bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms in Chemistry
Authors: Hendry Robin Findlay
Published: December 2023

Mechanisms are the how of chemical reactions. Substances are individuated by their structures at the molecular scale, so a chemical reaction is just the transformation of reagent structures into product structures. Explaining a chemical reaction must therefore involve different hypotheses about how this might happen: proposing, investigating and sometimes eliminating different possible pathways from reagents to products. One distinctive aspect of mechanisms in chemistry is that they are broken down into a few basic kinds of step involving the breaking and making of bonds between atoms. This is necessary for chemical kinetics, the study of how fast reactions happen, and what affects it. It draws on G.N. Lewis’ identification of the chemical bond as involving shared electrons, which from the 1920s achieved the commensuration of chemistry and physics. The breaking or making of a bond just is the transfer of electrons, so a chemical bond on one side of an equation might be balanced on the other side by the appearance of a corresponding quantity of excess charge. A bond is understood to have been exchanged for a pair of electrons. Since reaction mechanisms rely on identities, doesn’t the establishment of a reaction mechanism explain away the chemical phenomena, showing that they are no more than the movement of charges and masses? In one sense yes: these mechanisms seem to involve a conserved-quantity conception of causation. But in another sense no: the ‘lower-level’ entities can do what they do only when embedded in higher-level organisation or structure. There need be no threat of reduction.
Gauge theory on twist-noncommutative spaces
Authors: Meier Tim , van Tongeren Stijn J.
Published: December 2023

Abstract

We construct actions for four dimensional noncommutative Yang-Mills theory with star-gauge symmetry, with non-constant noncommutativity, to all orders in the noncommutativity. Our construction covers all noncommutative spaces corresponding to Drinfel’d twists based on the Poincaré algebra, including nonabelian ones, whose r matrices are unimodular. This includes particular Lie-algebraic and quadratic noncommutative structures. We prove a planar equivalence theorem for all such noncommutative field theories, and discuss how our actions realize twisted Poincaré symmetry, as well as twisted conformal and twisted supersymmetry, when applicable. Finally, we consider noncommutative versions of maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, conjectured to be AdS/CFT dual to certain integrable deformations of the AdS5 × S5 superstring.
Quantum focusing conjecture and the Page curve
Authors: Matsuo Yoshinori
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The focusing theorem fails for evaporating black holes because the null energy condition is violated by quantum effects. The quantum focusing conjecture is proposed so that it is satisfied even if the null energy condition is violated. The conjecture states that the derivative of the sum of the area of a cross-section of the null geodesic congruence and the entanglement entropy of matter outside it is non-increasing. Naively, it is expected that the quantum focusing conjecture is violated after the Page time as both the area of the horizon and the entanglement entropy of the Hawking radiation are decreasing. We calculate the entanglement entropy after the Page time by using the island rule, and find the following results: (i) the page time is given by an approximately null surface, (ii) the entanglement entropy is increasing along the outgoing null geodesic even after the Page time, and (iii) the quantum focusing conjecture is not violated.
Unitary, Anomalous Master Ward Identity and its Connections to the Wess–Zumino Condition, BV Formalism and $$L_\infty $$-algebras
Authors: Brunetti Romeo , Dütsch Michael , Fredenhagen Klaus , Rejzner Kasia
Published: December 2023

The C*-algebraic construction of QFT by Buchholz and one of us relies on the causal structure of space-time and a classical Lagrangian. In one of our previous papers, we have introduced additional structure into this construction, namely an action of symmetries, which is related to fixing renormalization conditions. This action characterizes anomalies and satisfies a cocycle condition which is summarized in the unitary anomalous Master Ward identity. Here (using perturbation theory) we show how this cocycle condition is related to the Wess–Zumino consistency relation and the consistency relation for the anomaly in the BV formalism, where the latter follows from the generalized Jacobi identity for the associated $$L_\infty $$

L
∞

-algebra. In addition, we give a proof that perturbative agreement (i.e., independence of a perturbative QFT on the splitting of the Lagrangian into free and interacting parts) can be achieved by finite renormalizations.
Co-production of models to evaluate conservation alternatives for a threatened fish in a rapidly changing landscape
Authors: Benjamin Joseph R. , Dunham Jason B. , Banish Nolan P. , Hering David K. , Tiemann Zachary
Published: December 2023

Reintroductions are one means of managing species distributions, but the feasibility of such efforts is uncertain. Here we consider reintroduction for threatened bull trout (Salvelinus confluentus) that currently occupy a small fraction of historically occupied habitats in the upper Klamath River basin owing to climate warming and human modifications of ecosystems. We engaged stakeholders across multiple organizations to co-produce a decision support model that estimated the potential of reintroduction to establish new populations and persistence of donor populations. Stakeholders identified recipient and donor populations, strategy (e.g., artificial propagation, translocation), number of individuals, and life stage of bull trout. The most optimal decision for reintroduction was artificial propagation of 10,000 fry into Annie Creek. This strategy may have negative consequences on donor populations, with the exception of Sun Creek, which was resilient to simulated removal of bull trout. Donor populations and recipient streams identified as most feasible were generally consistent across all of these scenarios. During model development, however, an unexpected and intense wildfire affected half of the streams considered and may have dramatically impacted donor populations. With models in hand from the initial feasibility assessment, we adapted them to further evaluate the potential of supplementation following this massive disturbance. Overall, results of this study indicate the value of developing co-produced tools that can be rapidly adapted to evaluate the consequences of whole-system transformations in near-real-time assessments.
Endoscopic negative-pressure treatment
Authors: Loske Gunnar , Müller Johannes , Schulze Wolfgang , Riefel Burkhard , Reeh Matthias , Müller Christian Theodor
Published: December 2023

