organizational Information Processing Theory (OIPT). This architecture is designed and developed using the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) to support a self-organizing vision and enhanced information processing. The study’s contribution lies in developing and executing an integrative architecture of IIoT-driven information systems from the lenses of OVT and OIPT. Further, this study contributes by mapping OVT elements (such as transparency, continuity, and coherence) and OIPT elements (information processing needs and capabilities) to drive value and knowledge through a robust architecture of IIoT-driven information systems. The study also highlights the contribution of IIoT-based information systems to a new knowledge system, facilitating better decision-making by professionals.
Determinants of physical activity during cancer treatment: a longitudinal exploration of psycho-cognitive variables and physician counseling
Authors: Haussmann Alexander , Ungar Nadine , Tsiouris Angeliki , Schmidt Laura I. , Müller Jana , von Hardenberg Jost , Wiskemann Joachim , Steindorf Karen , Sieverding Monika
Published: November 2023

Individuals with cancer are recommended to engage in regular physical activity (PA) even during cancer therapy. The aim of this study was to explore how patient-reported physician PA counseling influences their PA intention and behavior in addition to psycho-cognitive determinants derived from the theory of planned behavior (TPB). A longitudinal study during cancer treatment was conducted among N = 115 patients with breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer (Mage = 58.0, SD = 11.5; 55.7% female). The median time since diagnosis was 2 months, and 19.1% were diagnosed with metastases. Participants provided information on PA counseling by their physicians and on psycho-cognitive variables of the TPB at three measurement points. Additionally, they wore accelerometers for seven days at baseline and three months later. Nearly half of participants (48%) reported basic PA counseling and 30% reported in-depth PA counseling. Patients in poorer health and with lower education reported significantly less in-depth counseling. In addition to patient self-efficacy in performing PA, only in-depth physician PA counseling, but not basic physician counseling, predicted intention for PA four weeks later. Patients’ PA three months after baseline was predicted by patients’ PA at baseline and their intention for PA. Overall, the PA level at baseline was identified as the most important predictor of PA three months later. Nevertheless, physicians seem to have the ability to increase their cancer patients' intention for PA by in-depth counseling.
Mathematical Modality: An Investigation in Higher-order Logic
Authors: Bacon Andrew
Published: November 2023

An increasing amount of contemporary philosophy of mathematics posits, and theorizes in terms of special kinds of mathematical modality. The goal of this paper is to bring recent work on higher-order metaphysics to bear on the investigation of these modalities. The main focus of the paper will be views that posit mathematical contingency or indeterminacy about statements that concern the ‘width’ of the set theoretic universe, such as Cantor’s continuum hypothesis. Within a higher-order framework I show that contingency about the width of the set-theoretic universe refutes two orthodoxies concerning the structure of modal reality: the view that the broadest necessity has a logic of , and the ‘Leibniz biconditionals’ stating that what is possible, in the broadest sense of possible, is what is true in some possible world. Nonetheless, I suggest that the underlying picture of modal set-theory is coherent and has attractions.
The pricing strategies of online grocery retailers
Authors: Aparicio Diego , Metzman Zachary , Rigobon Roberto
Published: November 2023

This paper documents the differences in pricing strategies between online and offline (brick-and-mortar) channels. We collect price data for identical products from leading online grocery retailers in the United States and complement it with offline data for the same products from scanner data. Our findings reveal a consistent pattern: online retailers exhibit higher price dispersion than their offline counterparts. More specifically, online grocers employ price algorithms that amplify price discrimination in three key dimensions: (1) over time (through frequent price changes), (2) across locations (by charging varying prices based on delivery zipcodes), and (3) across sellers (by setting dispersed prices for identical products across rival retailers).
The sound of respondents: predicting respondents’ level of interest in questions with voice data in smartphone surveys
Authors: Höhne Jan Karem , Kern Christoph , Gavras Konstantin , Schlosser Stephan
Published: November 2023

