bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cardiac arrhythmia detection using cross‐sample entropy measure based on short and long RR interval series
Authors: Sharma Kanchan , Sunkaria Ramesh Kumar
Published: March 2023

Background

Accurate arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation (AF) and congestive heart failure (CHF)) detection is still a challenge in the biomedical signal‐processing field. Different linear and nonlinear measures of the electrocardiogram (ECG) signal analysis are used to fix this problem.

Methods

Sample entropy (SampEn) is used as a nonlinear measure based on single series to detect healthy and arrhythmia subjects. To follow this measure, the proposed work presents a nonlinear technique, namely, the cross‐sample entropy (CrossSampEn) based on two series to quantify healthy and arrhythmia subjects.

Results

The research work consists of 10 records of normal sinus rhythm, 20 records of Fantasia (old group), 10 records of AF, and 10 records of CHF. The method of CrossSampEn has been proposed to obtain the irregularity between two same and different R–R (R peak to peak) interval series of different data lengths. Unlike the SampEn technique, the CrossSampEn technique never awards a ‘not defined’ value for very short data lengths and was found to be more consistent than SampEn. One‐way ANOVA test has validated the proposed algorithm by providing a large F value and p < .0001. The proposed algorithm is also verified by simulated data.

Conclusions

It is concluded that different RR interval series of approximate 1500 data points and same RR interval series of approximate 1000 data points are required for health‐status detection with embedded dimensions, M = 2 and threshold, r = .2. Also, CrossSampEn has been found more consistent than Sample entropy algorithm.
Fragranced consumer products: Formulation practices, related models, and recommendations to enable wider hydrophilic–lipophilic difference (HLD) application
Authors: Falk Nancy
Published: March 2023

Fragrances in consumer products are essential for appeal and market success. However, creating optimal stable formulas are especially challenging due to the polar nature of many fragrance ingredients. This perspective discusses how fragrances are currently dealt with within the industry, current surfactant and solvent models, and the barriers that today's industrial practice that prevent advancement to modeling and simulation. Recommendations for chemical suppliers, fragrance houses, and formulators are made regarding the implementation of the Hydrophilic‐Lipophilic Difference with Net Average Curvature (HLD‐NAC) model, which is the most comprehensive model for fragranced aqueous consumer products.
White analytical chemistry‐driven stability‐indicating concomitant chromatographic estimation of thiocolchicoside and aceclofenac using response surface analysis and red, green, and blue model
Authors: Prajapati Pintu , Pulusu Veera Shakar , Shah Shailesh
Published: March 2023

White analytical chemistry is a novel concept for the assessment of analytical methods on basis of its validation efficiency, greenness power, and economical efficiency. White analytical chemistry‐driven stability indicating chromatographic method has been developed for the concomitant analysis of thiocolchicoside and aceclofenac. The proposed chromatographic method has been developed using a safe and environmental‐friendly organic solvents for the concomitant stability study of thiocolchicoside and aceclofenac. The analytical risk assessment was carried out for the identification of high‐risk analytical risk factors and analytical method performance attributes. The mixture design was applied for the design of experiments‐based response surface modeling of high‐risk analytical risk factors and analytical method performance attributes. The degradation products were isolated and characterized using infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectral data. The proposed method was compared for its validation efficiency, greenness power, and cost‐efficiency with published chromatographic methods using the red, green, and blue models. The white score of the proposed and reported method was calculated by averaging the red, green, and blue scores of the methods. The proposed method was found to be robust, green, and economical for the concomitant stability study of thiocolchicoside and aceclofenac.
A Magnetic Bio‐Inspired Soft Carrier as a Temperature‐Controlled Gastrointestinal Drug Delivery System
Authors: Heunis Christoff M. , Wang Zhuoyue , de Vente Gerko , Misra Sarthak , Venkiteswaran Venkatasubramanian Kalpathy
Published: March 2023

Currently, gastrointestinal bleeding in the colon wall and the small bowel is diagnosed and treated with endoscopes. However, the locations of this condition are often problematic to treat using traditional flexible and tethered tools. New studies commonly consider untethered devices for solving this problem. However, there still exists a gap in the extant literature, and more research is needed to diagnose and deliver drugs in the lower gastrointestinal tract using soft robotic carriers. This paper discusses the development of an untethered, magnetically‐responsive bio‐inspired soft carrier. A molding process is utilized to produce prototypes from Diisopropylidene‐1,6‐diphenyl‐1,6‐hexanediol‐based Polymer with Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate (DiAPLEX) MP‐3510 ‐ a shape memory polymer with a low transition temperature to enable the fabrication of these carriers. The soft carrier design is validated through simulation results of deformation caused by magnetic elements embedded in the carrier in response to an external field. The thermal responsiveness of the fabricated prototype carriers is assessed ex vivo and in a phantom. The results indicate a feasible design capable of administering drugs to a target inside a phantom of a large intestine. The soft carrier introduces a method for the controlled release of drugs by utilizing the rubbery modulus of the polymer and increasing the recovery force through magnetic actuation.
Globally convergent iterative scheme for computing matrix sign function with numerical stability
Authors: Kansal Munish , Rani Litika
Published: March 2023

