bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mechanism-based shift factors to predict the fatigue performance of cemented pavement materials
Authors: Le Vinh T. , Bui Ha H. , Nguyen Giang D. , Kodikara Jayantha , Bodin Didier , Grenfell James
Published: September 2024

Cemented pavement materials (CPMs) are essential components in pavement structures, yet accurately predicting their service life due to fatigue damage remains challenging. Laboratory fatigue test results are commonly employed to predict the service life of CPMs by applying a lab-to-field shift factor (SF). However, traditional approaches rely heavily on experimental data, posing challenges in ensuring the certainty of lab-to-field results. Additionally, inconsistencies in lab-to-field fatigue failure criteria further complicate SF development. To address these challenges, this study proposes a mechanism-based methodology for developing SF. This methodology comprises a rigorous two-scale fatigue model developed by the authors to characterise the fatigue performance of CPMs at the lab scale and predict their performance at the field scale, thereby facilitating the development of SFs. These SFs are established based on a consistent lab-to-field fatigue failure criterion (i.e. the modulus reduction of CPMs). By accounting for strain differences between laboratory and field scales, SFs are derived in the strain-fatigue life space. Application of this approach to typical Australian CPMs, namely siltstone and hornfels, yields mechanism-based SFs of 1.19 and 1.21, respectively.
Machine learning based operator assistance in roll forming
Authors: Hofmann Johannes , Becker Marco , Kubik Christian , Groche Peter
Published: September 2024

This paper presents an approach for operator assistance in roll forming to overcome the challenges of progressive skilled labor shortage faced by manufacturers of profiled products. An introductory study proves the necessity and the willingness of the roll forming industry to use process data and machine learning based assistance for less experienced operators. A newly built framework contains the characterization of process behavior based on in-line collected data. To support operators during the setup and control of complex manufacturing processes, correlations between tool adjustments and process data are analyzed in a machine learning (ML) pipeline. Setup suggestions are directly provided to the operator for implementation and a feedback loop takes the results into account. To quantify the functionality of the newly developed Machine Learning based Operator Assistance (MLbOA), an exemplary roll forming process is investigated. The system localizes maladjustments in the setup of tool gaps caused by individual mechanical load behavior and offers corrective suggestions to operators with a mean absolute error of 1.26 ± 0.36 μm. This work demonstrates the potential of machine learning based assistance systems to enhance the resilience of manufacturing processes against the challenges posed by the shortage of skilled labor.
Governance and Structural Transformation in Africa: Thresholds of Lifelong Gender Inclusive Education
Authors: Asongu Simplice A. , Bouanza Jean R. F. K. , Akpa Armand Fréjuis
Published: September 2024

The present research is focused on how lifelong gender inclusive education moderates the effect of governance on structural transformation. It is based on a sample of forty-one countries in Africa for the period 2004 to 2021 and the adopted empirical strategy is the generalized method of moments (GMM). The estimation exercise is tailored such that lifelong gender inclusive education is interacted with political (i.e., political stability/no violence and voice & accountability), economic (i.e., government effectiveness and regulatory quality) and institutional (i.e., corruption-control and the rule of law) governance dynamics in order to affect manufacturing value added. Lifelong gender inclusive education is understood as the combined knowledge acquired in terms of gender parity education in primary, secondary and tertiary schools. The following findings are established. (i) Gender inclusive lifelong learning does not effectively moderate political governance and associated components (i.e., political stability/no violence and voice & accountability) as well as institutional governance and associated components (i.e., corruption-control and the rule of law) in order to improve manufacturing value added. (ii) Gender inclusive lifelong learning effectively moderates economic governance and associated dimensions (i.e., government effectiveness and regulatory quality) to improve manufacturing value added. However, only the thresholds corresponding to government effectiveness and economic governance are within policy range. Robustness of the findings is broadly confirmed, especially within the remits of additional elements in the conditioning information set and general governance. Policy implications are discussed.
A spirit of service in liberal arts education: the legacy from China’s former Christian universities and the influence of contrasting social contexts
Authors: Mou Leping
Published: September 2024

Liberal arts education in Chinese higher education can be traced back to the liberal arts tradition that existed in China’s former Christian universities prior to the 1950s. The mission and goal of liberal arts education in Chinese contexts focuses on cultivating whole persons to serve their societies. Using data from documents and interviews, the study examines the liberal arts tradition for developing whole persons with a spirit of service in China’s former Christian universities. It also explores to what extent the legacy has been carried on to the development of liberal arts education in contemporary universities in Chinese societies (Mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan). The study provides insight into how some elements of whole person development from faith-based education could contribute to today’s higher education reform in terms of the goals of global citizen cultivation.
Crystallization Modulation and Holistic Passivation Enables Efficient Two-Terminal Perovskite/CuIn(Ga)Se2 Tandem Solar Cells
Authors: Geng Cong , Zhang Kuanxiang , Wang Changhua , Wu Chung Hsien , Jiang Jiwen , Long Fei , Han Liyuan , Han Qifeng , Cheng Yi-Bing , Peng Yong
Published: September 2024

