bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
N‐Doped Ti3C2Tx Interfacial Layer Enabling Uniform Zn Deposition along (002) Plane for Stable Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Battery
Authors: Zhang Zhanrui , Wang Yao , Sun Jie , Dang Liqin , Li Qi , He Xuexia , Liu Zonghuai , Lei Zhibin
Published: July 2024

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries hold great potentials for large‐scale grid energy storage. However, the electrode corrosion, hydrogen evolution, and dendrite growth of Zn anode often lead to cell failure. Herein, N groups in Ti3C2Tx (NMXH) are introduced as interfacial layer through hydrothermal treatment of Ti3C2Tx with urea. The experimental analysis and density functional theory calculation indicate that N groups in Ti3C2Tx can homogenize electric field distribution, promote adsorption of Zn2+ on N groups, and strength interactions between N groups and Zn atoms on (002) plane. Thereby, the use of NMXH interfacial layer can effectively suppress the side reactions and realize uniform Zn deposition along the (002) plane. As a consequence, the NMXH─Zn//Zn cell exhibits an ultralow nucleation overpotential (1 mA cm−2, 18.9 mV) and can stably operate for 1400 h at 1 mA cm−2 (1 mAh cm−2) and 110 h at 40 mA cm−2 (1 mAh cm−2). A full battery with V2O5 nanowires as cathode displays a discharge capacity of 219 mAh g−1 (1.0 A g−1), along with a decent rate capability and cyclability. The significant role of N groups reported in this work offers a promising avenue to improve the cycling stability of Zn anodes of aqueous zinc batteries.
Unraveling the Active Sites on Mesoporous CuFe2O4@N‐Carbon Catalysts with Abundant Oxygen Vacancies and M‐N‐C Content for Boosted Nitrogen Reduction Toward Electrosynthesis of Ammonia
Authors: Bhat Aamir Y. , Bashir Aejaz Ul , Jain Priya , Bhat Mohsin A. , Ingole Pravin Popinand
Published: July 2024

Transition metal centers dispersed over nitrogen‐doped carbon (M–NC) supports have been widely explored for electrocatalytic reactions; however, sparsely reported for electrochemical nitrogen reduction reaction (ENRR). Particularly, the single‐atom catalysts (SACs) have shown reasonable ammonia yield rate and faradaic efficiency (FE), but their complex synthesis and low durability for long‐term electrocatalysis runs restrict their use on a larger scale. Importantly, the catalytic active sites in metal nanostructured‐based M‐NC catalysts toward enhanced N2 adsorption and activation are still not clear as they are highly challenging to reveal. A few studies have predicted that the surface oxygen vacancies (Ovac) favor an enhanced ENRR performance. Herein, a strategy using tailored M‐NC content and Ovac in a single catalyst for enhanced ammonia electrosynthesis is devised. A mesoporous bimetallic spinel oxide (CuFe2O4) supported over N‐doped carbon (CuFe2O4@NC) derived from Prussian blue analog (PBA) via controlled pyrolysis possess is found to show boosted ENRR activity. Moreover, operando NH3 formation over the catalyst is observed using four electrode set up. This approach enables rapid evaluation ofelectrocatalytic efficacy and avoids false positive results. The rotating disc electrode results reveal that mass transport in acidic media and surface absorption in alkline media primarily regulate ENRR over CuFe2O4@NC electrocatalyst.
Optically Mediated Hydrogel‐Based Ionic Diode
Authors: Ren Weijia , Jing Houchao , Ding Shengyong , Dan Junyan , Xu Zhijun , Guo Tongkun , Wei Hua , Liu Yue , Liu Yaqing
Published: July 2024

Ionic diodes with environmentally modulated ion‐rectifying characteristics have attracted much attention and show great promise in the construction of smart devices with environmental adaptability. One immediate challenge is to integrate stimuli responsiveness and ion rectification into one single ionic diode, which requires a close cooperation of chemical principles and device technologies. Herein, an ionic diode based on a photoresponsive hydrogel with optically mediated ion‐rectifying performances is introduced. Relying on the photoresponsive concentration of proton in the hydrogel, the ionic current rectification can be prominently enhanced upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. A maximum ionic current rectification ratio of the optically mediated ionic diode about 4 × 105 is achieved. Furthermore, the hydrogel‐based diode can serve as an AND logic gate operated by UV light and voltage bias as two independent inputs. As a proof of concept, to use the optically mediated diode is achieved to modulate the feedback of a robot with logic behaviors. This work provides a novel and valuable strategy for designing functional hydrogel‐based devices with the integration of stimuli‐responsiveness and logic signal processing through chemical approaches.
Insect pollinators: The time is now for identifying species of greatest conservation need
Authors: deMaynadier Phillip , Schlesinger Matthew D. , Hardy Spencer P. , McFarland Kent P. , Saucier Laura , White Erin L. , Zarrillo Tracy A. , Young Bruce E.
Published: July 2024

