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Background: The need to determine physical compatibility of intravenous admixtures is directly related to patient safety and patient outcomes. While the provision of multi-modal analgesic strategies has increased over the past decade, a paucity of data exists regarding physical compatibility of select medications. Objectives: To evaluate the physical compatibility of methocarbamol in Lactated Ringer's (LR), 0.45% normal saline (0.45% NaCl), and Plasma-Lyte A (PLA) at concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL. Methods: Admixtures were prepared and evaluated using previously validated methods under a laminar flow hood using aseptic technique. Samples were prepared in a triplicate manner, 3 mL aliquots were placed into polymethyl methacrylate cuvettes for evaluation at time points 0, 1, 5, 8, and 24 hours. Visual inspection of samples included assignment of a number: 0—no precipitation, 1—trace evidence of precipitation, 2—slight haze, 3—medium haze, and 4—heavy precipitation. Any evidence of precipitation was considered significant. A variable wavelength spectrophotometer set at 547 nanometers was used to measure absorbance. A change in absorbance of ±0.010 was considered significant. A change in pH of ±0.1 was considered significant. Results: No significant changes occurred relating to visual inspection or absorbance across all concentrations and time points for LR; however, there was a significant change in pH across all concentrations at hour 5. In 0.45% NaCl and PLA, no remarkable changes occurred across all concentrations and time points regarding visual observation, spectrophotometric absorbance, and pH analysis. Conclusions: Methocarbamol at concentrations of 4, 10, and 20 mg/mL is physically compatible for up to 1 hour in LR. Methocarbamol is physically compatible in 0.45% NaCl and PLA for up to 24 hours. Chemical stability tests are warranted to confirm these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses Earth's Rights as an environmental justice mechanism of reparation, protection, and justice for indigenous communities, environmental defenders, and other populations in Latin America. We argue that Earth's rights encompass and include the right to health and can be integrated into international human rights frameworks to protect all forms of life, responding to colonial legacies of discrimination and violence. We respond to the scarcity of literature discussing Earth's rights in relation to situations where human rights and Earth's rights are violated. We ground our argument in the theoretical conceptualization of Latin American proposals of Earth's rights and its potential for actionable policy approaches that include human health as inevitably interconnected to our planet's well-being. We address the environmental injustices that affect the right to health and argue that an Earth's rights framework can support reparations for historically marginalized communities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare events include many of the most interesting transformation processes in condensed matter, from phase transitions to biomolecular conformational changes to chemical reactions. Access to the corresponding mechanisms, free-energy landscapes and kinetic rates can in principle be obtained by different techniques after projecting the high-dimensional atomic dynamics on one (or a few) collective variable. Even though it is well-known that the projected dynamics approximately follows – in a statistical sense – the generalized, underdamped or overdamped Langevin equations (depending on the time resolution), to date it is nontrivial to parameterize such equations starting from a limited, practically accessible amount of non-ergodic trajectories. In this work we focus on Markovian, underdamped Langevin equations, that arise naturally when considering, e.g., numerous water-solution processes at sub-picosecond resolution. After contrasting the advantages and pitfalls of different numerical approaches, we present an efficient parametrization strategy based on a limited set of molecular dynamics data, including equilibrium trajectories confined to minima and few hundreds transition path sampling-like trajectories. Employing velocity autocorrelation or memory kernel information for learning the friction and likelihood maximization for learning the free-energy landscape, we demonstrate the possibility to reconstruct accurate barriers and rates both for a benchmark system and for the interaction of carbon nanoparticles in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generalized master equation (GME) provides a powerful approach to study biomolecular dynamics via non-Markovian dynamic models built from molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Previously, we have implemented the GME, namely the quasi Markov State Model (qMSM), where we explicitly calculate the memory kernel and propagate dynamics using a discretized GME. qMSM can be constructed with much shorter MD trajectories than the MSM. However, since qMSM needs to explicitly compute the time-dependent memory kernels, it is heavily affected by the numerical fluctuations of simulation data when applied to study biomolecular conformational changes. This can lead to numerical instability of predicted long-time dynamics, greatly limiting the applicability of qMSM in complicated biomolecules. We present a new method, the Integrative GME (IGME), in which we analytically solve the GME under the condition when the memory kernels have decayed to zero. Our IGME overcomes the challenges of the qMSM by using the time integrations of memory kernels, thereby avoiding the numerical instability caused by explicit computation of time-dependent memory kernels. Using our solutions of the GME, we have developed a new approach to compute long-time dynamics based on MD simulations in a numerically stable, accurate and efficient way. To demonstrate its effectiveness, we have applied the IGME in three biomolecules: the alanine dipeptide, FIP35 WW-domain, and Taq RNA polymerase. In each system, the IGME achieves significantly smaller fluctuations for both memory kernels and long-time dynamics compared to the qMSM. We anticipate that the IGME can be widely applied to investigate biomolecular conformational changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interpreting high-dimensional data from molecular dynamics simulations is a persistent challenge. In this paper, we show that for a small peptide, deca-alanine, metastable states can be identified through a neural net based on structural information alone. While processing molecular dynamics data, dimensionality reduction is a necessary step that projects high-dimensional data onto a low-dimensional representation that, ideally, captures the conformational changes in the underlying data. Conventional methods make use of the temporal information contained in trajectories generated through integrating the equations of motion, which forgoes more efficient sampling schemes. We demonstrate that EncoderMap, an autoencoder architecture with an additional distance metric, can find a suitable low-dimensional representation to identify long-lived molecular conformations using exclusively structural information. For deca-alanine, which exhibits several helix-forming pathways, we show that this approach allows us to combine simulations with different biasing forces and yields representations comparable in quality to