bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Change, Racism, and Food Insecurity: Cyclical Impacts of Stressors Exacerbate Health Disparities
Authors: Ek Christina , Hébert James R. , Friedman Daniela B. , Porter Dwayne E.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Disadvantaged populations have higher rates of chronic disease, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Race, ethnicity, lower socioeconomic status, and poverty all contribute to these disproportionate rates. Other factors, including systemic racism, climate change, poor diet, lack of food access, and epigenetic influences, that are distributed and experienced differently across vulnerable populations also play a significant role in the development of chronic diseases. This comprehensive review of contributors to chronic diseases emphasizes a unique focus on these identified emerging factors.

Methods

An ad hoc literature review using OVID Medline and Web of Science was conducted.

Results

Findings from prior studies indicate that multiple stressors, both in isolation and in combination, and their negative impacts on both physical and mental health of minorities are exacerbated by climate change.

Discussion

Various stressors dramatically increase chronic disease risk in minority groups. Recommendations for future research to elucidate the impacts of climatic, racial, and dietary adversity with minority populations are presented. Further study in this area is critical for achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals and improving public health outcomes.
Der Kompromiss in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften – ein Forschungsüberblick
Authors: Mause Karsten
Published: October 2024

In den vergangenen Jahren ist in den Sozialwissenschaften ein verstärktes Interesse am Kompromiss als Konfliktregelungstechnik zu beobachten. Dies manifestiert sich u. a. in neueren Büchern zum Thema und der Gründung von Forschungseinrichtungen, die sich mit Konflikten und Kompromissen beschäftigen. Vor diesem Hintergrund gibt der vorliegende Beitrag einen Überblick über den Stand der ökonomischen Forschung zum Kompromiss. Es zeigt sich, dass der Kompromiss in den Wirtschaftswissenschaften keine zentrale analytische Kategorie darstellt und es bislang keine ausgearbeitete ökonomische Theorie des Kompromisses gibt. Gleichwohl sind aber in der wirtschaftswissenschaftlichen Fachliteratur Studien zu finden, die sich mehr oder weniger ausführlich und tiefgehend mit dem Kompromiss als Technik zur Regulierung bzw. Befriedung von Konflikten zwischen Individuen, gesellschaftlichen Interessengruppen und Staaten auseinandersetzen. Neben einer Bestandsaufnahme macht der Beitrag zudem auf Desiderata für künftige Forschungen in Richtung Kompromissökonomik aufmerksam.
Music Evoked Nostalgia and Wellbeing in Autistic and Non-Autistic Young Adults
Authors: Bennett Julie , Wilmut Kate , Rathbone Clare J.
Published: October 2024

Nostalgia is known to boost state wellbeing and authenticity for people in the general population. However, little research has explored nostalgia’s benefits outside of the general population. This study had two: (1) to explore music evoked nostalgia and its effects on mood, state wellbeing and authenticity in autistic individuals, a group of people who tend to experience reduced wellbeing, compared to non-autistic individuals and (2) to examine the influence of dispositional rumination and reflection on any benefits gained from nostalgic recollection. 146 autistic (69 diagnosed and 77 who self-identified as autistic) and 174 non-autistic people aged 18–25 took part in an online survey. Participants completed scales measuring autistic traits, rumination and reflection. They also reported their mood before, and their mood, state wellbeing and authenticity after a nostalgia manipulation, in which they either listened to and reflected on a nostalgic or a non-nostalgic song. Music evoked nostalgia (versus control) boosted state wellbeing and authenticity in autistic as well as non-autistic individuals. Results also indicated that people who were prone to reflection versus rumination were more likely to reap wellbeing benefits of engaging in nostalgia. This study is the first to show that music evoked nostalgia boosts state wellbeing and authenticity in autistic as well as in non-autistic individuals. Findings suggest that, depending on individual tendencies towards rumination and/or reflection, nostalgia could be viewed as a positive activity that autistic people could use to support wellbeing, aiding their day to day living in the non-autistic social world.
Fabrication of Micro/Nanostructured Copper Fibers by Vibration Cutting for Felt-Based Freshwater Purification
Authors: Wu Kaiyue , Zhang Jianfu , Zheng Zhongpeng , Li Zhiwei , Ding Peiyuan , Liu Jiahui , Wang Jianjian
Published: October 2024

Freshwater purification from wasted water and seawater is crucial in addressing the global problem of water scarcity. Porous fiber felt with a micro/nanostructure emerges as an efficient approach for water purification; however, its production usually relies on chemical postprocessing to create micro/nano structures on the fiber surface, which might pollute the environment. This study proposed an ecofriendly method to produce micro/nanostructured copper fiber felt without chemical treatment. First, a new transverse-feeding vibration cutting is proposed to fabricate micro/nanostructured fibers with controllable structure characteristics. Through the sintering of the structured fibers without postprocessing, the fiber felt can be produced in an ecofriendly way and exhibit special wettability and excellent photothermal properties. Felt-based freshwater purification, including oil–water separation and solar-driven seawater desalination, can be realized effectively. Results show an oil–water separation efficiency of > 90% and a high evaporation rate of water of > 1.08 kg m−2 h−1 at 73 mW cm−2 are achieved, demonstrating the application prospect of the produced fiber felt.
Hat Kants Universalismus ausgedient?
Authors: Mohr Georg
Published: October 2024

