bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Memory Network-Based Interpreter of User Preferences in Content-Aware Recommender Systems
Authors: Tran Nhu-Thuat , Lauw Hady W.
Published: September 2023

This article introduces a novel architecture for two objectives
recommendation
and
interpretability
in a unified model. We leverage textual content as a source of interpretability in content-aware recommender systems. The goal is to characterize user preferences with a set of human-understandable attributes, each is described by a single word, enabling comprehension of user interests behind item adoptions. This is achieved via a dedicated architecture, which is interpretable by design, involving two components for recommendation and interpretation. In particular, we seek an
interpreter
, which accepts holistic user’s representation from a
recommender
to output a set of activated attributes describing user preferences. Besides encoding interpretability properties such as fidelity, conciseness and diversity, the proposed memory network-based
interpreter
enables the generalization of user representation by discovering relevant attributes that go beyond her adopted items’ textual content. We design experiments involving both human- and functionally-grounded evaluations of interpretability. Results on four real-world datasets show that our proposed model not only discovers highly relevant attributes for interpreting user preferences, but also enjoys comparable or better recommendation accuracy than a series of baselines.
Recent Progress in Development of Cost Effective and Highly Efficient Pt Group Metal Free ORR and HER Electrocatalysts for Next Generation Energy Devices
Authors: Sultana Sharmin , Hossain Rayhan , Ahmed Kumkum , Jiwanti Prastika Krisma , Wardhana Brasstira Yuva
Published: September 2023

The requirement of clean and sustainable energy technology continues to rise as the energy supply crisis and environmental concerns worsen. As a result, new sources of alternative, stable, cost-effective, clean energy generation and storage devices need to be developed immediately. Several emerging cathode-based energy conversion and storage technologies rely on either the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) or the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) as their primary routes. Lately, scientists have paid much attention to enhancing the ORR and HER reaction rate and storing energy effectively by fabricating low-cost, highly active, and long-lasting electrocatalysts. Traditional electrocatalysts have relied on platinum (Pt), but its expensive price, limited durability, low selectivity, and poor alcohol tolerance have prompted the exploration of more cost-effective and promising catalysts. Recent studies have shown that electrocatalysts based on elements other than the platinum group metals (Ni, Cu, Fe, Co, Mn, etc.) exhibit remarkable ORR and HER catalytic efficacy and stability. In addition, carbon-based materials including carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphite, diamond, graphene, and other carbon allotropes with high ORR catalytic activity are becoming increasingly significant due to their low cost and absence of metals. This review delves into the expanding area of ORR and HER electrocatalysts, summarizing recent developments in the fields of non-precious metal-based electrocatalysts, carbon-based electrocatalysts, and heteroatom doped carbon materials, and discussing the difficulties and future prospects of potential Pt-group metal alternatives.
Racial, Ethnic, and Language-Based Inequities in Inpatient Opioid Prescribing by Diagnosis from Internal Medicine Services, a Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Joshi Mihir , Prasad Priya A. , Hubbard Colin C. , Iverson Nicholas , Manuel Solmaz P. , Fang Margaret C. , Rambachan Aksharananda
Published: September 2023

Introduction. Opioid administration is extremely common in the inpatient setting, yet we do not know how the administration of opioids varies across different medical conditions and patient characteristics on internal medicine services. Our goal was to assess racial, ethnic, and language-based inequities in opioid prescribing practices for patients admitted to internal medicine services. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients admitted to internal medicine services from 2013 to 2021 and identified subcohorts of patients treated for the six most frequent primary hospital conditions (pneumonia, sepsis, cellulitis, gastrointestinal bleed, pyelonephritis/urinary tract infection, and respiratory disease) and three select conditions typically associated with pain (abdominal pain, acute back pain, and pancreatitis). We conducted a negative binomial regression analysis to determine how average administered daily opioids, measured as morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs), were associated with race, ethnicity, and language, while adjusting for additional patient demographics, hospitalization characteristics, medical comorbidities, prior opioid therapy, and substance use disorders. Results. The study cohort included 61,831 patient hospitalizations. In adjusted models, we found that patients with limited English proficiency received significantly fewer opioids (66 MMEs, 95% CI: 52, 80) compared to English-speaking patients (101 MMEs, 95% CI: 91, 111). Asian (59 MMEs, 95% CI: 51, 66), Latinx (89 MMEs, 95% CI: 79, 100), and multi-race/ethnicity patients (81 MMEs, 95% CI: 65, 97) received significantly fewer opioids compared to white patients (103 MMEs, 95% CI: 94, 112). American Indian/Alaska Native (227 MMEs, 95% CI: 110, 344) patients received significantly more opioids. Significant inequities were also identified across race, ethnicity, and language groups when analyses were conducted within the subcohorts. Most notably, Asian and Latinx patients received significantly fewer MMEs and American Indian/Alaska Native patients received significantly more MMEs compared to white patients for the top six most frequent conditions. Most patients from minority groups also received fewer MMEs compared to white patients for three select pain conditions. Discussion. There are notable inequities in opioid prescribing based on patient race, ethnicity, and language status for those admitted to inpatient internal medicine services across all conditions and in the subcohorts of the six most frequent hospital conditions and three pain-associated conditions. This represents an institutional and societal opportunity for quality improvement initiatives to promote equitable pain management.
Bioactivity of the Ethanol Extract of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) as Antitoxin
Authors: Afrendi Erwin , Prastya Muhammad Eka , Astuti Rika Indri , Wahyuni Wulan Tri , Batubara Irmanida
Published: September 2023

