bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zero-knowledge proofs for set membership: efficient, succinct, modular
Authors: Benarroch Daniel , Campanelli Matteo , Fiore Dario , Gurkan Kobi , Kolonelos Dimitris 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe consider the problem of proving in zero knowledge that an element of a public set satisfies a given property without disclosing the element, i.e., for someu, “$$u \in S$$u∈SandP(u) holds”. This problem arises in many applications (anonymous cryptocurrencies, credentials or whitelists) where, for privacy or anonymity reasons, it is crucial to hide certain data while ensuring properties of such data. We design newmodularandefficientconstructions for this problem through newcommit-and-prove zero-knowledge systems for set membership, i.e. schemes proving$$u \in S$$u∈Sfor a valueuthat is in a public commitment$$c_u$$cu. We also extend our results to supportnon-membership proofs, i.e. proving$$u \notin S$$u∉S. Being commit-and-prove, our solutions can act as plug-and-play modules in statements of the form “$$u \in S$$u∈SandP(u) holds” by combining our set (non-)membership systems with any other commit-and-prove scheme forP(u). Also, they work with Pedersen commitments over prime order groups which makes them compatible with popular systems such as Bulletproofs or Groth16. We implemented our schemes as a software library, and tested experimentally their performance. Compared to previous work that achieves similar properties—the clever techniques combining zkSNARKs and Merkle Trees in Zcash—our solutions offer more flexibility, shorter public parameters and$$3.7 \times $$3.7×–$$30\times $$30×faster proving time for a set of size$$2^{64}$$264.
Modeling Complex Concentration-Discharge Relationships with Generalized Additive Models
Authors: von Brömssen Claudia , Fölster Jens , Kyllmar Katarina , Bieroza Magdalena 
Published: July 2023

AbstractConcentration-discharge relationships in water chemical time series can provide important insights into sources, mobilization, and delivery of solutes and particulates into stream networks. The observed relationships are often complex, including nonlinear and hysteretic patterns reflecting seasonal, climatic, and land management changes in biogeochemical release and hydrological transport of solutes and particulates to streams. Using standard single concentration-discharge (c-q) slopes can obscure this wealth of information. In this study, we suggest a new approach using generalized additive models for evaluation of complexc-qpatterns in low-frequency water quality data (only monthly or biweekly observations). We used these models to estimatec-qslopes together with their uncertainty, to provide evidence of changes inc-qbehaviors and their controls. We estimatedc-qslopes for a selection of Swedish streams and evaluated their nonlinear, seasonal, and temporal structure as indicators of changing hydrological or biochemical drivers.
Simulating Evacuation of Humanitarian Settlements
Authors: Kuligowski Erica D. , Gwynne Steve M. V. , Xie Hui , Westbury Aaron , Antonellis Danielle , Pongratz Christine 
Published: July 2023