Introduction

Early postoperative reflux (PR) can compromise anastomotic healing after Ivor Lewis esophagectomy (ILE) and poses a risk for aspiration. Anastomotic insufficiency is the most threatening surgical complication. We present the protective method of pre-emptive active reflux drainage (PARD) with simultaneous enteral feeding. We report our experience with this new safety concept in esophageal surgery in a cohort of 43 patients.

Materials and Methods

For PARD we use a double lumen open porous film drainage (dOFD). To create the dOFD, the gastric tube of a Trelumina probe (Freka®Trelumina, Fresenius) is coated with a double-layered open-pore drainage film (Suprasorb®CNP drainage film, Lohmann & Rauscher) over a length of 25 cm. The dOFD is endoscopically inserted into the tubular stomach intraoperatively after completion of the anastomosis. Continuous negative pressure is applied with an electronic pump (−125 mm Hg). The PR is continuously aspirated completely and the stomach and anastomotic region are decompressed. At the same time, nutrition is delivered via an integrated intestinal tube. Depending on the results of the endoscopic control after 5 days, PARD is either continued or terminated.

Results

During the observation period (2017–2023), PARD was used in all patients (n = 43) with ILE. The healing rate under PARD was 100% and healing was observed in all anastomoses. No additional endoscopic procedures or surgical revisions of the anastomoses were required. The median duration of PARD was 8 days (range 4–21). We observed problems in the healing of the anastomosis in 20 of 43 patients (47%) for whom we defined endoscopic criteria for at-risk anastomosis.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that PARD has a strong protective effect on anastomotic healing and may reduce the risk of anastomotic insufficiency. The integrated feeding tube of the dOFD allows early postoperative enteral feeding while simultaneously applying negative pressure. PARD appears to prevent the negative consequences of impaired anastomotic healing.
Laser-induced graphene trending in biosensors: understanding electrode shelf-life of this highly porous material
Authors: Behrent Arne , Borggraefe Veronika , Baeumner Antje J.
Published: December 2023

Laser-induced graphene (LIG) has received much attention in recent years as a possible transducer material for electroanalytical sensors. Its simplicity of fabrication and good electrochemical performance are typically highlighted. However, we found that unmodified and untreated LIG electrodes had a limited shelf-life for certain electroanalytical applications, likely due to the adsorption of adventitious hydrocarbons from the storage environment. Electrode responses did not change immediately after exposure to ambient conditions but over longer periods of time, probably due to the immense specific surface area of the LIG material. LIG shelf-life is seldomly discussed prominently in the literature, yet overall trends for solutions to this challenge can be identified. Such findings from the literature regarding the long-term storage stability of LIG electrodes, pure and modified, are discussed here along with explanations for likely protective mechanisms. Specifically, applying a protective coating on LIG electrodes after manufacture is possibly the easiest method to preserve electrode functionality and should be identified as a trend for well-performing LIG electrodes in the future. Furthermore, suggested influences of the accompanying LIG microstructure/morphology on electrode characteristics are evaluated.
Integration christlich-orthodoxer Praktiken in die psychiatrisch-psychotherapeutische Behandlung?
Authors: Mavrogiorgou Paraskevi , Hoffmann Ingo , Pajonk Frank-Gerald B. , Juckel Georg
Published: December 2023

Psychische Erkrankungen weisen einen Bezug zu spirituell-religiösen Erfahrungsdimensionen des Menschen auf. Dieses wurde bislang wenig bei diagnostischen und therapeutischen Prozessen berücksichtigt. Dieser Überblick will anhand der reichen Tradition im christlich-orthodoxen Glauben zeigen, dass der Einbezug von spirituellen und seelsorgerischen Elementen dem einzelnen Patienten zur „Seelenruhe“ (Hesychia) verhelfen kann. Auch schwere psychiatrische Erkrankungen können von Ansätzen der seelisch-spirituellen Konzentration und Ritualkraft wie dem „Herz-Jesu-Gebet“ profitieren. Psychotherapeutische Ansätze, die solche existenziellen Situationen des Menschen berücksichtigen, könnten daher für die Behandlung der betroffenen Patienten eine sinnvolle Ergänzung darstellen, insbesondere auch für psychisch kranke Flüchtlinge aus Osteuropa, von denen viele einen entsprechenden Glaubenshintergrund haben.
Survival differences in rheumatoid arthritis interstitial lung disease and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis may be explained by delays in presentation: results from multivariate analysis in a monocentric UK study
Authors: Dubey Shirish , Woodhead Felix
Published: December 2023