Two-terminal (2-T) perovskite (PVK)/CuIn(Ga)Se2 (CIGS) tandem solar cells (TSCs) have been considered as an ideal tandem cell because of their best bandgap matching regarding to Shockley–Queisser (S–Q) limits. However, the nature of the irregular rough morphology of commercial CIGS prevents people from improving tandem device performances. In this paper, D-homoserine lactone hydrochloride is proven to improve coverage of PVK materials on irregular rough CIGS surfaces and also passivate bulk defects by modulating the growth of PVK crystals. In addition, the minority carriers near the PVK/C60 interface and the incompletely passivated trap states caused interface recombination. A surface reconstruction with 2-thiopheneethylammonium iodide and N,N-dimethylformamide assisted passivates the defect sites located at the surface and grain boundaries. Meanwhile, LiF is used to create this field effect, repelling hole carriers away from the PVK and C60 interface and thus reducing recombination. As a result, a 2-T PVK/CIGS tandem yielded a power conversion efficiency of 24.6% (0.16 cm2), one of the highest results for 2-T PVK/CIGS TSCs to our knowledge. This validation underscores the potential of our methodology in achieving superior performance in PVK/CIGS tandem solar cells.
Low-Temperature Oxidation Induced Phase Evolution with Gradient Magnetic Heterointerfaces for Superior Electromagnetic Wave Absorption
Authors: He Zizhuang , Shi Lingzi , Sun Ran , Ding Lianfei , He Mukun , Li Jiaming , Guo Hua , Gao Tiande , Liu Panbo
Published: September 2024

Gradient magnetic heterointerfaces have injected infinite vitality in optimizing impedance matching, adjusting dielectric/magnetic resonance and promoting electromagnetic (EM) wave absorption, but still exist a significant challenging in regulating local phase evolution. Herein, accordion-shaped Co/Co3O4@N-doped carbon nanosheets (Co/Co3O4@NC) with gradient magnetic heterointerfaces have been fabricated via the cooperative high-temperature carbonization and low-temperature oxidation process. The results indicate that the surface epitaxial growth of crystal Co3O4 domains on local Co nanoparticles realizes the adjustment of magnetic-heteroatomic components, which are beneficial for optimizing impedance matching and interfacial polarization. Moreover, gradient magnetic heterointerfaces simultaneously realize magnetic coupling, and long-range magnetic diffraction. Specifically, the synthesized Co/Co3O4@NC absorbents display the strong electromagnetic wave attenuation capability of − 53.5 dB at a thickness of 3.0 mm with an effective absorption bandwidth of 5.36 GHz, both are superior to those of single magnetic domains embedded in carbon matrix. This design concept provides us an inspiration in optimizing interfacial polarization, regulating magnetic coupling and promoting electromagnetic wave absorption.
The dark side of text-matching software: worries and counterproductive behaviour among European upper secondary school and bachelor students
Authors: Goddiksen Mads Paludan , Johansen Mikkel Willum , Armond Anna Catharina Vieira , Centa Mateja , Clavien Christine , Gefenas Eugenijus , Kovács Nóra , Merit Marcus Tang , Olsson I. Anna S. , Poškutė Margarita , Santos Júlio Borlido , Santos Rita , Strahovnik Vojko , Varga Orsolya , Wall P. J. , Sandøe Peter , Lund Thomas Bøker
Published: September 2024

Text-matching software (TMS) is a standard part of efforts to prevent and detect plagiarism in upper secondary and higher education. While there are many studies on the potential benefits of using this technology, few studies look into potential unintended side effects. These side effects include students worrying about being accused of plagiarism due to TMS output, even though they did not intentionally plagiarise. Although such worries are frequently mentioned in the literature, little is known about how prevalent they are, why they occur and how students react to them. This paper aims to fill this knowledge gap.

The data for the study comprise 36 interviews with upper secondary and Bachelor students from three European countries combined with survey data from 3,424 students from seven European countries representing a broad range of disciplines.

The study found that a substantial proportion of the two groups of students – 47% of upper secondary and 55% of Bachelor students – had experienced TMS-related worries during their current studies. Furthermore, there were substantial differences across countries. Students worry partly because they have a poor understanding of how TMS is used in their institution, and partly because they know that plagiarism is taken very seriously. The study shows that TMS-related worries can lead students to become very focused on not being caught plagiarising, to such an extent that some adopt citation practices that they believe are suboptimal.

