Passage Of Time Research Articles

Bayesian integration of astrochronology and radioisotope geochronology

Abstract. Relating stratigraphic position to numerical time using age–depth models plays an important role in determining the rate and timing of geologic and environmental change throughout Earth history. Astrochronology uses the geologic record of astronomically derived oscillations in the rock record to measure the passage of time and has proven to be a valuable technique for developing age–depth models with high stratigraphic and temporal resolution. However, in the absence of anchoring dates, many astrochronologies float in numerical time. Anchoring these chronologies relies on radioisotope geochronology (e.g., U–Pb, 40Ar/39Ar), which produces high-precision (<±1 %), stratigraphically distributed point estimates of age. In this study, we present a new R package, astroBayes, for a Bayesian inversion of astrochronology and radioisotopic geochronology to derive age–depth models. Integrating both data types allows reduction in uncertainties related to interpolation between dated horizons and the resolution of subtle changes in sedimentation rate, especially when compared to existing Bayesian models that use a stochastic random walk to approximate sedimentation variability. The astroBayes inversion also incorporates prior information about sedimentation rate, superposition, and the presence or absence of major hiatuses. The resulting age–depth models preserve both the spatial resolution of floating astrochronologies and the accuracy as well as precision of modern radioisotopic geochronology. We test the astroBayes method using two synthetic datasets designed to mimic real-world stratigraphic sections. Model uncertainties are predominantly controlled by the precision of the radioisotopic dates and are relatively constant with depth while being significantly reduced relative to “dates-only” random walk models. Since the resulting age–depth models leverage both astrochronology and radioisotopic geochronology in a single statistical framework they can resolve ambiguities between the two chronometers. Finally, we present a case study of the Bridge Creek Limestone Member of the Greenhorn Formation where we refine the age of the Cenomanian–Turonian boundary, showing the strength of this approach when applied to deep-time chronostratigraphic questions.

Perceptions of farmers about Turkish Gendarmerie: A phenomenological analysis in Bozkurt

The aim of this phenomenology study is to reveal what the Turkish Gendarmerie means to Turkish farmers and how it is affected after the experience of agricultural crime victimisation. In this study, semi-structured interviews conducted with 21 farmers who were exposed to agricultural crime between 2017 and 2019 in Bozkurt were analysed with the Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis method. Results show that farmers interact with the gendarmerie from their childhood. As time passes, they experience the positive qualities of the gendarmerie and construct a positive perception of the gendarmerie in their minds. Many farmers experience the caring and successful practices of the gendarmerie after being exposed to crime and reinforce their positive perceptions. On the other hand, farmers who are not satisfied with this process do not experience a radical change in their positive perceptions. It is possible to conclude that this situation stems from the positive perception of the gendarmerie that farmers have constructed in their minds since their childhood and that the gendarmerie means much more than a simply a rural police force for them.

Abstract 1579: Macrophage infiltration and polarization in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma following stereotactic body radiation therapy

