bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterization of heat-processed artificial lightweight aggregates from polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste
Authors: Uche Chikadibia Kalu Awa , Abubakar Sani Aliyu , Nnamchi Stephen Ndubuisi , Mundu Muhamad Mustafa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPlastic waste is an undeniable source of pollution that threatens the existence of the earth’s flora and fauna. The bulk of plastic waste generated globally does not go through the proper methods of disposal but is carelessly discarded into the aquatic or terrestrial environment. Current recycling efforts are largely inadequate and disposal in landfills is still fraught with environmental and land use challenges. The proper disposal of plastic waste, as well as mitigating the environmental, social, and health impacts of extracting natural aggregates can be achieved by incorporating plastic waste as aggregates in the construction industry. This paper presents a characterization of aggregates manufactured from polyethylene terephthalate plastic waste using thermal/mechanical methods. From the cost analysis, 24,341.67 Ugx (6.09 USD) was spent to produce 1 kg of PET aggregates. Morphological, intrinsic and mechanical characteristics of the produced aggregates were established using standard procedures and equipment. The results of morphological characterization indicate an irregular shaped aggregate with smooth surface, a dense graded aggregate with a fineness modulus of 4.25, flakiness index of 26%, elongation index of 16% and particle index of 13. Intrinsic characterization yielded particle density of 1330 kg/m3, bulk density of coarse aggregates of 715 kg/m3 and water absorption of 0.445%. Mechanical characteristics of aggregates were evaluated, with compressive strength of 50Mpa, Aggregate Crushing Value of 37%, Ten Percent Fines Value of 71KN, Aggregate Impact Value of 24% and Aggregate Abrasion Value of 20%. The characteristics of PET aggregates confirm their suitability for application in structural lightweight concrete and rigid pavement. The produced PET aggregates can be considered in mix design as a total or partial replacement of natural aggregates in concrete.
Use of geosynthetic materials as soil reinforcement: an alternative eco-friendly construction material
Authors: Chatrabhuj  , Meshram Kundan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGeosynthetics have emerged as innovative, efficient, and cost-effective solutions for a myriad of engineering challenges in construction. This paper explores the extensive applications of geosynthetics in construction, encompassing liner systems for landfills, containment zone barriers, embankments, filters, pavement drainage systems, slope stabilization, reinforcement for shallow foundations, and barriers in earthen dams. Various types of geosynthetic materials, such as geotextile, geomembrane, geogrid, geonet, geocomposite, geofiber, geobags, geopipes, geosynthetic clay liner, and geofoam, further broaden their utility. A significant focus is on soil stabilization, where geosynthetics play a crucial role in reinforcing weak soil, improving stability, erosion protection, enhanced drainage, and effective soil retention. Geosynthetics helps in improving soil strength which could be used in subgrade, embankment, slopes, foundations, and earthen dams, it could be an efficient alternate to traditional construction materials. The findings of this research have practical implications for engineers and construction professionals, offering innovative and cost-effective solutions to engineering challenges.
The level and determinants of knowledge and attitude towards nutrition among pregnant women in Minjar Shenkora district, Ethiopia
Authors: Demisew Meron , Gemede Habtamu Fekadu , Ayele Kassahun 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Maternal knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition are essential for achieving healthy dietary behaviours for a positive pregnancy outcome. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level and determinants of knowledge and attitudes towards nutrition among pregnant women in the Minjar Shenkora district, Ethiopia. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted between June and August 2021 among 334 pregnant women who were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and analysed using SPSS version 21. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the determinants of nutritional knowledge and attitudes. P < 0.05, with a 95% CI was used to declare statistical significance. Overall, 69.2% and 44.0% of the pregnant women were not knowledgeable and had an unfavourable attitude toward nutrition, respectively. The educational status of pregnant women (P < 0.01) and access to nutritional information (P < 0.01) were significantly associated with nutritional knowledge, while the educational status of pregnant women (P < 0.01) was associated with nutritional attitude. Respondents’ knowledge of and attitudes toward nutrition were low. Pregnant women’s educational levels and access to nutritional information are strongly related to their nutritional knowledge. Likewise, the educational status of the pregnant women was significantly associated with their nutritional attitudes. Therefore, education and counselling on maternal nutrition are needed to improve healthy maternal nutrition tips in the study area.
