bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production and Characterization of Magnetic‐Luminescent Fe3O4@ZnO:RE Composite Nanoparticles for Biomedical Application
Authors: Unal Fatma
Published: July 2023

Magnetic‐luminescent composite nanoparticles (Fe3O4@ZnO:RE) with a core/shell structure are produced by a simple process. Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) are coated with rare‐earth‐doped zinc oxide (ZnO). Core/shell structure is confirmed by high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM) analysis. X‐ray diffraction analysis results show that cubic magnetite Fe3O4 and hexagonal ZnO phases originate from the core and the shell, respectively. Hexagonal ZnO and cubic magnetite Fe3O4 phases belonging all nanoparticles are confirmed by HR‐TEM benefiting the lattice fringe. All the nanoparticles present superparamagnetic behavior. Under 532 nm excitation, they release the emission in the visible and infrared regions. They exhibit blue–green emission attributed to 2H11/2–4I15/2, 4S3/2–4I15/2 transitions, red emission attributed to 4F9/2–4I15/2 transitions, and infrared emission ascribed to 4F9/2–4I15/2, 2F7/2–2F5/2 transitions. Above the 0.2mol% dopant ratio, the luminescence intensity starts to decrease because of the concentration quenching. The produced nanoparticles are promising for bioimaging and magnetic hyperthermia treatment, due to their magnetic and luminescent properties, orientation to the target area, and their presence in the target area can be determined.
Public Health Word of the Year 2022 – New Normal
Authors: Lucero‐Prisno Don Eliseo , Shomuyiwa Deborah Oluwaseun , Ramazanu Sheena , Adebisi Yusuff Adebayo , Duarte Jude Altiveros , Azanza Patrick Alain , Wong Martin C. S. , Kouwenhoven M. B. N.
Published: July 2023

The COVID‐19 pandemic caused significant disruption and forced the global community to adapt to a new way of life. The term ‘new normal’ encapsulates the notion that the pandemic has triggered radical changes, requiring rapid adaptation from the global community. The article focuses on examining the practical implications of the new reality in 2022, the challenges it presented, and the opportunities it offers for shaping the future of global health. The article also highlights significant public health stories that emerged in 2022, including the mpox surge, the impact of climate change, and reproductive health issues and their impact in shaping the ‘new normal’. It argues that the ‘new normal’ provides a unique opportunity to rebuild our world more responsively and sustainably. It emphasizes the need for global communities to maintain adaptability and foster innovation in the face of ongoing challenges. Making informed choices becomes crucial for achieving success within this shifting landscape. Conclusively, the article advocates for embracing the ‘new normal’ as a catalyst for positive change, both individually and collectively. By doing so, global communities can navigate the challenges ahead and create a world that is better prepared for future health crises.
Automated calculation of ontology‐based planning proposals: An application in reconstructive oral and maxillofacial surgery
Authors: Hagen Niclas , Weichel Frederic , Kühle Reinald , Knaup Petra , Freudlsperger Christian , Eisenmann Urs
Published: July 2023

Background

Structured modelling of surgical knowledge and its automated processing is still challenging. The aim of this work is to introduce a novel approach for automated calculation of ontology‐based planning proposals in mandibular reconstruction and conduct a feasibility study.

Methods

The presented approach is composed of an RDF(S) ontology, a 3D mandible template and a calculator‐optimiser algorithm to automatically calculate reconstruction proposals with fibula grafts. To validate the viability of the approach, a feasibility study was conducted on 164 simulated mandibular reconstructions.

Results

The ontology defines 244 different reconstruction variants and 80 analyses for optimization. In 146 simulated cases, a proposal could be automatically calculated (average time 8.79 ± 4.03 s). The assessments of the proposals by three clinical experts indicate the viability of the approach.

Conclusions

Due to the modular separation between computational logic and domain knowledge, the developed concepts can be easily maintained, reused and adapted for other applications.
Design, Synthesis, and in vitro Biological Evaluation of ROS‐Generating Phenanthridin‐trione‐Epoxide Conjugates as Agents against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mamgain Ritu , Swami Sagar , Sarkar Dhiman , Srivastava Pratibha
Published: July 2023

Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the devasting infectious diseases and continues to spread among people despite having several specific drugs. Total eradication of TB is one of the shared interests of both the World Health Organization (WHO) and India globally. A library of antitubercular 6‐((1‐(aryl/heteroaryl)‐1H‐1,2,3‐triazol‐4‐yl)methyl)oxireno[2,3‐b] phenanthridine‐5,7,9(6H,7aH,8aH)‐trione (6 a–e) has been prepared in five steps including click chemistry and tested against active and dormant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Ra using XRMA protocol. The result showed the inhibitory potential of 6 d IC50 at 0.74 μg/mL concentration against active strain and at 0.9 μg/mL against the dormant strain of Mtb. ROS generating ability of the compounds has been confirmed by luminol, H2O2, and glutathione assays. The molecular docking with the thioredoxin protein of Mtb showed a docking score of −9.6 Kcal/mol. To understand the mechanism with the thioredoxin protein of Mtb, the adduct formation of compounds with cystine was confirmed with HPLC. The involvement of lead molecules with existing drugs can be helpful in the eradication of tuberculosis.
Visible‐light‐driven photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics by newly molding g‐C3N4/graphitized biochar composites
Authors: Chen Hanyu , Fang Yanying , Duan Peiyu , Zhang Xueqi , Zhang Kunfeng
Published: July 2023

