bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Black holes as probes of moduli space geometry
Authors: Delgado Matilda , Montero Miguel , Vafa Cumrun 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
We argue that supersymmetric BPS states can act as efficient finite energy probes of the moduli space geometry thanks to the attractor mechanism. We focus on 4d $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 2 compactifications and capture aspects of the effective field theory near the attractor values in terms of physical quantities far away in moduli space. Furthermore, we illustrate how the standard distance in moduli space can be related asymptotically to the black hole mass. We also compute a measure of the resolution with which BPS black holes of a given mass can distinguish far away points in the moduli space. The black hole probes may lead to a deeper understanding of the Swampland constraints on the geometry of the moduli space.
Stochastic disease spreading and containment policies under state-dependent probabilities
Authors: La Torre Davide , Marsiglio Simone , Mendivil Franklin , Privileggi Fabio 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe analyze the role of disease containment policy in the form of treatment in a stochastic economic-epidemiological framework in which the probability of the occurrence of random shocks is state-dependent, namely it is related to the level of disease prevalence. Random shocks are associated with the diffusion of a new strain of the disease which affects both the number of infectives and the growth rate of infection, and the probability of such shocks realization may be either increasing or decreasing in the number of infectives. We determine the optimal policy and the steady state of such a stochastic framework, which is characterized by an invariant measure supported on strictly positive prevalence levels, suggesting that complete eradication is never a possible long run outcome where instead endemicity will prevail. Our results show that: (i) independently of the features of the state-dependent probabilities, treatment allows to shift leftward the support of the invariant measure; and (ii) the features of the state-dependent probabilities affect the shape and spread of the distribution of disease prevalence over its support, allowing for a steady state outcome characterized by a distribution alternatively highly concentrated over low prevalence levels or more spread out over a larger range of prevalence (possibly higher) levels.
Zementmahlung – Stand der Technik und Trends für die Zukunft
Authors: Holzinger Thomas , Flachberger Helmut 
Published: April 2023

ZusammenfassungDie Zementindustrie steht vor großen Herausforderungen und hat gleichzeitig die Chance, eine entscheidende Rolle bei der Erreichung der klimapolitischen Ziele einzunehmen. Die Zementproduktion trägt weltweit mit ca. 7 % zum gesamten CO2-Ausstoß bei und steht daher seit Jahren im Fokus von Gesellschaft und Politik. Zur Zielerreichung beitragen können vielfältige Maßnahmen, wie die Reduktion des Einsatzes fossiler Brennstoffe durch CO2-neutrale Ersatzbrennstoffe, neue Produktionstechniken unter Sauerstoffatmosphäre, Carbon Capture Projekte zur CO2-Einlagerung, die Herstellung von technischem Kohlendioxyd oder synthetischen Kraftstoffen. Eine weitere, seitens der Zementindustrie vorangetriebene Forschungsaktivität und weltweit zu beobachtender Trend ist die Reduzierung des Klinkeranteiles in Zementen. Normen und Standards werden angepasst, um neue Zemente mit einem höheren Anteil an Zuschlagstoffen für die Bauindustrie einzuführen. So weisen etwa die Zementsorten CEM II/C und CEM VI einen reduzierten Klinkeranteil auf, sie erlauben den Einsatz von erhöhten Anteilen an Schlacke, Kalkstein, rezykliertem Beton und anderen Zuschlagstoffen. Diese wiederum energetisch optimal, also mit geringem elektrischen Energieeinsatz herzustellen, stellt die Werke und die Industrie vor neue Herausforderungen. Der elektrische Energiebedarf eines Zementwerkes ist nicht zu unterschätzen und liegt aktuell in einem Bereich von 90 bis 110 kWh pro Tonne produziertem Zement, neuere Zementwerke liegen bei 80 kWh/t und darunter. Betrachtet man den mittleren Energieverbrauch eines Werkes, so werden rund 71 % für die Mahlung eingesetzt, etwa 24 % für die Klinkerherstellung und ca. 5 % für allgemeine Verbraucher. Davon beansprucht die Zementmahlung ca. 44 % und beträgt je nach eingesetzten Mahlsystemen und erzeugtem Zementsortenportfolio zwischen 35 und 50 kWh/t.Im Rahmen dieser Veröffentlichung werden die aktuell zum Einsatz gelangenden Mahlsysteme – Kugelmühlenkreisläufe, Walzenschüsselmühlen sowie Rollenpressen – besprochen. Des Weiteren werden deren Vorteile, Anwendungsmöglichkeiten und -grenzen sowie die aus der langjährigen Tätigkeit des Erstautors gewonnenen Erkenntnisse zusammengefasst und Markttrends präsentiert. Die optimierte Herstellung von Mischzementen durch Separatmahlung wird zur Diskussion gestellt und die damit gemachten Erfahrungen vorgestellt. Die Separatmahlung bietet optimale Voraussetzungen, um in Zukunft den Klinkerfaktor auf ein Minimum zu reduzieren, und ermöglicht gleichzeitig den Einsatz von energetisch günstigen Mahlsystemen, wie etwa Rollenpressen und/oder Walzenschüsselmühlen, um einerseits den steigenden Zementbedarf im Werk zu decken und andererseits die Energiekosten niedrig zu halten.
The clonal heterogeneity of colon cancer with liver metastases
Authors: Chen Guanxuan , Zhu Wanqi , Liu Yang , Zhang Liwen , Xie Li , Song Xingguo , Song Xianrang 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background

