bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Kuznetsov–Ma rogue wave clusters of the nonlinear Schrödinger equation
Authors: Alwashahi Sarah , Aleksić Najdan B. , Belić Milivoj R. , Nikolić Stanko N.
Published: May 2023

In this work, we investigate rogue wave (RW) clusters of different shapes, composed of Kuznetsov–Ma solitons (KMSs) from the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) with Kerr nonlinearity. We present three classes of exact higher-order solutions on uniform background that are calculated using the Darboux transformation (DT) scheme with precisely chosen parameters. The first solution class is characterized by strong intensity narrow peaks that are periodic along the evolution x-axis, when the eigenvalues in DT scheme generate KMSs with commensurate frequencies. The second solution class exhibits a form of elliptical rogue wave clusters; it is derived from the first solution class when the first m evolution shifts in the nth-order DT scheme are nonzero and equal. We show that the high-intensity peaks built on KMSs of order $$n-2m$$

n
-
2
m

periodically appear along the x-axis. This structure, considered as the central rogue wave, is enclosed by m ellipses consisting of a certain number of the first-order KMSs determined by the ellipse index and the solution order. The third class of KMS clusters is obtained when purely imaginary DT eigenvalues tend to some preset offset value higher than one, while keeping the x-shifts unchanged. We show that the central rogue wave at (0, 0) always retains its $$n-2m$$

n
-
2
m

order. The n tails composed of the first-order KMSs are formed above and below the central maximum. When n is even, more complicated patterns are generated, with m and $$m-1$$

m
-
1

loops above and below the central RW, respectively. Finally, we compute an additional solution class on a wavy background, defined by the Jacobi elliptic dnoidal function, which displays specific intensity patterns that are consistent with the background wavy perturbation. This work demonstrates an incredible power of the DT scheme in creating new solutions of the NLSE and a tremendous richness in form and function of those solutions.
Impact of a primary care pharmacist consultations on pregnant women’s medication use: the SafeStart intervention study linked to a national prescription database
Authors: Ngo Elin , Truong Maria Bich-Thuy , Nordeng Hedvig
Published: May 2023

Background

Prior studies show that pharmacist consultations are highly appreciated by pregnant women and feasible in community pharmacies. However, it is unknown whether such counseling has an impact on medication use during pregnancy.

Aim

This study aimed to assess whether a pharmacist consultation in early pregnancy was associated with pregnant women’s medication use, with a focus on antiemetic medications.

Method

The SafeStart study recruited Norwegian pregnant women in the first trimester between February 2018 and February 2019. Women in the intervention group received a pharmacist consultation in a community pharmacy or by phone. A follow-up questionnaire was completed 13 weeks after enrollment. Data from the SafeStart study were linked to the Norwegian Prescription Database. Logistic regression was used to assess the association between the pharmacist intervention and medication use in the second trimester.

Results

The study included 103 women in the intervention group and 126 in the control group. Overall prescription fills in the first and second trimesters were 55% and 45% (intervention group) and 49% and 52% (control group), respectively. In total, 16–20% of women in the first trimester and 21–27% of women in the second trimester had a prescription for antiemetics. The pharmacist intervention was not associated with women’s medication use in the second trimester.

Conclusion

This study did not detect an impact of a pharmacist consultation on pregnant women’s use of medications. In the future, pharmacist consultations should focus on other outcome factors, such as risk perception, knowledge level, and the use of other health care services.

Trial registration The SafeStart study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (identifier: NCT04182750, registration date: December 2, 2019).
Potential for greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions savings from replacing short motorcycle trips with active travel modes in Vietnam
Authors: Tong Yen Dan , Maraseni Tek , Nguyen Phuong-Duy , An-Vo Duc-Anh , Mancuso Tradenta Julio , Tran Thuy Ai Dong
Published: May 2023

In reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, there is a recognition triggered by the pandemic of the role that walking and cycling (active travel) can make to substitute motorized travel, particularly on short trips. However, there is a lack of evidence at the micro level on the realistic, empirically derived, potential of these options. Here, we used reliable tracing data to examine the potential of these mitigation options for reducing GHG emissions in Vietnam. Apart from similar categories of travel purposes as in other studies, we decided to categorize “visit relatives” and “eating out” as two more separate categories of travel purposes in Vietnamese case, which together accounts for nearly 16% of total trips. We discovered that 65% of all motorcycle trips in this case study were less than 3 miles in duration, therefore active travel was able to create a significant impact on GHG emissions from personal travel. Active travel can replace 62% of short motorcycle trips if considering travel patterns and constraints while saving 18% of GHG emissions that would have come from motorized transport. If active travel can further replace all shopping trips normally done by motorcycles, in total being equivalent to 84% of short trips, 22% of GHG emissions from motorcycles can be reduced. It should be noticed that active travels have time cost implications, impacting economy at both household and city levels, but from a comprehensive “co-benefit” standpoint, this transformation could act as a catalyst for addressing traffic congestion, air pollution, and even community health and well-being in urban areas.
The two parts of Kant’s moral religion
Authors: Rovira Rogelio
Published: May 2023

