bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Auxiliaries in Old Dutch
Authors: Coussé Evie , Bouma Gerlof , van der Sijs Nicoline
Published: November 2024

This study explores the use of auxiliaries in the oldest text available for Old Dutch, the Wachtendonck Psalter,
dating from the 10th century. Our aim is to understand why there are so few different auxiliaries in this text in comparison to
other texts in Old Dutch. We tackle this question by taking a historical comparative perspective, using methodological insights
and techniques from corpus-based contrastive linguistics and typology. More specifically, we build a diachronic parallel corpus of
psalm translations and compare the contexts in which auxiliaries and inflectional alternatives are used in these parallel texts by
means of multidimensional scaling. Our historical comparative method results in five proximity maps which allow us to explore and
compare the inventory of verb constructions of the Wachtendonck Psalter both retrospectively, with its source text in Latin, and
prospectively, with later translations in Dutch. Our analysis examines the role of grammaticalization as well as the specific
nature of the text as an interlinear translation as possible motivations for the presence and absence of auxiliaries in the
Wachtendonck Psalter.
Host galaxy demographics of individually detectable supermassive black-hole binaries with pulsar timing arrays
Authors: Cella Katharine , Taylor Stephen R , Zoltan Kelley Luke
Published: November 2024

Massive black hole binaries (MBHBs) produce gravitational waves (GWs) that are detectable with pulsar timing arrays. We determine the properties of the host galaxies of simulated MBHBs at the time they are producing detectable GW signals. The population of MBHB systems we evaluate is from the Illustris cosmological simulations taken in tandem with post processing semi-analytic models of environmental factors in the evolution of binaries. Upon evolving to the GW frequency regime accessible by pulsar timing arrays, we calculate the detection probability of each system using a variety of different values for pulsar noise characteristics in a plausible near-future International Pulsar Timing Array dataset. We find that detectable systems have host galaxies that are clearly distinct from the overall binary population and from most galaxies in general. With conservative noise factors, we find that host stellar metallicity, for example, peaks at

∼

2

Z
⊙

as opposed to the total population of galaxies which peaks at

∼

0.6

Z
⊙

. Additionally, the most detectable systems are much brighter in magnitude and more red in color than the overall population, indicating their likely identity as large ellipticals with diminished star formation. These results can be used to develop effective search strategies for identifying host galaxies and electromagnetic counterparts following GW detection by pulsar timing arrays.
Optimizing quantitative photoacoustic imaging systems: the Bayesian Cramér–Rao bound approach
Authors: Scope Crafts Evan , Anastasio Mark A , Villa Umberto
Published: November 2024

Quantitative photoacoustic computed tomography (qPACT) is an emerging medical imaging modality that carries the promise of high-contrast, fine-resolution imaging of clinically relevant quantities like hemoglobin concentration and blood-oxygen saturation. However, qPACT image reconstruction is governed by a multiphysics, partial differential equation (PDE) based inverse problem that is highly non-linear and severely ill-posed. Compounding the difficulty of the problem is the lack of established design standards for qPACT imaging systems, as there is currently a proliferation of qPACT system designs for various applications and it is unknown which ones are optimal or how to best modify the systems under various design constraints. This work introduces a novel computational approach for the optimal experimental design of qPACT imaging systems based on the Bayesian Cramér–Rao bound (CRB). Our approach incorporates several techniques to address challenges associated with forming the bound in the infinite-dimensional function space setting of qPACT, including priors with trace-class covariance operators and the use of the variational adjoint method to compute derivatives of the log-likelihood function needed in the bound computation. The resulting Bayesian CRB based design metric is computationally efficient and independent of the choice of estimator used to solve the inverse problem. The efficacy of the bound in guiding experimental design was demonstrated in a numerical study of qPACT design schemes under a stylized two-dimensional imaging geometry. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work to propose Bayesian CRB based design for systems governed by PDEs.
LDOS of electron pair and the role of the Pauli exclusion principle
Authors: Rusin Tomasz M
Published: November 2024

The local density of states (LDOS) for a pair of non-relativistic electrons, influenced by repulsive Coulomb forces, is expressed in term of one-dimensional integrals over Whittaker functions. The computation of the electron pair’s LDOS relies on a two-particle Green’s function (GF), a generalization of the one-particle GF applicable to a charged particle in an attractive Coulomb potential. By incorporating electron spins and considering the Pauli exclusion principle, the resulting LDOS consists of two components: one originating from an exchange-even two-particle GF and the other from an exchange-odd two-particle GF. The calculated LDOS reveals its dependence on both inter-electron distance and energy. The pseudo-LDOS, derived from the two-body contribution to the LDOS, is examined. This term ensures complete LDOS suppression atr = 0, exhibiting a limited spatial extent, and the reasons for its emergence are elucidated. It is shown that for energies exceeding the effective Hartree energy and inter-electron distances beyond the effective Bohr radius, the impact of many-body contributions to the LDOS can be disregarded. The induced LDOS for an electron pair subjected to an attractive contact potential in two dimensions is evaluated. At small distancesafrom the potential center, a predicted relative difference in LDOS between even and odd state pair reaches approximately 8%. The calculated LDOS is compared with available experimental findings from a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Both exhibit similar oscillation periods; however, the LDOS of the electron pair decays as1/a3, significantly faster than the1/adecay observed for free electrons in a 2DEG.
Chronic bronchitis and bronchial asthma: the impact of chronic occupational radiation exposure on incidence and mortality of Mayak nuclear workers
Authors: Zhuntova Galina V , Azizova Tamara V , Bannikova Maria V
Published: November 2024