Toxic compounds can induce the formation of free radicals (reactive oxygen species (ROS)) which can trigger damage and decrease cell viability. Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) contains phenolic compounds that are useful as antioxidants which can reduce ROS toxicity. However, little is known about the antitoxin activity of clove extract. Therefore, this study is aimed at determining the effect of ethanolic clove extract as an antitoxin agent against malachite green (MG) mutagen using the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae as a model. The methods used to analyze the ability of ethanolic clove extract as antitoxin were decolorization assay and cell viability test towards MG. The phenol contents of leaf and bud extract were 441.28 and 394.73 mg GAE g-1 extract, respectively. Clove leaf extract has strong antioxidant activity in vitro (IC50 9.29 ppm for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 29.57 for 2,2

′

-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS)). Liquid chromatography quadrupole-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis showed the presence of 4-O-caffeoylquinic acid and several other bioactive compounds, in which these compounds had bioactivity against toxic compound. The addition of extract reduced the ability of S. cerevisiae to decolorize malachite green but increased cell viability. Based on the data, clove leaf extract shows the potential antitoxin activity. This research should facilitate a preliminary study to investigate the antitoxin agent derived from cloves leaf extract. Further research to analyze the antitoxin mechanism of this extract in yeast model is interesting to do to provide a comprehensive insight into the potential antitoxin agents of clove leaf extract.
Identifying Key Benefits and Characteristics of Community Gardening for Vulnerable Populations: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tracey Danielle , Gray Tonia , Manohar Narendar , Kingsley Jonathan , Bailey Aisling , Pettitt Philip
Published: September 2023

Vulnerable communities (including people from refugee, Indigenous, culturally and linguistically diverse, and low socioeconomic backgrounds) represent the most at-risk populations facing inequities and negative health, economic, and social outcomes. The recent COVID-19 pandemic both highlighted and fuelled these disparities. Community gardening has emerged as a community-based solution to address these inequities, yet the research literature has largely considered outcomes for the general population rather than those with the most need. This paper represents the first systematic review to summarise the evidence on the broad impact of community gardening on outcomes for vulnerable populations. A systematic search of 13 databases (PubMed, Medline, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Academic Search Complete, Education Source, Education Resources Information Center, Psychology and Behavioral Science Collection, SocINDEX, and Allied Health and Complementary Medicine Database) for English language articles from 1985 to 2022 was conducted. There were 33 studies identified where females were substantially overrepresented in the studies compared to males, and the main criteria for vulnerability included low socioeconomic-status and culturally diverse populations. Findings revealed that community gardening provides a wide range of benefits for vulnerable populations, with social connection, health, education, and nutrition being the more commonly cited. A relative emphasis on benefits of social connections, education, and nutrition is apparent for vulnerable populations in comparison to reviews considering the general population. The quality of studies was evaluated as moderate with little information provided about program characteristics. These shortcomings reduce the understanding of what characteristics are most likely to result in improvements and limit the capacity of practitioners to translate research into policy and practice for vulnerable communities.
Infinite Dimensional Widths and Optimal Recovery of a Function Class in Orlicz Spaces in L(R) Metric
Authors: Li Xinxin , Wu Garidi
Published: September 2023

In this paper, we study the infinite dimensional widths and optimal recovery of Wiener–Sobolev smooth function classes WM,1(Pr(D)) determined by the r-th differential operator Pr(D) in Orlicz spaces with L(R) metric. Using tools such as the Hölder inequality, we give the exact values of the infinite dimensional Kolmogorov width and linear width of WM,1(Pr(D)) in L(R) metric. We also study the related optimal recovery problem.
Prediction after a Horizon of Predictability: Nonpredictable Points and Partial Multistep Prediction for Chaotic Time Series
Authors: Gromov Vasilii A. , Baranov Philip S.
Published: September 2023