Moralphilosophischer Universalismus gilt einigen als überholt, anderen als immer schon und grundsätzlich unhaltbar. Durch irritierende Textpassagen im Werk seines angesehensten Vertreters, Immanuel Kant, scheint er nachdrücklich in Misskredit zu geraten. Der Philosoph der Freiheit, der Autonomie, der Menschenwürde, der Rechtsstaatlichkeit, des Weltfriedens wird konfrontiert mit Vorwürfen des Rassismus, des Sexismus, der Homophobie, des Klassismus und des Antisemitismus in verschiedenen seiner Schriften. Ist Kants Universalismus letztlich nur eine Fassade, hinter der sich rassistisches und koloniales Denken verbirgt? Hat Kants Universalismus ausgedient? Und wäre das nicht auch ein Indiz dafür, dass der Universalismus als Theorietyp insgesamt ausgedient hat? Die hier vertretenen Thesen lauten: Wie auch immer man die anti-universalistischen Textstellen in Kants Werk deutet, (i) das systematische Zentrum von Kants Moralphilosophie ist der Universalismus, und (ii) dieser hat nicht nur nicht ausgedient, sondern formuliert die Präsuppositionen dessen, was einen moralischen Standpunkt überhaupt ausmacht.
Psilocybin and the glutamatergic pathway: implications for the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases
Authors: Szpręgiel Izabela , Bysiek Agnieszka
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, psilocybin has gained attention as a potential drug for several mental disorders. Clinical and preclinical studies have provided evidence that psilocybin can be used as a fast-acting antidepressant. However, the exact mechanisms of action of psilocybin have not been clearly defined. Data show that psilocybin as an agonist of 5-HT2A receptors located in cortical pyramidal cells exerted a significant effect on glutamate (GLU) extracellular levels in both the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Increased GLU release from pyramidal cells in the prefrontal cortex results in increased activity of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons and, consequently, increased release of the GABA neurotransmitter. It seems that this mechanism appears to promote the antidepressant effects of psilocybin. By interacting with the glutamatergic pathway, psilocybin seems to participate also in the process of neuroplasticity. Therefore, the aim of this mini-review is to discuss the available literature data indicating the impact of psilocybin on glutamatergic neurotransmission and its therapeutic effects in the treatment of depression and other diseases of the nervous system.
Enterprise digital management: research review, current status and prospects
Authors: Han Xiao , Hu Yixuan , Wang Li , Zhou Rui
Published: October 2024

With the advent of the digital economy era, digital management has become a hot topic of concern in both the industry and academia. Focusing on digital management in enterprises, this article consists of 750 CSSCI source journals indexed in the CNKI database from 2000 to 2022, 1303 articles in the literature and Web of Science core database were used as research objects, using CiteSpace and VOSviewer Perform bibliometric analysis using visual tools. Firstly, conduct data statistics on the overall collection and apply the author literature coupling method. Analyze representative literature. Secondly, by means of thematic temporal evolution and keyword emergence, we will sort out the development of domestic and foreign research. Expand the context. Next, we use keyword clustering method to explore recent hot topics in domestic and international research. Based on citation analysis and word cluster analysis, with the comprehensive results of "basic elements—management process—management effectiveness", a digital management theory for enterprises has been constructed on the IPO Panoramic Research Framework Model. Finally, future research directions are proposed. Firstly, the issue of digital technology abuse must be addressed through standardized management protocols. Secondly, the mechanisms by which digital technology impacts organizational performance warrant thorough investigation. Thirdly, the paradigm of collaboratively applying multiple digital technologies should be explored. Lastly, the design of an innovative digital ecosystem strategy based on a platform approach needs to be developed.
Digital twins for electric propulsion technologies
Authors: Reza Maryam , Faraji Farbod , Knoll Aaron
Published: October 2024

As the space industry is undergoing an evolution, the current approaches toward design, development, and qualification of Electric Propulsion (EP) systems largely based on empirical “trial-and-error” methodologies are falling short of addressing the emerging needs and keeping abreast of the rapid changes in market trends. Furthermore, with the proliferation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the space industry toward next-generation autonomous satellites and spacecrafts, the conventional EP monitoring and control strategies become inadequate and need to give way to approaches compatible with satellite-level autonomy requirements. A digital twin (DT) – a technology capable of providing an accurate dynamically adapting virtual representation of a physical asset – is a game-changing concept that catalyzes the transcendence of the EP industry past its pressing challenges today. In this paper, we aim to: (i) define the DT concept, highlighting how it surpasses traditional modelling, (ii) enumerate the DT’s breakthrough promises for the EP industry, and (iii) specify the challenges to realize practical and scalable EP DTs. Additionally, we report on the technical progress achieved and/or planned at Imperial Plasma Propulsion Laboratory to fill the foundational gaps in three building block elements of DTs, namely, (i) a cost-effective kinetic model to generate extensive high-fidelity databases for machine learning (ML), (ii) ML-enabled models for prediction and analysis of performance and operational behavior, and (iii) a DT architecture that integrates the numerical models in terms of a computing infrastructure and provides data pipelines and interfaces for the DT’s data exchanges with the real world, its dynamic updating, and uncertainty quantification.
Promoting coordinated spatial governance of mega-cities in China via spatial organization of metropolitan areas
Authors: Zhou Yajie , Xu Hui , Wang Ying , Li Changfeng , Luo Qianyi , Chen Sha
Published: October 2024

