bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tutorial: From Topology to Hall Effects—Implications of Berry Phase Physics
Authors: Sprinkart Nico , Scheer Elke , Di Bernardo Angelo
Published: October 2024

The Berry phase is a fundamental concept in quantum mechanics with profound implications for understanding topological properties of quantum systems. This tutorial provides a comprehensive introduction to the Berry phase, beginning with the essential mathematical framework required to grasp its significance. We explore the intrinsic link between the emergence of a non-trivial Berry phase and the presence of topological characteristics in quantum systems, showing the connection between the Berry phase and the band structure as well as the phase’s gauge-invariant nature during cyclic evolutions. The tutorial delves into various topological effects arising from the Berry phase, such as the quantum, anomalous, and spin Hall effects, which exemplify how these quantum phases manifest in observable phenomena. We then extend our discussion to cover the transport properties of topological insulators, elucidating their unique behaviour rooted in the Berry phase physics. This tutorial aims at equipping its readers with a robust understanding of the basic theory underlying the Berry phase and of its pivotal role in the realm of topological quantum phenomena.
Skeletal muscle fibre type-dependent effects of atorvastatin on the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway and atrophy-related genes in rats
Authors: Gawedzka Anna , Knapik-Czajka Malgorzata , Drag Jagoda , Belczyk Malgorzata , Radwanska Edyta , Adamek Dariusz
Published: October 2024

Background

One of the probable causes of statin myotoxicity is an imbalance between protein synthesis and degradation. These processes are regulated by the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway and the ubiquitin‒proteasome system (UPS). The aim of this study was to assess whether the effects of atorvastatin on PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway downstream proteins, the FoxO3a transcription factor and the UPS genes, i.e., MuRF-1 and MAFbx, depend on muscle fibre type.

Methods and results

Atorvastatin (50 mg/kg) was administered to Wistar rats. The levels of selected PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway proteins were assayed via Western blotting, whereas MuRF-1, MAFbx and FoxO3a mRNA levels were measured using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‒qPCR). Gomöri trichrome staining was performed to assess skeletal muscle pathology. A decrease in the P-Akt/Akt ratio was observed in the gastrocnemius muscle (MG), whereas an increase in the P-Akt/Akt ratio was observed in the soleus muscle (SOL). FoxO3a gene expression increased in the SOL and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. MuRF-1 gene expression increased in the MG, and MAFbx expression increased in the EDL. No histopathological changes were observed in any of the tested muscles.

Conclusions

In the absence of overt muscle damage, atorvastatin decreased the P-Akt/Akt ratio in the MG, indicating an increase in inactive Akt. Consistent with the decrease in Akt activation, rpS6 phosphorylation decreased. In SOL, atorvastatin increased the P-Akt/Akt ratio, indicating Akt activation. P-FoxO3a and the P-FoxO3a/FoxO3a ratio increased, suggesting that FoxO3a inactivation occurred. Moreover, in the SOL, atorvastatin did not affect the expression of atrophy-related genes. These findings indicate that atorvastatin has no adverse effect on the Akt pathway in the SOL. Our results showed that the effects of atorvastatin on the Akt signalling pathway and atrophy-related gene expression depend on muscle type.
Revised Normative Behaviourism: An Experimental Proposal
Authors: Cozzaglio Ilaria
Published: October 2024

The debate on bottom-up approaches in political theory has been recently enriched by Jonathan Floyd’s “normative behaviourism”, an approach that starts from and refers to actual behaviours so as to let normative concerns emerge and political responses be found. Despite its merits, I argue that normative behaviourism suffers from three weaknesses: the tip of the iceberg, the invisibility, and the over-inclusive justification problems. These problems emerge because behaviours can be normatively significant only when the beliefs behind those behaviours are known. To overcome these problems, I suggest a “revised” version of normative behaviourism, which makes use of focus groups to reach two objectives: first, to understand the beliefs driving behaviours; and, second, to filter out unacceptable beliefs that might lead to inappropriate political solutions when their corresponding behaviour is considered normatively relevant for institutional reform. While revised normative behaviourism is still at the stage of a drafted proposal, it has the potential to pave a way for data collection to contribute to the very formulation of normative standards rather than just to the identification of practical constraints to the application of normative standards.
Reviews on Load Flow Methods in Electric Distribution Networks
Authors: El-Fergany Attia A.
Published: October 2024

In power system studies, load flow (LF) analysis is one of the most crucial tools. It is the most important and required method of looking at issues with power system design and operation. A series of nonlinear algebraic equations make up the LF issue, which needs to be mathematically solved by iterative numerical methods. In the current modern distribution systems (DSs) field, the most significant criterion that is heavily influenced by the DS’s size—which keeps growing—is the convergence of the solution. This paper gives readers an overview of recent research that has used both classical and artificial intelligence-based methods to handle LF-related issues with particular attention to DSs. The impacts of high R/X ratio of DSs along with various load models are discussed. Various standard and non-standard test feeders used for investigating LF algorithms are addressed. It also offers suggestions for future paths for this field of study. The types of examined LF problems are used to categorize the surveyed literature.
How It Begins and Ends: Temporal Positions of Linguistic Indicators in Staged and Authentic Emergency Calls
Authors: Elms Serena , Clarke David , Keatley David
Published: October 2024

