bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vulnerable to heat stress: gaps in international standard metric thresholds
Authors: Brimicombe C. , Gao C. , Otto I. M.
Published: September 2024

Exposure time to heat is increasing with climate change. Heat exposure thresholds are important to inform heat early warning systems, and legislation and guidance for safety in the workplace. It has already been stated that thresholds can be lower for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and those with pre-existing medical conditions due to their reduced ability to thermoregulate their temperature or apply cooling strategies. However, the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature (WBGT) proposed by the international standard organisation (ISO 7243:2017), only takes into account thresholds based on acclimatization status. Therefore in this study we carried out a PRISMA systematic keyword search of “Wet Bulb Globe Temperature” of the Scopus abstract and citation database in August 2023 and a meta-analysis of text extracted from the identified 913 international studies published between December 1957 and July 2023, to investigate heat stress thresholds for different population groups. We find that different thresholds are considered as an indication of heat stress for different population groups. However, critical gaps were identified for the most vulnerable populations, and there are lower numbers of studies on women. Most studies researched adult populations between the ages of 18 and 55 (n = 491), failing to include the youngest and oldest members of society. Based on these findings, we call for targeted investigations to inform effective heat action policies and set early warning thresholds to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the entire population.
Parameter adaptation of k − ω SST turbulence model for improving resolution of moderately separated flows around 2D wing and 3D ship hulls via EnKF data assimilation
Authors: Sakamoto Nobuaki , Hino Takanori , Kobayashi Hiroshi , Ohashi Kunihide
Published: September 2024

Parameters of turbulence model have rarely been changed to solve flow around ship hulls. Since these values are determined using relatively simple flows such as two-dimensional flat plate, there may be other parameter sets which are more suitable for resolving complex turbulent flow around ship hulls. Present study investigates suitable parameters of the k − ω SST model, one of the most popular turbulence models among ship flow simulations, throughout the data assimilation with ensemble Kalman filter aiming to improve computational accuracy of stern wake. Five parameters of k − ω SST model are first selected and are subjected to data assimilation using two-dimensional NACA4412 airfoil with moderate separation under 13.87 degrees of attack angle. Then, assimilated value “$$\beta_{1} = 0.{16}$$

β
1

=
0.16

(originally 0.075)” which controls the production and destruction of ω is applied to solve four different blunt hull forms under towed condition. Bulk flow and available turbulence quantities on the propeller plane are subjected to validation. Consequently, the model parameter “$$\beta_{1} = 0.{16}$$

β
1

=
0.16

(originally 0.075)” has been found to improve axial velocity distribution in model scale on the propeller plane in four different blunt hull forms maintaining the change of total resistance coefficient less than 0.8% difference compared to the original parameter. This research is of its first kind to bring the idea of parameter adaptation of turbulence model via data assimilation in the field of ship hydrodynamics.
Effect of citrate anion incorporation on dielectric properties of anodic oxide grown on Ti-Si alloy
Authors: Tranchida Giada , Zaffora Andrea , Di Franco Francesco , Santamaria Monica
Published: September 2024

Anodic oxides were galvanostatically grown on sputtered Ti-12at%Si alloy at 5 mA cm−2 up to 50 V in phosphoric acid and sodium citrate aqueous electrolytes in order to investigate the effect of anions incorporation (if any) on dielectric properties of the grown oxides. Photoelectrochemical measurements supported the occurrence of incorporation of citrate anions when anodizing is carried out in a citrate-containing solution. Indeed, two different absorption thresholds were estimated due to energy transitions involving localized states in the mobility gap. Differential capacitance measurements showed higher capacitance values for anodic oxide grown in the citrate-containing solution, with a beneficial effect on the dielectric constant. The increased capacitance can be explained considering the synergistic effect of a more favourable anodizing ratio provided by the presence of Si cations from the bare alloy as well as the incorporation of foreign species due to the inward migration of citrate anions from the electrolyte during the anodizing process.
“We cannot escape this”: discussing leverage points for sustainability across scales with the example of Ouvéa, Kanaky New Caledonia
Authors: Riechers Maraja , Baumann Lilly , Braun Marjan , Ganachaud Alexandre , Heeg Paulina , Sabinot Catherine
Published: September 2024

Despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions, Pacific Island Countries and Territories often shoulder an unequal burden of climate risks. To analyse pathways to sustainability, we conducted a leverage points analysis on the complex sustainability challenges facing the low-lying atoll Ouvéa in Kanaky New Caledonia (France). Leverage points are places within complex systems where interventions can lead to transformative change. Combining a literature review and qualitative interviews with regional, government, provincial, and local stakeholders, we contextualised eight leverage points: (1) expanding and improving coastal protection, (2) strengthening or creating monetary incentives, funding possibilities or forms of compensation to alleviate costs of climate change adaptation and sustainability measures, (3) conducting more research and monitoring, (4) strengthening environmental regulation and restrictions, (5) empowerment of women, youth, and local communities and increasing awareness of power imbalances to strengthen gender equity and social inclusion, (6) establishing new conservation management measures and improving existing ones, (7) increasing institutionalisation of environmental and climate change education, and (8) involving diverse knowledge systems and practices in research and management to strengthen participatory, transdisciplinary, and community-based initiatives. Our results emphasise the importance of acknowledging responsibilities across multiple scales, showing the non-transferability of some interventions due to perceived high costs and incompatibility with local culture. Illustrating dimensions of ocean equity in the context of Ouvéa, we discuss the importance of local values and knowledge systems to ensure fair distribution of costs and benefits in sustainability interventions.
Preliminary results from ASCENT-J02: a phase 1/2 study of sacituzumab govitecan in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors
Authors: Naito Yoichi , Nakamura Seigo , Kawaguchi-Sakita Nobuko , Ishida Takanori , Nakayama Takahiro , Yamamoto Yutaka , Masuda Norikazu , Matsumoto Koji , Kogawa Takahiro , Sudo Kazuki , Shimomura Akihiko , Lai Catherine , Zhang Danjie , Iwahori Yuki , Gary Dianna , Huynh Danh , Iwata Hiroji
Published: September 2024

