bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nest Size Matters: Common Cuckoos Prefer to Parasitize Larger Nests of Oriental Reed Warblers
Authors: Wang Longwu , He Gangbin , Yang Canchao , Møller Anders Pape , Liang Wei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
BackgroundAvian brood parasites leave parental care of their offspring to foster parents. Theory predicts that parasites should select for large host nests when they have sufficient available host nests at a given time. We developed an empirical experimental design to address this hypothesis by studying nest choice of common cuckoos (Cuculus canorus) among nests of its Oriental reed warbler (Acrocephalus orientalis) hosts.ResultsWe presented two groups of experimental nests: 1) nest dyads comprise one large and one small artificial nest from reed leaves, and 2) nest triads tied together use the modified old own warbler nests including enlarged, reduced and medium sized nests to elicit parasitism by common cuckoos. We predicted that cuckoos prefer larger nests over medium sized ones, and over the smallest nest. Our experimental findings show that common cuckoo females generally prefer large nests over medium or small sized nests. Furthermore, experiments showed that cuckoo parasitism was significantly more common than in previous studies of the same warbler population.ConclusionsOur results implying that larger, taller and more exposed host nests effectively increased the probability of cuckoo parasitism.
A Lab-Scale Underwater Glider With Flexible Camber Trailing Edge Wings
Authors: Liu Yuhong , Xu Shixun , Tian Shan , Zhang Hongwei , Deng Shihan , Liu Shuhe 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Wings are the main source of lift for the underwater gliders (UGs), and play a decisive role in the motion performance of UGs. A lab-scale UG with flexible camber trailing edge wings was proposed and developed to investigate influences of the trailing edge of the wings on the motion performance of UGs. The flexible deformation of the trailing edge was realized by the steer-by-wire actuator. Test results showed that the trailing edge of the wing can realize the maximum upward/downward sloping angles of +16°/-16°. Combining computational fluid dynamics simulations and tank experiments, the glide efficiency and stable margins of the lab-scale UG with variable camber trailing edge wings were obtained. Results showed that the angles of attack corresponding to the minimum lift-to-drag ratios were all negative in cases of downward sloping, and those were all positive in cases of upward sloping. Moreover, the suitable camber of the trailing edge, i.e., downward-sloping trailing edge on descending glides and upward-sloping trailing edge on ascending glides, can not only greatly improve glide efficiency, but also benefit the flight stability. The lift-to-drag ratios of the lab-scale UG with appropriate variable camber trailing edge wings (i.e., on descending glide with downward-sloping trailing edge, and on ascending glide with upward-sloping trialing edge) can increase by at least 10% compared with those with symmetric airfoil.
An Ocean Modeling Study To Quantify Wind Forcing and Oceanic Mixing Effects on The Tropical North Pacific Subsurface Warm Bias in CMIP and OMIP Simulations
Authors: Zhu Yuchao , Zhang Rong-Hua , Li Delei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Sea surface temperature (SST) bias in the climate models has been a focus in the past, but subsurface temperature biases have not been received much attention yet. In this study, subsurface temperature biases in the Tropical North Pacific (TNP) are investigated by analyzing the CMIP6, CMIP5 and OMIP products, and performing ocean model simulations. It is found that almost all the CMIP and OMIP simulations have a pronounced subsurface warm bias (SWB) in the northeastern tropical Pacific (NETP), and the model developments over the past decade do not indicate obvious improvements in bias pattern and magnitude from CMIP5 to the latest version CMIP6. This SWB is primarily caused by the model deficiencies in the simulated surface wind stress curl (WSC) in the NETP, which is too weak to produce a sufficient Ekman upwelling, a bias that also exists in OMIP simulations. The uncertainties in the parameterizations of the oceanic vertical mixing processes also make a great contribution, and it is demonstrated that the estimated oceanic vertical diffusivities are overestimated both in the upper boundary layer and the interior in the CMIP and OMIP simulations. The relationship between the SWB and the misrepresented oceanic vertical mixing processes are investigated by conducting several ocean-only experiments, in which the upper boundary layer mixing is modified by reducing the wind stirring eﬀect in the Kraus-Turner type bulk mixed-layer approach, and the interior mixing is constrained by using the Argo-derived diffusivity. By applying these modifications to oceanic vertical mixing schemes, the SWB is greatly reduced in the NETP. The consequences of this SWB are further analyzed. Because the thermal structure in the NETP can influence the simulations of oceanic circulations and equatorial upper-ocean thermal structure, the large SWB in the CMIP6 models tends to produce a weak equatorward water transport in the subsurface TNP, a weak equatorial upwelling and a warm equatorial upper ocean.
