bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fatigue life prediction method for reinforced concrete deck slabs subjected to repeated moving wheel loads and failing in shear
Authors: Kongwang Nuttapong , Takeda Kyoko , Sato Yasuhiko , Pheinsusom Phoonsak
Published: May 2024

As bridge deck slabs experience the direct impact of repeated concentrated wheel loads, they are more susceptible to fatigue‐related damage than other bridge components. In this context, a fatigue life prediction method for reinforced concrete (RC) bridge decks has been developed based on failure mechanisms of RC slabs tested under moving wheel loads. Initially, the formulas encompassed shear strength and S–N equations, accommodating variations in environmental and support conditions, are proposed to facilitate the fatigue life prediction of slabs exposed to constant moving wheel load. Subsequently, a model for shear strength degradation formulated using experimental findings on beam‐like elements is utilized in predicting the fatigue life of slabs subjected to stepwise moving wheel loads. The validity of the proposed method was established by comparing its results with previous experimental data. Notably, compared with the existing prediction equation, the proposed method exhibited more accurate fatigue life prediction results.
Full‐scale experimental and theoretical investigation on wall stress for underground ecological group tanks with four‐circle tangential connections
Authors: Zhang Hao , Sun Yi , Yang Jinping , Chen Lei
Published: May 2024

The storage safety of edible oil is critical for global and Chinese food security. In this study, a practical underground four‐circle tangential group tank with the steel‐plate and concrete structure based on a grain storage warehouse was firstly introduced, and the measured hoop reinforcement stress of the outer tank wall is discussed. Secondly, a numerical model consistent with the practical underground group tank is established from the measured data. The distribution of the hoop reinforcement stress of the outer tank wall under earth pressure is extracted and analyzed thoroughly. Finally, formulas reflecting the properties of the hoop reinforcement stress distribution are presented based on the theoretical analysis, and their accuracy is verified by comparison with the measured data. It could be conducted from the experimental results and theoretical formulas that the outer tank wall is under compressive pressure station generally, and the compressive stress increases with the increasing of the ring angle until reaching a steady state. Moreover, the hoop stress curve follows a disproportional function approximately. The moment at 180° hoop with 1‐m plate belt follows the arc‐tangent function while the moment has a sudden‐change point at 120°, which has minor effect on the reinforcement of this tank wall. Consequently, additional attention should be paid to the effects of this sudden‐change phenomenon on the associated structures in in the process of designing of underground storage tanks.
Bio‐based and effective: Cardanol‐piperidine derivatives for enhanced polypropylene resistance against thermo‐ and photo‐oxidative aging
Authors: Zeng Xuemei , Feng Jianxiang , He Yulin , Cao Siyu , Zhou Cheng , Li Kangqi , Tan Jinjing , Chen Shuyi , Xia Yong , Liu Yuejun , Shi Pu , Zhu Jin
Published: May 2024

Bio‐based antioxidants have garnered attention for their sustainability and environmental benefits. In this study, we designed and synthesized three cardanol‐piperidine derivatives (HSs) by utilizing hydrogenated cardanol (HC) and piperidine derivatives to improve the aging inhibition of polypropylene (PP). These bio‐based antioxidants were intended as eco‐friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic antioxidants. The impact of these HSs on the thermal stability, thermo‐oxidative stability, and light stability of PP was thoroughly evaluated. The results unveiled that after 5 h of interaction with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl free radical, HSs exhibited a remarkable over 5‐fold increase in free radical scavenging efficiency as compared to HC. Moreover, the addition of HSs significantly increased the oxidation induction time and the initial oxidation temperature compared to pristine PP. After photo‐oxidative aging and thermo‐oxidative aging, the HS‐dosed PP demonstrated remarkable retention of elongation at break, reaching more than 72% and 69%. From the comparison with physical mixtures and the density functional theory calculations, an intramolecular synergism mechanism is proposed. The intramolecular synergism between hydrogenated cardanol and piperidine derivatives may be the main reason for the inhibition of PP aging.

Highlights

A method for constructing simultaneous efficient light, thermal, and oxygen stable polypropylene.

The mechanism for achieving simultaneous stabilization of light, heat, and oxygen is the intramolecular synergy of phenol piperidine.

The essence of intramolecular synergy of cardanol and piperidine derivatives is its' reduced hydrogen bond dissociation energy and energy gap.
Ensemble averages of ℤ2 orbifold classes of Narain CFTs
Authors: Förste Stefan , Jockers Hans , Kames-King Joshua , Kanargias Alexandros , Zadeh Ida G.
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In this work we study families of ℤ2 orbifolds of toroidal conformal field theories based on both factorizable and non-factorizable target space tori. For these classes of theories, we analyze their moduli spaces, and compute their partition functions. Building on previous work, we express the calculated partition functions in terms of suitable Siegel-Narain theta functions that allow us to determine their ensemble averages. We express the derived averaged partition functions of the studied families of conformal field theories in a manifest modular invariant finite sum of products of real analytic Eisenstein series. We speculate on a tentative holographic three-dimensional dual bulk interpretations for the considered ℤ2 orbifold classes of ensembles of conformal field theories.
Navigating technological shifts: worker perspectives on AI and emerging technologies impacting well-being
Authors: Hinks Tim
Published: May 2024

