bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renormalisation of IR divergences and holography in de Sitter
Authors: Bzowski Adam , McFadden Paul , Skenderis Kostas
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We formulate a renormalisation procedure for IR divergences of tree-level in-in late-time de Sitter (dS) correlators. These divergences are due to the infinite volume of spacetime and are analogous to the divergences that appear in AdS dealt with by holographic renormalisation. Regulating the theory using dimensional regularisation, we show that one can remove all infinities by adding local counterterms at the future boundary of dS in the Schwinger-Keldysh path integral. The counterterms amount to renormalising the late-time bulk field. We frame the discussion in terms of bulk scalar fields in dSd+1, using the computation of tree-level correlators involving massless and conformal scalars for illustration. The relation to AdS via analytic continuation is discussed, and we show that different versions of the analytic continuation appearing in the literature are equivalent to each other. In AdS, one needs to add counterterms that are related to conformal anomalies, and also to renormalise the source part of the bulk field. The analytic continuation to dS projects out the traditional AdS counterterms, and links the renormalisation of the sources to the renormalisation of the late-time bulk field. We use these results to establish holographic formulae that relate tree-level dSd+1 in-in correlators to CFT correlators at up to four points, and we provide two proofs: one using the connection between the dS wavefunction and the partition function of the dual CFT, and a second by direct evaluation of the in-in correlators using the Schwinger-Keldysh formalism. The renormalisation of the bulk IR divergences is mapped by these formulae to UV renormalisation of the dual CFT via local counterterms, providing structural support for a possible duality. We also recast the regulated holographic formulae in terms of the AdS amplitudes of shadow fields, but show that this relation breaks down when renormalisation is required.
Gluon double-spin asymmetry in the longitudinally polarized p + p collisions
Authors: Kovchegov Yuri V. , Li Ming
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We derive the first-ever small-x expression for the inclusive gluon production cross section in the central rapidity region of the longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions. The cross section depends on the polarizations of both protons, therefore comprising the numerator of the longitudinal double-spin asymmetry ALL for the produced gluons. The cross section is calculated in the shock wave formalism and is expressed in terms of the polarized dipole scattering amplitudes on the projectile and target protons. We show that the small-x evolution corrections are included into our cross section expression if one evolves these polarized dipole amplitudes using the double-logarithmic helicity evolution derived in [1–4]. Our calculation is performed for the gluon sector only, with the quark contribution left for future work. When that work is complete, the resulting formula will be applicable to longitudinally polarized proton-proton and proton-nucleus collisions, as well as to polarized semi-inclusive deep inelastic scattering (SIDIS) on a proton or a nucleus. Our results should allow one to extend the small-x helicity phenomenology analysis of [5] to the jet/hadron production data reported for the longitudinally polarized proton-proton collisions at RHIC and to polarized SIDIS measurements at central rapidities to be performed at the EIC.
On the intermediate Jacobian of M5-branes
Authors: Jefferson Patrick , Kim Manki
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study Euclidean M5-branes wrapping vertical divisors in elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfold compactifications of M/F-theory that admit a Sen limit. We construct these Calabi-Yau fourfolds as elliptic fibrations over coordinate flip O3/O7 orientifolds of toric hypersurface Calabi-Yau threefolds. We devise a method to analyze the Hodge structure (and hence the dimension of the intermediate Jacobian) of vertical divisors in these fourfolds, using only the data available from a type IIB compactification on the O3/O7 Calabi-Yau orientifold. Our method utilizes simple combinatorial formulae (that we prove) for the equivariant Hodge numbers of the Calabi-Yau orientifolds and their prime toric divisors, along with a formula for the Euler characteristic of vertical divisors in the corresponding elliptic Calabi-Yau fourfold. Our formula for the Euler characteristic includes a conjectured correction term that accounts for the contributions of pointlike terminal ℤ2 singularities corresponding to perturbative O3-planes. We check our conjecture in a number of explicit examples and find perfect agreement with the results of direct computations.
Exact overlaps for all integrable two-site boundary states of $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$(N) symmetric spin chains
Authors: Gombor Tamas
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We find closed formulas for the overlaps of Bethe eigenstates of $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$
gl
(N) symmetric spin chains and integrable boundary states. We derive the general overlap formulas for $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$
gl
(M) ⊕ $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$
gl
(N − M) symmetric boundary states and give a well-established conjecture for the $$ \mathfrak{sp} $$
sp
(N) symmetric case. Combining these results with the previously derived $$ \mathfrak{so} $$
so
(N) symmetric formula, now we have the overlap functions for all integrable boundary states of the $$ \mathfrak{gl} $$
gl
(N) spin chains which are built from two-site states. The calculations are independent from the representations of the quantum space therefore our formulas can be applied for the SO(6) and the alternating SU(4) spin chains which describe the scalar sectors of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 super Yang-Mills and ABJM theories which are important application areas of our results.
Mechanical stability of homogeneous holographic solids under finite shear strain
Authors: Baggioli Matteo , Li Li , Li Wei-Jia , Sun Hao-Tian
Published: May 2024