This paper introduces several novel strategies for multi-step-ahead prediction of chaotic time series. Introducing a concept of “generalized z-vectors” (vectors of nonsuccessive time series observations) makes it possible to generate sets of possible prediction values for each point we are trying to predict. Through examining these sets, unified predictions are calculated, which are in turn used as a basis for predicting subsequent points. The key difference between the strategy presented in this paper and its conventional counterparts is the concept of “nonpredictable” points (points which the algorithm categorized as “incalculable” and excluded from the calculations altogether). The results obtained for the benchmark and real-world time series indicate that while typically the number of nonpredictable points tends to grow exponentially with the number of steps ahead to be predicted, the average error for predicted points remains small and nearly constant. Thus, we redefine the problem of multi-step-ahead prediction as a two-objective optimization problem: on one hand, we aim to minimize the number of nonpredictable points and the average error among the predictable ones. The resulting strategy demonstrates accurate results for both benchmark and real-world time series, with the number of predicted steps exceeding that of any other published algorithm.
Impact of Early Chemotherapy Resumption on the Outcome after Staphylococcus aureus Bacteremia in Patients with Solid Tumors: A Retrospective Study in a Single Tertiary Cancer Center in Japan
Authors: Edagawa Shunji , Naito Tateaki , Yamamoto Shuhei , Terada Norihiko , Nakaya Yuichiro , Mori Keita , Kurai Hanako
Published: September 2023

Objective. Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB) in patients with solid tumors poses a dilemma between infection control and cancer treatment. We aimed to explore whether early resumption of chemotherapy yielded unfavorable outcomes in oncologic patients with SAB. Methods. We retrospectively reviewed patients who received chemotherapy within 90 days of SAB onset from 2011 to 2020. We divided patients who resumed chemotherapy into two groups by the median time from the negative blood culture to the chemotherapy resumption. We investigated the association with treatment failure, which included recurrence after completion of SAB treatment, relapse during antibiotics therapy, 90-day all-cause mortality after initiation of antibiotics, and 30-day all-cause mortality after the resumption of chemotherapy. Results. Among the 78 eligible patients, 36 patients resumed chemotherapy. The median interval to the chemotherapy resumption was 17.5 days. Two patients in the early resumption group and one in the late resumption group died within 90 days after initiating antibiotics. One patient in the early resumption group experienced SAB recurrence. None of the patients experienced SAB relapse or died within 30 days of resuming chemotherapy. Conclusion. Early resumption of chemotherapy may not be directly associated with unfavorable outcomes in oncological patients with SAB under appropriate infection management.
Robust Secure Beamforming for Multiantenna Relay Networks with Multiple Eavesdroppers
Authors: Li Yuchong , Zhang Lijian , Wei Dong
Published: September 2023

Physical layer security has recently emerged as a promising approach to achieve security and communication integration. The built‐in security mechanism based on the characteristics of the wireless channel provides a feasible idea for the realization of “one secret at a time.” It has significant potential applications in high‐rate data transmission encryption, authentication, integrity protection of service data, and Internet of Things lightweight encryption. This paper investigates the robust secure transmit design problem for amplify‐and‐forward multiantenna relay networks in the presence of multiple single‐antenna eavesdroppers. A robust artificial noise (AN) aided secure beamforming design is proposed by taking into account the imperfect channel state information (CSI) of the eavesdroppers. The goal is to jointly design the beamforming matrix and the AN covariance matrix at the relay based on the imperfect CSI of eavesdroppers, such that the worst‐case secrecy rate is maximized subject to the total power and the per‐antenna power constraints. Aiming at the nonconvex optimization problem, a two‐level optimization algorithm based on semidefinite relaxation (SDR) and S‐procedure is proposed. It is proven that there is a rank‐one optimal solution for the SDR problem. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme is robust and superior to existing schemes.
Simultaneous Targeting of IL-1–Signaling and IL-6–Trans-Signaling Preserves Human Pulmonary Endothelial Barrier Function During a Cytokine Storm—Brief Report
Authors: Colás-Algora Natalia , Muñoz-Pinillos Pablo , Cacho-Navas Cristina , Avendaño-Ortiz José , de Rivas Gema , Barroso Susana , López-Collazo Eduardo , Millán Jaime
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND:

Systemic inflammatory diseases, such as sepsis and severe COVID-19, provoke acute respiratory distress syndrome in which the pathological hyperpermeability of the microvasculature, induced by uncontrolled inflammatory stimulation, causes pulmonary edema. Identifying the inflammatory mediators that induce human lung microvascular endothelial cell barrier dysfunction is essential to find the best anti-inflammatory treatments for critically ill acute respiratory distress syndrome patients.

METHODS:

We have compared the responses of primary human lung microvascular endothelial cells to the main inflammatory mediators involved in cytokine storms induced by sepsis and SARS-CoV2 pulmonary infection and to sera from healthy donors and severely ill patients with sepsis. Endothelial barrier function was measured by electric cell-substrate impedance sensing, quantitative confocal microscopy, and Western blot.