Influence of in situ temperature and maternal provisioning on the medusa-to-polyp transition in a year-round population of the scyphozoan Aurelia aurita
Authors: Loveridge A. , Lucas C. H. , Ford D. 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
We investigated how environmental conditions translate into reproductive success or failure in Aurelia aurita from the medusa to the polyp life stage. This study examined how: (i) settlement success and development of planula larvae and polyps vary across the year, (ii) the role of temperature in determining the successful settlement of larvae and growth of polyps, and (iii) the influence of maternal provisioning in the successful settlement of larvae and growth of polyps. Medusae were collected monthly from February to December 2019 from Horsea Lake, UK. Planula larvae were settled in conditions mimicking the in situ temperature and salinity of collection. For the individual treatments, planula collected in August settled most rapidly. Early development rates (<8 tentacles) were significantly higher than later growth rates (>8 tentacles) and were positively correlated with temperature, unlike later growth rates. Planula length, used as an indicator of maternal provisioning, varied significantly across the year. In July 2019, a high temperature anomaly coincided with an increased time spent by planula larvae in the water column. Increasing temperatures past thermal limits through the increasing occurrence of temperature anomalies is likely to be detrimental to larval settlement and indirectly to the replenishment of temperate polyp populations.
Challenges, Advances and Opportunities in Regional Sea Level Projections: The Role of Ocean‐Shelf Dynamics
Authors: Jevrejeva Svetlana , Calafat Francisco M. , De Dominicis Michela , Hirschi Joël J.‐M. , Mecking Jennifer V. , Polton Jeff A. , Sinha Bablu , Wise Anthony , Holt Jason 
Published: July 2024

AbstractFuture sea level rise and changes in extreme weather will increase the frequency of flooding and intensify the risks for the millions of people living in low‐lying coastal areas. Concerns about coastal adaptation have been broadened due to societal awareness of the threat from rising seas, leading to a large set of potential adaptation users with diverse needs for adequate sea level projections in coastal areas beyond the current state of the art regional projections. In this paper, we provide an overview of the potential steps for improvement of regional sea level projections along the global coastline, with specific focus on the contribution from ocean dynamics to seasonal‐decadal variability of coastal sea level, and its implications for changes in frequency and magnitude of extreme sea levels. We discuss the key gaps in our knowledge and predictive capability of these dynamics as they relate to sea level variability on seasonal to decadal timescales, and conclude by suggesting ways in which these knowledge gaps could be addressed.
Editorial to the Special Collection “Controls and Biasing Factors in Sediment Generation, Routing, and Provenance: Models, Methods, and Case Studies”
Authors: Stutenbecker Laura , Mark Chris , Resentini Alberto 
Published: July 2024

AbstractClastic sediment composition constitutes a key archive of Earth history, controlled by allogenic and autogenic processes that impact weathering, erosion, sediment transfer, and deposition. Deciphering those processes can provide valuable insights into ancient and modern tectonic, geomorphic, climatic, and anthropogenic controls that shape sediment routing systems over a wide range of temporal and spatial scales. However, in order to clearly identify the controls on sediment composition, it is necessary to exclude sources of bias that may mask or diminish the original provenance signal. Such biases may be natural, including mineral fertility, sediment recycling, and grain size, or analytical. This special collection arises from the fifth meeting of the working group on sediment generation held at the University Milano‐Bicocca in Milan, Italy, from 28 to 30 June 2022. The collation includes studies that investigate biasing factors affecting all steps of the sediment cascade and all stages of sample collection, preparation, and analysis, as well as case studies that aim to disentangle original provenance signals from geological, environmental, or analytical noise.
