Continuous Exchange Research Articles

A genetically confirmed hybrid between Natrix astreptophora and N. maura, two deeply divergent and ancient snake species

Using two mitochondrial DNA fragments and six nuclear genes, we confirmed that a morphologically intermediate snake, captured in Andalusia, southwestern Spain (municipality of Huelva), was an F1 hybrid between a female Natrix astreptophora and a male N. maura. The two parental species diverged 21.5 million years ago, which is why their capability to hybridize is remarkable. The interspecific mating could have been facilitated by the rarity of N. astreptophora and the abundance of N. maura in southwestern Spain, making it difficult for N. astreptophora females to find conspecific males. In the face of previously published genomic signatures for ancient gene flow between N. astreptophora and N. maura, our finding raises the question of whether occasional hybridization still contributes to a continued exchange of genetic information between these two deeply divergent and old taxa.

Modelling indoor radical chemistry during the HOMEChem campaign.

In the indoor environment, occupants are exposed to air pollutants originating from continuous indoor sources and exchange with the outdoor air, with the highest concentration episodes dominated by activities performed indoors such as cooking and cleaning. Here we use the INdoor CHEMical model in Python (INCHEM-Py) constrained by measurements from the House Observations of Microbial and Environmental Chemistry (HOMEChem) campaign, to investigate the impact of a bleach cleaning event and cooking on indoor air chemistry. Measurements of the concentrations of longer-lived organic and inorganic compounds, as well as measured photolysis rates, have been used as input for the model, and the modelled hydroxyl (OH) radicals, hydroperoxyl radicals, and nitrous acid (HONO) concentrations compared to the measured values. The peak modelled OH, , and HONO concentrations during cooking and cleaning activities are about 30%, 10%, and 30% higher than the observations, respectively, within experimental uncertainties. We have determined rates for the rapid loss of HONO formed through cooking activities onto a wet surface during the cleaning events and also for the subsequent slow release of HONO from the cleaned surface back into the gas-phase. Using INCHEM-Py we have also predicted peak concentrations of chlorine (Cl) atoms, (0.75-2.3) × 105 atom per cm3 at the time of cleaning. Model predictions of the Cl atom and OH radical reactivities were also explored, showing high Cl atom reactivity throughout the day, peaking around 5000-9000 s-1. The OH reactivity was found to increase from a background value close to urban outdoor levels of 20-40 s-1, to levels exceeding observations in outdoor polluted areas following cooking and cleaning activities (up to 160 s-1). This underlines the high oxidation capacity of the indoor atmospheric environment through determining the abundance of volatile organic compounds.

The effect of filler particle size on API homogeneity of controlled release formulations via continuous twin-screw wet granulation.

Previous research has shown that controlled release (CR) formulations with hydrox- ypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) as hydrophilic matrix former produced via twin-screw wet granulation (TSWG) yield granules with an inhomogeneous active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) distribution (Denduyver et al., 2024). This was attributed to the fast hydration and swelling behaviour of HPMC upon addition of granulation liquid, limiting granule breakage and continuous exchange of particles during granule growth. Altering the liquid-to-solid ratio (L/S-ratio), using a more aggressive screw configuration or using fillers with different sol- ubility did not yield granules with a homogeneous API distribution. Therefore, the effect of the filler particle size on the content uniformity and granule growth mechanism of CR granules was studied using filler grades with a smaller and larger particle size distribution (PSD) than the API. As granule growth in TSWG occurs spatially along the granulator unit, a compartmental analysis was performed to collect granules from each zone. The small particle size fillers yielded a more homogeneous API distribution compared to the large particle size fillers in each compartment throughout the granulator unit. However, for lactose-, mannitol- and dicalcium phosphate (DCP)-based formulations, underdosing in the fines fraction (<150 µm) was observed. The small particle size microcrystalline cellulose (MCC)-based formulation yielded a homogeneous API distribution. The inter- play of the swelling behavior of MCC and the smaller particle size facilitated wetting, favoring the homogeneous API distribution over the granule sieve fractions.

