bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Continuous Sulfur Sorption in Supercritical Water by Carbon-supported Zinc Oxide Materials
Authors: Maxim F. , Stoian G. S. , Toma E. E. , Borca C. N. , Muller E. , Atkinson I. , Torrent L. , Ludwig C. , Testino A. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Sulfur (S) capturing materials working at supercritical water (SCW) conditions need to be designed and developed to overcome issues related with catalyst poisoning during the hydrothermal gasification of wet biomass, an efficient and sustainable technology for alternative fuels production. Sorbent materials of zinc oxide (ZnO) deposited on porous carbon (C) support were prepared by an innovative continuous flow SCW impregnation method. Their S-adsorption performance was tested under the same supercritical conditions in the presence of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS), as model inorganic sulfur compound. During sulfidation experiments, ZnS replaced ZnO indicating an efficient chemisorption of S with the formation of the sulfide particles by a pseudomorphic replacement mechanism. The S adsorption capacity of the ZnO/C composites reaches 1.55 molS/molZn at relatively low temperature, which is much higher than those of other reported S capturing materials employed in SCW processes. The results reported here confirm that S sorbents can be both generated and used under the continuous flow SCW conditions relevant for technological applications towards the production of hydrogen and methane from biomass wastes and residues.
The antimicrobial spectrum to manage the co-infections of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus
Authors: Sharma Amit , Tripathi Shyam , Rani Kusum , Vibhuti Arpana , Pandey Ramendra Pati , Raj V. Samuel 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Coinfections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus usually fail to respond to antibiotic treatment, and combination therapy may prove to be a substantial approach to prevent the spread of antimicrobial resistance.
Objectives: To evaluate the antimicrobial and antibiofilm effects of drugs against the sensitive as well as resistant strain co-cultures of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus.
Methods: 52 clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and 43 of S. aureus were studied. The planktonic and biofilm co-cultures of the resistant (PA-14 and PS-107) and sensitive (PA-27 and PS-100) biofilm-forming strains of P. aeruginosa and S. aureus were determined for a specific set of drugs. Based on the Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Biofilm Inhibitory Concentration (MBIC) data, the different drug combinations were shortlisted and tested against the co-cultures.
Results: 33.3% of drug combinations showed synergy against resistant and 41.7% against sensitive strain planktonic co-culturesamong the shortlisted drug combinations. Furthermore, 8.3% were found to be effective against the biofilm co-cultures of resistant strains and 80% against sensitive strains. The drug combinations, although synergistic against the co-cultures, the pure cultures of P. aeruginosaand S. aureus were found to be susceptible to the participating drugs (colistin, linezolid, trimethoprim, nitrofurantoin, and vancomycin) in the initial studies.
Conclusions: This, however, alleviates the synergistic effect of these drug combinations. In contrast, it demonstrates a significant reduction in the MICs (≥50%) compared to the MICs of these drugs against the pure cultures of bacteria, indicating the therapeutic benefits of adjusted doses of the combining drugs over monotherapy in treating these coinfections.