AbstractInformal settlements and settlements of displaced communities (e.g., humanitarian settlements) provide crucial shelter for people, including those negatively impacted by natural hazards and human-caused crises. However, these settlements are also prone to fire as a ‘secondary incident’. This occurrence can be influenced by the use of flammable materials in the building construction and unsafe fire and electricity practices given the harsh and sudden conditions faced (along with pre-existing economic hardship). Humanitarian practitioners and agencies are increasingly recognizing the importance of addressing the fire safety problem in humanitarian settlements, with a particular focus on community evacuation. This article presents a new method to assess the safety of the areas involved and explores the use of a pedestrian simulation model (Pathfinder), to conduct evacuation analysis in an example settlement given the occurrence of a fire. The goal is to demonstrate the potential for such applications and provide a foundation from which such an application might be formalized and tested across representative scenarios. The Pathfinder tool is widely used in the fire safety community for building evacuations. It is applied here on a larger scale, although examining the same core evacuation factors. The impact of four key factors on evacuation performance is examined (i.e., density, pre-travel delays, route choice, and restricted routes), based on a case study of the community within the Kutupalong refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh. Study results show that Pathfinder provides insights into evacuation outcomes during settlement fires despite the complexity involved in creating the simulation model. The results also show that the evacuation times produced were sensitive to the four conditions tested and that the prolonged evacuation times resulting from these conditions could lead to serious consequences to settlement residents, especially in cases with fast moving fires. Of course, the accuracy of such estimates is reliant on the data available and the assumptions made to configure the model. However, we have demonstrated that the simulation tool can cope with the scenarios examined and provide insights into the evacuation dynamics produced—establishing the potential of such a tool and the value of more rigorous examination.
Modelling Charring and Burning of Spruce and Pine Woods During Pyrolysis, Smoldering and Flaming
Authors: Rinta-Paavola Aleksi , Sukhomlinov Dmitry , Hostikka Simo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe goal of this work is to develop a material model for Norway spruce and Scots pine woods for use in performance-based fire safety design to predict char front progress and heat release in burning timber. For both woods a set of two different models is estimated: one that assumes wood as a single component and another that considers the pyrolysis of wood principal components independently (single and parallel reactions models, respectively). The material models are calibrated using cone calorimeter experiments. The models are intended for a number of different fire scenarios, such as fully developed fire with only little oxygen in the compartment, or the decay period after flaming with exposed char still smoldering. For both spruce and pine, the single and parallel reactions models are able to predict the experiments in the scale of cone calorimeter with near-equal accuracy. Hence, the single reaction model emerges as the preferable level of complexity when modelling charring and heat release, avoiding the increased uncertainty associated with the additional parameters of the parallel reactions model. When scaling up to the simulations of large scale fire tests, the models can predict the char front progress, but the final temperature profile differs from the experimental. The effects of crack forming in the char layer is one of the likely causes, but its mechanisms are not sufficiently known. Therefore, we suggest a closer study on crack formation in wood under fire as future research.
The treaty management organization established under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement: an international actor in its own right?
Authors: Gehring Thomas , Spielmann Linda 
Published: July 2023

AbstractA peculiar treaty management organization operates under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement that does not fit established categories of international law and political science. Unlike traditional international organizations (IOs), it lacks the formal status of an IO, comprises only a limited secretariat with predominantly servicing functions, and is not even denominated as an organization. We argue that it has nevertheless become an international actor, mainly due to activities of its Conference of the Parties and several specialized organizational schemes.Theoretically, we develop an analytical framework that shows how even heavily member-dominated IOs can become international actors and what this means for global environmental governance. IOs gain the capability to influence international politics by their own action if authorized to make decisions with external effects. They gain autonomy if organizational rules and procedures shape organizational decision-making and create specific organizational rationales.Empirically, we demonstrate that the organizational component of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement has acquired both considerable action capability and autonomy. It is authorized to flesh out the skeletal provisions of the constituent treaties through far-reaching COP decisions and to decide continuously in several specialized organizational schemes, especially on climate funding, cooperation mechanisms, and compliance management. Organizational decisions are heavily influenced by autonomy-creating organizational factors, such as path dependence, fundamental organizational norms and dense sets of decision criteria. We conclude that this organization, and the organizational components of other multilateral environmental agreements, point at important organizational effects, which merit further attention.
Dilated superior ophthalmic vein: systemic associations
Authors: Rana Khizar , Juniat Valerie , Slattery James , Patel Sandy , Selva Dinesh 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To review systemic associations of patients with dilated superior ophthalmic veins (SOV) in the absence of orbital, cavernous sinus, or neurological disease.

Methods
Retrospective review of patients who had dilated SOVs with a diameter of ≥ 5.0 mm. Patients with a dilated SOV secondary to orbital, cavernous sinus or neurological disease were excluded. Patient demographics, past medical history, and SOV diameters on initial and follow up scans were collected. The maximum diameter of the SOV was taken perpendicular to the long axis of the SOV.

