bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Efficient computational modeling of electronic stopping power of organic polymers for proton therapy optimization
Authors: Matias F. , Silva T. F. , Koval N. E. , Pereira J. J. N. , Antunes P. C. G. , Siqueira P. T. D. , Tabacniks M. H. , Yoriyaz H. , Shorto J. M. B. , Grande P. L.
Published: April 2024

This comprehensive study delves into the intricate interplay between protons and organic polymers, offering insights into proton therapy in cancer treatment. Focusing on the influence of the spatial electron density distribution on stopping power estimates, we employed real-time time-dependent density functional theory coupled with the Penn method. Surprisingly, the assumption of electron density homogeneity in polymers is fundamentally flawed, resulting in an overestimation of stopping power values at energies below 2 MeV. Moreover, the Bragg rule application in specific compounds exhibited significant deviations from experimental data around the stopping maximum, challenging established norms.
The clinical efficacy of single-hole punch excision combined with intralesional steroid injection for nodular keloid treatment: a self-controlled trial
Authors: Liu Bingbing , Lin Haoying , Zhang Minghai
Published: April 2024

There are many methods to treat keloid, including various excision operations, laser, injection and radiotherapy. However, few studies have explored the effectiveness of single-hole punch excision in keloid treatment. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of lateral punch excision combined with intralesional steroid injection for keloid treatment through self-control trial. In this self-controlled trial, 50 patients meet the diagnosis of nodular keloid, and try to choose left–right symmetrical control, one skin lesion in the control group (50 skin lesionsin total) and the other in the observation group (50 skin lesions in total).The keloids in the treatment group were initially treated with punch excision combined with intralesional steroid injection, followed by injection treatment alone. Keloids in the control group received intralesional steroid injection alone. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) of the keloid before and after the punch excision was evaluated; the keloid scores at different time points and the number of injection treatments required in both groups were compared, and adverse reactions were observed. The effective rate of the observation group was 86.0%, which was significantly higher than that of the control group (66.0%), and the recurrence rate of 22% was lower than that of the control group (χ2 = 4.141,63417), all of which were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). At the end of treatment, the VSS and total injection times in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group (t = 5.900,3.361), with statistical significance (P < 0.01). The combination of single-hole punch excision and intralesional steroid injection is an effective method to treat multiple nodular keloids, shortening the treatment course of tralesional steroid injection without obvious adverse reactions.
Model of negative affect induced by withdrawal from acute and chronic morphine administration in male mice
Authors: Ozdemir Dersu , Meyer Judith , Kieffer Brigitte L. , Darcq Emmanuel
Published: April 2024

Opioid use disorder (OUD) is a chronic relapsing disorder that is a major burden for the lives of affected individuals, and society as a whole. Opioid withdrawal is characterized by strong physical symptoms, along with signs of negative affect. Negative affect due to opioid withdrawal is a major obstacle to recovery and relapse prevention. The mechanisms behind negative affect due to either spontaneous or antagonist-precipitated opioid withdrawal are not well known, and more animal models need be developed. Here, we present behavioral models of negative affect upon naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal in adult male mice. Social, anxiety, and despair-like deficits were investigated following naloxone administration in mice receiving morphine under three dosing regimens; acute, chronic constant dose and chronic escalating doses. Social behaviour in the three-chamber social preference test was decreased following withdrawal from chronic and escalating but not acute morphine. Anxiety-like behaviour in the open field was increased for all three treatments. Despair-like behaviour was increased following withdrawal from chronic and escalating but not acute morphine. Altogether, these animal models will contribute to study behavioural and neuronal circuitries involved in the several negative affective signs characterizing OUD.
Towards an agroecological approach to crop health: reducing pest incidence through synergies between plant diversity and soil microbial ecology
Authors: Altieri Miguel A. , Nicholls Clara I. , Dinelli Giovanni , Negri Lorenzo
Published: April 2024

Given environmental, economic, and social costs of unilateral chemical and biotechnological interventions to control pests, there is an urgent need to transition towards a knowledge-intensive holistic approach emphasizing agroecosystem design and management. The focus will be on what makes agroecosystems susceptible and vulnerable to insect pests, pathogens and weeds, in order to design diversified agroecosystems that prevent and suppress insect pest, pathogen and weed problems. We propose a plant health model applicable to agroecosystems that feature biodiversity enhanced designs and soils rich in organic matter and microbial life, managed with low chemical loads. In such diversified farming systems, the general protection of the plant is a consequence of mutualistic above and below ground relationships between plants, insects, and soil microbial communities. From a practical standpoint, the approach involves (a) restoring plant diversity at the landscape and field level, with spatial and temporal crop combinations that deter pests and/or enhance natural enemies and (b) increasing soil organic matter through green or animal manures, compost and other amendments, which enhance antagonists that control soilborne pathogens. Polycultures promote a complex root exudate chemistry which plays an important role in recruitment of plant-beneficial microbes, some of which enhance plants’ innate immune system. Unleashing biotic interactions between plant diversity and increased microbial ecological activity generate conditions for the establishment of a diverse and active beneficial arthropod and microbial community above and below ground, essential for pest/disease regulation.
Reconfiguring European industry for net-zero: a qualitative review of hydrogen and carbon capture utilization and storage benefits and implementation challenges
Authors: Sovacool Benjamin K. , Del Rio Dylan Furszyfer , Herman Kyle , Iskandarova Marfuga , Uratani Joao M. , Griffiths Steve
Published: April 2024

