bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Insight into the ionic liquid tetraphenylphosphine salt on the processability improvement for PEEK
Authors: He Huiwen , Ding Hanlin , Zeng Xiaoqiang , Ma Meng , Shi Yanqin , Shi Haibing , Chen Si , Wang Xu
Published: May 2023

In this article, a high‐temperature resistant ionic liquid ([(Ph)4P]+[N(CF3SO3)2]−) was introduced into PEEK to improve its processing performance. The effect of the IL on the rheology, crystalline, thermal, and mechanical properties of PEEK was analyzed. The rheological results show that the viscosity of PEEK decreases after adding IL, and the complex viscosity of PEEK decreases to 490 Pa s after adding 5 wt% IL, which is 15% lower than that of neat PEEK. Besides, it was found that adding a small amount of IL improved the crystallization ability of PEEK, shortened the crystallization time, and increased the tensile strength of PEEK blends. Additionally, IL has no significant effect on the molecular weight and degradation temperature of PEEK. In summary, adding IL into the PEEK matrix reduces the melt viscosity of PEEK, providing a reference for improving the processing fluidity of PEEK.
One‐Particle and Excitonic Band Structure in Cubic Boron Arsenide
Authors: Acharya Swagata , Pashov Dimitar , Katsnelson Mikhail I. , van Schilfgaarde Mark
Published: May 2023

Cubic BAs has received recent attention for its large electron and hole mobilities and large thermal conductivity. This is a rare and much desired combination in semiconductor industry: commercial semiconductors typically have high electron mobilities, or hole mobilities, or large thermal conductivities, but not all of them together. Herein, predictions from an advanced self‐consistent many‐body perturbative theory are reported and it is shown that with respect to one‐particle properties, BAs is strikingly similar to Si. There are some important differences, notably there is an unusually small variation in the valence band masses. With respect to two‐particle properties, significant differences with Si appear. The excitonic spectrum for both q = 0 and finite q is reported, and it is shown that while the direct gap in cubic BAs is about 4 eV, dark excitons can be observed down to about ≈1.5 eV, which may play a crucial role in application of BAs in optoelectronics.
Morphology and Performance Enhancement through the Strong Passivation Effect of Amphoteric Ions in Tin‐based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Ryu Du Hyeon , Khan Nasir , Park Jong‐Goo , Paik Dooam , Kang Bong Joo , Jeon Nam Joong , Lee Seungjin , Lee Hang Ken , Lee Sang Kyu , Shin Won Suk , Lee Jong‐Cheol , Kim Hyungjun , Hong Ki‐Ha , Im Sang Hyuk , Song Chang Eun
Published: May 2023

Despite the optoelectronic similarities between tin and lead halide perovskites, the performance of tin‐based perovskite solar cells remains far behind, with the highest reported efficiency to date being ≈14%. This is highly correlated to the instability of tin halide perovskite, as well as the rapid crystallization behavior in perovskite film formation. In this work, l‐Asparagine as a zwitterion plays a dual role in controlling the nucleation/crystallization process and improving the morphology of perovskite film. Furthermore, tin perovskites with l‐Asparagine show more favorable energy‐level matching, enhancing the charge extraction and minimizing the charge recombination, leading to an enhanced power conversion efficiency of 13.31% (from 10.54% without l‐Asparagine) with remarkable stability. These results are also in good agreement with the density functional theory calculations. This work not only provides a facile and efficient approach to controlling the crystallization and morphology of perovskite film but also offers guidelines for further improved performance of tin‐based perovskite electronic devices.
3D Graphene Composite Foams for Efficient and Stable Solar Desalination of High‐Salinity Brine
Authors: He Yujian , Zhao Demin , Wang Heng , Gong Xiaole , Ding Meichun , Duan Zhenying , Lin Tianhao , Wei Rui , Liu Jingquan , Li Chenwei
Published: May 2023

Solar‐driven interfacial evaporation (SIE) is a promising desalination technology that utilizes solar energy and seawater. However, most SIE systems are limited by high cost, complex fabrication, and low salt tolerance. Herein, a simple method is presented for preparing a 3D graphene/carbon nanotubes/polypyrrole foam (GCPF) evaporator that exhibits high evaporation efficiency, excellent mechanical performance, and stable solar desalination of high‐salinity brine. The excellent processability of melamine foam enables the easy preparation of the 3D GCPF, which exhibits an enhanced evaporation rate of 4.012 kg m−2 h−1 and a photothermal conversion efficiency of 97.8% under one sun irradiation. Compared with the 2D sample, the GCPF‐3 evaporator utilizes solar energy more efficiently and maintains higher evaporation performance even when the light angle changes. Moreover, the 3D GCPF shows remarkable salt tolerance and durability, achieving a stable evaporation rate of 4.005 kg m−2 h−1 for 30 h with a salinity of 25 wt%, which is the best‐reported result among solar desalination systems. This work provides new insights into the design of 3D graphene composite foams and demonstrates their potential applications in continuous solar desalination.
Optimized Prediction Model for the Granulation Effectiveness of Sintering Mixtures
Authors: Dai Fanglei , Fan Xiaohui , Huang Xiaoxian , Chen Xuling , Gan Min , Ji Zhiyun , Sun Zengqing , Peng Zitang
Published: May 2023