RESULTS:

The human lung microvascular endothelial cell barrier was completely disrupted by IL (interleukin)-6 conjugated with soluble IL-6R (IL-6 receptor) and by IL-1β (interleukin-1beta), moderately affected by TNF (tumor necrosis factor)-α and IFN (interferon)-γ and unaffected by other cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-6, IL-8, MCP (monocyte chemoattractant protein)-1 and MCP-3. The inhibition of IL-1 and IL-6R simultaneously, but not separately, significantly reduced endothelial hyperpermeability on exposing human lung microvascular endothelial cells to a cytokine storm consisting of 8 inflammatory mediators or to sera from patients with sepsis. Simultaneous inhibition of IL-1 and JAK (Janus kinase)-STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription protein), a signaling node downstream IL-6 and IFN-γ, also prevented septic serum-induced endothelial barrier disruption.

CONCLUSIONS:

These findings strongly suggest a major role for both IL-6 trans-signaling and IL-1β signaling in the pathological increase in permeability of the human lung microvasculature and reveal combinatorial strategies that enable the gradual control of pulmonary endothelial barrier function in response to a cytokine storm.
Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Early-Life Antecedents and Long-Term Implications for the Brain, Aging, Stroke, and Dementia
Authors: Backhouse Ellen V. , Boardman James P. , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: September 2023

Cerebral small vessel disease is common in older adults and increases the risk of stroke, cognitive impairment, and dementia. While often attributed to midlife vascular risk factors such as hypertension, factors from earlier in life may contribute to later small vessel disease risk. In this review, we summarize current evidence for early-life effects on small vessel disease, stroke and dementia focusing on prenatal nutrition, and cognitive ability, education, and socioeconomic status in childhood. We discuss possible reasons for these associations, including differences in brain resilience and reserve, access to cognitive, social, and economic resources, and health behaviors, and we consider the extent to which these associations are independent of vascular risk factors. Although early-life factors, particularly education, are major risk factors for Alzheimer disease, they are less established in small vessel disease or vascular cognitive impairment. We discuss current knowledge, gaps in knowledge, targets for future research, clinical practice, and policy change.
Basic Mechanisms of Brain Injury and Cognitive Decline in Hypertension
Authors: Baggeroer Caroline E. , Cambronero Francis E. , Savan N. Anna , Jefferson Angela L. , Santisteban Monica M.
Published: September 2023

Dementia affects almost 50 million adults worldwide, and remains a major cause of death and disability. Hypertension is a leading risk factor for dementia, including Alzheimer disease and Alzheimer disease–related dementias. Although this association is well-established, the mechanisms underlying hypertension-induced cognitive decline remain poorly understood. By exploring the mechanisms mediating the detrimental effects of hypertension on the brain, studies have aimed to provide therapeutic insights and strategies on how to protect the brain from the effects of blood pressure elevation. In this review, we focus on the basic mechanisms contributing to the cerebrovascular adaptions to elevated blood pressure and hypertension-induced microvascular injury. We also assess the cellular mechanisms of neurovascular unit dysfunction, focusing on the premise that cognitive impairment ensues when the dynamic metabolic demands of neurons are not met due to neurovascular uncoupling, and summarize cognitive deficits across various rodent models of hypertension as a resource for investigators. Despite significant advances in antihypertensive therapy, hypertension remains a critical risk factor for cognitive decline, and several questions remain about the development and progression of hypertension-induced cognitive impairment.
Latent Profiles of Decision-Making Styles: Cross-Cultural Comparison of Russian and Chinese Samples
Authors: Kornilova Tatiana V. , Ziyan Ouyan , Maksarova Lydia B.
Published: September 2023

Background. In recent years, the identification of individual style regulation of decision-making (DM) has become relevant, since DM is an integral characteristic of human life in a complex and uncertain world. As a new aspect, the cross-cultural commonality and specificity of the emotional and personal components of DM are highlighted. Objective. The aim is to carry out a cross-cultural analysis of the decision-making style of Russian and Chinese samples according to productive and unproductive approaches to coping with uncertainty distinguished in the Melbourne Decision Making Questionnaire (MDMQ). Sample. The sample consisted of 531 participants: 259 from Russia (Мage= 27,67; 32,4 % men) and 272 from China (Мage= 27,76; 38,6 % men). Methods. The four-factor structure of MDMQ for the Chinese sample was verified. In addition, the participants were presented with the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule — PANAS. All participants were tested through informed collaboration; in Russian sample it was conducted in person, in Chinese sample online testing through the Wen Zhuan Xing (问卷星) platform was involved. Results. Cross-cultural comparison of sample means revealed greater Vigilance in Russians and greater Back-Passing and Hypervigilance in Chinese participants. Correlation analysis has shown (1) similar interrelations of unproductive coping among Russians and Chinese men and differences in Chinese women; (2) positive relations of Vigilance with positive affect and positive relations of unproductive coping with negative affect. Conclusions. Considering differences in the variables of personal regulation of decision making, we should speak about the generality of their correlation in the latent classes of the two cultural samples.
Analysing Generation in Social Psychology: Research or Reject?
Authors: Rikel Alexander M. , Dorokhov Yegor A.
Published: September 2023