Background

Sacituzumab govitecan (SG) is a Trop-2–directed antibody–drug conjugate approved outside Japan for second-line and later metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC), based on the ASCENT study (NCT02574455). We report SG safety and efficacy in an open-label, phase 1/2 bridging study in Japanese patients with advanced solid tumors (ASCENT-J02; NCT05101096; jRCT2031210346).

Methods

Phase 1 was a standard 3 + 3 design. Patients received intravenous SG 6 mg/kg, escalating to 10 mg/kg, on Days 1 and 8 per 21-day cycle; primary endpoints were safety, incidence of dose-limiting toxicity/toxicities (DLTs), and determination of the recommended phase 2 dose (RP2D). In the multicohort phase 2 study, patients in the mTNBC cohort with previously treated disease received SG at the RP2D; primary endpoint was independent review committee (IRC)-assessed objective response rate (ORR; RECIST v1.1). Safety was a secondary endpoint.

Results

In phase 1 (N = 15), one DLT (grade 3 elevated transaminases) occurred with SG 10 mg/kg; RP2D was SG 10 mg/kg regardless of UGT1A1 status. In phase 2, 36 patients with mTNBC received SG 10 mg/kg. At median follow-up of 6.1 months, IRC-assessed ORR was 25.0% (95% CI 12.1–42.2; P = 0.0077). Median progression-free survival was 5.6 months (95% CI 3.9–not reached [NR]); median overall survival was NR. No treatment-emergent adverse events led to discontinuation or death.

Conclusions

SG RP2D was established as 10 mg/kg in Japanese patients. SG showed efficacy in Japanese patients with previously treated mTNBC, a manageable safety profile, and no new safety signals, consistent with the previous ASCENT study.
Networks of risk: international tourists as a biosecurity pathway into national parks
Authors: Hulme Philip E.
Published: September 2024

International tourists are recognised as vectors of alien microbes, plants, and animals into protected areas worldwide, either by introducing species from overseas or redistributing alien species within a region. Quantitative estimates of the risk from this introduction pathway have relied on surveys of invasive alien species associated with tourist clothing or transport vectors. In contrast, the large-scale movement of tourists across multiple protected areas within a region has rarely been examined. The New Zealand International Visitor Survey was used to estimate the frequency with which several thousand international travellers visited the nation’s 13 national parks. Trends in international visitor movements were compared immediately prior to the closure of international borders due to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and again once the border had reopened. Approximately one-third of international visitors only visited a single national park but over 20% visited five or more. The long tail in the frequency of national parks visited highlights that a small number of tourists pose a greater risk of introducing or moving invasive alien species among different protected areas. European tourists visited more national parks and were more likely to camp or stay in mountain huts while in New Zealand, potentially posing a greater biosecurity risk than other nationalities. The largely montane nature of most national parks imposes a strong bioclimatic filter on alien species establishment and combined with border controls, suggests international tourists pose a greater risk by disseminating already established alien species more widely among and within national parks. Network analyses highlighted geographic clustering of national parks based on tourist movements that might facilitate regional spread of alien species. Greater investment in the education of international tourists about the biosecurity risks they pose through spreading alien species into national parks is needed to address Target 6 of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Parenting an Adolescent: The Case of the Avoidant Highly Sensitive Mother
Authors: Goldberg Alon , Zibenberg Alexander
Published: September 2024

This research examines parental practices of Israeli highly sensitive mothers toward their adolescent children and the role of attachment avoidance as a moderator between the associations of high sensitivity and parenting practices. One hundred and one mother–adolescent dyads completed self-report questionnaires assessing mothers’ degree of high sensitivity, mothers’ adult attachment, and mothers’ parenting practices. Results showed that highly sensitive mothers were described by their adolescent children as inconsistent and intrusive parents. Further, attachment avoidance was found to moderate the association between mothers’ high sensitivity and inconsistent and psychological intrusiveness. Findings suggest that attachment avoidant highly sensitive mothers experience this period of raising adolescents as especially stressful and challenging, which contributes to the practice of negative parenting. Thus, interventions focused on regulating those mothers’ emotions to better cope with parental challenges could buffer negative parenting practices.
Experiences of ecosystem changes on food services of mopane woodland communities in Vhembe, South Africa
Authors: Mufungizi Andisa A. , Musakwa Walter , Chanza Nelson
Published: September 2024