The optimization model is proposed on the basis of the Litster's granulation model for the prediction of the granulation effectiveness of the sinter feed. Formulas are proposed to calculate parameters for the adhesive layer of the granules, including its mass‐averaged particle size and the water saturation. Based on small‐scale granulation and sieving experiments, a functional correlation is established that relates the granules properties to the distribution coefficient curve, confirming the validity of the model. The prediction of model is discussed with adhesive layer boundary conditions of −0.25, −0.5, and −1.0 mm, and when the boundary is −0.5 mm, the relative error is minimal. The optimization of the distribution coefficient curve based on the binomial interpolation method can make the model achieve a hit rate of 92.9%. Based on this model, the granulation effectiveness of the mixtures could be evaluated.
Effect of La Content on Inclusion Morphology in Automobile Sulfur‐Containing Gear Steel SCr420H
Authors: Sun Meng , Jiang Zhouhua , Li Yang , Chen Changyong , Mao Yunqie , Ma Shuai , Wang Yucheng , Liu Hang
Published: May 2023

The inclusion morphology of sulfur‐containing gear steel with different La addition (0, 0.08, 0.5, and 1%) is investigated in laboratory experiments. The La and S concentrations in steel melt significantly decrease with the holding time after La addition increases, leading to different types of inclusions with specific shapes. Inclusion transformation routes with the holding time increased under different La addition are summarized as follows: 1) 0%La addition: cluster‐like Al2O3 + cluster‐like MnS → irregular block‐like MgAl2O4 + cluster‐like MnS; 2) 0.08%La addition: cluster‐like LaAlO3 + spherical‐like La‐Al‐O‐S‐(MnS) → spherical‐like La‐Al‐O‐S‐(MnS) + spherical‐like La‐Al‐O‐S‐(MgO)‐(MnS) + cluster‐like MnS; 3) 0.5%La addition: flower‐like La‐O + spherical‐like La‐O‐S → spherical‐like La‐O‐S; and 4) 1%La addition: flower‐like La‐O + spherical‐like La‐O‐S → spherical‐like La‐O‐S + cubic‐like La‐O‐S‐N‐As. The results of hot compression suggest that La‐containing inclusions are less prone to the shape change than MnS; moreover, microcracks are formed at the surface of La‐containing inclusions. The nanoindentation test demonstrates that the hardness of La‐O‐S is higher than MnS. The high La addition has a remarkable effect on refractory degradation. For 0.5% and 1% La, dissolved La reacts with the MgAl2O4 phase in the MgO‐MgAl2O4 dual‐phase refractory and changes into LaAlO3.
Non‐Covalent Interaction‐Controlled Site‐Selective C−H Transformations
Authors: Kuninobu Yoichiro
Published: May 2023

Site‐selective C−H transformations are important to obtain desired compounds as single products in a highly efficient manner. However, it is generally difficult to achieve such transformations because organic substrates contain many C−H bonds with similar reactivities. Therefore, the development of practical and efficient methods for controlling site selectivity is highly desirable. The most frequently used strategy is “directing group method”. Although this method is highly effective and promotes site‐selective reactions, it has several limitations. Our group recently reported other methods to achieve site‐selective C−H transformations using non‐covalent interactions between a substrate and a reagent or a catalyst and a substrate (non‐covalent method). In this personal account, the background of site‐selective C−H transformations, our reaction design to achieve site‐selective C−H transformations, and recently reported reactions are explained.
Bayesian uncertainty quantification framework for wake model calibration and validation with historical wind farm power data
Authors: Aerts Frederik , Lanzilao Luca , Meyers Johan
Published: May 2023

The expected growth in wind energy capacity requires efficient and accurate models for wind farm layout optimization, control, and annual energy predictions. Although analytical wake models are widely used for these applications, several model components must be better understood to improve their accuracy. To this end, we propose a Bayesian uncertainty quantification framework for physics‐guided data‐driven model enhancement. The framework incorporates turbulence‐related aleatoric uncertainty in historical wind farm data, epistemic uncertainty in the empirical parameters, and systematic uncertainty due to unmodeled physics. We apply the framework to the wake expansion parametrization in the Gaussian wake model and employ historical power data of the Westermost Rough Offshore Wind Farm. We find that the framework successfully distinguishes the three sources of uncertainty in the joint posterior distribution of the parameters. On the one hand, the framework allows for wake model calibration by selecting the maximum a posteriori estimators for the empirical parameters. On the other hand, it facilitates model validation by separating the measurement error and the model error distribution. In addition, the model adequacy and the effect of unmodeled physics are assessable via the posterior parameter uncertainty and correlations. Consequently, we believe that the Bayesian uncertainty quantification framework can be used to calibrate and validate existing and upcoming physics‐guided models.
A multimodal scanner coupling XRF, UV–Vis–NIR photoluminescence and Vis–NIR–SWIR reflectance imaging spectroscopy for cultural heritage studies
Authors: Moreau R. , Calligaro T. , Pichon L. , Moignard B. , Hermon S. , Reiche I.
Published: May 2023