Super large-sized cities and very large-sized cities (“mega-cities” for short) have become the backbone of China's socio-economic development, but they also face outstanding challenges of "urban diseases" due to their high concentration. In comparison to their foreign counterparts, China's mega-cities possess unique characteristics such as rapid growth, high population density, and large numbers of residents. They naturally have the attributes of metropolitan areas due to an administrative management system of an urban system within city territory. Promoting coordinated spatial governance of mega-cities via spatial organization of metropolitan areas not only helps mega-cities better allocate resources at a larger scope and helps expedite the transformation of development patterns, but is also crucial for better implementing new-type urbanization strategies. In response to the issues in China’s previous research and practices related to mega-cities and metropolitan areas, leveraging the “Critical Technology for Spatial Optimization of Metropolitan Areas of City Clusters” of the national key R&D plan in the “14th Five-year Plan” period, we have employed a scientific approach that combines data and models to propose spatial governance strategies. These strategies encompass both the overall metropolitan area level and the cross-border regional level. Our primary focus lies in optimizing the spatial layout of the “three domains” – ecological space, production space, and living space, facilitating functional dispersal, enhancing spatial patterns, adjusting land use structures and spatial resource allocation, coordinating rail transit and the organization of functions along transit lines, and innovating service management for improvement of administrative efficiency. Through the implementation of these diverse measures, we aim to establish a comprehensive composite collaborative system.
(A Journey) towards an Affirmative Politics for Environmental Education
Authors: Le Grange Lesley
Published: October 2024

Environmental education (EE) can never be separated from politics and the relationship between the two is complex, has changed over time, and is understood and experienced differently. The field’s relationship with politics is both internal (its own politics) and external (political forces outside the field) to it. In this article, I narrate my story of engaging with EE, politics and the relationship between the two. I refer to my story as an autocartophilosography because it has been significantly influenced by my engagement with philosophy and by my movement in space and over time. My most recent engagement has been with scholars’ theorising in the posthuman condition, and I suggest that this present condition requires a different politics, an affirmative politics. I generate seven propositions towards an affirmative politics for EE: making kin, transversal subjectivity, new alliances, dis/identification, embracing slowness, ethical and intellectual stamina; experimental energy.
Priority-based intelligent resolution method of multi-aircraft flight conflicts
Authors: Sui D. , Zhou Z. , Cui X.
Published: October 2024

The rising demand for air traffic will inevitably result in a surge in both the number and complexity of flight conflicts, necessitating intelligent strategies for conflict resolution. This study addresses the critical challenges of scalability and real-time performance in multi-aircraft flight conflict resolution by proposing a comprehensive method that integrates a priority ranking mechanism with a conflict resolution model based on the Markov decision process (MDP). Within this framework, the proximity between aircraft in a multi-aircraft conflict set is dynamically assessed to establish a conflict resolution ranking mechanism. The problem of multi-aircraft conflict resolution is formalised through the MDP, encompassing the design of state space, discrete action space and reward function, with the transition function implemented via simulation prediction using model-free methods. To address the positional uncertainty of aircraft in real-time scenarios, the conflict detection mechanism introduces the aircraft’s positional error. A deep reinforcement learning (DRL) environment is constructed incorporating actual airspace structures and traffic densities, leveraging the Actor Critic using Kronecker-factored Trust Region (ACKTR) algorithm to determine resolution actions. The experimental results indicate that with 20–30 aircraft in the airspace, the success rate can reach 94% for the training set and 85% for the test set. Furthermore, this study analyses the impact of varying aircraft numbers on the success rate within a specific airspace scenario. The outcomes of this research provide valuable insights for the automation of flight conflict resolution.
The sensitivity of sea-ice brine fraction to the freezing temperature and orientation
Authors: Stewart Kial Douglas , Palm William , Shakespeare Callum James , Kraitzman Noa
Published: October 2024

The changing conditions in which sea ice forms and exists are likely to affect the properties of sea ice itself, and potential climate feedbacks need to be identified and understood to improve future projections. Here we perform a set of idealised laboratory experiments that model sea-ice growth under a range of freezing conditions. The results confirm existing theories; sea-ice growth rate is largest for cooler freezing temperatures, fresher ambient salinities and cases with bottom cooling. Our primary metric of interest is the brine fraction (the volume ratio of brine inclusions to the total sea ice), which we quantify and determine its sensitivity with respect to the ambient salinity, freezing temperature and, for the first time, the freezing direction. We find that the brine fraction of our model sea ice is most sensitive to freezing temperature, and increases 2.5% per 1

$^\circ$

C increase of freezing temperature.
Laws Used to Excessively Impede Naming and Shaming in Business and Human Rights: Elite Power?
Authors: Nissen Aleydis
Published: October 2024

