bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On viscoelastic blood in a locally narrow artery with magnetic field: application of distributed-order time fractional Maxwell model
Authors: Hu Yajing , Li Botong , Cao Chenguang
Published: March 2024

Purpose. The study of hemorheology of heterogeneous vessels is of importance for the therapy of cardiovascular diseases. The present paper aims to investigate the effects of the height parameter of the stenosis, the Reynolds number, the relaxation time and the Hartmann number on the blood flow by applying distributed order time fractional Maxwell model. Methodology. Distributed order time fractional Maxwell constitutive fluid model is used to simulate viscoelastic blood flowing in a narrowing blood vessel with uniform magnetic field. The continuity and momentum equations are established in two-dimensional cylindrical coordinate system for calculation. With vorticity-stream function method, the finite difference technique, combined with the fractional derivative

L
1

interpolation approximation, is utilized to obtain numerical solutions of velocity and wall shear stress. The effectiveness of the numerical method is verified. Outcomes. It reveals the choice of relaxation time in the governing equation has an influence on the results. The numerical results show that an appropriate increase of Reynolds number can reduce the possibility of vessel damage. Furthermore, when the height parameter of the stenosis increases, the damage to the vessel wall is getting serious. Besides, the wall shear stress along the blood vessel increases with the increase of the magnetic field, but the wall shear stress in the narrowest part of the blood vessel changes little.
Device optimization and sensitivity analysis of a double-cavity graded MgZnO/ZnO MOSHEMT for biomolecule detection
Authors: G Kiran , Pandey Sushil Kumar , Dwivedi Praveen , Singh Rohit
Published: March 2024

The detailed analytical model of biosensing parameters was proposed for a double-cavity graded MgZnO/ZnO metal oxide semiconductor high electron mobility transistor (MOSHEMT) with cap layer-based biosensor including transfer characteristic, output characteristic, change in cut-off voltage (

Δ

V

off

), transconductance (

g

m

), sensitivity, and selectivity. A thorough investigation of dielectric modulation in a double nanogap cavity under the gate was conducted with a focus on improving the sensing characteristics of a MOSHEMT to indicate the presence of biomolecules like Uricase, Streptavidin, Protein, and ChOx. The dielectric modulation and the Poisson equation were used to determine the effective capacitance and cut-off voltage in the cavity region. Consequently, the changes in the cut-off voltage and the drain current of the device were used as the sensing metrics for the detection of biomolecules in the cavity regions. It was found that the proposed graded MgZnO/ZnO MOSHEMT-based biosensor demonstrates a higher change in cut-off voltage and drain current in comparison to the previous works, suggesting higher sensitivity for biomolecules.
On lump and solitonic wave structures for the (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution model
Authors: Alhefthi Reem K , Tariq Kalim U , Ma Wen-Xiu , Mehboob Fozia
Published: March 2024

In order to understand many complex situations in wave propagation, such as heat transfer, fluid dynamics, optical fibers, electrodynamics, physics, chemistry, biology, condensed matter physics, ocean engineering, and many other branches of nonlinear science, the majority of natural processes are routinely modelled and analysed using nonlinear evolution equations. In this study, the (3+1)-dimensional nonlinear evolution equation is investigated analytically. Initially, the Hirota bilinear approach is used to develop the bilinear version of the higher dimensional nonlinear model. Consequently, we are able to design periodic wave soliton solutions, lump wave and single-kink soliton solutions, and collisions between lumps and periodic waves. Later on, the unified method is applied to develop several new travelling wave solutions for the governing model substantially. Furthermore, numerous exact solutions are analyzed graphically to explore many fascinating nonlinear dynamical structures with the aid of 3D, contour, and 2D visualizations. A variety of higher dimensional nonlinear evolution models can also be investigated by employing present approaches arising in many fields of contemporary science and technology.
Image encryption scheme using a new 4-D chaotic system with a cosinoidal nonlinear term in WMSNs
Authors: Fan Fangliang , Verma Vivek , Long Guoqiang , Tsafack Nestor , Jiang Donghua
Published: March 2024

To protect the sensitive data captured in the wireless media sensor networks (WMSNs), this paper propounds a novel data encryption scheme by employing a new chaotic system and the semi-tensor product compressive sensing model driven by a linear congruence generator. In this scheme, the coefficients yielded by sparsely decomposing the plaintext image onto a wavelet packet basis are firstly compressed using a key-controlled measurement matrix. To minimize the threat of various attacks, the compressed image is then subjected to bidirectional diffusion manipulation to conceal its statistical properties under the control of chaotic sequences. Additionally, it is worth explaining that a lightweight 4D-chaotic system with only one nonlinear term is designed to accommodate the resource-constrained situation in WMSNs. Finally, theoretical analysis and investigations affirm its significant enhancement in visual security, compressibility, and encryption efficiency. Moreover, the proposed scheme is significantly superior to existing relevant encryption ones.
Power-dependent up-conversion emissions and temperature sensing properties of NaYF4:Er/Yb@NaYF4 phosphors
Authors: Xuecheng Li , Haoyue Hao , Liang Li
Published: March 2024

