bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Sleeping Giant? The ENMOD Convention as a Limit on Intentional Environmental Harm in Armed Conflict and Beyond
Authors: Jarose Joanna
Published: October 2024

This Article reinterprets the 1976 Convention on the Prohibition of Military or Any Other Hostile Use of Environmental Modification Techniques (ENMOD) to show how it might rationally strengthen protections for the environment against intentional damage by states, particularly during armed conflict. The Article applies the orthodox rules of treaty interpretation to analyze in depth the Convention text, the travaux préparatoires, and available subsequent state practice, aiming to determine how the somewhat opaque Article II of ENMOD and its definition of “environmental modification technique” is best understood. It concludes that ENMOD has a broader potential application than it has historically been given.
Trends in SARS-CoV-2-related pediatric hospitalizations reported to the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program, March 2020 to December 2022
Authors: Lee Diane , McGill Erin , Pelude Linda , Mitchell Robyn , Comeau Jeannette L. , Frenette Charles , Lee Bonita E , Lefebvre Marie-Astrid , Srigley Jocelyn A. , Thampi Nisha
Published: October 2024

Objective:

This study describes trends in COVID-19 hospitalizations and healthcare-associated (HA) COVID-19 in Canada among pediatric (age <18 years) patients during pre-Omicron and Omicron-dominant periods.

Design:

Prospective surveillance for COVID-19 infection

Setting:

The Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program is a sentinel surveillance system with 45 hospitals providing COVID-19 data on pediatric patients, including all 13 pediatric tertiary care facilities in Canada.

Patients:

Pediatric patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 at a participating hospital between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022.

Methods:

Analyzed case-level data on pediatric patients with COVID-19, including demographics, acquisition source, and outcomes.

Results:

Among 5,143 pediatric cases, the majority (81%) were reported during the Omicron-dominant period (beginning December 26, 2021). However, a lower proportion required intensive care during the Omicron wave (11% vs 14%, P < 0.05); no difference in mortality was observed. Of those patients admitted to hospital due to COVID-19 (n = 2,700), 45% had at least one pre-existing comorbidity. The majority (90%) of patients with HA-COVID-19 were reported during the Omicron period. There was no difference in mortality between patients with HA and community-associated (CA) infection, although a greater proportion of CA infections led to intensive care unit admission (6% vs 13%, P < 0.01).

Conclusions:

Surveillance findings indicate that both HA- and CA-COVID-19 hospitalizations in Canada increased among pediatric patients following the emergence of the Omicron variant, although disease severity decreased. Pre-existing health conditions were common among pediatric patients hospitalized with COVID-19, highlighting the importance of preventing severe illness in this sub-population.
Reducing central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) by improved identification of primary infection sites through preliminary blood culture notifications
Authors: Bischoff Werner E. , Kieta Cheryl , LaFontaine Tiffany , Billings Corrianne
Published: October 2024

Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) pose a significant patient risk. To address incorrect classifications of infectious events as CLABSI, the surveillance process was changed from using finalized blood culture to preliminary blood culture results as trigger of timely, in-depth reviews. This improved the detection of true CLABSI events.
Developing and characterizing a typology of soil fabrics
Authors: Chongtoua Penmai , Ben-Alon Lola
Published: October 2024

Synthetic textiles, such as polyester, are resistant to natural degradation and constitute approximately 65% of global circulating textile fibers, posing a significant environmental challenge due to their persistence in ecosystems. The global textile industry is responsible for nearly 10% of total global carbon emissions annually and increasing environmental waste. One emerging solution to the industry’s negative environmental impacts is bio-based textile materials that are biodegradable and low-carbon to reduce dependencies on petroleum oil. This paper presents the evolutionary design journey and novel development of earth- and bio-based wearable textiles, coined as BioMud Fabrics, which consist entirely of geo- and bio-based materials. The qualitative and quantitative research-by-design methodological toolkit includes material characterization analysis, microstructural analysis using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and macro-scale structural characterization using tearing tests following ASTM D5587. The developed fabrics were then applied in a series of speculative design demonstrations with fashion design serving as a central case study. This research uniquely combines material science and engineering with exploratory fashion design and architectural practices with the goal of offering radically innovative biomaterials in an effort to shift towards a more circular material paradigm.
Introducing community-based mental health support in Serbia: A qualitative study on experiences and needs of long-term psychiatric users
Authors: Stanković Biljana , Lukić Petar , Stojadinović Irena , Bogdanović Jasmina , Vukčević Marković Maša
Published: October 2024

Background

Mental health (MH) system in Serbia still relies heavily on the medical model with very restricted availability of community-based support. The aim of this study was to provide insight into the everyday experiences and unmet needs of psychiatric users suffering from schizophrenia spectrum disorders in Serbia who are also users of community MH services.

Method

We recruited the participants (N = 11; 9 males; aged 26–65, M = 48.5), long-term psychiatric users (11–57 years, M = 29.4) diagnosed with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder, from a community MH centre. We conducted in-depth semi-structured interviews with them, which we analysed relying on the principles of thematic analysis.

