bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modulating versatile pathways using a cleavable PEG shell and EGFR-targeted nanoparticles to deliver CRISPR-Cas9 and docetaxel for triple-negative breast cancer inhibition
Authors: Lo Yu-Li , Hong Ci-Jheng , Wang Chen-Shen , Yang Ching-Ping
Published: November 2024

Human antigen R (HuR), an RNA-binding protein, is implicated in regulating mRNA stability and translation in cancer, especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly aggressive form. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated HuR knockout (HuR CRISPR) presents a promising genetic therapeutic approach, but it encounters transfection limitations. Docetaxel (DTX), an effective cytotoxic agent against metastatic breast cancer (BC), faces challenges related to vehicle-associated adverse events in DTX formulations. Therefore, we designed multifunctional nanoparticles with pH-sensitive PEG derivatives and targeting peptides to enable efficient HuR CRISPR and DTX delivery to human TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells and tumor-bearing mice. Our findings indicated that these nanoparticles displayed pH-responsive cytotoxicity, precise EGFR targeting, efficient tumor penetration, successful endosomal escape, and accurate nuclear and cytoplasmic localization. They also demonstrated the ability to spare normal cells and prevent hemolysis. Our study concurrently modulated multiple pathways, including EGFR, Wnt/β-catenin, MDR, and EMT, through the regulation of EGFR/PI3K/AKT, HuR/galectin-3/GSK-3β/β-catenin, and P-gp/MRPs/BCRP, as well as YAP1/TGF-β/ZEB1/Slug/MMPs. The combined treatment arrested the cell cycle at the G2 phase and inhibited EMT, effectively impeding tumor progression. Tissue distribution, biochemical assays, and histological staining revealed the enhanced safety profile of pH-responsive PEG- and peptide-modified nanoformulations in TNBC mice. The DTX-embedded and peptide-modified nanoparticles mitigated the side effects of DTX, enhanced cytotoxicity in TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells, and exhibited remarkable antitumor efficacy and safety in TNBC-bearing mice with HuR CRISPR deletion. Collectively, the combination therapy of DTX and CRISPR/Cas9 offers an effective platform for delivering antineoplastic agents and gene-editing systems to combat tumor resistance and progression in TNBC.
Rational development of fingolimod nano-embedded microparticles as nose-to-brain neuroprotective therapy for ischemic stroke
Authors: Zhang Xinyue , Su Guangpu , Shao Zitong , Chan Ho Wan , Li Si , Chow Stephanie , Tsang Chi Kwan , Chow Shing Fung
Published: November 2024

Ischemic stroke is one of the major diseases causing varying degrees of dysfunction and disability worldwide. The current management of ischemic stroke poses significant challenges due to short therapeutic windows and limited efficacy, highlighting the pressing need for novel neuroprotective treatment strategies. Previous studies have shown that fingolimod (FIN) is a promising neuroprotective drug. Here, we report the rational development of FIN nano-embedded nasal powders using full factorial design experiments, aiming to provide rapid neuroprotection after ischemic stroke. Flash nanoprecipitation was employed to produce FIN nanosuspensions with the aid of polyvinylpyrrolidone and cholesterol as stabilizers. The optimized nanosuspension (particle size = 134.0 ± 0.6 nm, PDI = 0.179 ± 0.021, physical stability = 72 ± 0 h, and encapsulation efficiency of FIN = 90.67 ± 0.08%) was subsequently spray-dried into a dry powder, which exhibited excellent redispersibility (RdI = 1.09 ± 0.04) and satisfactory drug deposition in the olfactory region using a customized 3D-printed nasal cast (45.4%) and an Alberta Idealized Nasal Inlet model (8.6%) at 15 L/min. The safety of the optimized FIN nano-embedded dry powder was confirmed in cytotoxicity studies with nasal (RPMI 2650 and Calu-3 cells) and brain related cells (SH-SY5Y and PC 12 cells), while the neuroprotective effects were demonstrated by observed behavioral improvements and reduced cerebral infarct size in a middle cerebral artery occlusion mouse stroke model. The neuroprotective effect was further evidenced by increased expression of anti-apoptotic protein BCL-2 and decreased expression of pro-apoptotic proteins CC3 and BAX in brain peri-infarct tissues. Our findings highlight the potential of nasal delivery of FIN nano-embedded dry powder as a rapid neuroprotective treatment strategy for acute ischemic stroke.

Graphical abstract
Effect of enzymatic chemo-mechanical agents on adhesion of composite resin to dentin of permanent teeth: an in vitro study
Authors: Coelho A. S. , Vilhena L. , Amaro I. , Melo A. , Paula A. , Marto C. M. , Ferreira M. M. , Ramalho A. , Carrilho E.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To evaluate and compare the effect of two enzymatic chemo-mechanical caries removal agents with conventional caries removal using rotatory instruments on the adhesion of composite resin to dentin of permanent teeth.

