bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On the Non-identity Causal Theory of Spacetime from Causal Set Theory
Authors: Jaksland Rasmus , Linnemann Niels 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe aim to provide a causal theory of spacetime is not new. The overall program, however, was largely deemed unsuccessful, chiefly due to criticism voiced by Smart (Monist 53:385–395, 1969), Nerlich (Br J Philos Sci 33(4):361–388, 1982) and Earman (Synthese 24:74–86, 1972). Recently, Baron and Le Bihan (Noûs 58:202–224, 2023) have argued that developments in contemporary physics should make us reconsider this verdict. More precisely, they argue the emergence of spacetime from causal set theory (CST), where “the metric structure of spacetime can be recovered from its causal structure” (Baron and Le Bihan 2023, 2), “suggests a very natural way to reformulate the causal theory of spacetime” (ibid., 9)—an account which they end up dubbing the non-identity causal theory. This paper questions the success of Baron and Le Bihan’s non-identity theory. It is shown that (1) the specific grounding Baron and Le Bihan propose for timelike and spacelike relations is not plausible even when charitably reconstructed; and (2) that a causal theory of spacetime based on general relativity is just as successful for establishing a non-identity theory as a theory based on CST. In short then, we argue that the causal theory of spacetime proposed by Baron and Le Bihan is supported just as well (or badly) by the physics that already took centre stage in the original discussions of the causal theory of spacetime.
Genetic programming hyper-heuristic for evolving a maintenance policy for wind farms
Authors: Ma Yikai , Zhang Wenjuan , Branke Juergen 
Published: August 2024

AbstractReducing the cost of operating and maintaining wind farms is essential for the economic viability of this renewable energy source. This study applies hyper-heuristics to design a maintenance policy that prescribes the best maintenance action in every possible situation. Genetic programming is used to construct a priority function that determines what maintenance activities to conduct and the sequence of maintenance activities if there are not enough resources to do all of them simultaneously. The priority function may take into account the health condition of the target turbine and its components, the characteristics of the corresponding maintenance work, the workload of the maintenance crew, the working condition of the whole wind farm and the possibilities provided by opportunistic maintenance. Empirical results using a simulation model of the wind farm demonstrate that the proposed model can construct maintenance policies that perform well both in training and test scenarios, which shows the practicability of the approach.
Mid-term clinical outcomes and cardiac function in patients receiving cardiac contractility modulation
Authors: Deak Andrew , Zaidi Syed M. , Gangireddy Chethan , Cronin Edmond , Hamad Eman , Fabrizio Carly , Bhatia-Patel Sanjana , Rakita Val , Whitman Isaac R. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Objectives
To describe the mid-term clinical and functional cardiac contractility modulation therapy (CCM) recipients in an urban population with heart failure.

Background
CCM is a non-excitatory electrical therapy for patients with systolic heart failure with NYHA class III symptoms and ejection fraction (EF) 25–45%. How CCM affects a broad range of clinical measures, including diastolic dysfunction (DD) and weight change, is unexplored.

Methods
We reviewed 31 consecutive patients at our center who underwent CCM implant. NYHA class, hospitalizations, ejection fraction (EF), diastolic function, and weight were compared pre- and post-CCM implant.

Results
Mean age and follow-up time was 63 ± 10 years and 1.4 ± 0.8 years, respectively. Mean NYHA class improved by 0.97 functional classes (p < 0.001), and improvement occurred in 68% of patients. Mean annualized hospitalizations improved (0.8 ± 0.8 vs. 0.4 ± 1.0 hospitalizations/year, p = 0.048), and after exclusion of a single outlier, change in annualized days hospitalized also improved (total cohort 3.8 ± 4.7 vs. 3.7 ± 14.8 days/year; p = 0.96; after exclusion, 3.8 ± 4.7 vs. 1.1 ± 1.9 days/year, p < 0.001). Mean EF improved by 8% (p = 0.002), and among those with DD pre-CCM, mean DD improvement was 0.8 “grades” (p < 0.001). Mean weight change was 8.5 pounds lost, amounting to 4% of body weight (p = 0.002, p = 0.002, respectively), with 77% of patients having lost weight after CCM. Five patients (16%) experienced procedural complications; incidence skewed toward early implants.