Newly molding g‐C3N4/graphitized biochar (g‐C3N4/GSBC) molding composites photocatalytic material with superior photocatalytic activity were successfully synthesized by the impregnation‐roasting process. The photocatalytic behavior of g‐C3N4/GSBC was assessed in the photocatalytic degradation of antibiotic pollutants, including sulfamethoxazole(SMZ), ciprofloxacin(CIP), and tetracycline(TC), under visible light illumination. The successful composited of g‐C3N4 with GSBC was demonstrated by various characterization results, in which the 5 : 1 mass loading ratio showed the best performance. g‐C3N4/GSBC possessed a larger specific surface area (71.09 m2/g), suitable band gap (2.66 eV), more catalytically active species, and higher utilization efficiency of visible light than powdered g‐C3N4. The removal efficiency of the new composite was higher than that of g‐C3N4 for the three antibiotics, with removal efficiencies of 87.2 %, 83.2 %, and 72.2 % for SMZ, TC, and CIP, respectively. The analysis of its photodegradation mechanism revealed that h+ and ⋅O2− are responsible for the antibiotics′ decomposition. According to the HPLC‐MS results, the possible photocatalytic mechanism and reaction pathways have been proposed. This work provided a new way for the synthesis of molding photocatalysts as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of organic contaminants.
Two‐dimensional MXenes as Emerging Materials: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: Shahzad Umer , Marwani Hadi M. , Saeed Mohsin , Asiri Abdullah M. , Rahman Mohammed M.
Published: July 2023

Because of their peculiar two‐dimensional layered microstructure, the existence of numerous functionalities on the surface and excellent electrical, thermal and optical features, MXenes are regarded as promising candidates for solving energy and environment related problems. It is noted that energy conversion and storge capability of MXenes could be raised by altering their dimensions, structure, surface chemistry and chemical composition. Therefore, it is critical to recognize how one can boost the relationship between structure and property from applied viewpoint. In the present study, we reviewed the synthesis, properties and potential applications of MXenes. Furthermore, several properties of MXenes including structural, chemical, optical, mechanical and thermal have been explored. In addition, the potential applications of MXenes in various areas such as photocatalysis, gas sensing, supercapacitors, electrocatalysis and environmental remediation have also been discussed. Based on reported works, it can clearly be noticed that features and potential applications of MXenes may be further improved by applying many alteration and functionalization strategies. This study also focuses on the current progresses and future prospective relating to MXene based composites, which will surely assist the scientists who are doing work in areas of academia and material sciences.
Helices in Peptides Containing Differentially Geminally Di‐substituted γ Amino Acid Residues
Authors: Debnath Swapna , Kumar Dinesh , Vasudev Prema G. , Chatterjee Sunanda
Published: July 2023

We have explored the relative propensity of the three differentially di‐substituted γ amino acid residues, to be accommodated in all α helical conformations. We have established that small chiral hybrid peptides Boc‐Aib‐γx,x‐Aib‐Leu‐Aib‐Val‐OMe (x,x=2,2/3,3/4,4) containing single geminally di‐substituted γ amino acid residue, can adopt both handedness of helical conformation in crystals and solution. The relative ease of being accommodated in helical structures decreased in the order γ4,4>γ3,3>γ2,2. γ4,4 and γ3,3 readily adopted C12 helical conformations unlike γ2,2. γ2,2 and γ3,3 containing peptides, adopted either handedness of the helical conformation in crystals while in solution, they adopted right‐handed helical conformation. Peptide, containing γ4,4 only adopted right‐handed helical conformation both in the solid and solution states. Our studies established that position of di‐substitution along the backbone of γ amino acid residues determined their conformational preference, and thus might be used to generate diversity in the peptide conformations.
All‐Graphene Quantum Dot‐Derived Battery: Regulating Redox Activity Through Localized Subdomains
Authors: Ham Youngjin , Kim Chungryeol , Shin Donghan , Kim Il‐Doo , Kang Kisuk , Jung YounJoon , Lee Dongwhan , Jeon Seokwoo
Published: July 2023

In the quest for materials sustainability for grid‐scale applications, graphene quantum dot (GQD), prepared via eco‐efficient processes, is one of the promising graphitic‐organic matters that have the potential to provide greener solutions for replacing metal‐based battery electrodes. However, the utilization of GQDs as electroactive materials has been limited; their redox behaviors associated with the electronic bandgap property from the sp2 carbon subdomains, surrounded by functional groups, are yet to be understood. Here, the experimental realization of a subdomained GQD‐based anode with stable cyclability over 1000 cycles, combined with theoretical calculations, enables a better understanding of the decisive impact of controlled redox site distributions on battery performance. The GQDs are further employed in cathode as a platform for full utilization of inherent electrochemical activity of bio‐inspired redox‐active organic motifs, phenoxazine. Using the GQD‐derived anode and cathode, an all‐GQD battery achieves a high energy density of 290 Wh kgcathode−1 (160 Wh kgcathode+anode−1), demonstrating an effective way to improve reaction reversibility and energy density of sustainable, metal‐free batteries.
Strong, Tough, and Anti‐Swelling Supramolecular Conductive Hydrogels for Amphibious Motion Sensors
Authors: Sun Zhiyuan , Dong Chao , Chen Bingda , Li Wenbo , Hu Huiyuan , Zhou Jinsheng , Li Chong , Huang Zhandong
Published: July 2023