Mopane woodlands have been shifting. While it is important to understand the spatial patterns that characterise this phenomenon, it is even more important to understand the impacts of shifting Mopane woodlands on rural communities that rely on them. This study sought to establish the impacts of shifting mopane woodlands on the production of indigenous plant food in Ward 12 of Musina local municipality in the Vhembe District municipality in the Limpopo province of South Africa. To accomplish this, the study utilised a hybrid inductive approach involving thematic-based questionnaire interviews and an exploratory view to gain insight into the narratives of focus group participants. Results revealed that seven (7) out of eleven (11) indigenous plant foods are becoming extinct, thereby limiting food sources of indigenous and local people who used to rely on them. The spatial pattern of the plant foods that are still available has now changed as they no longer grow within the reach of local communities. The community members are struggling to adapt to these changes. From these observations, we recommend that local and regional levels’ policies related to natural resource management should consider the unique challenges faced by communities experiencing disruptive ecosystem changes and provide the necessary support for sustainable adaptation.
Cultural Evolutionary Psychology as Generalization by Recursion
Authors: Baraghith Karim , Feldbacher-Escamilla Christian J.
Published: September 2024

Cultural evolutionary psychology (CEP) accounts for the cultural evolution of cognition. It is based on evolutionary psychology and cultural evolutionary theory and aims at a synthetic attempt which is achieved by what we want to call ‘generalization by recursion’. We argue in this paper that the evolutionary psychology program as a whole could greatly benefit from CEP’s generalization. As we will show, there is one theoretical element in particular, that CEP relevantly generalizes in contrast to its predecessors. It comes from cultural evolutionary theory and has been referred to as the ‘dual inheritance argument’. CEP’s novelty consists in showing that not only cognitive products (‘grist’) but also cognitive mechanisms (‘mills’) are subject to cultural evolution and provides lots of empirical evidence for this claim. This account is ‘recursive’, because CEP’s generalization of the dual inheritance argument theoretically employs a recursive feedback-loop between cultural learning and cultural evolution. We also argue that this account might be considered to supersede unificatory and reductionistic efforts of its competitors, because it is stronger than purely structural or analogical unification while at the same time it is not too strong in order to fall prey to implausible reductionism.
Pressure-induced collapsed tetragonal transition in optimally Na-doped $${\text{CaFe}}_{2} {\text{As}}_{2}$$
Authors: Pokhriyal Amit , Ghosh Haranath
Published: September 2024

A comprehensive first-principles study on electronic structure of optimally doped $${\hbox {Ca}_{0.33}\hbox {Na}_{0.67}\hbox {Fe}_2\hbox {As}_2}$$

Ca

0.33

Na

0.67

Fe
2

As
2

under hydrostatic pressures in the presence of magnetic configurations is presented. A magneto-structural transition from a tetragonal to a collapsed tetragonal phase at 3 GPa hydrostatic pressure is predicted in double-stripe antiferromagnetic configuration that corroborates experimental observations. As the system enters the non-superconducting collapsed phase, significant deviations occur in the local structural parameters compared to those at optimal $${\it{T}}_{c}$$

T
c

values. This transition coincides with a sharp decrease in As density of states (DOS), accompanied by Fe magnetic moment collapse and substantial Fe square plane charge density modification. The structural transition induces a comprehensive reconstruction of the electronic structure, marked by distorted $$\hbox {FeAs}_{4}$$

FeAs
4

tetrahedra, potentially leading to unfavourable nesting conditions, and complete suppression of magnetism, correlating with the observed disappearance of superconductivity. Increasing pressure leads to a rise in crystal field splitting, influencing the spin-state transition in $${\hbox {Ca}_{0.33}\hbox {Na}_{0.67}\hbox {Fe}_2\hbox {As}_2}$$

Ca

0.33

Na

0.67

Fe
2

As
2

, ultimately resulting in a shift from tetragonal to non-magnetic collapsed tetragonal phase as the $$\hbox {Fe}^{2+}$$

Fe

2
+

spin state transitions to a low spin state. This demonstrates the intricate interplay between crystal field splitting, external pressure, and spin dynamics, highlighting the significant impact of magneto-volume effects on the structural phase of material under pressure.
Rising above Reactive Scaffolding
Authors: Gogoshin Dane Leigh
Published: September 2024

This paper puts forward a novel, two-tiered view of moral agency which captures the key concerns of two competing theories. According to the capacitarian view, in order for someone to be an appropriate target of the reactive attitudes and practices, they must possess an independent, objective capacity for recognizing and responding to moral reasons. According to the moral influence view, this capacity fully depends for both development and maintenance on reactive scaffolding. I will argue that the moral influence view cannot account for the autonomous capacity involved in cases where agents go against the grain of their moral community. At the same time, however, the capacitarian view neglects the role of reactive scaffolding in moral development. My solution is to distinguish responsible agency, understood as reactive scaffolding-sensitivity, from moral autonomy, understood as autonomous moral reasons-sensitivity. However, while the moral influence view cannot explain moral autonomy, it gives a promising account of responsible agency and offers important insights into how we might develop moral autonomy.
The Interplay Between Personal Identity and Social Identity Among Vocational High School Students: A Three-Wave Longitudinal Study
Authors: Sugimura Kazumi , Hihara Shogo , Hatano Kai , Umemura Tomotaka , Crocetti Elisabetta
Published: September 2024

