bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Navigating the Nexus of Bioethics and Geopolitics: Implications for Global Health Security and Scientific Collaboration
Authors: Klimovich-Mickael Alexandra , Sacharczuk Mariusz , Mickael Michel Edwar 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBioethics plays a pivotal role in guiding ethical decision-making within the realm of medical research and healthcare. However, the influence of geopolitics on bioethical considerations, particularly regarding bioweapons research, remains an underexplored area. This study delves into the uncharted territory of how international political interests can intersect with bioethical principles, potentially shaping collaborative efforts and global health policies related to bioweapons research. Through a hypothetical scenario involving a hypothetical pathogen, a collaborative effort between unspecified countries, we examine the implications of such cooperation on global health governance, with a specific focus on bioweapons research. Ethical dilemmas surrounding responsible research, potential risks and benefits, equitable distribution of findings, and biosafety measures are explored. This analysis underscores the importance of transparent and responsible practices in bioweapons research amidst geopolitical tensions. By striking a balance between national interests and international solidarity, we advocate for robust bioethical frameworks to navigate such collaborations for the collective well-being of humanity and to mitigate potential risks associated with bioweapons research.
Entamoeba histolytica in Different Water Sources of Niğde Province of Turkey
Authors: Candan Cemal , Karatepe Mustafa , Karatepe Bilge 
Published: August 2024

Summary
Purpose
This study was carried out to determine the presence of Entamoeba histolytica in water sources of Niğde province in Turkey, between June and November 2021.

Methods
A total of 90 water samples were taken from 15 different water sources (drinking water, well water, spring water, wastewater and dam water) every month and the presence of E. histolytica antigens in the samples was examined by ELISA.

Results
The positivity for E. histolytica was determined in 7 (7.7%) of 90 samples. While no antigens were found in any of the samples in June and September, E. histolytica was positive for three samples (20%) in July, one sample (6.6%) in August and October and two samples in November (13.3%). One of 24 dam samples (4.1%), 1 of 12 wastewater samples (8.3%), 1 of 12 well samples (8.3%), and 4 of 24 fountain samples (16.6%) that examined by ELISA were found positive. On the other hand, none of the examined 18 spring samples were positive. In addition, 4 (8.8%) of 45 samples that examined in summer and 3 (6.6%) of 45 samples that examined in autumn were detected positive by using ELISA. Entamoeba histolytica positivity in samples was statistically insignificant in terms of months, water resources and seasons (P > 0.05).

Conclusion
As a result, the presence of E. histolytica, which is an important public health problem in water sources, was determined for the first time in Niğde province of Türkiye with this study.
Stability of Crystalline Compounds in Slag Systems Mainly Composed of Li2O-SiO2-CaO-MnOx
Authors: Abreu D. A. de , Schnickmann A. , Chakrabarty S. , Fischlschweiger M. J. , Schirmer T. , Fabrichnaya O. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe challenge of obtaining sufficient raw materials is a major concern when it comes to extracting lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries. One way to address this is through pyrometallurgical processing, which leaves undesirable elements such as lithium, aluminum and manganese in the slag. The engineered artificial minerals approach focuses on the effective recovery of critical elements. Different slag systems have been studied in the literature, and understanding the phase relationships in the $$\text {Li}_2{\text {O}}$$

Li
2

O

-$$\text {SiO}_2$$

SiO
2

-CaO-$$\text {MnO}_x$$

MnO
x

system can lead to optimization of the recycling process. In this context, the stability of undesirable silicates can affect the maximum separation of Li from the slag. In order to contribute to the development of the Li recycling process, the stability of crystalline compounds was experimentally investigated in the present work for different slag compositions. The melted and solidified microstructures were characterized by SEM/EDX, EPMA, and XRD. Phase diagram data of binary and ternary systems were used to describe the solidification paths. As a result of solidification, crystals of $$\text {Li}_{2}\text {SiO}_{3}$$

