bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Die Volkshochschule als Netzwerk: Eine Replik zur Diagnose organisationaler Disparität
Authors: Wilcke Claus , Iberer Ulrich
Published: December 2024

Dörner und Rundel (2023) untersuchten, wie Volkhochschulen in Sachsen-Anhalt in der Pandemie organisational agierten und monieren dabei die Disparität von normativen Ansprüchen und Umsetzung. Der Beitrag hinterfragt diese Kritik und erweitert die Perspektive durch organisationstheoretische Ansätze. Volkshochschulen werden demnach als komplexe Netzwerke gedeutet, die sowohl intern als auch in ihren kommunalen Verankerungen unterschiedlich agieren. Die einzelnen Einrichtungen bildeten unter Druck pragmatisch lokal-stabilisierende Verhaltensmuster aus. Zu vermuten ist, dass dazu auch Reaktionsmuster gehören, die bislang nicht im Fokus organisationspädagogischer Forschungen stehen.
High Interleukin (IL)-6 is Associated with Lower Lung Function and Increased Likelihood of Metabolic Dysfunction in Asthma
Authors: Adair Dionne , Bagheri AmirBehzad , Yosef Matheos , Khalatbari Shokoufeh , Lewis Toby , Mohan Arjun , Lugogo Njira
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Asthma is a complex condition characterized by airway inflammation. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) plays a significant role in asthma pathogenesis through its effects on T cells and its association with pro-inflammatory responses. Both lung and circulating IL-6 levels are elevated in asthma. IL-6 is positively associated with disease severity, frequent exacerbations, and impaired lung function, all of which can be observed clinically. We developed an IL-6 cut-off model to examine the association between high IL-6, race, high body mass index (BMI), metabolic disease, and asthma severity as assessed by reduced lung function.

Methods

This study utilized the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) database, comprised of 5115 adults, to investigate the relationship between IL-6 levels, asthma, race, and metabolic dysfunction. A "healthy" subset of 427 patients was used to compute the IL-6 cut-off. IL-6 levels within detection limits (0.15–12 pg/mL) were analyzed. The IL-6 cut-off was determined using the 95th percentile of log-transformed IL-6 values for lean (BMI < 25) and healthy individuals. Specific cut-offs were established for racial groups. Statistical analyses involved comparing patient characteristics between high and low IL-6 groups, regression analyses, and assessment of factors influencing lung function changes.

Results

Using an IL-6 cut-off of 4.979 pg/mL, the cohort was divided into high and low IL-6 groups. High IL-6 correlated with Black race, higher BMI, hypertension, and markers of metabolic dysfunction, e.g., elevated HbA1c, C-reactive protein (CRP), and reduced lung function. Multivariable analysis linked high IL-6 with male gender, high BMI, Black race, HbA1c, CRP, and inversely with lung function and total cholesterol. Obesity showed a consistent positive association with elevated IL-6, regardless of the presence or absence of asthma. Patients with asthma and high IL-6 were more likely to be Black and showed increased CRP. Lung function was lowest in non-lean, high IL-6 patients with asthma, with similar trends in non-lean (BMI ≥ 25) patients without asthma.

Conclusion

This study underscores the significant association between IL-6, asthma, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction. Elevated IL-6 correlates with asthma severity, particularly in individuals with obesity. Future research should explore anti-IL-6 therapies for specific phenotypes, such as obesity-related asthma. These findings advance our understanding of asthma and the role of IL-6 in its pathogenesis.
Metagenomic Approaches for Optimising Hydrocarbon Pollution Rhizoremediation
Authors: Idris Oladayo Amed , Erasmus Mariana
Published: December 2024

Increasing levels of pervasive harmful chemicals like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been linked to unprecedentedly high cases of several illnesses, loss of biodiversity, and environmental degradation, posing a threat to the sustainability of life. Several biodegradation procedures have been proposed for cleaning up contaminated sites, among which rhizoremediation, a type of phytoremediation, is perceived to be one of the most cost-efficient methods and has good public acceptance. To enhance the effectiveness of rhizoremediation, the use of transgenic plants has been deployed; however, many studies have demonstrated that rhizosphere microbial communities are actively involved in the degradation of hydrocarbons. The plant thus facilitates formidable microbial support and cross-communication through root exudates, a type of rhizodeposition. Unlike conventional microbiology procedures, high throughput metagenomic approaches unveil both individual and microbial community functional capacities, novel species, gene and molecular composition, allowing the alteration of the microbial community in the rhizosphere for plant growth promotion, resistance to PAHs, and the metabolism of contaminant compounds. This article presents an updated overview of the use of metagenomic approaches in modifying the rhizosphere soil microbial community for effective and enhanced rhizoremediation of hydrocarbon-polluted soil.