This article explores the use of laws to unduly silence critics of corporate human rights abuses. It considers the hypothesis that state and business elites align their interests, fuelling the employment of regulations to excessively impede naming and shaming activities. This article draws on socio-legal and critical legal studies to demonstrate how laws, while typically perceived as protective, can also serve to empower corporations and suppress dissent. It reviews examples of such collusion and calls for further case studies to better understand the interplay between business interests and regulatory practices.
On the embedded Nash problem
Authors: Budur Nero , de la Bodega Javier , de Lorenzo Poza Eduardo , Fernández de Bobadilla Javier , Pełka Tomasz
Published: October 2024

The embedded Nash problem for a hypersurface in a smooth algebraic variety is to characterize geometrically the maximal irreducible families of arcs with fixed order of contact along the hypersurface. We show that divisors on minimal models of the pair contribute with such families. We solve the problem for unibranch plane curve germs, in terms of the resolution graph. These are embedded analogs of known results for the classical Nash problem on singular varieties.
Thin-disk multi-pass amplifier for kilowatt-class ultrafast lasers
Authors: Xu Sizhi , Liu Xing , Gao Yubo , Ou Zuoyuan , Javed Fayyaz , He Xingyu , Lu Haotian , Chen Junzhan , Chen Yewang , Ouyang Deqin , Zhao Junqing , Wu Xu , Guo Chunyu , Zhou Cangtao , Lue Qitao , Ruan Shuangchen
Published: October 2024

We report on an improved ytterbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet thin-disk multi-pass amplifier for kilowatt-level ultrafast lasers, showcasing excellent beam quality. At a repetition rate of 800 kHz, the 6.8 ps, 276 W seed laser is amplified up to an average power of 1075 W, corresponding to a pulse energy of 1.34 mJ. The 36-pass amplifier is designed as a compact mirror array in which the beam alternately propagates between the mirrors and the disk by a quasi-collimated state. We adopted a quasi-collimated propagation to confine stray and diffracted light by the slight curvature of the disk, which enables us to achieve an outstanding extraction efficiency of up to 57% with excellent beam quality in stable laser operation at high power. The beam quality at 1075 W was measured to be M2 < 1.51. Furthermore, stability testing was demonstrated with a root-mean-square power fluctuation of less than 1.67% for 10 min.
Two-point statistics in non-homogeneous rotating turbulence
Authors: Beaumard P. , Bragança P. , Cuvier C. , Vassilicos J.C.
Published: October 2024

Time-resolved two-dimensional two-component particle image velocimetry measurements with high spatial resolution are carried out in a water tank agitated by four blades rotating at constant speed. Different blade geometries and rotation speeds are tested for the purpose of modifying turbulent flow conditions. In all cases where no baffles are used to break the rotation, the Zeman length is an order of magnitude smaller than the Taylor length. Compared with the cases with baffles which break the rotation, in the unbaffled cases turbulence production and/or mean advection are significant and the turbulence nonlinearity is dramatically reduced for the horizontal (i.e. normal to the axis of rotation) two-point turbulence fluctuating velocities. This nonlinearity reduction is manifest not only in the interscale turbulent energy transfer but also in the interspace turbulent energy transfer, which nearly vanishes. However, the nonlinearity is not reduced for the vertical two-point turbulence fluctuating velocities: the corresponding interscale turbulent transfer rate is in fact intensified, and its dependence on the two-point separation distance, as well as that of the corresponding interspace turbulent transfer rate, which does not vanish, is significantly modified. Even though non-homogeneities are very different for different blades and rotation speeds in the unbaffled cases, the horizontal fluctuating velocity's second-order structure function collapses with scalings which resemble predictions for homogeneous turbulence subject to strong rotation. The vertical fluctuating velocity's second-order structure function does not collapse for different blade geometries by neither these nor the Kolmogorov predictions.
God, Evil, and Anthropomorphism
Authors: Cottingham John
Published: October 2024

In the first part of this paper I draw on some reflections offered by Descartes and Malebranche on the dangers of anthropomorphic conceptions of God, in order to suggest that there is something misguided about the way in which the so-called problem of evil is commonly framed. In the second part, I ask whether the problem of evil becomes easier to deal with if we adopt a non-personalist account of God, of the kind found in Aquinas. I consider the sense in which God is termed ‘good’ on this latter conception, and while not proposing that it can justify or explain the evil and suffering in the world, I suggest that the world’s manifest imperfections are compatible with the existence of a loving creator who is the source of the existence of the world and of the goodness found in created things.
John of St. Thomas (Poinsot) on the Role of Miracles and Wonders in Preaching the Gospel
Authors: Salas Victor M.
Published: October 2024

This article considers the claim that miraculous healings are essential to present-day evangelization. I contrast this perspective with that of the Baroque scholastic theologian John Poinsot. Like his contemporaries, Poinsot is concerned with offering a robust defense of the Christian faith but is rather circumspect with respect to the role that the miraculous should play. I argue that Poinsot’s reasons are not only valid, but the positive framework he develops for defending the articles of the faith helps contemporary evangelists successfully navigate the pitfalls of postmodernity.
Effects of a diverse prebiotic fibre blend on inflammation, the gut microbiota and affective symptoms in metabolic syndrome: a pilot open-label randomised controlled trial
Authors: Hall Caitlin Victoria , Hepsomali Piril , Dalile Boushra , Scapozza Leonardo , Gurry Thomas
Published: October 2024