Although identity research has predominantly focused on college-bound adolescents, it has largely neglected vocational high school students who enter the job market immediately after graduation. Furthermore, most studies have concentrated on personal identity and have overlooked the concurrent development of social identity. This study examined the relationship between adolescents’ personal and social identities over three years of vocational high school. The participants were 4,264 vocational high school students in Japan (Time 1: 46.44% girls; M
age = 15.78). Using a random intercept cross-lagged panel model, the results indicated that within-person increases in social identity predicted increases in personal identity one year later. These findings highlight the importance of social identity as a valuable resource for personal identity development among vocational high school students, a group underrepresented in identity research.
Hedge accounting usage and capital investment: European evidence under IFRS requirements
Authors: Allini Alessandra , Maffei Marco , Santonastaso Rosalinda , Spagnuolo Flavio
Published: September 2024

We investigate the effects of hedge accounting usage on firms’ level of capital investment. Analyzing a set of 286 public firms in the European Union during the period 2016–2019, our findings are threefold. Firstly, we provide evidence that firms which apply hedge accounting under IFRS requirements increase their level of capital investment more than firms that do not exploit these accounting principles. Second, we also suggest that this link is mediated by the earnings volatility mitigation. Lastly, we find that such a relationship is exacerbated after the IFRS 9 implementation period, consistently with the view that the newest hedge accounting rules provided by the IASB are recognized to be more effective and more beneficial for firms, comparatively to IAS 39. These results are robust to different measures of capital investment, alternative models’ specifications, and after correcting for potential endogeneity concerns. We contribute with the first empirical study that explores the role of hedge accounting on investment behavior under different IFRS requirements. This research is valuable for standard setters and regulators to understand how their accounting requirements may affect firms’ economic decisions. From a managerial point of view, our study offers particular insights into hedge accounting mechanisms and practical implications about the role of accounting choices in real investments’ decision-making.
High-fat and High-sucrose Diet-induced Hypothalamic Inflammation Shows Sex Specific Features in Mice
Authors: De Paula Gabriela C. , Simões Rui F. , Garcia-Serrano Alba M. , Duarte João M. N.
Published: September 2024

Hypothalamic inflammation underlies diet-induced obesity and diabetes in rodent models. While diet normalization largely allows for recovery from metabolic impairment, it remains unknown whether long-term hypothalamic inflammation induced by obesogenic diets is a reversible process. In this study, we aimed at determining sex specificity of hypothalamic neuroinflammation and gliosis in mice fed a fat- and sugar-rich diet, and their reversibility upon diet normalization. Mice were fed a 60%-fat diet complemented by a 20% sucrose drink (HFHSD) for 3 days or 24 weeks, followed by a third group that had their diet normalized for the last 8 weeks of the study (reverse diet group, RevD). We determined the expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and of the inflammatory cell markers IBA1, CD68, GFAP and EMR1 in the hypothalamus, and analyzed morphology of microglia (IBA-1+ cells) and astrocytes (GFAP+ cells) in the arcuate nucleus. After 3 days of HFHSD feeding, male mice showed over-expression of IL-13, IL-18, IFN-γ, CD68 and EMR1 and reduced expression of IL-10, while females showed increased IL-6 and IBA1 and reduced IL-13, compared to controls. After 24 weeks of HFHSD exposure, male mice showed a general depression in the expression of cytokines, with prominent reduction of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-13, but increased TGF-β, while female mice showed over-expression of IFN-γ and IL-18. Furthermore, both female and male mice showed some degree of gliosis after HFHSD feeding for 24 weeks. In mice of both sexes, diet normalization after prolonged HFHSD feeding resulted in partial neuroinflammation recovery in the hypothalamus, but gliosis was only recovered in females. In sum, HFHSD-fed mice display sex-specific inflammatory processes in the hypothalamus that are not fully reversible after diet normalization.
A semi-automated approach to policy-relevant evidence synthesis: combining natural language processing, causal mapping, and graph analytics for public policy
Authors: Hooper Rory , Goyal Nihit , Blok Kornelis , Scholten Lisa
Published: September 2024

Although causal evidence synthesis is critical for the policy sciences—whether it be analysis for policy or analysis of policy—its repeatable, systematic, and transparent execution remains challenging due to the growing volume, variety, and velocity of policy-relevant evidence generation as well as the complex web of relationships within which policies are usually situated. To address these shortcomings, we develop a novel, semi-automated approach to synthesizing causal evidence from policy-relevant documents. Specifically, we propose the use of natural language processing (NLP) for the extraction of causal evidence and subsequent homogenization of the text; causal mapping for the collation, visualization, and summarization of complex interdependencies within the policy system; and graph analytics for further investigation of the structure and dynamics of the causal map. We illustrate this approach by applying it to a collection of 28 articles on the emissions trading scheme (ETS), a policy instrument of increasing importance for climate change mitigation. In all, we find 300 variables and 284 cause-effect pairs in our input dataset (consisting of 4524 sentences), which are reduced to 70 unique variables and 119 cause-effect pairs after homogenization. We create a causal map depicting these relationships and analyze it to demonstrate the perspectives and policy-relevant insights that can be obtained. We compare these with select manually conducted, previous meta-reviews of the policy instrument, and find them to be not only broadly consistent but also complementary. We conclude that, despite remaining limitations, this approach can help synthesize causal evidence for policy analysis, policy making, and policy research.
Pathways to reading comprehension in Amharic vary by reading profile
Authors: Alvares de Azevedo Thomaz , Davidson Marcia
Published: September 2024