Graphical abstract
Study on Scanning Probe-Induced Electrochemical Deposition of Atomic and Close-to-Atomic-Scale Structures
Authors: Zhou Yangyang , Lai Min
Published: December 2024

The probe tip of a scanning tunneling microscope can induce various processes, including conformational changes, dissociation, and chemical reactions, in individual atoms or molecules. This capability allows for the bottom-up assembly of precise atomic and close-to-atomic-scale (ACS) structures through the manipulation of atomic and molecular interactions. In this study, an electrochemical deposition process based on the probe of a scanning tunneling microscope was developed. This process enables the precise and controlled fabrication of metal ACS structures on a substrate through the application of an electric field to the scanning probe, which induces localized metal electrochemical deposition. The impact of the applied electric field on the local metal deposition behavior at the probe was investigated. The optimal parameters for probe voltage, substrate voltage, probe–substrate spacing, and deposition duration were determined. The relationship between the experimental parameters and the dimensions of the deposited copper ACS particles was investigated, and the resulting ACS structure was analyzed via in situ scanning tunneling microscopy characterization. Copper metal deposition at the ACS, with a height of 1 nm, was successfully achieved.
Reflecting on the co-production ideal through practice
Authors: Armatas Christopher A. , Hollingsworth Teresa N. , Black Caspen , Taylor Jason J.
Published: December 2024

Co-production, or integrating a range of perspectives from researchers and non-researchers into the knowledge development process, is considered valuable for increasing the potential that scientific results will be applied by practitioners. While the literature around co-production often touts the benefits of such work, there is less focus on the potential costs of co-production, and discussions often lack nuance about the specific meaning of co-production in a particular context. In this perspective essay, we use an example co-production process focused on the development of a science agenda for a federal research program to consider the ideal of co-production. Specifically, we reflect on the appropriate level of non-researcher involvement throughout the full cycle of research, and position our process within the diverse range of existing co-production approaches. We suggest that the ideal of co-production is not necessarily one that integrates the maximum amount of non-research involvement throughout the full cycle of research at all costs, but one that focuses on mitigating the research-management gap while limiting the risks to those involved.
Enacting partner specificity in legume–rhizobia symbioses
Authors: Yu Xiaocheng , Zhu Hongyan
Published: December 2024

Legumes, such as peas, beans, and alfalfa, have evolved a remarkable ability to establish root nodule symbioses with nitrogen-fixing soil bacteria to fulfill their nitrogen needs. This partnership is characterized by a high degree of specificity, occurring both within and between host and bacterial species. Consequently, nodulation capacity and nitrogen-fixing efficiency vary significantly among different plant–bacteria pairs. The genetic and molecular mechanisms regulating symbiotic specificity are diverse, involving a wide array of host and bacterial genes and signals with various modes of action. Understanding the genetic basis of symbiotic specificity could enable the development of strategies to enhance nodulation capacity and nitrogen fixation efficiency. This knowledge will also help overcome the host range barrier, which is a critical step toward extending root nodule symbiosis to non-leguminous plants. In this review, we provide an update on our current understanding of the genetics and evolution of recognition specificity in root nodule symbioses, providing more comprehensive insights into the molecular signaling in plant–bacterial interactions.
Driving a Circular Economy: Nudging and Innovative Strategies for Promoting Post-Consumer Recycled Plastic Home-Appliances
Authors: Neumann Nikolas , Mangold Aline , Schneider Julia , Wölfel Christian
Published: December 2024

The various social and ecological crises of our time are leading to ever louder calls for a sustainable transition towards a sustainable circular economy. As a result, the recycling of plastics is increasingly being brought to the foreground and the increased use of post-consumer recyclate (PCR) is being called for. However, the acceptance of products made from PCR plastic and how this can be increased is still largely unclear. This study uses a light switch to investigate the purchase intention and willingness to pay for household appliances made of (supposed) PCR plastic and how this can be increased with the help of nudges and guideline-based cues. In addition, the influence of a sustainability attitude is examined. An experimental study using a single-factor between-subjects study design (n = 90) with six different cues has been conducted. A light switch made of (supposed) PCR plastic was used as a stimulus. The study results indicate that the purchase intention for PCR-based household appliances can be significantly increased using specific informational cues. Of the five cues tested, only one (innovation) did not lead to a significant increase in purchase intention when compared to the baseline cue. Contrary, none of the five cues led to a significant increase in willingness to pay when compared to the baseline cue. No significant moderating effect of sustainability attitude was found in either case. Possible explanations for these results are the attitude-behavior-intention gap and the influence of perceived aesthetics.
Entropy Generation and Impacts of Activation Energy with Electroosmosis of Couple Stresses on the Peristaltic Transport of Bingham Blood Nanofluid
Authors: Mostapha Doaa R. , Nabil T. M. El‑dabe , Abbas W.
Published: December 2024

