bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Order of Concurrent Training Affects Acute Immunological Stress Responses and Measures of Muscular Fitness in Female Youth Judo Athletes
Authors: Markov Adrian , Bussweiler Jens , Baumert Philipp , Helm Norman , Rex Michael , Behm Sebastian , Krüger Tom , Chaabene Helmi
Published: January 2025

This study aimed to examine the acute effects of concurrent muscle strength and sport‐specific endurance exercise order on immunological stress responses, metabolic response, muscular‐fitness, and rating‐of‐perceived‐exertion (RPE) in highly trained youth female judo athletes. Thirteen female participants randomly performed two concurrent training (CT) sessions; strength‐endurance and endurance‐strength. Immune response, metabolic response, muscular fitness (i.e., countermovement jump‐derived force and power [CMJ‐force and CMJ‐power]), and RPE were measured at different time points (i.e., PRE, MID, POST, POST6h, and POST22h). There were significant time × order interactions for lymphocytes (p = 0.006, ES = 1.31), granulocyte–lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.002, ES = 1.56), and systemic inflammation index (p = 0.029, ES = 1.11), blood glucose and lactate (p < 0.001, ES = 2.09 and p = 0.0018, ES = 1.51, respectively), CMJ‐force (p = 0.033, ES = 1.26), and CMJ‐power (p = 0.007, ES = 1.40) as well as RPE (p < 0.001, ES = 2.05). CT‐induced acute (i.e., POST) but not delayed (i.e., POST6h and POST22h) order‐dependent immune cell count alterations in highly trained youth female judo athletes. All markers of the immune system went back to baseline values at POST22h. Metabolic responses were slightly higher following the endurance exercise (irrespective of the applied exercise order). CMJ‐measures and RPE fluctuated during both CT sessions but returned to baseline 6 h post‐exercise.
Mechanical Characterization of Amniotic‐Based Scaffolds Containing Silk Fibroin and Sodium Alginate Nanofibers
Authors: Beheshti Seresht Hassan , Akhlaghi Parisa , Ashouri Sharafshadeh Sina , Aghajanzadeh Mohamad Sadegh , Mehdinavaz Aghdam Rouhollah
Published: January 2025

Due to its availability and biocompatibility, the human amniotic membrane (hAM) is being investigated by a large number of researchers with the goal of gaining a better understanding of the materials' mechanical behavior and structural integrity and optimizing them for various Tissue Engineering applications. In this research, biopolymers sodium alginate (SA) and silk fibroin (SF) were electrospun onto a decellularized hAM, resulting in two types of hybrid scaffolds: hAM/SF and hAM/SF/SA. The mechanical characteristics of these nanofibers were then analyzed to guide scaffold optimization for applications using these materials. Two mechanical experiments were conducted; uniaxial tension in both wet and dry configurations, and stress‐relaxation tests. According to the results, the mechanical characteristics of the manufactured materials were significantly different from those of the amniotic membrane, indicating the effect of novel materials. Tensile testing in the dry condition revealed a small variation in stiffness between the amniotic membrane and the new nanofibers. Simultaneously, a significant reduction in maximum tension and stretch was observed in the aforementioned materials compared to amniotic matrices. In addition, tensile testing in a wet configuration indicated that the new nanofibers are stronger and stiffer than amniotic membrane but less stretchy, owing to the improved mechanical properties of SF, which can be considered as the membrane's or tissue's load‐bearer. The addition of SF increases the stiffness and durability of the fabricated scaffold. In addition, when compared to the amniotic membrane, relaxation tests revealed significant differences in peak tension rather than equilibrium state for the novel nanofibers in wet conditions. The results of this investigation will enable us to have a comprehensive grasp of the mechanical properties of freshly created wound dressings.
An Acoustic Scattering Problem for Three Obstacles With Different Boundary Conditions
Authors: Feng Jiuzhi , Guan Yi , Wang JinRong
Published: January 2025

We consider the direct and inverse time‐harmonic acoustic scattering problem for a mixed scatterer, comprising a penetrable obstacle and two impenetrable obstacles, each with different boundary conditions. In the first section, we focus on the well‐posedness of the direct scattering problem by boundary integral method. In the second section, we prove the mathematical basis of the linear sampling method to reconstruct obstacles and give some numerical examples in the last section.
Role and Mechanisms of the mTOR Signalling Pathway in the Synthesis of Milk Components
Authors: Li RongNuo , Zheng YiNing , Geng HuiJun , Deng Lu
Published: January 2025