Methods

The sample comprised 30 permanent molars with caries lesions extending to the dentin, randomly distributed into three groups (n = 10 each): 1—Caries removal with rotary instruments (control group); 2—Caries removal with Papacárie Duo® (F&A Laboratório Farmacêutico, São Paulo, Brazil); 3—Caries removal with Brix 3000™ (Brix S.R.L., Carcarañá, Argentina). After caries removal, the specimens were rinsed and dried. Scotchbond Universal™ adhesive (3 M, Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA) was actively applied in self-etch mode and light-cured. Resin composite increments were applied using a silicone mold (3 × 3 × 2 mm) and light-cured. Shear bond strength (MPa), work-to-debonding (J/m2), and shear modulus (kPa) were evaluated. For statistical analysis, the level of significance was set at 5%.

Results

The control group presented significantly higher shear bond strength values (8.50 ± 2.69 MPa) compared to the Brix 3000™ group (5.72 ± 1.55 MPa, p = 0.008). There were no significant differences between Papacárie Duo® (6.66 ± 0.86 MPa) and the other groups (p > 0.05). Regarding work-to-debonding, the Papacárie Duo® group had a significantly higher result (2944.41 ± 450.21 J/m2) than the Brix 3000™ group (1189.41 ± 504.13 J/m2, p < 0.001) and the control group (967.10 ± 270.01 J/m2, p < 0.001). Concerning shear modulus, the control group showed a significantly higher result (558.67 ± 168.96 kPa) than the Brix 3000™ group (339.79 ± 143.78 kPa, p = 0.008) and the Papacárie Duo® group (223.04 ± 127.30 kPa, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

While the application of Papacárie Duo® did not negatively affect composite resin adhesion to dentin of permanent teeth, the application of Brix 3000™ reduced adhesive forces, potentially limiting its clinical use. Further investigations are warranted to elucidate the effects of these materials on dentin substrate, particularly through clinical studies.
On the virtually cyclic dimension of normally poly-free groups
Authors: Jiménez Rolland Rita , León Álvarez Porfirio L.
Published: November 2024

In this note we give an upper bound for the virtually cyclic dimension of any normally poly-free group in terms of its length. In particular, this implies that virtually even Artin groups of FC-type admit a finite-dimensional model for the classifying space with respect to the family of virtually cyclic subgroups.
Mechanism and prevention of coal bursts in gob-side roadway floor under thick and hard roof in the deep mining area of Ordos
Authors: Zhou Jinlong , Pan Junfeng , Xia Yongxue , Du Taotao , Liu Wengang , Zhang Chenyang
Published: November 2024

The complex stress environment in deep roadways, often exacerbated by thick and hard strata, frequently precipitates coal bursts, posing significant safety hazards. This paper investigates the mechanisms and preventive methods for coal bursts in the gob-side roadway floor (GSRF) under thick and hard roof in the Ordos region, China. First, the stress-distributing characters of GSRF were analyzed then a stress calculation formula was derived. A mechanical model was developed to determine the critical stress for buckling failure of the roadway floor strata. Criteria for the bursting instability of GSRF were then established. The lateral static load from the adjacent gob, the advancing static load from the working face, and the disturbance load from overlying thick and hard roof fractures combine to transmit high loads and energy to the roadway floor via the “roof → rib → floor” pathway, causing increased stress concentration and energy accumulation. When the conditions satisfy the criteria for bursting instability, coal bursts can occur on the roadway floor. To mitigate dynamic load disturbances, the paper proposes roof regional fracturing and abrasive water jet axial roof cutting. Hydraulic reaming of gutters in the roadway ribs and deep hole blasting at the roadway bottom corners are offered to alleviate the static loads on the surrounding rock. The implementation of targeted prevention measures for dynamic and static loads effectively reduces coal bursts in GSRF. These findings offer an example of preventing and controlling coal bursts in other mines of the Ordos region with comparable geological conditions.
The ‘Good Farmer’ concept and the diffusion of innovations in rural Africa
Authors: Pronti A. , Mancinelli S. , Mazzanti M. , Crudeli L.
Published: November 2024

Endogenous agricultural development is needed to improve food productivity and address the socioeconomic and environmental challenges facing Africa in the near future. Considering the failure of past top-down development policies, the integral development of Africa’s agricultural sector, requires tailoring technological and technical improvements to the local rural realities while respecting their cultural identities and social norms. This paper focuses on the “Good Farmer” concept in a framework of symbolic interactionism, social capital production and shared identity. The study analyzes how the “Good Farmer” concept is perceived in rural Africa through textual analysis of a 2019 survey conducted in Mozambique. The results are compared with the definition of the “Good Farmer” in Western Countries from a Structured Literature Review. The analysis reveals that there is a key difference in Western and rural African conceptions of what is considered being a “Good Farmer”. In rural Africa, there is strong emphasis on community aspects and knowledge transfer, which can be of great importance in influencing the diffusion of innovation processes for its rural development.
Microinverter Power System to Feed Grid-Isolated AC Loads Using Fuel Cells
Authors: Ramos-Paja Carlos Andrés , Villegas-Ceballos Juan Pablo , Saavedra-Montes Andrés Julián
Published: November 2024