Abstract Introduction: Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a promising treatment modality for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) due to its precise delivery and potential to improve local control. Beyond its direct impact on tumor cells, accumulating evidence suggests that SBRT may also modulate the tumor microenvironment (TME), influencing immune responses. Macrophages play a crucial role in the TME with their polarization into pro-inflammatory (M1) or pro-tumoral (M2) phenotypes significantly impacting cancer progression. Studying the TME and developing immune therapies may be helpful for metastatic PDAC, which currently only has non-curative treatment. The TME, in particular the polarization of macrophages, has not been well studied following radiation treatment. Therefore, our work aims to study how SBRT affects the infiltration and polarization of macrophages in the PDAC TME in a time-dependent manner. Methods: To establish and study PDAC C57BL/6J mice were orthotopically injected with a luciferase-labeled KPC tumor cell line. SBRT was administered to tumor-bearing mice following a schedule of 10Gy radiation per fraction in total of 5 fractions on days 10-14 post tumor implantation. Mice were euthanized on day 1, 3 and 7 after irradiation. Tumor tissues were collected for immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining and flow cytometry with antibodies targeting CD68, CD11b, CD86 (M1 marker), and CD206 (M2 marker). Images were analyzed and quantified using ImageJ and GraphPad Prism. Results: Via the use of IHC staining, we found no significant difference in the number of cells stained with the CD68 antibody (macrophage marker) when compared throughout groups. Additionally, we found no significant difference in the number of macrophages stained with the M2 marker. However, we did observe a significant increase in the number of macrophages stained with the M1 marker in the group receiving SBRT. Through flow cytometry of the tumor tissues we observed an increasing trend, as time passed, in the number of macrophages expressing the M1 marker. The same trend was observed in macrophages expressing both the M1 and M2 markers. However, a change in the total number of macrophages or those expressing only the M2 marker was not observed. Conclusions: SBRT does not affect the total number of infiltrated macrophages in the TME or the amount of M2 macrophages. However, we did observe that the percentage of M1 macrophage increases significantly as time passes after SBRT. We theorize that the increase in M1 macrophages may be due to an M2 to M1 transition in the M2 population. Our study provides preliminary rationale to use macrophage-targeted immune therapy to potentiate the efficacy of SBRT for PDAC treatment, though we understand that further follow-up studies with a larger sample size and longer time course are required to obtain significant and meaningful results. Citation Format: Emil D. Gonzalez Marrero, Liang Wang, Benjamin R. Schrank, Albert C. Koong. Macrophage infiltration and polarization in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma following stereotactic body radiation therapy [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 1579.

Protection of Gully Slope in Loess Plateau

Rigid protection of traditional engineering slope protection measures can play a certain role in slope protection at the initial stage of the project, but with the passage of time, the slope will be affected by weathering, the stability of the slope will be reduced, in addition, a large area of engineering rock surface exposed will not be coordinated with the surrounding natural vegetation environment, which does not meet the requirements of sustainable development. Therefore, the ecological engineering restoration technology combining engineering measures and biological measures has become the trend and mainstream of slope management and restoration.

Differences in Subjective and Psychological Well-Being of Romanian Adolescents over a Four-Year Period and its Relationship with Free Time

AbstractThe aim of this study is to explore changes in subjective well-being (life satisfaction and positive affect), as well as psychological well-being among Romanian adolescents over a 4-year period using data from the Children’s Worlds project (Waves 2 and 3). Participants were 12-year-olds (N = 1,504 in 2015; N = 1,145 in 2019). The findings indicated a decline in positive affect and psychological prosperity with the passage of time, while life satisfaction remained constant. To investigate factors influencing the decline, we examined the relationships between well-being and the amount of time adolescents spent in their free time (leisure and duties), as well as their satisfaction with their free time. Leisure activities predicted both well-being measures over time. Duties predicted subjective well-being at both waves but only predicted psychological well-being in Wave 3. Satisfaction with free time predicted both well-being approaches only in Wave 3. The findings suggest that factors related to free time do not contribute to declines in well-being, as they show positive associations with subjective and psychological well-being. The declines likely stem from other unexplored variables, underscoring the need for additional research on contributors to the well-being of Romanian adolescents, particularly following disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic.

Energy density inhomogeneities with self-gravitating charged fluid in modified teleparallel gravity

In this paper, we analyze energy density inhomogeneities for charged fluid configuration in the background of [Formula: see text] theory and recognize its prime features as computed in GR. The dynamical equations are composed employing Bianchi identities for the standard, [Formula: see text] extra terms, and energy-momentum tensor for the electromagnetic field. We evaluate various mathematical models of dissipative and anisotropic fluid distributions in-plane symmetry under [Formula: see text] gravity. To proceed with the investigation, we design the [Formula: see text] field equations, kinematical quantities, and mass function. We analyzed dynamical variables and Ellis equations in terms of our considered theory. To examine the associated inhomogeneity factors, specific scenarios are illustrated alongside and without dissipation. Within a non-radiating situation, we analyze dust and isotropic and anisotropic matter in the state of electric charge. We examine the inhomogeneity factor of a dissipative fluid via a charged dust haze. We derive that the electromagnetic field fosters matter inhomogeneity, but additional curvature factors make the entire structure more homogenous as time passes.

