bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Informatic application to characterise and identify small mammal species: Arvicolinae (Cricetidae, Rodentia, Mammalia)
Authors: Alfaro‐Ibáñez M. P. , Angel‐Beamonte E. , Domínguez‐García A. C. , Cuenca‐Bescós G. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe classification of rodent species can be challenging due to high morphological similarities observed among them. This problem is further increased in palaeontological systematics, where classification is traditionally based on the molar morphology. The subfamily Arvicolinae (Rodentia, Mammalia) is one of these rodent groups, whose classification being important for biostratigraphic and climatic studies of the Quaternary period is challenging. We present an application developed using the MatLab informatic algorithm, designed to classify the Arvicolinae species using Geometric Morphometrics (GMM) analyses of the first lower molar. Moreover, the application includes an option to automatically obtain the linear measurements that are commonly used for the identification of these species. This method shows a high degree of accuracy in the species classification, which is expected to increase as the reference database is further developed. This application can serve as an alternative tool for the classification of specimens with unclear morphologies. It can also be used to reduce the time required to manually obtain the linear indices necessary for their classification.
Variation in parental investment preferences for nestlings of the Gray‐backed Shrike (Lanius tephronotus) in alpine environments
Authors: Zeng Jinyuan , Li Yueqi , Gong Yuhan , Shi Yurou , Feng Hongyuan , Song Sen 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn the northeastern edge of the Qinghai‐Tibet Plateau, the Gray‐backed Shrike, a shrubland bird species of the plateau, confronts harsh living conditions. The impact of such an environment on their reproductive strategies has long intrigued us. This study reveals significant environmental effects on the investment of the Gray‐backed Shrike during their nestling‐rearing and egg‐laying stages. (1) Based on measurements of 215 shrike eggs from 2017 to 2021, we found that under the cold alpine climate, Gray‐backed Shrikes opt for a strategy of larger clutches and bigger eggs as average rainfall decreases. Concurrently, parents display a decreasing hatching order strategy, resulting in significant weight differences among newly hatched nestlings. (2) Marginal and core offspring exhibited no significant differences in fledging conditions. Core offspring generally have a slightly larger physique than marginal ones. However, marginal offspring exhibit the highest growth rate, with similar survival rates across different offspring categories. Parental rearing adopts a nest survival strategy. (3) The food provisioning rate by parents correlates strongly with the number of nestlings, the age of the nestling, and the nest's sex ratio. Differences exist between female and male provisioning rates based on begging intensity and average temperature; higher average temperatures lead to more food, with males providing more food. (4) Factors like nest sex ratio, offspring category, nestling age, and nestling sex influence the feeding preferences of parents. When overall nestling ratios skew towards either male or female, parental feeding preferences align with the actual nest sex ratio. Male and female parental feeding preferences differ based on average temperature and nestling sex. Males consistently exhibit a stronger preference for feeding male nestlings, regardless of the nest's sex ratio. In contrast, females don't show a clear preference, leading to differences in survival rates for different nestling sex under male feeding preferences.
Moderate evidence for the sex‐dependent effect of poisoning on adult survival in a long‐lived raptor species
Authors: Zsinka Bernadett , Pásztory‐Kovács Szilvia , Kövér Szilvia , Vili Nóra , Horváth Márton 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSurvival rate is usually the greatest contributor to population growth in long‐lived species, and its accurate estimation along with the evaluation of the factors influencing it is therefore essential for effective conservation. Here, we studied the survival of breeding eastern imperial eagles Aquila heliaca in Hungary between 2011 and 2022 and investigated the effect of poisoning, the leading known anthropogenic cause of mortality. We used the Cormack‐Jolly‐Seber mark‐recapture model to estimate annual apparent survival and encounter probabilities based on the capture histories of 208 males and 411 females. We obtained encounter data from the DNA profiles of shed feathers collected at the nest sites, which we also supplemented with presences inferred from parentage analysis. The most supported model estimated a constant 91.6% annual survival over the study period, but models including the effect of sex and poisoning rate on survival had similar support. Sex difference in survival was less than 1% on average, but the survival of males decreased more with poisoning rate than the survival of females. However, due to smaller encounter probabilities, the estimates for males were less precise compared to females. Males may be more at risk from poisoning than females not only due to their more active foraging behaviour during incubation and chick‐rearing but also due to their smaller body size. Apart from providing direct practical information for the conservation management of imperial eagles, our results also highlight the importance of long‐term studies for estimating population parameters of birds of prey.