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) has a better prognosis compared to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Recent data suggest that antifibrotics are effective in slowing progression across both groups. Hence, we designed this study to investigate the similarities and differences between these groups of patients. This is a retrospective cohort study examining baseline data, progression and outcomes in patients with RA-ILD and IPF prior to antifibrotic use in the Coventry ILD database. Ethics approval was obtained from the University Hospital Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust. Statistical analysis was performed using R software and Cox’s proportional hazards technique was used for survival analysis. We identified 131 cases, including 49 patients with IPF, 34 patients with RA-ILD and 48 patients with other forms of idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. At baseline, there were significant differences in the groups with RA-ILD patients being significantly younger (65.7 vs 72.4 years), had preserved lung volumes (FVC 95% vs 84.7%) and higher gas transfer (61.5% vs 48.2%) compared to IPF patients. 5-year survival was better for RA-ILD compared to IPF (87.5% vs 40.4%, p = 0.0042). Univariate analysis revealed gas transfer, FVC, age, sex and phenotype (IPF or RA-ILD) were all significant predictors, but multivariate analysis revealed that gas transfer and age were both significantly associated with prognosis, whereas sex, FVC or phenotype were not significant. This study suggests that the difference between RA-ILD and IPF prognosis may be due to demographics and early diagnosis rather than the diseases behaving differently. This has important management implications.
Are sarcopenia and its individual components linked to all-cause mortality in heart failure? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Prokopidis Konstantinos , Triantafyllidis Konstantinos Katsikas , Kechagias Konstantinos Spyridon , Mitropoulos Alexandros , Sankaranarayanan Rajiv , Isanejad Masoud
Published: December 2023

Objective

The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to assess sarcopenia and its components as prognostic factors in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods

From inception to December 2022, a systematic literature search was carried out utilizing PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases. A meta-analysis employing a random-effects model was performed to assess the pooled effects.

Results

The systematic review and meta-analysis included 32 and 18 longitudinal studies, respectively. The prediction of 1- to 2-year all-cause mortality in sarcopenia was not statistically significant (hazard ratio (HR): 1.35, 95% CI 0.76–2.38, I2 = 54%, P = 0.31). The lowest combined quartile and quantile of the population were used to define low handgrip strength that showed identical results (HR: 1.24, 95% CI 0.94–1.62, I2 = 0%, P = 0.13). Low L3-L4 psoas muscle mass (HR: 2.20, 95% CI 1.26–3.83, I2 = 87%, P < 0.01) and slow gait speed (HR: 1.45, 95% CI 1.20–1.74, I2 = 0%, P < 0.01) were significant contributors to all-cause mortality risk. Additionally, a 0.1 m/s increase in gait speed demonstrated a significant reduction of all-cause mortality (HR: 0.77, 95% CI 0.66–0.90, I2 = 60%, P < 0.01). Our narrative synthesis also described appendicular lean mass (ALM) and short physical performance battery (SPPB) scores as significant prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Compared to patients with higher overall functional performance, those with HF and low ALM, low psoas muscle mass, low SPPB, and slow gait speed are at an increased risk of all-cause mortality. Early prevention and/or treatment of lower limb physical function deterioration may be an essential strategy to reduce the risk of premature death in HF.

Graphical abstract
Smoothed particle hydrodynamics modelling of multiphase flows: an overview
Authors: Pozorski Jacek , Olejnik Michał
Published: December 2023

Smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) is a meshless, particle-based approach that has been increasingly applied for modelling of various fluid-flow phenomena. Concerning multiphase flow computations, an advantage of the Lagrangian SPH over Eulerian approaches is that the advection step is straightforward. Consequently, the interphasial surface can be explicitly determined from the positions of particles representing different phases; therefore, there is no need for the interface reconstruction step. In this review paper, we briefly recall the basics of the SPH approach, and in particular the physical modelling and numerical implementation issues. We also mention the weaknesses of the approach and some remedies to overcome them. Then, we demonstrate the applicability of SPH to selected interfacial flow cases, including the liquid column break-up, gas–liquid flow regimes in a channel capturing the transitions between them and the wetting phenomena. Concerning the two-fluid modelling, it is illustrated with sediment transport in the presence of surface waves. Various other applications are briefly recalled from the rich and growing literature on the subject, followed by a tentative list of challenges in multiphase SPH.
Mathematical analysis of Holden’s polylinks
Authors: Wittenburg Jens
Published: December 2023

Holden described, without mathematical analysis, a kinematical method for constructing from platonic solids polylinks with flat or solid polygonal links. No statement was made about the number of polylinks. Geometric parameters of examples shown were found by trial and error. In the present paper, it is shown that each platonic solid defines a one-parametric manifold of polylinks. The geometry of flat links and of links with circular cross section is expressed in terms of the free parameter. The solution is based on a theorem which generalizes known solutions of special cases.
A learning-based co-planning method with truck and container routing for improved barge departure times
Authors: Larsen Rie B. , Negenborn Rudy R. , Atasoy Bilge
Published: December 2023