other established methods. Our results contribute to computational strategies for the rapid automatic exploration of the configuration space of peptides and proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact of non-linear interactions on dynamic coarse graining, we study a simplified model system featuring a tracer particle in a complex environment. Using a projection operator formalism and computer simulations, we systematically derive generalized Langevin equations (GLEs) describing the dynamics of this particle. We compare different kinds of linear and non-linear coarse-graining procedures to understand how non-linearities enter reconstructed GLEs and how they influence the coarse-grained dynamics. For non-linear external potentials, we show analytically and numerically that the non-Gaussian parameter and the incoherent intermediate scattering function will not be correctly reproduced by the GLE if a linear projection is applied. This, however, can be overcome by using non-linear projection operators. We also study anharmonic coupling between the tracer and the environment and demonstrate that the reconstructed memory kernel develops an additional trap-dependent contribution. Our study highlights some open challenges and possible solutions in dynamic coarse graining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whether single-molecule trajectories, observed experimentally or in molecular simulations, can be described using simple models such as biased diffusion is a subject of considerable debate. Memory effects and anomalous diffusion have been reported in a number of studies, but directly inferring such effects from trajectories, especially given limited temporal and/or spatial resolution, has been a challenge. Recently, we proposed that this can be achieved with information-theoretical analysis of trajectories, which is based on the general observation that non-Markov effects make trajectories more predictable and, thus, more "compressible" by lossless compression algorithms. Toy models where discrete molecular states evolve in time were shown to be amenable to such analysis, but its application to continuous trajectories presents a challenge: the trajectories need to be digitized first, and digitization itself introduces non-Markov effects that depend on the specifics of how trajectories are sampled. Here we develop a milestoning-based method for information-theoretical analysis of continuous trajectories and show its utility in application to Markov and non-Markov models and to trajectories obtained from molecular simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Local diffusivity of a protein depends crucially on the conformation, and the conformational fluctuations are often non-Markovian. Here, we investigate the Langevin equation with non-Markovian fluctuating diffusivity, where the fluctuating diffusivity is modeled by a generalized Langevin equation under a double-well potential. We find that non-Markovian fluctuating diffusivity affects the global diffusivity, i.e., the diffusion coefficient obtained by the long-time trajectories when the memory kernel in the generalized Langevin equation is a power-law form. On the other hand, the diffusion coefficient does not change when the memory kernel is exponential. More precisely, the global diffusivity obtained by a trajectory whose length is longer than the longest relaxation time in the memory kernel is not affected by the non-Markovian fluctuating diffusivity. We show that these non-Markovian effects are the consequences of an everlasting effect of the initial condition on the stationary distribution in the generalized Langevin equation under a double-well potential due to long-term memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memory effects are ubiquitous in a wide variety of complex physical phenomena, ranging from glassy dynamics and metamaterials to climate models. The Generalized Langevin Equation (GLE) provides a rigorous way to describe memory effects via the so-called memory kernel in an integro-differential equation. However, the memory kernel is often unknown, and accurately predicting or measuring it via, e.g., a numerical inverse Laplace transform remains a herculean task. Here, we describe a novel method using deep neural networks (DNNs) to measure memory kernels from dynamical data. As a proof-of-principle, we focus on the notoriously long-lived memory effects of glass-forming systems, which have proved a major challenge to existing methods. In particular, we learn the operator mapping dynamics to memory kernels from a training set generated with the Mode-Coupling Theory (MCT) of hard spheres. Our DNNs are remarkably robust against noise, in contrast to conventional techniques. Furthermore, we demonstrate that a network trained on data generated from analytic theory (hard-sphere MCT) generalizes well to data from simulations of a different system (Brownian Weeks–Chandler–Andersen particles). Finally, we train a network on a set of phenomenological kernels and demonstrate its effectiveness in generalizing to both unseen phenomenological examples and supercooled hard-sphere MCT data. We provide a general pipeline, KernelLearner, for training networks to extract memory kernels from any non-Markovian system described by a GLE. The success of our DNN method applied to noisy glassy systems suggests that deep learning can play an important role in the study of dynamical systems with memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the emerging field of environmental restorative justice, focusing on addressing environmental damage, pollution, and the role of restorative justice in these issues. It reviews recent publications on the topic, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in this area. The text explores the limitations of restorative justice in dealing with large corporations and governments responsible for environmental harm, suggesting alternative approaches like civil disobedience and public forums for truth-telling and restoration. The article also delves into the need for broader public recognition of environmental harm and the importance of including nature's voice in these discussions. [Extracted from the article]

Single-molecule and single-particle tracking experiments are typically unable to resolve fine details of thermal motion at short timescales where trajectories are continuous. We show that, when a diffusive trajectory x t is sampled at finite time intervals δt, the resulting error in measuring the first passage time to a given domain can exceed the time resolution of the measurement by more than an order of magnitude. Such surprisingly large errors originate from the fact that the trajectory may enter and exit the domain while being unobserved, thereby lengthening the apparent first passage time by an amount that is larger than δt. Such systematic errors are particularly important in single-molecule studies of barrier crossing dynamics. We show that the correct first passage times, as well as other properties of the trajectories such as splitting probabilities, can be recovered via a stochastic algorithm that reintroduces unobserved first passage events probabilistically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized master equations provide a theoretically rigorous framework to capture the dynamics of processes ranging from energy harvesting in plants and photovoltaic devices to qubit decoherence in quantum technologies and even protein folding. At