bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Northwestward advance of the northern boundary of the East Asian summer monsoon over the 21st century in CMIP6 projections
Authors: Wu Beilei , Lang Xianmei , Jiang Dabang
Published: March 2023

The East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) projection has attracted much attention, whereas there are few investigations on the future changes of the EASM northern boundary. The boundary migration would influence the distribution of precipitation and the related vegetation, and its projection is important for policy development of climate change adaptation. In this study, based on the median of 22 selected Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) models, the linear trends of meridional movement of the EASM northern boundary are found to be 0.45−1.39° of latitude during 2015–2099 based on the three precipitation‐based metrics under three shared socioeconomic pathway scenarios. Spatially, the multimetric climatological EASM northern boundary displays a 70–170 km northwestward advance during 2080–2099 compared to 1981–2010. Such an advance also holds true for most individual models, but the migration magnitudes vary with metrics, scenarios and models. The strengthened EASM in association with the intensified land–sea thermal contrast and the enhanced atmospheric water vapour content in response to global warming account for the northwestward advance of the EASM northern boundary, which is related to the increased possibility of the negative phase of the Pacific decadal oscillation in the future. Additionally, the thermodynamic component due to the increased moisture content contributes more than the dynamic term arising from the reinforced EASM circulations to the intensified precipitation and northwestward migration of the EASM northern boundary. The future advance of the EASM northern boundary favours a “northern flood and southern drought” precipitation pattern over eastern China, which would partly mitigate drought conditions in northern arid regions.
Predicting Resident Competence for Otolaryngology Key Indicator Procedures
Authors: Chen Jenny X. , George Brian C. , Gray Stacey T. , Krumm Andrew E.
Published: March 2023

Objective

Competency‐based surgical education requires practical assessments and meaningful benchmarks. In otolaryngology, key indicator procedure (KIP) minima are indicators of surgical exposure during training, yet it remains unknown how many times trainees must be evaluated on KIPs to ensure operative competence. Herein, we used Bayesian mixed effects models to compute predicted performance expectations for KIPs.

Methods

From November 2017 to September 2021, a smartphone application (SIMPL OR) was used by attendings at five otolaryngology training programs to rate resident operative performance after each case on a five‐level scale. Bayesian mixed effects models were used to estimate the probability that postgraduate year (PGY) 3, 4, or 5 trainees would earn a “practice‐ready” (PR) rating on a subsequent evaluation based on their previously earned PR ratings for each KIP. Probabilities of earning a subsequent PR rating were examined for interpretability, and cross‐validation was used to assess predictive validity.

Results

A total of 842 assessments of KIPs were submitted by 72 attendings for 92 residents PGY 2–5. The predictive model had an average Area Under the Receiver Operating Curve of 0.77. The number of prior PR ratings that senior residents needed to attain a 95% probability of earning a PR rating on a subsequent evaluation was estimated for each KIP. For example, for mastoidectomies, PGY4 residents needed to earn 10 PR ratings whereas PGY5 residents needed 4 PR ratings on average to have a 95% probability of attaining a PR rating on a subsequent evaluation.

Conclusion

Predictive modeling can inform assessment benchmarks for competency‐based surgical education.

Level of Evidence

NA Laryngoscope, 133:3341–3345, 2023
PDK1 regulates the progression of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma through metabolic reprogramming
Authors: Ma Yingchao , Zhang Xishen , Han Xiao , Hao Zhizhong , Ji Rong , Li Jianhui , Guo Wenna , Zhang Yanting , Guan Fangxia , Ma Shanshan
Published: March 2023

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is one of the deadliest human malignancies characterized by late‐stage diagnosis, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. Pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 1 (PDK1) plays an important role in regulating the metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells. However, its expression, function, and regulatory mechanisms of PDK1 in ESCC have not been reported. In this study, we found that PDK1 silence and dichloroacetic acid (DCA) significantly inhibited the growth of ESCC cells and induced cell apoptosis. Interestingly, PDK1 is a direct target of miR‐6516‐5p, and miR‐6516‐5p/PDK1 axis suppressed the growth of ESCC cell by inhibiting glycolysis. Moreover, DCA and cisplatin (cis‐diammine‐dichloroplatinum, DDP) synergistically inhibited the progression and glycolysis ability of ESCC cells both in vitro and in vivo by increasing oxidative stress via the inhibition of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. And, Tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), a specific activator of the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling, could diminish the synergic antitumor effects of DCA and DDP on ESCC cells. Collectively, our findings indicate that PDK1 may regulate the progression of ESCC by metabolic reprogramming, which provides new strategy for the treatment of ESCC.
Olfactory Bulb Volume, Olfactory Sulcus Depth in Parkinson's Disease, Atypical Parkinsonism
Authors: Dutta Debayan , Karthik Kulanthaivelu , Holla Vikram V. , Kamble Nitish , Yadav Ravi , Pal Pramod Kumar , Mahale Rohan R.
Published: March 2023

Background

About 70–90% of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have olfactory deficits which is considered as pre‐motor symptom of PD. Lewy bodies have been demonstrated in the olfactory bulb (OB) in PD.

