bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Residual stress measurement in engine block—an overview
Authors: Alipooramirabad Houman , Kianfar Sina , Paradowska Anna , Ghomashchi Reza
Published: January 2024

Significant residual stresses are often generated during the manufacturing of cast Al-Si alloy engine blocks due to differential cooling rates, the mismatch in the thermo-physical properties of adjacent materials in direct contact and volumetric changes caused by solid-state phase transformations during cooling. These may be modified during heat treatment and operation. These residual stresses may lead to distortion (affecting performance and economy) or premature failure of the engine block. For this reason, it is of fundamental importance to have reliable numerical and experimental methods for characterizing the residual stresses in the engine blocks at several steps during the manufacturing process. Sectioning and neutron diffraction techniques have been widely used to determine the residual stresses in the engine blocks. Numerical techniques have been developed to predict these residual stress but require experimental validation. The authors reviewed several numerical and experimental studies of residual stress evolution in engine blocks and showed how the residual stresses, microstructures, and mechanical properties are correlated.
Material mapping strategy to identify the density-dependent properties of dry natural snow
Authors: Bahaloo Hassan , Forsberg Fredrik , Lycksam Henrik , Casselgren Johan , Sjödahl Mikael
Published: January 2024

The mechanical properties of natural snow play a crucial role in understanding glaciers, avalanches, polar regions, and snow-related constructions. Research has concentrated on how the mechanical properties of snow vary, primarily with its density; the integration of cutting-edge techniques like micro-tomography with traditional loading methods can enhance our comprehension of these properties in natural snow. This study employs $$\mu$$
μ
CT imaging and uniaxial compression tests, along with the Digital Volume Correlation (DVC) to investigate the density-dependent material properties of natural snow. The data from two snow samples, one initially non-compressed (test 1) and the other initially compressed (test 2), were fed into Burger’s viscoelastic model to estimate the material properties. $$\mu$$
μ
CT imaging with 801 projections captures the three-dimensional structure of the snow initially and after each loading step at -18$${^\circ }$$

∘

C, using a constant deformation rate (0.2 mm/min). The relative density of the snow, ranging from 0.175 to 0.39 (equivalent to 160–360 kg/m$$^3$$

3

), is determined at each load step through binary image segmentation. Modulus and viscosity terms, estimated from Burger’s model, exhibit a density-dependent increase. Maxwell and Kelvin–Voigt moduli range from 0.5 to 14 MPa and 0.1 to 0.8 MPa, respectively. Viscosity values for the Maxwell and Kelvin–Voigt models vary from 0.2 to 2.9 GPa-s and 0.2 to 2.3 GPa-s within the considered density range, showing an exponent between 3 and 4 when represented as power functions. Initial grain characteristics for tests 1 and 2, obtained through image segmentation, reveal an average Specific Surface Area (SSA) of around 55 1/mm and 40 1/mm, respectively. The full-field strain distribution in the specimen at each load step is calculated using the DVC, highlighting strong strain localization indicative of non-homogeneous behavior in natural snow. These findings not only contribute to our understanding of natural snow mechanics but also hold implications for applications in fields such as glacier dynamics and avalanche prediction.
Exploring settler-Indigenous engagement in food systems governance
Authors: Littlefield Catherine , Stollmeyer Molly , Andrée Peter , Ballamingie Patricia , Levkoe Charles Z.
Published: January 2024

Within food systems governance spaces, civil society organizations (CSOs) play important roles in addressing power structures and shaping decisions. In Canada, CSO food systems actors increasingly understand the importance of building relationships among settler and Indigenous peoples in their work. Efforts to make food systems more sustainable and just necessarily mean confronting the realities that most of what is known as Canada is unceded Indigenous territory, stolen land, land acquired through coercive means, and/or land bound by treaty between specific Indigenous groups and the Crown. CSOs that aim to build more equitable food systems must thus engage with the ongoing impacts of settler colonialism, learn/unlearn colonial histories, and build meaningful relationships with Indigenous peoples. This paper explores how settler-led CSOs engage with Indigenous communities and organizations in their food systems governance work. The research draws on 71 semi-structured interviews with CSO leaders engaged in food systems work from across Canada. Our analysis presents an illustrative snapshot of the complex and ongoing processes of settler-Indigenous engagement, where many settler-led CSOs aim to work more closely with Indigenous communities and organizations. However, participants also recognize that most existing engagements remain insufficient. We share CSOs’ practices, tensions, and lessons learned as reflections for scholars and practitioners interested in the continuous journey of building settler-Indigenous partnerships and reimagining more just and sustainable food systems, work which requires iterative and critically reflexive learning.
Coupled fixed point results for new classes of functions on ordered vector metric space
Authors: Çevik C. , Özeken Ç. C.
Published: January 2024