The Bourque Distances for Mutation Trees of Cancers
Authors: Jahn Katharina , Beerenwinkel Niko , Zhang Louxin 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background: Mutation trees are rooted trees in which nodes are of arbitrary degree are labeled with a mutation set. These trees, also referred to as clonal trees, are used in computational oncology to represent the mutational history of tumours. Classical tree metrics such as the popular Robinson-Foulds distance are of limited use for the comparison of mutation trees. One reason is that mutation trees inferred with different methods or for different patients often contain different sets of mutation labels. Results: We generalize the Robinson-Foulds distance into a set of distance metrics called Bourque distances for comparing mutation trees. We show the basic version of the Bourque distance for mutation trees can be computed in linear time. We also make a connection between the Robinson{Foulds distance and the nearest neighbor interchange distance.
Trends in Access to Antimalarial Treatment in The Private Sector in Uganda: An Assessment of Availability and Affordability of First Line Antimalarials and Diagnostics Between 2007 and 2018
Authors: Kibira Denis , Ssebagereka Anthony , Ham Hendrika A. van den , Opigo Jimmy , Katamba Henry , Seru Morries , Reed Tim , Leufkens Hubert G. , Mantel-Teeuwisse Aukje K. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Background Malaria is the single largest cause of illness in Uganda. Since the year 2008, the Global Fund has rolled out several funding streams for malaria control in Uganda. Among these are mechanism aimed to increase availability and affordability of artemisinin-based combination therapies (ACTs). This paper examines the availability and affordability of first line malaria treatment and diagnostics in the private sector in Uganda between 2007 and 2018. MethodsCross-sectional surveys were conducted between 2007 and 2018, based on a standardized World Health Organization/Health Action International (WHO/HAI) methodology adapted to assess availability, patient prices and affordability of ACTs in private retail outlets. A minimum of 30 outlets were surveyed per year. Availability, patient prices and affordability of malaria rapid diagnostic tests (mRDTs) was also tracked from 2012 following the rollout of the test and treat policy in 2010. The median patient prices for the ACTs and mRDTs were calculated in US dollars (USD). Affordability was assessed by computing number of days’ wages the lowest paid government worker (LPGW) had to pay to purchase a treatment course for acute malaria. ResultsAvailability of artemether/lumefantrine (A/L), the first line ACT, increased from 85% to 100% in the private sector facilities during the study period. However, there was low availability of diagnostic tests in private sector facilities ranging between 13% (2012) and 37% (2018). There was a large reduction in patient prices for an adult treatment course of A/L from USD 8.8 in 2007 to USD 1.1 in 2018, while the price of diagnostics remained mostly stagnant at USD 0.5. Affordability of ACTs and mRDTs was below one day’s wages for LPGW.Conclusion Availability of ACTs in the private sector medicines retail outlets increased to 100% while the availability of diagnostics remained low. Although malaria treatment was affordable, the price of diagnostics remained stagnant and increased the cumulative cost of malaria management. Malaria stakeholders should consolidate the gains made and consider inclusion of the diagnostic kits in the subsidy program.