Estimating ungulate migration corridors from sparse movement data
Authors: McKee Jennifer L. , Fattebert Julien , Aikens Ellen O. , Berg Jodi , Bergen Scott , Cole Eric K. , Copeland Holly E. , Courtemanch Alyson B. , Dewey Sarah , Hurley Mark , Lowrey Blake , Merkle Jerod A. , Middleton Arthur D. , Nuñez Tristan A. , Sawyer Hall , Kauffman Matthew J. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractMany ungulates migrate between distinct summer and winter ranges, and identifying, mapping, and conserving these migration corridors have become a focus of local, regional, and global conservation efforts. Brownian bridge movement models (BBMMs) are commonly used to empirically identify these seasonal migration corridors; however, they require location data sampled at relatively frequent intervals to obtain a robust estimate of an animal's movement path. Fitting BBMMs to sparse location data violates the assumption of conditional random movement between successive locations, overestimating the area (and width) of a migration corridor when creating individual and population‐level occurrence distributions and precluding the use of low‐frequency, or sparse, data in mapping migration corridors. In an effort to expand the utility of BBMMs to include sparse GPS data, we propose an alternative approach to model migration corridors from sparse GPS data. We demonstrate this method using GPS data collected every 2 h from four mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and four elk (Cervus canadensis) herds within Wyoming and Idaho. First, we used BBMMs to estimate a baseline corridor for the 2‐h data. We then subsampled the 2‐h data to one location every 12 h (a proxy for sparse data) and fitted BBMMs to the 12‐h data using a fixed motion variance (FMV) value, instead of estimating the Brownian motion variance empirically. A range of FMV values was tested to identify the value that best approximated the baseline migration corridor. FMV values within a species‐specific range (mule deer: 400–1200 m2; elk: 600–1600 m2) successfully delineated migration corridors similar to the 2‐h baseline corridors; overall, lower values delineated narrower corridors and higher values delineated wider corridors. Optimal FMV values of 800 m2 (mule deer) and 1000 m2 (elk) decreased the inflation of the 12‐h corridors relative to the 2‐h corridors from traditional BBMMs. This FMV approach thus enables using sparse movement data to approximate realistic migration corridor dimensions, providing an important alternative when movement data are collected infrequently. This approach greatly expands the number of datasets that can be used for migration corridor mapping—a useful tool for management and conservation across the globe.