Objective

To assess the OB volume (OBV), olfactory sulcus depth (OSD) in PD and compare with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and vascular parkinsonism (VP) patients and determine the cut‐off volume of OB that will aid in the diagnosis of PD.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional, hospital based, single‐center study. Forty PD, 20 PSP, 10 MSA, 10 VP patients and 30 controls were recruited. OBV and OSD was assessed using 3‐T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain. Olfaction was tested using Indian Smell Identification test (INSIT).

Results

The mean total OBV in PD was 113.3 ± 79.2 mm3 and 187.4 ± 65.0 mm3 in controls (P = 0.003) which was significantly lower in PD. The mean total OSD in PD was 19.4 ± 8.1 and 21.1 ± 2.2 mm in controls (P = 0.41) with no difference. The mean total OBV was significantly lower in PD as compared to that of PSP, MSA and VP patients. There was no difference in the OSD among the groups. The total OBV in PD had no association with age at onset, duration of disease, dopaminergic drugs dosage, motor and non‐motor symptoms severity but had positive correlation with cognitive scores.

Conclusion

OBV is reduced in PD patients as compared to PSP, MSA, VP patients and controls. OBV estimation by MRI adds to the armamentarium in the diagnosis of PD.
UMSARS Versus Laryngoscopy‐Based Assessment of Dysphagia
Authors: El Fassi Nadia , Pavy le Traon Anne , Mouchon Emmanuelle , Rascol Olivier , Meissner Wassilios G. , Foubert‐Saumier Alexandra , Gallois Yohan , Tessier Samuel , Ory‐Magne Fabienne , Woisard Virginie A. , Fabbri Margherita
Published: March 2023

Background

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) dysphagia is routinely assessed by the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale (UMSARS) part I‐item 2.

Objective

To compare the UMSARS part I‐item 2 with an ear/nose/throat (ENT) expert physician assessment.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the data of MSA patients who underwent an ENT assessment (nasofibroscopic and radioscopic exam) and an annual UMSARS assessment. Deglutition Handicap Index (DHI) and pulmonary/nutrition complications were collected.

Results

Seventy‐five MSA patients were included. The ENT assessment revealed more severe dysphagia compared to the UMSARS part I‐item 2 score (P = 0.003). A higher proportion of patients with impaired protective mechanisms showed severe UMSARS‐based dysphagia (P = 0.005). Patients with choking and oral/pharyngeal transit defects and nutritional complications were equally distributed across UMSARS part I‐item 2 scores. Worse UMSARS part I‐item 2 scores had worse DHI scores.

Conclusions

The UMSARS‐based assessment of dysphagia does not capture key aspects of pharyngo‐laryngeal dysfunction reflecting swallowing efficiency.
Evaluation of methods of estimating time‐optimal flight routes in a changing climate
Authors: Cheung Jacob C. H. , Wells Cathie A. , Steele Edward C. C.
Published: March 2023

An emergent consequence of climate change is its potential impacts on transatlantic flight routes and durations, with studies suggesting that future optimal paths will likely lead to decreased (increased) eastbound (westbound) journey times. However, these earlier works all rely on a class of flight planning algorithms (based on the so‐called ‘shooting method’) that are fundamentally different to those typically used by the aviation industry (based on the so‐called ‘network method’). To help resolve any ambiguities associated with these differences and better align both the academic and operational communities, we have therefore conducted an evaluation of methods of estimating time‐optimal flight routes to relate the result obtained from the shooting method with the result obtained from the network method, using identical data from an ensemble of eight different climate models included within the CMIP5 project. Our findings suggest that, contrary to the existing literature, journey times will likely be shorter, irrespective of direction of travel and season, although the magnitude of this difference is negligible given the typical duration of transatlantic flights. Trajectory prediction (TP) results are largely dependent on the characteristics of the ensemble, their method of generation, the projected climate scenario and the temporal periods considered. Importantly, we conclude the choice of TP models is not a crucial factor in assessing the impact of climate change on flight durations—as long as this sample size (i.e., number of trajectories used in deriving statistics) is large.
Blockchain‐inspired lightweight trust‐based system in vehicular networks
Authors: Kumar Arora Sandeep , Kumar Gulshan , Hedabou Mustapha , Mehdi Amhoud El , Iwendi Celestine
Published: March 2023

A decentralized application runs on the blockchain network without the intervention of a central authority. Transparency in transactions and security in vehicular networks are the issues for central systems. The proposed system uses blockchain‐based smart contracts, which eliminate the requirement for any third‐party verification. Additionally, with signature verification and reduced overhead, smart contracts also help in a fast and secure transaction. This study suggests a trust‐based system paradigm where certificate authority (CA) is employed for vehicle registration. We also propose a blockchain‐based system that provides efficient two‐way authentication and key agreement through encryption and digital signatures. The analysis of the proposed model reveals that it is an efficient way of establishing distributed trust management, which helps in preserving vehicle privacy. The proposed scheme is tested in Automated Validation of Internet Security‐sensitive Protocols (AVISPA), and security parameters verification in Network Simulator 2(NS2) also shows that the proposed scheme is more effective in comparison with existing schemes in terms of authentication cost, storage cost, and overhead.
Torsional static and free vibration analysis of noncircular short‐fiber‐reinforced microwires with arbitrary boundary conditions
Authors: Civalek Ömer , Uzun Büşra , Yaylı Mustafa Özgür
Published: March 2023