The paper concludes that institutions using TMS should always combine it with training for students and teachers. Students should be clearly informed about how TMS is used and should develop an understanding of plagiarism and good citation practice that goes beyond the narrow focus on any overlap between texts elicited by the software.
Die Gefahr der Co-Radikalisierung: Wie sich Muslimfeindlichkeit und Islamismus in Deutschland wechselseitig verstärken
Authors: Öztürk Cemal , Pickel Susanne
Published: September 2024

Dieser Beitrag untersucht muslimfeindliche und islamistische Co-Radikalisierungsprozesse in Deutschland. Eine Auswertung der Leipziger Autoritarismus-Studie und einer Befragung unter Muslim*innen zeigt, dass zwischen einer gesteigerten Salienz der Eigengruppenzugehörigkeit und der Formation von antagonistischen Identitäten und Gewaltintentionen ein Zusammenhang besteht. In der deutschen Mehrheitsgesellschaft sind die Angst vor islamistischer Gewalt und Bedrohungswahrnehmungen gegenüber Muslim*innen nicht nur eng mit der Identifikation mit islamkritischen Gruppen verknüpft, sondern erhöhen die Bereitschaft, Gewalt und Gesetzesverstöße als legitime Handlungsoptionen und Mittel des gesellschaftlichen Wandels anzusehen. Ähnliche Muster zeichnen sich unter Muslim*innen ab, die sich vor Diskriminierung und rassistischer Gewalt fürchten und sich stark mit ihrer Eigengruppe identifizieren. Bei diesem Zusammenhang spielen spezifische Mediatoren eine Rolle. Unter Muslim*innen begünstigt die Salienz der Eigengruppenzugehörigkeit eine Hinwendung zu religiös-fundamentalistischen Auslegungen des Islam, die mit antisemitischen Ressentiments in Verbindung stehen und systemfeindliche Einstellungen fördern. Parallel begünstigen die Bedrohungswahrnehmungen in der Mehrheitsgesellschaft die Entstehung von antimuslimischen Vorurteilen und eine gesteigerte Empfänglichkeit für eine chauvinistische Variante des Nationalismus, die ebenfalls in einer Abwendung von der Demokratie münden können. Generell erweisen sich systemfeindlichen Einstellungen – die eine Absage an den normativen und rechtlichen Rahmen der Demokratie implizieren – als wirkmächtige Vorläufer einer gesteigerten Gewaltaffinität und eines gewaltbereiten Aktivismus. Diese empirischen Muster sprechen dafür, dass rechtsextreme und islamistische Radikalisierungen nicht isoliert betrachtet werden sollten, sondern als sich wechselseitig verstärkende Phänomene, die die demokratische politische Kultur gefährden und so eine Radikalisierung in die Gewalt wahrscheinlicher machen. Islamfeindliche und islamistische Radikalisierungsprozesse verleihen den Angst- und Viktimisierungsdiskursen des jeweilig verfeindeten Lagers einen Plausibilitätsgehalt und fördern so eine Co-Radikalisierung und möglicherweise eine Spirale der Gewalt.
(Two-scale) $$W^{1}L^{\Phi }$$-gradient Young measures and homogenization of integral functionals in Orlicz–Sobolev spaces
Authors: Fotso Tachago Joel , Nnang Hubert , Tchinda Franck , Zappale Elvira
Published: September 2024

(Two-scale) gradient Young measures in Orlicz–Sobolev setting are introduced and characterized providing also an integral representation formula for non convex energies arising in homogenization problems with nonstandard growth.
Southern Hemisphere baroclinic activity in seasonal forecasts
Authors: Trentini Laura , Calmanti Sandro , Dell’Aquila Alessandro , Gesso Sara Dal , Venturini Marco , Petitta Marcello
Published: September 2024

Accurate prediction of mid-latitude baroclinic activity is extremely relevant for understanding global climate dynamics and improving long-term weather forecasts. However, current seasonal forecast models struggle to accurately represent the variability of baroclinic activity in the Southern Hemisphere, which may affect their reliability and usefulness. Baroclinic instability in the mid-latitudes is a significant component of the climate system, as it is associated with the meridional transport of a large amount of energy and momentum. Therefore, the ability of the models to correctly predict the properties of the atmospheric circulation in this latitudinal region is a very important requirement. The aim of this study is to estimate the energy of atmospheric phenomena typical of the mid-latitudes, such as baroclinic perturbations, and to understand how seasonal forecasts can be practically used to assess the energy transfer in the atmosphere. We compare the Southern Hemisphere mid-latitude winter variability of the seasonal forecasts of the ECMWF, DWD and Météo France forecasting systems with the ERA5 reanalysis. The analysis is performed by computing the Hayashi spectra of the 500-hPa geopotential height field. Both the reanalysis and the seasonal forecast show a series of peaks in the spectral region of eastward-travelling waves, which corresponds to the high frequency and high wavenumber domain. We quantify the amount of energy released from the atmosphere by calculating the Baroclinic Amplitude Index. The results suggest that seasonal forecasts may not accurately capture the variability of geopotential height power spectra in the Southern Hemisphere, which poses a challenge in correctly distributing the energy over spatial and temporal dimensions. This study will show that this problem is particularly pronounced for wavenumber 4 over a period of 8 days. This misrepresentation likely contributes to the uncertainties in precipitation forecasting, with discrepancies exacerbated by a suboptimal description of baroclinic instability and dynamical components in the models. Our findings highlight the need for an improved representation of baroclinic processes in seasonal forecast models, which could lead to substantial advancements in long-term weather prediction capabilities and in a more complete understanding of climate dynamics.
Modelling the Interaction Between Incumbents and New Entrants with a Game Theory Approach: A Case Study of Public Transportation
Authors: Kahrizeh Ali Amiramini , Yazdi Amir Karbassi , Wanke Peter , Tan Yong , Hanne Thomas
Published: September 2024