Li
2

SiO
3

and $$\text {LiMnO}_2$$

LiMnO
2

were observed in a matrix consisting of $$\text {Ca}_{3}\text {Si}_{2}\hbox {O}_{7}$$

Ca
3

Si
2

O
7

and $$\text {CaSiO}_{3}$$

CaSiO
3

.
Relating Urban Land Surface Temperature to Vegetation Leafing using Thermal Imagery and Vegetation Indices
Authors: Munyati C. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractDetecting the influence of temperature on urban vegetation is useful for planning urban biodiversity conservation efforts, since temperature affects several ecosystem processes. In this study, the relationships between land surface temperature (LST) and vegetation phenology events (start of growing season, SOS; end of growing season, EOS; peak phenology) was examined in native savannah woodland and grass parcels of a hot climate town. For comparison, similar woodland and grass parcels on the town’s periphery, and a wetland, were used. The vegetation parcel LST values (°C) in one calendar year (2023) were obtained from Landsat-8 (L8) and Landsat-9 (L9) thermal imagery, whose combination yielded an 8-day image frequency. Phenology changes relative to seasonal air temperature and LST were determined using vegetation index (VI) values computed from accompanying 30 m resolution L8-L9 non-thermal bands: the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and one improved VI, the Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI). Higher imaging frequency, 250 m resolution NDVI and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) MOD13Q1 layers supplemented the L8-L9 VIs. LST correlated highly with air temperature (p < 0.001). On nearly all L8-L9 image dates, the urban vegetation parcel’s mean LST was higher (p < 0.001) than that at its peri-urban equivalent. Improved VIs (SAVI, EVI) detected some phenology events to have occurred slightly earlier than detected by the NDVI. Associated with the higher LST, the SOS was earlier in the urban than in the peri-urban woodland. This association has scarcely been demonstrated in savannah vegetation, necessitating proactive efforts to reduce potential biodiversity effects.
Minimal Networks on Balls and Spheres for Almost Standard Metrics
Authors: Sciaraffia Luciano 
Published: August 2024

AbstractWe study the existence of minimal networks in the unit sphere $${\textbf{S}}^d$$

S

d

and the unit ball $${\textbf{B}}^d$$

B

d

of $${\textbf{R}}^d$$

R

d

endowed with Riemannian metrics close to the standard ones. We employ a finite-dimensional reduction method, modelled on the configuration of $$\theta $$
θ
-networks in $${\textbf{S}}^d$$

S

d

and triods in $${\textbf{B}}^d$$

B

d

, jointly with the Lusternik–Schnirelmann category.
Chemometric analysis using infrared spectroscopy and PCA-LDA for early diagnosis of Fusarium oxysporum in tomato
Authors: García-Barrera Laura J. , Meza-Zamora Stefani A. , Noa-Carrazana Juan C. , Delgado-Macuil Raúl J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe interaction of phytopathogenic organisms and plants generates physiological and biochemical changes in the latter. However, the effects on the plants are rarely visible in the infection first stages. Novel optical techniques can help to improve the early detection of phytopathogenic organisms in tomato without the plant sacrifice. In this work, infrared spectroscopy and chemometric methods were used to determinate the effects of Fusarium oxysporum in tomato plants cultivated in pots, analyzing fully expanded leaves. Fusarium oxysporum was molecular identified and its pathogenicity was tested in vitro. Three plants treatments were evaluated for 55 days post infection in pots in greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions: control, water stress, and fungal inoculated (1 × 108 conidia/mL). Phenotypical results were followed twice a week for eight weeks; the phenotypical characteristics were very similar in almost all sampling times except in height, especially in the first 27 days post infection, after this time the height was similar in the three treatments. The stalk and root-dried matter analysis do not show statistical differences; however, the infrared results, acquired from the adaxial surface of leaves, show differences in peaks associated with salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and proline in the first 27 days post infection. The principal component analysis–linear discriminant analysis were used to distinguish subtle biochemical changes between the three treatments, facilitating the early detection of the pathogen and its monitoring over time.
Flow-Mediated Dilatation: Learning Curve Study with a Novice Operator
Authors: Dhar Arko S. , Fisk Marie , McEniery Carmel M. , Cseh Domonkos 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Performing reproducible flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) measurements can be challenging, especially among inexperienced operators. Our aim was to present the detailed learning curve of a novice operator.

