bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hydrological response to climate change in Baro basin, Ethiopia, using representative concentration pathway scenarios
Authors: Ebissa Tolossa Negassa , Kassaye Shimelash Molla , Malede Demelash Ademe 
Published: September 2024

AbstractDroughts and floods are common in the Baro basin and climate change may exacerbate them. This study aimed to investigate the hydrological response to climate change’s impact in the Baro River basin. Four climate models namely, Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model, version 2 (HadGEM2-ES), Max Planck Institute Earth System Model—Low Resolution (MPI-ESM-LR), Coupled Model Version 5, Medium Resolution (CM5A-MR) and European Community Earth System Model (EC-Earth) dynamically downscaled outputs were obtained from Africa coordinated regional downscaling experiment program. The four climate models were evaluated using a suite of statistical measures such as bias, Root Mean Squared Error, and Coefficient of Variation. The bias of the simulated rainfall varies between − 4.20% and − 25.39% suggesting underestimation. The performance of the models differs subject to the performance measures used for evaluation. Before being used in the climate impact analysis, the climate model data was heavily skewed and needed correction. In terms of bias, HadGEM2-ES performed the worst while EC-Earth performed the best. MPI-ESM-LR was the worst performer in terms of RMSE and CM5A-MR was the best. Changes in the hydrological response to climate change were compared to the baseline scenario (1971–2000) under the Representative Concentration Pathway Scenarios (RCP 4.5) for the medium term (2041–2070). The GCM predictions for the RCP 4.5 scenarios suggested that, in the medium period (2041–2070) the maximum temperature in the Baro River basin will probably rise by 2.1 °C for MPI-ESM-LR and 2.49 °C for CM5A-MR, while the minimum temperature would likely climb by 1.7 °C to EC-Earth and 2.8 °C for HadGEM2-ES. Annual rainfall is expected to fall by 7.02% for CM5A-MR and 17.01% for HadGEM2-ES, while annual evapotranspiration potential is likely to rise. Except from March to May CM5A-MR consistently generated the greatest amount of streamflow change, while MPI-ESM-LR consistently generated the highest magnitude of streamflow change. The annual streamflow reduction is consistent with the annual precipitation reduction and increased annual potential evapotranspiration. Generally, climate change is predicted to have a significant impact on the hydrological response in the Baro River basin under the RCP 4.5 scenario.
Potential of Soft-Shelled Rugby Headgear to Lower Regional Brain Strain Metrics During Standard Drop Tests
Authors: Stitt Danyon , Kabaliuk Natalia , Alexander Keith , Draper Nick 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
The growing concern for player safety in rugby has led to an increased focus on head impacts. Previous laboratory studies have shown that rugby headgear significantly reduces peak linear and rotational accelerations compared to no headgear. However, these metrics may have limited relevance in assessing the effectiveness of headgear in preventing strain-based brain injuries like concussions. This study used an instantaneous deep-learning brain injury model to quantify regional brain strain mitigation of rugby headgear during drop tests. Tests were conducted on flat and angled impact surfaces across different heights, using a Hybrid III headform and neck.

Results
Headgear presence generally reduced the peak rotational velocities, with some headgear outperforming others. However, the effect on peak regional brain strains was less consistent. Of the 5 headgear tested, only the newer models that use open cell foams at densities above 45 kg/m3 consistently reduced the peak strain in the cerebrum, corpus callosum, and brainstem. The 3 conventional headgear that use closed cell foams at or below 45 kg/m3 showed no consistent reduction in the peak strain in the cerebrum, corpus callosum, and brainstem.

