bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A preliminary floristic checklist of Kazinag national park, Kashmir Himalaya
Authors: Ahmad Riyaz , Islam Tajamul , Khuroo Anzar Ahmad , Bhatnagar Yash Veer , Rawat Gopal S. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Protected areas play an important role in the conservation of biodiversity and provide life supporting ecosystem services to sustain the human wellbeing and their livelihood. In the present study, we provide a preliminary floristic checklist of Kazinag national park, located in the Kashmir Himalaya. The checklist includes 186 taxa (182 species, 2 subspecies, and 2 varieties) belonging to 147 genera in 55 families. The angiosperms were represented by 181 taxa (97.31%) belonging to 142 genera in 71 families, while gymnosperms are represented by 5 species (2.69%) belonging to 5 genera in 2 families. Asteraceae was the dominant family with 24 species, followed by Ranunculaceae and Rosaceae with 14 and 13 species respectively. Likewise, Astragalus followed by Erigeron and Impatiens were the dominant genera with 3 species each. The herbs were dominant (147 species, 79.03%), followed by shrubs (19, 10.22%) and trees (14, 7.53%). Lifespan wise, perennials were dominant (164 species, 88.17%), followed by annuals (21, 11.29%) and biennials (1, 0.54%). The hemicryptophytes were dominanat (110 species, 59.14%), followed by phanerophytes (36, 19.35%) and therophytes (22, 11.83%). This is the first comprehensive floristic checklist with assessment of their life-history traits from this Himalayan protected area, and the information can be used in conservation strategies for flora and management decisions about this national park and other protected areas in the region.
Simulated nitrogen deposition altered the differences in leaf traits among seasons and plant types along the vertical gradient in an evergreen broadleaf forest of western China
Authors: Chang Wenzheng , Liu Sining , Zhang Luyao , Song Qiu , Liang Tianxing , Chen Jie , Wang Zimeng , Xia Yingying , Qubi Niangniang , Zheng Xiaoying , Xiao Yuxi , Wang Lixia , Li Han , Zhang Li , You Chengming , Xu Hongwei , Xu Lin , Tan Bo , Xu Zhenfeng 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background and Aims Previous studies have focused on differences in leaf functional traits (LFTs) in response to N addition under spatiotemporal or species classification variations. However, in N-rich forest ecosystems, it is unknown whether continuous N input regulates plant phenology, further strengthening or weakening these differences. Methods We examined how N addition at 0, 20 (LN), and 40 kg N hm–2 a–1 (HN) affected the variations in LFTs (and trait-trait covariations) among seasons (April and August) and plant types in an N-rich evergreen broadleaf forest in western China. Results Along the vertical vegetation gradient (from trees to shrubs to herbs), the seasonal variation in LFTs diminished. Most plants had higher C and P contents in August than in April. The HN treatment reduced the seasonal variation in C content of trees and herbs, while it accentuated that of shrubs. Additionally, HN significantly decreased the differences in C and P between trees and both shrubs and herbs, while enhancing the differences in leaf N between shrubs and herbs in August. However, N addition did not significantly affect leaf pH, dry matter content, or specific leaf area. Only the N–P scaling in covariations decreased with increasing N addition. Conclusion High N input may aggravate this area to move towards N saturation and P limitation. The heterogeneous response among plants with different ecological adaptation strategies to N additions regulating the differences in LFTs on seasonal dynamics as well as plant types, and could have important implications for plant–soil feedback mechanisms concerning nutrient limitation.
