bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non‐Analog Behaviour of Eastern African Herbivore Communities During the Last Glacial Period
Authors: O'Brien Kaedan , Ashioya Lilian , Faith J. Tyler 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTModern African ungulates navigate seasonal variation in resource availability through diet‐switching (primarily mixed‐feeders) and/or migrating (primarily grass grazers). These ecological generalisations are well‐documented today, but the extent to which they apply to the non‐analog ecosystems of the Pleistocene are unclear. Drawing from serially‐sampled stable isotope measurements from 18 Kenyan large herbivore species from the Last Glacial Period (LGP), we evaluate how diet, diet‐switching, and migration compare to observations from present‐day settings. We find a higher grazing signal in most LGP species and a greater magnitude of diet‐switching than in the present. Additionally, we find that the relationships between grass intake, migration, diet‐switching, and body size during the LGP were unlike those observed today. This establishes a revised paleoecology of LGP herbivore communities and highlights that LGP herbivores were behaviourally non‐analog. Our results imply that ecological observations from present‐day settings offer an incomplete perspective of herbivore‐environment interactions.
Global Biases in Ecology and Conservation Research: Insight From Pollinator Studies
Authors: Skaldina Oksana , Blande James D. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn the fields of ecology and conservation, taxonomic and geographic biases may compromise scientific progress. Using pollinator research as a case study, we evaluate four drivers of these biases and propose solutions to address (i) untested generalisations from highly studied taxa, (ii) information accessibility, (iii) scattered environmental regulations and (iv) restricted infrastructure and funding resources. Expanding the taxonomic, functional and geographic breadth of research and legislation, and involving scientists in policymaking, can generate greater equity, accessibility and impact of future science. Using search engines in different languages, Open Access (OA) publishing and promoting mutually beneficial collaborations between scientists from developed and developing countries, may help to overcome geographic biases in research and funding. We suggest reviewing potentially similar biases and their drivers in other branches of ecology and conservation and identifying further ways to achieve information balance in science.
A Latent Profile Analysis of EFL Teachers’ Self‐efficacy: Associations With Their Emotional Intelligence and Teaching Innovation Behavior
Authors: Sun Qiang , Yuan Qifang 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTAs an important component of self‐concept, teachers’ self‐efficacy plays a crucial role in regulating their emotions and behavior. To date, few studies have been made to examine whether English as a foreign language (EFL) teachers’ self‐efficacy profiles are connected with their emotional intelligence and teaching innovation behavior. Guided by the control‐value theory, the present study intended to identify teachers’ self‐efficacy profiles and explore their relationships with emotional intelligence and teaching innovation behavior. Two hundred and sixty‐two Chinese EFL teachers were recruited to complete the questionnaires measuring their self‐efficacy, emotional intelligence, and teaching innovation behavior. A person‐centered latent profile analysis method was used to explore the potential profiles of Chinese EFL teachers’ self‐efficacy and one‐way ANOVAs were subsequently conducted to compare the differences in emotional intelligence and teaching innovation behavior scores among teachers with different self‐efficacy profiles. Grouped regression analysis was performed to examine the moderating effect of teachers’ self‐efficacy profiles on the relationship between their emotional intelligence and teaching innovation behavior. The study revealed that there were three teachers’ self‐efficacy profiles representing low, medium, and high levels which had significant differences in their emotional intelligence and teaching innovation behavior. It also disclosed that self‐efficacy profiles moderated the association between EFL teachers’ emotional intelligence and their teaching innovation behavior. Specifically, the emotional intelligence of teachers with medium and high self‐efficacy profiles significantly positively predicted teaching innovation behavior, but the emotional intelligence of teachers with low self‐efficacy profiles did not. It is hoped that the research results could enrich our understanding of EFL teachers’ self‐efficacy, emotional intelligence, and innovation behavior and offer new insights into EFL teachers’ professional development.
