bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
What shapes fire size and spread in African savannahs?
Authors: Takacs Sacha , Schulte to Bühne Henrike , Pettorelli Nathalie 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFires play an important role in savannah ecosystems, shaping among other things vegetation structure and altering species composition. As direct and indirect anthropogenic pressures on these ecosystems increase, fire dynamics in savannahs are expected to change in the coming decades, with potential impacts on ecosystem functioning. Although the ecological impacts of fires are relatively well‐known, the factors that shape fire dynamics in these ecosystems have received less research attention. Using Pendjari National Park (Benin) as a case study, we assessed the importance of different biotic and abiotic factors in shaping fire size and spread in the region. Our results show that fires spread faster (1) in the middle of the dry season compared to the early or late dry season, (2) in areas that are far away from natural and anthropogenic firebreaks, and (3) in areas that are covered with highly flammable vegetation. By contrast, most vegetation types had little influence on fire size, which seems to depend instead on rainfall. Our approach and results highlight new avenues for satellite data to improve our understanding of fire dynamics in large, remote savannah ecosystems and to improve our ability to predict how fires spread, a key variable for wildlife management in the face of rapidly changing environmental conditions.
In Situ, Atomic‐Resolution Observation of Lithiation and Sodiation of WS2 Nanoflakes: Implications for Lithium‐Ion and Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Xu Yaobin , Wang Ke , Yao Zhenpeng , Kang Joohoon , Lam David , Yang Dan , Ai Wei , Wolverton Chris , Hersam Mark C. , Huang Ying , Huang Wei , Dravid Vinayak P. , Wu Jinsong 
Published: May 2021

AbstractWS2 nanoflakes have great potential as electrode materials of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) because of their unique 2D structure, which facilitates the reversible intercalation and extraction of alkali metal ions. However, a fundamental understanding of the electrochemical lithiation/sodiation dynamics of WS2 nanoflakes especially at the nanoscale level, remains elusive. Here, by combining battery electrochemical measurements, density functional theory calculations, and in situ transmission electron microscopy, the electrochemical‐reaction kinetics and mechanism for both lithiation and sodiation of WS2 nanoflakes are investigated at the atomic scale. It is found that compared to LIBs, SIBs exhibit a higher reversible sodium (Na) storage capacity and superior cyclability. For sodiation, the volume change due to ion intercalation is smaller than that in lithiation. Also, sodiated WS2 maintains its layered structure after the intercalation process, and the reduced metal nanoparticles after conversion in sodiation are well‐dispersed and aligned forming a pattern similar to the layered structure. Overall, this work shows a direct interconnection between the reaction dynamics of lithiated/sodiated WS2 nanoflakes and their electrochemical performance, which sheds light on the rational optimization and development of advanced WS2‐based electrodes.
“Anybody can do science if they're brave enough”: Understanding the role of science capital in science majors' identity trajectories into and through postsecondary science
Authors: Gonsalves Allison J. , Cavalcante Alexandre Soares , Sprowls Emily Diane , Iacono Hailey 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis article reports on research investigating the experiences and resources that make science thinkable for undergraduate science majors as they engage in postsecondary science contexts. We regard these experiences and resources as contributing to science majors' science capital, and we suggest that science capital accumulates over time across identity trajectories. Using a multiple case study approach, we characterize seven undergraduate science majors' identity trajectories that they narrate through their stories of experiences with science in school, out of school and into postsecondary education. We examine how they navigate sources of science capital (e.g., families, science outreach), and the value they attribute to their science capital once they enter science programs in university. We also consider how their access to science capital influences their reasons for engaging in science outreach. To characterize students' movements into postsecondary education, and their experiences in postsecondary science, we crafted three identity trajectories: the “expected trajectory,” “persistent trajectory” and the “new directions trajectory.” These trajectories helped us to examine how science majors' identities mediate their perceptions of the use and exchange values of their science capital and the doxa of science that they legitimate. This study contributes to our understanding of how science capital operates along identity trajectories into postsecondary science, and demonstrates that simply having access to resources that contribute to students' accumulation of science capital is not sufficient for sustained engagement in science.
Artificial cordyceps mycelium by submerged fermentation of Hirsutella sinensis HS 1201 using rice bran hydrolysate as substrate
Authors: Ren Wenqiang , Wang Chengyu , Zhao Ran , Li Honghua , Zhang Qinghua , Cai Di 
Published: May 2021

