Established Knowledge Research Articles

Holding water in a sieve—stable droplets without surface tension

Our understanding of supercritical fluids has seen exciting advances over the last decades, often in direct contradiction to established textbook knowledge. Rather than being structureless, we now know that distinct supercritical liquid and gaseous states can be distinguished and that a higher order phase transition - pseudo boiling - occurs between supercritical liquid and gaseous states across the Widom line. Observed droplets and sharp interfaces at supercritical pressures are interpreted as evidence of surface tension due to phase equilibria in mixtures, given the lack of a supercritical liquid-vapor phase equilibrium in pure fluids. However, here we introduce an alternative physical mechanism that unexpectedly causes a sharpening of interfacial density gradients in absence of surface tension: thermal gradient induced interfaces (TGIIF). We show from first principles and simulations that, unlike in gases or liquids, stable droplets, bubbles, and planar interfaces can exist without surface tension. These results challenge and generalize our understanding of what droplets and phase interfaces are, and uncover yet another unexpected behavior of supercritical fluids. TGIIF provide a new physical mechanism that could be used to tailor and optimize fuel injection or heat transfer processes in high-pressure power systems.

Complex dynamics in a fractional order nephron pressure and flow regulation model

Cardiovascular diseases can be attributed to irregular blood pressure, which may be caused by malfunctioning kidneys that regulate blood pressure. Research has identified complex oscillations in the mechanisms used by the kidney to regulate blood pressure. This study uses established physiological knowledge and earlier autoregulation models to derive a fractional order nephron autoregulation model. The dynamical behaviour of the model is analyzed using bifurcation plots, revealing periodic oscillations, chaotic regions, and multistability. A lattice array of the model is used to study collective behaviour and demonstrates the presence of chimeras in the network. A ring network of the fractional order model is also considered, and a diffusion coupling strength is adopted. A basin of synchronization is derived, considering coupling strength, fractional order or number of neighbours as parameters, and measuring the strength of incoherence. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of the nephron autoregulation model and its potential implications for cardiovascular diseases.

Electrochemical Noise Measurements on Titanium Regarding Implant Applications

The suitability of electrochemical noise measurements to gather information on the corrosion behavior of titanium implants is explored. Rod‐shaped titanium samples have been immersed in different types of electrolytes, and the generated electrochemical noise is evaluated. The electrolytes include simulated body fluids, namely phosphate‐buffered saline and artificial saliva. Different data evaluation methods have been explored. The evaluation of the time‐domain data and further statistical methods shows promising results. Noise resistance values ranging from 0.09 MΩ for 3.5 wt% H2SO4 solution up to 0.45 MΩ for simulated body fluids have been recorded. It is possible to determine the dominating corrosion modes on the sample surface and reach results in alignment with expectations and established knowledge on corrosion mechanisms.

Wolf in sheep’s clothing: Effect of primary lung tumor cells equipped with elevated neuron-like properties on brain metastases formation.

e14009 Background: It is clinically significant to decipher the mechanisms underlying lung cancer-associated brain metastases. However, comparative studies on primary tumors between patients with and without brain metastases failed to unveil such mechanisms. Moreover, the clinical observation that the incidence of brain metastases after resection of the primary tumor was as high in lymph node-negative (non-LNM) patients as in those with lymph node metastases (LNM) challenges our established knowledge that lymph node staging correlates with distant metastases. Here, we hypothesized that tumor cells in non-LNM patients might acquire a unique mechanism to develop brain metastases. Methods: We ran whole-transcriptome sequencing and methylation sequencing on paired primary tumor and brain metastases samples from 15 NSCLC patients. We compared the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between patients with LNM and non-LNM patients. Results: Pathway enrichment analysis showed that GO and KEGG pathways associated with neuronal transmission and synaptic signaling were upregulated in primary tumors of the non-LNM group vs. that of the LNM group. In contrast, brain metastases revealed an inversed trend of differential expression for these pathways between non-LNM and LNM groups. Exploratory validation at methylation level revealed that high expression of the neuronal transmission-associated gene GABRG3 correlated with hypomethylation of this gene (R=-0.39, p=0. 042), responsive to increased expression of GABRG3 in brain metastases. Brain metastases expressed higher neuronal transmission-related signatures than paired primary tumors. Intriguingly, this upregulation of tumor-neuron interactions was more pronounced in patients with lymph node metastases, suggesting that i) lymph node metastases might aid primary tumor to develop brain metastases by promoting the adaptation of tumor cells to the brain microenvironment, while ii) non-LNM patients already acquired neuron-like traits at primary sites, heralding the potential of brain metastases. Conclusions: The hypothetical mechanism of lymph node-negative lung cancer developing brain metastases might be that these tumor cells acquired properties of brain cells as early as in primary sites, masking themselves as ‘sheep’ to communicate with the host’s brain cells, and eventually unmasked as ‘wolf’: brain metastases. Further functional studies are warranted to validate this hypothesis.