The transformative influence of new entrants on industries and heightened competition underscores their significance. Mature companies, threatened by their entry, deploy multiple incentives to forestall market penetration. Conversely, consumers embrace fresh participants, creating a dichotomy in reactions. This has spawned escalated conflicts between mature firms and newcomers, rooted in the latter's market entry. This study navigates this landscape by delving into the strategies, preferences, and priorities of these actors, seeking stable equilibrium and reconciliation points for these conflicts. Employing thematic analysis, it distills options, feasible scenarios, and relative preferences of each stakeholder. These insights undergo scrutiny via the GMCR + decision support model. Among 21 conceivable scenarios, the study unveils three equilibria and a semi-stable state, suggesting mature companies recalibrate their stance to explore synergies with new entrants. This research offers a panoramic perspective on the intricate interactions between mature companies and new entrants, transcending the narrow confines of entry barriers.
Revisiting abdominal wall “morbidity” of the extensile anterolateral approach to the thoracolumbar spine
Authors: Theologis Alekos A. , Collins Andrew P. , Parhar Kanwar , Gupta Munish C.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To assess patients’ perceptions of their abdominal wall following extensile anterolateral approaches to the thoracolumbar spine for adult spinal deformity (ASD) using validated questionnaires.

Methods

Adults who underwent anterior–posterior thoracolumbar spinal operations to the pelvis for ASD in which the anterior fusion was performed through an extensile anterolateral approach were reviewed. Three questionnaires were administered at least 1 year following surgery and included The Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative Survey (AHS-QC), The Patient Scar Assessment Scale (PSAS), and The Anterior Abdominal Incision Questionnaire (AAIQ).

Results

Fifty-one patients (80.4% female, median age 65 years) were included. Average follow-up was 2.8 ± 1.7 years. Average number of anterior fusion levels was 3.5 ± 1.4. Patients achieved high satisfaction rates from surgery (74.5%). AAIQ responses included postoperative pain (33.3%), bulging (41.7%), and limitations in daily activities (18.8%) with only 15.7% experienced moderate–severe pain related to their incisions and only 6.3% seeking treatment for their scars. Post-operatively, 63.2% had a neutral or improved self-image of their torso and trunk, while only 10.2% stating it was much worse. Patients’ overall opinion of their scar compared to their normal skin was very positive [average 2.75 ± 2.93 (10 = worst possible scar)]. Favorable scores were also reported for color difference, stiffness, change in thickness, and irregularity in their abdominal scar compared to normal skin.

Conclusions

Following extensile anterolateral approaches to the thoracolumbar spine for ASD, the majority of patients reported mild pain, mild functional limitations, good cosmesis, and high satisfaction rates with their anterior incisions based on validated questionnaires.
Groups, Identity, and Redistributive Preferences in Canada
Authors: Borwein Sophie
Published: September 2024

Recent political developments in established democracies have renewed attention to the politics of identity. Some commentators have expressed concern that polities are fracturing along increasingly narrow social identity lines, in the process, losing their ability to build solidarity around shared commitments such as redistribution. This article takes stock of the strength of Canadian social identities and their consequences for redistributive preferences. It asks: first, which group memberships form the basis of Canadians’ perceptions of shared identity, and second, do these group memberships shape preferences for redistribution? This study answers these questions using two conjoint experiments that assess respondents’ perceptions of commonality and support for redistributing to hypothetical Canadians who vary on multiple dimensions of identity and need. Findings support that Canadians perceive greater shared identity with some of their groups (their social class) over others (their region or ascriptive identity), but that they overwhelmingly prioritize redistributing toward those who need it over those with whom they share group memberships.
Federalism and Settler Imperialism: Racial Regimes, Whiteness, and Conquest in Canadian Constitutionalism
Authors: Henderson Phil
Published: September 2024

In political science, federalism is often treated as an “antithesis” to empire. While Canadian Politics has recently become more attentive to the importance of ongoing settler colonialism as conditioning Canadian political life writ large, this has yet to induce a paradigm shift in understanding how the institutional logics of the state were established by, and in order to advance, colonial and imperial ends. This article contributes to this broader understanding by exploring how, in Canada, the federal arrangement congeals a constitutionalized whiteness that facilitates both the internal coherence of a settler class and its subsequent continental expansion. Attentive to the importance of this constitutional development within a world-spanning imperial context, this article also suggests that the simultaneous innovation of Dominion status contoured the early twentieth-century's global colour line, as self-determination was increasingly devolved to other white settler polities. The contradictory realities of these processes are also noted.
When the House is Not a Home: Assessing the Family-Friendliness of Canadian Legislatures
Authors: Johnstone Rachael
Published: September 2024