Conclusion
In an observational cohort, CCM therapy resulted in improvement in NYHA class, hospitalizations, systolic and diastolic function, and weight.

Graphical Abstract
Mulching techniques impact on soil chemical and biological characteristics affecting physiology of lemon trees
Authors: Olmos-Ruiz Rafael , Hurtado-Navarro María , Pascual Jose Antonio , Carvajal Micaela 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Aims
The lemon cultivation methods and techniques are crucial to ensure maximum productivity in the face of climate change. Mulching with plastic is commonly used in citrus production for saving water, but some side effects need to be investigated. In our study, we investigated different plastic and biological mulching on lemon trees determining growth and physiological parameters in relation to soil chemical and biological composition.

Methods
The experiment was divided into four different lines with ten trees per treatment, the effect of mulching with white and black plastic film, dry pruning mulching respect to a non-mulched treatment of lemon tree orchard during a crop season. The impact of these treatments on vegetative growth, stomatal gas exchange and mineral nutrition on plant and soil bacterial communities were evaluated.

Results
Our results showed that the type of mulching significantly influenced in the parameters studied. All mulching treatments increased temperature and soil moisture levels; plastic mulching treatments had significantly higher values in terms of intrinsic water use efficiency; while mulching with dry pruning showed higher soil microbial activity, leading to increased water use efficiency and productivity.

Conclusion
The results showed that different methods of mulching affected the physiology of lemon trees interacting in a complex way to determine their growth. Specifically, mulching using dry pruning improved the exchange of gases in the plant and plant nutrition which was related to the biological soil health.
Flux Calibration of Coronal Magnetic Field
Authors: Vandas Marek , Romashets Evgeny 
Published: August 2024

AbstractRomashets and Vandas (2024) derived a method for the determination of Euler potentials at a spherical surface and applied it to the geomagnetic field. Here, we apply it to find Euler potentials at the source surface. A regular mesh defined by Euler potentials divides the source surface to surface elements with the same magnetic flux. By tracing magnetic-field lines away from the source surface, Euler potentials can be extended into the heliosphere.
Genetic diversity of apple heirloom germplasm in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as revealed by SNP markers
Authors: Đurić Gordana , Skytte af Sätra Jonas , Gaši Fuad , Konjić Almira , Flachowsky Henryk , Howard Nicholas P. , Zeljković Mirela Kajkut , Garkava-Gustavsson Larisa 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe cultivated apple (Malus domestica Borkh.) is an economically important fruit crop in countries worldwide, including Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH).The gene bank activities in BIH were initiated in the 1930s and continued until the war in the 1990s, when much of the documentation was lost. Since then, uncoordinated efforts were made to establish apple collections in different regions, but a comprehensive analysis of genetic resources was lacking. This prompted the current study where we present the first thorough overview of the national genetic resources of BIH apples. Thus, we analyzed 165 accessions in the apple gene bank at the Institute for Genetic Resources (IGR) established at Banja Luka using the 20 K apple Infinium® single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array. We combined the results with previously published data on the germplasm collections at Srebrenik and Goražde, genotyped using the Axiom® Apple 480 K SNP array. In total, 234 accessions were included in the study of which 220 were presumed to be local cultivars and 14 were known international reference cultivars. We identified numerous genotypic duplicates within and between collections and suggested preferred names to be used in the future. We found the BIH germplasm to have relatively few parent-offspring relationships, particularly among local cultivars, which might reflect the country’s history and patterns of apple cultivar introduction. A number of cultivars unique to BIH and a weakly defined genetic group were identified via STRUCTURE analysis, representing interesting targets for future research and preservation efforts.
Environmental contamination with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and contribution from biomonitoring studies to the surveillance of global health
Authors: Teixeira Joana , Delerue-Matos Cristina , Morais Simone , Oliveira Marta 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThis work presents an integrated overview of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons’ (PAHs) ubiquity comprising environmental contamination in the air, aquatic ecosystems, and soils; characterizes the contamination in biota; and identifies main biomonitors and human exposure to PAHs and associated health risks. Urban centers and industrial areas present increased concentrations in the air (1344.4–12,300 versus 0.03–0.60 ng/m3 in industrial/urban and rural zones) and soils (0.14–1.77 × 106 versus 2.00–9.04 × 103 versus 1.59–5.87 × 103 ng/g in urban, forest, and rural soils), respectively. Increased concentrations were found in coastal zones and superficial waters as well as in sediments (7.00 × 104–1.00 × 109 ng/g). Benzo(a)pyrene, a carcinogenic PAH, was found in all environmental media. Mosses, lichens, tree leaves, bivalves, cephalopods, terrestrials’ snails, and honeybees are good biomonitors of biota contamination. More studies are needed to improve characterization of PAHs’ levels, distribution, and bioaccumulation in the environmental media and assess the associated risks for biota and human health. Actions and strategies to mitigate and prevent the bioaccumulation of PAHs in the environment and trophic chains toward the WHO’s One-Health Perspective to promote the health of all ecosystems and human life are urgently needed.
Resting-state neural dynamics changes in older adults with post-COVID syndrome and the modulatory effect of cognitive training and sex
Authors: Nagy Boglárka , Protzner Andrea B. , Czigler Balázs , Gaál Zsófia Anna 
Published: August 2024