In this theoretical paper, an analysis is undertaken to explore the peristaltic transition of a non-Newtonian Bingham nanofluid within a non-uniform microchannel oriented horizontally. This inquiry investigates the entropy generation arising from the flow of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and the accompanying heat transport. This theoretical investigation addresses the behavior of an electrically conductive fluid influenced by electroosmotic flow, incorporating the effects of couple stresses and Darcy law with a heat generation scheme. To bolster the robustness of the study, an activation energy term is incorporated into the nanoparticle concentration using both a modified Arrhenius model and a Buongiorno-type approach. The assumptions of long wavelengths and low Reynolds numbers are applied to change the complex equations that describe fluid motion into ordinary ones. The homotopy perturbation mechanism is utilized to solve the derived neutralized equations. The findings reveal that the critical velocity escalates with an augmentation in both the electroosmotic parameter and the regularization parameter. Moreover, the elevation of the heat absorption parameter and thermophoresis contributes to the augmentation of the temperature profile. Additionally, it is noted that an augmentation in the activation energy parameter has a positive impact on the concentration approach. This consideration recognizes broad applicability in both clinical and industrial settings. This research is beneficial in micro-fabrication mechanisms, reservoir engineering, and the chemical industry, where electro-osmotic energy and mass exchanges play a crucial role.
Mitigating drying shrinkage and efflorescence in high strength alkali-activated materials through steam curing
Authors: Zou Shuai , Xu Bowen
Published: December 2024

The manufacturing of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) significantly contributes to global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, necessitating the exploration of alternative binders like alkali-activated materials (AAM). Despite its environmental benefits, AAM generally faces challenges such as drying shrinkage and efflorescence, limiting its industrial application. This study focuses on investigating the impact of steam curing on addressing these challenges in high strength slag-based AAM. The results indicates that high strength AAM can be developed by carefully optimizing the activator-to-binder and water-to-binder ratios, and incorporating steam curing. Specifically, a compressive strength of 112.4 MPa was achieved after one day of steam curing, compared to 100.8 MPa after 28 days of standard curing. This demonstrates the ability of steam curing to accelerate strength development of AAM. Furthermore, steam curing proved to be highly effective in reducing drying shrinkage, which was decreased from 17 351 microstrains to 1 440 microstrains. This reduction aligns the shrinkage levels of AAM with those of OPC, addressing a major limitation of AAM. This study also found that efflorescence was notably mitigated, with a significant reduction observed after a 24-hour steam curing period. These findings highlight steam curing as a cost- effective and practical-effective method in improving the performance of AAM. By addressing the key challenges, steam curing facilitates the broader adoption of AAM in sustainable construction practices.
Smart organic crystalline materials based on photo-induced topochemistry
Authors: Song Yuhui , Zhang Xiaomin , Ning Lijian , Zhou Qian , Feng Jinkun , Wang Yanli , Gong Qiuyu , Huang Yinjuan
Published: December 2024

Presponsive smart organic crystalline materials (SOCMs) have emerged as an attractive research topic because of their many advantages, such as well-defined structures, high structural order, and the resulting fast response speeds, as well as high energy conversion efficiency and remarkable dynamic optical/electronic changes or mechanical responses. In this review, we discuss the recent developments in SOCMs based on topochemistry beyond coordination compounds, which include [2 + 2] or [4 + 4] photocycloaddition of anthracene and olefin derivatives as well as 1, 4-addition-polymerization of diacetylenes. The detailed design principles and mechanisms associated with smart behavior, photoresponsive physical and chemical properties (i.e., photochromism, photo fluorochromism, and photodeformation), and structure–property relationships are discussed, along with their advanced applications in exciting fields such as intelligent microrobots, encryption, sensors, photoactuators, data storage, and displays. Finally, we summarize the current developments and discuss the major current challenges and future opportunities in this field. We expect that this review will inspire more innovative research into the development of advanced photoresponsive organic smart crystal materials with fast, accurate, and reversible responses, and promote the further development of smart materials and devices.
Research on the mechanism and prediction model of gas leakage and diffusion from shallow-buried natural gas pipelines
Authors: Yue Chengjun , Lu Ping , Zhu Jinjin , Guan Shaokun , Yang Kun , Xu Yan , Chen Li
Published: December 2024

As a crucial component of urban lifeline projects, shallow-buried gas pipelines pose a significant threat to society and people's lives, as well as property in the event of a leakage accident. To investigate the diffusion mechanism of gas leakage out of pipelines, the CFD method is employed to establish a validated numerical model for gas diffusion in backfilled soil. The effects of operating pressure, burial depth, leakage direction of pipelines, and soil resistance coefficient were discussed. The calculated results indicate that the numerical model can accurately predicte the diffusion process and the resistance coefficient of methane in soil-sand, loam, and clay-based. It was found that the burial depth affects the speed of gas diffusion to the soil surface but has little impacts on the concentration distribution range. The diffusion process in the same type of backfilled soil was found very similar under varying pipeline operating pressures, though the pipeline pressure significantly impacts the diffusion range. The shape of the leaked gas cloud in the soil is affected by soil resistance, leak direction, and air buoyancy. A new diffusion model for methane leaking in soil was proposed by introducing two time-related concentration adjustment parameters to the existing natural gas diffusion model. The average error between the calculated results of the proposed diffusion model and the established numerical model was found to be within 10%.
Mechanism of therapeutic action of Folium Artemisiae Argyi on Neuropathic pain based on network pharmacology and molecular docking technology
Authors: Deng Jun , Li Jun , Azhar Muhammad , Huang Xian-Ju , Cui Qin-Dan , Dai Jia-Wei
Published: December 2024

Objective

To elucidate the mechanism of therapeutic action of Folium Artemisiae Argyi (FAA) on Neuropathic Pain (NP) based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental verification.