Calls for more family-friendly assemblies, specifically those able to accommodate representatives who are pregnant, postpartum or have young children, have become urgent in the last decade, as a mini-baby boom in the federal parliament and the provinces has called the inclusivity of legislatures into question. Drawing on interviews with legislative clerks, this article asks two questions: 1) Are Canadian legislatures family-friendly? And 2) what approaches to family-friendly legislatures emerge from policies and discussions within these legislatures? It identifies patterns both in the types of changes that are proposed and those which are actioned, finding that changes have leaned heavily on the least consequential improvements. Many calls for change continue to run up against structural challenges that have been, thus far, ignored. Although legislatures are more family-friendly than in previous decades, this article argues that the future of inclusive parliaments hinges on a broad rethinking of the parliamentary role.
Qui paie gagne. Égalité démocratique, inégalités économiques et financement électoral au Canada
Authors: Turmel Patrick , Robichaud David , Mossu Sacha-Emmanuel
Published: September 2024

Les instruments auxquels un État peut avoir recours pour atténuer les risques que font peser les inégalités économiques sur la démocratie sont nombreux et peuvent prendre différentes formes. Dans cet article, nous cherchons à mettre en lumière la dimension normative des trois principaux instruments auxquels on a généralement recours pour mitiger l'influence de l'argent dans la compétition électorale, ainsi que le contexte dans lequel ils furent institués, remodelés – et parfois démantelés – au Canada. Ces trois mécanismes sont la limitation des dépenses électorales, le plafonnement des contributions privées et le financement public des partis. Il ne s'agit toutefois pas uniquement de décrire ces instruments, mais de réfléchir aux justifications normatives spécifiques à chacun, et d'en comprendre leur complémentarité. Plus largement, il s'agit d'offrir un cadre pour penser les enjeux de financement électoral en philosophie politique, un sujet trop souvent laissé dans l'ombre par la théorie démocratique.
Generation of Field‐Aligned Currents in Response to Sudden Enhancement of Solar Wind Dynamic Pressure
Authors: Zhang Tian , Ebihara Yusuke , Tanaka Takashi
Published: September 2024

We investigated the generation of field‐aligned currents (FACs) in response to the sudden enhancement of the solar wind dynamic pressure by tracing backward in time a packet of the Alfvén wave in the global magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) simulation. The generation region is identified from three perspectives, including the continuity of the current, the energy conservation and the time rate of change in the FACs. The generation mechanism is found to be related with the tailward motion of the compressional wave, which is excited when the magnetopause is compressed due to the solar wind dynamic pressure pulse. The compressional wave with a high magnetic pressure center interacts with the Earth's dipole field and forms a protruding part of the wavefront near the equatorial plane. The leading edge of the merged magnetic pressure that pertains to the compressional wave and the Earth starts to generate preliminary impulse (PI) FACs off the equator, as the magnetic pressure force accelerates the plasma and magnetic field lines are bent (FAC dynamo 1). Main impulse (MI) FACs are generated behind the leading edge in the equatorial plane due to the enhanced magnetic tension force (FAC dynamo 2). Magnetic field lines would be extremely curved during the passage due to the increasing magnetic tension force. The polarity of PI FACs is decided by the parallel vorticity of plasma flow, and MI FACs are the result of enhanced perpendicular currents together with the plasma flow in the equatorial plane.
The IDH1-R132H mutation aggravates cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury by promoting ferroptosis through disrupting NDUFA1 and FSP1 interaction
Authors: Lai Kunmei , Chen Zhimin , Lin Siyi , Ye Keng , Yuan Ying , Li Guoping , Song Yankun , Ma Huabin , Mak Tak W. , Xu Yanfang
Published: September 2024

The IDH1-R132H mutation is implicated in the development of various tumors. Whether cisplatin, a common chemotherapeutic agent, induces more significant renal toxicity in individuals with the IDH1-R132H mutation remains unclear. In this study, we observed that the IDH1-R132H mutation exacerbates mitochondrial lipid peroxidation and dysfunction in renal tubules, rendering the kidneys more susceptible to cisplatin-induced ferroptosis. The IDH1-R132H mutation increases methylation of the Ndufa1 promoter, thereby suppressing NDUFA1 transcription and translation. This suppression disrupts NDUFA1’s interaction with FSP1, reducing its resistance to cisplatin-induced tubular epithelial cell death. As a consequence, ROS accumulates, lipid peroxidation occurs, and ferroptosis is triggered, thereby promoting acute kidney injury. In summary, this study elucidates a novel mechanism underlying cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity and provides valuable insights for the development of personalized treatment strategies for tumor patients carrying the IDH1-R132H mutation.
Properties of risk aversion estimated from portfolio weights
Authors: Grant Andrew , Kwon Oh Kang , Satchell Steve
Published: September 2024

While risk tolerance is often elicited using questionnaire-based instruments, in this paper, we evaluate the merits of an inversion-based technique, wherein risk aversion parameters are inferred from an individual’s portfolio holdings and a sequence of realized returns. We obtain expressions for the finite sample and asymptotic variance of the estimated risk aversion parameter under the inversion approach with a single risky asset, demonstrating that confidence intervals for parameter estimates are relatively wide. Extending the analysis, we show that inferring risk aversion from multiple risky assets does not typically serve to reduce the estimated parameter variance, but rather propagates estimation error.
Potential threats and habitat of the night parrot on the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area
Authors: Sunfly Clifford , Schubert Andrew , Reid Angela M. , Leseberg Nicholas , Parker Luke , Paltridge Rachel
Published: September 2024