Scanning x‐ray fluorescence (MA‐XRF), Reflectance Imaging Spectroscopy (RIS) and Luminescence Imaging Spectroscopy (LIS) are scientific methods extensively used in the investigation of artworks in Cultural Heritage Science. Nevertheless, these three highly complementary imaging methods have never been implemented in a single instrument. In this paper, we present a scanning system that is the first to simultaneously combine MA‐XRF, RIS, and LIS techniques, generating spatially aligned hyperspectral datasets. The specifications of the instrument and of the collected datacubes are described, together with the processing pipeline developed for the coupled exploitation and interpretation. The operation of this instrument, combining XRF with RIS and LIS mapping in an extended range (400–2500 nm and 200–1000 nm, respectively), is exemplified on an anonymous test painting, studied previously. A focus on a restored area of this painting allows to illustrates the complementarity of the three aforementioned methods, for the visualization and characterization of pigments, varnish, and binders.
Web-Scale Semantic Product Search with Large Language Models
Authors: Muhamed Aashiq , Srinivasan Sriram , Teo Choon-Hui , Cui Qingjun , Zeng Belinda , Chilimbi Trishul , Vishwanathan S. V. N.
Published: May 2023

Dense embedding-based semantic matching is widely used in e-commerce product search to address the shortcomings of lexical matching such as sensitivity to spelling variants. The recent advances in BERT-like language model encoders, have however, not found their way to realtime search due to the strict inference latency requirement imposed on e-commerce websites. While bi-encoder BERT architectures enable fast approximate nearest neighbor search, training them effectively on query-product data remains a challenge due to training instabilities and the persistent generalization gap with cross-encoders. In this work, we propose a four-stage training procedure to leverage large BERT-like models for product search while preserving low inference latency. We introduce query-product interaction pre-finetuning to effectively pretrain BERT bi-encoders for matching and improve generalization. Through offline experiments on an e-commerce product dataset, we show that a distilled small BERT-based model (75M params) trained using our approach improves the search relevance metric by up to 23% over a baseline DSSM-based model with similar inference latency. The small model only suffers a 3% drop in relevance metric compared to the 20x larger teacher. We also show using online A/B tests at scale, that our approach improves over the production model in exact and substitute products retrieved.
Compactifying the Kerr-Schild double copy
Authors: Dempsey Ross , Weck Peter
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We show that the classical double copy relationship for Kerr-Schild spacetimes can be dimensionally reduced to give a natural notion of the double copy for Kaluza-Klein theory with gravity coupled to a gauge field and a dilaton. Under dimensional reduction the Kerr-Schild (KS) ansatz becomes the stringy Kerr-Schild (sKS) ansatz introduced by Wu. This ansatz captures many Kaluza-Klein black hole solutions, including single-charge black holes arising in both gauged and ungauged supergravity theories. We identify the single copy gauge field and scalar field of an arbitrary sKS solution. We show that the boost-reduction procedure for generating charged black hole solutions can be generalized to any stationary KS seed, and used to combine the metric with the zeroth and single copies of that seed into a single sKS solution. Furthermore, we comment on multi-charge solutions that can be written in a multi-sKS form, proposing a double copy interpretation involving multiple single copy sectors.
Spontaneous scale symmetry breaking at high temperature
Authors: Lalak Z. , Michalak P.
Published: May 2023

Abstract

We consider a scale symmetric extension of the Standard Model Higgs scalar sector. The new sector, dilaton, is responsible for the generation of mass scales and may have geometric origin in the Weyl gravity $$ {\overset{\sim }{R}}^2 $$

R
~

2

term. We show how temperature as a mass scale breaks scale symmetry explicitly and through a nonvanishing thermal vev. In addition we demonstrate that cosmological evolution of the dilaton-Higgs system can lead to late time mass scales, which agree with the Standard Model.
Identification of canonical models for vectors of time series: a subspace approach
Authors: Garcia-Hiernaux Alfredo , Casals Jose , Jerez Miguel
Published: May 2023

We propose a new method to specify linear models for vectors of time series with some convenient properties. First, it provides a unified modeling approach for single and multiple time series, as the same decisions are required in both cases. Second, it is scalable, meaning that it provides a quick preliminary model, which can be refined in subsequent modeling phases if required. Third, it is optionally automatic, because the specification depends on a few key parameters which can be determined either automatically or by human decision. And last, it is parsimonious, as it allows one to choose and impose a canonical structure by a novel estimation procedure. Several examples with simulated and real data illustrate its application in practice.
Low incidence of recurrence and chronic pain after groin hernia repair in adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Reistrup Hugin , Andresen Kristoffer , Rosenberg Jacob
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The best operative management of groin hernia in adolescents is uncertain. The aim of this systematic review was to assess recurrence and chronic pain after mesh versus non-mesh repair for groin hernia in adolescents.

Methods

A systematic search was done in PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane CENTRAL in May 2022 for studies reporting postoperative chronic pain (≥6 months) or recurrence after groin hernia repair in adolescents aged 10–17 years. We included randomized controlled trials and observational studies on primary unilateral or bilateral groin hernia repair. Risk of bias was assessed with the Cochrane risk-of-bias tool and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Meta-analysis of the incidence of recurrence was conducted. This review is reported according to PRISMA guideline.

Results

A total of 21 studies including 3,816 adolescents with groin hernias were included comprising two randomized controlled trials, six prospective, and 13 retrospective cohort studies. For non-mesh repairs, the weighted mean incidence proportion of recurrence was 1.6% (95% CI 0.6–2.5) after 2,167 open repairs and 1.9% (95% CI 1.1–2.8) after 1,033 laparoscopic repairs. For mesh repairs, it was 0.6% (95% CI 0.0–1.4) after 406 open repairs while there were no recurrences after 347 laparoscopic repairs (95% CI 0.0–0.6). Across all surgical techniques, the rate of chronic pain after 1,153 repairs ranged from 0 to 11%. Follow-up time varied and was reported in various ways.

