bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urban oasis? Abundant dice snake (Natrix tessellata) populations along artificial lakeside habitats in urban landscapes
Authors: Mészáros Boglárka , Bürgés József , Tamás Mónika , Gál Blanka , Schmera Dénes , Hamer Andrew J. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Context
Human-induced landscape modification, such as urbanization, creates new environments that can have adverse effects on flora and fauna, posing threats to biodiversity. Understanding how reptiles respond to urbanization is crucial, especially in light of their ongoing population declines.

Objectives
We examined the influence of landscape-scale and local-scale urbanization features on the abundance of an aquatic snake species. Our investigation focused on dice snakes (Natrix tessellata) inhabiting a lake with a heavily urbanized shoreline.

Methods
We conducted visual encounter surveys at 25 study sites during the activity period of dice snakes around Lake Balaton in Hungary. We measured both landscape-scale and local-scale variables, including urban land use cover, vegetation cover, road cover, distance of main roads and city size, emergent vegetation cover and the area of artificial rock and concrete shoreline protection structures. We analysed snake survey data using N-mixture models to estimate abundance and examine relationships with landscape-scale and local-scale variables.

Results
Urban land use cover, road cover, the proximity of main roads and the extent of artificial rock and concrete shoreline protection structures positively affected the abundance of snakes. These findings imply that urban habitats may offer new ecological opportunities for dice snakes.

Conclusions
The findings of this study indicate that both landscape-scale and local-scale human-induced landscape modifications may have a positive impact on the abundance of urban snakes. Taken together, our findings suggest that urbanization is a complex phenomenon, affecting species at different levels and with subtle effects.
Carnap’s Problem, Definability and Compositionality
Authors: del Valle-Inclán Pedro 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn his Formalization of Logic (1943) Carnap pointed out that there are non-normal interpretations of classical logic: non-standard interpretations of the connectives and quantifiers that are consistent with the classical consequence relation of a language. Different ways around the problem have been proposed. In a recent paper, Bonnay and Westerståhl argue that the key to a solution is imposing restrictions on the type of interpretation we take into account. More precisely, they claim that if we restrict attention to interpretations that are (a) compositional, (b) non-trivial and (c) in the case of the quantifiers, invariant under permutations of the domain, Carnap’s Problem is avoided. This paper has two goals. The first is to show that Bonnay and Westerståhl’s solution to Carnap’s Problem doesn’t work. The second is to argue that something similar to their proposal seems to do the job. The problems with Bonnay and Westerståhl’s approach trace back to issues concerning the (un)definability of subsets of the domain of first-order structures, as well as to the compositionality of first-order languages. After expanding on these problems, I’ll propose a way to modify Bonnay and Westerståhl’s account and solve Carnap’s Problem.
Structural Dynamics of Inter-city Innovation Networks in China: A Perspective From TERGM
Authors: Zinilli Antonio , Gao Yujie , Scherngell Thomas 
Published: June 2024