Methods

The components of the FAA were screened from Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology database (TCMSP) and predicted their targets of action in the Swiss Target Predication platform. Then, retrieving the NP targets from Genecards and other disease databases. Thereby, the common targets of the medicine and the disease were screened out by Cytoscape 3.8.2 software, and the STRING database was used for Protein–Protein Interaction (PPI) network analysis, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) term enrichment by DAVID database, and pathway analysis was done using Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) to identify core targets, further we performed the molecular docking to obtain the binding efficiency between the components and the targets of proteins. After that, NP modeling of BV2 cells induced by ATP was established to detect the protective effect of the four key components. The effectiveness of the results was further verified by in vitro experiments.

Results

The result showed that Chlorogenic Acid (CGA), Eupatilin (EUP), Ethyl Oleate (EO) and Ethyl Linoleate (ELO) are the key components dedicated to its neuroprotective effect. The neuroprotective mechanism may be related to AKT1, PIK3CA, JAK1, P2X4, P2X7 and other targets enriched in PI3K-Akt pathway. CGA, EUP, EO and ELO were able to protect against neurological damage caused by ATP, downgraded the activated P2X receptors and the above approach may be its protection mechanism.

Conclusion

The potential targets and biological effects of FAA in the treatment of NP were predicted in this study. The P2X receptor and PI3K-AKT signaling pathway may be key targets of FAA on ATP-induced NP cells.
Two stackelberg games in life insurance: Mean-variance criterion
Authors: Liang Xiaoqing , Young Virginia R.
Published: December 2024

We study two continuous-time Stackelberg games between a life insurance buyer and seller over a random time horizon. The buyer invests in a risky asset and purchases life insurance, and she maximizes a mean-variance criterion applied to her wealth at death. The seller chooses the insurance premium rate to maximize its expected wealth at the buyer’s random time of death. We consider two life insurance games: one with term life insurance and the other with whole life insurance—the latter with pre-commitment of the constant investment strategy. In the term life insurance game, the buyer chooses her life insurance death benefit and investment strategy continuously from a time-consistent perspective. We find the buyer’s equilibrium control strategy explicitly, along with her value function, for the term life insurance game by solving the extended Hamilton–Jacobi–Bellman equations. By contrast, in the whole life insurance game, the buyer pre-commits to a constant life insurance death benefit and a constant amount to invest in the risky asset. To solve the whole life insurance problem, we first obtain the buyer’s objective function and then we maximize that objective function over constant controls. Under both models, the seller maximizes its expected wealth at the buyer’s time of death, and we use the resulting optimal life insurance premia to find the Stackelberg equilibria of the two life insurance games. We also analyze the effects of the parameters on the Stackelberg equilibria, and we present some numerical examples to illustrate our results.
The age-productivity profile: long-run evidence from Italian regions
Authors: Barbiellini Amidei Federico , Gomellini Matteo , Incoronato Lorenzo , Piselli Paolo
Published: December 2024

This paper investigates the effects of demographic shifts on labor productivity by leveraging variation in the age structure of Italian regions. These effects are analyzed along a first channel – the direct relation between population age and productivity – and a second channel capturing the productivity implications of a more or less dispersed age distribution. We propose an estimation framework that relates regional productivity to the entire age distribution of the working-age population and use instrumental variable techniques to address endogeneity issues. The estimates yield a hump-shaped age-productivity profile peaking between 35 and 40 years. We also document non-linear effects of regional age dispersion on productivity.
Vaccine Intention, Uptake, and Hesitancy Among US Certified Food Producers: The National COVID-19 Organic Farmer Study
Authors: Soto Mas Francisco , Zhao Shixi , Ji Ming
Published: December 2024

Objective

To estimate COVID-19 vaccine intention, uptake, and hesitancy among essential workers.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of USDA-certified organic producers. An electronic survey was used for data collection. Analyses included descriptive statistics, χ2 tests, and ordinal logistic regressions.

Results

The dataset consisted of 273 records. While 63% of respondents had received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine, only 17% had the recommended minimum of 2 doses. More than two-thirds of unvaccinated individuals indicated no plan to receive the vaccine, and limited perception of vaccine necessity. They indicated concerns about side effects and a distrust of the vaccines and the government. Age, education level, acreage, region, and health insurance status were variables significantly associated with the number of doses of vaccine received.