In this article, we have proposed a novel matrix iteration for computing the matrix sign function numerically. An extensive convergence analysis is carried out in matrix case to achieve fourth‐order convergence. The basins of attraction are drawn to illustrate the global convergence behavior of the proposed method. Analytically, it is shown that the presented scheme is asymptotically stable. Further, the theoretical developments are verified numerically by discussing eigenvalues clustering around . Moreover, a class of numerical examples for matrices of various dimensions is assessed to exhibit the efficacy of proposed method.
Clinical characteristics of anti‐AChR‐MuSK‐LRP4 antibody‐negative myasthenia gravis in China
Authors: Li Wenbo , Liu Peipei , Cui Weike , Wang Shumin , Ji Ying , Zhang Linyuan , He Xiaoxiao , Zhou Shuxian , Shen Tong , Zhao Xue , Lv Jie , Zhang Yingna , Zhang Jing , Fang Hua , Yang Junhong , Zhang Yunke , Cui Xinzheng , Zhang Qingyong , Gao Feng
Published: March 2023

Introduction/Aims

Descriptions of the clinical characteristics of anti‐AChR‐MuSK‐LRP4 antibody‐negative myasthenia gravis (triple‐negative myasthenia gravis, TNMG) are lacking in the current literature. Therefore, we investigated the clinical characteristics of TNMG in Chinese patients.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 925 patients with MG registered in the Department of Neuroimmunology, Henan Institute of Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences from January 2015 to March 2021.

Results

One hundred six patients diagnosed with TNMG were included in the study. The average age of onset was 32.4 y, with a male‐to‐female ratio of 1:1. The age of onset showed a bimodal distribution: 0–9 y and 40–49 y. Adult patients were more likely to have weakness of limb and bulbar muscles (p < .05). Thymic hyperplasia was found in 20.2% of the patients. Younger patients were more likely to relapse. The rate of adult early‐onset myasthenia gravis reaching complete stable remission and pharmacological remission was 47.6%, and the prognosis was better than that in juvenile‐onset myasthenia gravis (p = .019). Older age of onset was the only risk factor for the development of generalized TNMG from ocular TNMG (R = 1.046, p = .002, 95% confidence interval 1.017–1.077).

Discussion

This study showed that the clinical characteristics of patients with TNMG varied among the different age groups. Significant findings included a bimodal distribution of onset age, coexisting thymic hyperplasia, and a generally favorable prognosis.
Experimental and modelling investigation of vibration‐induced fluidization in sheared granular soils
Authors: Xie Tao , Guo Peijun , Stolle Dieter
Published: March 2023

Vibration‐induced fluidization (ViF) is a phenomenon where a granular medium completely loses shear resistance or flows continuously under vibration and thus behaves like a fluid without invoking remarkable excess pore pressure. This paper attempts to investigate ViF through a series of modified triaxial tests and using an extended shear‐transformation‐zone (STZ) model that correlates macroscopic plastic deformation to the motion of internal mesoscopic weak spots (i.e., STZs) within granular materials. The test results revealed that the ViF may take place when the vibration is applied at either critical or non‐critical states. Theoretical analyses using the extended STZ model show that the vibration intensity required to cause fluidization increases linearly with the initial quasi‐static shear stress level at which vibration is imposed. The model results are generally consistent with experimental data, indicating that the extended STZ model has a desirable performance in simulating the fluidization of granular soil subjected to quasi‐static shearing and vibration simultaneously.
Children's Oncology Group KidsCare smartphone application for parents of children with cancer
Authors: Landier Wendy , Campos Gonzalez Paula D. , Henneberg Harrison , York Jocelyn M. , Wadhwa Aman , Adams Kandice , Madan‐Swain Avi , Wolfson Julie Anna , Benton Beth , Seidel Cindi , Slater Valencia , Snuggs Kim , Folsom Amy , Miller Jeneane , Tomlinson Kathryn , Zupanec Susan , Bhatia Smita
Published: March 2023

Background

Parents of children with cancer must learn and retain crucial information necessary to provide safe care for their child. Smartphone applications (apps) provide a significant opportunity to meet the informational needs of these parents. We aimed to develop, refine, and evaluate a smartphone app, informed by the Children's Oncology Group (COG) expert consensus recommendations, to support the informational needs of parents of children with cancer.

Procedure

We employed a user‐centered iterative mixed‐methods approach in two phases (prototype development/refinement and pilot testing). We engaged parents and clinicians in evaluating the app via qualitative interviews and standardized tools that measured app quality (Mobile Application Rating Scale [MARS]), usability (System Usability Scale [SUS]), and acceptability (System Acceptability Scale [SAS]). We evaluated early usage patterns after public release.

Results

Thirty‐two parents and 17 clinicians participated. Mean (± standard deviation [SD]) scores for app quality, usability, and acceptability were: MARS: 4.5 ± 0.7 on a 5‐point scale; SUS: 86.7 ± 23.8 on a 100‐point scale; and SAS: superior (61%); similar (28%); inferior (11%) to written materials. Qualitative findings largely confirmed the quantitative data. Downloads of the app during the first year following public release have exceeded 5000.