Background. Against the background of increased attention to the category of generation in social psychology, the methodological possibility of studying generations and intergenerational differences is analyzed. The existing limitations of this kind of research are suggested and classified; methods for leveling these limitations are proposed. Objective is to propose and test an empirically correct scheme for the study of generations in social psychology. Sample. The material on which this scheme was tested was obtained in the course of an Internet survey (951 people). Methods. The survey included a modified author's Lifeline methodology to explore perceptions of cultural life scenarios. The method of analysis of the results involved the study of the possibility to apply APC (age-period-cohort) analysis to socio-psychological studies of intergenerational differences. Results. A scheme for the study of intergenerational differences has been proposed and substantiated, including, in particular, the use of theoretical meta-analyses, the methodology of APC analysis and the study of complex attitudes of the cultural life script (CLS). Conclusions. The conclusion is made on the need to abandon studies of traditional generations and the need to move to smaller units of analysis — quasi-generations in line with socio-psychological methodology.
Neuropsychological and Neurobiological Basis for the Recovery of Higher Brain Functions. Modularity VS Theory of System and Dynamic Localization of Functions
Authors: Shipkova Karine M. , Bulygina Vera G.
Published: September 2023

Background. Neuropsychology and neuroscience solve a number of general issues concerning the relationship between brain and psyche, the principles of the structural and functional brain organization, the cerebral basis of mental processes, patterns of damage and recovery of complex behavioral systems. Neuroscientific basis for higher brain function recovery allows us to explain the regularities of neuroplasticity. The neuropsychological basis makes it possible to build an adequate programme of neuropsychological rehabilitation, taking into account not only psychological but also biological patterns. Thus, it is necessary to strengthen the integration of neuroscientific and neuropsychological points of views in this domain. Objective. The study aims to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of modular theory and the theory of system and dynamic localization of functions in solving the question of structural and functional brain organization and their reflection in approaches to neuropsychological rehabilitation. Methods. Comparative analysis and the method of generalization were applied. Results. Modular theory and the theory of system and dynamic localization of functions have a number of common key points. 1. The principle of the system (distributed) organization of higher cortical functions. 2. Horizontal-vertical structure of higher brain functions. 3. Сortical function is the constellation of factors/modules. 4 Functional unit (factor/module) is a structural element of different brain systems. 5. Damage of a functional unit leads to a selective damage of a certain group of cognitive processes. Theories differ in understanding the content of a functional unit of a brain, which leads to differing understandings of the typology in the ways to recovery. The study considers the role of subcortical structures in providing behavioral automatisms. The paper shows the importance of the intact conduction pathways in making rehabilitation prognosis. Conclusion. The study reveals limitations of the concept of factor in explaining the variability and dissociative picture of a neuropsychological symptom. The content of factor as well as its structural elements are to be revised and described. Certain statements of the theory of system and dynamic localization of functions have to be modified in order to reflect the regularities of neuroplasticity in the methodology of neuropsychological rehabilitation.
Understanding analysis of children’s writings as a means of identifying “creative initiative”
Authors: Novlianskaya Zinaida N.
Published: September 2023

Background. In modern Russian psychology of giftedness, a prominent place is occupied by studies of initiative in its various aspects. The author explores a creative initiative, which manifests itself not in the discovery of something objectively existing, but in the creation of something that has not yet existed, in particular, of an individual artistic image. Objective. Research into the creative initiative in child's artistic creativity requires a special, “understanding” analysis of children's works and the very situation of their appearance. Such an analysis is not aimed at the correspondence or non-compliance of the objective results of children's creativity with the requirements of the task but primary at understanding the goals and intentions of the child, which are manifested in the initiative actions that go beyond the proposed task. It is due to such initiative changes that an external task common to all children turns into an individual, internally motivated creative work. Sample. The study involved 37 primary school students from one of the schools in Moscow, who studied within the programme by G.N. Kudina and Z.N. Novlyanskaya “Literature as a subject of the aesthetic cycle”, developed for the system of developing education by D.B. Elkonin and V.V. Davydov Methods. The article deals with the works of literary and artistic creativity of younger schoolchildren, composed in the conditions of teaching literature according to the developing programme of G.N. Kudina and Z.N. Novlyanskaya “Literature as a subject of the aesthetic cycle”. The author briefly outlines the theoretical foundations of this programme and describes the methodological principle of changing the positions of the author and the reader, which underlies training. Results. Examples of an understanding analysis of essays created in the process of mastering the concept of “point of view” are given. The works of different levels of understanding of the task and the presence of the author's initiative in the children's essay are considered. At the same time, proceeding from the conviction that literary and creative development is, in principle, accessible to every child the author emphasizes that even in a weak essay, an understanding analysis makes it possible to detect the germ of an independent idea that deserves to be noticed and supported. Therefore, special attention is paid to the management of the collective discussion of children's compositions, which is designed to help the little author not only to see the shortcomings of the work but also, and most importantly, realize the most valuable thing in it, which can be improved in the following compositions. Conclusion. One of the main conclusions of the study is the assertion that attention to children's literary creativity and mastery of an understanding analysis of its results is the missing link in the professional training of future teachers of literature.
Eli’s “Heavy Eyes” in LXX 1 Kingdoms 3:2 and Euripides’ Alcestis
Authors: Wessels Samuel Hendrick
Published: September 2023