The contraction condition in the Banach contraction principle
forces a function to be continuous. Many authors overcome this obligation and
weaken the hypotheses via metric spaces endowed with a partial order. In this paper,
we present some coupled fixed point theorems for the functions having mixed
monotone properties on ordered vector metric spaces, which are more general
spaces than partially ordered metric spaces. We also define the double monotone
property and investigate the previous results with this property. In the last
section, we prove the uniqueness of a coupled fixed point for non-monotone functions.
In addition, we present some illustrative examples to emphasize that our
results are more general than the ones in the literature.
Tuning mechanical behaviors of highly entangled hydrogels with the random distribution of mobile entanglements
Authors: Liu Jinlong , Lu Di , Chen Bin
Published: January 2024

Highly entangled hydrogels exhibit excellent mechanical properties, including high toughness, high stretchability, and low hysteresis. By considering the evolution of randomly distributed entanglements within the polymer network upon mechanical stretches, we develop a constitutive theory to describe the large stretch behaviors of these hydrogels. In the theory, we utilize a representative volume element (RVE) in the shape of a cube, within which there exists an averaged chain segment along each edge and a mobile entanglement at each corner. By employing an explicit method, we decouple the elasticity of the hydrogels from the sliding motion of their entanglements, and derive the stress-stretch relations for these hydrogels. The present theoretical analysis is in agreement with experiment, and highlights the significant influence of the entanglement distribution within the hydrogels on their elasticity. We also implement the present developed constitutive theory into a commercial finite element software, and the subsequent simulations demonstrate that the exact distribution of entanglements strongly affects the mechanical behaviors of the structures of these hydrogels. Overall, the present theory provides valuable insights into the deformation mechanism of highly entangled hydrogels, and can aid in the design of these hydrogels with enhanced performance.
Nonlinear dynamics of a circular curved cantilevered pipe conveying pulsating fluid based on the geometrically exact model
Authors: Cao Runqing , Guo Zilong , Chen Wei , Dai Huliang , Wang Lin
Published: January 2024

Due to the novel applications of flexible pipes conveying fluid in the field of soft robotics and biomedicine, the investigations on the mechanical responses of the pipes have attracted considerable attention. The fluid-structure interaction (FSI) between the pipe with a curved shape and the time-varying internal fluid flow brings a great challenge to the revelation of the dynamical behaviors of flexible pipes, especially when the pipe is highly flexible and usually undergoes large deformations. In this work, the geometrically exact model (GEM) for a curved cantilevered pipe conveying pulsating fluid is developed based on the extended Hamilton’s principle. The stability of the curved pipe with three different subtended angles is examined with the consideration of steady fluid flow. Specific attention is concentrated on the large-deformation resonance of circular pipes conveying pulsating fluid, which is often encountered in practical engineering. By constructing bifurcation diagrams, oscillating shapes, phase portraits, time traces, and Poincare maps, the dynamic responses of the curved pipe under various system parameters are revealed. The mean flow velocity of the pulsating fluid is chosen to be either subcritical or supercritical. The numerical results show that the curved pipe conveying pulsating fluid can exhibit rich dynamical behaviors, including periodic and quasi-periodic motions. It is also found that the preferred instability type of a cantilevered curved pipe conveying steady fluid is mainly in the flutter of the second mode. For a moderate value of the mass ratio, however, a third-mode flutter may occur, which is quite different from that of a straight pipe system.
Shakespeare in the “Shoe” Novels of Noel Streatfeild
Authors: Archer-Richards Catherine
Published: January 2024

This article situates Noel Streatfeild’s career novels of the mid twentieth century within the long history of Shakespeare for children, showing that she was an innovator in this field. The engagement that girls in these novels have with the works of Shakespeare includes reading the texts for pleasure, the acquisition of knowledge of the plays for its own sake, and identification with Shakespeare’s characters; all activities encouraged in literature for girls for over a hundred years before Streatfeild. But the “Shoe” novels take the process further into an exciting realm of creative engagement, in which girls act in Shakespeare’s plays on the professional stage, and in doing so, earn prestige, independence and hard cash. Streatfeild’s depiction of girls’ encounters with Shakespeare is innovative: she presented Shakespeare as a force who could improve the lives of girls, facilitating their well-being, independence, and their sense of cultural identity within the family or their social class. They are not lectured by Shakespeare, but liberated.
Repurposing metformin to manage idiopathic or long COVID Tinnitus: self-report adopting a pathophysiological and pharmacological approach
Authors: Kelleni Mina T.
Published: January 2024

Chronic tinnitus is a common neurological disorder that affects millions of patients globally with no available successful pharmacotherapy. It can be extremely bothersome to some patients to the extent that it occasionally qualifies as a disability that can hinder them from leading a normal life. In this short communication, the author discusses how he suffered from idiopathic tinnitus and how he managed to adopt a combined pathophysiological and pharmacological approach to the reason for the first time in the medical literature that low-dose metformin might be safely and effectively repurposed to manage at least a subset of tinnitus patients while discussing the potential role of adenosine receptor agonists as potential future tinnitus therapeutics.
A Longitudinal RCT on the Effectiveness of a Psychological Intervention for Hospital Healthcare Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What We Learned to Date
Authors: Rizzi Damiano , Monaci Michela , Gambini Giulia , Benzi Ilaria Maria Antonietta , Perlini Stefano , De Silvestri Annalisa , Klersy Catherine , Barone Lavinia
Published: January 2024