Conclusions

The COG KidsCare app prototype was found to be of high quality and received high usability and acceptability ratings. Further testing is needed to determine app effectiveness in improving parental knowledge regarding care of children with cancer.
Thermal and dielectric multiple percolation in α‐Si3N4 whiskers/silicone rubber
Authors: Zhang Dian , Liu Jiawen , Yang Xiaofeng , Liu Xuan , Liang Qingquan , Liu Yijun
Published: March 2023

Currently, thermal interfacial materials (TIMs) play a great role to electronic and semiconductor devices working at high voltage, power and frequency. The urgent need for electrical insulating TIMs and relevant theory are not addressed yet. This study adopted an electrical insulating α‐Si3N4 whisker as a filler to prepare Si3N4w/silicone rubber. The results show that the elongation at break and thermal conductivity of silicone rubber are promoted from 91.6% and 0.343 to 402.9% and 1.011 W m−1 K−1, respectively, at a filler fraction of 8.0 vol%. It reveals a multiple percolation phenomenon which has not been previously observed in an electrical insulating TIMs. The thermal percolation threshold is decreased to 4.0 vol% with increasing aspect ratio of the whisker. The behavior of the dielectric strength is explained by a double percolation model. A phonon quasi‐ballistic transportation mechanism based on Coulomb interactions is proposed for the TIMs.
High glass transition temperature and ultra‐low thermal expansion coefficient polyimide films containing rigid pyridine and bisbenzoxazole units
Authors: Luo Feng , Lin Chengjiang , Jiao Long , Du Zhijun , Dong Zhixin , Dai Xuemin , Duan Xiaozheng , Qiu Xuepeng
Published: March 2023

Polyimide (PI) films with extremely high heat‐resisting and dimensional stability are ideal substrate materials for flexible organic light‐emitting diodes. In this study, three diamines containing rigid bisbenzoxazole structures, 2,2′‐p‐phenylenebis(5‐aminobenzoxazole) (phDBOA), 2,2′‐m‐pyridylenebis(5‐aminobenzoxazole), and 2,2′‐p‐pyridylenebis(5‐aminobenzoxazole) (p‐PDBOA), were polymerized with 3,3′,4,4′‐biphenyl tetracarboxylic dianhydride and pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) separately with traditional two‐step approach to prepare a set of PI films. Introduction of bisbenzoxazole improves stiffness of molecular chain, whereas that of pyridine increases in‐plane orientation and molecular chain tend to be densely stacked. Among prepared films, PI‐6 (PMDA/p‐PDBOA) shows the most excellent mechanical properties, with an ultra‐high glass transition temperature of >450°C, an ultra‐low thermal expansion coefficient of <5 ppm K−1 (50–450°C), a tensile strength of 259 MPa, and a modulus of 8.3 GPa. Given these excellent properties, PI‐6 could be applied in flexible display.
A colour indicator film based on bromothymol blue/poly‐L‐lactic acid/polyvinylpyrrolidone for detecting bacteria
Authors: Jia Lu , Sun Wuliang , Li Wenbo , Dong Yue , Wu Lingling , Saldaña Marleny D. A. , Gao Yang , Jin Ye , Sun Wenxiu
Published: March 2023

The unintentional bacterial contamination in food seriously harms food quality and human health, so it is necessary to establish a real‐time bacterial detection method. Here, a colour indicator film was designed to detect bacterial by incorporating bromothymol blue (BTB) into degradable poly‐L‐lactic acid (PLLA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). The colour indicator film was prepared into fibres by electrospinning technology. The colour indicator film showed colour responsiveness from yellow to green at different pH. The colour indicator film showed good colour stability at different temperature and humidity conditions. The colour indicator film was used for the detection of bacteria, and it was found that the colour indicator film could make a colour response visible to the naked eye according to different concentrations of bacteria, which showed the great potential of the colour indicator film in detecting bacteria.
Video‐assisted surgical diagnosis and pleural adhesion management in catamenial pneumothorax: A case and literature review
Authors: Pratomo Irandi Putra , Putra Muhammad Arza , Bangun Lidia Giritri , Soetartio Isti Mardiana , Maharani Maria Angela Putri , Febriana Irene Sinta , Soehardiman Dicky , Prasenohadi Prasenohadi , Kinasih Tutug
Published: March 2023

Catamenial pneumothorax is a rare primary spontaneous pneumothorax associated with the menstrual phase and is the most common manifestation of thoracic endometriosis syndrome. We report a case of a 32‐year‐old woman with a history of endometriosis who presented to the emergency ward with a chief complaint of dyspnea and right‐sided chest pain, and a chest X‐ray showed a right pneumothorax. Initial management was by placing a chest tube to expand the right lung. The patient underwent a video‐assisted thoracoscopy and talc pleurodesis, during which we found multiple perforations in the tendinous part of the diaphragm. A partial resection of the tendinous part of the diaphragm was done. Our review indicated that primary spontaneous pneumothorax in women should be suspected as catamenial pneumothorax due to thoracic endometriosis. The gold standard procedure for diagnosis and treatment is surgery. Hormonal therapy is an effective choice to prevent and reduce post‐operative recurrence.
Carvacrol protects against λ‐Cyhalothrin‐induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity by modulating oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy
Authors: Ileriturk Mustafa , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet
Published: March 2023