AbstractInnovation networks play a key role in advancing knowledge transfer, collaboration, and technological progress across sectors and regions. Central to the understanding of the mechanisms driving such networks is their dynamic evolution and structure. Much of the literature explores spatial and socio-economic drivers of innovation networks, focusing on geographic, institutional, and cultural influences. However, many of these studies tend to overlook the intricate properties that govern the behavior and dynamics of these networks. This study seeks to address this research gap, delving deeper by investigating Chinese intercity innovation networks between 2007 and 2018. Specifically, we examine: (i) the preferential attachment dynamics within intercity innovation networks, (ii) transitivity effects that underscore the interconnectedness of these networks, and (iii) the persistence and recurrence of connections. We find that cities show indeed a remarkable tendency to form ties with others that already have numerous connections. Such transitivity effects are important in highlighting the formation of innovation clusters. Moreover, the influence of link memory suggests that past collaborations significantly determine future partnerships, similar to the persistent nature of relationships in agglomeration theories.
Examining the developmental trade-off between phonology and morphology in Hebrew reading acquisition
Authors: Yinon Rotem , Shaul Shelley 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe relative importance of phonological versus morphological processes in reading varies depending on the writing system's orthographic consistency and morphological complexity. This study investigated the interplay between phonology and morphology in Hebrew reading acquisition, a language offering a unique opportunity for such examination with its rich, complex Semitic morphological system and dual writing versions differing in orthographic consistency—transparent-pointed and deep-unpointed versions. Ninety-eight second graders and 81 fourth graders participated in pseudoword-reading tasks designed to distinguish between the different processes: pointed morphologically based pseudowords (pointed MPW), reflecting phonological and morphological processing; unpointed morphologically based pseudowords (unpointed MPW), reflecting only morphological processing; and pointed non-words (pointed NW), with no internal morphological structure, reflecting only phonological processing. Real pointed-word reading accuracy and fluency were also assessed. Results showed the highest accuracy in reading unpointed MPW, with a similar accuracy level observed between unpointed MPW and pointed MPW in second grade, while a significant difference emerged in fourth grade. An age-by-processing type interaction revealed decreasing accuracy in pointed MPW and increasing accuracy in unpointed MPW with age. Additionally, morphological processing significantly enhanced the accuracy and fluency of reading pointed words beyond phonological processing, despite the comprehensive phonological information provided by the transparent, pointed script. These findings suggest that the contribution of morphology exceeds that of phonology as early as second grade, with this trend strengthening through fourth grade, emphasizing children's early prioritization of morphological transparency over orthographic consistency in learning to read Hebrew Semitic orthography.
Epidemiology of marine turtle fibropapillomatosis and tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) in North-Western Mexico: a scoping review implementing the one health approach
Authors: Espinoza Joelly , Alfaro-Núñez Alonzo , Cedillo-Peláez Carlos , Fernández-Sanz Helena , Mancini Agnese , Zavala-Norzagaray Alan A. , Ley-Quiñonez Cesar Paul , López Erika Santacruz , Garcia-Bereguiain Miguel Angel , Alonso Aguirre A. , Reséndiz Eduardo 
Published: June 2024

AbstractFibropapillomatosis (FP) - tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5; Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) - is a disease that affect marine turtles around the world, and characterized by the formation of cutaneous tumours that can appear anywhere on the body. We carried out a thorough literature search (from 1990 to 2024) in the feeding sites of North-western Mexico, a region that hosts important habitats for feeding, development, and reproduction for five of the seven existing sea turtle species. We found 18 reports recording a total of 32 cases of FP and/or ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 in coastal and insular areas of North-western Mexico. Baja California Sur resulted with the highest number of cases (75%). While the first case of ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 infection was reported in 2004, the presence of FP tumours was reported in 2014 and became more frequent between 2019 and 2024. The affected species were black, Chelonia mydas (50%), olive ridley, Lepidochelys olivacea (46.8%) and loggerhead turtles, Caretta caretta (3.2%). Tumours occurred mainly in anterior flippers (46.1%) and neck (22.5%), and most had a nodular and verrucous appearance with a rough surface. In the study region, there is a potential sign of the emergence of the ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 infections and FP disease during the last 20 years, with a rapid increase during the last 10 years. As long as infections by ChHV5/Scutavirus chelonidalpha5 and the prevalence of the FP disease may be potentially influenced by anthropogenic activities, a One Health approach is needed to understand and improve sea turtles’ health.
Extracellular phospholipase production by Malassezia pachydermatis strains and its inhibition by selected antimycotics and plant essential oil components
Authors: Čonková Eva , Váczi Peter , Malinovská Zuzana 
Published: June 2024