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant psychological distress among frontline healthcare workers (HCWs), with a particular increase in trauma-related symptoms. This study investigated the longitudinal course of trauma-associated symptoms and behaviors in HCWs and the effectiveness of a brief dialectical behavior therapy (DBT)-informed intervention in mitigating these symptoms over 12 months. The trial included 225 HCWs randomly assigned to one of three groups: no intervention (control), in-person DBT-informed intervention, or online DBT-informed intervention. Over time, a natural decrease in PTSD symptoms was observed in all groups. Contrary to expectations, no difference was found between the control and intervention groups. However, for participants with severe PTSD symptoms, the intervention significantly mitigated their distress. No differences emerged between in-person and online interventions, suggesting equal effectiveness. Females reported higher trauma-related symptoms, while no differences emerged among different professional roles. These findings underscore the importance of targeted interventions for HCWs experiencing severe symptoms and highlight the potential of online modalities. Further research is needed to optimize the deployment of mental health resources within the healthcare setting, particularly during crises.
Modeling Extreme Precipitation Data in a Mining Area
Authors: Lymperi Ourania-Anna , Varouchakis Emmanouil A.
Published: January 2024

In recent decades, extreme precipitation events have increased in frequency and intensity in Greece and across regions of the Mediterranean, with significant environmental and socioeconomic impacts. Therefore, extensive statistical analysis of the extreme rainfall characteristics on a dense temporal scale is crucial for areas with important economic activity. For this reason, this paper uses the daily precipitation measurements of four meteorological stations in a mining area of northeastern Chalkidiki peninsula from 2006 to 2021. Three statistical approaches were carried out to develop the best-fitting probability distribution for annual extreme precipitation conditions, using the maximum likelihood method for parameter estimation: the block maxima of the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution and the peak over threshold of the generalized Pareto distribution (GPD) based on extreme value theory (EVT), and the gamma distribution. Based upon this fitting distribution procedure, return periods for the extreme precipitation values were calculated. Results indicate that EVT distributions satisfactorily fit extreme precipitation, with GPD being the most appropriate, and lead to similar conclusions regarding extreme events.
Fire season and time since fire determine arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal trait responses to fire
Authors: Hopkins Jacob R. , McKenna Thomas P. , Bennett Alison E.
Published: January 2024

Background and aims

Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi are common mutualists in grassland and savanna systems that are adapted to recurrent fire disturbance. This long-term adaptation to fire means that AM fungi display disturbance associated traits which should be useful for understanding environmental and seasonal effects on AM fungal community assembly.

Methods

In this work, we evaluated how fire effects on AM fungal spore traits and community composition vary with fire season (Fall vs. Spring) and time since fire. We tested this by analyzing AM fungal spore traits (e.g., colorimetric, sporulation, and size) from a fire regime experiment.

Results

Immediately following Fall and Spring fires, spore pigmentation darkened (became less hyaline); however, this trait response was not linked to fire driven changes in spore community composition and likely implies a plastic spore pigmentation response to fire. Six months after Fall fires, spores in burned plots were lower in volume, produced less color rich pigment, and had higher sporulation rates, and these differences in spore traits were associated with shifts in AM fungal spore communities demonstrating environmental filtering.

Conclusion

Fire drove plastic and longer-term changes in AM fungal spore traits and community assembly that varied with fire season (stronger effects in Fall) and time since fire. This demonstrates the utility of applying trait-based approaches to microbial community assembly, and the importance of considering changes in community assembly across time.
Revisiting the Impact Evaluation of Women’s Empowerment: A MCDM-Based Evaluation Indicator Selection Framework Proposal
Authors: Yıldırım Nihan , Köroğlu Fatma
Published: January 2024

Women’s empowerment programs play a critical role in achieving the United Nations’ (UN’s) sustainable development goal of “Gender Equality”. However, non-profit organizations (NPOs) running women’s empowerment (WE) programs face challenges in monitoring, assessing, and evaluating the social impact (SI) and program performance due to the lack of solid guidelines. This study aims to analyze the impact and outcome evaluation indicators of WE programs by providing a quantitative tool. A multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) model is proposed to identify and prioritize the performance indicators by utilizing Fuzzy TOPSIS (FTOPSIS) and Fuzzy AHP (FAHP) in a combined methodology. Results validated the identification and classification of the indicators by their importance and viability. In a qualitative study with NPOs working on WE in Turkey, social impact and outcome evaluation indicators are defined and ranked by criteria set in the proposed combined MCDM framework. The study aims to contribute to the theoretical frameworks and practices on social impact and outcome evaluation of women’s empowerment.
Collective action lessons for the energy transition: learning from social movements of the past
Authors: Djinlev Vanja , Pearce BinBin J.
Published: January 2024

