bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Characterisation of complementary feeding practice and locally available climate-resilient crops for complementary food among agro-pastoralists of Ethiopia: a qualitative study
Authors: Desta Derese Tamiru , Teferra Tadesse Fikre , Gebremedhin Samson
Published: September 2024

The current study aims to characterise the complementary feeding practice and identify locally available climate-resilient crops that can be used for complementary feeding among agro-pastoralists in Ethiopia. A phenomenological study in Benna-Tsemay district, comprising focused group discussions, key informant interviews, and household observations, was conducted. A pretested guide was used to capture information regarding types of complementary food, lists of food items, and ingredients included in their complementary formulation. A thematic analysis for emerging points of discussion was carried out. Three major themes, including infant and young child feeding practices, food items included in complementary food, and their consumption frequencies, as well as the incorporation of climate-resilient crops into complementary foods as coping mechanisms, emerged. Breastfeeding was common and regarded as essential. Gruel and porridge from grains, roots, and tubers were regular parts of complementary foods in the study area. Moringa and sorghum were dominantly identified as climate-resilient crops regularly grown and used in complementary foods. Growing these crops was regarded as a coping strategy for drought and seasonal constraints. The district is one of the most drought-prone areas in Ethiopia, compromising the quality of complementary food. Unlike the World Health Organization recommendation, the grains, roots, and tubers-based diet formed the basis of complementary food lacking flesh foods, eggs, pulses, and other fruits and vegetables. Thus, it is recommended to improve complementary food quality through value-addition using locally accessible crops.
PIRANESI'S CIRCUSES AND CARCERES: THE NEWLY DISCOVERED FIRST STATE OF THE CAMPUS MARTIUS PLAN AND ITS ANTIQUARIAN CONTEXT
Authors: Hornsby Clare
Published: September 2024

This essay takes as its starting point the newly discovered first state print of the large topographical plan of the Campus Martius of ancient Rome made by Giovanni Battista Piranesi in the years around 1760. There are significant differences between the first and the more common second state (which was bound into the Campus Martius volume published in 1762) and they concern the form of the circuses, six of which are included by Piranesi in his plan. This essay will investigate those changes and propose a hypothesis regarding the motivations for them by looking at the antiquarian context with which Piranesi was familiar and taking into consideration his enthusiasm for on-site examination of ancient remains. Particularly relevant are the ruins of the circus of Maxentius on the via Appia just outside the city, a site which preoccupied Piranesi at various times throughout his career in Rome. The antiquarian material examined includes earlier writings on circuses, which had a marked effect on the way that Piranesi drew his circuses in the first state of the plan and on the changes he made, clearly visible in the copper plates from which the prints were made. The circus Maximus and circus of Maxentius as described by Pirro Ligorio, Onofrio Panvinio and Raffaele Fabretti are key to the genesis and development of the Campus plan.
High accuracy hybrid kinematic modeling for serial robotic manipulators
Authors: Ojer Marco , Etxezarreta Ander , Kortaberria Gorka , Ahmed Brahim , Flores Jon , Hernandez Javier , Lazkano Elena , Lin Xiao
Published: September 2024

In this study, we present a hybrid kinematic modeling approach for serial robotic manipulators, which offers improved accuracy compared to conventional methods. Our method integrates the geometric properties of the robot with ground truth data, resulting in enhanced modeling precision. The proposed forward kinematic model combines classical kinematic modeling techniques with neural networks trained on accurate ground truth data. This fusion enables us to minimize modeling errors effectively. In order to address the inverse kinematic problem, we utilize the forward hybrid model as feedback within a non-linear optimization process. Unlike previous works, our formulation incorporates the rotational component of the end effector, which is beneficial for applications involving orientation, such as inspection tasks. Furthermore, our inverse kinematic strategy can handle multiple possible solutions. Through our research, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the hybrid models as a high-accuracy kinematic modeling strategy, surpassing the performance of traditional physical models in terms of positioning accuracy.
Brouwer and Hausdorff: On reassessing the foundations crisis
Authors: Rowe David E.
Published: September 2024

Epistemological issues associated with Cantorian set theory were at the center of the foundational debates from 1900 onward. Hermann Weyl, as a central actor, saw this as a smoldering crisis that burst into flames after World War I. The historian Herbert Mehrtens argued that this “foundations crisis” was part of a larger conflict that pitted moderns, led by David Hilbert, against various counter-moderns, who opposed the promotion of set theory and trends toward abstract theories. Among counter-moderns, L.E.J. Brouwer went a step further by proposing new foundational principles based on his philosophy of intuitionism. Meanwhile, Felix Hausdorff emerged as a leading proponent of the new modern style. In this essay, I offer a reassessment of the foundations crisis that stresses the marginal importance of the various intellectual issues involved. Instead, I offer an interpretation that focuses on tensions within the German mathematical community that led to a dramatic power struggle for control of the journal Mathematische Annalen.
Computer-assisted pronunciation training: A systematic review
Authors: Amrate Moustafa , Tsai Pi-hua
Published: September 2024