Emerging evidence suggests that low-grade systemic inflammation plays a key role in altering brain activity, behaviour and affect. Modulation of the gut microbiota using prebiotic fibre offers a potential therapeutic tool to regulate inflammation, mediated via the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA). However, the impact of prebiotic consumption on affective symptoms and the possible contribution from inflammation, gut symptoms and the gut microbiome are currently underexamined. In this 12-week study, the effects of a diverse prebiotic blend on inflammation, gut microbiota profiles and affective symptoms in a population with metabolic syndrome (MetS) were examined. Sixty males and females with MetS meeting the criteria for MetS were randomised into a treatment group (n 40), receiving 10 g per day of a diverse prebiotic blend and healthy eating advice, and a control group (n 20), receiving healthy eating advice only. Our results showed a significant reduction in high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) in the treatment (–0·58 [–9·96 to–2·63]) compared with control (0·37 [–3·64 to–3·32]), alongside significant improvements in self-reported affective scores in the treatment compared with the control group. While there were no differences in relative abundance between groups at week 12, there was a significant increase from baseline to week 12 in fecal Bifidobacterium and Parabacteroides in the treatment group, both of which are recognised as SCFA producers. Multivariate regression analyses further revealed an association between gastrointestinal symptoms and hs-CRP with affective scores. Together, this study provides preliminary support for a diverse prebiotic blend for mood, stress and anxiety.
Lie-theory-based dynamic model identification of serial robots considering nonlinear friction and optimal excitation trajectory
Authors: Luo Ruiqing , Yuan Jianjun , Hu Zhengtao , Du Liang , Bao Sheng , Zhou Meijie
Published: October 2024

Accurate dynamic model is essential for the model-based control of robotic systems. However, on the one hand, the nonlinearity of the friction is seldom treated in robot dynamics. On the other hand, few of the previous studies reasonably balance the calculation time-consuming and the quality for the excitation trajectory optimization. To address these challenges, this article gives a Lie-theory-based dynamic modeling scheme of multi-degree-of-freedom (DoF) serial robots involving nonlinear friction and excitation trajectory optimization. First, we introduce two coefficients to describe the Stribeck characteristics of Coulomb and static friction and consider the dependency of friction on load torque, so as to propose an improved Stribeck friction model. Whereafter, the improved friction model is simplified in a no-load scenario, a novel nonlinear dynamic model is linearized to capture the features of viscous friction across the entire velocity range. Additionally, a new optimization algorithm of excitation trajectories is presented considering the benefits of three different optimization criteria to design the optimal excitation trajectory. On the basis of the above, we retrieve a feasible dynamic parameter set of serial robots through the hybrid least square algorithm. Finally, our research is supported by simulation and experimental analyses of different combinations on the seven-DoF Franka Emika robot. The results show that the proposed friction has better accuracy performance, and the modified optimization algorithm can reduce the overall time required for the optimization process while maintaining the quality of the identification results.
Hybrid learning-based visual path following for an industrial robot
Authors: Bingol Mustafa Can , Aydogmus Omur
Published: October 2024

This study proposes a novel hybrid learning approach for developing a visual path-following algorithm for industrial robots. The process involves three steps: data collection from a simulation environment, network training, and testing on a real robot. The actor network is trained using supervised learning for 500 epochs. A semitrained network is then obtained at the
$250^{th}$
epoch. This network is further trained for another 250 epochs using reinforcement learning methods within the simulation environment. Networks trained with supervised learning (500 epochs) and the proposed hybrid learning method (250 epochs each of supervised and reinforcement learning) are compared. The hybrid learning approach achieves a significantly lower average error (30.9 mm) compared with supervised learning (39.3 mm) on real-world images. Additionally, the hybrid approach exhibits faster processing times (31.7 s) compared with supervised learning (35.0 s). The proposed method is implemented on a KUKA Agilus KR6 R900 six-axis robot, demonstrating its effectiveness. Furthermore, the hybrid approach reduces the total power consumption of the robot’s motors compared with the supervised learning method. These results suggest that the hybrid learning approach offers a more effective and efficient solution for visual path following in industrial robots compared with traditional supervised learning.
Explicit information and working memory in second-language acquisition of the Spanish subjunctive: A replication and extension of Fernández (2008)
Authors: Henry Nick , Villegas Briana , Morgan-Short Kara
Published: October 2024

An important issue in second-language acquisition concerns the role of explicit information (EI) and how it is affected by individual differences. The present study explored this question through a partial replication and extension of Fernández (2008: Experiment 2), which investigated the effects of EI in processing instruction (PI) for the Spanish present subjunctive. This replication compared training with EI (PI) to training without it (structured input; SI). In addition to methodological changes that balance the amount of exposure between groups, this study also includes a control group that received exposure to the target form (C+). Extending the original study, we also assessed the durability of training and whether its effects interact with individual differences in working memory (WM). Results indicate advantages for the PI group during training, supporting Fernández’s conclusions. Immediate post-tests show advantages for the PI group that are not sustained on delayed post-tests. Analyses also indicate benefits for higher WM but only for the PI and C+ groups, although this was only sustained for the C+ group. Thus, findings indicate that when paired with SI, EI and high WM may influence the initial learning of the Spanish subjunctive, but their influence may dissipate over time.
Pharmacoepidemiology of combination pulmonary vasodilator therapy in critically ill infants
Authors: Kumar Karan R. , Ciociola Elizabeth C. , Skinner Kayla R. , Dixit Gargi M. , Alvarez Sunshine , Benjamin Elijah K. , Faulkner Jeffrey C. , Greenberg Rachel G. , Clark Reese H. , Benjamin Daniel K. , Hornik Christoph P. , Lee Jan Hau
Published: October 2024