Conclusions

Interventions to encourage vaccination may target farmers who are less educated, live alone or just with one other person, lack health insurance, and run larger farms. Results also suggest focusing on enhancing trust in science and the government. Theory-based approaches that address low perception of risk and severity may be more likely to be effective with this population. Information on how US organic producers handled the COVID-19 pandemic is critical for emergency preparedness and food system stability.
The UK Ministry of Defence and the transition to ‘low-carbon warfare’: A multilevel perspective on military change
Authors: Depledge Duncan , Santos Tamiris
Published: December 2024

Retaining operational effectiveness in a low-carbon world will require military innovation and change. Indeed, there has been growing acknowledgement within some defence ministries that as the world decarbonises a military energy transition is essential. In this paper, we illustrate how calls for a military energy transition have gained renewed traction within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) since 2018. Empirically, we draw on semi-structured interviews with 46 officials and armed forces personnel, conducted by the authors between June and October 2023. To structure our analysis, we adopt a multilevel perspective (MLP) from the field of Sustainability Transitions. Combining the MLP with insights from the literature on military innovation, we shed light on the ways proponents of ‘low-carbon warfare’ have challenged the ‘high-carbon’ sociotechnical regime that currently dominates the MoD. We also explain why more rapid and disruptive change has been stymied. By centring attention on the extent of ‘alignment’ between internal and external sources of change, our MLP makes a valuable contribution to understanding why the struggle for military change often unfolds in non-linear ways.
The social contract between the state and the citizen-migrant: EU free movement under a cosmopolitan statist lens
Authors: Strumia Francesca
Published: December 2024

How does EU free movement alter the role of the sovereign state? While this question may not sound new, this Article addresses it from a novel angle. If from the perspective of host Member States free movement upgrades a class of migrants to the status of ‘migrant citizens’, from the perspective of home Member States free movement instead splits the class of the citizens into citizen–settlers and citizen–migrants. The Article explores how the social contract between the state and the citizen is rewritten in the wake of this latter transformation. It articulates the duty of the states as agents for the citizen–migrants. It flashes out the implications for the relation between citizen–migrants and citizen–settlers. And it points to the partly reflexive nature of duties of states and citizens towards non-citizen migrants. It thus ultimately sheds light on how free movement prompts the sovereign state to embrace cosmopolitan obligations towards others ‘from within’, as an indirect effect of advancing the transnational interests of the citizen–migrants. The findings ultimately add to the cosmopolitan statist vision of European integration, while also rephrasing some of the questions of solidarity, non-discrimination and participation that remain unanswered in the literature on Union citizenship and free movement.
High-flux angularly uniform proton beams from multiple laser interaction with wire-hemisphere targets
Authors: Jiang Xiangrui , Zou Debin , Yu Mingyang , Zhao Na , Hu Lixiang , Ouyang Jianming , Shao Fuqiu , Tang Wenhui , Yu Tongpu
Published: December 2024

A scheme for generating high-flux angularly uniform proton beams with high laser-to-proton energy conversion efficiency is proposed. Three laser beams are focused on a microwire array attached to a solid-density hemispheric target. The laser-driven hot electrons from the front of the microwire hemisphere generate a hot-electron sheath in the hollow behind it, so that the protons on its back are accelerated by target normal sheath acceleration. The accelerated protons are of high flux, as well as angularly and energetically uniform. The scheme should be useful for applications involving warm dense matter, such as isochoric heating and modification of materials, as well as for proton therapy and inertial confinement fusion.
Global scattered-light spectrography for laser absorption and laser–plasma instability studies
Authors: Zhang Yihang , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Xu , Glize Kevin , Dong Yufeng , Yuan Xiaohui , Li Yutong , Zhang Jie
Published: December 2024

An optical spectrometer system based on 60 channels of fibers has been designed and employed to diagnose light emissions from laser–plasma interactions. The 60 fiber collectors cover an integrated solid angle of

$\pi$

, enabling the measurement of global energy losses in a symmetrical configuration. A detecting spectral range from ultraviolet to near-infrared, with angular distribution, allows for the understanding of the physical mechanisms involving various plasma modes. Experimental measurements of scattered lights from a conical implosion driven by high-energy nanosecond laser beams at the Shenguang-II Upgrade facility have been demonstrated, serving as reliable diagnostics to characterize laser absorption and energy losses from laser–plasma instabilities. This compact diagnostic system can provide comprehensive insights into laser energy coupling in direct-drive inertial confinement fusion research, which are essential for studying the driving asymmetry and improving the implosion efficiencies.
Dependence of the focal intensity of a femtosecond laser pulse on the non-flatness of compressor diffraction gratings
Authors: Khazanov Efim
Published: December 2024

An analytical expression for the focal intensity of a laser pulse was obtained for an asymmetric out-of-plane compressor with gratings of arbitrary surface shape. The focal intensity is most strongly affected by the linear angular chirp caused by the spatial shift of different frequencies on the second and third gratings. The chirp can be eliminated by simply rotating the fourth grating by an optimal angle, which significantly reduces the requirements for the grating quality. It is shown that the decrease in the focal intensity depends on the product of the grating surface root mean square and pulse spectrum bandwidth. With low-quality gratings, spectrum narrowing would not reduce focal intensity; contrariwise, it may even slightly increase it.
Local transition indicator and modelling of turbulent mixing based on the mixing state
Authors: Xiao Meng-Juan , Qi Han , Zhang You-Sheng
Published: December 2024