Conclusion

The incidences of recurrence after groin hernia repair in adolescents were low for both open and laparoscopic mesh and non-mesh repairs. Rates of postoperative chronic pain were low.

Trial registration

PROSPERO: CRD42022130554.
Asymptotics of the Hypergraph Bipartite Turán Problem
Authors: Bradač Domagoj , Gishboliner Lior , Janzer Oliver , Sudakov Benny
Published: May 2023

For positive integers s, t, r, let $$K_{s,t}^{(r)}$$

K

s
,
t

(
r
)

denote the r-uniform hypergraph whose vertex set is the union of pairwise disjoint sets $$X,Y_1,\dots ,Y_t$$

X
,

Y
1

,
⋯
,

Y
t

, where $$|X| = s$$

|
X
|
=
s

and $$|Y_1| = \dots = |Y_t| = r-1$$

|

Y
1

|
=
⋯
=
|

Y
t

|
=
r
-
1

, and whose edge set is $$\{\{x\} \cup Y_i: x \in X, 1\le i\le t\}$$

{

{
x
}

∪

Y
i

:
x
∈
X
,
1
≤
i
≤
t
}

. The study of the Turán function of $$K_{s,t}^{(r)}$$

K

s
,
t

(
r
)

received considerable interest in recent years. Our main results are as follows. First, we show that $$\begin{aligned} \textrm{ex}\left( n,K_{s,t}^{(r)}\right) = O_{s,r}\left( t^{\frac{1}{s-1}}n^{r - \frac{1}{s-1}}\right) \end{aligned}$$

ex

n
,

K

s
,
t

(
r
)

=

O

s
,
r

t

1

s
-
1

n

r
-

1

s
-
1

for all $$s,t\ge 2$$

s
,
t
≥
2

and $$r\ge 3$$

r
≥
3

, improving the power of n in the previously best bound and resolving a question of Mubayi and Verstraëte about the dependence of $$\textrm{ex}(n,K_{2,t}^{(3)})$$

ex
(
n
,

K

2
,
t

(
3
)

)

on t. Second, we show that (1) is tight when r is even and $$t \gg s$$

t
≫
s

. This disproves a conjecture of Xu, Zhang and Ge. Third, we show that (1) is not tight for $$r = 3$$

r
=
3

, namely that $$\textrm{ex}(n,K_{s,t}^{(3)}) = O_{s,t}(n^{3 - \frac{1}{s-1} - \varepsilon _s})$$

ex

(
n
,

K

s
,
t

(
3
)

)

=

O

s
,
t

(

n

3
-

1

s
-
1

-

ε
s

)

(for all $$s\ge 3$$

s
≥
3

). This indicates that the behaviour of $$\textrm{ex}(n,K_{s,t}^{(r)})$$

ex
(
n
,

K

s
,
t

(
r
)

)

might depend on the parity of r. Lastly, we prove a conjecture of Ergemlidze, Jiang and Methuku on the hypergraph analogue of the bipartite Turán problem for graphs with bounded degrees on one side. Our tools include a novel twist on the dependent random choice method as well as a variant of the celebrated norm graphs constructed by Kollár, Rónyai and Szabó.
Temporal resolution of climate pressures on façades in Oxford 1815–2021
Authors: Brimblecombe Peter , Richards Jenny
Published: May 2023

Changes in climate will exert increasing pressure on heritage, so standard climate metrics need to be tuned to heritage threats. Historical meteorological records are commonly available as monthly summaries, with few offering daily observations as daily readings may not have been taken or yet digitised. As data averaged over longer intervals misses short weather events, we investigate the extent to which temporal resolution is important for assessing climate pressures on façades. The Radcliffe Meteorological Station, Oxford, UK, provides the longest continual record of daily temperature and precipitation measurements in the UK. We use this record to assess the role of temporal scale in heritage climate parameters relating to (i) sunshine and warmth, (ii) rainy days and (iii) freezing events. Where there is a linear relationship between daily and monthly scale data, monthly observations can be interpolated as heritage climate parameters. However, for the majority of parameters, daily data was required to capture the variability in the datasets. We argue for the increased availability of daily observations to help assess the threat of climate to heritage.
Aging and regional productivity growth in Germany
Authors: Bode Eckhardt , Dohse Dirk , Stolzenburg Ulrich
Published: May 2023

We investigate the effects of aging on regional productivity growth, the mechanisms and the strength of which are not well-understood. We focus on two different manifestations of population aging—workforce aging and an increasing share of retirees—and investigate channels through which aging may impact on regional productivity growth for a panel of German counties 2000–2019. We find that workforce aging is more negatively associated with productivity growth in urban than in nonurban regions. A likely reason is that aging is detrimental to innovative and knowledge-intensive activities, which are heavily concentrated in cities. We also find a negative association between the share of the retired population and productivity growth in regions with a small household services sector. A likely reason is that older people’s disproportionate demand for local household services (including health care, recreation) requires a re-allocation of resources from more productive manufacturing or business services to less productive household services. Regions specialized more in highly productive industries have more to lose in this process.
Large effective size as determinant of population persistence in Anostraca (Crustacea: Branchiopoda)
Authors: Sainz-Escudero Lucía , Vila Marta , Perea Silvia , García-París Mario
Published: May 2023