Background:

New drugs to target different pathways in pulmonary hypertension has resulted in increased combination therapy, but details of this use in infants are not well described. In this large multicenter database study, we describe the pharmacoepidemiology of combination pulmonary vasodilator therapy in critically ill infants.

Methods:

We identified inborn infants discharged home from a Pediatrix neonatal ICU from 1997 to 2020 exposed to inhaled nitric oxide, sildenafil, epoprostenol, or bosentan for greater than two consecutive days. We compared clinical variables and drug utilisation between infants receiving simultaneous combination and monotherapy. We reported each combination’s frequency, timing, and duration and graphically represented drug use over time.

Results:

Of the 7681 infants that met inclusion criteria, 664 (9%) received combination therapy. These infants had a lower median gestational age and birth weight, were more likely to have cardiac and pulmonary anomalies, receive cardiorespiratory support, and had higher in-hospital mortality than those receiving monotherapy. Inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil were most frequently used, and utilisation of combination and monotherapy for all drugs increased over time. Inhaled nitric oxide and epoprostenol were used in infants with a higher gestational age, earlier postnatal age, and shorter duration than sildenafil and bosentan. Dual therapy with inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil was the most common combination therapy.

Conclusion:

Our study revealed an increased use of combination pulmonary vasodilator therapy, favouring inhaled nitric oxide and sildenafil, yet with considerable practice variation. Further research is needed to determine the optimal combination, sequence, dosing, and disease-specific indications for combination therapy.
Neonatal interventricular septal aneurysm associated with right coronary artery fistula
Authors: Tanimoto Kazuki , Iwai Shigemitsu , Imai Kenta
Published: October 2024

We present a neonatal case of interventricular septal aneurysm associated with right coronary artery fistula. This report is the first to document such a neonatal case, highlighting the importance of early diagnosis and surgical intervention.
Genetic diversity and parentage of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) populations from Ghana using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers
Authors: Asare Bediako Kwabena , Padi Francis Kwame , Obeng-Bio Ebenezer , Ofori Atta
Published: October 2024

Ortet selection remains an integral component of cacao breeding programme to develop improved clones and expand the gene pool of available germplasm. This study assessed the population structure of 168 cacao clones developed recently from selected ortets in on-station and on-farm progeny trials in Ghana using 45 SNP markers. Selection of ortets was primarily based on high bean yield, high yield efficiency, adaptability to marginal growing conditions, and low incidence of black pod and cocoa swollen shoot virus diseases. Additionally, 58 SNPs were employed to verify the parentage of 752 bi-clonal seedlings supplied to farmers for commercial plantations. Pairwise multilocus matching based on 45 SNPs showed that the 168 clones were all distinct. Overall, the clones had moderate genetic diversity (He = 0.349 ± 0.022) and shared ancestry with Marañón, Guiana, Contamana, Iquitos, Amelonado, Trinitario, Nanay and Purús based on Bayesian clustering, principal coordinates, and parentage analyses. Parentage analysis of bi-clonal seedlings assigned parent-offspring trios (>80% confidence level) to 65.2% of the farmers' varieties based on breeder's active clone collection. The results of the parentage analysis suggested the existence of mislabelled clones in the seed gardens, necessitating the need for correct clone identification or rogueing. Taken together, this study presents a new group of cacao genetic resources with potential to broaden the gene pool of cacao in cacao improvement programmes. Further, the study conveys evidence of the need for countries with established seed garden systems to constantly monitor the genetic purity of seedlings produced from the seed gardens.
On the retrograde planar co-orbital asteroid motion with Jupiter
Authors: Voyatzis George , Kotoulas Thomas
Published: October 2024

We study the motion of an asteroid being in retrograde 1/1 resonance with Jupiter (co-orbital motion). We consider the planar case (i=180°) and Jupiter is on a circular or elliptic orbit (e′ = 0.048). In the cirular model we compute families of symmetric periodic orbits and their stability type. In the elliptic model we have isolated periodic orbits which affect the orbital modes of motion as it is shown by the FLI dynamical maps.
The obliquity of Mercury: Models and interpretation
Authors: Baland Rose-Marie
Published: October 2024