The utilisation of emergency calls to stage false and misleading narratives can assist offenders in concealing their criminal activity. The majority of emergency call analyses focus on detecting deception; however, investigating the complex temporal ordering of verbal indicators with a measure of proximity may offer new inductive investigative insights. The current research took a novel approach to analysing emergency calls by focusing on the temporal placement of verbal indicators with a measure of proximity coefficients. Results showed that several important differences existed in the temporal ordering of indicators that occur at the start and end of staged and authentic calls. These findings offer an insight as to influence of saliency and the competing priorities that exist between staged and authentic emergency calls. This is the first research to explore the temporal ordering of indicators in emergency calls and to provide a basis for its tentative application to interview strategies.
Plasma photonic crystal ‘kaleidoscope’ with flexible control of topology and electromagnetism
Authors: Wang Jing , Liu Shuang , Fan Weili , Wang Shuo , Lu Cuicui , He Yafeng , Liu Fucheng , Hu Xiaoyong
Published: October 2024

Continuous development of photonic crystals (PCs) over the last 30 years has carved out many new scientific frontiers. However, creating tunable PCs that enable flexible control of geometric configurations remains a challenge. Here we present a scheme to produce a tunable plasma photonic crystal (PPC) ‘kaleidoscope’ with rich diversity of structural configurations in dielectric barrier discharge. Multi-freedom control of the PPCs, including the symmetry, dielectric constant, crystal orientation, lattice constant, topological state, and structures of scattering elements, has been realized. Four types of lattice reconfigurations are demonstrated, including transitions from periodic to periodic, disordered to ordered, non-topological to topological, and striped to honeycomb Moiré lattices. Furthermore, alterations in photonic band structures corresponding to the reconstruction of various PPCs have been investigated. Our system presents a promising platform for generating a PPC ‘kaleidoscope’, offering benefits such as reduced equipment requirements, low cost, rapid response, and enhanced flexibility. This development opens up new opportunities for both fundamental and applied research.

Graphical Abstract
Requirements for regulatory acceptance of biomarkers
Authors: Zander Hilke , Engelbergs Jörg
Published: October 2024

Generally, biomarkers could increase the success rate of medicinal product developments and as a consequence accelerate the availability of new therapeutics with an improved benefit–risk relationship. Therefore, patient identification based on predictive biomarkers is becoming increasingly important in all therapeutic areas [1]. The increasing use of predictive biomarker-guided-personalized (precision) medicine warrants the discovery of novel biomarkers as measurable indicators of physiopathological conditions [2]. Biomarkers can be used for diagnostics and prognostics, monitoring disease progression, but also to select the most effective therapy and to predict the treatment outcome [3, 4]. The current article provides a short focus on the regulatory definition of a biomarker and the biomarker qualification process of the European Medicines Agency (EMA). With the evolving landscape, the new Regulation (EU) 2017/746 on in vitro medical devices (IVDR) [5] introduces important changes in the EU legal framework for IVDs especially by legally defining for the first time “companion diagnostic” devices (CDx). Challenges in the codevelopment of CDx and medicinal products are highlighted to provide scientific–regulatory considerations in this complex regulatory field.
Effect of Crumb Rubber on Concrete’s and Mortar’s Structural Properties: A Review
Authors: Kilani Abiodun Joseph , Ikotun Bolanle Deborah , Abdulwahab Rasheed
Published: October 2024

Crumb rubber (CR) is a construction material obtained from slicing of scrap tyres. As reviewed, the inclusion of CR in concrete showed the reductions in concrete’s fresh and hardened properties even on its durability. This paper reports that CR-concrete is poor in workability, more porous, poor in resisting chlorine ion, inconsistency in strength and normally takes long time to set. Also, the review of previous results on CR-concrete proved that, CR-concrete’s ductile strength increased by 86.2% while its compressive, tensile and flexural strengths, and modulus of elasticity reduced by 50.3%, 24.51%, 31.94% and 23.51% respectively. The reduction in strength was tagged to the application of high percentages of CR in concrete (0–40%) and the use of high water–cement ratio (w/c) for the concrete production (≥ 4.0). Likewise, the microstructural results also support the strengths reduction trend. As reviewed, the inclusion of treated crumb rubbers in concrete improved its microstructural properties. Therefore, it is advisable to make use of the treated CR, 0–5% of CR and 0.4 water–cement ratio for the production of CR-concrete and mortar for better results. This data is available for future researchers to make further investigations on improving the weak reinforcing properties of Crumb Rubber in structural concrete and mortar.
Beziehungsanarchie – Liebe ist Liebesbeziehung
Authors: Eichel Kae Ilo Maris
Published: October 2024