Why in theCritique of Practical Reasonis moral religion presented as a doctrine of the postulates of pure practical reason, of which Christian morality, considered as a philosophical doctrine, is an illustration, whereas in theReligion Within the Boundaries of Mere Reasonmoral religion is ultimately identified with a particular moral interpretation of the religious dogmas of Christianity? In this essay, I propose to answer this question by examining a thesis of Kant’s that has scarcely been considered. This is the thesis that, as with other philosophical disciplines, moral religion consists of a pure part and an applied part. The reasons for the bipartite division of moral religion—confirmed also by the findings of Kant’s third Critique—not only provide a direct, explicit, and maybe sufficient answer to the question posed, but also shed light on the role of Christianity in Kant’s conception of religion.
The influence of research collaboration on citation impact: the countries in the European Innovation Scoreboard
Authors: Vieira Elizabeth S.
Published: May 2023

The effect of research collaboration (RC) on citation impact (the citations that the scientific knowledge has received) has been studied over the years. However, the extant literature has not considered that the effect of RC can not be efficiently assessed if the level of development of the research and innovation system (RIS) of the collaborating countries is disregarded. I have addressed this gap by looking at the articles published by 36 countries and controlling for other variables that also influence citation impact. The results show that the higher the development of the RIS, the higher the citation impact, as measured by the percentile each article occupies in the respective Web of Science subject area, of single–authored articles and of articles with domestic research collaboration (DRC). The articles representing DRC always have a higher citation impact than single-authored articles, regardless of the level of development of RIS of the countries. Even the articles representing an international research collaboration do not always have a higher impact than single-authored articles; (1) there is no statistically significant difference between the citation impact of articles published in collaboration between scientists from countries considered strong innovators and modest innovators and the citation impact of single-authored articles of scientists from countries considered strong innovators; and (2) articles published by scientists from countries considered innovation leaders in collaboration with scientists from countries considered modest innovators have a lower impact than single-authored articles published by scientists from countries considered innovation leaders. In general, collaboration between scientists from countries with a well-developed RIS and those with a less developed RIS results in articles with a lower citation impact than articles with DRC originating from scientists from countries with a well-developed RIS and higher than articles with DRC originating from scientists from countries with a less developed RIS.
How Endogenous System Bias Can Distort Decision-Making in Criminal Justice Systems
Authors: Pierce Glenn , Rodriquez-Whitney Eric , Drakulich Kevin , Shatz Steven , Radelet Michael
Published: May 2023

Most judicial, regulatory, and administrative systems, at least formally, are concerned with the fairness and transparency of their decisions concerning the public. Fairness and transparency of criminal justice operations are critical to creating trust in the legal system and assuring people that the larger social system is legitimate and worthy of support. However, deviations from objective and fair decision-making can be concealed when key actors who are responsible for deciding outcomes in their organizations are also responsible for collecting, assembling, evaluating, and presenting the information on which their decisions are based. Under these conditions such systems are at risk of what we term “endogenous system bias,” where data are acquired and altered in ways to justify desired outcomes that are neither fair nor transparent. The purpose of this paper is to: (1) develop a general model of decision-making constraints that can produce endogenous system bias, (2) review research on endogenous system bias at two key decision stages in one institution: the criminal justice system and (3) conduct an empirical examination of the potential effect of endogenous system bias on law enforcement investigations and prosecutorial charging in a sample of criminal homicide cases in the USA. Implications for law, policy, and social scientific methodology are discussed.
The Europa Clipper Gravity and Radio Science Investigation
Authors: Mazarico Erwan , Buccino Dustin , Castillo-Rogez Julie , Dombard Andrew J. , Genova Antonio , Hussmann Hauke , Kiefer Walter S. , Lunine Jonathan I. , McKinnon William B. , Nimmo Francis , Park Ryan S. , Roberts James H. , Srinivasan Dipak K. , Steinbrügge Gregor , Tortora Paolo , Withers Paul
Published: May 2023

The primary objective of the Europa Clipper mission is to assess the habitability of Europa, an overarching goal that rests on improving our understanding of Europa’s interior structure, composition, and geologic activity. Here we describe the Gravity and Radio Science (G/RS) investigation. The primary measurement, the gravitational tidal Love number $k_{2}$

k
2

, will be an independent diagnostic of the presence of a global subsurface ocean, but G/RS will make a number of other key measurements related to Europa’s deep interior, silicate mantle-ocean interface, ice shell, ionosphere, and plasma environment. Although radio science is common to many missions, Europa Clipper’s orbit and spacecraft configuration during flybys present special challenges for the design of this experiment. The information obtained through G/RS will be complementary to the measurements by the other instruments onboard Europa Clipper, and their combined analysis will refine the geophysical understanding of Europa necessary to best assess its potential habitability.
Toy models, dispositions, and the power to explain
Authors: Verreault-Julien Philippe
Published: May 2023