Children's Acceptance of Intraoral Cameras and Smartphones for Caries Detection: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial
Authors: Aly Nourhan M. , El Kashlan Mona K. , Giraudeau Nicolas , El Tantawi Maha 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundTeledentistry can improve access to care, but children's acceptance of different imaging techniques is underexplored.AimThe aim of this study was to assess children's acceptance of intraoral cameras and smartphones for caries detection.DesignA randomized controlled trial was conducted in rural Egyptian nurseries, with children aged ≤ 6 years randomized into intraoral camera or smartphone groups. Behavior during imaging was assessed using four indicators: fear, mouth‐opening difficulty, opposition, and cooperation, with a total score calculated from their sum. Imaging time was recorded, and mood was assessed using the Positive and Negative Affect Scale. Linear regression assessed associations between behavior and time with technique and mood, adjusting for confounders.ResultsThe study included 508 children, mean (SD) = age 4.54 [1.04] years. Children in the intraoral group showed higher fear and difficulty keeping their mouths open, with lower overall behavior scores (mean [SD] = 16.64 [2.95] vs. 17.18 [3.06], B = −1.05, p < 0.001). The intraoral camera required less time (mean [SD] = 3.62 [1.49] vs. 5.33 [2.82] minutes, B = −1.56, p < 0.001). Positive mood improved behavior (B = 0.25, p < 0.001), while negative mood increased time (B = 0.30, p < 0.001) and worsened behavior (B = −0.64, p < 0.001).ConclusionSmartphones improved behavior, while intraoral cameras were more time‐efficient. Device choice should balance efficiency with child comfort.Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT06019884
A Postmodernist Qualitative Research Approach: Choosing Between Descriptive and Interpretive Phenomenology
Authors: Watson Adrianna 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIntroductionPhenomenology is essential for researchers exploring human experience. To apply it rigorously, an understanding of its philosophical foundations is needed. This discussion outlines the key distinctions between interpretive and descriptive phenomenology to illustrate philosophical and methodological implications. Nursing researchers seeking to either uncover universal essences or interpret deeper, contextually situated meanings in lived experiences may find this discussion instructive.BackgroundPhenomenology examines lived experiences, focusing on interpretation and meaning. The question of understanding follows either an epistemological (descriptive) or ontological (interpretive) line of questioning. Husserl's descriptive approach seeks to objectively capture the essence of experiences through bracketing, while Heidegger's interpretive approach emphasises co‐constructed meaning, shaped by researcher and participant.Data SourcesIn phenomenological studies, researchers use various qualitative data types to uncover the essence of participants' lived experiences. Common methods include in‐depth interviews, focus groups, and written narratives, along with artefacts like photographs or journals, and audio‐visual materials that capture personal reflections. Researchers may also use observations, field notes, and digital content, ensuring a comprehensive view of participants' perceptions and emotions.DiscussionDescriptive phenomenology values authenticity through emphasis on objectivity, using methods like Giorgi's analysis, while interpretive phenomenology values co‐creation of meaning, employing Heidegger's hermeneutic circle for deeper contextual meaning. The choice of approach depends on the research aims.Implications for NursingDescriptive phenomenology helps identify universal themes in patient care, whereas interpretive phenomenology uncovers significant subtle meanings in complex experiences. Nursing researchers should select approaches aligned with their study objectives.ConclusionBoth methodologies offer valuable insights into nursing research. A clear understanding of their foundations helps researchers choose methods that best suit their research goals.