Rare earth doped luminescent materials have unique up-conversion properties and can be applied to optical temperature sensing. In this work, the power-dependent emission intensity from bare core NaYF4:Er/Yb and core–shell structured NaYF4:Er/Yb@NaYF4 phosphors and the temperature sensing properties of NaYF4:Er/Yb@NaYF4 phosphors are investigated. The NaYF4:Er/Yb and NaYF4:Er/Yb@NaYF4 phosphors are prepared through typical co-precipitation method. The enhancement factor of emissions located at 520, 540 and 654 nm reach 1.51, 1.42 and 1.75, respectively, which is originated to the suppression of surface quenching. The enhancement factor decreases slowly with excitation power increasing due to the more sensitivity to laser power of the bare core phosphors. In addition, the green emissions (520 and 540 nm) exhibit distinct temperature-dependent behaviors, including relatively sensing sensitivity and thermal repeatability stability. The maximal relatively sensing sensitivity reaches 1.2% K−1 at 294 K and The value of thermal repeatability stability reaches 98.4%.
Extracting halo independent information from dark matter electron scattering data
Authors: Bernreuther Elias , Fox Patrick J. , Lillard Benjamin , Taki Anna-Maria , Yu Tien-Tien
Published: March 2024

Direct detection experiments and the interpretation of their results are sensitive to the velocity structure of the dark matter in our galactic halo. In this work, we extend the formalism that deals with such astrophysics-driven uncertainties, originally introduced in the context of dark-matter-nuclear scattering, to include dark-matter-electron scattering interactions. Using mock data, we demonstrate that the ability to determine the correct dark matter mass and velocity distribution is depleted for recoil spectra which only populate a few low-lying bins, such as models involving a light mediator. We also demonstrate how this formalism allows one to test the compatibility of existing experimental data sets (e.g. SENSEI and EDELWEISS), as well as make predictions for possible future experiments (e.g. GaAs-based detectors).
Design and implementation of the monochromator shielding for the cold neutron spectrometers XINGZHI and BOYA
Authors: Wang 汪 Jinchen 晋辰 , Liu 刘 Juanjuan 娟娟 , Xu 徐 Daye 大业 , Grünauer Florian , Hao 郝 Lijie 丽杰 , Liu 刘 Yuntao 蕴韬 , Zhang 张 Hongxia 红霞 , Cheng 程 Peng 鹏 , Bao 鲍 Wei 威
Published: March 2024

An innovative monochromator shielding is designed and implemented for the cold neutron spectrometers XINGZHI and BOYA operated by Renmin University of China at China Advanced Research Reactor. Via Monte Carlo simulations and careful mechanical designs, a shielding configuration has been successfully developed to satisfy safety requirements of below 3 μSv/h dose rate at its exterior, meanwhile fulfilling space, floor load and nonmagnetic requirements. Composite materials are utilized to form the sandwich-type shielding walls: the inner layer of boron carbide rubber, the middle layer of steel-encased lead and the outer layer of borated polyethylene. Special-shaped liftable shielding blocks are incorporated to facilitate a continuous adjustment of the neutron energy while preventing radiation leakage. Our work has demonstrated that by utilizing composite shielding materials, along with the sandwich structure and liftable shielding blocks, a compact and lightweight shielding solution can be achieved. This enables the realization of advanced neutron scattering instruments that provide expanded space of measurement, larger energy and momentum coverage, and higher flux on the sample. This shielding represents the first of its kind in neutron scattering instruments in China. Following its successful operation, it has been subsequently employed by other neutron instruments across the country.
Properties of radiation defects and threshold energy of displacement in zirconium hydride obtained by new deep-learning potential
Authors: Wang 王 Xi 玺 , Tang 唐 Meng 孟 , Jiang 蒋 Ming-Xuan 明璇 , Chen 陈 Yang-Chun 阳春 , Liu 刘 Zhi-Xiao 智骁 , Deng 邓 Hui-Qiu 辉球
Published: March 2024

Zirconium hydride (ZrH2) is an ideal neutron moderator material. However, radiation effect significantly changes its properties, which affect its behavior and the lifespan of the reactor. The threshold energy of displacement is an important quantity of the number of radiation defects produced, which helps us to predict the evolution of radiation defects in ZrH2. Molecular dynamics (MD) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) are two main methods of calculating the threshold energy of displacement. The MD simulations with empirical potentials often cannot accurately depict the transitional states that lattice atoms must surpass to reach an interstitial state. Additionally, the AIMD method is unable to perform large-scale calculation, which poses a computational challenge beyond the simulation range of density functional theory. Machine learning potentials are renowned for their high accuracy and efficiency, making them an increasingly preferred choice for molecular dynamics simulations. In this work, we develop an accurate potential energy model for the ZrH2 system by using the deep-potential (DP) method. The DP model has a high degree of agreement with first-principles calculations for the typical defect energy and mechanical properties of the ZrH2 system, including the basic bulk properties, formation energy of point defects, as well as diffusion behavior of hydrogen and zirconium. By integrating the DP model with Ziegler–Biersack–Littmark (ZBL) potential, we can predict the threshold energy of displacement of zirconium and hydrogen in ε-ZrH2.
Pressure-induced magnetic phase and structural transition in SmSb2
Authors: Li 李 Tao 涛 , Wang 王 Shuyang 舒阳 , Chen 陈 Xuliang 绪亮 , Chen 陈 Chunhua 春华 , Fang 房 Yong 勇 , Yang 杨 Zhaorong 昭荣
Published: March 2024