AbstractArtificial cordyceps mycelium (CM) is a potential substitute for natural cordyceps. In this study, rice bran hydrolysate (RBH), from the residual of the food process, was applied as substrate for submerged fermentation. The active compounds’ constituents in CM were investigated in detail. Results indicated that RBH could not only be used as nutriments and facilitate the submerged fermentation but also showed the ability to promote the metabolism of active ingredients by Hirsutella sinensis HS 1201. Key parameters of the fermentation process were optimized. Under the optimized conditions (pH 6.5, silkworm chrysalis powder 4 g/L, and yeast extract 6 g/L), 15.1 ± 0.6 g/L of the CM was obtained, which was 77.6% higher than the control group that using the conventional synthesis medium. For the constitution of the bioactive compounds, the adenosine content in the CM reached 176 ± 11 mg/100 g, which was increased by 11.4% compared to the control. The concentration of ergosterol in the dry CM was 320 ± 20 mg/100 g, and the cordycepin concentration was 9.66 ± 0.55 mg/100 g. At the same time, lipid yield was 1.2 times higher than that obtained in the control group. The cordyceps polysaccharide content was also increased to 162.3 ± 8.6 mg/g using the RBH‐based medium.
Flavonoid intake and incident dementia in the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health cohort
Authors: Bondonno Catherine P. , Bondonno Nicola P. , Dalgaard Frederik , Murray Kevin , Gardener Samantha L. , Martins Ralph N. , Rainey‐Smith Stephanie R. , Cassidy Aedín , Lewis Joshua R. , Croft Kevin D. , Kyrø Cecilie , Gislason Gunnar , Scalbert Augustin , Tjønneland Anne , Overvad Kim , Hodgson Jonathan M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIntroductionProspective studies investigating flavonoid intake and dementia risk are scarce. The aims of this study were to examine associations between flavonoid intake and the risk of incident dementia and to investigate whether this association differs in the presence of lifestyle risk factors for dementia.MethodsWe examined associations in 55,985 participants of the Danish Diet, Cancer, and Health Study followed for 23 years. The Phenol‐Explorer database was used to estimate flavonoid intakes. Information on incident dementia and dementia subtypes was obtained using Danish patient and prescription registries. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using restricted cubic splines in multivariable‐adjusted Cox proportional hazards models.ResultsFor incident dementia, moderate compared to low intakes of flavonols (HR: 0.90 [0.82, 0.99]), flavanol oligo+polymers (HR: 0.87 [0.79, 0.96]), anthocyanins (HR: 0.84 [0.76, 0.93]), flavanones (HR: 0.89 [0.80, 0.99]), and flavones (HR: 0.85 [0.77, 0.95]) were associated with a lower risk. For vascular dementia, moderate intakes of flavonols (HR: 0.69 [0.53, 0.89]) and flavanol oligo + polymers (HR: 0.65 [0.51, 0.83]) were associated with lower risk. Flavonoid intakes were not significantly associated with Alzheimer's disease or unspecified dementia. The inverse association between total flavonoid intake and incident dementia was stronger in “ever” smokers than in “never” smokers and in those without hypercholesterolemia versus those with hypercholesteremia. Furthermore, the inverse association of vascular dementia with a moderate total flavonoid intake was stronger in “ever” smokers and those who were “normal” to “overweight” versus “never” smokers or those who were “obese,” respectively.ConclusionA moderate intake of flavonoid‐rich foods may help to reduce dementia risk.
Qualified Money—A Better Financial System for the Future
Authors: Helbing Dirk 
Published: May 2021