Results

Three broad themes relevant to participants’ well-being and quality of life were identified: leading a meaningful and fulfilled life; the importance of continuity of socialisation and support; and maintaining control and a sense of agency. Community MH services have markedly figured in facilitating all three dimensions.

Conclusions

Findings suggest that providing continuous services that address the users’ need to engage in activities that give them meaning and purpose, provide socialisation and peer support, and promote their autonomy and agency can play a vital role in advancing the process of recovery and well-being of long-term psychiatric users.
CASE C-873/19, Deutsche Umwelthife eV v. Bundesrepublik Deutschland (C.J.E.U.)
Authors: Nakanishi Yumiko
Published: October 2024

On November 8, 2022, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) rendered a preliminary ruling in response to a request from the Administrative Court of Schleswig-Holstein, Germany. The request pertained to the interpretation of Article 9(3) of the Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus Convention). The CJEU held that Article 9(3) of the Aarhus Convention must be interpreted as precluding a situation where an environmental association is unable to challenge an administrative decision before a national court.
Harnessing wall slip towards tunable microswimming in Poiseuille flow
Authors: Ghosh Soumyajit , Ghoshal Srimoyee , Poddar Antarip
Published: October 2024

Understanding the effect of intricate surface wettability conditions on microswimmers is crucial for precisely navigating them across narrow microcirculatory networks. Here, we adopt the spherical squirmer model and Navier slip condition to delineate the microswimmer locomotion under a Poiseuille flow in a slit microchannel. Through a combined analytical–numerical approach utilizing bispherical coordinates and the superposition technique, we resolve the slip-modulated simultaneous hydrodynamic interaction with substrate boundaries. Phase portraits reveal that slip significantly alters propulsion mechanisms, destabilizing centreline stable oscillations of pullers beyond a threshold slip length. Superhydrophobic surfaces suppress near-wall rheotaxis states but preserve centreline focusing, facilitating slip-assisted directed transport without surface accumulation. Under strong background flows, subcritical Hopf bifurcation emerges for pullers at a critical slip length, transitioning dynamics from coexisting stable and unstable states to purely unstable behaviour. Contrastingly, for pushers, slip causes a transition from unstable to either stable or fixed-amplitude oscillations. Increased slip length reduces hydrodynamic repulsion on pullers from the walls by enhancing rotational velocity near the walls, whereas it counteracts the torque that causes unstable oscillations of pushers. Three-dimensional analysis of the trajectories reveals the significant role of the out-of-plane orientation of the microswimmer in its transitions between different swimming states. The presented regime maps offer parametric combinations for specific motion behaviours, guiding the development of smart microfluidic drug delivery systems and preventing biofilm deposition in biomedical devices.
Wave propagation in random two-dimensional turbulence: a multiscale approach
Authors: Resseguier Valentin , Hascoët Erwan , Chapron Bertrand
Published: October 2024

To study two-dimensional dispersive waves propagating through turbulent flows, a new and less restrictive fast waves approximation is proposed using a multiscale setting. In this ansatz, large and small scales of the turbulence are treated differently. Correlation lengths of the random small-scale turbulence components can be considered negligible in the wave packet propagating frame. Nevertheless, the large-scale flow can be relatively strong, to significantly impact wavenumbers along the propagating rays. New theoretical results, numerical tools and proxies are derived to describe ray and wave action distributions. All model parameters can be calibrated robustly from the large-scale flow component only. We illustrate our purpose with ocean surface gravity waves propagating in different types of surface currents. The multiscale solution is demonstrated to efficiently document wave trapping effects by intense jets.
Mixing in a strongly stratified turbulent wake quantified by bulk and conditional statistics
Authors: Zhou Qi
Published: October 2024

We analyze a dataset from a numerically simulated, temporally evolving turbulent wake (Zhou, Phys. Rev. Fluids, vol. 7, 2022, 104802) that exhibits spontaneous anisotropic layering under strong stratification, alongside significant spatiotemporal variability within the flow. This analysis focuses on the irreversible flux coefficient,

$\varGamma$

, defined as the ratio between turbulent potential and kinetic energy dissipation rates. We find that the volume-averaged

$\varGamma$

initially rises, reaches a plateau between 0.45 and 0.49 when the layering dynamics become dominant, and then decreases as viscosity plays a larger role. These peak

$\varGamma$

values are consistent with those from prior simulations under strongly stratified conditions. Such efficient mixing occurs when the Ozmidov to Thorpe length scale ratio is between 0.37 and 0.52, consistent with numerical and field data reported by Mashayek et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 826, 2017, pp. 522–552). To account for the coexistence of dynamically distinct regions within the flow, we perform conditional sampling of

$\varGamma$

against a locally defined gradient Richardson number,

${\textit {Ri}}$

. This reveals a flux-gradient relation between

$\varGamma$

and

${\textit {Ri}}$

that remains largely consistent over time. This relation features a large, approximately constant value of