Severe declines in the abundance of insects, including economically and ecologically important pollinators, are alarming conservationists and the public. Yet despite these increasingly well‐documented declines, relatively few pollinating insects other than butterflies, moths, and bumble bees have appeared as Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) in State Wildlife Action Plans, decadal‐scale blueprints for wildlife conservation efforts across the United States that require updating in 2025. Species absent from SGCN lists are ineligible for congressionally appropriated State Wildlife Grants that direct millions of dollars annually for their conservation. In the past, knowledge about the distribution and abundance of many insect pollinators was too poor to identify those meeting state guidelines for inclusion as SGCN. Using case studies from 4 northeastern states, we demonstrate that sufficient conservation status data now exist for many pollinators, including bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, and flower flies, to identify at‐risk species meriting inclusion on SGCN lists in many states. Doing so will increase funding for surveys, habitat protection and enhancement, and other conservation activities that will benefit this vitally important guild.
Asymptotic smoothness effects and global attractor for a peridynamic model with energy damping
Authors: Bezerra Flank D. M. , da Silva Severino H. , Narciso Vando
Published: July 2024

In this paper, we consider a peridynamic model with energy damping inspired by the works of Balakrishnan and Taylor on “damping models” based on the instantaneous total energy of the system. We study the asymptotic behavior of solutions, in the sense of attractors, of these peridynamic models in suitable phase space; more precisely, we prove a result of existence and characterization of compact global attractors with a nonlinear strongly continuous semigroup approach based in the asymptotic smoothness property thanks to Chueshov and Lasiecka and Nakao's lemma.
Local Government in England: An Existential Crisis?
Authors: Laffin Martin , Diamond Patrick
Published: July 2024

English local government is currently facing an existential crisis over its future purpose and capacity which is analysed in terms of three underlying crises. (1) A fiscal crisis created by over a decade of financial austerity imposed by successive Conservative-led and Conservative governments since 2011, the consequences of which have been intensified by rising inflation and consequent higher service costs. (2) A governing crisis reflecting the gradual re-engineering of local authorities from their original, post-war high discretion role in welfare state service delivery towards a role closer to that as agents of the centre. (3) A policy role crisis as local authorities have lost entire services and major parts of other services through governance changes, and their capacity to sustain, let alone enact, a policy role has been seriously eroded. Moreover, the Mayoral Combined Authorities (MCAs) recently created in the main city sub-regions are further complicating the role of local government. The MCAs have ill-defined and limited powers mainly focussed on economic development are imposed on top of the existing LAs.
Intergovernmental Relations in Flanders: What Can Be Learned from the Financial Support to Flemish Local Governments During COVID-19?
Authors: Descamps Benjamin , Smolders Carine
Published: July 2024

This book chapter offers an analysis of the financial dimension of the intergovernmental relations between the regional Flemish governments and the local governments during the COVID-19 crisis. By examining the formal legal framework of the 22 COVID-19 grant programs that the regional government distributed, we deconstructed the political choices that were made during the crisis. Our analysis shows that a large majority of the schemes was designed as conditional grants that were predominantly criteria-based. This is in contrast with the period 2014–2019, when a clear tendency to more unconditional grants was present. Yet, the ministerial decrees’ explanatory sections revealed that relying on existing conditional funding schemes and distribution criteria was a rather pragmatic option to strengthen local financial resilience in an adequate and timely manner. Though decisions on which grant schemes to install and how to distribute them were highly centralized at the regional level, no tensions were reported between the distributing and receiving authorities. Moreover, the fact that local governments responded to the crisis challenges in a highly effective way, was mentioned as one of the major rationales to increase decentralization initiatives in the years to come. We therefore conclude that the financial intergovernmental relation between the Flemish regional level and the local level should be classified as an example of a centralized governance process, but not as a conflicted one, in which the COVID-19 crisis could not have altered the policy trend towards more decentralization.
Intergovernmental Relations in Urban Climate Policy: How Berlin and Paris Formulate and Implement Climate Strategies
Authors: Vellani Tomás , Oehlert Franziska , Walkenhorst Janina
Published: July 2024

Urban climate strategies have become central tools for steering climate policy in cities. Local policymakers must coordinate a wide range of actors, among them sub-municipal administrative units and neighbouring administrations, in order to ensure legitimate, socially accepted and effective policy. The study examines, from a comparative perspective, how intergovernmental relations (IGR) play out in the formulation and implementation of climate strategies in the metropolitan areas of Berlin and Paris. Embedded in different institutional contexts, both cities followed a trajectory initiated by relatively centralized strategy formulation with an ongoing shift towards more decentralized and coordinated intergovernmental approaches with their respective district administrations. In terms of horizontal IGR, Berlin took a decoupled approach with limited coordination with the state of Brandenburg, whereas Paris was much more closely integrated with its surrounding areas through the inter-municipal metropolis of Greater Paris. Institutional capacity, multilevel coordination and participation demands are identified as three challenges for the existing IGR structures. Addressing these challenges places significant strains on local administrative capacity. The findings highlight the limitations of centralized approaches to IGR at the local level and the importance of aligning the distribution of functional responsibilities with the rights of consultation and participation in climate policy formulation processes.
Waves-Vibratory Analysis
Authors: Rincent Jean-Jacques Henri
Published: July 2024

This chapter presents the theoretical basis of the vibration analysis method applied to the field of tie rods. The elements obtained during acquisition are then used to obtain results concerning free and total lengths, the diameters of the elements tested and the dynamic stiffness used to calculate the internal force at the tie-rod.
Steels
Authors: Rincent Jean-Jacques Henri
Published: July 2024