Lactose, milk fat, and milk protein are the primary nutritional components of milk. They serve as key indicators for assessing its nutritional value and are closely linked to the economic benefits of the dairy industry. The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway plays a crucial role in regulating cellular growth and proliferation by modulating the synthesis of proteins, lipids, and nucleotides, while concurrently suppressing catabolic processes such as autophagy. This pathway is particularly imperative for ensuring efficient and healthy reproduction in dairy cows and beef cattle. Therefore, the present paper provides a comprehensive review of the mechanisms underlying the synthesis of lactose, milk fat, and milk protein, with particular emphasis on the role of the mTOR signalling pathway in regulating milk component synthesis. These findings lay a theoretical basis for further studies into the roles of mTOR and offer valuable insights for enhancing nutritional regulation strategies aimed at improving milk component composition. Importantly, they suggest that targeting the mTOR signalling pathway to promote efficient and healthy farming of dairy cattle may be a potential strategy to boost livestock industry profits.
Harnessing Molecular and Bioactivity Network Analysis to Prioritize Antibacterial Compound Isolation From Ant‐Associated Fungi
Authors: Aguilar‐Colorado Ángel S. , Morales‐Jiménez Jesús , Rivera‐Chávez José
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Antimicrobial resistance is a global public health problem that requires the development of new bioactive compounds. In this context, metabolomic analyses can expedite the research of fungal metabolites as a valuable resource.

Objectives

To investigate the metabolic profiles and isolate antibacterial compounds from micromycetes associated with Mexican cloud forest ants by utilizing network analysis of their chemical and bioactivity data.

Material and Methods

248 fungal strains isolated from six ant's species, soil of their anthills, and soil of the surroundings were evaluated for their in vitro inhibition growth of extensively drug‐resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae; subsequently, their metabolites were dereplicated and analyzed by molecular networking and compound activity mapping from spectrometric data. Prioritization of some fungi for isolation of their major constituents was performed, and their structures were established by spectroscopic and spectrometric analysis and their bioactivity determined.

Results

From the fungal collection, 15 secondary metabolites (1–15) were dereplicated, and 10 compounds (16–25), including the new (E)‐tridec‐7‐ene‐3,5,6,10‐tetraol (25), were isolated from Ascomycetes of Trichoderma, Cladosporium, and Clonostachys genera. Compounds 16–18 stood out for being bioactive. This study is the first report of antibacterial activity against A. baumannii for the tricyclic pyridin‐2‐ones deoxy‐PF1140 (16) and PF1140 (17), with minimum inhibitory concentration of 50 μg/mL.

Conclusion

Network analysis and dereplication proved effective in bioprospecting for antibacterial compounds, offering valuable insights into the chemical diversity of cloud forest soil fungi and their potential applications. Moreover, this study broadens the knowledge of fungal secondary metabolites linked to leafcutter, fire, and warrior ants.
Celastrol Ameliorates Hypoxia‐Induced Pulmonary Hypertension by Regulation of the PDE5‐cGMP‐PKG Signaling Pathway
Authors: Tan Junlan , Cao Xianya , Zheng Runxiu , Xie Silin , Yi Jian , Wang Feiying , Li Xia , Song Lan , Zhang Wen , Fan Jianmin , Qin Li , Dai Aiguo
Published: January 2025

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe pulmonary vascular disease characterized by poor clinical outcomes and limited therapeutic options. Celastrol (CEL), a natural product derived from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, has shown therapeutic potential in PH models, although its mechanisms are not fully understood. This study aims to investigate the role of CEL in PH and explore its potential underlying mechanisms. This study investigates the role of CEL in PH and explores its underlying mechanisms. We evaluated the effects of CEL in a chronic hypoxia‐induced PH rat model and hypoxia‐stimulated human pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (HPASMCs). Bioinformatics and network pharmacology were employed to identify potential targets and pathways, which were then validated through mechanistic and functional analyses. CEL significantly reduced right ventricular systolic pressure, hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction in hypoxia‐induced PH rats. It also decreased proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and promoted apoptosis in pulmonary arterioles. Our findings suggest that CEL's therapeutic effects are mediated through the modulation of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) and the activation of the cGMP‐PKG signaling pathway. In HPASMCs, CEL treatment mirrored the in vivo results, and PDE5 overexpression negated CEL's antiproliferative, antimigratory, and pro‐apoptotic effects. CEL ameliorates pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular dysfunction in PH, potentially through the PDE5‐cGMP‐PKG signaling pathway. These findings position CEL as a promising candidate for PH therapy.
Photonic Integrated Circuits for Optical Satellite Links: A Review of the Technology Status and Space Effects
Authors: Terrasanta Giulio , Ziarko Marcin Wojciech , Bergamasco Nicola , Poot Menno , Poliak Juraj
Published: January 2025

Optical satellite communications provide high‐data rates with compact and power efficient payloads that can solve the bottlenecks of RF technologies. Photonic integrated circuits have the potential to reduce the cost, size, weight, and power consumption of satellite laser communications terminals, by integrating all the required photonic components on a chip. This can be achieved by leveraging on the mature technology for fiber communications. In this article, the technology status of photonic integrated circuits for optical satellite link is reviewed. Different material platforms are compared, with a focus on high‐speed coherent optical communications. The integration of the photonic chip into a communications payload is discussed, together with possible challenges and opportunities. The impact of the space environment, especially the one of radiation, on the performance of the integrated photonic devices is reviewed and discussed.
Wireless Crowd Detection for Smart Overtourism Mitigation
Authors: Santos Tomás Mestre dos , Marinheiro Rui Neto , Abreu Fernando Brito e
Published: January 2025

Overtourism occurs when the number of tourists exceeds the carrying capacity of a destination, leading to negative impacts on the environment, culture, and quality of life for residents. By monitoring overtourism, destination managers can identify areas of concern and implement measures to mitigate the negative impacts of tourism while promoting smarter tourism practices. This can help ensure that tourism benefits both visitors and residents while preserving the natural and cultural resources that make these destinations so appealing.