To accelerate the energy transition and achieve the needed large-scale transformation to address climate change, different barriers including lock-ins and path dependencies, incumbent power structures and changing individual and collective norms, values, and behaviors around energy need to be addressed. In the face of these challenges, citizens are beginning to play a bigger role in the transformation of the energy system. For example, they are becoming prosumers (energy consumers who also produce energy) and are increasingly engaging in collective energy actions, including taking part in energy communities. In the latter instance, collective investment and consumption decisions are made together, and norms, understanding and behavior towards energy are shaped collectively. To better understand the roles that individuals and groups can play in confronting the challenges of the energy transition, we make use of and adapt Ostrom’s socio-ecological systems (SES) framework to analyze past examples of collective actions and to delve deeper into the causes and catalysts of collective actions. We show how this framework can be used to analyze collective actions across time and contexts, focusing on connecting individual and group behavior with changing societal norms and the corresponding barriers to change. By applying the adapted SES framework as a lens to analyze historical examples of collective actions that have resulted in a widespread transformation in social norms and structures, we identify similarities and differences between these case studies and the current energy transition. Confronting incumbents and the challenge of changing social norms and behaviors are among the similarities, but the specific tactics used to limit incumbents’ powers and the actions taken to influence the norms and behaviors differ. Lastly, we determine the key actors that influenced social and behavioral change, as one of the main outcomes of the analysis.
Belief space-guided approach to self-adaptive particle swarm optimization
Authors: Eschwege Daniel von , Engelbrecht Andries
Published: January 2024

Particle swarm optimization (PSO) performance is sensitive to the control parameter values used, but tuning of control parameters for the problem at hand is computationally expensive. Self-adaptive particle swarm optimization (SAPSO) algorithms attempt to adjust control parameters during the optimization process, ideally without introducing additional control parameters to which the performance is sensitive. This paper proposes a belief space (BS) approach, borrowed from cultural algorithms (CAs), towards development of a SAPSO. The resulting BS-SAPSO utilizes a belief space to direct the search for optimal control parameter values by excluding non-promising configurations from the control parameter space. The resulting BS-SAPSO achieves an improvement in performance of 3–55% above the various baselines, based on the solution quality of the objective function values achieved on the functions tested.
Corrosion behaviour of self-piercing riveted joints with uncoated rivets in high nitrogen steel
Authors: Uhe Benedikt , Kuball Clara-Maria , Merklein Marion , Meschut Gerson
Published: January 2024

Self-piercing riveting is an established joining technique for lightweight materials. To increase the sustainability of the rivet manufacturing process, the authors of the present paper have developed an approach for shortening the process chain by omitting the heat treatment and rivet coating. To do this, use is made of high nitrogen steel as the rivet material. Successful joining with these rivets has already been proven, and it has also been shown that a competitive joint strength can be achieved with these rivets. Up until now, no studies have been conducted of the corrosion behaviour of uncoated rivets in high nitrogen steel compared to conventional rivets made of heat-treatable steel with a coating of Almac® or zinc-nickel with topcoat, and the corrosion behaviour of joints manufactured with these rivets has also not been investigated. Furthermore, the suitability of rivets in high nitrogen steel for structures undergoing cathodic dip painting has not been evaluated to date. These are therefore the aims of the research work presented in this paper. Corrosion behaviour is tested by exposing rivets and joints to a salt spray atmosphere. Cross-cut tests are conducted in order to classify the adhesion of cathodic dip paint to the different rivet surfaces and materials. The results of the experimental test show that the cathodic dip paint has sufficient adhesion to the uncoated rivets in high nitrogen steel and that these rivets can therefore be used in the manufacture of car bodies. Due to the stainless properties of the high nitrogen steel, better corrosion resistance is seen by comparison to the commonly used coatings of Almac® and zinc-nickel with topcoat. A study of the corrosion behaviour of the joints shows that the rivet head diameter and rivet head position, in particular, are decisive for preventing crevice corrosion under the rivet head and contact corrosion within the joint.
Should We Embrace Impossible Worlds Due to the Flaws of Normal Modal Logic?
Authors: Eyinck Til
Published: January 2024

Some philosophers advance the claim that the phenomena of logical omniscience and of the indiscernibility of metaphysical statements, which arise in (certain) interpretations of normal modal logic, provide strong reasons in favour of impossible world approaches. These two specific lines of argument will be presented and discussed in this paper. Contrary to the recent much-held view that the characteristics of these two phenomena provide us with strong reasons to adopt impossible world approaches, the view defended here is that no such ‘knock-down arguments’ do emanate on those grounds. This is not to rule out that there cannot be any other good reasons for assuming impossible world semantics. However, the discussion of a further argument for impossible worlds will suggest that different attempts to argue for them likely present intertwined problems.
Alexithymia, life satisfaction, depression and anxiety in black and ethnic minority communities in the UK
Authors: Winningah Aisha Abdulsalam , Pereira Monica
Published: January 2024