This systematic review maps the trends of computer-assisted pronunciation training (CAPT) research based on the pedagogy of second language (L2) pronunciation instruction and assessment. The review was limited to empirical studies investigating the effects of CAPT on healthy L2 learners’ pronunciation. Thirty peer-reviewed journal articles published between 1999 and 2022 were selected based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were collected about the studies’ contexts, participants, experimental designs, CAPT systems, pronunciation training scopes and approaches, pronunciation assessment practices, and learning measures. Using a pedagogically informed codebook, the pronunciation training and assessment practices were classified and evaluated based on established L2 pronunciation teaching guidelines. The findings indicated that most of the studies focused on the pronunciation training of adult English learners with an emphasis on the production of segmental features (i.e. vowels and consonants) rather than suprasegmental features (i.e. stress, intonation, and rhythm). Despite the innovation promised by CAPT technology, pronunciation practice in the studies reviewed was characterized by the predominant use of drilling through listen-and-repeat and read-aloud activities. As for assessment, most CAPT studies relied on human listeners to measure the accurate production of discrete pronunciation features (i.e. segmental and suprasegmental accuracy). Meanwhile, few studies employed global pronunciation learning measures such as intelligibility and comprehensibility. Recommendations for future research are provided based on the discussion of these results.
Social cognition and healthy aging: Cross-sectional associations of emotion perception, theory of mind, and emotional empathy
Authors: Jarvis Amy , Wong Stephanie , Weightman Michael , Keage Hannah
Published: September 2024

Objective:

Older adults are identified to have reduced social cognitive performance compared to younger adults. However, few studies have examined age-associations throughout later life to determine whether these reductions continue with advancing age.

Method:

This study assesses cross-sectional associations of emotion perception, cognitive and affective theory of mind (ToM), and emotional empathy in a healthy sample of 157 adults aged 50–89 years (M = 65.31, SD = 9.00, 68% female sex). Emotion perception, cognitive ToM, and affective ToM were measured using The Awareness of Social Inference Test Short Form (TASIT-S), while affective ToM was also measured using Reading the Mind in the Eyes Revised (RME-R). Emotional empathy was measured using the Empathy Quotient.

Results:

Multiple regression analyses, adjusting for multiple comparisons, revealed a moderate negative association between age and emotion perception for all emotions combined, as well as for sad and revolted expressions, but not happy, neutral, anxious, or angry expressions. Age had a negative, moderate association with first-order cognitive, second-order cognitive, and affective ToM measured using TASIT-S, but not RME-R. Age was not significantly associated with emotional empathy.

Conclusions:

This study contributes to the limited understanding of age-related associations of social cognitive performance throughout later life. This knowledge can inform future research examining the clinical utility of including social cognitive measures in neuropsychological screening and diagnostic tools for later-life neurological disorders.
Clinical utility of brief screening measures during neuropsychological consultation for pediatric onset multiple sclerosis
Authors: Nguyen-Martinez Ashley , Weigand Brooke , Wolfe Kelly , Kammeyer Ryan , Schreiner Teri , Hutaff-Lee Christa
Published: September 2024

Objective:

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) accounts for approximately 2 to 5% of all individuals with MS and is associated with an increased risk for cognitive impairment. In recent years, neuropsychological screening questionnaires have been increasingly utilized for pediatric populations in multidisciplinary settings. This study examines the clinical utility of the Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire (CLDQ) and Pediatric Perceived Cognitive Functioning (Peds PCF) screening measures for identifying cognitive impairment in persons with POMS during a target neuropsychological evaluation.

Method:

Retrospective data was gathered from electronic medical records at a single pediatric hospital.

Results:

Forty-nine participants were included (69% female; 43% Hispanic/Latinx; mean age = 16.1 years old, range = 9.9 to 20.6 years old). Correlation analyses demonstrated strong interrelatedness between caregiver ratings on screening measures and performance on traditional neuropsychological measures. Effect sizes were medium across comparisons (CLDQ: Spearman’s rho = −.321 to −.563; PedsPCF: Spearman’s rho = .308 to .444). Exploratory cut-points using receiver operating characteristic analysis and Youden indices are also discussed.

Conclusions:

Comparison of scores across caregiver rating questionnaires and on a targeted neuropsychological battery suggests that the screening surveys alone may not be sensitive enough to identify children with cognitive impairments, but ratings may provide qualitatively meaningful information along with neuropsychological testing. This study illustrates how pediatric neuropsychologists can leverage screening tools to focus consultative interviews and effectively triage referrals for evaluation within an academic medical setting.
The curious case of the iniquitous in-laws: Oirat disloyalty in Mongol Iran
Authors: Jones Tobias Xavier
Published: September 2024