Permeability and Induced Polarization of Mudstones
Authors: Peshtani Klaudio , Weller Andreas , Slater Lee 
Published: July 2024

AbstractElectrical measurements can be used to estimate hydraulic properties such as permeability (k) in sedimentary rocks. Previous work has focused on sandstones, siltstones, and carbonates, while investigations on mudstones have rarely been reported. In this study, we report on electrical geophysical measurements for 23 mudstone samples using an experimental approach designed to reliably saturate these low permeability mudstones. The modified Hagen‐Poiseuille model linking permeability to the formation factor (F) and an effective pore radius (r) provides an excellent fit to the data set with a near‐constant pore radius, indicating that the effective porosity (1/F) is the controlling factor on k. In these samples, the surface area normalized to pore volume (Spor), frequently used in permeability estimation models, varies by 1–2 orders of magnitude and is thus not a reliable proxy of the inverse effective hydraulic radius. The formation factor also exerts the primary control on induced polarization (IP) parameters, whereas Spor shows no relation to the IP parameters. A strong linear relationship is found between IP parameters (imaginary conductivity and normalized chargeability) and surface conductivity, although the proportionality factor is significantly lower than those observed in more permeable rocks and sediments. Apparent relationships between the polarization strength‐derived and time constant‐derived geophysical length scales and the effective hydraulic radius appear to be driven by variations in the electrochemical parameters (i.e., specific polarizability and diffusion coefficient). Overall, these findings emphasize that predicting hydraulic properties from electrical measurements in fine‐grained rocks remains challenging and requires further investigation into the electrochemical properties involved.
Punishment-resistant alcohol intake is mediated by the nucleus accumbens shell in female rats
Authors: McDonald Allison J. , Nemat Panthea , van ‘t Hullenaar Thijs , Schetters Dustin , van Mourik Yvar , Alonso-Lozares Isis , De Vries Taco J. , Marchant Nathan J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAlcohol use is widespread across many societies. While most people can control their alcohol use, a vulnerable sub-population develops alcohol use disorder, characterized by continued alcohol use despite negative consequences. We used a rat model of alcohol self-administration despite negative consequences to identify brain activity associated with this addiction-like behaviour. We and others have previously shown that response-contingent punishment of alcohol self-administration with mild footshock reliably identifies two sub-populations. One group substantially decreases alcohol self-administration in the face of punishment (punishment-sensitive, controlled) and another group continues alcohol self-administration despite negative consequences (punishment-resistant, addiction-like behaviour). In this study, we aimed to validate this model in females and identify associated brain regions. We trained Long-Evans outbred rats (n = 96) to self-administer 20% ethanol, and then introduced response-contingent footshock. We found that female rats consumed more alcohol in unpunished and punished sessions compared to male rats. In one group of rats (n = 24, m/f), we identified neuronal activity associated with punishment-resistant alcohol self-administration using the neurobiological marker of activity cFos. We found lower cFos expression in NAcSh associated with punishment-resistant alcohol self-administration. In another group of rats (n = 72, m/f), we used chemogenetic inhibition of NAcSh during punished alcohol self-administration. We found that chemogenetic NAcSh inhibition had no effect on unpunished alcohol self-administration but selectively increased punished alcohol self-administration in punishment-resistant female rats. These results indicate that more female rats develop punishment-resistant alcohol consumption, and that NAcSh hypofunction may underlie this phenotype.