λ‐Cyhalothrin, a type II synthetic pyrethroid, has been widely used in households, agriculture, public health, and gardening to control insect pests. Despite its widespread usage, it is known to induce a variety of adverse effects, including hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. The goal of this study was to investigate the protective effect of carvacrol, which has antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐apoptotic, and some other properties, on λ‐Cyhalothrin‐induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity 35 male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups for this purpose: I‐Control group: II‐CRV group (50 mg/kg carvacrol), III‐LCT group (6.23 mg/kg LCT), IV‐LCT + CRV 25 group (6.23 mg/kg LCT + 25 mg/kg carvacrol), and V‐LCT + CRV 50 group (6.23 mg/kg LCT + 50 mg/kg carvacrol). Using biochemical, real‐time PCR, and western blotting methods, the collected tissues were analyzed. While λ‐Cyhalothrin treatment increased MDA levels, which are indicated of lipid peroxidation, but reduced SOD, CAT, GPx activities, and GSH levels. After receiving carvacrol therapy, the degree of oxidative stress reduced as the values of these parameters approached those of the control group. Increased inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy with λ‐Cyhalothrin administration reduced with carvacrol co‐administration, and liver and kidney tissues were protected from damage, depending on the degree of oxidative stress. After considering all of these data, it was discovered that λ‐Cyhalothrin‐induced oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and autophagy in the liver and kidneys; however, carvacrol protected the tissues from damage. Our findings indicate that carvacrol may be a promising protective agent in λ‐Cyhalothrin‐induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.
Antrodia camphorata and coenzyme Q0, a novel quinone derivative of Antrodia camphorata, impede HIF‐1α and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition/metastasis in human glioblastoma cells
Authors: Yang Hsin‐Ling , Chang Yao‐Hsien , Pandey Sudhir , Bhat Asif Ali , Vadivalagan Chithravel , Lin Kai‐Yuan , Hseu You‐Cheng
Published: March 2023

Antrodia camphorata (AC) and Coenzyme Q0 (CoQ0), a novel quinone derivative of AC, exhibits antitumor activities. The present study evaluated EMT/metastasis inhibition and autophagy induction aspects of AC and CoQ0 in human glioblastoma (GBM8401) cells. Our findings revealed that AC treatment (0–150 μg/mL) hindered tumor cell proliferation and migration/invasion in GBM8401 cells. Notably, AC treatment inhibited HIF‐1α and EMT by upregulating epithelial marker protein E‐cadherin while downregulating mesenchymal proteins Twist, Slug, Snail, and β‐catenin. There was an appearance of the autophagy markers LC3‐II and p62/SQSTM1, while ATG4B was downregulated by AC treatment. We also found that CoQ0 (0–10 μM) could inhibit migration and invasion in GBM8401 cells. In particular, E‐cadherin was elevated and N‐cadherin, Vimentin, Twist, Slug, and Snail, were reduced upon CoQ0 treatment. In addition, MMP‐2/‐9 expression and Wnt/β‐catenin pathways were downregulated. Furthermore, autophagy inhibitors 3‐MA or CQ reversed the CoQ0‐elicited suppression of migration/invasion and metastasis‐related proteins (Vimentin, Snail, and β‐catenin). Results suggested autophagy‐mediated antiEMT and antimetastasis upon CoQ0 treatment. CoQ0 inhibited HIF‐1α and metastasis in GBM8401 cells under normoxia and hypoxia. HIF‐1α knockdown using siRNA accelerated CoQ0‐inhibited migration. Finally, CoQ0 exhibited a prolonged survival rate in GBM8401‐xenografted mice. Treatment with Antrodia camphorata/CoQ0 inhibited HIF‐1α and EMT/metastasis in glioblastoma.
Genomic‐assisted breeding for climate‐smart coffee
Authors: Ferrão Maria Amélia G. , da Fonseca Aymbire F. A. , Volpi Paulo S. , de Souza Lucimara C. , Comério Marcone , Filho Abraão C. Verdin , Riva‐Souza Elaine M. , Munoz Patricio R. , Ferrão Romário G. , Ferrão Luís Felipe V.
Published: March 2023

Coffee is a universal beverage that drives a multi‐industry market on a global basis. Today, the sustainability of coffee production is threatened by accelerated climate changes. In this work, we propose the implementation of genomic‐assisted breeding for climate‐smart coffee in Coffea canephora. This species is adapted to higher temperatures and is more resilient to biotic and abiotic stresses. After evaluating two populations, over multiple harvests, and under severe drought weather condition, we dissected the genetic architecture of yield, disease resistance, and quality‐related traits. By integrating genome‐wide association studies and diallel analyses, our contribution is four‐fold: (i) we identified a set of molecular markers with major effects associated with disease resistance and post‐harvest traits, while yield and plant architecture presented a polygenic background; (ii) we demonstrated the relevance of nonadditive gene actions and projected hybrid vigor when genotypes from different geographically botanical groups are crossed; (iii) we computed medium‐to‐large heritability values for most of the traits, representing potential for fast genetic progress; and (iv) we provided a first step toward implementing molecular breeding to accelerate improvements in C. canephora. Altogether, this work is a blueprint for how quantitative genetics and genomics can assist coffee breeding and support the supply chain in the face of the current global changes.
Anaerobic digestion of agro‐industrial waste enriched with bovine bone meal for improved biogas production and biofertilization
Authors: Hadidi Meryem , Bahlaouan Bouchaib , Boutaleb Fatimazahra , Benjelloun Ghita Radi , Silkina Alla , Antri Said El , Boutaleb Nadia
Published: March 2023