AbstractPost-COVID syndrome manifests with numerous neurological and cognitive symptoms, the precise origins of which are still not fully understood. As females and older adults are more susceptible to developing this condition, our study aimed to investigate how post-COVID syndrome alters intrinsic brain dynamics in older adults and whether biological sex and cognitive training might modulate these effects, with a specific focus on older females. The participants, aged between 60 and 75 years, were divided into three experimental groups: healthy old female, post-COVID old female and post-COVID old male. They underwent an adaptive task-switching training protocol. We analysed multiscale entropy and spectral power density of resting-state EEG data collected before and after the training to assess neural signal complexity and oscillatory power, respectively. We found no difference between post-COVID females and males before training, indicating that post-COVID similarly affected both sexes. However, cognitive training was effective only in post-COVID females and not in males, by modulating local neural processing capacity. This improvement was further evidenced by comparing healthy and post-COVID females, wherein the latter group showed increased finer timescale entropy (1–30 ms) and higher frequency band power (11–40 Hz) before training, but these differences disappeared following cognitive training. Our results suggest that in older adults with post-COVID syndrome, there is a pronounced shift from more global to local neural processing, potentially contributing to accelerated neural aging in this condition. However, cognitive training seems to offer a promising intervention method for modulating these changes in brain dynamics, especially among females.
p53 Orchestrates Cancer Metabolism: Unveiling Strategies to Reverse the Warburg Effect
Authors: Abukwaik Roba , Vera-Siguenza Elias , Tennant Daniel , Spill Fabian 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCancer cells exhibit significant alterations in their metabolism, characterised by a reduction in oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and an increased reliance on glycolysis, even in the presence of oxygen. This metabolic shift, known as the Warburg effect, is pivotal in fuelling cancer’s uncontrolled growth, invasion, and therapeutic resistance. While dysregulation of many genes contributes to this metabolic shift, the tumour suppressor gene p53 emerges as a master player. Yet, the molecular mechanisms remain elusive. This study introduces a comprehensive mathematical model, integrating essential p53 targets, offering insights into how p53 orchestrates its targets to redirect cancer metabolism towards an OXPHOS-dominant state. Simulation outcomes align closely with experimental data comparing glucose metabolism in colon cancer cells with wild-type and mutated p53. Additionally, our findings reveal the dynamic capability of elevated p53 activation to fully reverse the Warburg effect, highlighting the significance of its activity levels not just in triggering apoptosis (programmed cell death) post-chemotherapy but also in modifying the metabolic pathways implicated in treatment resistance. In scenarios of p53 mutations, our analysis suggests targeting glycolysis-instigating signalling pathways as an alternative strategy, whereas targeting solely synthesis of cytochrome c oxidase 2 (SCO2) does support mitochondrial respiration but may not effectively suppress the glycolysis pathway, potentially boosting the energy production and cancer cell viability.
Mobilität in der Ausbildung ermöglichen: Rotationsstrategien für Lernende in Schweizer Betrieben
Authors: Keller Anna , Barabasch Antje 
Published: August 2024