PERAN LEMBAGA KEUANGAN SYARIAH DAN DAYA TARIK MASYARAKAT TERKHUSUS PADA SEKTOR UMKM

The Islamic Financial Sector (IFS) is a rapidly growing sector in the Islamic economy. IFS operates on Islamic law, so it must always adhere to Islam. IFS plays a crucial role in implementing Islamic principles aimed at helping society achieve prosperity, honesty, and fairness through a profit-sharing system. One of the key players in the Islamic financial sector is Islamic banking, which has a low credit risk, resulting in a sufficient margin for MSMEs. MSMEs, also known as Usaha Mikro Kecil dan Menengah (UMKM), are a type of productive business owned by individuals or corporations and regulated by Law No. 28 of 2008. UMKM has a significant role in Indonesia's economy. This potential is what motivates Islamic banks to facilitate the provision of loans to MSMEs. As time passes, Islamic banks have become capable of supporting MSMEs, which in turn attract MSMEs to conduct transactions at Islamic banks.

The mean–variance (in)efficiency of duration‐based immunization

AbstractEmpirical studies report inconclusive assessment of duration‐based immunization, notably showing that more sophisticated strategies do not outperform immunization relying on Macaulay duration. This article provides a mean–variance framework to explain this puzzle. We characterize the efficient portfolio allocations for a stylized barbell strategy trading off reinvestment risk with discounting risk. We show, in a model‐free setting, that barbell allocations form a convex set in the mean–variance space, and the endpoints of the efficient frontier can switch as time passes, reversing the set of efficient allocations. Consequently, duration‐based immunization, which is not minimum variance, can exhibit temporary inefficiency. This result is numerically illustrated in a one‐factor Gaussian and a two‐factor non‐Gaussian model. Using yield curve scenarios resampled from U.S. data over the 1977–2020 period, we further corroborate our conclusions non‐parametrically, and find that duration‐based immunization is sometimes inefficient.

Blockchain solutions with consensus algorithms and immediate finality: Toward Panopticon-style monitoring to enhance anti-money laundering

Banks can reduce resources spent on anti-money laundering (AML) compliance with blockchain-based transaction infrastructure. We consider AML compliance as a superset of know-your-customer (KYC) and transaction monitoring capabilities. We carried out this research with Danske Bank and Concordium, using internal documents and interviews that served as empirical data. We show how storing digital representations of verified IDs with a blockchain can automate tasks and reduce redundant verification in KYC onboarding. Blockchain transparency also improves identifying counterparties, determining funds sources, and creating alerts in transaction monitoring. These reduce time and labor costs for AML compliance, which may lead to smaller banks. When more banks commit to layer-1 blockchain technology, the benefits of blockchain-based AML will increase. We carried out this theory-based qualitative research and encourage ECRA readers to recognize that the emerging technology innovations we study in this article have not yet been widely adopted and implemented by financial services firms. We also include a theoretical model with study hypotheses to make the main constructs that we investigate easily understood by non-technical ECRA readers. The findings we have developed are consistent with early-stage exploration in our research context and are intended to encourage more well-developed empirical results as the passage of time permits such work to be undertaken.

The Residents’ Experience of Social and Spatial Disconnection and Connection in Residential Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This qualitative intuitive inquiry into residential care in Sweden discusses effects of social and spatial connections and disconnections during the Covid-19 pandemic. Interviews were carried out with 11 residents living in three residential care homes. Observations and spatial analyses complemented the interviews. The study investigated residents’ experience of the altered use of architectural space during the different phases of the coronavirus pandemic. Restrictions comprised, in general, that public areas were emptied, while residents were confined to their private apartments 24 hours a day. This created an entirely different caring architecture and challenged the usual care model of community. However, many residents said that staying in their apartments around the clock was an experience that was very similar to ordinary days in residential care, since they normally stayed long hours in their apartments. However, the residents’ disconnection from local information about the disease created a situation of great ambiguity and uncertainty about the progress of the pandemic and the state of the disease in the home. The interviewees claimed nevertheless that they had not been particularly worried about the situation. They had continued with normal leisure activities to make the time pass. It seems as though the disconnection from most of the spaces outside their apartments, as well as from staff, family and fellow residents, made it possible for them to disconnect themselves from awareness of the dangers of the disease caused by Covid-19.