Environmental Aspects and Economic Evaluation of New Green Hydrolysis Method For Waste Feather Processing
Authors: Solcova Olga , Knapek Jroslav , Wimmerova Lenka , Vavrova Kamila , Kralik Tomas , Rouskova Milena , Sabata Stanislav , Hanika Jiri 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In recent years, an increase in the chicken meat process industry has been growing quickly, which brings a large amount of difficult to process waste, chicken feathers. These billions of kilograms create a serious waste problem over the world, furthermore, poultry feather processing is not only particularly difficult but also relatively expensive. In fact, there is no technology suitable for processing such huge quantities of feathers to guarantee sustainable development of the chicken meat industry together with processing of waste feathers. This article introduces a newly designed and original, highly efficient and environmentally friendly method of physicochemical hydrolysis of waste feathers. The hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of a weak organic carboxylic acid; thus, the resulting hydrolysate does not contain any salts or ashes. Therefore, a resulting hydrolysate, which includes a mixture of amino acids, peptides, proteins, glycoproteins and free fatty acids, is suitable for a variety of applications; e.g. as a chondroprotective agent in the treatment of joint diseases, nutrients for crop plants or targeted biostimulants for agriculture. This paper is focused not only on the process scale-up but also on environmental aspects and economic evaluations to bring general view of the process.
Informing resilience building: FAO’s Surveillance Evaluation Tool (SET) Biothreat Detection Module will help assess national capacities to detect agro-terrorism and agro-crime
Authors: Gioia Gisela Vasconcelos , Lamielle Gaël , Aguanno Ryan , ElMasry Ihab , Mouillé Béatrice , De Battisti Cristian , Angot Angélique , Ewann Fanny , Sivignon Adrien , Donachie Daniel , Rozov Orr , Bonbon Étienne , Poudevigne Frédéric , VonDobschuetz Sophie , Plée Ludovic , Kalpravidh Wantanee , Sumption Keith 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Attacks using animal pathogens can have devastating socioeconomic, public health and national security consequences. The livestock sector has some inherent vulnerabilities which put it at risk to the deliberate or accidental spread of disease. The growing concern of countries about the risks of agro-terrorism and agro-crime has led to efforts to prepare against potential attacks. One recent international effort is the launch of a joint OIE, FAO and INTERPOL project in 2019 to build resilience against agro-terrorism and agro-crime targeting animal health with the financial support of the Weapons Threat Reduction Programme of Global Affairs Canada. Given the importance of strong animal health surveillance systems for the early and effective response to agro-terrorism and agro-crime, the project uses the FAO Surveillance Evaluation Tool (SET) and its new Biothreat Detection Module to evaluate beneficiary countries’ capacities to detect criminal or terrorist animal health events. This paper presents the development of the new SET Biothreat Detection Module and how it will be used to evaluate surveillance for agro-terrorism and agro-crime animal threats. The module will be piloted in early 2021 and, once finalized, will be used by beneficiary countries of the joint OIE-FAO-INTERPOL project. Results from evaluations using SET and its Biothreat Detection Module are expected to provide a baseline from which countries can build targeted capacity for animal disease surveillance including early detection and investigation of potential terrorist or criminal events involving zoonotic and non-zoonotic animal pathogens.
Distribution&nbsp;and Dispersion&nbsp;of Heavy Metals in the&nbsp;Rock–soil–moss System in Areas Covered by Black Shale&nbsp;in the&nbsp;Southeast of Guizhou Province, China
Authors: Xu Yiyuan , Yang Ruidong , Zhang Jian , Gao Lei , Ni Xinran 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Black shales are easily exposed duo to human activities such as mining, road construction, and shale gas development, which results in several environmental issues including heavy metals (HMs) pollution, soil erosion and the destruction of vegetation. Moss are widely used to monitor metal pollution in the atmosphere, but few studies on the distribution and dispersion of HMs in the rock – soil – moss system are available. Here, mosses (P. flexuosa Harv), growing soils, and corresponding parent rocks were collected from black shale areas. After appropriate pretreatment, samples were analyzed for multiple elements concentration by ICP-AES and ICP-MS. The results show that black shales parent rocks have elevated HMs concentration, and act as a source of multiple metals. Soil significantly inherit and accumulate heavy metals released from black shale. Significant positive correlations between HMs in P. flexuosa Harv and the growing soils indicate that HMs are mainly originating from geological source rather than atmospheric deposition. Compared with other elements, only the transfer factor (TF) of Cd is greater than 1, the normal functioning of mineral elements (K and Zn) absorption and transportation may contribute to its high tolerance to Cd. Finally, both the BCF and TF for most HMs in P. flexuosa Harv are less than 1, indicated that it has a tolerance and exclusion mechanism for these metals. Therefore, the luxuriant and spontaneous growth of P. flexuosa Harv could be used as a phytostabilization pioneer plant in the black shale outcrop where vascular plants are rare.
