bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multi‐Annual Year‐on‐Year: Minimising the Uncertainty in Photovoltaic System Performance Loss Rates
Authors: Quest Hugo , Ballif Christophe , Virtuani Alessandro
Published: October 2024

The performance loss rate (PLR) is a key parameter in the assessment of photovoltaic (PV) systems' long‐term performance and reliability. Despite the lack of industry‐wide consensus and standardised methods for extracting PLR values from field data, the year‐on‐year (YoY) method is often considered the most robust regression analysis. However, achieving reproducible results with minimal uncertainty remains a challenge. This work proposes the multi‐annual YoY (multi‐YoY) approach, which reduces the statistical uncertainty of the metric through increased usage of available data. The concept is straightforward: Instead of comparing data points only to the following year, the multi‐YoY method compares them to all subsequent years, increasing the number of available comparisons. The methodology is validated using synthetic data and tested on high‐quality datasets made available by IEA PVPS Task 13. The multi‐YoY method improves both accuracy and precision, with only 1% deviation from the set PLR value in a synthetic dataset and a tenfold decrease in confidence interval (CI) compared to the standard YoY. Moreover, comparisons with the IEA benchmark PLR values show good agreement with their ensemble method, with minimised uncertainty. The impact of noise, dataset length missing data and non‐linear trends are tested, showing improved accuracy and robustness for the multi‐YoY approach. For non‐linearity, automatic segmentation is recommended to capture the evolving PLR.
Tuning Supercapacitive Behavior of Eri Silk (Philosamiaricini)‐Polyanilne Nanocomposite for Electrodes Applications
Authors: Begum Jurima , Chutia Sudipta , Phukan Kandarpa
Published: October 2024

Herein, the synthesis of Polyaniline‐Eri nanosilk fibroin (PANI/ENSF) composite supercapacitor electrode material by utilizing Eri silk (Philosamiaricini) as a raw material and polyaniline (PANI) with H2SO4 as doping acid and (NH4)2S2O8 as an oxidant, via a simple in situ oxidative polymerization technique, with good performance characteristics is reported. The chemical composition of the composites have been studied by using XRD, FT‐IR, UV–vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and morphology is studied by SEM. BET analysis reveals that the surface area of composite is 712.10 m2g−1, and BJH analysis shows that the pore size is mainly concentrated between 1.5 and 15.7 nm. The composite shows electrical conductivity of 17.33 × 10−2 Scm−1 (Keithley Model 2000). The electrochemical performances are evaluated by using CV, GCD, and EIS measurements. The three‐electrode system composite shows specific capacitance of about 310.12 Fg−1 at 0.1 Ag−1, which is the highest value being reported, compared to already available polyaniline‐silk composites. Further the studies have been extended to assemble a symmetrical two‐electrode supercapacitor device which also exhibits a high value of specific capacitance of 35 Fg−1 at 5 Ag−1 and 96.12% capacity retention over 5000 cycles. For the first time, this study reports using a Polyaniline‐Eri nanosilk composite to design an efficient supercapacitor electrode.
Development of Green Energetic Oxidizers for Solid Propellant Applications: Present Status
Authors: Arun Kumar Macharla , Purayil Dhanya Bhandara , Venugopal Sarika , Vargeese Anuj A , Krishnamurthy V. N.
Published: October 2024

The quest for new high‐energy materials (HEMs) with superior performance properties compared to conventional HEMs has opened up a new area of research and has resulted in the synthesis of many novel molecules. The challenge is to balance superior performance with stability while adopting an environmentally benign approach during synthesis, use, and disposal. This multipoint challenge has united theoretical, experimental, and applied researchers toward achieving this goal. Oxidizers are HEMs that possess stoichiometric excess of oxygen, which is used to oxidize the binder‐fuel and solid fuel additives in solid propellants. Ammonium perchlorate (AP), a commonly used oxidizer in solid propellants, needs replacement due to environmental and performance concerns. The demand for new “green energetic oxidizers” has led to the synthesis of dinitramide and trinitromethane salts, polynitroazoles, and strained‐ring compounds. Some of these compounds can be effectively used as energetic fillers to improve the overall performance of the solid propellants. This review assesses AP and ammonium nitrate in propellant applications and the performance challenges associated with the use of ammonium dinitramide (ADN), hydrazinium nitroformate, trinitroazetidine, and hexanitrohexaazaisowurtzitane (CL‐20) in propellant formulations. The synthetic feasibility of these new oxidizers, their decomposition behaviour, performance, compatibility in propellant formulations, and ways to overcome these difficulties are discussed. Evaluation of the theoretical performance of these molecules indicated that the ADN − Glycidyl azide polymer is a promising combination. However, ADN is highly hygroscopic, and an anti‐hygroscopic strategy needs to be developed. Finally, this review examines the possible identification of practical oxidizers for application purposes.
Mechanistic insights into uptake, transfer and exchange of metal ions by the three‐metal clusters of a metalloprotein
Authors: Liu Pengfei , Baumann Christian , Streuli David , Zerbe Oliver
Published: October 2024