$\varGamma$

for

${\textit {Ri}}$

values greater than one, echoing the ‘constant-power’ scenario postulated by Balmforth et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 355, 1998, pp. 329–358).
Global talent responses to city internationalization: Expatriate strategies of navigating institutional practices of macro talent management
Authors: Bjerregaard Toke
Published: October 2024

This article advances research at the intersection of macro talent management (TM) and the career capital of expatriates. It does so by reporting the findings of a qualitative study of self-initiated expatriates’ strategies of engaging the practices of a city-level TM institution to facilitate career capital formation. Strategies of engaging city-level practices of TM have diverse, at times paradoxical implications. Self-initiated expatriates employ strategies of engaging institutional practices to (1) support global career mobility without considerable adjustment, (2) develop local networks and careers in the host country, and (3) even actively escaping an expanding sphere of international institutions. The article explains how dynamics of career capital formation occur as (un)anticipated consequences of being exposed to institutional logics of adopted TM practices. Corporate and market-oriented logics of TM realized in an international city institution ambiguously combined with community logics, for some self-initiated expatriates resembling those of traditional expatriate institutions.
Anthony Kitchin, the 1559 Settlement of Religion, and the Ambiguities of Early Elizabethan Church Politics
Authors: Owen Christian
Published: October 2024

Anthony Kitchin, the bishop of Llandaff between 1545 and 1563, is traditionally seen as a self-serving careerist, an unprincipled hypocrite, and a pastoral failure. He was one of only two Marian Catholic bishops to serve under Elizabeth I, and Eamon Duffy memorably jests that he ‘would doubtless have become a Hindu if required, providing he was allowed to hold on to the see of Llandaff’. But re-evaluating Kitchin’s career uncovers a man with a consistent stance that was not unusual amongst his peers, and reveals that the Elizabethan government retained serious hopes of bringing numerous Marian bishops, not just Kitchin, into conformity. Still more striking, while Kitchin has been reviled as a hypocrite for swearing the 1559 oath of supremacy, there is persuasive evidence that he did not in fact swear that oath, keeping his see only through a contingent and awkward compromise with the Elizabethan state, and that the details of this compromise were conveniently forgotten, perhaps even deliberately suppressed. Re-evaluating Kitchin significantly advances our understanding of the period by contributing to the extensive and developing historiography on Catholic conscience and loyalty to the crown, helping problematize binary distinctions between zealous Catholic resistance and craven conformity.
Cacti in distress: how to enhance ex situ conservation strategies through living collections
Authors: Almeida Thaís Moreira Hidalgo de , Gonzaga Diego Rafael , Peixoto Ariane Luna
Published: October 2024

Living plant collections play a crucial role in ex situ conservation, but their conservation value hinges on assessment of their composition, data quality and on strategic planning for optimization of the collection that takes into account species diversity, conservation status and allocation of resources. Cactaceae is one of the most threatened plant families globally and has a broad distribution in Brazil, with two of the seven centres of diversity for this group and a total of 276 known species. Climate change could escalate the threat to cacti, potentially placing 90% of species at risk by 2050. We conducted a case study of Cactaceae in the living Cactarium collection of the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden, evaluating the diversity of the collection and recommending strategic actions to enhance its conservation value. In 2022, we inventoried all specimens in the collection and cross-referenced them with the institutional specimen registry system, Jabot. The collection contains 156 cacti species that naturally occur in Brazil (57% of the total), including 43 species categorized as threatened on the Brazilian Red List and 57 categorized as threatened on the IUCN Red List. We recommend research to map cacti species that are threatened but not covered by in situ conservation in the country, list the priority species for acquisition by the collection, and make recommendations that will facilitate improved contribution of the Rio de Janeiro Botanic Garden to the conservation of the Brazilian flora.
Linguistic ridicule and shifting indexical values on social media: The case of English in Hong Kong
Authors: Chau Dennis
Published: October 2024

This article examines the online reaction to the linguistic performance of a pro-China Hong Kong singer-actor in a commercial where he speaks Hong Kong English. Paradoxically, the posters criticizing his English are Hongkongers themselves, while those showing admiration are mainland Chinese. Understanding this paradox requires an appreciation of the multiple and complex orders of indexicality through which the variety is evaluated and of the increasing use of linguistic evaluations as a proxy for political judgements in a society undergoing significant changes. An analysis of online comments and remixes associated with the commercial shows that Hong Kong social media users attribute a range of different indexical meanings to the celebrity's English to shame him for his perceived ‘betrayal’ and to reclaim a sense of social superiority over mainlanders in the face of unease about Hongkongers’ cultural distinctiveness. It unpacks complexities surrounding the deployment of language ideologies in societies experiencing sociopolitical upheavals. (Language ideologies, linguistic ridicule, orders of indexicality, polycentricity, social media, Hong Kong)*
Weather conditions and legionellosis: a nationwide case-crossover study among Medicare recipients
Authors: Wade Timothy J. , Herbert Carly
Published: October 2024