Cooperation between container transport service providers can increase efficiency in the logistics sector significantly. However, cooperation between competitors requires co-planning methods that not only give the cooperating partners an advantage towards external competition but also protect the partners from losing information, clients and autonomy to one another. Furthermore, modern freight transport requires real-time methods that react to new information and situations. We propose a real-time, co-planning method called departure learning based on model predictive control where a barge operator considers the joint cost of themselves and a truck operator when deciding barge departures. At regular time-intervals, the barge operator uses previous information to propose a number of departure schedules for which the truck operator discloses their corresponding expected operational costs. Co-planning thus only requires limited exchange of aggregate data. The impact of using departure learning on the transport system’s performance and the method’s learning quality are thoroughly investigated numerically on an illustrative, simulated, realistic hinterland network. With as little as six schedules being exchanged per timestep, departure learning outperforms decentralized benchmark methods significantly in terms of operational costs. It is found that using knowledge about the performance of related schedules is important for the exploration of opportunities, but if this is relied upon too much, the realized solution becomes more costly. It is also found that departure learning is a reliable and realistic co-planning method that especially performs well when peaks in the demand make departure times highly correlated to the cost of operating the transport system, such as in hinterland areas of ports which receive large container ships.
USP43 impairs cisplatin sensitivity in epithelial ovarian cancer through HDAC2-dependent regulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Pei Lipeng , Zhao Feng , Zhang Yi
Published: December 2023

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the leading cause of cancer death all over the world. USP43 functions as a tumor promoter in various malignant cancers. Nevertheless, the biological roles and mechanisms of USP43 in EOC remain unknown. In this study, USP43 was highly expressed in EOC tissues and cells, and high expression of USP43 were associated with a poor prognosis of EOC. USP43 overexpression promoted EOC cell proliferation, enhanced the ability of migration and invasion, decreased cisplatin sensitivity and inhibited apoptosis. Knockdown of USP43 in vitro effectively retarded above malignant progression of EOC. In vivo xenograft tumors, silencing USP43 slowed tumor growth and enhanced cisplatin sensitivity. Mechanistically, USP43 inhibited HDAC2 degradation and enhanced HDAC2 protein stability through its deubiquitylation function. USP43 diminished the sensitivity of EOC cells to cisplatin through activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway mediated by HDAC2. Taken together, the data in this study revealed the functions of USP43 in proliferation, migration, invasion, chemoresistance of EOC cells, and the mechanism of HDAC2-mediated Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Thus, USP43 might serve as a potential target for the control of ovarian cancer progression.
Communicative competence in students with ASD: Interaction and immersion in a Gamified Augmented Environment
Authors: López-Bouzas Nerea , del Moral-Pérez M. Esther , Castañeda-Fernández Jonathan
Published: December 2023

Active methodologies such as gamification, combined with emerging technologies like augmented reality, are enhancing learning environments that facilitate the development of essential competencies. Particularly, students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) require reinforcement of their Communicative Competence (CC) to activate their abilities to communicate effectively in different contexts, and interventions supported by this type of methodology and resources can contribute to this goal. The aim of this study is to analyse the contribution of an Augmented Gamified Environment to the development of CC in a sample of 54 subjects diagnosed in public Special Education centres. Correlational methodology is adopted with an exploratory and analytical approach. Individualized intervention sought to relate students' level of interaction and immersion in the environment's narrative to the increase in their CC. Their degree of autonomy when interacting with the tablet and immersion in the game was measured using observation-based instruments with categories that allowed for subsequent statistical analysis. Additionally, the influence of gender, age, severity of ASD, comorbidities, and type of language on the level of competence achieved was contrasted. The results show that engagement in mission execution favoured their CC. It was observed that the higher the immersion in the challenges, the higher the CC of the students. Specifically, older students with less severe ASD, functional oral language, and no comorbidity exhibited higher levels of CC. In conclusion, intervention for optimal results must be tailored to individual characteristics, present engaging narratives, and integrate playful activities that require communicative strategies.
Improving smart deals system to secure human-centric consumer applications: Internet of things and Markov logic network approaches
Authors: Ala Ali , Sadeghi Amir Hossein , Deveci Muhammet , Pamucar Dragan
Published: December 2023

Considering the increasing inclination of modern consumers to frequent large retail chains capable of promptly fulfilling their diverse needs, there is a noticeable surge in the prevalence of contemporary shopping complexes. Subscription services, customer-focused strategies, and efficient supply management are driving the progression of intelligent commerce within these expansive retail platforms. The Internet of Things (IoT) presents the foundation for “smart” retailers that can monitor inventory levels, diminish equipment failures, and provide better customer experience. Many models, as one of the widely used methods in this domain, Markov Logic Network (MLN), can simultaneously use activity knowledge and data by unifying probability and logic. In this research, we determine a smart deals system (SDS), consider the improved machine learning algorithms to meet performance, and develop secure human-centric consumer applications to render the system workable. From the results, and based on the percentage of efficiency, around 10% of clients are connected randomly, which has a minor impact on the outcomes from LR (logistic regression). Similar outcomes are delivered when the number of customers in the scope of 30–40% is connected for NB (Naive Bayes). Hence, prospective shopping sales will increase along with the efficiency and speed at which it operates.
Reproduction cycle, trematode parasitism and growth of freshwater mussel Anodonta anatina (Bivalvia: Unionidae)
Authors: Abdelsaleheen Olfat , Taskinen Jouni , Kekäläinen Jukka , Kortet Raine
Published: December 2023

