bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of erosion‐induced degradation on subsequent soil erosion and sediment sorting of a cultivated black soil under simulated heavy rainstorm
Authors: Yang Yang , Wang Ying , Chen Xinyi , Liu Yingna 
Published: June 2024

AbstractSoil erosion is a major cause of soil degradation, leading to soil quality deterioration. The resulting alternation of soil properties would in turn change the soil's responses in subsequent soil erosion events later, which, however, has rarely been studied. The objective was to examine the effects of such erosion‐induced degradation on subsequent soil erosion and sediment size distribution of a cultivated black soil under heavy rainstorms. The plough layers of the black soil that had suffered from 0, 10, 30, 50, and 70 years of soil erosion in northeast China were artificially constructed, corresponding to five erosional degradation levels of none, slight, moderate, severe, and very severe degradations, successively. A simulated heavy rainfall at the 75 mm h−1 intensity was performed, and runoff and sediment samples were collected every 6 min and analyzed for particle size distribution. Owing to the increasingly coarse source soil and thereby enhanced hydraulic conductivity, the steady‐state runoff rate decreased from 1.06 to 0.77 mm min−1, as the degradation level increased from none to very severe degradation. However, the fine‐textured noneroded soil had a better water retention capacity, which decreased runoff, especially at the beginning of the rainfall. The maximum runoff in total, that is, 103.61 mm, was consequently observed in the slightly degraded soil. The sediment concentrations and yields here were also significantly greater than those of the other treatments (p <0.01), suggesting a relatively higher soil erodibility. Sediment sorting was observed at each treatment especially during the first half of the rainfall, except for the slightly eroded soil where the elevated runoff was believed sufficient to equally transport different‐sized particles. The clay particles were enriched in the sediments eroded from the non‐ and moderately degraded soils, as the corresponding enrichment ratios (ERs) were typically above 1. Whereas for the severely and very severely degraded soils, ERs were around 0.5, indicating considerable depletion of these fine particles. These results demonstrate the diverse erosional responses of the soils exhibiting varying erosion‐induced degradation levels and hold important implications for agricultural management and soil and water conservation in the black soil region of northeast China as well as other similar regions.
A Thermal–EM Concentrator for Enhancing EM Signals and Focusing Heat Fluxes Simultaneously
Authors: Chen Hanchuan , Liu Yichao , Sun Fei , Sun Qianhan , Wu Xiaoxiao , Sun Ran 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe simultaneous concentration of electromagnetic (EM) waves and heat fluxes in the same target region within an on‐chip system has substantial academic research importance and practical application value. However, the existing research is primarily aimed at the design and experimentation of concentrators for individual EM waves or temperature fields. In this study, a thermal‐EM concentrator capable of simultaneously concentrating EM waves and heat fluxes is designed using transformation optics and thermodynamics and fabricated using engineered thermal‐EM metamaterials. Both the numerically simulated and experimentally measured results demonstrate the concentrating capability of the proposed thermal‐EM concentrator, which can concentrate broadband transverse magnetic (TM)‐polarized EM waves ranging from 8 to 12 GHz and heat flux to the same target region within an on‐chip operating environment. The proposed thermal‐EM concentrator can be utilized for the efficient cooling of the specified component and for simultaneously enhancing the radiation and reception efficiency of the EM antenna within an on‐chip system.
Three‐dimensional printed X‐band waveguide variable bends with integrated filters
Authors: Zhang Yi , Zhang Yaru , Xu Jun , Shang Xiaobang 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis letter presents compact waveguide variable bends incorporating integrated bandpass filters. Two designs have been demonstrated within X‐band (8.2–12.4 GHz) range, using three‐dimensional stereolithography printing and copper plating. The first design utilizes coupled elliptical resonators, while the second employs coupled deformed ellipsoidal resonators. These designs provide both filtering functionality and complex waveguide routing simultaneously, thereby leading to a reduction of total size and loss. This facilitates the design of compact, low‐loss, and multifunctional integrated subsystems. The measured responses (without any tuning) of both waveguide variable bends exhibit excellent performance, with averaged insertion loss of 0.59 and 0.57 dB, and return loss better than 11.9 and 19.8 dB throughout the passband, respectively. Good agreements between the simulated and measured results of the prototype devices successfully validate the feasibility and practicality of the proposed concept.
Application of cell‐free DNA fungal polymerase chain reaction for invasive fungal disease evaluation in pediatric oncology and stem cell transplant patients
Authors: Kushner Lauren E. , Schwenk Hayden T. , Qin FeiFei , Boothroyd Derek , Aftandilian Catherine 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBackgroundMolecular diagnostics may enable early, noninvasive detection of invasive fungal disease (IFD) in immunocompromised patients. Cell‐free deoxyribonucleic acid (cfDNA) fungal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays were recently incorporated into institutional prolonged febrile neutropenia pathways. We aimed to evaluate the performance of plasma cfDNA PCR panels (mold and Candida panels) in pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) patients with clinical concern for IFD.MethodsThis single‐center, observational study assessed plasma cfDNA fungal PCR performance for noninvasive IFD detection in hospitalized pediatric oncology and HSCT patients. The primary outcome was IFD diagnosis per published consensus definitions within 1 month. Positive and negative agreement between plasma cfDNA fungal PCR and consensus definitions were calculated. We also described test turnaround time and patient survival.ResultsFrom October 2021 to 2022, 54 patients underwent 60 evaluations with 11 proven/probable IFD cases. Comparing plasma cfDNA fungal PCRs to consensus definitions for proven/probable IFD, there was 73% positive agreement and 96% negative agreement. Two proven/probable cases with negative PCRs were caused by organisms not included on either panel. Median time to cfDNA fungal PCR result was 35 hours (interquartile range: 19–69) in eight proven/probable cases detected by cfDNA fungal PCR. There were 17 deaths among 54 patients, and IFD contributed to 45% of deaths in patients with proven/probable IFD.ConclusionsPlasma cfDNA fungal PCRs detected relevant molds or yeast in most cases classified as proven/probable IFD. However, this targeted approach missed some cases. More studies are required to determine optimal utilization of molecular diagnostics in pediatric patients.
Proteoglycans of basement membranes: Crucial controllers of angiogenesis, neurogenesis, and autophagy
Authors: Mongiat Maurizio , Pascal Gabriel , Poletto Evelina , Williams Davion M. , Iozzo Renato V. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractAntiangiogenic therapy is an established method for the treatment of several cancers and vascular‐related diseases. Most of the agents employed target the vascular endothelial growth factor A, the major cytokine stimulating angiogenesis. However, the efficacy of these treatments is limited by the onset of drug resistance. Therefore, it is of fundamental importance to better understand the mechanisms that regulate angiogenesis and the microenvironmental cues that play significant role and influence patient treatment and outcome. In this context, here we review the importance of the three basement membrane (BM) heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs), namely perlecan, agrin, and collagen XVIII. These HSPGs are abundantly expressed in the vasculature and, due to their complex molecular architecture, they interact with multiple endothelial cell receptors, deeply affecting their function. Under normal conditions, these proteoglycans exert proangiogenic functions. However, in pathological conditions such as cancer and inflammation, extracellular matrix remodeling leads to the degradation of these large precursor molecules and the liberation of bioactive processed fragments displaying potent angiostatic activity. These unexpected functions have been demonstrated for the C‐terminal fragments of perlecan and collagen XVIII, endorepellin, and endostatin. These bioactive fragments can also induce autophagy in vascular endothelial cells which contributes to angiostasis. Overall, BM proteoglycans deeply affect angiogenesis counterbalancing proangiogenic signals during tumor progression and represent possible means to develop new prognostic biomarkers and novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of solid tumors.
The relationships between teacher self‐efficacy, optimism, perceived social support, and burnout: A moderated mediation analysis using the revised job demands–resources model
Authors: Uslukaya Alper 
Published: June 2024