Colon cancer with liver metastases (CCLM) characterized by genetic heterogeneity is an evolutionary process leading to variations in response to selective pressure, but the underlying evolutionary models still remains unclear.

Methods

Total of 30 samples, including primary tumor and two to four matched liver metastases from 8 treatment-naïve patients with CCLM were collected, and subjected to whole-exome DNA sequencing. PyClone was used to calculate intra and inter-tumor heterogeneity, LICHeE was used to reconstruct the cancer phylogeny trees and investigate the subclonal composition.

Results
The genetic differences were observed between primary and metastatic lesions, as well as among multiple metastases in all patients. The natural history models of colorectal cancer in each case were identified, including parallel, linear, and branching evolution. Liver metastases could originate from primary lesions or other metastases. Pathway and process enrichment analysis also showed obvious heterogeneity and enhancement of several molecular functions.

Conclusions
Our data reveal the genetic and heterogeneity between primary and metastatic lesions, as well as among multiple metastases and provide genomic evidence for clonal heterogeneity for CCLM.
Mixtures of colliery spoils and fluidized bed bottom ash: strength and swelling behavior under compressive stress in isolated conditions
Authors: Krysiak Łukasz , Kledyński Zbigniew , Machowska Agnieszka 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe amount and variety of waste materials used in civil engineering are steadily increasing due to the depletion of natural resources and the implementation of environmental policies. A new mixture of colliery spoils and fluidized bed bottom ash was recently developed in Poland, which proved to be prone to excessive, long-term swelling, potentially damaging structures such as road embankments. Numerous papers discuss the heaving mechanisms in spoils or fluidized bed ash. However, no reports analyzing the expansion of their mixture seem to be available. The purpose of this paper is to fill this void. The experiment involved measurements of linear swelling of mixture samples stored inside CBR test molds and isolated from moisture loss/gain. Material expansion is caused by the reactivity of the fluidized bed ash; its content in the mix correlates positively with the final swelling strain. At the same time, colliery spoils provide an environment particularly conducive to the phenomenon’s occurrence. A linear swelling strain of 0.3–3.2% was observed after 6 months (disregarding the first 24 h of rapid volume growth). The expansion of mixtures was also measured under constant compressive stress of 0–100 kPa to better represent their actual working conditions. Based on the results, it is proposed to adapt a mathematical model developed for anhydrite-rich rock to describe the load-swelling relationship in mixtures of colliery spoils with fluidized bed bottom ash. Such a model can be potentially used, e.g., in numerical analyses, to assess the impact of the material’s expansion on embankments.
Performance analysis of cross-frequency Doppler-assisted carrier phase tracking
Authors: Wang Dun , Zhang Shuangna , Liu Tong , Chen Yaohui , Dong Qijia 
Published: April 2023

AbstractUsing the Doppler frequency obtained from tracking a GNSS pilot signal to aid in tracking another signal modulated with higher rate navigation messages in a different frequency band can improve tacking robustness and lower the message demodulation threshold. Based on an analysis of received signal frequency coherence, a linearized mathematical model of the cross-frequency Doppler-assisted carrier phase tracking loop is built, a thermal noise jitter calculation equation for the assisted tracking loop is derived, and its dynamic stress response characteristics are examined. The loop design requirements for eliminating the influence of inter-frequency frequency bias are clarified, as are the cross-frequency assist signal selection criteria. Monte Carlo simulations and preliminary field tests validate the theoretical results using the B1C pilot signal-aided tracking B2b signal of the MEO satellite in the BeiDou satellite navigation system (BDS). Experimental results show that the carrier phase tracking threshold of the B2b signal can be reduced by about 4 dB.
Methods of managing the evolution of ontologies and their alignments
Authors: Pietranik Marcin , Kozierkiewicz Adrianna 
Published: April 2023