AbstractExtracellular phospholipase (EPL) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of the yeast Malassezia pachydermatis. Currently, the attention of researchers is focused on studying the virulence factors involved in this process and searching solutions to reduce their activity. One of the options is the use of natural remedies as anti-virulence agents. This study is aimed at investigating the production of extracellular phospholipase in M. pachydermatis strains (18 samples) and followed by the time-dependent inhibitory effect of selected azole antifungals (itraconazole, posaconazole and voriconazole) and plant essential oil components (terpinen-4-ol, thymol, carvacrol, eugenol and geraniol), evaluated by Egg Yolk Agar plate method. Almost all strains (17 isolates, (94.4%) were found to be intense EPL producers. A significant, time-dependent inhibition of EPL was noted after 1-, 3- and 6-h exposure of Malassezia cells to itraconazole (26.4%, 47.2% and 50.9%, respectively) compared to exposure to posaconazole (26.4%, 28.3% and 28.3%, respectively) and voriconazole (18.8%, 20.8% and 35.8%, respectively). After one-hour exposure to plant essential oil components, the best inhibitory effect was recorded for eugenol (62.3%), followed by terpinen-4-ol and thymol (56.6%), geraniol (41.5%) and carvacrol (26.4%). A 3-h exposure revealed that thymol retained the best inhibitory effect (88.7%) on EPL production, followed by carvacrol (73.6%), eugenol (56.6%), terpinen-4-ol (52.8%) and geraniol (49.1%). After 6-h exposure, no growth of M. pachydermatis strains exposed to carvacrol was observed, and the inhibitory efficiency for the other tested essential oil (EO) components achieved 88.7%. The obtained results indicate the promising efficacy of plant essential oils components in the inhibition of virulence factors such as EPL production.
Effects of endurance training on thyroid response in pre- and postmenopausal women
Authors: Hanke L. , Hofmann K. , Krüger A. L. , Hoewekamp L. , Wellberich J. M. , Koper B. , Diel P. 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Age-related changes in thyroid function are well-investigated. Likewise, influences of physical activity on the thyroid gland could be determined. Studies that investigated the influence of (endurance) training on thyroid function in postmenopausal women do not exist. Therefore, the aim of this study is to investigate age-related changes in thyroid function during acute endurance training and through an exercise intervention in postmenopausal women and to identify differences to premenopausal women.

Methods
12 pre- and 12 postmenopausal women were included. In all subjects, height, weight, and body composition were assessed. TSH, fT4, and fT3 were assessed at 9:00 am and 9:40 am at rest and after an acute endurance exercise. Subsequently the postmenopausal women conducted a six-week walking intervention and repeated the tests.

Results
Weight, BMI, and muscle mass were significantly lower and fat mass significantly higher in postmenopausal women (p < 0.05). Fat mass decreased and muscle mass increased (p < 0.05) in postmenopausal women after intervention. An elevated TSH response was found significantly in premenopausal women (p = 0.028) and non-significantly in postmenopausal women (p = 0.135) after acute exercise. There were no changes in fT3 and fT4 in both groups. After intervention, postmenopausal women showed a significant reduction in fT3 response (p =0.015) and a non-significant reduction of TSH response (p = 0.432).

Conclusion
This study provides evidence that both pre- and postmenopausal women respond with thyroid stimulation to acute endurance training. Furthermore, this study provides preliminary evidence that an endurance training intervention can reduce thyroid response after acute endurance exercise in postmenopausal women.
Unexpected change in hydrogel spacer volume during external-beam radiation therapy
Authors: Ishibashi Naoya , Hata Masaharu , Fujikawa Atsushi , Mochizuki Takao , Maebayashi Toshiya , Okada Masahiro 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To reduce the rectal radiation dose during local radiation therapy of prostate cancer, a hydrogel spacer is typically implanted between the prostate and rectum. However, the spacer volume can change during external beam radiation therapy (EBRT). Therefore, we used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine changes in the spacer volume during EBRT and analyzed the data to identify patient factors influencing this change.