The fairy shrimpBranchinectella media, because of its passive dispersal capacity and scarce and irregularly distributed habitats (temporary saline aquatic systems), is an intriguing organism from a population genomics and conservation perspective. Stochasticity of dispersal events and the irregular distribution of its habitat might lead to low levels of population connectivity and genetic diversity, and consequently, populations with limited persistence through time. Indeed, by using genomic data (SNPs), we found a strong genetic structure among some of the geographically isolated Iberian populations ofB. media.Interestingly, we also obtained high estimates of effective population sizes. Lack of suitable habitat between populations (absence of a “stepping stone” network) and strong genetic differentiation suggest limited dispersal success inB. media. However, the high effective population sizes observed ensure persistence ofB. mediapopulations against genetic stochasticity (genetic drift). These results indicate that rescue-effect might not be essential for population persistence if they maintain high effective population sizes able to hold adequate levels of genetic diversity. Should high population sizes be reported in other low dispersing Anostraca, one might be optimistic with regard to their conservation status and fate, provided that their natural habitats remain undisturbed.
Sealed-bid versus ascending spectrum auctions
Authors: Bedard Nicholas C. , Goeree Jacob K. , Louis Philippos , Zhang Jingjing
Published: May 2023

We compare the first-price sealed-bid (FPSB) auction and the simultaneous multiple-round auction (SMRA) in an environment based on the recent sale of 900 MHz spectrum in Australia. Three bidders compete for five indivisible items. Bidders can win at most three items and need to obtain at least two to achieve profitable scale, i.e. items are complements. Value complementarities, which are a common feature of spectrum auctions, exacerbate the “fitting problem” and undermine the usual logic for superior price discovery in the SMRA. We find that the FPSB outperforms the SMRA across a range of bidding environments: in terms of efficiency, revenue, and protecting bidders from losses due to the exposure problem. Moreover, the FPSB exhibits superior price discovery and almost always results in competitive (“core”) prices unlike the SMRA, which frequently produces prices that are too low because of demand-reduction or too high because of the exposure problem. We demonstrate the robustness of our findings by considering two-stage variants of the FPSB and SMRA as well as environments in which bidders know their own values but not the distributions from which values are drawn.
Genetic diversity among and within tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) landraces grown in Southern Italy
Authors: Caramante Martina , Rouphael Youssef , Corrado Giandomenico
Published: May 2023

Landraces can be defined as locally adapted cultivated forms of domesticated plant species that have distinctive traits resulting from both environmental adaptation and farmer selection. In tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.), they are important for preserving genetic diversity and as a potential source of adaptive traits that are not found in contemporary commercial varieties. In this work, we analyzed the genetic variability within and between 16 tomato landraces originating in Southern Italy, a secondary center of diversity. We used the highly discriminant (GATA)4 DNA fingerprinting to assess genetic homogeneity, relationship, differentiation, and structure, as well as to infer the occurrence of possible contaminant or admixed genotypes. Within-landrace variability was found in a third of the landraces. The population structure (without using predefined groups) indicated in different instances, a correspondence between fruit type and landraces’ clusters. The results of multivariate and Bayesian analyses showed a low frequency of possible admixed or contaminant genotypes. Moreover, the quantification of intra-landrace variability allowed to estimate the potential loss of diversity in storing tomato landraces as pure lines. Finally, issues related to possible contamination of the germplasm also imply that more thorough assessment of variability is required not only to store genuine diversity but also to exploit tomato landraces in breeding programs.
Food Waste and Power Relations in the Agri-Food Chain. The Fruit Sector in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain)
Authors: Gascón Jordi , Larrea-Killinger Cristina , Solà Carlota
Published: May 2023

Studies of food waste claim that its main causes are technological and logistical deficiencies in the first stages of the agri-food chain. The present article discusses this statement using a specific case as a starting point: the production of fruit in Lleida (Catalonia, Spain). Since the 1980s, fruit production in this region has undergone a process of innovation and development. However, the agents who participate in the sector claim that the wasted volume of edible foodstuffs is greater than in previous times. This article argues that studies of food waste do not consider the power relations existing within the agri-food chain. When these relations are asymmetrical, technological innovation and logistics optimisation do not improve the efficiency of the system; rather, they help the hegemonic players to monopolise the commercial margin and transfer some of their running costs to the weaker agents. The ethnographic data for the study were obtained between 2017 and 2019 using qualitative research techniques.
Comparative analysis of deeply phenotyped GBM cohorts of ‘short-term’ and ‘long-term’ survivors
Authors: Biswas Archita , Salvucci Manuela , Connor Kate , Düssmann Heiko , Carberry Steven , Fichtner Michael , King Ellen , Murphy Brona , O’Farrell Alice C. , Cryan Jane , Beausang Alan , Heffernan Josephine , Cremona Mattia , Hennessy Bryan T. , Clerkin James , Sweeney Kieron J. , MacNally Steve , Brett Francesca , O’Halloran Philip , Bacon Orna , Furney Simon , Verreault Maite , Quissac Emie , Bielle Franck , Ahmed Mohammed H. , Idbaih Ahmed , Leenstra Sieger , Ntafoulis Ioannis , Fabro Federica , Lamfers Martine , Golebiewska Anna , Hertel Frank , Niclou Simone P. , Yen Romain Tching Chi , Kremer Andreas , Dilcan Gonca , Lodi Francesca , Arijs Ingrid , Lambrechts Diether , Purushothama Manasa Kalya , Kel Alexander , Byrne Annette T. , Prehn Jochen H.M.
Published: May 2023

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer that typically results in death in the first 15 months after diagnosis. There have been limited advances in finding new treatments for GBM. In this study, we investigated molecular differences between patients with extremely short (≤ 9 months, Short term survivors, STS) and long survival (≥ 36 months, Long term survivors, LTS).

