bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Co3O4 Nanoparticles Using Ananas Comosus Peel Extract for Cr6+ Ion Adsorption and Antibacterial Applications
Authors: Shumete Mikyas Kassaw , Tufa Lemma Teshome , Sabir Fedlu Kedir , Murthy H.C. Ananda , Bekele Eneyew Tilahun , Gonfa Bedasa Abdisa
Published: November 2024

Water contamination, caused by both point and nonpoint sources, alongside the prevalence of diseases caused by bacteria, represents a significant global challenge. In this work, cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co3O4 NPs) were synthesized using various volume ratios such as 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 of cobalt nitrate hexahydrate as salt precursor solution and Ananas comosus peel extract. The synthesized NPs were used as a high surface area nanoadsorbent for removal of Cr6+ from aqueous solution and antibacterial activity against drug‐resistant bacterial strains applications. The TGA–DTA analysis confirms that Co3O4 NPs were thermally stable above 500 °C. The calculated average sizes were found to be 12.58, 13.40, and 22.05 nm for the 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 ratios, respectively. The SEM–EDS analysis with TEM–HRTEM and SAED validated that Co3O4 NPs were spherical‐shaped without impurities. The band gap energy and the specific surface area of the 1:1, 1:2, and 2:1 Co3O4 NPs were calculated as 3.33, 2.95, and 2.70 eV and 24.7, 23.7, and 22.5 m2/g, respectively. Functional group analysis confirms the presence of numerous secondary metabolites within the peel extract. Cyclic voltammetry coupled with EIS proves the enhanced electrochemical properties of synthesized Co3O4. The Co3O4 (1:1) NPs exhibited higher adsorption efficiency (95%) toward Cr6+ removal and were found to be fit with pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and also with both the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The maximum (13 mm) zone of inhibition was achieved against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes by Co3O4 (1:2) NPs.
A Study on the Novel Use of Metal‐organic Frameworks (MOFs) as a Nanocomposite of MIL‐88A(Fe) for the Photocatalytic Degradation of Azo Dyes From Aqueous Solutions: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Zadeh Maryam Khorami , Moradi Omid , Arab‐Salmanabadi Samira
Published: November 2024

In this research, a new metal‐organic framework (MOF) nanocomposite was synthesized using the hydrothermal method. The main objective is to create a photocatalytic nanocomposite based on Materials Institute Lavoisier (MIL) for degrading Direct Red 23 (DR23) and Direct Red 28 (DR28) dyes using visible LED light. This catalyst was reported as MIL‐88A(Fe). The study also examined the impact of various operating variables, such as initial dye concentration, catalyst dosage, and solution pH, on the performance of the synthesized materials. Results showed that pollutant degradation increased with higher catalyst dosages but decreased with increasing initial pollutant concentrations. One of the main objectives is to enhance the photocatalytic efficiency of MIL‐88A(Fe) for the degradation of azo dyes. This will simplify and optimize the synthesis conditions, as well as improve the understanding of the degradation mechanisms, stability evaluation, and reusability. The characteristics of the synthesized photocatalysts were analyzed using XRD, SEM, EDX, FT‐IR, and Raman techniques. XRD, SEM, and FT‐IR analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of the MIL‐88A(Fe) nanocomposite. The degradation of DR23 and DR28 dyes on the catalysts followed first‐order kinetics, supported by appropriate rate models. The data suggested that MIL‐88A(Fe) could effectively serve as a photocatalyst for pollutant degradation.
Single‐Crystal Perovskite for Solar Cell Applications
Authors: Li Chao , Chen Cong
Published: November 2024

The advent of organic–inorganic hybrid metal halide perovskites has revolutionized photovoltaics, with polycrystalline thin films reaching over 26% efficiency and single‐crystal perovskite solar cells (IC‐PSCs) demonstrating ≈24%. However, research on single‐crystal perovskites remains limited, leaving a crucial gap in optimizing solar energy conversion. Unlike polycrystalline films, which suffer from high defect densities and instability, single‐crystal perovskites offer minimal defects, extended carrier lifetimes, and longer diffusion lengths, making them ideal for high‐performance optoelectronics and essential for understanding perovskite material behavior. This review explores the advancements and potential of IC‐PSCs, focusing on their superior efficiency, stability, and role in overcoming the limitations of polycrystalline counterparts. It covers device architecture, material composition, preparation methodologies, and recent breakthroughs, emphasizing the importance of further research to propel IC‐PSCs toward commercial viability and future dominance in photovoltaic technology.
Numerical Modeling of Direct Current Plasma Versus Natural Gas‐Heated Steelmaking Ladles: Validation via Full‐Scale Industrial Measurements
Authors: Holmström Marcus , Sundberg Daniel , Perez Nora Egido , Arteaga Ayarza Asier , Köchner Herbert , Glaser Björn
Published: November 2024