Methods
Following a one-week basic training period, the operator performed duplicate measurements on 6–8 individuals per week, for six weeks. The operator followed the recommendations of the most recent guideline. Duplex ultrasound was used for the simultaneous and continuous measurement of brachial artery diameter and local blood flow velocity. Following a 1-min recording of baseline diameter (D), FMD was measured after a 5-min period of occlusion of the proximal forearm vessels. Inter-session coefficient of variation (CV) values for D and FMD were calculated for each week.

Results
The number of volunteers assessed each week were the following: 8, 7, 7, 6, 7, 7 individuals. CV values for both D and FMD exhibited a decreasing trend over the training period, ending at 1.73% for D and 14.24% for FMD at week 6. These CV values are within the range outlined in the most recent FMD guideline for proficiency.

Conclusion
Within a reasonable timeframe, and with careful adherence to measurement guidelines, the attainment of sound reproducibility in FMD measurements by a novice operator is feasible.
High Campylobacter diversity in retail chicken: epidemiologically important strains may be missed with current sampling methods
Authors: Dziegiel Agata H. , Bloomfield Samuel J. , Savva George M. , Palau Raphaëlle , Janecko Nicol , Wain John , Mather Alison E. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Campylobacter spp. are leading bacterial gastroenteritis pathogens. Infections are largely underreported, and the burden of outbreaks may be underestimated. Current strategies of testing as few as one isolate per sample can affect attribution of cases to epidemiologically important sources with high Campylobacter diversity, such as chicken meat. Multiple culture method combinations were utilized to recover and sequence Campylobacter from 45 retail chicken samples purchased across Norwich, UK, selecting up to 48 isolates per sample. Simulations based on resampling were used to assess the impact of Campylobacter sequence type (ST) diversity on outbreak detection. Campylobacter was recovered from 39 samples (87%), although only one sample was positive through all broth, temperature, and plate combinations. Three species were identified (Campylobacter jejuni, Campylobacter coli, and Campylobacter lari), and 33% of samples contained two species. Positive samples contained 1–8 STs. Simulation revealed that up to 87 isolates per sample would be required to detect 95% of the observed ST diversity, and 26 isolates would be required for the average probability of detecting a random theoretical outbreak ST to reach 95%. An optimized culture approach and selecting multiple isolates per sample are essential for more complete Campylobacter recovery to support outbreak investigation and source attribution.
An urban–rural divide of political discontent in Europe? Conflicting results on satisfaction with democracy
Authors: Vigna Nathalie 
Published: August 2024