The information about the radiation risk of non-cancer respiratory diseases is inconsistent and mainly corresponds to mortality. Previously, the cohort of workers employed at the first Russian nuclear facility Mayak Production Association who were occupationally exposed to gamma rays (externally) and to alpha-active plutonium aerosols (internally) over prolonged periods demonstrated an increased risk of chronic bronchitis (CB) incidence. Within this retrospective cohort study, we performed analyses of incidence of and mortality from CB and bronchial asthma (BA) using improved estimates of radiation doses provided by the ‘Mayak Worker Dosimetry System (MWDS)—2013’. The cohort included 22 377 individuals hired in 1948–1982, and its follow-up was extended by 10 years (to the end of 2018). The excess relative risk of CB incidence per unit of accumulated lung-absorbed radiation dose (ERR/Gy) and the 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were: with the 0 year lag, ERR/Gy was 0.07 (95% CI −0.01, 0.17) for gamma exposure and 0.36 (95% CI 0.13, 0.68) for alpha exposure; with the 10 year lag, ERR/Gy was 0.15 (95% CI 0.04, 0.30) for gamma exposure and 0.54 (95% CI 0.19, 1.03) for alpha exposure. No strong evidence was found indicating that gamma and alpha exposure considerably impacted the risk of mortality from CB. The study confirmed the significant positive linear association of the CB incidence risk with gamma and alpha radiation doses from occupational chronic external and internal exposure. However, the estimates of ERR/Gy of alpha particles from internal exposure appeared to be almost three times lower than those based on the MWDS–2008 doses. The observed inconsistency requires further clarification. As for BA in Mayak workers, no association was demonstrated in the incidence and mortality risks with occupational gamma and alpha radiation exposure.
Raman spectroscopy and SERS for determining the relative age of fossil resins
Authors: Zyubin Andrey , Kundalevich Anna , Zozulya Aleksandr , Demishkevich Elizaveta , Bahdasarau Maksim , Zubareva Stanislava , Byichkova Yana , Ivan Borisov , Bogdan Onishchenko , Mazcova Olga , Samusev Ilia
Published: November 2024

This paper presents Raman data from studies on 27 fossil resin samples sourced from different geographical locations and representing various relative ages. Ages ranging from the Late Triassic (T3) to the modern period (Q4) were investigated. The primary method for estimating the age of the resins involved determining the ratio ν(C = C)/σ(CH2), which was 1650–1600 cm−1 and 1450 cm−1 respectively, making it possible to differentiate between fossil resins from T3 and K1 and those from Q and Q4. Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, combined with machine learning algorithms, was used to further clarify the differences between the consecutive K1 and K2 ages.
Optical characterization of parasitic motion in a long-stroke shaker
Authors: Strait Jared H , Allen Richard A
Published: November 2024

We present an optical scheme to simultaneously characterize the cross-axis and rotational parasitic motions of a long-stroke shaker. By leveraging the geometric properties of a corner cube retroreflector mounted on the shaker load table, we independently sample pitch, yaw, and horizontal and vertical displacements with sampling rates above 10 kHz. We have applied our optical apparatus to a 400-mm-stroke shaker operated from 0.1 Hz to 100 Hz and present two forms of analysis: (A) Frequency-domain data for the four measured parasitic degrees of freedom, with the resulting implications for accelerometer calibration uncertainties, and (B) extracted trajectories of the shaker table, allowing visualization of the bowed linear guide below 0.5 Hz and higher harmonics and hysteresis above 10 Hz. Our findings demonstrate our optical measurement scheme to be an effective tool for the characterization of parasitic motion for long-stroke shakers. As an example, we determine the ‘gravity error’ in accelerometer calibration with our shaker to be

(
1.3
±
0.1
)

% times the acceleration amplitude at 0.1 Hz, providing a correction to reduce uncertainty from this effect by an order of magnitude.
Finite-β turbulence in Wendelstein 7-X enhanced by sub-threshold kinetic ballooning modes
Authors: Mulholland P. , Pueschel M.J. , Proll J.H.E. , Aleynikova K. , Faber B.J. , Terry P.W. , Hegna C.C. , Nührenberg C.
Published: November 2024

Magnetic fluctuations affecting turbulence and transport, which are manifest at finite normalized plasma pressure β, pose a significant challenge to magnetic confinement fusion devices aiming to achieve high performance. Such regimes are not yet comprehensively understood in stellarator geometry. This work presents simulations of electromagnetic instabilities and high-β turbulence in the Wendelstein 7-X (W7-X) stellarator, showing how ion-temperature-gradient-driven (ITG) turbulence is enhanced by unconventional kinetic ballooning modes well below the ideal MHD threshold. These sub-threshold KBMs (stKBMs) become strongly excited in the turbulent state and enable higher fluxes via zonal-flow erosion. The threshold of stKBM impact on turbulent fluxes is heavily dependent on the pressure gradient, evidenced here by the enhanced destabilization and fluxes resulting from the inclusion of an electron temperature gradient. Understanding and controlling these stKBMs will be paramount for W7-X and potentially other stellarators to achieve optimal performance.
Green synthesis of AgO nanoparticles using Prosopis Cineraria bark extract and its antibacterial activity
Authors: Kalaivani P. , Mathubala G.
Published: November 2024