The increase in animal and agro‐industrial production must be accompanied by the development of appropriate waste and by‐product management strategies. Anaerobic digestion is a promising approach to recycle these wastes and reintegrate them into the economic production cycle of biogas and biofertilizer. In order to improve the performance of the anaerobic mesophilic digestion of abundant agro‐industrial wastes constituted by potato peel (PP), and poultry waste (PW) and study the contribution of bovine bone meal (BB) as additive rich in phosphorus, which can help to neutralize the acidity of the substrate. The 10‐point simplex‐centroid design and the isoresponse surfaces strategy were used. This study demonstrated that in mesophilic bio‐digestion, the using bovine bones in admixture with agroindustrial residue provided for the proper balance of chemical components required for proliferation of microbiological agent of bioconversion, which also resulted in an increase in biogas production capacity. The best formula was so composed by 66.67% bovine bone, 16.67% potatoes peel, and 16.67% poultry waste. The stability was achieved here after only 12 days. The digestate generated from it was fulfilled with the microbiological and chemical requirements for safety defined by the NF U44‐551 standard. Germination test revealed that this optimal produced digestate, did not hinder growth, in fact, almost 85% of seed was germinated. Finally, fertilization experiments prove that this digestate can boost the growth of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum).
Promoting diversity and overcoming publication barriers in Latin American neuroscience and Alzheimer's disease research: A call to action
Authors: Lourenco Mychael V. , Borelli Wyllians Vendramini , Duran‐Aniotz Claudia , Zimmer Eduardo R. , de Castro Shamyr Sulyvan
Published: March 2023

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a global health issue. Because AD is a condition demanding effective management, its socioeconomic burden is immense and threatens the health systems of both low‐ and middle‐income (LMIC) and high‐income (HIC) countries. However, while most of the HICs are increasing their budget for AD research, the situation is different in LMICs, and resources are scarce. In addition, LMIC researchers face significant barriers to publishing in international peer reviewed journals, including funding constraints; language barriers; and in many cases, high article processing charges. In this perspective, we discuss these disparities and propose some actions that could help promote diversity, and ultimately translate into improved AD research capacity in LMICs, especially in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

HIGHLIGHTS

Researchers in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) face increasing difficulties such as financial constraints, language barriers, and article processing charges.

Publication fees, in particular, can be a significant barrier in the process of publication and equal access to scientific information.

Publication fee equalization initiatives by publishing companies could reduce the scientific inequality that disadvantages researchers in LMICs.
Selection of geometry for nonlinear rheology using large amplitude oscillatory shear: Poly (vinyl alcohol) based complex network systems
Authors: Ramya Koduvayur A. , Deshpande Abhijit P.
Published: March 2023

Oscillatory rheology is a common technique to characterize the linear and nonlinear mechanical response of complex materials. The present work studies two crosslinked systems of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA): physically crosslinked PVA‐Borax, and glutaraldehyde (GA) based chemically crosslinked PVA‐hyaluronic acid (HA) gel. Both exhibit nonlinear viscoelasticity with characteristic intracycle mechanisms during large amplitude oscillatory shear (LAOS), owing to H‐bonding (physical) and covalent (chemical) interactions respectively, unlike PVA solutions/vinyl polymer melts. Parallel plate (PP) geometry is commonly utilized for rheology of crosslinked systems due to flexible gaps, and ease to retain exact material shapes. Unlike the widely employed cone and plate (CP) geometry for LAOS analysis, the inherent deformation and flow fields are not uniform in PP, which manifests as qualitative difference in the response of the material within the two geometries. A quantitative dissimilarity in the response of PVA based crosslinked systems is demonstrated in this work. Three approaches for PP correction from literature are explored to obtain a geometry independent response of the systems. Therein, the true stresses are computed from the apparent stresses via torque balance, their harmonics, and harmonic ratios based single‐point correction. The first two are shown to have limited application, owing to their implicit assumption of geometry independence in the linear regime. The third approach is found to be effective upto medium strain amplitudes. We outline these shortcomings, and present guidelines to analyze PP LAOS results for the two PVA systems. The analysis can be generalized for the broader class of complex network systems' nonlinear rheology.
Instilling the capacity for empathy in the community college classroom through liberatory pedagogy
Authors: Prado Robledo Samantha
Published: March 2023