AbstractSpatial inequalities within countries have recently been seen as a source of resentment, suggesting a “geography of discontent” in Europe. We examine this hypothesis by analyzing satisfaction with democracy (SWD) in urban and rural areas over the last two decades. Based on data from the European Social Survey (2002–2020) covering 19 countries and corroborated by the International Social Survey Programme and the European Values Survey, we find that urban–rural differences in SWD are statistically significant but very small over the whole period studied – only about 2.5 percentage points between big cities and rural areas. This gap is minimal compared to differences between countries and between socioeconomic groups such as citizenship, employment status, education, social class, or income. These results hold across various political satisfaction measures, such as trust in parliament or politicians. Despite significant cross-country heterogeneity in spatial disparities, they challenge the notion of widespread rural discontent in Europe.
Assessing Immediate and Lasting Impacts of COVID‐19‐Induced Isolation on Green Space Usage Patterns
Authors: Ma Fengdi 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has profoundly influenced urban lifestyles, particularly the utilization of green spaces. While existing studies have primarily focused on the immediate effects of COVID‐19‐induced isolation, less attention has been given to the enduring impacts on green space usage patterns. This study addresses this gap by conducting three comprehensive surveys in Dezhou, China—before, during, and after the first wave of social isolation (December 2019, March 2020, December 2020). These surveys assessed socioeconomic conditions, commuting habits, green space usage habits, and landscape preferences, specifically focusing on usage frequency, duration of stays, and activities undertaken. Using Mann‐Whitney U tests and Spearman's rho correlations, we identified significant long‐term changes, including an increase in the frequency of visits by previously infrequent users, a reduction in visit durations, and a rise in high‐intensity activities. These trends persisted 9 months post‐isolation, highlighting the pandemic's lasting impact on green space usage and its critical role in enhancing public health and pandemic preparedness through thoughtful urban environmental design. This study not only sheds light on behavioral adaptations during a public health crisis but also offers evidence‐based strategies for urban planning to bolster societal resilience in the face of future pandemics.
Frictional Properties of Natural Granite Fault Gouge Under Hydrothermal Conditions: A Case Study of Strike‐Slip Fault From Anninghe Fault Zone, Southeastern Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Lei Huiru , Niemeijer André R. , Zhou Yongsheng , Spiers Christopher J. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe Anninghe Fault (ANHF) is a major left‐lateral strike‐slip fault in southwestern China and one of the main seismogenic fault zones with a history of strong earthquakes. To understand the frictional properties of natural granitic gouges from the principal slip zone, we conducted hydrothermal friction experiments using both saw‐cut and ring shear methods. These experiments were performed at temperatures (T) of 25–600°C, pore pressures (Pf) of zero (dry), 30 and 100 MPa, sliding velocities (V) of 0.01–100 μm/s and effective normal stresses () of 68, 100, and 200 MPa. The (apparent) friction coefficient is low (μ < 0.5) at high T (600°C), high Pf (100 MPa) and low V (<1 μm/s); but high (μ > 0.6) under all other T, Pf and V conditions. Under high Pf, the velocity dependence of friction, (a‐b), displays three regimes with increasing temperature, from positive below ∼100°C to negative at 100–300°C (at V = 1–3 μm/s) or else 100–450°C (at V = 30–100 μm/s), becoming positive again above 300–450°C. At low Pf, the negative (a‐b) expands to the range ∼300–600°C. Microstructural observations and microphysical interpretation imply that the frictional weakening and transitions in (a‐b) are related to competition between dilatant granular flow and deformation of the fine‐grained gouge by intergranular pressure solution accompanied by healing phenomena (leading to cavitation‐creep‐like behavior). Our results provide a possible explanation for the distribution of earthquakes at different depths in the continental crust, in particular for the depth range of the seismogenic zone between 4 and 24 km along the ANHF.
Unraveling the Biogeochemical Drivers of Aragonite Saturation State in Baffin Bay: Insights From the West Greenland Continental Shelf
Authors: Burgers Tonya M. , Azetsu‐Scott Kumiko , Myers Paul G. , Else Brent G. T. , Miller Lisa A. , Rysgaard Søren , Chan Wayne , Tremblay Jean‐Éric , Papakyriakou Tim 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the biogeochemical drivers of aragonite saturation state (ΩAr) in Baffin Bay, with a focus on the relatively undersampled west Greenland shelf. Our findings reveal two main depth‐dependant processes controlling the spatial distribution of ΩAr in Baffin Bay; within the upper 200 m, lower ΩAr coincides with increasing fractions of Arctic‐outflow waters, while below 200 m organic matter respiration decreases ΩAr. A temporal analysis comparing historical measurements from 1997 and 2004 with our 2019 data set reveals a significant decrease in the ΩAr of Arctic‐outflow waters, coinciding with reduced total alkalinity (TA). However, no discernible anthropogenic ocean acidification signal is identified. Significant Arctic water fractions (20%–40%) are found to be present on the west Greenland shelf, associated with reduced TA and ΩAr. A numerical modeling simulation incorporating a passive tracer demonstrates that periodic changes in wind direction lead to a switch from onshore to offshore Ekman transport along the Baffin Island current, transporting Arctic waters toward the west Greenland shelf. This challenges the conventional understanding of Baffin Bay's circulation and underscores the need for further research on the region's physical oceanography. Based on salinity‐TA relationships, surface waters on the west Greenland shelf have a significantly lower meteoric TA end‐member compared to waters of the Baffin Island Current in western Baffin Bay. The low eastern TA freshwater end‐member agrees well with recent glacial meltwater TA measurements, suggesting that glacial meltwater is the main freshwater source to surface waters on the west Greenland shelf.
Pacific‐Arctic Connections: Assessing Flow Through Bering Strait in Context With Dynamic Ocean Topography and Surface Stress
Authors: Margevich Annika , Timmermans Mary‐Louise , Danielson Seth 
Published: August 2024