A Synergistic Approach for Enhanced Eye Blink Detection using Wavelet Analysis, Autoencoding and Crow-Search Optimized k-NN Algorithm
Authors: M Chandralekha , N Priyadharshini Jayadurga , Chen Thomas , Sathiyanarayanan Mithileysh , Saleem Kasif , Orgun Mehmet 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

This research endeavour introduces a state-of-the-art, assimilated approach for eye blink detection from Electroencephalography (EEG) signals. It combines the prominent strategies of wavelet analysis, autoencoding, and a Crow-Search-optimized k-Nearest Neighbors (k-NN) to enhance the performance of eye blink detection from EEG signals. This procedure is initiated by escalating the robustness of EEG data through jittering, which integrates noise into the dataset. Consequently, the wavelet transform is highly demanded during feature extraction in identifying the essential time-frequency components of the signals. These features are further distilled using an autoencoder to provide a dense, yet informative representation. Prior to introducing these features into the machine learning system, they were adjusted. Evidently, the hyperparameters of the k-Nearest Neighbors model have been fine-tuned using Crow Search Algorithm, inspired by the hunting characteristics of crows. This optimization method actively samples the search space to balance exploration and exploitation to identify the optimal configuration for the model. The k-NN model that has been optimized using the proposed method demonstrates significantly higher performance in the eye blink detection process in comparison to the deep learning models when equipped with decorous feature extraction and fine tuning. The effectiveness of the developed system has been ascertained according to the assessment indices such as accuracy, classification reports, and confusion matrix. Thus, the present work offers an optimal method of detecting the eye blink from the EEG signals assisting in the development of further EEG applications including user interfaces, fatigue level identification, and neurological disorders analysis through the enhancement of signal processing and optimization methods. It becomes evident after a detailed evaluation that conventional machine learning algorithms if implemented with correct feature extraction and fine-tuning surpass the deep learning approaches including the frameworks composed of Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and empirical mode decomposition by approximately 96% across all datasets. This proves the advantage of optimized traditional Machine Learning models over the Deep Learning models in realistic EEG-based eye blink detection.
Temporal avoidance of interfering noise by common chiffchaff
Authors: Sokołowska Emilia , Staniewicz Agata , Muszyńska Adrianna , Budka Michał 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Birds use their song to attract mates and repel rivals; therefore, their fitness depends strongly on efficient song transmission. However, an environment full of other sounds from various sources, including signals of other animals and increasing noise of human activities, can substantially impair species’ communication. To test the response of a wild population of common chiffchaffs to the introduction of artificial sounds that interfere and do not interfere with their songs, we conducted two playback experiments. In the first experiment, we compared the song rate of males during 5-minute periods of white noise matching entire frequency band of the species’ song, broadcast alternately with periods of silence. In the second experiment, we compared their song rate during 5-minute periods of the same white noise, broadcast alternately with noise lower and higher in frequency than species-specific spectrum. Common chiffchaff males sang significantly fewer songs during noise matching their frequency than during periods of silence or other kinds of noise. Our results indicate that high-amplitude continuous noise fully interfering with species’ song causes stronger constraining effect on vocal activity of common chiffchaffs than non-interfering noise. These findings, along with previous studies, show that the response to noise is species specific, and the topic of variation among birds in the strategies used still requires additional testing.
Heteronymous feedback from quadriceps onto soleus is influenced by limb loading and task context
Authors: Lyle Mark A. , Wolf Steven L. , Cuadra Cristian 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Heteronymous reflexes from quadriceps can increase and/or decrease soleus activity; yet few studies have examined factors influencing reflex strength. This study examined the independent influence of limb loading, posture, and task context on heteronymous feedback from quadriceps onto soleus. The influence of limb loading and posture was determined by comparing femoral nerve elicited heteronymous excitation and inhibition of soleus in a semi-recumbent position with and without 50% body weight limb loading and while standing with back support (n = 16). Task context was examined by comparing heteronymous reflex magnitudes while standing with back support to maintaining an unsupported squat posture which requires tonic soleus activity to maintain the posture (n = 12). Heteronymous inhibition decreased by 20% with limb loading in both semi-recumbent and standing postures, while excitation remained unchanged suggesting that limb loading, rather than postural orientation, independently modulates heteronymous inhibition. Inhibition decreased by 50% and excitation by 90% when maintaining the squat posture compared to supported standing, The pronounced suppression of both excitation and inhibition during the squat is considered a task-appropriate reflex modulation that aids in maintaining the posture. The results of this study highlight an important modulatory influence of limb loading afferents and task context on heteronymous reflex circuits.