Microgrids based on fuel cells are used to produce energy due to their zero emissions, stand-alone operation, and compact size that facilitates mobility; making research in fuel cell applications essential to support their widespread adoption. This paper proposes two main contributions: the adaptation of a TMDSSOLARUINVKIT microinverter for integration into a microgrid powered by a fuel cell, and the design and implementation of adaptive controllers. The controllers ensure the proper operation of the microgrid and avoid the fuel cell starvation. The microgrid comprises a fuel cell emulator, a TMDSSOLARUINVKIT microinverter, and AC linear and nonlinear loads. The research methodology follows three steps. First, a hardware-in-the-loop approach is proposed to emulate the fuel cell using a real-time target machine and a power interface, utilizing a model derived from the fuel cell manufacturer’s specifications. Then, a detailed model of a flyback converter is obtained to design and implement a control system, consisting of two adaptive controllers, one for regulating the current of the fuel cell and another for controlling the DC-link voltage. The current controller adapts a proportional gain to ensure a desired cut-off frequency and the DC-link voltage controller adapts a proportional and integral gains due changes in the duty cycle, ensuring the proper operation in any operating condition. Finally, the functionality of the microgrid based on a fuel cell is validated through four experiments. The results confirm the effective operation of the controllers ensuring the safe operation of the fuel cell. One experiment is designed to demonstrate the capability of the proposed solution to meet the requirements of rural areas in Colombia.
Synthesis of Novel Graphene Oxide-chitosan-silicon Dioxide Nanocomposite Embedded in Polysulfone Membrane for Oily Water Treatment
Authors: Yasir Ahmed T. , Alshaibi Nadeen , Ndame Nchwa , Youssef Hind Ben , Ba-Abbad Muneer M. , Benamor Abdelbaki
Published: November 2024

Oil and gas exploration activities result in generation of large quantities of produced water. Globally, for each barrel of oil, three barrels of produced water is generated. The oil content in produced water can vary between 3 and 20% depending on the location and age of the hydrocarbon well. Due to their hydrophobic nature, conventional hydrophobic polymeric membranes struggle to effectively separate oil from produced water. In this work, an innovative strategy is suggested by employing a hydrophilic/super-oleophobic nanocomposite to develop novel polymeric membranes able to effectively separate oil content from produced water without negatively affecting the other membrane properties such as the total flux and fouling. Graphene oxide-chitosan-silicone oxide (GO-CH-SiO2) nanocomposite was synthesized by functionalizing graphene oxide (GO) with chitosan (CH) and silicon dioxide (SiO2). To improve the membrane flux, anti-fouling propensity, and oil rejection, the synthesized nanocomposites were doped in the polysulfone membranes matrix. The effect of GO-CH-SiO2 concentration, GO:CH ratio, and GO-CH:SiO2 ratio on the performances of developed membranes was experimentally assessed, and morphology of the synthesized membrane was investigated using appropriate characterization techniques. The experimental results showed that the membrane with GO:CH of 1:2 and GO-CH: SiO2 ratio of 1:6.5 showed the highest pure water permeation flux of 28.35 LMH/bar with a comparable flux recovery rate of 76% and oil rejection efficiency of 98.5%. The study’s findings underscore the potential of GO-CH-SiO2 nanocomposite membranes for oil–water separation research, presenting a promising solution for treating produced water in the oil and gas industry. Further research is needed to scale up this technology and improve membrane performance by optimizing the nanocomposite composition and conducting long-term performance tests.
Exploring effects of supplementary cementitious materials on setting time, strength, and microscale properties of mortar
Authors: Romero Lenin Miguel Bendezu , Bahrami Alireza , Awoyera Paul O. , Fadire Oluwapamilerin , Velarde Alan Yordan Valdivieso , Mydin Md Azree Othuman , Arunachalam Krishna Prakash
Published: November 2024

The concept of sustainability has become a crucial concern for safeguarding the planet. The current research has focused on developing affordable and eco-friendly mortar by using industrial wastes. This study explores the use of fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), byproducts of steelmaking and coal burning, in mortar production. It examines their impacts on the compressive strength and setting times, when utilizing varying proportions of the materials. The study also evaluates water requirements for the workability, thus demonstrating the sustainability of these waste products in construction. The cementitious materials were employed in finely ground form and were replaced with further tertiary mixes including both supplements at 10%, 30%, and 50% of each. The mixtures were allowed to cure for 7, 14, and 28 days by immersion in water. The results showed improvements in the compressive strength of mortar samples incorporating FA and GGBFS at various curing ages. However, the water requirement and workability of mortar samples were altered as a result of utilizing these supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). These findings will serve as a standard for environmentally responsible mortar using GGBFS and/or FA as SCMs.
Navigating the future of healthcare with innovations and challenges in implantable battery technology for biomedical devices
Authors: Krishnamoorthy Umapathi , Lakshmipathy Priya , Ramya Manohar , Fayek Hady H.
Published: November 2024