This paper asks whether workers’ experience of working with new technologies and workers’ perceived threats of new technologies are associated with expected well-being. Using survey data for 25 OECD countries we find that both experiences of new technologies and threats of new technologies are associated with more concern about expected well-being. Controlling for the negative experiences of COVID-19 on workers and their macroeconomic outlook both mitigate these findings, but workers with negative experiences of working alongside and with new technologies still report lower expected well-being.
Patient-reported outcome measures in rehabilitation after knee surgery: a rapid systematic review
Authors: Moreira José , Miguel Susana , Delgado Bruno , Boto Paulo
Published: May 2024

Aim

Musculoskeletal conditions impact our society owing to the associated burden, with significant implications for health systems and people’s quality of life. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are used to optimize the results of rehabilitation programs. The study aims to identify the PROMs used in rehabilitation programs after knee surgery.

Subject and methods

This rapid systematic review was conducted using MEDLINE® and CINAHL® databases, considering all studies carried out until December 2023, with a registered protocol (PROSPERO reference: CRD42024504263). Studies were included with adult participants undergoing knee surgery and using PROMs to measure outcomes before and after rehabilitation programs.

Results

Sixteen studies with 3469 participants in rehabilitation programs after knee surgery were included. Methodologically and according to the criteria recommended by the Joanna Briggs Institute, more than half of the studies were of high quality, with values of more than 80%, including randomized controlled trials, cohorts, and quasi-experimental designs. Outcomes were assessed before and after rehabilitation programs, using general (n = 6) and knee-specific (n = 11) PROMs. Of all the PROMs identified in the different studies selected for this systematic review, the ones used the most were KOOS (in 14 studies), EQ5D-5L, and WOMAC (in 3 studies).

Conclusion

This rapid systematic review shows the need to identify and implement PROMs during rehabilitation programs after knee surgery, measuring participants’ health status, symptoms, treatment satisfaction, and physical and mental performance. In this way, it is possible to make value-based comparisons with other interventions, improving and tailoring rehabilitation care.
Human iPSC and CRISPR targeted gene knock-in strategy for studying the somatic TIE2L914F mutation in endothelial cells
Authors: Lazovic Bojana , Nguyen Hoang-Tuan , Ansarizadeh Mohammadhassan , Wigge Leif , Kohl Franziska , Li Songyuan , Carracedo Miguel , Kettunen Jere , Krimpenfort Luc , Elgendy Ramy , Richter Kati , De Silva Laknee , Bilican Bilada , Singh Prateek , Saxena Pratik , Jakobsson Lars , Hong Xuechong , Eklund Lauri , Hicks Ryan
Published: May 2024

Induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) derived endothelial cells (iECs) have emerged as a promising tool for studying vascular biology and providing a platform for modelling various vascular diseases, including those with genetic origins. Currently, primary ECs are the main source for disease modelling in this field. However, they are difficult to edit and have a limited lifespan. To study the effects of targeted mutations on an endogenous level, we generated and characterized an iPSC derived model for venous malformations (VMs). CRISPR-Cas9 technology was used to generate a novel human iPSC line with an amino acid substitution L914F in the TIE2 receptor, known to cause VMs. This enabled us to study the differential effects of VM causative mutations in iECs in multiple in vitro models and assess their ability to form vessels in vivo. The analysis of TIE2 expression levels in TIE2L914F iECs showed a significantly lower expression of TIE2 on mRNA and protein level, which has not been observed before due to a lack of models with endogenous edited TIE2L914F and sparse patient data. Interestingly, the TIE2 pathway was still significantly upregulated and TIE2 showed high levels of phosphorylation. TIE2L914F iECs exhibited dysregulated angiogenesis markers and upregulated migration capability, while proliferation was not affected. Under shear stress TIE2L914F iECs showed reduced alignment in the flow direction and a larger cell area than TIE2WT iECs. In summary, we developed a novel TIE2L914F iPSC-derived iEC model and characterized it in multiple in vitro models. The model can be used in future work for drug screening for novel treatments for VMs.
The iron(III) coordinating properties of citrate and α-hydroxycarboxylate containing siderophores
Authors: Hider Robert C. , Silva André M. N. , Cilibrizzi Agostino
Published: May 2024

The iron(III) binding properties of citrate and rhizoferrin, a citrate containing siderophore, are compared. Citrate forms many oligonuclear complexes, whereas rhizoferrin forms a single mononuclear complex. The α-hydroxycarboxylate functional group, which is present in both citrate, and rhizoferrin, has a high affinity and selectivity for iron(III) under most biological conditions. The nature of the toxic form of iron found in the blood of patients suffering from many haemoglobinopathies and haemochromatosis is identified as a mixture of iron(III)citrate complexes. The significance of the presence of this iron pool to patients suffering from systemic iron overload is discussed. The wide utilisation of the α-hydroxycarboxylate functional group in siderophore structures is described, as is their photo-induced decarboxylation leading to the release of iron(II) ions. The importance of this facile dissociation to algal iron uptake is discussed.
Mixotrophic growth of a highly acidic habitat microalga for production of valuable fatty acids
Authors: Robles María , Ostojic Carol , Ruiz-Domínguez Mari Carmen , Cuaresma María , Gonzalo Carlos , Obregón Virginia , Fuentes Juan Luis , Bartolomé Alejandra , Vílchez Carlos
Published: May 2024