Abstract

We study the linear stability of holographic homogeneous solids (HHS) at finite temperature and in presence of a background shear strain by means of a large scale quasi-normal mode analysis which extends beyond the hydrodynamic limit. We find that mechanical instability can arise either as a result of a complex speed of sound — gradient instability — or of a negative diffusion constant. Surprisingly, the simplest HHS models are linearly stable for arbitrarily large values of the background strain. For more complex HHS, the onset of the diffusive instability always precedes that of the gradient instability, which becomes the dominant destabilizing process only above a critical value of the background shear strain. Finally, we observe that the critical strains for the two instabilities approach each other at low temperatures. We conclude by presenting a phase diagram for HHS as a function of temperature and background shear strain which shows interesting similarities with the physics of superfluids in presence of background superfluid velocity.
Verhaltens- und Hypnotherapie bei Alopecia areata: Eine Einzelfallstudie
Authors: Kogler Alois , Müller Ilse , Kopera Daisy , Gieler Uwe
Published: May 2024

Thema

Alopecia areata (AA) ist eine Form des Haarverlusts mit kahlen kreisrunden Arealen am Kopf ausgelöst durch auto- und/oder psychoneuroimmunologische Mechanismen. Sekundär leiden Betroffene unter der Haarlosigkeit. Trotz Fortschritten in den dermatologischen medikamentösen Therapien (z. B. durch JAK-Inhibitoren) und Biologica gibt es keine Standard-Therapien. Auch Psychotherapie kann Wirksamkeit nicht belegen. Der Verlauf kann nicht vorhergesagt werden, oft kommt es zur spontanen Remission.

Ziel

Mit dieser Einzelfallstudie sollen psychosomatische Ursachen aufgezeigt und Ansätze zu einem kombinierten medizinisch-psychotherapeutischen Behandlungsprocedere entwickelt werden.

Methode

Eine Patientin mit dermatohistologisch verifizierter AA wurde nach frustranen dermatologischen Lokaltherapieversuchen (a) verhaltens- und (b) hypnotherapeutisch in jeweils 15 Sitzungen behandelt. Vor Beginn der Behandlung wurde eine psychologische Diagnostik mit Instrumenten zur Körperwahrnehmung, Depression und Selbstakzeptanz durchgeführt.

Ergebnis

Die Psychotherapie führte zu positiven Veränderungen im Selbstwert und Körperbild und verbessertem Coping mit der Erkrankung, aber nicht zum Nachwachsen der Haare.

Diskussion

Obwohl Alopecia areata durch Stressoren ausgelöst werden kann, ist nicht erwiesen, dass psychosomatische Herangehensweisen zur Durchbrechung des Auslösemechanismus geeignet sind, auch wenn sich in der Literatur Hinweise auf positive Auswirkungen von Hypnotherapie und Verhaltenstherapie auf Autoimmunkrankheiten finden. Die Autor:innen entwickelten im Falle der Patientin verhaltenstherapeutische, mit Hypnotherapie kombinierte Vorgehensweisen für die Therapie der Alopecia areata. Auf dieser Basis könnten weitere Studien mit einem größeren Kollektiv an Betroffenen möglicherweise den Benefit dieser Therapieformen untermauern.
Pregnancy state before the onset of labor: a holistic mechanical perspective
Authors: Fidalgo Daniel S. , Jorge Renato M. Natal , Parente Marco P. L. , Louwagie Erin M. , Malanowska Ewelina , Myers Kristin M. , Oliveira Dulce A.
Published: May 2024

Successful pregnancy highly depends on the complex interaction between the uterine body, cervix, and fetal membrane. This interaction is synchronized, usually following a specific sequence in normal vaginal deliveries: (1) cervical ripening, (2) uterine contractions, and (3) rupture of fetal membrane. The complex interaction between the cervix, fetal membrane, and uterine contractions before the onset of labor is investigated using a complete third-trimester gravid model of the uterus, cervix, fetal membrane, and abdomen. Through a series of numerical simulations, we investigate the mechanical impact of (i) initial cervical shape, (ii) cervical stiffness, (iii) cervical contractions, and (iv) intrauterine pressure. The findings of this work reveal several key observations: (i) maximum principal stress values in the cervix decrease in more dilated, shorter, and softer cervices; (ii) reduced cervical stiffness produces increased cervical dilation, larger cervical opening, and decreased cervical length; (iii) the initial cervical shape impacts final cervical dimensions; (iv) cervical contractions increase the maximum principal stress values and change the stress distributions; (v) cervical contractions potentiate cervical shortening and dilation; (vi) larger intrauterine pressure (IUP) causes considerably larger stress values and cervical opening, larger dilation, and smaller cervical length; and (vii) the biaxial strength of the fetal membrane is only surpassed in the cases of the (1) shortest and most dilated initial cervical geometry and (2) larger IUP.
On the Chemical Effect of Steam Addition to Premixed Hydrogen Flames with Respect to $$\text {NO}_\text {x}$$ Emissions and Flame Speed
Authors: Concetti Riccardo , Hasslberger Josef , Sattelmayer Thomas , Klein Markus
Published: May 2024