Conductive polymer hydrogels (CPHs) are widely employed in emerging flexible electronic devices because they possess both the electrical conductivity of conductors and the mechanical properties of hydrogels. However, the poor compatibility between conductive polymers and the hydrogel matrix, as well as the swelling behavior in humid environments, greatly compromises the mechanical and electrical properties of CPHs, limiting their applications in wearable electronic devices. Herein, a supramolecular strategy to develop a strong and tough CPH with excellent anti‐swelling properties by incorporating hydrogen, coordination bonds, and cation‐π interactions between a rigid conducting polymer and a soft hydrogel matrix is reported. Benefiting from the effective interactions between the polymer networks, the obtained supramolecular hydrogel has homogeneous structural integrity, exhibiting remarkable tensile strength (1.63 MPa), superior elongation at break (453%), and remarkable toughness (5.5 MJ m−3). As a strain sensor, the hydrogel possesses high electrical conductivity (2.16 S m−1), a wide strain linear detection range (0–400%), and excellent sensitivity (gauge factor = 4.1), sufficient to monitor human activities with different strain windows. Furthermore, this hydrogel with high swelling resistance has been successfully applied to underwater sensors for monitoring frog swimming and underwater communication. These results reveal new possibilities for amphibious applications of wearable sensors.
Chemical Modulation of Metal–Insulator Transition toward Multifunctional Applications in Vanadium Dioxide Nanostructures
Authors: Li Zejun , Zhang Zhi , Zhou Xiaoli
Published: July 2023

The metal–insulator transition (MIT) of vanadium dioxide (VO2) has been of great interest in materials science for both fundamental understanding of strongly correlated physics and a wide range of applications in optics, thermotics, spintronics, and electronics. Due to the merits of chemical interaction with accessibility, versatility, and tunability, chemical modification provides a new perspective to regulate the MIT of VO2, endowing VO2 with exciting properties and improved functionalities. In the past few years, plenty of efforts have been devoted to exploring innovative chemical approaches for the synthesis and MIT modulation of VO2 nanostructures, greatly contributing to the understanding of electronic correlations and development of MIT‐driven functionalities. Here, this comprehensive review summarizes the recent achievements in chemical synthesis of VO2 and its MIT modulation involving hydrogen incorporation, composition engineering, surface modification, and electrochemical gating. The newly appearing phenomena, mechanism of electronic correlation, and structural instability are discussed. Furthermore, progresses related to MIT‐driven applications are presented, such as the smart window, optoelectronic detector, thermal microactuator, thermal radiation coating, spintronic device, memristive, and neuromorphic device. Finally, the challenges and prospects in future research of chemical modulation and functional applications of VO2 MIT are also provided.
Maturity model for secure software testing
Authors: Alam Gulzar , Mahmood Sajjad , Alshayeb Mohammad , Niazi Mahmood , Zafar Saad
Published: July 2023

Security is an essential attribute of high‐quality software. However, effectively incorporating security practices into different phases of the software development life cycle (SDLC) remains challenging. Owing to less mature secure testing processes, organizations are prone to ineffective testing practices for defect detection, including severe security‐related failures. Thus, in this study, we present a maturity model for secure software testing (MMSST) to assist software development organizations in improving the secure testing of software applications. We conducted a multivocal literature review and identified 68 primary studies from the formal and gray literature. Then, based on the available evidence, 27 process areas were identified to develop the proposed MMSST. The MMSST includes five main categories: governance, contrive and design, execution, deployment and configuration, and mature. The MMSST was subsequently evaluated using case studies related to practical environments. Results demonstrate that the proposed MMSST is useful for estimating the maturity level of an organization with respect to the secure testing phase of the SDLC. The participants of the case studies also agreed that the proposed MMSST is useful in terms of structure, user satisfaction, and ease of use. We believe that the proposed MMSST can help organizations evaluate and improve software security testing practices. In addition, the proposed MMSST is expected to provide researchers and industry practitioners with an effective foundation for developing new secure testing approaches and tools.
Interfacial‐Engineered Co3S4/MnCdS Heterostructure for Efficient Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Yang Lina , Tian Qingzheng , Wang Xiaomei , Yang Hui , Meng Alan , Li Zhenjiang
Published: July 2023

Herein, a novel non‐noble metal photocatalyst Co3S4/MnCdS (CS/MCS) for highly efficient hydrogen evolution has been successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal method. Due to the work function difference between CS and MCS, an interfacial internal electric field is formed at the interface region of CS/MCS when the two components are in intimate contact. Upon light illumination, the photogenerated charge carriers transfer in S‐scheme‐like type through the interfacial CoS bonds. This facilitates charge separation and diffusion and broadens light absorption of the photocatalyst. Thus, the obtained CS/MCS composite shows a superior photocatalytic performance of 7,999.89 μmol h−1 g−1 with a 4.88% apparent quantum efficiency at 420 nm and a good photostability (about 96.2% H2 evolution retention over 5 cycles). To the best of our knowledge, this is a rare research on S‐scheme heterostructure characteristic of type‐I energy band alignment. This work provides new ideas for developing more efficient noble‐metal‐free photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution.
Project schedule contingency planning: Building on von Bertalanffy's open systems theory and critical systems practice
Authors: Zarghami Seyed Ashkan
Published: July 2023

