bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel 3-D Macrophage Spheroid Model Reveals Reciprocal Regulation of Immunomechanical Stress and Mechano-Immunological Response
Authors: Burchett Alice , Siri Saeed , Li Jun , Lu Xin , Datta Meenal 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
Purpose
In many diseases, an overabundance of macrophages contributes to adverse outcomes. While numerous studies have compared macrophage phenotype after mechanical stimulation or with varying local stiffness, it is unclear if and how macrophages directly contribute to mechanical forces in their microenvironment.

Methods
Raw 264.7 murine macrophages were embedded in a confining agarose gel, and proliferated to form spheroids over days/weeks. Gels were synthesized at various concentrations to tune stiffness and were shown to support cell viability and spheroid growth. These cell-agarose constructs were treated with media supplements to promote macrophage polarization. Spheroid geometries were used to computationally model the strain generated in the agarose by macrophage spheroid growth. Agarose-embedded macrophages were analyzed for viability, spheroid size, stress generation, and gene expression.

Results
Macrophages form spheroids and generate growth-induced mechanical forces (i.e., solid stress) within confining agarose gels, which can be maintained for at least 16 days in culture. Increasing agarose concentration increases gel stiffness, restricts spheroid expansion, limits gel deformation, and causes a decrease in Ki67 expression. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation increases spheroid growth, though this effect is reversed with the addition of IFNγ. The mechanosensitive ion channels Piezo1 and TRPV4 have reduced expression with increased stiffness, externally applied compression, LPS stimulation, and M1-like polarization.

Conclusions
Macrophages alone both respond to and generate solid stress. Understanding how macrophage generation of growth-induced solid stress responds to different environmental conditions will help to inform treatment strategies for the plethora of diseases that involve macrophage accumulation and inflammation.
Upper Devonian to Mississippian global environmental change and impact on conodonts
Authors: Hartenfels Sven 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Upper Devonian to Mississippian was a very dynamic time in Earth’s history and encompassed substantial changes in widely separated palaeoenvironments. Major evolutionary trends did not occur through a long-lasting interval of ecological stability, instead they took place as recurring global events and/or crises of different magnitude, duration, and intensity. Framed by two of the most devastating time intervals – the Kellwasser and the Hangenberg crises – the Famennian has yielded other 2nd to 5th order events/crises. Many of these smaller scaled events show similarities with specific episodes of the longer-lasting crises and can especially be recognised in weakly tectonised pelagic facies that was present globally in a pan-tropical belt from North America to North Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The search for causes of the Upper Devonian to Mississippian event/crisis sequence has made progress in the last few years. Nevertheless, we are still far from understanding all factors and reasons, which have triggered these environmental changes. The impact of Upper Devonian to Mississippian events/crises on faunal groups, such as ammonoids, has attracted many researches in past decades. Although, living in identical outer shelf settings, the different effects on conodonts have not yet received the attention they deserved in the context of our aim to understand the global environmental hazards of the past. One of the key questions is to understand, which and how environmental change influenced and/or stimulated the evolution of conodonts.
Secular Mindfulness as Skilful Means (Upaya-kaushalya)
Authors: Karunavira Dh. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThis paper explores a pivotal question raised by a group of Indian Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) trainee teachers from poor, ex-Dalit communities who converted to Buddhism in the mid-1950s. The question—“How is this MBSR meditation different from the meditation we do as Buddhists?”—highlights the perceived differences between traditional Buddhist meditation aimed at enlightenment and secular mindfulness practices designed to alleviate psychological and emotional distress. Adopting a somewhat heuristic approach, using the Buddhist Wheel of Life, the discussion elucidates how MBSR can be viewed as a contemporary skilful means (upaya-kaushalya) designed to alleviate various forms of suffering without religious affiliation. This perspective aligns MBSR with Buddhist compassion principles, addressing tensions about whether contemporary Mindfulness-based Interventions (MBIs) dilute the Buddha’s teachings (Dharma). By positioning MBIs within the broader context of skill-in-means, this paper underscores their role in extending compassion to those who might not seek traditional religious teachings, thus bridging the gap between secular and spiritual practices. This discussion aims to deepen the understanding of MBSR as a legitimate and compassionate extension of Buddhist principles, adapted for contemporary needs.
Isolation and characterization of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) rhizobia in Myanmar
Authors: Htwe Aung Zaw , Yamakawa Takeo , Ishibashi Matsujiro , Tsurumaru Hirohito 
Published: October 2024