Conventional preheating methods for large steelmaking ladles typically use natural gas or liquified petroleum gas burners, which often have low thermal efficiencies depending on the fuel and oxidizer used. Common issues with these burners include lower overall bottom ladle temperatures and initiating decarburization in newly lined ladles with carbon‐rich refractory materials caused by the entrainment of air and combusting by‐products. In response to these issues, this study investigates the feasibility of using DC plasma torches for ladle preheating with nitrogen as carrier gas. Numerical models are developed to simulate ladles preheated by plasma torches, considering two variations: a 0.7 and a 1.5 MW torch. Additionally, a comparative model for a natural gas‐heated ladle is developed. The numerical results show that ladles heated by plasma torches achieve higher overall bottom temperatures due to strong convective heat flux, with average bottom temperatures of 983 and 1402 °C for 0.7 and 1.5 MW torch respectively, compared to 874 °C for natural gas heated ladle. The developed models are validated with industrial measurements on full‐sized ladles, confirming the feasibility of using plasma torches for preheating steelmaking ladles to temperatures similar to or higher than those achieved by conventional gas burners.
Optimizing seismic performance in RC short‐leg shear walls: Numerical simulations of concealed bracing configurations and materials
Authors: Xiao Liangli , Zhu Liyuan , Jiang Sijie , Xu Chengxiang
Published: November 2024

A finite element model was established in this study based on a low cyclic reversed loading test conducted on three different concealed bracing materials. A multivariate analysis of the seismic performance factors of two walls configured with different concealed bracing materials was conducted. The results indicated that the envelope curve of shear wall was more symmetrical in two directions when the layout form of concealed bracing was X‐shaped strut. Additionally, the seismic performance of concealed bracing shear walls was found to gradually decline as the angle of the concealed bracing decreased. The seismic performance of both types of shear walls improved to a lesser extent as the concealed bracing reinforcement rate increased. Comparatively, the concealed bracing shear walls reinforced with shape memory alloy bars exhibited greater energy absorption capacity and superior seismic performance compared to conventional reinforcement concealed bracing shear walls.
Coacervate‐Droplet Cased Synthetic Cells Regulated By Activated Carboxylic Acids (ACAs)
Authors: Valentini Matteo , Di Stefano Stefano , Boekhoven Job
Published: November 2024

Regulating the formation and dissolution of active complex coacervate droplets with chemical reactions offers a powerful synthetic cell model. Such active droplets are also helpful in understanding the non‐equilibrium nature of membrane‐less organelles. Like many membrane‐less organelles, these droplets rely on high‐chemical potential reagents, like ATP, to maintain their transient nature. This study explores Activated Carboxylic Acids (ACAs) as a high‐chemical potential fuel to modulate the lifetime of peptide‐based coacervates through transient pH changes. We demonstrate that nitroacetic acid, a commonly used ACA, can effectively induce the formation and dissolution of coacervates by transiently altering the solution′s pH. The system, comprising the zwitterionic peptide Ac‐FRGRGD‐OH and polyanions, forms coacervates upon protonation at low pH and dissolves as the pH returns to neutral. Our findings indicate that the lifetime of these synthetic cells can be fine‐tuned by varying the amount of ACA added, and the system can be refueled multiple times without significant interference from by‐products. This ACA‐driven reaction cycle is versatile, accommodating various coacervate compositions and enabling the uptake of diverse compounds, making it a valuable model for compartmentalization. The study underscores the potential of ACA‐fueled coacervates as a platform for investigating biomolecular condensates and developing synthetic life systems.
Bio‐Fabricated TiO2 Nanoparticles: A Comprehensive Insight Into Its Antimicrobial, Anticancer, and Environmental Applications
Authors: Saisruthi Vasamsetti , Kumar Jagadeesan Aravind , Rosana Nalzala Thomas Mary , Joseph Kanniyambatti Lourdusamy Vincent , Rubavathy Sukirtharaj Jaanaa
Published: November 2024

The increasing emphasis on environmental sustainability and the need for eco‐friendly solutions has intensified interest in bio‐fabricated titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles due to their unique properties and versatile applications. This review provides a comprehensive insight into the synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticles using various biological sources, including plants and microorganisms, highlighting the advantages of green synthesis methods over conventional techniques. The antimicrobial activity of bio‐fabricated TiO2 nanoparticles against a range of pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, opportunistic species of Staphylococcus, Teschovirus A, Trichoderma, Candida albicans has been examined and scripted in various research papers, along with the underlying mechanisms that contribute to their efficacy. Additionally, the potential of TiO2 nanoparticles in cancer therapy is explored, focusing on their ability to induce apoptosis in cancer cells and their applications in photodynamic therapy. Furthermore, the discussion on the environmental applications of TiO2 nanoparticles, including their role in wastewater treatment, air purification, and as photocatalysts for the degradation of organic pollutants, in agriculture, energy production, electronic sensing emphasized its importance in maintaining environmental sustainability. By elucidating the multifaceted roles of bio‐fabricated TiO2 nanoparticles, this study underscores their potential as a promising alternative in healthcare and environmental management, paving the way for future research and applications in nanotechnology.
Characterization of Multipurpose Isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa AMBCD‐1 for Biocontrol and Biodegradation Efficiency
Authors: Singh Tanu , Ismail Safina , Raj Kishan Kumar , Singh Anup Kumar , Chowdhury Tapas , Soni Ravindra
Published: November 2024

