bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Educator wellbeing and family engagement in Australian early learning settings: perspectives of early childhood educators and families
Authors: Murray Lisa , Eadie Patricia , Fong Maria , Liley Kate , Markham Penny , Hardy Kirsten 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWhile the COVID-19 pandemic brought with it multiple challenges for families and the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) workforce, it also highlighted the essential role of ECEC in the lives of children and families and presented unique opportunities for innovation and learning. The current study sought to explore learnings from this uniquely challenging period, including the factors and strategies that best supported educator wellbeing and family engagement in ECEC settings, from the perspectives of families, centre directors and educators. In 2021, 104 Centre Directors/Educators and 102 families completed online surveys exploring wellbeing and educator–family relationships. Correlations suggest that robust professional wellbeing and resilience are potential enabling factors for strong family engagement, and that supportive organisational structures in ECEC settings are a protective factor for both educator wellbeing and family engagement. In addition, five effective family engagement strategies were derived from the qualitative data: (1) drawing on personal and professional knowledges to enrich children’s learning at home; (2) prioritising regular and reliable communication with families; (3) maintaining familiar relationships and a sense of community; (4) providing person-centred support and a bridge to other services; and (5) nurturing mutually supportive educator–family relationships. Learnings provide important insights that may inform ongoing quality improvements across different ECEC contexts, and to help safeguard against the negative impacts of future global crises.
Household transmission of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2 under conditions of hybrid immunity—a prospective study in Germany
Authors: Klee Bianca , Diexer Sophie , Xu Chao , Gottschick Cornelia , Hartmann Carla , Meyer-Schlinkmann Kristin Maria , Kuhlmann Alexander , Rosendahl Jonas , Binder Mascha , Gekle Michael , Girndt Matthias , Höll Jessica I. , Moor Irene , Sedding Daniel , Moritz Stefan , Frese Thomas , Mikolajczyk Rafael 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Purpose
We investigated the protection offered by vaccinations and previous infections for the household transmission of Omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.

Methods
34,666 participants of the German DigiHero cohort study with two or more household members were invited to a prospective household transmission study between June and December 2022. In case of a positive SARS-CoV-2 test in a household, symptom diaries were completed for at least 14 days. Dry blood spots (DBS) were taken from all household members at the beginning and six to eight weeks later. DBS were analyzed for SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Results
1191 individuals from 457 households participated. The risk of acquiring a SARS-CoV-2 infection decreased with higher S-titer levels at the time of exposure (from 80% at titer of 0 binding antibody units (BAU)/ml to 20% at titer of 3000 BAU/ml) and increased linearly with the time since vaccination/previous infection (20% for less than one month to 80% at one year). Transmission probability was also reduced when the symptoms of the primary case were mild and if preventive measures were implemented.

Conclusion
Vaccinations/previous infections offer a high protection against infection with the Omicron variant for a few months only, supporting the notion of seasonal circulation of the virus.
L*—An index for evaluating long range performance of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs)
Authors: Zhu Manfu , Ma Liran , Luo Jianbin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAutonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) have various applications in both military and civilian fields. A wider operation area and more complex tasks require better overall range performance of AUVs. However, until recently, there have been few unified criteria for evaluating the range performance of AUVs. In the present work, a unified range index, i.e., L*, considering the cruising speed, the sailing distance, and the volume of an AUV, is proposed for the first time, which can overcome the shortcomings of previous criteria using merely one single parameter, and provide a uniform criterion for the overall range performance of various AUVs. After constructing the expression of the L* index, the relevant data of 49 AUVs from 12 countries worldwide have been collected, and the characteristics of the L* range index in different countries and different categories were compared and discussed. Furthermore, by analyzing the complex factors affecting the range index, methods to enhance the L* range index value, such as efficiency enhancement and drag reduction, have been introduced and discussed. Under this condition, the work proposes a unified and scientific criterion for evaluating the range performance of AUVs for the first time, provides valuable theoretical insight for the development of AUVs with higher performance, and then arouses more attention to the application of the cutting-edge superlubricity technology to the field of underwater vehicles, which might greatly help to accelerate the coming of the era of the superlubricitive engineering.