AbstractOver millennia, people have seen the financial system collapse again and again. It is, therefore, time to re-invent money and the financial system altogether in order to make them fit for the complex world of today. Here, it is described how the idea for a new socio-ecological finance system came about. Three main innovations are proposed: (1) a particular combination of cash and electronic money, which promotes electronic transactions, while preserving privacy, where it is justified and needed; (2) money that has additional qualifiers such as reputation, which may depend on the geographic region, the exchange history, or other variables; (3) multidimensional money, which is better suited to manage complex systems such as our economy, and enables (the design of) self-organizing systems with favorable properties, e.g., economic systems that promote a co-evolutionary processes toward a circular economy.
A “Social Bitcoin” Could Sustain a Democratic Digital World
Authors: Kleineberg Kaj-Kolja , Helbing Dirk 
Published: May 2021

AbstractA multidimensional financial system could provide benefits for individuals, companies, and states. Instead of top-down control, which is destined to eventually fail in a hyperconnected world, a bottom-up creation of value can unleash creative potential and drive innovations. Multiple currency dimensions can represent different externalities and thus enable the design of incentives and feedback mechanisms that foster the ability of complex dynamical systems to self-organize and lead to a more resilient society and sustainable economy. Modern information and communication technologies play a crucial role in this process, as Web 2.0 and online social networks promote cooperation and collaboration on unprecedented scales. Within this contribution, we discuss how one dimension of a multidimensional currency system could represent socio-digital capital (Social Bitcoins) that can be generated in a bottom-up way by individuals who perform search and navigation tasks in a future version of the digital world. The incentive to mine Social Bitcoins could sustain digital diversity, which mitigates the risk of totalitarian control by powerful monopolies of information and can create new business opportunities needed in times where a large fraction of current jobs is estimated to disappear due to computerization.
Progress in protecting vestibular hair cells
Authors: Jiang Luoying , Zheng Zhiwei , He Yingzi 
Published: May 2021

AbstractVestibular hair cells are mechanosensory receptors that are capable of detecting changes in head position and thereby allow animals to maintain their posture and coordinate their movement. Vestibular hair cells are susceptible to ototoxic drugs, aging, and genetic factors that can lead to permanent vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular dysfunction mainly results from the injury of hair cells, which are located in the vestibular sensory epithelium. This review summarizes the mechanisms of different factors causing vestibular hair cell damage and therapeutic strategies to protect vestibular hair cells.
The Lawson number of a semitopological semilattice
Authors: Banakh Taras , Bardyla Serhii , Gutik Oleg 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFor a Hausdorff topologized semilattice X its Lawson number$$\bar{\Lambda }(X)$$

Λ

¯

(
X
)

is the smallest cardinal $$\kappa $$
κ
such that for any distinct points $$x,y\in X$$

x
,
y
∈
X

there exists a family $$\mathcal U$$
U
of closed neighborhoods of x in X such that $$|\mathcal U|\le \kappa $$

|
U
|
≤
κ

and $$\bigcap \mathcal U$$

⋂
U

is a subsemilattice of X that does not contain y. It follows that $$\bar{\Lambda }(X)\le \bar{\psi }(X)$$

Λ

¯

(
X
)
≤

ψ

¯

(
X
)

, where $$\bar{\psi }(X)$$

ψ

¯

(
X
)

is the smallest cardinal $$\kappa $$
κ
such that for any point $$x\in X$$

x
∈
X

there exists a family $$\mathcal U$$
U
of closed neighborhoods of x in X such that $$|\mathcal U|\le \kappa $$

|
U
|
≤
κ

and $$\bigcap \mathcal U=\{x\}$$

⋂
U
=
{
x
}

. We prove that a compact Hausdorff semitopological semilattice X is Lawson (i.e., has a base of the topology consisting of subsemilattices) if and only if $$\bar{\Lambda }(X)=1$$

Λ

¯

(
X
)
=
1

. Each Hausdorff topological semilattice X has Lawson number $$\bar{\Lambda }(X)\le \omega $$

Λ

¯

(
X
)
≤
ω

. On the other hand, for any infinite cardinal $$\lambda $$
λ
we construct a Hausdorff zero-dimensional semitopological semilattice X such that $$|X|=\lambda $$

|
X
|
=
λ

and $$\bar{\Lambda }(X)=\bar{\psi }(X)=\mathrm {cf}(\lambda )$$

Λ

¯

(
X
)
=

ψ

¯

(
X
)
=
cf
(
λ
)