Web surveys completed on smartphones open novel ways for measuring respondents’ attitudes, behaviors, and beliefs that are crucial for social science research and many adjacent research fields. In this study, we make use of the built-in microphones of smartphones to record voice answers in a smartphone survey and extract non-verbal cues, such as amplitudes and pitches, from the collected voice data. This allows us to predict respondents’ level of interest (i.e., disinterest, neutral, and high interest) based on their voice answers, which expands the opportunities for researching respondents’ engagement and answer behavior. We conducted a smartphone survey in a German online access panel and asked respondents four open-ended questions on political parties with requests for voice answers. In addition, we measured respondents’ self-reported survey interest using a closed-ended question with an end-labeled, seven-point rating scale. The results show a non-linear association between respondents’ predicted level of interest and answer length. Respondents with a predicted medium level of interest provide longer answers in terms of number of words and response times. However, respondents’ predicted level of interest and their self-reported interest are weakly associated. Finally, we argue that voice answers contain rich meta-information about respondents’ affective states, which are yet to be utilized in survey research.
Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) Revisited: In-Flight Calibrations, Lessons Learned and Scientific Advances
Authors: Gkioulidou Matina , Mitchell Donald G. , Manweiler Jerry W. , Lanzerotti Louis J. , Gerrard Andrew J. , Ukhorskiy Aleksandr Y. , Keika Kunihiro , Mouikis Christopher G. , Kistler Lynn M.
Published: November 2023

The Radiation Belt Storm Probes Ion Composition Experiment (RBSPICE) on both the Van Allen Probes spacecraft is a time-of-flight versus total energy instrument that provided ion composition data over the ring current energy (∼7 keV to ∼1 MeV), and electrons over the energy range ∼25 keV to ∼1 MeV throughout the duration of the mission (2012 – 2019). In this paper we present instrument calibrations, implemented after the Van Allen Probes mission was launched. In particular, we discuss updated rate dependent corrections, possible contamination by “accidentals” rates, and caveats concerning the use of certain products. We also provide a summary of the major advances in ring current science, obtained from RBSPICE observations, and their implications for the future of inner magnetosphere exploration.
Sharp Instability Estimates for Bidisperse Convection with Local Thermal Non-equilibrium
Authors: Franchi Franca , Nibbi Roberta , Straughan Brian
Published: November 2023

We analyse a theory for thermal convection in a Darcy porous material where the skeletal structure is one with macropores, but also cracks or fissures, giving rise to a series of micropores. This is thus thermal convection in a bidisperse, or double porosity, porous body. The theory allows for non-equilibrium thermal conditions in that the temperature of the solid skeleton is allowed to be different from that of the fluid in the macro- or micropores. The model does, however, allow for independent velocities and pressures of the fluid in the macro- and micropores. The threshold for linear instability is shown to be the same as that for global nonlinear stability. This is a key result because it shows that one may employ linearized theory to ensure that the key physics of the thermal convection problem has been captured. It is important to realize that this has not been shown for other theories of bidisperse media where the temperatures in the macro- and micropores may be different. An analytical expression is obtained for the critical Rayleigh number and numerical results are presented employing realistic parameters for the physical values which arise.

Article Highlights

A two-temperature regime for a bidisperse Darcy porous medium is proposed to study the thermal convection problem.

The optimal result of coincidence between the linear instability and nonlinear stability critical thresholds is proven.