Recent developments in functional organic polymer coatings for biomedical applications in implanted devices
Authors: Yang Yinuo , Jia Yiran , Zhao Yanran , Wang Haimang , Zhang Hongyu 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOrganic polymer coatings have been commonly used in biomedical field, which play an important role in achieving biological antifouling, drug delivery, and bacteriostasis. With the continuous development of polymer science, organic polymer coatings can be designed with complex and advanced functions, which is conducive to the construction of biomedical materials with different performances. According to different physical and chemical properties of materials, biomedical organic polymer coating materials are classified into zwitterionic polymers, non-ionic polymers, and biomacromolecules. The strategies of combining coatings with substrates include physical adsorption, chemical grafting, and self-adhesion. Though the coating materials and construction methods are different, many biomedical polymer coatings have been developed to achieve excellent performances, i.e., enhanced lubrication, anti-inflammation, antifouling, antibacterial, drug release, anti-encrustation, anti-thrombosis, etc. Consequently, a large number of biomedical polymer coatings have been used in artificial lungs, ureteral stent, vascular flow diverter, and artificial joints. In this review, we summarize different types, properties, construction methods, biological functions, and clinical applications of biomedical organic polymer coatings, and prospect future direction for development of organic polymer coatings in biomedical field. It is anticipated that this review can be useful for the design and synthesis of functional organic polymer coatings with various biomedical purposes.
Predictive air combat decision model with segmented reward allocation
Authors: Li Yundi , Yuan Yinlong , Cheng Yun , Hua Liang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn air combat missions, unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) must take strategic actions to establish combat advantages, enabling effective tracking and attacking of enemy UCAVs. Currently, a lot of reinforcement learning algorithms are applied to the air combat mission of unmanned fighter aircraft. However, most algorithms can only select policies based on the current state of both sides. This leads to the inability to effectively track and attack when the enemy performs large angle maneuvering. Additionally, these algorithms cannot adapt to different situations, resulting in the unmanned fighter aircraft being at a disadvantage in some cases. To solve these problems, this paper proposes predictive air combat decision model with segmented reward allocation for air combat tracking and attacking. On the basis of the air combat environment, we propose the prediction soft actor-critic (Pre-SAC) algorithm, which combines the prediction of enemy states with the states of UCAV for model training. This enables the UCAV to predict the next move of the enemy UCAV in advance and establish a greater air combat advantage for us. Furthermore, by adopting a segmented reward allocation model and combining it with the Pre-SAC algorithm, we propose the segmented reward allocation soft actor-critic (Sra-SAC) algorithm, which solves the problem of UCAVs being unable to adapt to different situations. The results show that the prediction-based segmented reward allocation the Sra-SAC algorithm outperforms the traditional soft actor-critic (SAC) algorithm in terms of overall reward, travel distance, and relative advantage.
Feature selection for hybrid information systems based on fuzzy $$\beta $$ covering and fuzzy evidence theory
Authors: Ma Xiaoqin , Hu Huanhuan , Zhang Qinli , Xu Yi 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFeature selection plays a crucial role in machine learning, as it eliminates data noise and redundancy, thereby significantly reducing computational complexity and enhancing the overall performance of the model. The challenges of feature selection for hybrid information systems stem from the difficulty in quantifying the disparities among nominal attribute values. Furthermore, a significant majority of the current methodologies exhibit sensitivity to noise. This paper introduces techniques that address the aforementioned issues from the perspective of fuzzy evidence theory. First of all, a new distance incorporating decision attributes is defined, and then a relation between fuzzy evidence theory and fuzzy $$\beta $$
β
covering with an anti-noise mechanism is established. In this framework, two robust feature selection algorithms for hybrid data are proposed based on fuzzy belief and fuzzy plausibility. Experiments on 10 data sets of various types show that compared with the other 6 state-of-the-art algorithms, the proposed algorithms improve the anti-noise ability by at least 6% with higher average classification accuracy. Therefore, it can be concluded that the proposed algorithms have excellent anti-noise ability while maintaining good feature selection ability.