The present work analyses the effect of water vapour addition on $${\text {NO}_\text {x}}$$

NO
x

emissions of premixed hydrogen flames. In doing so, the adiabatic flame temperature is maintained by increasing the equivalence ratio, or alternatively increasing the unburned gas temperature, for increasing levels of water loading. Thus, it is possible to elucidate the changes in $${\text {NO}_\text {x}}$$

NO
x

production at constant-temperature conditions when the mixture is diluted with water. A consistent reduction of $${\text {NO}_\text {x}}$$

NO
x

emissions for increasing water dilution can be observed from 1-D premixed freely propagating flame simulations. Regarding the chemical kinetics effect of water vapour, the relative importance of different third-body reactions is examined by modifying the corresponding water collision efficiencies individually. For the chemical mechanism adopted, three reactions directly affect the nitrogen chemistry and the remaining relevant reactions are important for the flame structure and radicals concentration. The analysis stresses the importance of indirect effects like the formation and consumption of $$\text {O}$$
O
and $$\text {H}$$
H
radicals in the pre-heat zone, which enhance the subsequent formation of $${\text {NO}_\text {x}}$$

NO
x

within the flame. The presence of steam can lead to a reduction of approximately $$50\%$$

50
%

in $${\text {NO}_\text {x}}$$

NO
x

emissions under conditions close to stoichiometry and high water loading ($$10\%$$

10
%

by mass), compared to scenarios without water addition. Furthermore, the efficiency of water in third-body reactions significantly contributes to an emission reduction, and half of $$\text {NO}$$
NO
emissions under the same water loading conditions at high equivalence ratio are observed when the third-body reaction efficiency is activated with respect to the case with zero efficiency. This reduction is primarily attributed to effects on radical concentrations. Finally, the chemical effect via the third-body efficiency of water is examined with respect to flame speed. It turns out that the adiabatic flame temperature plays a key role for the relative influence of the chemical kinetics effect of water dilution. A cross-over temperature is found, below which the chemical effect of water reduces the flame speed, whereas the flame speed is increased above it.
Intermediate factors and precedential constraint
Authors: Bench-Capon Trevor
Published: May 2024

This paper explores the extension of formal accounts of precedential constraint to make use of a factor hierarchy with intermediate factors. A problem arises, however, because constraints expressed in terms of intermediate factors may give different outcomes from those expressed only using base level factors. We argue that constraints that use only base level factors yield the correct outcomes, but that intermediate factors play an important role in the justification and explanation of those outcomes. The discussion is illustrated with a running example.
Teachers’ perceptions of teaching science with technology-enhanced self-regulated learning strategies through the DECODE model
Authors: Sui Chi-Jung , Yen Miao-Hsuan , Chang Chun-Yen
Published: May 2024

This study investigates the nuanced interplay between self-regulated learning (SRL) and technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK) among 192 Taiwanese voluntary pre-service and in-service teachers, seeking to understand how teachers perceive the integration of technology with SRL strategies in science education. The participants were recruited in workshops based on the DECODE model, which demonstrated a micro-unit of evolution incorporated in SRL strategies, involved them in co-reflected, and summarized what they had experienced in technology-enhanced environments. Participants self-reported measures of SRL and TPACK were subjected to path analysis. Results indicated that SRL positively influenced technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK) and technological content knowledge (TCK), subsequently fully mediating the relationship between SRL and TPACK; namely, TCK and TPK acted as mediatory factors. Furthermore, this study delved into teachers’ perceptions of technology-enhanced instruction and SRL through their responses in workshops. We identified five main themes through thematic analysis. The findings highlighted the pivotal role of technology in cultivating interactive learning environments, offering real-time feedback, and integrating multimedia into teaching. Teachers’ perceptions were expanded and refined after demonstrating a micro-unit with SRL strategies and subsequent reflective prompts. Participants acknowledged the imperative of teacher preparation in effectively leveraging technology and emphasized the crucial role of adaptive scaffolding in promoting SRL strategies. In summary, these findings present a viable path for augmenting teachers’ TPACK through SRL and provides insights into teachers’ perceptions of technology-enhanced SRL. The study has implication on the potential of the DECODE model and incorporation of SRL strategies for science educator’s professional development of TPACK.
‘I Can Kind of Flow How I Want to Flow’: Motivations and Perceived Contrasts of Providing Care in Home-Based Settings
Authors: Harmeyer Erin , Camp Brittany Wittenberg , Moon Catherine
Published: May 2024

The number of family child care (FCC) providers in the United States, or providers who are licensed, certified, or registered to provide care in their home, fell by nearly half between 2005 and 2017 (NCEQA, 2020a). This has implications for families who prefer FCC settings. Understanding providers’ motivations for starting their program may provide policymakers with information on how to better support providers drawn to this setting. Through interviews with 30 Black/bi-racial FCC providers, we found providers started their programs to support family/neighbors, to provide an alternative perceived to be safer than center-based programs, and to be in charge. In terms of differences, providers felt they had more control and that they could provide more individualized attention in home-based settings as compared to center-based settings. This research advances the study of why providers work in home-based programs, and how they perceive this work as different from center-based care, with implications for supporting the FCC workforce.
Theatre Hunger: An Underestimated ‘Scaling Up’ Problem
Authors: Downey Adrian
Published: May 2024