Estimating Regional Terrestrial Ecosystem Carbon Sinks on Multi-Model Coupling Approach
Authors: Lv qing zhou , Yang Hui , Wang Jia , Feng Gefei , Liu Wanzeng , Zhang Yunhui , Wang Wenfeng , Wang Cheng , Zhang Guoqing , Liu Lei , Huang Xinfeng , Cui Liu , Qiao Yina , Fan Huaiwei , Yao Yuejing , Qin Yin , Zhang Wenkai , Han Yang 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

The regional terrestrial ecosystems serve as primary carbon sinks, characterized by strong spatial heterogeneity and significant interannual fluctuations. In Xinjiang, one of China's five autonomous regions, carbon storage increased from 12,967.89 TG to 14,262.31 TG. Traditional carbon sink assessment methods struggle to fully account for the combined impacts of human activities and environmental factors, impeding accurate depiction of the spatial distribution and evolution of regional carbon stocks. This study proposes a regional terrestrial ecosystem carbon density estimation method based on an ARIMA-CatBoost-RNN coupled model. Firstly, the ARIMA model forecasts carbon density time series, the CatBoost model reduces the impacts of spatial heterogeneity, and the RNN model estimates ecosystem carbon density values. Secondly, terrestrial carbon storage is estimated using an improved InVEST model, with an accuracy of up to 78.4%. Finally, the Geodetector model quantifies the influence of nine driving factors on carbon sink capacity. The results reveal that soil carbon stocks comprise 55%-61% of total carbon storage, making them the main component of Xinjiang's terrestrial ecosystems. Annual average carbon sequestration is 39.02 T/km², with forests showing the highest capacity at 103.33 T/km². NDVI(Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) has the most significant impact on Xinjiang's carbon sink capacity, contributing up to 0.615.
Seasonal variation in the prevalence of household food insecurity and its associated factors in the West Gojjam zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Yayeh Melesse Belayneh , Makua Memme Girly 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background: Seasonal variations emerge as a predictor of household food insecurity specifically in developing countries, including Ethiopia. There is dearth of evidence on this issue and not well studied in Ethiopia.
Objective: The objective of the study was to determine the seasonal prevalence of household food insecurity and its associated factors in West Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia.
Methods: A longitudinal cross-sectional study design was employed from December 2023 to September 2024. A multistage stratified sampling technique was used to select 844 women in three districts of the West Gojjam Zone in Ethiopia. Data were collected in September, June, March and December, at the start of each seasonal month using an interviewer-administered method. Data were entered and cleaned in EPI data 4.3 and exported to SPSS v. 29 for further analyses. Multivariate logistic regression was used to select the factors associated with insecurity in household food.
Results: The prevalence of food insecurity at the household level was observed in the month of June 79.3% (95% CI 77.0, 82.5), December 49.8% (95% CI 46.1%, 53.2%), September 59.1% (95% CI 55.5, 62.4) and March 69.9 % (95% CI 66.9, 72.8). Factors associated with Food Insecurity were season: June month (AOR=2.27; 95% CI: 1.75, 2.94) and March month(AOR=1.34 ; 95% CI: 1.065, 1.68), Orthodox religious followers (AOR=21.5; 95% CI: 18.3, 29.5), poorest (AOR=5.80; 95% CI: 3.54, 8.97), poorer (AOR=5.65; 95% CI: 2.19, 7.27) and medium wealth index (AOR= 4.3; 95% CI: 3.52, 5.98), not using agricultural inputs (AOR=1.53; 95% CI: 1.29, 1.81), having good knowledge of food insecurity (AOR=0.38; 95% CI: 0.32, 0.45) and low dietary diversity (AOR=2.73 ; 95% CI: 2.09, 3.56) were significantly associated factors of food insecurity.
Conclusions: In this study, substantial seasonal prevalence variation of household food insecurity was observed compared to the national survey. Factors associated with food insecurity were seasonal variation, religion (orthodox) and low economic status, lack of use of agricultural input, poor knowledge, and low food groups available in the household. It is essential to inform seasonal variation by developing programs such as a community based health education program to inform stakeholders. Strategies must be designed to provide adequate agricultural inputs and use, community-based nutrition program, and improve the economic status of households.