In Relationship Anarchy, hier übersetzt als Beziehungsanarchie, wird danach gestrebt, dass Beziehungen ohne gesellschaftliche Zwänge individuell frei miteinander ausgehandelt werden, wie bei einem Buffet für belegte Brote („Smörgåsbord“), bei dem man die Zutaten der Beziehung gemeinsam wählen kann. Romantische Liebesbeziehung ist dabei nur eine Belegmöglichkeit. Der Fokus der Aushandlung der Beziehungsgestaltung liegt zwischen den jeweiligen Beziehungspersonen nach ihren eigenen Bedürfnissen und Werten. Dabei ist Liebe die Grundlage für alle Beziehungen, also die Basiszutat, das Brot, welches belegt wird, damit Beziehungsanarchie möglich ist. Die Definition von Liebe in Beziehungsanarchie ist prozessual und individualisiert gestaltet. Liebe ist Liebesbeziehung, Liebe ist die Praxis, das Handeln in einer Begegnung mit den Aspekten der offenen und ehrlichen Kommunikation, der Fürsorge, dem Anerkennen und Respekt von Unterschieden, Freiheit und Emanzipation, dem gegenseitigen Interesse an spirituellem Wachstum, Vertrauen, Verletzlichkeit und Zärtlichkeit. Dabei sind verbindliches Einstimmen aufeinander und Zuwenden in Zuneigung Voraussetzungen.
What Explains the Perception of Having Shared Practices Among School Staff for Anti-bullying Work?
Authors: Sainio Miia , Herkama Sanna , Torppa Minna , Aro Tuija , Hämeenaho Pilvi
Published: October 2024

A comprehensive, whole-school approach that demands commitment from all staff members is a recommended basis for effective and systematic anti-bullying work. Central to this approach is the collective agreement among school staff on the implementation of specific practices. This survey study investigates the extent to which Finnish basic education (grades 1–9) school staff (n ~ 400) perceive that they have shared and actively implemented anti-bullying practices in their school and the factors explaining variation in these perceptions. While staff generally reported having shared and actively implemented anti-bullying practices, variation was observed both within and between schools. Professional role, school size, perception of well-being values at school, leadership promoting well-being, and utilization of manualized program explained the variation in the perception of shared practices in the random intercept model. Qualitative analyses supplemented the quantitative findings, indicating that having a specific named program—either a manualized program or a self-developed one—was associated with the perception of shared and actively used practices, emphasizing the necessity for a structured approach. Our results underscore individual and contextual factors fostering a collective understanding of bullying prevention and intervention. Achieving such consensus is essential but not always achieved, posing a risk for ineffective bullying prevention efforts in schools.
Exploring Resilience Among College Students in Recovery from Substance Misuse During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Broman Michael , Wernekinck Uwe
Published: October 2024

Research has shown that both college students and people in recovery from substance use disorder were adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, mental health and substance use challenges accrued for each group. However, less is known about how people who are both college students and in recovery experienced the pandemic. And, generally, little is known about the experiences of college students in recovery without access to the institutional support of a collegiate recovery program. We conducted a study including college students in recovery on a campus without a collegiate recovery program (N = 17) to explore how students experienced adversity during the pandemic and how they demonstrated resilience in overcoming adversity. We utilized thematic analysis to document patterns in the data. Students grappled with attrition from their recovery communities, loss of personal connections, and substance use and mental health challenges. To mitigate these hardships, students employed strategies to avoid substance use, applied principles of recovery programs, took advantage of new resources for recovery, and found ways to maintain connection with some supports. Our findings, documenting the resilience shown by these college students, can be utilized to improve collegiate recovery services, with an eye toward the ongoing popularity of virtual learning and toward potential future disruptive events.
English Literature and the Crusades
Authors: Elias Marcel
Published: October 2024

The period from the Mamlūk reconquest of Acre (1291) to the Ottoman siege of Constantinople (1453) witnessed the production of a substantial corpus of Middle English crusade romances. Marcel Elias places these romances in dialogue with multifarious European writings to offer a novel account of late medieval crusade culture: as ambivalent and self-critical, animated by tensions and debates, and fraught with anxiety. These romances uphold ideals of holy war while expressing anxieties about issues as diverse as God's endorsement of the crusading enterprise, the conversion of Christians to Islam, the sinfulness of crusaders, and the morality of violence. Reinvigorating debates in medieval postcolonialism, drawing on emotion studies, and excavating a rich multilingual archive, this book is a major contribution to the cultural history of the crusades. This title is part of the Flip it Open programme and may also be available open access. Check our website Cambridge Core for details.
Prescribing of clotrimazole-betamethasone dipropionate, a topical combination corticosteroid-antifungal product, for Medicare part D beneficiaries, United States, 2016–2022
Authors: Currie Dustin W. , Caplan Avrom S. , Benedict Kaitlin , Hatfield Kelly M. , Smith Dallas J. , Lipner Shari R. , Gold Jeremy A.W.
Published: October 2024