This paper explores the benefits, barriers, and justice impacts of industrial decarbonization via hydrogen and carbon capture utilization and storage (CCUS) via European industrial firms located in UK clusters.
Investigating the influence of Cu and Ti substitution on the structural, optical, and dielectric properties of BiFeO3
Authors: Ouertani A. , Abdelkafi Z. , Khemakhem H. , Randrianantoandro N.
Published: April 2024

The environmentally friendly BiFe1−x(Ti1/2Cu1/2)xO3 system with various substitution rates, including x = 0 (BFO), x = 0.02 (BFTCO2) and x = 0.04 (BFTCO4), has been synthesized using the solid-state reaction technique.
Novel non-helical antimicrobial peptides insert into and fuse lipid model membranes
Authors: Mitra Saheli , Chandersekhar Bhairavi , Li Yunshu , Coopershlyak Mark , Mahoney Margot E. , Evans Brandt , Koenig Rachel , Hall Stephen C. L. , Klösgen Beate , Heinrich Frank , Deslouches Berthony , Tristram-Nagle Stephanie
Published: April 2024

This research addresses the growing menace of antibiotic resistance by exploring antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) as alternatives to conventional antibiotics.
General synthesis of magnetic binary transition metal telluride nanocrystals
Authors: Wang Jingxia , Wang Bin , Wang Yifen , Yang Ruixia , Wang Lanfang , Wang Fang , Xu Xiaohong , Liu Yang
Published: April 2024

We demonstrate a general approach to synthesize ferromagnetic Cr2Te3and FeTe2, paramagnetic CoTe2−xand NiTe2−x, and antiferromagnetic MnTe2nanocrystals.
Nonword Repetition in Children With Developmental Language Disorder: Revisiting the Case of Cantonese
Authors: Fu Nga Ching , Chen Si , Polišenská Kamila , Chan Angel , Kan Rachel , Chiat Shula
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

Nonword repetition (NWR) has been described as a clinical marker of developmental language disorder (DLD), as NWR tasks consistently discriminate between DLD and typical development (TD) cross-linguistically, with Cantonese as the only reported exception. This study reexamines whether NWR is able to generate TD/DLD group differences in Cantonese-speaking children by reporting on a novel set of NWR stimuli that take into account factors known to affect NWR performance and group differentiation, including lexicality, sublexicality, length, and syllable complexity.

Method:

Sixteen Cantonese-speaking children with DLD and 16 age-matched children with TD repeated two sets of high-lexicality nonwords, where all constituent syllables are morphemic in Cantonese but meaningless when combined, and one set of low-lexicality nonwords, where all constituent syllables are nonmorphemic. Low-lexicality nonwords were further classified on sublexicality in terms of consonant–vowel (CV) combination attestedness (whether or not CV combinations in nonword syllables occur in real Cantonese words).

Results:

Children with DLD scored significantly below their peers with TD. Effect sizes showed that high-lexicality nonwords and nonword syllables with attested CV combinations offered the greatest TD/DLD group differentiation. Nonword length and syllable complexity did not affect TD/DLD group differentiation.

Conclusions:

NWR can capture TD/DLD group differences in Cantonese-speaking children. Lexicality and sublexicality effects must be considered in designing NWR stimuli for TD/DLD group differentiation. Future studies should replicate the present study on a larger sample size and a younger population as well as examine the diagnostic accuracy of this NWR test.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.25529371
Controlling sensory analysis results: tools and importance in assessor selection. Case study: PROVA-ALABE proficiency test
Authors: Pinto Manuel , Barros Paulo , Vilela Alice , Correia Elisete
Published: April 2024

The PROVA-ALABE essay aims to characterize the olfactory, tactile and taste changes underlying the sensory evaluation of wines. It allows assessors to understand the extent to which their perception of a wine is harmonized with that of the other assessors in the trial, contributing to their qualification, as well as the corresponding panel, in detecting and recognizing the most prevalent defects in wines. This work aimed to provide a critical summary of outcomes achieved through interlaboratory tests to identify a primary defect in deliberately contaminated wines. Over three years, interlaboratory tests were performed, corresponding to 60 wines mainly altered with a specific compound. These tests aimed to identify different defects, such as mould, lactic, acescent, reduced, oxidized, vegetable, animal, acidic, bitter, astringency, and others (plastic, sulphur dioxide, bitter almond). However, wine's complexity introduces factors that can affect assessors' perception, with the same defect being perceived differently based on the panel's experience, training, and cultural backgrounds, which can be problematic for an objective analysis. Results of rejection rates and assessor identification percentages suggest that oxidation, mould, and animal defects are more easily recognized. Participation in interlaboratory tests is mandatory for accredited laboratories, serving as an interesting tool for demonstrating results consistency across sensory laboratories. Additionally, such participation can provide valuable information about assessors' performance.
Dispersion diagram reconstruction of effectively bianisotropic composite periodic media
Authors: Nitas Michalis , Kafesaki Maria , Arslanagić Samel
Published: April 2024