Photoautotrophic algal cultivation is challenging due to the shadowing effect produced by an increase in the number of cells; under such circumstances, mixotrophic growth might be an efficient alternative. We grew cultures of the autochthonous acidotolerant microalga Elliptochloris sp. on crude technical glycerin or glucose bubbled with either only air or air containing 2.5 % (v/v) CO2. We found that CO2 strongly influenced the production of Elliptochloris sp., as higher growth occurred in mixotrophy with CO2-enriched air compared to that with only air. Mixotrophy with CO2-enriched air allowed to reach higher biomass productivities and facilitated an increase in the relative abundance of saturated fatty acids. Nevertheless, mixotrophy with only air resulted in an increase of both saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, but biomass productivities were lower. These results, along with the limited biological contamination facilitated by low pH, suggest that this microalga might be attractive for large-scale production within the circular economy model.
A connection between von Neumann-Morgenstern expected utility and symmetric potential games
Authors: Ismail Mehmet S. , Peeters Ronald
Published: May 2024

This paper establishes a previously unexplored connection between expected utility theory and potential games. Starting with a decision problem with a complete preference relation over lotteries on a finite set of alternatives, we construct a two-person symmetric game using a payoff function that represents the preference relation, and show that if the preference relation satisfies the von Neumann-Morgenstern expected utility axioms then the constructed game is a potential game. Conversely, starting with a two-player symmetric game, we (uniquely) construct a (complete) preference relation over the lotteries using the first player’s payoffs in the game, and show that if the game is a potential game then the resulting preference relation satisfies the expected utility axioms.
The wildcat (Felis s. silvestris) in the Mediterranean forest: sighting through photo-trapping and non-invasive hair collection for genetic purposes
Authors: Petisco Juan S.-E. , Sánchez-Carrasco Patricia , Fernández-García José Luis
Published: May 2024

The European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris) is a mesocarnivore species widely distributed in Europe, from Eastern Europe to Portugal and from Scotland to Italy. Recent biogeographical studies of wildcat populations have endeavoured to assess in detail the various issues that pose a threat to this species, including hybridization with domestic cats. The use of non-invasive sampling methods supported by photo-trapping and some attractants has made it possible to gather genetic material for the detection of native wildcats in locally threatened populations, some of which live in the Iberian Peninsula. Testimonies of naturalists, hunters and farm workers led our team to choose specific areas in two large territories of Mediterranean forests where the presence of wildcats has been historically attested: the Almonte River basin and the Sierra de San Pedro Mountains. Between 2014 and 2018, non-invasive hair sampling was performed using valerian (Valeriana officinalis) as an attractant and supported by photo-trapping to guarantee the collection of genuine biological material (hair samples). The hair samples were genetically assessed by sequencing the nuclear gene IRBP (interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein) and the mtDNA gene ND4 (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 4). Despite the low density of wildcats, this combined protocol proved to be an applicable tool for detecting the presence of elusive wildcats and other mesocarnivore species in this remote region of southern Europe. In addition, non-invasive hair trapping contributes to the collection of genetic material from current wildcat populations. This procedure could enhance future management actions focused on collecting quality individualized biological material.
Evaluation of gastrointestinal tract lesions and serum malondialdehyde levels after repeated oral administration of phenylbutazone in horses
Authors: Tesena Parichart , Vinijkumthorn Ruethaiwan , Preuksathaporn Titirat , Piyakul Poonnada , Chotikaprakal Thanapon , Sirireugwipas Rannaree , Wong-aree Kanokpich , Prapaiwan Nawarus
Published: May 2024

Phenylbutazone (PBZ) is a widely used nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug for horses. However, because of its gastrointestinal side effects, its administration requires careful attention in veterinary practice. Malondialdehyde (MDA) is a serum biomarker associated with increased damage to the equine gastrointestinal system. This study investigated the hematological effects and alterations in the gastrointestinal tract and assessed serum MDA concentrations following repeated oral PBZ administration at clinical doses. Fourteen horses were randomly divided into control and treatment groups. All horses in the treatment group were administered 4.4 milligrams per kilogram of body weight of PBZ syrup orally twice a day for 7 days, whereas the control group received syrup as a placebo. The development of gastrointestinal side effects was investigated using gastroscopy, abdominal ultrasound, and fecal pH; serum MDA concentrations were assessed using a commercially available enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit. Data were compared between PBZ-treated and control horses before and after the treatment period. The treatment group exhibited decreased albumin and total protein concentrations. Moreover, this group exhibited a higher thickness of the right dorsal colon wall (p = 0.03) and had higher scores for squamous gastric ulcers (p = 0.01). Fecal pH was lower in the treatment group than in the control group after PBZ administration (p < 0.01). Although MDA concentrations were higher in the treatment group after PBZ administration, they did not differ significantly from those of the control group. This study highlighted the changes in hematological and gastrointestinal lesions resulting from PBZ administration in horses at clinical doses, even without clinical signs. However, MDA may not be an optimal biomarker for the early detection of gastrointestinal damage due to PBZ treatment in horses.
Single-Port One Anastomosis Sleeve Gastrectomy with Transit Bipartition: Initial Experience and Technique
Authors: Widjaja Jason , Yang Jianjun , Dong Wenpei , Wang Rui , Yang Dongchao , Song Zhicheng , Gu Yan
Published: May 2024

Background

Sleeve gastrectomy with transit bipartition (SG-TB) procedure has been gaining traction recently. While being a relatively novel procedure, it shows potentials to improve the standalone SG outcomes, such as diabetes remission and reflux. This article aims to show insights on performing SG-TB in one anastomosis fashion (SG-OATB) and single-port approach.