Conclusions
The presence of rugby headgear may be able to reduce the severity of head impact exposure during rugby. However, to understand how these findings relate to brain strain mitigation in the field, further investigation into the relationship between the impact conditions in this study and those encountered during actual gameplay is necessary.
Fire history in northern Sierra Nevada mixed conifer forests across a distinct gradient in productivity
Authors: Coppoletta Michelle , Knapp Eric E. , Collins Brandon M. , Abbott Celeste S. , Fertel Hannah M. , Stephens Scott L. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Understanding the role of fire in forested landscapes is fundamental to fire reintroduction efforts, yet few studies have examined how fire dynamics vary in response to interactions between local conditions, such as soil productivity, and more broadscale changes in climate. In this study, we examined historical fire frequency, seasonality, and spatial patterning in mixed conifer forests across a distinct gradient of soil productivity in the northern Sierra Nevada. We cross-dated 46 different wood samples containing 377 fire scars from 6 paired sites, located on and off of ultramafic serpentine soils. Forests on serpentine-derived soils have slower growth rates, lower biomass accumulation, and patchier vegetation than adjacent, non-serpentine sites. Due to these differences, we hypothesized that historical fire frequency and spatial extent would be reduced in mixed conifer forests growing on serpentine soils.

Results
Fire scars revealed a history of frequent fire at all of our sites (median composite interval: 6–22.5 years) despite clear differences in soil productivity. Fire frequency was slightly shorter in more productive non-serpentine sites, but this difference was not consistently significant within our sample pairs. While fires were frequent, both on and off of serpentine, they were also highly asynchronous, and this was largely driven by differing climate–fire relationships. Fires in more productive sites were strongly associated with drought conditions in the year of the fire, while fires in less productive serpentine sites appeared to be more dependent on a cycle of wet and dry conditions in the years preceding the fire. Widespread fires that crossed the boundary between serpentine and non-serpentine were associated with drier than normal years.

Conclusions
In our study, fine-scale variation in historical fire regime attributes was linked to both bottom-up and top-down controls. Understanding how these factors interact to create variation in fire frequency, timing, and spatial extent can help managers more effectively define desired conditions, develop management objectives, and identify management strategies for fire reintroduction and forest restoration projects.
A maternal diet high in carbohydrates causes bradyarrhythmias and changes in heart rate variability in the offspring sex-dependent in mice
Authors: Arroyo-Carmona Rosa Elena , Mitre-Velasco Yareth , Martinez-Laguna Ygnacio , Torres-Jácome Julián , Albarado-Ibañez Alondra 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Background
Maternal obesity prepregnancy, as well as gestational overweight produced by high-sucrose diet, could be evolved to the cardiometabolic diseases in offspring during adulthood. Until then, the cardiometabolic diseases were ignored that have been presented or inherited in the offspring for overnutrition were ignored, depend on gender. We proposed that maternal prepregnancy obesity in CD1 mice, as well as gestational overweight produced by a high sucrose diet, develop to cardiometabolic disease in offspring and even if gender. For detection of the cardiometabolic diseases in a Murine model with a high sucrose diet (HSD), the time series formed by the RR intervals taken from lead I of the ECG has used the corresponding Poincare plot. The heart rate variability was characterized by the standard deviation of width and length SD1, SD2 respectively of the Poincare plot and the SD1/SD2 correlation index in addition was calculated between to gender and body weight.

Results
A maternal diet was based high sucrose diet and produced overweight on progeny in both sexes, but the cardiac arrhythmias depended on gender. Other results were due to the chronic effect of high sucrose diet in offspring with this intrauterine ambiance that contributes to changes in HRV, arrhythmias, and sinus pauses, also these phenomena were observed just in the male mice offspring with high sucrose diet during adulthood.