Human Machine Interfaces and biomedical prosthetics are advancing rapidly, merging human and machine capabilities. These innovations offer tremendous benefits, but the effectiveness of implantable medical devices (IMDs) hinges on the reliability of their batteries. This article explores the various battery technologies used to power IMDs. The review focuses on the unique characteristics, identifies current challenges and future opportunities in the design and enhancement of batteries for IMDs. The review delves into different battery technologies, emphasizing advancements in electrode materials, biocompatible electrolytes, innovative power delivery systems, and novel energy harvesting techniques. It explores the potential of incorporating new nanomaterials, wireless charging solutions, and bio-energy harvesting methods in battery design. Furthermore, the review discusses recent progress in AI-powered implantable battery health monitoring. The study identifies key challenges in existing battery technologies, such as issues with energy density, cycling stability, and longevity, and points out possible enhancements facilitated by introducing advanced materials and cutting-edge technologies. The review also highlights the promise of AI techniques in improving the health monitoring of implantable batteries. The review highlights the critical need to address the stringent requirements of implantable battery design to drive the advancement of healthcare technologies. By adopting novel materials, innovative charging, and energy harvesting methods, along with AI-driven health monitoring, substantial improvements in implantable battery performance can be achieved, thereby enhancing the reliability and effectiveness of biomedical prosthetics and implantable devices.

Graphical abstract
A multi-period capacitated facility location problem with maximum travel time and backup service for locating and sizing EMS stations
Authors: Zhang Guangli , Ma Rui , Kong Yunfeng , Lian Chenchen , Guo Hao , Zhai Shiyan
Published: November 2024

Emergency medical services (EMS) is a system that provides emergency medical care for incidents involving serious illness or injury. The location of EMS stations plays an essential role in delivering effective and efficient medical services. Numerous location models have been developed for locating and sizing EMS stations. However, it remains challenging to satisfy all EMS planning criteria within a single location model. In this study, a multi-period capacitated facility location problem with maximum travel time and backup service (EMSLSP) is proposed for locating and sizing EMS stations. The most important criteria for EMS planning are taken into account in EMSLSP: the demand changes due to population mobility, the maximum service capacity of an ambulance, the maximum number of ambulances at each EMS station, the maximum travel time from each EMS station to the locations it serves, the full coverage of dynamic demand, the minimum percent of population covered by EMS service in a specific travel time, and a backup station for each demand location in case of need. A case study in Zhengzhou, a large city in China, demonstrates that effective and efficient locations and sizes of EMS stations can be determined by solving the EMSLSP with various planning parameters. Compared with the existing EMS systems, the average ambulance travel time and the percentage of the population served are significantly improved. Simulations of ambulance scheduling confirm that the relocated and resized EMS stations perform better than those in the existing system. The evaluation-optimization-simulation method outlined in this paper provides a comprehensive and effective approach for EMS station planning.
Balancing power and prosperity: China’s geo-economic engagement with the Gulf Cooperation Council
Authors: Al Shidhani Roa , Baig Saranjam
Published: November 2024

Since the 1990s, China’s engagement beyond its geographical periphery, especially with Asian regions, has grown exceptionally, which is best evident in the Gulf sub-region and Western Asian nations. Indeed, energy-based interactions were the first to be established with Gulf Arab countries, and today, more than two decades after the Cold War, such relationships have evolved into tighter partnerships and engagement networks. Thus, in the last decade, China has increased its economic and political footprint in the Gulf region, as it has become one of the region’s largest external investors and trade partners. In its relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, China faces varying challenges as each country pursues its interests, making the Chinese strategy in the region more complex. The Gulf countries have had to balance their relationship between the US as a security guarantor and China as an important economic partner. They strive to maximize their political and economic interests in the process. The main contention of this paper is that the GCC should not be viewed as a homogenous entity and that the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a flexible approach designed to bolster China’s economic objectives in each Gulf country. Our research scrutinizes China’s geo-economic strategy and geopolitical aims about the Gulf States’ aspirations to maximize their economic ties with China. Against this background, this paper discusses the political and economic relationships between the People’s Republic of China and the Gulf Arab states: Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Dynamics and control of a high-altitude balloon with slung load
Authors: Chen L. , Song Z. , Lin J.
Published: October 2024

The high-altitude balloon proposed in this paper is a long-life balloon carrying a payload through a cable that flies at 20km altitude in near space. A dynamic model of the system, including the thermodynamics of the buoyancy body coupled with a hanging model of the pod, is developed using the Newton–Euler method. The buoyancy body consists of a helium balloon and a ballonet. A differential pressure difference-based altitude adjustment is achieved by tracking the pressure difference at the target altitude. A dynamic simulation of the buoyancy body with a slung pod in autonomous vertical takeoff and altitude regulation processes is presented. The internal thermodynamic variations and pressure differential of the buoyancy body are given. The air mass exchange and blower flow control of the ballonet are validated. The altitude holding error is analysed. The maximum pull force that the cable can withstand is calculated, and the maximum attitude angles of the pod during the ascending and descending processes are depicted. Simulation results provide basic knowledge for the structural design and payload installation of pods.
Influence of porous material on the flow behind a backward-facing step: experimental study
Authors: Klotz L. , Bukowski K. , Gumowski K.
Published: October 2024