AbstractWe collected soil samples from six major mung bean cropping regions in Myanmar: Sagaing, Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw, and Magway in the tropical savanna climate zone and Bago and Yangon in the tropical monsoon climate zone. All fields grew mung bean for at least 5 years and had no history of rhizobial inoculation. Mung bean ‘Yezin-11’, a popular cultivar in Myanmar, was inoculated with soil suspensions. From the nodules formed on the roots, we isolated 55 rhizobial strains. Identification of the isolates revealed the dominant species of indigenous rhizobia in each region. We identified 53 Bradyrhizobium strains and 2 Ensifer strains. Bradyrhizobium yuanmingense was dominant in the tropical savanna zone and Bradyrhizobium sp. (B. liaoningense or B. diversitatis) and B. centrosematis were dominant in the tropical monsoon zone. Principal component analysis indicates that the dominance of B. yuanmingense in the tropical savanna zone might be due to high concentration of NO3-N and P2O5 in the soil. It also indicates that the dominance of B. centrosematis in the tropical monsoon zone might be caused by drastically low pH and high concentration of NH4 in the soil. Bradyrhizobium centrosematis YGN-M9, B. yuanmingense SGG-M3, and Bradyrhizobium sp. BGO-M5 significantly increased nodulation (nodule number and nodule dry weight), acetylene reduction activity, and shoot dry weight, respectively, relative to Ensifer terangae MDY-M6. Co-inoculation with these three strains increased nodulation significantly compared with single inoculation of BGO-M5. The characterization of mung bean rhizobia and selection of microbial inoculant candidates will be useful for the development of microbial inoculants in Myanmar.
Origin and Characteristics of Ore-Forming Fluids of the Abu Gaharish Orogenic Gold Deposits, Central Eastern Desert, Egypt: Evidence from Alteration Geochemistry, Mineral Chemistry and Fluid Inclusions
Authors: Mahmoud Abdelhalim S. , El-Dokouny Hanaa A. , Ghoneim Mohamed M. , Dolomanova-Topol Arizh A. , Dyakonov Viktor V. , Vikent’ev Ilya V. , El-Lithy Mai A. , Dawoud Maher 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Abu Gaharish mineralization comprises Au-rich NNE-trending quartz veins, and their surrounding shear zone is found hosted within a Neoproterozoic Sn-W-bearing monzogranite pluton and intersects the metavolcano-sedimentary assemblage at its eastern contact. The ore mineralogy consists of pyrite, galena, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and gold, with secondary vanadinite occurring after galena and hematite after pyrite. Paragenesis reveals two generations of pyrite and galena, where gold formed mainly during the early sulfidation stage and mobilized upon later deformation events and incipient recrystallization. Mass balance calculations on the alteration zones reveal that the inputs upon alteration included Al2O3, Fe2O3, K2O, MgO, P2O5 W, Rb, Cu, Zn, Pb, V, Cr, Mo, Co, Sn, As, and U, whereas the outputs comprised SiO2, Na2O, CaO, MnO, Sr, Ba, Zr, Y, Th, Nb, and Ni, respectively, in decreasing order. The low contents of granitophile elements (such as Mo, Sn, and W) in the quartz veins at Abu Gaharish suggest that the gold-sulfide-quartz veins have no linkage with granitoid intrusion. However, the enrichment of these elements in the proximal alteration zone is attributed to their leaching by hydrothermal fluids from anomalous zones. The fluid inclusion data observed in quartz showcases the existence of CO2-bearing low-salinity fluids mixed with Mg, Na, and K chlorides under mesothermal conditions during the ore deposition process. This aligns with the formation of orogenic gold deposits as a consequence of the metamorphic devolatilization of the adjacent metavolcano-sedimentary succession. The characteristics of mineralizations at Abu Gaharish display resemblances to orogenic gold deposits and refute the intrusion-related model.
The Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme from a tutor’s point of view: groundwork for a critical pedagogy
Authors: Enciso Stephen W. 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Indigenous Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ITAS) provides one-on-one tutoring for Indigenous students at Australian universities. Qualitative and quantitative research has consistently identified ITAS as a vital means of supporting Indigenous participation in tertiary education, while also lamenting a lack of clear guidelines for conducting the tutoring relationship. Clear guidelines are important for students to know what to expect from tutors and for tutors to understand their purpose. There has been little, if any, research conducted from the perspective of a tutor reflecting on the pedagogies employed as part of their involvement in ITAS. This article fills that gap by laying the groundwork for a critical pedagogy of ITAS tutoring. Drawing on the anti-hierarchical concepts of Jacques Rancière and an autoethnographic methodology, I suggest that tutors should adopt an abolitionist approach that empowers students and discourages dependency. I show how this method can be put into practice through a strategy I call Returning the Question. The aim of this article is to stimulate reflection among ITAS tutors on their pedagogical practice with the hope of improving the quality and efficacy of ITAS as a support service for Indigenous students at university.
The information matrix of the bivariate extended skew-normal distribution
Authors: Franco Stefano , Azzalini Adelchi 
Published: October 2024