AbstractNowadays, none can expect that knowledge about some part of reality will not change. Consequently, a representation of such evolving knowledge (for example, ontologies) also changes. Such changes entail that applications incorporating such knowledge may become compromised and yield wrong results. An example of such an application is ontology alignment which can be informally described as a set of connections between two ontologies. Those connections mark elements from two ontologies that relate to the same parts of reality. In changing one of the corresponding ontologies, such connections may become invalid. One may designate the ontology alignment once again from scratch for altered ontologies. However, such an approach is time and resource-consuming. The paper comprehensively presents our ontology evolution and alignment maintenance framework. It can be used to preserve the validity of ontology alignment using only the analysis of changes introduced to maintained ontologies. The precise definition of ontologies is provided, along with a definition of the ontology change log. A set of algorithms that allow revalidating ontology alignments have been built based on such elements.
Record DNA: reconceptualising digital records as the future evidence base
Authors: McLeod Julie , Lomas Elizabeth 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA major issue facing society is the extent to which the usability of the digital evidence base is at risk because, in the digital era, the concept of the record has been eroded. The nature and reality of a record are no longer agreed. Addressing the challenges that the digital presents for managing records and assuring their future usability is not one that records and archives scholars and professionals can tackle alone. This article argues that this is a ‘grand challenge’ which requires a broad range of perspectives and expertise and convergence research to resolve. It discusses findings from an international multidisciplinary research network established to critically explore, through a grounded theory approach, the nature of a digital record and the implications of the digital era for the usability and functionality of the future evidence base. A series of different visions of a digital record emerged alongside a wide-ranging set of research questions that form the basis of an agenda for future collaborative (convergence) research.
The policy case for designating EMS teams for vulnerable patient populations: Evidence from an intervention in Boston
Authors: Brennan Mark , Dyer Sophia , Jonasson Jonas , Salvia James , Segal Laura , Serino Erin , Steil Justin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThis study documents more than five years of analysis that drove the policy case, deployment, and retrospective evaluation for an innovative service model that enables Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to respond quickly and effectively to investigation incidents in an area of heavy need in Boston. These investigation incidents are typically calls for service from passers-by or other third-party callers requesting that Boston EMS check in on individuals, often those who may appear to have an altered mental status or to be unhoused. First, this study reports the pre-intervention analytics in 2017 that built the policy case for service segmentation, a new Community Assistance Team designated “Squad 80” that primarily responds to investigation incidents in one broad area of the city with high rates of substance abuse and homelessness, helping patients who often refuse ambulance transport connect to social services. Second, this study reports a post-intervention, observational evaluation of its operational advantages and trade-offs. We observe that incidents involving the Community Assistance Team have significantly shorter response times and result in fewer transports to emergency departments than investigation incidents not involving the unit, leading to fewer ambulance unit-hours utilized across the system. This study documents the descriptive analytics that built the successful policy case for a substantive change in the healthcare-delivery supply chain in Boston and how this change offers operational advantages. It is written to be an accessible guide to the analysts and policy makers considering emergency services segmentation, an important frontier in equitable public-service delivery.
Using long-term ecological monitoring to evaluate how climate and human-induced disturbances impact nekton communities in a Northern Gulf of Mexico estuary
Authors: Garwood Jason A. , Allen Kira , Lamb Megan S. , Lewis Kristy A. , Harper Jenna , Edmiston Lee 
Published: April 2023