This chapter describes a low-cost approach to monitoring overtourism based on mobile devices’ wireless activity. A flexible architecture was designed for a smart tourism toolkit to be used by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in crowding management solutions, to build better tourism services, improve efficiency and sustainability, and reduce the overwhelming feeling of pressure in critical hotspots.

The crowding sensors count the number of surrounding mobile devices, by detecting trace elements of wireless technologies, mitigating the effect of MAC address randomization. They run detection programs for several technologies, and fingerprinting analysis results are only stored locally in an anonymized database, without infringing privacy rights. After that edge computing, sensors communicate the crowding information to a cloud server, by using a variety of uplink techniques to mitigate local connectivity limitations, something that has been often disregarded in alternative approaches.

Field validation of sensors has been performed on Iscte’s campus. Preliminary results show that these sensors can be deployed in multiple scenarios and provide a diversity of spatiotemporal crowding data that can scaffold tourism overcrowding management strategies.
Smart Environments: Implications forEnvironmental Governance
Authors: Bakker Karen , Ritts Max
Published: January 2025

Environmental governance has the potential to be significantly transformed by Smart Environments technologies, e.g., technologies that enabled enhanced environmental monitoring and analytic procedures via combinations of information and communication technologies (ICT), conventional monitoring approaches (e.g., remote sensing), and Internet of Things (IoT) applications (e.g., Environmental Sensor Networks (ESNs)). This chapter offers an update of a 2018 paper that assessed these developments through the term “Smart Earth,” and which likewise engaged the potential implications and pitfalls of new digital technologies for environmental governance. Here, we offer a meta-review of research on what we now call “Smart Environments,” ranging from ecological informatics to the digital humanities. We pair this with a critical perspective on pathways for evolution in environmental governance frameworks, exploring five key Smart Environments issues relevant to environmental governance: data, real-time regulation, predictive management, open source, and citizen sensing. We conclude with suggestions for future research directions and transdisciplinary conversations about environmental governance in a Smart Environments world.
On stabilization of magnetically charged brane shell and over-extremality
Authors: Tsukahara Sohei
Published: January 2025

Abstract

In string theory, we can geometrically realize a metastable state by wrapping D5-branes and anti D5-branes to a singular manifold. We consider wrapping D3-branes to the internal space in this setup. These D3-branes dissolve into the domain wall, which interpolates true vacua and false vacua, forming a bound state. The remnant of the D3-branes can be seen as a background magnetic field on the domain wall, which appears to an observer in 4D spacetime as a magnetically charged, spherically symmetric shell. This brane shell has finite radii due to the nonlinearity peculiar to string theory, even at the probe level. We demonstrate a new stabilization mechanism of the brane shell in 4D spacetime. We add a general relativity-inspired gravitational correction to the brane shells and investigate the influence on its potential. As a result, the potential value at the horizon will be relatively larger than the potential minimum in parameter regions where the influence of gravity is large, and even non-perturbative instabilities can be removed. Moreover, we show the existence of over-extremal states such that (gQ)2 ≥ G
4
m
2 is satisfied in regions where the magnetic field is sufficiently large. At least in our model, this over-extremal shell cannot be completely stabilized by gravitational correction. This paper also addresses the dilemma between stabilizing and achieving an over-extremal state.
Octopus body language: body patterns of Abdopus capricornicus during social interactions
Authors: Scatà Gabriella , Marshall N. Justin , Chung Wen-Sung
Published: January 2025

Octopus are well known for their rapidly changing and diverse body patterning achieved through combinations of chromatic, textural, postural and locomotory components. The function of octopus body patterns includes camouflage for prey ambush and predator avoidance, aposematic display to startle intruders and predators, and potentially intraspecific communication. However, as many octopus species are often solitary, body patterning during intraspecific social interactions is largely unexplored. Here we provide the first detailed description of body patterns and the associated components expressed during social interactions of the diurnal reef-dwelling species, Abdopus capricornicus. This is the first study aimed at disentangling the body patterns used for camouflage from those used for communication. This was achieved by staging interactions between octopus pairs under controlled conditions in a bare sand environment devoid of rocks or algae. While most studies on octopus interactions focused on mating behaviour, this study focused on the body patterns expressed during intrasexual (e.g. male-male, female-female) and intersexual interactions. Notably, A. capricornicus shows the richest body patterning repertoire among coastal octopuses studied so far, including 10 body patterns which comprise 27 chromatic, 8 postural and 10 locomotory components. In addition, 18 types of social encounters were identified. Numerous body patterns and components specifically expressed during their interactions were also identified, suggesting that the complexity of the visual stimuli experienced by A. capricornicus, including social cues from their frequent interactions, may contribute to its rich patterning.
Brazilian Amazon Coast is an essential habitat for threatened and evolutionarily distinct sharks and rays
Authors: Feitosa Leonardo Manir , Lessa Rosangela Paula T.
Published: January 2025