Life‐Space Mobility Is Related to Loneliness Among Living‐Alone Older Adults: Longitudinal Analysis With Motion Sensor Data
Authors: Yu Kexin , Wu Chao‐Yi , Barnes Lisa L. , Silbert Lisa C. , Beattie Zachary , Croff Raina , Miller Lyndsey , Dodge Hiroko H. , Kaye Jeffrey A. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundLife‐space mobility can be a behavioral indicator of loneliness. This study examined the association between life‐space mobility measured with motion sensors and weekly vs. annually reported loneliness.MethodsParticipants were older adults who lived alone. Passive infrared motion sensors were placed in the bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, and living room. Time spent in each room and out‐of‐home across the day was derived and used as the measure of life‐space mobility. Participants reported via weekly questionnaires whether they felt lonely. In annual visits, the UCLA loneliness scale was administered to a subsample (n = 71), and the scores were categorized into high, moderate, and low groups. We used generalized estimating equations (GEE) to correlate life‐space mobility with weekly and yearly loneliness. Repeated observations from each individual were bootstrapped for 1000 rounds to associate annual and weekly loneliness measures.ResultsWe analyzed 4995 weeks of data from 139 participants (age = 78.1 ± 8.6, 74% female, 23% African Americans, 14% with MCI diagnosis). An additional hour in the bedroom in the afternoon was associated with a 21.4% increased odds (OR = 1.214, p = 0.049) of experiencing loneliness in the week. An additional hour out‐of‐home in the morning and in the afternoon was associated with 18.2% (OR = 0.818, p = 0.040) and 15.3% (OR = 0.847, p = 0.018) fewer odds of experiencing weekly loneliness. In the subsample with annual loneliness assessments, an additional hour out‐of‐home was associated with 38.1% (OR = 0.619, p = 0.006) fewer odds of being in the high UCLA loneliness group. Compared with the low UCLA group, those with high UCLA scores were five times more likely to report loneliness weekly (OR = 5.260, p = 0.0004).ConclusionsFrequent and objective measurements of mobility combined with self‐reported social wellbeing information can offer new insights into the experience of loneliness and provide opportunities for timely interventions.
Nation's material flow: From the whole economy to final consumption—the case of Israel
Authors: Stossel Zeev , Kissinger Meidad 
Published: December 2024

AbstractGlobal demands for materials have led to resource depletion, ecosystem degradation, pollution, and climate change. Material flow analysis (MFA) is an established tool examining reliance on natural resources and related environmental pressure. The analysis presented in this paper advances a nation's MFA—from overall economy to final consumption. It considers some acknowledged gaps in the MFA literature including: (a) The need to relate nations' use of materials with consequent environmental impacts; (b) The need to analyze nations' domestic and overseas material sources and waste sinks; (c) The need to allocate the “economy wide” scale materials used and generated waste to the final consumption categories of households. Though applicable globally, the study concentrates on Israel. It revealed that the Israeli economy's annual total material consumption is approximately 2.5 billion tons from both domestic extractions and physical import. This flow of materials results in 937 million tons of domestic (domestic process output) and overseas (imported process output) wastes. Eight‐six percent of the materials and 94% of the wastes of the studied economy material flows are found to be related to households' demand for electricity, transportation, food, and consumables. The suggested framework can support environmental decision‐makers in developing strategies to reduce environmental impacts.
A framework for guiding safe and sustainable‐by‐design innovation
Authors: Blanco Carlos Felipe , Behrens Paul , Vijver Martina , Peijnenburg Willie , Quik Joris , Cucurachi Stefano 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAssessing the safety and sustainability of novel technologies while they are still in the early research and development stages is the most effective way to avoid undesired outcomes. However, the journey from idea to market is highly uncertain and involves intensive trial and error as technology developers attempt to optimize material choices and product configurations. Designs evolve quickly, and assessing their risks and impacts while numerous factors remain undetermined is challenging. The standard practice is to evaluate a limited subset of scenarios that can guide design choices. However, selecting scenarios from hundreds of undetermined factors without a systematic sensitivity screening may leave out important improvement opportunities. To provide well‐informed guidance, the evaluated scenarios should be selected based on factors that are most influential to the safety and sustainability impacts of the technology. We propose an approach that accomplishes this by incorporating a wide spectrum of undetermined factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the technology design. The assessment models are then screened for highly‐sensitive factors using global sensitivity analysis. Strategies to reduce uncertainty on highly influential factors are proposed for subsequent iterations, and the residual factors for which uncertainty cannot be further reduced yet remain influential are selected as a basis for proposed “sensitive scenarios” and improvement roadmaps. We demonstrate the framework with an emerging photovoltaics case study. Over a hundred uncertain factors are reduced to less than five which, if optimized, would substantially improve the future safety and sustainability performance of the technology as well as reduce the uncertainty around it.