Finding optimal decision boundaries for human intervention in one-class machine-learning models for industrial inspection

Abstract Anomaly detection with machine learning in industrial inspection systems for manufactured products relies on labelled data. This raises the question of how the labelling by humans should be conducted. Moreover, such a system will most likely always be imperfect and potentially need a human fall-back mechanism for ambiguous cases. We consider the case where we want to optimise the cost of the combined inspection process done by humans together with a pre-trained algorithm. This gives improved combined performance and increases the knowledge of the performance of the pre-trained model. We focus on so-called one-class classification problems which produce a continuous outlier score. After establishing some initial setup mechanisms ranging from using prior knowledge to calibrated models, we then define some cost model for machine inspection with a possible second inspection of the sample done by a human. Further, we discuss in this cost model how to select two optimal boundaries of the outlier score, where in between these two boundaries human inspection takes place. Finally, we frame this established knowledge into an applicable algorithm and conduct some experiments for the validity of the model.

“We Witches.” Knowledge Wars, Experience and Spirituality in the Women’s Movement During the 1970s

During the 1970s, feminist activists reappropriated the figure of the witch in various ways as a symbol of alterity, political radicalism, feminist revolt or victimhood, or the presentation of subversive (healing or bodily) knowledge. The article investigates these witch constructions with a focus on its experiential foundations drawing on appropriations in Western Germany within a larger transatlantic history. First, it provides a brief overview of witch discourses in the 1970s, highlighting radical feminist, health-political and artistic milieus, based on representative Western European journals and movement literature. The article emphasizes the variety of witch images and its epistemic foci, showing that however different these approaches may appear, they all created women’s alterity. Second, the article examines alternative practices of knowledge production, focusing on health guides and advice literature, as well as on approaches to experience in consciousness-raising groups. This section demonstrates how witch discourses both enabled the movement’s knowledge empowerment, but were also part of complex boundary work within the milieus, such as in the debates about the relationship between experiential knowledge and theory. The last section shows how closely and in what ways spiritualist approaches were linked to this boundary work. The article argues that feminist milieus constituted themselves within the framework of feminist epistemologies against and within established knowledge cultures, thereby drawing further boundaries within the movement. In analyzing the “evidence of experience” (Scott) produced by witch discourses its overarching aim is to demonstrate that their historical relevance initially laid in its standpoint-creating character.

Negotiating with digital self-monitoring: A qualitative study on how patients with multiple sclerosis use and experience digital self-monitoring within a scientific study.