Monetary incentives and the contagion of unethical behavior
Authors: Le Maux Benoît , Masclet David , Necker Sarah 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe examine how monetary incentives and information about others’ dishonesty affect lying decisions and whether these two dimensions interact with each other. Our experiment consists of a repeated cheating game where we vary the monetary incentives (Low, High, and Very High) and information about others’ dishonesty (With or Without information). We find that dishonesty decreases when payoffs are Very High. Information has only a weak positive effect on average. Conditioning on beliefs, we find that those who overestimate (underestimate) cheating reduce (increase) dishonesty. Information and payoffs do not interact with each other.
Theorie und Empirie der Vergleichenden Koalitionsforschung: Stand und Ausblick
Authors: Bräuninger Thomas , Debus Marc 
Published: July 2024

ZusammenfassungDas Regieren in Mehrparteienkabinetten hat sich zum Normalfall in modernen Demokratien entwickelt. Daher verwundert es nicht, dass die Analyse des Prozesses der Bildung, des Regierens in und der Beendigung von Koalitionsregierungen zu einem Schwerpunkt der Vergleichenden Politikwissenschaft geworden ist. Wir legen in diesem Literature Review den Stand der Forschung zu Koalitionsregierungen dar, indem wir die jüngere Entwicklung in der Koalitionstheorie betrachten, um anschließend die Erkenntnisse insbesondere in den Bereichen der Analyse von Koalitionen zu beleuchten, die in den letzten Jahren deutlich an Beachtung gewonnen haben. Dazu zählen die Auswirkungen der institutionellen Merkmale politischer Systeme, etwa das Bestehen und die Ausgestaltung von Mehrebenenstrukturen oder die Kompetenzen von Parlamenten insbesondere im Kontext der Investitur einer neuen Regierung, sowie die Perzeption des Regierens in Koalitionen durch die Wähler und die Analyse der Koalitionsverhandlungsdauer und der Koalitionsabkommen. Abschließend diskutieren wir Ansätze für Fragestellungen, die vielversprechend für die weitere Entwicklung der wissenschaftlichen Analyse von Koalitionsregierungen sein können, insbesondere aufgrund der massiven Fortschritte im Bereich der quantitativen Daten- und Textanalyse.
Molecular mechanism of a coastal cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 adapting to changing phosphate concentrations
Authors: Sun Qiao-Wei , Gao Yu , Wang Jordan , Fu Fei-xue , Yong Cheng-Wen , Li Shuang-Qing , Huang Hai-Long , Chen Wei-Zhong , Wang Xin-Wei , Jiang Hai-Bo 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPhosphorus concentration on the surface of seawater varies greatly with different environments, especially in coastal. The molecular mechanism by which cyanobacteria adapt to fluctuating phosphorus bioavailability is still unclear. In this study, transcriptomes and gene knockouts were used to investigate the adaptive molecular mechanism of a model coastal cyanobacterium Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 during periods of phosphorus starvation and phosphorus recovery (adding sufficient phosphorus after phosphorus starvation). The findings indicated that phosphorus deficiency affected the photosynthesis, ribosome synthesis, and bacterial motility pathways, which recommenced after phosphorus was resupplied. Even more, most of the metabolic pathways of cyanobacteria were enhanced after phosphorus recovery compared to the control which was kept in continuous phosphorus replete conditions. Based on transcriptome, 54 genes potentially related to phosphorus-deficiency adaptation were selected and knocked out individually or in combination. It was found that five mutants showed weak growth phenotype under phosphorus deficiency, indicating the importance of the genes (A0076, A0549-50, A1094, A1320, A1895) in the adaptation of phosphorus deficiency. Three mutants were found to grow better than the wild type under phosphorus deficiency, suggesting that the products of these genes (A0079, A0340, A2284–86) might influence the adaptation to phosphorus deficiency. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that cyanobacteria exposed to highly fluctuating phosphorus concentrations have more sophisticated phosphorus acquisition strategies. These results elucidated that Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 have variable phosphorus response mechanisms to adapt to fluctuating phosphorus concentration, providing a novel perspective of how cyanobacteria may respond to the complex and dynamic environments.