The goal of the study was to assess the capability of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa AMBCD‐1 for paddy straw degradation as well as its biological control abilities against the plant wilt pathogen Fusarium. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data showed that AMBCD‐1 culture‐inoculated treatments dramatically reduced the levels of cellulose, lignin, and hemicelluloses in the deteriorated paddy straw. Additionally, a dual culture technique was utilized to investigate antagonistic activity in vitro using nutritional agar media and potato dextrose agar in equal proportions (1:1) for suppressing the growth of the fungus Fusarium oxysporum and Sclerotium rolfsii in order to assess the biocontrol properties of the chosen bacteria. Following incubation, it was shown that AMBCD‐1 exhibited a 66.67% antibacterial activity against the fungus Fusarium oxysporum. Furthermore, the pyocyanin pigment was also extracted from the P. aeruginosa AMBCD‐1 strain and confirmed at a mass value of 211.2 using liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC‐MS), with its standard peak observed at 1.48 min. The results revealed that bacterium P. aeruginosa AMBCD‐1 had the ability to biodegrade paddy straw and also inhibit the appearance of the wilt disease caused by Fusarium species in numerous crops.
Unified worldline treatment of Yukawa and axial couplings
Authors: Bastianelli F. , Corradini O. , Edwards J. P. , McKeon D. G. C. , Schubert C.
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We provide a worldline representation of the one-loop effective action for a Dirac particle coupled to external scalar, pseudoscalar, vector and axialvector fields. Extending previous work by two of the authors on the pure vector-axialvector case to all four couplings, it allows one to treat the real and the imaginary parts of the effective action in a unified manner, at the price of having a non-Hermitian Hamiltonian.

Unlike existing worldline representations, our new worldline action contains terms with an odd number of Grassmann fields, leading to ordering problems that in the worldline formalism are usually encountered only in curved space. Drawing on the highly developed technology for worldline path-integrals in gravity, we employ the Time Slicing regularisation of the path integral which comes about with a specific “counterterm Lagrangian”, which we calculate once and for all and non-perturbatively, to provide unambiguous rules to treat products of distributions occurring in some diagrams of the one-dimensional worldline theory. We then employ the usual worldline machinery to lay out the rules for the calculation of the effective action itself as well as the corresponding one-loop amplitudes.

We test the formalism on the calculation of various heat-kernel coefficients, self energies and scattering amplitudes, including the Higgs decay into two photons or gluons and the PCAC relation. In all cases we find perfect agreement with more established approaches.
Neutrino-antineutrino asymmetry of CνB on the surface of the round Earth
Authors: Huang Guo-yuan
Published: November 2024

Abstract

It has been claimed that the coherent scattering of relic neutrinos with the Earth will result in a neutrino-antineutrino asymmetry of $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10−4) on the Earth surface, which is five orders of magnitude larger than the naive model expectation. In this work we show that this overdensity was overestimated for the perfectly round Earth by solving the exact solution with partial waves. After summing over all the angular modes, the maximal asymmetry is only around 10−8 above the ground. To achieve the proposed asymmetry of $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(10−4), a special geography may be needed as the experimental site. The code for a fast evaluation of Bessel functions with large orders through asymptotic expansions has been attached along with this work as supplementary material.
Extracting the asymptotic behavior of S-matrix elements from their phases
Authors: Rothstein Ira Z. , Saavedra Michael
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The asymptotic kinematic limits of S-matrices are dominated by large logarithms which, roughly speaking, fall into two categories: those which are controlled by a renormalization group (RG) scale, which we may think of as logs involving ratios of invariant mass scales, and those which are functions of ratios of rapidities, so called “rapidity logs”. It has been pointed out by Caron-Huot and Wilhlem [1] that RG anomalous dimension can be extracted from the phase of the S-matrix, which can greatly simplify calculations via unitarity methods. In this paper we generalize the results of [1] to show that the phase can be used to reconstruct rapidity anomalous dimensions, by performing a special type of complex boost. The methodology introduced allows one to calculate without the need for a rapidity regulator which can lead to significant simplifications. We demonstrate the use of this method to derive the rapidity anomalous dimensions in the Sudakov form factor and the two parton soft function at two loops order.
Holography for boundary Lifshitz field theory
Authors: Chu Chong-Sun , Gonzalez Ignacio Garrido , Parihar Himanshu
Published: November 2024

Abstract

We propose a holographic duality for the boundary Lifshitz field theory (BLFT). Similar to holographic BCFT, holographic BLFT can be consistently defined by imposing either a Neumann boundary condition (NBC) or a conformal boundary condition (CBC) on the end of the world (EOW) brane. We propose g-functions and derive g-theorem for these two types of holographic BLFT. On the field theory side, we consider BLFT whose path integral is prescribed to include also paths bouncing off the boundary. The entanglement entropy for an interval for the Lifshitz invariant ground state is computed in the saddle point approximation, and is found to agree precisely with the holographic result in both limits when the interval is very close or very far away from the boundary.
Calderón–Zygmund Operators and Endpoint Spaces for Hermite Expansions
Authors: Bui The Anh , Ly Fu Ken
Published: November 2024