The research on project schedule contingency suffers from three major shortcomings: (1) it only partly reflects the complexity arising from the high interdependencies among project activities; (2) it is predicated on the idea of closed systems and thus does not address the interaction between a project and its environment; and (3) it does not sufficiently inform industry practices. This paper addresses these gaps by conceptually and analytically linking von Bertalanffy's open systems theory and critical systems practice (CSP) to schedule contingency planning. It focuses on buffer management as a common approach to schedule contingency planning and accordingly develops a method to determine the size of time buffers based on the three foundational dimensions of open systems theory. Further, this research provides guidelines to explain how the simultaneous pursuit of the four stages of CSP can assist project managers and decision‐makers in responding to disruptive events.
Boosting the efficiency of quantum dot–sensitized solar cells over 15% through light‐harvesting enhancement
Authors: Song Han , Mu Haoran , Yuan Jian , Liu Baiquan , Bai Gongxun , Lin Shenghuang
Published: July 2023

How to improve the capacity of light‐harvesting is still an important point and essential strategy for the assembling of high‐efficiency quantum dot–sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). A believable approach is to implant new light absorption materials into QDSCs to stimulate the charge transfer. Herein, the few‐layer black phosphorus quantum dots (BPQDs) are synthesized by electrochemical intercalation technology using bulk BP as source. Then the obtained BPQDs are deposited onto the surface of Zn–Cu–In–S–Se (ZCISSe) QD‐sensitized TiO2 substrate to serve as another light‐harvesting material for the first time. The experimental results have shown that BPQDs can not only increase the absorption intensity by photoanode but also reduce unnecessary charge recombination processes at the interface of photoanode/electrolyte. Through optimizing the size and deposition process of BPQDs, the champion power conversion efficiency of ZCISSe QDSCs is increased to 15.66% (26.88 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.816 V, fill factor [FF] = 0.714) when compared with the original value of 14.11% (Jsc = 25.41 mA/cm2, Voc = 0.779 V, FF = 0.713).
Optimal verification strategy for general development plans using a belief‐based approach
Authors: Kulkarni Aditya U. , Girod Ashley , Xu Peng , Salado Alejandro
Published: July 2023

Verification activities are intended to reduce the costs of system development by identifying design errors before deploying the system. However, subcontractors in multi‐firm projects are motivated to implement locally cost‐effective verification strategies over verification strategies that benefit the main contractor. Incentivizing verification activities is one mechanism by which the contractor can motivate subcontractors to implement verification strategies desirable to the contractor. In this paper, we present a belief‐based modeling concept for determining optimal verification strategies for general development plans. The results show that the optimal incentives are a function of the subordinate firm's beliefs and the influence exerted by the subordinate firm on the supervising firm with respect to verification activities.
Surface Modification on Nickel Rich Cathode Materials for Lithium‐Ion Cells: A Mini Review
Authors: Akhilash M. , Salini P. S. , John Bibin , Sujatha S. , Mercy T. D.
Published: July 2023

Nickel‐rich (Ni‐rich) layered oxides are considered as the most promising cathode candidates for lithium‐ion cells owing to their high theoretical specific capacity. However, the higher nickel content endows structural deformation through unwanted phase transitions and parasitic side reactions that lead to capacity fading upon prolonged cycling. Hence, a deep understanding of the chemistry and structural behaviour is essential for developing Ni‐rich Lithium Nickel Cobalt Manganese oxide (NCM) cathode‐based high‐energy batteries. The present review focuses on the different challenges associated with Ni‐rich NCM materials and surface modification as a strategy to solve the issues associated with NCM materials, assessment of several coating materials, and the recent developments in the surface modification of Ni‐rich NCMs, with an in‐depth discussion on the impact of coating on the degradation mechanism.
Spatial distribution of microplastics ingested by Holothuria atra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) in the tourism and marine mariculture development zone, Karimunjawa, Indonesia
Authors: Sulardiono Bambang , Rahman Arif , Ismanto Aris , Siagian Hendry , Hartati Sri Turni , Safinatunnajah Novia
Published: July 2023

Holothuria atra (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) is a type of invertebrate animal that lives on the bottom of the rocky coast and has the potential as a nutritious food raw material for humans and pharmaceutical raw materials. The study aims to determine the microplastic types, microplastic functional groups and simulate the distribution pattern of ingested microplastics in the digestive system of H. atra based on hydrodynamic activity. Microplastic separation was conducted by extraction using the flotation method based on predetermined criteria. Functional group test of microplastic polymers ingested in intestines of sea cucumbers using FT‐IR (Frontier Transform Infrared‐Spectroscopy) Analysis. Hydrodynamic modeling analysis used secondary data: bathymetric, currents, wind direction, and tidal prediction data. The results of sampling of H. atra sea cucumbers at four observation locations, where ten individual sea cucumbers were taken from each location, showed that microplastic waste exposed in the intestines of sea cucumbers obtained an average value of 14,166 individuals‐1, with a particle length range of 0.214–3.978 mm. The highest abundance was from the type of fiber, followed by fragments, pellets, and films. FTIR test results indicate the presence of several functional microplastic groups that are digested in the intestine, including polyamide (PA)/nylon‐6, polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). The movement of currents carrying microplastic waste particles is dominated to the west and south of Karimunjawa Island, potentially endangering the habitats of sea cucumbers and other animals in the waters of the surrounding small islands. It is recommended that stakeholders establish plastic waste protocols, waste facilities and treatment, and strict supervision of tourists entering the Karimunjawa tourism environment.
Understanding water security as an agenda of critical environmental justice (CEJ)
Authors: Pokharel Kushal
Published: July 2023