Context The Endangered night parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is one of the rarest birds in Australia, with fewer than 20 known to occur in Queensland and, prior to 2020, only occasional detections from a handful of sites in Western Australia (WA). Here, we provide an introduction to night parrots on the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area (IPA) in WA from the perspectives of both Indigenous rangers and scientists working together to understand their ecology. Aims We aimed to identify night parrot sites on the Ngururrpa IPA, compare habitat and likely threats with those in Queensland and identify appropriate management practices. Methods Between 2020 and 2023, we used songmeters (a type of acoustic recorder) to survey for the presence of night parrots at 31 sites (>2 km apart). At sites where parrots were detected, we used camera-traps to survey predators and collected predator scats for dietary analysis. Forty years of Landsat images were examined to assess the threat of fire to roosting habitat. Key results Night parrots were detected at 17 of the 31 sites surveyed on the Ngururrpa IPA. Positive detections were within an area that spanned 160 km from north to south and 90 km from east to west. Ten roosting areas were identified, and these occurred in habitat supporting the same species of spinifex (lanu lanu or bull spinifex, Triodia longiceps) used for roosting in Queensland. However, the surrounding landscapes differ in their vegetation types and inherent flammability, indicating that fire is likely to be a more significant threat to night parrots in the Great Sandy Desert than in Queensland. Dingoes (Canis dingo) were the predator species detected most frequently in night parrot roosting habitat and the feral cat was found to be a staple prey for dingoes at night parrot sites. Conclusions Our surveys indicated that there could be at least 50 night parrots on the Ngururrpa IPA, which is the largest known population in the world. Fire is a key threat to roosting habitat, occurring in the surrounding sandplain country every 6–10 years. Dingoes are common in night parrot habitat and regularly eat feral cats, which are only occasionally detected in roosting habitat. Implications We recommend management that focuses on strategic burning to reduce fuel loads in the surrounding landscape, and limiting predator control to methods that do not harm dingoes.
Theoretical study of particle and energy balance equations in locally bounded plasmas
Authors: JUN Hyun-Su , TSANG Yat Fung , YOO Jae Ok , SINGH Navab
Published: September 2024

In this study, new particle and energy balance equations have been developed to predict the electron temperature and density in locally bounded plasmas. Classical particle and energy balance equations assume that all plasma within a reactor is completely confined only by the reactor walls. However, in industrial plasma reactors for semiconductor manufacturing, the plasma is partially confined by internal reactor structures. We predict the effect of the open boundary area (

) and ion escape velocity (

) on electron temperature and density by developing new particle and energy balance equations. Theoretically, we found a low ion escape velocity (

/

) and high open boundary area (

) to result in an approximately 38% increase in electron density and an 8% decrease in electron temperature compared to values in a fully bounded reactor. Additionally, we suggest that the velocity of ions passing through the open boundary should exceed

under the condition

.
Association Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Trend of Age-Related Rise in Arterial Stiffness in Individuals With and Without Hypertension or Diabetes
Authors: Jae Sae Young , Lee Kyung Hyun , Kim Hyun Jeong , Kunutsor Setor K , Pierce Gary L , Hui Stanley Sai-Chuen , Kang Mira
Published: September 2024

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate whether higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) can modify the trend of age-related rise in arterial stiffness in individuals with and without hypertension (HTN) or diabetes.

METHODS

The study included 4,935 participants who underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing with respiratory gas analysis in a health screening program. CRF was directly measured using peak oxygen uptake during the cardiopulmonary exercise test, while arterial stiffness was evaluated using brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV).

RESULTS

Participants with high CRF levels had significantly lower baPWV compared with those with low CRF levels, regardless of HTN or diabetes status (P < 0.05). The trend of baPWV increased with age, but the rate of age-related increase in baPWV was lower in individuals with moderate-to-high CRF levels compared with those with low CRF levels, regardless of HTN or diabetes status. Joint association analysis indicated that the trend of age-related increase in baPWV was the lowest in fit individuals without HTN or diabetes compared with unfit individuals with HTN or diabetes (P < 0.01). However, the trend of age-related increase in baPWV was not attenuated in fit with HTN or diabetes compared with unfit with HTN or diabetes.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that higher CRF levels may mitigate the trend of age-related rise in arterial stiffness in individuals with and without HTN or diabetes. However, this attenuating trend appears more pronounced in individuals without HTN or diabetes.
Functional landscape of genome-wide postzygotic somatic mutations between monozygotic twins
Authors: Yamamoto Kenichi , Lee Yoko , Masuda Tatsuo , Ozono Keiichi , Iwatani Yoshinori , Watanabe Mikio , Okada Yukinori , Sakai Norio
Published: September 2024