During 2016–2022, Medicare part D beneficiaries filled 8,674,460 clotrimazole-betamethasone dipropionate prescriptions. Annual rates were stable (30.9 prescriptions/1,000 beneficiary-years in 2022, enough for one in every 33 beneficiaries). Diagnostic testing was infrequent, particularly among internal medicine, family medicine, and general practitioners, suggesting potential opportunities to improve diagnostic and prescribing practices.
Saving the internet? The limits of platform power amid the techlash
Authors: Kemmerling Michael
Published: October 2024

Research on platform power indicates a preference alignment between consumers and platforms against regulation. However, recent scandals have changed public opinion toward platforms and undermined their structural coalition with consumers. I argue that amid the techlash, platforms need to actively mobilize the public and face an uphill battle in doing so. Based on the outside lobbying literature, I expect that platforms’ success in reframing the debate and signaling public discontent to policymakers depends on the perceptibility of the target audience (the bonding surface) and the characteristics of competing interest groups. I test my expectations by analyzing platform outside lobbying against the 2019 European Copyright Directive. I combine process-tracing and time-series analysis with textual data. A comparison between the German and French debates revealed that platform outside lobbying failed because negative media reporting, public opinion, and a creative economy dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in France provided a favorable bonding surface for the frames of pro-copyright groups. Pro-copyright groups could credibly criticize platforms’ exploitative practices and demand fair artist remuneration, while platforms’ frames did not stick. This study demonstrates that claims of structural platform power are exaggerated and that careful attention needs to be paid to lobbying dynamics.
Leveraging biotechnology design principles to advance brain understanding and improve biotechnological device efficiency and scalability
Authors: Deca Diana , Chakrabarty Samit , Petrovici Mihai A.
Published: October 2024

The field of Biodesign holds immense potential in transforming our understanding of the brain and enhancing the capabilities of biotech devices. Over the past decade, this interdisciplinary area has experienced rapid growth, driven by pioneering research, the rise of design-focused biotech startups, and the expansion of educational programs globally.
Turbulent flow around convex curved tandem cylinders
Authors: Aasland Tale E. , Pettersen Bjørnar , Andersson Helge I. , Jiang Fengjian
Published: October 2024

Turbulent flow around curved tandem cylinders has been studied for the first time, by means of direct numerical simulation. The convex configuration was used, with a nominal gap ratio of

$L/D = 3$

and a Reynolds number of 3900. Along the span, the flow regimes vary from alternating overshoot/reattachment to co-shedding. Three distinct Strouhal numbers coexist in the flow that are tied directly to different tandem cylinder flow regimes. This result differs substantially from convex curved tandem cylinders at a transitional Reynolds number, where only a single dominant frequency is found. All regimes exhibit some degree of instability, so that the flow can be considered multistable. A mode switch from alternating overshoot/reattachment to symmetric reattachment is found. Complex interactions are observed between the primary instability, the shear layer instability and the flow mode alterations. As opposed to previous investigations with single and tandem straight cylinders in the subcritical flow regime, our results indicate that there may be direct feedback from the primary instability to the shear layer instability. The downdraft region in the gap exhibits slow meandering, and may travel upstream and amplify the shear layer instability, causing early transition in the gap shear layer. This downdraft is governed by the slow modulations of the vortex formation region in the lower gap, meaning that the vortex dynamics of this region may indirectly influence the shear layer instability higher up in the gap.
Organised large structure in the post-transition mixing layer. Part 3. Dynamics of the spatial growth
Authors: Coats C.M.
Published: October 2024

The first two parts of this study showed by experiment and by large-eddy simulation that, in mixing layers formed of processions of spanwise-oriented vortex structures, there is a fundamental change in the dynamics of the large-structure growth at what has been called the ‘mixing’ transition. This third part examines the relationship of the post-transition ‘organised’ flow to the mixing layer of classical turbulence theory. Further large-eddy simulations are presented which, like some of the experiments reported in Part 1, have captured the mixing layer in both its classical and organised turbulent states, thereby allowing them to be characterised separately. The simulation results are then used to calibrate model-free integral analyses of the dynamics of the mixing layer's spatial growth. It is shown that the organised and classical flows are alternative self-preserving turbulent flow states involving fundamentally different exchanges of mass, momentum and energy, one or other of which emerges naturally in particular realisations depending on the initial conditions.
Exploring the potential link between ΔFosB and N-acetylcysteine in craving/relapse dynamics: can N-acetylcysteine stand out as a possible treatment candidate?
Authors: Arjmand Shokouh , Ilaghi Mehran , Shafie’ei Mohammad , Gobira Pedro H. , Grassi-Oliveira Rodrigo , Wegener Gregers
Published: October 2024

From a neuroscientific point of view, one of the unique archetypes of substance use disorders is its road to relapse, in which the reward system plays a crucial role. Studies on the neurobiology of substance use disorders have highlighted the central role of a protein belonging to the Fos family of transcription factors, ΔFosB. Relying on the roles ΔFosB plays in the pathophysiology of substance use disorders, we endeavour to present some evidence demonstrating that N-acetylcysteine, a low-cost and well-tolerated over-the-counter medicine, may influence the downstream pathway of ΔFosB, thereby serving as a treatment strategy to mitigate the risk of relapse in cases of substance use.
From Paris to Ṭā’if: Sovereignty, Borders, and the Question of Minorities in the Arabian Peninsula
Authors: Alamer Sultan
Published: October 2024