Study on the Causes and Effects of Appearance Anxiety among Women in East Asia

The continuous exchange and integration of Eastern and Western cultures has caused East Asian women to have the problem of appearance anxiety. In recent years, with the development of information technology, this phenomenon has become more and more serious. This paper focuses on this phenomenon and analyzes the influence of social, cultural, and personal factors on appearance anxiety in East Asian women. Appearance anxiety is mainly manifested in appearance, figure, psychology, etc. This paper argues that cultural exchange is one of the causes of anxiety among women. The spread of culture expands the definition of beauty, but at the same time, it also reinforces women's cultural preference for appearance. In addition, the development of pop culture has caused women to pursue the ultimate beauty, which creates anxiety. Finally, the development of the Internet has led to the proliferation of relevant information, deepening the influence of East Asian women on this idea. Based on this, this paper argues that it is necessary to fully understand women's psychology and concepts to better serve them. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to practical research and give full play to the positive role of online platforms.

Exploration of Energy Transfer and Catalytic Processes in Continuous Conversion Heat Exchangers for Hydrogen Liquefaction

Exploration of Energy Transfer and Catalytic Processes in Continuous Conversion Heat Exchangers for Hydrogen Liquefaction

A Theoretical Review of Area Production Rates as Test Statistics for Detecting Nonequilibrium Dynamics in Ornstein–Uhlenbeck Processes

A stochastic process is at thermodynamic equilibrium if it obeys time-reversal symmetry; forward and reverse time are statistically indistinguishable at a steady state. Nonequilibrium processes break time-reversal symmetry by maintaining circulating probability currents. In physical processes, these currents require a continual use and exchange of energy. Accordingly, signatures of nonequilibrium behavior are important markers of energy use in biophysical systems. In this article, we consider a particular signature of nonequilibrium behavior: area production rates. These are the average rate at which a stochastic process traces out signed area in its projections onto coordinate planes. Area production is an example of a linear observable: a path integral over an observed trajectory against a linear vector field. We provide a summary review of area production rates in Ornstein–Uhlenbeck (OU) processes. Then, we show that, given an OU process, a weighted Frobenius norm of the area production rate matrix is the optimal test statistic for detecting nonequilibrium behavior in the sense that its coefficient of variation decays faster in the length of time observed than the coefficient of variation of any other linear observable. We conclude by showing that this test statistic estimates the entropy production rate of the process.

Dimensionless performance mapping of cryogenic plate-fin heat exchangers with ortho-para hydrogen continuous conversion for hydrogen liquefaction

Continuous conversion heat exchangers are recognized as the next-generation technology for large-scale and energy-efficient hydrogen liquefaction plants. However, their structural design and operational optimization are impeded by the absence of generalised evaluation methodology, as well as unclear coupling mechanisms of convection and conversion. This study develops a novel dimensionless model incorporating the number of heat transfer units and the Damköhler number, to describe the convective transport and catalytic conversion process for continuous conversion heat exchangers. Their comprehensive performance is evaluated by defining the cooling, conversion, and total effectiveness, based on which performance maps are subsequently proposed for three typical temperature zones. The scaling results demonstrate that the conversion-convection characteristics along the heat exchanger train exhibit multiple complex stages, heavily contingent upon the space velocity and the ratio of heat capacity rates between hot and cold fluids. To achieve the effectiveness of over 0.90, these two operational parameters should be below about 1000 h−1 and 0.50, respectively. The characteristic variables are recommended to meet Da0 ≥ 8 and NTU0 ≥ 16 as a minimum requirement for various heat exchangers. These findings offer a theoretical foundation for high-efficient design and operation of continuous conversion heat exchangers in future hydrogen liquefaction plants.