Research shows that patients can have values and use practices that are different from those envisioned by technology developers. Using sociomaterialism as an analytical lens, we show how patients negotiated with digital self-monitoring in the context of a scientific study. Our paper draws on interviews with 26 patients with the chronic neurological disease multiple sclerosis (MS) who were invited to use an activity tracker and a self-monitoring app for a period of 12 months as part of their everyday life. Our study aims to fill a gap: relatively little is known about how digital self-monitoring becomes materialized in the everyday lives of patients with chronic diseases. We show that patients engaged in digital self-monitoring because they are eager to participate in research to contribute knowledge that will benefit the larger community of patients rather than to improve their personal self-management. Although respondents adhered to digital self-monitoring during the study, it is not self-evident that they would do so for private self-monitoring purposes. It became clear that respondents did not necessarily perceive digital self-monitoring as useful for their self-management practices due to their established knowledge and routines. Moreover, respondents referred to the inconvenience of having to perform self-monitoring tasks and the emotional burden of being reminded of the MS because of the digital self-monitoring. We conclude by indicating what could be considered when designing scientific studies, including the suitability of conventional study designs for evaluating technologies used daily by patients and the challenge of integrating patients' experiential knowledge into scientific practices.

Periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Present and future.

For more than two decades the possible association between periodontal diseases and adverse pregnancy outcomes has been extensively evaluated. Numerous observational, intervention, and mechanistic studies have offered valuable information on this topic. However, several methodologic limitations still remain a significant drawback for this set of investigations, and therefore safe conclusions are not always easy to draw. Unfortunately, despite the strong recommendations from the scientific community, recent studies have not sufficiently addressed these limitations and, therefore, have not significantly altered our perception regarding the association between periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. This review briefly describes the established knowledge and gives emphasis to the current literature. In addition, owing to the main theme of this Periodontology 2000 volume, special reference will be made regarding the results from European studies on periodontal disease and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Finally, new strategies and research guidelines are proposed in order to move on to the next level of evidence that will help connect the theoretical knowledge with meaningful clinical interventions that will benefit our pregnant patients and their offspring.

Literature Analysis on Stachybotrys chartarum and Connections to Sick Building Syndrome


 Sick building syndrome is defined as components of infrastructure that are harmful to human health in various ways ranging from noxious, harmful building materials to toxic fungal contaminants (1). There is mounting emphasis on the need for healthy, sustainably developed buildings as the amount of scientific literature published about sick building syndrome increases. Specifically, there is growing attention regarding the presence of contaminant fungi in buildings and the possible adverse human health effects upon exposure (2). Further, the estimated prevalence of Canadian homes with indoor mold growth is pervasive due to unwanted moisture accumulation in building structures (3). Despite the increasing abundance of scientific research, the existing literature does refer to established knowledge gaps; this includes the need for more primary, quantitative research observing the health effects of indoor mold exposure (3). Black mold (Stachybotrys chartarum) is thought to induce a variety of respiratory, mucosal, and dermatological symptoms in humans (1, 3, 4). These symptoms may arise by direct exposure to spores, indirect exposure or hypersensitivity to fungal antigens, or exposure to mycotoxins which may make inhabitants of contaminated buildings chronically ill (3). Mycotoxins are metabolite products of molds, typically found in mold spores which are the agents of sexual reproduction. The pathogenesis of mold sickness varies from species to species, but all molds found indoors should be treated as a potential hazard risk due to the unknown range of possible consequences after exposure (5). A comprehensive literature review examining the potential health effects of black mold exposure will help to emphasize and articulate the need for employers and homeowners to prioritize building decontamination.

‘But dragons don’t exist, do they?’: Preschoolers’ focus in determining whether a picturebook is a non-fiction or not

Preschoolers are offered few opportunities to become acquainted with non-fiction books, and when they are given the possibility to read non-fiction picturebooks, these are often fictionalised in one way or another. The fictionalisation of children’s non-fiction blurs the boundaries between fiction and non-fiction picturebooks. This could mean that children’s early opportunities to experience how different kinds of books, pictures and texts can be used and produced for different purposes are also blurred. Against this background, reading activities are designed in this study in which a group of five-year-olds is introduced to fiction and non-fiction picturebooks side by side. The study aims to contribute to an understanding of how children distinguish and experience different kinds of picturebooks when they are introduced to differences between them, and answers the research question: What is in focus when preschoolers determine whether a picturebook is a non-fiction or not? The analysis shows that the depiction (whether the picturebook depicts imaginary constructs or established knowledge) is in focus when preschoolers make this determination . This gives the children in the reading activities the opportunity to experience different kinds of picturebooks, but also to question whether non-fiction picturebooks depicting imaginary constructed (‘made up’) things, characters and events are non-fiction and to evaluate the reliability of such fictionalised non-fiction picturebooks.