Make a diagnosis of steels is an important point for two reasons: first, can do or not statics tests and with which means, second this structural framework can support a re-tension?
Improved constraints on dark matter annihilations around primordial black holes
Authors: Chanda Prolay , Scholtz Jakub , Unwin James
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Cosmology may give rise to appreciable populations of both particle dark matter and primordial black holes (PBH) with the combined mass density providing the observationally inferred value ΩDM ≈ 0.26. Early studies highlighted that scenarios with both particle dark matter and PBH are strongly excluded by γ-ray limits for particle dark matter with a velocity independent thermal cross section 〈σν〉 ~ 3 × 10−26cm3/s, as is the case for classic WIMP dark matter. Here we examine the limits from di use γ-rays on velocity-dependent, including annihilations which are p-wave with 〈σν〉 ∝ v2 or d-wave 〈σν〉 ∝ v4, which we find to be considerably less constraining. This work also utilizes a refined treatment of the PBH dark matter density profile. Importantly, we highlight that even if the freeze-out process is p-wave it is typical for (loop/phase-space) suppressed s-wave processes to actually provide the leading contributions to the experimentally constrained γ-ray flux from the PBH halo.
On co-dimension 2 defect anomalies in $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM and (2,0) theory via brane probes in AdS/CFT
Authors: Jiang Hongliang , Tseytlin Arkady A.
Published: July 2024

Abstract

We consider a $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

-BPS solution for a D3 brane probe in AdS5× S5 that has world-volume geometry of AdS3× S1. It intersects the boundary over a surface that represents a dimension 2 defect in the boundary $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory. The effective action of the probe brane is proportional to the logarithmically divergent volume of AdS3 and may thus be interpreted as computing conformal anomaly of supersymmetric S2 defect. The classical action scales as N. We compute the 1-loop correction to it due to quantum fluctuations of the D3 brane world-volume fields and compare the result to an earlier suggested expression for the defect anomaly. We also perform a similar analysis of a $$ \frac{1}{2} $$

1
2

-BPS M5 brane probe solution in AdS7× S4 with the world-volume geometry of AdS5× S1 that represents a dimension 4 defect in the boundary (2,0) 6d theory. Here the classical M5 brane action computes the leading order N2 term in a-anomaly of the supersymmetric S4 defect. We perform a detailed computation of the 1-loop correction to the M5 brane effective action and thus provide a prediction for the subleading constant in the S4 defect a-anomaly coefficient.
Algebraic characterizations of homeomorphisms between algebraic varieties
Authors: Bernard François , Fichou Goulwen , Monnier Jean-Philippe , Quarez Ronan
Published: July 2024

We address the question of finding algebraic properties that are respectively equivalent, for a morphism between algebraic varieties over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero, to be a homeomorphism for the Zariski topology and for a strong topology that we introduce. Our answers involve a study of seminormalization and saturation for morphisms between algebraic varieties, together with an interpretation in terms of continuous rational functions on the closed points of an algebraic variety. The continuity refers to the strong topology which is the usual Euclidean topology in the complex case and which comes from the theory of real closed fields otherwise.
Evaluation of androgen receptor and androgen receptor splice-variant 7 in bladder cancer; a novel approach into an ancient topic
Authors: Sarıkaya Ege Alper , Korhan Peyda , Incir Canet , Yıldız Alperen H. , Deger Dogan M. , Özer Selçuk M. , Tuncok Yesim , Ergor Gul , Islakoğlu Yasemin Ö. , Sen Volkan , Bozkurt Ozan , Atabey Neşe , Esen Adil A.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The contribution of androgen receptors (AR) on bladder cancer has been demonstrated in pre-clinical studies, however in clinical studies, only the canonical AR (AR-FL) protein was measured by immunohistochemistry and conflicting results were obtained. To get better insight into the alterations of AR signalling, we used western blotting (WB) method and simultaneously measured both mRNA and protein levels of AR-FL and AR-V7.

Methods

23 naive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer patients and 12 healthy individuals were included. AR-FL protein, AR-FL mRNA, AR-V7 protein and AR-V7 mRNA levels were quantitatively measured by WB and qRT-PCR.

Results

While AR-FL protein and AR-V7 mRNA were significantly higher in bladder cancer, AR-FL mRNA and AR-V7 protein were lower. AR-V7 mRNA level was higher in patients with tumour size over 3 cm and AR-FL protein was higher in single tumours (p < 0,005). The small sampling size and the inclusion of only male participants were the main limitations.

Conclusions

The increase of AR-FL protein in bladder cancer supports the contribution of the AR pathway in bladder cancer. The presence of high AR-FL protein despite low mRNA levels may be due to a disruption in post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms. AR-V7 was demonstrated for the first time in bladder tissue and found significantly different in bladder cancer tissues. Our study reached new and valuable findings and will shed light on the studies that aim to clarify the role of the AR pathway in bladder cancer.
Comparison of femoral neck system versus cannulated cancellous screws for the fixation of femoral neck fracture: a single-center retrospective cohort study
Authors: Caldaria A. , Gambuti E. , Biagi N. , Spadoni E. , Saracco A. , Massari L. , Caruso G.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The dynamic hip screw (DHS) and cannulated compression screws (CCS) have been the two implants most frequently employed for the fixation of femoral neck fractures. The objective of this study is to compare clinical and radiographic outcomes between patients treated with the FNS and those treated with CCS.