Enhancers associated with unstable RNAs are rare in plants
Authors: McDonald Bayley R. , Picard Colette L. , Brabb Ian M. , Savenkova Marina I. , Schmitz Robert J. , Jacobsen Steven E. , Duttke Sascha H. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractUnstable transcripts have emerged as markers of active enhancers in vertebrates and shown to be involved in many cellular processes and medical disorders. However, their prevalence and role in plants is largely unexplored. Here, we comprehensively captured all actively initiating (nascent) transcripts across diverse crops and other plants using capped small (cs)RNA sequencing. We discovered that unstable transcripts are rare in plants, unlike in vertebrates, and when present, often originate from promoters. In addition, many ‘distal’ elements in plants initiate tissue-specific stable transcripts and are likely bona fide promoters of as-yet-unannotated genes or non-coding RNAs, cautioning against using reference genome annotations to infer putative enhancer sites. To investigate enhancer function, we integrated data from self-transcribing active regulatory region (STARR) sequencing. We found that annotated promoters and other regions that initiate stable transcripts, but not those marked by unstable or bidirectional unstable transcripts, showed stronger enhancer activity in this assay. Our findings underscore the blurred line between promoters and enhancers and suggest that cis-regulatory elements can encompass diverse structures and mechanisms in eukaryotes, including humans.
GAIN2 trial overall survival with intense versus tailored dose dense chemotherapy in early breast cancer
Authors: Möbus Volker , Lück Hans-Joachim , Ladda Ekkehart , Klare Peter , Engels Knut , Schmidt Marcus , Schneeweiss Andreas , Grischke Eva-Maria , Wachsmann Grischa , Forstbauer Helmut , Untch Michael , Marmé Frederik , Blohmer Jens-Uwe , Jackisch Christian , Huober Jens , Stickeler Elmar , Reinisch Mattea , Link Theresa , Sinn Bruno , Janni Wolfgang , Denkert Carsten , Seiler Sabine , Solbach Christine , Schmatloch Sabine , Rey Julia , Loibl Sibylle 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGAIN-2 trial evaluated the optimal intense dose-dense (idd) strategy for high-risk early breast cancer. This study reports the secondary endpoints pathological complete response (pCR) and overall survival (OS). Patients (n = 2887) were randomized 1:1 between idd epirubicin, nab-paclitaxel, and cyclophosphamide (iddEnPC) versus leukocyte nadir-based tailored regimen of dose-dense EC and docetaxel (dtEC-dtD) as adjuvant therapy, with neoadjuvant therapy allowed after amendment. At median follow-up of 6.5 years (overall cohort) and 5.7 years (neoadjuvant cohort, N = 593), both regimens showed comparable 5-year OS rates (iddEnPC 90.8%, dtEC-dtD 90.0%, p = 0.320). In the neoadjuvant setting, iddEnPC yielded a higher pCR rate than dtEC-dtD (51.2% vs. 42.6%, p = 0.045). Patients achieving pCR had significantly improved 5-year iDFS (88.7% vs. 70.1%, HR 0.33, p < 0.001) and OS rates (93.9% vs. 83.1%, HR 0.32, p < 0.001), but OS outcomes were comparable regardless of pCR status. Thus, iddEnPC demonstrates superior pCR rates compared to dtEC-dtD, yet with comparable survival outcomes.
Small dataset machine-learning approach for efficient design space exploration: engineering ZnTe-based high-entropy alloys for water splitting
Authors: Oh Seung-Hyun Victor , Yoo Su-Hyun , Jang Woosun 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAiming toward a sustainable energy era, the design of efficient photocatalysts for water splitting by engineering their band properties has been actively studied. One promising avenue for the band engineering of active photocatalysts is the use of solid-solution alloying. However, the enormous possible configurations of multicomponent alloys hinders the experimental screening of this multidimensional material space, providing an opportunity for machine learning (ML) approaches to help accelerate the discovery of new multicomponent alloy materials. A conventional prerequisite for ML approaches is a large database of accurate material properties, which may require exhaustive computational and/or experimental resources. This study demonstrates that the screening of solid-solution alloys (up to hexanary systems) can be performed using a small database to minimize (and optimize) the number of high-level computational calculations. Specifically, we use ZnTe-based alloys as a prototypical example and employ a secure independent screening and sparsifing operator with the recently developed agreement method (α-method). Furthermore, we discuss and propose design routes to determine the optimal solid-solution ZnTe-based alloys for photoassisted water-splitting reactions.