Implementation and insights from the MedXMentor structured mentorship program for undergraduate health science students at Mbarara University, Uganda
Authors: Tamale Elvis , Atuhairwe Irene , Ssemwogerere Arnold , Muhimbura Brian , Atimango Lorna , Malinga Paddy Derrick , Mulungi Jonathan , Ssekitto Joseph , Naigaga Josephine , Kintu Timothy Mwanje , Masood Kiran Mitha , Ohuruogu Victor , Ngonzi Joseph 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Background
Mentorship is essential for education and career development in health-related fields, yet Sub-Saharan African universities often lack structured programs. To address this, the MedXMentor program was established at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST) to provide structured mentorship to undergraduate health sciences students in Uganda. This paper outlines insights gained from implementing the MedXMentor hybrid mentorship program.

Methods
Using a mixed-methods approach, the study employed the Kirkpatrick Model of Evaluation to assess mentees’ reactions, learning, behavior, and goal achievement. Data were collected via Google Form surveys, feedback forms, mentoring logs, and session attendance records. Descriptive statistics and thematic analysis provided a comprehensive understanding of the program’s impact.

Results
The program served 80 mentees, with 48 participating in one-on-one mentorship and 32 in group sessions. It enlisted 24 mentors, mainly from the medical field. Between April and September 2022, eight online group sessions were held, with an average attendance rate of 52%. These sessions focused on project planning, grant writing, and soft skills development, resulting in improved mentee comprehension and skill acquisition. Mentees reported an enhanced understanding of project planning, grant writing, communication, leadership, and teamwork. Their experiences were categorized into four themes: Mentor Engagement, Goal-Oriented Study, Skills and Professional Development, and High-Yield Mentor–Mentee Engagements.

Conclusion and recommendations
Implementing the MedXMentor program proved effective in providing crucial mentorship and equipping students with vital academic and professional skills. The program highlighted its potential to bridge the mentorship gap in low-resource settings. By empowering future healthcare professionals in Africa, MedXMentor exemplifies how mentorship initiatives can drive significant advancements in healthcare education and practice.
Towards more effective summative assessment in OBE: a new framework integrating direct measurements and technology
Authors: Ali Qutaiba I. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper contributes to the ongoing efforts aimed at enhancing Outcome-Based Education (OBE) assessment methodologies by addressing some critical gaps and exploring new solutions. Our work focuses on two main areas: firstly, this study proposes an improved assessment method for OBE. It refines traditional approaches by classifying course materials according to their relevance to learning outcomes, weighting them by importance, connecting these outcomes to student goals and assigning difficulty levels to modules. All modules are directly assessed through a final exam with a consistent rubric, and student success is measured by a holistic score that considers the weighted attainment levels across all learning outcomes and modules. Secondly, this paper provides theoretical guidance for integrating Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain technologies into OBE assessment. It examines the potential impact of these technologies at various assessment stages, laying the groundwork for practical implementation.