The green synthesis of AgO nanoparticles (NP) uses plant elements like terpenoids, polyphenols, carbohydrates, enzymes, flavonoids, lipids, and alkaloids as reducing agents. A biodegradable technique produces silver oxide nanoparticles from Prosopis cineraria bark extract. This paper defines a biologically friendly, simple, cost-free, and predictable production of AgO nanoparticles (NP) from Prosopis cineraria aqueous bark extract, as well as their antibacterial efficacy. Silver oxide nanoparticles (NP) were green-produced with a bark extract of Prosopis cineraria, acting as a cap and reducing agent. The XRD study revealed that the AgO NP was in a face-centered crystal structure with a mean crystal size of 69.95 nm. The colour variations were used to detect the silver oxide nanoparticle forms in the extracts, and the successful manufacture of the AgO NP was validated using ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, which captured the SPR peak at approximately 601 nm. AgO NP was studied using an SEM to analyse the nanoparticles’ square shape and size. The antibacterial activities of the green synthesis of AgO NP were verified against gram-positive microorganisms like S. aureus, E. faecalis, and S. pneumoniae, and gram-negative microorganisms like E. coli, P. mirabilis, and P. aeruginosa, and the inhibition zones were found. Finally, the AgO NP produced by Prosopis cineraria bark extract is a valuable source of bioactive natural compounds. AgO NP demonstrated our antibacterial properties, which can be employed in future studies using a variety of biological approaches.
A study on the structural behaviour of Self Sensing Concrete using Nanomaterial as Fillers
Authors: Freeda Christy C. , Aruna Jeyanthi P. , Dhivyalakshmi G. , Darling Helen Lydia D.
Published: November 2024

Concrete technology has recently advanced to the point that different sensors can be used to measure a building’s mechanical attributes, including stress, amount of crack formation, deflection, and in various applications across Civil engineering disciplines. This can be achieved by various techniques or methods to measure the stress and strain of concrete in real-time. One of the methods is self-sensing concrete. To measure the self-sensing characteristics, concrete should be prepared with materials that possess sensing properties. Fibers (Carbon fibers, Steel fibers etc.,) and nanoparticles (nano nickel powder, carbon black powder, graphene powder etc.) are the main sources in the preparation of sensing concrete. This paper reviews the study on various self-sensing materials and methods that can be adopted and the study on the piezoresistive characteristics of concrete. The carbon and steel fiber-based self-sensing concrete were examined for compressive, tensile, and flexural strength as well as the electrical resistivity of the concrete was discussed in this paper.
Exploring the Structural and Optical Properties of MoSe2 for Solar Cell Performance
Authors: Anandh BA. , Shankar Ganesh A. , Nandakumar P. , Saranya D.
Published: November 2024

Efficient energy absorption is critical in perovskite solar cells (PSCs) for effective electron collection and mitigation of hole migration. Molybdenum diselenide (MoSe2) was produced using a simple hydrothermal process and subsequently studied for its structural and optical properties using various techniques, including XRD, RAMAN, FESEM, EDX, UV-Visible, BET, and XPS. The results show that the enhanced crystalline morphology, size, optical band gap, and surface area demonstrate promising attributes for solar cell applications. Furthermore, the I-V investigation reveals that MoSe2-based PSCs achieve a notable efficiency of electricity conversion is 7.97%. The increased performance is because of the greater surface area of MoSe2. which facilitates increased light absorption, and its ability to accelerate charge transfer within the electron transport layer. Moreover, the structural integrity of MoSe2 contributes significantly to its efficacy in converting solar energy into electrical energy. These findings underscore MoSe2 as a compelling candidate for advancing solar cell technologies, offering potential pathways for achieving higher efficiency and reliability in future solar energy systems.
Spatial Analysis of Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) Distribution Using Getis-Ord Gi* in DKI Jakarta Region, Indonesia
Authors: Faridah R A N , Hadibasyir H Z , Kiat U E I , Pramono W T
Published: November 2024

The increasing mobility of population and industry is the main problem in this study, so it will affect the spatial pattern in the distribution of pollutants. The parameters to measure air quality are Sulfur Dioxide and Nitrogen Dioxide. This study aims to (1) analyze air quality distribution patterns with SO2 and NO2 concentration parameters in the DKI Jakarta area in 2021, (2) analyze ambient air quality distribution patterns based on air quality threshold values, and (3) analyze the spatial distribution of SO2 and NO2 in the DKI Jakarta area in 2021. The data used for this research is the average concentration data of SO2 and NO2 pollutants in DKI Jakarta in 2021. This research uses the interpolation method using Inverse Distance Weighting and Getis-Ord Gi*. The results of this research show that the concentration of pollutants that have been interpolated using Inverse Distance Weighting produces higher NO2 than SO2. From the interpolated image, a Hot Spot analysis (Getis-Ord Gi*) was conducted. This analysis showed significant clustering of nearest neighbors, with high concentrations of SO2 in East Jakarta and NO2 in West Jakarta. Therefore, air quality needs to be monitored and managed to maintain environmental stability.
Aluminium foams prepared using concentrated solar power at Synlight
Authors: Kováčik Jaroslav , Oslanec Peter , Laaber Dmitrij , Galindo José , Rodríguez José , Cañadas Inmaculada
Published: November 2024