Numerical analysis enhances that the scaled heat transfer coefficient between the fluid and solid and the porosity-weighted conductivity ratio stabilize the problem significantly.
An Analysis of Risk Factors for Hearing Function in Adults Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus in Gauteng, South Africa
Authors: Sebothoma Ben
Published: November 2023

The aim of this study was to explore risk factors for hearing loss or affecting hearing function in adults living with HIV. A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. A non-probability purposive sampling method was used to select and recruit 132 participants aged 18 years and above from an HIV clinic within the Academic Hospital in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Participants’ hearing were tested using, video otoscopy, tympanometry, pure tones, and speech audiometry. Of the 22.73% prevalence of hearing loss in the sample, the multiple logistic regression, controlling for other variables, indicated that age (AOR) = 1.049; 95%CI: 1.0005 to 1.0978) (p-value = 0.048) and extended use of antiretroviral therapy (AOR) = 1.0073; 95%CI: 0.9312 to 1.0896)) (p-value = 0.856) were strongly associated with the development of hearing loss. Although the odds of male participants to have hearing loss was 2.3572 (95%CI: 0.9394 to 5.915) compared to females, this association was marginal (p-value = 0.068). Current findings provide evidence for the risk factors for hearing loss in adults living with HIV. Given that an extended use of ART and a higher number of CD4 are strongly associated with hearing loss, these findings raise important implications for a focused monitoring for this population in order to identify early signs of hearing loss and implement timeous intervention to reduce the potential impact of hearing loss.
Developmental Impairments of Synaptic Refinement in the Thalamus of a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome
Authors: Wu Xiaotong , Liu Yali , Wang Xiaomeng , Zheng Lu , Pan Libiao , Wang Hao
Published: November 2023

While somatosensory over-reactivity is a common feature of autism spectrum disorders such as fragile X syndrome (FXS), the thalamic mechanisms underlying this remain unclear. Here, we found that the developmental elimination of synapses formed between the principal nucleus of V (PrV) and the ventral posterior medial nucleus (VPm) of the somatosensory system was delayed in fragile X mental retardation 1 gene knockout (Fmr1 KO) mice, while the developmental strengthening of these synapses was disrupted. Immunohistochemistry showed excessive VGluT2 puncta in mutants at P12–13, but not at P7–8 or P15–16, confirming a delay in somatic pruning of PrV-VPm synapses. Impaired synaptic function was associated with a reduction in the frequency of quantal AMPA events, as well as developmental deficits in presynaptic vesicle size and density. Our results uncovered the developmental impairment of thalamic relay synapses in Fmr1 KO mice and suggest that a thalamic contribution to the somatosensory over-reactivity in FXS should be considered.
Practical Guide to Measuring Wetland Carbon Pools and Fluxes
Authors: Bansal Sheel , Creed Irena F. , Tangen Brian A. , Bridgham Scott D. , Desai Ankur R. , Krauss Ken W. , Neubauer Scott C. , Noe Gregory B. , Rosenberry Donald O. , Trettin Carl , Wickland Kimberly P. , Allen Scott T. , Arias-Ortiz Ariane , Armitage Anna R. , Baldocchi Dennis , Banerjee Kakoli , Bastviken David , Berg Peter , Bogard Matthew J. , Chow Alex T. , Conner William H. , Craft Christopher , Creamer Courtney , DelSontro Tonya , Duberstein Jamie A. , Eagle Meagan , Fennessy M. Siobhan , Finkelstein Sarah A. , Göckede Mathias , Grunwald Sabine , Halabisky Meghan , Herbert Ellen , Jahangir Mohammad M. R. , Johnson Olivia F. , Jones Miriam C. , Kelleway Jeffrey J. , Knox Sara , Kroeger Kevin D. , Kuehn Kevin A. , Lobb David , Loder Amanda L. , Ma Shizhou , Maher Damien T. , McNicol Gavin , Meier Jacob , Middleton Beth A. , Mills Christopher , Mistry Purbasha , Mitra Abhijit , Mobilian Courtney , Nahlik Amanda M. , Newman Sue , O’Connell Jessica L. , Oikawa Patty , van der Burg Max Post , Schutte Charles A. , Song Changchun , Stagg Camille L. , Turner Jessica , Vargas Rodrigo , Waldrop Mark P. , Wallin Marcus B. , Wang Zhaohui Aleck , Ward Eric J. , Willard Debra A. , Yarwood Stephanie , Zhu Xiaoyan
Published: November 2023