A dispersion diagram reconstruction technique is proposed for arbitrarily bianisotropic composite periodic media, which utilizes a previously introduced parameter retrieval technique based on eigenvalue analysis and field averaging. We initially retrieve the effective electromagnetic parameters of a composite periodic medium consisting of Edge-Coupled Split-Ring Resonators (EC-SRRs) via this homogenization technique using alternative integration approaches for the averaging of the field components. Subsequently, we derive the analytical framework for the wave propagation in a homogeneous medium of arbitrary bianisotropy and extract the appropriate equations which solve for the complex propagation constants. We then involve the retrieved effective parameters in these equations and reconstruct the dispersion diagrams for all three orthogonal directions, thereby spanning the whole irreducible Brillouin zone. An excellent agreement is found between the original dispersion diagrams and the reconstructed ones; a result which further validates the utilized parameter retrieval technique. The reconstruction technique moreover allows one to interpret the slope differences observed in the dispersion diagrams for in-plane and normal incidence modes of the examined composite medium. It may also be used as a tool for the confirmation of the accuracy of other formerly proposed homogenization techniques existing in the literature.
Predictors of fistula formation after primary palatoplasty
Authors: Yarhere Kesiena Seun , Akadiri Oladimeji Adeniyi , Akinbami Babatunde Olayemi , Obiechina Ambrose Emeka
Published: April 2024

Background:The goal of cleft palate repair is to create a seal between the oral and nasal cavities while improving speech by creating a functional velum. Various surgical techniques are at the surgeon's disposal to achieve this. Unfortunately, this sometimes fails, leading to formation of oronasal fistula.Objective:This study aimed to determine the predictors of oronasal fistula (ONF) formation following primary cleft palate repair.Methodology:This prospective interventional study involved cleft palate patients recruited from the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital. Basic demographics and clinical data of participants were recorded preoperatively while morphometric measurements were taken under general anaesthesia to determine Cleft Palate Index and Cleft width. Four surgeons performed the procedures, and three surgical techniques were employed. Participants were followed up for a mean period of 5 months. The occurrence, location, and fate of ONF were documented. Correlation between ONF and potential predictor variables was tested, and determinant(s) of fistula formation was explored. Data was analysed using IBM SPSS version 21.0 with statistical significance set atP< 0.05.Result:Eighty-two participants with ages ranging from 9 months to 19 years completed the study. The initial incidence of ONF was 29.3% but 16.7% of these cases resolved spontaneously within 5 weeks. Cleft Palate Index, Cleft width, and time (age) of repair significantly correlated with occurrence of ONF. However, Cleft width was the only statistically significant (p = 0.049) individual determinant of fistula formation.Conclusion:In this study, Cleft width W is the most important predictor of ONF formation.
Le nucléaire et les deux « vagues » de l’IA
Authors: Thevenon Jean-Bernard , Reboulleau Romain
Published: April 2024

Depuis ses premières introductions dans le paysage industriel, l’IA a évolué à pas de géant, dopée par la convergence de facteurs technologiques, économiques et culturels. Tandis que l’industrie nucléaire entre dans une ère de transformation numérique profonde, l’IA est un outil qui offre autant d’opportunités applicatives métier qu’il soulève de questions cruciales.
Reconstruction of Upper Extremity Peripheral Nerve Injuries Using an Epineurial-Like Collagen Device—A Prospective Clinical Study
Authors: O'Beirne Alex , Cullen Jaslyn , Landao-Bassonga Euphemie , Zheng Monica , Lee Clair , Kaluskar Priya , Tai Andrew , Zheng Minghao
Published: April 2024

Background Epineurium acts as a barrier to protect nerves from injury and maintains its structural and functional integrity. A device was developed to mimic the native structure of epineurium. The aim of this study was to evaluate its biological characteristics and clinical performance in the reconstruction of upper extremity peripheral nerves.

Methods Scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and enhanced microcomputed tomography were used to examine the ultrastructural characteristics of the device. A prospective case series with 2-year follow-up was undertaken and reported. Patients who required nerve reconstruction in the upper extremities were included and underwent single or multiple nerve reconstructions in one or both upper limbs.

Results The device mimics the structural and biological properties of epineurium. During surgical use, it can form compression-free and self-engaged wrapping around the repaired nerves. A total of 36 peripheral nerve reconstructions were performed using either nerve transfer or nerve grafting in 19 patients. Of these, 14 patients had upper limb nerve injuries and 5 had C5 to C8 spinal cord injuries resulting in tetraplegia. Nerve reconstruction using the device restored peripheral nerve function, with functional motor recovery (FMR) observed in 76% of the most proximal target muscle at 12 months and 85% of most proximal muscles at 24 months post-treatment. FMR was observed in 61% of all target muscles at 12 months and 75% at 24 months post-treatment.