G-FORT: A Graph Neural Network Based Object Trajectory Tracking Method for Table Tennis
Authors: Zou Tianjian , Wei Jiangning , Yu Bo , Qiu Xinzhu , Zhang Hao , Du Xu , Liu Jun 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The key object tracking in sports video scenarios poses a pivotal challenge in the analysis of sports techniques and tactics. In table tennis, due to the small size and rapid motion of the ball, identifying and tracking the table tennis ball through video is a particularly arduous task, where the majority of existing detection and tracking algorithms struggle to meet the practical application requirements in real-world scenarios. To address this issue, this paper proposes a combined technical approach integrating detection and discrimination, tailored to the unique motion characteristics of table tennis. For the detector, we utilize and refine a common video differential detector. As for the discriminator, we introduce GMP (a Graph Max-message Pass Neural Network), which is designed specifically for tracking table tennis balls or similar objects. Furthermore, we enhance an existing dataset for table tennis tracking problems by enriching its scenarios. The results demonstrate that our proposed technical solution performs impressively on both the dataset and the intended real-world environments, showcasing the good scalability of our algorithms and models as well as their potential for application in other scenarios.
A Macroscopic Traffic Model based on Pavement Condition Index
Authors: Haq Shan Ul , Khan Zawar Hussian , Khan Inamullah , Khattak Khurram Shahzad , Shahzada Khan , Ali Mujahid , Arunachalam Krishna Prakash , Flores Erick I Saavedra , Avudaiappan Siva 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The prevalence of poor road conditions makes urban traffic gridlock, leading to increased travel time and disruptions in urban mobility in developing countries. In this research the Payne-Whitham (PW) model which is second-order macroscopic traffic flow model was modified by replacing the speed constant (\(\:{C}_{^\circ\:}\)) with a novel parameter, the Pavement Condition Index (PCI) and its derivative with respect to PCI. By integrating PCI, drivers' responses are adjusted based on the road condition, potentially addressing drawbacks related to the lack of physical interpretation of (\(\:{C}_{^\circ\:}\)), and parameter sensitivity. The performance of the PW and Proposed model is simulated in MATLAB, over 3500m circular road, considering the PCI. The results shows that the proposed model provides realistic representation of traffic flow behavior, where density and speed sharp change patterns smoothen and exhibit inverse relationships as expected.
“Sometimes you have knowledge but lack the equipment to save a life”: Perspectives on health system barriers to post-abortion care in Liberia and Sierra Leone
Authors: OBURE Vallery Auma , Juma Kenneth , ATHERO Sherine , DONZO Vekeh , Conteh-KHALI Neneh , OUEDRAOGO Ramatou , USHIE Boniface Ayanbekongshie 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
Post-abortion care is a lifesaving intervention to address abortion-related complications. Yet, several women who experience abortion-related complications face difficulties accessing quality and comprehensive Post-abortion care within health facilities. Research on barriers to post-abortion care from multiple perspectives is critical to inform specific programmatic improvements to enhance access to quality Post-abortion care services.
Objectives
This study explored stakeholder perspectives on the barriers to accessing quality post-abortion care in health facilities in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Methods
This was a cross-sectional qualitative study targeting both post-abortion care health providers in selected health facilities and stakeholders in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Data collection included in-depth interviews conducted with health providers and policy actors (representatives from religious institutions, ministries of health, civil society organizations, and non-government organizations) working on sexual and reproductive health issues in the two countries. Data were coded using Dedoose analytic software and analyzed using a thematic approach.
Findings:
Stakeholders in Sierra Leone and Liberia had varying viewpoints of what constitutes quality post-abortion care, reflecting on their practices and behavior around the service. Our analysis showed several weaknesses and gaps in the capacity of health facilities to deliver post-abortion care. Lack of trained providers was more pronounced in Sierra Leone than Liberia. In both countries, the absence of and faulty post-abortion care equipment, inadequate supplies, and infrastructure-related challenges were commonplace. For instance, the lack of rooms with audio-visual privacy during post-abortion care services curtailed quality services and impaired confidentiality. Inadequate dissemination of post-abortion care guidelines implied that providers had no or limited knowledge of the law, and best practices, leading to delays, denial of post-abortion care, overcharging fees, and stigmatization of some patients.
Conclusion
Despite the existing policies and interventions on post-abortion, many health facilities in Liberia and Sierra Leone still lack essential post-abortion care equipment and supplies, and trained providers. There is a need to recruit and train willing providers, along with a clear referral system. Further, sensitizing health providers, stakeholders, and communities on abortion-related policies, guidelines, and value clarification could help improve post-abortion care service provision and uptake.