Two recent contributions have discussed, and disagreed, over whether so-called toy models that attempt to represent dispositions have the power to explain. In this paper, I argue that neither of these positions is completely correct. Toy models may accurately represent, satisfy the veridicality condition, yet fail to provide how-actually explanations. This is because some dispositions remain unmanifested. Instead, the models provide how-possibly explanations; they possibly explain.
Factors influencing the establishment of vascular plants at Sphagnum cultivation sites
Authors: Grobe Amanda , Rode Michael
Published: May 2023

Sphagnum cultivation is a type of paludiculture and a way to use formerly drained peatlands productively but under wet and therefore climate-friendly conditions. Where Sphagnum mosses are cultivated other plant species will also establish and possibly compete with the Sphagnum. The aim of this study was to determine which factors influence vascular plant cover as well as plant species numbers at Sphagnum cultivation sites and to derive recommendations for their management. Two cultivation sites were studied in northwest Germany. One of these was established directly after peat extraction while the other was rewetted seven years prior to establishment. Irrigation ditches for water management were installed at both sites. The cover of vascular plants and the number of plant species present were determined in systematically positioned plots. Six variables were tested for their influence on the assessed data by applying boosted regression tree models. The main factors influencing vascular plant cover at the two Sphagnum cultivation sites were the distance to an irrigation ditch (m), the site (location) and Sphagnum cover (%). The number of species per plot was influenced mainly by Sphagnum cover (%), the distance to an irrigation ditch (m) and the donor species used for initiating the cultivation sites. A sufficient supply of nutrient-poor water and optimal Sphagnum growth can reduce vascular plant cover and the number of plant species potentially present at a site. Insufficient water distribution and uneven Sphagnum establishment lead to inhomogeneous site conditions and thus to a higher number of plant species. The number and cover of plant species at a cultivation site are influenced by the vegetation of the sites’ surroundings and the selection of the donor site.
Pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) disinfection of artificially contaminated seawater seeded with high levels of pathogen disease indicators as an alternative for the shellfish industry depuration systems
Authors: Fehrenbach Gustavo Waltzer , Murphy Emma , Pogue Robert , Carter Frank , Clifford Eoghan , Major Ian , Rowan Neil
Published: May 2023

The increase in pathogen levels in seawater threatens the safety of entire aquatic ecosystems. Foodborne pathogens can potentially accumulate in shellfish, especially in filter feeders such as bivalves, requiring an efficient depuration process before consumption. Alternative approaches to promote a cost-efficient purge at depuration plants are urgently needed. A small prototype pulsed ultraviolet (PUV) light recirculation system was designed, and its depuration potential was tested in a seawater matrix artificially contaminated with high levels of microbial pathogens Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella typhimurium, Bacillus cereus and Candida albicans. The analysis of treatment parameters including voltage, number of pulses and duration of treatment was performed to ensure the highest reduction in contaminant levels. Optimal PUV disinfection was attained at 60 pulses/min at 1 kV for 10 min (a UV output of 12.9 J/cm2). All reductions were statistically significant, and the greatest was observed for S. aureus (5.63 log10), followed by C. albicans (5.15 log10), S. typhimurium (5 log10), B. cereus (4.59 log10) and E. coli (4.55 log10). PUV treatment disrupted the pathogen DNA with the result that S. aureus, C. albicans and S. typhimurium were not detectable by PCR. Regulations were reviewed to address the applicability of PUV treatment as a promising alternative to assist in the reduction of microbial pathogens at depuration plants due to its high efficiency, short treatment period, high UV dose and recirculation system as currently employed in shellfish depuration plants.
Optimal tip shape for minimum drag and lift during horizontal penetration in granular media
Authors: Patino-Ramirez F. , O’Sullivan C.
Published: May 2023

Horizontal penetration in granular media is ubiquitous, from tunneling and geotechnical site investigation, to root growth and the locomotion of burrowing animals in nature. This contribution couples the discrete element method (DEM) with ant colony optimisation, a heuristic optimisation algorithm, to find the optimal tip shapes to minimise drag and lift forces during horizontal penetration. The tip which minimizes drag has a slender profile with a low tip curvature, to give a drag force that is $$15.6\%$$

15.6
%

lower compared to a conventional CPT intruder, however this shape induces a downwards force that increases with intruder depth. Conversely, the tip that minimizes lift is blunt, with a high tip curvature and short width, and reduces the drag and lift forces by $$4.5\%$$

4.5
%

and $$30.8\%$$

30.8
%

(respectively) compared to the CPT. The lift and drag forces are competing optimisation objectives, thus the tip shape with the optimal trade-off between drag and lift forces can be established using Pareto optimality. The Pareto optimal tip shape reduces the drag and lift forces by $$10.7\%$$