. A topologized semilattice X is called (i) $$\omega $$
ω
-Lawson if $$\bar{\Lambda }(X)\le \omega $$

Λ

¯

(
X
)
≤
ω

; (ii) complete if each non-empty chain $$C\subseteq X$$

C
⊆
X

has $$\inf C\in {\overline{C}}$$

inf
C
∈

C
¯

and $$\sup C\in {\overline{C}}$$

sup
C
∈

C
¯

. We prove that for any complete subsemilattice X of an $$\omega $$
ω
-Lawson semitopological semilattice Y, the partial order $$\le _X=\{(x,y)\in X\times X:xy=x\}$$

≤
X

=

{

(
x
,
y
)

∈
X
×
X
:
x
y
=
x
}

of X is closed in $$Y\times Y$$

Y
×
Y

and hence X is closed in Y. This implies that for any continuous homomorphism $$h:X\rightarrow Y$$

h
:
X
→
Y

from a complete topologized semilattice X to an $$\omega $$
ω
-Lawson semitopological semilattice Y the image h(X) is closed in Y.
Quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of meniscal pathology ex vivo
Authors: Bae Won C. , Tadros Anthony S. , Finkenstaedt Tim , Du Jiang , Statum Sheronda , Chung Christine B. 
Published: May 2021

Abstract
Objective
To determine the ability of conventional spin echo (SE) T2 and ultrashort echo time (UTE) T2* relaxation times to characterize pathology in cadaveric meniscus samples.

Materials and methods
From 10 human donors, 54 triangular (radially cut) meniscus samples were harvested. Meniscal pathology was classified as normal (n = 17), intrasubstance degenerated (n = 33), or torn (n = 4) using a modified arthroscopic grading system. Using a 3-T MR system, SE T2 and UTE T2* values of the menisci were determined, followed by histopathology. Effect of meniscal pathology on relaxation times and histology scores were determined, along with correlation between relaxation times and histology scores.

Results
Mean ± standard deviation UTE T2* values for normal, degenerated, and torn menisci were 3.6 ± 1.3 ms, 7.4 ± 2.5 ms, and 9.8 ± 5.7 ms, respectively, being significantly higher in degenerated (p < 0.0001) and torn (p = 0.0002) menisci compared to that in normal. In contrast, the respective mean SE T2 values were 27.7 ± 9.5 ms, 25.9 ± 7.0 ms, and 35.7 ± 10.4 ms, without significant differences between groups (all p > 0.14). In terms of histology, we found significant group-wise differences (each p < 0.05) in fiber organization and inner-tip surface integrity sub-scores, as well as the total score. Finally, we found a significant weak correlation between UTE T2* and histology total score (p = 0.007, Rs2 = 0.19), unlike the correlation between SE T2 and histology (p = 0.09, Rs2 = 0.05).

Conclusion
UTE T2* values were found to distinguish normal from both degenerated and torn menisci and correlated significantly with histopathology.
The endosomal RIN2/Rab5C machinery prevents VEGFR2 degradation to control gene expression and tip cell identity during angiogenesis
Authors: Kempers Lanette , Wakayama Yuki , van der Bijl Ivo , Furumaya Charita , De Cuyper Iris M. , Jongejan Aldo , Kat Marije , van Stalborch Anne-Marieke D. , van Boxtel Antonius L. , Hubert Marvin , Geerts Dirk , van Buul Jaap D. , de Korte Dirk , Herzog Wiebke , Margadant Coert 
Published: May 2021

AbstractSprouting angiogenesis is key to many pathophysiological conditions, and is strongly regulated by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) signaling through VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR2). Here we report that the early endosomal GTPase Rab5C and its activator RIN2 prevent lysosomal routing and degradation of VEGF-bound, internalized VEGFR2 in human endothelial cells. Stabilization of endosomal VEGFR2 levels by RIN2/Rab5C is crucial for VEGF signaling through the ERK and PI3-K pathways, the expression of immediate VEGF target genes, as well as specification of angiogenic ‘tip’ and ‘stalk’ cell phenotypes and cell sprouting. Using overexpression of Rab mutants, knockdown and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing, and live-cell imaging in zebrafish, we further show that endosomal stabilization of VEGFR2 levels is required for developmental angiogenesis in vivo. In contrast, the premature degradation of internalized VEGFR2 disrupts VEGF signaling, gene expression, and tip cell formation and migration. Thus, an endosomal feedforward mechanism maintains receptor signaling by preventing lysosomal degradation, which is directly linked to the induction of target genes and cell fate in collectively migrating cells during morphogenesis.
Grounded action transformation for sim-to-real reinforcement learning
Authors: Hanna Josiah P. , Desai Siddharth , Karnan Haresh , Warnell Garrett , Stone Peter 
Published: May 2021