The limitations of existing institutional and social structures and their discrete approaches to water management call for a holistic, trans‐disciplinary, and multi‐stakeholder approach to addressing water security concerns with a focus on water equity and justice. The need for forging partnerships and strengthening positive and meaningful cooperation among water, sanitation, and broader development communities operating across different levels and scales has been gaining greater currency in global water debates. In this scenario, emerging critical environmental justice (CEJ) scholarship has a focus on recognizing and analyzing the contextual/historical dimensions that are often mutually reinforcing, inseparable, and multiple oppressive structures that intersect to perpetuate marginalization at the cost of privileging powerful actors. Integration of the environmental justice concerns into the development plans, and plans would pave the way for improved interactions and synergies among water‐based institutions and communities affected by them. It is urgent to deepen the discourses and deliberations on CEJ directed towards addressing systemic inequalities and injustices prevalent in water security by putting “people before profit.”
Cytotoxic Activities of Half‐sandwich M(III) Complexes (M=Rh, Ir) Bearing Chloro‐substituted Bidentate‐coordinated Phenanthroline or Terpyridine Ligands
Authors: Graf Marion , Ochs Jasmine , Metzler‐Nolte Nils , Böttcher Hans‐Christian , Mayer Peter
Published: July 2023

The synthesis and characterization of four compounds [M(η5‐C5Me5)(N^N)Cl]PF6 [N^N=4,7‐dichloro‐1,10‐phenanthroline with M=Rh, 1, and M=Ir, 2, and N^N=4'‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐2,2':6',2''‐terpyridine in the κ2N,N'‐coordination mode with M=Rh, 3, and M=Ir, 4] are described. All compounds were characterized by spectroscopic means and their molecular structures in the crystal were confirmed by single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction studies. The cytotoxicity of all compounds was evaluated by MTT assay against the three cancer cell lines HeLa (cervical carcinoma), HT‐29 (colon adenocarcinoma) and MCF‐7 (human breast adenocarcinoma). The complexes 3 and 4 display promising activity with IC50 values of 1 μM. The rhodium(III) complex 1 also shows highly improved cytotoxicity compared to cisplatin against the cancer cell lines HT‐29 and MCF‐7. In contrast to this, the iridium(III) complex 2 is even less active against the HeLa cell line than cisplatin.
Post-pandemic Challenges. The Role of Local Governance for Territorial Resilience
Authors: Brunetta Grazia , Voghera Angioletta
Published: July 2023

This chapter aims to provide researchers different interpretative keys of the book, which attempt to propose methodologies, tools, and case studies to put resilience into action in post-pandemic territories by planning and design at different scales. The chapter opens the discussion by presenting diverse and interdisciplinary contributions of which the research is composed; it discusses key topics with reference to the transformative resilience, and referring to methodologies and tools for interpreting territories, and focusing on the role of planning, as well as attempting to describe through practices the operational concept of the Local Resilience Unit.
From Knowledge to Land-Use Planning: Local Resilient Experience in the Territory of the Municipality of Mappano
Authors: La Riccia Luigi , Voghera Angioletta
Published: July 2023

The chapter illustrates the result of the analysis on the municipality of Mappano, located in northern Turin (Italy). The studies were carried out as part of the collaboration between the Municipality of Mappano and the Inter-University Department of Territorial and Urban Studies and Planning (DIST) of the Politecnico di Torino, for the preparation of the first Municipal Urban Plan. The main goal was to contribute to this local planning tool by introducing innovative analyses, descriptions and elaborations which were useful in structuring planning choices. In particular, various data sources were systematized, integrated and coordinated to represent the territory from the point of view of both environmental phenomena and landscape in order to provide sustainability and resilience.
The 3D Metric Survey for the Digital Cartographic Production to Support the Knowledge of the New Municipality of Mappano
Authors: Beani Egle , Colucci Elisabetta , La Riccia Luigi , Lingua Andrea Maria , Maschio Paolo Felice , Matrone Francesca , Possa Alberto , Traore Ammj
Published: July 2023