Let $$\mathcal {L}=-\Delta +|x|^2$$

L
=
-
Δ
+

|
x
|

2

be the Hermite operator on $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

, and T be a Calderon–Zygmund type operator that is modelled on certain singular integrals related to $$\mathcal {L}$$
L
. We establish necessary and sufficient conditions for T to be bounded on various function spaces including the Hardy spaces and the Lipschitz spaces associated to $${\mathcal {L}}$$
L
. We then apply our results to study the boundedness of the Riesz transforms and pseudo-multipliers associated to $${\mathcal {L}}$$
L
.
Level-set-based topology optimization of threedimensional structures considering the manufacturing process with realistic milling tools
Authors: Colling Christopher , Schumacher Axel , Mecking Klaus
Published: November 2024

In this work, we develop an approach for the level set based topology optimization of millable 3D structures. We focus on the 3-axis machining with realistic formed milling tools. The basis of the method lies in the identification of surface areas that cannot be reached by a given milling tool during optimization. For this purpose, we present an interpolation method that identifies these areas by an interpolation of the level set function along the outer contours of realistic milling tools, considering available machining directions. To minimize inaccessible surfaces, we define a potential field whose values decrease linearly into the outer normal direction of the structure. The inaccessible boundaries are pushed outward by minimizing their respective potential and therefore become accessible. Manufacturability is integrated into the optimization problem as an explicit constraint.
The Effect of Parental Caregiving on the Fertility Expectations of Adult Children
Authors: Lazzari Ester , Zurla Valeria
Published: November 2024

Previous research has highlighted the positive impact of parents on their adult children's fertility plans through childcare, but the association between parental health and fertility expectations remains unclear. Thus, this paper offers a novel perspective on the issue of family support by investigating how caregiving responsibilities toward elderly parents affect adult children’s decision to have a child. Using a long panel dataset for Australia, we examine whether adult children changed their fertility expectations after becoming care providers to their parents. To address issues of unobserved heterogeneity and selection into parenthood and caregiving, we employ generalized difference-in-differences models. Results show a 7% decrease in fertility expectations within two years of becoming a parental caregiver, with a stronger effect over time, consistent across genders and more pronounced for respondents with one child. These findings suggest that interventions aimed at reducing the caregiver burden could provide an opportunity to positively influence fertility levels.
Dopamine D1-Like Receptor Stimulation Induces CREB, Arc, and BDNF Dynamic Changes in Differentiated SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Rivera-Maya Omar B. , Ortiz-Robles Christian D. , Palacios-Valladares José R. , Calderón-Aranda Emma S.
Published: November 2024

The dopamine D1-like receptor is a dopamine (DA) receptor regulating diverse brain functions. Once the dopamine D1-like receptor is activated, it induces activation of the Protein Kinase A (PKA) that phosphorylates the cAMP Response Element-Binding (CREB) transcription factor, which once active elicits the expression of the critical synaptic elements Activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated (Arc) and the Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF). The temporality and subcellular localization of proteins impact brain function. However, there is no information about the temporality of CREB activation and Arc and BDNF levels induced through dopamine D1-like receptor activation. In this study, we aimed to assess the specific effect of dopamine D1-like receptor activation on the temporality of CREB-phosphorylation (p-CREBS133) and the spatiotemporal induction of Arc and BDNF. Using SY-SY5Y cells differentiated with Retinoic Acid (RA), the dopamine D1-like receptor activation with a specific agonist transiently increased p-CREBS133 at 30 min of stimulation. It induced two spikes of Arc protein at 15 min and 6 h, forming clusters near the cell membrane. BDNF secretion temporarily increased, reaching a maximum at 6 h, while secretion was lower at 24 h compared to the unstimulated group. Our results provide new insight into the role of dopamine D1-like receptor activation on CREB activation, Arc, and BDNF increase, showing that these effects occur temporally and for Arc in subcellular specific sites. This study highlights the dopaminergic system as a critical regulator of subcellular events relevant to neuron plasticity. Future research should address the study of the implications for brain function and behavior.
Transforming Undergraduate STEM Education: The Learning Assistant Model and Student Retention and Graduation Rates
Authors: Feng Li , Close Eleanor W. , Luxford Cynthia J. , Pierson Jiwoo An , Olmstead Alice , Shim Jieon , Koka Venkata Sowjanya , Galloway Heather C.
Published: November 2024

Background

Evidence-based and student-centered instructional methods hold the promise of transforming undergraduate STEM education and simultaneously solving the dual challenge of STEM workforce needs and inequities within STEM. The Learning Assistant (LA) Model was created to reform curriculum, recruit teachers, and inform discipline-based education research. Numerous studies have shown positive impacts on students and Learning Assistants (LAs) in terms of retention and pass rates, learning outcomes, attitudinal shifts, and emotional support. Several studies have explored demographic differences and found that LAs help close the gap in retention rates for women and first-generation students. While short-term effects have been well documented, the long-term effects on students’ college retention and completion rates have not been widely studied. We gathered information about LA-adopting institutions identified on the Learning Assistant Alliance website and from individual higher education institutions’ websites. Combining this information with the College Scorecard Database for four-year U.S. institutions allows us to examine student retention and graduation rates after these institutions have adopted the LA model and look for differences in both the student and university characteristics included in the dataset. We are interested in determining if there is a difference between LA-adopting and non-LA-adopting institutions in terms of their student outcomes.