Turkronicles: Diachronic Resources for the Fast Evolving Turkish Language
Authors: YAZAR Umur Togay , Kutlu Mucahid , Bayırlı İsa Kerem 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Over the past century, the Turkish language has undergone substantial changes, mainly driven by governmental interventions. The relatively rapid linguistic evolution of the Turk-ish language complicates the processing of historical Turkish documents. In this work, we introduce Turkronicles, which is a diachronic corpus for Turkish derived from the OfficialGazette of Türkiye and the records of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye, spanning the period from 1920 to 2022. Turkronicles contains 45K documents and 842M tokens, making it an important resource for analyzing the linguistic evolution of Turkish and developing models to process historical Turkish documents. In addition, we develop a library to conduct linguistic analysis on diachronic corpora easily. Furthermore, we explore how the Turkish vocabulary and the writing conventions have changed since 1920 using our corpus. Our analysis reveals that the vocabulary has changed significantly and multiple spellings exist for several words. Specifically, we show that vocabulary divergence increases over time, as expected. Approximately 65% of the words used in the 1920s were no longer in use between 2010 and 2019. Despite the substantial vocabulary changes, we demonstrate that it is possible to identify old Turkish words that have the same meanings with newly coined ones using word embeddings. Regarding writing conventions, we found a noticeable decrease in the use of circumflex. In addition, words ending with the letters ’-b’ and ’-d’ have been largely replaced by their counterparts ending with ’-p’ and ’-t’, respectively, although the former are still in use. Overall, our study quantitatively highlights the dramatic changes in Turkish from various linguistic aspects
Simulation of carbon monoxide dispersion released from a fleet in urban environment
Authors: Souza Délio B. , Barrozo Marcos A.S. , Lopes Luís C.O. , Murata Valéria V. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

The utilization of mathematical models for predicting the concentration of toxic gases and particulate matter plays a crucial role in formulating public health policies that consider the numerous factors influencing their dispersion levels. In this study, we apply applies phenomenological mathematical models grounded in the conservative equations, coupled with turbulence κ – ε model, to simulate carbon monoxide (CO) dispersion emitted by vehicles in an urban environment located in Uberlandia – Minas Gerais, Brazil. Our analysis encompasses factors such as traffic signal downtimes, vehicle types and fleet ages, and the region's specific climatic conditions. These simulations were conducted using OpenFOAM® in an urban setting, allowing us to effectively address atmospheric stratification, mitigation, and heat exchange phenomena. Consequently, our findings can contribute to a better understanding of the complexities associated with urban air quality and aids in the development of strategies to mitigate the health risks associated with vehicular emissions.
WITHDRAWN: In vivo Investigation of The Antidiabetic potential of Manilkara hexandra leaves and fruits extracts against streptozotocin-induced hyperglycaemia in rats
Authors: Alanazi Samyah , Baky Mostafa H. , Kamal Amel M. , Elgindi Mohamed R. , Haggag Eman G. , Ali Mamdouh M. , Barghash Mohamed F. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus has been one of the most crippling diseases with huge social, health, and economic consequences. Manilkara hexandra (Roxb.) Dubard is a small to medium sized evergreen edible fruit-producing tree belonging to the family Sapotaceae and cultivated in Egypt. The main goal of the current study is to evaluate the effect of oral administration of M. hexandra different extracts including fruit methanolic soluble portion, leaf methanolic soluble portion, fruit aqueous methanolic extract, and leaf aqueous methanolic extract for 30 days at a dose of 1/10 of their LD50 (2 g/kg b.w) on streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Glucose and insulin were assayed in blood while reduced glutathione (GSH), nitric oxide (NO), lipid peroxidation (TBARS), and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activity were measured in pancreatic tissues. Phytochemical investigation of M. hexandra leaf and fruit revealed the purification of five compounds among which three compounds were isolated from the leaf and identified as β-sitosterol, β-amyrin, and 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosy-protobassic acid, respectively. Moreover, two flavonoids were identified in M. hexandra fruit viz. quercetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside and myricetin 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranoside. The results obtained from this study revealed that streptozotocin administration resulted in significant elevation in the level of both lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide with depletion in the level of reduced glutathione as compared with control accompanied with hyperglycemia, hypo-insulinemia and low insulin sensitivity. Moreover, the activity of pancreatic TrxR was lower than the control group. Oral administration of the diabetic rats with the extracts normalizes the previous biochemical parameters reaching near the normal level. M. hexandra fruit and leaf aqueous methanolic extract and methanolic soluble portion exhibited significant antidiabetic activity and corrected the insulin level and sensitivity in experimentally induced diabetic rats.