The proponents of ecological and enactive approaches (e-approaches) to cognitive science find common cause in rejecting representation as a core explanatory posit. In its stead, they suggest that cognitive scientists work with non-representational explanations that emphasise embodied interaction. The ‘scaling up’ objection to e-approaches says that, whilst their non-representational explanatory toolkit might well account for ‘basic’ cognitive capacities, it will founder when confronted with the ‘representation hunger’ of ‘higher’ cognition. Proponents of e-approaches tend to focus their attention upon the scaling up problem posed by truth-conditional language, with it being thought that non-perceptual experiences readily submit to a non-representational analysis. In this paper I argue that non-perceptual experiences possess an oft overlooked, non-linguistic kind of ‘representation hunger’— they hunger for a private mental space within which the representational function of standing-in for is performed. I contend that suchtheatre hungerposes serious difficulties for e-approaches which they are presently ill-placed to satiate. Hence, I conclude that the theatre hunger of non-perceptual experiences presents a much more serious problem for e-approaches than is often acknowledged.
Exploring Talent Management Practices and Corporate Social Responsibility in Finnish Companies
Authors: Cajander Niko , Reiman Arto
Published: May 2024

The contemporary work landscape is characterized by rapid change and many evolving challenges. Therefore, companies are in increasing need for acquiring fresh knowledge and skills and human capital is acknowledged being a crucial asset for success in business world. The challenge persists in attracting, retaining and managing skilled employees. Though, the importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in talent management has been recognized, still there remains a gap in understanding how talent management is integrated into CSR of companies, particularly at the multilevel investigation level. A directed content analysis method was employed on CSR reports of 25 major Finnish companies to explore key talent management practices at normative, strategic, and operational levels, as well as the integration of talent management components into CSR reports. Normative values such as diversity, equity, and inclusion were consistently emphasized in the reports. However, the translation of these values into practical implementation often yielded abstract strategic principles rather than clearly defined operational practices. The companies have placed over reliance on standardized reporting methods rather than providing comprehensive insights into talent management practices.
Selective allele stacking of a novel quantitative trait locus facilitates the enhancement of seed epicatechin content in soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.)
Authors: Park Sewon , Kwon Hakyung , Park Gyu Tae , Choi Jae Ah , Kim Moon Young , Park Soo-Kwon , Lee Suk-Ha
Published: May 2024

(-)-Epicatechin (EC), a primary form of flavan-3ol and a building block of proanthocyanidins, has health benefits as it is a potent antioxidant. So far, no quantitative trait loci (QTLs) associated with EC have yet been identified in soybean. In this study, QTLs for EC and hilum color were identified in recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the varieties Jinpung and IT109098 using high-resolution single nucleotide polymorphism linkage mapping. This revealed two major QTLs for EC content, qEC06 and qEC08. qEC06 spanned the Tawny (T) locus encoding flavonoid 3′-hydroxylase. qEC08, located near the Inhibitor (I) locus on Chr08, was also a major QTL for hilum color; however, allelic stacking of qEC08 and I revealed no relationship between I and EC content. RILs with IT109098 alleles at both qEC06 and qEC08 had higher EC content than other lines. These results will enable the production of soybean varieties with high EC content via marker-assisted selection.
Pyruvate kinase 2 from Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 increased substrate affinity via glucose-6-phosphate and ribose-5-phosphate for phosphoenolpyruvate consumption
Authors: Karikomi Masahiro , Katayama Noriaki , Osanai Takashi
Published: May 2024

Pyruvate kinase (Pyk, EC 2.7.1.40) is a glycolytic enzyme that generates pyruvate and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and adenosine diphosphate (ADP), respectively. Pyk couples pyruvate and tricarboxylic acid metabolisms. Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 possesses two pyk genes (encoded pyk1, sll0587 and pyk2, sll1275). A previous study suggested that pyk2 and not pyk1 is essential for cell viability; however, its biochemical analysis is yet to be performed. Herein, we biochemically analyzed Synechocystis Pyk2 (hereafter, SyPyk2). The optimum pH and temperature of SyPyk2 were 7.0 and 55 °C, respectively, and the Km values for PEP and ADP under optimal conditions were 1.5 and 0.053 mM, respectively. SyPyk2 is activated in the presence of glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P); however, it remains unaltered in the presence of adenosine monophosphate (AMP) or fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. These results indicate that SyPyk2 is classified as PykA type rather than PykF, stimulated by sugar monophosphates, such as G6P and R5P, but not by AMP. SyPyk2, considering substrate affinity and effectors, can play pivotal roles in sugar catabolism under nonphotosynthetic conditions.
Revolutions and corruption
Authors: Ammons Joshua D. , Shakya Shishir
Published: May 2024