Results

These LA-adopting institutions have larger enrollments and are more likely to award graduate degrees. Students in LA-adopting institutions are more likely to be younger with lower percentages of females, first generation, and Black students. No significant differences in the percentages of Hispanic students or in the average costs per student were observed in our study. Using regression analysis, we find LA-adopting institutions have significantly higher retention and completion rates.

Conclusions

Since LA-adopting institutions have different characteristics than non-LA institutions, these differences should be considered in future studies examining the impact of the LA model. After controlling for these differences in our study, we find that institutions with the LA model have 4 to 15 percentage points higher college completion rate and they have better outcomes for Hispanic and Black students. These findings suggest that increasing the adoption of the LA model may contribute to reducing inequity in STEM.
Improving the Estimate of Trafficking in Human Beings and Modern Slavery by Integrating Data From ILO/Walk Free/IOM and UNODC
Authors: Walby Sylvia , Francis Brian
Published: November 2024

An improved global estimate of the amount of trafficking in human beings/modern slavery is produced. The paper develops the methodology for data to populate Indicator 16.2.2 in the UN SDGs, ‘the estimated number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age, and form of exploitation’. The improved estimate is constructed by integrating data from the International Labour Organization/Walk Free/International Organization for Migration (ILO/Walk Free/IOM) with administrative data from United Nations Organization on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) rather than from the Counter Trafficking Global Data Collaborative (CTDC). The data from the UNODC is more comprehensive and less volatile than that from the CTDC on registered victims of trafficking. The new estimate is more than 30% larger, increases the proportion of trafficking for purposes of sexual exploitation from 27 to 56%, and increases the proportion of victims of trafficking who are female from 54 to 64%. This has implications for the priorities for social and public policy for prevention and for the provision of services to mitigate harms.
Advancing prediction of age-related vascular cognitive impairment based on peripheral and retinal vascular health in a pilot study: a novel comprehensive assessment developed for a prospective workplace-based cohort (The Semmelweis Study)
Authors: Csipo Tamas , Lipecz Agnes , Mukli Peter , Péterfi Anna , Szarvas Zsofia , Ungvari Anna , Alaoui Lamyae El , Sándor Márton , Kállai Attila , Fekete Mónika , Fülöp Gábor Á. , Tarantini Stefano , Csiszar Anna , Benyó Zoltán , Sótonyi Péter , Tabak Adam G. , Merkely Béla , Yabluchanskiy Andriy , Ungvari Zoltan
Published: November 2024

With a growing elderly population in the European Union, age-related diseases associated with unhealthy aging pose increasing public health challenges, including a loss of independence and heightened societal burdens. The Semmelweis Study, a prospective occupational cohort study in Hungary, seeks to identify determinants of unhealthy aging, focusing on the complex relationship between lifestyle, environmental, occupational factors, and the development of chronic age-associated diseases, including age-related vascular cognitive impairment (VCI). The primary objective of this pilot study was to establish a robust, high-throughput assessment methodology to comprehensively evaluate both peripheral and cerebrovascular health to provide a solid foundation for the forthcoming Semmelweis Study framework. The study involved 49 participants aged 23 to 87 years, and it assessed multi-domain cognitive performance through an automated battery of tests (CANTAB). Vascular health was comprehensively evaluated using laser speckle contrast imaging (LSCI), flow-mediated dilation (FMD), static and dynamic retinal vessel analysis (SVA, DVA), and measurements of vascular stiffness. The retinal microvasculature, which closely mirrors the cerebral circulation in anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology, provided a unique window for examination. Optical imaging through SVA and DVA enables the identification of structural and functional changes in the central nervous system’s microcirculation, which are highly relevant to the pathogenesis of VCI. Subsequently, the collected measures were integrated into vascular health indices using principal component analysis (PCA) and the relationship to the age and cognitive status of study participants was explored. These comprehensive vascular health indices demonstrated a correlation not only with age but also with cognitive performance. This methodology holds promise for providing novel insights into the intricate interplay between vascular and cognitive health within the context of the Semmelweis Study.
Estimation of Nekton Density and Production Enhancement from Seagrass Nursery Habitats Along Regions of the U.S. Atlantic Coast
Authors: zu Ermgassen Philine S. E. , DeAngelis Bryan , Gair Jonathan R. , zu Ermgassen Sophus O.S.E. , Baker Ronald , Lee Juhyung , MacDonald Timothy C. , Meckley Kara , Ribera Marta , Grabowski Jonathan H.
Published: November 2024

