bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integration von Technologien für mehr Transparenz in Lieferketten
Authors: Fernández Muñoz Paulina , Tost Michael , Dietrich Valentina , Melcher Frank , Kloppmann Wolfram
Published: March 2024

In den vergangenen Jahren hat das wachsende globale Bewusstsein über die Bedeutung ethischer und nachhaltiger Praktiken in der Lieferkette zur Schaffung von Gesetzen geführt, die Unternehmen, auch in der Bergbauindustrie, dazu bringen sollen, ihre Transparenz zu erhöhen und mit gebührender Sorgfalt zu handeln. Ein Fokus liegt dabei insbesondere auf jenen Firmen, die zu den Lieferketten kritischer Rohstoffe gehören, welche für verschiedene Industriezweige wie Energie und Hochtechnologie unerlässlich sind. Mit Blick auf unternehmerische Verantwortung und Forderungen nach nachhaltigen Praktiken entstand das EU-Projekt MaDiTraCe, das darauf abzielt, fortschrittliche Rückverfolgbarkeitslösungen zu implementieren. Durch einen multidisziplinären Ansatz sucht dieses Projekt, Technologien für die effektive Zertifizierung und Nachverfolgung von Mineralien von ihrem Ursprung bis zum Recycling zu entwickeln. Der Ansatz von MaDiTraCe beinhaltet die Kombination fortgeschrittener Technologien zur Materialrückverfolgbarkeit, wie einen mineralogisch-(isotopen)chemischen Material-Fingerabdruck und künstliche Kennzeichnung, sowie die Schaffung eines Zertifizierungssystems, das in einen digitalen Produkt-Pass mündet. Das Projekt konzentriert sich einerseits auf die Lieferketten von Magneten, Batterien, insbesondere in der Automobilindustrie und der nachhaltigen Stromerzeugung, und andererseits auf bestimmte kritische Rohstoffe: Lithium, Kobalt, natürlichen Graphit und Seltene Erden, mit einem besonderen Fokus auf Neodym. Es wird erwartet, dass MaDiTraCe eine signifikante Verbesserung in der Transparenz der Lieferketten bringen kann, was eine ethische und nachhaltige Beschaffung von Rohstoffen erleichtert.
Langkettige Fettsäureoxidationsstörungen, ihre Früherkennung und die Rolle des Stillens
Authors: Zöggeler Thomas , Scholl-Bürgi Sabine , Karall Daniela
Published: March 2024

Ein männliches Neugeborenes, zweites Kind nichtkonsanguiner Eltern, wurde termingerecht per Kaiserschnitt mit 38 + 6 Schwangerschaftswochen und einem Geburtsgewicht von 3340 g geboren. Bereits am 4. Lebenstag zeigten sich auffallende Symptome, darunter rezidivierendes Erbrechen, Hypoglykämie-Episoden und eine Gewichtsabnahme von über 10 %. Das Kind wurde zur weiteren Abklärung an ein medizinisches Zentrum mit Neugeborenen-Intensivstation transferiert. Das Neugeborenen-Screening (NGS) traf am 5. Lebenstag ein und wies auf eine langkettige Fettsäureoxidationsstörung hin (LC-FAOD). Eine umfassende Stoffwechselabklärung und genetische Diagnostik wurden eingeleitet, welches die Diagnose LCHAD-Defizienz im Verlauf bestätigte. Während des stationären Aufenthalts wurde der Fokus auf regelmäßige Stillmahlzeiten gelegt, um katabolen Phasen vorzubeugen. Der Säugling wurde am 12. Lebenstag auf die Normalstation verlegt und am 14. Lebenstag entlassen. Die multidisziplinäre Betreuung, regelmäßige ärztliche Überwachung und eine angepasste Ernährung spielten eine entscheidende Rolle im erfolgreichen Management der seltenen angeborenen Stoffwechselstörung. Das NGS hat eine wesentliche Bedeutung bei der frühzeitigen Erkennung gut beherrschbarer angeborener Stoffwechselstörungen. LC-FAODs beeinträchtigen den Abbau von Fettsäuren und können zu schweren gesundheitlichen Problemen führen. Die Symptome variieren, erfordern jedoch eine enge Zusammenarbeit verschiedener medizinischer Fachkräfte. Stillen bei Neugeborenen gilt als adäquate, altersentsprechende Ernährung, da es – auch für Kinder mit metabolischen Erkrankungen – zahlreiche gesundheitliche Vorteile für Kind und Mutter bietet und auch die Bindung zwischen Mutter und Kind fördert. Die einzigartige Zusammensetzung der Muttermilch passt sich den Bedürfnissen des Kindes an. Der geschilderte Fall betont die Bedeutung des NGS, die Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Fachbereiche sowie die Rolle von Stillen, Triheptanoin-Supplementierung im Verlauf und angepasster Ernährung im Umgang mit langkettigen Fettsäureoxidationsstörungen. Frühe Diagnose und ein umfassender Ansatz sind entscheidend für die bestmögliche Betreuung und Lebensqualität.
Regionalization of hydroclimate variables in the contiguous United States
Authors: Carbone Gregory J. , Gao Peng , Lu Junyu
Published: March 2024