their center is the concept of memory. The explicit time-nonlocal description of memory is both protracted and elaborate. When physical intuition is at a premium, one would desire a more compact, yet complete, description. Here, we demonstrate how and when the time-convolutionless formalism constitutes such a description. In particular, by focusing on the dissipative dynamics of the spin-boson and Frenkel exciton models, we show how to: easily construct the time-local generator from reference reduced dynamics, elucidate the dependence of its existence on the system parameters and the choice of reduced observables, identify the physical origin of its apparent divergences, and offer analysis tools to diagnose their severity and circumvent their deleterious effects. We demonstrate that, when applicable, the time-local approach requires as little information as the more commonly used time-nonlocal scheme, with the important advantages of providing a more compact description, greater algorithmic simplicity, and physical interpretability. We conclude by introducing the discrete-time analog and a straightforward protocol to employ it in cases where the reference dynamics have limited resolution. The insights we present here offer the potential for extending the reach of dynamical methods, reducing both their cost and conceptual complexity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The generalized Langevin equation (GLE) provides an attractive theoretical framework for investigating the dynamics of conformational fluctuations of polymeric systems. While the memory kernel is a central function in the GLE, explicit analytical forms for this function have been challenging to obtain, even for the simple models of polymer dynamics. Here, we achieve an explicit analytical expression for the memory kernel in the GLE for the end-to-end vector of Rouse chains in the overdamped limit. Our derivation takes advantage of the finding that the dynamics of the end-to-end vector of Rouse chains with both free ends are equivalent to those of Rouse chains with one free end and the other fixed. For the latter model, we first show that the equations of motion of the Rouse modes as well as their statistical properties can be obtained under the boundary conditions where the free end is held fixed temporarily. We then analytically solve the terms associated with intrachain interactions in the GLE. By formally comparing these terms with the GLE based on the Rouse modes, we obtain an explicit expression for the memory kernel, along with analytical forms for the potential field and the random colored noise force. Our analytical memory kernel is confirmed by numerical calculations in the Laplace space and is shown to yield asymptotic behaviors that are consistent with previous studies. Finally, we utilize our analytical result to simulate the cyclization dynamics of Rouse chains and discuss the scaling of the cyclization time with chain length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method to estimate the transition rates of molecular systems under different environmental conditions that cause the formation or the breaking of bonds and require the sampling of the Grand Canonical Ensemble. For this purpose, we model the molecular system in terms of probable "scenarios," governed by different potential energy functions, which are separately sampled by classical MD simulations. Reweighting the canonical distribution of each scenario according to specific environmental variables, we estimate the grand canonical distribution, then use the Square Root Approximation method to discretize the Fokker-Planck operator into a rate matrix and the robust Perron Cluster Cluster Analysis method to coarse-grain the kinetic model. This permits efficiently estimating the transition rates of conformational states as functions of environmental variables, for example, the local pH at a cell membrane. In this work, we formalize the theoretical framework of the procedure, and we present a numerical experiment comparing the results with those provided by a constant-pH method based on non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics Monte Carlo simulations. The method is relevant for the development of new drug design strategies that take into account how the cellular environment influences biochemical processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a numerical method to produce stochastic dynamics according to the generalized Langevin equation with a non-stationary memory kernel. This type of dynamics occurs when a microscopic system with an explicitly time-dependent Liouvillian is coarse-grained by means of a projection operator formalism. We show how to replace the deterministic fluctuating force in the generalized Langevin equation by a stochastic process, such that the distributions of the observables are reproduced up to moments of a given order. Thus, in combination with a method to extract the memory kernel from simulation data of the underlying microscopic model, the method introduced here allows us to construct and simulate a coarse-grained model for a driven process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generalized Langevin equations with non-linear forces and position-dependent linear friction memory kernels, such as commonly used to describe the effective dynamics of coarse-grained variables in molecular dynamics, are rigorously derived within the Mori–Zwanzig formalism. A fluctuation–dissipation theorem relating the properties of the noise to the memory kernel is shown. The derivation also yields Volterra-type equations for the kernel, which can be used for a numerical parametrization of the model from all-atom simulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Protected area management often depends heavily on law enforcement to secure compliance with rules. However, this can contribute to conflict between protected area authorities and local people, negatively affecting both human well-being and conservation outcomes. Compliance is affected by many factors, including whether those who enforce rules are perceived to do so fairly, as well as the perceived rule-related behavior of others. We used factorial survey experiments to explore how fair respondents living around protected areas in Indonesia and Tanzania perceive sanctions distributed by law enforcers to be. We presented scenarios to respondents to assess how crime type, offender characteristics, and corruption influenced their judgments regarding the fairness of administered sanctions. We also assessed how descriptive norms and corruption influenced individuals' willingness to obey protected area rules. Data were collected from 229 people in Indonesia and 217 in Tanzania. Results showed that in both locations, lawful sanctions, such as arrests or warnings, were perceived as fairer, and sanctions that involved corruption were perceived as least fair. Attitudes toward protected area rules, corruption, and descriptive norms all influenced people's willingness to comply, whereas multidimensional poverty did not. Our results highlight the need for conservation policy and practice to move beyond narratives that focus on the need for more law enforcement. To improve protected area compliance and secure better outcomes for people and nature, conservation must focus on ensuring the fair administration of rules and enhancing the legitimacy of rules themselves., (© 2024 The Author(s). Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.)