Seagrass beds are designated as essential fish habitat by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the regional fishery management councils due to their critical role as nurseries for nekton. Yet, they face significant threats globally and have suffered substantial declines in extent and habitat quality. Quantitative estimates of the degree to which seagrasses enhance nekton productivity can help inform conservation and management measures and assist in communicating the critical role of these threatened coastal habitats. In this study, juvenile fish and mobile macroinvertebrate (nekton) density data were compiled from seagrass and nearby unstructured habitats for both the Atlantic coast of South Florida and the Mid-Atlantic regions of the USA. Based on these field data, species that were consistently enhanced in seagrass habitats were identified. The annual production resulting from the identified juvenile enhancement by seagrasses was then estimated using an existing methodology based on established growth and mortality relationships for each species. Seagrasses enhanced nekton production by an additional 218.0 [SD 48.0] g m−2 year−1 (17 enhanced species) and 126.8 [SD 34.8] g m−2 year−1 (nine enhanced species) in the Atlantic coast of South Florida and the Mid-Atlantic regions, respectively. Data limitations resulted in only 54% and 44% of recorded species being assessed in the two regions, respectively, indicating that the current estimates are likely a substantial underestimate of the true nekton production enhancement. These estimates nevertheless provide a first quantitative assessment of seagrass enhancement of nekton production on the U.S. Atlantic coast, which can be built on as more data become available.
“Live the Present Moment!”—Developing the 100-I-K Scale to Examine the Relationship Between Mindfulness and Stoic Attitude
Authors: Stańko-Kaczmarek Maja , Kleka Paweł , Zięba Wojciech , Szczepankiewicz Agata
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between mindfulness and Stoic attitudes by exploring their unexamined similarities. Moreover, it sought to develop a new tool for assessing Stoic attitudes with a broader scope than previous measures.

Method

A total of 437 individuals participated in the initial survey, and 347 were re-surveyed after 2 weeks. Participants completed the newly developed 100-I-K questionnaire and an additional scale to measure mindfulness. The follow-up sample completed the 100-I-K scale, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, Pathak-Wieten Stoicism Ideology Scale, and a control question. The participants were recruited through an online Computer Assisted Web Interviewing survey panel as a representative sample.

Results

A strong positive correlation was found between mindfulness and Stoic attitude in both the first (r = 0.65) and second (r = 0.63) measurements. A weak, yet statistically significant relationship was observed between 100-I-K scores and understanding of the Stoicism ideology in the first measurement (r = 0.19) and follow-up sample (r = 0.21). Moreover, Stoic attitude correlated with subjective declarations of adopting Stoic attitudes (r =  − 0.19 and r =  − 0.18 in both samples).

Conclusions

The results confirmed the relationship between Stoic attitudes and mindfulness, suggesting similarities between Eastern and Western traditions. The 100-I-K questionnaire needs further development; however, it demonstrated the potential to assess the overall Stoic attitude. The relationship between mindfulness and Stoic attitudes remains stable over time.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
Oak aphids Tuberculatus annulatus (Hartig, 1841) and Thelaxes dryophila (Schrank, 1801) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) endosymbiont microbiome diversity alters between natural and artificial oak forest regeneration
Authors: Fora Ciprian G. , Dinescu Sorina , Pircalabioru Gratiela Gradisteanu , Loxdale Hugh D. , Balog Adalbert
Published: November 2024

In the present study, the bacterial symbionts of two species of oak aphid, Thelaxes dryophila and Tuberculatus annulatus were tested as indicators between naturally and artificially regenerated oak forests. In total, 195 bacterial taxa were identified using the Ion Torrent PGM system. Here, we report for the first time differences in bacterial symbiont diversity between oak forests natural and artificial regeneration sites, and aphid species. Differences in the abundance of the primary obligate endosymbiont Buchnera aphidicola were also detected between the two study aphid species. In the ant attended Thelaxes dryophila, the species was found to harbour a higher density of the facultative symbionts Serratia symbiotica and Wolbachia, while in the non-ant attended Tuberculatus annulatus, the dominant facultative symbionts were Hamiltonella and Rickettsia. In addition, we report the presence of Serratia marcescens and Enterobacter cloacae as symbionts of Thelaxes dryophila and Shigella boydii as a symbiont of Tuberculatus annulatus. We conclude that the two aphid species harbour different facultative symbionts between oak forest regeneration types; these results might have importance in oak forest pest management via aphid adaptation through their endosymbions.
Holomorphic extension in unbounded subdomains of Stein surfaces
Authors: Porten Egmont
Published: November 2024

Let $$\Omega $$
Ω
be a subdomain of a Stein surface with smooth strictly pseudoconvex boundary $$M=\partial \Omega $$

M
=
∂
Ω

. We are mainly interested in the case that $$\Omega $$
Ω
is not relatively compact. Building on work by G. Lupacciolu, we describe the envelope of holomorphy of an arbitrary open subset $$M^*$$

M
∗

of M in terms of a modified holomorphic hull of the complement $$A=M\backslash M^*$$

A
=
M
\

M
∗

, designed in order to also reflect the geometry of $$\Omega $$
Ω
at infinity. As a consequence, we clarify the relation between the envelope of $$M^*$$

M
∗

and some notions of core sets of $$\Omega $$
Ω
, which are an active topic in recent research.
Awareness of Multiple Nature Ontologies in Humanistic Management
Authors: Poggioli Nicholas A.
Published: November 2024