Legionellosis is a respiratory infection caused by Legionella sp. that is found in water and soil. Infection may cause pneumonia (Legionnaires’ Disease) and a milder form (Pontiac Fever). Legionella colonizes water systems and results in exposure by inhalation of aerosolized bacteria. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days. Precipitation and humidity may be associated with increased risk. We used Medicare records from 1999 to 2020 to identify hospitalizations for legionellosis. Precipitation, temperature, and relative humidity were obtained from the PRISM Climate Group for the zip code of residence. We used a time-stratified bi-directional case-crossover design with lags of 20 days. Data were analyzed using conditional logistic regression and distributed lag non-linear models. A total of 37 883 hospitalizations were identified. Precipitation and relative humidity at lags 8 through 13 days were associated with an increased risk of legionellosis. The strongest association was precipitation at day 10 lag (OR = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.05–1.11 per 1 cm). Over 20 days, 3 cm of precipitation increased the odds of legionellosis over four times. The association was strongest in the Northeast and Midwest and during summer and fall. Precipitation and humidity were associated with hospitalization among Medicare recipients for legionellosis at lags consistent with the incubation period for infection.
Gone with the wind: the proximate and ultimate causes of the decline and extinction of the Bahama Nuthatch Sitta insularis
Authors: Gardner Matthew A. , Pereira David J. , Geary Matt , Collar Nigel J. , Bell Diana J.
Published: October 2024

Newly elevated to species rank, the Bahama Nuthatch Sitta insularis is or was a bark- and twig-gleaning insectivore only known in life from the pine forests of Grand Bahama in the Bahamas archipelago. It became increasingly difficult to find in the past 50 years, seemingly in part in response to multiple hurricanes in this century. In spring (June–April) 2018, when it was still known to be extant, we divided the island into seven sections and carried out point count transects with playback and measured habitat variables at 464 locations in pine forest across Grand Bahama. We made only six observations at six locations, all in the region of Lucayan North and each involving a single nuthatch (possibly all the same individual). Fourteen count points were within 500 m of the six locations, and tree size at these sites was greater in height and girth than at sites with no observations and indeed than at other sites within Lucayan North. Count points within 500 m of nuthatch records in 2004–2018 had larger trees and more snags than survey points over 500 m away from previous detections, while count points within 500 m of our 2018 nuthatch records tallied more snags than did those within 500 m of the 2004–2007 records. Declines in habitat quality, habitat extent, nesting substrate, and food availability (driven by logging, attritional island development, and the direct and indirect effects of hurricanes), plus speculated increases in populations of invasive predators/competitors and in major mortality events (hurricanes, increasing in force and frequency with climate change), are suspected to be the ultimate causes of the decline of the nuthatch, with Hurricanes Matthew and Dorian the proximate causes of its evident extinction in 2019.
Disclosure of mandatory and voluntary nutrition labelling information across major online food retailers in the USA
Authors: Sharib Julia Reedy , Pomeranz Jennifer L , Mozaffarian Dariush , Cash Sean B
Published: October 2024

Objective:

Nutrition labelling is mandatory on food products in retail stores, but compliance in the rapidly expanding online setting remains unclear. We assessed mandatory and voluntary labelling information across major U.S. online retailers.

Design:

Between January and August 2022, we evaluated a representative basket of sixty food and beverage items across eight product categories of ten major retailers. We evaluated online presence, accessibility and legibility of four mandatory elements – Nutrition Facts, ingredients, allergen statements and percent juice for fruit drinks – and presence of seven voluntary elements – nutrient content claims, health/qualified health claims, ingredient claims, structure–function claims, additive claims, front-of-package nutrient profiling symbols and other marketing claims.

Setting:

Major online food retailers in the USA.

Participants:

N/A.

Results:

On average, each mandatory element was present, accessible and legible for only 35·1 % of items, varying modestly by element (from 38·3 % for ingredients lists to 31·5 % for Nutrition Facts) but widely by retailer (6·6–86·3 %). Voluntary elements were present for 45·8 % of items, ranging from 83·7 % for marketing claims to 2·0 % for structure–function claims. Findings were generally consistent across the eight product categories. Voluntary elements were more frequently present than accessible and legible mandatory elements for six of ten retailers and seven of eight product categories.

Conclusions:

Mandatory nutrition label elements are not commonly present, accessible and legible in online retail settings and are less consistently present than marketing elements. Coordinated industry and regulatory actions may be needed to ensure consumers can access mandatory nutrition information to make healthy and safe food choices online.
Diagnostic process of cancer in a health system without gatekeeping: a single centre survey analysis
Authors: Duman Dilbaz Ayşenur , Çifçili Saliha Serap
Published: October 2024

Introduction:

It is essential to increase the rates of early diagnosis in cancer control, and the diagnostic process needs to be improved to achieve this goal. Previous studies showed that in countries where there is a gatekeeping system, there might be a delay in cancer diagnosis. Our aim is to examine the process of cancer diagnosis in a healthcare system without gatekeeping.