10.7
%

and $$19.4\%$$

19.4
%

respectively, and is strikingly similar to the profile of a sandfish. This contribution shows that when a common goal exists, bio-inspired solutions can offer an optimal solution to engineering applications. We also show the potential to integrate DEM simulations within an optimization framework to develop innovative design solutions.
A New Social Conflict on Globalisation-Related Issues in Germany? A Longitudinal Perspective
Authors: Teney Céline , Rupieper Li Kathrin
Published: May 2023

We draw on cleavage theory to assess the emergence of a social conflict concerning globalisation-related issues among the German population between 1989 and 2019. We argue that issue salience and opinion polarisation are key conditions for a successful and sustainable political mobilisation of citizens and thus for the emergence of a social conflict. In line with globalisation cleavage theory, we hypothesised that issue salience as well as overall and between-group opinion polarisation on globalisation-related issues have increased over time. Our study considers four globalisation-related issues: immigration, the European Union (EU), economic liberalism, and the environment. While the salience of the EU and economic liberalism issues remained low during the observed period, we found a recent increase in salience for the issues of immigration (since 2015) and the environment (since 2018). Furthermore, our results point to rather stable attitudes on globalisation-related issues among the German population: We did not find any consistent evidence of an increase in overall or between-group polarisation over time. In conclusion, the idea of an emerging conflict around globalisation-related issues among the German population finds very little empirical support.
Microstructural Characterization of Novel ZrO2 Dispersion-Strengthened 9Cr Steel by Spark Plasma Sintering
Authors: Raghavendra K. G. , Dasgupta Arup , Karthiselva N. S. , Jayasankar K. , Bakshi Srinivasa Rao
Published: May 2023

Technologically important Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened steels are synthesized using ZrO2 as a dispersion strengthener instead of conventionally used Y2O3. Powder metallurgical route followed by spark plasma sintering is adopted for synthesizing the material. Detailed microstructural characterization revealed a fine-grained microstructure with finer dispersoids in as-sintered and normalized condition. The stable microstructure is found to be retained even after subjecting the samples at 973 K for as long as 1000 h for long-term thermal aging trials, indicating at a possible superiority of this material over the conventional Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened steels. The yield strength is calculated by making use of microstructural parameters and predictive models, both of which shown a good agreement. Mechanical property analysis through hardness measurements was correlated with microstructural observations and compared with the conventional Oxide Dispersion-Strengthened steels. The collective results indicate ZrO2 as a potential alternate dispersoid for strengthening steel and future scope for vast exploration.
Teachers’ practices and resources in the Hungarian “Guided Discovery” approach to teaching mathematics: presenting and representing “series of problems”
Authors: Gosztonyi Katalin , Varga Eszter
Published: May 2023

In the Hungarian “Guided Discovery” approach to teaching mathematics, teachers’ planning work plays a crucial role. Teachers following the approach develop teaching trajectories based on “series of problems”. This work includes the choice, creation, transformation, organization and networking of problems with regard to various teaching objectives. However, most of this planning work remains implicit; the structure and rationale of the teaching trajectories are often inaccessible for an external observer (including, for example, student teachers). An ongoing project based on teacher–researcher collaboration aims to reveal the hidden characteristics and principles of teachers’ work with series of problems through the creation of innovative resources for teachers. In this paper, we present the design of this collaborative work, a process we designate “reverse engineering”, and analyse the development process of resources, focusing particularly on the emergence of new vocabulary and representation tools serving as mediators in the communication between teachers and researchers.
Settling in New Zealand’s Small Towns: Experiences of Minority Ethnic Immigrants
Authors: Alam Ashraful , Nel Etienne , Hill Douglas , Bulloch Hannah
Published: May 2023

Small town New Zealand has, in recent years, experienced an increasing number1 and diversity of immigrants, with visible yet under-researched impacts for less populated regions that historically have been dominated by Pākehā (New Zealanders of European descent) and Māori populations. Using qualitative interviews with three ethnic sub-groups in the Clutha District and Southland Region—the Filipino, Samoan, and Malay communities—we investigate their experiences of settling in small towns. While there is considerable variation in the experiences and aspirations of these ethnic minorities, for each community we demonstrate how local and regional contextual factors shape life aspirations, support infrastructures and settlement trajectories. Particularly drawing upon informal networks and social capital immigrants mediate the considerable challenges they face. Our study also demonstrates the limitations of current policy support and initiatives. Indeed, while local authorities clearly have a significant role in creating the conditions for enabling immigrant settlement in small centres in Southland-Clutha, now the role of government services and community-based support also needs to be considered.
A Quality by Design Paradigm for Albumin-Based Nanoparticles: Formulation Optimization and Enhancement of the Antitumor Activity
Authors: Dawoud Marwa H. S. , Abdel-Daim Amira , Nour Mai S. , Sweed Nabila M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Albumin nanoparticles are promising carriers for therapeutic agents, owing to their biocompatibility, safety, and versatility in fabrication. The formulation of albumin nanoparticles is highly affected by many product and process variables, resulting in a great variation in these nanoparticles. The aim of this work was to formulate and optimize albumin nanoparticles loaded with silymarin, as a model drug with low bioavailability, for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma, using quality by design (QbD) approach.