Metallothioneins (MTs) are small proteins that coordinate d‐block metal ions in sulfur‐metal clusters to control metal ion concentrations within the cell. Here we study metal cluster formation in the MT of the periwinkle Littorina littorea (LlMT) by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). We demonstrate that the three Cd2+ ions in each domain are taken up highly cooperatively, that is, in an all‐or‐none fashion, with a four‐ to six‐fold higher affinity for the C‐terminal domain. During the transfer of metal ions from Cd2+‐loaded MT to apo MT, Cd2+ is most efficiently transferred from the metalated protein to the apo C‐terminal domain. This behavior might be connected to unique structural motifs in the C‐terminal domain, such as two double‐CXC motifs and an increased proportion of positively charged residues. In Cd2+/Zn2+ metal exchange experiments, the N‐terminal domain displayed the most efficient inter‐molecular metal exchange. Amide hydrogen exchange reveals fewer protected amides for the N‐terminal domain, suggesting the structure might more easily “open up” to facilitate metal exchange. Experiments with a physical separation of donor and acceptor species demonstrate that metal exchange and transfer require protein–protein contacts. These findings provide insights into the mechanism of metal uptake and metal transfer, which are important processes during metal detoxification in snail MTs.
Low SMARCD3 expression is associated with poor prognosis in patients with prostate cancer
Authors: Ertl Iris E. , Lemberger Ursula , Rajwa Pawel , Petrov Patrik , Mayer Stefan T. , Timelthaler Gerald , Englinger Bernhard , Brettner Robert , Garstka Nathalie , Compérat Eva , Kenner Lukas , Shariat Shahrokh F.
Published: October 2024

Backgrounds

SWI/SNF complexes represent a family of multi‐subunit chromatin remodelers that are affected by alterations in >20% of human tumors. While mutations of SWI/SNF genes are relatively uncommon in prostate cancer (PCa), the literature suggests that deregulation of various subunits plays a role in prostate tumorigenesis. To assess SWI/SNF functions in a clinical context, we studied the mutually exclusive, paralogue accessory subunits SMARCD1, SMARCD2, and SMARCD3 that are included in every known complex and are sought to confer specificity.

Methods

Performing immunohistochemistry (IHC), the protein levels of the SMARCD family members were measured using a tissue microarray (TMA) comprising malignant samples and matching healthy tissue of non‐metastatic PCa patients (n = 168). Moreover, IHC was performed in castration‐resistant tumors (n = 9) and lymph node metastases (n = 22). To assess their potential role as molecular biomarkers, SMARCD1 and SMARCD3 protein levels were correlated with clinical parameters such as T stage, Gleason score, biochemical recurrence, and progression‐free survival.

Results

SMARCD1 protein levels in non‐metastatic primary tumors, lymph node metastases, and castration‐resistant samples were significantly higher than in benign tissues. Likewise, SMARCD3 protein expression was elevated in tumor tissue and especially lymph node metastases compared to benign samples. While SMARCD1 levels in primary tumors did not exhibit significant associations with any of the tested clinical parameters, SMARCD3 exhibited an inverse correlation with pre‐operative PSA levels. Moreover, low SMARCD3 expression was associated with progression to metastasis.

Conclusions

In congruence with previous literature, our results implicate that both SMARCD1 and SMARCD3 may exhibit relevant functions in the context of prostate tumorigenesis. Moreover, our approach suggests a potential role of SMARCD3 as a novel prognostic marker in clinically non‐metastatic PCa.
Mobility against all odds: the experiences of Chinese international students in Portugal amid the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: França Thais , Nada Cosmin , Van Mol Christof
Published: October 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic significantly affected international student mobility. Chinese international students had to deal not only with challenges such as border closures and lockdowns but also with discrimination and stigmatisation. In this paper, we examine the decisions of Chinese students to engage in international mobility and their experiences in Portugal during the pandemic, relying on 23 in‐depth interviews with Chinese international students living in Portugal during the first year of the COVID‐19 pandemic (2020–2021). Our findings indicate that, although these students were concerned about the COVID‐19 pandemic and its risks, they tended to prioritise their academic endeavours, while their mobility plans did not appear to have been significantly affected by the pandemic. These findings provide new insights into how international students structure their mobility plans and make sense of their experiences of studying abroad during “unsettling events”.
Establishing a physiologically based pharmacokinetic framework for aldehyde oxidase and dual aldehyde oxidase‐CYP substrates
Authors: Izat Nihan , Bolleddula Jayaprakasam , Carione Pasquale , Huertas Valentin Leticia , Jones Robert S. , Kulkarni Priyanka , Moss Darren , Peterkin Vincent C. , Tian Dan‐Dan , Treyer Andrea , Venkatakrishnan Karthik , Zientek Michael A. , Barber Jill , Houston J. Brian , Galetin Aleksandra , Scotcher Daniel
Published: October 2024