FANE

In today's society, the continuous exchange of vast amounts of information, often irrelevant or misleading, highlights the need for greater awareness to distinguish between accurate and false information. Recognizing the reliability of information is critical to limiting the spread of fake news, a pervasive problem affecting various sectors, influencing public opinion, and shaping decisions in health care, politics, culture, and history. This paper proposes a methodology to assess the veracity of information, leveraging natural language processing (NLP) and probabilistic models to extract relevant features and predict the reliability of content. The features analyzed include semantic, syntactic, and social dimensions. The proposed methodology was tested using datasets that include social media news and comments captured during the lockdown due to COVID-19, providing relevant context for the analysis. Experimental validation of these different datasets yields promising results, demonstrating the effectiveness of the proposed approach.

International Entrepreneurial Spin-Offs: An Ambidextrous Approach to Internationalization

Abstract This article investigates the internationalization process of incubating, parenting, and eventually spinning-off overseas entrepreneurial ventures originating from emerging markets. In a comparative case study of Chinese high-tech firms, we leveraged multiple sources of data to reveal (1) how the exploitation of parent firms’ technological and platform resources enables them to initiate, support, and eventually profit from the international growth of foreign ventures that autonomously engage in the exploration of product and market innovations, and (2) how ambidextrous synergy was created through the continuous exchange, combination, and reconfiguration of knowledge and resources between parent firms and foreign ventures. These findings extend our understanding of how Chinese high-tech firms manage the learning process in overseas venturing. We draw implications of these findings for research and practice.

Optimizing Agility in the Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Using Digital Twins to Cope with the Ripple Effect

The pharmaceutical supply chain is a multilayered and complex structure designed to deliver medicines to customers in a timely manner while ensuring optimal quality and quantity of medicines. The COVID-19 outbreak exposed the vulnerability and uncertainty of the pharmaceutical supply chain, so managing the risks in the pharmaceutical supply chain has become particularly important. This study demonstrates that digital twin (DT) technology can improve pharmaceutical supply chain agility and reduce the ripple effect caused by disruptions. The ripple effect refers to the effect that a sudden disruption at one node in the supply chain has on causing a chain reaction in the rest of the supply chain. The most used risk management method today is the Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system, which allows for real-time data sharing but has limitations in predicting and modeling the entire supply chain and lacks the ability to make quick decisions and simulate the entire supply chain. DT technology creates a virtual model of the supply chain, which enables continuous communication and information exchange between real assets and the virtual model, offering a promising alternative to risk management for pharmaceutical supply chains. risk management by providing a promising alternative. This study utilizes the AnyLogistix platform to construct a DT model and demonstrates the effectiveness of DT technology in reducing ripple effects and improving supply chain agility using quantitative analysis. This paper focuses on analyzing the pharmaceutical supply chain for 75mg aspirin tablets in London. A supply chain that operates normally, a supply chain that introduces a disruptive event (closure of the logistics center due to an earthquake), and a supply chain that applies a proactive strategy (activation of an alternate logistics center) to mitigate risk are simulated separately. The positive impact of DT technology on the supply chain is evaluated by analyzing the methods of key performance indicators (KPIs) such as inventory level, order fulfillment rate, and delivery time. The experimental results show that DT technology enhances the responsiveness, flexibility, speed, and proactivity of the supply chain, which significantly improves the agility of the supply chain. Proactive and effective strategies also reduce the financial impact of disruptions and service levels are quickly recovered. In addition, the proactive strategy stabilized inventory levels and reduced delayed orders. The above key metrics confirm the hypothesis that DT technology can improve supply chain agility and effectively reduce the ripple effect. Despite the significant conclusions drawn in this paper, there are some limitations. Firstly, sensitivity analysis and t-test were not used in the study for secondary testing, which resulted in the lack of reliability of the validation results. In addition, the possible interaction between the ripple effect and the bullwhip effect was not discussed, leading to a confounding factor in the experimental results. The above issues can be considered in further research in the future. Finally, this paper explores the possibilities and uses of introducing machine learning techniques and considers the supply chain risk factors of globalization. In summary, this study validates the potential of digital twin technology in improving agility and coping with ripple effects in pharmaceutical supply chains. As research continues, DT technology is expected to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce supply chain risk while ensuring patient safety.