Anodonta anatina, a widely distributed Eurasian freshwater mussel, has dramatically declined and listed as endangered species in IUCN Red List in some parts of the Europe. To better understand its basic biology and possible sex-dependent effects of parasitism on reproduction, we investigated the reproductive traits, trematode parasitism and growth between November 2020 and October 2021. Our data from a Finnish population indicates male-biased sex ratio and the gonadal development lasting throughout the year with a bradytictic brooding pattern. Gonadosomatic index of both sexes peaked in May and declined in June. Mature oocytes were smaller sized than those of previously studied unionids, fecundity was fairly low, and the maximum predicted lifespan was 14 years. Gonads were infected with digenean trematode parasites, Rhipidocotyle campanula being the dominant species. Interestingly, trematode infection rate was higher in females than in males. In July, when the water temperature reached its annual maximum, the trematode prevalence also peaked, which was accompanied with 16% of mussels being sterile. The trematode parasitism was thus negatively associated with reproduction, that might become even more affected if parasitism increases along with the predicted climate warming, which should be considered in possible future conservation and aquaculture efforts of this species.
Biodiversity patterns of cyanobacterial oligotypes in lakes and rivers: results of a large-scale metabarcoding survey in the Alpine region
Authors: Salmaso Nico , Bernabei Serena , Boscaini Adriano , Capelli Camilla , Cerasino Leonardo , Domaizon Isabelle , Elersek Tina , Greco Claudia , Krivograd Klemenčič Aleksandra , Tomassetti Paolo , Kurmayer Rainer
Published: December 2023

In this work, we characterised the cyanobacterial communities in the plankton and littoral biofilm of 38 lakes and in the biofilm of 21 rivers in the Alps and surrounding subalpine regions by 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. We found little overlap in the distribution of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) between the three habitats and between water bodies. The differences were caused by environmental filtering acting on the selection of the most abundant ASVs and a high contribution of rare oligotypes. The differentiation of community and genotype composition from specific water bodies was explained to a significant extent by environmental variables and morphometry. The taxonomic consistency of ASVs classified under the same genus name was assessed by phylogenetic analyses performed on three representative dominant genera, namely Cyanobium, Tychonema and Planktothrix. The analyses revealed eco-evolutionary adaptations in lakes and rivers, including some evidence for a polyphyletic nature. Monitoring individual genotypes in relation to environmental conditions will be useful to define the ecological amplitude of these taxa. However, the persistence or ephemeral nature of some of the rarest and most unusual ASVs has remained unknown.
The role of the microstructural changes during induction preheating on the HAZ liquation cracking susceptibility of Ni-based superalloy
Authors: Rakoczy Łukasz , Grudzień-Rakoczy Małgorzata , Rutkowski Bogdan , Cygan Rafał , Zielińska-Lipiec Anna
Published: December 2023

This work presents the influence of high-frequency induction preheating (900, 1000, 1100 °C) on liquation crack formation in the René 108 Ni-based superalloy. The investigation was divided into two parts: (1) characterization of the material's microstructure after preheating and (2) determining the influence of preheating on liquation cracking during autogenous gas tungsten arc welding. During preheating, the dissolution of γ′ precipitates showed accelerated progress with increase in temperatures. This dissolution involved the continuous thinning of each precipitate, as well as more intricate mechanisms, such as splitting. The mean size of the secondary γ′ decreased from 0.32 to 0.26 μm. In the heat-affected zone (HAZ) induced by welding, constitutional liquation of mainly γ' precipitates, with a contribution of M23C6 carbides and M5B3 borides, was observed. The formation of a thin non-equilibrium liquid film along high-angle grain boundaries led to the crack initiation and their further propagation during cooling. The eutectic γ–γ' re-solidification products were visible on the crack edges independently of preheat temperature. Preheating at 900 °C decreased the length and amount of liquation cracks, while preheating at 1100 °C allowed to prevent them due to the liquid-healing effect.
Structural and magnetic properties of SmCo/Co nanocomposites elaborated using sol–gel auto-combustion strategy
Authors: Emira Sayed , Shaaban E. R. , Gelany Shaker A. , Rashad M. M.
Published: December 2023