The negligible role of carbon offsetting in corporate climate strategies
Authors: Stolz Niklas , Probst Benedict 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Carbon credits feature prominently in corporate climate strategies and have sparked public debate about their potential to delay companies' internal decarbonisation. While industry reports claim that credit purchasers decarbonise faster, rigorous evidence is missing. Here, we provide an in-depth analysis of 89 multinational companies’ historical emissions reductions and climate target ambitions. Based on self-reported sustainability data and more than 400 sustainability reports, we find no significant difference between companies that purchased credits and those that did not. Voluntary offsetting is not a central part of most companies’ climate strategies, and many pass these credits' costs and purchase decisions directly onto their customers. While the companies within our sample retired 1/4th of all carbon credits in 2022, the top five offsetters' expenditures on voluntary emission offsetting are, on average, only 1 percent relative to their capital expenditures. For most companies, carbon credits are, therefore, unlikely to crowd out internal decarbonisation measures. Yet, we document that for large-scale offsetters like Delta Air Lines or easyJet, carbon credit purchases competed with financing internal decarbonisation efforts.
Reduced Cuticular Hydrocarbon Production in the Ant, Nylanderia fulva, Is Associated with Low Desiccation Resistance and Lack of Intraspecific Aggression in Its Invasive Range
Authors: Eyer Pierre-André , Helms Anjel M. , Moran Megan N. , Vargo Edward L. 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs) are ubiquitous among insects where they form an outer wax layer that helps maintain water balance and prevent desiccation. In social insects, CHCs were subsequently co-opted as semiochemicals in many contexts, including nestmate recognition, which maintains boundaries among competing colonies by ousting non-nestmates. In some ant populations, workers do not discriminate against non-nestmates. This leads to the development of supercolonies, a large network of interconnected nests exchanging unrelated individuals. In this study, we investigate CHC production by workers and their resistance to desiccation in the ant Nylanderia fulva, which exhibits supercolonial behavior within its invasive range in the USA. We found greatly reduced CHC production by workers and increased susceptibility toward desiccation compared to other invasive ants of similar body size. This relative absence of CHCs sheds light on the susceptibility of this species to abiotic stress through desiccation with implications for its potential distribution and its development of large supercolonies in its invasive range by impairing nestmate recognition.
Ce-Cr Composite Metal Oxide Doped with Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes for Catalytic Combustion of Aromatic Solvents
Authors: Yuan Wei , Yang Yuheng , Bao Xinli , Zhao Yuying , Sun Yinlu 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) pose risk to eco-environment and human health. Catalytic combustion has been proven to be an effective method for the efficient removal of VOCs from industrial sources. Herein, the applicability of Ce-Cr composite metal oxide doped with multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) for catalytic combustion of aromatic solvent oil was evaluated. Using varying mass proportions of MWCNTs, a series of MWCNTs-doped of chromium-cerium composite oxide catalysts (Ce0.3Cr0.7-xwt%MWCNTs) were synthesized by the citric acid sol-gel method and subsequent air pyrolysis. The effect of MWCNTs doping on the catalytic combustion was investigated. The measured complete combustion temperature of the low-concentration aromatic solvent oil indicated that the catalytic performance of the Ce-Cr composite oxide was improved by the doping of MWCNTs in range of 0.5-2.0 wt%, reaching its best at 1.5 wt%. It is revealed that Ce0.3Cr0.7-1.5wt%MWCNTs possessed abundant honeycomb-like pore structures, significantly enhancing the adsorption and activation of the aromatic solvent oil during the reaction. The excellent repeatability and stability of Ce0.3Cr0.7-1.5wt% MWCNTs were also be verified. This study provides a feasible approach for the design of effective catalysts for the decomposition of VOCs.