Turbulent mixing is a pivotal phenomenon in fusion research with profound implications for energy gain. A Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes model capable of predicting realistic mixing transition processes is of significant importance for fusion applications, yet such a model remains elusive. This work addresses the limitations of prevalent global transition criteria, proposing a new idea to quantify local transition characteristics based on the mixing state, recognizing its direct relevance to fusion reaction rates. We delve into the description and analysis of the spatiotemporal evolution of the mixing state and its interplay with the transition process. Then, a local transition indicator is developed and compared with conventional global criteria using the large-eddy simulation (LES) of Rayleigh–Taylor turbulent mixing. Building upon this foundation, we introduce a novel eddy viscosity model based on the local transition indicator. A posterior assessment using LES data validates that it significantly outperforms standard gradient transport models during the transition stage. Consequently, we integrate this new eddy viscosity model with the Besnard–Harlow–Rauenzahn model to construct a comprehensive transition model, which demonstrates reasonably good performance in comparison with LES results. This work paves the way for future research in developing advanced modelling strategies that can effectively address the complexities of transitional flows in fusion engineering applications.
Convective flows near a solid embedded in a fluid-saturated porous medium heated from above
Authors: Lyubimova T.P. , Lyubimov D.V. , Sadilov E.S.
Published: December 2024

Convective flows near a cylindrical solid inclusion in a fluid-saturated porous medium heated from above are studied using the Darcy–Boussinesq equations. The impermeability condition is imposed on the inclusion surface. Two-dimensional convective flows uniform in the direction of the cylinder axis are considered. An Oseen-like approximation is implemented, however, different from the conventional Oseen approximation, quasilinearization is applied to the nonlinear terms in the energy equation and not in the momentum equation. It is shown that, when the thermal conductivity of the inclusion is higher than that of the fluid, the convective flow at a distance from the inclusion larger than the inclusion size takes the form of horizontal vortices directed away from the inclusion. In the case of low thermal conductivity of the inclusion, the direction of convective circulation is opposite: in the horizontal plane passing through the cylinder axis, the fluid is leaking to the inclusion.
Finely quasiconformal mappings
Authors: Lahti Panu
Published: December 2024

We introduce a relaxed version of the metric definition of quasiconformality that is natural also for mappings of low regularity, including

$W_{\mathrm{loc}}^{1,1}({\mathbb R}^n;{\mathbb R}^n)$

-mappings. Then we show on the plane that this relaxed definition can be used to prove Sobolev regularity, and that these ‘finely quasiconformal’ mappings are in fact quasiconformal.
The effect of parent rocks on river sediment composition and implication for regional tectono-magmatic events: a case from two tributaries of the Songhua River, NE China
Authors: Qi Haodong , Chi Yunping , Sun Lei , Meng Jie , Wu Peng , Wei Zhenyu , Liu Haijin , Wang Yehui , Liu Ruonan , Xie Yuanyun
Published: December 2024

Modern fluvial sediments provide important information about source-to-sink process and regional tectono-magmatic events in the source area, but many factors, e.g., chemical weathering, sedimentary cycles and source-rock types, can interfere with the establishment of the source-sink system. The Lalin River (LR) and the Jilin Songhua River (JSR) are two important tributaries of the Songhua River in the Songnen Plain in NE China. They have similar flow direction, topography and identical climate backgrounds, but have notably different parent-rock types in the headwater, which provides an opportunity to explore the influencing factors of river sediment composition. To this end, the point bar sediments in the two rivers were sampled for an analysis of geochemistry (including element and Sr-Nd isotopic ratios), heavy mineral and detrital zircon U-Pb dating. The results are indicative of the fact that the two rivers have the similar geochemical composition (e.g., elements and Sr isotopes) as well as chemical weathering (CIA = 51.41–57.60, CIW = 59.68–66.11, PIA = 51.95–60.23, WIP = 56.00–65.47, Rb/Sr = 0.38–0.42) and recycling (SiO2/Al2O3 = 5.79 and 5.03, ICV = 1.0 and 1.2, CIA/WIP = 0.81–1.03) characteristics, showing a major control of climate on the low-level weathering and recycling of the river sediments. However, there are significant differences in the detrital zircon U-Pb age (a significant Mesozoic age peak for the LR but an additional Precambrian peak for the JSR), Nd isotope ratio (−6.2812–8.5830 and −8.1149–10.2411 for the LR and the JSR, respectively) and to a certain extent heavy mineral composition (e.g., for the < 63 μm fraction, a dominance of hornblende and magnetite in the LR, but haematite-limonite in the JSR) in the two river sediments, indicating that source rocks largely control the composition of the river sediments. Some of the major tectono-magmatic events (e.g., crustal growth and cratonisation of the North China Craton, closure of the Paleo-Asian Ocean, subduction and rollback of the Paleo-Pacific plate) occurring in the eastern Songnen Plain are well documented in the JSR sediments but not in the LR, the difference of which is largely regulated by the source rocks in the source area.
Dissimilation and phonological conspiracy in Tenyidie tone
Authors: Meyase Savio M.
Published: December 2024