AbstractBering Strait is the only ocean gateway connecting the Pacific and Arctic oceans. The ∼1 Sv northward flow of Pacific water through the strait to the Arctic Ocean has been increasing by ∼0.01 Sv/yr since 1990. Monthly dynamic ocean topography (DOT), wind, and sea‐ice data at Bering Strait are analyzed in context with the long‐term record of flow through the strait to investigate local drivers. Ocean transport is found to be proportional to the across‐strait slope in DOT, suggesting some component of the flow is in geostrophic balance. Along‐strait ocean surface stresses, which modulate the across‐strait DOT slope via Ekman transport, are analyzed in the presence of a seasonally varying ice cover. It is shown that northward interior ocean flow under sea ice in winter results in southward surface stresses, and westward Ekman transport that slows the geostrophic component of the northward ocean flow. As the number of open water days local to Bering Strait increase each year, we find no trend in the annual mean surface stress, that is, the loss of sea ice is not leading to increased northward wind stress input that would enhance northward ocean flow. This analysis is consistent with the theory that changes in both the atmosphere and ocean non‐local to Bering Strait are likely driving the increased transport from the Pacific into the Arctic via Bering Strait.
A neonatal mouse model of meconium peritonitis generated using human meconium slurry
Authors: Ashina Mariko , Kido Takumi , Shirai Keisuke , Masuda Yu , Imagawa Yukihito , Nakata Yuki , Nozu Kandai , Fujioka Kazumichi 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Meconium peritonitis is a noninfectious chemical peritonitis that occurs following fetal intestinal perforation and leakage of meconium into the abdominal cavity. Because of the lack of appropriate animal models, its pathophysiology has not yet been elucidated. We aimed to create a neonatal mouse model of meconium peritonitis using human meconium slurry (MS).

Methods
A stock MS solution prepared from fresh meconium obtained from healthy term infants was administered intraperitoneally to 4-d-old newborn mice. An MS LD40 was then administered, and changes in body weight, hematology, serum biochemistry, and immunomodulatory gene expression were determined. The MS was subjected to antibiotic treatment and heat inactivation to validate the content. Finally, comparisons with nonsurgical neonatal sepsis mouse models were performed.

Results
Dose-dependent mortality rates were observed, with an LD40 of 200 µL/body weight established. Substantial hematological and hepatorenal abnormalities and increased inflammatory gene expression were observed. Although antibiotic treatment was ineffective, the survival rate was improved by enzymatic inactivation of MS. Importantly, the systemic responses to MS were distinct from those observed in neonatal sepsis model mice.

Conclusion
The MS model closely reflects the pathology of human neonatal meconium peritonitis and maybe useful in research elucidating the pathophysiology of this condition.

Impact

In this study, we generated a neonatal mouse model of meconium peritonitis through intraperitoneal administration of human meconium slurry.

We clarified that the pathogenic agent in meconium slurry is mainly a digestive enzyme, and that the systemic responses elicited by meconium slurry were distinct from those in a neonatal sepsis mouse model.

As our mouse model is simple and highly reproducible, it is useful for elucidating the pathophysiology of meconium peritonitis.