This study investigates the free torsional vibration response of short fiber‐reinforced noncircular microwires by considering the size effect. Moreover, the formulation of Eigen value problem based on forced boundary conditions that consider warping function and small‐scale parameter. The composite microwire has been considered to be composed of fiber reinforced by short particle distributed along the thickness direction based on different symmetric patterns. The partial differential equation with force boundary conditions of a microwire under the general boundary conditions are presented in a matrix form and are solved analytically via the modified couple stress theory. An analytical solution is obtained for a microwire with arbitrary boundary conditions using the Fourier sine series with Stokes' transformation and effect of different parameters including warping function and elastic springs at the ends, material length scale parameter, distribution of short fibers on the free torsional frequencies are investigated.
Discussion of ‘Is designed data collection still relevant in the Big Data era?'
Authors: King Caleb , Jones Bradley
Published: March 2023

Given the popularity of Big Data (BD), there can be an impression that fields such as design of experiments (DOE) are now irrelevant. We would like to thank the authors for starting the conversation about the possible relationship between these two fields. A key contribution of this paper is in showing how DOE principles, as summarized under the name designed data collection (DDC), can be applied throughout the BD process. This name is quite appropriate, demonstrating that these principles apply not just to designed experiments, but to any form of data collection. This is especially important for situations where designed experiments are either impossible (i.e., assessing how a country's economy may impact certain responses) or unethical (i.e., certain sensitive types of medical studies). It shows that DOE is more than a particular choice of design type, but is rather a methodology for approaching data collection. One that seeks to extract the most relevant information from the data while also taking into account the various nuances and constraints of physical and social processes, which are ever present, even in massive datasets. The paper divides BD efforts into three general phases: Before BD, During BD, and After BD. As such, we have grouped our discussion accordingly, with general comments provided for the suggested contributions of DDC in each phase. We then close with some additional thoughts.
Trending topics and themes in environmental innovation research based on topic modeling
Authors: Liao Zhongju , Liu Xiaodie
Published: March 2023

In the context of carbon neutrality, environmental innovation has become an important way for companies to achieve sustainable development and gain a competitive advantage. To systematically grasp the current status of the environmental innovation literature, this study conducted a thematic modeling and coding analysis of 19,936 papers published between 2000 and 2022 using an unsupervised thematic model. The research content pertaining to environmental innovation was sorted following the logic of “influencing factors, boundary conditions, and influencing outcomes.” The results showed that previous scholars had classified the factors driving environmental innovation based primarily on five theories, including stakeholder theory, resource‐based theory, institutional theory, informal institutional theory and upper echelons theory. Green absorptive capacity, firm size, and slack resources played a moderating role in the influence of other factors on environmental innovation, but the relationship between environmental innovation and firm performance remained uncertain. Finally, combining the limitations of previous studies, we outline several directions for future research to achieve breakthroughs.
An All‐in‐One “4A Hydrogel”: through First‐Aid Hemostatic, Antibacterial, Antioxidant, and Angiogenic to Promoting Infected Wound Healing
Authors: Hu Shanshan , Yang Zixin , Zhai Qiming , Li Dize , Zhu Xingyu , He Qingqing , Li Lingjie , Cannon Richard D. , Wang Huanan , Tang Han , Ji Ping , Chen Tao
Published: March 2023

Currently used wound dressings are ineffective. Hence, there is a need to develop introduce a high‐performance medicament with multiple functions including rapid hemostasis and excellent antibacterial activity to meet the growing worldwide demand for wound healing products. Here, inspired by the strong adhesion of mussels and the enzyme‐mimicking activity of nanometallic biomaterials, the authors developed an injectable hydrogel to overcome multiple limitations of current wound dressings. The hydrogel is synthesized via esterification reaction between poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and 3,4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), followed by catechol‐metal coordination between Cu2+ and the catechol groups of DOPA to form a PVA‐DOPA‐Cu (PDPC) hydrogel. The PDPC hydrogel possesses excellent tissue adhesive, antioxidative, photothermal, antibacterial, and hemostatic properties. The hydrogel rapidly and efficiently stopped bleeding under different traumatic conditions, including otherwise‐lethal liver injury, high‐pressure carotid artery rupture, and even fatal cardiac penetration injuries in animal models. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the PDPC hydrogel affected high‐performance wound repair and tissue regeneration by accelerating re‐epithelialization, promoting collagen deposition, regulating inflammation, and contributing to vascularization. The results show that PDPC hydrogel is a promising candidate for rapid hemorrhage control and efficient wound healing in multiple clinical applications.
Discriminant Principal Component Analysis of ToF‐SIMS Spectra for Deciphering Compositional Differences of MSC‐Secreted Extracellular Matrices
Authors: Zimmermann Ralf , Nitschke Mirko , Magno Valentina , Freudenberg Uwe , Sockel Katja , Stölzel Friedrich , Wobus Manja , Platzbecker Uwe , Werner Carsten
Published: March 2023