Methods

A thorough risk assessment for albumin nanoparticles formulation was developed and a complete quality product profile was defined using the QbD approach. A D-optimal design was used to optimize the amount of albumin and drug, which significantly affected the particle size (PS) and the entrapment efficiency (EE%), which was further tested on hepatocellular carcinoma.

Results

A design space was constructed, with an optimized formula showing a PS of 135 nm, a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.09, an EE% of 88%, and a zeta potential of − 12.5 mV. The optimized formula (O1) with spherical particles, showed an extended-release rate as compared to free silymarin. Moreover, a pronounced anti-proliferation activity of O1 was observed on human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 than the free drug. The flow cytometric analysis of the cell cycle showed a significant suppression of the S-phase after treating the HepG2 cell with O1, but not with free silymarin.

Conclusion

Thus, a detailed QbD study has been conducted, with deep product and process understanding, and resulted in a successful formulation of silymarin albumin nanoparticles for the suppression of hepatocellular carcinoma.
Torsion and bending loads on a ski-touring boot shell during uphill and downhill skiing
Authors: Zullo Giuseppe , Cibin Pierluigi , Petrone Nicola
Published: May 2023

Ski touring is an established winter activity that has experienced a recent increase in popularity. Differently to alpine skiing, skier gains altitude without lifts, thus equipment weight must be minimized. Nevertheless, structural properties of the equipment, such as ski boots, must be adequate to withstand skiing loads. Several studies provided data on flexural stiffness of alpine ski boots in bench and field tests. The present study focused on the torsional properties of ski-touring boots. Indeed, touring bindings design implies a higher torque transmission to the front piece which induces a torsional load throughout the shell. To conduct the study, we prepared a ski-touring boot with strain gage bridges, and we performed bench tests to determine the stiffness of the boot and the bridge sensitivity. We also positioned and calibrated strain gage bridges to measure bending load in the shell and axial load in the ski/walk lever placed between shell and cuff of the boot. Then, we conducted a field test measuring the loads during a ski-touring trip including ascent and descent. Bench tests evidenced linearity of the torsion sensor, and a variation of stiffness depending on dummy leg absence/presence and boot buckle setting. Field tests showed torque ranges of 17 Nm in climbing and of 27 Nm in skiing. Bending moment range on the boot shell was of 150 and 228 Nm, respectively. Maximum force on the ski/walk mechanism reached 570 N. Results could be useful to test ski-touring boot performances and to optimize their design.
Household resilience capacity and food security: evidence from Kyrgyzstan
Authors: Egamberdiev Bekhzod , Bobojonov Ihtiyor , Kuhn Lena , Glauben Thomas
Published: May 2023

Commonly, resilience against external shocks is treated as a household or community capacity. Resiliency against food insecurity is of particular importance for rural household under the impression of recent price surges and supply chain disruptions. The aim of this paper is to analyze the effect of household resilience capacity on food security outcomes in Kyrgyzstan, using individual, household and community datasets of the “Life in Kyrgyzstan” panel survey for several waves from 2011 to 2016. Firstly, a resilience capacity index to food insecurity was estimated through key determinants or pillars under the Resilience Index Measurement and Analysis (RIMA) II methodology, while latent analysis was used to classify shocks. The effect of resilience capacity on food security outcomes was estimated along an instrumental variable approach. Our results suggest that resilience capacity serves to improve food security status and decrease the proneness of households to suffering from food insecurity in the presence of shocks. Furthermore, the interaction between resilience capacity and shocks was included to explain whether the negative effect of the shocks is weakened by resilience. The findings confirm that resilience capacity is able to mitigate the adverse effects of shocks on food security outcomes; moreover, it is sufficient to resist a decline in food security. Following the large contributions of social safety nets and adaptive capacity to the resilience capacity index, policy efforts should be focused on increasing income generating capacity, networking, migration, and education level of households to strengthen resilience to food insecurity.
Processing and Characterization of Nano Silica and Iron Oxide Coated Silica Composites Extracted from Rice Hulls
Authors: Hanna S. B. , Mansour T. S. , Ajiba N. A.
Published: May 2023