Motivated by the recent discovery of unconventional superconductivity around a magnetic quantum critical point in pressurized CeSb2, here we present a high-pressure study of an isostructural antiferromagnetic (AFM) SmSb2 through electrical transport and synchrotron x-ray diffraction measurements. At P
C ∼ 2.5 GPa, we found a pressure-induced magnetic phase transition accompanied by a Cmca → P4/nmm structural phase transition. In the pristine AFM phase below P
C, the AFM transition temperature of SmSb2 is insensitive to pressure; in the emergent magnetic phase above P
C, however, the magnetic critical temperature increases rapidly with increasing pressure. In addition, at ambient pressure, the magnetoresistivity (MR) of SmSb2 increases suddenly upon cooling below the AFM transition temperature and presents linear nonsaturating behavior under high field at 2 K. With increasing pressure above P
C, the MR behavior remains similar to that observed at ambient pressure, both in terms of temperature- and field-dependent MR. This leads us to argue an AFM-like state for SmSb2 above P
C. Within the investigated pressure of up to 45.3 GPa and the temperature of down to 1.8 K, we found no signature of superconductivity in SmSb2.
Constraints on axion-like particles from the observation of Galactic sources by the LHAASO*
Authors: Li 李 Jun 军 , Bi 毕 Xiao-Jun 效军 , Gao 高 Lin-Qing 林青 , Huang 黄 Xiaoyuan 晓渊 , Yao 姚 Run-Min 润民 , Yin 殷 Peng-Fei 鹏飞
Published: March 2024

High-energy photons may oscillate with axion-like particles (ALPs) when they propagate through the Milky Way's magnetic field, resulting in an alteration in the observed photon energy spectrum. Ultra-high energy gamma-ray spectra, measured by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) up to

, provide a promising opportunity to investigate the ALP-photon oscillation effect. In this study, we utilize the gamma-ray spectra of four Galactic sources measured by the LHAASO, that is, the Crab Nebula, LHAASO J2226+6057, LHAASO J1908+0621, and LHAASO J1825-1326, to explore this effect. We employ the CLs method to set constraints on the ALP parameters. Our analysis of the observations of the four sources reveals that the ALP-photon coupling

is constrained to be smaller than

for an ALP mass of

at 95% C.L. Combining the observations of the Crab Nebula from the LHAASO and other experiments, we find that the ALP-photon coupling may be set to approximately

for an ALP mass of

, which is similar to the CAST constraint.
Photon orbits and phase transition for Letelier AdS black holes immersed in perfect fluid dark matter*
Authors: Sood Ashima , Ali Md Sabir , Singh J. K. , Ghosh Sushant G.
Published: March 2024

We obtain an exact solution for spherically symmetric Letelier AdS black holes immersed in perfect fluid dark matter (PFDM). Considering the cosmological constant as the positive pressure of the system and volume as its conjugate variable, we analyze the thermodynamics of our black holes in the extended phase space. Owing to the background clouds of strings parameter (a) and the parameter endowed with PFDM (β), we analyze the Hawking temperature, entropy, and specific heat. Furthermore, we investigate the relationship between the photon sphere radius and phase transition for the Letelier AdS black holes immersed in PFDM. Through the analysis, with a particular condition, non-monotonic behaviors are found between the photon sphere radius, impact parameter, PFDM parameter, temperature, and pressure. We can regard the changes in both the photon sphere radius and impact parameter before and after phase transition as the order parameter; their critical exponents near the critical point are equal to the same value, 1/2, similar to that in ordinary thermal systems. This indicates that a universal relation of gravity may exist near the critical point for a black hole thermodynamic system.
Nutrient controlled release behaviors and plant growth of NPK encapsulated hydroxyapatite/alginate biocomposite toward agricultural and environmental sustainability
Authors: Nooeaid Patcharakamon , Cha-aim Kamonchai , Chuysinuan Piyachat , Pengsuk Chalinan , Thanyacharoern Thanyaluck , Sophonputtanaphoca Supaporn , Techasakul Supanna
Published: March 2024

Controlled release fertilizers (CRFs) promote sustainable agriculture by gradually releasing nutrients into the soil while also mitigating environmental pollution. Nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium embedded hydroxyapatite/alginate (NPK-HA/Alg) biocomposite beads were developed using a simple, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly dropping and external gelation method. Addition of eggshell biowaste-derived HA to the alginate matrix improved the structural, thermal, and structural stability of the alginate beads, and enabled the inclusion of significantly high plant nutrients. The biocomposite beads exhibited a prolonged and controlled nutrient release in deionized water over 35 days. Biocomposite bead addition was assessed for the growth of flowering Chinese cabbage in a controlled greenhouse environment. Results confirmed vegetative growth with high values of plant height, number of leaves, and fresh and dry weights. The non-toxic and cost-effective NPK-HA/Alg biocomposite beads demonstrated controlled nutrient release as promising CRF materials to promote sustainable agricultural production.
Effect of borax on the hydration and hardening of β-hemihydrate gypsum at high water–plaster ratio
Authors: Ren Zhiwei , Li Longjiang
Published: March 2024