The complexity of the territories and cities is the genesis of the need to carry out spatial analyses, simulations of complex phenomena and urban planning, requiring an evolution of very large-scale numerical cartography. The representation of cities has not to ignore some essential aspects as well as: the three-dimensionality of the land and all its natural and artificial objects, the multi-scale of geometric and descriptive information to allow different levels of detail and granularity according to the operational purposes, and the interoperability, which enable sharing of map data among various stakeholders and applications for complex analysis. The outcome resulted in the evolution of traditional cartography into numerical cartography toward new instruments and applications such as digital twins. They constitute a virtual replica of physical, potential, and actual resources equivalent to objects, processes, people, places, infrastructures, systems, and devices related to the city and the territory. The case study selected for this research is the recent municipality of Mappano, in the metropolitan city of Turin. The methodology consists of a semiautomatic extraction of cartographic information and geometry essential for defining a digital twin. It has been developed investigating the existing Piedmontese regional geoportal (BDTRE) datasets and data models, and the Geographic Information System (GIS) standard specification for 3D city models, CityGML, mainly considering the first three levels of detail (LoD). The methodology and the resulting spatial data application have been validated by in-loco surveys and digital tools in GIS environment. The starting base map entities derived from a high-resolution acquisition from drone photogrammetry (UAV, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, platforms have been adopted). The outputs of the aerial survey, orthophotos, and dense altimetric models (DTM, Digital Terrain Model and DSM, Digital Surface Model) were essential to extract various cartographic information.
Final Remarks on the Implementation of the Post-pandemic City and the Role of Technology
Authors: Lombardi Patrizia
Published: July 2023

This final chapter of the book highlights some major results of the Post Un-Lock research project conducted inside the SDG11Lab and the Responsible Risk Resilience Center of the Politecnico di Torino with the collaboration of the Medical Statistics and Epidemiology Department of the University of Turin. In particular, it discusses the concepts of proximity and Local Resilience Units in connection with the well-known “15-city” paradigm. This model requires the adoption of new urban and ecosystem criteria as well as advanced technological support systems for post-pandemic public and private urban space planning and management. The conclusions point out to the need for education and appropriate digital skills in order to be able to integrate ecological principles in the design and management of urban areas with the support of high-tech systems.
Large gauge effects and the structure of amplitudes
Authors: Cristofoli Andrea , Elkhidir Asaad , Ilderton Anton , O’Connell Donal
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We show that large gauge transformations modify the structure of momentum conservation leading to non-vanishing three-point amplitudes in a simple toy model of a gravitational wave event. This phenomenon resolves an apparent tension between perturbative scattering amplitude computations and exact methods in field theory. The tension is resolved to all orders of perturbation theory once large gauge effects are included via a modified LSZ prescription; if they are omitted, perturbative methods only recover a subset of terms in the full non-perturbative expression. Although our results are derived in the context of specific examples, several aspects of our work have analogues in dynamical gravitational scattering processes.
(p − 1)-bracket for Dp-branes in large R-R field background
Authors: Ma Chen-Te
Published: July 2023

Abstract

The volume-preserving diffeomorphism is a key feature that characterizes the large constant R-R (p − 1)-form field background in a Dp-brane theory. It represents a symmetry of the theory that preserves the volume of space. To describe this symmetry, we introduce the concept of the (p − 1)-bracket, which generates the volume-preserving diffeomorphism. The (p − 1)-bracket is a mathematical operation that acts on (p − 1)-forms and encodes the transformation of the background field under the symmetry. To generalize the (p − 1)-bracket, we can apply it to the non-Abelian one-form gauge field, which is relevant in gauge theories with non-Abelian gauge groups. This allows us to extend the concept of volume-preserving diffeomorphism and its associated symmetry to non-Abelian gauge theories. When considering D-branes and T-duality, we introduce the transverse coordinates of the branes. T-duality is a symmetry transformation that relates String Theory compactified on different backgrounds. It exchanges the momentum and winding modes of strings and leads to an equivalence between theories with different numbers of dimensions. By incorporating T-duality and the generalized bracket, a general expression for the action in Dp-branes can be derived when p ≤ 6. This result connects the existing construction of Dp-branes with our generalized bracket, illustrating the relationship between the symmetry and its associated transformations and the dynamics of the branes. In addition, we can discuss the non-Abelianization of the (p − 2)-form gauge potential. This process involves generalizing the concept of non-Abelian gauge fields to higher-form gauge potentials. By extending the Lagrangian description of a single D-brane to multiple D-branes, a similar Lagrangian description can be established for both cases, highlighting the common underlying structure and symmetry properties. Our developments demonstrate the interplay between symmetries, gauge fields, and D-brane dynamics, providing a deeper understanding of the underlying principles within D-branes.
IceCube and the origin of ANITA-IV events
Authors: Bertólez-Martínez Toni , Argüelles Carlos A. , Esteban Ivan , Lopez-Pavon Jacobo , Martinez-Soler Ivan , Salvado Jordi
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Recently, the ANITA collaboration announced the detection of new, unsettling upgoing Ultra-High-Energy (UHE) events. Understanding their origin is pressing to ensure success of the incoming UHE neutrino program. In this work, we study their internal consistency and the implications of the lack of similar events in IceCube. We introduce a generic, simple parametrization to study the compatibility between these two observatories in Standard Model-like and Beyond Standard Model scenarios: an incoming flux of particles that interact with Earth nucleons with cross section σ, producing particle showers along with long-lived particles that decay with lifetime τ and generate a shower that explains ANITA observations. We find that the ANITA angular distribution imposes significant constraints, and when including null observations from IceCube only τ ~ 10−3–10−2 s and σ ~ 10−33– 10−32 cm2 can explain the data. This hypothesis is testable with future IceCube data. Finally, we discuss a specific model that can realize this scenario. Our analysis highlights the importance of simultaneous observations by high-energy optical neutrino telescopes and new UHE radio detectors to uncover cosmogenic neutrinos or discover new physics.
Resummation and renormalization of kinematical effects in inclusive P-wave quarkonium production
Authors: Chung Hee Sok
Published: July 2023