Aldehyde oxidase (AO) contributes to the clearance of many approved and investigational small molecule drugs, which are often dual substrates of AO and drug‐metabolizing enzymes such as cytochrome P450s (CYPs). As such, the lack of established framework for quantitative translation of the clinical pharmacologic correlates of AO‐mediated clearance represents an unmet need. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling in the development of AO and dual AO‐CYP substrates. PBPK models were developed for capmatinib, idelalisib, lenvatinib, zaleplon, ziprasidone, and zoniporide, incorporating in vitro functional data from human liver subcellular fractions and human hepatocytes. Prediction of metabolic elimination with/without the additional empirical scaling factors (ESFs) was assessed. Clinical pharmacokinetics, human mass balance, and drug–drug interaction (DDI) studies with CYP3A4 modulators, where available, were used to refine/verify the models. Due to the lack of clinically significant AO‐DDIs with known AO inhibitors, the fraction metabolized by AO (fmAO) was verified indirectly. Clearance predictions were improved by using ESFs (GMFE ≤1.4‐fold versus up to fivefold with physiologically‐based scaling only). Observed fmi from mass balance studies were crucial for model verification/refinement, as illustrated by capmatinib, where the fmAO (40%) was otherwise underpredicted up to fourfold. Subsequently, independent DDI studies with ketoconazole, itraconazole, rifampicin, and carbamazepine verified the fmCYP3A4, with predicted ratios of the area under the concentration–time curve (AUCR) within 1.5‐fold of the observations. In conclusion, this study provides a novel PBPK‐based framework for predicting AO‐mediated pharmacokinetics and quantitative assessment of clinical DDI risks for dual AO‐CYP substrates within a totality‐of‐evidence approach.
Defect Structure and Luminescence of κ‐Ga2O3 Micro‐Monocrystals
Authors: Vyvenko Oleg F. , Shapenkov Sevastian V. , Ubyivovk Eugene V. , Bondarenko Anton S. , Varygin Georgiy V. , Pechnikov Alexey I. , Nikolaev Vladimir I.
Published: October 2024

Wide bandgap orthorhombic polymorph of gallium oxide (κ‐Ga2O3) possessing a high spontaneous polarization grown on wurtzite‐type semiconducting substrates is considered to create a high mobility electron channel suitable for applications. Such κ‐Ga2O3 layers are composed of hexagon microprisms whose properties affect the lateral electric conductance. In this work, the structure and recombination properties of extended defects in individual “suspended” thin microprisms are investigated with transmission and scanning electron microscopy techniques (STEM, HR‐TEM) including cathodoluminescence (CL‐SEM). It is established that the microprism is composed of six equisized orthorhombic domains bounded by twin domain boundaries (TDBs) along the directions <110>. Twin domain contains a parallel array of antiphase boundaries (APB) of a high density stretched in the [010] direction. APBs possess steps or interruption and can form double oppositely shifted spatially separated layers (APB dipoles). TDBs on majority of their length are incoherent and serve as the border for the APB terminations. Panchromatic CL maps reveal either enhanced or reduced intensity of APB without noticeable spectral changes. CL intensity enhancement is proposed to be due to enhanced electron–hole generation caused by excess scattering of primary electron beam by APBs in thin films while, in fact, APB exhibits enhanced nonradiative recombination activity.
Robust Control for Underwater Cooperative Localization Systems With Unknown Noise and Multiple Nodes
Authors: Luo Qinghua , Guo Qicheng , Yan Xiaozhen , Lin Jiaqi
Published: October 2024

The cooperative localization technology of multi‐AUV has been a research hotspot in the area of underwater localization in recent years. Aiming at the situation that the localization accuracy is reduced and diverging due to uncertain information such as outliers and unknown time‐varying noise in the measurement information in the dynamic topology environment, a new measurement filtering module is designed by using factor graphs. First, the K‐means algorithm is introduced based on the cooperative localization algorithm based on factor graphs in the dynamic environment, and an outlier filtering module is designed to filter measurement outliers. After outlier correction, the EM algorithm is introduced to resolve the issue of unknown measurement noise variance caused by unknown time‐varying noise and design an adaptive filtering module. Finally, to address the issue of degraded real‐time performance due to a large number of system communication nodes and diverse quality, the paper introduces the CRLB algorithm, distance evaluation factor, and measurement smoothing factor to design a node optimization module. Finally, these modules are integrated into the cooperative localization system through factor graphs. Through experimental analysis, the proposed algorithm effectively reduces outliers and unknown time‐varying noise in measurement information, as well as the impact of a large number of system nodes on localization accuracy and real‐time performance. In addition, the proposed algorithm also shows strong robustness in the face of extreme underwater environments.
On an Empirical Likelihood Based Solution to the Approximate Bayesian Computation Problem
Authors: Chaudhuri Sanjay , Ghosh Subhroshekhar , Pham Kim Cuc
Published: October 2024

Approximate Bayesian computation (ABC) methods are applicable to statistical models specified by generative processes with analytically intractable likelihoods. These methods try to approximate the posterior density of a model parameter by comparing the observed data with additional process‐generated simulated data sets. For computational benefit, only the values of certain well‐chosen summary statistics are usually compared, instead of the whole data set. Most ABC procedures are computationally expensive, justified only heuristically, and have poor asymptotic properties. In this article, we introduce a new empirical likelihood‐based approach to the ABC paradigm called ABCel. The proposed procedure is computationally tractable and approximates the target log posterior of the parameter as a sum of two functions of the data—namely, the mean of the optimal log‐empirical likelihood weights and the estimated differential entropy of the summary functions. We rigorously justify the procedure via direct and reverse information projections onto appropriate classes of probability densities. Past applications of empirical likelihood in ABC demanded constraints based on analytically tractable estimating functions that involve both the data and the parameter; although by the nature of the ABC problem such functions may not be available in general. In contrast, we use constraints that are functions of the summary statistics only. Equally importantly, we show that our construction directly connects to the reverse information projection and estimate the relevant differential entropy by a k‐NN estimator. We show that ABCel is posterior consistent and has highly favorable asymptotic properties. Its construction justifies the use of simple summary statistics like moments, quantiles, and so forth, which in practice produce accurate approximation of the posterior density. We illustrate the performance of the proposed procedure in a range of applications.
What keeps the market ticking? The role of third‐party audiences and cognitive embeddedness in shaping competitive dynamics in luxury watchmaking
Authors: Claes Kim , Godart Frédéric
Published: October 2024