The Oirats were key supporters of the Mongol enterprise and helped to bring Chinggis Khan to power. Chinggis and his family intermarried with the royal lineage of the Oirats who were descended from Qutuqa Beki. As these marriages continued throughout Mongol history, descendants of Qutuqa Beki and Chinggis's daughter Checheyigen became key supporters of various successor khanates. In the Ilkhanate of Iran, one of their relatives, Tanggiz Küregen, and his family were intimately connected with the ruling house. The importance of Oirat military support for the Ilkhanid government was to such an extent that he and his descendants were regularly pardoned for treasonous acts. While other elite lineages such as the Juvainīs, the family of Arghun Aqa, and the Chupanids all had had great power and influence, they met violent ends at the hands of their Ilkhanid rulers. Tanggiz and his descendants however, were not only not overly punished for their acts of lèse-majesté, but in fact outlived the Ilkhanid Dynasty itself. This culminated in the government of ʿAlī Pādshāh, who ruled much of the former Ilkhanid realm through a puppet khan for a short period in 1336. This article investigates how Oirat power was both central to the Ilkhanid regime and helped cause its downfall.
Socio-legal instabilities in Ukraine’s wartime Compensation Law for damaged and destroyed residential property
Authors: Unruh Jon
Published: September 2024

Laws seeking to resolve war-related problems face a significant dilemma. While the legal establishment in a war-affected country drafts laws based on normative approaches suited to peacetime and stable settings, the civilian population pursues crises livelihoods that are markedly unsuited to compliance with or use of such laws. What emerges are socio-legal instabilities that aggravate instead of resolve wartime problems. With a socio-legal examination of Ukraine’s wartime housing Compensation Law, this article describes six sets of instabilities that compromise the utility of the law and aggravate or create additional problems: (1) the case-by-case approach, (2) administrative and institutional capacities, (3) legal vs. available evidence, (4) the timeframe for claims submission and awareness raising, (5) excluded segments of civil society and (6) prohibitions on selling properties. Approaches from international best practice that may be able to attend to these instabilities are then suggested.
Regime Shift to Hyperturbid Conditions in the Loire Estuary: Overview of Observations and Model Analysis of Physical Mechanisms
Authors: Dijkstra Yoeri M. , de Goede Roel J. A.
Published: September 2024

The Loire estuary (France) was extensively deepened during the 20th century. Coincidentally, suspended sediment concentrations increased drastically from ∼0.1 g/l to ∼1–5 g/l at the surface and the estuarine turbidity maximum (ETM) moved upstream. In this study we, for the first time, brought together a century of observations of estuary bed level, tidal amplitude, and sediment concentration to demonstrate these large changes. Next, we analyzed a minimal set of physical mechanisms that explain the dramatic increase in sediment concentration. To this end, we used the iFlow model representing dynamic equilibrium conditions in the Loire. Novel in the model is that it dynamically resolves salt stratification and corresponding damping of turbulence. For conditions representing the year 2000, high sediment concentrations were found with satisfactory correspondence to observations. Low sediment concentrations were found when using the year 1900 bed level but keeping all other model parameters the same. Varying the bed level gradually between these two extremes, the equilibrium solution suddenly increases for intermediate bed level, constituting an abrupt regime shift. Robustness of this result was established in an extensive sensitivity study featuring 13,200 model experiments. The regime shift is enabled by a feedback between increasing sediment concentration, reducing turbulence due to sediment and salt stratification, and increasing sediment importing capacity of the estuary. The essential sediment importing mechanisms in this feedback are related to the tidal asymmetry and gravitational circulation. This is the first time gravitational circulation and salt stratification are shown to be important factors in a transition to hyperturbidity.
Isopycnal Eddy Stirring Dominates Thermohaline Mixing in the Upper Subpolar North Atlantic
Authors: Fernández Castro Bieito , Fernández Román Daniel , Ferron Bruno , Fontela Marcos , Lherminier Pascale , Naveira Garabato Alberto , Pérez Fiz F. , Spingys Carl , Polzin Kurt , Velo Antón
Published: September 2024

The Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation entails vigorous thermohaline transformations in the subpolar North Atlantic Ocean (SPNA). There, warm and saline waters originating in the (sub)tropics are converted into cooler and fresher waters by a combination of surface fluxes and sub‐surface mixing. Using microstructure measurements and a small‐scale variance conservation framework, we quantify the diapycnal and isopycnal contributions –by microscale turbulence and mesoscale eddies, respectively– to thermohaline mixing within the eastern SPNA. Isopycnal stirring is found to account for the majority of thermal (65%) and haline (84%) variance dissipation in the upper 400 m of the eastern SPNA. A simple dimensional analysis suggests that isopycnal stirring could account for (5–10) Sv of diahaline volume flux, suggesting an important role of such stirring in regional water‐mass transformations. Our mixing measurements are thus consistent with recent indirect estimates in highlighting the importance of isopycnal stirring for North Atlantic overturning.
Large Eddy Simulation of Cross‐Shore Hydrodynamics Under Random Waves in the Inner Surf and Swash Zones
Authors: Tsai Benjamin , Hsu Tian‐Jian , Lee Seok‐Bong , Pontiki Maria , Puleo Jack A. , Wengrove Meagan E.
Published: September 2024