Septuagint Kingdoms, the Greek translation of Samuel-Kings, has an ambiguous linguistic reputation. While scholars sometimes note natural linguistic features, its isomorphic and literal translation style is typically emphasised. This ambiguity has apparently caused several scholars to misinterpret LXX 1 Kgdms 3:2, which uses the verb βαρύνω in reference to the failing eyesight of the priest Eli. When examined against other evidence, notably Euripides’ Alcestis, Kingdoms is shown to use a natural though poorly attested Greek expression meaning “go blind.” This paper demonstrates the natural idiomatic use of βαρύνω in 1 Kgdms 3:2 and shows its value in refining our understanding of “heavy eyes” in other non-translation Greek texts. More broadly, it promotes the reading of the LXX against the wider history of the Greek language.
Esoteric Publishing in the 1920s
Authors: Vogel Lukas
Published: September 2023

Two texts by Marian Dockerill (1878–1972) are often consulted as sources in research on occultism in the early twentieth century. A source-critical reading casts doubt on their authenticity. Based on clear evidence, the journalist and book author William Seabrook may be considered the author. The Dockerill texts fit seamlessly into his work but should be used with great caution as sources on the life dates of the persons described as well as contributions to female confessional literature in the environment of new religious movements.
A Method to the Madness?
Authors: Randolph Jacob
Published: September 2023

This article assesses the 1534–1535 Anabaptist kingdom of Münster and how its leader, Jan of Leiden, asserted the legitimacy of his divinely anointed kingship. Rather than dismiss Jan of Leiden’s displays of supremacy as arbitrary, radical, or mere delusions of grandeur, I seek to contextualize the spectacle of Münster through an appeal to the power of cultural memory and chivalry. At least three applications of chivalric power are narrated in contemporary accounts of Münster. These relate to clothing, royal entries, and tournament events. By paying particular attention to these applications of chivalric power, we can surmise with more clarity just what Jan of Leiden and his advisors envisioned for the city and themselves and how that vision made sense within the social imaginary of late medieval Europe from which chivalry drew its symbolic power.
Updates on the taxonomy and distribution of Gastroserica Brenske, 1897, Microserica Brenske, 1894, and Moronoserica Ahrens, Lukic & Liu, 2023 (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Sericinae: Sericini)
Authors: AHRENS DIRK , PHAM PHU
Published: September 2023

A short update on the taxonomy of Gastroserica Brenske, 1897 is given. Two new species of the subgenus Helioserica Ahrens, Lukic & Liu, 2023, and one new species of the nominotypical subgenus are described: Gastroserica (H.) kachin Ahrens & Pham, new species (from Myanmar), G. (H.) horii Ahrens & Pham, new species, and G. (G.) muongphangensis Ahrens & Pham, new species (both from Vietnam). One name is synonymized: Gastroserica (G.) wenzhui Liu & Ahrens, 2014 (= Gastroserica skalei Ahrens & Fabrizi, 2018, new synonymy). Additional new records of the recently revised Microserica Brenske, 1894, and Moronoserica Ahrens, Lukic & Liu, 2023 as well as of Gastroserica are given. The diagnostic characters of the new taxa are illustrated. A corrective note for Ahrens et al. (2023) is also given, regarding the omitted but previously published synonymy of Microserica pusilla (Thunberg, 1818) (= Microserica compressipes (Weidemann, 1823)).
Reevaluation of Rhipidomys emiliae (J.A. Allen 1916) and description of a new Rhipidomys (Rodentia: Cricetidae) species from Amazonia and Cerrado
Authors: LANES RAYQUE DE OLIVEIRA , BONVICINO CIBELE RODRIGUES
Published: September 2023