Despite the high proportion of endangered species of elasmobranchs occurring in coastal areas subjected to intense fishing pressure, most of the existing habitat use information applies to pelagic species. Recent research efforts have substantially increased the information available on the habitat use of overlooked and often data deficient species. Here, we use vertebrae microchemistry data to study the habitat use patterns of four species of threatened sharks and two species of stingrays occurring in the Brazilian Amazon Coast (BAC). We obtained vertebrae samples from specimens sold in fish markets along the entire BAC area and analyze element:Ca ratios for four elements: Mg, Mn, Sr, and Ba. Our results demonstrate that most species likely complete their entire life cycle in the same region, with little to no use of freshwater habitats, and sympatric occurrence of neonates, juveniles, and adult life stages. The wingfin stingray, the only benthic-restricted species analyzed, differed substantially from all other species, with strong reliance on estuarine areas. The scalloped hammerhead has the largest variability in chemical trace elements, suggesting the use of habitats with wide variations. American cownose ray, daggernose, shovelbill, and smalleye hammerhead sharks showed strong reliance on the same type of habitat throughout their ontogenetic development. Our findings underscore the importance of the BAC as an Essential Fish Habitat for these species, a critical area for improved fisheries management given the widespread population declines and historical overfishing, and the danger of proposed oil exploration in the area can pose to its elasmobranch populations.
Training verfahrensübergreifender Kompetenzen
Authors: Sell S. , Andersen W. , Berning A. , Strauß B. , Taubner S.
Published: January 2025

Hintergrund

Interpersonelle Kompetenzen von Therapeut:innen zum Aufbau und zum Erhalt einer therapeutischen Allianz stellen verfahrensübergreifend bedeutsame Konzepte für effektive Psychotherapie dar (Norcross und Lambert 2019). Dennoch mangelt es an evidenzbasierten Methoden, um entsprechende Kompetenzen auszubilden. Als vielversprechende didaktische Mittel gelten Deliberate Practice (DP) und Strukturiertes Feedback (SF), deren Akzeptanz im Kontext der deutschen Psychotherapieausbildung bislang jedoch wenig systematisch untersucht wurde.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es wird eine randomisierte kontrollierte Studie zur Untersuchung der Trainingseffekte von DP und SF auf die Entwicklung interpersoneller Kompetenzen in der Psychotherapieausbildung beschrieben. Ein Fokus liegt auf der Darstellung der Trainings unter Einbezug verfahrensübergreifender Konzepte und erster Ergebnisse der Zufriedenheitserhebung in einer Teilstichprobe.

Material und Methoden

Zur Erhebung der Zufriedenheit beurteilten teilnehmende Psychotherapeut:innen in Ausbildung (n = 42) die Qualität und empfundene Relevanz der Trainings in einem Fragebogen (basierend auf dem Fragebogen zur Patientenzufriedenheit ZUF-8). Gruppenunterschiede wurden mithilfe des t-Tests und der Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) für die Interventionsgruppen, die Verfahrenszugehörigkeit und die Workshopleitung berechnet.

Ergebnisse

Die Zufriedenheit mit dem Seminar war über alle Interventionsgruppen hinweg sehr hoch (Workshop 1: M = 5,22; SD ± 0,59, Workshop 2: M = 4,90; SD ± 0,80). Es zeigten sich keine signifikanten Unterschiede je nach Verfahrenszugehörigkeit der Teilnehmenden (TN) oder der Workshopleitung.

Diskussion

Die Trainings zum praktischen Üben von interpersonellen Kompetenzen werden von TN verschiedener Therapieverfahren mit hoher Zufriedenheit angenommen.
Morphological, anatomical, and bioactive properties of Hypericum scabrum L.: effects on diabetes mellitus, Alzheimer’s disease, and HDFa fibroblasts and U87-MG cancer cells
Authors: Öner Sena , Kadı Abdulrahim , Tekman Enes , Kararenk Ayşe Cemre , Özer Elif Beyza , Ergin Kübra Nalkıran , Yuca Hafize , Arslan Mehmet Enes , Duman Resul , Şahin Aydan Acar , Pinar Nur Münevver , Atila Alptuğ , Bona Gülnur Ekşi , Karakaya Songül
Published: January 2025