AbstractFor the extended skew-normal distribution, which represents an extension of the normal (or Gaussian) distribution, we focus on the properties of the log-likelihood function and derived quantities in the bivariate case. Specifically, we derive explicit expressions for the score function and the information matrix, in the observed and the expected form; these do not appear to have been examined before in the literature. Ensuing numerical work illustrates some relevant aspects of the expected information matrix.
Neutrality of the Olympic Movement against recent developments in sport and geopolitics – need of reconceptualisation
Authors: Schubert Mathias 
Published: October 2024

AbstractThe Olympic Movement’s response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine underlines an existing dilemma on political neutrality and how the governance of sport has struggled to come to terms with the principle of political neutrality. The status of Russian and Belarussian athletes and teams in international sports is an ongoing disputative matter for the governance of sport. This paper aims to contribute to conceptional clarity concerning the principle of political neutrality and to spell out a specific application of political neutrality to the Olympic Movement in recognition of its commitment to human rights and promotion of peace. Accordingly, it observes neutrality in the practice of the Olympic Movement and challenges the applicability of the principle of neutrality in the social realm around politics and capitalism. The findings highlight the discrepancy between the Olympic Movement’s policies on political neutrality and its governance that eventually erode the autonomy of sport. The paper concludes by arguing for the need of reconceptualisation of the neutrality principle in (Olympic) sport. To address future global challenges that violate fundamental principles of international law, the paper proposes the incorporation of transparent procedures and limitations.
Academic Assessments and iPads: Performance of Students from a Low Performing Urban Elementary School
Authors: L. Reynolds Jennifer , B. Aspiranti Kathleen , E. C. Henze Erin , M. Kall Lauren 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTechnology in education is used to support and supplement core instruction, to help students stay engaged, and assist teachers with academic assessments. While there is support in the use of technology in instruction and intervention, researchers still urge caution when using it in assessment. Current evidence suggests that students perform differently when assessed using traditional methods compared to technology-based methods. Further, these differences may be exacerbated for students from low-income economically marginalized at-risk communities. There is a need to thoroughly explore student performance when responding to assessment materials through different modalities. The current investigation used a within subjects group design to replicate Reynolds et al. (2023) using an urban low performing population. Results demonstrate that, on average, students answered more digits correct per minute on probes administered via paper-pencil, however preferred to answer problems on the iPad using a keyboard. These results differ from the original study that used a higher performing suburban population. Future research, limitations, and implications for educators are discussed.
An Unprecedented Efficiency with Approaching 21% Enabled by Additive-Assisted Layer-by-Layer Processing in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Xu Shuai , Zhang Youdi , Sun Yanna , Cheng Pei , Yao Zhaoyang , Li Ning , Ye Long , Zuo Lijian , Gao Ke 
Published: October 2024