Method:

A quantitative descriptive study has been conducted in various outpatient clinics of Pendik Training and Research Hospital, between 1 February and 31 May 2019, with individuals aged over 18 and diagnosed with cancer in the last six months. The data was collected through a questionnaire filled in by face-to-face interview method. Patient’s socio-economic characteristics, their symptoms at the time of the diagnosis and the diagnosis process were questioned.

Result:

The median diagnostic interval was 30 days (min–max 1–365), and the median patient interval was 60 (1–600) days. Patients pointed out that the diagnostic tests, especially the pathology reporting process, caused the diagnostic interval to be prolonged. Of the patients, 84% (n 135) stated that they did not consider their symptoms as a sign of serious illness. The patient interval was shortest with symptoms of haematuria and haematochezia and longest with dysuria and change in bladder habit.

Discussion:

The study examined the diagnosis process in our health system, where patients can apply for health services at any stage. The results showed that there were no superior outcomes to those observed in primary care-led health systems. Patients reported that waiting times for medical tests led to prolongation of the diagnosis time. Cancer awareness of patients should also be increased to shorten patient admission times.
Response of goosegrass, smooth crabgrass, and newly sprigged hybrid bermudagrass to postemergence herbicides
Authors: Godara Navdeep , Koo Daewon , Wright-Smith Hannah , Askew Shawn D.
Published: October 2024

Postemergence (POST) herbicides that control troublesome weeds during hybrid bermudagrass establishment via sprigs are limited due to potential turfgrass phytotoxicity and herbicide-resistant weeds. Research experiments were conducted in Blacksburg, VA, and Hope, AR, in 2016 and 2023 to evaluate herbicide programs to control goosegrass and smooth crabgrass and the response of hybrid bermudagrass sprigs to POST herbicides applied 3 to 5 wk after establishment (WAE). Another study was conducted to assess the tolerance of ‘Latitude 36’, ‘Tahoma 31’, and ‘TifTuf’ hybrid bermudagrass sprigs to POST herbicides applied 4 to 5 WAE. Thiencarbazone + foramsulfuron + halosulfuron did not injure hybrid bermudagrass > 6% across four cultivars and a total of 10 site-yr but reduced goosegrass and smooth crabgrass cover equivalent to the best-performing treatments. Topramezone + metribuzin injured turfgrass > 25% at 14 d after treatment (DAT), but tank mixing with thiencarbazone + foramsulfuron + halosulfuron reduced injury by 5% to 22%. Quinclorac injured hybrid bermudagrass 17% to 58%, depending on site, which was more than most other treatments. Mesotrione-, quinclorac-, or topramezone-based programs injured hybrid bermudagrass and also reduced turfgrass cover, the dark green color index, and the normalized difference vegetation index, but turfgrass recovered by 28 DAT. Results suggest that turfgrass managers have a variety of herbicides that can control smooth crabgrass and goosegrass during hybrid bermudagrass sprig establishment, but the margin of selectivity is relatively low for mesotrione, quinclorac, and topramezone and may be dependent on herbicide rate or hybrid bermudagrass cultivar.
Evaluating phasic transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) with pupil dilation: the importance of stimulation intensity and sensory perception
Authors: Ludwig Mareike , Pereira Calida , Keute Marius , Düzel Emrah , Betts Matthew J. , Hämmerer Dorothea
Published: October 2024

The efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) as a non-invasive method to modulate physiological markers of noradrenergic activity of the Locus Coeruleus (LC), such as pupil dilation, is increasingly more discussed. However, taVNS studies show high heterogeneity of stimulation effects. Therefore, a taVNS setup was established here to test different frequencies (10 Hz and 25 Hz) and intensities (3 mA and 5 mA) during phasic stimulation (3 s) with time-synchronous recording of pupil dilation in younger adults. Specifically, phasic real taVNS and higher intensity led to increased pupil dilation, which is consistent with phasic invasive VNS studies in animals. The results also suggest that the influence of intensity on pupil dilation may be stronger than that of frequency. However, there was an attenuation of taVNS-induced pupil dilation when differences in perception of sensations were considered. Specifically, pupil dilation during phasic stimulation increased with perceived stimulation intensity. The extent to which the effect of taVNS induces pupil dilation and the involvement of sensory perception in the stimulation process are discussed here and require more extensive research. Additionally, it is crucial to strive for comparable stimulation sensations during systematic parameter testing in order to investigate possible effects of phasic taVNS on pupil dilation in more detail.
Diffusive micromixing combined with dynamic in situ laser scattering allows shedding light on lipid nanoparticle precipitation
Authors: Taiedinejad Ebrahim , Bausch Cornelius , Wittek Jörn , Gül Gökhan , Erfle Peer , Schwarz Nicolai , Mozafari Mohadeseh , Baßler Michael , Dietzel Andreas
Published: October 2024