Abstract

We investigate the renormalization properties of the shape function formalism for inclusive production of P-wave heavy quarkonia, which arises from resumming a class of corrections coming from kinematical effects associated with the motion of the heavy quark and antiquark pair relative to the quarkonium. Such kinematical effects are encoded in the nonperturbative shape functions, which are normalized to the corresponding nonrelativistic QCD long-distance matrix elements. By using the known ultraviolet divergences in the matrix elements, we derive the large-momentum asymptotic behavior of the shape functions. This strongly constrains the form of the shape functions and significantly reduces the dependence on the nonperturbative model. Based on these results we show that the shape function formalism at loop level can be useful in taming the threshold logarithms at large transverse momentum, and at small transverse momentum the kinematical corrections reduce the sizes of χc and χb cross sections which may improve agreement with measurements.
Präklinisches Management bei Traumapatienten und die zunehmende Zahl von Helikopter-Rettungstransporten
Authors: Deluca Amelie , Deininger Christian , Wichlas Florian , Traweger Andreas , Lefering Rolf , Mueller Ernst J.
Published: July 2023

Hintergrund/Ziele

Vergleich der präklinischen Behandlungsmodalitäten und Interventionsschemata für schwer traumatisierte Patienten mit vergleichbaren Verletzungsmustern zwischen Österreich und Deutschland.

Patienten und Methoden

Diese Analyse basiert auf Daten aus dem TraumaRegister DGU®. Die Daten umfassten schwer verletzte Traumapatienten mit einem Injury Severity Score (ISS) ≥ 16, einem Alter ≥ 16 Jahre und primärer Aufnahme in ein österreichisches (n = 4186) oder deutsches (n = 41.484) Level I Trauma Center (TC) von 2008 bis 2017. Untersuchte Endpunkte umfassten präklinische Zeiten und durchgeführte Eingriffe bis zur endgültigen Krankenhauseinweisung.

Ergebnisse

Die kumulierte Zeit für den Transport vom Unfallort zum Krankenhaus unterschied sich nicht signifikant zwischen den Ländern (62 min in AUT, 65 min in GER). Insgesamt wurden 53 % aller Traumapatienten in AUT mit einem Hubschrauber ins Krankenhaus transportiert, verglichen mit 37 % in GER (p < 0,001). Die Intubationsrate – 48 % in beiden Ländern, die Anzahl platzierter Thoraxdrainagen (5,7 % GER, 4,9 % AUT) und die Häufigkeit der verabreichten Katecholamine (13,4 % GER, 12,3 % AUT) waren vergleichbar (Φ = 0,00). Die hämodynamische Instabilität (systolischer Blutdruck (BP) ≤ 90 mmHg) bei Ankunft im TC war in AUT höher (20,6 % vs. 14,7 % bei GER; p < 0,001). In AUT wurden im Median 500 ml Flüssigkeit verabreicht, während in GER 1000 ml infundiert wurden (p < 0,001). Die demografischen Daten der Patienten zeigten keinen Zusammenhang (Φ = 0,00) zwischen beiden Ländern, und die Mehrheit der Patienten erlitt ein stumpfes Trauma (96 %). ASA-Score von 3–4 betrug 16,8 % in Deutschland (GER) gegenüber 11,9 % in Österreich (AUT).

Fazit

In AUT wurden deutlich mehr Helikopter-EMS-Transporte (HEMS) durchgeführt. Die Autoren schlagen vor, eine internationale Richtlinie zu implementieren, um das HEMS-System explizit nur für Traumapatienten a) für die Rettung/Versorgung von verunfallten oder in lebensbedrohlichen Situationen befindlichen Personen, b) für den Transport von Notfallpatienten mit ISS > 16, c) für den Transport von Rettungs- oder Bergungspersonal in schwer zugängliche Regionen oder d) für den Transport von Arzneimitteln, insbesondere Blutprodukten, Organtransplantaten oder Medizinprodukten einzusetzen.

Graphic abstract
Ground lemon and stevia leaves as renewable functional fillers with antioxidant activity for high-density polyethylene composites
Authors: Barczewski Mateusz , Aniśko Joanna , Hejna Aleksander , Mysiukiewicz Olga , Kosmela Paulina , Sałasińska Kamila , Boczkowska Anna , Przybylska-Balcerek Anna , Stuper-Szablewska Kinga
Published: July 2023

The development of new sustainable material solutions in the processing of thermoplastic polymers concerns both the application of biopolymers and the use of valorized plant derivatives as fillers and modifiers of petrochemical polymers. Herein, the possibility of using unprocessed raw parts of two commonly used in the food industry leaves, i.e., lemon (LL) and stevia (ST), as active and functional fillers for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) has been verified. The series of composites containing 1, 2, and 5 wt% of ground leaves produced in the melt-mixing process were analyzed for thermal properties (DSC and TGA), and the antioxidant potential of the fillers was evaluated. Verifying the active effect of the ground leaves on the resistance to oxidation in the molten state was carried out by oxygen induction time (OIT by DSC) analysis and oscillatory rheology under steady-state shear conditions combined with spectroscopic (FTIR) carbonyl index (CI) analysis. Studies have shown that the introduction of 5 wt% of both types of leaves allows for a significant increase in the melt oxidation resistance (above 2 times longer OIT concerning HDPE, ~ 35 min) of composites without substantial changes in their crystalline structure and thermal stability. Determined after the long-term rheological measurements in an oxidative atmosphere CI showed 70 and 82% lower values for 5 wt% LL and ST composites compared to unmodified polyethylene.