Research Summary

Competitive dynamics between firms and buyers are shaped by mutually understood conceptual systems that enable market interactions. Third‐party audiences, such as the media, play a crucial role in shaping market structure and evolution by facilitating the development of these conceptual systems. Although they do not directly engage in contractual bargaining, third‐party audiences stabilize perceptions and facilitate market interactions by cognitively embedding competitive dynamics. Our study examines the coreness of firms within the semantic network of firm names as relayed by the media. We find that higher coreness positively impacts auction prices. This effect is moderated by firm visibility and the tone of media coverage. Our model is tested using a unique dataset from the luxury watchmaking industry.

Managerial Summary

We demonstrate that a firm's performance is shaped not only by how prominently or positively it is featured in the media, but also by the relational context in which it is mentioned. Firms that are frequently mentioned alongside other key industry players are perceived to be the core of the industry, leading to higher auction prices for their products. The effect is strengthened when a firm enjoys frequent and positive media coverage. For managers, our findings underscore the importance of understanding how and why the media associates their brand with others, as this can enhance its value in secondary markets, and thus potentially boost value capture in primary markets. Our analysis explores the luxury watchmaking industry, a setting that is rarely studied.
Macroscopic Monograin Nano‐Gyroid Thin Films in 4‐inch Scale Through Shear‐Rolling and Subsequent Solvent Annealing
Authors: Nam Woo Hyun , Hur Jung , Cho Junghyun , Ryu Du Yeol , Ahn Hyungju , Son Jeong Gon
Published: October 2024

The gyroid structure from self‐assembly is highly attractive for optical applications such as photonic crystals and metamaterials. However, due to the direction‐dependent nature of these applications, achieving a monograin‐level structure over a large area has remained challenging. In this study, the fabrication of unidirectionally oriented anisotropic nanocylinders of polystyrene‐block‐polydimethylsiloxane (PS‐b‐PDMS) is reported block copolymer thin films up to a 4‐inch scale via a shear‐rolling process, followed by solvent annealing to induce phase transition to nearly monograin gyroid structures. Grazing‐incidence small‐angle X‐ray scattering (GISAXS) analysis and cross‐sectional scanning electron microscope (SEM) images in the direction parallel to the shear‐rolling direction reveal the preferential orientation with the (111) plane onto the YZ axis of the film, while only the (110) plane on the YZ axis of the film is observed in the perpendicular direction, with grain sizes approaching single‐grain levels. For metamaterial applications, the PDMS domain is selectively removed, and gold is electroplated to produce monograin gold gyroid films.
Tailoring Interlayer Microenvironment of 2D Layered Double Hydroxides for CO2 Reduction with Enhanced C2+ Production
Authors: Wu Tong , Wu Zihao , Shi Ziqian , Zhang Lihua , Zhan Yinbo , Dong Yilin , Zhou Bowei , Wei Fei , Zhang Dongliang , Gao Yukun , Yin Penggang , Zhao Yixin , Qi Limin , Long Xia
Published: October 2024

Both the physicochemical properties of catalytic material and the structure of loaded catalyst layer (CL) on gas diffusion electrode (GDE) are of crucial importance in determining the conversion efficiency and product selectivity of carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the highly reducing reaction condition of CO2RR will lead to the uncontrollable structural and compositional changes of catalysts, making it difficult to tailor surface properties and microstructure of the real active species for favored products. Herein, the interlayer microenvironment of copper‐based layered double hydroxides (LDHs) is rationally tuned by a facile ink solvent engineering, which affects both the surface characters and microstructure of CL on GDE, leading to distinct catalytic activity and product selectivity. According to series of in situ and ex situ techniques, the appropriate surface wettability and thickness of porous CL are found to play critical roles in controlling the local CO2 concentration and water dissociation steps that are key for hydrogenation during CO2RR, leading to a high Faradaic efficiency of 75.3% for C2+ products and a partial current density of 275 mA cm−2 at −0.8 V versus RHE. This work provides insights into rational design of efficient electrocatalysts toward CO2RR for multi‐carbon generation.
High‐Performance Composite Membranes: Embedding Yttria‐Stabilized Zirconia in Polyphenylene Sulfide Fabric for Enhanced Alkaline Water Electrolysis Efficiency
Authors: Gao Haoyang , Yang Guofeng , Song Wen , Su Kunmei , Zhang Maliang , Li Zhenhuan
Published: October 2024