We apply a hierarchical clustering algorithm to the Parameter-elevation Relationships on Independent Slopes Model (PRISM) database. The method employs linkage clustering while forcing spatial contiguity. We apply it to the lower-48 United States, deriving regions that are based on temperature and precipitation averages and anomalies, as well as statistical parameters underlying several drought and intense precipitation measures. Resulting regions make intuitive sense from the perspective of driving influences on temperature and precipitation averages and anomalies, and are compatible with results from another empirically derived clustering scheme. Regions selected for individual variables show high similarity across different time frames. There is slightly less similarity when comparing regions created for different monthly or daily hydroclimate variables, and relatively low similarity between monthly vs. daily measures. It is unlikely that any one regionalization solution could summarize hydroclimate extremes given the wide range of variables used to describe them, but geographically sensitive datasets like PRISM and flexible algorithms provide useful methods for regionalization that can aid in drought monitoring and forecasting, and with impacts and planning associated with heavy precipitation.
Biochemical and biomechanical characterization of an autologous protein-based fibrin sealant for regenerative medicine
Authors: Anitua Eduardo , Pino Ander , Prado Roberto , Muruzabal Francisco , Alkhraisat Mohammad Hamdan
Published: March 2024

Accidental events or surgical procedures usually lead to tissue injury. Fibrin sealants have proven to optimize the healing process but have some drawbacks due to their allogeneic nature. Autologous fibrin sealants present several advantages. The aim of this study is to evaluate the performance of a new autologous fibrin sealant based on Endoret®PRGF® technology (E-sealant). One of the most widely used commercial fibrin sealants (Tisseel®) was included as comparative Control. E-sealant´s hematological and biological properties were characterized. The coagulation kinetics and the microstructure were compared. Their rheological profile and biomechanical behavior were also recorded. Finally, the swelling/shrinkage capacity and the enzymatic degradation of adhesives were determined. E-sealant presented a moderate platelet concentration and physiological levels of fibrinogen and thrombin. It clotted 30 s after activation. The microstructure of E-sealant showed a homogeneous fibrillar scaffold with numerous and scattered platelet aggregates. In contrast, Control presented absence of blood cells and amorphous protein deposits. Although in different order of magnitude, both adhesives had similar rheological profiles and viscoelasticity. Control showed a higher hardness but both adhesives presented a pseudoplastic hydrogel nature with a shear thinning behavior. Regarding their adhesiveness, E-sealant presented a higher tensile strength before cohesive failure but their elastic stretching capacity and maximum elongation was similar. While E-sealant presented a significant shrinkage process, Control showed a slight swelling over time. In addition, E-sealant presented a high enzymatic resorption rate, while Control showed to withstand the biodegradation process in a significant way. E-sealant presents optimal biochemical and biomechanical properties suitable for its use as a fibrin sealant with regenerative purposes.

Graphical Abstract
Methylomes as key features for predicting recombination in some plant species
Authors: Peñuela Mauricio , Finke Jorge , Rocha Camilo
Published: March 2024

Knowing how chromosome recombination works is essential for plant breeding. It enables the design of crosses between different varieties to combine desirable traits and create new ones. This is because the meiotic crossovers between homologous chromatids are not purely random, and various strategies have been developed to describe and predict such exchange events. Recent studies have used methylation data to predict chromosomal recombination in rice using machine learning models. This approach proved successful due to the presence of a positive correlation between the CHH context cytosine methylation and recombination rates in rice chromosomes. This paper assesses the question if methylation can be used to predict recombination in four plant species: Arabidopsis, maize, sorghum, and tomato. The results indicate a positive association between CHH context methylation and recombination rates in certain plant species, with varying degrees of strength in their relationships. The CG and CHG methylation contexts show negative correlation with recombination. Methylation data was key effectively in predicting recombination in sorghum and tomato, with a mean determination coefficient of 0.65 ± 0.11 and 0.76 ± 0.05, respectively. In addition, the mean correlation values between predicted and experimental recombination rates were 0.83 ± 0.06 for sorghum and 0.90 ± 0.05 for tomato, confirming the significance of methylomes in both monocotyledonous and dicotyledonous species. The predictions for Arabidopsis and maize were not as accurate, likely due to the comparatively weaker relationships between methylation contexts and recombination, in contrast to sorghum and tomato, where stronger associations were observed. To enhance the accuracy of predictions, further evaluations using data sets closely related to each other might prove beneficial. In general, this methylome-based method holds great potential as a reliable strategy for predicting recombination rates in various plant species, offering valuable insights to breeders in their quest to develop novel and improved varieties.
Effect of 2-Week Naringin Supplementation on Neurogenesis and BDNF Levels in Ischemia–Reperfusion Model of Rats
Authors: Yilmaz Esen , Acar Gozde , Onal Ummugulsum , Erdogan Ender , Baltaci Abdulkerim Kasim , Mogulkoc Rasim
Published: March 2024