Materials and methods
A hydrogel spacer was implanted in each enrolled patient diagnosed with prostate cancer (n = 22, age = 69–86 years) for EBRT with a total dose of 70 Gy over 35 fractions. T2-weighted MRI images were acquired before (median = 8 days) and during EBRT, when the radiation dose of 48 Gy (median) was given at 55 days (median) after implantation. MRI images were used to determine the spacer volume as well as the maximum and minimum distances between the prostate and anterior wall of the rectum at the middle height of the prostate. Scatterplots were created to determine whether correlations existed between changes in the spacer volume and these two distances, while uni- and multivariate analyses were conducted to determine if the spacer volume change was influenced by the following patient factors: age, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and visceral fat areas at the umbilical and femoral head positions.

Results
The spacer volume increased in all 22 patients, with the smaller spacer volume before EBRT increasing by a larger amount during EBRT. This increase in the spacer volume was unaffected by other patient factors. However, it correlated with the change in the maximum distance between the prostate and anterior wall of the rectum.

Conclusion
To avoid adverse changes in the rectal radiation dose during EBRT, hydrogel spacer volume should be monitored, especially if the pre-EBRT volume is small.
Backbone and methyl side-chain resonance assignments of the Fab fragment of adalimumab
Authors: Sarker Muzaddid , Aubin Yves 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAdalimumab is a therapeutic monoclonal antibody developed to target human TNF an important mediator of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, amongst others. The 48 kDa Fab fragment of adalimumab was produced in Escherichia coli using a single chain approach to allow complete isotopic incorporation of deuterium, carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 along with the protonated isoleucine-d, valine and leucine methyl groups. Here we report the near complete resonance assignment of the polypeptide backbone and the methyl groups of isoleucine, leucine and valine residues.
Contextual similarities in psychological flexibility: the Brazil-Portugal transcultural adaptation of Psy-Flex
Authors: Neto David D. , Mouadeb Daniella , Lemos Nanci , da Silva Ana Nunes , Gloster Andrew T. , Perez William F. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPsychological Flexibility is an essential concept in Contextual Behavioural Sciences. The development of instruments is vital for its study, and it is an opportunity to reflect on this concept. Among the measures of this construct, Psy-Flex shows promise due to comprehensiveness in assessing the six facets of psychological flexibility and its pragmatic value. In the present study, we sought to translate Psy-Flex to Portuguese and adapt it transculturally for use in Portugal and Brazil. The translation was done independently by Brazilian and Portuguese researchers, and a consensus procedure was done to identify a synthesis. A total of 873 adults from Portugal and Brazil were involved in this study. The participants completed several questionnaires with ACT-related measures (e.g., cognitive fusion, mindful attention) and instruments measuring conceptually related variables (e.g., positive mental health). The results show good psychometric properties of PsyFlex. The one-factor structure of the original instrument was confirmed in both the Portuguese and Brazilian samples. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a good fit of the model to the data (CFI = 0.985, RMSEA = 0.055) of both countries. Furthermore, the Psy-Flex showed convergent validity with related measures in a conceptually expected way. As a transcultural instrument, we argue that both the similarities and differences across samples suggest the broad human nature of psychological flexibility while retaining its context sensitivity.
Effect of purpose-based career coaching on career decision-making
Authors: Otu Mkpoikanke Sunday 
Published: June 2024

AbstractTo enhance coaching experiences in career development, diverse approaches must be developed and tested. This study’s objective was to determine the effectiveness of a purpose-based career coaching framework on career decision-making difficulties. In this study, randomized experimental conditions and interviews were combined. A theoretical sampling procedure was used for a period of two years to generate samples for the study. A total of 187 youths were recruited, but 78 did not meet the study criteria, while 29 declined to take part. A sample of 80 youths met the study criteria and completed all phases of the study. Twelve one-to-one sessions, aligning with the Pb-CC framework, covered core techniques such as reimagining, spiritualizing, self-discovery, career exploration, identifying, and matching. Qualitative data was collected using a researcher-developed interview protocol, consisting of three open-ended questions such as: “How would you describe the meaning or purpose of your life?; What is the category of career that relates to your purpose?; and What do you believe about purpose and career?” In addition, Career Decision-Making Scale (CDDS) was used to collect data. Quantitative data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance, while qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis, which includes the organization of data, the identification and development of themes, the saturation of themes, and the presentation of themes. At the end of the intervention, participants successfully identified their purpose and skillfully matched it with suitable careers. The effect of purpose-based career coaching has been found to be significant on career decision making. These findings bear practical significance for career counselling, policy implementation, industrialization, research and career development.
Verständnis der mikrobiellen Interaktionen beim Abbau von Polysacchariden
Authors: D’Souza Glen 
Published: June 2024