Material and methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of a consecutive series of femoral neck fractures treated with FNS or CCS between May 2019 and June 2022. The study included 144 patients who met the inclusion criteria. Collected data encompassed age, sex, Garden fracture classification, Pauwels classification, duration of surgery, length of hospital stays, Harris Hip Score (HHS), complications, and injured side.

Results

The FNS group comprised 70 patients, while the CCS group consisted of 74 patients. The operation time was 43.6 ± 12.09 min for the FNS group and 56.47 ± 22.42 min for the CCS group. At the end of the follow-up, the mean HHS was 87.07 ± 11.77 for the FNS group and 76.20 ± 13.64 for the CCS group. The mean reduction in hemoglobin levels from pre- to post-surgery was 1.05 mg/dl in the FNS group and 0.87 mg/dl in the CCS group. The reintervention rate was 8.1% for the CCS group and 2.85% for the FNS group.

Conclusion

The FNS does not demonstrate superiority over CCS regarding femoral neck shortening, complication rate, and reduction in hemoglobin levels. However, FNS does appear superior to CCS in terms HHS, operation time, and reoperation rate.
The values of schools: an analysis of vision statements
Authors: Daniel Ella , Arieli Sharon , Akerman Liat
Published: July 2024

School vision statements articulate an aspired future state for the school, highlighting its ideals, purpose, and unique aspects to direct behavior and promote motivation and commitment among stakeholders. This paper investigates vision statements of schools as artifacts expressing the values emphasized by schools, drawing on organizational literature that shows the role of central organizational artifacts in conveying the values important to the organization. Using a comprehensive sample of elementary schools across all districts in Israel (N = 99), we built on Schwartz’s values theory to identify values and analyze expressed values. We employed a mixed methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative methods to analyze these values. First, we analyzed the content of vision statements to investigate how values were manifested. Then, we investigated the values hierarchy reflected in the vision statements, and compared sectors to identify the impact of the broader social context. Our analysis revealed variation in values expression: as expected, self-direction and benevolence emerged as the most prevalent values in school vision statements; power and hedonism were less salient. Comparison of vision statements from public and public-religious schools, as well as across schools with varying socioeconomic status (SES), revealed differences in universalism values. Public schools and those with higher SES placed greater importance on universalism values compared to public-religious schools. Additionally, tradition values were less prominent in public schools but were the second most significant values in public-religious schools. We discuss the results within the framework of values theory and educational policy.
Definition and validation of a valley amplification factor for seismic linear response of 2D homogeneous alluvial basins
Authors: Alleanza Giorgio Andrea , d’Onofrio Anna , Silvestri Francesco
Published: July 2024

The paper presents findings from a parametric study analysing geometric (e.g., shape ratio, edge inclination) and stratigraphic factors (e.g. impedance ratio) influencing ground motion in trapezoidal valleys. The study involved 2160 visco-elastic analyses, considering 180 2D models with diverse shapes and soil properties, undergoing 12 synthetic input motions. Analyses results showed that the motion at the valley centre increases with both shape and impedance ratios, while it is independent of the edge slope; on the other hand, the maximum amplification at the edges depends on their inclination and on the impedance ratio, while it is independent of the valley shape. The position and size of the zone of maximum amplification at the edges depend on all the previous parameters. A valley amplification factor (VAF) is introduced to quantify spectral acceleration increase due to 2D effects. Closed-form equations are proposed to evaluate VAF based on valley properties. The proposed VAF is then applied to predict seismic amplification in two central Italian valleys, providing results well-comparable to those obtained from 2D numerical analyses. The described approach can be easily implemented into codes of practice as a conservative design tool to estimate 2D amplification along the surface of ‘shallow valleys’ subjected to moderate seismic actions.
Influence of fibril aspect ratio, chemical functionality, and volume fraction on the mechanical properties of cellulose nanofibril materials
Authors: Sellman Farhiya Alex , Rostami Jowan , Östmans Rebecca , Cortes Ruiz Maria F. , Lindström Stefan B. , Wågberg Lars , Benselfelt Tobias
Published: July 2024

Nanocellulose has emerged as a widely utilized building block in nanostructured materials due to its availability, sustainability, large surface area, and high stiffness and aspect ratio. The wet or dry elastoplastic properties of these materials are determined by the fibrils' stiffness, chemical properties, hemicellulose content, and the number of fibril contacts. However, the specific contributions and relative importance of each factor remain unclear. Therefore, this work was devoted to systematically comparing the material properties of gels, aerogels, and wet and dry sheets prepared from CNFs with different aspect ratios, chemical functionality, and hemicellulose content. The fibrils were prepared by chemical and mechanical processing of different pulps. By preserving the native structure as much as possible, higher aspect ratio fibrils can be obtained, which allows for the development of more mechanically robust materials. The results demonstrate that higher aspect ratios lead to more interconnected networks at a lower solids concentration, resulting in a more evenly distributed stress and longer-range stress transfer, yielding stiffer and more ductile materials. The most important finding was that the aspect ratio influences the network formation, resulting in different network topologies. The results were also compared to earlier published data and integrated into a theoretical beam-bending model for a complete elastoplastic description of the network properties, including the influence of fibril aspect ratio and chemical functionality. This information improves our understanding and description of nanofibril networks for which general models have been missing. It can be used to optimize nanofibril preparation and, hence, the resulting eco-friendly materials.
Mixing Pedagogies to Cultivate Joyful and Creative Young Writers in an Era of Standardised Writing Tests
Authors: Brosseuk Deb
Published: July 2024