Alexithymia is the inability to express and recognise emotions and can be expressed in non-clinical populations. Alexithymia is typically experienced alongside depression, anxiety, and burnout. However, research in this area has not explored the extent to which alexithymia is experienced in Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic group. Access to treatment for this community are limited. The aim of the current research is to explore high vs. low scores of alexithymia on anxiety, depression, life satisfaction among British black and ethnic minority communities. A total of 94 participants had filled in questionnaires. Results indicated high levels of alexithymia resulted in increased anxiety, thus a decreased in life satisfaction. However the hypothesis of high alexithymia resulted in high depressive symptoms were not found. Additionally, there were no gender difference in alexithymia level.
Categorization of Sugar Beet Varieties for Water Saving in Sandy Soils Using Factor Analysis Scores
Authors: Abu-Ellail Farrag F. B. , Hussein Eman M. A. , Attafy Tarek M.
Published: January 2024

Water shortage in dry and semi-arid regions is a major agricultural challenge. This study investigated the performance of ten imported monogerm sugar beet varieties under continuous deficiency irrigation using a drip system on a private farm in the Wadi El-Natrun region, El-Beheira Governorate, Egypt, during two growing seasons, 2021/2022 and 2022/2023. The study utilized a novel method, a crossbar graph, to effectively visualize statistical data. The results showed significant interaction effects between sugar beet varieties and water deficit levels for all traits, indicating varying responses of the varieties to different levels of drought stress (75% and 55%). Drought stress levels (75% and 55%) had an adverse effect on the root yield of the ten varieties of sugar beet that were investigated. The exploratory factor analysis was applied to investigate and describe the relationship between ten different varieties of sugar beet and water stress treatments. Varieties Symbol, Stikhiyn, Volua, and Klara were characterized as moderate and tolerant with high performance, and they received the highest score in factor analysis. These varieties are recommended for cultivation under moderate and severe stress conditions. Factor analysis scores can be used as selection criteria for sugar beet varieties.
Impact of stent strut link location in proximal balloon edge dilation technique for bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: Kume Teruyoshi , Nishi Takeshi , Murasato Yoshinobu , Koto Satoshi , Sasahira Yoshitaka , Okamoto Hiroshi , Yamada Ryotaro , Koyama Terumasa , Tamada Tomoko , Imai Koichiro , Neishi Yoji , Uemura Shiro
Published: January 2024

The single-stent strategy has generally been accepted as the default approach to bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention. We have proposed the proximal balloon edge dilation (PBED) technique to prevent stent deformation during side branch (SB) dilation. This bench study aimed to evaluate the impact of stent link location and stent design on stent deformation, obstruction by stent struts at a jailed SB ostium, and incomplete stent apposition in the proximal optimization technique (POT)-PBED procedure. A coronary bifurcation model was used. We intentionally set the absence or presence of stent link on the carina (link-free or link-connect) under videoscope observation and compared stent parameters between 3- and 2-link stents (n = 5 each, n = 20 total). In the link-free group, the SB jailing rate of 3-link stents was significantly higher than that of 2-link stents (15.5 ± 5.1% vs. 6.6 ± 1.2%, p = 0.009). In the link-connect group, the SB jailing rate of 3-link stents was significantly lower than that of 2-link stents (30.0 ± 4.5% vs. 39.0 ± 2.6%, p = 0.009). In the bifurcation segment, the rate of incomplete stent apposition was significantly lower for 3-link stents of the link-connect group than for 2-link stents of the link-connect group (3.3 ± 4.2% vs. 19.0 ± 7.8%, p = 0.009). For both stent designs, ellipticity ratio was higher for link-connect group than link-free group. Link location as well as stent cell design greatly impacted stent deformation during the POT-PBED procedure.

Graphical abstract
Fairness issues, current approaches, and challenges in machine learning models
Authors: Jui Tonni Das , Rivas Pablo
Published: January 2024

With the increasing influence of machine learning algorithms in decision-making processes, concerns about fairness have gained significant attention. This area now offers significant literature that is complex and hard to penetrate for newcomers to the domain. Thus, a mapping study of articles exploring fairness issues is a valuable tool to provide a general introduction to this field. Our paper presents a systematic approach for exploring existing literature by aligning their discoveries with predetermined inquiries and a comprehensive overview of diverse bias dimensions, encompassing training data bias, model bias, conflicting fairness concepts, and the absence of prediction transparency, as observed across several influential articles. To establish connections between fairness issues and various issue mitigation approaches, we propose a taxonomy of machine learning fairness issues and map the diverse range of approaches scholars developed to address issues. We briefly explain the responsible critical factors behind these issues in a graphical view with a discussion and also highlight the limitations of each approach analyzed in the reviewed articles. Our study leads to a discussion regarding the potential future direction in ML and AI fairness.
Re-embeddings of affine algebras via Gröbner fans of linear ideals
Authors: Kreuzer Martin , Long Le Ngoc , Robbiano Lorenzo
Published: January 2024

Given an affine algebra $$R=K[x_1,\dots ,x_n]/I$$

R
=
K
[

x
1

,
⋯
,

x
n

]
/
I

over a field K, where I is an ideal in the polynomial ring $$P=K[x_1,\dots ,x_n]$$

P
=
K
[

x
1

,
⋯
,

x
n

]

, we examine the task of effectively calculating re-embeddings of I, i.e., of presentations $$R=P'/I'$$