Real‐Time 2D Phase‐Contrast MRI to Assess Cardiac‐ and Respiratory‐Driven CSF Movement in Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
Authors: Karki Pragalv , Murphy Matthew C. , Ganji Sandeep , Gunter Jeffrey L. , Graff‐Radford Jonathan , Jones David T. , Botha Hugo , Cutsforth‐Gregory Jeremy K. , Elder Benjamin D. , Jack Clifford R. , Huston John , Cogswell Petrice M. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackground and PurposeIn idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow is typically evaluated with a cardiac‐gated two‐dimensional (2D) phase‐contrast (PC) MRI through the cerebral aqueduct. This approach is limited by the evaluation of a single location and does not account for respiration effects on flow. In this study, we quantified the cardiac and respiratory contributions to CSF movement at multiple intracranial locations using a real‐time 2D PC‐MRI and evaluated the diagnostic value of CSF dynamics biomarkers in classifying iNPH patients.MethodsThis study included 37 participants: 16 iNPH, 10 Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 11 cognitively unimpaired (CU) controls. Anatomical and real‐time (non‐gated) PC images were acquired in a 3T Philips scanner. CSF flow was assessed at the foramen magnum, fourth ventricle, Sylvian fissure, lateral ventricle, and cerebral aqueduct. We calculated three CSF dynamics biomarkers: mean velocity amplitude, cardiac signal power, and respiratory signal power. Biomarkers from each location were evaluated for classifying iNPH versus AD and CU using support vector machine (SVM). A p‐value of 0.05 or less was considered statistically significant.ResultsThe velocity amplitude and cardiac signal power were significantly reduced in iNPH compared to CU (p < 0.005) and AD (p < 0.05) at the lateral ventricle. The SVM model using biomarkers from the lateral ventricle performed significantly better at classifying iNPH than the other locations in terms of accuracy (p < 0.005) and diagnostic odds ratio (p < 0.05).ConclusionEvaluation of CSF movement beyond the cerebral aqueduct may aid in identifying patients with and understanding the pathophysiology of iNPH.
Actigraphy‐based assessment of circadian rhythmicity and sleep in patients with Usher syndrome type 2a: A case–control study
Authors: Hendricks Jessie M. , Metz Juriaan R. , Boss H. Myrthe , Collin Rob W. J. , de Vrieze Erik , van Wijk Erwin 
Published: December 2024

SummaryThis study aimed to improve our understanding of sleep problems as a comorbidity of hereditary deaf–blindness due to Usher syndrome type 2a. Fifteen patients with Usher syndrome type 2a with a conclusive genetic diagnosis and 15 unaffected controls participated in comprehensive sleep and activity assessments for 2 weeks, using the MotionWatch 8 actigraph and consensus sleep diary. Various sleep parameters including sleep opportunity window, sleep latency, sleep efficiency, and self‐reported sleep quality were analysed. Non‐parametric circadian rhythm analysis was performed to evaluate circadian rhythmicity. Additionally, regression analyses were conducted to study potential correlations between sleep parameters and patients' demographics and disease progression. Patients with Usher syndrome type 2a exhibited significantly longer sleep latency and lower self‐reported sleep and rest quality compared with controls. Additionally, day‐to‐day variability of sleep efficiency and sleep latency were significantly higher in the patient population. Non‐parametric circadian rhythm analysis revealed no significant differences in circadian rhythmicity. Regression analyses indicated that having Usher syndrome type 2a was a significant predictor of poor sleep outcomes. No clear correlations were found between the level of visual impairment and sleep parameters, suggesting that the negative effects of Usher syndrome type 2a on sleep manifest independently of the progressive visual impairment. These findings suggest that, while circadian sleep–wake rhythm remain intact, patients with Usher syndrome type 2a suffer from sleep disturbances that likely arise from factors beyond their progressive blindness. With sleep problems being a major risk factor for physical and mental health problems, we advocate that sleep problems should be recognized as a hallmark symptom of Usher syndrome type 2a, warranting in‐depth research for potential targeted therapeutic interventions.