Possibility to prepare AlSi10 aluminium foams and also gradient aluminium foams using concentrated solar energy was tested experimentally. Moreover, the experiments with incorporating of ductile Advanced Pore Morphology Al1050 foams elements into brittle AlSi10 foam was also investigated. It was possible after certain optimisation of the process to prepare sound AlSi10 foams using the artificial solar energy in Synlight. The prepared foams have the size of 100 mm x 100 mm x 10 mm. The densities of foams were in the range of 0.7 – 1.5 g × cm−3 depending on the density of used Advanced Pore Morphology ductile Al1050 foam elements. Finally, the homogeneity of chosen prepared foams were investigated using X-ray 3D tomography. In the case of composite foams, the local heterogeneities in the structure were observable, especially for Advanced Pore Morphology Al1050 foam elements with density above 1 g × cm−3.
The Influence of Citric Acid on the Corrosion Process of Different Metallic Materials
Authors: Rudenko Nataliia , Dima George-Daniel , Laurențiu Dan Mircea
Published: November 2024

The paper presents the results from a study of the corrosion behaviour of different metallic materials, such as copper, aluminium and OL 52 steel in the presences of various concentrations of citric acid added in neutral solution (Na2SO4 0.25 M).

Citric acid (2-hydroxy-1, 2, 3-propanetricarboxylic acid) is among the most commonly utilized compounds in the food and beverage sectors. This non-toxic chemical can be derived from natural, renewable sources such as citrus fruits, pineapples, kiwis, raspberries, strawberries, and both black and red currants. Corrosion studies carried out previously demonstrated a mixed effect of citric acid, it can be a good inhibitor for aluminum alloys in a strongly acidic or strongly basic media as well as in neutral NaCl media, for low carbon-steel and copper in an acidic environment, but also, a good, accelerated corrosion agent in an alkaline solution for metals such as iron, copper, zinc and tin.

Potentiodynamic polarization and chronoamperometry techniques were used in the experimental part of this paper to evaluate the inhibition efficiency of the citric acid in test solutions. Also, Tafel method for the kinetic parameters determination for studied corrosion process.
Experimental investigations regarding the anisotropic properties of pre-impregnated woven carbon fibre-reinforced epoxy resin
Authors: Sîrbu Robert-Cătălin , Coșa Alexandru-Viorel , Negru Radu , Rusu Lucian , Șerban Dan-Andrei
Published: November 2024

In this work, the variation of the stiffness and strength with the weave pattern orientation of a twill carbon fibre weave pre-impregnated system was investigated. Singe-ply sheets were manufactured using vacuum-assisted curing at a temperature of 120 °C for 8 hours. Specimens were cut at 0°, 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° and 90° respectively, and subjected to tensile tests at room temperature, using a 5mm/min crosshead travel speed. The results show a symmetric variation along the 45° angle, the obtained stiffness values being between 8.53 GPa (at 45°) and around 59 GPa (at 0° and 90°), while the strength varied between 76 MPa (at 45°) and around 700 MPa (at 0° and 90°). In addition, it was observed that specimens oriented at 0° and 90° exhibited a brittle behaviour while the rest where characterized by ductile failure with significant plastic deformations.
Finite element modeling and analysis of tire creep test
Authors: Tchuigwa Baurice Sylvain Sadjiep , Krmela Jan , Pokorný Jan , Krmelová Vladimíra
Published: November 2024

The tire is one of the most complex components of the vehicle, which justifies strict standards and regulations set by governments worldwide to ensure the performance, durability, and reliability of tires approved for use in the transport sector. Among these requirements, tire durability testing involves the assessment of short-and long-term tire response to determine optimum conditions of use and service life. Therefore, this paper focuses on the creep performance of tires using the finite element method in ABAQUS. As a case study, a selected tire with visco-hyperelastic rubber compounds and linear elastic reinforcements is subjected to a constant prescribed force for a period of time, and the resulting strain evolution is recorded till the release of the applied load. Several parameters are accounted for, such as the inflation pressure, material characteristic times, and load amplitude. The post-processing of results enabled the prediction of the overall creep response of the tire over time with respect to the prescribed load. The knowledge gained in this study can be exploited to predict tire failure caused by excessive strain and pinpoint the areas of the tire that are the most exposed to creep failure.
Indigenous Moral Economies and the Political Invention of Indigenous Poverty
Authors: McClure Julia
Published: November 2024

This chapter examines the ways in which, before European invasion, Indigenous societies across the Americas had their own cultural beliefs about wealth and strategies for mitigating scarcity. It focuses upon the Aztecs and Maya cultures of Mesoamerica, and the Inca culture in the Andes. It uses the term ‘Indigenous moral ecologies’ to highlight the ways in which Indigenous societies had their own moral economic practices and beliefs which were in dialogue with the natural world. It uses this exploration of Indigenous moral ecologies to highlight the abundance of Indigenous societies as well as their strategies for mitigating scarcity. It then charts the arrival of Europeans, who observed the abundance of Indigenous societies, and the journey of the rhetorical construction of Indigenous people as poor. It traces the way in which the myth of the poverty of Indigenous people came to play a role in the history of political economic thought.
The Moral-Political Economy of the Spanish Empire in Practice
Authors: McClure Julia
Published: November 2024