We investigate the relationship between successful revolutions and corruption using data on revolutionary campaigns since 1900 and corruption measures retrieved from the Varieties of Democracy database. We find that successful nonviolent and violent revolutions produce null effects on corruption; education decreases corruption; and upon adjusting for the moderating effect of education, violent revolutions induce corruption. Our results imply that classic narratives celebrating such upheavals as corruption-limiting are oversimplified and optimistic. Our analysis challenges conventional wisdom and contributes an instructive, empirically-grounded assessment of the revolution’s corruption consequences to the scholarship.
‘In the company of cheerful ladies’: whether female entrepreneurs are more productive?
Authors: Mickiewicz Tomasz , Nguyen Bach
Published: May 2024

After over two decades, the debate on the female underperformance hypothesis remains not concluded. This study sheds some new light on the hypothesis by (i) showing that surrounding institutional forces play an important role in determining how female businesses perform and (ii) arguing that to understand gender differences (or lack of those) in performance, we need to look at productivity alongside profitability, revenues, and growth. Specifically, we posit that, in certain developing countries, female entrepreneurs devise specific strategies to cope with challenging institutional contexts. In such contexts, female entrepreneurs have less opportunity to realize economic rents compared to males, but they respond to these constraints by becoming more efficient in resource use through relying on female employment. Investigating a large set of longitudinal data from Vietnam, we find that female businesses are more productive than male businesses, and that this effect is stronger when female owner-managers employ more female employees, or even female employees only. However, we also find that these positive effects are weakened with increased corruption. This provides important implications for female entrepreneurs and policymakers in developing countries.
The nature and difficulty of physical efforts
Authors: Massin Olivier
Published: May 2024

We make physical efforts when we swim, carry shopping bags, push heavy doors, or cycle up hills. A growing concern among philosophers and scientists in related fields is the absence of a well-defined concept for physical efforts. This paper addresses this issue by presenting a force-based definition of physical efforts. In Sect. 1, we explore the shortcomings of existing definitions of effort. Section 2 introduces the force-based account of efforts according to which making an effort consists in exerting a force so as to make an object move or stay at rest. Section 3 introduces three central distinctions stemming from the account: failed vs. successful efforts; resisted vs. unresisted efforts; and efforts vs. effortful actions. Section 4 presents a key objection, to the effect that the force-based theory cannot account for the difficulty of efforts: efforts usually feel difficult, but effort’s difficulty is not always a function of the magnitude of force(s) exerted. Section 5 argues that the most in-depth account of difficulty so far, that developed by Bradford (2015), cannot account for the difficulty of efforts. Sections 6 & 7 develop a novel account of effort’s difficulty.
Competitive wages and tax evasion in a Cournot duopoly
Authors: Buccella Domenico , Fanti Luciano , Gori Luca
Published: May 2024

In a Cournot duopoly with indirect tax evasion, this paper counter-intuitively shows that, in the presence of positive competitive wages, a higher indirect taxation may increase expected profits. This result is likely to occur if the market size (or alternatively, if the cost pressure exerted by wages) is adequately large and the detection probability is not too high, and it is equivalent irrespective of firms optimally choosing either the tax base to disclose to the tax authority or the amount of evasion tout-court.
Evolution and global research trends of immunity in diabetic nephropathy: a bibliometric and visual analysis from 2004 to 2023
Authors: Zhou Jianlong , Zhu Lv , Yue Rensong
Published: May 2024

Background

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease, with an increasing prevalence worldwide, but its pathomechanisms remain incompletely understood. Accumulating evidence suggests that immunity plays an important role in the development of DN. Many papers have been published in the field over the last 20 years, but there has been no bibliometric review of the research hotspots and trends in the field. This study aimed to assess the current research status and future trends of the link between immune and DN using bibliometric analysis.

Methods

Publications on the association between immunity and DN from 2004 to 2023 were retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database and screened according to inclusion criteria. VOSviewer and CiteSpace software were employed to visualize research trends and hotspots in the field. Data including author, institution, country, journal, reference, and keyword were analyzed.

Results

Ultimately 1246 publications meeting the criteria were included in the bibliometric analysis, involving 838 articles (84.96%) and 408 reviews (15.04%). The literature covered 81 countries and regions, 1751 institutions, and 6584 authors. The top 2 countries in terms of the number of publications were China (435) and the United States (318), and they collaborated most frequently. The United States had the highest number of citations for published papers (18,161), far exceeding the other countries. England had 38 publications but had the highest average number of citations (92.32). The University of California system was the most prolific institution (25 papers, 1062 citations, 42.48 citations per paper). Frontiers in Immunology was the most prolific journal in the field (30 papers). The most cited journal was Kidney International (863 citations). The analysis of keywords and references showed that inflammation, ferroptosis, and lipid metabolism may be future research hotspots in this field.