Alkali and alkaline earth ion exchange affinity in ETS-10 toward aqueous lithium separation

Continuous ion exchange is a more sustainable alternative to current methods for removing common impurities from lithium sources. In this work, we examine ion-adsorbent interactions for Mg2+ and Ca2+ with microporous titanosilicate ETS-10, an ion exchange solid with promising performance, using experimental and computational (density functional theory, DFT) methods. Ion exchange affinity for Mg2+ and Ca2+ using the Na+-form of ETS-10 are quantified from measured equilibrium isotherms, analyzed using a modified Langmuir isotherm accounting for overall stoichiometric desorption/adsorption in the cation exchange process. The equilibrium constant for ion exchange using Na-ETS-10 is greatest for Ca and decreases in order of Mg, K, and Li, respectively. These differences in ion exchange affinity are consistent with trends in DFT-derived ion exchange energies, which account for hydration and solvation of cations using a thermochemical cycle. These equilibrium constant values and ion exchange energies suggest that exchange of Ca2+, Mg2+, and K+ using Na-ETS-10 is more favorable than that of Li+. Indeed, competitive ion exchange of equimolar aqueous mixtures of Li+ and each of K+, Mg2+, or Ca2+ demonstrate selective uptake of the non-lithium cation into the solid, thereby concentrating Li+ in the aqueous solution while removing impurity cations.

The Role of Building Information Modeling (BIM) in Enhancing Efficiency, Sustainability, and Integration with Emerging Technologies

BIM integrates collaboration, efficiency, and sustainable features throughout the life of the building. This paper deals with the application of BIM in various phases of the project, more so with the intervention of emergent technologies like IoT, AI, and AR. Indeed, in the BIM approach to the post-construction phase, facility management and predictive maintenance can be assured, thanks to real-time monitoring and performance optimisation of the building systems. Integration with IoT and sensors means continuous data exchange and upgrading towards energy efficiency, which is beneficial in saving money for operational costs. It points out that some significant challenges in adopting BIM are mainly related to data privacy, security issues, and interoperability. As the BIM model will contain sensitive information, robust security must be developed, including data encryption, user authentication, and secure data protocols. Due to the absence of standard data formats on various BIM platforms, smooth data exchange is hardly possible. Standardisation efforts, using Industry Foundation Classes-IFC, are discussed as vital in overcoming these challenges. The paper finally discusses the future of BIM, pointing out how AI and machine learning will be integrated into the process to optimise design, improve decision-making, and enhance overall building performance, making BIM a core tool in the future of construction and facility management.

A reflection on making ‘Religion’ in China: The Genealogy of Zongjiao through cultural exchange

The term Zongjiao [宗教] originally referring to the teachings of Buddhism and Chinese ancestral worship was not considered the equivalent for the English term ‘religion’ until the late 19th century when Japanese translated religion as shūkyō [宗教]. The later introduction of the concept of Zongjiao into China via Japan triggered a deep exploration of the differences between religion and Jiao among Chinese intellectuals like Liang Qichao, Kang Youwei and Peng Guangyu, representing Chinese scholars’ conceptualisation and reflections of Chinese traditional religious belief, practices and phenomena within the context of Western religious culture. Rather than a simple lexical selection, the translation of ‘religion’ essentially was a process of making the notion of ‘religion’ in China, which had provided valuable insight into the nature of Chinese Confucianism culture and was closely related to the understanding of the state–church relationship in China. With continuous cultural exchanges and integration, reflecting on this translation process will provide a more inclusive perspective on the complexity and diversity of religions and facilitate mutual learning.Contribution: This article briefly reviews the process of accepting Zongjiao [宗教] as the equivalent for the Western term ‘religion’ in China, in order to shed light on how such translation has influenced people’s understanding of religion and the inclusiveness contained in the study of religion.