Due to their excellent alkali resistance and chemical stability, polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) fabric membranes are widely used in alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) for hydrogen production. However, traditional PPS membranes suffer from poor hydrophilicity, low airtightness, and high area resistance, resulting in high energy consumption and reduced safety in industrial applications. This study addresses the aforementioned issues by coupling 3‐(2,3‐epoxy propoxy) propyl trimethoxy silane (KH560) via self‐condensation to the PPS membrane and blending it with self‐synthesized yttrium‐stabilized zirconia nanoparticles (YSZNPs). The YSZNPs are loaded onto the modified PPS fiber surface through dip‐coating and hot‐pressing processes, forming a micro‐mechanical interlocking structure that enhances the overall performance of the membrane in practical hydrogen production applications. The findings indicate that the developed composite membrane demonstrate outstanding hydrophilicity, minimal area resistance (0.21 Ω cm2), and elevated bubble point pressure (2.93224 bar). Significantly, tests on gas purity indicate that the produced hydrogen and oxygen attain purities of 99.90% and 99.75%, respectively, when evaluated at a current density of 1.5 A cm−2. Moreover, after 500 h of electrolysis testing in a simulated industrial environment, minimal decline in membrane performance is observed, highlighting the competitive edge of this composite membrane in the current AWE market.
Tissue‐seeking dyes for in vivo applications
Authors: Ma Yuan , Qin Cuirong , Lei Yanlin , Yang Xiaodong , Lei Zuhai
Published: October 2024

In vivo optical imaging has become an invaluable tool for visualizing and monitoring biological processes in living organisms. A key component of these imaging techniques is the use of fluorescent dyes that can selectively target and label specific tissues or cell types. This review provides an overview of the current state of tissue‐seeking dyes for in vivo applications. We discuss the design principles and chemical structures of dyes that have been developed to target various tissues of interest, including tumors, nerves, bones, vasculatures, and other tissues. The review covers the photophysical properties, targeting mechanisms, and in vivo performance of these dyes. Particular emphasis is placed on dyes that have demonstrated clinical translation or have high potential for future clinical use. The review also examines the challenges and considerations in developing effective tissue‐seeking dyes, such as achieving high specificity, overcoming biological barriers and minimizing toxicity. Finally, we highlight emerging trends and future directions in the field, including the integration of tissue‐seeking dyes with advanced imaging modalities and theranostic applications. Overall, this review provides a focused summary of the current landscape of tissue‐seeking dyes and their pivotal role in advancing in vivo optical imaging and its biomedical applications.
AMORA: An Advanced Malleable and Operational Framework for Performance Prediction of Big Data Systems
Authors: Lin Weiwei , Xu Haojun , Zhong Haocheng , Chen Fan , Hu Zhengyang
Published: October 2024

Background

In the data era, big data systems have emerged as pivotal tools, underscoring the importance of performance prediction in enhancing the efficiency of big data clusters. Numerous performance models have been proposed, often grounded in artificial intelligence or simulation methodologies. While the bulk of research focuses on refining prediction precision and minimizing overhead, limited attention has been given to the consignation and standardization of these models.

Objectives

To bridge this gap between model developers and end‐users, this paper introduces AMORA—a novel versatile framework tailored for predicting the performance of big data systems.

Methods

Leveraging the identified behavior descriptions‐computation submodels (BD‐CS) pattern that is prevalent among various big data job performance models, AMORA allows access to different plugins accommodating different performance models' implementations. This framework also integrates a novel mutable computation graph technique to facilitate backtracking computation. Furthermore, AMORA's functionality extends to comprehensive end‐to‐end usability by enabling the acceptance of origin configuration files from diverse big data systems and presenting easily interpretable prediction reports.

Results

This work demonstrates AMORA's efficacy in producing an accurate trace of Hadoop job through the selection of appropriate performance model plugins and parameter adjustments and showcasing the application of the proposed mutable computation graph technique in calculating the starting moment of an early‐start reducer. Additionally, two validation experiments are conducted, involving the implementation of various Hadoop and Spark performance models, respectively. The experiment results manifest the prediction precision and overheads of these performance models.

Conclusion

These experiments exhibit AMORA's role as a benchmark platform for implementing various types of big data job performance models catered to diverse big data systems.
Studies of genetic diversity and genome‐wide association for vitamin C content in lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) using high‐throughput SNP arrays
Authors: Medina‐Lozano Inés , Bertolín Juan Ramón , Plieske Jörg , Ganal Martin , Gnad Heike , Díaz Aurora
Published: October 2024

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) is a source of beneficial compounds though they are generally present in low quantities. We used 40K Axiom and 9K Infinium SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) arrays to (i) explore the genetic variability in 21 varieties and (ii) carry out genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) of vitamin C content in21 varieties and a population of 205 plants from the richest variety in vitamin C (‘Lechuga del Pirineo’). Structure and phylogenetic analyses showed that the group formed mainly by traditional varieties was the most diverse, whereas the red commercial varieties clustered together and very distinguishably apart from the rest. GWAS consistently detected, in a region of chromosome 2, several SNPs related to dehydroascorbic acid (a form of vitamin C) content using three different methods to assess population structure, subpopulation membership coefficients, multidimensional scaling, and principal component analysis. The latter detected the highest number of SNPs (17) and the most significantly associated, 12 of them showing a high linkage disequilibrium with the lead SNP. Among the 84 genes in the region, some have been reported to be related to vitamin C content or antioxidant status in other crops either directly, like those encoding long non‐coding RNA, several F‐box proteins, and a pectinesterase/pectinesterase inhibitor, or indirectly, like extensin‐1‐like protein and endoglucanase 2 genes. The involvement of other genes identified within the region in vitamin C levels needs to be further studied. Understanding the genetic control of such an important quality trait in lettuce becomes very relevant from a breeding perspective.
Introducing CHiDO—A No Code Genomic Prediction software implementation for the characterization and integration of driven omics
Authors: González Francisco , García‐Abadillo Julián , Jarquín Diego
Published: October 2024