Pharmaceutical formulations are increasingly based on drug nanoparticles or carrier nanoparticles encapsulating drugs or mRNA molecules. Sizes and monodispersity of the nanoparticles regulate bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacology. Microfluidic mixers promise unique conditions for their continuous preparation. A novel microfluidic antisolvent precipitation device was realized by two-photon-polymerization with a mixing channel in which the organic phase formed a sheet with a homogeneous thickness of down to 7 μm completely wrapped in the aqueous phase. Homogeneous diffusion through the sheet accelerates mixing. Optical access was implemented to allow in-situ dynamic light scattering. By centering the thin sheet in the microchannel cross-section, two important requirements are met. On the one hand, the organic phase never reaches the channel walls, avoiding fouling and unstable flow conditions. On the other hand, in the sheet positioned at the maximum of the parabolic flow profile the nanoparticle velocities are homogenized which enables flow-compensated Dynamic Light Scattering (flowDLS). These unique features allowed in-situ particle size determination for the first time. Monitoring of lipid nanoparticle precipitation was demonstrated for different rates of solvent and antisolvent flows. This breakthrough innovation will not only enable feedback control of nanoparticle production but also will provide new insights into the dynamics of nanoparticle precipitation.
The Breakfasts of Superheroes
Authors: Lorch Mark
Published: October 2024

One of the most obvious but overlooked questions that surrounds the science of being a superhero concerns the nutritional needs that would be required to have the capacity of superhuman powers. After all, a handful of oat cakes for Peter Parker (AKA Spider-Man), as he dashes off on a day of acrobatic crime fighting across Metropolis, just aren’t going to cut the mustard. There has to be something else going on. And Peter Parker knows it. He must know that his daring deeds are only possible if he is fuelled by a proper diet. The oat cake breakfast may just be part of his cover story, but Spider-Man’s breakfast is just the tip of the iceberg. After all, if Olympic athletes need a support team inspecting every morsel that passes their lips, then there must be an army of nutritionists monitoring the dietary requirements of the great crime fighting squads. It may not crop up in the comics and movies, but I bet there’s a course entitled ‘Nutrition for the Gifted – 101’ on the curriculum at hero schools. Education about healthy eating can’t start early enough.
How to Build a Super Soldier
Authors: Rathi Akshat
Published: October 2024

Cartoonists are bound by few rules, especially if their job is to create a superhero. So, it is intriguing that cartoonists Joe Simon and Jack Kirby didn’t create a character with infinite power to end the horrifying atrocities of the Nazis. Instead, they created Captain America – a human who performs at his peak and has a strong moral compass.
The Real World Super Metal
Authors: Coxon Paul R.
Published: October 2024

Other chapters in this book have spent a good deal of time speculating about the nature of comic book supermaterials. They have looked at the fictional vibranium, imagined how graphene might be used within supersuits, theorized on how research on memory materials could lead to such creations as Batman’s wing suits, and discussed meta-materials that might make the wearer invisible. My fellow authors have done a sterling job of linking the science fiction of superheroes with the science fact that exists in labs around the world. Maybe, in the not too distant future, that lab-based science will morph into technologies not dissimilar to those of the comic books. However, amongst all the speculation on what might be possible in the future, perhaps we’ve overlooked materials that are already ‘super’; elements without which much of the modern world’s technologies would not exist. Many of these elements are also in short supply, and so we could really do with a superhero to deploy their powers and manufacture some more. This chapter explores one specific case of these materials, lithium, to show just how amazing our world is already, before we even get into science fiction.
Big Data, Big Heroes and Bad Computers
Authors: Miles Rob
Published: October 2024

Batman is definitely an early adopter. Well before the PC was invented in the 1960s, Batman’s cave housed his very own Bat-computer complete with Bat-input slot (scanner and character recognition software), criminal Bat-locator (GPS tracker) and Bat-slides (screen). Since then, computers have been a big part of superhero storylines and data-processing devices have served good and evil in about equal measure. The Bat-computer and its add-ons seem to have been pretty good predictors of some of the technology that we take for granted now, but how close to real life are the descriptions of computer use in superhero stories generally? Can we look back on these stories and discover insights into what have become some of the biggest challenges and opportunities arising from the rise of supercomputers?
Acceleration is the key to drag reduction in turbulent flow
Authors: Ding Liuyang , Sabidussi Lena F. , Holloway Brian C. , Hultmark Marcus , Smits Alexander J.
Published: October 2024

A turbulent pipe flow experiment was conducted where the surface of the pipe was oscillated azimuthally over a wide range of frequencies, amplitudes, and Reynolds numbers. The drag was reduced by as much as 35%. Past work has suggested that the drag reduction scales with the velocity amplitude of the motion, its period, and/or the Reynolds number. Here, we find that the key parameter is the acceleration, which greatly simplifies the complexity of the phenomenon. This result is shown to apply to channel flows with spanwise surface oscillation as well. This insight opens potential avenues for reducing fuel consumption by large vehicles and for reducing energy costs in large piping systems.
Hierarchical assembly and environmental enhancement of bacterial ice nucleators
Authors: Renzer Galit , de Almeida Ribeiro Ingrid , Guo Hao-Bo , Fröhlich-Nowoisky Janine , Berry Rajiv J. , Bonn Mischa , Molinero Valeria , Meister Konrad
Published: October 2024