We present the revalidation of the sigmodontinae rodent species R. emiliae, as well as the description of a new species for the genus Rhipidomys. The maximum likelihood analysis recovers R. emiliae as sister species of the clade with Rhipidomys sp. nov. and R. ipukensis, with high bootstrap values. Comparisons between these species based on the external, cranial, and dental morphology identified several unique characters in Rhipidomys sp. nov., including more grayish brown color of the dorsal coat, subsquamosal fenestra wide and long, angular process ends in the same position of the end of condyloid process, conspicuous protostyle and enterostyle. We describe a new karyotype (2n = 44 and FN = 64) for the genus and, based on an integrative analysis together with morphology and molecular phylogeny, assign it to R. emiliae, and assign the karyotype with 2n = 44 and FN = 52 to Rhipidomys sp. nov.. The analysis integrating data indicated that R. emiliae has a geographic distribution restricted to the lowlands of eastern Amazonia, whereas Rhipidomys sp. nov. occurs in the central Amazonia and Cerrado. The data showed that some Rhipidomys species have its distribution currently limited by rivers, as Rhipidomys sp. nov. occurring west of the Araguaia-Tocantins interfluve, R. emiliae east of the Tocantins River, and R. ipukensis between the Tocantins and Araguaia rivers. This work, in addition to revealing a still unknown biodiversity describing a species, brings a new understanding to the genus, and shows how integrating different markers helps in the correct association between the nominal form and the karyotype.
Algorithmic Hallucinations of Near-Surface Winds: Statistical Downscaling with Generative Adversarial Networks to Convection-Permitting Scales
Authors: Annau Nicolaas J. , Cannon Alex J. , Monahan Adam H.
Published: September 2023

This paper explores the application of emerging machine learning methods from image super resolution (SR) to the task of statistical downscaling. We specifically focus on convolutional neural network–based generative adversarial networks (GANs). Our GANs are conditioned on low-resolution (LR) inputs to generate high-resolution (HR) surface winds emulating Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model simulations over North America. Unlike traditional SR models, where LR inputs are idealized coarsened versions of the HR images, WRF emulation involves using nonidealized LR and HR pairs, resulting in shared-scale mismatches due to internal variability. Our study builds upon current SR-based statistical downscaling by experimenting with a novel frequency-separation (FS) approach from the computer vision field. To assess the skill of SR models, we carefully select evaluation metrics and focus on performance measures based on spatial power spectra. Our analyses reveal how GAN configurations influence spatial structures in the generated fields, particularly biases in spatial variability spectra. Using power spectra to evaluate the FS experiments reveals that successful applications of FS in computer vision do not translate to climate fields. However, the FS experiments demonstrate the sensitivity of power spectra to a commonly used GAN-based SR objective function, which helps interpret and understand its role in determining spatial structures. This result motivates the development of a novel partial frequency-separation scheme as a promising configuration option. We also quantify the influence on GAN performance of nonidealized LR fields resulting from internal variability. Furthermore, we conduct a spectrum-based feature-importance experiment, allowing us to explore the dependence of the spatial structure of generated fields on different physically relevant LR covariates.

Significance Statement

We use artificial intelligence algorithms to mimic wind patterns from high-resolution climate models, offering a faster alternative to running these models directly. Unlike many similar approaches, we use datasets that acknowledge the essentially stochastic nature of the downscaling problem. Drawing inspiration from computer vision studies, we design several experiments to explore how different configurations impact our results. We find evaluation methods based on spatial frequencies in the climate fields to be quite effective at understanding how algorithms behave. Our results provide valuable insights into and interpretations of the methods for future research in this field.
Influence of sensor installation tilt angle on explosion shock wave pressure test
Authors: Wang Liangquan , Kong Deren
Published: September 2023

The surface reflection pressure sensor installation flatness will directly lead to the change of the explosion shock wave pressure propagation and distribution law, affecting the test results accuracy, and the test data cannot accurately evaluate the ammunition explosion damage power. In this study, the numerical simulation model of the explosion shock wave pressure propagation and distribution law was established by using the explosive mechanics simulation software, and the pressure distribution law was studied when the sensors installation angles were 0°, 4°, 8°, 12°, −4°, −8°, and −12° respectively. Combined with analysis of the pressure peak value and the pressure evolution nephogram at different measuring points, it is clarified that the positive tilt angle of the sensor installation has an enhancing effect on the pressure peak, while the negative tilt angle has a attenuation effect on the pressure peak. Based on the calculation function formula of the surface reflected pressure peak value in the national defense engineering design code, the surface reflected pressure peak value correction function formula is established by introducing the sensor installation angle correction effect. This study results provide a theoretical basis for the design of ammunition explosion shock wave pressure engineering test scheme and the test data validity verification.
Meaning beyond Accuracy: War Damage Map of Cottbus
Authors: Kisiel Piotr
Published: September 2023

(War) destruction of a city is not easily representable. Not only is the entirety of urban space hardly ever equally affected but also, within the damaged areas, there are different degrees of ruination. Along with photos and aerial photography, maps are one of the most common means of representing cities’ war destruction. Despite their appearance, however, they are not an objective and impartial representation, but rather a narrative that can be deconstructed and interpreted in various ways. This paper inquires to what extent the Cottbus war damage map is a reliable testimony of the urban disaster, what its limitations are, and what story it tells. For all its precision, it was not made to serve utilitarian purposes, but rather as a mean of commemoration. This draws our attention to the fact that maps should not be only measured by their accuracy, but rather recognized and assessed on their own terms.
Polyureas for the Automotive Industry
Authors: Huygens E. , Cassidy E.F.
Published: September 2023

Increasing use is being made of plastics and reinforced reaction injection moulded polymers for large and complex automotive parts. Polyurea RIM materials have become established in this market by fulfilling necessary technical and thermal resistance requirements - and by enabling dependable and consistent production of parts to be achieved at the rates required by industry.