A theory of barrier crossing rate on a multidimensional reaction energy surface is presented. The theory is a generalization of the earlier theoretical schemes to higher dimensions, with the inclusion of non-Markovian friction along both the reactive and the nonreactive coordinates. The theory additionally includes the bilinear coupling between the reactive and the nonreactive modes at the Hamiltonian level. Under suitable conditions, we recover the rate expressions of Langer and Hynes and establish a connection with the rate treatment of Pollak. Within the phenomenology of generalized Langevin equation description, our formulation provides an improvement over the existing ones because we explicitly include both the non-Markovian effects along the reaction coordinate and the bilinear coupling at the Hamiltonian level. At intermediate-to-large friction, an increase in dimensionality by itself tends to reduce the rate, while the inclusion of the memory effects increases the rate. The theory predicts an increase in rate when off-diagonal friction terms are included. We present a model calculation to study isomerization of a stilbene-like molecule using the prescription of Hochstrasser and co-workers on a two-dimensional reaction energy surface, employing Zwanzig–Bixon hydrodynamic theory of frequency-dependent friction. The calculated rate shows a departure from the predictions of Langer's theory and also from the two-dimensional transition state theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How can scholars and practitioners gauge the extent to which environmental justice (EJ) is present in research and policy? Through synthesizing the interdisciplinary environmental justice scholarship, we present a diagnostic framework for appraising the frequency and depth of environmental justice-based engagements in published academic research, with broader applications for gray literature, such as policy documents. We demonstrate how the diagnostic can be applied through a scoping review methodology for assessing EJ contributions in existing research on the Colorado River Basin – a global epicenter for intersecting climate change and water equity concerns. The results demonstrate that the existing literature mostly focuses on specific dimensions of justice and does not consider the interdependent nature of its multiple dimensions and measures. Overall, the applied diagnostic represents one approach for assessing EJ contributions, with important potential for informing research practice and public policy design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tijdschrift voor Herstelrecht is the property of Boom uitgevers Den Haag and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The safety and reliability of weapon systems would be significantly affected by changes in the performance of energetic materials due to ambient temperature and humidity. Nanothermites have promising applications due to their excellent reactivity. Therefore it becomes extremely important to understand their aging and failure process in the environment before using them. Here, the aging and failure process of Al/CuO in 71 °C/60% RH were investigated, and showed that CuO nanoparticles negatively catalyze Al nanopowders, resulting in rapid hydration. The anti-aging effect of FAS-17-coated Al nanopowder was also examined. The aging process of Al, Al/CuO, and Al@FAS-17/CuO in high humidity and heat environment were revealed by quasi-in situ SEM and TEM methods. Compared with the aging of pure Al, the Al nanopowder in the nanothermites strongly agglomerated with the CuO nanopowder and hydrated earlier. This may be caused by CuO catalyzed hydration of Al nanopowder. The energy release experiments showed that the performance of Al/CuO decreased rapidly and failed to ignite after 4 h of aging. In contrast, the Al@FAS-17/CuO thermite can achieve long-term stability of up to 60 h in the same environment by simple cladding of FAS-17. It is found that FAS-17 coated Al nanopowder can prevent both particle agglomeration and water erosion, which is an effective means to make nanothermites application in high humidity and heat environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the interplay between local activism and external and elite actors in response to ReconAfrica's oil and gas exploration activities in Namibia's Kavango and Botswana's Okavango Delta regions. The research demonstrates local communities' challenges with confronting environmental degradation, unfulfilled promises, and legal transgressions while striving to protect their ancestral lands and rights. The study, grounded in Southern green criminology, highlights the power imbalances between Northern corporations and Southern territories, underscoring the exploitation and marginalisation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. It advocates for genuine collaboration and prioritising local perspectives in environmental activism, calling for a shift in power dynamics to ensure equitable and sustainable outcomes. This cooperative model integrates local knowledge systems, amplifies Indigenous voices, and aligns environmental campaigns with broader social justice concerns. The traditional externally driven approaches are challenged, while ethical and inclusive environmental activism is also promoted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Highveld region in South Africa's Mpumalanga province has a dense concentration of coal mines and coal-fired power stations. As a result, the area experiences severe levels of air pollution. Despite the government's obligation, little has been done to remedy the harm experienced by the environment and people in the Highveld. The complexity of the relationship between the state and corporations contributes to the government's reluctance to hold mining companies accountable. Obtaining remedies through courts has also yielded limited success. We, therefore, make a case for the creation of African environmental reparations and submit that the Mpumalanga Highveld region evidences the need for such reparations. African environmental reparations must be guided by the principles of Ubuntu, bolstered by the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights, and employ restorative justice. Only in this way can air pollution be properly acknowledged as a multifarious harm, and the balance, harmony and unity between people and the environment repaired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to conduct a physicochemical characterization and in vivo assessment of the bioactivity of amorphous 3D-nanofibrous alumina scaffolds, manufactured using the Solution Blow Spinning (SBS) technique, for the purpose of bone regeneration. The nanofibers utilized in this research were derived from a solution containing aluminum nitrate, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ethanol, and distilled water, and were subsequently spun using SBS. The resulting scaffolds underwent calcination at 500 °C. Physicochemical analysis of the scaffolds was carried out, and their biological effects were evaluated in the femurs of Wistar rats. The scaffolds exhibited an amorphous structure consisting of nanofibers with an average diameter of 290 nm. They presented a cotton-wool-like 3D configuration after calcination process. Histomorphometric analysis revealed a significantly higher degree of