This study examined the effects of adding iron to rice hulls samples (RHs) on the thermal degradation to prepare nano silica and iron oxide-silica mixtures. Iron is precipitated in different amounts within the RH fibers (as hydroxide) by dipping them in a solution of different concentrations of acidic ferrous sulfate and then immersing it in a dilute ammonia solution. The dry RHs were fired at temperatures between 400 °C and 700 °C in a static or limited air atmosphere. Both weight loss and residual weight are determined to follow its thermal degradation. The products of the RH degradation of silica or iron oxide-silica mixtures were characterized by X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The surface area, average particle size, and pore diameter of both products were determined. The chemical treatment of RHs before firing accelerates their thermal degradation and leads to obtaining firing products of high purity. Firing RHs in a limited air atmosphere increases thermal degradation and, at the same time, accelerates the catalyst effect of iron on its degradation. Under these conditions, silica and iron oxide bonded silica with an average particle size of 1.31 and 0.07 μm were obtained by firing treated RHs at 600 °C and 500 °C, respectively. Firing in a limited air atmosphere encourages CO2 to react with burned C to form CO, and iron as an accelerator for this reaction completes its degradation. In contrast, iron oxide remained in the ferrous state. Therefore, the bonding between iron and silica was complete.
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Are Generated as Organic Contaminants Are Broken Down: SnO2-Doped Graphene Oxide Nanocomposites Are Investigated Under Visible Light Illumination for their Photocatalytic Activity
Authors: Kaviyarasu K. , Elshikh Mohamed S , Almutairi Saeedah Musaed , Uthrakumar R. , Muthukumaran Azhaguchamy
Published: May 2023

Our aim is to establish a more efficient and reliable method for the bio-fabrication of pure SnO2 and SnO2-doped graphene oxide nanocomposites through a green chelating agent called Moringa Oleifera extract by sol-gel method. A sintered SnO2-doped GO nanocomposite exhibited increased crystallinity and size with increasing temperature, as determined by XRD studies. An FTIR investigation shows that the SnO2-doped GO nanocomposite exhibits two distinct bands at 733 cm−1 and 438 cm−1 due to terminal oxygen vibrations, while samples treated with G-O-Sn-O exhibit bands at 733 cm−1 due to antisymmetric stretching. By increasing the SnO2 peak, SnO2 nanoparticle sizes decrease, which results in a broadened GO, as well as a reduced IR intensity. By SEM and EDAX, the size and morphology of SnO2-doped GO nanocomposites were clearly observed. It was calculated that the optical bandgap of SnO2-doped GO nanostructures is 4.48 eV. It has been demonstrated that SnO2-doped GO nanocomposite can be used as an organic photocatalyst against organic pollutants methyl orange (MO) dye; despite its fast charge recombination when illuminated with visible light, these findings have been reported in detail.
Exosomes and circular RNAs: promising partners in hepatocellular carcinoma from bench to bedside
Authors: Hu Mengyuan , Li Xue , Jiang Zhenluo , Xia Qing , Hu Yaoren , Guo Junming , Fu Liyun
Published: May 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality, and a low 5-year survival rate. Exploring the potential molecular mechanisms, finding diagnostic biomarkers with high sensitivity and specificity, and determining new therapeutic targets for HCC are urgently needed. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have been found to play a key role in the occurrence and development of HCC, while exosomes play an important role in intercellular communication; thus, the combination of circRNAs and exosomes may have inestimable potential in early diagnosis and curative therapy. Previous studies have shown that exosomes can transfer circRNAs from normal or abnormal cells to surrounding or distant cells; thereafter, circRNAs influence target cells. This review summarizes the recent progress regarding the roles of exosomal circRNAs in the diagnosis, prognosis, occurrence and development and immune checkpoint inhibitor and tyrosine kinase inhibitor resistance of HCC to provide inspiration for further research.
Analysis of the life cycle environmental impact reductions of remanufactured turbochargers
Authors: Lee Jong-Hyo , Kang Hong-Yoon , Kim Young-Woon , Hwang Yong Woo , Kwon Soon-Gil , Park Hee-Won , Choi Ji-Woo , Choi Hwan-Ho
Published: May 2023

Recently, remanufacturing approach/technology, which includes a series of the processes of disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, repairing/reconditioning, reassembling components for resale, is becoming more popular as companies look for a way to combat the current climate crisis, and as it allows companies to reduce environmental impacts and to save energy and resources. This study analyzed the reduction effect of six environmental impacts and the savings effect of energy and resources by turbocharger remanufacturing compared to its newly manufacturing using a life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology. The results show that the most significant benefit of the turbocharger remanufacturing related to environmental impacts was the global warming potential (GWP), which could be reduced by 52.2%, followed by the abiotic depletion potential (ADP), terrestrial ecotoxicity potential (TETP), human toxicity potential (HTP), freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity potential (FAETP) and marine aquatic ecotoxicity potential (MAETP) which could be reduced by 51.9%, 44.8%, 44.2%, 42.6%, and 36.7%, respectively. Also, its resource saving could be obtained from 21.7 to 73.5% depending on the type of resources. Furthermore, turbocharger remanufacturing offered a significant energy saving of 83.9%. The results obtained from this study could be used for national policy-making to a net-zero carbon transition.
Tri-Rotor Propeller Design Concept, Optimization and Analysis of the Lift Efficiency During Hovering
Authors: Piancastelli L. , Sali M.
Published: May 2023