Sm–Co nanomagnetic material has received much attention recently since it is thought to be the next generation of permanent magnets with potential uses in energy technologies. Here, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) is utilized for the first time as a fuel source in a sol–gel auto-combustion process to synthesize Sm–Co nanoparticles. Then, reduction–diffusion process strategy followed the auto-combustion pathway. Typically, Sm2O3 and Co3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by combining Sm and Co nitrates with the chelating agent EDTA. The Sm–Co nanocomposites were subsequently created by reductively annealing precursor oxides using calcium powder. To display the temperature-dependent breakdown of the original precursor and determine the correct annealing temperature, TGA was employed to identify the annealing temperature and the precursor products. Additionally, other physical characterization techniques such as XRD, FE-SEM, EDX, and VSM were used for further investigations. Three distinct Sm1Cox compositions with different cobalt ratios (x = 4.0, 3.5, and 2.0) were prepared and studied. The findings demonstrate that the composition Sm1Cox (x = 2.0) led to the formation of hard phases of SmCo5, Sm2Co7, and Sm2Co17. These particles’ morphology reveals that they are made up of nanowires with an average thickness of 25 nm. As well, according to the VSM findings, this composite had the highest coercivity Hc and a maximum squareness ratio Mr/Ms, which were 2161 Oe and 0.57, respectively.
Coupling homogeneous chains of damped harmonic oscillators
Authors: Bandeira Luís , Correia Ramos Carlos
Published: December 2023

We study vibrational properties of non-homogeneous materials. We consider idealized materials composed of one dimensional chains of damped harmonic oscillators represented by a sequence of particles, springs and dampers. The system is linear, thus possesses exact explicit solutions, nevertheless the formulas can be very complicated. Homogeneous chains are used as basic building blocks for characterizing global dynamics of the system. In particular, we determine the solutions for a system composed of two distinct homogeneous chains in terms of the original solutions for these two homogeneous chains, and the original parameters, when uncoupled. Two types of coupling are considered, one with a gluing particle, the other with a gluing spring and damper.
The role of HIF in angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor microenvironment in urological cancers
Authors: Lin Shen , Chai Yueyang , Zheng Xiangyi , Xu Xin
Published: December 2023

Typically associated with solid tumors, hypoxia contributes to tumor angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis through various molecular mechanisms. Accumulating studies indicate that hypoxia-inducible factor is the key transcription factor coordinating endothelial cells to respond to hypoxia in urological cancers, mainly renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, and bladder cancer. Moreover, it has been suggested that tumor hypoxia in tumor microenvironment simultaneously recruits stromal cells to suppress immune activities. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which HIF regulates tumorigenesis and elaborates on the associations between HIF and angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, and tumor microenvironment in urological cancers.
Changes in miRNA expression in the lungs of pigs supplemented with different levels and forms of vitamin D
Authors: Wierzbicka Alicja , Pawlina-Tyszko Klaudia , Świątkiewicz Małgorzata , Szmatoła Tomasz , Oczkowicz Maria
Published: December 2023

Background

Vitamin D is an immunomodulator, and its effects have been linked to many diseases, including the pathogenesis of cancer. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on the regulation of gene expression of the lungs is not fully understood. This study aims to determine the effect of the increased dose of cholecalciferol and a combination of cholecalciferol + calcidiol, as well as the replacement of cholecalciferol with calcidiol, on the miRNA profile of healthy swine lungs.

Methods and results

The swine were long-term (88 days) supplemented with a standard dose (2000IU/kg) of cholecalciferol and calcidiol, the increased dose (3000 IU/kg) of cholecalciferol, and the cholecalciferol + calcidiol combination: grower: 3000 IU/Kg of vitamin D (67% of cholecalciferol and 33% of calcidiol), finisher 2500 IU/Kg of vitamin D (60% of cholecalciferol and 40% of calcidiol). Swine lung tissue was used for Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) of miRNA. Long-term supplementation with the cholecalciferol + calcidiol combination caused significant changes in the miRNA profile. They embraced altered levels of the expression of miR-150, miR-193, miR-145, miR-574, miR-340, miR-381, miR-148 and miR-96 (q-value < 0.05). In contrast, raising the dose of cholecalciferol only changed the expression of miR-215, and the total replacement of cholecalciferol with calcidiol did not significantly affect the miRNAome profile.

Conclusions

The functional analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs suggests that the use of the increased dose of the cholecalciferol + calcidiol combination may affect tumorigenesis processes through, inter alia, modulation of gene regulation of the TGF- β pathway and pathways related to metabolism and synthesis of glycan.
Drought and deluge: the recurrence of hydroclimate extremes during the past 600 years in eastern Australia’s Natural Resource Management (NRM) clusters
Authors: Palmer Jonathan G. , Verdon-Kidd Danielle , Allen Kathryn J. , Higgins Philippa , Cook Benjamin I. , Cook Edward R. , Turney Christian S. M. , Baker Patrick J.
Published: December 2023