Methods

Three patients who underwent laparoscopic single-port SG-OATB at our hospital were included. The parameters included in this study comprised of age, gender, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) assessment, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) assessment, length of the small bowel, the duration of the procedure, and 30-day readmission rate.

Results

The mean preoperative assessments for the three patients were as follows: two females vs. one male; age 38.7 ± 5.5 years old; weight 105.7 ± 5.4 kg; height 1.64 ± 0.11 m; BMI 39.3 ± 4.7 kg/m2; fasting blood glucose 6.7 ± 1.2 mmol/L; glycosylated hemoglobin level 7.1 ± 1.3%; GERD-Questionnaire score 6.3 ± 1.5; two patients with esophagitis grade A and B following endoscopy. The total duration of the procedure was 170.0 ± 26.5 min; there was no need for conversion to multiple-port in all patients. The 30-day readmission rate for all patients was 0%.

Conclusion

In our small cases of patients, single-port SG-OATB is feasible and safe. We found the closure of the anastomosis defect to be most technically demanding. To understand better the outcome of single-port SG-OATB, studies with larger sample and longer follow-up will be needed in the future.
The Genetic Factors Influencing Cardiomyopathies and Heart Failure across the Allele Frequency Spectrum
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Srinjay , Dixit Prithvi , Khanom Najiyah , Sanghera Gianluca , McGurk Kathryn A.
Published: May 2024

Heart failure (HF) remains a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Understanding the genetic basis of HF allows for the development of disease-modifying therapies, more appropriate risk stratification, and personalised management of patients. The advent of next-generation sequencing has enabled genome-wide association studies; moving beyond rare variants identified in a Mendelian fashion and detecting common DNA variants associated with disease. We summarise the latest GWAS and rare variant data on mixed and refined HF aetiologies, and cardiomyopathies. We describe the recent understanding of the functional impact of titin variants and highlight FHOD3 as a novel cardiomyopathy-associated gene. We describe future directions of research in this field and how genetic data can be leveraged to improve the care of patients with HF.

Graphical Abstract
Multi-resolution Twinned Residual Auto-Encoders (MR-TRAE)—A Novel DL Model for Image Multi-resolution
Authors: Momenzadeh Alireza , Baccarelli Enzo , Scarpiniti Michele , Sarv Ahrabi Sima
Published: May 2024

In this paper, we design and evaluate the performance of the Multi-resolution Twinned Residual Auto-Encoders (MR-TRAE) model, a deep learning (DL)-based architecture specifically designed for achieving multi-resolution super-resolved images from low-resolution (LR) inputs at various scaling factors. For this purpose, we expand on the recently introduced Twinned Residual Auto-Encoders (TRAE) paradigm for single-image super-resolution (SISR) to extend it to the multi-resolution (MR) domain. The main contributions of this work include (i) the architecture of the MR-TRAE model, which utilizes cascaded trainable up-sampling modules for progressively increasing the spatial resolution of low-resolution (LR) input images at multiple scaling factors; (ii) a novel loss function designed for the joint and semi-blind training of all MR-TRAE model components; and (iii) a comprehensive analysis of the MR-TRAE trade-off between model complexity and performance. Furthermore, we thoroughly explore the connections between the MR-TRAE architecture and broader cognitive paradigms, including knowledge distillation, the teacher-student learning model, and hierarchical cognition. Performance evaluations of the MR-TRAE benchmarked against state-of-the-art models (such as U-Net, generative adversarial network (GAN)-based, and single-resolution baselines) were conducted using publicly available datasets. These datasets consist of LR computer tomography (CT) scans from patients with COVID-19. Our tests, which explored multi-resolutions at scaling factors $$\times (2,4,8)$$

×
(
2
,
4
,
8
)

, showed a significant finding: the MR-TRAE model can reduce training times by up to $$60\%$$

60
%

compared to those of the baselines, without a noticeable impact on achieved performance.
Stepwise Understanding on Hydrolysis Formation of the IrOx Nanoparticles as Highly Active Electrocatalyst for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Karade Swapnil Sanjay , Sharma Raghunandan , Hedegaard Martin Aage Barsøe , Andersen Shuang Ma
Published: May 2024