Climate change represents a significant challenge to global food security by altering environmental conditions critical to crop growth. Plant breeders can play a key role in mitigating these challenges by developing more resilient crop varieties; however, these efforts require significant investments in resources and time. In response, it is imperative to use current technologies that assimilate large biological and environmental datasets into predictive models to accelerate the research, development, and release of new improved varieties that can be more resilient to the increasingly variable climatic conditions. Leveraging large and diverse datasets can improve the characterization of phenotypic responses due to environmental stimuli and genomic pulses. A better characterization of these signals holds the potential to enhance our ability to predict trait performance under changes in weather and/or soil conditions with high precision. This paper introduces characterization and integration of driven omics (CHiDO), an easy‐to‐use, no‐code platform designed to integrate diverse omics datasets and effectively model their interactions. With its flexibility to integrate and process datasets, CHiDO's intuitive interface allows users to explore historical data, formulate hypotheses, and optimize data collection strategies for future scenarios. The platform's mission emphasizes global accessibility, democratizing statistical solutions for situations where professional ability in data processing and data analysis is not available.
Von rechtsethischen Forderungen zum geltenden Recht
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Im Anschluss an die im ersten Teil erfolgte Nachzeichnung der Ursprünge der Tierethikdebatte sowie die Aufarbeitung der Diskussion um die anthropologische Differenz und ihre Massgeblichkeit für die rechtliche Stellung des Tieres gilt es nun im zweiten Teil zu untersuchen, wie das geltende Recht auf die aufgeworfenen Fragen antwortet. Es geht im Folgenden also darum zu klären, ob, wie weit und weshalb Tiere rechtlich als berücksichtigungswürdige Wesen aufgefasst werden. Dabei sollen auch die gewählten Modelle der Inklusion von Tieren ins Recht und deren konkrete Implikationen näher betrachtet werden.
Tierschutzrecht
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Zum Tierschutzrecht in einem weiten Sinne gehören nach hier vertretener und wohl mittlerweile auch weitgehend h.M. jene Normen, welche massgeblich zumindest auch – freilich nicht immer nur – den Schutz des Lebens, der Unversehrtheit, des Wohlergehens und der Würde von Tieren bezwecken. In diesem Sinne verstehen auch Liliane Schärmeli und Alain Griffel die verfassungsrechtliche Kompetenzzuweisung zur Regelung des Tierschutzes an den Bund gemäss Art. 80 BV: Wenn der Bund Vorschriften über den Schutz der Tiere erlassen kann und muss, sind demnach Vorschriften gemeint, welche auf den «Schutz des Wohlergehens und der Würde des Tieres» zielen. Zudem geht es in tierschutzrechtlichen Normen regelmässig um den Schutz der Tiere vor Menschen, teilweise auch vor anderen Tieren, Krankheiten oder Umweltereignissen wie Hitze, Trockenheit, Kälte etc. Damit gehören Vorschriften, welche sich mit dem Schutz der Menschen vor unter Umständen gefährlichen Tieren befassen, nicht zum Tierschutzrecht.
… aber keinen Schutz ihres Lebens
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Das schweizerische Tierschutzgesetz schützt gemäss seiner Zweckbestimmung die Würde und das Wohlergehen des Tieres, nicht aber sein Leben. Dies beruht auf einem klaren gesetzgeberischen Entscheid. Verboten sind somit lediglich die tierquälerische Tötung, d. h. die Tötung «auf qualvolle Art» (Art. 26 Abs. 1 lit. b TSchG), sowie die Tötung «aus Mutwillen» (Art. 26 Abs. 1 lit. b TSchG) und die Veranstaltung von Tierkämpfen, bei denen Tiere getötet werden (Art. 26 Abs. 1 lit. c TSchG).
Tiere sind keine Sachen…
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