This article critiques the lack of literature on community college student leadership development and highlights the importance of community colleges as producers of social justice leaders and promoters of positive social change. This article examines how community college educators in the field of sociology prepare their students for success in their personal lives, careers, and communities through liberatory pedagogy, which instills empathy in their students, a core element of the social, action, leadership, and transformation (SALT) model.
Utilizing SALT and SCM models to support student learning through critical service‐learning
Authors: Lipnicki Aryn
Published: March 2023

This article describes a two‐credit critical service‐learning course at the University of Minnesota and its evolution to utilize both the Social Change Model and Social Action, Leadership, and Transformation models in complementary ways to support student leadership development.
Know your role: Using social action in social justice advocacy development initiatives
Authors: Wright Kevin L.
Published: March 2023

This article will describe the work of the Cultural Leadership Institute (CLI), a one‐day institute with interactive workshops designed to facilitate students' understanding of diversity, multiculturalism, and social justice to explore leadership within a diverse society.
Teaching transformation: Fostering critical awareness through transformative justice organizing frameworks
Authors: Williams Amber , Richards‐Schuster Katie
Published: March 2023

The following article explores how the curricular adaptation of seminal and contemporary definitions of and approaches to transformative justice frameworks can foster student's critical reflection from identity awareness toward critical action informed by collectivist perspectives of social change. Applications in the social work curriculum are presented.
Sensitivity of future tritium decay experiments to New Physics
Authors: Canning James A. L. , Deppisch Frank F. , Pei Wenna
Published: March 2023

Abstract

Tritium beta-decay is the most promising approach to measure the absolute masses of active light neutrinos in the laboratory and in a model-independent fashion. The development of Cyclotron Radiation Emission Spectroscopy techniques and the use of atomic tritium has the potential to improve the current limits by an order of magnitude in future experiments. In this paper, we analyse the potential sensitivity of such future searches to keV-mass sterile neutrinos and exotic interactions of either the active or sterile neutrinos. We calculate the relevant decay distributions in both energy and angle of the emitted electron with respect to a potential polarisation of the tritium, including the interference with the Standard Model case as well as incorporating relevant final state corrections for atomic tritium. We present projected sensitivities on the active-sterile neutrino mixing and effective coupling constants of exotic currents, demonstrating the potential to probe New Physics in tritium experiments.
On the boundedness of globally F-split varieties
Authors: Stigant Liam
Published: March 2023

This paper proposes the use of F-split and globally F-regular conditions in the pursuit of BAB type results in positive characteristic. The main technical work comes in the form of a detailed study of threefold Mori fibre spaces over positive dimensional bases. As a consequence we prove the main theorem, which reduces birational boundedness for a large class of varieties to the study of prime Fano varieties.
Digital Process Monitoring of Stationary Processing Equipment—A Step Toward an Optimized Digital Processing Plant
Authors: Krukenfellner Philip , Flachberger Helmut
Published: March 2023

In response to the current trends of digital transformation in the raw materials extraction and processing industry, IFE Aufbereitungstechnik GmbH has set itself the challenging goal of developing robust and versatile sensor systems for monitoring the condition of their predominantly vibrating stationary processing units. It shall be used as a basis for establishing a predictive maintenance scheme and ultimately facilitate the reduction of equipment downtime. In the course of the research project, research activities will be directed in particular toward a better understanding of the operating state of vibrating machines, especially based on their vibration patterns. Namely, a range of experiments with various vibrating screens and vibratory conveyors as well as an already ongoing extended case study on a linear vibrating screen currently operating in a waste treatment plant will be conducted. Furthermore, DEM simulations of vibrating screens as well as a specifically engineered “Laboratory Vibrating Machine” will be part of the research process. The sensors in use to identify and measure the required vibration patterns will be newly developed vibration sensors called “Sapient Edge Sensors”, which, later on, will be combined with other sensors for measuring different parameters.
Numerical Simulations of Gas Burner Experiments in a Residential Structure with HVAC System
Authors: Chaudhari Dushyant M. , Weinschenk Craig , Floyd Jason E.
Published: March 2023

Controlled fire experiments using a gas burner were previously conducted in a purpose-built, two-story, moderately air-tight residential structure to understand the effect of a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system and door positions on the fire-induced environment. Temperatures, gas concentrations (oxygen, water vapor, carbon dioxide), and differential pressures were monitored throughout the structure. HVAC status (off vs. on) and stairwell door position of the fire room (open vs. closed) were varied for the experiments analyzed in this paper. In this study, Fire Dynamics Simulator (FDS) v. 6.7.9 was used to simulate these experiments. Experimental data quantifying the air tightness of the building and cold flowrates through HVAC vents were determined to be important to optimize leakages and HVAC loss coefficients for the simulation setup. Pressure development in the structure was predicted correctly to be higher on the first floor and lower in the basement, but the magnitude of steady-state pressure was underpredicted. The measured and predicted steady-state temperature distributions were statistically different for the cases with and without the HVAC on, regardless of the door position. FDS predicted gas transport through the HVAC duct network, and under-predicted temperature rise and water vapor content by about 9% and 10%, respectively, and over-predicted volumetric oxygen and carbon dioxide content by about 21% and 6%, respectively. Temperature rise prediction in the closed room, where the gas transport primarily occurred via the HVAC duct network, improved after including heat loss from the HVAC duct to the ambient.
Joint longitudinal model-based meta-analysis of FEV1 and exacerbation rate in randomized COPD trials
Authors: Llanos-Paez Carolina , Ambery Claire , Yang Shuying , Beerahee Misba , Plan Elodie L. , Karlsson Mats O.
Published: March 2023