Conclusion The device restored FMR in the upper extremities in patients with peripheral nerve or spinal cord injuries.

Level of Evidence Therapeutic IV
Investor attention and consumer price index inflation rate: Evidence from the United States
Authors: Zhu Panpan , Zhou Qingjie , Zhang Yinpeng
Published: April 2024

Explaining and forecasting inflation are important and challenging tasks because inflation is one focus of macroeconomics. This paper introduces novel investor attention to the field of inflation for the first time. Specifically, the Granger causality test, vector autoregression (VAR) model, certain linear models, and several statistical indicators are adopted to illustrate the roles of investor attention in explaining and forecasting inflation. The empirical results can be summarized as follows. First, investor attention is the Granger cause of the inflation rate and has a negative impact on inflation. Second, predictive models that incorporate investor attention can significantly outperform the commonly used benchmark models in inflation forecasting for both short and long horizons. Third, the robustness checks show that updating investor attention or the model specification does not change the conclusion of the crucial role of investor attention in explaining and forecasting inflation. Finally, this paper proves that investor attention influences inflation through inflation expectations. In summary, this paper demonstrates the importance of investor attention for macroeconomics, as investor attention affects inflation.
Numerical simulation of cellular blood flow in curved micro-vessels with saccular aneurysms: Effect of curvature degree and hematocrit level
Authors: Elhanafy Ahmed , Elsagheer Samir , Ookawara Shinichi , Nada Sameh
Published: April 2024

The dynamics of cellular blood flow in curved vessels considerably differ from those in straight vessels. It is reported that clotting development is significantly affected by vessel shape irregularities. Thus, the current study aims to investigate the effect of curvature degree and hematocrit level on cellular blood flow in a curved micro-vessel with a saccular aneurysm. Accordingly, a three-dimensional numerical simulation is performed using a validated code developed for cellular blood flow problems. The obtained results show that the cell-free layer thickness is highly dependent on the curvature degree and hematocrit level, which may have a remarkable impact on the apparent viscosity of blood as well as the dynamics of other particles such as drug particulates. The near-wall region exhibits the highest degree of cell deformation, whereas the red blood cells within the aneurysm zone remain nearly undeformed. Meanwhile, the velocity of the red blood cells decreases with the increase in curvature degree, which can affect the quality of the oxygenation process. Because of the saccular aneurysm, a considerable decrease in plasma velocity is predicted. Moreover, no secondary flows are detected in the curved vessel except in the aneurysm zone. An increase in the curvature degree is expected to reduce the blood flow rate by about 10%. Furthermore, low wall shear stress values are predicted in the straight case compared to the values at the apex of the curved vessel, which may affect the structure and function of the endothelial cells of the vessel wall and, hence, increase the aneurysm rupture possibility.
Client and staff perceptions of acceptability of MyCheck: a direct-to-pathology telehealth and e-testing service for comprehensive bloodborne virus and sexually transmissible infection screening
Authors: Lafferty Lise , Rautenbach Clinton , McNulty Anna , Ryder Nathan , Slattery Carolyn , Houghton Rebecca , Kenigsberg Aurelie , Murray Carolyn , Carrington Nigel , Patel Prital
Published: April 2024

Background Sydney Sexual Health Centre (SSHC) is the largest sexual health clinic in New South Wales (NSW), servicing clients at high risk of sexually transmissible infections and bloodborne viruses. SSHC piloted a direct-to-pathology pathway that facilitated bloodborne virus/sexually transmissible infection testing at one of the ~500 participating pathology collection centres located across NSW. This qualitative study sought to understand SSHC client and provider perspectives of acceptability of the MyCheck intervention. Methods Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with 11 clients who underwent testing via the MyCheck pathway and eight staff members involved in implementing MyCheck. The seven components of Sekhon’s Theoretical Framework of Acceptability informed this analysis. Results Participants broadly conveyed ‘affective attitude’ toward the MyCheck pathway. The telehealth intervention reduced client ‘burden’ and ‘opportunity cost’ through enabling greater testing convenience at a location suitable to them and provided timely results. Issues of ‘ethicality’ were raised by clients and staff as pathology centre staff were, on a few occasions, regarded as being judgmental of SSHC clients. ‘Intervention coherence’ issues were largely attributed to pathology centre personnel being unfamiliar with the intervention, with billing issues being a recurrent concern. Participants perceived MyCheck as an ‘effective’ testing pathway. SSHC staff were able to offer the intervention with ease through seamless IT integration (‘self-efficacy’). Conclusion The MyCheck intervention was perceived by both SSHC clients and staff as an acceptable bloodborne virus/sexually transmissible infection testing pathway. However, further work is required to address stigma experienced by some clients when attending pathology collection centres.
A general approach for selection of epitope-directed binders to proteins
Authors: Zhou Jie , Le Chau Q. , Zhang Yun , Wells James A.
Published: April 2024