Haemodynamic effects of intra‐aortic balloon pumps stratified by baseline pulmonary artery pulsatility index
Authors: Kalapurakal George , Chau Vinh Q. , Imamura Teruhiko , Tolia Sanika , Sciamanna Chris , Macaluso Gregory P. , Joshi Anjali , Pillarella Jessica , Pauwaa Sunil , Dia Muhyaldeen , Kabbany Tarek , Monaco James , Dela Cruz Mark , Cotts William G. , Pappas Patroklos , Tatooles Antone J. , Narang Nikhil 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAimsIntra‐aortic balloon pump (IABP) devices are commonly used in patients with heart failure related cardiogenic shock (HF‐CS), including those with out‐of‐proportion right ventricular (RV) dysfunction. Pulmonary artery pulsatility index (PAPi) is a haemodynamic surrogate for RV performance. We aimed to assess short‐term haemodynamic changes in patients with HF‐CS following IABP support stratified by baseline PAPi.Methods and resultsThis is a single‐centre study of 67 consecutive patients with HF‐CS who underwent IABP placement between 2020 and 2022. The primary aim was haemodynamic changes of specific variables on pulmonary artery catheter monitoring over 72 h following IABP placement. Secondary aims were clinically significant changes in diuretic regimens, changes in inotropes or vasopressors at 72 h following IABP, along with clinical outcomes. Prior to IABP placement, 57% of the total cohort (median age 59 years [48, 69], 31% female) had Society of Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions Stage C HF‐CS. Thirty‐eight (56%) patients had a PAPi <2.0. Following 72 h of IABP support, the PAPi <2.0 group had an observed significant decrease in central venous pressure (CVP; 20 to 12 mmHg, P < 0.001) and mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP; 37.5 to 28.5 mmHg, P = 0.001), and an increase in PAPi (1 to 1.6, P = 0.001). No significant change in cardiac index (CI; 2 to 2.1 L/min/m2, P = 0.31) was observed. The PAPi ≥2.0 group (N = 29) had no observed significant change in CVP (10 to 8 mmHg, P = 0.47), or PAPi (2.6 to 2.8, P = 0.92), but there was a significant improvement in CI (1.9 to 2.5 L/min/m2, P = 0.004) along with reduction in mPA (37 to 29 mmHg, P = 0.03). The PAPi <2.0 group had a significant increase in diuretic requirement (52.6% vs. 20.7%, P = 0.01) and numerically greater addition of inotropes/vasopressors (47.3% vs. 34.4%, P = 0.07) compared with the PAPi ≥2.0 group at 72 h following IABP placement. Significantly more patients in the PAPi ≥2.0 group underwent left ventricular assist device (55.2% vs. 26.3%, P = 0.02), with no overall significant differences observed in escalation to veno‐arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, 30‐day mortality, renal replacement therapy post‐IABP, or rates of heart transplantation.ConclusionsIABP devices in those with HF‐CS and low or abnormal PAPi may provide modest short‐term haemodynamic benefits without significant improvement in CI, along with greater need for adjustment in medical therapeutics to achieve haemodynamic optimization.
Regenerated nanofibrous cellulose electrospun from ionic liquid: Tuning properties toward tissue engineering
Authors: Pauliukaitytė Ingrida , Čiužas Darius , Krugly Edvinas , Baniukaitienė Odeta , Bulota Mindaugas , Petrikaitė Vilma , Martuzevičius Dainius 
Published: September 2024

AbstractRegenerated fibrous cellulose possesses a unique set of properties, including biocompatibility, biodegradability, and high surface area potential, but its applications in the biomedical sector have not been sufficiently explored. In this study, nanofibrous cellulose matrices were fabricated via a wet‐electrospinning process using a binary system of the solvent ionic liquid (IL) 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium acetate (BMIMAc) and co‐solvent dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The morphology of the matrices was controlled by varying the ratio of BMIMAc versus DMSO in the solvent system. The most effective ratio of 1:1 produced smooth fibers with diameters ranging from 200 to 400 nm. The nanofibrous cellulose matrix showed no cytotoxicity when tested on mouse fibroblast L929 cells whose viability remained above 95%. Human triple‐negative breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells also exhibited high viability even after 7 days of seeding and were able to penetrate deeper layers of the matrix, indicating high biocompatibility. These properties of nanofibrous cellulose demonstrate its potential for tissue engineering and cell culture applications.