Conclusions
We propose, that the arrhythmias originated from fetal programming due to the maternal diet in mice model and produced alterations in the offspring female more than in the male, probably due to hormones.
Additive effects of
Bridelia ferruginea
leaf meal as a partial replacement for soybean meal on nutrients digestibility, growth performance, and carcass characteristics of weaner rabbits
Authors: Osman Alhassan , Owusu Ahmed Abdullah , Ofosu Jeffrey , Sasu Prince , Abdul Aziz Yunus , Attoh-Kotoku Victoria , Osafo Emmanuel Lartey Kwame 
Published: September 2024

Abstract

Background

Protein is a crucial nutrient for enhancing livestock performance and productivity, traditionally sourced from soybean and fish meal. However, issues like erratic availability and rising prices necessitate exploring alternative protein sources. Tropical plants, especially leaf meals, are being considered to replace or supplement conventional protein sources in rabbit diets.
Bridelia ferruginea,
a plant abundant in West Africa, is recognized for its medicinal properties, but its potential as an animal feed is largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate the impact of graded levels of
Bridelia ferruginea
leaf meal (BFLM) as a partial substitute for soybean meal in the diets of weaner rabbits.

Materials and methods
The experiment was conducted at the Animal Science Department of Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana. BFLM was obtained by air-drying harvested leaves and milling them. Four diets were formulated, with BFLM partially replacing soybean meal at levels of 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%. Representative samples of BFLM and all formulated diets were analyzed for their proximate composition and detergent fibre fractions. Twenty-four weaner rabbits were assigned to these diets in a Completely Randomized Design. The study covered a 10-week period, assessing growth performance, nutrient digestibility, carcass characteristics, and economics of production.

Results
The chemical composition of BFLM revealed favorable attributes for rabbit feeding, with 20.5% crude protein and 92.6% dry matter. Growth performance declined at 30% BFLM inclusion, indicating a possible impact of anti-nutritional factors. Feed conversion ratio increased at higher BFLM levels. Nutrient digestibility showed a decline in dry matter digestibility at 30% BFLM. Carcass characteristics were affected at higher BFLM levels, with dressing percentage decreasing. Weights of internal organs were generally not negatively affected by the inclusion of BFLM. Economic analysis indicated a linear reduction in feed cost with increasing BFLM inclusion.

Conclusion
The study suggests that BFLM can be incorporated up to 20% in weaner rabbit diets without compromising productivity, nutrient digestibility, or dressing percentage. Beyond 20%, adverse effects on growth performance and some carcass characteristics were observed. Economically, BFLM incorporation up to 20% lowered feed costs without compromising feed efficiency. Incorporation of BFLM up to 20% in weaner rabbit diets had no adverse effects on the weights and functions of the heart, liver, and kidneys. Overall, BFLM presents a promising alternative protein source for weaner rabbit diets, contributing to cost-effective and sustainable livestock production.
Leveraging meta-heuristic algorithms for effective software fault prediction: a comprehensive study
Authors: Dang Zhizheng , Wang Hui 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn large-scale software development, the increasing complexity of software products poses a daunting challenge to maintaining software quality. Given this challenge, software fault prediction (SFP) is a critical endeavor for effective budgeting and refinement of the testing process. Quantitative insights into software quality gained through measurements are crucial in enabling accurate SFP. With the proliferation of software in various fields, ensuring software reliability throughout the software life cycle has become paramount. Anticipating software bugs, which have the potential to reduce software maintenance costs dramatically, is a key approach to improving software reliability. In this regard, using nature-inspired metaheuristic algorithms is promising because of their ability to predict future conditions and identify software anomalies. This study examines the potential of various meta-heuristic algorithms, particularly particle swarm optimization, genetic, ant colony optimization, cuckoo search, lion optimization, firefly, moth-flame, whale optimization, and artificial bee colony algorithms, in addressing the SFP challenge. The study outlines the challenging problems, compares approaches based on fundamental variables, and offers suggestions for future studies, providing a comprehensive and systematic analysis of these algorithms in the context of SFP.
Taurodeoxycholic acid alleviates diquat-induced intestinal barrier function injury in mice through the upregulation of Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Jinglei , Zhang Yuhan , Song Mengzhen , Guo Xuming , Fan Jinping , Tao Shiyu 
Published: September 2024