bone neoformation within the alumina groups compared to the control group during both experimental periods (p < 0.05). Additionally, the percentage of remaining alumina graft particles was consistent at 14 and 28 days. In conclusion, the assessed 3D nanofibrous alumina scaffolds facilitated bone deposition and supported the filling of bone defects with new bone tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Neue Kriminalpolitik is the property of Nomos Verlagsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The current study aims to experimentally investigate the effect of atomizer and cross-flow velocities on liquid and gelled Jet A-1 fuels. For gelled Jet A-1, Jet A-1 liquid, Thixatrol® ST and rectified xylene are the base fuel, gellant and solvent, respectively. Gelled Jet A-1 is prepared by adding 85% by weight of base fuel along with 7.5% by weight of gellant and solvent, each at optimum processing conditions. Atomization using a simple-plain-orifice atomizer is investigated to understand its effect on Jet A-1 gel fuel break-up without air cross-flow. Based on the investigation from qualitative flow visualization and quantitative analysis of Jet A-1 gel fuel break-up, a modified simple-plain-orifice atomizer called an internally impinging air-blast atomizer is made. Primary atomization using this new atomizer is studied to understand the break-up of liquid and gelled Jet A-1 gel fuels without any air cross-flow. Secondary atomization of liquid and gel fuel is investigated by transversely injecting fuel into different low-speed subsonic air cross-flow environments. Laser sheet Imaging (LSI) technique is used to capture spray images of both fuels. Break-up mechanisms of both liquid and gel fuels were observed, and the results were compared. Information on the cross-flow air mass flow rate effect on the liquid and gel spray is extracted by developing an algorithm in MATLAB using an image processing tool. Relative droplet size distribution of liquid and gel spray revealed their dependence on cross-flow air mass flow rate. Total droplet count of both liquid and gel fuel decreases significantly as the cross-flow Reynolds' number increases. At higher cross-flow Reynolds' number, gel droplets in the flow are observed to be more as compared to liquid fuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The results of differential thermal analysis of iron and aluminum nanopowders irradiated with an accelerated electron beam (up to 360 keV, 120 ns at half maximum) are presented. It has been established that the effect of irradiation appears. Upon an increase in the number of water particles absorbed by the surface and the accumulation of defects in the crystal structure inside the metal core of the powder particle. The obtained experimental results indicate that the effect of an electron beam on metal nanopowders leads to the ionization of particles and electron emission, and water sorbed from the air contributes to their charge compensation. This can be applied in 3D printing to reduce the sintering temperature of products, which leads to a decrease in energy consumption and the final cost of production. In addition, radiation-sensitive accumulation of defects and their long-term preservation may be a promising line of research for the organization of memory structures based on their memristive effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum oxyhydroxide-polyvinyl alcohol films were synthesized by the sol–gel method with varying metal-polymer ratios. The results of the characterization confirmed the formation of aluminum oxyhydroxide and the incorporation of metal into the polymer. The adsorption isotherms of the film exhibited type IV isotherms indicating the mesoporous nature with a non-uniform pore size distribution. The optical profilometric studies confirmed the surface roughness of the film. The adsorptive nature of the film was tested for the removal of methylene blue dye from the aqueous solution. Optimization studies were conducted to investigate the effect of various parameters on the adsorption process. The adsorption isotherms of methylene blue fit with the Langmuir isotherm model and follow a pseudo-second-order equation. A suitable reaction mechanism was proposed, which confirms the adsorptive nature of the film is due to the electrostatic attraction. The synergetic effect of the metal-polymer blend, surface roughness and pore size of the film, which ranges from 0.01 to 0.025 nm, enhances the adsorption of methylene blue. The comparison of results obtained in the current study with earlier reports confirms that the aluminum oxyhydroxide-polyvinyl alcohol films can be considered an eco-friendly, cost-effective adsorbent for removing methylene blue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isothermal molecular dynamics simulations were carried out with the embedded-atom method as a potential to predict the melting and crystallization temperatures of nanometric sized aluminum particles in the range of 2 – 4 nm . Simulated data predicted a decrease in the melting point T m of aluminum nanoparticles with an increase in their inverse radius r - 1 according to an almost linear law. The data obtained predicted a higher value of melting temperature compared to crystallization by Δ T = 272 K for a size of 4 nm and, Δ T = 193 K for 2 nm . The T m of the nanoparticles augmented with increasing size, from 720 K for 2 nm to 827 K for 4 nm . Furthermore, a linear extrapolation of the T m as a function of the inverse of the cubic root of the number of atoms yielded a melting temperature of aluminum of 947 ± 8 K , which is similar to previous estimations. Finally, when the number of atoms increased the number of face-centered cubic (FCC) structural units also increased, and the amorphous structure decreased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The burgeoning illegal trade in succulents in southern Africa presents a critical conservation and social development challenge. Drawing parallels with the trajectory of the response to rhinoceros poaching, we considered the consequences of conservation law enforcement measures, particularly the militarization of antipoaching efforts. The response to rhinoceros poaching not only resulted in so-called green militarization, but also led to extrajudicial killings, human rights abuses, and the disproportionate targeting of low-level poachers. The nature of wildlife trade prohibition is complex and often contested, and many actors operating in illegal wildlife trades dispute the label of illegal for socioeconomic, cultural, historical, or political reasons. This contestation is crucial when considering Indigenous cultural and medicinal values of succulents, with Indigenous Peoples and local communities questioning the criminalization of traditional plant harvesting practices. As the illegal trade in succulents continues to grow, it is imperative for conservationists to consider a nuanced approach. We call for a socioecological harm reduction approach that emphasizes community engagement, sustainable use, and codesigned interventions. Such an approach could help balance the scales of ecological conservation and human dignity in the face of growing wildlife trade challenges., (© 2024 The Author(s). Conservation Biology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society for Conservation Biology.)