Screening, Cloning, Enzymatic Properties of A Novel Thermostable Cellulase Enzyme and Its Potential Application on Water Hyacinth Utilization
Authors: Zhao Xiaoshen , Liu Liyang , Deng Zujun , Liu Shan , Yun Jeonyun , Xiao Xiong , Li He 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Cellulose is the cheapest, natural, renewable organic substance that is used as a carbon source in various fields. Water hyacinth, an aquatic plant rich in cellulose, is often used as a raw material in fuel production. However, natural cellulase can be hardly used in industrial production on account of its low thermal stability and activity. In this study, a metagenomic library was constructed. Then a new cellulase gene, cel1029, was screened by Congo red staining and expressed in the prokaryotic system. Enzymatic properties of Cel1029 were explored, including optimum temperature and pH, thermal and pH stability, and tolerance against organic solvents, metal ions and salt solutions. Finally, its ability of degrading water hyacinth was identified and evaluated. Cel1029 displayed high homology with endoglucanase in the glycoside hydrolase family 5 (GH5) and had high stability across a broad temperature range. More than 86% of its enzymatic activities were retained between 4 and 60°C after 24 h of incubation. Single-factor analysis and orthogonal design were further conducted to determine the optimal conditions for the highest reducing sugar yield of water hyacinth. Interestingly, Cel1029 efficiently transformed water hyacinth with a reducing sugar yield of 430.39 mg/g in 22 h. These findings may open the door for significant industrial applications of a novel GH5 cellulase (NCBI Reference Sequence: MK051001, Cel1029) and help identify more efficient methods to degrade cellulose-rich plants.
Comparative Study on The Stability of Hydropower Station Slope under Different Earthquake Conditions
Authors: zhongchang wang , Li Bo 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
In order to explore the stability characteristics of hydropower station slope under different working conditions under seismic action, The three-dimensional dynamic finite element method is used to analyze the working conditions of the hydropower station slope under the seismic load with a probability of exceeding 5% in 50 years, 2% in 100 years, and 1% in 100 years, through comparing the dynamic response characteristics and the stability of the slope under different seismic load were obtained. The results showed that under the influence of different earthquake loads, the ground motion response of the slope would increase with the increase of the peak value of the excited ground motion, and all would be forced to vibrate according to the vibration form of the excited ground motion; compared with the amplification effect of the slope on the displacement, the amplification effect of the slope on the acceleration was more obvious, this phenomenon was more obvious when the slope was under the action of an earthquake load with a probability of exceeding 1% within 100 years of the reference period; with the increase of seismic load, the possibility of bedding sliding and failure of the slope surface would be greater; when the three types of seismic loads act on the slope respectively, the other surfaces of the slope would generate instantaneous tensile stress, but they are less than the tensile strength of the slope rock mass. when the slope was under rare ground motion with a 100-year exceeding probability of 1% and 2%, the maximum relative dynamic displacement was about 5cm, and the slope was sufficient to withstand the test of strong ground motion; for the other two seismic conditions, when the slope was under the action of an earthquake load with a probability of exceeding 1% within 100 years of the reference period, the damage effect of the slope near the empty surface under the action of the earthquake was more obvious than that of the center of the slope.