This final chapter examines how the moral-political economy of the Spanish Empire operated in practice. It looks at the different institutions of hospitals and confraternities, the legal ecology of petitioning, and other strategies of welfare provision. It examines how the market and its redistributive function were conceptualised and regulated within the broader context of the moral-political economy. It examines the contemporary discussions on price fixing and just price. It also explores how the sovereign mobilised imperial capital to meet constitutional commitments to provide welfare and justice. It shows how the legal and institutional frameworks of the moral-political economy of the Spanish Empire were not only channels of top-down governance and discipline but also provided the infrastructure for imperial subjects to develop and articulate their agency within the newly emerging imperial context. Through focusing on moral discourses of poverty and articulations of moral-political obligations to the poor, the chapter shows how the moral, political, and economic realms were entangled, the significance of constitutional arrangements, and the negotiated nature of sovereignty.
Exploring the association between alcohol consumption and androgenic alopecia: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Won Jin , Lee Jae Yong , Ko Dai Sik , Son Eunjeong , Shin Kihyuk , Kim Won Kyu , Kim Kihun , Kim Yun Hak
Published: November 2024

Aims

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is widely recognized as the most common form of hair loss and can significantly affect individuals’ quality of life. The association between alcohol consumption and AGA remains uncertain and controversial. Our primary objective is to investigate the relationship between alcohol consumption and AGA.

Methods

We identified studies from multiple databases, including Embase, MEDLINE, ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science, up to March 2024. For alcohol consumption, we included studies where it was defined as a categorical variable, such as Yes/No or classified by grams. For AGA, only cases that were clinically diagnosed were included. Odds ratios (ORs) and their corresponding 95% confidence intervals were extracted from the included studies. Subgroup analyses were conducted, considering factors such as gender and study design.

Results

Our findings indicated that individuals who consume alcohol had an OR of AGA compared to those who do not drink alcohol (OR, 1.40; 95% CI: .95–2.06; k = 6; I2 = 77%). In the subgroup analysis focusing on men, an OR for alopecia was observed (OR, 1.31; 95% CI: .85–2.01; k = 4; I2 = 78%). Additionally, a subgroup analysis based on study design revealed ORs of 1.93 (95% CI: 1.32–2.82; k = 3; I2 = 47%) for cross-sectional studies, and 1.69 (95% CI: 1.33–2.14; k = 2; I2 = 0%) for case–control studies.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the effect of alcohol consumption on AGA may be less than initially assumed. Future research will require large, carefully planned cohort studies that incorporate standardized diagnostic criteria to provide more definitive insights.

Systematic review registration

CRD42022303374.
Refined surface area determination of graphene oxide using methylene blue as a probe molecule: a comparative approach
Authors: Ortiz-Anaya Israel , Nishina Yuta
Published: November 2024

In this research, we explored the effectiveness of the methylene blue adsorption method as an alternative approach for determining the specific surface area of graphene oxide. Initially, through a comparative analysis with reference activated carbon, we identified the limitations of utilizing N2 physisorption for specific surface area determination of graphene oxide. Our findings revealed that the standard pretreatment process (heating under vacuum) before N2 physisorption led to damage to the surface oxygen groups on graphene oxide, and the measured surface areas (43 m2/g) do not accurately represent the entire surface area. To optimize methylene blue coverage on graphene oxide, we conducted adsorption equilibrium experiments, focusing on controlling temperature and pH. The pH was significantly important in regulating the coverage of methylene blue. Under the optimized methylene blue adsorption conditions, the specific surface area of graphene oxide was 1,555 m2/g. Our assumptions regarding specific surface area calculations were supported by structural characterization of samples with varying methylene blue uptakes. The results confirmed a uniform coverage of methylene blue on graphene oxide by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray, X-ray diffraction, and atomic force microscopy.
Clearwater Drive: and other essays from the kitchen scholar
Authors: Jones Staci L , Jones Hattie Belle
Published: November 2024

This study employs Black feminist autoethnography (BFA) to examine knowledge hierarchies and the concept of organic intellectualism. This work repositions Black grandmothers as central figures in knowledge production by shifting the understanding of Black grandmotherhood from a traditionally narrow framework of wisdom to a broader, more authoritative realm of scholarship. Drawing on Ula Taylor’s concept of the “Street Stroller” and Paula Marshall’s “Kitchen Poet,” this article introduces the notion of the “Kitchen Scholar.” This work is part of a larger project.
How the bourgeoisie’s quest for status placed blame for poverty on the poor
Authors: Wisman Jon D
Published: November 2024

From the rise of the state to the emergence of capitalism, the poor were seldom blamed for their poverty. Because everyone was born into essentially unchangeable status roles, legitimated by religions and a static understanding of the social world, they could take neither credit for their good economic fortune nor blame for their privation. Most traditional religions insisted that the well-off must be charitable to the poor. This changed with the rise of capitalism and the ideology that legitimated its institutions and practices. Following upon the works of Max Weber and Richard Tawney, the role of Protestantism in generating an ideology that blames the poor for their abject condition has been widely acknowledged. What has been less appreciated is that this ideology has its roots in a new bourgeois class’s struggle for respectability and social status and that this struggle was a principal force fuelling Protestantism’s doctrinal character and success. This ideology depicted the success of the bourgeoisie as the result of virtuous behaviour and the misery of the poor as a consequence of their moral failings. Secular political and economic thought that arose alongside Protestantism also expressed the attitudes and practices of the emerging bourgeoisie, equally blaming the poor for their poverty. Social respect is essential for self-respect, both of which the bourgeoisie realized. Doing so set in motion forces delegitimating ascriptive status. However, it did so at the cruel cost of further debasing the social condition of the poor, depriving them of social- and self-respect.
Digital Images Translating Climate Justice Online to inspire Transformative Ecological Visions of World Order from the Margins
Authors: Doerr Nicole
Published: November 2024