The existing methods of preparing lightweight gypsum blocks are to make hollow slats or to make foamed blocks, both of which are defective and fail to meet the standards. In order to prepare lightweight gypsum blocks, this paper investigates the method of increasing the proportion of moisture to reduce the weight of gypsum blocks. To further understand the performance relation between β-hemihydrate gypsum (β-hemihydrate phosphogypsum and β-hemihydrate flue-gas desulfurization gypsum) and its products, the effect of borax on the hydration and hardening of β-hemihydrate gypsum at high water–plaster ratio was studied. The results showed that with an increase in borax dosage, the setting time of β-hemihydrate phosphogypsum (β-HPG) was evidently prolonged; the initial setting time increased from 15 to 62 min, and the final setting time increased from 22 to 93 min. The difference between the initial and final setting times also increased, and the fluidity of the gypsum slurry was improved. When the borax dosage reached 0.5%, the flexural strength of β-hemihydrate flue-gas desulfurization gypsum (β-HFGD) increased from 5.2 to 6.3 MPa and the compressive strength increased from 4.7 to 9.3 MPa after 28 d. By analyzing the changes in phase transition, hydration degree, infrared spectrum, particle size, and crystal microstructure during the hydration of β-hemihydrate gypsum, it was found that β-HPG was more sensitive to borax than β-HFGD at high water–plaster ratio and β-HFGD showed superior mechanical properties. The study findings will provide a theoretical basis for the application of β-hemihydrate gypsum products under humid conditions and expand the application range of gypsum products.
Extraction of cellulose from soybean hulls for the development of polymer matrix composites with fishtail palm fibers
Authors: R Anandkumar , S Rajkumar , Wondimu Wasihun
Published: March 2024

This study aims to extract and characterize cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) from soybean hulls, and investigate their application as reinforcement in fishtail palm leaf stalk fiber (FPLSF) composites. CNCs were extracted through a multistep process involving alkalization, bleaching, acid hydrolysis and mechanical fibrillation. Analysis confirmed the transformation of cellulose I to cellulose II, yielding nanocrystals with 70.58% crystallinity index and thermal degradation peak at 371 °C. FTIR analysis verified removal of lignin and hemicellulose after extraction. The extracted CNCs were incorporated into FPLSF-epoxy composites at 2.5-10 wt% loading. Results showed 7.5 wt% CNCs (FT/SH4) provided optimal mechanical properties, with 51.4 MPa tensile strength, 46.09 MPa flexural strength and 36.47 kJ mm−2 impact strength. Lower CNC percentages showed significantly inferior properties due to poor fiber-matrix interfacial bonding. Overall, extracted soybean hull CNCs demonstrated good reinforcement capabilities for natural fiber composites. This provides a sustainable application route for agricultural residues and contributes to the development of high-performance biocomposites.
Classification of Motor Imagery EEG signals using high resolution time-frequency representations and convolutional neural network
Authors: Srimadumathi V , Ramasubba Reddy M
Published: March 2024

A Motor Imagery (MI) based Brain Computer Interface (BCI) system aims to provide neuro-rehabilitation for the motor disabled people and patients with brain injuries (e.g., stroke patients) etc. The aim of this work is to classify the left and right hand MI tasks by utilizing the occurrence of event related desynchronization and synchronization (ERD\ERS) in the Electroencephalogram (EEG) during these tasks. This study proposes to use a set of Complex Morlet Wavelets (CMW) having frequency dependent widths to generate high-resolution time-frequency representations (TFR) of the MI EEG signals present in the channels C3 and C4. A novel method for the selection of the value of number of cycles relative to the center frequency of the CMW is studied here for extracting the MI task features. The generated TFRs are given as input to a Convolutional neural network (CNN) for classifying them into left or right hand MI tasks. The proposed framework attains a classification accuracy of 82.2% on the BCI Competition IV dataset 2a, showing that the TFRs generated in this work give a higher classification accuracy than the baseline methods and other existing algorithms.
Photocatalytic CO2 reduction to syngas using nickel phosphide-loaded CdS under visible light irradiation
Authors: Yadav Poonam , Kumar Santosh , Velankanni Nandhakumar , Kühne Thomas D , Gosavi Suresh , Raghupathy Ramya Kormath Madam , Bhosale Reshma , Held Georg , Shelke Manjusha , Ogale Satishchandra
Published: March 2024

Photocatalytic CO2 reduction is a sustainable pathway to produce syngas (H2 + CO), which is a key feedstock for the production of several important liquid fuels on the industrial scale. However, achieving an appropriate tunable ratio of H2:CO in syngas for commercial purposes is a challenging task. In this work, we present a low-cost and non-noble metal, phosphide-based co-catalyst—Ni2P-loaded cadmium sulfide (CdS) photocatalyst system, for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. As a co-catalyst, Ni2P fosters an efficient charge separation of photoexcited charges generated in the CdS production of syngas. In total, 3 wt.% Ni2P/CdS exhibited exceptional performance of 50.6 µmol g−1 h−1 in the CO evolution rate and 115 µmol g−1 h−1 in the H2 evolution rate, with a syngas composition varying from 2 to 4 in the H2:CO ratio. Furthermore, first-principles density functional theory calculations were performed to study the surface energetics of the catalyst system and the results are found to be consistent with our experimental findings. Indeed, they establish that the composite favors CO2 photoreduction into syngas more efficiently than pure surfaces.
Optimization of the process parameters for vertical centrifugal casting of A356 by numerical simulation
Authors: Kumar Azad Santosh , Mazloum Kamar , Khandelwal Himanshu , Gupta Nandita , Sata Amit
Published: March 2024