Bacterial ice nucleating proteins (INPs) are exceptionally effective in promoting the kinetically hindered transition of water to ice. Their efficiency relies on the assembly of INPs into large functional aggregates, with the size of ice nucleation sites determining activity. Experimental freezing spectra have revealed two distinct, defined aggregate sizes, typically classified as class A and C ice nucleators (INs). Despite the importance of INPs and years of extensive research, the precise number of INPs forming the two aggregate classes, and their assembly mechanism have remained enigmatic. Here, we report that bacterial ice nucleation activity emerges from more than two prevailing aggregate species and identify the specific number of INPs responsible for distinct crystallization temperatures. We find that INP dimers constitute class C INs, tetramers class B INs, and hexamers and larger multimers are responsible for the most efficient class A activity. We propose a hierarchical assembly mechanism based on tyrosine interactions for dimers, and electrostatic interactions between INP dimers to produce larger aggregates. This assembly is membrane-assisted: Increasing the bacterial outer membrane fluidity decreases the population of the larger aggregates, while preserving the dimers. Inversely, Dulbecco’s Phosphate-Buffered Saline buffer increases the population of multimeric class A and B aggregates 200-fold and endows the bacteria with enhanced stability toward repeated freeze-thaw cycles. Our analysis suggests that the enhancement results from the better alignment of dimers in the negatively charged outer membrane, due to screening of their electrostatic repulsion. This demonstrates significant enhancement of the most potent bacterial INs.
Future-time reference in spoken EFL
Authors: Dubois Tanguy , Paquot Magali , Szmrecsanyi Benedikt
Published: October 2024

Previous research has given much attention to how native speakers of English and, to a lesser extent, speakers of
World Englishes, choose between will and be going to to talk about the future. There is,
however, a lack of research investigating how learners of English as a Foreign Language choose between these future markers at
different proficiency levels. We collected 3,616 instances of will and be going to from the
Trinity Lancaster Corpus, which consists of spoken language from low-intermediate to advanced learners of English from various
mother tongue backgrounds. These future marker observations were annotated for constraints known to probabilistically influence
the choice of variant and then analyzed using mixed-effects logistic regression. Results show that learners are sensitive to more
constraints than native speakers, suggesting that the forms serve more distinct functions. As learners become more proficient,
they consider fewer constraints and thereby better approximate native speakers.
Key comparison BIPM.RI(I)-K2 of the air-kerma standards of the PTB, Germany, and the BIPM in low-energy x-rays
Authors: Burns D T , Kessler C , Pojtinger S
Published: October 2024

Main text

A key comparison has been made between the air-kerma standards of the PTB, Germany, and the BIPM in the low-energy x-ray range. The results show the standards to agree at the level of the expanded uncertainty of the comparison of 8.0 parts in 103. The results are analysed and presented in terms of degrees of equivalence, suitable for entry in the BIPM key comparison database.

To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database https://www.bipm.org/kcdb/.

The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCRI, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).
Changes in high-frequency neural inputs to muscles during movement cancellation
Authors: Zicher Blanka , Avrillon Simon , Ibáñez Jaime , Farina Dario
Published: October 2024

Objective. Cortical beta (13–30 Hz) and gamma (30–60 Hz) oscillations are prominent in the motor cortex and are known to be transmitted to the muscles despite their limited direct impact on force modulation. However, we currently lack fundamental knowledge about the saliency of these oscillations at spinal level. Here, we developed an experimental approach to examine the modulations in high-frequency inputs to motoneurons under different motor states while maintaining a stable force, thus constraining behaviour. Approach. Specifically, we acquired brain and muscle activity during a ‘GO’/’NO-GO’ task. In this experiment, the effector muscle for the task (tibialis anterior) was kept tonically active during the trials, while participants (N = 12) reacted to sequences of auditory stimuli by either keeping the contraction unaltered (‘NO-GO’ trials), or by quickly performing a ballistic contraction (‘GO’ trials). Motor unit (MU) firing activity was extracted from high-density surface and intramuscular electromyographic signals, and the changes in its spectral contents in the ‘NO-GO’ trials were analysed. Main results. We observed an increase in beta and low-gamma (30–45 Hz) activity after the ‘NO-GO’ cue in the MU population activity. These results were in line with the brain activity changes measured with electroencephalography. These increases in power occur without relevant alterations in force, as behaviour was restricted to a stable force contraction. Significance. We show that modulations in motor cortical beta and gamma rhythms are also present in muscles when subjects cancel a prepared ballistic action while holding a stable contraction in a ‘GO’/’NO-GO’ task. This occurs while force levels produced by the task effector muscle remain largely unaltered. Our results suggest that muscle recordings are informative also about motor states that are not force-control signals. This opens up new potential use cases of peripheral neural interfaces.
Investigating the synergistic neuromodulation effect of bilateral rTMS and VR brain-computer interfaces training in chronic stroke patients
Authors: Afonso Monica , Sánchez-Cuesta Francisco , González-Zamorano Yeray , Pablo Romero Juan , Vourvopoulos Athanasios
Published: October 2024