Global trends suggest that teaching writing focuses on a skills-based approach to preparing children for high-stakes standardised tests. In the early years, teachers are grappling with finding a better balance between preparing children for such tests and satisfying their sense of pedagogic responsibility to teach them to become joyful, creative writers. This paper explores an Australian Preparatory teacher’s teaching of writing framed by the pedagogic framework LAUNCH. Using video and audio recordings, as well as children-made artefacts, the paper considers the impact of this framework on the writing experiences of fourteen five- and six-year-old children. Basil Bernstein’s visible and invisible pedagogies provide the theoretical frame. Findings assert that a pedagogic mix allows early years teachers to teach children to be skilled and confident writers while nurturing their imaginations and creativity. This is significant given that current debates around children’s writing experiences are often tied to high-stakes, standardised test-based writing.
Ten Years of Dimensional Comparison Theory: On the Development of a Theory from Educational Psychology
Authors: Möller Jens
Published: July 2024

Dimensional comparison theory (DCT; Möller & Marsh 2013:Psychological Review, 120(3), 544–560), first formulated 10 years ago, describes individuals’ internal comparison processes applied between different areas of their lives. Dimensional comparisons explain the seemingly counterintuitive phenomenon that students’ verbal and mathematical self-concepts are almost uncorrelated, even though mathematical and verbal performances correlate highly positively: When students compare their performance in verbal and mathematical domains, dimensional comparisons lead to a contrast effect: students overestimate their ability in the intra-individually better domain and underestimate their ability in their intra-individually weaker domain, leading to near-zero correlations between the respective self-concepts.

This paper describes diverse extensions of the classic DCT into a variety of predictors (especially various school subjects, beyond math and native language) and criteria (especially task value components, in addition to subject-specific self-concepts) and extensions of the applicability of the DCT as an educational psychological theory to contexts such as clinical and health psychology. Recent findings on the psychological processes that trigger, accompany, and follow dimensional comparisons are summarized, before an overview of different methods to capture dimensional comparisons is given, and further research directions are discussed.
A verified durable transactional mutex lock for persistent x86-TSO
Authors: Vafeiadi Bila Eleni , Dongol Brijesh
Published: July 2024

The advent of non-volatile memory technologies has spurred intensive research interest in correctness and programmability. This paper addresses both by developing and verifying a durable (aka persistent) transactional memory (TM) algorithm, $$\text {dTML}_{\text {Px86}}$$

dTML
Px86

. Correctness of $$\text {dTML}_{\text {Px86}}$$

dTML
Px86

is judged in terms of durable opacity, which ensures both failure atomicity (ensuring memory consistency after a crash) and opacity (ensuring thread safety). We assume a realistic execution model, Px86, which represents Intel’s persistent memory model and extends the Total Store Order memory model with instructions that control persistency. Our TM algorithm, $$\text {dTML}_{\text {Px86}}$$

dTML
Px86

, is an adaptation of an existing software transactional mutex lock, but with additional synchronisation mechanisms to cope with Px86. Our correctness proof is operational and comprises two distinct types of proofs: (1) proofs of invariants of $$\text {dTML}_{\text {Px86}}$$

dTML
Px86

and (2) a proof of refinement against an operational specification that guarantees durable opacity. To achieve (1), we build on recent Owicki–Gries logics for Px86, and for (2) we use a simulation-based proof technique, which, as far as we are aware, is the first application of simulation-based proofs for Px86 programs. Our entire development has been mechanised in the Isabelle/HOL proof assistant.
Temporal changes of the Oyashio water distribution east of Japan under the changing climate: development of an objective evaluation method and its application
Authors: Kawakami Yuma , Nakano Hideyuki , Urakawa L. Shogo , Toyoda Takahiro , Aoki Kunihiro , Hirose Nariaki , Usui Norihisa
Published: July 2024

The Oyashio, a southern part of the western boundary current in the North Pacific subarctic gyre, carries cold and fresh seawater with abundant nutrients southward from the high-latitude, influencing regional climate in the East Asia and marine environment in the western mid-latitude North Pacific. Previously, a distribution of the Oyashio water has been evaluated by empirical temperature thresholds; for example, in spring (March–May) when the Oyashio intrudes southward into the east of Japan, the Oyashio water is defined at 100-m depth as ≤ 5 °C. However, this method is not necessarily adequate under the changing climate because upper ocean temperature may change over time due to some causes unrelated to cold water transport by the Oyashio (e.g., surface heat fluxes). In this study, we developed an objective method to evaluate the Oyashio water distribution applicable under the changing climate with a focus on a thermohaline front located at the warm- and salty-side boundary of the Oyashio water. We identified isohalines at 100-m depth best corresponding to the thermohaline front in each month and used them as the Oyashio water threshold. Using the developed method, we further investigated the springtime Oyashio water distribution east of Japan (in the North Pacific south of 43°N, 141–148°E). The area of the Oyashio water shows inter-annual variation and significant long-term decrease. It was suggested that these temporal variation and change reflect changes in a distribution of anti-cyclonic meso-scale eddies off Hokkaido, which block the southward Oyashio intrusion into the east of Japan.
Perspectives of Transition-Aged Youth with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities about Self-Advocacy and Civic Engagement
Authors: Best Megan , Burke Meghan , Rossetti Zach , Demissie Sarah , Hughes Oscar , Ramirez Manual , Kunzier Tim
Published: July 2024