A 3D large eddy simulation coupled with a free surface tracking scheme was used to simulate cross‐shore hydrodynamics as observed in a large wave flume experiment. The primary objective was to enhance the understanding of wave‐backwash interactions and the implications for observed morphodynamics. Two simulation cases were carried out to elucidate key processes of wave‐backwash interactions across two distinct stages: berm erosion and sandbar formation, during the early portion of a modeled storm. The major difference between the two cases was the bathymetry: one featuring a berm without a sandbar (Case I), and the other, featuring a sandbar without a berm (Case II) at similar water depth. Good agreement (overall Willmott's index of agreement greater than 0.8) between simulations and measured data in free surface elevation, wave spectrum, and flow velocities validated the model skill. The findings indicated that the bottom shear stress, represented by the Shields parameter, was significant in both cases, potentially contributing substantial sediment transport. Notably, the occurrence of intense wave‐backwash interactions were more frequent in the absence of a sandbar. These intense wave‐backwash interactions resulted in a pronounced horizontal pressure gradient, quantified by high Sleath parameters, exceeding the criteria for momentary bed failure. Additionally, a more vigorous turbulence‐bed interaction, characterized by near‐bed turbulent kinetic energy, was observed in the case lacking a sandbar, potentially augmenting sediment suspension. These insights are pivotal in understanding the mechanisms underlying berm erosion and how sandbar formation serves to protect further beach erosion.
From Internal Variability to Aerosol Effects: Physical Mechanisms Behind Observed Decadal Trends in Surface Solar Radiation in the Western Pacific Ocean
Authors: Correa L. F. , Folini D. , Chtirkova B. , Wild M.
Published: September 2024

The Pacific Ocean, spanning over 30% of the Earth's surface, provides an ideal setting for studying the surface radiative balance due to its relatively pristine atmospheric conditions, far from anthropogenic emission sources. In this study we investigated the causes for the decadal trends of surface solar radiation (SSR) observed at eight stations scattered across seven islands in the Western Pacific Ocean, and extrapolated the results to the whole Western Pacific region based on the understanding of physical processes. Our results show a contrast between the causes for SSR trends in the northwestern and in the southwestern Pacific. In the Southwestern Pacific region, changes in cloud cover play a major role in the SSR decadal trends and interannual variability. The cloud cover in these areas is strongly associated with sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies, especially those induced by El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO). Modes of variability such as ENSO and IPO affect evaporation and convection, impacting the large‐scale dynamics of the atmosphere, therefore influencing the distribution of the regions of deep convection. This consecutively impacts the cloud cover on a regional level and therefore SSR. In the Northern Hemisphere, conversely, a strong influence of these modes on cloudiness and SSR was not found. Instead, indirect evidence suggests that anthropogenic aerosol transported from Eastern Asia plays a major role in the decadal SSR trends. These results contribute to an improved understanding of the physical processes relevant for the long‐term SSR trends in remote regions.
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for a Parent of a Child With Pediatric Feeding Disorder: A Case Study
Authors: Bakula Dana M. , Zax Alexandra , Dreyer Gillette Meredith L.
Published: September 2024

Objective: Pediatric feeding disorder (PFD) is a common condition for young children and can cause stress among parents. However, there are no parent psychosocial interventions that have been tested for efficacy in this population. Acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) holds great promise for addressing parent stress among parents of children with PFD. In the present case report, we describe the application of ACT with a parent of a child with PFD, with a focus on parent and child outcomes and parent-reported implementation barriers and facilitators. Method: The mother of a young child with PFD completed six sessions of ACT focused on the stress she was experiencing related to her child’s feeding issues. Treatment was offered in the context of her child’s PFD treatment setting, and sessions were held over telehealth. Results: This mother’s stress improved from high to average over the course of treatment, using the Parental Stress Scale. The majority of her improvements in stress were following the first two sessions. She also reported qualitative benefits related to her parenting, her child’s feeding, and her general well-being. She reported several facilitators of treatment, including the flexibility offered throughout treatment the use of telehealth, and acknowledgment of her experiences. She reported barriers including mental health stigma, time constraints, and childcare. Conclusions: Brief treatment of parental stress, offered in a pediatric treatment setting is feasible to implement and may have clinical utility in supporting families of children with PFD or other medical conditions.
Optical fibre based artificial compound eyes for direct static imaging and ultrafast motion detection
Authors: Jiang Heng , Tsoi Chi Chung , Yu Weixing , Ma Mengchao , Li Mingjie , Wang Zuankai , Zhang Xuming
Published: September 2024