Wetlands cover a small portion of the world, but have disproportionate influence on global carbon (C) sequestration, carbon dioxide and methane emissions, and aquatic C fluxes. However, the underlying biogeochemical processes that affect wetland C pools and fluxes are complex and dynamic, making measurements of wetland C challenging. Over decades of research, many observational, experimental, and analytical approaches have been developed to understand and quantify pools and fluxes of wetland C. Sampling approaches range in their representation of wetland C from short to long timeframes and local to landscape spatial scales. This review summarizes common and cutting-edge methodological approaches for quantifying wetland C pools and fluxes. We first define each of the major C pools and fluxes and provide rationale for their importance to wetland C dynamics. For each approach, we clarify what component of wetland C is measured and its spatial and temporal representativeness and constraints. We describe practical considerations for each approach, such as where and when an approach is typically used, who can conduct the measurements (expertise, training requirements), and how approaches are conducted, including considerations on equipment complexity and costs. Finally, we review key covariates and ancillary measurements that enhance the interpretation of findings and facilitate model development. The protocols that we describe to measure soil, water, vegetation, and gases are also relevant for related disciplines such as ecology. Improved quality and consistency of data collection and reporting across studies will help reduce global uncertainties and develop management strategies to use wetlands as nature-based climate solutions.
Robotics for electric vehicles battery packs disassembly towards sustainable remanufacturing
Authors: Villagrossi Enrico , Dinon Tito
Published: November 2023

The automotive industry is involved in a massive transformation from standard endothermic engines to electric propulsion. The core element of the Electic Vehicle (EV) is the battery pack. Battery pack production misses regulations concerning manufacturing standards and safety-related issues. In such a fragmented scenario, the increasing number of EVs in circulation is growing exponentially, opening new challenges for managing the End-of-Life (EoL) of their battery packs. This paper analyses the use of robotics for EVs’ battery pack disassembly to enable the extraction of the battery modules preserving their integrity for further reuse or recycling. The analysis highlights that a complete automatic disassembly remains difficult, while human-robot collaborative disassembly guarantees high flexibility and productivity. The paper introduces guidelines for designing a robotic cell to disassemble a battery pack with the support of an operator. The design of the workcell evaluates the technological requirements for disassembly, the analysis of potentially explosive atmospheres (ATEX) of the area around the battery pack, and the design and optimisation of robotics tools in the ATEX zone. The work proposes solutions according to the current international standards.
ERT investigation of mud volcanoes: detection of mud fluid migration pathways from 2D and 3D synthetic modelling
Authors: Torrese P.
Published: November 2023

Mud volcanoes are geological structures observed throughout the world that arise from the upwelling of deep fluids along discontinuities in the subsoil. The detection of mud fluid migration pathways can be challenging, even when using Electrical Resistivity Tomography (ERT) as detectability issues may arise from complex geological settings. This paper presents new results from 2D and 3D ERT synthetic modelling for the investigation of the shallow, internal structure of terrestrial mud volcanoes. This study revealed the internal structure of the ‘Cenerone-Pineto’ mud volcano (Central Italy) and provided further clues as to its internal structure. The main results of the study are: the presence of a mud chamber, which represents the last phase of mud accumulation before final emission, not located beneath the crater but laterally offset, as well as the presence of a narrow, shallow feeder channel; these findings represent evidence of a much more complex structure than one would expect. This means that the mud volcano is not supplied with mud fluids directly from below as would be the case with an uprising of deep fluid along a near-vertical open fracture and that the shallow mud fluid reservoir is not correlated to the distribution of any mud volcano observed on the surface. Findings from this study are consistent with the observed structural features already noted in ERT and seismic field data collected at the ‘Cenerone-Pineto’ mud volcano and may be helpful in explaining the mechanisms and processes involved in mud volcanism in similar geological settings.