War on Families: Limiting access to reproductive health

This policy note explores the landscape of federal legislation and policy that directly impact families, in light of the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Healthcare. In particular, the connection of unintended pregnancy on maternal and child health, family well-being, and society will be explored using established knowledge on the relationship of unintended pregnancy on physical health, mental health, family socioeconomic status, and child maltreatment.

Crafting cosmopolitanism: Ceramic production and exchange during Wari imperialism (600–1000 CE)

The expansive Wari state of the Middle Horizon (600–1000 CE) was the first political structure to unify the south-central and north-central Andes. Simultaneously, Wari’s political and cultural influence was not uniform across the diverse populace whom they sought to integrate. In this paper, we propose that a localized view of cosmopolitanism is apt for analyzing heterogenous Wari politics and its impacts on social identities and economies. Rather than assuming cosmopolitan worlds were constituted only in elite contexts, we consider how Wari cosmopolitanism was born out of the everyday and influenced by the localized practices, concerns, and motives of differing groups. We apply this perspective to the study of ceramic production and exchange across disparate Andean regions. Here we integrate new laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) data with previously published data to assess ceramic compositional variability across three regions: Ancash, Arequipa, and Moquegua (N = 189). This new sample set consists of Wari finewares (e.g., Viñaque, Ocros, Chakipampa), Wari-related or emulated materials, local Middle Horizon styles with Wari influenced motifs, and Middle Horizon plainwares. Previous compositional studies suggest that artisans in the Wari heartland of Ayacucho and the Moquegua province crafted imperial ceramic styles for elite consumption within centralized production zones. However, our findings indicate that, in Ancash and Arequipa, the production of Wari emulated pottery drew upon established local knowledge of clay sources. Data suggest that local groups used clays with similar geochemistries to produce both fine and plainwares. Simultaneously, these production strategies were complemented by the influx of Wari finewares from other regions, but the consumption of these prestige goods was not necessarily restricted to elite centers. We thus argue that Wari cosmopolitanism was constituted by local and global processes that were part of everyday life. Moreover, ceramic production and exchange was not necessarily controlled by Wari elites in all contexts nor was it part of an imperial wealth-finance system.

Learning strategy impacts medical diagnostic reasoning in early learners

Relating learned information to similar yet new scenarios, transfer of learning, is a key characteristic of expert reasoning in many fields including medicine. Psychological research indicates that transfer of learning is enhanced via active retrieval strategies. For diagnostic reasoning, this finding suggests that actively retrieving diagnostic information about patient cases could improve the ability to engage in transfer of learning to later diagnostic decisions. To test this hypothesis, we conducted an experiment in which two groups of undergraduate student participants learned symptom lists of simplified psychiatric diagnoses (e.g., Schizophrenia; Mania). Next, one group received written patient cases and actively retrieved the cases from memory and the other group read these written cases twice, engaging in a passive rehearsal learning strategy. Both groups then diagnosed test cases that had two equally valid diagnoses—one supported by “familiar” symptoms described in learned patient cases, and one by novel symptom descriptions. While all participants were more likely to assign higher diagnostic probability to those supported by the familiar symptoms, this effect was significantly larger for participants that engaged in active retrieval compared to passive rehearsal. There were also significant differences in performance across the given diagnoses, potentially due to differences in established knowledge of the disorders. To test this prediction, Experiment 2 compared performance on the described experiment between a participant group that received the standard diagnostic labels to a group that received fictional diagnostic labels, nonsense words designed to remove prior knowledge with each diagnosis. As predicted, there was no effect of diagnosis on task performance for the fictional label group. These results provide new insight on the impact of learning strategy and prior knowledge in fostering transfer of learning, potentially contributing to expert development in medicine.

Advances in Ferritin Physiology and Possible Implications in Bacterial Infection.