This paper aims to study alternative visions of the world as they emerge creatively through digital media storytelling about floods, forest fires, and consequences of climate change that emerge within transnational climate justice activist networks and their digital media practices of translation and visual storytelling. Focusing on intersectional digital media practices among Fridays for Future (FFF) activists in Germany, it highlights the importance of marginalized voices and their transnational visions of world order and affective connections of solidarity that contest established world climate politics as insufficient. I conceive of questions of cultural and political translation as at the heart of understanding how critical voices from the margin become visible within broader, transnational public spaces due to intersectional (digital) media debates and public deliberation about climate change. I focus on the FFF movement in Germany and the visual practices of online media activists in translating perceived marginalized voices and political visions toward the spotlight of digital conversation within FFF Germany’s joint (trans)national, publicly accessible online spaces. Findings discuss how FFF alternative Telegram channels practice intersectional storytelling of floods, earth, and ecological transformation to make visible the critical agency of activists from the most affected peoples and communities engaged in protesting against extractivism and protecting nature in the Global South.
Safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of subcutaneous meropenem as an alternative to intravenous administration
Authors: Murray Fionnuala , Yoo Okhee , Brophy-Williams Samuel , Rawlins Matthew , Wallis Steven C , Roberts Jason A , Raby Edward , Salman Sam , Manning Laurens
Published: November 2024

Background

Subcutaneous delivery of antibiotics is a practical alternative to IV administration. Meropenem is commonly used to treat infections caused by resistant Gram-negative organisms.

Methods

This was a prospective, crossover self-controlled study in 11 stable inpatients established on meropenem. Participants received a single dose of subcutaneous meropenem, in 50 mL normal saline via gravity feed. Venous blood sampling was performed at baseline, 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h following the subcutaneous and IV doses. Antibiotic concentrations were measured using UPLC-MS/MS. Pharmacokinetic data were analysed using a non-linear mixed-effects modelling approach. Pain scores and infusion site reactions (oedema/erythema) were assessed.

Results

Subcutaneous meropenem was well tolerated. The bioavailability of subcutaneous administration was 81.5% (95% CI 71.6%–93.2%). Increasing BMI was associated with slower absorption from subcutaneous tissue. Compared with IV, subcutaneous administration resulted in lower peak and higher trough concentrations. Despite the lower bioavailability observed, the PTA for free drug concentrations greater than the MIC for more than 40% of the time between doses was higher for subcutaneous than IV administration at MIC values between 0.03 and 8 mg/L. Simulated subcutaneous doses of 1.5 g twice daily, or 3 g continuous 24 h infusion had improved PTA relative to standard IV dosing of 1 g three times daily.

Conclusions

Subcutaneous meropenem appears to be well tolerated and has a favourable pharmacokinetic profile. Either 1.5 g twice daily or 3 g as a 24 h subcutaneous infusion could be considered for future evaluation.
Clinical outcomes following acute sore throat assessment at community pharmacy versus general practice: a retrospective, longitudinal, data linkage study
Authors: Mantzourani Efi , Ahmed Haroon , Bethel Jackie , Turner Samantha , Akbari Ashley , Evans Andrew , Prettyjohns Matthew , John Gareth , Gunnarsson Ronny , Cannings-John Rebecca
Published: November 2024

Background

To date, no research has compared longer-term outcomes (antibiotic provision; re-consultations; hospital admissions for quinsy; cost-effectiveness) following presentation with acute sore throat at general practice (GP) versus newer, pharmacy-led services.

Methods

A retrospective, longitudinal cohort study of sore throat consultations between 1 November 2018 and 28 February 2020 either with the Wales pharmacy-led sore throat test and treat (STTT) service or with a healthcare professional at GP. Individual-level pharmacy consultation data from the national Choose Pharmacy IT application were securely uploaded to the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage Databank and linked to routinely collected, anonymized, population-scale, individual-level, anonymized health and administrative data.

Results

Of 72 736 index consultations, 6495 (8.9%) were with STTT and 66 241 (91.1%) with GP. Antibiotic provision at the index consultation was 1382 (21%) with STTT and 25 506 (39%) with GP [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.30; 95% CI, 0.27 to 0.32]. Antibiotic provision within 28 days of index occurred in 1820 (28%) STTT and 26 369 (40%) GP consultations (AOR, 0.44; 95% CI, 0.41 to 0.47). GP re-consultation rate within 28 days of index date was 21% (n = 1389) with STTT compared with 7.4% (n = 4916) with GP (AOR, 3.8; 95% CI, 3.5 to 4.1). Coding limitations may lead to overestimates of GP re-consultations rates in the STTT group. Hospital admissions for quinsy were rare in both STTT (n = 20, 0.31%) and GP (n = 274, 0.41%) (AOR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.43 to 1.1). STTT was less costly than consultation with GP.