Methods

Patients were selected from an in-house cohort (GLIOTRAIN-cohort), using defined inclusion criteria (Karnofsky score > 70; age < 70 years old; Stupp protocol as first line treatment, IDH wild type), and a multi-omic analysis of LTS and STS GBM samples was performed.

Results

Transcriptomic analysis of tumour samples identified cilium gene signatures as enriched in LTS. Moreover, Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed the presence of cilia in the tumours of LTS. Notably, reverse phase protein array analysis (RPPA) demonstrated increased phosphorylated GAB1 (Y627), SRC (Y527), BCL2 (S70) and RAF (S338) protein expression in STS compared to LTS. Next, we identified 25 unique master regulators (MR) and 13 transcription factors (TFs) belonging to ontologies of integrin signalling and cell cycle to be upregulated in STS.

Conclusion

Overall, comparison of STS and LTS GBM patients, identifies novel biomarkers and potential actionable therapeutic targets for the management of GBM.

Graphical abstract
Classification of pain intensity with the pain beliefs and perceptions inventory (PBPI) and the pain catastrophizing scales (PCS)
Authors: Blanch Angel , Solé Sílvia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The pain beliefs and perceptions inventory (PBPI) and the pain catastrophizing scales (PCS) characterize beliefs or distress dimensions of the pain experience. It is relatively unknown, however, to what degree the PBPI and the PCS are well suited to classifying pain intensity.

Methods

This study applied a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) approach to these instruments against the criterion of a visual analogue scale (VAS) of pain intensity with fibromyalgia and chronic back pain patients (n = 419).

Results

The largest areas under the curve (AUC) were moderate and limited to the constancy subscale (71%) and total score (70%) of the PBPI and to the helplessness subscale (75%) and total score (72%) of the PCS. The best cut-off scores for the PBPI and PCS were better off at detecting true negatives than true positives, with larger specificity than sensitivity values.

Conclusion

Whereas, the PBPI and PCS are certainly useful instruments to evaluate diverse pain experiences, they may be inappropriate to classify intensity. The PCS performs marginally better than the PBPI for classifying pain intensity.
The Role of Savings and Income Diversification in Households’ Resilience Strategies: Evidence from Rural Vietnam
Authors: Do Manh Hung
Published: May 2023

Understanding households’ resilience-building strategies is vital for the domains of humanitarian assistance, economic development, and poverty reduction, especially in the places where are vulnerable to shocks. In this study, we offer the first trial that takes into account the correlation between households’ risk attitude and their resilience-building strategies, namely savings as an absorptive capacity and income diversification as an adaptive capacity. We examine the effects of these resilience strategies on reducing the impacts of shocks and poverty. We use a panel data of 1227 identical households for Vietnam in two waves of the Thailand–Vietnam Socio-Economic Panel project to investigate the above issues. We address the endogenous problems of households’ risk attitude, savings, and income diversification. Our results show that more risk-averse households tend to save more and diversify their income portfolios. These precautionary strategies to build up their resilience capacity help prevent them from reducing consumption caused by shocks and from falling into poverty in absolute, relative, and multidimensional measures. We suggest that rural development policies in developing countries should focus on facilitating more income generation and employment opportunities. Furthermore, the development of rural education and infrastructure for information and communication technology should be taken into account of designing poverty reduction programs.
Joint Distributions of Local Pore Space Properties Quantitatively Explain Simulated Air Flow Variations in Paper
Authors: Leitl Peter , Charry Eduardo Machado , Baikova Ekaterina , Neumann Matthias , Hirn Ulrich , Schmidt Volker , Zojer Karin
Published: May 2023

The gas flow through sheet-like porous materials such as paper can show marked lateral variations due to a heterogeneous, locally varying microstructure. Hence, reliable predictions of such lateral flux variations require an appropriate consideration of local variations in the microstructure. The flow through such sheet-like materials is commonly described with Darcy’s law in which permeances are formulated in terms of microstructure properties, such as porosities, tortuosities, or hydraulic radii. This work proposes an extension of existing permeance models that directly considers the variation and the cross-dependence between local microstructure properties. The extended model is applied to local air fluxes through a paper sheet to exemplarily reveal the joint impact of local porosities and local tortuosities on the air flux. The key extension is to consider a joint distribution of porosity and tortuosity. The latter is constructed from the univariate property distributions using a copula approach and yields local tortuosities including their variation for any encountered local porosity. These values jointly enter any permeance model that qualitatively captures the dependence of the air flux on the porosity. To assess the merit of the model, variations in the air flux and in the pore space properties are independently determined from the same measured microstructure of paper. Air flux variations are provided by computational fluid dynamics simulations on multiple, nonoverlapping segments taken from the microstructure. A statistical analysis of the entire microstructure provides the distribution of local porosity, tortuosity, and thicknesses. Our model quantitatively explains that porosity-dependent variations in the tortuosity, in particular the ones associated with high-volume pathways, decisively determine air flux variations.
Life cycle environmental impact assessment of lab-scale preparation of porous alumina pellets as substrate for hydrogen separation metal layer-based membranes
Authors: Battiston Simone , Fiameni Stefania , Fasolin Stefano , Barison Simona , Armelao Lidia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The study aimed to identify the environmental hotspots of lab-scale preparation of high purity porous Al2O3 pellets with suitable feature to work properly as metal layer-based deposition substrates for hydrogen separation membranes. The work intention was providing hints that may help the designing of upscaled systems, fundamental for the development of a possible future industrial production of hydrogen separation metal layer-based membranes technology.