Background: Ischemic stroke is the leading cause of mortality and disability worldwide with more than half of survivors living with serious neurological sequelae; thus, it has recently attracted a lot of attention in the field of medical study. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of naringin supplementation on neurogenesis and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in the brain in experimental brain ischemia–reperfusion. Study design: The research was carried out on 40 male Wistar-type rats (10–12 weeks old) obtained from the Experimental Animals Research and Application Center of Selçuk University. Experimental groups were as follows: (1) Control group, (2) Sham group, (3) Brain ischemia–reperfusion group, (4) Brain ischemia–reperfusion + vehicle group (administered for 14 days), and (5) Brain ischemia–reperfusion + Naringin group (100 mg/kg/day administered for 14 days). Methods: In the ischemia–reperfusion groups, global ischemia was performed in the brain by ligation of the right and left carotid arteries for 30 min. Naringin was administered to experimental animals by intragastric route for 14 days following reperfusion. The training phase of the rotarod test was started 4 days before ischemia–reperfusion, and the test phase together with neurological scoring was performed the day before and 1, 7, and 14 days after the operation. At the end of the experiment, animals were sacrificed, and then hippocampus and frontal cortex tissues were taken from the brain. Double cortin marker (DCX), neuronal nuclear antigen marker (NeuN), and BDNF were evaluated in hippocampus and frontal cortex tissues by Real-Time qPCR analysis and immunohistochemistry methods. Results: While ischemia–reperfusion increased the neurological score values, DCX, NeuN, and BDNF levels decreased significantly after ischemia in the hippocampus and frontal cortex tissues. However, naringin supplementation restored the deterioration to a certain extent. Conclusion: The results of the study show that 2 weeks of naringin supplementation may have protective effects on impaired neurogenesis and BDNF levels after brain ischemia and reperfusion in rats.
Prevalence of chromosome 8p11.2 translocations and correlation with myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms associated with FGFR1 abnormalities in a consecutive cohort from nine institutions in Japan
Authors: Usuki Kensuke , Kameda Takuro , Kawano Noriaki , Ito Tomoki , Hashimoto Yoshinori , Shide Kotaro , Kawano Hiroshi , Sekine Masaaki , Toyama Takanori , Iizuka Hiromitsu , Sato Seiichi , Takeuchi Masanori , Ishizaki Junzo , Maeda Kouichi , Nakai Michikazu , Yamashita Kiyoshi , Kubuki Yoko , Shimoda Kazuya
Published: March 2024

Myeloid and lymphoid neoplasms associated with FGFR1 abnormalities (MLN-FGFR1 abnormalities) are rare hematologic malignancies associated with chromosome 8p11.2 abnormalities. Translocations of 8p11.2 were detected in 10 of 17,039 (0.06%) unique patient cytogenetic studies performed at nine institutions in Japan. No inversions or insertions of 8p11.2 were detected. Among the 10 patients with 8p11.2 translocations, three patients were diagnosed with MLN-FGFR1 abnormalities, which were confirmed by FISH analysis. Peripheral blood eosinophilia was observed in all three patients, and all progressed to AML or T-lymphoblastic lymphoma/leukemia. The prevalence of 8p11.2 translocations in clinical practice and the proportion of MLN-FGFR1 abnormalities in patients with 8p11.2 translocations in Japan were consistent with those in previous reports from Western countries.
Zinc oxide@citric acid-modified graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of perfluorooctanoic acid
Authors: Navidpour Amir Hossein , Safaei Javad , Johir Md Abu Hasan , Ni Bing-Jie , Dashti Amir , Li Xiaowei , Zhou John L.
Published: March 2024

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is a highly persistent organic pollutant of global concern. A novel nanocomposite composed of ZnO nanoparticles and citric acid-modified g-C3N4 was synthesized by ball milling process. The synthesized nanocomposite was more efficient than pure ball-milled ZnO nanoparticles for PFOA elimination under visible light irradiation. The optimal hybrid photocatalyst, produced by the addition of 5 wt% of citric acid-modified g-C3N4, demonstrated significantly better performance for PFOA removal than pure ZnO nanoparticles under UV irradiation, with the apparent rate constants of 0.468 h−1 and 0.097 h−1, respectively. The addition of peroxymonosulfate (0.53 g L−1) significantly increased PFOA removal, clarifying the crucial effect of sulfate radicals on PFOA photodegradation. In comparison, citric acid-modified g-C3N4 was not effective for PFOA elimination under visible light irradiation, even with the addition of peroxymonosulfate. Further experiments under dark conditions identified surface adsorption on hybrid photocatalyst as a key process in total PFOA removal. In summary, PFOA removal by ZnO@citric acid-modified graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposites is due to the combined action from adsorption and photodegradation, with adsorption as the dominating mechanism.
Sustainability implications of lateral wander modes for autonomous trucks
Authors: Fahad Mohammad , Koren Csaba , Nagy Richard
Published: March 2024

Autonomous trucks can bring changes in transport infrastructure in terms of sustainability based on the type of lateral wander mode used. In this research, two lateral wander modes, a zero wander and uniform wander mode are analyzed based on their applicability for sustainability by analyzing the CO2 emissions occurred during pavements life cycle. Both lateral wander modes have been analyzed in terms of occurrence of fatigue damage by using finite element analysis in ABAQUS. The fatigue damage predictions have then been used for planning the maintenance interventions for both lateral wander modes. Life cycle analysis has been performed for the analysis period of 30 years for the pavement section of 10 km. Results show that zero wander mode generates more emissions as a result of premature fatigue damage under channelized loading. The uniform wander mode leads to 20% less emissions when compared to zero wander mode. Moreover, the use of full depth reclamation during pavement’s life cycle improves the CO2 emissions by 15% when compared to traditional removal and reconstruction methods. Therefore, the uniform wander mode is favorable for improvement of pavement sustainability in terms of CO2 emissions.
Antibacterial activity of extracellular biosynthesized iron oxide nanoparticles against locally isolated β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli from Egypt
Authors: Abou-Dobara Mohamed I. , Kamel May A. , El-Sayed Ahmed K. A. , El-Zahed Mohamed M.
Published: March 2024