This paper investigates the influence of critical process parameters on the centrifugal casting of A356 (Al-Si) alloys using a casting simulation tool. Effects of mould rotation, pouring temperature, mould aspect ratio, and heat transfer coefficient on filling and solidification behaviours have been studied. Furthermore, the study employs Grey Relation Analysis, Taguchi, and ANOVA to systematically optimize the casting process parameters, addressing uncertainties and identifying statistically significant factors. Process optimization, supported by numerical simulations, has revealed that the optimal configuration (rotation of 150 rpm, aspect ratio as 2, pouring temperature as 775 °C) minimizes stress and strain (maximum shear stress, average normal stress, principal stress, principal strain) that can be considered to be responsible for the occurrence of defects such as cracks in final castings. Controlling these process parameters will help in reducing overall stresses and in turn reducing defects as well as improvement of overall productivity.
Know Thy Knowing
Authors: Coseru Christian
Published: March 2024

Drawing on three Platonic dialogues (Charmides, Alcibiades I, and Theaetetus) and the epistemology of Dignāga and Dharmakīrti, this chapter argues that the self-knowledge project need not depend on a metaphysics of self if the awareness present in each knowledge episode is taken to exhibit a reflexive dimension. Whatever the ultimate ground for self-knowledge, it must be such as to provide unity and coherence to experience, even if the achieved unity or harmony is not something determinate or fixed (as suggested by some interpretations of the Platonic soul as form-like, hence as impersonal). The chapter argues that an account of self-knowledge that can explain what turns knowledge onto itself, what makes it personal, is better equipped to show how such knowledge can become a vehicle for self-cultivation. Doctrinal commitment to a no-self view notwithstanding, the recognition on the part of certain Buddhist thinkers that an irreflexive view of awareness may fail to capture the phenomenal and subjective dimensions of knowledge episodes further bolsters such an account.
Cleaning
Authors: Sullivan Ceri
Published: March 2024

The physical action of cleaning and the state of cleanliness are behavioural nudges. This chapter looks first at the approving register in which domestic work is handled by housekeeping manuals and at Little Gidding. Devotional texts go beyond images of scrubbing the heart to using housework as a nudge to godliness. Herbert is unusual among early modern poets in the density and specificity of his references to tasks bent on removing traces of organic life (scrubbing, tidying up, dumping refuse, sweeping, bed-making, and airing) and activities aimed at creating a comfortable life (heating, cooking, furnishing, spinning, clothes-making, gardening, and hosting a dinner). Though most of these were generally seen as work for servants and women, in poems such as ‘Miserie’, ‘The Elixer’, and ‘The Church-porch’, Herbert recasts the most grubby of chores into becoming constant nudges in a life of faith, used by all ranks and both sexes.
Building
Authors: Sullivan Ceri
Published: March 2024

In celebrations of sacred space, architecture and furnishings create a cognitive niche which transports the worshipper into the realm of the numinous. Herbert’s churches likewise help him worship God—but in a very different register. Herbert needed to know concrete details about contemporary construction for his lengthy and expensive repairs of St Mary the Virgin (Leighton Bromswold), St Peter’s (Fugglestone), St Andrew’s (Bemerton), and Bemerton Rectory. Other authors can relish the feelings produced by entering finely modelled and sensitively lit churches; Herbert has to think about paving, glass, pulleys, and cement. They can allow themselves to be lost to the world; he has to be present to the construction work around him. Poems such as ‘Church-monuments’, ‘Coloss. 3.3’, and ‘Love-joy’ register Herbert’s attempts to turn physical architecture into a form of godly choice architecture.
Borders and territory in the ancient world
Authors: Diener Alexander C. , Hagen Joshua
Published: March 2024

Borders are not new and have evolved in form and function over time, so placing the process of bordering into historical context is essential. Chapter 2 demonstrates how the ancient world was a bordered world but that the processes and purposes of bordering changed with evolving socioeconomic practices, identity group formation, technologies, and political complexity. The chapter guides readers from hunter gatherer land use through tensions between sedentary and nomadic peoples, to the formation of city-states and empires as early expressions of political territoriality. The terms frontiers and borders are contrasted to emphasize how territorial structures have been flexible in the past. This points to the monumental transformation that occurred with the advent of the modern state system.
Border crossers and border crossings
Authors: Diener Alexander C. , Hagen Joshua
Published: March 2024

Although ostensibly dividing space, borders never fully separate or partition peoples, economies, societies, ideologies, or notions of sovereignty. Chapter 5 begins with a discussion of migrants and refugees as one of if not the primary topic in which borders have come into focus over the last decade. Technological innovation, especially in the field of communications, facilitates transborder communities and identities to a greater degree than any other time in history. Time space compression is a key issue that affords relevance to ideas, events, and communities far from a given sovereign territory. This chapter demonstrates how insurgents and terrorists exist as transborder communities, while criminals and police pursue similarly cross-border strategies. On a more banal but no less impactful front, tourists and travelers cross borders and carry with them ideas, technology, disease, wealth, and identities that alter the economies, politics, cultures, and social structures of the places they encounter.
Clinicopathologic correlation of dermatologic diseases in patients with darker pigmentation
Authors: Tripathy Sanjna , Warbasse Elizabeth , Ronen Shira , Al-Rohil Rami , Cohen George F , Chen Wei-Shen , Patel Anisha B
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Cutaneous diseases that disproportionately affect patients with darker pigmentation and their histologic features are historically understudied and undertreated. This review article aims to highlight the key clinical features, histopathology, and diagnostic pearls of several cutaneous diseases that commonly present in patients with darker pigmentation.