R
=

P
′

/

I
′

such that $$P'=K[y_1,\dots ,y_m]$$

P
′

=
K

[

y
1

,
⋯
,

y
m

]

has fewer indeterminates. For cases when the number of indeterminates n is large and Gröbner basis computations are infeasible, we have introduced the method of Z-separating re-embeddings in Kreuzer et al. (J Algebra Appl 21, 2022) and Kreuzer, et al. (São Paulo J Math Sci, 2022). This method tries to detect polynomials of a special shape in I which allow us to eliminate the indeterminates in the tuple Z by a simple substitution process. Here we improve this approach by showing that suitable candidate tuples Z can be found using the Gröbner fan of the linear part of I. Then we describe a method to compute the Gröbner fan of a linear ideal, and we improve this computation in the case of binomial linear ideals using a cotangent equivalence relation. Finally, we apply the improved technique in the case of the defining ideals of border basis schemes.
Synthesis and Characterization of La2O3–BaO–Na2O–SiO2–Bi2O3 Glass as a Potent Shield Against Ionizing Radiation
Authors: Kuluozturk Zehra Nur , Kurtulus Recep , Demir Nilgun , Kavas Taner
Published: January 2024

In recent years, the scientific community has spent significant effort exploring radiation-shielding glass materials. The present work was conducted by synthesizing a glass series of 20La2O–10BaO –15Na2O–(55−x)SiO2–xBi2O3, x: 0, 5, 15, and 25 wt%. After producing the samples, in-depth studies were performed on the physical, optical, thermal, and radiation attenuation properties of the fabricated glass series. A radical color change from nearly neutral to dark-brown color occurred as Bi2O3 entered the glass network. The density values equaled 2.8324, 2.9511, 3.0992, and 3.3657 g cm−3 for LBSS1 to LBSS4 samples, respectively. According to XRD patterns, neither sharp nor moderate peaks developed; a hump-like formation between 20 and 35 degrees was visible in all glass samples. FTIR measurement revealed transmission as a function of varying wavenumber from 4000 to 400 cm−1 for the prepared glass specimens, and different bond types were noted. The UV–Vis technique removes it displayed that increasing Bi2O3 content blocked light transmission throughout the glass medium. The radiation-shielding parameters of linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient, transmission factor, and half value layer were calculated with experimental and MC simulation methods for all glass samples at six different energies between 356 and 1332 keV. The results were compared with the Phy-X database, and good agreement was obtained. The highest LACs were obtained at the lowest energy (356 keV) with values of 0.3108, 0.3455, 0.4471, and 0.5486 cm−1 for LBSS1, LBSS2, LBSS3, and LBSS4 glasses, respectively. The photon attenuation ability of the LBSS glasses increased by increasing the Bi2O3 ratio, especially at low energies. Therefore, the authors can conclude that future applications, such as observation window in CT rooms, may efficiently exploit LBBS4 glass system.
A novel likely pathogenetic variant p.(Cys235Arg) of the MEN1 gene in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 with multifocal glucagonomas
Authors: Smirne C. , Giacomini G. M. , Berton A. M. , Pasini B. , Mercalli F. , Prodam F. , Caputo M. , Brosens L. A. A. , Mollero E. L. M. , Pitino R. , Pirisi M. , Aimaretti G. , Ghigo E.
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is a hereditary endocrine syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in MEN1 tumor suppressor gene. Diagnosis is commonly based on clinical criteria and confirmed by genetic testing. The objective of the present study was to report on a MEN1 case characterized by multiple pancreatic glucagonomas, with particular concern on the possible predisposing genetic defects.

Methods

While conducting an extensive review of the most recent scientific evidence on the unusual glucagonoma familial forms, we analyzed the MEN1 gene in a 35-year-old female with MEN1, as well as her son and daughter, using Sanger and next-generation sequencing (NGS) approaches. We additionally explored the functional and structural consequences of the identified variant using in silico analyses.

Results

NGS did not show any known pathogenic variant in the tested regions. However, a new non-conservative variant in exon 4 of MEN1 gene was found in heterozygosity in the patient and in her daughter, resulting in an amino acid substitution from hydrophobic cysteine to hydrophilic arginine at c.703T > C, p.(Cys235Arg). This variant is absent from populations databases and was never reported in full papers: its characteristics, together with the high specificity of the patient’s clinical phenotype, pointed toward a possible causative role.

Conclusion

Our findings confirm the need for careful genetic analysis of patients with MEN1 and establish a likely pathogenic role for the new p.(Cys235Arg) variant, at least in the rare subset of MEN1 associated with glucagonomas.
Collisions of vortex rings with hemispheres
Authors: New T.H. , Xu Bowen , Shi Shengxian
Published: January 2024

A numerical investigation was conducted on

$Re_{\varGamma _{0}}=3000$

vortex rings colliding with wall-mounted hemispheres to study how their relative sizes affect the resulting vortex dynamics and structures. The hemisphere to vortex ring diameter ratio ranges from

$D/d=0.5$

to

$D/d=2$

. Secondary/tertiary vortex rings are observed to result from hemispheric surface boundary layer separations rather than wall boundary layer separations as the diameter ratio increases. While those for