This study introduces the simulation of a tri-rotor contra-rotating propeller for thrust force and hover lift efficiency during vertical take-off. Vertical take-off or landing is a method used by many aircraft and makes the vehicle more convenient and easier to use. The second rotor revolved in the opposite direction of the first and third rotors. The proposed multi-rotor system has NACA 0012 untwisted and symmetric airfoil and includes three rotors with two blades for each. The airflow analysis was optimized with computational fluid dynamics simulation by using different pitch combinations to achieve the highest hover lift efficiency with sufficient overall thrust value. The critical angle of attack for the chosen airfoil gave the boundary conditions for the pitch of rotors. The results showed us that the most efficient combinations for three rotors work better with an increase of pitch angle from top to bottom so that there is a difference of at least two degrees between propellers. Experiments with angles of attack within the boundary conditions showed that the blade combinations starting from three degrees and increasing values gave positive and adequate results in many cases. In addition, the results showed that a regular increase in the angle of attack does not relate to a regular increment in thrust force.
Assisted Reproductive Techniques and Risk of Congenital Heart Diseases in Children: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Gullo Giuseppe , Scaglione Marco , Laganà Antonio Simone , Perino Antonio , Andrisani Alessandra , Chiantera Vito , Cucinella Gaspare , Gitas Georgios , Barra Fabio , Riemma Gaetano
Published: May 2023

Infertility is a growing phenomenon and leads to an increased use of assisted reproductive techniques (ARTs). In recent years, concerns about the safety of these procedures emerged and ARTs were hypothesized to be a risk factor for developing congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in offspring. Our aim is to investigate the association between ART and CHD, specifying results according to various subtypes of defects. We performed a systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines. MEDLINE and Google Scholar were searched from January 2011 to May 2022. Data about incidence of CHD in ART were tabulated and extracted from all the studies included. Twenty-four studies were included. Pooled incidence of CHDs after IVF pregnancies was 3% (95% CI 0.3–0.4; I2 = 99%), decreasing to 1% (95% CI 0.00–0.01; I2 = 93%) for major CHDs only. An increased risk of CHDs, especially minor (i.e., not requiring surgical correction), seems to occur in ART compared with non-ART pregnancies [RR 1.71 (95% CI 1.25–2.34; I2 = 99%)]. For major CHDs, not enough evidence is available to assess the real risk. Moreover, some confounding factors (i.e., maternal age and male infertility) seem to play a critical role to determine an increased risk of CHDs. Conflicting results emerged among the studies, setting the need for further research to validate the actual evidence and state the real risk of CHD following ART pregnancies.
A tilt-wing VTOL UAV configuration: Flight dynamics modelling and transition control simulation
Authors: Daud Filho A.C. , Belo E.M.
Published: May 2023

This paper aims to present a vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTOL UAV) configuration and numerically simulate its flight transition from hover to cruise and from cruise to hover. It can tilt the canard and wing along with two attached propellers. Additionally, two fixed front propellers are pointing upwards. Multi-body equations of motion are derived for this concept of aircraft, which are used to compute the flight transition trajectory from hover to cruise configuration. Furthermore, a transition control algorithm based on gain scheduling is described, which stabilises the aircraft while it accelerates from hover to cruise, gradually tilting the wing along with its propellers, sequentially switching between equilibrium states, as the stability cost functions thresholds are reached. The transition control algorithm of the conceptual aircraft model is numerically simulated.
Digital Trade Law and Human Rights
Authors: Burri Mira
Published: May 2023

Trade and human rights have had a complex and contentious relationship. While trade experts assume that human rights and trade law are mutually supportive, human rights lawyers have seldom shared this opinion. Rather, they argue that across different contexts, such as climate change, culture, and development, the hard rules of international trade law focus almost exclusively on economic values and sideline human rights. This essay seeks to shed more light on these interfaces, focusing particularly on the tensions between trade law and the first generation of human rights, like privacy and free speech, that have been rarely discussed so far. It also addresses a gap in the literature on international economic law and human rights with respect to the impact of digitization. In particular, the essay focuses on the human rights implications of digital trade rulemaking, as a relatively new and dynamic subset of international trade law.
The bimodality of the East Siberian fast ice extent: mechanisms and changes
Authors: Selyuzhenok Valeria , Krumpen Thomas , Demchev Denis , Gerdes Rüdiger , Haas Christian
Published: May 2023