The Impact of Bolus Rheology on Physiological Swallowing Parameters Derived by Pharyngeal High‐Resolution Manometry Impedance
Authors: Omari T. , Ross A. , Schar M. , Campbell J. , Lewis D. A. , Robinson I. , Farahani M. , Cock C. , Mossel B. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe shear rheology of ingested fluids influences their pharyngo‐esophageal transit during deglutition. Thus, swallowed fluids elicit differing physiological responses due to their shear‐thinning profile.MethodsTwo hydrocolloid fluids, xanthan gum (XG) and sodium carboxymethylcellulose gum (CMC), were compared in 10 healthy adults (mean age 39 years). Manometry swallowing assessments were performed using an 8‐French catheter. Swallows were analyzed using the Swallow Gateway web application (www.swallowgateway.com). Grouped data were analyzed by a mixed statistical model. The coefficient of determination (r2) assessed the relationship between measures and bolus viscosity (SI units, mPa.s) at shear rates of 1—1000 s−1.Key ResultsRheology confirmed that the thickened fluids had similar viscosities at 50 s−1 shear rate (XG IDDSI Level‐1, 2, and 3 respectively, 74.3, 161.2, and 399.6 mPa.s vs. CMC Level‐1, 2, and 3 respectively 78.0, 176.5, and 429.2 mPa.s). However, at 300 s−1 shear, CMC‐thickened fluids exhibited approximately double the viscosity (XG Level‐1, 2, and 3 respectively 19.5, 34.4, and 84.8 mPa.s vs. CMC Level‐1, 2, and 3 respectively, 41.3, 80.8, and 160.2 mPa.s). In vivo swallows of CMC, when compared to XG, showed evidence of greater flow resistance, such as increased intrabolus pressure (p < 0.01) and UES Integrated Relaxation Pressure (UESIRP, p < 0.01) and shorter UES Relaxation Time (p < 0.05) and Bolus Presence Time (p < 0.001). The apparent fluid viscosity (mPa.s) correlated most significantly with increasing UESIRP (r2 0.69 at 50 s−1 and r2 0.97 at 300 s−1, p < 0.05).ConclusionFluids with divergent shear viscosities demonstrated differences in pharyngeal function. These physiological responses were linked to the shear viscosity and not the IDDSI level.
From femtoseconds to minutes: Spectroscopic study of optically induced thermal diffusion in aqueous solution of rhodamine B
Authors: Nome René A. , Oliveira Alexandre H. 
Published: December 2024

AbstractGiven that non‐equilibrium molecular motion in thermal gradients is influenced by both solute and solvent, the application of spectroscopic methods that probe each component in a binary mixture can provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of thermal diffusion for a large class of systems. In the present work, we use an all‐optical setup whereby near‐infrared excitation of the solvent leads to a steady‐state thermal gradient in solution, followed by characterization of the non‐equilibrium system with electronic spectroscopy, imaging, and intensity. Using rhodamine B in water as a case study, we perform measurements as a function of solute concentration, temperature, wavelength, time, near‐infrared laser power, visible excitation wavelength, and isotope effect. We find that spectroscopic excitation of solute and solvent as a function of temperature can be used to understand the thermal diffusion signal. Non‐equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations and analysis of infrared spectra and heat diffusion, and stochastic dynamics simulations of the coupled Brownian/spectroscopic non‐equilibrium dynamics. The stochastic/spectroscopic model shows how near‐infrared excitation of the solvent influences lifetime dynamics on the picosecond timescale as well as Brownian dynamics in real time. Overall, the results presented here exemplify how spectroscopic probing of solute and solvent can be useful for understanding molecular mechanisms of optically induced thermal diffusion in aqueous solution of rhodamine B.