In this paper, I propose an analysis for tonal alternations at the prefix–stem boundary in Tenyidie (Angami), where Mid tones in prefixes and stems dissimilate. I argue that this alternation is driven by the OCP (Obligatory Contour Principle) (Leben 1970) of Mid tones. However, sequences of Mid tones are seen elsewhere. I claim that this asymmetry can be solved with recourse to prosodic phonology (Nespor & Vogel 1986/2007). By assuming that stem and suffix form a prosodic word, excluding prefix, I argue that Mid tones fuse within the prosodic constituent to avoid OCP-Mid. The same constraint also triggers dissimilation across the prefix–stem environment, because of prohibition of fusion across prosodic boundaries. This is an example of phonological conspiracy where multiple processes work together to repair or avoid a single marked structure (Kisseberth 2011).
On dual risk models with proportional gains and dependencies
Authors: Dimitriou Ioannis
Published: December 2024

In this work, we consider extensions of the dual risk model with proportional gains by introducing dependence structures among gain sizes and gain interarrival times. Among others, we further consider the case where the proportionality parameter is randomly chosen, the case where it is a uniformly random variable, as well as the case where we may have upward as well as downward jumps. Moreover, we consider the case with causal dependence structure, as well as the case where the dependence is based on the generalized Farlie–Gumbel–Morgenstern copula. The ruin probability and the distribution of the time to ruin are investigated.
Developing a method for creating structured representations of working of systems from natural language descriptions using the SAPPhIRE model of causality
Authors: Bhattacharya Kausik , Majumder Anubhab , Bhatt Apoorv Naresh , Keshwani Sonal , BSC Ranjan , Venkataraman Srinivasan , Chakrabarti Amaresh
Published: December 2024

Due to their significant role in creative design ideation, databases of causal ontology-based models for biological and technical systems have been developed. However, creating structured database entries through system models using a causal ontology requires the time and effort of experts. Researchers have worked toward developing methods that can automatically generate representations of systems from documents using causal ontologies by leveraging machine learning (ML) techniques. However, these methods use limited, hand-annotated data for building the ML models and have manual touchpoints that are not documented. While opportunities exist to improve the accuracy of these ML models, more importantly, it is required to understand the complete process of generating structured representations using causal ontology. This research proposes a new method and a set of rules to extract information relevant to the constructs of the SAPPhIRE model of causality from descriptions of technical systems in natural language and report the performance of this process. This process aims to understand the information in the context of the entire description. The method starts by identifying the system interactions involving material, energy and information and then builds the causal description of each system interaction using the SAPPhIRE ontology. This method was developed iteratively, verifying the improvements through user trials in every cycle. The user trials of this new method and rules with specialists and novice users of the SAPPhIRE modeling showed that the method helps in accurately and consistently extracting the information relevant to the constructs of the SAPPhIRE model from a given natural language description.
Epidemiology and clinical characteristics of Mediterranean spotted fever suspects in a university hospital, Tunisia, 2000–2020
Authors: Lamloumi Meriam , Berriche Aida , Zayet Souheil , Mahdi Boutheina , Beji Imen , Abdelmalek Rim , Ammari Lamia , Kilani Badreddine
Published: December 2024

Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) is a rickettsial disease caused by Rickettsia conorii, transmitted by brown dog ticks, and endemic in the Mediterranean region. Its incidence is increasing, with varied presentations and potential complications because of delayed diagnosis. This study retrospectively included 173 adult patients hospitalized for MSF at La Rabta University Hospital, Tunis, from 2000 to 2020. Patients, predominantly male (67.6%) and averaging 40 years of age, mostly resided in urban areas (82.7%). Animal exposure was reported in 74.6%, and cases peaked during the hot season (68.8%), with no cases in winter months. The classic triad of fever, rash, and eschar was observed in 69.9%, with maculopapular lesions affecting palms and soles in 83.8%. Headache (64.5%), myalgia (60.7%), and arthralgia (57.2%) were also common. Laboratory findings included elevated white blood cell count (36.4%), thrombocytopenia (48%), and increased aspartate aminotransferase (50.9%). Treatment with doxycycline (n = 161) resolved fever within 2.8±1.3 [1–5] days. Complications, including encephalitis, chorioretinitis, anterior uveitis and vasculitis, occurred in 2.3% of cases, but all patients recovered without relapse. No significant risk factors for severe forms were identified. Improved awareness of MSF’s clinical features may be the key to an early diagnosis and successful treatment.
Status assessment and conservation priorities for a circumpolar raptor: the Snowy Owl Bubo scandiacus
Authors: McCabe R. A. , Aarvak T. , Aebischer A. , Bates K. , Bety J. , Bollache L. , Brinker D. , Driscoll C. , Elliot K. H. , Fitzgerald G. , Fuller M. , Gauthier G. , Gilg O. , Gousy-Leblanc M. , Holt D. , Jacobsen K. O. , Johnson D. , Kulikova O. , Lang J. , Lecomte N. , McClure C. , McDonald T. , Menyushina I. , Miller E. , Morozov V. V. , Øien I. J. , Robillard A. , Rolek B. , Sittler B. , Smith N. , Sokolov A. , Sokolova N. , Solheim R. , Soloviev M. , Stoffel M. , Weidensaul S. , Wiebe K. L. , Zazelenchuck D. , Therrien J. F.
Published: December 2024