Results
Nine cases were identified. Patients ranged in age from 58 to 89 years and six out of nine were female. The dilated SOV involved both eyes in two cases, left eye in five cases and right eye in two cases. Three patients had dilated SOV likely secondary to raised venous pressures from decompensated right heart failure (n = 1), pericardial effusion (n = 1) and left ventricle dysfunction secondary to a myocardial infarction (n = 1). Five patients had a significant history of previous ischaemic heart or peripheral vascular disease. Two patients had risk factors for venous clotting disease whilst one patient had a history of giant cell arteritis and vertebral artery dissection.

Conclusion
A dilated SOV may raise concern for life threatening conditions such as a carotid cavernous fistula and may prompt additional investigations. A dilated SOV may be reversible and secondary to raised venous pressures due to cardiac failure. Other cases may be seen in patients with significant cardiovascular risk factors, possibly due to changes in vasculature.
The Economic Context of Higher Education Expansion: Race, Gender, and Household Finances Across Cohorts and Generations
Authors: Quadlin Natasha , Conwell Jordan A. , Rouhani Shiva 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis article assesses how the economic context of higher education expansion since the mid-20th century has shaped families’ financial lives—in terms of income and wealth/debt—as well as how these trends have differed for Black and White women and men. We use data from the NLSY-79 (comprising trailing-edge Baby Boomers) and NLSY-97 (comprising early Millennials) to show how academically similar students in these two cohorts fared in terms of educational attainment, household income, household wealth, and total student debt accrued by age 35. While we discuss findings across race-gender groups, our results call attention to the education-related economic disadvantages faced by Black women that have accelerated across cohorts. Over time, Black women’s educational attainment has increased substantially, and high-achieving Black women, in particular, have become uniquely likely to progress beyond the BA. But while high-achieving Black women have made many advances in higher education, they also have become more likely than similarly high-achieving White men, White women, and Black men to have zero or negative wealth at the household level, and to accrue student debt for themselves and for their children. Our findings demonstrate that the costs of expanded access to credit for higher education have not been borne equally across race, gender, and achievement, and that these patterns have multigenerational financial consequences for college attendees and their families.
Y4O2(CN2)3Cl2, Its Relation to the Metal-Rich Y2Cl3, and the Photoluminescence of Y4O2(CN2)3Cl2:Ce
Authors: Brand Catharina-Darine , Ströbele Markus , Enseling David , Jüstel Thomas , Meyer H.-Jürgen 
Published: July 2023

AbstractY4O2(CN2)3Cl2 and some isotypic rare earth (RE) carbodiimides RE4O2(CN2)3Cl2 (RE = Sm, Gd, Tb) were prepared by solid-state metathesis reaction between RECl3, REOCl and Li2CN2. The crystal structure of Y4O2(CN2)3Cl2 was solved and refined from single-crystal XRD data with the monocline space group C2/m. Homologous compounds with RE = Sm, Gd, Tb were assigned isotypically by means of XRD powder diffraction. The structure of Y4O2(CN2)3Cl2 is characterized by one-dimensional cluster chains which are showing a striking resemblance to the trans-edge bridging RE6-octahedra in the structures of Y2Cl3, β-Y2Cl3N, and RE2N(CN2)Cl, despite different numbers of cluster electrons. Crystals of RE4O2(CN2)3Cl2 appear as transparent rods. The presence of (NCN)2− ions is confirmed by infrared spectroscopy. Y4O2(CN2)3Cl2, doped with Ce3+ is a photoluminescent material that is showing an emission band in the orange region (λ = 550 nm) of the visible spectrum.
Deciphering Stromal Changes between Metastatic and Non-metastatic Canine Mammary Carcinomas
Authors: Ettlin Julia , Bauer Alina , Opitz Lennart , Malbon Alexandra , Markkanen Enni 
Published: July 2023