Due to its advantageous redox properties, iron plays an important role in the metabolism of nearly all life. However, these properties are not only a boon but also the bane of such life forms. Since labile iron results in the generation of reactive oxygen species by Fenton chemistry, iron is stored in a relatively safe form inside of ferritin. Despite the fact that the iron storage protein ferritin has been extensively researched, many of its physiological functions are hitherto unresolved. However, research regarding ferritin's functions is gaining momentum. For example, recent major discoveries on its secretion and distribution mechanisms have been made as well as the paradigm-changing finding of intracellular compartmentalization of ferritin via interaction with nuclear receptor coactivator 4 (NCOA4). In this review, we discuss established knowledge as well as these new findings and the implications they may have for host-pathogen interaction during bacterial infection.

Cooperation Between Public Organizations in the Implementation of Spatial Data Infrastructures (SDI)s

Questions concerning cooperation are particularly relevant in complex projects where people from many organizations are involved and work together. There is a need to study and evaluate how better knowledge about cooperation can improve and make future projects more efficient. This case study is part of a research project aiming at evaluating the importance of abilities related to cooperation in the implementation of Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI) projects. The problem at hand is that, many complex projects engage key personnel on different levels with limited experience on how to deal with questions of cooperation – both in planning and practical work. The aim of the study is to evaluate problems in cooperation using established theories and knowledge on cooperation, as well as to analyse whether problems of cooperation related to implementation specifically were a bottleneck in the studied project. Data capture is mainly based on open ended interviews. The study utilizes a framework including theories of cooperation and a model “talk – decision – action” (Brunsson, 2006). The results pointed towards problems in especially the action category. There was a lack of reciprocity between the cooperating parties, a lack of awareness about the need of daily cooperative behaviour in implementation activities and a potential risk of a free-rider problem. The most important lesson from the study is that, cooperation is a crucial component in a project of this kind, and that needed cooperation in practical implementation activities should be paid a lot of attention also in early planning activities.

Risk of Secondary Cancer after Adjuvant Tamoxifen Treatment for Ductal Carcinoma In Situ: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea

Endocrine therapy is the mainstay treatment for hormone receptor-positive ductal carcinoma in situ. The aim of this study was to examine the long-term secondary malignancy risk of tamoxifen therapy. The data of patients diagnosed with breast cancer between January 2007 and December 2015 were retrieved from the database of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service of South Korea. The International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision, was used to track all-site cancers. Age at the time of surgery, chronic disease status, and type of surgery were considered covariates in the propensity score matching analysis. The median follow-up duration was 89 months. Forty-one patients in the tamoxifen group and nine in the control group developed endometrial cancer. The Cox regression hazard ratio model showed that tamoxifen therapy was the only significant predictor of the development of endometrial cancer (hazard ratio, 2.791; 95% confidence interval, 1.355-5.747; p = 0.0054). No other type of cancer was associated with long-term tamoxifen use. In consonance with the established knowledge, the real-world data in this study demonstrated that tamoxifen therapy is related to an increased incidence of endometrial cancer.

“We Come Not Here to Talk”—Revisiting the Work of Anna Julia Cooper: An Analysis of Standpoint Theory and Her Placement in the Academic Canon

This paper examines the writings and influence of Anna Julia Cooper. The honest, historical narrative of scholarship is in question when theorists of color are repeatedly forgotten or removed from the academic record. Anna Julia Cooper is just one example of someone who has been overlooked. I detail how Cooper's analysis of group identity, located in shared experience, provided the groundwork for intersectional frameworks and feminist standpoint theory. I further contend that Cooper's lived‐experience narrative not only informed her own work but the work of others of her time, including the more esteemed W.E.B. Du Bois. She addressed how race‐gendered politics and the legacies of slavery and colonialism shape scholarship. Cooper's critique of academia determined that the relationship between colonialism and academia is intrinsically tied. My analysis examines how the work of theorists of color is often omitted, erased, or contextualized within the writings of white theorists due, in part, to a lack of generational intellectual wealth. A concept that recognizes the historical discrepancy in scholarship between white scholars and scholars of color and how that exclusion has shaped and defined established knowledge. This paper analyzes Cooper's placement within the lineage of the academic canon.