Conclusions

The pharmacy-led STTT service is safe, cost-effective, and contributes to antimicrobial stewardship.
CEO deaths and credit relationships: evidence from an emerging market
Authors: Natividad Gabriel
Published: November 2024

In a sample representing 40% of Peru’s formal economy, firms shocked by the death of their chief executive officer experience lower sales and a higher probability of exit, lower borrowing amounts and credit performance, and a reduced number of lenders compared with very similar firms. Existing lenders bear the negative consequences. Monthly risk assessments by lenders worsen immediately after the death events. The negative effects are observed across various firm sizes, while industry characteristics, incorporation, and family ties are relevant dimensions of heterogeneity. Lenders with a longer relationship history, and those less constrained for loan-making, protect themselves by introducing collateral clauses. (JEL D25, G30, L25).
The mOTUs online database provides web-accessible genomic context to taxonomic profiling of microbial communities
Authors: Dmitrijeva Marija , Ruscheweyh Hans-Joachim , Feer Lilith , Li Kang , Miravet-Verde Samuel , Sintsova Anna , Mende Daniel R , Zeller Georg , Sunagawa Shinichi
Published: November 2024

Determining the taxonomic composition (taxonomic profiling) is a fundamental task in studying environmental and host-associated microbial communities. However, genome-resolved microbial diversity on Earth remains undersampled, and accessing the genomic context of taxa detected during taxonomic profiling remains a challenging task. Here, we present the mOTUs online database (mOTUs-db), which is consistent with and interfaces with the mOTUs taxonomic profiling tool. It comprises 2.83 million metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) and 919 090 single-cell and isolate genomes from 124 295 species-level taxonomic units. In addition to being one of the largest prokaryotic genome resources to date, all MAGs in the mOTUs-db were reconstructed de novo in 117 902 individual samples by abundance correlation of scaffolds across multiple samples for improved quality metrics. The database complements the Genome Taxonomy Database, with over 50% of its species-level taxonomic groups being unique. It also offers interactive querying, enabling users to explore and download genomes at various taxonomic levels. The mOTUs-db is accessible at https://motus-db.org.
dbPTM 2025 update: comprehensive integration of PTMs and proteomic data for advanced insights into cancer research
Authors: Chung Chia-Ru , Tang Yun , Chiu Yen-Peng , Li Shangfu , Hsieh Wen-Kai , Yao Lantian , Chiang Ying-Chih , Pang Yuxuan , Chen Guan-Ting , Chou Kai-Chen , Paik You Sheng , Tran Phuong Lam , Lin Cheng-Pei , Kao Yu-Min , Chen Yi-Jie , Chang Wen-Chi , Hsu Justin Bo-Kai , Horng Jorng-Tzong , Lee Tzong-Yi
Published: November 2024

Post-translational modifications (PTMs) are essential for modulating protein function and influencing stability, activity and signaling processes. The dbPTM 2025 update significantly expands the database to include over 2.79 million PTM sites, of which 2.243 million are experimentally validated from 48 databases and over 80 000 research articles. This version integrates proteomic data from 13 cancer types, with a particular focus on phosphoproteomic data and kinase activity profiles, allowing the exploration of personalized phosphorylation patterns in tumor samples. Integrating kinase–substrate phosphorylations with E3 ligase–substrate interactions, dbPTM 2025 provides a detailed map of PTM regulatory networks, offering insights into cancer-specific post-translational regulations. This update also includes advanced search capabilities, enabling users to efficiently query PTM data across species, PTM types and modified residues. The platform’s new features—interactive visualization tools and streamlined data downloads—allow researchers to access and analyze PTM data easily. dbPTM 2025 also enhances functional annotations, regulatory networks and disease associations, broadening its application for cancer research and the study of disease-associated PTMs. Through these enhancements, dbPTM 2025 is a comprehensive, user-friendly resource, facilitating the study of PTMs and their roles in cancer research. The database is now freely accessible at https://biomics.lab.nycu.edu.tw/dbPTM/.
jPOST environment accelerates the reuse and reanalysis of public proteome mass spectrometry data
Authors: Okuda Shujiro , Yoshizawa Akiyasu C , Kobayashi Daiki , Takahashi Yushi , Watanabe Yu , Moriya Yuki , Hatano Atsushi , Takami Tomoyo , Matsumoto Masaki , Araki Norie , Tabata Tsuyoshi , Iwasaki Mio , Sugiyama Naoyuki , Kodera Yoshio , Tanaka Satoshi , Goto Susumu , Kawano Shin , Ishihama Yasushi
Published: November 2024

jPOST (https://jpostdb.org/) comprises jPOSTrepo (https://repository.jpostdb.org/) (over 2000 projects), a repository for proteome mass spectrometry data, the reanalysis of raw proteome data based on a standardised protocol using UniScore, and jPOSTdb (https://globe.jpostdb.org/) (over 600 datasets), a database that integrates the reanalysed data. The jPOST reanalysis protocol rescores MS/MS spectra using a new scale, UniScore, to evaluate the extent to which the spectral peaks correspond to the amino acid sequences identified by search engines. However, the metadata registered in the repository database is insufficient for conducting the reanalysis. To address this issue, the Japanese Proteomics Society launched a data journal, the Journal of Proteome Data and Methods (JPDM), which accepts data descriptor articles detailing metadata that can be reanalysed. Within jPOST, raw proteome data is reanalysed based on the metadata described in the JPDM data descriptor articles, utilising UniScore. The reanalysed data is deposited in jPOSTdb, and a link to the JPDM articles is added to jPOSTrepo. These reanalysis accelerations within the jPOST environment will promote FAIR data principles and open science.
CORUM in 2024: protein complexes as drug targets
Authors: Steinkamp Ralph , Tsitsiridis George , Brauner Barbara , Montrone Corinna , Fobo Gisela , Frishman Goar , Avram Sorin , Oprea Tudor I , Ruepp Andreas
Published: November 2024