Natural selection has driven arthropods to evolve fantastic natural compound eyes (NCEs) with a unique anatomical structure, providing a promising blueprint for artificial compound eyes (ACEs) to achieve static and dynamic perceptions in complex environments. Specifically, each NCE utilises an array of ommatidia, the imaging units, distributed on a curved surface to enable abundant merits. This has inspired the development of many ACEs using various microlens arrays, but the reported ACEs have limited performances in static imaging and motion detection. Particularly, it is challenging to mimic the apposition modality to effectively transmit light rays collected by many microlenses on a curved surface to a flat imaging sensor chip while preserving their spatial relationships without interference. In this study, we integrate 271 lensed polymer optical fibres into a dome-like structure to faithfully mimic the structure of NCE. Our ACE has several parameters comparable to the NCEs: 271 ommatidia versus 272 for bark beetles, and 180o field of view (FOV) versus 150–180o FOV for most arthropods. In addition, our ACE outperforms the typical NCEs by ~100 times in dynamic response: 31.3 kHz versus 205 Hz for Glossina morsitans. Compared with other reported ACEs, our ACE enables real-time, 180o panoramic direct imaging and depth estimation within its nearly infinite depth of field. Moreover, our ACE can respond to an angular motion up to 5.6×106 deg/s with the ability to identify translation and rotation, making it suitable for applications to capture high-speed objects, such as surveillance, unmanned aerial/ground vehicles, and virtual reality.
Mechanistic analysis of Riboswitch Ligand interactions provides insights into pharmacological control over gene expression
Authors: Parmar Shaifaly , Bume Desta Doro , Connelly Colleen M. , Boer Robert E. , Prestwood Peri R. , Wang Zhen , Labuhn Henning , Sinnadurai Krishshanthi , Feri Adeline , Ouellet Jimmy , Homan Philip , Numata Tomoyuki , Schneekloth John S.
Published: September 2024

Riboswitches are structured RNA elements that regulate gene expression upon binding to small molecule ligands. Understanding the mechanisms by which small molecules impact riboswitch activity is key to developing potent, selective ligands for these and other RNA targets. We report the structure-informed design of chemically diverse synthetic ligands for PreQ1 riboswitches. Multiple X-ray co-crystal structures of synthetic ligands with the Thermoanaerobacter tengcongensis (Tte)-PreQ1 riboswitch confirm a common binding site with the cognate ligand, despite considerable chemical differences among the ligands. Structure probing assays demonstrate that one ligand causes conformational changes similar to PreQ1 in six structurally and mechanistically diverse PreQ1 riboswitch aptamers. Single-molecule force spectroscopy is used to demonstrate differential modes of riboswitch stabilization by the ligands. Binding of the natural ligand brings about the formation of a persistent, folded pseudoknot structure, whereas a synthetic ligand decreases the rate of unfolding through a kinetic mechanism. Single round transcription termination assays show the biochemical activity of the ligands, while a GFP reporter system reveals compound activity in regulating gene expression in live cells without toxicity. Taken together, this study reveals that diverse small molecules can impact gene expression in live cells by altering conformational changes in RNA structures through distinct mechanisms.
Experimental evidence of seismic ruptures initiated by aseismic slip
Authors: Faure Yohann , Bayart Elsa
Published: September 2024

Seismic faults release the stress accumulated during tectonic movement through rapid ruptures or slow-slip events. The role of slow-slip events is crucial as they impact earthquakes occurrence. However, the mechanisms by which slow-slip affects the failure of frictionally locked regions remain elusive. Here, building on laboratory experiments, we establish that a slow-slip region acts as a nucleation center for seismic rupture, enhancing earthquakes’ frequency. We emulate slow-slip regions by introducing a granular material along part of a laboratory fault. Measuring the fault’s response to shear reveals that the heterogeneity serves as an initial rupture, reducing the fault shear resistance. Additionally, the slow-slip region extends beyond the heterogeneity with increasing normal load, demonstrating that fault composition is not the only requirement for slow-slip. Our results show that slow-slip modifies rupture nucleation dynamics, highlighting the importance of accounting for the evolution of the slow-slip region under varying conditions for seismic hazard mitigation.
Number and dissimilarity of global change factors influences soil properties and functions
Authors: Bi Mohan , Li Huiying , Meidl Peter , Zhu Yanjie , Ryo Masahiro , Rillig Matthias C.
Published: September 2024

Soil biota and functions are impacted by various anthropogenic stressors, including climate change, chemical pollution or microplastics. These stressors do not occur in isolation, and soil properties and functions appear to be directionally driven by the number of global change factors acting simultaneously. Building on this insight, we here hypothesize that co-acting factors with more diverse effect mechanisms, or higher dissimilarity, have greater impacts on soil properties and functions. We created a factor pool of 12 factors and calculated dissimilarity indices of randomly-chosen co-acting factors based on the measured responses of soil properties and functions to the single factors. Results show that not only was the number of factors important, but factor dissimilarity was also key for predicting factor joint effects. By analyzing deviations of soil properties and functions from three null model predictions, we demonstrate that higher factor dissimilarity and a larger number of factors could drive larger deviations from null models and trigger more frequent occurrence of synergistic factor net interactions on soil functions (decomposition rate, cellulase, and β-glucosidase activity), which provides mechanistic insights for understanding high-dimensional effects of factors. Our work highlights the importance of considering factor similarity in future research on interacting factors.
Stretchable, transparent and multifunctional PVC-gel heater: a novel approach to skin-mountable, wearable thermal devices
Authors: Kim Minki , Cho Minjae , Chung Chongyoung , Kyung Ki-Uk
Published: September 2024