Smallholder Farming during COVID-19: A Systematic Review Concerning Impacts, Adaptations, Barriers, Policy, and Planning for Future Pandemics

Our broad aim was to systematically analyse research on the effect of COVID-19 on smallholder farming during 2019–2021 and to discuss how the research could be beneficial to smallholder farm resilience to future pandemics. The review methods were based on PRISMA guidelines, and 53 articles were included in the final review. The review aims to document the social-economic impacts on different groups, barriers and opportunities of smallholder farmers adapting to COVID, and policy options. Barriers to adaptations were considered in only 15% of journal articles, suggesting a research gap. This review highlights the fact that, among others, technology access to ensure information and crisis communication that specifically targets smallholders, as well as multi-layered diversification, serves as good predictors of smallholder adaptation to COVID-19. Multi-layered diversification includes product diversification, market diversification and income stream diversification. This confirms the established knowledge in disasters and livelihood studies where diversification of livelihoods portfolio serves as the key factor to resilience against shocks and crisis. Finally, we summarised the different policy implications arising from the literature. This implies that governments must develop an effective policy-mix that leaves no smallholder farmers behind in future pandemics.

Mortgage Financing: Access, Knowledge, Attitudes and Challenges Experienced by Urban Housing developers

This paper summarises the housing challenges that stem from the increasing population growth in Uganda by reviewing the literature. The housing deficit is the problem that the goals set in the National Development Plan (NDP III) determine to alleviate. In her NDP III, Housing Finance Bank strategised to offer affordable mortgages to Ugandan citizens. It is clearly stated in the NDP III that the problem of housing financing is left to the individuals as the central government cannot set up housing for all its citizens. The theories that guide the use of mortgage financing include the Lien, Title, Intermediate, and Lifestyle theories. This argument is presented in a systematic literature review of studies about the issues around mortgage financing in different parts of the world—specifically, Access. Established Knowledge, Attitudes and Challenges of accessing mortgage financing were issues of concern that needed researching.
 Moreover, the literature confirmed that the biggest challenge that housing developers endure to access mortgage financing is the high-interest rates, especially in developing countries. Various economies have people with different knowledge about Mortgage Financing. Uganda is the case study that aimed at increasing urban housing accessibility by citizens of the country. The research method applied in this paper is purely qualitative research that analyses the opinions of different academic scholars in mortgage financing. However, this paper argues that financial institutions' eligibility terms significantly limit Access to Urban Housing through mortgage financing. The set terms need to reviewing to suit the informal setting of developing countries like Uganda. The recommendation from the study is the adoption of a central tool to oversee the set eligibility terms on mortgages.

MOTIVAÇÕES DE MULHERES AMAZÔNIDAS PARA TOMADA DE DECISÃO DO PARTO DOMICILIAR PLANEJADO

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the meanings attributed by Amazon women regarding their motivation grounds to choose planned home childbirth. Method: a research study of a qualitative nature. The study data collection tool consisted of semi-structured interviews with 20 Amazon women who underwent home childbirths between November 2021 and March 2022, through the Snowball Sampling recruitment technique. After data collection, the interviews followed the content analysis criteria. Results: it was observed that qualified information, support networks and groups produce motivation and a feeling for home childbirth, which contribute to breaking away from the hegemonic model in Obstetrics and, thus, to refusing unnecessary interventions resulting from the established medical knowledge that oftentimes culminates in obstetric violence. Safety also emerged as a central factor to experience home childbirth, such as feelings of freedom, courage and empowerment about their choices and wishes. Conclusion: there is convergence with the current demands on positive care regarding respect for women's choice, which, through support and information, are central aspects to ensure assistance according to Amazon women's expectations, in order to break away from the hegemonic model in obstetric care, as home childbirth effectively guarantees their will, which must be heard and respected.