Directing antibodies to a particular epitope among many possible on a target protein is a significant challenge. Here, we present a simple and general method for epitope-directed selection (EDS) using a differential phage selection strategy. This involves engineering the protein of interest (POI) with the epitope of interest (EOI) mutated using a systematic bioinformatics algorithm to guide the local design of an EOI decoy variant. Using several alternating rounds of negative selection with the EOI decoy variant followed by positive selection on the wild-type POI, we were able to identify highly specific and potent antibodies to five different EOI antigens that bind and functionally block known sites of proteolysis. Among these, we developed highly specific antibodies that target the proteolytic site on the CUB domain containing protein 1 (CDCP1) to prevent its proteolysis allowing us to study the cellular maturation of this event that triggers malignancy. We generated antibodies that recognize the junction between the pro- and catalytic domains for three different matrix metalloproteases (MMPs), MMP1, MMP3, and MMP9, that selectively block activation of each of these enzymes and impair cell migration. We targeted a proteolytic epitope on the cell surface receptor, EPH Receptor A2 (EphA2), that is known to transform it from a tumor suppressor to an oncoprotein. We believe that the EDS method greatly facilitates the generation of antibodies to specific EOIs on a wide range of proteins and enzymes for broad therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
California’s 2023 snow deluge: Contextualizing an extreme snow year against future climate change
Authors: Marshall Adrienne M. , Abatzoglou John T. , Rahimi Stefan , Lettenmaier Dennis P. , Hall Alex
Published: April 2024

The increasing prevalence of low snow conditions in a warming climate has attracted substantial attention in recent years, but a focus exclusively on low snow leaves high snow years relatively underexplored. However, these large snow years are hydrologically and economically important in regions where snow is critical for water resources. Here, we introduce the term “snow deluge” and use anomalously high snowpack in California’s Sierra Nevada during the 2023 water year as a case study. Snow monitoring sites across the state had a median 41 y return interval for April 1 snow water equivalent (SWE). Similarly, a process-based snow model showed a 54 y return interval for statewide April 1 SWE (90% CI: 38 to 109 y). While snow droughts can result from either warm or dry conditions, snow deluges require both cool and wet conditions. Relative to the last century, cool-season temperature and precipitation during California’s 2023 snow deluge were both moderately anomalous, while temperature was highly anomalous relative to recent climatology. Downscaled climate models in the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway-370 scenario indicate that California snow deluges—which we define as the 20 y April 1 SWE event—are projected to decline with climate change (58% decline by late century), although less so than median snow years (73% decline by late century). This pattern occurs across the western United States. Changes to snow deluge, and discrepancies between snow deluge and median snow year changes, could impact water resources and ecosystems. Understanding these changes is therefore critical to appropriate climate adaptation.
Stuck between group and transgression
Authors: Friedman Elie
Published: April 2024

This study examines how politicians navigate the challenge of publicly condemning transgressions committed by
members of their in-group. Examining ten transgressions committed by Israeli political actors which attracted public attention,
the study engages in a discourse analysis of politicians’ posts, illustrating eight discursive strategies for coping with this
challenge. It utilizes Du Bois’ stance triangle to illustrate how politicians navigate conflicting affiliations to their in-group
and to public values. While certain types of in-group condemnations illustrate an adherence to public values at the expense of
group cohesion, other types of downgraded condemnations demonstrate how group affiliation trumps value-affiliation. The study
illustrates that the prevalence of downgraded in-group condemnations is indicative of extreme polarization at the expense of
“statism”–an increasing trend in Israel in recent years.
Setting subject and the inferential cleft construction in Korean
Authors: Park Chongwon , Yeon Jaehoon , Kim Jong-Bok
Published: April 2024

This article aims to develop a cognitive-functional analysis of the Korean inferential cleft construction (ICC) by
identifying two motivations. It is demonstrated that the ICC must be understood as a mechanism to improve coherence and relevance
in the text; it is first and foremost motivated to establish relationships between the preceding context and the event denoted by
the subordinate clause headed by kes. By pointing out that attempts to ascertain concrete meanings of the ICC are
bound to be futile, we argue that various meanings the ICC exhibits arise by mapping it onto the result phase of the epistemic
cycle. The second motivation for the ICC is to put the proposition in the spotlight by indicating that the global circumstances,
not the speaker, warrant judgment. Consequently, the speaker staves off the responsibility for her epistemic judgment.
Experimental setup for the measurement of optical properties in the vacuum ultraviolet region
Authors: Copello S. , Boffelli F. , De Vecchi C. , Mandelli M. , Menegolli A. , Prata M.C. , Raselli G.L. , Rossella M.
Published: April 2024