$D/d\leq 1$

hemispheres can be attributed to sequential hemispheric and wall boundary layer separations, the primary vortex ring produces a series of secondary/tertiary vortex rings only along the

$D/d=2$

hemispheric surface. This indicates that the presence of the wall makes little difference when the hemisphere is sufficiently large. On top of comparing vortex ring circulations and translational velocities between hemisphere and flat-wall based collisions, present collision outcomes have also been compared with those predicted by specific discharge velocity models. Additionally, comparisons of vortex core trajectories and vortex ring formation locations with earlier cylindrical convex surface based collisions provide more clarity on differences between two- and three-dimensional convex surfaces. Finally, vortex flow models are presented to account for the significantly different flow behaviour as the hemisphere size varies. Specifically, the vortex flow model for the

$D/d=2$

hemisphere hypothesizes that the recurring tertiary vortex ring formations cease only when the primary vortex ring slows down sufficiently for the last tertiary vortex ring to entangle with it and render it incoherent. Until that happens, the primary vortex ring will continue to induce more tertiary vortex rings to form, with potential implications for heat/mass transfer optimizations.
Assessment and management of vestibular migraine within ENT
Authors: Pajaniappane Arun
Published: January 2024

Objective

Vestibular migraine is a newly recognised and debilitating condition. This article aims to provide an overview of what is known of vestibular migraine, delineating its diagnostic criteria and presenting some initial management strategies to aid ENT professionals in delivering optimal care when patients first present to the otolaryngology clinic.

Method

Although traditionally underdiagnosed, there are now clearly defined diagnostic criteria to aid accurate diagnosis of vestibular migraine.

Results

A detailed history and clinical examination are the cornerstone of the diagnostic process, but supportive evidence is required from appropriate audio-vestibular tests and imaging.

Conclusion

This is a unique condition that commonly initially presents to ENT. This article provides a summary of diagnostic and management strategies to facilitate early diagnosis and first-line treatment that can be employed in general ENT settings, which may be particularly useful given the limited availability of specialist audio-vestibular medicine and neuro-otology services.
Deciphering l’esprit d’internationalité: The 1872 Alabama arbitration and the pacifist antithesis of modern international law profession
Authors: Chen Xiaohang
Published: January 2024

In international legal historiography, it becomes a commonplace that the successful resolution of the Alabama dispute between Britain and the US by the 1872 Geneva Tribunal of arbitration – the 1872 Alabama arbitration – kindled the progressivist enthusiasm of liberal internationalists for projects of humanitarianism, the codification of international law, and international arbitration. The article aims to take this scholarship further by arguing that, against this backdrop of reformist enthusiasm for international law, two transnational social reform movements – pacifist internationalism and legalist internationalism – converged in a joint effort of social and intellectual mobilization in furtherance of an ordered system of international law and its judicial application in practice. The epitome of this encounter was the almost simultaneous creation of the International Law Association and the Institut de Droit International in 1873. The article shows that international jurists sought to delineate the nascent modern international law profession by strategically distancing their scientific cause of international law from the one embarked on by their pacifist counterparts. By demarcating international legal science in contrast to the contemporary pacifist activism of international law, international jurists set the parameters of their social networks, and manoeuvred for professional outreach. Yet it is precisely by bringing back the pacifist antithesis that had been deliberately relegated into the secondary by international jurists – ‘the men of 1873’ – that some previously under-emphasized aspects of the sensibility of l’esprit d’internationalité can be grasped.
Effectiveness and predictors of group cognitive behaviour therapy outcome for generalised anxiety disorder in an out-patient hospital setting
Authors: Malivoire B. L. , Stewart K. E. , Cameron D. , Rowa K. , McCabe R. E.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is an empirically supported treatment for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Little is known about the effectiveness of CBT for GAD in real-world treatment settings.

Aim:

This study investigated the effectiveness of group CBT and predictors of treatment response in an out-patient hospital clinic.

Method:

Participants (n = 386) with GAD participated in 12 sessions of group CBT at an out-patient clinic. Of those who provided at least partial data (n = 326), 84.5% completed treatment. Most questionnaires were completed at pre- and post-treatment; worry severity was assessed weekly.

Results:

Group CBT led to improvements in chronic worry (d = –0.91, n = 118), depressive symptoms (d = –1.22, n = 172), GAD symptom severity (d = –0.65, n = 171), intolerance of uncertainty (IU; d = –0.46, n = 174) and level of functional impairment (d = –0.35, n = 169). Greater pre-treatment GAD symptom severity (d = –0.17, n = 293), chronic worry (d = –0.20, n = 185), functional impairment (d = –0.12, n = 292), and number of comorbid diagnoses (d = –0.13, n = 299) predicted greater improvement in past week worry over treatment. Biological sex, age, depression symptom severity, number of treatment sessions attended, and IU did not predict change in past week worry over time.