Nowadays, extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli has been recognized and recorded worldwide as one of the main causing agents and a major contributor to nosocomial infections. The current study aimed to isolate and detect β-lactamase-producing E. coli and use it in the extracellular biosynthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe2O3 NPs). Fifteen Gram-negative (G-ve), lactose-fermenting, negative citrate and non-spore-forming coliform bacteria were isolated from the total bacterial isolates from water samples. Different tests were performed to detect β-lactamase-producing E. coli isolates including the chromogenic methods as acidimetric and iodometric techniques and the phenotypic methods as cloverleaf test and Masuda double-disc test. ESBL-producing E. coli was detected and confirmed by a modified double disc synergy test using ceftazidime, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, amoxicillin combined with clavulanic acid, imipenem, cefepime, and cefoxitin. The quantitative assay of β-lactamase was done using a micro-iodometric assay. Among E. coli bacterial isolates, S1B1 isolate (the highest isolate of β-lactamase activity) was selected and tested for the extracellular biosynthesis of Fe2O3 NPs. The produced nanoparticles (NPs) were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscope and Zeta analysis. Results confirmed the successful biosynthesis of Fe2O3 NPs which displayed an absorption peak at 346 nm and a Fe2O3 crystallographic lattice plane at (104). Fe2O3 NPs were negatively charged spherical-shaped NPs with an average size of ≈ 24 ± 2 nm. The FTIR spectrum refers to the presence of NPs-associated proteins which act as stabilizing and capping agents. Antibacterial activity of Fe2O3 NPs was tested against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC25923, Bacillus cereus ATCC6633 (G+ve bacterium), Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC27853 (G-ve bacterium), as well as the β-lactamase-producing E. coli S1B1 strain. Fe2O3 NPs revealed moderate to strong antibacterial action against the tested strains with a minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) ranging from 25 to 40 µg/ml.
Lignin-impregnated biochar assisted with microwave irradiation for CO2 capture: adsorption performance and mechanism
Authors: Zhang Xueyang , Xu Haoliang , Xiang Wei , You Xinxiu , Dai Huantao , Gao Bin
Published: March 2024

Bamboo biochar was modified by lignin impregnation and microwave irradiation to enhance its performance for CO2 capture. The pore structure of lignin-impregnated biochar was significantly affected by the impregnation ratio. The maximum specific surface area of 377.32 m2 g−1 and micropore volume of 0.163 cm3 g−1 were observed on the biochar with an impregnation ratio of 1:20 (mass ratio of lignin to biochar). Lignin impregnation increased the CO2 adsorption capacity of biochar up to 134.46 mg g−1. Correlation analysis confirmed the crucial role of biochar’s pore structure in adsorption. The Avrami model fitted the CO2 capture curves well. The calculation of adsorption activation energy suggested that the adsorption process was dominated by physical mechanism assisted with partial chemical mechanism. Meanwhile, Langmuir isotherm analysis indicated that lignin impregnation transformed the larger pores of biochar into more uniform micropores, thereby making the adsorption process closer to monolayer adsorption. Both the high reusability (89.79–99.06%) after 10 successive cycles and the excellent CO2 selectivity in competitive adsorption confirmed that lignin-impregnated biochar is an outstanding adsorbent for CO2 capture.

Graphical Abstract
Exercise Interventions for the Prevention and Treatment of Anthracycline-Induced Cardiotoxicity in Women with Breast Cancer: A Systematic Review
Authors: Li Hongmei , Liu Haiyun , Wang Boliang , Jia Xiao , Yu Jingjing , Zhang Yurong , Sang Die , Zhang Yimin
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Anthracyclines have been one of the standard therapies for breast cancer (BC), and dose-related cardiotoxicity is one serious side effect. Exercise is an effective strategy for the prevention and management of BC, endorsed by experts in both exercise and oncology. However, there is a great deal of confusion about the effectiveness of exercise on anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and the exercise prescription (i.e., timing, type, and intensity) for cardiotoxicity, which limits its application in clinical settings. The aim of this article is to review the safety of exercise in BC patients receiving anthracyclines and its effectiveness in preventing cardiotoxicity.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched using terms related to exercise, BC, anthracyclines, and cardiotoxicity for retrieving clinical randomized controlled trials in either Chinese or English. A summary of the included literature was also provided.

Results

Of 202 records screened, 10 were eligible. A total of 434 BC patients (stage I–IIIC, mean age ranged from 43.5 to 52.4 years) were included. The main findings were that: (1) Acute (a single bout) moderate-to-vigorous aerobic exercise could prevent NT-proBNP elevation beyond the threshold of acute myocardial injury; (2) Long-term (> 8 weeks) moderate-to-high intensity aerobic exercise (continuous or interval) could improve or maintain left ventricular ejection fraction and cardiorespiratory fitness in BC patients. However, the optimal timing, type, and intensity of exercise for people with BC to prevent cardiotoxicity remain unclear.