Before World War I, the Ottoman Empire ruled the southwestern region of the Arabian Peninsula. However, unlike other Ottoman territories in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, the fate of this region was not decided during the Paris Peace Conference. This created a vacuum of power that allowed the local elites of Arabia to engage in a lengthy process of conflict, negotiations, peace talks, and the exchange of ideas to resolve issues of legitimacy, sovereignty, borders, and cultural differences. This article argues that these local elites of Arabia developed an alternative model of statehood and sovereignty that persisted until the outbreak of the Gulf War in 1990. The immediate result of this new model was the separation of al-Mikhlāf al-Sulaimānī region and the transformation of the people of the Najrān region into a sectarian group.
Association of sociodemographic, obstetric characteristics, lifestyle and food consumption with life satisfaction and optimism among overweight pregnant women
Authors: Chaves Ana Vitória Lanzoni , Carreira Natalia Posses , Lima Maria Carolina , Sartorelli Daniela Saes , Crivellenti Lívia Castro
Published: October 2024

The present study investigated the relationships between maternal characteristics and subjective well-being (life satisfaction and optimism) among overweight Brazilian adult pregnant women. A cross-sectional study utilising baseline data from a randomised controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 330 women were investigated. Maternal characteristics (sociodemographic, obstetric and lifestyle) were obtained through a structured questionnaire. Data on dietary intake were collected through two 24-h dietary recalls, and the usual diet was estimated using the Multiple Source Method. Life satisfaction and optimism were assessed using validated instruments. Both unadjusted and adjusted linear regression models were employed to investigate the relationship between maternal characteristics and subjective well-being. Sleep quality was found to be positively associated with life satisfaction. Miscarriage and smoking during pregnancy were negatively associated with this sentiment. Additionally, a positive association was observed between optimism and maternal characteristics such as sleep quality, desired pregnancy and alcohol consumption in the previous 30 d. Furthermore, it was found that the consumption of sugary drinks, dietary fibre and Ca were positively associated with this same feeling. The present study showed that some maternal and food consumption characteristics were associated with subjective well-being among overweight pregnant women. It is, therefore, essential to recognise predictors of maternal mental health given their relevance to the field of public health.
Mirrors of the Past: Time and Historical Consciousness in Contemporary Western Astrology
Authors: Elisha Omri
Published: October 2024

How do invocations of history inform speculative discourses in Western astrology? This article examines how events from the recorded past factor into predictive forecasts among professional astrologers for whom celestial patterns are indicative of shifting and evolving world-historical trends. Drawing on examples from prominent voices in the North American astrology community, across a range of commercial and social media platforms, I outline the parameters of what I call “astrological historicity,” a temporal orientation guided by archetypal principles closely associated with New Age metaphysics and psychodynamic theories of the self. I argue that while such sensibilities reinforce an ethos of therapeutic spirituality, they are not so narrowly individualistic as to preclude social and political considerations. Astrological historicity is at times a vehicle for culturally resonant expressions of historical consciousness, including critical awareness of historical legacies of racial and social injustice that directly link the past to the present and foreseeable future. Furthermore, while astrological accounts of history emulate aspects of modern historicism, including its orientation toward linear temporality and developmental themes, they rely on a nonlinear framework predicated on recurring cycles, correspondences, and synchronicities, bringing a complex heterotemporality to bear on world-historical circumstances. In seeking to understand the moral and political entailments of this area of occult knowledge production, this article aims to shed light on astrology’s cultural appeal not just as popular entertainment, spirituality, or therapy, but as an intellectual and cultural resource for many people searching for ways to express their frustration and disillusionment with reigning political-economic systems and authorities.
On a weighted anisotropic eigenvalue problem
Authors: Gavitone Nunzia , Sannipoli Rossano
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we deal with a weighted eigenvalue problem for the anisotropic
$(p,q)$
-Laplacian with Dirichlet boundary conditions. We study the main properties of the first eigenvalue and a reverse Hölder type inequality for the corresponding eigenfunctions.
Polyaenus (Strat. 8.23.5) and Caesar's British Elephant
Authors: Charles Michael B. , Stevenson Tom
Published: October 2024

Polyaenus (Strat. 8.23.5) includes an armoured elephant in his description of Julius Caesar crossing a defended ford in Britain (54 b.c.) – something found nowhere in Caesar's own Bellum Gallicum. From looking at a range of loci in the Strategica dealing with Caesar's military exploits in Celtic lands, it becomes clear that, instead of being the remnant of a now-lost source tradition, Polyaenus either based the elephant vignette on an underlying narrative structure provided by the Bellum Gallicum, or a source using this work very closely. Given the overall unlikelihood of Caesar taking an elephant to Britain, Polyaenus probably inserted an elephant for rhetorical and/or didactic purposes and was perhaps influenced by Caesar's own non-literary propaganda involving elephants.
Reconsidering ‘Sook Ching’ victimhood: A microhistory of Singapore’s Nishimura trial
Authors: Cheah W.L.
Published: October 2024