Methods

The goal of this study was achieved assessing and analyzing environmental impacts of Al2O3 pellet production at lab scale. Primary data were collected in Padua laboratories of National Research Council of Italy. Secondary data were retrieved from Ecoinvent 3.7 database. Life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed using Environmental Footprint 3.0 method employing SimaPro 9.3 as software. Moreover, the CML LCIA method v. 4.7 was used to verify the robustness analysis of characterized results.

Results

Life cycle impact assessment highlighted as the main driver of environmental impacts was mainly associated to the pellet consolidation process and their morphological characterization stage. In particular, the impact of the first energy consuming process resulted strictly related to the peculiar energy mix used (linked to the laboratory geographical location). Conversely, morphological characterization stage was found to affect mainly the mineral resource depletion category due to the Au coating used for performing scanning electron microscope (SEM) analyses.

Conclusions

The study identified the environmental hotspots related to lab-scale preparation of porous alumina pellets as substrate for hydrogen separation metal layer-based membranes. The optimization strategies evaluated in this work were addressed to improve the environmental profile of experimental activities considering several scenarios, in view of a possible industrial scale-up.
Are the Use and Addiction to Social Networks Associated with Disordered Eating Among Adolescents? Findings from the EHDLA Study
Authors: López-Gil José Francisco , Chen Sitong , Jiménez-López Estela , Abellán-Huerta José , Herrera-Gutiérrez Eva , Royo Josefa María Panisello , Mesas Arthur Eumann , Tárraga-López Pedro J.
Published: May 2023

The objective of this study was to examine whether the use and addiction of social networks are associated with disordered eating in Spanish adolescents. A cross-sectional study was carried out using data from the Eating Healthy and Daily Life Activities study. The final sample included 653 adolescents (44.0% boys). Social network use (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok) was evaluated by a single item scale with multiple response options. The Short Social Networks Addiction Scale-6 Symptoms was used to determine addiction to social networks. Disordered eating behaviors were assessed with the Sick, Control, One, Fat, Food scale. Adolescents with high social network use had greater odds of disordered eating (odds ratio [OR] = 1.88, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 1.17–3.02). Adolescents with high social network addictive behaviors also showed a higher likelihood of presenting disordered eating (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.34–3.12). Social network use and addiction must be considered factors related to disordered eating among adolescents.
Entwicklung eines Fragebogens zur Messung der kommunalen Kapazitäten für partizipative Bewegungsprogramme: eine Think-aloud-Studie
Authors: Till Maike , Abu-Omar Karim , Streber Anna , Fleuren Tobias , Herbert-Maul Annika , Reimers Anne K. , Ziemainz Heiko
Published: May 2023

Hintergrund

Für die Gesundheitsförderung und Prävention hat die Lebenswelt Kommune eine zentrale Bedeutung. Hierbei spielt es eine wichtige Rolle, über welche Kapazitäten eine Kommune verfügt, um Menschen durch Gesundheitsförderung zu erreichen. Wenn es um die Skalierung von Projekten der Bewegungsförderung (BIG [Bewegung als Investition in Gesundheit] und GESTALT [Gehen, Spielen und Tanzen Als Lebenslange Tätigkeiten]) in Kommunen geht, ist es daher wichtig, ein Evaluationstool zu entwickeln, um solche Kapazitäten messbar zu machen.

Ziel der Arbeit

Im Rahmen dieser Arbeit wurde ein Kapazitätsfragebogen zur eigenständigen Evaluation durch kommunale Akteure entwickelt und im Rahmen einer Think-aloud-Studie überprüft und angepasst.

Methode

Basierend auf bestehenden Evidenzen wurde ein Kapazitätsfragebogen entwickelt, welcher anschließend in einer Think-aloud-Studie durch 6 Koordinator*innen bearbeitet wurde. Die erhobenen Daten wurden anschließend in einer qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse unter Einbezug der Response-process-Theorie analysiert und der Fragebogen angepasst.

Ergebnisse

Von den Teilnehmer*innen wurden insgesamt 81 sog. Errors in 4 Kategorien identifiziert: 1) Verständnis („comprehension“), 2) Abruf („retrieval“), 3) Bewertung („judgement“), 4) Antwort („response“). Diese wurden anschließend angepasst. Der finale Fragebogen zur Evaluation durch die kommunalen Akteure umfasst 63 Items in den sechs Themenbereichen „Beteiligung“, „verantwortliche lokale Führung“, „vorhandene Ressourcen“, „Vernetzung und Kooperation“, „Gesundheitsversorgung“ und „BIG-spezifische Fragen“.