Conclusion

Moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise may be an effective non-pharmacological approach to mitigate cardiotoxicities induced by anthracyclines in women with BC. However, the optimal exercise prescription for preventing cardiotoxicity remains unclear.
Designing sensory adaptive environments to enhance participation in healthcare for autistic children
Authors: Rios-Vega Lady , Carroll Amy , Dumont Rachel , Treadwell-Deering Diane , Fields Matthew , Schaaf Roseann
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Many autistic individuals experience sensory features that impact participation in healthcare. In this study, we aimed to identify the needs of autistic children during healthcare participation and, based on the findings, generate solutions to improve participation in healthcare.

Methods

A design-thinking approach with qualitative methods was used. First, observation of the environment and journey mapping were completed as part of the empathy stage of design thinking. Next, six parents of autistic children completed semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed, and thematic analysis was used to identify themes. Next, healthcare providers participated in a group session to discuss experiences caring for autistic children. These data were also analyzed using qualitative methods, and themes emerged. Finally, healthcare providers and five interior design and architecture professionals reviewed the themes from both groups and the best available literature. They participated in a brainstorming session where solutions were collaboratively generated.

Results

Four main themes emerged from the parent's interviews, and three themes emerged from the healthcare provider’s input. Several solutions were identified during the brainstorming session, including a prototype for a sensory adaptive environment, sensory adaptations during medical procedures, and training for providers on sensory features in autism.

Conclusion

The design thinking method was appropriate to identify the problem and potential solutions to improve participation in healthcare for autistic children.
Performance of inert particles as lubricant additives compared to fully formulated industrial forming oils in sheet metal forming
Authors: Arinbjarnar Úlfar , Moghadam Marcel , Nielsen Chris Valentin
Published: March 2024

The increasingly restrictive legislation on the use of hazardous chemicals in lubricant formulation necessitates the use of less hazardous lubricant additives in the sheet metal forming industry. The tribological performance of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as a green lubricant additive was evaluated in comparison to commercially available forming lubricants used in industry, some of which contain hazardous chemicals such as chlorinated paraffins to enable their function. The lubricants were tested by four-ball wear testing, four-ball weld load testing, and bending-under-tension. The ease of cleaning of surfaces formed with the different lubricants was evaluated by methods used in industry and the viscosity was evaluated using standard methods. The CaCO3 mixtures showed a better performance than commercial lubricants in four-ball wear testing, worse performance in four-ball weld load testing, worse cleanability, and a similar development of drawing force in bending-under-tension over 1000 consecutive strokes. When added to fully formed commercial lubricants, the particles degrade the performance of the lubricant in resisting adhesive wear but improve its capacity for resisting abrasive wear. Surfaces of formed parts after bending-under-tension testing with CaCO3 mixtures were scratched, while parts formed using commercial lubricants showed less scratching. The effect of including particles in a commercial lubricant depended on the application, either degrading it or improving it. It is therefore clear that the use of solid particles as lubricant additives should be constrained to selected applications where abrasive wear is a dominant wear mechanism.
Assessment of WRF-CO2 simulated vertical profiles of CO2 over Delhi region using aircraft and global model data
Authors: Ballav Srabanti , Patra Prabir K. , Naja Manish , Mukherjee Sandipan , Machida Toshinobu
Published: March 2024

High-resolution regional model simulation of CO2 may be more beneficial to reduce the uncertainty in estimation of CO2 source and sink via inverse modeling. However, the study of atmospheric CO2 transport with regional models is rare over India. Here, weather research and forecasting chemistry model adjusted for CO2 (WRF-CO2) is used for simulating vertical profile of CO2 and its assessment is performed over Delhi, India (27.4–28.6° N and 77–96° E) by comparing aircraft observations (CONTRAIL) and a global model (ACTM) data. During August and September, the positive vertical gradient (~ 13.4 ppm) within ~ 2.5 km height is observed due to strong CO2 uptake by newly growing vegetation. A similar pattern (~ 4 ppm) is noticed in February due to photosynthesis by newly growing winter crops. The WRF-CO2 does not show such steep increasing slope (capture up to 5%) during August and September but same for February is estimated ~ 1.7 ppm. Generally, CO2 is quite well mixed between ~ 2.5 and ~ 8 km height above ground which is well simulated by the WRF-CO2 model. During stubble burning period of 2010, the highest gradient within 2.5 km height above ground was recorded in October (− 9.3 ppm), followed by November (− 7.6 ppm). The WRF-CO2 and ACTM models partially capture these gradients (October − 3.3 and − 2.7 ppm and November − 3.8 and − 4.3 ppm respectively). A study of the seasonal variability of CO2 indicates seasonal amplitudes decrease with increasing height (amplitude is ~ 21 ppm at the near ground and ~ 6 ppm at 6–8 km altitude bin). Correlation coefficients (CC) between the WRF-CO2 model and observation are noted to be greater than 0.59 for all the altitude bins. In contrast to simulated fossil CO2, the biospheric CO2 is in phase with observed seasonality, having about 80% at the lowest level and gradually declines with height due to mixing processes, reaching around 60% at the highest level. The model simulation reveals that meteorology plays a significant role of the horizontal and vertical gradient of CO2 over the region.
Mise à jour du diagnostic différentiel et du traitement des douleurs articulaires de la ménopause
Authors: Dan Diana
Published: March 2024