Associations between phthalate metabolites and two novel systemic inflammatory indexes: A cross-sectional analysis of NHANES data
Authors: Cheng Fangyu , Li Yueyuan , Deng Kai , Zhang Xinyu , Sun Wenxue , Yang Xin , Zhang Xiaofang , Wang Chunping 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Background
The potential risky effects of phthalate metabolites on inflammation and immune function have attracted much attention in recent years. However, direct studies on the relationship between these metabolites and the systemic immune inflammatory index (SII) and systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) are limited.
Methods
This cross-sectional study used Generalized linear regression models (GLM), Restricted cubic splines (RCS), Weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel-machine regression (BKMR) to analyze data from 3,325 U.S. adults aged between 20 and 80 years, obtained from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2013 and 2018. The study aimed to investigate the relationship between urine samples of nine phthalate metabolites and levels of SII and SIRI in a single, nonlinear, and mixed relationship, and explored the robustness of the findings under single and mixed effects using two sensitivity analyses for completeness. Furthermore, sex-specific differences in outcomes were explored by conducting stratified analyses to identify potentially significant subgroups.
Results
In single exposure analyses, MnBP, MEP, MBzP, and MEOHP were positively associated with SII and SIRI, and the associations were more pronounced in the female population. Except for MnBP, MBzP, and MiBP, the dose-exposure relationships between the other four phthalate metabolites and the two inflammatory indices were linear. The findings from the two mixed exposure models demonstrated a positive association between the collective concentrations of phthalate metabolites and levels of SII and SIRI. Additionally, an interplay was observed between the phthalate metabolites MBzP and MEHHP, with MBzP being identified as a significant contributor to the urinary levels of phthalate metabolites. The results of the two sensitivity analyses were in general agreement with the above findings.
Conclusion
Positive correlations were identified between phthalate metabolites and systemic inflammatory indexes SII and SIRI. Additionally, among the metabolites, MBzP was determined to have the most significant impact.
Early decomposition rate and stabilization factors are influenced by precipitation, but not by the individual tree selection method in western deciduous Patagonian forests
Authors: Soto Daniel P. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Litter decomposition is a key process in forest ecosystems because it influences the balance of primary production and respiration. However, the interaction between sites and forest management still needs empirical quantification and understanding. Here, I aimed to study the effects of distinct precipitation sites and low-severity management conducted 5 years ago within pure Nothofagus pumilio (Lenga) old-growth forests in western Patagonia. The well-established and standardized Tea Bag Index (TBI) was used to obtain the decomposition rate (kTBI) and stabilization factor (STBI) among sites and management treatments. Three randomized blocks were displayed in three precipitation sites (dry, mesic, and wet), where each block contained three plots with different management intensity (heavy: 35m2/ha of residual basal area, light: 45m2/ha of residual basal area, and control: without intervention ~ 60m2/ha of basal area) conducted through the individual-tree selection method. At each plot, six incubation spots with pairs of green (labile) and rooibos (recalcitrant) tea bags were buried in the center of the plot following the TBI protocol. In the center of each plot a microclimate data logger was installed, and on each incubation spot a hemispherical photograph was taken to estimate total transmitted radiation. Two-way ANOVA was used to evaluate the effects of precipitation sites, management treatments, and their interaction on decomposition rate kTBI and stabilization factor STBI (TBI proxies). Moreover, the generalized linear model (GLM) was used to establish the causal relationship for the TBI proxies using the mean transmitted radiation, mean soil temperature, mean soil water content, and their interaction mediated by precipitation sites as an indicator variable. The results highlight that the precipitation site was the significant variable to predict both TBI proxies. Management treatments, and their interaction with precipitation sites were not significant. Moreover, I found that the precipitation site was the best supported model for each TBI proxy, and non-effects of microclimate variables were revealed by the selection model approach. I discuss that precipitation acts as a main driver of the decomposition process in these cold temperate forests, and the low-severity management approach did not affect the microclimate, thereby the kTBI and STBI. Therefore, these results show that this management alternative mimics the natural process and could be seen as a plausible and sustainable management option for the western Patagonian deciduous forest ecosystems.