ZusammenfassungUm mittelfristig vielen Lernenden eine duale Ausbildung anbieten zu können und Lernende gleichzeitig möglichst vielseitig auf ihr Berufsleben vorzubereiten, braucht es eine Flexibilisierung in der berufspraktischen Berufsausbildung und eine Förderung von Mobilität und Mobilitätbereitschaft bei den Lernenden. Dieser Beitrag widmet sich der Ausbildung von Lernenden in wechselnden Unternehmenskontexten. Im Zentrum der Untersuchung stand die Frage: Welche Strategien wenden Schweizer Betriebe in der Rotation von Lernenden an? Auf der Grundlage von Daten zu Fallstudien in 9 Unternehmen in der Schweiz, werden die unterschiedlichen Strategien der flexiblen Platzierung von Lernenden in der berufspraktischen Ausbildung modellhaft dargestellt. Dabei wird deutlich, dass die Organisation der Rotation auf einer Abstimmung der Bedarfe, einerseits der Unternehmen und andererseits der Lernenden erfolgt. Die Strategien unterscheiden sich hinsichtlich ihres Fokus (standardisierte Rotation vs. personalisierte Rotation) und ihrer Dynamik (geringe vs. hohe Dynamik). Im Schlussteil werden die Strategien eingeordnet und diskutiert.
Metabolic Complications Associated with Use of Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (InSTI) for the Treatment of HIV-1 Infection: Focus on Weight Changes, Lipids, Glucose and Bone Metabolism
Authors: Savinelli Stefano , Newman Ellen , Mallon Patrick W. G. 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
This review aims to summarize recently published peer reviewed papers on the influence of treatment with Integrase Strand Transfer Inhibitors (InSTI) in people with HIV (HIV) on metabolic health, including weight gain, lipid parameters, glucose homeostasis, and bone health.

Recent Findings
InSTI have a mild/moderate effect on weight gain in both antiretroviral (ART) naïve and ART experienced PWH, which is more pronounced in certain groups (i.e. women, people of Black African ethnicity, those with lower socioeconomic status, and older people). The effect on weight is also driven by other components of the ART regimen as well as previous exposure to certain ART. InSTI have a relatively safe profile in terms of lipid parameters and bone health, compared to other ART classes, although some studies suggest a greater risk of insulin resistance and diabetes in PWH using InSTI, especially 2nd generation InSTI.