Conclusions

The number of publications related to immunity and DN has increased annually over the past 20 years, with a significant increase in the last 3 years especially. Our results identified research hotspots and trends in the field. These findings provide valuable perspectives for future research, enhancing our understanding of the immune-related mechanisms of DN and exploring potential therapeutic strategies.
Upregulation of Immune checkpoint PD-L1 in Colon cancer cell lines and activation of T cells by Leuconostoc mesenteroides
Authors: Altves Safaa , Guclu Ebru , Yetisgin Esra , Bilecen Kivanc , Vural Hasibe
Published: May 2024

Globally colorectal cancer ranks as the third most widespread disease and the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality. Immunotherapy treatments like PD-L1 blockade have been used to inhibit the PD-L1 legend, which boosts the activity of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Recently, studies suggest that some probiotics could potentially enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy treatments for cancer patients. We found that in Caco-2 and HT-29 cells, the live Leuconostoc mesenteroides treatment resulted an increase in the PD-L1 expression and this treatment stimulated interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production in Jurkat T-cells. Due to the well-established ability of IFN-γ to enhance PD-L1 expression, the combination of IFN-γ and L. mesenteroides was used in colon cancer cell lines and a resulting remarkable increase of over tenfold in PD-L1 expression was obtained. Interestingly, when L. mesenteroides and IFN-γ are present, the blockage of PD-L1 using PD-L1 antibodies not only improved the viability of Jurkat T-cells but also significantly boosted the levels of IFN-γ and IL-2, the T-cells activation marker cytokines. In addition to upregulating PD-L1, L. mesenteroides also activated Toll-like receptors (TLRs) and NOD-like receptors (NODs) pathways, specifically through TLR2 and NOD2, while also exerting a suppressive effect on autophagy in colon cancer cell lines. In conclusion, our findings demonstrate a significant upregulation of PD-L1 expression in colon cancer cells upon co-culturing with L. mesenteroides. Moreover, the presence of PD-L1 antibodies during co-culturing activates Jurkat T cells. The observed enhancement in PD-L1 expression may be attributed to the inhibition of the Autophagy pathway or activation of the hippo pathway.

Graphical abstract text

The administration of Live Lactobacillus mesenteroides on colon cancer cells leads to the elevation of PD-L1, with a further increase observed in the presence of IFN-γ. Co-cultivation of Live L. mesenteroides with colon cancer cells in conjunction with anti-PD-L1 blockade antibody results in the enhanced viability of T cells.

Key Points

Co-culturing L. mesenteroides increases PD-L1 gene and protein transaction in colon cancer.

L. mesenteroides existing enhances T cells viability and activity.

GPCR41/42 is a possible link between L. mesenteroides, YAP-1 and PD-L1.
CD73 polymorphisms are associated with schizophrenia
Authors: Peng He-Xia , Zhang Li-Li , Jiang Dan , Jian Na , Zhang Ting-Mei , Luo Jia-Guo , Yin Hai-Yan
Published: May 2024

Ecto-5’-nucleotidase/CD73 enzyme plays a key role in the regulation of extracellular adenosine levels, thereby exerting influence on adenosine homeostasis. Emerging evidence suggests that perturbations in purines and ecto-5’-nucleotidase activity are associated with an augmented susceptibility to schizophrenia. However, the precise impact of genetic variations in CD73 on individuals with schizophrenia remains poorly understood. Here, our study demonstrated that rs3734442 allele and rs4431401 heterozygote were conferred a significant risk of schizophrenia disease (rs3734442: odds ratio, 0.556; 95% CI, 0.375 to 0.825; p = 0.004; rs4431401: odds ratio, 1.881, 95% CI, 1.117 to 3.166; p = 0.020). Comparing different genders, we observed a significant association between rs3734442 genotypes and male cases (rs3734442: odds ratio, 0.452; 95% CI, 0.257 to 0.796; p = 0.007). Likewise, there was a significant association between rs4431401 genotypes and male patients (rs4431401: odds ratio, 2.570; 95% CI, 1.196 to 5.522; p = 0.015). Based on family history and antipsychotics medication usage, our data reveals that the rs9444348 allele exhibits the most significant association with familial susceptibility to schizophrenia (odds ratio, 1.541; 95% CI, 1.009 to 2.353; p = 0.048 for A vs G). Moreover, individuals carrying variants of rs6922, rs2229523, and rs2065114 while being treated with clozapine demonstrate a higher frequency proportion compared to those receiving risperidone treatment (p = 0.035; p = 0.049; p = 0.027 respectively). Additionally, our results indicate that patients with GG genotype of rs9444348 had significantly higher likelihood of using clozapine instead of sulpiride (p = 0.048). Overall, our data strongly suggest that genetic variations in CD73 are significantly associated with schizophrenia risk and may serve as valuable resources for identifying therapeutic targets.
Various tomato infection discrimination using spectroscopy
Authors: Ruszczak Bogdan , Smykała Krzysztof , Tomaszewski Michał , Navarro Lorente Pedro Javier
Published: May 2024