Objective. Stroke is a major cause of adult disability worldwide, resulting in motor impairments. To regain motor function, patients undergo rehabilitation, typically involving repetitive movement training. For those who lack volitional movement, novel technology-based approaches have emerged that directly involve the central nervous system, through neuromodulation techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and closed-loop neurofeedback like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs). This, can be augmented through proprioceptive feedback delivered many times by embodied virtual reality (VR). Nonetheless, despite a growing body of research demonstrating the individual efficacy of each technique, there is limited information on their combined effects. Approach. In this study, we analyzed the Electroencephalographic (EEG) signals acquired from 10 patients with more than 4 months since stroke during a longitudinal intervention with repetitive TMS followed by VR-BCI training. From the EEG, the event related desynchronization (ERD) and individual alpha frequency (IAF) were extracted, evaluated over time and correlated with clinical outcome. Main results. Every patient’s clinical outcome improved after treatment, and ERD magnitude increased during simultaneous rTMS and VR-BCI. Additionally, IAF values showed a significant correlation with clinical outcome, nonetheless, no relationship was found between differences in ERD pre- post- intervention with the clinical improvement. Significance. This study furnishes empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of the joint action of rTMS and VR-BCI in enhancing patient recovery. It also suggests a relationship between IAF and rehabilitation outcomes, that could potentially serve as a retrievable biomarker for stroke recovery.
Composite Laminates with Epoxy Resin and E-Glass Fibers: Analysis of Mechanical Properties
Authors: Pranathi K. , Adib Ayub S MD , Paul CH
Published: October 2024

Polymer fibre-reinforced composites are extensively researched for their potential in high-performance industries such as aerospace, automotive, and ground transportation. These composites offer high strength and inertia. However, their use is hindered by inherent drawbacks, primarily the inability to absorb moisture and high flammability compared to natural fibres. Despite these challenges, composites made from glass and specialty synthetic fibres continue to be attractive due to benefits like a high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent resistance to heat and chemicals. To overcome the limitations of polymer fibres, natural fibres are often combined with synthetic ones. This combination aims to create materials that maintain high strength and stiffness while improving resistance to moisture absorption and fire hazards. Such composite materials offer the possibility of achieving enhanced performance at desired levels. Composite materials, particularly those with low thermal expansion, play a vital role in aerospace components due to their exceptional mechanical properties, including strength and stiffness-to-density ratios. This research focuses on composite laminates using epoxy resin and E-glass fibre reinforcement, analysed through Ansys software. The study characterizes the mechanical properties, such as compressive and tensile strength, of these laminates. The results reveal that laminates with synthetic fibres possess attributes favouring their selection for structural components. These findings highlight the potential of composite materials to meet the demanding performance requirements of industries like aerospace and automotive. Advancements in composite manufacturing processes and material science have led to significant improvements in the performance and versatility of polymer fibre-reinforced composites. Ongoing research aims to address remaining challenges, including enhancing resistance to moisture absorption and fire hazards, through strategies such as incorporating nanomaterials and developing novel fibre treatments. With continued progress, these composites are poised to play an increasingly significant role in various high-performance applications.
Analysis of Implication of Phase Change Material Enclosed Design on Thermal Performance of Solar Collector
Authors: Rathinam V , Seenivasan S , Velliyangiri V , Dhal P K , Ravivarman G , Sakthi S , Girimurugan R
Published: October 2024

The energy, which is converted from the sun rays, was called solar energy. This is very essential renewable energy converting methods that had a higher influence for water distilling system. Here, the implication of the Phase Change Materials (PCM) in that exit was analyzed. This energy from the sun is trapped in paraffin wax for the storing system whiles the greater radioactive effect. This trapped heat power than utilized for increase the fluid temperature during the lesser radioactive times. Here, the Implication of the heat storing units on the exit temperature was analyzed. Furthermore, Thermal solar collector was analyzed for the following years 2021 and 2022. The Concentric PC is placed over the top of the collector of the solar rays. And then, a paraffin wax layer was placed under the solar absorber plate like the back-up to store the LH Energy. The uniform rate of flow was produced a greater exit temperature of water the two years. The efficiency rate increased 11–14% and the collected energy gain rate enhanced 18–19%. The peak water temperature was 61°C & 60°C for the 2 consecutive years for Paraffin wax integrated solar collecting unit. At the same time the efficiency of heat energy is peak at 49% in January 2022. The solar collector efficiency primarily relies on the design and construction of collector itself.