Mercury is locked in an unusual 3:2 spin-orbit resonance and as such is expected to be in a state of equilibrium called Cassini state. In that state, the angle between the spin axis and orbit normal, called obliquity, remains almost constant while the spin axis remains almost in the plane, also called Cassini plane, defined by the normal to the Laplace plane and the normal to the orbital plane. The spin axis and the orbit normal precess together with a period of about 300 kyr. The orientation of the spin axis of Mercury has been estimated using different approaches: (i) Earth-based radar observations, (ii) Messenger images and altimeter data, and (iii) Messenger radio tracking data. The different estimates all tend to confirm that Mercury occupies the Cassini state. The observed obliquity is small and close to 2 arcmin. It indicates a normalized polar moment of inertia of about 0.34. This information, combined with the existence of a liquid iron core, as evidenced by the librations, allows to constrain the interior structure of Mercury. However, the different estimates of the orientation of the spin axis locate the spin axis somewhat behind or ahead of the Cassini plane, and it is difficult to reconcile and interpret them coherently in terms of detailed interior properties. We review recent models for the obliquity and spin orientation of Mercury, which include the effects of complex orbital dynamics, tidal deformations and associated dissipation, and internal couplings related to the presence of fluid and solid cores. We discuss some implications regarding the interpretations of the orientation estimates in term of interior properties.
Wissenschaftstheoretische Missverständnisse des BGH in Strafsachen
Authors: Fegert Jörg M. , Sachser Cedric , Pusch Martin , Kliemann Andrea , Gerke Jelena
Published: October 2024

Zusammenfassung: Hintergrund: Der Beitrag setzt sich mit der Entscheidung des BGH in Strafsachen zur Glaubhaftigkeitsbegutachtung vom 30.7.1999 (1 StR 618/98, BGHSt 45, 164) auseinander. Hier hat der BGH in Strafsachen, auf der Basis von zwei veröffentlichten wissenschaftlichen Gutachten konkrete Anforderungen für Glaubhaftigkeitsgutachten formuliert. Diese sollten primär von der ,,Nullhypothese“ ausgehen. Methode: In der Auseinandersetzung mit Originalzitaten sollen sich widersprechende wissenschaftstheoretische Postulate in den Expertengutachten und die Rezeption dieser Prinzipien im BGH-Urteil analysiert werden. Ergebnisse: Angesichts der zentralen Bedeutung dieser BGH-Entscheidung werden die Originalgutachten auf ihre wissenschaftstheoretischen Inhalte hin analysiert. Als wissenschaftliche Methodik hat der BGH das Ausgehen von der Annahme, die Aussage sei unwahr – sogenannte „Nullhypothese“ – formuliert. Er bezog sich dabei auf Poppers Deduktionismus, ohne aber auf Regeln der Hypothesenüberprüfung einzugehen. Basierend auf dem zweiten Gutachten, welches mit der induktiven statistischen Aggregation in Bezug auf die Wahrheitsfindung argumentiert, übernimmt der BGH die Annahme, dass „durch das Zusammenwirken der Indikatoren deren Fehleranteile insgesamt gesenkt“ würden. Diesem Umstand liege das mathematische und psychometrisch eingehend untersuchte Prinzip der Aggregation zugrunde. Kausal verknüpfend behauptet der BGH: „Dementsprechend lagen die mit Realkennzeichen in Forschungsvorhaben erzielten Ergebnisse regelmäßig deutlich über dem Zufallsniveau. Allerdings bestanden dabei teilweise nicht unerhebliche Fehlerspannen.“ Fazit: Die mehr als 25 Jahre alte Entscheidung hat die wissenschaftliche Weiterentwicklung der Aussageanalyse und die Überprüfung ihrer Verwendung, z. B. in unterschiedlichen Altersgruppen oder bei Personen mit erheblichen Beeinträchtigungen, eher gehemmt als gefördert. Von Betroffenen wird die Grundannahme, zunächst gelte die Aussage als unwahr, als epistemische Ungerechtigkeit wahrgenommen. Auch eines der dem BGH vorliegenden Gutachten betont die Bedeutung der Ausgangsfragestellung mit Blick auf Bestätigungstendenzen der Ausgangshypothese. Der Beitrag stellt dar, wie ein Jargon der Wissenschaftstheorie einem Vorgehen mit erheblichen Limitationen eine fast dogmatische Anwendungspraxis sichern konnte, die weit über den Anwendungsbereich des Strafrechts, auf den die ursprünglich berechtigte Orientierung am Zweifelsgrundsatz abgestellt war, hinausragt.
A Systematic Review on Sex Differences in Prepulse Inhibition of Startle
Authors: Santos-Carrasco Daniel , De la Casa Luis G.
Published: October 2024

Abstract: Prepulse inhibition of the startle response is defined as the inhibition of the startle reflex to an intense contextual stimulus (named pulse) when a weaker stimulus (named prepulse) precedes it and is considered a measure of sensorimotor gating. Consistent with recent research, it has been observed that this measure might exhibit sex differences in studies of both humans and rodents, although the results in the literature appear to be inconsistent. Therefore, this systematic review aims to analyze the sexual differences observed in human and nonhuman animal studies from a comparative perspective. A comprehensive search was conducted from the inception to the present in the Web of Science, PubMed, and PsycInfo databases. Following the search, 58 studies were included in the review. The average age in human studies ( n = 32) was 31.45 years (range = 4–69), while among nonhuman animal studies ( n = 26), the average age was 75.5 postnatal days (range = 7–360). The results indicated no clear sexual differences in the startle response magnitude. However, consistent sex differences in prepulse inhibition were found, revealing that males exhibited higher levels of sensorimotor gating compared to females in both humans (78.79% of the studies) and nonhuman animal studies (69.23% of the studies). Therefore, the findings corroborate the sex differences of prepulse inhibition and underscore the value of this paradigm in comparative science, emphasizing the importance of considering sex as an independent variable when studying this phenomenon.
Frictional Contacts Between Rough Grains With Fractal Morphology
Authors: Wei Deheng , Zhai Chongpu , Song Hengxu , Hurley Ryan , Huang Shaoqi , Gan Yixiang , Xu Minglong
Published: October 2024