Axial Cyclic Earthquake Loading Protocol for Idealized RC Wall Boundary Zones
Authors: Gokhale Rohit Ajit , Dhakal Rajesh P. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Seismic performance of a flexurally-dominated reinforced concrete wall is dependent on the response of its end boundary zones. In order to evaluate the performance of structural walls, a common practice adopted in laboratories is to test reinforced concrete columns representing the corresponding wall boundaries under uniaxial cyclic loading. This paper presents a numerical investigation leading to the development of a quasi-static uniaxial cyclic loading protocol based on the inelastic strain demands at the wall boundaries, when the corresponding structural wall is subjected to earthquake ground motions of various characteristics. With an increasing emphasis on performance-based design, the proposed loading protocol is structured around inelastic strain demands generated at the performance-based drift limits of structural walls. Non-linear time history analyses are carried out on a numerical wall model to obtain the average strain histories at the wall boundaries. A statistical evaluation of the number of inelastic cycles and the corresponding strain ranges forms the main basis for deriving the loading protocol. As damage is predominantly caused due to repeated large inelastic strain excursions, the rain flow cycle counting method is utilized for counting and sorting of the inelastic cycles. The proposed uniaxial cyclic strain histories are more representative of the cumulative demands imposed by moderate-to-large magnitude earthquakes, and their application would facilitate a more rational assessment of the seismic performance of flexurally-dominated RC walls than the current approach of testing boundary zones under arbitrarily decided tension-compression cycles.
Isolation, identification, and brewing characteristics analysis of yeast strains from Pyracantha fortuneana fruits fermentation liquid
Authors: Zhu Ling , Yu Jiang-Yan , Xu Qing-Fang , Bai Xu , Gao Xiu , Zhang Li-Fang , Liu Wei-Liang , Wang Hao-Han , Cai Jian 
Published: August 2024

Abstract

Pyracantha fortuneana (P. fortuneana) fruit, as a dual-purpose plant resource, is rich in nutrients; however, studies on the isolation and identification of yeast strains from P. fortuneana fruit and their brewing characteristics are scarce. To screen for high-quality yeast strains specifically for P. fortuneana wine from the fermentation liquid, this study employed traditional pure culture methods using WL nutrient agar for morphological identification of the isolated strains. Molecular biological identification of the yeasts was performed using molecular biology techniques. The brewing characteristics of the yeast strains were analyzed based on growth characteristics, sugar tolerance, alcohol tolerance, SO2 tolerance, and acid tolerance, providing potential quality yeast resources for P. fortuneana wine production. The results indicated that a total of 12 yeast strains were isolated and purified. After identification, they were classified as Pichia kudriavzevii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Strain HJ-2 was able to grow normally under the conditions of 40°C, 15% alcohol by volume, 360 mg/L SO2 mass concentration, pH 3.2, 400 g/L sucrose mass concentration, and 250 g/L glucose mass concentration. Strain HJ-6 exhibited normal growth under conditions of 40°C, 3% alcohol by volume, 360 mg/L SO2 mass concentration, pH 3.2, 250 g/L sucrose mass concentration, and 300 g/L glucose mass concentration. Both strains HJ-2 and HJ-6 demonstrated strong ester production capability and low hydrogen sulfide production. Overall, strains HJ-2 and HJ-6 show potential for application in the industrial production of P. fortuneana wine.