Diagnosing plant diseases is a difficult task, but it could be made easier with the use of advanced instrumentation and the latest machine learning techniques. This paper is a further development of a previous authors study by the authors, which has been extended to provide the classification method for tomato diseases and to indicate the spectral ranges of greatest importance for this process. As tomatoes are one of the most popular and consumed vegetables, and diseases of this crop even reduce yields by up to 80% every year, their detection is a vague topic. This manuscript describes research in which spectroscopy was used to develop methods for discriminating between selected tomato diseases. The following, frequently occurring diseases were investigated for this research: anthracnose, bacterial speck, early blight, late blight, and Septoria Leaf Spot. The study used a dataset consisting of 3877 measurements taken with the ASD FieldSpec 4 Hi-Res spectroradiometer in the 350–2500 nm range from 2019/09/10 to 2019/12/20. The highest classification efficiency ($$F_1$$

F
1

score) of 0.896 was obtained for the logistic regression based model which was evaluated on Septoria Leaf Spot disease records.
Degrowth or secular stagnation? The political economy of monopoly finance capital and the stagnation-accumulation treadmill
Authors: Clark Tim P.
Published: May 2024

Capitalism is often described as a “growth machine,” whose insatiable growth imperative(s) must either be halted to protect ecologies or repurposed by some kind of socialist or social democratic state. However, the continuation of robust growth rates in many countries seems unlikely under present conditions. As monopoly capital scholars have long theorized, late-stage capitalist economies are characterized by a “cancerous malaise” of secular stagnation. In accordance with this perspective, financialization emerged to overcome challenges associated with this cancerous malaise. Using the U.S. economy as a case study, low growth and accelerating accumulation are interlinked under the socio-historic conditions of monopoly finance capital. This interrelation is captured by the term “stagnation-accumulation treadmill,” which stresses that the expansion of finance ensures the systemic requirement to increase material throughputs despite rising obstacles to robust growth. I argue that this interrelationship can help explain the paradox of increased consumption in the Global North alongside increased economic immiseration of the non-propertied working class. This argument stresses the continued materiality of a growth-dependent capitalist economy, even—if not especially—one characterized by stagnation and the explosion of so-called “non-real” finance sectors.
New insights into the interpretation of the results of four point bending tests on float glass
Authors: Veer F. A.
Published: May 2024

The four point bending test is one of the most commonly used and standardised tests to determine the mechanical properties of materials. For its use on float glass there are both the ASTM C158-02R17 and European EN 1288-3:2001 standards. However when testing float glass the results tend be a statistical muddle. This impacts the reliability of the design strength of float glass determined using four point bending tests. In an attempt to resolve this problem a series of four point bending tests were conducted which were designed to be more systematic than those previously reported in the literature and which use newly developed digital microscopy techniques for pre- and post-test analysis. By systematically testing, the test results can be divided into different groups based on air side, Sn side and source of failure, allowing the data to be divided into clear and separate statistical groups. Secondly the results can potentially be used to validate the lower bound glass strength theory proposed by Ballarini et al. (J Eng Mech 142(12):04016100, 2016). The glass specimens were industrially cut, ground, chamfered and flat polished on the long sides. Specimens were checked using advanced digital microscopy before and after testing. The results suggest that uni-modal Weibull behaviour only applies above a critical failure stress. Failures at stresses below this critical failure stress as a group have a separate and steeper Weibull slope. This supports Ballarini’s theory for a lower bound failure strength although there are important differences between the air side and Sn side of the specimens which this theory does not currently allow for. These differences seem to be inherent to the differences between the glass and the Sn sides. The results also show that the strength of cut, ground, chamfered and flat polished glass can be high but that inconsistency in process control and the irregular occurrence of surface failures are the main causes for the statistical spread. Digital microscopy can reliably measure the quality of the various surfaces and intersections of surfaces of a glass specimen but there is no absolute relation between the size of a detected defect and the probability that this defect actually leads to failure.
Investigation of the Compound Strength of Hybrid Casting Components with Different Variations of Coated and Undercut Sheet Metal
Authors: Bruckmeier Lukas , Ringel Aron , Erck Marvin , Bailly David , Bobzin Kirsten , Heinemann Hendrik , Bührig-Polaczek Andreas
Published: May 2024

Lightweight design can reduce CO2 emissions and improve energy efficiency, especially in the fuel-intensive transportation sector. Multi-material design approaches can combine specific properties of materials for effective lightweight design. A multi-material component made from two metals used widely in industry could combine the exceptionally lightweight properties of aluminum with the strength and structural integrity of steel. However, joining aluminum and steel is a challenge due to their different thermo-physical properties and the possible formation of brittle intermetallic phases. In hybrid casting, aluminum is cast around a steel sheet insert in a high-pressure die casting process to produce complex parts. In a first approach, a cold gas sprayed aluminum coating on the insert was tested as a bonding agent between the steel substrate and the molten aluminum. The joint was achieved by a combination of metallurgical bonding and micro-clamping. As a second option, surface structures with undercuts were applied to the steel sheet by modified cold rolling, which allowed the molten aluminum to flow into the channels and interlock with the solid steel. Different orientations of the structure on the insert were tested. In addition, the combination of both approaches was used to potentially enhance the positive effect of the pretreatment techniques. Given the critical importance of joint strength, the quality of these approaches was tested by static tensile tests and dynamic fatigue tests. The results show that the joint by coatings is strongly influenced by the process temperature. The improvement of the joint by the surface structure depends on its orientation to the melt flow.
Experimental evaluation of a heat exchanger for different configurations between internal and external flow
Authors: Ramírez-Dolores C. , Andaverde J. , Ordoñez-Castillo L. , Wong-Loya J.
Published: May 2024