This work presents an experimental setup designed for measuring optical properties in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region. Originally developed for the characterization of ICARUS photomultiplier tubes, the setup has been recently employed to measure the conversion efficiency of para-Terphenyl coatings, acting as wavelength shifters, as a function of thickness. The VUV region is of particular interest in particle physics experiments utilizing cryogenic noble gases as scintillating media. The setup includes a deuterium light source, a mirror system, an intensity monitor, and a sample chamber to host sample and photodetector. An example measurement of para-Terphenyl conversion efficiency — as wavelength shifter — with varying thickness is presented, demonstrating the versatility and effectiveness of the presented system.
Insight into the tribological properties of cylinder liner-piston ring under the nano BNNs/Cu composite additive lubrication
Authors: Liu Lifanxing , Guo Zhiwei , Rao Xiang , Yin Huabin , Sheng Chenxing , Yuan Chengqing
Published: April 2024

To improve the tribological properties of the cylinder liner-piston ring, a two-dimensional hexagonal boron nitride/copper composite lubricant additive was prepared and characterized in detail. The tribological properties and lubrication mechanism of nano hexagonal boron nitride composites with different concentrations were studied through the reciprocating friction test on the Rtec friction and wear tester. The results show that copper is successfully reduced and attached to the surface of h-BN nanosheets through the self-polymerization of dopamine, and the spherical structure promotes the interlayer slip of the nanosheets during the reciprocating friction process. The appropriate concentration of nano composite additives has excellent anti-friction and anti-wear properties. At 1 Hz and 100 N, the friction coefficient and wear quality of the nano composite additive with a concentration of 2 wt% were reduced by 29.07% and 76%, respectively. The surface Sq value and Sz value of the cylinder liner sample decreased by 68.06% and 74.47%. At the same time, under the condition of high speed and heavy load, the average wear depth of the cylinder liner sample is reduced by 61.3%. The nano composite material additive forms an excellent friction protective film on the wear surface of the cylinder liner, which can better enter the wear surface of the cylinder liner and produce a filling and repairing effect. The research results provide a method for the use of nano hexagonal boron nitride composite additives to inhibit the wear of cylinder liner-piston ring of Marine diesel engines.
Democracy despite Itself
Authors: Schupmann Benjamin A
Published: April 2024

This book advances a liberal normative theory of militant democracy to address the existential threat to democracy posed by ‘legal revolution’. ‘Militant democracy’ refers to the use of measures of constitutional entrenchment to defend democracy. Legal revolution occurs when democratically elected actors use legal procedures to undermine democratic constitutional essentials, evident today in countries like Hungary, India, and Turkey. This book develops its normative theory by combining John Rawls’ political liberalism and Carl Schmitt’s constitutional theory to argue that basic liberal rights are an essential part of the democratic constitutional framework and that the state has the right to defend its democratic political identity against internal challenges. It argues that militant democracy is institutionalized by three key mechanisms: explicit unamendability, political rights restrictions, and guardianship by a constitutional court, exemplified by the 1949 German Basic Law. It concludes that incorporating these defensive measures is a crucial safeguard of democracy against the threat of legal revolution, offering a model for the design of democratic constitutions in the future.
Introduction
Authors: Schupmann Benjamin A
Published: April 2024

The introduction examines ‘militant democracy’ as a constitutional defence against internal legal subversion, using Hungary’s transformation into an ‘illiberal democracy’ under the populist Fidesz party’s rule as a case study. It contrasts Hungary’s democratic backsliding with Germany’s Basic Law, highlighting the latter’s three entrenchment mechanisms: explicit unamendability, political rights restrictions, and constitutional guardianship. Although these interrelated measures reinforce democratic values, their democratic justification poses a challenge, leading to reluctance in defending their use at all. Moreover, existing normative theories of militant democracy struggle to address cases of democratic backsliding like that of Hungary. This introduction advocates developing a new normative theory of militant democracy focused on defending liberal constitutionalism, aimed at improving democracy’s ability to defend itself against internal antidemocratic threats.
Liberalism and Modern Constitutionalism
Authors: Schupmann Benjamin A
Published: April 2024

This chapter analyses the foundational role basic liberal rights play in democracy, using the lens of John Rawls’ theory of political constructivism. It explores how Rawls’ political liberalism shapes our understanding of what democracy is and addresses challenges posed by the rise of illiberal doctrines. Rawls’ philosophy establishes that basic liberal rights are an essential aspect of legitimate democratic government, emphasizing their importance, especially when threatened by ‘unreasonable’ antidemocratic members. The chapter concludes by examining the limits of Rawls’ theory to develop a liberal normative theory of militant democracy. Although Rawls acknowledges the importance of entrenching basic liberal rights through constitutional unamendability and the containment of unreasonable members, he concludes that democracy’s self-defence poses a practical dilemma that philosophy cannot resolve. His work contributes the substantive democratic aspects to a liberal normative theory of militant democracy, but falls short in providing its militant dimension.
Unamendability
Authors: Schupmann Benjamin A
Published: April 2024