Biocatalytic cascades are a powerful tool for building complex molecules containing oxygen and nitrogen functionalities. Moreover, the combination of multiple enzymes in one pot offers the possibility to minimize downstream processing and waste production. In this review, we illustrate various recent efforts in the development of multi‐step syntheses involving C−O and C−N bond‐forming enzymes to produce high value‐added compounds, such as pharmaceuticals and polymer precursors. Both in vitro and in vivo examples are discussed, revealing the respective advantages and drawbacks. The use of engineered enzymes to boost the cascades outcome is also addressed and current co‐substrate and cofactor recycling strategies are presented, highlighting the importance of atom economy. Finally, tools to overcome current challenges for multi‐enzymatic oxy‐ and amino‐functionalization reactions are discussed, including flow systems with immobilized biocatalysts and cascades in confined nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transmembrane glycoprotein adhesion molecule CD146 is overexpressed in a wide variety of cancers. CD146 expression constitutes a marker of poor prognosis and correlates with cancer progression. Through molecular imaging, a specific biomarker's expression and distribution can be viewed in vivo non‐invasively. Radionuclide‐labeled monoclonal antibodies or relevant fragments that target CD146 may find potential applications in cancer imaging, thereby offering tremendous value in cancer diagnosis, staging, prognosis evaluation, and prediction of drug resistance. This review discusses the recent developments of CD146‐targeted molecular imaging via nuclear medicine, especially in malignant melanoma, brain tumor, lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and pancreatic cancer. Many studies have proved that CD146 targeting may present a promising strategy for cancer theranostics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the armed conflict in Iraq between 2014 and 2017, Daesh committed crimes with clear environmental effects and consequences; however, these events have not been adequately clarified. The investigation of these crimes by official bodies, such as the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes Committed by Da’esh, is required and is still possible. Even if UNITAD’s investigative action would be mainly symbolic, it would be important because it could help to raise awareness of environmental crimes and thus also advance the emerging international agenda in the field of environment, peace and security and clarify the connection between environment and human rights. Additionally, it could have the more practical and strategic functions of laying a firm foundation for expanding the jurisdiction to pave the way for environmental peace building and helping to strengthen certain components of transitional justice in the country, in particular, by providing some reparation to victims. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Weather is one of the critical factors that influence tourists' destination choices and activities. Apart from ambient temperature anomaly, rain anomaly is also an important factor considered by tourists when they plan and modify their vacation and holiday trips. This study confirms the important role of abnormal weather conditions in explaining hotel performance, such as occupancy, average daily rate, and revenue per available room. Moreover, operational performance indicators are observed to exhibit dynamic patterns in response to abnormal weather conditions in accordance with different types/classes of hotels. Evidence indicates that tourists prefer to stay at full-service hotels with complete facilities rather than at hotels with limited facilities and services during an abnormally heavy rain situation. Therefore, the findings of this research suggest a useful determinant (i.e., weather changes) of revenue management practices for hotel firms to maximize their operating performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the concept of restorative justice in a diverse and ever-changing world. It argues against a universal definition of restorative justice and emphasizes the importance of understanding the political contexts in which it operates. The authors advocate for a more inclusive and expansive vision of restorative justice that extends beyond the criminal legal system and encompasses various sociopolitical projects. They also highlight the role of language in shaping the understanding and implementation of restorative justice. The article calls for those in the field to take responsibility for their influence and create space for new ideas and innovations. It argues against the use of traditional language and practices, particularly those borrowed from Indigenous traditions, suggesting that relying on these forms limits innovation and inclusivity. Instead, the authors propose the use of linguistic abstractions and conversational domains to foster new possibilities and understandings of restorative justice. They argue that restorative justice should not be confined to the criminal-legal system, but should instead focus on transformative relationships and collective liberation. The text calls for a broader understanding of restorative justice that challenges existing power structures and promotes justice for all. [Extracted from the article]

The article titled "From an 'espresso definition' to an 'empowering definition' of restorative justice: a dialogue from the South with Lode Walgrave" by Lode Walgrave explores the concept of restorative justice. While restorative justice is widely known and implemented, the author acknowledges its limitations. Walgrave proposes a more specific definition called "consequential restorative justice," but scholars from Latin America argue that it fails to address historical and contextual factors and does not address structural injustices within the criminal justice system. They advocate for a decolonial praxis and a broader understanding of restorative justice that includes collective and massive victimization. The text emphasizes the need to address historical injustices, environmental destruction, and calls for a reimagining of justice that prioritizes the needs of marginalized communities. [Extracted from the article]