AbstractCancer-associated stroma (CAS) is widely recognized to influence development and progression of epithelial tumours including breast cancer. Canine mammary tumours (CMTs) such as simple canine mammary carcinomas represent valuable models for human breast cancer also with respect to stromal reprogramming. However, it remains unclear whether and how CAS changes in metastatic tumours compared to non-metastatic ones. To characterize stromal changes between metastatic and non-metastatic CMTs and identify potential drivers of tumour progression, we analysed CAS and matched normal stroma from 16 non-metastatic and 15 metastatic CMTs by RNA-sequencing of microdissected FFPE tissue. We identified 1438 differentially regulated genes between CAS and normal stroma, supporting previous results demonstrating stromal reprogramming in CMTs to be comparable with CAS in human breast cancer and validating deregulation of pathways and genes associated with CAS. Using primary human fibroblasts activated by treatment with TGFβ, we demonstrate some of the strongest expression changes to be conserved in fibroblasts across species. Furthermore, we identify 132 differentially expressed genes between CAS from metastatic and non-metastatic tumours, with strong changes in pathways including chemotaxis, regulation of apoptosis, immune response and TGFβ signalling and validate deregulation of several targets using RT-qPCR. Finally, we identify specific upregulation of COL6A5, F5, GALNT3, CIT and MMP11 in metastatic CAS, suggesting high stromal expression of these targets to be linked to malignancy and metastasis of CMTs. In summary, our data present a resource supporting further research into stromal changes of the mammary gland in relation to metastasis with implications for both canine and human mammary cancer.
Prompt gamma rays from fast neutron induced reactions on cerium and chlorine
Authors: Ophoven Niklas , Ilic Zeljko , Mauerhofer Eric , Randriamalala Tsitohaina H. , Vezhlev Egor , Stieghorst Christian , Révay Zsolt , Brückel Thomas , Jolie Jan , Strub Erik 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPrompt gamma rays of cerium and chlorine were investigated with the FaNGaS (Fast Neutron-induced Gamma-ray Spectrometry) instrument operated at the Heinz Maier-Leibnitz Zentrum (MLZ) in Garching. The gamma radiation was emitted from (n,n’), (n,p) and (n,α) reactions induced by the irradiation of a cerium(III) chloride (CeCl3) sample with a beam of fission neutrons. Additionally, a polyvinylchloride (PVC, (C2H3Cl)n) sample was irradiated to verify possible interferences between gamma lines of cerium and chlorine. We identified 87 prompt gamma lines of cerium and chlorine. From these, we assigned 58 lines to the (n,n’) reaction in cerium (one for136Ce, 41 for140Ce and 16 for142Ce), 23 to the (n,n’) reaction in chlorine (15 for35Cl and 8 for37Cl), 5 lines to the35Cl(n,p)35S reaction and 1 line to the35Cl(n,α)32P reaction. We present relative intensities and fast-neutron spectrum-averaged partial cross sections of the aforementioned gamma lines and compare them with available literature data. Identification of new lines and discussion of possible errors adds important value to the literature data found to be consistent with our results. In addition, for a counting time of 12 h we estimate the detection limits for cerium and chlorine as 1 and 2 mg, respectively.
Seville history insight through their construction mortars
Authors: Perez-Rodriguez Jose L. , Perez-Maqueda Luis A. , Franquelo Maria L. , Duran Adrian 
Published: July 2023

AbstractSeville is intimately linked to its historic role and extensive cultural heritage. The city has been occupied by Romans, Arabs and Christians, who built important historical buildings. Roman (first–second centuries) and Arabic (eleventh century) buildings, medieval Shipyard (thirteenth century), San Isidoro and Santa Maria de las Cuevas monasteries (fifteenth century), Santa María de las Cuevas (fifteenth century modified in eighteenth century), El Salvador Church (eighteenth century), the Royal Ordnance building (eighteenth century) and Santa Angela de la Cruz convent (twentieth century) performed with lining mortars, and mortars used in building stones (City Hall and Marchena Gate), all of them located in Seville (Spain), have been studied. Ninety-four mortar samples (employed as structural, plaster, coating) originally used or applied in restoration processes have been collected to perform an archaeometry study. The ratio of CO2 mass loss to hydraulic water (H2O) mass loss, and the mineralogical characterization by X-ray diffraction has been used to compare the mortars used in the different historical periods. Mainly hydraulic mortars were widely used in all these studied monuments as most mortars showed CO2/H2O ratios within the 4–10 range. Moreover, the thermal analysis curves also showed a broad temperature range for the thermal decomposition of the carbonate fraction of the mortars.
Authority, Democracy, and Legislative Intent
Authors: Vraciu Cosmin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractOn one account, courts ought to enforce legislative intent only when the public meaning of the text of the statute is unclear, and on another account, they should enforce the intent even when the public meaning is clear. In this paper, I argue against both approaches. My argument rests on considerations related to the moral authority of the democratically made law. More specifically, I argue that those considerations which make democratic law morally authoritative entail that judges ought to enforce the public meaning, when this is clear, and that interpretation of the public meaning which is closest to the balance of moral reasons, when the public meaning is unclear.
Ambiguous Sovereignty: Political Judgment and the Limits of Law in Kant’s Doctrine of Right
Authors: Bailey Tom 
Published: July 2023