Schlussfolgerung

Der Fragebogen liefert partizipativen Projekten zur Bewegungsförderung im kommunalen Setting eine Möglichkeit zur pragmatischen Messung von Kapazitäten.
The Role of Family Members in Psychiatric Deep Brain Stimulation Trials: More Than Psychosocial Support
Authors: Boulicault Marion , Goering Sara , Klein Eran , Dougherty Darin , Widge Alik S.
Published: May 2023

Family members can provide crucial support to individuals participating in clinical trials. In research on the “newest frontier” of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS)—the use of DBS for psychiatric conditions—family member support is frequently listed as a criterion for trial enrollment. Despite the significance of family members, qualitative ethics research on DBS for psychiatric conditions has focused almost exclusively on the perspectives and experiences of DBS recipients. This qualitative study is one of the first to include both DBS recipients and their family members as interview participants. Using dyadic thematic analysis—an approach that takes both the individuals and the relationship as units of analyses—this study analyzes the complex ways in which family relationships can affect DBS trial participation, and how DBS trial participation in turn influences family relationships. Based on these findings, we propose ways to improve study designs to better take family relationships into account, and better support family members in taking on the complex, essential roles that they play in DBS trials for psychiatric conditions.
Reshaping of thin steel parts by cold and warm flattening
Authors: Farioli Daniele , Fabrizio Matteo , Kaya Ertuğrul , Strano Matteo , Mussi Valerio
Published: May 2023

Approximately half of global steel production is dedicated for manufacturing sheets. Due to global warming, geopolitical instabilities and rising raw material costs, recycling sheet metal is increasingly important. Conventional recycling has inefficiencies, therefore improving material efficiency and adopting circular economy strategies is necessary to halve CO2 emissions by 2050. This paper presents a review of sheet metal reuse techniques and introduces an innovative remanufacturing framework of curved steel sheet, with a special focus on the automotive sector and car-body panels. To support the framework presented, an experimental procedure on small-scale samples was carried out. The material tested was DC 0.4 steel parts (0.8 mm thick) characterized by different curvature radii. The material was reshaped and flattened under different conditions to understand the effect of the process variables onto the final quality of the remanufactured parts. The experiments showed that even parts with small curvatures can be flattened and reshaped with success. Lastly, to support the general remanufacturing framework presented, some flattening simulations of a large car-body are presented, revealing the importance of implementing a dwelling stage in the process and the advantage of performing such process with heated tools.
Constraint degree in revision total knee replacement: a registry study on 1432 patients
Authors: Digennaro V. , Brunello M. , Di Martino A. , Panciera A. , Bordini B. , Bulzacki Bogucki B. D. , Ferri R. , Cecchin D. , Faldini C.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Total knee replacement (TKR) failure represents a hard challenge for knee surgeons. TKR failure can be managed in revision with different constraint, related with soft and bone knee damages. The choice of the right constraint for every failure cause represents a not summarized entity. The purpose of this study is identifying distribution of different constraints in revision TKR (rTKR) for failure cause and the overall survival.

Methods

A registry study based on the Emilia Romagna Register of the Orthopaedic Prosthetic Implants (called RIPO) was performed with a selection of 1432 implants, in the period between 2000 and 2019. Selection implants including primary surgery constraint, failure cause and constraint revision for every patient, and divided for constraint degrees used during procedures (Cruciate Retaining-CR, Posterior Stabilized-PS, Condylar Constrained Knee-CCK, Hinged).

Results

The most common cause of primary TKR failure was aseptic loosening (51,45%), followed by septic loosening (29,12%). Each type of failure was managed with different constraint, the most used was CCK in the most of failure causes, such as to manage aseptic and septic loosening in CR and PS failure. Overall survival of TKA revisions has been calculated at 5 and 10 years for each constraint, with a range of 75.1–90.0% at 5 years and 75.1–87.5% at 10 years.

Conclusion

Constraint degree in rTKR is typically higher than primary, CCK is the most used constraint in revision surgery with an overall survival of 87.5% at 10 years.
Outstanding Geoscientific Sites in Periurban Areas: the Case of Roses Lighthouse Geosite (Cap de Creus, eastern Pyrenees)
Authors: Druguet Elena , Carreras Jordi , Cervera Marina , Mercadé Josep , Espasa Jèssica
Published: May 2023

The coastal cliffs around the Roses Lighthouse (Cap de Creus, Mediterranean Costa Brava) display deformation structures generated during the emplacement of a syntectonic granodiorite and associated rocks (quartzdiorite enclaves and leucocratic dykes). These rocks were subjected to shearing and spectacular shear zones are present, which have been object of several scientific publications. The outcrops are considered of international high scientific value, being regularly visited by researchers and students from several European universities. In 2005, the site was included in the Geosite Inventory of Catalonia, but it does not have any special protection yet, despite decades of efforts to claim the need for protection and conservation in front of the constant deterioration and loss of outcrops due to strong urban and touristic pressure. A project of restoration, access improvement, and dissemination of geological values was finally executed between 2020 and 2021. The Roses case study leads us to the remark that urban and periurban geosites offer a good opportunity for promoting geological research, education, and tourism, provided its protection based on geoconservation criteria and a strong sustainable conservation management plan.