Identifying characteristic extracellular matrix (ECM) variants is a key challenge in mechanistic biology, bioengineering, and medical diagnostics. The reported study demonstrates the potential of time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF‐SIMS) to detect subtle differences between human mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)‐secreted ECM types as induced by exogenous stimulation or emerging pathology. ToF‐SIMS spectra of decellularized ECM samples are evaluated by discriminant principal component analysis (DPCA), an advanced multivariate analysis technique, to decipher characteristic compositional features. To establish the approach, signatures of major ECM proteins are determined from samples of pre‐defined mixtures. Based on that, sets of ECM variants produced by MSCs in vitro are analyzed. Differences in the content of collagen, fibronectin, and laminin in the ECM resulting from the combined supplementation of MSC cultures with polymers that induce macromolecular crowding and with ascorbic acid are detected from the DPCA of ToF‐SIMS spectra. The results are verified by immunostaining. Finally, the comparative ToF‐SIMS analysis of ECM produced by MSCs of healthy donors and patients suffering from myelodysplastic syndrome display the potential of the novel methodology to reveal disease‐associated alterations of the ECM composition.
The U.S. Postal Savings System and the collapse of building and loan associations during the Great Depression
Authors: Fleitas Sebastian , Jaremski Matthew , Sprick Schuster Steven
Published: March 2023

Building and loan associations (B&Ls) financed over half of new houses constructed in the United States during the 1920s but they lost their predominance within the following decades as they were pushed to convert into Savings and Loans (S&Ls). This study examines whether the U.S. government‐insured Postal Savings System attracted funds away from B&Ls precisely when they needed them the most in the Great Depression. Annual town‐ and county‐level data from 1920 through 1935 for three states show that the sudden rise in local postal savings was associated with local downturns in B&Ls. Using a panel vector autoregression, we find that postal savings significantly reduced the amount of money in B&Ls, yet B&Ls had no significant effect on postal savings banks. Alternatively, postal savings had no significant effect on commercial banks. The results suggest that this competitive dynamic prevented B&Ls from rebounding in the mid‐1930s and helped contributed to Great Depression's local real estate lending decline.
Autonomic computing and incremental learning for the management of big services
Authors: Ghedass Fedia , Ben Charrada Faouzi
Published: March 2023

Recent years have witnessed the emergence ofbig services, as a large‐scale big data‐centric service model, that resulted from the synergy between powerful computing paradigms (big data processing, service and cloud computing, Internet of Things, etc.). Big services are seen as a heterogeneous combination of physical and virtualized domain‐specific resources, with a huge volume of data and complex functionalities, all encapsulated and offered as services. This complexity of big services (composition units' heterogeneity, cross‐domain orientation, data massiveness), coupled with other environmental factors (cloud dynamicity, providers' policies, customer requirements) makes their management tasks beyond humans' capability. Therefore, endowing big service ecosystems with self‐adaptive behavior is a natural solution. To achieve this goal, this article models big services asautonomic computing systems, and structures their behavioral aspects (functional behavior, quality of service/data levels, management policies) as amulti‐view knowledge graph. To infer useful knowledge (e.g., conflicts between policies) for the autonomic big service's management tasks, we process the big service's knowledge graph (BSKG) via agraph neural network‐based graph embedding model. This latter is reinforced by anincremental learningmethod, that helps capturing the big services' frequent changes (e.g., QoS deviations, service failures, new policies), and drives autonomic managers to continuously update and enrich their knowledge w.r.t. the managed big service's current state. Finally, a flexibledecision mechanismexplores the BSKG structure and the latent knowledge, to locate and trigger the appropriate management policies, according to the big service's produced events.
Model‐based diagnosis with FTTell: Diagnosing early pediatric failure to thrive
Authors: Levi‐Soskin Natali , Yasin Fatma , Dori Dov , Shaoul Ron
Published: March 2023