AbstractKantian legalism is now the dominant scholarly interpretation of Kant and an important approach to legal and political philosophy in its own right. One notable feature is its construal of the relationship between law and politics decisively in law’s favour: Law subordinates politics. Political judgment is constrained by and only permissibly exercised through law. This paper opposes this subordination through a close analysis of an ambiguity in Kant’s conception of sovereignty. Understanding this ambiguity requires seeing that, for Kant, law cannot subordinate the sovereign’s political judgment because it is a condition which makes a legal system possible. Kant was not an exacting legalist, but a practical reasoner struggling with the pressures politics imposes on finite beings. Through discussion of a leading contemporary approach, and close engagement with its historical source, the paper raises new considerations about the relevance of political judgment in the relationship of law and politics.
The agency of greenwashing
Authors: Ghitti Marco , Gianfrate Gianfranco , Palma Lorenza 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAs climate change increasingly challenges business models, the disclosure of firm environmental performance casts growing attention by corporate stakeholders. This creates wider opportunities and incentives for greenwash behaviors. We propose a novel set of measures to capture greenwashing and we investigate the association between greenwashing and corporate governance features that traditionally mitigate agency problems. We show that board characteristics are variously associated with the apparent degree of corporate greenwashing. Firms with more independent directors tend to greenwash more, the presence of female board directors seems to have a positive impact on the degree of greenwashing, while the effect of board size on greenwashing remains ambiguous. Importantly, we find that greenwashing reduces firm value.
Micromechanical homogenization of a hydrogel-filled electrospun scaffold for tissue-engineered epicardial patching of the infarcted heart: a feasibility study
Authors: Sack Kevin L. , Mandel Nicolas , Pugno Nicola M. , Bezuidenhout Deon , Limbert Georges , Moscato Francesco , Davies Neil H. , Franz Thomas , Abdalrahman Tamer 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFor tissue engineering applications, accurate prediction of the effective mechanical properties of tissue scaffolds is critical. Open and closed cell modelling, mean-field homogenization theory, and finite element (FE) methods are theories and techniques currently used in conventional homogenization methods to estimate the equivalent mechanical properties of tissue-engineering scaffolds. This study aimed at developing a formulation to link the microscopic structure and macroscopic mechanics of a fibrous electrospun scaffold filled with a hydrogel for use as an epicardial patch for local support of the infarcted heart. The macroscopic elastic modulus of the scaffold was predicted to be 0.287 MPa with the FE method and 0.290 MPa with the closed-cell model for the realistic fibre structure of the scaffold, and 0.108 MPa and 0.540 MPa with mean-field homogenization for randomly oriented and completely aligned fibres. The homogenized constitutive description of the scaffold was implemented for an epicardial patch in a FE model of a human cardiac left ventricle to assess the effects of patching on myocardial mechanics and ventricular function in the presence of an infarct. Epicardial patching was predicted to reduce maximum myocardial stress in the infarcted LV from 19 kPa (no patch) to 9.5 kPa (patch) and to marginally improve the ventricular ejection fraction from 40% (no patch) to 43% (patch). This study demonstrates the feasibility of homogenization techniques to represent complex multiscale structural features in a simplified but meaningful and effective manner.