Decreased levels of L‐selectin and platelet‐endothelial cell adhesion molecule‐1 in children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Arslan Semiha Cömertoğlu , Arslan Feyzullah Necati , Altun Hatice , Taş Dilan , Islah Elif Milhan , Seyithanoğlu Muhammed , Doğaner Adem 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to ascertain the serum levels of selectins (E, L, P) and platelet‐endothelial adhesion molecule‐1 (PECAM‐1) in preschool children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and to establish a comparison with the levels observed in healthy controls.MethodsThe study included 34 children aged 2–7 years diagnosed with ASD (ASD group) and 34 randomly selected healthy children matched for age and sex to the ASD group. The children were free of any genetic or physical disease, clinically active infection, or medication use. The sociodemographic data form was completed by all parents. The Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) and the Autism Behavior Checklist (ABC) were administered to the patient group, and the Aberrant Behavior Checklist (AbBC) was completed by the families of all children. Serum selectin (E, L, P) and PECAM‐1 levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits.ResultsThe results showed that the levels of both L‐selectin (p = 0.007) and PECAM‐1 (p = 0.019) were significantly lower in the ASD group than in the control group. No significant difference was observed between the groups concerning E‐selectin and P‐selectin levels (p > 0.05). It was observed that P‐selectin variables were statistically significant in predicting the presence of ASD (p = 0.019). A remarkable inverse correlation was found between the AbBC irritability subscale score and L‐selectin (r = −0.296, p = 0.014) and PECAM‐1 (r = −0.276, p = 0. 023); the AbBC Lethargy‐Social Withdrawal subscale score and E‐Selectin (r = −0.239, p = 0.049), L‐Selectin (r = −0.297, p = 0.014) and PECAM‐1 (r = −0.264, p = 0.029); L‐Selectin levels and the AbBC stereotypic behavior subscale (r = −0.248, p = 0.042). No statistically significant relationship was observed between selectins (E, L, P) and PECAM‐1 levels and CARS scale, ABC subscale or total scores and age variables (p > 0.05).ConclusionsThese study results suggest that L‐selectin, P‐selectin and PECAM‐1 may play a role in the pathophysiology of ASD.
Greek sexting landscape: Uncovering consequences beyond the selfie
Authors: Ntountoumi Lamprini , Ioannou Maria , Synnott John , Tzani Calli , Morelli Mara , Chirumbolo Antonio , Drouin Michele 
Published: September 2024

AbstractSexting is the sharing of sexually suggestive or provocative content via new technologies. Due to the lack of studies on sexting in Greece, this study aimed to investigate the Greek sexting landscape and its impact on individuals and human relationships. Thus, 485 participants (354 women, 124 men, 4 “other”, 3 undefined) were recruited through an online questionnaire. All participants were Greeks or residents of Greece, and the age range was 16–64. Analysis showed that teens and young adults aged 16–30 tend to sext more than the ones over 30 years old; also, men are more likely to sext (both receive and send) than women. Despite the potential benefits of sexting between partners, it poses several dangers, too, especially when it is not consensual. Apart from its limitations, the study opens the way for further investigation into sexting in Greece.
Beam‐Generated Sample Evolution to Emphasize Spatial Inhomogeneities: The Example of HPO42−‐Containing Amorphous Calcium Phosphate
Authors: Le Grill Sylvain , Marsan Olivier , Drouet Christophe , Brouillet Fabien 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTAmorphous calcium phosphates (ACPs) represent a family of bioactive compounds particularly relevant to bone regeneration. However, due to their intrinsic metastability, their processing into 3D‐shaped materials cannot be undergone by conventional sintering methods and requires cold sintering approaches. Also, their microstructure and local compositional changes still have to be explored in detail. To this aim, spectroscopy techniques are particularly appealing to probe local chemical environments at the microscale. Concerning ACPs, one question regards the distribution of (hydrogenated) phosphate species, as they may lead to various evolutionary trends. In this contribution, we purposely exploited the laser–beam interaction through Raman mapping to trigger the in situ HPO42−‐to‐P2O74− transformation. Analysis by a multivariate approach allowed us to spot P2O74− clusters resulting from HPO42−‐rich initial domains. Moreover, a blue shift of the ν1PO43− band was noticed in the close vicinity of these clusters, thus evidencing a local evolution of the chemical composition of the ACP. These results, corroborated by differential thermal analysis, demonstrate the relevance of using the laser–sample interaction through local heating to probe the spatial evolution induced, in our case, by an ultrafast compaction process. Comparison of outcomes obtained using two different laser/power strategies finally evidenced the need to adapt the Raman analytical conditions to the behavior of the metastable material to analyze.