Pediatric Failure To Thrive (FTT), commonly presented in young infants, is often not diagnosed on time or missed. Lack of timely infants’ diagnosis can adversely affect their growth and development. We have developed and successfully tested FTTell—a model‐based system for diagnosing FTT during common pediatric follow up. FTTell is an executable model‐based diagnostic tool for diagnosing FTT. We use Object‐Process Methodology extended with Methodical Approach to Executable Integrative Modeling, enabling qualitative considerations and quantitative parameters of the problem to be modeled jointly, enabling FTT diagnosis. The validity of FTTell is demonstrated on data collected from 100 infants. For each child, FTTell calculates a score indicating FTT presence and severity. We compared the systems’ outcomes to a pediatric gastroenterologist expert severity assessment. Of the 100 infants, the system initially yielded 82% validity. Reassessment improved it to 87% validity. Pediatricians may miss infants with FTT, especially in borderline cases. FTTell can effectively serve as a FTT diagnosis tool, boosting pediatricians’ correct diagnosis and proper investigation. Our cloud‐based system can be continuously updated with the latest research findings. FTTell can diagnose FTT and its severity in infants with 87% accuracy. Pediatricians can use this model‐based standardized approach to improve their FTT diagnosis and provide appropriate timely intervention when needed. Model‐based diagnosis is a novel application of conceptual models, and OPM ISO 19450 is especially fit for this purpose. The model‐based diagnosis approach can be extended beyond medicine to diagnosing problems with engineered, technological, and socio‐technical systems.
Crocin suppresses breast cancer cell proliferation by down‐regulating tumor promoter miR‐122‐5p and up‐regulating tumor suppressors FOXP2 and SPRY2
Authors: Jia Yunhao , Yang Han , Yu Jinsong , Li Zhong , Jia Guangwei , Ding Bo , Lv Chunliu
Published: March 2023

Crocin has been reported to have antitumor activity in several tumors including breast cancer. Nevertheless, the mechanism of action of crocin on breast cancer remains unclear. The cytotoxicity of crocin was evaluated by CCK‐8 assay. Cell proliferation was assessed using EdU incorporation assay and western blot analysis. Breast cancer‐related genes were extracted from GEPIA. miR‐122‐5p targets were predicted using Targetscan, starbase, and miRDB softwares. Luciferase reporter assay was employed to confirm whether miR‐122‐5p targeted sprouty2 (SPRY2) and forkhead box P2 (FOXP2). Results showed that crocin exhibited cytotoxicity and suppressed the proliferation in breast cancer cells. miR‐122‐5p was upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells. Crocin suppressed miR‐122‐5p to block the proliferation of breast cancer cells. Seven targets of miR‐122‐5p were identified in breast cancer. SPRY2 and FOXP2 were selected for further experiments due to their involvement in breast cancer. miR‐122‐5p targeted SPRY2 and FOXP2 to inhibit their expression. miR‐122‐5p knockdown restrained breast cancer cell proliferation by targeting SPRY2 and FOXP2. Additionally, crocin increased SPRY2 and FOXP2 expression by inhibiting miR‐122‐5p expression. Together, our results suggested that crocin inhibited proliferation of breast cancer cells through decreasing miR‐122‐5p expression and the subsequent increase of SPRY2 and FOXP2 expression.
Characterization of the sublethal toxicity and transcriptome‐wide biological changes induced by λ‐cyhalothrin in Bombyx mori
Authors: Ren Yuying , Su Yue , Wang Wanwan , Li Fanchi , Sun Haina , Li Bing
Published: March 2023

λ‐Cyhalothrin (λ‐cyh) is widely used in agricultural production and has been reported to cause damages to numerous nontarget insects. As an important economic and model insect of Lepidoptera, Bombyx mori was extremely sensitive to λ‐cyh, and pesticide drift often leads to silkworm poisoning. However, little is known about the persistence of sublethal effects or the potential recovery from short‐term exposure to sublethal doses of pesticides. In this study, we estimated the sublethal effects caused by short‐term exposure (24 h) of λ‐cyh LC1, LC10, LC25, and LC50, respectively, and investigated the persistent negative effects on the growth, survival, and pupal metamorphosis of silkworm larvae. Silkworm growth was mostly retarded after λ‐cyh exposure, with dose‐dependent recovery observed at delayed time points. Relative to the control, the treatment groups showed significantly higher larval mortalities and abnormal pupa rates. Additionally, transcriptome sequencing was conducted to investigate the effects of λ‐cyh LC10 on the normal physiological functions in the midgut of B. mori. A total of 2697 differentially expressed genes were identified, and 57.1% of DEGs were down‐regulated. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis further revealed that energy and nutrient metabolisms were negatively affected. Moreover, we demonstrated that sublethal λ‐cyh inhibited the oxidative phosphorylation pathway by reducing the expression of mitochondrial electron transport chain complex genes and consequently the synthesis of ATP. This study has provided useful transcriptome‐wide expression resources to facilitate the overall knowledge of the molecular basis of sublethal toxicity caused by λ‐cyh in the midgut of B. mori.
Elemental characterization of aPuma concolorfossil by non‐destructive X‐ray techniques
Authors: dos Santos C. M. S. F. F. , Moraes‐Neto C. R. , Araújo O. M. O. , Machado A. S. , dos Santos R. S. , Anjos M. J. , Salles L. O. , Oliveira D. F. , Lopes R. T.
Published: March 2023