Good Governance and Student Politics in Public University Campuses: Bangladesh Perspective

Student political role is the most crucial and dominant in the history of the birth of Bangladesh. Despite having its glorious past in the birth of Bangladesh and bringing many historical political changes towards democracy and good governance, Student politics is now shriveling up the good governance and academic environment with violent and parochial political culture. However, with the passage of time, student politics is gradually losing its historical importance and legitimacy as political violence and brutality become part of its regular activities. Student political violence is a nationwide problem in Bangladesh, public college and university campuses are occupying the forefront of this issue. But despite the multitude of strategies aimed at achieving effective governance in public educational institutions, the level of success attained remains less than desirable. This paper intends to emphasize the student political scenario on the basis of the normative scale of good governance. Among many spheres of student politics in Bangladesh, this paper will analyses the scenario of public university campuses, where student politics have a distinct political structure from off-campus student politics. This paper will conduct a qualitative analysis to inquire about the status of good governance in these campuses and how student political violence and parochial culture deter good governance in those institutions and later impact the national good governance process. The research paper suggests that to ensure efficient, good governance on campus and at the national level, the current pattern of student politics has to be revised rigorously. To increase the chances of good governance in Bangladesh, a realistic policy needs to be developed for student politics and university authorities.

CLLU1 as an emerging biomarker in chronic lymphoid leukemia.

CLLU1, a disease-specific gene associated with chronic lymphoid leukemia (CLL), is located on chromosome 12q22. Previous studies considered CLLU1 to be a non-coding RNA; however, recent research has discovered that its coding sequence region possesses the potential to encode a short peptide similar to interleukin-4. Remarkably, abnormally elevated expression of CLLU1 has only been detected in chronic lymphoid leukemia among all hematological cancers. High CLLU1 expression often indicates more malignant pathological features and an unfavorable prognosis for patients. Importantly, the expression level of CLLU1 remains unaffected by the passage of time or therapeutic interventions, thus rendering it a novel prognostic marker. This article provides a comprehensive summary of relevant research findings on CLLU1 in the context of CLL prognosis and clinical applications, aiming to guide subsequent theoretical and clinical investigations in this field.

Waqf—The Muslim endowments in India: ideological and legal intricacies

Abstract Waqf is the permanent dedication by any person, of any movable or immovable property for any purpose recognised by the Muslim law as pious, religious or charitable. Making waqf is considered a virtuous act in Islam. As a result, Muslims established auqaf wherever they lived. Apart from agricultural, commercial and residential properties, waqf in India includes functional/non-functional mosques, darghās (tomb or shrine of Muslim saint), khanqahās (building or space for Sufi brotherhood), maqbaras (tombs), ashoor-khanās (mourning place for Shias), qabristāns (graveyards), idghās (space to offer Eid Prayer), imam-baras (space for prayers and gatherings for Shias), etc. With the passage of time, waqf endowments started playing an important role in shaping the religious, social, educational, cultural, economic and political aspects/institutions of Muslim societies. This voluntary institution of waqf supplemented the State in fulfilment of its obligations towards the provisions of public good. This interaction between the state and the waqf created ideological and legal intricacies that have shaped the present-day waqf legislations.