This article highlights the cross-disciplinary methodological potential of Third World approaches to international law (TWAIL) and microhistory by studying the active and complex exercise of agency by victims in an understudied historical instance of post-war justice, namely, the Singapore ‘Sook Ching’ trial or Nishimura trial. This trial dealt with the arbitrary massacre of Chinese residents by the Japanese military during the Second World War. Using TWAIL and microhistory methods, this article analyses trial transcripts and archival material on the Nishimura trial, with a focus on the trial experiences of witnesses, survivors, and community representatives. By studying the Nishimura trial as mobilization and meaning-making opportunity, this microhistory draws attention to the exercise of social and political agency by the Chinese community under difficult post-war conditions and British colonial rule. Chinese community leaders represented the community as collectively victimized and united in the pursuit of post-war justice. However, a close analysis of trial transcripts reveals tensions within the community and the need for a more complex understanding of victimhood.
Under the shadow of legality: A shadow hauntology on the legal construction of the Women, Peace and Security agenda
Authors: Santos de Carvalho Juliana
Published: October 2024

Considered a landmark in feminist international politics, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda of the UN Security Council has been the object of many feminist explorations. Feminist legal scholars, however, have grappled with the ‘shadowy’ legality of the agenda, mostly analysing it as an ‘unsuccessful’ legal project: a partial or in progress legal norm, a defective legal form that attests (and furthers) the exile of inclusion of feminists in international law, or yet a formalistic discussion with lesser impact for feminist activists on the ground. Drawing from Avery Gordon’s considerations on taking shadows seriously in our production of knowledge, I propose, however, that reckoning with the shadows of the WPS’s legality enables a more comprehensive analysis of how the agenda has been a successful legal project in its own way. Offering a ‘shadow hauntology’ for the legal status of the WPS, I zoom in on the competing legality perceptions shared by relevant actors, the (gendered and colonially-continuous) shadows that have haunted those perceptions into formation, and how these competing visions have shaped the legality of the WPS as a shadow of its own. This study then offers an alternative way of studying legality both to feminist legal scholarship and studies on international legal sources more broadly. More concretely, it embraces the irresolvability of the legal status of a norm to take stock of the different legal projects and legality perceptions advanced by feminist actors and gender experts, in an effort to understand, in their own terms, the successes achieved.
Identifying optimal decision-making strategies and determining effective messaging to maximize the expected outcomes of potential human–extraterrestrial encounters
Authors: Fischer Ilan , Avrashi Shacked
Published: October 2024

The question of whether extraterrestrials exist has driven both the search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI) and some attempts of messaging to extraterrestrial intelligence (METI). Nevertheless, no data-driven or theory-based behavioural policy has been suggested. Here we simulate a comprehensive set of human–extraterrestrial strategic interactions, modelled as two-by-two game-theoretic matrices. We examine a sample of possible outcomes by relying on the theory of subjective expected relative similarity (SERS), which takes into account both the expected payoffs and the extent of strategic similarity – the prospects of the opponent making identical choices. Simulation results suggest: focusing messaging efforts on signalling of complete strategic similarity, monitoring potential alien communications for similarity-indicating signals, and using risk-averse decision rules for policy planning and decision-making. The discussion puts forward three guidelines for METI initiatives and addresses the relevance of the findings to human conflict management.
Community and informal institutions in reforms under crises: the odyssey of a 350-year-old functionally credible water commons
Authors: Arvanitidis Paschalis A. , Papagiannitsis George
Published: October 2024

Although crises provide an opportunity for meaningful institutional change, the results often fall short of expectations because the reforms undertaken are informed by top-down, global-standard blueprints and fail to consider the informal, long-established, functionally credible institutions that exist at the local level. Seeking to explore how the interplay between formal and informal institutions can affect institutional change, the study focuses on Stagiates, a small community that has been struggling for more than 10 years against the uniform implementation of the 2010 administrative reform (prescribed in light of the Greek government-debt crisis), which threatens to dismantle their 350-year-old, functionally credible commons. To this end, the paper uses case study methodology, Historical-Institutional Analysis and Ostrom's Social-Ecological System framework. It concludes by emphasising the need for institutional analysis and policy to look more closely at the dynamic and complex dialectic between formal and informal institutions and the role that community needs, norms and values play in meaningful institutional change, paying due attention (as original institutionalism did) to the informality and the function-based social credibility of institutions.
Effects of Short‐Term Climate Variations on Young Water Fraction in a Small Pre‐Alpine Catchment
Authors: Xia C. , Zuecco G. , Marchina C. , Penna D. , Borga M.
Published: October 2024