In alignment with the rallying cry of the self-advocacy movement, it is critical to center the perspectives of people with disabilities about their lived experiences. Yet, little is known about how youth with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities (IDD) engage in self-advocacy and civic engagement in special education. We conducted focus groups with 15 transition-aged youth with IDD across four states about self-advocacy and civic engagement. Youth with IDD reported engaging in self-advocacy at school, but outside of their individualized education program meetings. Parent advocacy and positive partnerships with educators promoted youth self-advocacy. Youth reported minimal involvement in civic engagement, but they had suggestions for systemic changes to special education. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Modeling Group Discourse with Epistemic Network Analysis: Unpacking Connections, Perspectives, and Individual Contributions
Authors: Goldfarb Cohen Shai , Yanai Johnatan Verissimo , Dishon Gideon
Published: July 2024

Operationalizing and modeling group talk has proved to be a consistent challenge in educational research. In this paper, we suggest that epistemic network analysis (ENA) could provide unique insights concerning group talk. Specifically, we use ENA to model the talk orientations put forward in the Exploratory Talk framework (Cumulative, Disputational, Exploratory). Participants (n = 60, 67% female, 33% male) were undergraduate students in an Introduction to Psychology course who took part in three 90-min collaborative online tasks. We coded student discourse according to a set of basic communicative acts reflective of the Exploratory Talk framework. Then, using ENA, we identified different groups’ patterns of discourse at the group and individual level. Presenting the epistemic networks of four purposefully chosen groups, this paper offers three key contributions to modeling and conceptualizing group dialogue: (1) illustrating how ENA could offer new ways to analyze group talk by focusing on the frequency of co-occurrence of connections between a basic set of communicate acts rather than the different communicative acts used; (2) refining the theoretical conceptualization of Exploratory Talk by distinguishing two sub-variations—other-oriented vs. self-oriented Exploratory Talk—that differ according to the depth of engagement with other perspectives; (3) examining how ENA allows unpacking diverging dynamics of individual contributions to group discourse, focusing on the role of individuals that function as “instigators” or “connectors.”
Transparent self-cleaning coating prepared from SiO2/B4C and SiO2/B4C/TiO2 for the solar cell
Authors: Koysuren Hafize Nagehan , Koysuren Ozcan
Published: July 2024

Transparent self-cleaning coatings based on photocatalytic activity have attracted great attention in recent years owing to their promising applications in many fields, such as solar cell cover glass. This study reports a simple method to prepare transparent self-cleaning silicon dioxide (SiO2) coatings filled by boron carbide (B4C) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles. A sol-gel technique was used to synthesize a SiO2solution containing B4C and TiO2nanoparticles, and a dip-coating technique was followed to coat the composite solution on glass slides. The SiO2coating was successfully obtained in the presence of both semiconductor nanoparticles as confirmed by FTIR and XRD measurements. Both the photocatalytic activity and self-cleaning property of the composite coatings were evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of a model dye, methylene blue, under visible light irradiation. The SiO2coating containing both B4C and TiO2nanoparticles exhibited an improved photocatalytic activity compared to the SiO2coating including only B4C. In particular, a 46% degradation rate of the model dye methylene blue was achieved for the SiO2coating containing 15 wt% B4C and 5 wt% TiO2nanoparticles. Highly transparent composite coatings on glass slides were prepared. The SiO2coating containing both B4C and TiO2nanoparticles was found to exhibit ~8% reduction in the optical transmission of the glass slide and ~1% reduction in the efficiency of a solar cell containing the coated glass slide. These findings demonstrated that the SiO2composite coatings have potential for self-cleaning applications in removing contaminants from the glass cover of the solar cell under visible light irradiation.

Graphical Abstract
Inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system reduces the abundance of pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 in cultured myotubes
Authors: Kociper Blaž , Škorja Milić Nives , Ogrizek Ivana , Miš Katarina , Pirkmajer Sergej
Published: July 2024

Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase (PDK), which phosphorylates the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, regulates glucose metabolism in skeletal muscle. PDK1, an isozyme whose expression is controlled by hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), is thought to play a role in muscle adaptation to hypoxia. While transcriptional upregulation of PDK1 by HIF-1α is well characterised, mechanisms controlling proteolysis of PDK1 in skeletal muscle have not been thoroughly investigated. Proteasome inhibitor MG132 paradoxically reduced the abundance of PDK1 in human cancer cells and rat L6 myotubes, suggesting that MG132 might direct PDK1 towards autophagic degradation. The objectives of our current study were to determine (1) whether MG132 suppresses PDK1 levels in primary human myotubes, (2) whether chloroquine, an inhibitor of autophagy, prevents MG132-induced suppression of PDK1 in L6 myotubes, and (3) whether PYR-41, an inhibitor of ubiquitination, suppresses PDK1 in L6 myotubes. Using qPCR and/or immunoblotting, we found that despite markedly upregulating HIF-1α protein, MG132 did not alter the PDK1 expression in cultured primary human myotubes, while it suppressed both PDK1 mRNA and protein in L6 myotubes. The PDK1 levels in L6 myotubes were suppressed also during co-treatment with chloroquine and MG132. PYR-41 markedly increased the abundance of HIF-1α in primary human and L6 myotubes, while reducing the abundance of PDK1. In L6 myotubes treated with PYR-41, chloroquine increased the abundance of the epidermal growth factor receptor, but did not prevent the suppression of PDK1. Collectively, our results suggest that cultured myotubes degrade PDK1 via a pathway that cannot be inhibited by MG132, PYR-41, and/or chloroquine.
Strengthening, exhaustification, and rational inference
Authors: Asherov Daniel , Fox Danny , Katzir Roni
Published: July 2024

The literature in semantics and pragmatics provides extensive evidence for the strengthening of linguistic expressions, both in matrix positions and when embedded under various operators. We study the properties of such strengthening using a very simple setting. Specifically, we look at when the expression “crate with a banana” can be understood as a unique crate even though two different crates have a banana in them. By varying the scenarios in which an expression such as “Pick the crate with a banana” is evaluated, we show that the strengthening of “crate with a banana” within the scope of the definite article parallels the entailments of “crate with only a banana” (with an overt exhaustivity operator, ‘only’). We use this observation to argue that strengthening in embedded positions follows the logic of an exhaustivity operator rather than that of rational inference. We then note that a similar pattern obtains in matrix positions.
Neural calibration of hidden inhomogeneous Markov chains: information decompression in life insurance
Authors: Kiermayer Mark , Weiß Christian
Published: July 2024

Markov chains play a key role in a vast number of areas, including life insurance mathematics. Standard actuarial quantities as the premium value can be interpreted as compressed, lossy information about the underlying Markov process. We introduce a method to reconstruct the underlying Markov chain given collective information of a portfolio of contracts. Our neural architecture characterizes the process in a highly explainable way by explicitly providing one-step transition probabilities. Further, we provide an intrinsic, economic model validation to inspect the quality of the information decompression. Lastly, our methodology is successfully tested for a realistic data set of German term life insurance contracts.
Tsunami risk perception of the touristic population of Stromboli Island: towards effective risk communication strategies
Authors: Moreschini Iacopo , Cugliari Lorenzo , Cerbara Loredana , La Longa Federica , Crescimbene Massimo , Amato Alessandro
Published: July 2024

This study focuses on the risks that tourists would face during a tsunami on the island of Stromboli and discusses how to best inform and prepare them. Tsunamis affect coastal regions, where many of these are leisure destinations for tourists who often don’t have adequate knowledge of the region's risks. Due to their proximity to the affected areas, near-source or local tsunamis usually allow for a limited warning time, posing great challenges to the planning of effective risk mitigation action. Furthermore, tourist populations have a particular significance in studies on risk perception, since their needs intersect with those of the local population and must be taken into account. To gather key knowledge for developing robust risk communication strategies, a survey (n = 699) was conducted between July and October 2023 to assess tourists' risk perception and preparedness. The findings indicate that tourists often misdescribe tsunamis, leading to underestimation of the security threats posed by smaller events and revealing shortcomings in current communication approaches. Given the tourism industry practices on the island, effective communication strategies for tourists should prioritize providing comprehensive information within the first 24 h of their arrival. Furthermore, given the high percentage of tourists who visit the island for a few hours and within certain time slots, we invite the authorities to provide this information before disembarking on the island.
Valuing the Future: Changing Time Horizons and Policy Preferences
Authors: Gazmararian Alexander F.
Published: July 2024

The short time horizons of citizens are a prominent explanation for why governments fail to tackle significant long-term public policy problems. Evidence for the influence of time horizons is mixed, complicated by the difficulty of determining how attitudes would differ if individuals were more concerned about the future. This paper approaches the challenge by leveraging a personal experience that leads people to place more value on the future: parenthood. The analysis compares new parents with otherwise similar individuals using a matched difference-in-differences design with a three-wave panel. The results show that parenthood increases support for stopping climate change. Falsification tests and two survey experiments suggest that longer time horizons explain part of this shift in support. Not only are scholars right to emphasize the role of individual time horizons, but changing valuations of the future offer a new way to understand how policy preferences evolve.
Equivalence of Sobolev Norms with Respect to Weighted Gaussian Measures
Authors: Addona D.
Published: July 2024

We consider the spaces $${\text {L}}^p(X,\nu ;V)$$

L

p

(
X
,
ν
;
V
)

, where X is a separable Banach space, $$\mu $$
μ
is a centred non-degenerate Gaussian measure, $$\nu :=Ke^{-U}\mu $$

ν
:
=
K

e

-
U

μ

with normalizing factor K and V is a separable Hilbert space. In this paper we prove a vector-valued Poincaré inequality for functions $$F\in W^{1,p}(X,\nu ;V)$$

F
∈

W

1
,
p

(
X
,
ν
;
V
)