Methods

A literature search was conducted, and a list of cutaneous diseases that frequently affect patients with darker pigmentation was compiled. A group of experts expounded upon those that were most common or misdiagnosed according to scientific evidence and clinical practice.

Results

The diseases were divided into hypopigmented disorders, hyperpigmented disorders, scarring disorders, and alopecic disorders. Within each category, the etiology, clinical features, histopathology, and key histologic differential diagnoses are described and discussed.

Conclusions

As many clinicians are taught that there are no effective treatment options or that these diseases are considered “cosmetic” in nature, patients often do not get a thorough medical workup or skin biopsy. This article aims to decrease the knowledge gap and serve as a resource for anyone involved in the care of patients with these cutaneous conditions.
Contemporary catheter ablation of complex atrial tachycardias after prior atrial fibrillation ablation: pulsed field vs. radiofrequency current energy ablation guided by high-density mapping
Authors: Gunawardene Melanie A , Harloff Tim , Jularic Mario , Dickow Jannis , Wahedi Rahin , Anwar Omar , Wohlmuth Peter , Gessler Nele , Hartmann Jens , Willems Stephan
Published: March 2024

Aims

Catheter ablation (CA) of post-ablation left atrial tachycardias (LATs) can be challenging. So far, pulsed field ablation (PFA) has not been compared to standard point-by-point radiofrequency current (RFC) energy for LAT ablation. To compare efficacy of PFA vs. RFC in patients undergoing CA for LAT.

Methods and results

Consecutive patients undergoing LAT-CA were prospectively enrolled (09/2021–02/2023). After electro-anatomical high-density mapping, ablation with either a pentaspline PFA catheter or RFC was performed. Patients were matched 1:1. Ablation was performed at the assumed critical isthmus site with additional ablation, if necessary. Right atrial tachycardia (RAT) was ablated with RFC. Acute and chronic success were assessed. Fifty-six patients (n = 28 each group, age 70 ± 9 years, 75% male) were enrolled.

A total of 77 AT (n = 67 LAT, n = 10 RAT; 77% macroreentries) occurred with n = 32 LAT in the PFA group and n = 35 LAT in the RFC group. Of all LAT, 94% (PFA group) vs. 91% (RFC group) successfully terminated to sinus rhythm or another AT during ablation (P = 1.0). Procedure times were shorter (PFA: 121 ± 41 vs. RFC: 190 ± 44 min, P < 0.0001) and fluoroscopy times longer in the PFA group (PFA: 15 ± 9 vs. RFC: 11 ± 6 min, P = 0.04). There were no major complications. After one-year follow-up, estimated arrhythmia free survival was 63% (PFA group) and 87% (RFC group), [hazard ratio 2.91 (95% CI: 1.11–7.65), P = 0.0473].

Conclusion

Pulsed field ablation of post-ablation LAT using a pentaspline catheter is feasible, safe, and faster but less effective compared to standard RFC ablation after one year of follow-up. Future catheter designs and optimization of the electrical field may further improve practicability and efficacy of PFA for LAT.
Association between work sick-leave absenteeism and SARS-CoV-2 notifications in the Netherlands during the COVID-19 epidemic
Authors: Keet Martijn G , Boudewijns Bronke , Jongenotter Femke , van Iersel Senna , van Werkhoven Cornelis H , van Gageldonk-Lafeber Rianne B , Wisse Bram W , van Asten Liselotte
Published: March 2024

Background

Alternative data sources for surveillance have gained importance in maintaining coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) situational awareness as nationwide testing has drastically decreased. Therefore, we explored whether rates of sick-leave from work are associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) notification trends and at which lag, to indicate the usefulness of sick-leave data for COVID-19 surveillance.

Methods

We explored trends during the COVID-19 epidemic of weekly sick-leave rates and SARS-CoV-2 notification rates from 1 June 2020 to 10 April 2022. Separate time series were inspected visually. Then, Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated at different lag and lead times of zero to four weeks between sick-leave and SARS-CoV-2 notification rates. We distinguished between four SARS-CoV-2 variant periods, two labour sectors and overall, and all-cause sick-leave versus COVID-19-specific sick-leave.

Results

The correlation coefficients between weekly all-cause sick-leave and SARS-CoV-2 notification rate at optimal lags were between 0.58 and 0.93, varying by the variant period and sector (overall: 0.83, lag −1; 95% CI [0.76, 0.88]). COVID-19-specific sick-leave correlations were higher than all-cause sick-leave correlations. Correlations were slightly lower in healthcare and education than overall. The highest correlations were mostly at lag −2 and −1 for all-cause sick-leave, meaning that sick-leave preceded SARS-CoV-2 notifications. Correlations were highest mostly at lag zero for COVID-19-specific sick-leave (coinciding with SARS-CoV-2 notifications).