AbstractReinforcement learning in simulation is a promising alternative to the prohibitive sample cost of reinforcement learning in the physical world. Unfortunately, policies learned in simulation often perform worse than hand-coded policies when applied on the target, physical system. Grounded simulation learning (gsl) is a general framework that promises to address this issue by altering the simulator to better match the real world (Farchy et al. 2013 in Proceedings of the 12th international conference on autonomous agents and multiagent systems (AAMAS)). This article introduces a new algorithm for gsl—Grounded Action Transformation (GAT)—and applies it to learning control policies for a humanoid robot. We evaluate our algorithm in controlled experiments where we show it to allow policies learned in simulation to transfer to the real world. We then apply our algorithm to learning a fast bipedal walk on a humanoid robot and demonstrate a 43.27% improvement in forward walk velocity compared to a state-of-the art hand-coded walk. This striking empirical success notwithstanding, further empirical analysis shows that gat may struggle when the real world has stochastic state transitions. To address this limitation we generalize gat to the stochasticgat (sgat) algorithm and empirically show that sgat leads to successful real world transfer in situations where gat may fail to find a good policy. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of grounded simulation learning and demonstrate its effectiveness for applying reinforcement learning to learn robot control policies entirely in simulation.
A new middle Miocene lineage based on taxonomic revision of the large and rare cricetid-rodent genus Lartetomys
Authors: Prieto Jérôme , Rummel Michael , Scholz Herbert , Mein Pierre 
Published: May 2021

AbstractLarge-sized cricetid rodents (Cricetodotontini) immigrated to Central Europe at the beginning of the Middle Miocene Climate Transition at ca. 15 My and are thus of great value for biostratigraphic and palaeoecologic purposes. An important fossil material belonging to a relatively small species of Mixocricetodon from the North Alpine Foreland Basin is described. It is a rare component in faunas of equivalent age, and the new material confirms the synonymy with the genus Lartetomys. The lineage L. mirabilis-L dehmi is documented in its chronostratigraphic framework, and the origin of the genus is discussed but remains uncertain.
Testing the Motivational Strength of Positive and Negative Duty Arguments Regarding Global Poverty
Authors: Buckland Luke , Lindauer Matthew , Rodríguez-Arias David , Véliz Carissa 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTwo main types of philosophical arguments have been given in support of the claim that the citizens of affluent societies have stringent moral duties to aid the global poor: “positive duty” arguments based on the notion of beneficence and “negative duty” arguments based on noninterference. Peter Singer’s positive duty argument (Singer 1972) and Thomas Pogge’s negative duty argument (Pogge 2002) are among the most prominent examples. Philosophers have made speculative claims about the relative effectiveness of these arguments in promoting attitudes and behaviors that could lead to the alleviation of poverty. In this article we present the results of two empirical studies that evaluate these claims, and suggest that both arguments have a modest effect on people’s attitudes and behaviors regarding global poverty. In a replication of the second study, the negative duty argument, in particular, had a statistically significant effect on donations. We discuss the theoretical and practical significance of these results and suggest directions for further research on the role that philosophical arguments can play in engendering concern and action on pressing moral problems.
A Differentiated Discussion About AI Education K-12
Authors: Steinbauer Gerald , Kandlhofer Martin , Chklovski Tara , Heintz Fredrik , Koenig Sven 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAI Education for K-12 and in particular AI literacy gained huge interest recently due to the significantly influence in daily life, society, and economy. In this paper we discuss this topic of early AI education along four dimensions: (1) formal versus informal education, (2) cooperation of researchers in AI and education, (3) the level of education, and (4) concepts and tools.