We investigate effect of porous insert located upstream of the separation edge of a backward-facing step (BFS) in early transitional regime as a function of Reynolds number. This is an example of hydrodynamic system that is a combination of separated shear flow with large amplification potential and porous materials known for efficient flow destabilisation. Spectral analysis reveals that dynamics of BFS is dominated by spectral modes that remain globally coherent along the streamwise direction. We detect two branches of characteristic frequencies in the flow and with Hilbert transform we characterise their spatial support. For low Reynolds numbers, the dynamics of the flow is dominated by lower frequency, whereas for sufficiently large Reynolds numbers cross-over to higher frequencies is observed. Increasing permeability of the porous insert results in decrease in Reynolds number value, at which frequency cross-over occurs. By comparing normalised frequencies on each branch with local stability analysis, we attribute Kelvin–Helmholtz and Tollmien–Schlichting instabilities to upper and lower frequency branches, respectively. Finally, our results show that porous inserts enhance Kelvin–Helmholtz instability and promote transition to oscillator-type dynamics. Specifically, the amplitude of vortical (BFS) structures associated with higher-frequency branch follows Landau model prediction for all investigated porous inserts.
Effects of surface roughness on the drag coefficient of finite-span cylinders freely rolling on an inclined plane
Authors: Nanayakkara S.D.J.S. , Zhao J. , Terrington S.J. , Thompson M.C. , Hourigan K.
Published: October 2024

We present an experimental investigation aimed at understanding the effects of surface roughness on the time-mean drag coefficient (

$\bar {C}_{D}$

) of finite-span cylinders (

$\text {span/diameter} = \text {aspect ratio}$

,

$0.51 \le AR \le 6.02$

) freely rolling without slip on an inclined plane. While lubrication theory predicts an infinite drag force for ideally smooth cylinders in contact with a smooth surface, experiments yield finite drag coefficients. We propose that surface roughness introduces an effective gap (

$G_{eff}$

) resulting in a finite drag force while allowing physical contact between the cylinder and the plane. This study combines measurements of surface roughness for both the cylinder and the plane panel to determine a total relative roughness (

$\xi$

) that can effectively describe

$G_{eff}$

at the point of contact. It is observed that the measured

$\bar {C}_{D}$

increases as

$\xi$

decreases, aligning with predictions of lubrication theory. Furthermore, the measured

$\bar {C}_{D}$

approximately matches combined analytical and numerical predictions for a smooth cylinder and plane when the imposed gap is approximately equal to the mean peak roughness (

$R_p$

) for rough cylinders, and one standard deviation peak roughness (

$R_{p, 1\sigma }$

) for relatively smooth cylinders. As the time-mean Reynolds number (

$\overline {Re}$

) increases, the influence of surface roughness on

$\bar {C}_{D}$

decreases, indicating that wake drag becomes dominant at higher

$\overline {Re}$

. The cylinder aspect ratio (

$AR$

) is found to have only a minor effect on

$\bar {C}_{D}$

. Flow visualisations are also conducted to identify critical flow transitions and these are compared with visualisations previously obtained numerically. Variations in

$\xi$

have little effect on the cylinder wake. Instead,

$AR$

was observed to have a more pronounced effect on the flow structures observed. The Strouhal number (

$St$

) associated with the cylinder wake shedding was observed to increase with

$\overline {Re}$

, while demonstrating little dependence on

$AR$

.
Prograde and meandering wall modes in rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection with conducting walls
Authors: Ravichandran S. , Wettlaufer J.S.
Published: October 2024

We use direct numerical simulations to study convection in rotating Rayleigh–Bénard convection in horizontally confined geometries of a given aspect ratio, with the walls held at fixed temperatures. We show that this arrangement is unconditionally unstable to flow that takes the form of wall-adjacent convection rolls. For wall temperatures close to the temperatures of the upper or lower boundaries, we show that the base state undergoes a Hopf bifurcation to a state comprised of spatiotemporal oscillations – ‘wall modes’ – precessing in a retrograde direction. We study the saturated nonlinear state of these modes, and show that the velocity boundary conditions at the upper and lower boundaries are crucial to the formation and propagation of the wall modes: asymmetric velocity boundary conditions at the upper and lower boundaries can lead to prograde wall modes, while stress-free boundary conditions at both walls can lead to wall modes that have no preferred direction of propagation.
Comparison between shear-driven and pressure-driven oscillatory flows over ripples
Authors: Ciri Umberto , Rodríguez-Abudo Sylvia , Leonardi Stefano
Published: October 2024