Surface morphology plays a crucial role in friction between two contacting geomaterial surfaces, yet many questions remain unanswered regarding how detailed frictional responses deviate from analytical solutions for smooth surfaces due to the presence of roughness. In this study, we revisit the Cattaneo‐Mindlin problem for contacts between two fractally rough elastic or elasto‐plastic spheres generated based on ultra‐high degree (e.g., up to 2,000) spherical harmonics with the corresponding wavelength less than a thousandth of the mean grain diameter. Transverse contacts are simulated by finite element method, validated by the extended Cattaneo‐Mindlin solution to full slide regime for smooth sphere contacts. Extensive simulations are conducted to study contacts between two rough spheres with various surface geometries, micro friction coefficients, normal contact distances, relative roughness, fractal dimensions, and wavelength ranges. Out results indicate that: (a) the new analytical solution can approximately predict the macro contact response except for extremely high relative roughness and narrow wavelength range; (b) deviations induced by roughness from smooth sphere contacts can be neutralized by plasticity, high normal contact interference, and high micro friction coefficient; and (c) fractal dimension impacts frictional contacts less than relative roughness. The main cause of these phenomena can be credited to the underlying microscale contact information. Contact area and stress distributions and their evolutions provide concrete evidence of these observed behavior. This work provides a pathway for applying computational contact mechanics to many geophysical fields, such as the asperity model in earthquake science and the mechanics of granular materials.
Each Glacier Has a Unique Organic Matter Composition
Authors: Sidik Saima
Published: October 2024

Like snowflakes, no two glaciers are alike: Carbon-containing compounds released from glaciers vary from place to place, meaning climate and ecosystem effects of melting could vary as well.
The Influence of Non‐Thermal Collisions in Europa's Atmosphere
Authors: Carberry Mogan Shane R. , Poppe Andrew R. , Liuzzo Lucas
Published: October 2024

In this study, we show that non‐thermal collisions can play a significant role in shaping Europa's exospheric structure. Collisions between radiolytically produced and the O produced via electron impact dissociation of affect the exospheric structure and escape rates. Specifically, O + collisions lead to the production of a non‐thermal population, and increase the escape while decreasing the O escape. These collisions are dependent on three specific physical parameters: (a) the density of , (b) the electron impact dissociation rate of , and (c) the O + collision cross section. We demonstrate here that O + collisions affect Europa's atmosphere even in the lowest limits considered. Thus, to more accurately determine the influence O + collisions have on Europa's atmosphere in preparation for the forthcoming spacecraft missions, Europa Clipper and the JUpiter ICy moons Explorer (JUICE), these physical parameters need to be better constrained.
The Influence of Fault Geometrical Complexity on Surface Rupture Length
Authors: Rodriguez Padilla A. M. , Oskin M. E. , Brodsky E. E. , Dascher‐Cousineau K. , Herrera V. , White S.
Published: October 2024

Propagating earthquakes must overcome geometrical complexity on fault networks to grow into large, surface rupturing events. We map step‐overs, bends, gaps, splays, and strands of length scales ∼100–500 m from the surface ruptures of 31 strike‐slip earthquakes, recording whether ruptures propagated past the feature. We find that step‐overs and bends can arrest rupture and develop a statistical model for passing probability as a function of geometry for each group. Step‐overs wider than 1.2 km, single bends larger than 32°, and double bends larger than 38° are breached by rupture half of the time. ∼20% of the ruptures terminate on straight segments. We examine how the distribution of geometrical complexity influences surface rupture length, inferring an exponential relationship between rupture length and event probability. Our findings support that geometrical complexity helps limit the size of large events and provide insights into the competition between energy supply and dissipation during rupture propagation.
Electromagnetic Landau Resonance: Nonlinear Dynamics and Harmonic Generation
Authors: Liu Z.‐Y. , Zong Q.‐G. , Wang Y.‐F. , Li J.‐H. , Zhou X.‐Z. , Wang S. , Li L.
Published: October 2024

In situ particle observations provide useful information for determining the significance of nonlinearity in wave‐particle interactions. Here, we examine an electromagnetic Landau resonance event observed by the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission near the dayside magnetopause along this line of thought. During this event, protons with energy 748 eV and pitch angle are observed to resonate with electromagnetic‐ion‐cyclotron waves. Detailed data analysis reveals the existence of a second harmonic signal in proton modulation. Using an observation‐based test particle simulation, this signal is explained as a low‐resolution manifestation of phase space rolled‐up structures, which themselves are not observable due to limited instrument resolution. The presence of these rolled‐up structures suggests that the waves induce significant displacement of the protons in phase space, consequently confirming the nonlinear nature of the observed interaction. Based on the observations, we further discuss the possibility of the nonlinear electromagnetic Landau resonance generating second harmonic waves.