This study investigates the applicability of the Simple View of Reading (SVR) framework for modeling the factors influencing reading success among Grade 2 children learning to read in Amharic (in an abugida script) in remote regions of Ethiopia. We used path and latent profile analyses to examine structural relationships between text decoding and language knowledge factors across distinct reading profiles. Comparing lower-performing profiles dominated by L2 speakers and higher-performing profiles predominantly comprised of L1 speakers, we found significant divergence in the pathways to reading comprehension from both print knowledge and language knowledge domains. For the text decoding component, a mediated path from familiar words to connected text to reading comprehension emerged as a crucial predictor for higher-performing profiles. For the language knowledge component, a direct path from listening comprehension to reading comprehension played a key role in the higher-performing profiles. Lower-performing profiles demonstrated a strong association between decoding and single word reading, suggesting limited capacity for alternative word identification methods, such as sight word recognition. Additionally, the connection between connected text and reading comprehension was weaker in these profiles, suggesting reduced comprehension due to limited word recognition and utilization of this information during reading. Overall, these findings provide insights into the reading development of hard-to-reach children learning Amharic as L1 and L2 in remote pastoral regions of Ethiopia and have pedagogical implications, suggesting a need for tailored interventions for multilingual learners and particularly for intensive spoken language exposure for L2 speakers alongside reading instruction.
Cross-Cultural and Linguistic Dynamics in the Deterritorialization of Legal Concepts Through International Commercial Contracts
Authors: Uliasz Roman
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this article is to examine the process of deterritorialization of legal concepts embedded in international commercial contracts. Typically written in English, these contracts often incorporate concepts derived from common law jurisdictions, given that English is the language of expression for the common law tradition. This underscores the intrinsic interconnection between language and underlying legal concepts. While parties involved in contract drafting may sometimes mitigate this connection by using terms and clauses that do not immediately evoke common law associations, the use of English as the medium for conveying concepts in international commercial contracts does not necessarily facilitate this process. Consequently, legal concepts rooted in specific traditions adapt to new contexts shaped by the linguistic, cognitive, cultural, and legal backgrounds of the contracting parties, those tasked with interpreting the contracts, and the law governing the agreements. This paper illustrates the dynamics of this process through examples drawn from international commercial contracts, focusing on both individual terms and entire contractual clauses. These examples highlight how legal concepts, as expressed in these contracts, evolve within new environments shaped by diverse linguistic, cognitive, cultural, and legal determinants.
Use of vouchers for CPAP therapy initiation - public and private health care could work together
Authors: Jämsänen Toni , Brander Pirkko , Bachour Adel
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The increasing incidence of sleep apnea has led to an increased workload for healthcare professionals. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is the gold standard therapy for obstructive sleep apnea. To reduce the CPAP waiting list in public healthcare, we proposed a CPAP voucher for use in private clinics for CPAP initiation. This study evaluated the success rate of CPAP initiation via this voucher.

Methods

We selected patients from our sleep apnea clinic referred to CPAP initiation aged 18–80 years with no significant physical or psychological comorbidity. Three private clinics (A, B, C) accepted the CPAP voucher.

Results

A total of 1922 patients fulfilled CPAP voucher criteria. Of these, we included 1604 patients (38% women). Mean BMI was 32 kg/m2, mean age was 55 years, and mean apnea-hypopnea index was 34/h. Data were missing for 113 patients at the 1-year follow-up visit. Of the remaining 1491 patients, 1398 continued CPAP therapy beyond 1 year, indicating a CPAP therapy success rate of 94%. There were no significant differences between clinics in the number of patients staying on CPAP at 1 year after initiation.

Conclusion

A CPAP voucher may reduce the CPAP initiation waiting list in public healthcare with a good success rate.
Review on the impact of fluid inertia effect on hydraulic fracturing and controlling factors in porous and fractured media
Authors: Edirisinghe E. A. A. V. , Perera M. S. A.
Published: September 2024

The impact of fluid inertia on fracture flow dynamics, particularly under high-velocity conditions, has emerged as a critical consideration in petroleum engineering and related fields. This review paper investigates the profound effects of inertia-dominated nonlinear flow, a phenomenon increasingly recognised for its significant influence on fluid dynamics in rock fractures. Given the prevalence and importance of such flows in field applications, neglecting fluid inertial effects is no longer justifiable. A comprehensive investigation into these effects is essential for advancing our understanding of fracture flow mechanisms and optimising engineering practices. This review aims to thoroughly analyse the impact of fluid inertia on applications in hydraulic fracturing. It offers an in-depth discussion of how fluid inertia affects critical aspects of crack propagation, fracture diagnostics, proppant transport and settlement, and fines migration. Additionally, this paper identifies and explores four main factors that influence the fluid inertia effect in fracture flows: fracture roughness, intersections and dead ends within the fracture network, variations in contact area and fracture aperture, and the role of shear displacement. The review provides valuable insights into the complex interplay between fluid inertia and fracture flow dynamics by elucidating these factors.
Spectral properties of the gradient operator with nonconstant coefficients
Authors: Colombo F. , Mantovani F. , Schlosser P.
Published: September 2024