Over the lifetime of an animal, metabolic processes in the body maintain bone tissues in a dynamic state of equilibrium. After the death of the organism, bone tissues undergo diagenesis, an intense transformation that affects its physicochemical constitution. Although many recent works have greatly contributed to the understanding of the processes surrounding diagenesis, there is still much yet to be understood about this multifaceted phenomena. In this work, XRF and microCT were used to characterize the specimen elemental configuration and investigate the fossilization process of a recoveredPuma concolor(cranium, mandible and teeth elements), found submerged in a lake in the Impossível‐Ioiô Cave System (Bahia, Brazil). MicroCT enabled the identification of the density distribution throughout the specimens, which were used as reference to XRF analyses. The XRF spectra of the analyzed specimen showed the presence of 11 elements: P, Cl, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu, Zn, Br, Sr, Y and Hg. Yttrium counts proved to be regular throughout the specimen surface and decreased in the interface between bone surface and interior, evidencing their correspondence to sample environmental exposure. Furthermore, a correlation between fossil surface coloration, element configuration and density is presented. The relatively low presence of Fe and Y in the enamel elicits its elementary and structural preservation. The combined results contribute to the understanding of the physicochemical process of paleomastozoological fossilization, further enriching the comprehension of the process of fossilization in a submerged environment.
Marine Bioprospecting: Understanding the Activity and Some Challenges Related to Environmental Protection, Scientific Research, Ethics, and the Law
Authors: Bekiari Maria
Published: March 2023

Marine bioprospecting is an activity that has only been developed recently. The term refers to the exploration and commercial exploitation of marine genetic resources. It is a promising but also highly controversial activity, which is expected to experience significant growth in the next decades, offering vast economic and commercial profits. At the same time, it raises several environmental, scientific, ethical, and legal challenges that will need to be addressed. In order to increase understanding about marine bioprospecting and its overall impact, this paper aims to shed more light on the activity and briefly present some of the resulting challenges.
Fighting Listeria monocytogenes with Bacteriophages: Biotechnology for Food Safety
Authors: Estorninho Maria João , Teixeira Paula
Published: March 2023

There are many nature-based antimicrobial solutions that could be used to decrease food spoilage and increase food safety. The use of bacteriophages (phages), viruses that infect bacteria but not human, animal or plant cells, is an example of a biotechnological approach for food preservation. Bacteriophage P100, marketed as LISTEX, was the first bacteriophage product to be Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA. This phage is active against the foodborne pathogen Listeria monocytogenes, responsible for a severe infection in the elderly, neonates and the immunocompromised. In this article, ECJ Case T-568/19, Micreos Food Safety BV vs European Commission, is analysed as a starting point for a discussion on whether a novel legal approach to the use of phages in the European Union is needed.
Scientific Knowledge: Its Impacts on Judicial Decision-Making and International Law in the Era of Sustainability
Authors: Sipiorski Emily
Published: March 2023

Science has become a tool for taking decisions in international (as well as domestic) disputes and acts to ensure the relevance of global ecological responsibility. This role of science has become particularly relevant as the sustainable development narrative has grown into a predominant form of global cooperation. The following contribution looks specifically at the role of decision-makers, including judges and arbitrators, and their interaction with scientific knowledge during the decision-making process in international (economic) disputes. Beginning with early cross-border environmental disputes and tracing the increasing inclusion of scientific inputs over the past decades, the contribution critically examines the role of judges in integrating expert inputs into legal decisions and its impact on achieving a more ecologically aware application of the law.
Climate Change and Sustainability
Authors: Santos Filipe Duarte , Ferreira Paulo Lopes , Pedersen Jiesper Strandsbjerg Tristan
Published: March 2023

The chapter discusses the challenge of global climate change and its relationship with sustainability. Following a brief review of the origin, principal drivers and current situation of climate change, an analysis of recent developments in climate change ethics and climate justice and their influence on climate change global policies is presented. We argue that the heterogeneous global climate movement has captured the world’s attention and will probably influence the future course of events. Finally, the chapter addresses the essential role of climate change action in achieving global sustainability and focuses on the interdependency between global inequalities and economic growth. The compatibility of mainstream neoclassical economics (MNE) with the rapid mitigation needed to reach the Paris Agreement temperature goals is discussed. Although far from optimal MNE mitigation policies, world climate change policies are strongly influenced by the global dominance of neoclassical economics.
Marine Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
Authors: Papanicolopulu Irini
Published: March 2023

Areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), which include both the high seas and the seabed area beyond the external limit of the continental shelf, cover more than half of our planet’s surface. They contain a wealth of living resources and play a crucial role in many earth processes, making their protection necessary for the current and future generations. However, the current regulatory framework has proven insufficient to address the many threats that endanger ABNJ. This chapter will present the current legal framework purporting to protect marine biodiversity in ABNJ and will assess its actual reach. It will then briefly discuss the current, ongoing negotiations at the United Nations, aimed at the adoption of a legally binding instrument to protect ABNJ, and will conclude with some thoughts on the role and limits of ABNJ protection through international law instruments.
Connected and automated driving: The Long Level 4
Authors: Mitteregger Mathias , Banerjee Ian
Published: March 2023

This volume comes at the conclusion of four years of research at TU Wien made possible by the Daimler and Benz Foundation. During this time, assessment of the potential and impact of connected and automated vehicles underwent a fundamental transformation. The findings of the core team and of the international authors of this volume have contributed to this process in various ways.
New governance concepts for digitalization: Challenges and potentials
Authors: Hamedinger Alexander
Published: March 2023