Electric heaters based on functional materials and innovative designs have been developed for various applications. In this paper, we propose a soft dielectric heater (SDH) using polyvinyl chloride-gel (PVC-gel) as the dielectric heater and hydrogel as stretchable electrodes. Under an AC voltage, the leakage current in the PVC-gel leads to continuous injection and discharge of charges, causing the polarized plasticizers and flexible PVC chains to vibrate and collide, thereby generating heat through dielectric heating. Furthermore, the SDH generates a uniform temperature distribution even under strains up to 400%. Besides, high transmittance over 86% across the visible range renders it suitable for wearable or skin-mountable heaters from an esthetic viewpoint. Its capacitor-like structure achieves a scalable design, enabling extension from a singular cell to a row/column addressable and pixelated array of heaters. The 5 × 5 SDH array can deliver varied thermal information and sensations while maintaining performance even when stretched.
Migratory lifestyle carries no added overall energy cost in a partial migratory songbird
Authors: Linek Nils , Yanco Scott W. , Volkmer Tamara , Zuñiga Daniel , Wikelski Martin , Partecke Jesko
Published: September 2024

Seasonal bird migration may provide energy benefits associated with moving to areas with less physiologically challenging climates or increased food availability, but migratory movements themselves may carry high costs. However, time-dynamic energy profiles of free-living migrants—especially small-bodied songbirds—are challenging to measure. Here we quantify energy output and thermoregulatory costs in partially migratory common blackbirds using implanted heart rate and temperature loggers paired with automated radio telemetry and energetic modelling. Our results show that blackbirds save considerable energy in preparation for migration by decreasing heart rate and body temperature 28 days before departure, potentially dwarfing the energy costs of migratory flights. Yet, in warmer wintering areas, migrants do not appear to decrease total daily energy expenditure despite a substantially reduced cost of thermoregulation. These findings indicate differential metabolic programmes across different wintering strategies despite equivalent overall energy expenditure, suggesting that the maintenance of migration is associated with differences in energy allocation rather than with total energy expenditure.
Aerial imagery dataset of lost oil wells
Authors: Kim Anastasiia , Kadeethum Teeratorn , Downs Christine , Viswanathan Hari S. , O’Malley Daniel
Published: September 2024

Orphaned wells are wells for which the operator is unknown or insolvent. The location of hundreds of thousands of these wells remain unknown in the United States alone. Cost-effective techniques are essential to locate orphaned wells to address environmental problems. In this paper, we present a dataset consisting of 120,948 aerial images of recently documented orphan wells. Each of these 512 × 512 images is paired with segmentation masks that indicate the presence or absence of such well. These images, sourced from the National Agriculture Imagery Program, cover the continental United States with spatial resolutions ranging from 30 centimeters to 1 meter. Additionally, we included negative examples by selecting locations uniformly across the United States. Accompanying metadata includes the IDs and spatial resolution of the original images, which are available for free through the United States Geological Survey, and the pixel coordinates of documented orphaned wells identified in these images. This dataset is intended to support the development of deep-learning models that can help locating undocumented orphan wells from such imagery, thereby blunting the environmental damage they do.
A multi-stage lithium-ion battery aging dataset using various experimental design methodologies
Authors: Stroebl Florian , Petersohn Ronny , Schricker Barbara , Schaeufl Florian , Bohlen Oliver , Palm Herbert
Published: September 2024

This dataset encompasses a comprehensive investigation of combined calendar and cycle aging in commercially available lithium-ion battery cells (Samsung INR21700-50E). A total of 279 cells were subjected to 71 distinct aging conditions across two stages. Stage 1 is based on a non-model-based design of experiments (DoE), including full-factorial and Latin hypercube experimental designs, to determine the degradation behavior. Stage 2 employed model-based parameter individual optimal experimental design (pi-OED) to refine specific dependencies, along with a second non-model-based approach for fair comparison of DoE methodologies. While the primary aim was to validate the benefits of optimal experimental design in lithium-ion battery aging studies, this dataset offers extensive utility for various applications. They include training of machine learning models for battery life prediction, calibrating of physics-based or (semi-)empirical models for battery performance and degradation, and numerous other investigations in battery research. Additionally, the dataset has the potential to uncover hidden dependencies and correlations in battery aging mechanisms that were not evident in previous studies, which often relied on pre-existing assumptions and limited experimental designs.
Biosystematic studies of genus Withania Pauquy in Egypt
Authors: Shehata Faiza A. , Hamdy Rim , Hafez Rehab M.
Published: September 2024