Direct numerical simulations of oscillatory flow over a bed made of ripples have been performed. Two oscillatory flow forcing mechanisms have been compared: (i) a sinusoidal external pressure gradient (pressure-driven flow); and (ii) a sinusoidal velocity boundary conditions on the rippled bed (shear-driven flow). In the second case, the oscillations of the bed are such that when observed from a reference frame fixed with the bed, the free stream follows the same harmonic oscillation as in the pressure-driven case. While the outer layers have the same dynamics in the two cases, close to the bed differences are observed during the cycle, mostly because the large form drag across the ripples cannot be reproduced in the shear-driven case. A comparison against experimental data from an oscillating tray apparatus provides a relatively good agreement for the phase-averaged flow when the same forcing is considered (i.e. a shear-driven flow). The pressure-driven case has a comparable error to the shear-driven numerical results over the crest of the ripples, whereas the discrepancy is larger at the troughs. The discrepancies between the two cases are more limited for time-averaged flow quantities, such as the mean flow pattern and the time-averaged Reynolds stress distribution. This suggests that numerical or experimental shear-driven configurations may capture well the net effects of coastal transport processes (which occur in pressure-driven oscillatory flow), but care should be exercised in interpreting phase-dependent dynamics near the troughs. More work is needed to fully assess the sensitivity to the forcing mechanisms in different flow regimes.
Improved bidirectional attention flow (BIDAF) model for Arabic machine reading comprehension
Authors: Biltawi Mariam M. , Awajan Arafat , Tedmori Sara
Published: October 2024

Machine reading comprehension (MRC) refers to the process of instructing machines to comprehend and respond to inquiries based on a provided text. There are two primary methodologies for achieving this: extracting answers directly from the text or predicting them. Extracting answers involves anticipating the specific segment of text containing the answer, pinpointed by its starting and ending indices within the paragraph. Despite the increasing interest in MRC, exploration within the framework of the Arabic language faces limitations due to various challenges. A significant impediment arises from the inadequacy of resources available for Arabic textual content, which impedes the development of effective models. Furthermore, the inherent intricacies of Arabic, manifesting in its diverse linguistic forms including classical, modern standard, and colloquial, present distinctive hurdles for tasks involving language comprehension. This paper proposes an enhanced version of the bidirectional attention flow (BIDAF) model for Arabic MRC, constructed upon the Arabic Span-Extraction-based Reading Comprehension Benchmark (ASER). ASER comprises 10,000 sets of questions, answers, and passages, partitioned into a training set constituting 90% of the data and a testing set making up the remaining 10%. By introducing a new input feature based on parts-of-speech (POS) word embeddings and replacing Bidirectional Long Short-Term Memory (bi-LSTM) with bidirectional gated recurrent unit, significant improvements were observed. Eight different POS word embeddings were generated using both Continuous Bag of Words (CBOW) and Skip-gram methods, with varying dimensionalities. Evaluation metrics, including exact match (EM) and F1-measure, were utilized to assess model performance, with emphasis on the latter for its accuracy. The proposed enhanced BIDAF model achieved a remarkable accuracy of 75.22% on the ASER dataset, demonstrating its efficacy in Arabic MRC tasks. Additionally, rigorous statistical evaluation using a two-tailed paired samplest-test further validated the findings, highlighting the significance of the proposed enhancements in advancing Arabic language processing capabilities.
A leader I can(not) trust: understanding the path from epistemic trust to political leader choices via dogmatism
Authors: von Mohr Mariana , Hackenburg Kobi , Tanzer Michal , Fotopoulou Aikaterini , Campbell Chloe , Tsakiris Manos
Published: October 2024

There is growing concern about the impact of declining political trust on democracies. Psychological research has introduced the concept of epistemic (mis)trust as a stable disposition acquired through development, which may influence our sociopolitical engagement. Given trust’s prominence in current politics, we examined the relationship between epistemic trust and people’s choices of (un)trustworthy political leaders. In two representative samples in the UK and US (N = 1096), we tested whether epistemic trust predicts political leader choices through three political dimensions: dogmatism, political trust, and ideology. Although epistemic trust did not directly predict choices of political leaders, it predicted dogmatism and political ideology, which in turn predicted choices of political leaders. A network analysis revealed that epistemic trust and political dimensions only interact through their common connection with dogmatism. These findings suggest that cognitive and affective development may underlie an individual’s political ideology and associated beliefs.
On Tour with Rachmaninoff: Analysing the Programmes from his 1924/25 Season
Authors: Davie Scott
Published: October 2024

Sergei Rachmaninoff is widely regarded as one of the great pianists of the twentieth century. In a research project that has stretched over two decades, I have compiled data on Rachmaninoff’s performance career, comprising research in archives as well as published sources in Russian and English languages. The resulting Rachmaninoff Performance Diary has been publicly available online since 2011. A missing link in the data has been the complete programmatic details of over 1,080 solo recitals. In 2006, I discovered research that was apparently unrecognized in its completeness in an archive of the Library of Congress, undertaken and donated by Rachmaninoff’s sister-in-law, Dr Sophia Satina. In this article, I examine the details of the 1924/25 season, which was a critical time for Rachmaninoff: after the collapse of his personal fortune caused by the Russian Revolution, he at last had achieved sufficient success and financial security from his hectic touring to allow him to return to composition the following year, his ‘sabbatical’ break of 1926. From the data, a clearer picture emerges of how Rachmaninoff varied his repertoire in his many concert appearances and recording sessions, showing how frequency of performance and, in instances, apparent self-assessment of his own music, were key factors.
‘NOW ART COMES’: THE PARTHENON AND RACIAL CONQUEST IN KANSAS CITY
Authors: Jasnow Benjamin
Published: October 2024