Ensuring sustainable impact of the national report on climate change and health in Germany 2023

Abstract Issue/problem The Robert Koch Institute recently coordinated a status report on climate change and health for Germany, detailing the current and future impact of climate change on health through 14 chapters. Description of the problem A central aim was to ensure the report’s long-term impact and public health value. Essential areas of focus have therefore been stakeholder-specific communication and establishing a network of experts for continued scientific exchange. Results The publication of the report as peer-reviewed articles has served to reach the scientific community. Another target group are public health practitioners and decision makers at subnational levels, who can contribute towards climate change mitigation and adaptation measures relevant to health, as recommended in the report. This latter group was reached through various methods and formats of science communication, including conferences aimed at the public health sector, through target-group oriented podcasts, social media engagement and digital town hall discussions. Following publication, the experts involved in writing, reviewing and using the report were invited to establish a network in order to support long-term scientific exchange and collaborations and in turn ensure the report’s sustainable impact and value. Lessons Through follow-up evaluations, the reception of the report and the further communication needs of this target group were analysed. A major lesson was to include the insights of public health practitioners more systematically and at an earlier stage in any future reports. As for the establishment of a network, a survey amongst the authors and other experts showed what this group considers the goals of this network: creating synergies and connections with existing initiatives and providing a platform for further exchange, especially amongst researchers addressing similar questions, such as the efficacy of mitigation and adaptation measures, from different angles. Key messages • Local public health practitioners are important stakeholders for climate change and health for ensuring public health impact. • The expertise in the network will support continued scientific exchange on climate change and health and thus ensure the national report’s sustainability.

An ancient ecospecies of Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori disturbs the stomach lining during long-term colonization of its human host, with sequelae including ulcers and gastric cancer1,2. Numerous H. pylori virulence factors have been identified, showing extensive geographic variation1. Here we identify a 'Hardy' ecospecies of H. pylori that shares the ancestry of 'Ubiquitous' H. pylori from the same region in most of the genome but has nearly fixed single-nucleotide polymorphism differences in 100 genes, many of which encode outer membrane proteins and host interaction factors. Most Hardy strains have a second urease, which uses iron as a cofactor rather than nickel3, and two additional copies of the vacuolating cytotoxin VacA. Hardy strains currently have a limited distribution, including in Indigenous populations in Siberia and the Americas and in lineages that have jumped from humans to other mammals. Analysis of polymorphism data implies that Hardy and Ubiquitous coexisted in the stomachs of modern humans since before we left Africa and that both were dispersed around the world by our migrations. Our results also show that highly distinct adaptive strategies can arise and be maintained stably within bacterial populations, even in the presence of continuous genetic exchange between strains.

Relationship between septic acute kidney injury and adiponectin: A retrospective study in patients undergoing continuous plasma exchange with dialysis.

Adiponectin (APN) is a multimeric protein with anti-inflammatory properties that is specifically secreted by adipocytes. Continuous plasma exchange with dialysis (cPED) is a blood purification therapy in which plasma exchange is performed using a selective membrane plasma separator while the dialysate flows outside the hollow fibers. Patients with sepsis were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of acute kidney injury (AKI) complications: AKI and non-AKI group. Plasma APN levels significantly increased after cPED in both groups. The creatinine levels in the AKI group before cPED were significantly higher than those in the non- AKI group. The plasma APN levels in the AKI group before cPED were significantly higher than those in the non-AKI group. cPED increased APN levels in both patients with and without AKI. Therefore, cPED therapy may be a promising intervention for increasing APN levels in patients with sepsis.

Társadalmi felelősségvállalás a magyar felsőoktatásban: a Lorántffy Zsuzsanna Mentorprogram a Nemzeti Közszolgálati Egyetemen I.