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and cancer are multifactorial diseases with significant health consequences, and their relationship with aging makes them particularly challenging. Epidemiological data suggests that individuals with DM are more susceptible to certain cancers. This study examined the bioactive properties of Hypericum scabrum extracts, including methanol, hexane, and others, focusing on their inhibitory effects on key enzymes associated with DM and neurodegenerative diseases, such as acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, α-amylase, and α-glucosidase. Additionally, the impact of these extracts on human fibroblast (HDFa) and glioblastoma (U87MG) cancer cells was evaluated. The methanol extract was analyzed for elemental composition using ICP-MS, secondary metabolites, and amino acids via LC–MS/MS and underwent morphological and anatomical characterization. The methanol extract demonstrated notable inhibitory activity, with an IC50 value of < 1 µg/mL against α-glucosidase, surpassing acarbose in efficacy. The flower essential oil exhibited the highest inhibition (79.95%) of butyrylcholinesterase and the strongest acetylcholinesterase inhibition (21.62%). Elemental analysis revealed high concentrations of Na and K, while quinic acid and proline were identified as major metabolites, with proline concentrations reaching 494.0482 nmol/mL in the aerial part extract. The anticancer assays revealed higher cytotoxicity in U87MG glioblastoma cells compared to HDFa fibroblasts, suggesting potential applications for cancer therapy. The plant grows 20–50 cm tall, with yellow flowers and ovoid-ribbed capsules containing brown, reniform seeds. Its leaves are amphistomatic and ornamented, while stems feature striate cuticles and paracytic stomata. The pollen grains are microreticulate with syncolporate apertures. These results underscore the promising therapeutic potential of H. scabrum in managing DM, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases, with its ability to inhibit key enzymes and show selective cytotoxicity against cancer cells.

Graphical abstract
Photobiomodulation therapy as an additional method for the treatment of temporomandibular disorder patients– a narrative review
Authors: Karic Vesna , Penny Clement
Published: January 2025

The photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is promising additional therapy in the treatment of temporomandibular disorder (TMD). In this regard, the purpose of this narrative review is to give a wide-ranging, objective, and judicious view of the current knowledge on PBMT as an additional TMD treatment modality, with summarised updated information. Although the results of most research studies report improvement of pain in TMD patients, some state that sustainability of absence of pain after PBMT of TMD is of concern. There has been a recent surge in research around the application of lasers for the management of TMD. Nonetheless, the scarcity of scientific clinical studies with structured laser parameters makes it difficult to draw a more concrete conclusion whether lasers in the treatment of TMD are more effective than traditional TMD treatments. In conclusion, since PBMT is becoming an additional treatment of choice for the management of TMD there is a need for more research especially involving clinical studies with better structured laser parameters.
Analysis of Energy Use and Environmental Impacts of Pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) in Conventional and Bio-friendly Production Systems
Authors: Babaeian Mahdi , Tavassoli Abolfazl , Rastegaripour Fatemeh , Rodrigo-Comino Jesús , Caballero-Calvo Andrés
Published: January 2025

Humankind and natural ecosystems are facing global changes. There is a clear influence of human activities due to the use of contaminant energies among other factors. Therefore, it is a priority to find clean energies with less environmental impacts coming from bio-friendly production systems. Therefore, the main aim of this research is to examine energy use patterns, greenhouse gas emission (CO2, N2O, and CH4) and life cycle assessment (LCA) in pistachio (Pistacia vera L.) production systems. As experimental plots, we selected one plantation located in the North Khorasan province of Iran. Data were collected from two pistachio orchards with conventional (CPS) and with bio-friendly production systems (BPS). In 2 seasonal years, from 2020 to 2021, a functional unit of 1000 kg pistachio was used. The results indicated that total energy consumption in the conventional pistachio production system reached 58,759.86 MJ ha−1 in comparison to bio-friendly pistachio production systems with 31,149.02 MJ ha−1, accounting for 36.0% of fertilizer energy, 26% of diesel energy, and 12.7% of electricity. The energy use efficiency for the CPS and BPS was respectively 0.38 and 0.73, and also energy productivity for CPS reached 0.01 kg MJ ha−1 and BPS 0.02 kg MJ ha−1. Results indicated that the direct energy for CPS was 19.6% and for BPS 39.03%, but indirect energy inputs for CPS and BPS registered 76.4 and 60.5%, respectively. It was found that the non-renewable form of energy input for CPS was 83.8% and for BPS just 57.6%. We conclude that chemicals (pesticides, fertilizers), fuel and electricity were the most important inputs for the pistachio production system, which also influenced total CO2, N2O and CH4 emissions due to chemical inputs for CPS. In CPS and BPS, the total global warming potential (GWP) was 2445.24 and 1507.99 kg CO2eq ha−1, respectively. Compared to CPS, the application of the BPS method reduces total damage to human health, ecosystems, and resources.
Natural cellulose fibers from Agave Americana L. ASPARAGACEAE as an effective adsorbent for mercury in aqueous solutions
Authors: Sánchez-Moreno Hugo , García-Rodríguez Lourdes , Recalde-Moreno Celso
Published: January 2025