The Charles Keck reliefs on the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, MO, portray the triumph of white settlers over Native Americans, who are depicted as stereotypically aggressive and ‘barbaric’. Keck's sculptures invite comparison to the metopes of the Parthenon, which depict the triumph of Greek and Athenian ‘civilization’ over ‘barbarism’. The central focus of Keck's reliefs is Fortitude, an allegorical figure whose image throughout art history is indebted to depictions of Athena and Minerva, and who serves for the Nelson-Atkins as a modern American proxy for the Athenian goddess. As the Periclean building programme proclaimed Athenian superiority and had long-term cultural and economic impacts for Athens, the Nelson-Atkins is intimately connected to the economic and urban development of Kansas City, including its history of racist real estate practices, engineered by a founding trustee of the museum, which became a national model.
Art and archaeology
Authors: Hales Shelley
Published: October 2024

The first book in this review refers back to a theme we have considered repeatedly in previous reviews: cities, in this case those of Roman Italy and the new modes of investigation that are bringing them alive.1 The volume is particularly interested in looking at the diversity of these centres, laying to rest that early twentieth century faith in the regularity of the Roman town plan. Instead, the case studies in the volume show how towns in different areas of Italy fared and failed to meet the demands of their immediate surroundings as well as responding to wider political and economic changes. This changing understanding comes from two directions: our willingness to ask new questions of the cities and the use of new technology. In all the case studies, different kinds of remote sensing technology (clearly laid out by Martin Millett in the first chapter as a preamble to his case study of Falerii Novi) and drone photography allow the city to be mapped and explored in new ways. The book shows how these have allowed new evidence and questions, affecting traditional interpretations. The whole thing is finished by an epilogue by John Patterson, who pulls together some of these themes and points to new questions.
Ritual Violence and Traditions of Origin: Mung'aro in Mijikenda History
Authors: Dingley Zebulon
Published: October 2024

This article analyzes the transformation of an image of ritual violence on the Kenyan coast from the sixteenth century to the present. Drawing on a range of sources, it shows how understandings of “mung'aro” — a ritual of senior male initiation among Mijikenda-speaking peoples — changed as it became an object of inquiry for generations of missionaries, explorers, colonial administrators, local intellectuals, and foreign historians and anthropologists. In the mid-twentieth century, mung'aro became a key feature of Mijikenda traditions of origin in Singwaya, but in such a way that it reversed the direction of a specific form of ritual violence described in nineteenth-century traditions. By focusing on the transposition and recombination of ritual motifs across practical and discursive modalities (namely, ritual and narrative), this article offers a new approach to “the limits of invention” regarding traditions of origin.
Harsh parenting, amygdala functional connectivity changes across childhood, and behavioral problems
Authors: Koyama Yuna , Tiemeier Henning , Huang Pei , Chan Shi Yu , Sudo Mioko , Kyeong Yena , Meaney Michael , Setoh Peipei , Tan Ai Peng
Published: October 2024

Background

Harsh parenting in early childhood is related to offspring's adverse behavioral outcomes. Due to the scarcity of longitudinal neuroimaging data, few studies have explored the neurobiological underpinnings of this association, focusing on within-person variability. This study examined the temporal associations among harsh parenting, later behavioral problems, and the developmental trajectories of amygdala volume and amygdala resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) profiles, using longitudinal neuroimaging data.

Methods

The study was embedded in the Growing Up in Singapore Towards healthy Outcomes (GUSTO) cohort. T1-weighted (296 children, 642 scans) and resting-state functional scans (256 children, 509 scans) were collected at ages 4.5, 6, 7.5, and 10.5 years. Amygdala volume and RSFC between the amygdala and six brain regions that have leading roles in emotional regulation were extracted. Harsh parenting at 4.5 years and child behavioral problems at 10.5 years were assessed via parent-report questionnaires. Linear regression and linear mixed models were applied.

Results

Harsh parenting was associated with more severe externalizing problems in girls (β = 0.24, 95% CI 0.08–0.40) but not boys (pint = 0.07). In the overall sample, harsh parenting was associated with the developmental trajectories of amygdala-ACC, amygdala-OFC, and amygdala-DLPFC RSFC. In addition, the developmental trajectory of amygdala-ACC RSFC mediated the harsh parenting–externalizing problems association in girls (indirect effect = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.14).

Conclusions

Harsh parenting in early childhood was associated with amygdala neurocircuitry development and behavioral problems. The developmental trajectory of amygdala-ACC RSFC is a potential neural mechanism linking harsh parenting and externalizing problems in girls.
Alterations in inhibitory neuron subtype-selective transcripts in the prefrontal cortex: comparisons across schizophrenia and mood disorders
Authors: Okuda Takeshi , Kimoto Sohei , Kawabata Rika , Bian Yufan , Tsubomoto Makoto , Okamura Kazuya , Enwright John F. , Kikuchi Mitsuru , Lewis David A. , Hashimoto Takanori
Published: October 2024

Background

In schizophrenia (SZ), impairments in cognitive functions, such as working memory, have been associated with alterations in certain types of inhibitory neurons that utilize the neurotransmitter γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). For example, GABA neurons that express parvalbumin (PV) or somatostatin (SST) have more prominent gene expression alterations than those that express vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP). In bipolar disorder (BD) and major depression (MD), which exhibit similar, but less severe, cognitive impairments than SZ, alterations of transcript levels in GABA neurons have also been reported. However, the extent to which GABA neuron subtype-selective transcripts in the DLPFC are affected, and the relative magnitudes of the diagnosis-associated effects, have not been directly compared across SZ, BD, and MD in the same study.