Management scholarship and practice continues to incorporate nature and business dependencies and impacts on ecosystems. The humanistic management approach seeks to shift management practice away from prioritizing economic outcomes and toward prioritizing human dignity and wellbeing. This paper explores humanistic management’s ontological assumption about nature, which tends to be an anthropocentric ontology that prioritizes humans as superior to and separate from nature and justifies destroying nature if doing so benefits human wellbeing. However, there is increasing pressure to conduct business in ways that do not destroy nature but instead conserve or restore nature. I build on research about the diverse values and valuations of nature and identify awareness practices that humanistic management scholars and practitioners might use to become aware of and practice alternative ontologies about nature. Non-anthropocentric ontologies have the potential to lessen the tension between increasing human wellbeing and the destruction of nature and other-than-human beings. Alternative ontologies can be combined with the concept of stewardship to align humanistic management with broader sustainability goals, including notions of nature as sacred and of other-than-human beings as equal to humans in kinship and community. These ideas might provide a way for humanistic management to maintain its focus on human wellbeing while also acknowledging the dignity and wellbeing of other-than-human living beings and nature broadly.
A review on oil retention characteristics in evaporator and suction line of vapor compression system
Authors: Chae Yoonho , Chang Youngsoo
Published: November 2024

This paper discusses the oil retention characteristics in the evaporator and suction line in a vapor compression system. Oil retention in the components can lead to reduced compressor efficiency and potential breakdowns. Lubricant in the evaporator reduces heat transfer efficiency and increases pressure drop, particularly under high-quality conditions. However, lubricant can also have a beneficial effect by making refrigerant distribution in the evaporator better. Experimental studies on the critical mass flux for oil recovery and the measurement of oil retention in the suction line are presented, highlighting key findings. Additionally, prediction models for oil retention in both the evaporator and suction line are suggested and organized. Most of the refrigerants discussed in this paper have a high global warming potential (GWP), except for R1234yf and R32. Given the global focus on transitioning to low-GWP refrigerants, future research should target the oil retention characteristics in next-generation refrigerants.
The nonlinear impact of urban blue-green space landscape pattern on residential housing price in a new first-tier city of China
Authors: Wu Yiyang , Liu Xiaodan , Li Mingze , Xi Henghui , Xu Muwu , Ou Weixin , Huang Conghong
Published: November 2024

Urban green and blue spaces (UGBS) play an increasingly vital role in enhancing urban environmental conditions and have been proven to increase residential property values. However, the nonlinear relationships between landscape patterns of UGBS and residential property values were less considered. To fill the gap, we employed nonlinear random forest (RF) models and partial dependence plots (PDPs) to analyze the impact of the spatial pattern of UGBS on housing prices in a new first-tier city (i.e., Nanjing) in China. The results showed that (1) The RF model explained 71.9% of the variation in housing prices. (2) Landscape patterns of UGBS significantly contributed to housing price variation, with the sum of relative importance scores of all the landscape pattern predictors amounting to 60.56%. (3) The PDPs results revealed that the percentage and spatial distribution of green and blue spaces positively influence housing prices. (4) Combining green and blue spaces boosted property values, with an average increase of approximately 0.41% and 0.53% in the percentage of landscape and mean patch area compared to green spaces alone. The findings of this study can inform urban planning policies and guidelines to optimize recreation and leisure spaces.
Is sexual activity an effective way to expel distal and intramural ureteral stones? An updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: da Silva Neto Edgar Paulo , Morriello Rafael , Victor David Romeiro , de Paiva Reis Camila Mariana , Lech Gabriele Eckerdt , de Sousa Silva Raquel Oliveira , Viana Patrícia , Melão Bárbara Vieira Lima Aguiar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The influence of sexual activity on the spontaneous passage of ureteral stones has been tested by several randomized controlled trials (RCTs), but this relationship remains uncertain. This research has sought to investigate the link between sexual activity, including masturbation, and a higher rate of spontaneous expulsion of ureteral stones.

Material and methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane for RCTs, in January 2024, assessing the effectiveness of sexual activity or masturbation in the elimination of distal or intramural ureteral stones in patients who didn’t receive medical expulsive therapy. Heterogeneity was assessed with I2. Values of p < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Statistical analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4.1 (Cochrane Center, The Cochrane Collaboration).

Results

We included 8 RCTs, totaling 755 patients, of which 383 (50.7%) engaged in sexual activity or masturbation 3–4 times per week for an average duration of 4 weeks. The expulsion rate at 2 weeks (OR: 3.48; [95% CI 2.37 to 5.11]; p < 0.00001) and at 4 weeks (OR: 3.28; [95% CI 2.23 to 4.83]; p < 0.00001) was higher in the sexual activity or masturbation group. The average time for stone expulsion (MD: -3.27; [95% CI −5.38 to −1.17]; p < 0.002) was shorter in the experimental group, as well as the average number of analgesic injections (MD: −0.6; [95% CI −0.91 to −0.29]; p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that sexual activity or masturbation appears to be effective as an expulsive medical therapy for patients with distal or intramural ureteral stones.
Music and Monotheism
Authors: Wilson Gareth F.
Published: November 2024