This study investigated the use of functionalized cabuya fibers (FCF) as an effective adsorbent for Hg (II) removal from aqueous solutions. The composition, surface properties, and morphology of the FCF were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The effects of the pH, contact time, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and initial Hg (II) concentration on the adsorption process were studied. Under optimized experimental conditions, FCF achieved a removal efficiency exceeding 92%, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 8.29 mg/g. The experimental data for the FCF isotherm were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, DR, and Temkin adsorption models. Notably, the Langmuir isotherm exhibited the highest R² value of 0.99, indicating the model’s strong applicability. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model k2 = 0.42 mg/g.min was employed to elucidate the adsorption mechanism. Thermodynamic studies of the adsorbent FCF were conducted, and ΔG° (-6.16 kJ/mol), ΔH° (36.29 kJ/mol), and ΔS° (141.98 kJ/mol·K) were calculated, assessing the feasibility of the process. Additionally, the desorption results of FCF were evaluated, demonstrating that it can be reused for up to three cycles, achieving adsorption rates of 74% and 62% in the third cycle. This indicates its stability and recycling capacity. Finally, the effectiveness of the FCF was demonstrated by eliminating approximately 91% of Hg (II) from real mineral water samples in Ecuador. These results highlight the p of FCF as promising, eco-friendly, and sustainable adsorbents for the remediation of Hg (II) contamination in aquatic systems.
Media ownership and coverage patterns of established, disruptive, and unconventional climate advocacy groups
Authors: Gulliver Robyn E. , Wang Xiongzhi , Louis Winnifred R. , Fielding Kelly S. , Colvin Rebecca M.
Published: January 2025

Groups advocating on climate and environmental issues often seek to obtain media coverage to increase public awareness of their cause, yet comparatively little is understood about the factors influencing the volume and content of that coverage. This study investigates the quantity and characteristics of media coverage of climate advocacy groups through a mixed-method analysis of 17,380 Australian media articles published between 2017–2022. Four types of advocacy groups were the focus: ‘Established’ groups (large professionalised environmental groups); ‘Disruptive’ groups (the greatest use of civil resistance tactics); and two types of what we call ‘Unconventional advocates’ – those who advocate for action on climate change but from a social identity position that is either typically not associated with climate action (‘Role-based unconventional advocates’, such as parents or doctors) or has a history of conflict with climate or other environmental causes and environmentalists (‘Conflict-spanning unconventional advocates’, such as farmers and political conservatives). Findings indicate that linguistic cues associated with conflict, achievement, and emotional sentiment differed significantly according to the advocacy group type and media ownership. While Established groups gained the greatest volume of coverage, Disruptive groups attracted the highest conflict language and lowest achievement language, particularly in outlets published by News Corp (the Murdoch owned media company). Meanwhile, conflict-spanning unconventional advocates received coverage using language with the lowest levels of conflict and highest levels of achievement. Our findings highlight the potential for new types of climate advocates to gain comparative sympathetic media coverage and potentially expand the social basis of support for climate action.
A Bayesian Framework for Spectral Reprojection
Authors: Li Tongtong , Gelb Anne
Published: January 2025

Fourier partial sum approximations yield exponential accuracy for smooth and periodic functions, but produce the infamous Gibbs phenomenon for non-periodic ones. Spectral reprojection resolves the Gibbs phenomenon by projecting the Fourier partial sum onto a Gibbs complementary basis, often prescribed as the Gegenbauer polynomials. Noise in the Fourier data and the Runge phenomenon both degrade the quality of the Gegenbauer reconstruction solution, however. Motivated by its theoretical convergence properties, this paper proposes a new Bayesian framework for spectral reprojection, which allows a greater understanding of the impact of noise on the reprojection method from a statistical point of view. We are also able to improve the robustness with respect to the Gegenbauer polynomials parameters. Finally, the framework provides a mechanism to quantify the uncertainty of the solution estimate.
Experimental investigation of the thermal and hydrodynamic performances of plate-fin heat exchangers (PFHE) using MgO–water nanofluid as an enhanced coolant
Authors: Aktas Fatih , Elibol Emre Askin , Aksoy Aleyna Eda , Cicek Diren Deniz , Oztemel Muhammed Ali , Cetin Didem , Turgut Oguz
Published: January 2025

Plate-fin heat exchangers (PFHEs) are commonly employed in automobile applications as radiators and play a vital role in waste heat management. The performance of common coolants for this type of heat exchangers can be enhanced by incorporating nanofluids as coolants. In this study, the coolant of MgO–pure water nanofluids having different nanoparticle volume concentrations have been utilized for a PFHE having offset-strip fins for coolant side and wavy fins for air side. The effects of different inlet temperatures of 40, 50, 60, 70, and 80 °C and coolant flow rates of 5, 8, and 11 LPM and different nanoparticle volume concentrations of 0, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1, and 0.2% on the thermo-hydraulic behavior of radiator were investigated. The Reynolds number, heat transfer coefficient, heat transfer rate, Nusselt number and pressure drop have been taken into account as output parameters of the experiments. It has been concluded that there is a critical value for nanoparticle volume concentration (0.025%) at which the Reynolds number, heat transfer rate, heat transfer coefficient and Nu number reaches its maximum values. For instance, at a nanoparticle volume concentration of 0.025%, an increase of 265% was observed as the inlet temperature increased from 40 to 80 °C at a flow rate of 11 LPM. The maximum Reynolds number was also observed at this nanoparticle volume concentration for all tested flow rates and inlet temperatures. As for the pressure drop, increasing the nanoparticle volume concentration resulted in a rise in pressure drop across the radiator, with the highest value recorded at a 0.2% concentration. A noticeable reduction in pumping power was observed at higher inlet temperatures for a fixed flow rate and nanoparticle concentration. These findings indicate that the use of MgO–pure water nanofluids with an optimal nanoparticle concentration (0.025%) can substantially enhance the thermal and hydraulic performance of PFHEs in automotive radiator applications.
Crediting peatland rewetting for carbon farming: some considerations amidst optimism
Authors: Leifeld Jens , Paul Sonja M. , Gross-Schmölders Miriam , Wang Yuqiao , Wüst-Galley Chloé
Published: January 2025