Methods

We used quantitative polymerase chain reaction to examine levels of GABA neuron subtype-selective transcripts (PV, potassium voltage-gated channel modifier subfamily-S member-3, SST, VIP, and calretinin mRNAs), as well as the pan-GABA neuron marker 67 kDa glutamate decarboxylase mRNA, in DLPFC total gray matter of 160 individuals, including those with SZ, BD, or MD and unaffected comparison (UC) individuals.

Results

Relative to UC individuals, individuals with SZ exhibited large deficits in levels of all transcripts except for calretinin mRNA, whereas individuals with BD or MD showed a marked deficit only for PV or SST mRNAs, respectively.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that broader and more severe alterations in DLPFC GABA neurons might contribute to the greater cognitive impairments in SZ relative to BD and MD.
Delirium risk and mortality in people with pre-existing severe mental illness: a retrospective cohort study using linked datasets in England
Authors: Bauernfreund Yehudit , Launders Naomi , Favarato Graziella , Hayes Joseph F , Osborn David , Sampson Elizabeth L
Published: October 2024

Background

Delirium is a severe neuropsychiatric syndrome caused by physical illness, associated with high mortality. Understanding risk factors for delirium is key to targeting prevention and screening. Whether severe mental illness (SMI) predisposes people to delirium is not known. We aimed to establish whether pre-existing SMI diagnosis is associated with higher risk of delirium diagnosis and mortality following delirium diagnosis.

Methods

A retrospective cohort and nested case–control study using linked primary and secondary healthcare databases from 2000–2017. We identified people diagnosed with SMI, matched to non-SMI comparators. We compared incidence of delirium diagnoses between people with SMI diagnoses and comparators, and between SMI subtypes; schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and ‘other psychosis’. We compared 30-day mortality following a hospitalisation involving delirium between people with SMI diagnoses and comparators, and between SMI subtypes.

Results

We identified 20 566 people with SMI diagnoses, matched to 71 374 comparators. Risk of delirium diagnosis was higher for all SMI subtypes, with a higher risk conferred by SMI in the under 65-year group, (aHR:7.65, 95% CI 5.45–10.7, ⩾65-year group: aHR:3.35, 95% CI 2.77–4.05). Compared to people without SMI, people with an SMI diagnosis overall had no difference in 30-day mortality following a hospitalisation involving delirium (OR:0.66, 95% CI 0.38–1.14).

Conclusions

We found an association between SMI and delirium diagnoses. People with SMI may be more vulnerable to delirium when in hospital than people without SMI. There are limitations to using electronic healthcare records and further prospective study is needed to confirm these findings.
The purpose of policy portfolios: design, intention, and logic
Authors: Migone Andrea , Howlett Michael
Published: October 2024

We propose a qualitative method of assessing a policy mix’s content, which can be utilized alongside currently common quantitative techniques such as counting the number of tools, policies, and levels of government involved. Focussing on whether or not the mix promotes flexibility or standardization and whether it is intended to be maintaining or innovating helps to better map existing policy mixes and inform design decisions than do more contentless quantitative methods. It has implications for theories of policy-making in improving on current depictions of the nature and dynamics of policy mixes, especially with respect to the impact of procedural tools, and also helps underscore the significance of what often appear in quantitative studies to be marginal or incremental shifts in instruments and goals. The utility of the model and its improvement on existing methods are illustrated through examination of two cases of banking regulation and pension policy in Canada.
Combining Type Checking and Set Constraint Solving to Improve Automated Software Verification
Authors: CRISTIÁ MAXIMILIANO , ROSSI GIANFRANCO
Published: October 2024

This technical note shows how we have combined prescriptive type checking and constraint solving to increase automation during software verification. We do so by defining a type system and implementing a typechecker for
$\{log\}$
(read ‘setlog’), a Constraint Logic Programming language and satisfiability solver based on set theory. The constraint solver is proved to be safe w.r.t. the type system. Two industrial-strength case studies are presented where this combination is used with very good results.
Stolzmomente in der professionellen Pflege
Authors: Adlhoch Lisa
Published: October 2024

Zusammenfassung: Professionell durchgeführte Pflegetätigkeiten sind hochkomplexe Dienstleistungen am Menschen, auf die eine Pflegefachkraft stolz sein könnte. Jedoch wird kaum über Momente gesprochen, in denen professionell Pflegende ein Stolzempfinden in ihrem Beruf haben. Es wurden praxisnahe Empfehlungen erarbeitet, damit Stolzmomente von Pflegefachpersonen bewusst erlebt werden können.