In this study, we have investigated the synthesis of supported iridium oxide (IrOx) nanoparticles (NPs) through hydrolysis in a surfactant-free aqueous bath as a possible route for the large-scale production of highly active electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in acidic water electrolyzers. The process involves (i) formation of Ir-hydroxides complex from an Ir precursor in basic media followed by (ii) protonation in acidic media to form colloidal hydrated IrOx NPs and (iii) conversion and deposition of IrOx NPs on the surface of carbon or TiN support by probe sonication. The IrOx NPs produced through hydrolysis route form highly stable colloidal solution. Since it is essential to precipitate the catalyst NPs from the colloidal solution for their use in water electrolyzer electrode development, here, we investigate the optimal reaction conditions, e.g., pH, temperature, time, and presence of support, for efficient synthesis of the catalyst NPs. The reaction intermediates formed at different reaction steps are explored to get insights into the chemistry of the process. Under the optimal synthesis conditions, 100% precipitation of IrOx NPs was achieved. Further, the precipitated TiN supported IrOx NPs exhibited high OER activity, superior to that of the commercial benchmark IrO2 electrocatalyst. The study provides a scalable synthesis route for highly active, low Ir-content OER electrocatalysts for acidic water electrolyzers.

Graphical Abstract
Scientific note: Phoretic interaction between Antherophagus (Coleoptera) and Bombus funebris (Hymenoptera), using Chuquiraga jussieui (Asteraceae) as transfer stations in the páramos
Authors: Martel Carlos , Cifuentes Laura , Cuesta Francisco , Stevenson Philip C. , Tovar Carolina
Published: May 2024

Beetles of the genus Antherophagus are phoretic organisms that inhabit the nests of Bombus species. They migrate and colonize new nests using the same bumblebees as carriers. Although Antherophagus beetles from temperate Europe and North America are known to use some plant species to move between bumblebees, it is unknown which plants are used as transfer stations by neotropical Antherophagus. Here, we report for the first time how phoretic Antherophagus beetles of an undescribed species use the inflorescences of Chuquiraga jussieui to transfer between individuals of Bombus funebris in the páramos of Central Ecuador. Our observations are the highest records (at 4200 m asl) of a phoretic interaction performed so far.
Unveiling the dynamics: how foreign aid shapes renewable energy, technology, globalization, and sustainable environments in BRICS nations
Authors: Siddiqui Faiza , Yusheng Kong , Kumari Sonia
Published: May 2024

Although the existing literature on environmental sustainability (ES) emphasizes its importance, yet few empirical studies look at the major contributing variables to ES. Therefore, we examine how the use of renewable energy, globalization, and technological innovation (TI) contribute to ES, with the moderating influence of foreign aid, spanning the period from 1996 to 2019 in BRICS economies. For data analysis, we apply the ARDL methodology, revealing an adverse and substantial link among globalization, TI, and the consumption of renewable energy with ES. Additionally, we discover that foreign aid has a beneficial moderating effect on the association between ES, globalization, and TI. On the other hand, it is found that foreign aid has an adverse moderating impact on the link between renewable energy sources and ES. This research also yields crucial practical implications, offering in-depth insights for the design of more effective policies to foster economic growth.
RGG-PSO+: Random Geometric Graphs Based Particle Swarm Optimization Method for UAV Path Planning
Authors: Liu Yang , Zhu Xiaomin , Zhang Xiao-Yi , Xiao Jiannan , Yu Xiaohan
Published: May 2024

Evolutionary algorithms, such as particle swarm optimization (PSO), are widely applied to UAV path planning problems. However, the fixed particle length of PSO, which may not be suitable for the scenario, will compromise the search efficiency. This paper proposes the RGG-PSO+ method, which adapts to scenarios by dynamically adjusting the number of waypoints. Random geometric graphs (RGG) and the divide-and-conquer paradigm are involved in improving the proposed method. Comparative analyses with established heuristic methods demonstrate RGG-PSO+’s superior performance in complex environments, particularly in terms of convergence speed and path length. The implementation of RGG significantly improves the F-Measure, indicating a shift from exploration to exploitation of PSO’s iterations, and the implementation of the divide-and-conquer paradigm is evident in the improved mean and variance of normalized path lengths.
Crime Dynamics
Authors: Rosenfeld Richard
Published: May 2024

This Element reviews and augments research on changes over time in U.S. crime rates during the past several decades. Major topics include the data sources for studying crime trends; the relationship between homicide rates and rates of property crime, imprisonment, and firearm availability; trends in crime by sex, race, and age; the relationship between crime trends and economic conditions; crime trends and social institutions; abrupt changes in crime rates and exogenous shocks; forecasting crime rates; and the future of crime trends theory and research. The study of crime trends is as intellectually rewarding and practically important as any topic in criminology. But attracting scholars to this field of study of crime trends will require significant advancements in theory, methods, and policy application.
Heidegger on Being Affected
Authors: Withy Katherine
Published: May 2024