In the present work, the determination of the thermal effectiveness and temperature of the air at the outlet of a scale prototype of a heat exchanger immersed in flowing water was developed experimentally. This depended on the position of the working fluid (air) and of the heat exchanger positioning configuration. The tested positions were parallel flow, quasi-parallel oblique, counterflow, quasi-counterflow oblique, and crossflow. The temperature of the air at the outlet of the heat exchanger and the thermal effectiveness are essential to determine the most convenient operating position of these systems, especially those related to shallow geothermal energy. The thermohydraulic aspects of the heat exchanger presented were evaluated, by the Number of Transfer Units-Effectiveness (NTU-ε) method, under conditions of water flow in a natural channel and air flow induced by a blower, the system was built from commercial copper pipe and temperature sensors were placed in both the exchanger and the water to record temperature changes. The results of this study indicate that when the exchanger is positioned in the oblique quasi-counterflow position and the oblique quasi-parallel position, it exhibits the lowest air outlet temperatures and highest thermal effectiveness, which is relevant for building cooling applications.
A review of crop residue-based biochar as an efficient adsorbent to remove trace elements from aquatic systems
Authors: Haris Muhammad , Amjad Zainab , Usman Muhammad , Saleem Atif , Dyussenova Ainur , Mahmood Zarak , Dina Kukybayeva , Guo Junkang , Wang Wenke
Published: May 2024

Crop residue-based biochar (CRB) has shown great potential for removing trace elements (TEs) from aquatic matrices. Despite the increasing interest in this area, no review has focused specifically on the efficacy of CRB for TEs removal in aquatic environments. This comprehensive review examines the global TEs water contamination status with an emphasis on their sources, compositional metrics for crop residue feedstock (proximate, ultimate, and lignocellulosic properties), and the potential use of CRB for TEs removal in aquatic media. It also evaluates the factors that affect the ability of CRB to remove TEs, such as feedstock type, production conditions, water pH, background electrolytes, water temperature, CRB/water ratio, and underlying pollutant sorption mechanisms. This review also discusses the practical applications of CRB in real water samples and engineering considerations for designing CRB with improved physicochemical properties, treatment efficiencies, and regeneration abilities. Additionally, the cost–benefit and economic assessment of CRB, challenges, and future research directions related to CRB are highlighted to promote research on this sustainable source of biochar. By elucidating the prospects of CRB as an adsorbent, this review emphasizes the need for continued research on its practical implications for environmentally relevant pollutant concentrations.

Graphical Abstract
Language Ideologies and Identities on Facebook and TikTok
Authors: Wilson Guyanne
Published: May 2024

This monograph examines the ways in which Caribbean content creators use elements of Caribbean Englishes and Creoles in their performances of identity in image macro memes and TikTok videos. It also examines the ideologies that underlie these performances. The data comprises memes from Trinidadian Facebook pages, as well as videos by Guyanese, Barbadian, and Trinidadian TikTokers, and was analysed using the multimodal method designed by Kress. For meme makers, identity is understood as a system of distinction between ingroups and outgroups, and language and other semiotic features, notably emojis, are used to distinguish Trinidadians from other nationalities, and groups of Trinidadians from one another. TikTokers establish their Caribbean identity primarily through knowledge of lexis, but this works in concert with other linguistic features to create authentic identities. Social media content is underpinned by the tension between the acceptance and rejection of standard language ideologies.
Restoring blue carbon ecosystems
Authors: Friess Daniel A. , Shribman Zoë I. , Stankovic Milica , Iram Naima , Baustian Melissa M. , Ewers Lewis Carolyn J.
Published: May 2024

Mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses have experienced extensive historical reduction in extent due to direct and indirect effects of anthropogenic land use change. Habitat loss has contributed carbon emissions and led to foregone opportunities for carbon sequestration, which are disproportionately large due to high ‘blue carbon’ stocks and sequestration rates in these coastal ecosystems. As such, there has been a rapid increase in interest in using coastal habitat restoration as a climate change mitigation tool. This review shows that restoration efforts are able to substantially increase blue carbon stocks, while also having a positive impact on various gaseous fluxes. However, blue carbon increases are spatially variable, due to biophysical factors such as climate and geomorphic setting. While there are potentially hundreds of thousands of hectares of land that may be biophysically suitable for restoration, these activities are still often conducted at small scales and with mixed success. Maximizing potential carbon gains through blue carbon restoration will require managers and coastal planners to overcome the myriad socioeconomic and governance constraints related to land tenure, legislation, target setting and cost, which often push restoration projects into locations that are biophysically unsuitable for plant colonization.