The article explores the concept of restorative justice and the need for clarity in its definition. While restorative justice has evolved beyond its original focus on crime, the author argues that this expansion can lead to confusion and a lack of credibility. The article emphasizes the importance of accurate definitions and suggests a more focused vision of restorative justice to bring about meaningful change. It also highlights the need to consider the desired outcome and the needs of victims in the process. Restorative justice should be seen as one model among others that seeks to promote just relations, and it should not be confused with other forms of justice or conflict resolution. The author advocates for a "consequential" version of restorative justice that prioritizes restoration over punishment and addresses social injustices and inequalities. Scientific research is also seen as crucial in supporting and improving restorative justice practices. Overall, the article provides a nuanced perspective on restorative justice and its potential contributions to social change. [Extracted from the article]

This article explores the concept and debates surrounding restorative justice, primarily in the context of criminal justice but with potential applications in other fields. The authors emphasize the need for clear definitions and boundaries, while also acknowledging the potential for flexibility and innovation. They highlight the importance of voluntary participation and trust as key principles. The article presents a diverse range of perspectives on the meaning and future of restorative justice. Another text discusses the need for intentional engagement with legal thought and theory in the field, as well as the shift of interest from criminal to social spheres. It raises questions about research methods, teaching practices, and the role of practitioners and participants in defining restorative justice. The text concludes by emphasizing the importance of linguistic considerations and ongoing development. A third text discusses the expansion and evolution of the restorative justice movement, emphasizing the need to incorporate diverse cultural and political dimensions. It highlights common elements such as respectful and fair relations, a future-oriented approach, and participatory practices. The text acknowledges challenges but expresses optimism for the future. [Extracted from the article]

Electrically as well as thermally conductive lubricants have drawn considerable attention and are an emerging research topic because they have unique advantages and advanced lubrication performance over traditional lubricants such as corrosion protection and efficient heat dissipation. For instance, some components of electric vehicles (EVs) such as bearings, seals, pads and gears require conductive lubricants to avoid premature failure and electromagnetic interference (EMI) problems due to induced shaft voltages and currents. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the recent developments in conductive lubricants. The review focuses on the important aspects to enhance the thermal and electrical conductivities as well as the tribological behavior (COF, and wear rate) of conductive solid, semisolid, and liquid lubricants. The lubricants that are electrically and thermally conductive with superior tribological performances have been identified through extensive literature review and presented in tabular form. This review summarizes the effect of various additives used to improve the conductive properties of the lubricants, such as polyalphaolefin oil, hydraulic oil, paraffin oil, and mineral oil. Furthermore, the review discusses the lubricating mechanism of conductive solid and liquid lubricants to facilitate a deeper understanding. Finally, the future perspectives and the research directions for conductive lubricants are also addressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to experimentally analyse the influence of crossflow aerodynamic parameters on the spray characteristics of gelled Jet-A1 fuel. A Jet-A1 gel fuel is prepared by combining 85 percentage by weight (wt. %) of Jet-A1 liquid as base fuel with an organo-gel solution having Thixatrol ST (7.5 wt. %) as gelling agent and Rectified xylene (7.5 wt. %) as solvent. Shear flow test is performed on the gel fuel using a rotational rheometer, to understand its non-Newtonian rheological properties. An internally impinging air blast atomizer is used to study the gel spray characteristics by injecting the gel fuel transversely into the subsonic cross flowing airstream environment. Gel spray images are captured by generating a laser sheet along the midplane of the test section across the crossflow air stream direction using the Laser Sheet Photography (LSP) technique. The captured gel spray images are used to visualize the gel spray structure in both spray axis as well as the crossflow air stream direction. These images are then investigated by developing an algorithm in MATLAB using an image processing tool. By incorporating the canny edge detection method into the MATLAB code, gel spray characteristics such as droplet size distribution, Sauter-mean-diameter, Arithmetic-mean-diameter, windward trajectories, and maximum penetration height are determined. Further, the effect of aerodynamic parameters such as crossflow Reynolds' number and aerodynamic Weber number on the gel spray characteristics are investigated. Droplet size distribution and maximum penetration height of gelled Jet-A1 spray revealed its dependence on crossflow Reynolds' number. Sauter-Mean-Diameter of gel droplets and windward trajectories of the gel spray decreases significantly as the aerodynamic Weber number increases. Thus, it can be concluded that the fineness of the spray is also a function of the crossflow aerodynamic parameters other than the atomizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this work is to explore the mechanism of lubricants containing TiO2 nanoparticles to improve tribological properties and the effect of nanoparticle lubrication on precision forming. Firstly, the friction coefficients, wear rates, and average surface roughness for different concentration of TiO2 nanoparticle in lubricants are obtained from friction and wear tests. It is found that when the TiO2 concentration is 0.1wt%, the surface roughness of the sample reaches the lowest, while the surface roughness is higher under the lubricant of 0.5wt% nanoparticles which is ideal for friction coefficient and wear. Then, the effect of adhesion which mainly occurs when using lubricant containing no nanoparticles on the workpiece surface roughness is analyzed, including the joint action of height reduction of the micro-convex peak and the root roughening. Mechanism of lubricants containing TiO2 nanoparticles to improve tribological properties is presented, in which the wear and morphology evolution of workpiece surface are influenced by the coupling of tip adhesion and nanoparticle smoothing. Meanwhile the addition of nanoparticles can inhibit the adhesive wear of the tip, the effect of which is enhanced with the increase of TiO2 particle concentration. This explains why the surface