The term “governance” is generally understood to mean the steering and coordination of actions and its broadest definition encompasses various forms and their processes (cf. Gailing/ Hamedinger 2019). They range from official, i.e. state-run, top-down steering and coordination to forms of self-steering without state actors (Mayntz/Scharpf 1995, Blatter 2007). This understanding of governance is grounded in social theory and differs from a narrower understanding sthat emphasizes the shift from state forms of steering and coordination.
Data-driven urbanism, digital platforms and the planning of MaaS in times of deep uncertainty: What does it mean for CAVs?
Authors: Banerjee Ian , Jittrapirom Peraphan , Dangschat Jens S.
Published: March 2023

This paper offers a critical review of three coevolving socio-technical paradigms: (a) “data-driven urbanism”, (b) digital platforms and (c) “Mobility-as-a-Service” (MaaS). It explores the complex relationship unfolding between data-driven cities and digital platforms, while drawing on MaaS as a case to discuss the challenges of implementing mobility services via digital platforms. Inferences are drawn from the ongoing debate accompanying these three paradigms to identify potential criteria for the design of socially accountable governance models for the deployment of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs).
Connected and automated driving in the context of a sustainable transport and mobility transformation
Authors: Stickler Andrea , Dangschat Jens S. , Banerjee Ian
Published: March 2023

Under what conditions can connected and automated transport (CAT) help bring about sustainable mobility? This question has been at the focus of interest of the interdisciplinary research group AVENUE21 from the outset. In view of today’s global challenges, no technologies or business models should be permitted that generate further traffic and exacerbate the urban, ecological and social problems faced by today’s transport system (cf. Mitteregger et al. 2022). This volume highlights the opportunities and risks of connected and automated vehicles in the transition to sustainable mobility and derives action plans, above all for policymakers and planning bodies.
Delivery robots as a solution for the last mile in the city?
Authors: Leerkamp Bert , Soteropoulos Aggelos , Berger Martin
Published: March 2023

Urban freight transport is assuming an increasingly important role in the field of urban mobility as well as in urban transport policy, as e-commerce is booming: with the advance of digitalization, goods are increasingly being ordered via the internet, with a resulting sharp increase in delivery transport volumes (cf. Muschkiet/Schückhaus 2019: 358; German Federal Government 2019: 44f.). New sustainable solutions and concepts are therefore needed in urban logistics, with the last mile in particular posing a major challenge due to a lack of bundling and the great effort involved (cf. Gerdes/Heinemann 2019: 399; Buthe et al. 2018: 30; Lierow/Wisotzky 2019). At the same time, new delivery media are emerging, such as delivery robots (cf. Baum et al. 2019: 2455; Jennings/ Figliozzi 2019: 317), which are seen as having great potential for the last mile.
Introduction: The Vulnerability and Transformation of Indonesian Peatlands
Authors: Mizuno Kosuke , Fujita Motoko S. , Kozan Osamu , Itoh Masayuki , Shiodera Satomi , Naito Daisuke , Suzuki Haruka , Gunawan Haris
Published: March 2023

Tropical peat swamp forests that started to experience fires in the 1960s in Sumatra and in the 1980s in Kalimantan are now seriously degraded in many places in Indonesia. But from a longer perspective, we can see the tropical peat swamp forests’ resilience and adaptation. There have been several reports on how deep local knowledge has helped curb further degradation of these forests. Large-scale commercial logging had been undertaken in the Riau area in Sumatra in the 1860s; however, no serious peatland degradation and large-scale fires were reported until the end of the colonial era. Truly serious degradation started only in the middle of the 1980s when large-scale drainage systems were created to support the extensive cultivation of oil palm and timber plantations. Serious fires broke out in 1997, and in 2015 at the time of El Niño. Today only 18.4% of total peatlands in Indonesia are undisturbed natural peatland forests. We also find several initiatives to restore degraded peatlands. For one thing, the government has established the Peatland Restoration Agency (BRG) to coordinate the acceleration of peatland restoration and promote the welfare of local people in the peatland area. For another, international organizations, companies, nongovernment organizations, and local communities also have started their respective programs to rehabilitate the peatlands. Such developments can be interpreted as attempts at transformation, that is, the creation of a fundamentally new system in response to ecological, economic, or social (including political) conditions that render the existing system untenable. This volume intends to reshape the discussion on peatland degradation and regeneration with the ideas of vulnerability, resilience, adaptability and transformation, and deepen the understanding of degradation and regeneration.
Peatland Degradation, Timber Plantations, and Land Titles in Sumatra
Authors: Mizuno Kosuke , Masuda Kazuya , Syahza Almasdi
Published: March 2023