Recent extremes of flood and drought across Australia have raised questions about the recurrence of such rare events and highlighted the importance of understanding multi-decadal climate variability. However, instrumental records over the past century are too short to adequately characterise climate variability on multi-decadal and longer timescales or robustly determine extreme event frequencies and their duration. Palaeoclimate reconstructions can provide much-needed information to help address this problem. Here, we use the 600-year hydroclimate record captured in the eastern Australian and New Zealand Drought Atlas (ANZDA) to analyse drought and pluvial frequency trends for East Australian Natural Resource Management (NRM) clusters. This partitioning of the drought atlas grid points into recognised biophysical areas (i.e. NRM clusters) revealed their differences and similarities in drought intensity and pluvial events over time. We find sustained multi-decadal periods of a wet–dry geographic 'seesaw' between eastern to central and southern NRMs (e.g. 1550–1600 CE and 1700–1750 CE). In contrast, other periods reveal spatially consistent wetting (e.g. 1500–1550 CE) or drying (e.g. 1750–1800 CE). Emerging hot spot analysis further shows that some areas that appear naturally buffered from severe drought during the instrumental period have a greater exposure risk when the longer 600-year record is considered. These findings are particularly relevant to management plans when dealing with the impacts of climate extremes developed at regional scales. Our results demonstrate that integrating and extending instrumental records with palaeoclimate datasets will become increasingly important for developing robust and locally specific extreme event frequency information for managing water resources.
Australian population norms for health-related quality of life measured using the EQ-5D–5L, and relationships with sociodemographic characteristics
Authors: Redwood Lisa , Currow David , Kochovska Slavica , Thomas Susan J.
Published: December 2023

Background

Measuring health related quality-of-life (HRQoL) of the general population is essential to establish a reference for health outcome evaluations. This study sought to establish EQ-5D-5L population norms in Australia and to investigate the heterogeneity of HRQoL between sociodemographic variables.

Methods

A cross-sectional study comprising of a representative sample of Australia’s general population (n = 9958) aged 18 or older. Recruitment quotas were set for the Australian census population by age, sex, state/territory of residence and rurality. Participants were recruited by Qualtrics through its database of over 800,000 registered panel members and asked to value their own state of health using the EQ-5D-5L domains and the EuroQol-Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS). An Australian value set developed using Discreet Choice Experiment was used to calculate utility scores.

Results

The estimated mean EQ-5D-5L index for Australia’s general population was 0.86 (standard deviation [SD] 0.19), and the EQ-VAS score was estimated as 73.2 (SD 21.7). 23.9% of the study population reported being in the best health state (11,111). Younger people, current smokers, people who are unemployed and people with more financial stress reported a lower EQ-5D-5L index score (p < 0.001). Residents in the major cities, inner regional and outer regional Australia reported higher health utility scores than those residing in remote and very remote Australia.

Conclusions

This is the first Australian study to apply the EQ-5D-5L in a nationally representative sample. The EQ-5D-5L Australian population norms obtained can be used as reference scores for future population health evaluations and comparisons. The findings facilitate a national reference for clinical, economic, and policy decision-making processes and provide a fuller understanding of the Australian population’s HRQoL.
Bio-bearings: Numerical Model of the Solid Lubricant in the Leg Joints of Insects
Authors: Filippov Alexander E. , Nadein Konstantin , Gorb Stanislav N. , Kovalev Alexander
Published: December 2023

The proposed model describes the behavior of the lubricant particles at the interface between two surfaces for a group of cylindrical semi-solid lubricant fragments observed in a real beetle leg joint. It is shown that the lubricant particles may maintain a gap between joint surfaces at load. At the regular shear motion, such randomly oriented particles are reorienting perpendicular to the shear and function as a rolling bearing: the system demonstrates the lowest energy loss and lowest friction. At an increased load, the friction non-linearly increases, because of an increase of the particles’ eccentricity. Finally, at some load, the particle rotation stops, friction switches from the rolling to the sliding regime and increases significantly.
Exploratory Procedure for Component-Based Structural Equation Modeling for Simple Structure by Simultaneous Rotation
Authors: Yamashita Naoto
Published: December 2023

Generalized structured component analysis (GSCA) is a structural equation modeling (SEM) procedure that constructs components by weighted sums of observed variables and confirmatorily examines their regressional relationship. The research proposes an exploratory version of GSCA, called exploratory GSCA (EGSCA). EGSCA is analogous to exploratory SEM (ESEM) developed as an exploratory factor-based SEM procedure, which seeks the relationships between the observed variables and the components by orthogonal rotation of the parameter matrices. The indeterminacy of orthogonal rotation in GSCA is first shown as a theoretical support of the proposed method. The whole EGSCA procedure is then presented, together with a new rotational algorithm specialized to EGSCA, which aims at simultaneous simplification of all parameter matrices. Two numerical simulation studies revealed that EGSCA with the following rotation successfully recovered the true values of the parameter matrices and was superior to the existing GSCA procedure. EGSCA was applied to two real datasets, and the model suggested by the EGSCA’s result was shown to be better than the model proposed by previous research, which demonstrates the effectiveness of EGSCA in model exploration.
Agents of change or victims of transition? Media framings on household roles during the energy crisis
Authors: Laakso Senja , Castellazzi Eugenia , Matschoss Kaisa , Rinkinen Jenny
Published: December 2023