Dissecting the potential causal relationship between immune cells and postpartum depression mediated by plasma metabolites: a mediated Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Pengran Wang , Ran Pang , Genxia Li , Weiwei Lun 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that immune cells play an important role in PPD, but their causal relationship and potential metabolic mediators are still unclear. This study employed MR to investigate the causal relationships among immune cells, PPD, and potential metabolic mediators.
Materials and methods: We collected genetic data from published GWAS, including 731 immune cell phenotypes and 1,400 plasma metabolites. The summary data of PPD were obtained from the FinnGen database. This study used MR analysis to explore the causal relationship between immune cells, blood metabolites, and PPD, supplemented by mediation analysis to identify potential mediating metabolites.
Results: The results indicated that 23 immune cell phenotypes were causally related to PPD, with no evidence of reverse causality. Additionally, 36 metabolites exhibited a causal relationship with PPD. According to Mediation analysis, there are 11 plasma metabolites that may guide the intermediary between immune cells and PPD. Inosine levels mediated the causal relationship between CD45RA- CD4+ %T cell and PPD, with a mediation proportion of 30.1% and P = 0.032.
Limitations: Our analysis utilized GWAS data derived from European populations, thus constraining the generalizability of our findings to other ethnic groups.
Conclusion: This MR study provides new genetic evidence for the association of immune cell phenotype with PPD risk and highlights the mediator role of plasma metabolites. This finding further clarifies the pathogenesis of PPD and provides new insights into its diagnosis and treatment.
Public Availability of Research Integrity Policies in Leading African Universities
Authors: Appiah David , Duut Jamal-Deen Majeed , Adu-Gyebi Comfort 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
The presence of research integrity (RI) policies in higher education institutions is a critical tool for good research governance. Despite the increased availability and visibility of RI policies at many universities around the world, the status of RI policies in African universities is unknown. This study aimed to assess the existence of key research integrity policies in African universities.
Methods
We conducted a quantitative content analysis of research integrity (RI) policies at 283 African universities, selected based on the Scimago Research and Innovation Ranking 2024. University websites were searched, and policies were coded as "Yes," "Not Available," or "Not Retrievable." Using SPSS 29, and Excel functions to perform data analysis, we evaluate the prevalence and patterns of policy accessibility across different regions and institutions of Africa.
Results
Only 20.67% of universities had RI policies in place, while 78.86% did not have such policies. A small percentage (0.47%) had policies were not retrievable. Most of the available Research Integrity (RI) policies were written in English (87%), with smaller portions in Arabic (9%) and French (4%). Southern Africa universities had the highest availability of RI policies (p̂ =3.39), while Central Africa had the lowest (p̂ =0.22). Northern Africa, despite a large sample representation, had substantial gaps in policy accessibility, with a low proportion of universities having RI policies in place (p̂ =0.54). There was a moderate to strong correlation between universities having multiple RI policies.
Conclusion
This study reveals that Research Integrity (RI) policies across African universities are notably limited, with significant gaps, particularly in Northern and Central Africa. Therefore, research administration of universities in Africa must ensure that their RI policies are publicly accessible to stakeholders, thereby enhancing research governance and promoting integrity across African universities.
Evidence of Hypervelocity Impact Crater of Meteorite or Comet in Ponce, Puerto Rico
Authors: Ruiz-Garcia Abraham , Serrano-Garcia William , Bruckman William 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

In this paper we present geological and morphological evidence of comet or meteorite impact in the Tibes region of Ponce, Puerto Rico. Satellite images show a semicircular structure of about 800 m in diameter, inside which we find metamorphic rock, such as shatter cones, horsetails and impact melt rock. The SEM and EDAX analysis of the collected geological samples reveal the existence of fractured quartz and minerals. In many cases, there is infiltration of melted iron oxide between the fractures, suggesting that the area was subjected to pressures of 10 GPa or more and temperatures of at least 1800 K.