Conclusion

All-cause sick-leave might offer an earlier indication and evolution of trends in SARS-CoV-2 rates, especially when testing is less available. Sick-leave data may complement COVID-19 and other infectious disease surveillance systems as a syndromic data source.
scRNA-seq Reveals Novel Genetic Pathways and Sex Chromosome Regulation in Tribolium Spermatogenesis
Authors: Robben Michael , Ramesh Balan , Pau Shana , Meletis Demetra , Luber Jacob , Demuth Jeffery
Published: March 2024

Spermatogenesis is critical to sexual reproduction yet evolves rapidly in many organisms. High-throughput single-cell transcriptomics promises unparalleled insight into this important process but understanding can be impeded in nonmodel systems by a lack of known genes that can reliably demarcate biologically meaningful cell populations. Tribolium castaneum, the red flour beetle, lacks known markers for spermatogenesis found in insect species like Drosophila melanogaster. Using single-cell sequencing data collected from adult beetle testes, we implement a strategy for elucidating biologically meaningful cell populations by using transient expression stage identification markers, weighted principal component clustering, and SNP-based haploid/diploid phasing. We identify populations that correspond to observable points in sperm differentiation and find species specific markers for each stage. Our results indicate that molecular pathways underlying spermatogenesis in Coleoptera are substantially diverged from those in Diptera. We also show that most genes on the X chromosome experience meiotic sex chromosome inactivation. Temporal expression of Drosophila MSL complex homologs coupled with spatial analysis of potential chromatin entry sites further suggests that the dosage compensation machinery may mediate escape from meiotic sex chromosome inactivation and postmeiotic reactivation of the X chromosome.
Enhancing Older Household Consumption: The Impact of Long-Term Care Insurance in China
Authors: Wang Youhua , Zheng Yushuang , Li Yue
Published: March 2024

Objectives

Household consumption significantly affects the quality of life and successful aging of older adults. However, prior research has often overlooked the connection between household consumption and long-term care insurance (LTCI). This study aims to investigate the influence of LTCI on consumption patterns within older Chinese households.

Methods

We used harmonized data from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study and merged it with data from cities that implemented LTCI in China. We analyzed a total of 6,494 households consisting of individuals who were 60 years of age or older. To ensure accurate and stable research findings, we employed a series of difference-in-differences models.

Results

We found that LTCI has a significant impact on consumption levels, including total and per capita consumption within older households. Furthermore, our research demonstrates that LTCI significantly enhances enjoyable consumption across the consumption types. Through a heterogeneous analysis, it is shown that LTCI has a unique effect on both the total and enjoyable consumption of urban older households and also promotes comprehensive consumption improvements in older rural and disabled households.

Discussion

These findings highlight the crucial role of LTCI in improving the financial security and well-being of older households. They also have considerable policy implications for dealing with the challenges of an aging population.
Why does a public health issue (not) get priority? Agenda setting for the national burns programme in India
Authors: Keshri Vikash Ranjan , Jagnoor Jagnoor , Peden Margie , Norton Robyn , Abimbola Seye
Published: March 2024

There is growing scholarly interest in what leads to global or national prioritization of specific health issues. By retrospectively analysing agenda setting for India’s national burn programme, this study aimed to better understand how the agenda-setting process influenced its design, implementation and performance. We conducted document reviews and key informant interviews with stakeholders and used a combination of analytical frameworks on policy prioritization and issue framing for analysis. The READ (readying material, extracting data, analysing data and distilling findings) approach was used for document reviews, and qualitative thematic analysis was used for coding and analysis of documents and interviews. The findings suggest three critical features of burns care policy prioritization in India: challenges of issue characteristics, divergent portrayal of ideas and its framing as a social and/or health issue and over-centralization of agenda setting. First, lack of credible indicators on the magnitude of the problem and evidence on interventions limited issue framing, advocacy and agenda setting. Second, the policy response to burns has two dimensions in India: response to gender-based intentional injuries and the healthcare response. While intentional burns have received policy attention, the healthcare response was limited until the national programme was initiated in 2010 and scaled up in 2014. Third, over-centralization of agenda setting (dominated by a few homogenous actors, located in the national capital, with attention focused on the national ministry of health) contributed to limitations in programme design and implementation. We note following elements to consider when analysing issues of significant burden but limited priority: the need to analyse how actors influence issue framing, the particularities of issues, the inadequacy of any one dominant frame and the limited intersection of frames. Based on this analysis in India, we recommend a decentralized approach to agenda setting and for the design and implementation of national programmes from the outset.
Patient Perspectives of Bowel Urgency and Bowel Urgency-Related Accidents in Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn’s Disease
Authors: Jairath Vipul , Hunter Gibble Theresa , Potts Bleakman Alison , Chatterton Kaitlin , Medrano Paolo , McLafferty Megan , Klooster Brittany , Saxena Sonal , Moses Richard
Published: March 2024

Background

Bowel urgency is bothersome in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD) and impacts their well-being but remains underappreciated in clinical trials and during patient–healthcare provider interactions. This study explored the experiences of bowel urgency and bowel urgency-related accidents to identify the concepts most relevant and important to patients.

Methods

Adults with a diagnosis of moderate-to-severe UC or CD for ≥6 months and experience of bowel urgency in the past 6 months were included. Qualitative, semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephonic/Web-enabled teleconference. Interview transcripts were coded and analyzed in ATLAS.ti 9 using a systematic thematic analysis.