AbstractApalachicola Bay, a river-fed estuary in the northeast Gulf of Mexico is experiencing impacts from anthropogenic and climate-induced changes in freshwater inputs and sea level rise. These synergistic pressures have resulted in a historic oyster fishery collapse and the expansion of mangroves, which are displacing native salt marsh. Understanding how these natural and man-made-driven changes have affected the nekton community is essential for the sustainable management of this coastal region. To evaluate changes in nekton occurrence and distribution in Apalachicola Bay, we analyzed 20 years of biological monitoring data. Our results indicated that spatial variation in species’ populations was driven by differences in salinity, while seasonal changes were driven by temperature. Freshwater inflow is the primary driver of salinity, and these differences demonstrated that river flow reductions have the potential to alter nekton communities. The effects of climate-driven droughts and anthropogenic freshwater flow reductions on estuarine community structure highlight the importance of maintaining sufficient river flow for nursery areas, which provide ecosystem services for the region. Ultimately, these findings support the continued need for monitoring programs that track accelerating ecosystem change and provide a clearer understanding for how community composition will respond to global change.
RGD peptide modified RBC membrane functionalized biomimetic nanoparticles for thrombolytic therapy
Authors: Xu Zichen , Huang Jinxia , Zhang Tao , Xu Wenfeng , Liao Xiaoling , Wang Yi , Wang Guixue 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn recent years, the fabrication of nano-drug delivery systems for targeted treatment of thrombus has become a research hotspot. In this study, we intend to construct a biomimetic nanomedicine for targeted thrombus treatment. The poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) was selected as the nanocarrier material. Then, urokinase and perfluoro-n-pentane (PFP) were co-loaded into PLGA by the double emulsification solvent evaporation method to prepare phase change nanoparticles PPUNPs. Subsequently, the RGD peptide-modified red blood cell membrane (RBCM) was coated on the surface of PPUNPs to prepare a biomimetic nano-drug carrier (RGD-RBCM@PPUNPs). The as-prepared RGD-RBCM@PPUNPs possessed a “core-shell” structure, have good dispersibility, and inherited the membrane protein composition of RBCs. Under ultrasound stimulation, the loaded urokinase could be rapidly released. In vitro cell experiments showed that RGD-RBCM@PPUNPs had good hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility. Due to the coated RGD-RBC membrane, RGD-RBCM@PPUNPs could effectively inhibit the uptake of macrophages. In addition, RGD-RBCM@PPUNPs showed better thrombolytic function in vitro. Overall, the results suggested that this biomimetic nanomedicine provided a promising therapeutic strategy for the targeted therapy of thrombosis.
Graphical Abstract
Effect of enzymatic polymerization on the thermal stability of flavonoids
Authors: Latos-Brozio Malgorzata , Masek Anna , Piotrowska Małgorzata 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe mechanisms of the enzymatic polymerization of flavonoids, including quercetin, rutin and catechins, have been fairly well researched, but the properties of polymeric forms of flavonoids still require in-depth analysis. The products of enzymatic polymerization are oligomeric flavonoids. The antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of many oligomeric flavonoids have been described in the literature. However, data on the thermal properties of oligomeric flavonoids are lacking and the supplementing of these deficiencies is a scientific novelty of this work. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of enzymatic polymerization on thermal stability of oligomeric flavonoids. As part of the work, oligomeric quercetin, rutin and catechin were prepared by the enzymatic polymerization reaction with laccase and horseradish peroxidase enzymes. The oligomeric structure of the flavonoids was confirmed by spectroscopic (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis)) as well as chromatographic (ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC)) methods. Thermal properties of oligomeric flavonoids were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). Moreover, the antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of oligomeric forms of selected polyphenols were investigated. Based on DSC analysis, it was found that the common feature of all oligomeric flavonoids was a higher final oxidation temperature and a higher oxidation enthalpy than the reference flavonoids. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that oligomeric poly(flavonoids)-laccase had better thermal stability, which correlated with higher molar mass.
Kinetics of the CO2 gasification of woods, torrefied woods, and wood chars. Least squares evaluations by empirical models
Authors: Várhegyi Gábor , Wang Liang , Skreiberg Øyvind 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe gasification kinetics of chars forming from biomass materials was studied by kinetic equations of type dX/dt = Af(X) exp(− E/(RT)) where X is the conversion of the sample, A is the pre-exponential factor, E is the activation energy and f(X) is a suitable model function. The theoretically deduced f(X) models in the literature are rarely applicable for chars of biomass origin because of chemical and physical inhomogeneities and irregularities. Hence, empirical f(X) functions were determined by a method proposed four years ago (Várhegyi in Energy Fuels 33:2348–2358, 2019). The parameters of the models were obtained by the method of least squares. Thermogravimetric experiments from an earlier work were reevaluated to explore the possibilities of the approaches employed. The experiments belonged to untreated birch and spruce woods; torrefied woods; chars prepared at a higher temperature; and chars formed at high heating rates (ca. 1400 °C min−1). Common kinetic features were found for the CO2 gasification of the chars studied. The reliability of the results was carefully tested by evaluating smaller and larger groups of the experiments and comparing the results. The method proved to be suitable for the determination of realistic f(X), E, and A from single modulated experiments, too. The models described well the gasification of chars forming from different woods through a wide range of temperature programs and thermal pretreatments.
Students’ perceptions of their STEM learning environment
Authors: Fairhurst Nicole , Koul Rekha , Sheffield Rachel 
Published: April 2023

AbstractAustralia’s economic need for innovation has led to Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education becoming an essential investment for the future. This study utilised a mixed-methods approach involving a pre-validated quantitative questionnaire together with qualitative semi-structured focus groups with students across four Year 5 classrooms. Students provided their perceptions of their STEM learning environment and their interactions with their teacher to identify factors influencing their engagement for pursuing these disciplines. The questionnaire comprised of scales from three different instruments: Classroom Emotional Climate, Test of Science Related Attitudes, and Questionnaire on Teacher Interaction. Several key factors were identified through student responses, including Student Freedom, Peer Collaboration, Problem Solving, Communication, Time, and Preferred Environments. 33 out of possible 40 correlations between scales were statistically significant, but eta2 values were considered low (0.12–0.37). Overall, the students expressed positive perceptions about their STEM learning environment, with Student Freedom, Peer Collaboration, Problem Solving, Communication and Time appearing to impact their perceptions of STEM education. Three focus groups with a total of 12 students identified suggestions for improving STEM learning environments. Implications from this research include the importance of considering student perceptions when measuring the quality of STEM learning environments, as well as how facets of these environments can impact student attitudes towards STEM.