AbstractOxidative stress is an important contributor to gastrointestinal diseases in multiple ways. Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA) is a metabolite of bile acids and has anti-inflammatory and protective effects on the intestinal tract. However, whether TDCA can alleviate oxidative stress in the intestine is still unclear. Here, we investigated the effects of TDCA on diquat-induced oxidative stress in the jejunum and its mechanism. The results revealed that TDCA increased the concentrations of antioxidant enzymes in the serum, jejunal tissue and intestinal epithelial cells of the mice, as did the expression of tight junction-associated proteins and the Nrf2 protein in the jejunal epithelial tissue and intestinal epithelial cells. We then explored the mechanism of Nrf2 with ML385 (a specific Nrf2 inhibitor). The results showed that after ML385 treatment, the levels of antioxidant enzymes were significantly decreased in the serum, jejunum, and intestinal epithelial tissues of the mice. The expression of tight junction proteins in jejunum epithelial tissues and intestinal epithelial cells was also decreased. In conclusion, our study suggests that TDCA alleviates oxidative stress to improve intestinal barrier function through the Nrf2-mediated signaling pathway. These findings help elucidate the role of TDCA in protecting the intestinal barrier and its mechanism of action, providing insights for the prevention and treatment of intestinal diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Implications of Tarski's undefinability theorem on the Theory of Everything
Authors: Faizal Mir , Shabir Arshid , Khan Aatif Kaisar 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
The Theory of Everything

seeks to unify all fundamental forces of nature, including quantum gravity, into a single theoretical framework. This theory would be defined internally using a set of axioms, and this paper proposes a set of axioms for any such theory. Furthermore, for such a theory, all scientific truth would be defined internally as consequences derivable from the rules of such a theory. This paper then examines the implications of Tarski's undefinability theorem on scientific truths derived from such axioms. We demonstrate that Tarski's theorem imposes limitations on any such formal system