Continuous and extended observations of hydrometeorological parameters, alongside the analysis of the isotopic composition across diverse waters within catchments, can significantly enhance our understanding of the potential ramifications of climate change on the hydrological response. In this study, a comprehensive analysis of hydrometeorological and isotopic data was conducted over 10 hydrological years (October 2012–September 2022) within a small, forested catchment in the Italian pre‐Alps, aiming to investigate the impacts of short‐term climatic changes on the isotopic composition of waters and the young water fraction (Fyw). The results showed that the catchment experienced climate conditions with rapid warming and drying trends. Significant isotopic enrichments were observed in all sampled water sources, driven primarily by air temperature. Fyw was estimated to be 0.64 ± 0.06, 0.45 ± 0.07, and 0.16 ± 0.03 for stream water, soil water, and shallow groundwater based on the whole‐period sinusoidal fittings, respectively. Comparative analyses comprising different approaches for the estimation of Fyw showed that time‐windows scenarios and detrending corrections yielded smaller Fyw than approaches based on the whole‐period fitting and discharge‐sensitivity modeling. Such differences can be attributed to an uneven temporal distribution of stream water isotopic data, the difficulties in capturing high flows in a humid catchment characterized by a fast runoff response during rainfall‐runoff events, and the presence of isotopic trends. Our findings underscore the imperative of integrating interannual isotopic trends and adopting appropriate sampling strategy and methodological approaches to ensure a robust Fyw estimation.
Increased Frequency of Consecutive Positive IOD Events Under Global Warming
Authors: Wang Jianhu , Sun Shuangwen , Zu Yongcan , Fang Yue
Published: October 2024

Consecutive positive Indian Ocean Dipole (pIOD) induces more severe climate impacts than a single pIOD because of multi‐year accumulation of precipitation anomalies. Using CMIP6 outputs and reanalysis data, we show that the observed increasing trend of consecutive pIOD frequency will continue in future. The simulated frequency of consecutive pIOD increases by 131.3% over 1950–2100. More than 65% pIOD will manifest as consecutive pIOD events in the second half of this century. The increase in consecutive pIOD is dominated by the rise in mixed consecutive pIOD that contains both ENSO‐pIOD and independent pIOD. Mixed consecutive pIOD that start with ENSO‐pIOD increases fastest among all types of consecutive pIOD events. The increase is contributed by three factors: higher ENSO‐pIOD frequency, weaker biennial component of ENSO forcing, and more active pIOD triggers that are independent from ENSO. Climate extremes associated with consecutive pIOD are therefore expected to occur more frequently under global warming.
Successive Tsunamigenic Events Near Sofu Seamount Inferred From High‐Frequency Teleseismic P and Regional T Waves
Authors: Takemura Shunsuke , Kubota Tatsuya , Sandanbata Osamu
Published: October 2024

An unexpected major tsunami from the region near Sofu Seamount was observed on 8 October 2023. Sofu Seamount is located approximately 600 km from the coast of Japan. Due to far epicentral distances and the successive occurrence of seismic events, the conventional seismic analysis to reveal the accompanying seismic sequence cannot work well. We investigated high‐frequency teleseismic P and regional T waves from the accompanying seismic sequence during the tsunamigenic events near Sofu Seamount. Envelope shapes of teleseismic P and regional T waves were similar, indicating that T‐wave envelopes also reflected source properties of seismic sequence. During seismic events near Sofu Seamount, observed regional envelopes were characterized by weak body waves and large amplitude T waves with durations of 39–68 s. According to numerical simulations of seismic wave propagation using a realistic topography model, characteristics of T waves exhibit weak slope‐angle and strong source‐depth dependencies. Strong T waves with durations less than 60 s only appeared in results with sources at depths ≤0.5 km below the seafloor. We concluded that high‐frequency radiation of the accompanying seismic sequence during the tsunamigenic events near Sofu Seamount possibly occurred at shallower depths just below the seafloor. If seismic and tsunami sources coincide, shallower source depths might cause tsunamigenic uplifts. The observed peak seafloor uplifts and T‐wave amplitudes during tsunamigenic events were scaled. This result suggests the possibility of tsunami forecasting based on T‐wave amplitudes from submarine volcanoes.
Calculating Radio Emissions of Positive Streamer Phenomena Using 3D Simulations
Authors: Malla Hemaditya , Guo Yihao , Hare Brian M. , Cummer Steven , Malagón‐Romero Alejandro , Ebert Ute , Nijdam Sander , Teunissen Jannis
Published: October 2024

We study radio emissions from positive streamers in air using 3D simulations, from which the radiated electric field is computed by solving Jefimenko’s equations. The simulations are performed at using two photoionization methods: the Helmholtz approximation for a photon density and a Monte Carlo method using discrete photons, with the latter being the most realistic. We consider cases with single streamers, streamer branching, streamers interacting with preionization and streamer‐streamer encounters. We do not observe a strong VHF radio signal during or after branching, which is confirmed by lab experiments. This indicates that the current inside a streamer discharge evolves approximately continuously during branching. On the other hand, stochastic fluctuations in streamer propagation due to Monte Carlo photoionization lead to more radio emission being emitted at frequencies of 100 MHz and above. Another process that leads to such high‐frequency emission is the interaction of a streamer with a weakly preionized region, which can be present due to a previous discharge. In agreement with previous work, we observe the strongest and highest‐frequency emission from streamer encounters. The amount of total energy that is radiated seems to depend primarily on the background electric field, and less on the particular streamer evolution. Finally, we present approximations for the maximal current along a streamer channel and a fit formula for a streamer's current moment.
Assimilation of Sentinel‐1 Backscatter to Update AquaCrop Estimates of Soil Moisture and Crop Biomass
Authors: de Roos Shannon , Bechtold Michel , Busschaert Louise , Lievens Hans , De Lannoy Gabrielle J. M.
Published: October 2024