The global population and status of Snowy Owls Bubo scandiacus are particularly challenging to assess because individuals are irruptive and nomadic, and the breeding range is restricted to the remote circumpolar Arctic tundra. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uplisted the Snowy Owl to “Vulnerable” in 2017 because the suggested population estimates appeared considerably lower than historical estimates, and it recommended actions to clarify the population size, structure, and trends. Here we present a broad review and status assessment, an effort led by the International Snowy Owl Working Group (ISOWG) and researchers from around the world, to estimate population trends and the current global status of the Snowy Owl. We use long-term breeding data, genetic studies, satellite-GPS tracking, and survival estimates to assess current population trends at several monitoring sites in the Arctic and we review the ecology and threats throughout the Snowy Owl range. An assessment of the available data suggests that current estimates of a worldwide population of 14,000–28,000 breeding adults are plausible. Our assessment of population trends at five long-term monitoring sites suggests that breeding populations of Snowy Owls in the Arctic have decreased by more than 30% over the past three generations and the species should continue to be categorised as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List Criterion A2. We offer research recommendations to improve our understanding of Snowy Owl biology and future population assessments in a changing world.
Advantages of using a TorqVueTM LP catheter for patent arterial duct stenting in newborn with a duct-dependent pulmunary circulation: a case report
Authors: Prati Francesco , Castaldi Biagio , Sirico Domenico , Di Salvo Giovanni
Published: December 2024

Almost 20% of children with simple or complex types of CHD have a duct-dependent circulation The systemic-to-pulmonary shunt can be performed surgically, e.g., Blalock–Taussing shunt or with a patent duct arteriosus stenting.

Using a TorqVueTM LP catheter (Abbott Medical, Plymouth, MN, USA) might be an innovative and helpful technique.

The aim of this case report was to illustrate the advantages of using TorqVueTM LP for both the angiographic and the implant phase, to reduce manipulations and complications associated with the procedure.
Data Sovereignty and Development: How do Native Americans View Data Sharing by Tribal Governments?
Authors: Feir Donn , Wellhausen Rachel L.
Published: December 2024

The Indigenous data sovereignty movement has arisen out of the ambition of Indigenous peoples to benefit from data-informed policy while preventing extractive and harmful research practices by external governments or researchers. Tribes exercise the sovereign authority to choose whether and when to share data with researchers and institutions outside their communities. To provide insight into how Indigenous peoples feel about data sharing, we document meaningful variation in a unique, nationwide survey of Native Americans. We find that respondents support their tribes in sharing data for economic benefit and that those who vote in tribal elections are particularly supportive. As tribal leaders, Native communities, and external research partners address potentially harmful data gaps and build Indigenous data resources, our findings suggest the importance of carefully considering and communicating the purpose of data collection and sharing. Broad benefit to Indigenous peoples’ economic well-being is one factor that likely increases support for data sharing.
Probing the Sun’s Near Surface Shear Layer using HMI Spherical Harmonic Coefficients
Authors: Tripathy S. C. , Jain K. , Kholikov S. , Komm R.
Published: December 2024

We have measured zonal and meridional components of subsurface flows up to a depth of 30 Mm below the solar surface by applying the technique of ring diagram on Dopplergrams which are constructed from the spherical harmonic (SH) coefficients. The SH coefficients are obtained from the Helioseismic and Magnetic Imager (HMI) full-disk Dopplergrams. We find a good agreement and some differences between the flows obtained in this study with those from the traditional methods using direct Dopplergrams.
Exploring Damping Properties of IRIS Bright Points using Deep Learning Techniques
Authors: Tavabi E. , Sadeghi R.
Published: December 2024

This study analyzed the Doppler shift in the solar spectrum using the Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS). Two types of oscillations were investigated: long period damp and short period damp. The researchers observed periodic perturbations in the Doppler velocity oscillations of bright points (BPs) in the chromosphere and transition region (TR). Deep learning techniques were used to examine the statistical properties of damping in different solar regions. The results showed variations in damping rates, with higher damping in coronal hole areas. The study provided insights into the damping behavior of BPs and contributed to our understanding of energy dissipation processes in the solar chromosphere and TR.
Modeling of the solar flare chromosphere and sub-THz radiation with FLARIX and RADYN
Authors: Motorina Galina G. , Tsap Yuriy T. , Kašparová Jana , Smirnova Victoria V. , Morgachev Alexander S. , Bárta Miroslav
Published: December 2024

The origin of the sub-terahertz (sub-THz) component of radio emission from solar flares, which is characterized by the increase flux with frequency in the 100-400 GHz range, is considered. On the basis of equations of 1D non-LTE radiation hydrodynamics we simulated the altitude distribution of the plasma density and temperature inside the flare loop caused by the interaction of non-stationary beam of accelerated electrons in the form of a triangular pulse with the chromospheric plasma. The FLARIX numerical code was used to calculate the dynamics of the flare plasma parameters at different heights which are compared with the RADYN numerical code. We found that the characteristic heights of the formation of sub-THz emission vary over a wide range with time for both codes. The main contribution to the sub-THz emission comes from the chromospheric and transition region plasma with temperatures of 104–105K.