In mathematical physics, the gradient operator with nonconstant coefficients encompasses various models, including Fourier’s law for heat propagation and Fick’s first law, that relates the diffusive flux to the gradient of the concentration. Specifically, consider $$n\ge 3$$

n
≥
3

orthogonal unit vectors $$e_1,\ldots ,e_n\in {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

e
1

,
…
,

e
n

∈

R

n

, and let $$\Omega \subseteq {\mathbb {R}}^n$$

Ω
⊆

R

n

be some (in general unbounded) Lipschitz domain. This paper investigates the spectral properties of the gradient operator $$T=\sum _{i=1}^ne_ia_i(x)\frac{\partial }{\partial x_i}$$

T
=

∑

i
=
1

n

e
i

a
i

(
x
)

∂

∂

x
i

with nonconstant positive coefficients $$a_i:{\overline{\Omega }}\rightarrow (0,\infty )$$

a
i

:

Ω
¯

→

(
0
,
∞
)

. Under certain regularity and growth conditions on the $$a_i$$

a
i

, we identify bisectorial or strip-type regions that belong to the S-resolvent set of T. Moreover, we obtain suitable estimates of the associated resolvent operator. Our focus lies in the spectral theory on the S-spectrum, designed to study the operators acting in Clifford modules V over the Clifford algebra $${\mathbb {R}}_n$$

R
n

, with vector operators being a specific crucial subclass. The spectral properties related to the S-spectrum of T are linked to the inversion of the operator $$Q_s(T):=T^2-2s_0T+|s|^2$$

Q
s

(
T
)

:
=

T
2

-
2

s
0

T
+

|
s
|

2

, where $$s\in {\mathbb {R}}^{n+1}$$

s
∈

R

n
+
1

is a paravector, i.e., it is of the form $$s=s_0+s_1e_1+\cdots +s_ne_n$$

s
=

s
0

+

s
1

e
1

+
⋯
+

s
n

e
n

. This spectral problem is substantially different from the complex one, since it allows to associate general boundary conditions to $$Q_s(T)$$

Q
s

(
T
)

, i.e., to the squared operator $$T^2$$

T
2

.
A comprehensive review on Compton camera image reconstruction: from principles to AI innovations
Authors: Kim Soo Mee , Lee Jae Sung
Published: September 2024

Compton cameras have emerged as promising tools in biomedical imaging, offering sensitive gamma-ray imaging capabilities for diverse applications. This review paper comprehensively overviews the latest advancements in Compton camera image reconstruction technologies. Beginning with a discussion of the fundamental principles of Compton scattering and its relevance to gamma-ray imaging, the paper explores the key components and design considerations of Compton camera systems. We then review various image reconstruction algorithms employed in Compton camera systems, including analytical, iterative, and statistical approaches. Recent developments in machine learning-based reconstruction methods are also discussed, highlighting their potential to enhance image quality and reduce reconstruction time in biomedical applications. In particular, we focus on the challenges posed by conical back-projection in Compton camera image reconstruction, and how innovative signal processing techniques have addressed these challenges to improve image accuracy and spatial resolution. Furthermore, experimental validations of Compton camera imaging in preclinical and clinical settings, including multi-tracer and whole-gamma imaging studies are introduced. In summary, this review provides potentially useful information about the current state-of-the-art Compton camera image reconstruction technologies, offering a helpful guide for investigators new to this field.
Impact of smoking hookah and bidi on global DNA methylation: a community-based study from Haryana, North India
Authors: Tyagi Shivani , Kaushik Anshika , Jain Sonal , Chaudhary Vineet , Saraswathy Kallur Nava
Published: September 2024

Smoking is a major contributor to the increased burden of chronic diseases worldwide. Smoking has been reported to be associated with several adverse epigenetic modifications like altered DNA methylation patterns. Despite adverse effects, smoking hookah and bidi is accepted as a cultural practice in several communities, viz., the Jats of Haryana. This study aims to explore the smoking-induced alterations in global DNA methylation in the Jat community, where smoking is a cultural practice. A total of 1075 participants, aged 30–75 years (69.8%, females), belonging to the Jat community from Palwal, Haryana, were recruited. Data on socio-demographic and lifestyle variables were collected through pre-tested interview schedules. The ELISA-based colorimetric technique was used for performing peripheral blood leucocyte global DNA methylation. The difference between median global DNA methylation (5mC%) levels of non-smokers (median 5mC% = 0.66) and smokers (median 5mC% = 0.62) was not found to be statistically significant (p value = 0.309). However, the median 5mC level among former smokers (median 5mC% = 0.41) was found to be significantly lower than smokers and non-smokers (p value < 0.01). The adjusted regression model revealed former smoker status to be significantly associated with global DNA hypomethylation. Further, no significant difference in global DNA methylation levels was found between heavy and light smokers. The study suggests that continuous exposure to tobacco smoke during the prenatal and later stages of life may be contributing to the new environmental adaptations resulting in no significant effect of smoking on epigenetic alterations. A unique DNA hypomethylation signature of former smokers may be due to smoking-related comorbidities.
Qu’est-ce que le Makhzen ?
Authors: Perrier Antoine
Published: September 2024