Improving CONUS Convective‐Scale Forecasting With Simultaneous Multiscale Data Assimilation
Authors: Wang Yongming , Wang Xuguang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAccurate initialization of CONUS convective‐scale forecasting requires a proper estimate of all resolved scales. This study further develops and examines a simultaneous multiscale data assimilation (MDA) approach in EnVar with modulated cross‐scale and cross‐variable covariances. The method is examined using 10 retrospective cases with the assimilation of both in situ and radar reflectivity observations (hereafter, SimMDA). The necessity of the modulated and therefore weakened cross‐covariances in simultaneous MDA for CONUS convective‐scale forecasting is first demonstrated. The relative benefits of increasing the decomposed‐scale number with increased computational cost in SimMDA are also discussed. The impact of the further developed simultaneous MDA method is revealed by comparing it with a commonly adopted DA approach (Baseline), which separately assimilates in situ and reflectivity observations using individual single‐scale localization. During DA cycling, SimMDA improves analysis accuracy for temperature and reflectivity and reduces biases in all variables compared to Baseline. SimMDA yields significantly better forecasts than Baseline for most lead times. Additional experiments are conducted to attribute such improvements in a case study. Specifically, an experiment the same as Baseline except using simultaneous MDA for reflectivity assimilation enhances cold pools and inflows and thus improves storms by making larger‐scale increments. An experiment the same as Baseline except using simultaneous MDA for in situ assimilation more properly constrains small‐scale covariances, leading to more reasonable correlations along the front and more accurate moisture near the dryline and consequently improved analyses and forecasts. Both effects together largely contribute to the overall improvements of SimMDA compared to Baseline.
Magma Differentiation, Contamination/Mixing and Eruption Modulated by Glacial Load—The Volcanic Complex of The Pleiades, Antarctica
Authors: Agostini Samuele , Leone Noemi , Smellie John L. , Rocchi Sergio 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe Pleiades Volcanic Field is made up of some 20 monogenetic, partly overlapping scoria and spatter cones, erupted in the last 900 ka, cropping out from the ice close to the head of the Mariner Glacier in northern Victoria Land, Antarctica. Erupted products vary from hawaiite to trachyte, defining a complete mild Na‐alkaline differentiation trend. Mafic samples are characterized by multi‐elemental patterns typical of OIB magmas, moderately low 87Sr/86Sr (0.7037) and high 143Nd/144Nd (0.51284), with a clear within‐plate affinity, indicating a subcontinental lithospheric source. With increasing SiO2, 87Sr/86Sr ratios increase up to 0.7052 and 143Nd/144Nd decrease to 0.51277, supporting the hypothesis of open‐system evolution, with significant crustal assimilation during fractional crystallization. The erupted volume of most evolved products (∼7 km3), according to fractionation models, suggests that primitive magmas should have been more than 10 times larger, indicating the occurrence of a large magma plumbing system, unexpected for a volcanic field of monogenetic scoria cones. The occurrence of a complete fractionation trend with large magma chambers and large assimilation rate is unusual, if not unique, among the alkali basaltic volcanic fields and it is matched by a climax of activity during the last glacial maximum (30 ka), as indicated by new 40Ar‐39Ar ages (30 ± 3 ka and 25 ± 2 ka) for samples from the two most prominent edifices. Therefore, we hypothesize a role of a thick ice cap in suppressing eruptions and ultimately leading to prolonged magma residence time in the subsurface, favoring significant fractionation coupled with unusual high rates of crustal assimilation.
The Direct Radiative Effect of CO2 Increase on Summer Precipitation in North America
Authors: Liang Wengui , Zhao Ming , Tan Zhihong , Knutson Thomas , Dong Wenhao , Zhang Bosong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPrecipitation changes in full response to CO2 increase are widely studied but confidence in future projections remains low. Mechanistic understanding of the direct radiative effect of CO2 on precipitation changes, independent from CO2‐induced SST changes, is therefore necessary. Utilizing global atmospheric models, we identify robust summer precipitation decreases across North America in response to direct CO2 forcing. We find that spatial distribution of CO2 forcing at land surface is likely shaped by climatological distribution of water vapor and clouds. This, coupled with local feedback processes, changes in convection, and moisture supply resulting from CO2‐induced circulation changes, could determine North American hydroclimate changes. In central North America, increasing CO2 may decrease summertime precipitation by warming the surface and inducing dry advection into the region to reduce moisture supply. Meanwhile, for the southwest and the east, CO2‐induced shift of subtropical highs generates wet advection, which might mitigate the drying effect from warming.