CORUM (https://mips.helmholtz-muenchen.de/corum/) is a public database that offers comprehensive information about mammalian protein complexes, including their subunits, functions and associations with human diseases. The newly released CORUM 5.0, encompassing 7193 protein complexes, is the largest dataset of manually curated mammalian protein complexes publicly available. This update represents the most significant upgrade to the database in >15 years. At present, the molecular processes in cells that are influenced by drugs are only incompletely understood. In this latest release, we have begun systematically investigating the impact of drugs on protein complexes. Our studies are based on a dataset from DrugCentral comprising 725 protein drug targets with approved drugs and known mechanisms of action. To date, we have identified 1975 instances from the literature where a drug affects the formation and/or function of a protein complex. Numerous examples highlight the crucial role of understanding drug–protein complex relationships in drug efficacy. The expanded dataset and the inclusion of drug effects on protein complexes are expected to significantly enhance the utility and application potential of CORUM 5.0 in fields such as network medicine and pharmacological research.
Synthetic translational coupling element for multiplexed signal processing and cellular control
Authors: Goh Hyunseop , Choi Seungdo , Kim Jongmin
Published: November 2024

Repurposing natural systems to develop customized functions in biological systems is one of the main thrusts of synthetic biology. Translational coupling is a common phenomenon in diverse polycistronic operons for efficient allocation of limited genetic space and cellular resources. These beneficial features of translation coupling can provide exciting opportunities for creating novel synthetic biological devices. Here, we introduce a modular synthetic translational coupling element (synTCE) and integrate this design with de novo designed riboregulators, toehold switches. A systematic exploration of sequence domain variants for synTCEs led to the identification of critical design considerations for improving the system performance. Next, this design approach was seamlessly integrated into logic computations and applied to construct multi-output transcripts with well-defined stoichiometric control. This module was further applied to signaling cascades for combined signal transduction and multi-input/multi-output synthetic devices. Further, the synTCEs can precisely manipulate the N-terminal ends of output proteins, facilitating effective protein localization and cellular population control. Therefore, the synTCEs could enhance computational capability and applicability of riboregulators for reprogramming biological systems, leading to future applications in synthetic biology, metabolic engineering and biotechnology.
EPCO-08. EPIGENETIC THERAPY POTENTIATES TRANSPOSABLE ELEMENT TRANSCRIPTION TO CREATE TUMOR-ENRICHED ANTIGENS IN GLIOBLASTOMA
Authors: Jang H Josh , Shah Nakul M , Maeng Ju Heon , Liang Yonghao , Basri Noah L , Ge Jiaxin , Qu Xuan , Mahlokozera Tatenda , Tzeng Shin-Cheng , Williams Russell B , Moore Michael J , Annamalai Devi , Chen Justin Y , Lee Hyung Joo , DeSouza Patrick A , Li Daofeng , Xing Xiaoyun , Kim Albert H , Wang Ting
Published: November 2024

Epigenetic treatment has been studied as a means to augment anti-tumor immune cell activity by increasing the expression of antiviral response genes. Previous studies, including our own, have revealed an additional consequence of epigenetic treatment: reactivation of transposable elements (TEs). Normally, most TEs are epigenetically repressed in healthy somatic tissues. However, epigenetic treatment can reactivate TEs as previously unannotated promoters, particularly in rapidly proliferating cells. These reactivated TEs could generate unique proteins that may act as novel antigens for immunotherapy. To study epigenetic treatment as a novel method to augment immunotherapy in cancers with a low number of somatic mutation-derived antigens, we chose glioblastoma as a model. Specifically, we investigated if drug-induced TE expression increases the antigen repertoire upon combinatorial treatment with DNMT inhibitor (Decitabine) and HDAC inhibitor (Panobinostat), agents currently being tested for clinical use in cancers, including CNS tumors. Using patient-derived primary glioblastoma stem cell (GSC) lines and control cell lines (astrocytes and fibroblasts), we first profiled treatment-induced changes in the epigenetic landscape using WGBS-seq and ATAC-seq. Then, using nanoCAGE-seq, both short-read and long-read RNA-seq, we identified treatment-induced, TE-derived transcripts that are predominantly expressed in glioblastoma cells along with upregulation of antiviral gene programs. Finally, using LC-MS/MS, we validated that tumor-enriched reactivated TEs, which mostly originate from the LTR class, encode HLA-I presented antigens in primary GSCs. Notably, epigenetic therapy also reactivated many TEs in proliferating control cell lines, and thus we provide evidence that targeted approaches like CRISPRa might reduce the side effects of activating nonspecific TE loci. Overall, our findings suggest that the therapeutic utilization of epigenetic treatment-induced, TE-derived antigens holds great promise but also provides a cautionary tale regarding the careful selection of tumor-enriched antigen targets.