roughness is higher and the friction coefficient and wear are minimal when the content of TiO2 nanoparticle is 0.5wt%. Finally, the effect of TiO2 nanoparticle lubrication on precision forming, including the metal flow, the forming load, and the error tolerance, is discussed. This work will help to further promote the development of precision forming technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption ability, weight loss and desorption heat of micron-sized and nano-sized powders of shape memory B2 alloys Ti-Ni, Ni-Al, Ni-Mn-Ga, Cu-Al-Ni, glass-forming alloy Zr-Ni-Cu-Ti-Al and pure Ti and Ni are considered. Powders were obtained by electrical pulse discharge method (or spark erosion method) in liquid nitrogen or liquid argon. The porous structure of the surface and the body of the particles, the presence of hollow particles and the sponge structure of the nanofraction are the factors that contribute to the absorptive capacity of powders. Studies performed by the thermogravimetric analysis have shown that powders emit gases during the heating. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis reveals that the gases are released with significant heat effect. It is supposed that this is the result of desorption of gases adsorbed during the powders processing and storage as well as oxidation and reduction reactions of alloy components. In addition repetitive moisture absorption is possible when cooling powders below 0 °C followed by desorption during the consequent heating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While there have been abundant studies on restorative justice (RJ) in China and across the globe, research has paid scant attention to the increasing incorporation of RJ into the framework of Chinese environmental criminal justice (ECJ) and its mounting prominence in handling ECJ cases. To broaden our understanding of RJ in China, this study empirically examines the forms, functions, and foundations of RJ ideals and practices manifested in contemporary Chinese legal responses to environmental crime. Drawing on various sources of qualitative data, we find that RJ in ECJ uses a state-led-and-coordinated network of community organizations and residents (including groups of environmental victims) to account for victim welfare, offenders' new responsibilization, and public engagement. Furthermore, we argue, as a peculiar form of law's responsiveness in the wake of China's swift transition to modernity, RJ in Chinese ECJ works to reinforce the declining legitimacy of the authoritarian state and enhance decreasing trust in the state's ability to govern. Implications for better understanding and implementing RJ within the ECJ field are also presented and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the ultra-fast heating process of Cu-Pd bimetallic nanoparticles from an atomic-scale perspective, which is essential for laser manufacturing processes, such as laser cladding and selective laser melting. The behavior of high surface ratio nanoparticles during these processes is strongly influenced by their properties and the heating process, which is governed by atomic dynamics. Previous studies have mainly focused on the combination process in pure metallic nanoparticles under slow or isothermal heating, but this work demonstrates that the ultra-fast atomic dynamic process between bimetallic nanoparticles differs significantly. Specifically, in Cu-Pd nanoparticles, the combination process is primarily dependent on the surface atomic motion of the lower melting point particles rather than plastic deformation in the grain boundary between particles. Moreover, the ultra-fast heating process is size-dependent. For small nanoparticles, the atomic kinetics exhibit two different mechanisms depending on temperature: Low-temperature jointing is controlled by localized atomic rearrangement, while high-temperature coalition is governed by the atomic flow of surface atomic melting in the low-temperature melting particle. The combination mechanism is the same for large particles as it is for small particles at high temperatures. The findings of this study provide important insights into the behavior of bimetallic nanoparticles during ultra-fast heating and can inform the development of coat and lubricant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The performance of cylinder liner piston ring (CLPR) that worked under harsh conditions significantly affected the reliability of diesel engines. Nano‐copper lubricant additives have recently been introduced due to their good anti‐wear properties. This study aims to gain insights into the interactions between concentrations of nano‐copper lubricant additives and the tribological performance of CLPR. Tests are performed on a reciprocating sliding test rig under different operating conditions, and the tribological performances are characterized by the friction coefficient, wear mass losses, and morphologies of worn surface. The experimental results indicated that the optimal concentration of nano‐copper additives is 2 wt%. Additionally, deposition of the Cu nanoparticles on the worn surface during the friction process facilitates the formation of the mending layer. These findings would aid to provide a technical reference for the application of nano‐copper additives in diesel engines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research aimed to develop a simple and cost-effective method for fabricating electropositive membranes for highly efficient water filtration. Electropositive membranes are novel functional membranes with electropositive properties and can filter electronegative viruses and bacteria using electrostatic attraction. Because electropositive membranes do not rely on physical filtration, they exhibit high flux characteristics compared with conventional membranes. This study presents a simple dipping process for fabricating boehmite/SiO2/PVDF electropositive membranes by modifying an electrospun SiO2/PVDF host membrane using electropositive boehmite nanoparticles (NPs). The surface modification enhanced the filtration performance of the membrane, as revealed by electronegatively charged polystyrene (PS) NPs as a bacteria model. The boehmite/SiO2/PVDF electropositive membrane, with an average pore size of 0.30 μm, could successfully filter out 0.20 μm PS particles. The rejection rate was comparable to that of Millipore GSWP, a commercial filter with a pore size of 0.22 μm, which can filter out 0.20 μm particles via physical sieving. In addition, the water flux of the boehmite/SiO2/PVDF electropositive membrane was twice that of Millipore GSWP, demonstrating the potential of the electropositive membrane in water purification and disinfection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]