In den letzten dreissig Jahren haben einige zentraleuropäische Länder Tiere aus dem traditionellen zivilrechtlichen Status als blosse Sachen herausgelöst. Die «Entsachlichung» der Tiere wird aus einer tierrechtswissenschaftlichen Perspektive denn auch als einer der zentralen Trends der europäischen Rechtsentwicklung identifiziert. Sie nahm ihren Ausgang von Österreich und Deutschland, die beide Tiere bereits im Jahr 1988 (Österreich) bzw. 1990 (Deutschland) per Deklaration im bürgerlichen Recht aus der im römischen Recht wurzelnden Personen/Sachen-Dichotomie befreiten. Dem Vorbild folgten im Jahr 2003 die Schweiz, die gut zehn Jahre zuvor der verfassungsrechtlichen Verankerung der Würde der Kreatur zugestimmt hatte, und – im gleichen Jahr – Liechtenstein. Schliesslich nahm die französische im Jahr 2015 eine entsprechende Norm in den Code Civil auf.
… aber Eigentum
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Grundsätzlich können über Tiere weiterhin gleich wie über unbelebte Gegenstände schuldrechtliche Verträge abgeschlossen und sachenrechtliche Verfügungen getroffen werden – denkbar sind also beispielsweise Kaufverträge, Mietverträge oder Pachtverträge mit ihren jeweiligen zivilrechtlichen Wirkungen. In der Regel sind die allgemeinen obligationenrechtlichen Vorschriften entsprechend anzuwenden, beim Kaufvertrag somit etwa die Normen zum Fahrniskauf (Art. 187 ff. OR). Freilich sind hier die Vorgaben der Tierschutzgesetzgebung sowie allfällige Spezialvorschriften zu beachten. So ist der Handel mit gentechnisch veränderten Tieren bewilligungspflichtig (Art. 11 Abs. 1 TSchG), ebenso der gewerbsmässige Tierhandel (Art. 13 Abs. 1 TSchG) und der gewerbsmässige internationale Tiertransport (Art. 15a TSchG). Aus Tierschutzgründen kann zudem die Ein-, Durch- und Ausfuhr von Tieren an Bedingungen geknüpft, eingeschränkt oder ganz verboten werden (Art. 14 Abs. 1 TSchG).
Der freie Wille, die Interessen und die Rechtsträgerschaft
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Der Einblick in die Diskussion der Willens- und Interessentheorie hat verdeutlicht, dass willensbasierte Rechtstheorien nur menschliche Rechtsträger inkludieren. Der Schutzzweck des subjektiven Rechts – Raum für die eigene Willensmacht zu erhalten – wirkt direkt auf die notwendigen Eigenschaften des Rechtsträgers zurück: Es kann keine Rechtsträger geben, welche nicht über die Fähigkeit zur autonomen Willensbildung verfügen. Nur Menschen haben aber einen freien Willen im geforderten Sinn. Also kommen Tiere als Rechtsträger ohnehin nicht infrage. Eine Theorie der Tierrechte lässt sich in eine Rechtstheorie, welche subjektive Rechte ausschliesslich als geschützte Willensmacht eines autonom handelnden Subjekts begreift, jedenfalls nicht widerspruchlos integrieren.
Welche Interessen zählen?
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Interessentheoretische Ansätze anerkennen regelmässig nicht alle faktisch möglichen Interessen als ausreichend, um Rechte zu legitimieren. Joseph Raz formuliert dies folgendermassen:

«,x has a right‘ if and only if x can have rights, and, other things being equal, an aspect of x’s well-being (his interest) is a sufficient reason for holding some other person(s) to be under a duty.»
Fazit: Der Schutzzweck von Rechten
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Zusammenfassend bleibt nach diesen Überlegungen fraglich, ob alle subjektiven Rechte mittels einer einheitlichen Rechtstheorie erfasst werden können. Weder die exklusive Anwendung der Willenstheorie noch die der Interessentheorie liefert für alle Rechtsträger und Kontexte befriedigende Resultate. Beide Theorien sind hilfreich, um den Schutzzweck bestimmter Rechte in bestimmten Konstellationen zu verdeutlichen.
Tierethik hinterfragt Gesellschaftsmoral
Authors: Michel Margot
Published: October 2024

Moral meint das Gebilde derjenigen Regeln einer Gesellschaft, die unbedingte normative Geltung beanspruchen und das menschliche Zusammenleben, aber auch das Verhältnis des Menschen zu sich selbst, zu anderen Lebewesen und zur Umwelt zum Gegenstand haben. Moral ist demnach immer relational. Ihr Gegenstand bildet die soziale und nicht die staatliche Ordnung. «Die Moral» ist damit nicht nur normatives Ordnungselement, sondern auch soziale Tatsache. Sie ist bedingt durch die Lebenswelt einer Gesellschaft und deshalb stark kontextabhängig. Moral ist also geschichtlich entstanden und gewachsen, abhängig von der Gesellschaft, in der sie gilt.
Kinetic mixing, proton decay and gravitational waves in SO(10)
Authors: Maji Rinku , Shafi Qaisar
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We present an SO(10) model in which a dimension five operator induces kinetic mixing at the GUT scale between the abelian subgroups U(1)B−L and U(1)R. We discuss in this framework gauge coupling unification and proton decay, as well as the appearance of superheavy quasistable strings with Gμ ~ 10−8 – 10−5, where μ denotes the dimensionless string tension parameter. We use Bayesian analysis to show that for Gμ values ~ 4 × 10−7 − 10−5, the gravitational wave spectrum emitted from the quasistable strings is in good agreement with the recent pulsar timing array data. Corresponding to Gμ values ~ 10−8 − 2 × 10−7, proton decay is expected to occur at a rate accessible in the Hyper-Kamiokande experiment. Finally, we present the gravitational wave spectrum emitted by effectively stable strings with Gμ ≈ 10−8 that have experienced a certain amount of inflation. This can be tested with future detectors in the μHz frequency range.
Explicit construction of Hermitian Yang-Mills instantons on coset manifolds
Authors: Park Jongmin , Yang Hyun Seok
Published: October 2024