L’histoire de l’État marocain fut au centre des recherches de la nouvelle école de Rabat des années 1960 aux années 2000. Essentiellement écrit en arabe, cet héritage historiographique est souvent méconnu de la recherche internationale. Il permettrait pourtant de dépasser les lieux communs persistants qui entourent la monarchie marocaine. En reconstituant, depuis les sources nationales, les réalités sociales et culturelles cachées derrière le mot « Makhzen », les historiennes et les historiens marocains ont remis en cause le cliché colonial de relations expéditives et autoritaires que l’État aurait entretenu avec la société. Cet article propose ainsi de revenir d’une manière critique sur cette historiographie en présentant son contexte et les principaux visages qu’elle a donnés à l’État marocain, en repartant des méthodes et des sources déployées par plusieurs générations d’autrices et d’auteurs marocains en dialogue avec les travaux étrangers. Les dimensions économiques, administratives, idéologiques et spirituelles du Makhzen offrent des perspectives originales sur l’histoire de l’État en général. L’article entend ainsi mettre à disposition du public français les lignes fortes de cette école historique, tout en soulignant les chantiers de recherche qu’elle a laissés ouverts. Ce faisant, il propose une définition historiquement informée du Makhzen pour un public non spécialiste. Il souligne enfin et surtout la nécessité, dans la continuité des appels à la parité documentaire en matière de sources, du recours à la bibliographie arabophone pour écrire l’histoire du Maghreb.
Heat-transfer effects in compressible turbulent boundary layers – a regime diagram
Authors: Gibis Tobias , Sciacovelli Luca , Kloker Markus , Wenzel Christoph
Published: September 2024

As shown by Wenzel et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 930, 2022, A1), the Eckert number

$Ec$

defined using the difference between recovery temperature

$\bar{T}_r$

and wall temperature

$\bar{T}_w$

can be understood as a meaningful quantity to compare heat-transfer effects inside compressible turbulent boundary layers (for a calorically perfect gas), no matter whether these are caused by different Mach-number or wall-temperature conditions. While the named study deduced this comparative behaviour of

$Ec$

from an integral perspective in a strict sense, Cogo et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 974, 2023, A10) performed a systematic parameter study based on the previous findings to look at wall-normal profiles. They have shown that the diabatic parameter

$\varTheta$

, being equivalent to

$Ec$

, is capable of categorizing heat-transfer effects for cases at different Mach numbers, even to some extent for some of the wall-normal profiles. Building on this progress, the present paper provides a comprehensive classification of both existing and newly computed super- and hypersonic direct numerical simulation data at various wall temperature conditions into heated cases, adiabatic cases or weakly/moderately/strongly/quasi-incompressibly cooled cases. Hereby, the classification is largely based on the wall-normal position of the temperature peak occurring in cooled boundary-layer cases, which is one of the determining factors for the topological characteristics of diabatic boundary-layer profiles. Integrating high-enthalpy data into the analysis allowed us to confirm the reliability of the proposed classification also in more complex scenarios, where the calorically perfect gas assumption no longer applies and additional heat-transfer mechanisms come into play. While the Eckert number is shown to well characterize heat-transfer effects on most important temperature-related quantities for a wide range of Mach numbers and

$\bar {T}_w/\bar {T}_r$

conditions, also the local Reynolds number

$Re_{\tau }$

is shown to notably affect the strength of heat-transfer effects. Since both

$Ec$

and

$Re_{\tau }$

can be determined in advance – or estimated to a reasonable extent – a key advantage of the classification scheme is to allow for an effective a priori estimation of the extent to which heat-transfer effects are to be expected for a given compressible turbulent boundary-layer configuration.
Effect of degassing on bubble populations in air-entraining free-surface turbulent flows
Authors: Gaylo Declan B. , Hendrickson Kelli , Yue Dick K.P.
Published: September 2024

We investigate air-entraining flows where degassing, rather than fragmentation, plays a significant role. Of interest is the power-law slope

$\beta$

of the bulk bubble size distribution

$N(a)$

during the air-generating period, when the total volume of bubbles is increasing. We study a canonical air-entraining flow created by strong underlying free-surface turbulence. We perform analysis using the population balance equation (PBE) and computations using direct numerical simulations (DNS) with bubble tracking. We quantify the importance of degassing by the ratio of degassing flux (