Model-based meta-analysis (MBMA) is an approach that integrates relevant summary level data from heterogeneously designed randomized controlled trials (RCTs). This study not only evaluated the predictability of a published MBMA for forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and its link to annual exacerbation rate in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) but also included data from new RCTs. A comparative effectiveness analysis across all drugs was also performed. Aggregated level data were collected from RCTs published between July 2013 and November 2020 (n = 132 references comprising 156 studies) and combined with data used in the legacy MBMA (published RCTs up to July 2013 - n = 142). The augmented data (n = 298) were used to evaluate the predictive performance of the published MBMA using goodness-of-fit plots for assessment. Furthermore, the model was extended including drugs that were not available before July 2013, estimating a new set of parameters. The legacy MBMA model predicted the post-2013 FEV1 data well, and new estimated parameters were similar to those of drugs in the same class. However, the exacerbation model overpredicted the post-2013 mean annual exacerbation rate data. Inclusion of year when the study started on the pre-treatment placebo rate improved the model predictive performance perhaps explaining potential improvements in the disease management over time. The addition of new data to the legacy COPD MBMA enabled a more robust model with increased predictability performance for both endpoints FEV1 and mean annual exacerbation rate.
The effect of irradiation on the Cs, Co and Eu-removal from aqueous solutions using Greek minerals
Authors: Dianellou Iro , Karantoumanis Filippos , Tsamos Panagiotis , Noli Fotini
Published: March 2023

Sorption properties of Greek bentonites and zeolites were investigated in raw form and after irradiation for removal of Cs, Co and Eu from aqueous solutions using 137Cs, 60Co and 152Eu as tracers and γ-spectroscopy. The sorption experiments were undertaken under different conditions (pH, concentration, competitive ions and temperature). The structural changes of the sorbents due to irradiation and metal sorption were examined through XRD, FTIR and SEM/EDS. Sorption isotherms were reproduced by mathematical models and thermodynamic parameters were derived. The results showed that the sorption capacity was slightly affected by irradiation. The environmental compatibility tests proved the safe disposal of the investigated materials.
Learning programs with magic values
Authors: Hocquette Céline , Cropper Andrew
Published: March 2023

A magic value in a program is a constant symbol that is essential for the execution of the program but has no clear explanation for its choice. Learning programs with magic values is difficult for existing program synthesis approaches. To overcome this limitation, we introduce an inductive logic programming approach to efficiently learn programs with magic values. Our experiments on diverse domains, including program synthesis, drug design, and game playing, show that our approach can (1) outperform existing approaches in terms of predictive accuracies and learning times, (2) learn magic values from infinite domains, such as the value ofpi, and (3) scale to domains with millions of constant symbols.
Extrapolating from experiments, confidently
Authors: Khosrowi Donal
Published: March 2023

Extrapolating causal effects from experiments to novel populations is a common practice in evidence-based-policy, development economics and other social science areas. Drawing on experimental evidence of policy effectiveness, analysts aim to predict the effects of policies in new populations, which might differ importantly from experimental populations. Existing approaches made progress in articulating the sorts of similarities one needs to assume to enable such inferences. It is also recognized, however, that many of these assumptions will remain surrounded by significant uncertainty in practice. Unfortunately, the existing literature says little on how analysts may articulate and manage these uncertainties. This paper aims to make progress on these issues. First, it considers several existing ideas that bear on issues of uncertainty, elaborates the challenges they face, and extracts some useful rationales. Second, it outlines a novel approach, called the support graph approach, that builds on these rationales and allows analysts to articulate and manage uncertainty in extrapolation in a systematic and unified way.
An assessment model for national sustainable development based on the hybrid DEA and modified TOPSIS techniques
Authors: Lin Sheng-Wei , Lo Huai-Wei , Gul Muhammet
Published: March 2023

Assessing and improving energy efficiency is crucial for addressing the problems of climate change and global warming. This study evaluates the performance of each Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) nation based on the weights obtained by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), combined with a modified Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution (TOPSIS) method based on the concept of the aspiration level (called modified TOPSIS-AL). Objective weights are obtained for each country through DEA. This method offers an effective improvement over the previous methods which only use the same subjective weights for the calculation. In addition, our model is also able to account for negative environmental externalities generated during development and provides a comprehensive assessment system for the evaluation of national sustainable development. The findings indicate that the member nations are gradually adopting policies to reduce fossil fuel consumption. However, regional analysis showed that the overall performance of the G7 nations differed significantly from that of the non-G7 nations. The importance of this study lies in the fact that energy consumption not only creates environmental burdens but also affects resource production patterns and productivity. By evaluating the performance of nations in terms of energy efficiency and environmental impact, we aim to address the challenges posed by energy consumption for sustainable development. The proposed hybrid model offers several advantages, including a comprehensive assessment system, consideration of negative externalities, and practical policy recommendations.
The important role of stiffnesses values of circular joints on the stress state developed in the tunnel segmental lining
Authors: Han Xin , Oreste Pierpaolo , Ye Fei
Published: March 2023