Abstract

In four dimensions, ’t Hooft symbols offer a compact and powerful framework for describing the self-dual structures fundamental to instanton physics. Extending this to six dimensions, the six-dimensional ’t Hooft symbols can be constructed using the isomorphism between the Lorentz group Spin(6) and the unitary group SU(4). We demonstrate that the six-dimensional self-dual structures governed by the Hermitian Yang-Mills equations can be elegantly organized using these generalized ’t Hooft symbols. We also present a systematic method for constructing Hermitian Yang-Mills instantons from spin connections on six-dimensional manifolds using the generalized ’t Hooft symbols. We provide a thorough analysis of the topological invariants such as instanton and Euler numbers.
Towards bootstrapping F-theory
Authors: Behan Connor , Chester Shai M. , Ferrero Pietro
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We consider type IIB string theory with N D3 branes and various configurations of sevenbranes, such that the string coupling gs is fixed to a constant finite value. These are the simplest realizations of F-theory, and are holographically dual to rank N Argyres-Douglas conformal field theories (CFTs) with SU(2) and SU(3) flavor groups, and Minahan-Nemeschansky CFTs with E6, E7 and E8 flavor groups. We use the Seiberg-Witten curves of these theories to compute the mass deformed sphere free energy F (m) at large N in terms of novel matrix models with non-polynomial potentials. We show how F (m) can be used along with the analytic bootstrap to fix the large N expansion of flavor multiplet correlators in these CFTs, which are dual to scattering of gluons on AdS5 × S3, and in the flat space limit determine the effective theory of sevenbranes in F-theory. As a first step in this program, we use the matrix models to compute the log N term in F (m) and thereby fix the logarithmic threshold in the AdS5 × S3 holographic correlator, which matches the flat space prediction.
Di-Higgs production via axion-like particles
Authors: Esser Fabian , Madigan Maeve , Salas-Bernárdez Alexandre , Sanz Veronica , Ubiali Maria
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Due to the pseudo-scalar nature of the axion-like particle (ALP), the CP-conserving production of two Higgs bosons via the ALP necessarily involves an additional Z or γ boson. We examine the existing constraints from di-Higgs searches at Run 2 of the LHC and find that, despite the presence of extra objects in the final state, these searches are sensitive to a combination of ALP couplings to gluons and three-bosons in the TeV scale range. Additionally, we propose a specialized search strategy incorporating an energetic leptonic Z boson. This refined ALP-induced production process would allow for the identification of the h h → 4 b-jet final state and could potentially probe the TeV scale using data from Run 2 of the LHC. This production process can also occur through a coupling between the top quark and the ALP. We translate the current constraints on di-Higgs production into new limits on the ALP-top coupling.
Neutrino dipole portal at a high energy μ−collider
Authors: Barducci Daniele , Dondarini Alessandro
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study the phenomenology of d = 6 dipole portal operators connecting active and sterile neutrinos at a futuristic muon collider. These operators can be the dominant portal between the Standard Model and the New Physics sector in scenarios in which the active-sterile mixing is suppressed. We identify two production modes for sterile neutrinos: one proceeding through the exchange of an s-channel electroweak boson and one arising from the fusion of an electroweak boson with a Standard Model lepton. We study the expected reach on the operators suppression scale for these different production mechanisms, showing that the latter offers the best sensitivity and allowing to test a New Physics scale in the ∼ 10 TeV range for strongly coupled UV completions of the dipole operators.
On-shell renormalization with vector-like leptons, one-loop muon–Higgs coupling and muon g − 2
Authors: Möhling Kilian , Stöckinger Dominik , Stöckinger-Kim Hyejung
Published: October 2024

Abstract

Models with vector-like leptons can strongly modify the lepton mass generation mechanism and lead to correlated effects in lepton–Higgs couplings and lepton dipole moments. Here we begin an analysis of higher-order corrections in such models by setting up a renormalization scheme with full on-shell conditions on the lepton self energies, masses and fields. A minimal set of fundamental parameters is renormalized in the $$ \overline{\textrm{MS}} $$

MS
¯

scheme. We provide a detailed discussion of lepton mixing and redundancies at higher orders, show how the relevant counterterms can be obtained from the renormalization conditions, and determine the β-functions corresponding to the scheme. As a first application we calculate the one-loop effective muon–Higgs coupling and analyse its correlation with the muon anomalous magnetic moment $$ \Delta {a}_{\mu}^{\textrm{VLL}} $$
∆

a
μ
VLL

. In the interesting case of large masses and opposite-sign coupling, the lowest-order correlation implies a fixed value of $$ \Delta {a}_{\mu}^{\textrm{VLL}} $$
∆

a
μ
VLL

around 22.5 × 10−10, while the higher-order corrections significantly reduce this value to the interval (10 . . . 18) × 10−10.
Entanglement entropy of a scalar field in a squeezed state
Authors: Katsinis D. , Pastras G. , Tetradis N.
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We study the entanglement entropy within a spherical region for a free scalar field in a squeezed state in 3 + 1 dimensions. We show that, even for small squeezing, a volume term appears, whose coefficient is essentially independent of the field mass. This is in line with Page’s argument that the entanglement entropy in an arbitrary quantum state is proportional to the number of degrees of freedom of the smaller subsystem. It follows that squeezed states can be considered as arbitrary quantum states, in contrast to the ground or coherent states that give rise to entanglement entropy dominated by a term proportional to the area of the entangling surface.
Generalised hydrogen interactions with CINCO: a window to new physics
Authors: Bauer Martin , Perez-Soler Javier , Shergold Jack D.
Published: October 2024

Abstract

We present semi-analytic solutions for atomic transition rates in hydrogenic atoms induced by scalar, pseudoscalar, vector, axial-vector, and tensor interactions. Our results agree with quantum electrodynamics predictions to ~ 0.005 % precision, and further allow us to calculate absorption and emission rates for axions, hidden photons, light scalars or other dark matter candidates for hydrogen and hydrogenic ions. These results can be used to inform searches for light new physics as well as in calculations relevant to searches for fifth forces or varying fundamental constants, with applications from astrophysics to laboratory spectroscopy experiments. We also provide a dedicated tool for the construction of hydrogenic transition amplitudes: “Computation of hydrogen radial INtegrals and COefficients” (CINCO).