Numerical Evaluation of State of the Art Horn Designs for Rotary Ultrasonic Vibration Assisted Machining of Nomex Honeycomb Composite
Authors: Mughal Khurram Hameed , Qureshi Muhammad Asif Mahmood , Qaiser Asif Ali , Khalid Fazal Ahmad 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Ultrasonic horn plays vital role in achieving vibration amplitude suitable for efficient machining of advanced composites. Due to very high operating frequency of at least of ultrasonic machining system, horn may be subjected to high stresses leading to failure. Mechanical horn is designed to get optimum vibration amplification while keeping stresses in acceptable limits. In this research, state of the art ultrasonic horns were designed with same length and diameters at the transducer side and tool ends under similar operating conditions. All standard and hybrid ultrasonic horns, including some new designs, suitable for machining applications were evaluated through finite element analysis. Modal analysis was performed for computing axial modal frequencies, whereas harmonic analysis was carried out to determine vibration amplitude, stresses and factor of safety. The performance of state of the art ultrasonic horn designs were later compared in terms of vibration amplification, stresses and operating life. The axial modal frequency and amplitude of vibration achieved by barrel, cylindrical-double conical and hollow exponential horns were observed to be greater as compared to the step horn, however the former were prone to greater stress concentrations and low operating life. Reasonably higher vibration amplification, factor of safety and low stresses were achieved by Bezier, cylindrical-catenoidal, cylindrical-Bezier, step-conical, step-catenoidal, step-Bezier, double conical, multistep and multistep-conical horn designs. Remarkably, circular hollow exponential and multistep-conical ultrasonic horns were observed to achieve vibration amplification, factor of safety and operating life higher than that of commercially available step horn.
The Bound-state Soliton Solutions of a Higher-order Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation for Inhomogeneous Heisenberg Ferromagnetic System
Authors: Mao Jin-Jin , Tian Shoufu , Xu Tian-Zhou , Shi Lin-Fei 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
By studying an appropriate Riemann-Hilbert (RH) problem, the inverse scattering of a higher-order nonlinear Schrödinger equation for inhomogeneous Heisenberg ferromagnetic system with zero boundary condition is calculated. The RH problem of reflection coefficient with multiple high-order poles is obtained. Meanwhile, the calculation formulas of bound state (BS) solitons and multiple BS solitons corresponding to one high-order pole and multiple high-order poles are also calculated respectively. Finally, the corresponding soliton solution model is calculated according to the corresponding formula. Simultaneously, we also obtain the interaction between BS soliton and multiple BS solitons, and between multiple BS solitons and multiple BS solitons.
Anthropogenic influence on long-term surface air temperature trends: Attribution of temperature changes across East Asia
Authors: Allabakash S. , Lim Sanghun 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Global warming/abnormal climate change is an ongoing process impacting ecosystem functions and human health; East Asia (EA) is one of the most vulnerable regions being influenced by such changes. This study examines the long-term variability of surface air temperatures (SATs) across EA using the new Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6) datasets. Historical simulations (20th century) and future (21st century) SAT projections were investigated based on multi-model ensemble simulations. We also demonstrate the contribution of external and natural (NAT) forcings to SAT change. This study mainly focuses the effect of human-induced/anthropogenic forcings (ANT) on EA climate for a long period (1850-2100). Our simulations show that SAT in EA increased by 0.014 °C/decade during the period 1850–2014 owing to combined ANT and NAT (‘ALL=ANT+NAT’) forcings, while an increase of 0.082 °C/decade can be attributed to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The ANT forcing rapidly increased after the third industrial revolution (after 1969). Consequently, SAT change accelerated to 0.255 °C/decade and 0.268 °C/decade owing to ALL and GHG forcings, respectively. Human-induced GHG emissions, carbon dioxide concentrations, and land use were the dominant factors driving SAT warming during the study period, and will contribute to substantial future warming trends. Furthermore, optimal fingerprinting method demonstrates the significance of ANT influences on climate change in EA. ANT forcing was clearly detected and distinct from NAT forcing in a two-signal analysis. In a three-signal analysis, GHG emissions were strongly detected and classified as distinct from other ANT and NAT forcings. The shared socioeconomic pathway emission scenarios (SSP1–2.6, SSP2–4.5, and SSP5–8.5) showed future projections (warming trends) from 2015–2100. This analysis suggests that climate change could be mitigated by restricting anthropogenic factors/activities in EA.