$Q_D$

) to entrainment flux (

$Q_I$

),

$\mathcal {D}=Q_D/Q_I$

, and the ratio of degassing rate (

$\varLambda (a)$

) to fragmentation rate (

$\varOmega (a)$

) for a bubble of radius

$a$

,

$\varLambda (a)/\varOmega (a)$

. For a broad range of large Froude numbers

${{Fr}}=U/\sqrt {L g}$

, DNS give

$\mathcal {D}=\operatorname {O}(1)$

(independent of

${{Fr}}$

), showing that degassing is relevant, and

$\varLambda (a) \gg \varOmega (a)$

, showing that the bubble population is degassing-dominated. In contrast to fragmentation-dominated populations, such as those due to wave breaking, where

$\beta =-10/3$

, degassing-dominated populations have qualitatively different

$N(a)$

during air entrainment. Analysis using the PBE shows that degassing-dominated

$\beta$

is a function of

$\varLambda (a)$

, which has a turbulence-driven regime (

$a< a_\varLambda$

) and a buoyancy-driven regime (

$a>a_\varLambda$

). Here,

$a_\varLambda$

is the bubble radius where terminal buoyant rise velocity equals

$u_{rms}$

. Consequently,

$N(a)$

exhibits a split power with

$\beta (a< a_\varLambda )=-4.\bar {3}$

and

$\beta (a>a_\varLambda )=-5.8\bar {3}$

for moderate bubble Reynolds numbers

${{Re}}_b$

. For large

${{Re}}_b$

,

$\beta (a>a_\varLambda )=-4.8\bar {3}$

. The DNS strongly confirm these findings for moderate

${{Re}}_b$

. By identifying and describing degassing-dominated bubble populations, this work contributes to the understanding and interpretation of broad types of air-entraining problems where degassing plays a relevant role.
A self-made tube cracker coupled to an EA-IRMS-AGE3 system
Authors: Regev Lior , Mintz Eugenia , Goffer Lilia , Boaretto Elisabetta
Published: September 2024

The automatic graphitization system (AGE3) by IonPlus is very popular among radiocarbon dating laboratories. Usually, solid samples are burnt in an elemental analyzer (EA), and the gaseous CO2 is transferred for graphitization. Our system is coupled also with an isotope ratio mass spectrometer (IRMS), which measures the δ13C and δ15N of that gas. Some less routine pretreatment protocols require the production of gaseous samples and prevent the possibility of using the EA-AGE3 system, as the EA is used for solid samples only. In order to use that system, including the measurements of stable isotopes, we developed a glass tube cracker that connects to the EA. The device is routinely used in our laboratory and is mainly built from Swaglok catalog parts. We show that the background (blank) levels of a marble standard are indistinguishable between using the cracker and burning solid marble using the EA. We further demonstrate that the δ13C values are consistent and that the extraction efficiency when using the device is above 93%. Full descriptions, drawings, and working protocol are supplied.
α-Klotho: the hidden link between dietary inflammatory index and accelerated ageing
Authors: Li Ruiqiang , Zhou Baijing , Deng Xueqing , Tian Wenbo , Huang Yingyue , Wang Jiao , Xu Lin
Published: September 2024

Recent studies suggest an association between greater dietary inflammatory index (DII) and higher biological ageing. As α-Klotho has been considered as a longevity protein, we examined whether α-Klotho plays a role in the association between DII and ageing. We included 3054 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The associations of DII with biological and phenotypic age were assessed by multivariable linear regression, and the mediating role of α-Klotho was evaluated by mediation analyses. Participants’ mean age was 58·0 years (sd 11·0), with a median DII score of 1·85 and interquartile range from 0·44 to 2·79. After adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, BMI, education, marital status, poverty income ratio, serum cotinine, alcohol, physical activity, a higher DII was associated with both older biological age and phenotypic age, with per DII score increment being associated with a 1·01-year increase in biological age (1·01 (95 % CI: 1·005, 1·02)) and 1·01-year increase in phenotypic age (1·01 (1·001, 1·02)). Negative associations of DII with α-Klotho (β = –1·01 pg/ml, 95 % CI: –1·02, –1·006) and α-Klotho with biological age (β= –1·07 years, 95 % CI: –1·13, –1·02) and phenotypic age (β= –1·03 years, 95 % CI: –1·05, –1·01) were found. Furthermore, α-Klotho mediated 10·13 % (P < 0·001) and 9·61 % (P < 0·001) of the association of DII with biological and phenotypic age, respectively. Higher DII was associated with older biological and phenotypic age, and the potential detrimental effects could be partly mediated through α-Klotho.
Gender Conflicts on the Shopfloor: Barcelona Women at Chocolates Amatller, 1890–1914
Authors: Jou-Badal Xavier
Published: September 2024

The cry of “Get married women out of the factories!” echoed across the Spanish industrial landscape at the turn of the twentieth century, driven by two intertwined factors. From a societal perspective, women's place was at home, not in factories. On an economic note, concerns arose over women's lower wages displacing men from jobs. This research delves into a case study of a workers’ claim aimed against women. It aims to illuminate the interplay of social demands and gender dynamics in labour history and business operations. Using as a case study a strike among male workers at the Amatller chocolate factory in May 1890, it seeks insights into gender complexities and women's challenges when joining the workforce. Male factory workers sought better conditions but directed their frustrations at women, influenced by prevailing social discourse. Women joined the factory, but portraying them as victors would be an oversimplification. Their presence was restricted, confined to manual tasks, with few opportunities for advancement.