This chapter analyses explicit unamendability as the first principal mechanism of militant democracy, advocating for its use to entrench basic liberal rights against undemocratic constitutional change. It argues that explicit unamendability serves a dual function: it not only improves democracy’s self-defence against legal revolution by embedding democratic values in positive law, but also overtly signals the state’s identity as a democracy. Both shielding democratic essentials from illegitimate legal change and clearly signalling the state’s democratic identity are crucial for preserving a democracy’s constitutional integrity. In addition, this chapter examines how explicit unamendability reinforces other mechanisms of militant democracy, in particular the legitimate use of political rights restrictions.
The Guardian of the Constitution
Authors: Schupmann Benjamin A
Published: April 2024

This chapter analyses the guardian of the constitution, the third principal mechanism of militant democracy. Typically embodied by the constitutional court, the guardian holds pro tempore final authority on constitutionality. This role is vital for militant democracy: since neither unamendability nor political rights restrictions are self-enforcing, some constituted power must adjudicate on them. The chapter argues that guardianship should rest with a branch independent of the executive and legislative branches. By representing ‘the people’ in a fundamentally different manner from those branches, the guardian can effectively counterbalance imperfections of their representations. This serves as a robust check on the potential pathologies of those branches, thereby safeguarding the democratic ideals of ‘the people’ and protecting against threats like legal revolution and democratic cannibalism.
Targeted and immunotherapy for the management of advanced urothelial carcinoma of the bladder
Authors: Cersosimo Robert J
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The activity of targeted and immunotherapy for the management of advanced bladder cancer is reviewed.

Platinum-based chemotherapy is standard first-line treatment for advanced bladder cancer. Pembrolizumab is approved alone as first-line therapy for patients who are ineligible for any platinum-based chemotherapy and with enfortumab for patients ineligible for cisplatin-based chemotherapy. Avelumab is approved for maintenance therapy in patients who have not progressed with first-line platinum-containing therapy. Pembrolizumab, avelumab, and nivolumab are approved second-line therapy in patients who experience progression during or after platinum-containing chemotherapy. Erdafitinib is indicated for advanced disease that has susceptible FGFR2 or FGFR3 genetic alterations and has progressed during or after treatment with at least one line of platinum-containing chemotherapy. Enfortumab vedotin and sacituzumab govitecan are antibody-drug conjugates. They are both approved for patients who have received anti–PD-L1 or anti–PD-1 therapy and treatment with platinum-containing chemotherapy. Enfortumab is also indicated for patients who are ineligible to receive cisplatin-based therapy and have received one or more prior lines of therapy.

Conclusion

Six targeted and immunotherapeutic agents have been approved for patients with advanced urothelial bladder cancer. They all have demonstrated activity in patients for whom disease has progressed during or after platinum-based therapy. Pembrolizumab, with and without enfortumab, has demonstrated first-line activity, and avelumab is a key maintenance therapy after first-line treatment. The results of additional clinical trials should provide evidence to establish the exact role in therapy of each agent in patients with advanced disease.
Advancements in genetic techniques and functional genomics for enhancing crop traits and agricultural sustainability
Authors: Kumar Surender , Singh Anupama , Bist Chander Mohan Singh , Sharma Munish
Published: April 2024

Genetic variability is essential for the development of new crop varieties with economically beneficial traits. The traits can be inherited from wild relatives or induced through mutagenesis. Novel genetic elements can then be identified and new gene functions can be predicted. In this study, forward and reverse genetics approaches were described, in addition to their applications in modern crop improvement programs and functional genomics. By using heritable phenotypes and linked genetic markers, forward genetics searches for genes by using traditional genetic mapping and allele frequency estimation. Despite recent advances in sequencing technology, omics and computation, genetic redundancy remains a major challenge in forward genetics. By analyzing close-related genes, we will be able to dissect their functional redundancy and predict possible traits and gene activity patterns. In addition to these predictions, sophisticated reverse gene editing tools can be used to verify them, including TILLING, targeted insertional mutagenesis, gene silencing, gene targeting and genome editing. By using gene knock-down, knock-up and knock-out strategies, these tools are able to detect genetic changes in cells. In addition, epigenome analysis and editing enable the development of novel traits in existing crop cultivars without affecting their genetic makeup by increasing epiallelic variants. Our understanding of gene functions and molecular dynamics of various biological phenomena has been revised by all of these findings. The study also identifies novel genetic targets in crop species to improve yields and stress tolerances through conventional and non-conventional methods. In this article, genetic techniques and functional genomics are specifically discussed and assessed for their potential in crop improvement.
Larval gregariousness in Papilionidae is more prevalent outside the tropics
Authors: Cisternas Mónica F , Ríos Rodrigo S , Salgado-Luarte Cristian , Gianoli Ernesto
Published: April 2024