Les douleurs articulaires de la ménopause sont une plainte fréquente, qui accompagne les symptômes classiques liés à la déprivation oestrogénique, comme les bouffées de chaleur, les problèmes uro-génitaux et les troubles de l’humeur. Les diagnostics différentiels de la douleur autour de la ménopause sont nombreux et variés, cette période de vie étant marquée par une haute prévalence de maladies rhumatismales. Cet article passe en revue les caractéristiques et la prise en charge de l’arthralgie de la ménopause, discute le diagnostic différentiel et propose une démarche diagnostique de première intention. Quelques pathologies rhumatismales d’intérêt faisant partie du diagnostic différentiel y seront également illustrées de manière succincte.
Essays on Coding Theory
Authors: Blake Ian F.
Published: March 2024

Critical coding techniques have developed over the past few decades for data storage, retrieval and transmission systems, significantly mitigating costs for governments and corporations that maintain server systems containing large amounts of data. This book surveys the basic ideas of these coding techniques, which tend not to be covered in the graduate curricula, including pointers to further reading. Written in an informal style, it avoids detailed coverage of proofs, making it an ideal refresher or brief introduction for students and researchers in academia and industry who may not have the time to commit to understanding them deeply. Topics covered include fountain codes designed for large file downloads; LDPC and polar codes for error correction; network, rank metric, and subspace codes for the transmission of data through networks; post-quantum computing; and quantum error correction. Readers are assumed to have taken basic courses on algebraic coding and information theory.
Trends in use of composite endpoints in clinical trials: A comparison between acute heart failure trials and COVID-19 trials
Authors: Shi Lan , Lindsell Christopher John , Liu Dandan
Published: March 2024

Composite endpoints can encode multiple pieces of information and are increasingly adopted in clinical trials. Advocacy for using composite endpoints began decades ago in cardiovascular trials, leading to incorporation of patient-oriented outcomes and consideration of a hierarchical ranking system. The use of composite endpoints in coronavirus disease (COVID-19) trials has evolved similarly. We conducted a literature review to investigate the use of composite endpoints in acute heart failure and COVID-19 clinical trials. The results showed more frequent use of patient-oriented outcomes and ordinal composite endpoints in COVID-19 trials, which might be driven by global consensus on a set of common outcome measures.
What Does it Take to Become a Judge in Spain? An Informal First Step into a Formal World
Authors: Iglesias Sara , Bustos Gisbert Rafael
Published: March 2024

One of the most prominent informal institutions that affect access to the judicial career is the system of coaching to prepare for the state exams to access the judiciary. This Article focuses on the relevance and impact of that informal institution, together with other informal aspects that affect the process of judicial selection. It is claimed that the system of preparation for judicial state exams has a crucial impact on the composition of the judiciary. Its informality and peculiar features however raise important democratic concerns due to its lack of transparency, the important economic barriers it imposes, and its longstanding impact on judicial culture.
Constitutional Conventions Concerning the Judiciary beyond the Common Law
Authors: Kosař David , Vincze Attila
Published: March 2024

Constitutional conventions are traditionally understood as socially binding, usually unwritten, rules of constitutional importance based on precedent which cannot be enforced before courts. This traditional approach has several limitations, because it debates the normative quality of conventions rather than how to find them and where the real power lies. By doing so it is disconnected from scholarship on informal institutions in social sciences. Moreover, scholarship on constitutional conventions focuses predominantly on common law countries and conventions concerning political branches. This article pushes the boundaries in both directions. It shows how constitutional conventions can be conceptualized in civil law jurisdictions, and also identifies informal practices and constitutional conventions governing the judiciaries. On a broader level, it argues that constitutional conventions as a normative concept can help to filter the informal practices and differentiate between simple repetitive behavior on the one hand and conventions as a subset of informal institutions on the other.
Color-avoiding percolation and branching processes
Authors: Fekete Panna Tímea , Molontay Roland , Ráth Balázs , Varga Kitti
Published: March 2024

We study a variant of the color-avoiding percolation model introduced by Krause et al., namely we investigate the color-avoiding bond percolation setup on (not necessarily properly) edge-colored Erdős–Rényi random graphs. We say that two vertices are color-avoiding connected in an edge-colored graph if, after the removal of the edges of any color, they are in the same component in the remaining graph. The color-avoiding connected components of an edge-colored graph are maximal sets of vertices such that any two of them are color-avoiding connected. We consider the fraction of vertices contained in color-avoiding connected components of a given size, as well as the fraction of vertices contained in the giant color-avoidin g connected component. It is known that these quantities converge, and the limits can be expressed in terms of probabilities associated to edge-colored branching process trees. We provide explicit formulas for the limit of the fraction of vertices contained in the giant color-avoiding connected component, and we give a simpler asymptotic expression for it in the barely supercritical regime. In addition, in the two-colored case we also provide explicit formulas for the limit of the fraction of vertices contained in color-avoiding connected components of a given size.
State Violence and Pains of Punishment: Experiences of Incarcerated Women in Belarus in the Aftermath of the 2020 Protests
Authors: Chulitskaya Tatsiana , Matonyte Irmina
Published: March 2024