This study assesses the potential of regional microwave backscatter data assimilation (DA) in AquaCrop for the first time, using NASA's Land Information System. The objective is to assess whether the assimilation setup can improve surface soil moisture (SSM) and crop biomass estimates. SSM and crop biomass simulations from AquaCrop were updated using Sentinel‐1 synthetic aperture radar observations, over three regions in Europe in two separate DA experiments. The first experiment concerned updating SSM using VV‐polarized backscatter and the corrections were propagated via the model to the biomass. In the second experiment, the DA setup was extended by also updating the biomass with VH‐polarized backscatter. SSM was evaluated with local in situ data and with downscaled Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) retrievals for all cropland grid cells, whereas crop biomass was compared to SMAP vegetation optical depth and the Copernicus dry matter productivity. The assimilation showed mixed results for root mean square error and Pearson's correlation, with slight overall improvements in the (anomaly) correlations of updated SSM relative to independent in situ and satellite data. By contrast, the biomass estimates obtained with backscatter DA did not agree better with reference data sets. Overall, the SSM evaluation showed that there is potential in using Sentinel‐1 backscatter for assimilation in AquaCrop, but the present setup was not able to improve crop biomass estimates. Our study reveals how the complex interaction between SSM, crop biomass and backscatter affect the impact and performance of DA, offering insight into ways to optimize DA for crop growth estimation.
Rectangular Microstrip With Co‐Planar Corner Loading: Advanced Antenna and Array Design for High Cross‐Polar Isolation Across All Radiation Planes
Authors: Dutta D. , Guha D. , Kumar C.
Published: October 2024

A newly conceived microstrip element, that features adequately suppressed cross‐polar discrimination (XPD) over both the orthogonal (H‐) and diagonal (D‐) planes, has been explored here. The proposed patch is of rectangular shape with a pair of loading at its corner region. A standalone patch as well as its linear and square array formation has been investigated. Their design and characterization along with a partial experimental verification are presented. They promise considerable improvement in D‐plane XPD, around 6 dB for single element, 10 dB for four‐element linear and 5 dB for four‐element square sub‐arrays. The XPD performance over H‐plane is equally promising, 8 dB for single element (10–18) dB for both planar and square arrays. The overall 3D‐XP scenario thus gets improved by about (8–10) dB on average which is quite significant in the case of arrays.
PAK6 rescues pathogenic LRRK2-mediated ciliogenesis and centrosomal cohesion defects in a mutation-specific manner
Authors: Iannotta Lucia , Fasiczka Rachel , Favetta Giulia , Zhao Yibo , Giusto Elena , Dall’Ara Elena , Wei Jianning , Ho Franz Y. , Ciriani Claudia , Cogo Susanna , Tessari Isabella , Iaccarino Ciro , Liberelle Maxime , Bubacco Luigi , Taymans Jean-Marc , Manzoni Claudia , Kortholt Arjan , Civiero Laura , Hilfiker Sabine , Lu Michael L. , Greggio Elisa
Published: October 2024

P21 activated kinase 6 (PAK6) is a serine-threonine kinase with physiological expression enriched in the brain and overexpressed in a number of human tumors. While the role of PAK6 in cancer cells has been extensively investigated, the physiological function of the kinase in the context of brain cells is poorly understood. Our previous work uncovered a link between PAK6 and the Parkinson’s disease (PD)-associated kinase LRRK2, with PAK6 controlling LRRK2 activity and subcellular localization via phosphorylation of 14–3–3 proteins. Here, to gain more insights into PAK6 physiological function, we performed protein-protein interaction arrays and identified a subgroup of PAK6 binders related to ciliogenesis. We confirmed that endogenous PAK6 localizes at both the centrosome and the cilium, and positively regulates ciliogenesis not only in tumor cells but also in neurons and astrocytes. Notably, PAK6 rescues ciliogenesis and centrosomal cohesion defects associated with the G2019S but not the R1441C LRRK2 PD mutation. Since PAK6 binds LRRK2 via its GTPase/Roc-COR domain and the R1441C mutation is located in the Roc domain, we used microscale thermophoresis and AlphaFold2-based computational analysis to demonstrate that PD mutations in LRRK2 affecting the Roc-COR structure substantially decrease PAK6 affinity, providing a rationale for the differential protective effect of PAK6 toward the distinct forms of mutant LRRK2. Altogether, our study discloses a novel role of PAK6 in ciliogenesis and points to PAK6 as the first LRRK2 modifier with PD mutation-specificity.