Summary
While there is some evidence suggesting a negative impact of InSTI on some aspects of metabolic health (weight gain and glucose homeostasis), they remain the preferred treatment option for most PWH, due to their high efficacy and tolerability. However, an individualised approach to ART choice in PWH should be used in order to avoid negative outcomes in populations at higher risks of metabolic complications.
Building a Set of Indicators to Assess Migrant Children's Integration in Europe: A Co-Creation Approach
Authors: Serrano Inmaculada , Fernández Mercedes , Marcos Eva Bajo 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe integration of refugee and migrant children, one of Europe’s most vulnerable populations, is a crucial challenge for EU societies and their present and future social cohesion. Despite extensive knowledge on migrant integration, we still lack specific instruments to measure children's integration and set goal-oriented targets to promote it. Our research responds to this need by presenting and discussing a new child-centered system of indicators with a twofold purpose: (1) to assess and monitor the integration of refugee and migrant children across European countries and (2) to guide policymakers and relevant stakeholders. The indicator system's holistic and transversal nature marks an improvement over previous measurement attempts by considering different dimensions of integration; subjective and objective perspectives, as well as contextual factors; and indicators relevant for and comparable across different European countries. The research uses a co-creative methodology that ensures both scientific rigor and relevance for stakeholders and policymakers. A child-centered perspective, active participation of children throughout the research process, and an iterative co-creation design contribute to the system's added value. First-hand experiences, ongoing dialogues, and an ecological approach involving stakeholders at micro, meso, and macro levels (children, families, school representatives, public officials, and politicians) served to develop and validate the set of indicators. As a result, we are offering (1) 14 indicators that assess the integration outcomes of migrant children across five dimensions: access to rights, language and culture, well-being, social connectedness, and educational achievements, and (2) 16 indicators highlighting key barriers and facilitators influencing integration outcomes (i.e., societal and political aspects, particularly school organization and learning support).
A series of regression models to predict the weathering index of tropical granite rock mass
Authors: Suparmanto Eka Kusmawati , Mohamad Edy Tonnizam , Rathinasamy Vynotdni , Ahmad Legiman Mariatul Kiftiah , Zainal Zuraini , Zainuddin Nurul Eilmy , Slamat Fazleen , Md Dan Azlan Mohd Firdaus , Armaghani Danial Jahed 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn the recent past, several weathering indicators have been developed to describe its state of weathering. The state of rock weathering is a useful indicator to estimate the integrity of tropically weathered rock material and mass which weatherability plays an important role in a tropical region. Through a ground assessment tool, the strength and durability of the rock mass could be estimated and complex or adopted to simplify the early prediction of the complex engineering parameter. This paper presents several models of the Weathering Index (WI) using selected significant parameters using statistical analysis. For this purpose, several sites have been chosen to represent granitic rock mass. Forty (40) numbers of samples were collected and tested comprising from four (4) sites in Malaysia. Several laboratory tests have been conducted such as Point Load Index (Is(50)), dry density, Slake Durability 1 (SD1), Slake Durability 2 (SD2) and moisture content. The field and laboratory data sets are used to determine the WI by using simple regression and MLR analysis Significant parameters found to be useful in determining the WI are selected namely SD1, dry density, Is(50), and block volume. These parameters were selected based on stepwise analysis using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Following the models’ implementation, the models were evaluated and the best prediction model was selected after considering statistical coefficients, such as coefficient of determination (R2), variance account for (VAF), and root mean squared error (RMSE), as well as utilizing a straightforward ranking approach. The findings of this study could contribute to the more accurate prediction of WI using a more simplistic field and laboratory parameters. Therefore, the WI is useful during the initial stages and planning of rock excavation work and provides a good description of weathering grade and rock mass properties, which will affect excavatability in granitic areas.
Stopping Rule Sampling to Monitor and Protect Endangered Species
Authors: Mitchell Lara , Polansky Leo , Newman Ken B. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractEcological science and management often require animal population abundance estimates to determine population status, set harvest limits on exploited populations, assess biodiversity, and evaluate the effects of management actions. However, sampling can harm animal populations. Motivated by trawl sampling of an endangered fish, we present a sequential adaptive sampling design focused on making population-level inferences while limiting harm to the target population. The design incorporates stopping rules such that multiple samples are collected at a site until one or more individuals from the target population are captured, conditional on the number of samples falling within a predetermined range. With this application in mind, we pair the stopping rules sampling design with a density model from which to base abundance indices. We use theoretical analyses and simulations to evaluate inference of population parameters and reduction in catch under the stopping rule sampling design compared to fixed sampling designs. Density point estimates based on stopping rules could theoretically be biased high, but simulations indicated that the stopping rules did not induce noticeable bias in practice. Retrospective analysis of the case study indicated that the stopping rules reduced catch by 60% compared to a fixed sampling design with maximum possible effort.Supplementary materials accompanying this paper appear online.
The genomes of two Australian isolates of Verticillium dahliae recovered from cotton fields
Authors: Gardiner Donald M. , Smith Linda J. , Rusu Anca , Aitken Elizabeth A. B. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractVerticillium wilt is a major disease in a wide variety of crops and is caused by the fungus Verticillium dahliae Kleb. In Australian cotton growing regions two pathotypes of V. dahliae are described, namely non-defoliating and defoliating, classified on their ability to cause defoliation in cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) as well as okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) and olives (Olea europaea). Herein we report the genomes of two isolates of V. dahliae, one predicted to be non-defoliating and the other predicted to be defoliating. Phylogenomic analysis places each isolate into separate clades, but the highly aggressive, predicted defoliating, strain lacks the genomic features reported as important for causing defoliation on cotton in other regions.