Using operational sea-ice maps, we provide first insight into the seasonal evolution of fast ice in the East Siberian Sea for the period between 1999 and 2021. The fast ice season tends to start later by 4.7 d per decade and to end earlier by 9.7 d per decade. As a result, there is a trend towards a shorter length of fast ice season by 2 weeks per decade. The analysis of air temperatures indicates that onset and end of the fast ice season are largely driven by thermodynamic processes. Two spatial modes (large, L-mode and small, S-mode) of East Siberian fast ice cover which have significant areal differences were distinguished. The occurrence of L- and S-modes was linked to the polarity of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) index. Negative AO phase leads to increased sea-ice convergence in the region, which in turn favours sea-ice grounding and promotes the development of large fast ice extent (L-mode). Lower deformation rates in the region during positive AO phase does not allow the formation of grounded features which results in small fast ice extent (S-mode). An analysis of sea-ice divergence confirms that L-mode seasons are characterised by higher on-shore convergence compared with S-mode seasons.
Integrated watershed management solutions for healthy coastal ecosystems and people
Authors: Wakwella Ama , Wenger Amelia , Jenkins Aaron , Lamb Joleah , Kuempel Caitlin D. , Claar Danielle , Corbin Chris , Falinski Kim , Rivera Antonella , Grantham Hedley S. , Jupiter Stacy D.
Published: May 2023

Tropical coastal ecosystems are in decline worldwide due to an increasing suite of human activities, which threaten the biodiversity and human wellbeing that these ecosystems support. One of the major drivers of decline is poor water quality from land-based activities. This review summarises the evidence of impacts to coastal ecosystems, particularly coral reefs, from sediments, nutrients, chemicals and pathogens entering coastal zones through surface and groundwater. We also assess how these pollutants affect the health of coastal human populations through: (1) enhanced transmission of infectious diseases; (2) reduced food availability and nutritional deficit from decline of fisheries associated with degraded habitat; and (3) food poisoning from consumption of contaminated seafood. We use this information to identify opportunities for holistic approaches to integrated watershed management (IWM) that target overlapping drivers of ill-health in downstream coastal ecosystems and people. We demonstrate that appropriate management requires taking a multi-sector, systems approach that accounts for socio-ecological feedbacks, with collaboration required across environmental, agricultural, public health, and water, sanitation and hygiene sectors, as well as across the land–sea interface. Finally, we provide recommendations of key actions for IWM that can help achieve multiple sustainable development goals for both nature and people on coasts.
New perspective on DNA response pathway (DDR) in glioblastoma, focus on classic biomarkers and emerging roles of ncRNAs
Authors: Pirlog Bianca Oana , Ilut Silvina , Pirlog Radu , Chiroi Paul , Nutu Andreea , Radutiu Delia Ioana , Cuc George Daniel , Berindan-Neagoe Ioana , Nabavi Seyed Fazel , Filosa Rosanna , Nabavi Seyed Mohammad
Published: May 2023

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most frequent type of primary brain cancer, having a median survival of only 15 months. The current standard of care includes a combination of surgery, radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy with temozolomide, but with limited results. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that tumour relapse and resistance to classic therapeutic approaches are common events that occur in the majority of patients, and eventually leading to death. New approaches to better understand the intricated tumour biology involved in GBM are needed in order to develop personalised treatment approaches. Advances in cancer biology have widen our understanding over the GBM genome and allowing a better classification of these tumours based on their molecular profile.

Methods

A new targeted therapeutic approach that is currently investigated in multiple clinical trials in GBM is represented by molecules that target various defects in the DNA damage repair (DDR) pathway, a mechanism activated by endogenous and exogenous factors that induce alteration of DNA, and is involved for the development of chemotherapy and RT resistance. This intricate pathway is regulated by p53, two important kinases ATR and ATM and non-coding RNAs including microRNAs, long-non-coding RNAs and circular RNAs that regulate the expression of all the proteins involved in the pathway.

Results

Currently, the most studied DDR inhibitors are represented by PARP inhibitors (PARPi) with important results in ovarian and breast cancer. PARPi are a class of tumour agnostic drugs that showed their efficacy also in other localisations such as colon and prostate tumours that have a molecular signature associated with genomic instability. These inhibitors induce the accumulation of intracellular DNA damage, cell cycle arrest, mitotic catastrophe and apoptosis.

Conclusions

This study aims to provide an integrated image of the DDR pathway in glioblastoma under physiological and treatment pressure with a focus of the regulatory roles of ncRNAs. The DDR inhibitors are emerging as an important new therapeutic approach for tumours with genomic instability and alterations in DDR pathways. The first clinical trials with PARPi in GBM are currently ongoing and will be presented in the article. Moreover, we consider that by incorporating the regulatory network in the DDR pathway in GBM we can fill the missing gaps that limited previous attempts to effectively target it in brain tumours. An overview of the importance of ncRNAs in GBM and DDR physiology and how they are interconnected is presented.