Longitudinal attenuation in political polarization: Evidence from COVID-19 vaccination adherence in Brazil

BackgroundWhile political polarization in policy opinions, preferences, and observance is well established, little is known about whether and how such divisions evolve, and possibly attenuate, over time. Using the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil as the backdrop, we examine the longitudinal evolution of a highly relevant and polarizing policy: adherence to the COVID-19 vaccination. MethodsStudies 1 (N = 3346) and 2 (N = 10,214) use nationwide surveys to document initial differences and subsequent changes in vaccination adherence between conservatives ("Bolsonaristas") and non-conservatives ("non-Bolsonaristas"). Study 3 (N = 742) uses an original dataset to investigate belief changes among conservatives and their association with asymmetric changes in vaccination adherence. ResultsDespite substantial differences at the early stages of rollout, the gap in vaccination adherence between conservatives and non-conservatives significantly decreased with the passage of time, driven essentially by a much faster uptake among the initially most skeptic—the conservatives. Study 3 demonstrates that the asymmetric changes in vaccination adherence were associated with meaningful belief changes among the conservatives, especially about the perceived effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines and the expected adherence of peers to the vaccination campaign. ConclusionsTogether, these studies show that, in a context where the superiority of the promoted policy becomes clear over time and individuals have the opportunity to revisit prior beliefs, even intense political polarization can be attenuated.

Exploring Squalene's Impact on Epidermal Thickening and Collagen Production: Molecular Docking Insights

Background:: Aging is a progressive deterioration characterized by the gradual buildup of physiological alterations as time passes. The aging phenomenon encompasses various interconnected systems within the body, such as the skin, bones, cartilage, and hair. Objective and Methods: In this study, based on the appropriate properties of squalene, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and skin repair properties, a molecular docking study was designed for the drug squalene and proteins related to the dermis and epidermis pathway and collagen production (including Col3A1, Col1A2, FBN1, Decorin, and HAS2). Results and Discussion:: The docking results indicated that the interaction of squalene with hyaluronan synthetase 2 (HAS2) possessed the highest negative binding free energy value of -10.90 KCal/mol, followed by decorin with a value of -9.99 KCal/mol. Also, the inhibition constant values of squalene- HAS2 and squalene-decorin complexes were equal to 1.61 and 7.51 μM, respectively. It has been stated that decorin (as a small proteoglycan) and HAS2 are involved in controlling the assembly of skin fibrils and the biosynthesis of glucosaminoglycans, respectively. Conclusion:: Considering that proteoglycans and glucosaminoglycans play a role in the skin aging process, squalene may be used as an anti-aging agent to induce these pathways and for different purposes. Squalene may be used as a potential agent alone or in combination with other compounds in tissue engineering scaffolds for cosmetic, anti-aging, wound healing, and tissue repair applications.

Impact of the Passage of Time on the Correct Identification of the Speaker Using the Auditory Method

Courts in Poland, as well as in most countries in the world, allow for the identification of a person on the basis of his/her voice using the so-called voice presentation method, i.e., the auditory method. This method is used in situations where there is no sound recording and the perpetrator of the criminal act was masked and the victim heard only his or her voice. However, psychologists, forensic acousticians, as well as researchers in the field of auditory perception and forensic science more broadly describe many cases in which such testimony resulted in misjudgement. This paper presents the results of an experiment designed to investigate, in a Polish language setting, the extent to which the passage of time impairs the correct identification of a person. The study showed that 31 days after the speaker’s voice was first heard, the correct identification for a female voice was 30% and for a male voice 40%.

Instant queue occupancy used for automatic traffic scheduling in data center networks