Distinct dynamics of parental 5-hydroxymethylcytosine during human preimplantation development regulate early lineage gene expression
Authors: Liang Dan , Yan Rui , Long Xin , Ji Dongmei , Song Bing , Wang Mengyao , Zhang Fan , Cheng Xin , Sun Fengyuan , Zhu Ran , Hou Xinling , Wang Tianjuan , Zou Weiwei , Zhang Ying , Pu Zhixin , Zhang Jing , Zhang Zhiguo , Liu Yajing , Hu Yuqiong , He Xiaojin , Cao Yunxia , Guo Fan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe conversion of DNA 5-methylcytosine (5mC) to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) by TET enzymes represents a significant epigenetic modification, yet its role in early human embryos remains largely unknown. Here we showed that the early human embryo inherited a significant amount of 5hmCs from an oocyte, which unexpectedly underwent de novo hydroxymethylation during its growth. Furthermore, the generation of 5hmC in the paternal genome after fertilization roughly followed the maternal pattern, which was linked to DNA methylation dynamics and regions of sustained methylation. The 5hmCs persisted until the eight-cell stage and exhibited high enrichment at OTX2 binding sites, whereas knockdown of OTX2 in human embryos compromised the expression of early lineage genes. Specifically, the depletion of 5hmC affected the activation of embryonic genes, which was further evaluated by ectopically expressing mouse Tet3 in human early embryos. These findings revealed distinct dynamics of 5hmC and unravelled its multifaceted functions in early human embryonic development.
A unique serum IgG glycosylation signature predicts development of Crohn’s disease and is associated with pathogenic antibodies to mannose glycan
Authors: Gaifem Joana , Rodrigues Cláudia S. , Petralia Francesca , Alves Inês , Leite-Gomes Eduarda , Cavadas Bruno , Dias Ana M. , Moreira-Barbosa Catarina , Revés Joana , Laird Renee M. , Novokmet Mislav , Štambuk Jerko , Habazin Siniša , Turhan Berk , Gümüş Zeynep H. , Ungaro Ryan , Torres Joana , Lauc Gordan , Colombel Jean-Frederic , Porter Chad K. , Pinho Salomé S. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic inflammation in the gut. There is growing evidence in Crohn’s disease (CD) of the existence of a preclinical period characterized by immunological changes preceding symptom onset that starts years before diagnosis. Gaining insight into this preclinical phase will allow disease prediction and prevention. Analysis of preclinical serum samples, up to 6 years before IBD diagnosis (from the PREDICTS cohort), revealed the identification of a unique glycosylation signature on circulating antibodies (IgGs) characterized by lower galactosylation levels of the IgG fragment crystallizable (Fc) domain that remained stable until disease diagnosis. This specific IgG2 Fc glycan trait correlated with increased levels of antimicrobial antibodies, specifically anti-Saccharomyces cerevisiae (ASCA), pinpointing a glycome–ASCA hub detected in serum that predates by years the development of CD. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that this agalactosylated glycoform of ASCA IgG, detected in the preclinical phase, elicits a proinflammatory immune pathway through the activation and reprogramming of innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells and natural killer cells, via an FcγR-dependent mechanism, triggering NF-κB and CARD9 signaling and leading to inflammasome activation. This proinflammatory role of ASCA was demonstrated to be dependent on mannose glycan recognition and galactosylation levels in the IgG Fc domain. The pathogenic properties of (anti-mannose) ASCA IgG were validated in vivo. Adoptive transfer of antibodies to mannan (ASCA) to recipient wild-type mice resulted in increased susceptibility to intestinal inflammation that was recovered in recipient FcγR-deficient mice. Here we identify a glycosylation signature in circulating IgGs that precedes CD onset and pinpoint a specific glycome–ASCA pathway as a central player in the initiation of inflammation many years before CD diagnosis. This pathogenic glyco-hub may constitute a promising new serum biomarker for CD prediction and a potential target for disease prevention.