Results

In total, 30 participants with UC or CD (n = 15 each) (mean age 52 and 50 years, respectively) participated in the interviews. The majority of participants were receiving biologic and/or conventional therapy (80% and 87%, respectively). Most participants with UC (87%) and all with CD experienced bowel urgency-related accidents. The most frequently reported symptoms co-occurring with bowel urgency were abdominal pain, fatigue, and abdominal cramping. Abdominal pain and abdominal cramping were the most bothersome co-occurring symptoms of bowel urgency and bowel urgency-related accidents. In both groups, participants reported decreased frequency of bowel urgency and not wanting to experience bowel urgency-related accidents at all as a meaningful improvement.

Conclusions

Participants with UC or CD expressed bowel urgency and bowel urgency-related accidents to be bothersome and impactful on their daily lives despite use of biologic and/or conventional therapy. These findings underscore the need for development of patient-reported outcome measures to assess bowel urgency in clinical settings.
One-year postprocedural quality of life following mitral valve surgery: data from The Netherlands Heart Registration
Authors: Heuts Samuel , Olsthoorn Jules R , Houterman Saskia , Roefs Maaike M , Maessen Jos G , Sardari Nia Peyman ,   Cardiothoracic Surgery Registration Committee of the Netherlands Heart Registration, Bramer  , van Boven  , Vonk  , Koene  , Bekkers  , Hoohenkerk  , Markou  , de Weger  , Segers  , Porta  , Speekenbrink  , Stooker  , Li  , Daeter  , van der Kaaij  , Douglas
Published: March 2024

OBJECTIVES

The aim of surgical treatment of mitral valve disease is to reverse heart failure and to restore life expectancy and quality of life (QoL). In mitral valve surgery, QoL has not been studied extensively, especially regarding the surgical approach. The current study aimed to evaluate QoL after mitral valve surgery through full sternotomy and a minimally invasive approach (minimally invasive mitral valve surgery).

METHODS

All patients undergoing mitral valve surgery between 2013 and 2018 through sternotomy or a minimally invasive mitral valve surgery approach (right anterolateral mini-thoracotomy, sternal-sparing), with or without concomitant tricuspid valve surgery, surgical ablation or atrial septal defect closure were eligible for inclusion in this multicentre nationwide registry in the Netherlands. QoL was measured using the 12- and 36-item short form surveys, before surgery and postoperatively at 1 year. Independent predictors for loss of QoL were evaluated.

RESULTS

A total of 485 patients were included (full sternotomy: n = 276, and minimally invasive mitral valve surgery: n = 209). Overall, patients experienced a significant increase in physical component score [56 (42–75) vs 74 (57–88), P < 0.001] and mental component score at 1 year [63 (52–74) vs 70 (59–86), P < 0.001]. Baseline QoL scores and new onset of atrial arrhythmia were independently associated with a clinically relevant reduction in physical and mental QoL.

CONCLUSIONS

Mitral valve surgery is associated with significant improvement in physical and mental QoL. Baseline QoL scores and new onset of atrial arrhythmia are associated with a clinically relevant reduction in postoperative QoL.
Truth Commissions and the Prevention of Targeted Mass Killings
Authors: Whigham Kerry , Billing Trey , Nyseth Nzitatira Hollie
Published: March 2024

While transitional justice endeavors aim to help countries come to terms with violent pasts, policymakers and practitioners often claim that transitional justice mechanisms help prevent future violence as well. No cross-national research has tested this claim, however. This article begins to fill this gap by examining whether one of the most frequently used mechanisms of transitional justice, the truth commission, is associated with the onset of targeted mass killings (TMKs) in 27 countries between 1972 and 2018. Our differences-in-differences estimation approach finds that countries that have implemented truth commissions see a significant reduction in the recurrence of TMKs compared to those countries that did not implement a truth commission. Additional analyses reveal that while issuance of a final report and recommendations for reforms are not associated with the onset of TMKs, truth commissions that do not recommend the punishment of perpetrators are more likely to reduce TMKs in the years following the truth commission. The article ends by discussing the functions of truth commissions and proposing how their preventive capacity may be strengthened further through the application of an atrocity prevention lens.
A legal analysis of open banking in the promotion of financial data antitrust in China
Authors: Wang Mi
Published: March 2024

Open banking develops quickly in China where several large state-owned and private commercial banks have participated in open banking, but the legal foundation is insufficient. The theoretical basis of developing open banking lies in breaking down ‘Data Silos’ to promote the free circulation of data and strengthen competition in the financial data market. Open banking could promote ‘financial data antitrust’, which means reshaping the competitive landscape through promoting the share of monopolized financial data owned by large financial institutions to break their monopoly status in the financial market. It may also bring monopoly risks to financial institutions such as data aggregators and technology platforms. Based on the regulatory and legislative experience of other regions, China should continue the ‘government-guided’ model for developing open banking and pay more attention to protecting financial consumers and increasing their data control rights to better balance privacy protection and financial data sharing. China should set up a rule for ‘financial data right separation’ and formulate antitrust regulations for data aggregators. Based on the special status of Fintech platforms, China should not copy the open banking models of developed countries, but create a ‘two-way sharing’ open banking mechanism to prevent the risk of platform data antitrust.