Under the application of the fluctuating Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) jack thrust and the non-uniformly distributed total pressure of the slurry around the lining, the bending and the shear deformation occur on the segmental lining along the longitudinal direction, which cause a stress concentration and increase the damage risk of the segmental tunnel lining. The analysis of the circular joint stiffness is a critical step during the evaluation of the stress state of the segmental lining so as to decrease the associated risk of damage. In order to investigate the lining rings and the circular joint separately, an integrated numerical model which is composed of segment elements and joint elements was developed. Furthermore, stiffness equations for describing in the detail the circular joint behaviour of the tunnel segmental lining are derived. The new stiffness equation of the circular joint is also used to analyse the segment lining behaviour based on a well-known indoor test result by the scientific literature, and satisfactory results were obtained. A simplified estimation of the bending stiffness of the circular joint based on the Boltzmann equation is then suggested in order to obtain quickly its calculation. Finally, based on a specific numerical model, the calculated joint stiffnesses are adopted to analyse the vertical displacement of a real case (The Ningbo metro tunnel in China). Through a developed sensitivity analysis, some useful suggestions are proposed to reduce the damage risk of the segmental lining.
Dispositions and Powers
Authors: Friend Toby , Kimpton-Nye Samuel
Published: March 2023

As we understand them, dispositions are relatively uncontroversial 'predicatory' properties had by objects disposed in certain ways. By contrast, powers are hypothetical 'ontic' properties posited in order to explain dispositional behaviour. Chapter 1 outlines this distinction in more detail. Chapter 2 offers a summary of the issues surrounding analysis of dispositions and various strategies in contemporary literature to address them, including one of our own. Chapter 3 describes some of the important questions facing the metaphysics of powers including why they're worth positing, and how they might metaphysically explain laws of nature and modality. This title is also available as Open Access on Cambridge Core.
The Royal Doctors, 1485-1714
Authors: Furdell Elizabeth Lane
Published: March 2023

Drawing upon a myriad of primary and secondary historical sources, The Royal Doctors: Medical Personnel at the Tudor and Stuart Courts investigates the influential individuals who attended England's most important patients during a pivotal epoch in the evolution of the state and the medical profession.
Writers in Politics
Authors: wa Thiong'o Ngugi
Published: March 2023

This book reflects many of the concerns found in Decolonising the Mind and Moving the Centre.
The Great War, Memory and Ritual
Authors: Connelly Mark
Published: March 2023

This detailed case study of a part of London seeks to show how both the survivors and the bereaved sought to come to terms with the losses and implications of the Great War.
China in the WTO Twenty Years On: How to Mend a Broken Relationship?
Authors: Mavroidis Petros C. , Sapir André
Published: March 2023

China’s participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO) has been a rollercoaster of milestones and frictions. China has emerged as a leading trading nation, which has contributed to the expansion of world trade. Some of its trading partners, however, and most vocally the United States, complain that China has reached its new status by eluding its WTO commitments. Under President Trump, the United States reacted strongly against China, almost bringing the WTO (but not China!) to its knees. These actions have been criticized in different ways: Some underline their unilateral character (and the ensuing legal issues they raise), whereas others focus on the regime-neutrality of the WTO, which should, in principle, be able to accommodate Western liberal democracies, developing countries, and socialist countries like China equally. In this short Article, we argue that staying idle is no solution to the China issue and that addressing it through unilateral actions is no solution either. Both approaches would only deepen the current WTO crisis. In our view, the only viable solution for the WTO system requires adding new disciplines to the existing multilateral rules.
Systemic Changes in the Politicization of the International Trade Relations and the Decline of the Multilateral Trading System
Authors: Sacerdoti Giorgio , Borlini Leonardo
Published: March 2023

This Article contributes to the discussion about the development of international trade regulation of state interventionism by situating the tensions that exist about the future design of subsidies and state enterprises treaty regulation in the broader context of current systemic challenges to the multilateral trading system. While recent studies have explored the issues of subsidies and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) as one of the most significant in impact among the contemporary challenges to the WTO, there is certainly scope to discuss further such a problem from the broader point of view of the crisis of the multilateral trading system, its systemic challenges and the concomitant increasing politicization of international trade relations. To this end, this Article analyzes the interactions between the lasting decline of the WTO, growing political interferences with international trade flows and the prospects of reforming multilateral trade rules to address its systemic challenges and manage/mitigate newly central problems of the 21st century such as the Covid-19 Pandemic, climate change and the greening of economic production and international trade. The Article argues that existing WTO rules are not adequate to address these challenges and problems. It concludes that, like in the GATT era, it is only the spirit of pragmatism that may provide chances to find alternatives to growing frustration with negotiating inaction and, hence, to reform the system. However, the question remains whether it is possible to find an approach to imagine, remodel and craft multilateral rules that are sensitive to different economic, political, and social choices and able to rebalance the position of all members, large and small, rich and poor.