Monozygotic (MZ) twins originate from a single fertilized egg, making them genetically identical at the time of conception. However, postzygotic somatic mutations (PZMs) can introduce genetic differences after separation. Although whole-genome sequencing (WGS) sheds light on somatic mutations in cancer genomics, its application in genomic studies of MZ twins remains limited. In this study, we investigate PZMs in 30 healthy MZ twin pairs from the Osaka University Center for Twin Research using WGS (average depth = 23.8) and a robust germline-calling algorithm. We find high genotype concordance rates (exceeding 99%) in MZ twins. We observe an enrichment of PZMs with variant allele frequency around 0.5 in twins with highly concordant genotypes. These PZMs accumulate more frequently in non-coding regions compared with protein-coding regions, which could potentially influence gene expression. No significant association is observed between the number of PZMs and age or sex. Direct sequencing confirms a missense mutation in the ANKRD35 gene among the PZMs. By applying a genome-wide mutational signature pattern technique, we detect an age-related clock-like signature in these early postzygotic somatic mutations in MZ twins. Our study provides insights that contribute to a deeper understanding of genetic variation in MZ twins.
Etrasimod Corticosteroid-Free Efficacy, Impact of Concomitant Corticosteroids on Efficacy and Safety, and Corticosteroid-Sparing Effect in UC: Analyses of the ELEVATE UC Clinical Programme
Authors: Sands Bruce E , Leung Yvette , Rubin David T , Gecse Krisztina B , Panés Julian , Goetsch Martina , Wang Wenjin , Woolcott John C , Smith Christina C , Wosik Karolina , Schreiber Stefan
Published: September 2024

Background

Etrasimod is an oral, once-daily, selective sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)1,4,5 receptor modulator for the treatment of moderately to severely active ulcerative colitis (UC). This post hoc analysis reports efficacy and safety by baseline corticosteroid use in the ELEVATE UC clinical programme.

Methods

Patients with UC received etrasimod 2 mg or placebo for up to 52 weeks. Corticosteroid use was permitted; tapering was recommended from Week 12. Efficacy was assessed at Weeks 12 and 52 in ELEVATE UC 52, and Week 12 in ELEVATE UC 12, in patients in the corticosteroid (CS) and no-CS subgroups. CS-free efficacy at Week 52 was assessed in patients with baseline CS use.

Results

In ELEVATE UC 52 and ELEVATE UC 12, 93/289 (32.2%) and 65/238 (27.3%) patients receiving etrasimod and 42/144 (29.2%) and 34/116 (29.3%) patients receiving placebo, respectively, had concomitant CS use at baseline. In the CS and no-CS subgroups, higher proportions of patients who received etrasimod vs placebo achieved clinical remission (p < 0.05) in ELEVATE UC 52 at Weeks 12 (CS: 32.3% vs 16.7%; no-CS: 26.0% vs 4.9%) and 52 (CS: 31.2% vs 9.5%; no-CS: 33.2% vs 6.9%). In the CS subgroup, significantly more patients receiving etrasimod than placebo achieved CS-free clinical remission at Week 52 (31.2% vs 7.1%). No increases in infection rates were observed with baseline CS use. Safety was comparable between subgroups.

Conclusions

Etrasimod demonstrated efficacy in inducing and maintaining remission in both subgroups. CSfree remission was achieved in the CS subgroup. Safety was consistent, with no increase in infections.
Improving EFL students’ multimodal literacy through infographics
Authors: Carcamo Benjamin , Carmona Carmen
Published: September 2024

Given the importance of multimodality in the twenty-first century and its relevance to second language acquisition, this study aimed to assess the impact of a multimodal literacy intervention on the reading comprehension of authentic multimodal texts. The participants were EFL students enrolled in a college undergraduate translation and interpretation programme, who were divided into two groups: one serving as the control group and the other as the intervention one. The intervention, based on established multimodal instruction frameworks, utilized five handouts and lasted seven weeks. Before and after the intervention a test assessing participants’ reading comprehension was administered. The results indicated a significant increase in reading scores for both groups; however, the intervention group exhibited a more substantial improvement. Additionally, the qualitative data analysis showed that students in the intervention group valued learning about concepts related to multimodality and thought that learning about multimodality helped them become better translators.
Research on thermal comfort and energy efficiency in office buildings with high window-to-wall ratios: a case study in Qingdao
Authors: Hao Weihao , Sohn Dong-Wook
Published: September 2024

High window-to-wall ratios (WWRs) are commonly used in office buildings, yet their effects on thermal comfort and energy consumption are not fully understood. This study uses TRNSYS software to analyze the thermal environment of buildings with varying WWRs (0%–100%) in Qingdao. The findings show that as WWRs increase, the average monthly maximum temperatures (Tmax) rise between 1.33°C and 5.62°C. Middle floors (F2–F3) are consistently warmer than the ground (F1) and top floors (F4). In summer, higher WWRs (>60%) significantly reduce the prevalence of extremely high temperatures (>37°C) by 0.64% to 11.29%. High WWRs also improve nocturnal heat dissipation, increasing the percentage of temperatures within the thermal comfort range and reducing heating loads by 0.62% to 1.08%. Implementing shading facilities during summer further enhances thermal comfort and energy efficiency in buildings with high WWRs.
The development and experience of international carbon tax policy practice: a mini review
Authors: Qiao Kui , Feng Ziyue , Sun Haitao , Li Hanwen , Su Peng
Published: September 2024