Withania (Solanaceae, Solanoideae) is a widespread genus. Comparative macro-, micro-morphological, anatomical, and molecular features of this genus in Egypt were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy to reassess the conflicted taxonomic relationships between the two studied species. The most significant morphological differences that have been found were: the shape of the lamina, apex, anther, and stigma, and the ratio of calyx tube/lobe; anatomical examination of taxonomic interest are as follows: number of vascular bundles, presence of ears and distribution of accessory vascular bundles in petiole and shape of spongy cells, and number of lower parenchyma in the midrib region of the leaf; trichomes of both species showed no significant differences; pollen, and seed characters are of taxonomic significance in differentiation and characterization between them. Protein profiling revealed that W. somnifera has only conserved proteins, while W. obtusifolia possessed both conserved and additional proteins in their SDS-PAGE banding patterns. Eleven starts codon-targeted (ScoT) primers were applied and produced 96 amplicons with an average of 70.83% polymorphism/primer. W. obtusifolia generated more polymorphic bands and maintained monomorphic ones. SDS-PAGE disclosed that both Withania species were 50% related. While Scot-Dendrogram revealed that both Withania species were poorly related. So, protein and molecular analyses showed considerable genetic variations between these two species.
A novel intrusion detection framework for optimizing IoT security
Authors: Qaddos Abdul , Yaseen Muhammad Usman , Al-Shamayleh Ahmad Sami , Imran Muhammad , Akhunzada Adnan , Alharthi Salman Z.
Published: September 2024

The emerging expanding scope of the Internet of Things (IoT) necessitates robust intrusion detection systems (IDS) to mitigate security risks effectively. However, existing approaches often struggle with adaptability to emerging threats and fail to account for IoT-specific complexities. To address these challenges, this study proposes a novel approach by hybridizing convolutional neural network (CNN) and gated recurrent unit (GRU) architectures tailored for IoT intrusion detection. This hybrid model excels in capturing intricate features and learning relational aspects crucial in IoT security. Moreover, we integrate the feature-weighted synthetic minority oversampling technique (FW-SMOTE) to handle imbalanced datasets, which commonly afflict intrusion detection tasks. Validation using the IoTID20 dataset, designed to emulate IoT environments, yields exceptional results with 99.60% accuracy in attack detection, surpassing existing benchmarks. Additionally, evaluation on the network domain dataset, UNSW-NB15, demonstrates robust performance with 99.16% accuracy, highlighting the model’s applicability across diverse datasets. This innovative approach not only addresses current limitations in IoT intrusion detection but also establishes new benchmarks in terms of accuracy and adaptability. The findings underscore its potential as a versatile and effective solution for safeguarding IoT ecosystems against evolving security threats.
Correlation of bilirubin and toxic bile acids in critically ill patients with cholestatic liver dysfunction and adsorber application
Authors: Gräfe Caroline , Graf Helen , Wustrow Vassilissa , Liebchen Uwe , Conter Philippe , Paal Michael , Habler Katharina , Scharf Christina
Published: September 2024

Bilirubin is one of the most frequently used laboratory values to monitor critically ill patients with cholestatic liver dysfunction. Besides bilirubin, toxic bile acids (TBAs), which may cause severe organ damage, are typically elevated. A correlation between both parameters seems plausible, but data are lacking. The aim was to investigate whether there is a correlation between bilirubin and TBAs in patients’ blood and whether a compareable reduction can be observed during the use of the adsorber CytoSorb (CS). As part of the Cyto-SOLVE study (NCT04913298), 16 critically ill patients with cholestatic liver dysfunction, bilirubin concentration > 10 mg/dl, continuous kidney replacement therapy and CS-application were investigated. Bilirubin and TBA concentrations were measured from arterial blood at defined time points (before start, after 6 and 12 h). Relative reduction (RR) was calculated using the formula$$\:\:{\boldsymbol{RR}}\:{\boldsymbol{\left(\%\right)}}=\frac{{\boldsymbol{concentration\left(pre-post\right)}}}{{\boldsymbol{concentration\left(pre\right)}}}*{\boldsymbol{100}}$$. A moderate to high correlation between bilirubin and TBA concentration at all defined timepoints (rstart=0.64, p = 0.008; r6h = 0.85, p < 0.001, r12h = 0.72, p = 0.002) was observed. In the first six hours of CS-application, a significant elimination of TBA (median TBA: 30.8→20.1µmol/l, p < 0.001) and bilirubin (median bilirubin: 17.1→11.9 mg/dl, p < 0.001) was observed. The median RR after 6 h was 26.1% and 39.8% for bilirubin and TBA, respectively. No further reduction was observed after 12 h (RRbilirubin: – 0.6%, RRTBA: 1.8%). There was an at least moderate correlation between bilirubin and TBA in patients with cholestatic liver dysfunction. Therefore, bilirubin seems to be a suitable surrogate parameter for TBA elimination during CytoSorb application.
Fingerprints of brain disease: connectome identifiability in Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Stampacchia Sara , Asadi Saina , Tomczyk Szymon , Ribaldi Federica , Scheffler Max , Lövblad Karl-Olof , Pievani Michela , Fall Aïda B. , Preti Maria Giulia , Unschuld Paul G. , Van De Ville Dimitri , Blanke Olaf , Frisoni Giovanni B. , Garibotto Valentina , Amico Enrico
Published: September 2024