. However, we also argue that the Lucas-Penrose argument suggests that non-algorithmic understanding can transcend these formal limitations.
L-Dopa Might Be Insufficient to Suppress Development of Prolactinomas in Dihydropteridine Reductase-Deficiency Patients
Authors: Diaz-Moreno Unai , Gan Cheng Guang , Pujari Divya , Gan Hoong-Wei , Batzios Spyros 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Dihydropteridine reductase (DHPR) deficiency is a disorder that prevents regeneration of tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4), causing hyperphenylalaninemia (HPA) and low levels of neurotransmitters, including dopamine. Due to low levels of dopamine, patients present with hyperprolactinemia. Treatment consists of a phenylalanine (Phe)-restricted diet, hydroxytryptophan and levodopa (L-Dopa) supplementation, leading to a rapid normalization of prolactin (PRL) levels. We report a case of a patient with DHPR deficiency presenting with new symptomatic hyperprolactinemia and amenorrhea in adolescence despite appropriate management. The prolactinoma was confirmed with pituitary magnetic resonance imaging. The patient was started on cabergoline with rapid normalization of PRL levels and resolution of symptoms, in keeping with previous reports. Cabergoline has a stronger affinity for the D2R receptor and longer half-life than L-Dopa, leading to lactotroph apoptosis, tumor shrinkage, and rapid and maintained normalization of PRL levels, with a better side-effect profile. Patients with DHPR deficiency need to be actively monitored for symptomatic hyperprolactinemia, as L-Dopa monotherapy is insufficient to suppress PRL secretion, leading to lactotroph hypertrophy and proliferation over time and development of prolactinomas in later life.
The Iron Mess
Authors: Phillips Sarah T. 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
While the “iron triangle” remains a useful metaphor for describing tight and inertial links among policymakers, invested beneficiaries, and administrative officials, the label historically applies only to the classic period of modern US agricultural policy, between the 1930s and 1960s. Only farm interests sat at the table, politicians gained little by challenging the isolated process, and outsiders had no pull. This changed after the 1960s and 1970s, when the modern farm bill combined food assistance with the traditional commodity supports, and in a post-reform Congress, where power shifted from southern committee chairs toward party caucuses and leaders. New coalitions found openings and opportunities to advance programs and to exchange strategic support. While the fundamental directions of policy, research, and extension may never have shifted radically or fundamentally, it is not historically accurate to blame an iron triangle of simple and limited interests.
1964
Authors: Smith Bobby 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
As the nation prepares to celebrate the sixtieth anniversary of the signing of the Food Stamp Act of 1964 on August 31, 2024, this essay reframes the “iron triangle” of agricultural policy that generated the Food Stamp Program, known today as the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Since 1964, public discourses about food stamps focus mainly on the legislation and those who carry it out or those who receive federal food assistance. But what about grocery store owners and retailers? Drawing on research from my book Food Power Politics, the essay takes up this question and analyzes a largely unknown March 1964 phone conversation about food stamp legislation between President Lyndon B. Johnson and Senator James O. Eastland of Mississippi. This conversation compels us to consider how racial dynamics and political motivations shaped congressional support of food stamps and look beyond the farm gate when thinking about agricultural and food legislation.
Searching for Stability
Authors: Plishka Matthew 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This article analyzes the revitalization of Jamaica's sugar industry in the first half of the twentieth century and the overall shift in agricultural focus from bananas back to sugar in the context of the effects of the banana blight known as Panama disease. It argues that Panama disease and the response of small and large farmers to it, as well as weather events and changes in global markets, led growers to switch from banana to sugar cultivation. Afro-Jamaican smallholders led the shift to sugar in the 1910s, as they were the first to grapple with Panama disease in Jamaica. By the mid-1920s Panama disease had reached large banana plantations as well, and many planters, like smallholders a decade prior, responded by turning their plantations into sugar, rather than banana, monocultures. By the end of World War II, as a result of Panama disease, along with transformations in the sugar industry that came in the wake of the disease's spread, sugar had once more become Jamaica's primary agricultural export. Examining the Jamaican sugar industry as part of the history of Panama disease highlights that plant diseases affect much more than the specific crop they infect. Rather, they can have significant ramifications for other crops and the associated industries that make up the broader agroecosystems.
Building Power for Health: The Grassroots Politics of Sustaining and Strengthening Medicaid
Authors: Michener Jamila 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
Context: Notwithstanding an impressive corpus charting the politics of Medicaid, there is still much to learn about the contemporary politics of sustaining, expanding, and protecting the program. There is especially scant scholarly evidence on the significance and function of grassroots political actors (i.e., the communities and groups most directly affected by health policy). This article explores the role such groups play in the politics of Medicaid.
Methods: This research is based on qualitative interviews with organizers and advocates working in the domain of health policy.
Findings: The power of grassroots actors in Medicaid politics is constrained by political and structural forces, including philanthropic funding practices, racism, and partisan polarization. Nevertheless, when bottom-up actors effectively exercise power, their involvement in Medicaid politics can transform policy processes and outcomes.
Conclusions: Grassroots actors—those who are part of, represent, organize, or mobilize the people most affected by Medicaid policy—can play pivotal roles within Medicaid politics. Although they do not yet have sufficient political wherewithal to consistently advance transformational policy change, ongoing political processes suggest that they hold promise for being an increasingly important political force.
Collective Memory at Canada's Prison for Women
Authors: Guenther Lisa 
Published: September 2024

Abstract
This essay proposes a critical phenomenology of the ontological, social, ethical, and political dimensions of collective memory. At an ontological level, the site of collective memory is not intentional consciousness but rather the lifeworld itself, understood as a historically sedimented context for meaning and mattering. The social dimension of collective memory is structured around an antagonism between hegemonic public memory and insurgent countermemory. The ethical dimension issues a command to anyone to listen and respond to the countermemory of the oppressed. And the political dimension of collective memory asks us to commit to building a world that refuses to repeat past oppression; it calls for the reclamation and (re)invention of a collective procedural memory of how to care for a common world. This analysis of collective memory unfolds in the context of a proposed memorial garden on the grounds of Canada's first prison for women, which is in the process of being redeveloped into luxury condominiums.