ICI has developed a range of polyurea systems capable of providing particularly high temperature and corrosion resistance and high impact strength. These systems may be processed on existing high-throughput RIM equipment, using relatively low clamping pressures. But machinery manufacturers are already extending their ranges with higher output dispensing units, more automated controls and gas nucleation of the chemical components.

Because of their toughness at demould and excellent self-release character¬istics, RIM polyureas permit markedly shorter cycling on sophisticated automated lines. The addition of robotised part demoulding makes it possible to reduce overall cycle times to less than one minute.

Polyurea RIM systems have progressed particularly rapidly over the past two years. A major car producer in Europe has already approved and commenced production with a RIMline® polyurea bumper system from ICI. Today's fast-reacting, self-releasing polyurea systems are not only suitable for fully auto¬mated production, but also offer the potential for on-line painting. The trend to decreasing production volumes as a consequence of greater model differentia¬tion will contribute to the economic competitiveness of polyurea for external body panel production.
The Time-Dependent Poisson's Ratio of Viscoelastic Cellular Materials Can Increase or Decrease
Authors: Lakes R.S.
Published: September 2023

In viscoelastic materials, the Poisson's ratio is not a material constant but can depend upon time. For polymeric solids, the shear modulus relaxes much more than the bulk modulus, therefore, the Poisson's ratio v(t) is an increasing function of time. This article demonstrates that such time dependence is not a necessary consequence of the theory of viscoelasticity. Composite microstructures of cellular solids are presented which result in v(t) which decreases with time.
Combustion Behaviour of Polyurethane Flexible Foams under Cone Calorimetry Test Conditions
Authors: Vanspeybroeck R. , Van Hees P. , Vandevelde P.
Published: September 2023

The first part of this study focused on the effect of cone calorimeter test variables on polyurethane flexible foam properties such as ignitability, heat release rate, effective heat of combustion and mass loss. Three of the main commercial foam types were used; viz. conventional slabstock foams, high resilience slabstock foams and all-MDI moulded foams.

A decrease in heat flux (down to. 40%) with increasing distance from the conical heater was measured. As a consequence, results were found to depend to a large extent on the thickness and the melting behaviour of the foam samples. To achieve a sufficiently constant and uniform heat flux exposure, sample thickness had to be limited to 2.5 cm. In addition, repeatability was found to be good under various conditions, with percentage standard deviations for effective heat of combustion, peak rate of heat release and mass loss below 10%.

Levels of radiant flux above 25 kW/m2 were found to be very severe to test flexible polyurethane foams. Under such conditions, foams that show big differences in combustion performance in small scale flammability tests, performed almost identically in the cone calorimeter.

In the second part of this study, the effects of foam variables, such as foam type, density and melamine content, were defined. These effects were clearly pronounced at radiant flux levels of 15 to 25 kW/m2. Density was found to be the key variable in controlling ignition resistance. In addition, high-resilience slabstock foams and all-MDI moulded foams performed better than conventional slabstock foams of the same density. Melamine addition resulted in a delay of ignition for all three foam types and an incomplete combustion, decreased heat release and effective heat of combustion, in case of HR slabstock and all-MDI moulded foams. However, melamine is not effective as a heat sink in conventional slabstock foams. The different performance of the foam types under study can be explained by a different melting behaviour.
The “Waterlily” Range of Quality Comfort Materials from Id's MDI-based Flexible Slabstock Technology
Authors: Casey Martin , Parfondry Alain , Muller Louis , Elliot Angela
Published: September 2023

The flexible slabstock industry has been increasingly subjected to environmental pressures over the last five years, presenting challenges to seek new technologies. These challenges include the elimination of CFCs, careful scrutiny of alternative blowing agents, and constant tightening of fire ignition standards. ICI Polyurethanes has been at the forefront of MDI cold cure moulding technologies for some years, an area pioneered in the early 1980s. Building on its experience, ICI has developed a technology package for 100 percent water-blown MDI-based system for slabstock foams. Considerable investment in the project has included a production scale foaming unit, with a maximum output of 300 kg/min, and a dedicated project team.

Deterioration of physical properties, normally associated with MDI formulations at low densities, has been overcome with the design of novel chemical intermediates, which has also required new formulation development and some equipment modification.

The technology package allows a wide range of hardness/density combinations from a small number of raw material components, and produces foams with remarkable stability and fast cure times. This speed, and MDI's low vapour pressure, lead to much-improved working environments. In general, the new foams give a good balance of comfort properties with an excellent latex-like “feel”. Data is shown comparing their performance with that of existing high resilience foams.