Things get to us. We are moved or affected by 'things' in the ordinary sense=the paraphernalia of our daily lives-and also by ourselves, by others, and by ontological phenomena such as being and time. How can such things get to us? How can things matter to me? Heidegger answers this question with his concepts of finding (Befindlichkeit) and attunement (Stimmung). This Element explores how being finding allows things to matter to us in attunements such as fear and hope by allowing those things to show up as benefits or detriments to our pursuits and so to put those pursuits at stake. It also explores how we can be affected ontologically-that is, affected by being-in special attunements such as angst and boredom, as well as how Heidegger's account of being affected has contributed to our understanding of emotions, moods, and affective disorders.
Source Data Verification (SDV) quality in clinical research: A scoping review
Authors: Hamidi Muayad , Eisenstein Eric L. , Garza Maryam Y. , Morales Kayla Joan Torres , Edwards Erika M. , Rocca Mitra , Cramer Amy , Singh Gurparkash , Stephenson-Miles Kimberly A. , Syed Mahanaz , Wang Zhan , Lanham Holly , Facile Rhonda , Pierson Justine M. , Collins Cal , Wei Henry , Zozus Meredith
Published: May 2024

Introduction:

The value of Source Data Verification (SDV) has been a common theme in the applied Clinical Translational Science literature. Yet, few published assessments of SDV quality exist even though they are needed to design risk-based and reduced monitoring schemes. This review was conducted to identify reports of SDV quality, with a specific focus on accuracy.

Methods:

A scoping review was conducted of the SDV and clinical trial monitoring literature to identify articles addressing SDV quality. Articles were systematically screened and summarized in terms of research design, SDV context, and reported measures.

Results:

The review found significant heterogeneity in underlying SDV methods, domains of SDV quality measured, the outcomes assessed, and the levels at which they were reported. This variability precluded comparison or pooling of results across the articles. No absolute measures of SDV accuracy were identified.

Conclusions:

A definitive and comprehensive characterization of SDV process accuracy was not found. Reducing the SDV without understanding the risk of critical findings going undetected, i.e., SDV sensitivity, is counter to recommendations in Good Clinical Practice and the principles of Quality by Design. Reference estimates (or methods to obtain estimates) of SDV accuracy are needed to confidently design risk-based, reduced SDV processes for clinical studies.
Treatment Interruptions and Mortality Among Puerto Rican Women With Gynecologic Cancers in Puerto Rico After Hurricanes Irma and María: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Rivera-Gastón Fabiola A. , Umpierre-Catinchi Sharee , Ramos-Cartagena Jeslie M. , Ortiz-Ortiz Karen J. , Torres-Cintrón Carlos R. , García-Camacho Sandra I. , Calo William A. , Tortolero-Luna Guillermo , Martínez-Ocasio Liz M. , Ortiz Ana P.
Published: May 2024

Objective:

Cancer patients are among the most vulnerable populations during and after a disaster. We evaluated the impact of treatment interruption on the survival of women with gynecologic cancer in Puerto Rico following Hurricanes Irma and María.

Methods:

A retrospective cohort study among a clinic-based sample of women with gynecological cancer diagnosed between January 2016 and September 2017 (n = 112) was done. Women were followed from their diagnosis until December 2019, to assess vital status. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox proportional hazards models were performed.

Results:

Mean age was 56 (± 12.3) years; corpus uteri (58.9%) was the most common gynecologic cancer. Predominant treatments were surgery (91.1%) and chemotherapy (44.6%). Overall, 75.9% were receiving treatment before the hurricanes, 16.1% experienced treatment interruptions, and 8.9% died during the follow-up period. Factors associated with treatment interruption in bivariate analysis included younger age (≤55 years), having regional/distant disease, and receiving > 1 cancer treatment (P < 0.05). Crude analysis revealed an increased risk of death among women with treatment interruption (HR: 3.88, 95% CI: 1.09-13.77), persisting after adjusting for age and cancer stage (HR: 2.49, 95% CI: 0.69-9.01).

Conclusions:

Findings underscore the detrimental impact of treatment interruption on cancer survival in the aftermath of hurricanes, emphasizing the need for emergency response plans for this vulnerable population.
Data-driven modelling of the regular and chaotic dynamics of an inverted flag from experiments
Authors: Xu Zhenwei , Kaszás Bálint , Cenedese Mattia , Berti Giovanni , Coletti Filippo , Haller George
Published: May 2024

We use video footage of a water-tunnel experiment to construct a 2-D reduced-order model of the flapping dynamics of an inverted flag in uniform flow. The model is obtained as the reduced dynamics on a 2-D attracting spectral submanifold (SSM) that emanates from the two slowest modes of the unstable fixed point of the flag. Beyond an unstable fixed point and a limit cycle expected from observations, our SSM-reduced model also confirms the existence of two unstable fixed points for the flag, which were found by previous studies. Importantly, the model correctly reconstructs the dynamics from a small number of general trajectories and no further information on the system. In the chaotic flapping regime, we construct a 4-D SSM-reduced model that captures the system's chaotic attractor.
F. A. Hayek, Libertarianism, and the Denationalization of Money
Authors: McIntosh Whitney
Published: May 2024

Amid the inflation crisis of the 1970s, the Austrian School economist F. A. Hayek presented a radical proposal to solve inflation: the denationalization of currency and the introduction of competing currencies into the monetary system. While Hayek's proposal proved too radical for mainstream economists, Hayek found support within the American libertarian movement. Libertarians realized that Hayek's radical proposal would limit state control over the monetary system and allow for the free exchange of gold. Even though libertarians were not immediately successful in bringing Hayek's plan to fruition, their continued activism paved the way for the creation of cryptocurrency in 2009. This article demonstrates how Hayek and his libertarian supporters opened a new chapter in the history of the “money question” in the United States by advocating for the elimination of the government monopoly over money and the abolition of monetary politics itself.
‘Who can tell me what potable water means?’ The assessment of water quality in debates over hydraulic infrastructure in nineteenth-century Italy
Authors: Valenti Salvatore
Published: May 2024