State violence against Belarusian women involved in protest activities after the fraudulent presidential election in 2020 and onward has been unprecedented in the country’s history. Women’s activism has challenged the patriarchal authoritarian regime, which was ill-prepared to deal with women. However, after a short period of adaptation by the repressive institutions, women became their “special clients.” With reference to gender-sensitive academic research, we investigate diverse forms of state violence against women and analyze how they perceive their experiences of incarceration for political reasons. This article is based on available datasets, a series of nine semi-structured interviews, and insights from participant observation. The research reveals that Belarusian women incarcerated for political reasons fall under the “demanding clients” category: they comprehensively challenge the state-sponsored brutal patriarchy and expect the repressive apparatus to meet their specific needs. These women experience multidimensional physical discomfort and psychological pressure, including targeted offensive and dehumanizing elements. At the same time, incarcerated women do not feel ostracized by society; they share the feeling that their “crimes” are supported by civil society, and they endure the pains of punishment as targeted violence from a state fighting cynically for its own survival.
Government-Coordinated Internal Colonization in the Era of Nationalism: The Case of Dualist Hungary
Authors: Berecz Ágoston
Published: March 2024

Between 1881 and 1914, Hungarian governments established at least 36 agricultural colonies in today’s territory of Romania (nine new villages and 25 neighborhoods attached to existing ones). After 1894, a separate government fund was created for land purchases and the venture was entrusted to a Department of Colonization within the Ministry of Agriculture. This article gives an archival-based account of the political, financial, agricultural, and logistical aspects of the settlement program and compares it with its better-researched Prussian model. Investigating it as a series of interactions between settlers, the dedicated government agency, local potentates, and the surrounding population, it identifies structural impediments to the endeavor. Although there was a broad unity across political parties behind the idea of conquering new territories for the ethnic nation, the settlement program rested on a fragile consensus within the elite. Its expansion after 1900 was mainly due to Minister Ignác Darányi, whereas the steps of other high officials give nuances to Hungarian nationalities policies. When Prime Minister István Tisza dropped the program on the eve of the First World War, it was already in a state of hibernation because the governing party had realized that the settlers posed a political liability for them.
Methodological moderators of average outdegree centrality: A meta-analysis of child and adolescent friendship networks
Authors: Neal Jennifer Watling
Published: March 2024

Empirical articles vary considerably in how they measure child and adolescent friendship networks. This meta-analysis examines four methodological moderators of children’s and adolescents’ average outdegree centrality in friendship networks: boundary specification, operational definition of friendship, unlimited vs. fixed choice design, and roster vs. free recall design. Specifically, multi-level random effects models were conducted using 261 average outdegree centrality estimates from 71 English-language peer-reviewed articles and 55 unique datasets. There were no significant differences in average outdegree centrality for child and adolescent friendship networks bounded at the classroom, grade, and school-levels. Using a name generator focused on best/close friends yielded significantly lower average outdegree centrality estimates than using a name generator focused on friends. Fixed choice designs with under 10 nominations were associated with significantly lower estimates of average outdegree centrality while fixed choice designs with 10 or more nominations were associated with significantly higher estimates of average outdegree centrality than unlimited choice designs. Free recall designs were associated with significantly lower estimates of average outdegree centrality than roster designs. Results are discussed within the context of their implications for the future measurement of child and adolescent friendship networks.
The beauty of the body and the ascension: A reclamation and subversion of physical beauty
Authors: Cerbus Laura
Published: March 2024

In the last century, beauty has not often found itself enlisted in struggles for justice. As Alexander Nehemas recounts, beauty's severance from goodness and truth in the modern period renders beauty dangerous, its charm easily wielded as an instrument of oppression in the hands of the powerful. While some scholars have argued for a return to the pre-modern metaphysics that binds beauty to truth and goodness, the abuse of beauty is not simply a modern phenomenon, and its resistance requires more than a pre-modern solution. Beauty is eschatological; thus its abuse points to a failure to order it properly to its eschatological end. This article will argue that the abuse of beauty can be resisted not by spiritualising beauty, but by ordering physical beauty to its eschatological end. This end is most clearly seen in the ascended Christ, with his beautiful body that is human, wounded and hidden.
A bound of the number of weighted blow-ups to compute the minimal log discrepancy for smooth 3-folds
Authors: ISHII SHIHOKO
Published: March 2024

We study a pair consisting of a smooth 3-fold defined over an algebraically closed field and a “general”
${\Bbb R}$
-ideal. We show that the minimal log discrepancy (“mld” for short) of every such a pair is computed by a prime divisor obtained by at most two weighted blow-ups. This bound is regarded as a weighted blow-up version of Mustaţă–Nakamura’s conjecture. We also show that if the mld of such a pair is not less than 1, then it is computed by at most one weighted blow-up. As a consequence, ACC of mld holds for such pairs.
Sequence variations in GATA4 and CITED2 gene among patients with cardiac septation defects from Xinjiang, China
Authors: Imam Renati , Aizezi Maimaitiaili , Yan Fei , Zhu Tao , Zhang Weimin
Published: March 2024