The energy crisis that began in late 2021 and escalated after the war in Ukraine in early 2022 was seen as a disruption accelerating the energy transition in Europe. It forced households to save energy and change their patterns of energy use in a struggle to cut dependency on Russian energy, and in public discussions, various kinds of agency were required from and allocated to households. In this article, we analyze a total of 220 articles on energy use published in the main Finnish newspaper, Helsingin Sanomat, during the energy crisis between 1 November 2021 and 31 October 2022. We investigate how household agency driven by the energy crisis is framed in the media by analyzing the variety of roles assigned to households and the framings of the agency attached to those roles in relation to mitigating the energy crisis. The analysis provides insights into how households are embedded within the energy system and whether and how they are expected to facilitate the energy transition; moreover, the article contributes to a better conceptualization of the understudied roles and agency of households in transitions.
Rethinking internationalization processes: toward a circular framework
Authors: Domínguez Romero Elena , Durst Susanne , Navarro Garcia Antonio
Published: December 2023

Why should models and theories that have set images and boundaries of the internationalization process in the past remain constant over time within International Business research? Despite a recent emphasis on its nonlinear nature, many still view internationalization as a forward-moving process, overlooking its dynamic nature involving enter, re-enter, and exit decisions during the process. To discuss this issue, this paper rethinks the existing International Business literature to retain its explanatory power as an essential discipline by developing a circular framework to capture firms' non-linear internationalization process. The authors propose a circular framework with the decision-making process as the unit of analysis and four statuses: Enter, De-Internationalization, Re-Internationalization, and Operation Internationalized. The decision-making process guides firms through the statuses simultaneously or individually, in the same or a diverse temporal dimension. With this circular framework, the authors wish to contribute to future International Business research; research that can keep up with the “real” world.
Broad Range Eubacterial Polymerase Chain Reaction of Cerebrospinal Fluid Reduces the Time to Exclusion of and Costs Associated with Ventriculostomy-Related Infection in Hemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Pietrzko Elisabeth , Bögli Stefan , Frick Katja , Ebner-Dietler Sabeth , Capone Crescenzo , Imkamp Frank , Koliwer-Brandl Hendrik , Müller Nicolas , Keller Emanuela , Brandi Giovanna
Published: December 2023

Background

Patients with hemorrhagic stroke and an external ventricular drain in situ are at risk for ventriculostomy-related-infections (VRI). Because of the contamination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) with blood and the high frequency of false negative CSF culture, the diagnosis of VRI remains challenging. This study investigated the introduction of CSF broad range eubacterial polymerase chain reaction (ePCR) and its effect on frequency and duration of antibiotic therapy for VRI, neurocritical care unit (NCCU) length of stay, related costs, and outcome.

Methods

Between 2020 and 2022, we prospectively included 193 patients admitted to the NCCU of the University Hospital of Zürich with hemorrhagic stroke and an external ventricular drain for more than 48 h. Patient characteristics, serum inflammatory markers, white blood cell count in CSF, use and duration of antibiotic treatment for VRI, microbiological findings (CSF cultures and ePCR tests), and NCCU length of stay were compared in patients with no infection, noncerebral infection, suspected VRI, and confirmed VRI. Data of patients with suspected VRI of this cohort were compared with a retrospective cohort of patients with suspected VRI treated at our NCCU before the introduction of CSF ePCR testing (2013–2019).

Results

Out of 193 patients, 12 (6%) were diagnosed with a confirmed VRI, 66 (34%) with suspected VRI, 90 (47%) with a noncerebral infection, and 25 (13%) had no infection at all. Compared with the retrospective cohort of patients, the use of CSF ePCR resulted in a reduction of patients treated for suspected VRI for the whole duration of 14 days (from 51 to 11%). Furthermore, compared with the retrospective group of patients with suspected VRI (n = 67), after the introduction of CSF ePCR, patients with suspected VRI had shorter antibiotic treatment duration of almost 10 days and, hence, lower related costs with comparable outcome at 3 months.

Conclusions

The use of CSF ePCR to identify VRI resulted in shorter antibiotic treatment duration without changing the outcome, as compared with a retrospective cohort of patients with suspected VRI.
KLF5 promotes esophageal squamous cell cancer through the transcriptional activation of FGFBP1
Authors: Wang Fengyun , Luo Ming , Cheng Yufeng
Published: December 2023

Krüpple-like factor 5 (KLF5) is a zinc-finger-containing transcription factor implicated in several human malignancies, but its potential regulatory mechanisms implicated in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain elusive. Here, we show that KLF5 is upregulated in ESCC, where its level was significantly associated with tumor differentiation and lymph node metastasis status. Upregulated KLF5 expression promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of ESCC cells. Reduced KLF5 showed the opposite effects. Mechanistically, KLF5 exerts its tumor promotion effect by up-regulating fibroblast growth factor binding protein 1 (FGF-BP1) and snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAIL2). KLF5 binds to the promoter regions of FGF-BP1 and transcriptionally activates its expression. Our study indicated that KLF5 could promote esophageal squamous cell cancer proliferation, migration, and invasion by upregulating FGF-BP1/SNAIL2 signaling. Our work suggests that KLF5 might be a proto-oncogene in ESCC and implicated in ESCC metastasis.