Peatland drainage is worldwide a major human-induced greenhouse (GHG) source and rewetting increasingly considered a silver bullet to not only reverse the climate burden of peatland management, but also recover other ecosystem functions. Peatland rewetting is therefore one key measure in the evolving frameworks for carbon farming projects and an important nature based solution. However, with regards to the time horizon of rewetting projects and possible project failure the climate effect of rewetting has not yet been systematically analysed. Here we simulate the radiative forcing of peatland rewetting, based on impulse response functions, by using exemplary calculations addressing different time horizons, GHG fluxes and duration of project success. Water table drawdown during or after a rewetting project displaces GHG emissions into the future, meaning that rewetting projects that at some stage fail provide no climate benefit in the long run. This has important repercussions for the creditability of peatland projects and underpins that the value of peatland rewetting as a mitigation instrument strongly depends on successful and permanent implementation of a high water table. Furthermore, we show that linking radiative forcing with project duration and GHG emission patterns allows rational calculation of biophysical discounting and propose how such discounting can be used to account for the risk of project failure in payments to carbon farming schemes.
Music dynamics visualization for music practice and education
Authors: Park Eun Ji
Published: January 2025

Currently, musicians rely on their sense of hearing and notation cues on sheet music to precisely perform musical dynamics. However, other tools can help visualize music dynamics efficiently and enable musicians to create, emulate, and perform more effectively. Accordingly, we developed a Musical Dynamics Visualization Method (MDVM) interface program to visualize the amplitude of both a pre-recorded track and the real-time sound of the user playing the score. The interface layers the recorded visuals over real-time visuals to help the player precisely replicate the intended sound. The interface was developed for solo performances to allow them to carefully focus on amplitude changes. This novel MDVM method demonstrated impressive effectiveness in enhancing the expression of musical dynamics. Specifically, it reduced musical dynamic errors by approximately 256%, enhanced music education, and deepened students' emotional engagement. This method, thus, contributes to a more holistic and effective learning experience through its exceptional outcomes.
Does human-oriented governance foster labor and human rights disclosure?
Authors: García-Sánchez Isabel-María , Raimo Nicola , Vitolla Filippo , Aibar-Guzmán Beatriz
Published: January 2025

Based on the idea that an organization’s morphology influences its response to pressures, this study aims to understand what drives companies to disclose material information about their impacts on labour and human rights (LHR) in response to social and regulatory pressures. This study posits that a substantive internalization of respect for human rights in business operations can be supported by a human-oriented approach to corporate governance that fosters an ethical organizational culture in which protecting and promoting LHR is viewed not as a moral option, but as a fundamental responsibility, thereby encouraging corporate transparency in this regard. The results obtained from a balanced data panel of 792 multinationals over the period 2011–2020 show that companies with a human-oriented approach to corporate governance disclose more comprehensive information on LHR issues. Furthermore, the results indicate that LHR performance negatively moderates the relationship between human-oriented governance and the level of LHR disclosure.
Theory of Planned Behavior Factors Influencing E-cigarette Use Among Adolescents: A Systematic Review
Authors: Motos-Sellés Patricia , Cortés-Tomás María-Teresa , Giménez-Costa José-Antonio
Published: January 2025

Purpose of Review

The increased use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) among adolescents, with the associated risks, has become a public health problem. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the variables that influence the use of e-cigarettes to develop preventive tools adjusted for this population. The theory of planned behavior (TPB) allows us to analyze the variables that underlie consumer behavior, but few studies have applied this theory. This review investigates which variables of the TPB most strongly influence the e-cigarette consumption behavior of adolescents.

Recent Findings

Of the 16 studies reviewed, only one considers all the variables included in the TPB. The remaining studies evaluate only one or two of the variables, with consumer attitudes being the most studied. Most studies agree that favorable attitudes toward the use of e-cigarettes and social norms favor the intention and behavior of using these devices. This relationship is more consistent among teenage who smoke. On the other hand, the perceived control of e-cigarette consumption behavior had an effect only on nonsmoking adolescents, as their intention to consume was reduced when they perceived difficulties in accessing e-cigarettes.

This review offers a more concrete view from the perspective of the TPB of the variables that affect the use of e-cigarettes, providing a theoretical basis for the development of measures more adjusted to the needs of this group. However, many of the studies reviewed are cross-sectional. More longitudinal and experimental research that encompasses the entire dimensionality of e-cigarette smoking behavior is needed.
The Effects of Varying Teacher-Student Ratios in a Special Education Classroom
Authors: Frost Bianca N. , Walker Stephen F. , Perez Brandon C. , Camacho Samantha A. , Andzik Natalie R.
Published: January 2025

These procedures examined the impact of teacher–student ratios on staff and student behavior in a therapeutic day school. Ratios (teacher:student) of 5:4, 4:4, 3:4, and 2:4, involving the teacher, paraprofessionals, and four junior high students with autism were measured. Using momentary time sampling, environment, organization, student, and staff activity data were collected. Higher ratios correlated with increased student engagement and fewer behavioral interventions, while lower ratios led to decreased staff–student interactions and more behavioral interventions.