How water is perceived and represented has an impact on the relationships between a given society and its water infrastructure. Historians have identified a shift in the perception of water during the nineteenth century, which was connected to the development of chemistry. From an understanding based in Hippocratic medicine and natural history that treated it as an infinite variety of substances, water eventually became understood as a simple compound consisting of oxygen and hydrogen. This resulted in the abstraction of water from its social and environmental contexts, with consequences for the way water was managed. This article aims to demonstrate that such a view gives a mistaken intellectual coherence to a fragmented and conflicted process, which involved continuities, an adaptation of old frameworks to new social priorities, and fine changes in scientific thinking and practices. This paper examines the scientific and political debates concerning water infrastructure, surveys and analyses on water quality, medical reports and political measures in nineteenth-century Italy. Ultimately, the reduction of ‘waters’ to ‘water’ in Italy was more about determining who had the authority to assess water quality in the process of creating and stabilizing new power relations between the public and the private spheres than about the abstraction of water from its social and environmental contexts.
Novelty seeking might underlie curiosity and the novelty dimension of creativity, but not the usefulness dimension
Authors: Acar Oguz A. , Fuchs Christoph
Published: May 2024

We question the perspective that curiosity and creativity stem from a shared novelty-seeking process. We emphasize that creativity has two distinct dimensions: Novelty and usefulness, each involving separate cognitive processes. These dimensions may not necessarily mutually reinforce each other. We contend that a more comprehensive model that encompasses the full scope of the creativity construct is needed.
Curious? The relationship between curiosity and creativity is likely NOT novelty
Authors: Jirout Jamie J. , Evans Natalie S. , Hirsh-Pasek Kathy
Published: May 2024

The target article tackles an important and complicated issue of the underlying links between curiosity and creativity. Although thought-provoking, the target article overlooks contemporary theories and research on these constructs. Consequently, the proposed model is inconsistent with prior research in the developmental and educational fields and would benefit from better specification and clarity around key constructs and processes.
Models need mechanisms, but not labels
Authors: Prasad Seema , Hommel Bernhard
Published: May 2024

The target article proposes a model involving the important but not well-investigated topics of curiosity and creativity. The model, however, falls short of providing convincing explanations of the basic mechanisms underlying these phenomena. We outline the importance of mechanistic thinking in dealing with the concepts outlined in this article specifically and within psychology and cognitive neuroscience in general.
Is a wandering mind a novelty-seeking mind? The curious case of incubation
Authors: Faber Myrthe , de Rooij Alwin
Published: May 2024

The Novelty-Seeking Model can explain incubation's effect on creativity by assuming an adaptive decision threshold. During an impasse, the threshold for novelty becomes too high and biased to previous neural activity, hindering progress. Incubation “resets” this threshold through attentional decoupling, allowing for spontaneous ideas to emerge from subsequent mind wandering or other activities that attract attention, facilitating progress.
An extension of the novelty-seeking model: Considering the plurality of novelty types and their differential interactions with memory
Authors: Servais Anaïs , Bastin Christine
Published: May 2024

The novelty-seeking model suggests that curiosity and creativity originate from novelty processes. However, different types of novelty exist, each with distinctive relationships with memory, which potentially influence curiosity and creativity in distinct ways. We thus propose expanding the NSM model to consider these different novelty types and their specific involvement in creativity.
Ignoring the role of reiterative processing and worldview transformation leads to exaggeration of the role of curiosity in creativity
Authors: Gabora Liane , Ganesh Kirthana , Bashmakova Iana
Published: May 2024

The Novelty-Seeking Model does not address the iterative nature of creativity, and how it restructures one's worldview, resulting in overemphasis on the role of curiosity, and underemphasis on inspiration and perseverance. It overemphasizes the product; creators often seek merely to express themselves or figure out or come to terms with something. We point to inconsistencies regarding divergent and convergent thought.
Prediction error minimization as a common computational principle for curiosity and creativity
Authors: Becker Maxi , Cabeza Roberto
Published: May 2024

We propose expanding the authors’ shared novelty-seeking basis for creativity and curiosity by emphasizing an underlying computational principle: Minimizing prediction errors (mismatch between predictions and incoming data). Curiosity is tied to the anticipation of minimizing prediction errors through future, novel information, whereas creative AHA moments are connected to the actual minimization of prediction errors through current, novel information.
A shared novelty-seeking basis for creativity and curiosity: Response to the commentators
Authors: Ivancovsky Tal , Baror Shira , Bar Moshe
Published: May 2024

In our target article, we proposed that curiosity and creativity are both manifestations of the same novelty-seeking process. We received 29 commentaries from diverse disciplines that add insights to our initial proposal. These commentaries ultimately expanded and supplemented our model. Here we draw attention to five central practical and theoretical issues that were raised by the commentators: (1) The complex construct of novelty and associated concepts; (2) the underlying subsystems and possible mechanisms; (3) the different pathways and subtypes of curiosity and creativity; (4) creativity and curiosity “in the wild”; (5) the possible link(s) between creativity and curiosity.
Legal Pluralism as a Category of Analysis
Authors: Marglin Jessica , Letteney Mark
Published: May 2024