, which allows us to show that for every $$p\in (1,\infty )$$

p
∈
(
1
,
∞
)

and every $$k\in \mathbb {N}$$

k
∈
N

the norm in $$W^{k,p}(X,\nu )$$

W

k
,
p

(
X
,
ν
)

is equivalent to the graph norm of $$D_H^{k}$$

D
H
k

(the k-th Malliavin derivative) in $${\text {L}}^p(X,\nu )$$

L

p

(
X
,
ν
)

. To conclude, we show exponential decay estimates for the V-valued perturbed Ornstein-Uhlenbeck semigroup $$(T^V(t))_{t\ge 0}$$

(

T
V

(
t
)

)

t
≥
0

, defined in Section 2.6, as t goes to infinity. Useful tools are the study of the asymptotic behaviour of the scalar perturbed Ornstein-Uhlenbeck $$(T(t))_{t\ge 0}$$

(
T

(
t
)

)

t
≥
0

, and pointwise estimates for $$|D_HT(t)f|_H^p$$

|

D
H

T

(
t
)

f
|

H
p

by means of both $$T(t)|D_Hf|^p_H$$

T

(
t
)

|

D
H

f
|

H
p

and $$T(t)|f|^p$$

T

(
t
)

|
f
|

p

.
The Predictive Role of Metabolic Volume Segmentation Compared to Semiquantitative PET Parameters in Diagnosis of LVAD Infection using [18F]FDG Imaging
Authors: Novruzov Emil , Dabir Mardjan , Schmitt Dominik , Mattes-György Katalin , Beu Markus , Mori Yuriko , Antke Christina , Reinartz Sebastian , Lichtenberg Artur , Antoch Gerald , Giesel Frederik L. , Aubin Hug , Mamlins Eduards
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Left ventricular assisting device (LVAD) is a vital mechanical circulatory assist device for patients with end-stage heart disease, serving as either a bridge to transplantation or palliative destination therapy. Yet device infection represents a major lethal complication, warranting a multi-step, complex therapy approach including an urgent device exchange or heart transplantation. Still, timely diagnosis of site and extent of VAD-specific infection for a proper therapy planning poses challenges in regular clinical care. This single-center, retrospective study aimed to evaluate the impact of volumetric PET parameters with different thresholding compared to semiquantitative PET parameters for accurate diagnosis of VAD-specific infection.

Procedures

Seventeen patients (1 female, 16 males; mean age 57 ± 11 years) underwent [18F]FDG imaging for suspected VAD-specific infection between April 2013 and October 2023. Various metabolic and volumetric PET parameters with different thresholding were collected for specific LVAD components including driveline entry point, subcutaneous driveline, pump pocket, inner cannula and outflow tract. Microbiology and clinical follow-up were used as the final diagnosis standard.

Results

Nine of eleven patients with VAD-specific infection underwent urgent heart transplantation, and one had a surgical revision of LVAD. Two patients had non-VAD specific infections, and two had non-VAD related infections. Metabolic burden determination using a fixed absolute threshold provided the best outcome compared to relative thresholding or other metabolic SUV parameters. The total metabolic tumor volume (MTV) cutoff value was 9.3 cm3, and the corresponding sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC were 90.0%, 71.43%, 82.5%, and 0.814 (95% CI 0.555–0.958), respectively. The total lesion glycolysis (TLG) was 30.6, and the corresponding sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and AUC were 90.0%, 71.4%, 82.5%, and 0.829 (95% CI 0.571–0.964), respectively.

Conclusions

Volumetric PET parameters with fixed absolute thresholding appear to be a valuable auxiliary tool in the evaluation of [18F]FDG imaging to enhance the diagnostic accuracy of VAD-specific infection.
Phrenic nerve stimulation for central sleep apnea: a single institution experience
Authors: Mease Julie , Augostini Ralph , McKane Scott , Khan Meena
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Phrenic nerve stimulation (PNS) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat moderate to severe central sleep apnea. We report here, results of a retrospective study regarding our institutional outcomes at one year. In this study we evaluated the change in the apnea hypopnea index, epworth sleepiness score, and functional outcomes of sleep score at one year post implant.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis of patients ≥ 18 years of age who had PNS implanted for moderate to severe CSA at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center apnea between Feb 1, 2018 to July 1, 2021. Sleep disordered breathing parameters and objective sleepiness as measured by the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) scores, and Functional Outcomes of Sleep Questionnaire (FOSQ) scores were assessed at baseline and one-year post-implant.

Results

Twenty-two patients were implanted with PNS at OSU between February 1, 2018 and May, 31, 2022. The AHI showed a statistically significant decrease from a median of 40 events/hour at baseline to 18 at follow-up (p-value = 0.003). The CAI decreased from 16 events/hour to 2 events/hour (p-value of 0.001). The obstructive apnea index, mixed apnea index, and hypopnea index did not significantly change. The ESS scores had a statistically significant improvement from a median score of 12 to 9 (p-value = 0.028). While the FOSQ showed a trend to improvement from 15.0 to 17.8, it was not statistically significant (p-value of 0.086).

Conclusion

Our study found that PNS therapy for moderate to severe CSA improves overall AHI and CAI. Objective sleepiness as measured by the ESS also improved at one-year post implant.