Peatlands in Riau, Sumatra were relatively untouched by development or deforestation until at least the beginning of the 1970s. But today these landscapes are seriously degraded, with fires breaking out almost every year. Why and how has it come to this? This study attempts to make clear the relationships between the establishment of timber plantation, construction of large-scale drainage infrastructure, peatland degradation, in-migration, increasing fire events, and abandonment of peatland. This study highlights land rights as a factor that may either promote peatland degradation or motivate local people to manage degraded peatlands to better ends. It shows how large-scale drainage introduced by timber plantations since 1990s led to peatland desiccation in Riau, leading to fire events outside the plantation concession areas. Local people reacted to fire by logging and distributing parcels of peatland swamp forest outside the concession to secure land rights and to stop further concession giving to companies by the government. These activities in turn promoted peatland degradation, increasing the incidence of fire and abandonment of peatland. Local people’s scramble to secure land rights promoted peatland degradation, but as soon as they obtained land titles they managed the burned lands well. On the other hand, land distributed land without title tended to be abandoned after fires. The intrusion of timber plantations and land distribution also promoted in-migration, which contributed to peatland degradation. One of the reasons why people could distribute these peat swamp forests among themselves was poor governmental management of state forest lands, as the boundaries between the state and nonstate forests remained unclear, especially for the local people.
Impact of Industrial Tree Plantation on Ground-Dwelling Mammals and Birds in a Peat Swamp Forest in Sumatra
Authors: Samejima Hiromitsu , Fujita Motoko S. , Muhammad Ahmad
Published: March 2023

Peat swamp forests are one of the unique ecosystems of Southeast Asia. These forests are not only a large carbon stock, but also a refuge for rich biodiversity. To understand the faunal composition and the effect of land-use changes in peat swamp forests, we investigated ground-dwelling mammals and birds using camera traps in a natural peat swamp forest and acacia forests planted in two industrial tree plantations in the Giam Siak Kecil-Bukit Batu Biosphere Reserve, Riau, Indonesia, in the Island of Sumatra.

We obtained a total of 1856 records, comprising 23 species and including 11 vulnerable or endangered species, in ten plots. The range of mean trapping rates (number of records per 100 camera working days) of all animals in each plot in natural peat swamp forests were 9.22–51.85 (mean: 29.16) and 8.75–31.76 (16.42) in the wildlife reserve and protected area of the plantations respectively. The range in planted acacia forest was 2.29–6.38 (4.02). Few species were recorded in the planted acacia forests, and the species composition was different from that in the natural peat swamp forests. These differences indicate that conversion from natural peat swamp forests to planted acacia forest through development of industrial tree plantations resulting in decreased density and species richness of ground-dwelling mammals and birds. Because the ground-dwelling mammal and bird community in natural peat swamp forest is vulnerable to land use change, conservation of the remnant natural peat swamp forests and appropriate landscape design of industrial tree plantations are considered important to maintain the ecosystem.
Patterns of CO2 Emission from a Drained Peatland in Kampar Peninsula, Riau Province, Indonesia
Authors: Saptomo Satyanto Krido , Setiawan Budi Indra , Chadirin Yudi , Osawa Kazutoshi , Nagano Toshihide , Mizuno Kosuke , Novarina Dian , Sudarman Susilo , Aruan Aulia
Published: March 2023

It was crucial to acquire soil CO2 flux data from a bare peatland site in Kampar Peninsula, Riau Province, Indonesia so as to evaluate the carbon budget of the site in which water is managed, drained, and utilized for acacia plantation. CO2 flux was continuously measured from July 2012 to February 2013 using an automatic soil CO2 flux measurement system. In this study, the factors affecting carbon emission were analyzed and tested for indirect CO2 flux estimation, and the results showed that CO2 flux varied with weather, water, and soil-related variables, and where there was rainfall, soil temperature and soil moisture both played an important role. CO2 flux was modeled using an artificial neural network (ANN) approach with inputs of soil moisture, temperature, and electrical conductivity (EC) as proxy variables. Based on the measurements, the total carbon dioxide (CO2) emission during the measurement period from July 2012 to June 2013 was 52.25 t ha−1. Total CO2 emission in 2012 was estimated as 54.86 t ha−1 using the ANN model. Furthermore, the results generated by the model showed that levels of CO2 flux declined as the temperature decreased, and soil moisture increased toward soil water saturation.
Termite: Friend or Foe? Conservation Values of Termites in Tropical Peat Systems
Authors: Neoh Kok-Boon , Muhammad Ahmad , Itoh Masayuki , Kozan Osamu
Published: March 2023

Termites are the major ecosystem service providers and contribute significantly to soil processes and nutrient cycling in tropical ecosystems. The ecological services provided by termites are often discredited due to their commonly-regarded status as pest in human-dominated landscapes, however. In order to understand the potential roles of termites in peatland ecosystems, termite samplings were conducted in abandoned degraded peatland and peatland cultivated with oil palm in Riau, Sumatra. Surveys found a total of six species of termite of the family Rhinotermitidae. (rhinotermitid) in study plots of disturbed lands. In particular,Coptotermesspp.are notorious pests to oil palm, and may also be a potential pest in indigenous tree replanting programs. Based on analysis of termite feeding groups and documentation of wood susceptibility to termite attack, this study provides a reference of tree species that must be avoided in indigenous tree replanting programs so that the trophic relations of termite populations are of most benefit to peatland soil biodiversity and thereby to resilient peatland ecosystems.