Larval gregariousness, reported for 20 of the 127 families of Lepidoptera, may enhance thermoregulation, feeding efficiency, and antipredator defence. In the swallowtail family (Papilionidae), which is distributed worldwide yet mainly in the tropics, larval gregariousness has independently evolved at least six times. Here we evaluated in Papilionidae whether gregarious species are mostly distributed in temperate regions, where enhanced thermoregulation should be more beneficial because of the colder climate and greater climatic variations, compared to the tropics. We found data for 198 of the c. 560 species of Papilionidae. Results showed that larval gregariousness was significantly more prevalent in temperate regions. This pattern was statistically significant even when the analysis accounted for phylogenetic relatedness, which also influenced the occurrence of gregariousness. Thus, the shared evolutionary history of Papilionidae species explains in part the global distribution pattern of larval gregariousness. Nonetheless, this macroecological pattern of distribution of larval gregariousness in swallowtail species could have resulted from the ecological benefits concerning thermoregulation that are associated with group living.
Cell cycle variants during Drosophila male accessory gland development
Authors: Box Allison M , Ramesh Navyashree A , Nandakumar Shyama , Church Samuel Jaimian , Prasad Dilan , Afrakhteh Ariana , Taichman Russell S , Buttitta Laura
Published: April 2024

The Drosophila melanogaster male accessory gland (AG) is a functional analog of the mammalian prostate and seminal vesicles containing two secretory epithelial cell types, termed main and secondary cells. This tissue is responsible for making and secreting seminal fluid proteins and other molecules that contribute to successful reproduction. The cells of this tissue are binucleate and polyploid, due to variant cell cycles that include endomitosis and endocycling during metamorphosis. Here, we provide evidence of additional cell cycle variants in this tissue. We show that main cells of the gland are connected by ring canals that form after the penultimate mitosis, and we describe an additional post-eclosion endocycle required for gland maturation that is dependent on juvenile hormone signaling. We present evidence that the main cells of the D. melanogaster AG undergo a unique cell cycle reprogramming throughout organ development that results in step-wise cell cycle truncations culminating in cells containing two octoploid nuclei with under-replicated heterochromatin in the mature gland. We propose this tissue as a model to study developmental and hormonal temporal control of cell cycle variants in terminally differentiating tissues.
The Irreducibility of the Spaces of Rational Curves on del Pezzo Manifolds
Authors: Okamura Fumiya
Published: April 2024

We prove the irreducibility of the spaces of rational curves on del Pezzo manifolds of Picard rank $1$ and dimension $n \ge 4$ by analyzing the fibers of evaluation maps. As a corollary, we prove Geometric Manin’s Conjecture in these cases.
Performance information and issue prioritization by political and managerial decision-makers: A discrete choice experiment
Authors: van der Voet Joris , Lerusse Amandine
Published: April 2024

Issue prioritization is the first stage of attention-based theories of decision-making, but remains theoretically and empirically uncharted territory in public administration research. We propose and test how issue prioritization is informed by the characteristics of the performance information on which decision-makers rely, in particular its source (internal or external information), nature (objective or subjective information), aspiration level (historical, social, or coercive aspirations), and required cognitive effort (attention costs). Furthermore, we theorize how these characteristics of performance information determine issue prioritization decisions of political and managerial decision-makers in different ways. We empirically examine issue prioritization decisions in road maintenance and primary school education using a discrete choice experiment among 2,313 local government officials. The experiment reveals that decision-makers are more likely to prioritize issues that are signaled through objective performance measures and that are articulated relative to coercive aspirations, but that the effects of the information’s source and attention costs differ between policy domains. Comparison of observational variation regarding decision-makers’ roles indicates that public managers more strongly prioritize road maintenance issues that are articulated in objective performance information, but not in primary school education. The study advances public administration research and theory with a “horizontal” behavioral perspective on decision-makers’ information processing to prioritize between simultaneous performance issues.
Three Approaches to Improve Inferences Based on Survey Data Collected with Mixed-mode Designs
Authors: Yu Wenshan , Elliott Michael R , Raghunathan Trivellore E
Published: April 2024

Mixed-mode designs have become increasingly common in survey data collection. Although different modes often have different measurement properties, the standard practice is to treat mixed-mode data as if they had been collected with a single mode, neglecting the potential impact of mode effects. To account for potential mode effects when making inferences for mixed-mode samples, we propose (i) a Testimator approach, (ii) a Bayesian approach, and (iii) a model averaging approach. In the Testimator approach, we test whether the means and the variances of mixed-mode samples are the same. If the means are the same, we take the average of mode-specific estimates. If the means are different, we take the average when we have no prior information about preferred modes and take the smaller (or larger) estimate when we have prior information about preferred modes (e.g., a smaller estimate is better). In the Bayesian approach, we assume some prior information. We use a data-driven method to determine whether there are mode effects. If there are no mode effects, we draw inferences using a common mean model. If there are mode effects, we draw inferences using the data collected with the mode that produces smaller estimates. In the model averaging approach, we combine estimates of different models (characterized by whether assume same means and variances across modes) using marginal posteriors as weights. We evaluate the approaches in simulation studies and find that they achieve robust inferences compared to the standard approach. We apply the methods to the Arab Barometer study, which employs a randomized mixed-mode design.