• Authors discussed the impacts of teacher–student ratios in educational settings for children with autism.

• State guidelines need revision to be sensitive to classroom composition.

• Researchers have focused on academic outcomes and teacher perceptions.

• Momentary time sampling is a practical approach for clinicians to use when objectively assessing variables in the classroom setting.
Topography-driven fluid distribution for improved strength in binder jetting
Authors: van den Bosch Lucas , Choi Minjeong , Hartmann Christoph , Erhard Patricia , Günther Daniel
Published: January 2025

Binder jetting (BJT) is an industrially highly relevant additive manufacturing process to create molds and cores for casting applications using sand and a binder liquid. During the layer-wise build-up of volume, a print head deposits a pattern of constant volume binder droplets onto the sand bed. This connects the particles via capillary bridges at low fluid saturation and bonds successive layers. Interlayer connections are widely reported to be weaker than those inside layer planes. In this study, the aim is to improve the layer bonding by placing more binder in deeper locations, which are accessible through the gaps between the grains of sand. To realize this, the sand topography of each recoated layer is captured by a camera, and a manipulated printing bitmap using three different binder volume levels is then fed back into the printer. The new bitmap redistributes the binder toward the observed gaps in the sand bed to increase the penetration depth. For the first time in BJT, closed-loop control is realized, which uses the recoated particle topography. An increase in flexural strength of up to 16% can be reached at the same total binder content. This enables thicker layers for increased productivity and points toward a new approach for BJT processes in the low-saturation regime.
Priming of ash saplings with a low virulent Hymenoscyphus fraxineus strain as a possible disease control approach for reducing symptoms of ash dieback
Authors: Ridley Maia , Demir Özge , Charria-Girón Esteban , Schulz Barbara , Steinert Michael , Surup Frank , Enderle Rasmus
Published: January 2025

Ash dieback is a tree disease caused by the fungal pathogen Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. Since its introduction into Europe, it has caused widespread and significant losses of the European ash, Fraxinus excelsior. Inoculations of F. excelsior with a low virulent H. fraxineus isolate were assessed as a promising method for reducing symptoms associated with ash dieback, presumably by triggering systemic induced resistance. Two strains of H. fraxineus were chosen based on observations of high and low in planta virulence. Crude extracts obtained from cultures of the highly virulent strain were more phytotoxic in a leaf puncture assay than ones obtained from the low virulent strain. UHPLC-DAD-MS/MS data identified the phytotoxin viridiol and the potential phytotoxin hyfraxin A in both cultures. However, the production of these compounds in vitro did not correspond with virulence in planta. To test the effects of priming, saplings of F. excelsior were first inoculated with the low virulent strain and subsequently with the highly virulent strain. On average, necrosis expansion on the stems was reduced by 53% in primed saplings at the end of the 14-week monitoring period, thus providing proof of the priming concept. These results contribute to our understanding of a possible integrated biological disease control approach for increasing resistance in saplings and reducing potential damages associated with pathogens, particularly during nursery propagation, out-planting and through the establishment phase. We discuss results in the context of relevant literature and summarise the limited availability of literature on priming and underlying principles in trees.
The association of increased SNAP benefits during COVID-19 with food insufficiency and anxiety among US adults: a quasi-experimental study
Authors: Jackson Kaitlyn E , Chiang Amy Yunyu , Hamad Rita
Published: January 2025

Objectives:

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent policy response to mitigate disease spread had far-reaching impacts on health and social well-being. In response, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) underwent several pandemic-era modifications, including a 15 % monthly benefit increase on January 1, 2021. Research documenting the health effects of these SNAP modifications among low-income households and minoritized groups who were most impacted by the economic fallout during the first years of the pandemic is lacking. We aimed to estimate the health effects of the 15 % SNAP benefit increase in January 2021, among SNAP-eligible US households.

Design:

We estimated the effects of the SNAP increase on food insufficiency, mental health, and financial well-being using a rigorous quasi-experimental difference-in-differences (DID) analysis.

Setting:

August 19, 2020, to March 29, 2021.

Participants:

Participants were drawn from the national US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey waves 13–27 (n 44 477).

Results:

Compared with SNAP-eligible non-recipients, SNAP-eligible recipients experienced decreased food insufficiency (–1·9 percentage points (pp); 95 % CI –3·7, –0·1) and anxiety symptoms (–0·09; 95 % CI –0·17, –0·01), and less difficulty paying for other household expenses (–3·2 pp; 95 % CI –4·9, –1·5) after the SNAP benefit increase. Results were robust to alternative specifications.

Conclusions:

Expansions of federal nutrition programmes have the potential to improve health and financial well-being. This study provides timely evidence to inform comprehensive safety net nutrition policies during future economic crises and public health preparedness response plans.