Analytical Solution to Estimate the Effect of Underlying Tunnel Excavations on the Existing Tunnel
Authors: Feng Guohui , Ding Zhi , Xu Changjie , Liang Luju , Ge Shangqi , Fan Xiaozhen , Yang Kaifang , Wei Gang 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTThe tunneling underlying inevitably leads to the displacement of adjacent soil, greatly influencing the deformation of the tunnel above. Most theoretical studies primarily concentrate on analyzing the mechanical equilibrium of individual tunnel sections, ignoring the energy generated by the system during tunnel deformation. Based on this, in view of the energy relationship, the overlying tunnel's deformation is simulated by using the Rayleigh–Ritz method. Further, its potential energy equation can be established based on the Vlasov foundation. The corresponding energy variational solution is solved according to the minimum potential energy principle, leading to an analytical solution for the shield tunneling‐induced overlying tunnel's response. The efficacy of the suggested method is verified by contrasting it with centrifuge experiments and field case studies derived from prior studies. Relative to the Winkler foundation model, which deviated from the suggested approach, the results derived from the suggested method show a closer correlation with the collected measurement data. Further parameter studies show that the vertical clearance and skew angle between two tunnels, the volume loss rate, and elastic modulus are significant factors affecting the tunnel behaviors due to tunneling underneath. The suggested theoretical model can be applied to forecast potential risks that an existing tunnel may encounter during the excavation of a new tunnel underlying in similar engineering projects.
Parameterization of a biomechanical collision model for safe human‐robot collaboration
Authors: Leinert Emmely , Behrens Roland , Woschke Elmar 
Published: September 2024

AbstractThe Fraunhofer IFF has developed a patented model (Fast Response Model = FRM) for safe Human‐Robot Collaboration (HRC), enabling the calculation of reaction forces in the event of a collision between a contact body of any shape and a selected human body part. This paper specifically focuses on adapting the model for five selected body locations on the hand‐arm system. A comparative analysis is conducted, contrasting the results obtained from the FRM with those derived from existing finite element reference models to assess the plausibility of the model's system response. Additionally, computational times of the model are compared with those of established models for simulation‐based risk evaluation of robot collisions. The model's quality is validated using a validation geometry. Results indicate that depending on the selected body part, end effector geometry, and given displacement, similar results to a finite element model can be obtained. However, simulations with the FRM are less time‐consuming. In the future, the data‐driven model could be transformed into a real‐time model using machine learning techniques.
A scaled boundary shell formulation in isogeometric analysis for static and dynamic analysis
Authors: Reichle Mathias , Hellers Anna , Klinkel Sven 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn modern applications of computer‐aided design (CAD) for the analysis of shell structures, isogeometric analysis is a powerful tool that integrates both design and analysis. An exact geometry description and a straightforward computation without loss of information are advantageous, especially for shell structures such as roofs, satellite hulls, or car bodies. In addition, the scaled boundary method provides a scale separation with a semi‐analytical solution procedure to consider a three‐dimensional linear elastic constitutive law. The presented approach deals with a scaled boundary solid shell formulation in the framework of isogeometric analysis. The formulation utilizes a normal scaling strategy which scales the shell along its normal vector at each point on the discretized bottom surface. This is fundamentally different from the well‐known radial scaling strategy, where each point on the problem domain is obtained from a fixed scaling center. This results in a separation of the analysis into an in‐plane direction and a scaling (normal) direction. By introducing the scaling, a scaled boundary differential equation is derived that is dependent on the scaling parameter only. Choosing a proper set of conditions, the differential equation can be solved by a Padé expansion. While the in‐plane direction is solved in a weak sense, the thickness direction along the normal vector can be solved analytically resulting in a semi‐analytical procedure. The isogeometric description of the CAD structure inherently yields the exact normal vector, its derivatives and a higher order continuity throughout the structure. Herein, the focus is on the solution technique in the thickness direction and the challenges are addressed. The power of the formulation is outlined in several numerical examples of static and dynamic analysis and a comparison to shell formulations in literature is provided.