As an environmental tax, carbon tax aims to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable development through economic means. Internationally, the carbon tax has gone through stages such as independent operation, slow growth, and coordination with carbon trading. The practices of carbon tax in countries like Switzerland demonstrate that carbon tax contributes to the ‘green tax shift’ between climate improvement and reduced income tax. However, the development of carbon tax has been slow in developing countries, and there is a lack of international carbon tax dispute adjustment mechanisms. This article provides an overview of the development of carbon tax systems and proposes guiding principles for the establishment of China's carbon tax system: the imposition of carbon tax in China should adopt supplementary and progressive policies, first integrating it into environmental protection taxes, and then gradually transitioning to an independent carbon tax category. It is also crucial to set carbon tax revenue elements reasonably, such as tax rates, tax bases, and tax incentives. Meanwhile, China should actively participate in international coordination on carbon tax relations to jointly address the challenges of climate change. Through the imposition and implementation of carbon tax, China could achieve its goals of peaking carbon emissions and achieving carbon neutrality, thus promoting green and low-carbon development.
Study on life-cycle carbon emission factors of electricity in China
Authors: Zhang Qiyu , Qiao Kui , Hu Congan , Su Peng , Cheng Ouyang , Yan Na , Yan Luhui
Published: September 2024

As China’s largest carbon-emitting sector, the power sector has been the subject of extensive attention from relevant scholars and organizations. As China’s most widely used secondary energy source, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity often account for a significant share of total corporate or product carbon emissions. In this study, we calculated the life-cycle carbon emission factors of China’s electric power based on the ISO 14067 and PAS 2050 standards and the current development of China’s power generation industry in recent years. This study makes a preliminary prediction of China’s electricity life-cycle carbon emission factors in 2025 and 2030. The results show that the life-cycle carbon emission factors of China’s thermal, solar, hydro, wind, and nuclear power generation are 0.9976 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$, 0.0142 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$, 0.0188 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$, 0.0100 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$, and 0.0122 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$, respectively, and ultimately obtain the life-cycle carbon emission factors for China’s comprehensive electricity footprint is 0.6835 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$. Thermal power generation has a much larger carbon emission factors than other power generation modes, tens to nearly a hundred times larger than other power generation modes and contributes more than 90% of the carbon emission factors of China’s comprehensive electricity footprint; among the remaining modes of power generation, wind power generation have relatively small carbon emission factors. The predicted carbon emission factors for China’s electric power in 2025 and 2030 are 0.6144 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$ and 0.5154 ${\textsf{tCO}}_2\textsf{e}/\textsf{MWh}$, respectively. This study improves the accuracy of accounting for product carbon emission factors and provides data references to peer organizations, enterprises, and the government to carry out product carbon emission factors accounting.
Laparoscopic versus open colectomy for locally advanced colon cancer in obese patients: a nationwide, multicenter, propensity score-based analysis of short- and long-term outcomes
Authors: Nakajima Kentaro , Akagi Tomonori , Kono Yohei , Shiroshita Hidefumi , Ohyama Tetsuji , Saito Shuji , Kagawa Yoshinori , Nakamura Takatoshi , Ohnuma Shinobu , Kojima Yutaka , Inomata Masafumi , Yamamoto Seiichiro , Naitoh Takeshi , Sakai Yoshiharu , Watanabe Masahiko ,   Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Published: September 2024

Objective

This study evaluated the short-and long-term outcomes of laparoscopic colectomy versus open surgery in obese patients (body mass index ≥25 kg/m2) with locally advanced colon cancer to ascertain the non-inferiority of laparoscopic surgery to open surgery.

Methods

In this large cohort study (UMIN-ID: UMIN000033529), we retrospectively reviewed prospectively collected data from consecutive patients who underwent laparoscopic or open surgery for pathological stage II–III colon cancer between 2009 and 2013. A comparative analysis was performed after propensity score matching between the laparoscopic and open surgery groups. The primary endpoint was the 3-year relapse-free survival (RFS).

Results

We identified 1575 eligible patients from 46 institutions. Each group comprised 526 propensity score-matched patients. Comparing the laparoscopic versus open surgery group, laparoscopic surgery was significantly associated with increased median operating time (225 vs. 192.5 min; P < .0001) and decreased median estimated blood loss (20 vs. 140 ml; P < .0001). Lymph node retrieval (20 vs. 19; P = 0.4392) and postoperative complications (4.6% vs. 5.7%; P = 0.4851) were similar, postoperative hospital stay was shorter (10 vs. 12 days; P < .0001), and the 3-year RFS rates were similar (82.8 vs. 81.2%). The hazard ratio (HR) for relapse-free survival for laparoscopic versus open surgery was 0.927 (90% confidence interval [CI], 0.747–1.150, one-sided P for non-inferiority = .001), indicating that for obese patients with colon cancer, laparoscopic surgery was non-inferior to open surgery.

Conclusion

Laparoscopic surgery in obese patients with colon cancer offers advantages in terms of short-term outcomes and no disadvantages in terms of long-term outcomes.