Graphical abstract
Lack of genetic differentiation between two sympatric lacustrine morpho-species within the Astyanax (Characidae: Teleostei) genus, Mexico
Authors: Ornelas-García Claudia Patricia , Gonzalez Elena G. , Tautz Diethard , Doadrio Ignacio
Published: July 2023

We analyzed two morpho-species, Astyanax aeneus and Astyanax caballeroi, coexisting in Lake Catemaco, with ecological differences previously associated with different trophic niches. While A. aeneus is a widely distributed species, A. caballeroi is endemic to Lake Catemaco. Due to the contrasting morphology between these two sympatric species, they were originally assigned to different genera, but little is known about their genetic differentiation. We hypothesized that these two species, which present differentiation in morphology and in trophic niches, co-occur in concomitance with assortative mating and form distinct genetic clusters. We tested this prediction by typing a set of 12 microsatellites in 348 individuals of the two morpho-species, comparing their genetic structure patterns with that of an allopatric population of A. aeneus (i.e., the Maquinas population). Genetic structure analysis, assignment analyses, and estimation of gene flow between the sympatric morpho-species were carried out. Contrary to expectations, there is a lack of genetic differentiation between the A. aeneus and A. caballeroi morpho-species. However, there was a genetic differentiation between Lake Catemaco and Río Maquinas populations of A. aeneus. In addition, we found an asymmetric gene flow pattern, with a larger migration rate from A. aeneus to A. caballeroi than in the other direction. Finally, the allopatric population of A. aeneus showed lower levels of genetic diversity than those reported for both morpho-species in the lacustrine system. Consequently, our results support the notion that these morpho-species are either in an early phase of speciation or represent a single polymorphic species. This model provides relevant information to understanding the presence of polymorphisms under gene flow and their potential impact on the speciation process.
Turbulent blood dynamics in the left heart in the presence of mitral regurgitation: a computational study based on multi-series cine-MRI
Authors: Bennati Lorenzo , Giambruno Vincenzo , Renzi Francesca , Di Nicola Venanzio , Maffeis Caterina , Puppini Giovanni , Luciani Giovanni Battista , Vergara Christian
Published: July 2023

In this work, we performed a computational image-based study of blood dynamics in the whole left heart, both in a healthy subject and in a patient with mitral valve regurgitation. We elaborated multi-series cine-MRI with the aim of reconstructing the geometry and the corresponding motion of left ventricle, left atrium, mitral and aortic valves, and aortic root of the subjects. This allowed us to prescribe such motion to computational blood dynamics simulations where, for the first time, the whole left heart motion of the subject is considered, allowing us to obtain reliable subject-specific information. The final aim is to investigate and compare between the subjects the occurrence of turbulence and the risk of hemolysis and of thrombi formation. In particular, we modeled blood with the Navier–Stokes equations in the arbitrary Lagrangian–Eulerian framework, with a large eddy simulation model to describe the transition to turbulence and a resistive method to manage the valve dynamics, and we used a finite element discretization implemented in an in-house code for the numerical solution.
Anthropogenic activities affect forest structure and arthropod abundance in a Kenyan biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Kung’u Gladys Nyakeru , Cousseau Laurence , Githiru Mwangi , Habel Jan Christian , Kinyanjui Mwangi , Matheka Kennedy , Schmitt Christine B. , Seifert Tobias , Teucher Mike , Lens Luc , Apfelbeck Beate
Published: July 2023

Land-use change remains the main threat to tropical forests and their dependent fauna and flora, and degradation of existing forest remnants will further accelerate species loss. Forest degradation may result directly from human forest use or through spatial effects of land-use change. Understanding the drivers of forest degradation and its effects on biodiversity is pivotal for formulating impactful forest management and monitoring protocols, but such knowledge is lacking for many biodiversity hotspots, such as the Taita Hills in southeast Kenya. Here we first quantify effects of social factors (human activity and presence) at plot and landscape level, forest management (gazetted vs. non-gazetted) and spatial factors (fragment size and distance to forest edge) on the vegetation structure of indigenous Taita forest fragments. Next, we quantify effects of degraded vegetation structure on arthropod abundance and diversity. We show that human presence and activity at both the plot and landscape level explain variation in vegetation structure. We particularly provide evidence that despite a national ban on cutting of indigenous trees, poaching of pole-sized trees for subsistence use may be simplifying vegetation structure, with the strongest effects in edge-dominated, small forest fragments. Furthermore, we found support for a positive effect of vegetation structure on arthropod abundance, although the effect of daily maximum temperature and yearly variation was more pronounced. Maintenance of multi-layered forest vegetation in addition to reforestation maybe a key to conservation of the endangered and endemic fauna of the Taita Hills.