The National University of Public Service is dedicated to social responsibility. One of its forms is volunteering, a cultural aspect that is lacking in the societal embedding in our country (Fejes, Kelemen és Szűcs, 2016). The study presents the results of an ongoing mentoring program at NUPS, where university members provided weekly subject tutoring online for residents of child protection centers in Transylvania. The primary goal of the program is to provide a form of compensation for disadvantages and psycho-social care through the establishment of personal connections (Baráth, 2016), aiding in the improvement of academic performance for underprivileged youth. In the long term, it aims to provide opportunities for the development of coping strategies that support participants in breaking through and achieving further success (Szőtsné és tsai, 2007). In the spring semester of the 2022/23 academic year, three children's homes had 36 students participating in the pilot phase of the program. After methodological training, 28 mentors provided assistance. Mentoring took place weekly in the requested subjects, including related study method counseling. Among the mentors were students, university lecturers, and functional staff, Continuous methodological counseling and experience exchange were provided. Each mentor kept a progress diary. At the end of the program, individual and focus group evaluations were conducted for all participant groups. The results of the pilot research are presented in two parts. The first presents the literature review and the academic background to the programme. The second paper will present the results of the research, the discussion and further steps planned.

Detrended fluctuation analysis to determine physiologic thresholds, investigation and evidence from incremental cycling test.

Training zones are generally assessed by gas-exchange thresholds (GET). Several mathematical analyses of heart rate variability (HRV) are proposed for indirect GET determination. Our study aimed to investigate the accordance of the detrend fluctuation analysis (DFA α1) for determining GET with first (VT1) and second ventilatory (VT2) thresholds in well-trained subjects. Eighteen female and 38 male sub-elite cyclists performed a maximal incremental cycling test of 2-min stage duration with continuous gas exchange and HR measurements. Power output (PO), Oxygen uptake ( O2) and HR at VT1 and VT2 were compared with DFA α1 0.75 (HRVT1) and 0.50 (HRVT2). Agreements between PO, O2 and HR values were analyzed using Bland-Altman analysis. Large limits of agreement between VT1 and HRVT1 were observed for measures of O2 expressed in mL.min-1.kg-1 [-21.3; + 14.1], HR [39.2; + 26.9] bpm and PO [-118; + 83] watts. Indeed, agreements were also low between VT2 and HRVT2 for measures of O2 [-26.7; + 4.3] mL.min-1.kg-1, HR [-45.5; + 10.6] bpm and PO [-157; + 35] watts. Our results also showed a sex effect: women obtained worst predictions based on DFA α1 than men for HR (p = 0.014), PO (p = 0.044) at VT1 and (p = 0.045), HR (p = 0.003) and PO (p = 0.004) at VT2. There was unsatisfactory agreement between the GET and DFA α1 methods for VT1 and VT2 determination in both sex well-trained cyclists. Trial registrationnumber 2233534 on 2024/03/05 retrospectively registered.

From unimodal to multimodal dynamics of verbal and nonverbal cues during unstructured conversation.

Conversations encompass continuous exchanges of verbal and nonverbal information. Previous research has demonstrated that gestures dynamically entrain each other and that speakers tend to align their vocal properties. While gesture and speech are known to synchronize at the intrapersonal level, few studies have investigated the multimodal dynamics of gesture/speech between individuals. The present study aims to extend our comprehension of unimodal dynamics of speech and gesture to multimodal speech/gesture dynamics. We used an online dataset of 14 dyads engaged in unstructured conversation. Speech and gesture synchronization was measured with cross-wavelets at different timescales. Results supported previous research on intrapersonal speech/gesture coordination, finding synchronization at all timescales of the conversation. Extending the literature, we also found interpersonal synchronization between speech and gesture. Given that the unimodal and multimodal synchronization occurred at similar timescales, we suggest that synchronization likely depends on the vocal channel, particularly on the turn-taking dynamics of the conversation.

Emerging technologies toward the integration of multiple functionalities on non-planar implantable neurophotonics probes.

The continuous exchange between the neuroscience and neuroengineering communities that took place over the past decades has uncovered a multitude of technological solutions to interface with the brain. In this framework, a fascinating approach relies on the integration of multiple activation and monitoring capabilities in the same implantable neural probe to better study the multifaceted nature of neural signaling and related functions in the deep brain regions. We highlight current challenges and perspectives on technological developments that could potentially enable the integration of multiple functionalities on optical fiber-based non-planar implantable neurophotonics probes.