Discussion:

These findings provide support for the effectiveness of group CBT for GAD and suggest the outcomes are robust and are either not impacted or are slightly positively impacted by several demographic and clinical factors.
Seasonal and Diurnal Variability in Near‐Surface Air and Ground Temperature Regimes of the Alpine Zone of Mount Kenya
Authors: Downing Timothy A. , Olago Daniel O. , Nyumba Tobias
Published: January 2024

Mountains near the equator have very unique temperature regimes due to the tropical latitude and alpine altitude. How climate change will impact these temperature regimes is not clear as there are so few temperature records in these environments. This study attempts to characterize the near‐surface air and ground temperature regime for the Teleki Valley (3,200–4,200 m. a.s.l) on the western slope of Mount Kenya using a set of six temperature loggers placed at 200 m elevation intervals. Temperature was recorded at 30 min intervals from September 2021 to October 2022. The mean diurnal temperature range varied from 6°C to 14°C, with maximum daily swings in excess of 25°C. There was a distinct seasonality in temperature, with a hot season during the months of January‐March, where it was roughly 3°C warmer than the coolest months. Diurnal temperature swings were also highest in March. This seasonality is driven by radiation and moisture: higher radiation during the vernal equinox combined with clear skies during the dry season made for higher temperatures. Elevation was the dominant spatial gradient determining temperature regimes, but rock and vegetation cover played a large role in modifying near‐surface air and ground temperature. The highest elevation logger (4,200 m. a.s.l), measuring ground temperature, showed muted seasonal and diurnal swings, creating for warmer temperatures than lower elevation loggers. This demonstrates the importance of thermal refugia at these high elevations. This also makes predictions of plant and animal responses to climate change difficult, as uniform upward shifts would not necessarily maintain thermal niches.
Bayesian Estimation of Advanced Warning Time of Precipitation Emergence
Authors: Lickley Megan , Fletcher Sarah
Published: January 2024

Climate models disagree on the direction of precipitation change over about half of the Earth. Current characterizations of expected change use the ensemble mean, which systematically underestimates the magnitude and overestimates the time of emergence (ToE) of precipitation change in regions of high uncertainty. We develop a new approach to estimate both ToE and the potential to update uncertainty in precipitation over time with new observations. Further, we develop two new metrics that increase the usefulness of ToE for adaptation planning. The time of confidence estimates when projections of precipitation emergence will have high confidence. Second, the advance warning time (AWT) indicates how long policymakers will have to prepare for a new precipitation regime after they know change is likely to occur. Our approach uses individual model projections that show change before averaging across models to calculate ToE. It then applies a Bayesian method to constrain uncertainty from climate model ensembles using a perfect model approach. Results demonstrate the potential for widespread and decades‐earlier precipitation emergence, with potential for end‐of‐century emergence to occur across 99% of the Earth compared to 60% in previous estimates. Our method reduces uncertainty in the direction of change across 8% of the globe. We find positive estimates of AWT across most of the Earth; however, in 34% of regions there is potential for no advanced warning before new precipitation regimes emerge. These estimates can guide adaptation planning, reducing the risk that policymakers are unprepared for precipitation changes that occur earlier than expected.
Preliminary Characterization of Submarine Basalt Magnetic Mineralogy Using Amplitude‐Dependence of Magnetic Susceptibility
Authors: Yang H. , Tikoo S. M. , Carvallo C. , Bilardello D. , Solheid P. , Gaastra K. M. , Sager W. W. , Thoram S. , Hoernle K. , Höfig T. W. , Avery A. , Del Gaudio A. V. , Huang Y. , Bhutani R. , Buchs D. M. , Class C. , Dai Y. , Dalla Valle G. , Fielding S. , Han S. , Heaton D. E. , Homrighausen S. , Kubota Y. , Li C.‐F. , Nelson W. R. , Petrou E. , Potter K. E. , Pujatti S. , Scholpp J. , Shervais J. W. , Tshiningayamwe M. , Wang X. J. , Widdowson M.
Published: January 2024

The past ∼200 million years of Earth's geomagnetic field behavior have been recorded within oceanic basalts, many of which are only accessible via scientific ocean drilling. Obtaining the best possible paleomagnetic measurements from such valuable samples requires an a priori understanding of their magnetic mineralogies when choosing the most appropriate protocol for stepwise demagnetization experiments (either alternating field or thermal). Here, we present a quick, and non‐destructive method that utilizes the amplitude‐dependence of magnetic susceptibility to screen submarine basalts prior to choosing a demagnetization protocol, whenever conducting a pilot study or other detailed rock‐magnetic characterization is not possible. We demonstrate this method using samples acquired during International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 391. Our approach is rooted in the observation that amplitude‐dependent magnetic susceptibility is observed in basalt samples whose dominant magnetic carrier is multidomain titanomagnetite (∼TM60–65, (Ti0.60–0.65Fe0.35–0.40)Fe2O4). Samples with low Ti contents within titanomagnetite or samples that have experienced a high degree of oxidative weathering do not display appreciable amplitude dependence. Due to their low Curie temperatures, basalts that possess amplitude‐dependence should ideally be demagnetized either using alternating fields or via finely‐spaced thermal demagnetization heating steps below 300°C. Our screening method can enhance the success rate of paleomagnetic studies of oceanic basalt samples.