AbstractRecently published in Joule, Feng Liu and colleagues from Shanghai Jiaotong University reported a record-breaking 20.8% power conversion efficiency in organic solar cells (OSCs) with an interpenetrating fibril network active layer morphology, featuring a bulk p-i-n structure and proper vertical segregation achieved through additive-assisted layer-by-layer deposition. This optimized hierarchical gradient fibrillar morphology and optical management synergistically facilitates exciton diffusion, reduces recombination losses, and enhances light capture capability. This approach not only offers a solution to achieving high-efficiency devices but also demonstrates the potential for commercial applications of OSCs.
Developmental characteristics of vertical natural fracture in low-permeability oil sandstones and its influence on hydraulic fracture propagation
Authors: Yin Shuai , Radwan Ahmed E. , Xiao Feng , Xie Guochen , Lai Pengfei 
Published: October 2024

AbstractVertical natural fractures (NFs) are prevalent in low-permeability sandstone reservoirs. Presently, the impact of NFs on the extension of hydraulic fractures (HFs) remains partially unveiled, which restricts the scientific development of strategies for low-permeability, fractured oil sandstones. In this study, taking the oil sandstone of the He-3 Member, Hetaoyuan Formation, southeastern Biyang Depression as an example, we conducted a comprehensive investigation into the factors influencing vertical fracture development and the interaction between natural and hydraulic fractures. The cohesive unit simulations indicate that geostress is the principal factor influencing HF expansion, more so than NFs, with this influence intensifying as natural fracture density increases. As natural fracture density grows, the potential for two sets of conjugate natural fractures to form short HFs arises, which are limited in expansion scope, suggesting a need to reduce well spacing accordingly. Conversely, areas with a single set of NFs are more prone to developing longer HFs, warranting an increase in well spacing to avoid water channeling. High natural fracture densities may constrain the effectiveness of HFs. In fractured reservoirs with a 10 MPa horizontal stress difference, the length of HFs is 1.52 times that of HFs with 0 MPa and 5 MPa differences. However, the hydraulic fracture effectiveness index (FE) of the latter is 1.74 times higher than the former. For fractured reservoirs, the expansion capacity of HF length within a 5 MPa horizontal stress difference remains relatively stable; beyond this threshold, the expansion capacity increases with the growing horizontal stress difference, and the fracturing effect eventually deteriorates. Furthermore, as the strength of NFs escalates, the length and modified area of HFs initially decrease significantly before stabilizing. The complexity and FE value of HFs formed under strong natural fracture conditions are heightened, indicating a more effective fracturing outcome.
Discovering potential founders within academic institutions
Authors: Arzani Arman , Handte Marcus , Marrón Pedro José 
Published: October 2024