Studies have shown that genetic factors play an important role in CHD’s development. The mutations in GATA4 and CITED2 genes result in the failure of the heart to develop normally, thereby leading to septal defects. The present study investigated the underlying molecular aetiology of patients with cardiac septation defects from Xinjiang. We investigated variants of the GATA4 and CITED2 gene coding regions in 172 patients with cardiac septation defects by sequencing. Healthy controls (n = 200) were included. Three heterozygous variations (p.V380M, p.P394T, and p.P407Q) of the GATA4 gene were identified in three patients. p.V380M was discovered in a patient with atrial septal defect. p.P394T was noted in a patient with atrial septal defect. p.V380M and p.P407Q of the GATA4 gene were detected in one patient with ventricular septal defect. A novel homozygous variation (p. Sl92G) of the CITED2 gene was found in one patient with ventricular septal defect. Other patients and healthy individuals were normal. The limited prevalence of genetic variations observed in individuals with cardiac septal defects from Xinjiang provides evidence in favour of the hypothesis that CHD is a polygenic hereditary disorder. It is plausible that mutations in the GATA4 and CITED2 genes could potentially underlie the occurrence of idiopathic CHD in affected patients.
Protecting the Good Name of the Nation as Memory Law
Authors: Baranowska Grażyna
Published: March 2024

Memory laws – Protecting the good name of the nation – de facto memory laws – Prohibiting statements about the past – Article 301 of the Turkish Criminal Code – Protecting the good name of Poland and the Polish nation – Protecting the good name of the nation as de facto memory laws – Role of organisations in implementing the laws – Rule of law – Independence of the judiciary – European Court of Human Rights – Chilling effect – European memory politics
Rule of Law Backsliding and Memory Politics in Hungary
Authors: Halmai Gábor
Published: March 2024

Introduction of the institutional framework of constitutional democracy and transitional justice in Hungary – Liberal constitutionalism as a victim of the authoritarian efforts of Viktor Orbán’s Fidesz party after the 2010 parliamentary elections – The legal governance of history contributing to the backsliding of democracy and the rule of law – Use of memory politics for the newly established authoritarian regime’s own political purposes – Transitional justice measures to help reconcile society and consolidate democracy – The current Hungarian government’s attitude towards public discussion of history
Introduction to the Special Section ‘Memory Laws and the Rule of Law’
Authors: Wójcik Anna , Rhein-Fischer Paula
Published: March 2024

Introduction to the Special Section – relationship between memory laws and the rule of law – exploiting law in the service of historical policy and undermining democracy – rule of law backsliding – democratic backsliding – risk of abuse of memory laws
Caridoid crustaceans from the Ballagan Formation (Tournaisian, Lower Carboniferous) of Willie's Hole, Chirnside, Scottish Borders, UK
Authors: CLARK Neil D. L. , ROSS Andrew J.
Published: March 2024

The descriptions of two co-occurring cardioid crustaceans from the Ballagan Formation (Tournaisian, Lower Carboniferous) of Chirnside, Scottish Borders, help to resolve the taxonomy of the genus Tealliocaris. Tealliocaris robusta Peach, 1908 is assigned to Schramocaris to form S. robusta (Peach, 1908) comb. nov. on the basis of morphological characters such as the rugosity and position of the branchial carinae as well as the nature of the pleon, and becomes the earliest representative of this genus in Scotland. A new species of Tealliocaris is also recognised from this locality and is described as T. briggsi sp. nov., based on the smooth carapace, lack of pleonic grooves and the number of spines on the scaphocerite and lateral margin of the anterior carapace. The systematic position of the Pendleian specimens identified by Peach (1908) as ‘Tealliocaris robusta var.’ is finally resolved and described as T. weegie sp. nov.
The impact of floods on plastic pollution
Authors: van Emmerik Tim H. M.
Published: March 2024

Non-Technical Summary

Plastic harms ecosystem health and human livelihood on land, in rivers, and in the sea. To prevent and reduce plastic pollution, we must know how plastics move through the environment. Extreme events, such as floods, bring large amounts of plastic into rivers around the world. This article summarizes how different flood types (excessive rainfall, high river flow, or floods from the sea) flush or deposit plastic pollution, and how this impacts the environment. Furthermore, this paper also discusses how improved resilience to floods is important to prevent and reduce plastic pollution.

Technical Summary

Plastic pollution is ubiquitous in the environment and threatens terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Reducing plastic pollution requires a thorough understanding of its sources, sinks, abundance, and impact. The transport and retention dynamics of plastics are however complex, and assumed to be driven by natural factors, anthropogenic factors, and plastic item characteristics. Current literature shows diverging correlations between river discharge, wind speed, rainfall, and plastic transport. However, floods have been consistently demonstrated to impact plastic transport and dispersal. This paper presents a synthesis of the impact of floods on plastic pollution in the environment. For each specific flood type (fluvial, pluvial, coastal, and flash floods), we identified the driving transport mechanisms from the available literature. This paper introduces the plastic-flood nexus concept, which is the negative feedback loop between floods (mobilizing plastics), and plastic pollution (increasing flood risk through blockages). Moreover, the impact of flood-driven plastic transport was assessed, and it was argued that increasing flood resilience also reduces the impact of floods on plastic pollution. This paper provides a perspective on the importance of floods on global plastic pollution. Increasing flood resilience and breaking the plastic-flood nexus are crucial steps toward reducing environmental plastic pollution.

Social Media Summary

Floods have a large impact on plastic pollution transport, which can be reduced through improved flood resilience