Functional connectivity patterns in the human brain, like the friction ridges of a fingerprint, can uniquely identify individuals. Does this “brain fingerprint” remain distinct even during Alzheimer’s disease (AD)? Using fMRI data from healthy and pathologically ageing subjects, we find that individual functional connectivity profiles remain unique and highly heterogeneous during mild cognitive impairment and AD. However, the patterns that make individuals identifiable change with disease progression, revealing a reconfiguration of the brain fingerprint. Notably, connectivity shifts towards functional system connections in AD and lower-order cognitive functions in early disease stages. These findings emphasize the importance of focusing on individual variability rather than group differences in AD studies. Individual functional connectomes could be instrumental in creating personalized models of AD progression, predicting disease course, and optimizing treatments, paving the way for personalized medicine in AD management.
Monoclinic distortion and magnetic transitions in FeO under pressure and temperature
Authors: Li Xiang , Bykova Elena , Vasiukov Denis , Aprilis Georgios , Chariton Stella , Cerantola Valerio , Bykov Maxim , Müller Susanne , Pakhomova Anna , Akbar Fariia I. , Mukhina Elena , Kantor Innokenty , Glazyrin Konstantin , Comboni Davide , Chumakov Aleksandr I. , McCammon Catherine , Dubrovinsky Leonid , Sanchez-Valle Carmen , Kupenko Ilya
Published: September 2024

Fe1-xO, although chemically simple, possesses a complex structural and magnetic phase diagram. The crystal structures of Fe1-xO and its magnetic properties at extreme conditions are still a matter of debate. Here, we performed a systematic investigation on Fe0.94O up to 94 GPa and 1700 K using synchrotron X-ray diffraction and synchrotron Mössbauer source spectroscopy. We observe a transition of Fe0.94O to the monoclinic phases above 40 GPa and at high temperatures and use the group theory analysis of the observed phases to discuss their properties and their relation to the ambient pressure phases. The Mössbauer spectra of the rhombohedral and the room temperature monoclinic phase contain a component attributed to Fe2.5+, caused by the electron exchange between the Fe3+ defect and neighboring Fe2+ atoms. Our results present a structural and magnetic transitional pressure-temperature diagram of Fe1-xO and show the complex physicochemical properties of simple Fe1-xO binary oxide under extreme conditions.
Designer spin-orbit superlattices: symmetry-protected Dirac cones and spin Berry curvature in two-dimensional van der Waals metamaterials
Authors: Martelo L. M. , Ferreira Aires
Published: September 2024

The emergence of strong relativistic spin-orbit effects in low-dimensional systems provides a rich opportunity for exploring unconventional states of matter. Here, we present a route to realise tunable relativistic band structures based on the lateral patterning of proximity-induced spin-orbit coupling. The concept is illustrated on a patterned graphene–transition metal dichalcogenide heterostructure, where the spatially periodic spin-orbit coupling induces a rich mini-band structure featuring massless and massive Dirac bands carrying large spin Berry curvature. The envisaged systems support robust and gate-tunable spin Hall responses driven by the quantum geometry of mini-bands, which can be tailored through metasurface fabrication methods and twisting effects. These findings open pathways to two-dimensional quantum material design and low-power spintronic applications.
Climate change related litigation in Indonesia
Authors: Sulistiawati Linda Yanti
Published: September 2024

Indonesia contributes to greenhouse gas emissions but is also vulnerable to climate change. However, the country does not have a single, overarching law explicitly addressing climate change. Climate litigation is now used in Indonesia to hold governments and corporations accountable. Here, I review the courts’ decisions for criminal and civil climate change-related cases between 2010 and 2020 and highlight trends and examples of case studies, driving factors, and impacts of climate litigation cases in Indonesia. I show that 112 climate change-related cases were brought to Indonesian courts, most of which were criminal cases concerning forestry or forest fires. In addition, there were a number of civil court cases. The cases use phrases concerning climate change in their main claim, argument, evidence, expert witness arguments, and judgments. They are regarded as incidental climate change litigation cases. However, these cases are essential in developing climate change litigation in Indonesia because they open up a discussion of climate change issues in the Indonesian courts and public media.
A nationwide analysis of 350 million patient encounters reveals a high volume of mental-health conditions in primary care
Authors: Caspi Avshalom , Houts Renate M. , Moffitt Terrie E. , Richmond-Rakerd Leah S. , Hanna Matthew R. , Sunde Hans Fredrik , Torvik Fartein Ask
Published: September 2024

How many primary-care encounters are devoted to mental-health conditions compared with physical-health conditions? Here we analyzed Norway’s nationwide administrative primary-care records, extracting all doctor–patient encounters occurring during 14 years (2006–2019) for the population aged 0–100 years. Encounters were recorded according to the International Classification of Primary Care. We compared the volume of mental-health encounters against volumes for conditions in multiple different body systems. A total of 4,875,722 patients generated 354,516,291 encounters. One in 9 encounters (11.7%) involved a mental-health condition. Only musculoskeletal conditions accounted for a greater share of primary-care physicians’ attention. The volume of mental-health encounters in primary care equaled encounters for infections, cardiovascular and respiratory conditions and exceeded encounters for pain, injuries, metabolic, digestive, skin, urological, reproductive and sensory conditions. Primary-care physicians frequently treat complex mental-health conditions in patients of every age. These physicians may have a more important role in preventing the escalation of mental-health problems than heretofore appreciated.