AbstractTechnology transfer is central to the development of an iconic entrepreneurial university. To foster knowledge transfer, many universities undergo a scouting process by their innovation coaches. The goal is to find staff members and students, who have the knowledge, expertise, and the potential to found startups by transforming their research results into a product. Since there is no systematic approach to measure the innovation potential of university members based on their academic activities, the scouting process is typically subjective and relies heavily on the experience of the innovation coaches. In this paper, we study the discovery of potential founders to support the scouting process using a data-driven approach. We create a novel data set by integrating the founder profiles with the academic activities from 8 universities across 5 countries. We explain the process of data integration as well as feature engineering. By applying machine learning methods, we investigate the classification accuracy of founders based on their academic background. Our analysis shows that using a random forest (RF), it is possible to differentiate founders and non-founders with an average accuracy of 79%. This accuracy remains mostly stable when applying an RF trained on one university to another, suggesting the existence of a generic founder profile. The detailed analysis indicates a high significance of the career path as well as patent- and grant-related features among others. Furthermore, we show that using a RF, it is possible to exploit these features to predict the future founding probability up to 3 years in advance with an accuracy of 80%. Finally, by analyzing the academic disciplines of founders we show that the patent documents have more influence on the startup’s core orientation than the publications.
Consumption patterns of indebted households: unravelling the relevance of fiscal policy
Authors: Afonso António , de Sá Fortes Leitão Rodrigues Eduardo 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
We have investigated the influence of fiscal instruments, notably taxes and government spending, on household consumption in two different samples and two measures of household debt to provide a comprehensive analysis of the topic. We used dynamic panel models and the Generalised Method of Moments (GMM) approach for 24 and 32 advanced and emerging countries from 1995 to 2020. Our findings show that fiscal impulses increase private consumption. However, when households are highly indebted, the effects are different, and the increase in public spending or the reduced taxes discourages household consumption compared to the baseline (lower debt) group. These results suggest a precautionary effect.
Crash dilemmas and the ethical design of self-driving vehicles: implications from metaethics and pragmatic road marks
Authors: Schäffner Vanessa 
Published: October 2024

AbstractHow should self-driving vehicles react when an accident can no longer be averted in dangerous situations? The complex issue of designing crash algorithms has been discussed intensively in recent research literature. This paper refines the discourse around a new perspective which reassesses the underlying dilemma structures in the light of a metaethical analysis. It aims at enhancing the critical understanding of both the conceptual nature and specific practical implications that relate to the problem of crash algorithms. The ultimate aim of the paper is to open up a way to building a bridge between the inherent structural issues of dilemma cases on the one hand and the characteristics of the practical decision context related to driving automation scenarios on the other. Based on a reconstruction of the metaethical structure of crash dilemmas, a pragmatic orientation towards the ethical design of crash algorithms is sketched and critically examined along two central particularities of the practical problem. Firstly, pertinent research on the social nature of crash dilemmas is found to be merely heuristic. Secondly, existing work from ethics of risk hardly offers explicit ethical solutions to relevant and urgent challenges. Further investigation regarding both aspects is ultimately formulated as a research desideratum.
SyROCCo: enhancing systematic reviews using machine learning
Authors: Fang Zheng , Arana-Catania Miguel , van Lier Felix-Anselm , Outes Velarde Juliana , Bregazzi Harry , Airoldi Mara , Carter Eleanor , Procter Rob 
Published: October 2024

Abstract
The sheer number of research outputs published every year makes systematic reviewing increasingly time- and resource-intensive. This paper explores the use of machine learning techniques to help navigate the systematic review process. Machine learning has previously been used to reliably “screen” articles for review – that is, identify relevant articles based on reviewers’ inclusion criteria. The application of machine learning techniques to subsequent stages of a review, however, such as data extraction and evidence mapping, is in its infancy. We, therefore, set out to develop a series of tools that would assist in the profiling and analysis of 1952 publications on the theme of “outcomes-based contracting.” Tools were developed for the following tasks: assigning publications into “policy area” categories; identifying and extracting key information for evidence mapping, such as organizations, laws, and geographical information; connecting the evidence base to an existing dataset on the same topic; and identifying subgroups of articles that may share thematic content. An interactive tool using these techniques and a public dataset with their outputs have been released. Our results demonstrate the utility of machine learning techniques to enhance evidence accessibility and analysis within the systematic review processes. These efforts show promise in potentially yielding substantial efficiencies for future systematic reviewing and for broadening their analytical scope. Beyond this, our work suggests that there may be implications for the ease with which policymakers and practitioners can access evidence. While machine learning techniques seem poised to play a significant role in bridging the gap between research and policy by offering innovative ways of gathering, accessing, and analyzing data from systematic reviews, we also highlight their current limitations and the need to exercise caution in their application, particularly given the potential for errors and biases.