Datacenter applications desire low latency for short messages to provide a better user experience. Therefore, one of the goals of datacenter networks is to minimize flow completion time (FCT), especially for short flows. Multiple scheduling disciplines have been proposed to achieve this goal. In this paper, we develop a Dynamic Longer Stay Less Priority (D-LSLP) which looks at the current queue occupancy to adjust the demotion threshold for the packets of the flows arriving in the strict priority queues. Initially, D-LSLP considers every flow to be a short flow, and with the passage of time, the flow is demoted to the lower priority queue, similar to Multilevel Feedback Queue (MLFQ) Scheduling. It enables short flows to be completed in a couple of higher-priority queues. In contrast, large flows are demoted to the lower priority queues after remaining active in the queues for a certain amount of time (demotion threshold). However, for the different traffic patterns with different distribution of flow lengths, the demotion threshold for the flows should be adapted automatically. In this paper, we leverage the programmable nature of the P4 switches to measure the instant queue occupancy in the P4, which can be used to adjust the demotion threshold accordingly for the highest priority queue. This enables D-LSLP to increase or decrease its highest priority demotion threshold based on the instant queue status. D-LSLP allows multiple traffic patterns to coexist without manually tuning the demotion thresholds. Furthermore, it reduces the tail drop in the highest priority queue when many short flows overwhelm the highest priority queue. The performance evaluation shows that it works equally well for different traffic patterns without operator intervention.

“I Make My Own Time”: Julio Valverde’s Temporal Agency Through Musicking

Although music’s potential to alter the perception of the passage of time is well known, a better understanding of how it works in practice is still needed. In this regard, studies on temporal agency such as those by Flaherty (2011) and Hitlin and Elder (2007) have become important references, as they seek to identify the parameters on which individuals base themselves in the making of time. Based on an ethnography centred on Julio Valverde, a 79-year-old Brazilian cook and composer, I intend to show how his different forms of musicking are capable of shaping both his own experiences of time and those of the people of his intimate circle. In addition, the article explores issues related to Julio’s aging, examining both his musical flourishing and his unique perspective on the past, present, and future.

Spatiotemporal clustering of dam settlement monitoring using instrumentation data (case study: Eyvashan Earth Dam)

The integrity of monitoring data is important for studying the amount and location of deformation in earth dams. In this research, the meeting of the Eyvashan Earth Dam was analyzed using the results of precision instruments over a period of eight years during three periods of construction, first impoundment, and exploitation. To verify the accuracy of the results, the numerical model of the largest section of the dam was constructed with Plaxis software and analyzed according to the Mohr–Coulomb behavior model. The results showed that since the beginning of construction, the occurrence of settlements in the core of the dam has been increasing, and with the passage of time, settlements reach a constant value in the operation phase. The maximum settlement of the dam core at the end of the construction stage was 809 mm, which was equal to 1.2% of the dam height in the middle level. Additionally, an approach based on spatiotemporal clustering has been presented to improve the interpretability of the settlement behavior of earth dams. Clustering analysis of spatiotemporal data is used as a measure to determine the similarity of settlements and to select relevant data. Therefore, k-means clustering algorithms and two-step clustering were used to determine the displacement of earth dams. By comparing the correlation results, the proposed method of detecting settlement areas using a spatiotemporal clustering model can be considered a reliable method for monitoring the settlement of earth dams.

Insular and prelimbic cortices control behavioral accuracy and precision in a temporal decision-making task in rats

The anterior insular cortex (AIC) comprises a region of sensory integration. It appears to detect salient events in order to guide goal-directed behavior, code tracking errors, and estimate the passage of time. Temporal processing in the AIC may be instantiated by the integration of representations of interoception. Projections between the AIC and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) - found both in rats and humans - also suggest a possible role for these structures in the integration of autonomic responses during ongoing behavior. Few studies, however, have investigated the role of AIC and mPFC in decision-making and time estimation tasks. Moreover, their findings are not consistent, so the relationship between temporal decision-making and those areas remains unclear. The present study employed bilateral inactivations to explore the role of AIC and prelimbic cortex (PL) in rats during a temporal decision-making task. In this task, two levers are available simultaneously (but only one is active), one predicting reinforcement after a short, and the other after a long-fixed interval. Optimal performance requires a switch from the short to the long lever after the short-fixed interval elapsed and no reinforcement was delivered. Switch behavior from the short to the long lever was dependent on AIC and PL. During AIC inactivation, switch latencies became more variable, while during PL inactivation switch latencies became both more variable and less accurate. These findings point to a dissociation between AIC and PL in temporal decision-making, suggesting that the AIC is important for temporal precision, and PL is important for both temporal accuracy and precision.