What connects the phenomenon of music as an art with the belief in one indivisible God? What has music, a non-linguistic medium, to say about the personal, loving, communicative God of Scripture and the Prophets, or the omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent, transcendent God of the Philosophers and can it bring these 'concepts of God' together? To answer these questions, this book takes divine Creation as its starting point, that the God of monotheism must be the Creator of all that is. It thus argues that anything which instantiates and facilitates communication within the created realm has been enabled to do so by a God who communicates with His Creation, and who wishes that His Creation be communicative. Indeed, it will argue that the communication allowed by music, and aesthetic experience in general, is the very raison d'être of Abrahamic monotheism and might thus allow an opportunity for dialogue between monotheistic faiths.
Singing Zarzuela, 1869–1958
Authors: Moreda Rodríguez Eva
Published: November 2024

In the last few years, digitizations and reissues of historical recordings of Spanish zarzuela - from wax cylinders in the 1890s to long-play records in the 1950s - have revealed a range of contrasting vocal performance styles. By focusing on portamento, this Element sets the foundations for a contextually sensitive history of vocal performance practices in zarzuela. It takes stock of technological changes and shifts in commercial strategies and listening habits to reveal what the recorded evidence tells us about the historical development of portamento practices and considers how these findings can allow us to reconstruct the expressive code of zarzuela as it was performed in the late nineteenth century and how it transformed itself throughout the next half century. These transformations are contextualized alongside other changes, including the make-up of audiences, the discourses about the genre's connection to national identity and the influence of other musical-theatrical genres and languages.
Wildlife Management in South Sudan, 1901–2021: Conservation amidst Conflict
Authors: Day Christopher , Garside Adrian
Published: November 2024

To date, there is no systematic research on the overlapping challenges of wildlife conservation and security in South Sudan, where the wildlife service (WLS) has institutionally survived for over a century while contending with poor state capacity and responsibility for protected areas (PAs) that cover vast territories characterized by chronic insecurity and food scarcity. Integrated into the country’s “Organized Forces,” South Sudan’s park rangers play roles beyond conservation as armed actors in complex conflicts. Data obtained from archival research and field interviews shows that South Sudan’s wildlife authorities have persisted since the colonial period in spite and because of chronic warfare.
Beyond analytic bounds: Re-evaluating predictive power in risky decision models
Authors: Agassi Or David , Plonsky Ori
Published: November 2024

Research in behavioral decision-making has produced many models of decision under risk. To improve our understanding of choice under risk, it is essential to perform rigorous model comparisons over large sets of decision settings to find which models are most useful. Recently, such large-scale comparisons have produced conflicting conclusions: A variant of cumulative prospect theory (CPT) was the best model in a study by He, Analytis, and Bhatia (2022), whereas variants of the model BEAST were the best in two choice prediction competitions. This study delves into these contradictions to identify and explore the underlying reasons. We replicate and extend the analysis by He et al., this time incorporating BEAST, which was previously excluded because it cannot be analytically estimated. Our results show that while CPT excels in systematically hand-crafted tasks, BEAST—originally designed for broader decision-making contexts—matches or even surpasses CPT’s performance when choice tasks are randomly selected, and predictions are made for new, unknown decision makers. This success of BEAST, very different from classical decision models—as it does not assume, for example, subjective transformations of outcomes and probabilities—puts into question previous conclusions concerning the underlying psychological mechanisms of choice under risk. Our results challenge the field to expand beyond established evaluating techniques and highlight the importance of an inclusive approach toward nonanalytic models, like BEAST, to achieve more objective insights into decision-making behavior.
Effects of horizontal magnetic fields on flow morphologies and global transports in liquid metal thermal convection
Authors: Chen Xin-Yuan , Yang Juan-Cheng , Ni Ming-Jiu
Published: November 2024

We report an experimental study of Rayleigh–Bénard convection of liquid metal GaInSn in a cuboid cell with an aspect ratio of 0.5 under the effect of a horizontal magnetic field. The Rayleigh number spans a range of

$3.8\times 10^5 \leqslant Ra \leqslant 1.1\times 10^7$

, while the magnetic field strength reaches up to 0.5 T, corresponding to a maximum Hartmann number to 2041. By combining temperature and velocity measurements, we identify several flow morphologies, including a novel cellular pattern characterized by four stacked vortices that periodically squeeze and induce velocity reversals. Based on the identified flow morphologies, we partition the entire (

$Ra, Ha$

) parameter space into five distinct flow regimes and systematically investigate the flow characteristics within each regime. The temperature gradient and oscillation frequency exhibit scaling relationships with the combined parameters

$Ra$

and

$Ha$

. Notably, we observe a coupling between flow regime and global transport efficiencies, particularly in a regime dominated by the double-roll structure, which experiences a maximum 36 % decrease in heat transfer efficiency compared with the single-roll structure. The dependencies of heat and momentum transport on

$Ra$

and

$Ha$

follow scaling laws as

$Nu \sim (Ha^{-2/3}RaPr^{-1})^{3/5}$

and

$Re \sim (Ha^{-1}RaPr^{-1})^{4/3}$

, respectively.