A debate has raged for decades over legal pluralism and its value for the study of law. Much of this back and forth has resolved to a fight over what law “is” and push-and-pull between legal centrists and pluralists. This introductory essay proposes a new framework for thinking about legal pluralism. Turning away from the centrist/pluralist binary, we instead ask what work legal pluralism as a category of analysis can do. The debate, we suggest, is a fundamental methodological disagreement about the normative work that categories of analysis do and the costs that historians should be willing to pay to reap the benefits of theoretically sophisticated frameworks of analysis which are interoperable between times and places. The debate about legal pluralism, we argue, can be productively reframed as a question about the benefits and drawbacks of the legal pluralist framework.
Before the Dressel 20: pottery workshops and olive oil amphorae of the Guadalquivir valley between the Late Republic and Augustan-Tiberian times
Authors: González Cesteros Horacio , García Vargas Enrique , González Tobar Iván , Berni Millet Piero , Almeida Rui Roberto de
Published: May 2024

The Baetican Dressel 20 is probably the most widely diffused amphora of the Roman period, found in large quantities throughout all the Roman and nearby territories. It is the most powerful evidence of the importance of the olive oil trade for Roman society and of olive oil's extraordinary production in the Baetican countryside. This wide diffusion of the amphora and, in some ways, its ubiquity at many archaeological sites, have hindered the study of the early stages of Baetican olive oil production and diffusion. The protagonists were not these spherical containers, commonly stamped up until the late 3rd c. CE, but previous models that evolved rapidly after their origins in Late Republican times. In this paper, we aim to analyze not only the formal characteristics and evolution of these peculiar and still unstandardized containers, but also other aspects linked to their production, as well as the scope of their diffusion.
Earth’s Subduction May Have Been Triggered by the Same Event That Formed the Moon
Authors: Fritts Rachel
Published: May 2024

The giant impact that formed the Moon may also have led to extrastrong mantle plumes that enabled the first subduction event, kick-starting Earth’s unique system of sliding plates.
Recent insights into the therapeutic strategies targeting the pseudokinase PTK7 in cancer
Authors: Dessaux Charlotte , Ganier Laetitia , Guiraud Louis , Borg Jean-Paul
Published: May 2024

The generation of drugs counteracting deregulated protein kinases has been a major focus in cancer therapy development. Breakthroughs in this effort have produced many therapeutic agents to the benefit of patients, mostly through the development of chemical or antibody-based drugs targeting active kinases. These strategies are challenged when considering catalytically inactive protein kinases (or pseudokinases), which represent 10% of the human kinome with many of relevance in cancer. Among the so-called pseudotyrosine kinases, the PTK7 receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) stands as a bona fide target overexpressed in several solid tumors and hematological malignancies and linked to metastasis, poor prognosis, and resistance to treatment. Despite the lack of catalytic activity, PTK7 has signaling capacities through heterodimerization with active RTKs and offers pharmacological targeting opportunities through its inactive kinase domain. Moreover, PTK7-targeting strategies based on antibody-drug conjugates, aptamers, and CAR-T cell-based therapies have demonstrated encouraging results in preclinical and clinical settings. We review the most recent data assigning to PTK7 a prominent role in cancer progression as well as current preclinical and clinical targeting strategies against RTK family pseudokinases including PTK7.
Safety and efficacy of narsoplimab in pediatric and adult patients with transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: a real-world experience
Authors: Castelli Marta , Micò Maria Caterina , Grassi Anna , Algarotti Alessandra , Lussana Federico , Finazzi Maria Chiara , Rambaldi Benedetta , Pavoni Chiara , Rizzuto Giuliana , Tebaldi Paola , Vendemini Francesca , Verna Marta , Bonanomi Sonia , Biondi Andrea , Balduzzi Adriana , Rambaldi Alessandro , Gotti Giacomo
Published: May 2024

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is a severe complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). No approved treatments are currently available. This study presents real-world data obtained with narsoplimab, a human immunoglobulin G4 monoclonal antibody that inhibits MASP-2, the effector enzyme of the lectin pathway of the complement system. Between January 2018 and August 2023, 20 (13 adult and 7 pediatric) patients diagnosed with TA-TMA received narsoplimab under an ongoing compassionate use program. The diagnosis was based on internationally defined criteria for pediatric and adult patients. Fifteen patients fulfilled the criteria recently established by an international consensus on TA-TMA. Nineteen patients exhibited high-risk characteristics. Thirteen patients (65%) responded to narsoplimab, achieving transfusion independence and significant clinical improvement. The one-hundred-day Overall Survival (OS) post-TA-TMA diagnosis was 70%, and 100% for responders. Narsoplimab proved to be effective and safe in the treatment of high-risk TA-TMA, with no increased infectious complications or other safety signals of concern across all age groups. The high response rates and the encouraging survival outcomes underscore the potential of narsoplimab as a valuable therapeutic option, particularly for high-risk cases.