AbstractPolysaccharides are the dominant stocks of bioavailable carbon on the planet. While much progress has been made in understanding the enzymatic mechanisms of polysaccharide breakdown by microbes, the role of cell-cell interactions in enabling microbes to breakdown complex polysaccharides is less understood. Leveraging microfluidics coupled to automated microscopy allows an understanding the role of cell-cell interactions in polysaccharide degradation by microbes.
Provenance analysis of red sandstone ground stone tools from the tell site of Hódmezővásárhely-Gorzsa (SE Hungary)
Authors: Miklós Dóra Georgina , Józsa Sándor , Kasztovszky Zsolt , Harsányi Ildikó , Gméling Katalin , Kovács Zoltán , Starnini Elisabetta , Horváth Ferenc , Szakmány György 
Published: June 2024

AbstractHódmezővásárhely–Gorzsa is a multi-period tell settlement in South Hungary in the centre of the Great Hungarian Plain, about 15 km southwest of the city of Hódmezővásárhely. The thickest section of the settlement belongs to the Late Neolithic Tisza Culture period. In total, 1061 macrolithic artefacts were unearthed, a quarter of which was polished, and three quarter of which were ground stone tools. Half of the ground stones were made of different types of sandstone, including (1) red-, (2) grey micaceous-, (3) calcareous-, (4) white meta sandstones, and (5) other sandstones and metasandstones were identified. The red sandstones are further categorised into four subgroups based on optical microscopy. This examination is the first systematic multi-analytical investigation (i.e. optical microscopy, whole-rock geochemistry and mineral chemistry), carried out on these ground stone tool types. The goal is to identify and precisely locate the raw material types, in which heavy minerals and the tourmaline mineral chemistry play the key role. To determine the provenance of each of these subgroups, samples were collected from seven geological localities (i.e. primary outcrops and secondary presences, such as river drainages or terraces) for a comparative study. Based on our results, the alluvium of the Maros River can be considered as a possible source for the ‘Red – 3’ type of Gorzsa, while the results for the rest red sandstone types (‘Red – 1’, ‘Red − 2’ and ‘Red – 4’) are inconclusive in terms of provenance.
Differentials, barriers and enablers of death registration in Nepal: evidence from the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) survey
Authors: Pandey Surender Prasad , Chowdhury Hafizur Rahman , Adair Tim 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDeath registration in Nepal is incomplete, which limits its utility as a routine source of mortality data to inform policy development. This study uses data from the Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Survey 2015/16 in Nepal conducted among households and CRVS service providers (local registrars) to assess the likelihood of death registration, using logistic regression with covariates of socio-economic, demographic and geographic characteristics. Respondents’ main reasons for registration and non-registration of deaths and ways to improve the CRVS system are also analysed. Death registration (70%) was more likely where the decedent was male (77%) versus female (60%), older aged (45 years and above 70%) versus young aged (0–14 years 26%) or died of injuries (more than 70%) compared with maternal causes (12%), where the household head’s education was higher and where the household haf more communication facilities. There were also large differences death registration by province and for certain ethnic groups. The main reasons for death registration were to transfer property entitlements, access social security or for other legal processes (a combined 85% of registered deaths). The major reason for non-registration of deaths according to most households (72%) and service providers (70%) was that it was not necessary. Both households and service providers stated that registration would be made more convenient by arranging mobile teams for registration, allowing registration at place of occurrence, and promoting online registration. The barriers and enablers identified in this study are valuable evidence to inform CRVS strengthening efforts in Nepal and other countries facing a similar challenge of incomplete death registration.