AbstractUsing the revised job demands–resources model, this study aimed to analyze the direct relationship of teacher self‐efficacy with burnout and its indirect relationship through perceived social support as well as the moderating roles of teacher optimism in these relationships. The study used a Bayesian estimator with structural equation modeling to examine the structural relationships among self‐efficacy, optimism, perceived social support, and burnout, using data collected from a sample of 288 teachers in Elâzığ, a city in the eastern region of Turkey. The results demonstrated the negative relationships between teacher self‐efficacy and optimism with burnout, and the indirect negative relationship between teacher self‐efficacy and burnout through perceived social support. In addition, the present study revealed that the direct relationship between teacher self‐efficacy and perceived social support and the indirect relationship between teacher self‐efficacy and burnout through perceived social support can be strengthened depending on the level of optimism. Recommendations for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers are presented.
Confirmatory validation of the Mesothelioma Psychological Distress Tool—Patients: A brief patient‐reported outcome measure assessing psychological distress in malignant mesothelioma patients
Authors: Bonafede Michela , Franzoi Isabella Giulia , Sauta Maria Domenica , Marinaccio Alessandro , Mensi Carolina , Rugarli Sabrina , Migliore Enrica , Cozzi Ilaria , Cavone Domenica , Vimercati Luigi , Grosso Federica , Bertolotti Marinella , Raimondi Giulia , Innamorati Marco , Granieri Antonella 
Published: June 2024

AbstractObjectivePsychological suffering in patients with Malignant Mesothelioma (MM) is different from the one experienced by patients with other cancers due to its occupational or environmental etiology and its peculiar symptomatology and prognosis (i.e., poor prognosis, reduced effectiveness of the therapies, poor quality of residual life, and advanced age at the time of diagnosis). Therefore, the Mesothelioma Psychological Distress Tool‐Patients (MPDT‐P) has been developed to evaluate the specific profile of psychological suffering in this population. This paper describes the item selection, factor analysis, and psychometric evaluation of the revised MPDT‐P.MethodsThe analyses of the current work aimed to confirm the factorial structure found in the first version of the MPDT‐P. In the case of nonfit, it aimed to find an alternative structure and causes of nonfit in the model. The search for the fit of the factorial model was conducted using a Bayesian approach.ResultsThe two‐factor model reported in the first version of the instrument did not fit the data. Confirmatory Bayesian analyses showed adequate fit for the three‐factor solution. Based on the content of the items, we labeled the factors as dysfunctional emotions, claims for justice, and anxieties about the future.ConclusionsIntegrating the MPDT‐P into clinical practice could help clinicians gain insight into the specific suffering related to MM and investigate potential differences related to different occupational and environmental exposure contexts.
Reliability analysis of multiple repairable systems under imperfect repair and unobserved heterogeneity
Authors: Brito Éder S. , Tomazella Vera L. D. , Ferreira Paulo H. , Louzada Neto Francisco , Gonzatto Junior Oilson A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractImperfect repairs (IRs) are widely applicable in reliability engineering since most equipment is not completely replaced after failure. In this sense, it is necessary to develop methodologies that can describe failure processes and predict the reliability of systems under this type of repair. One of the challenges in this context is to establish reliability models for multiple repairable systems considering unobserved heterogeneity associated with systems failure times and their failure intensity after performing IRs. Thus, in this work, frailty models are proposed to identify unobserved heterogeneity in these failure processes. In this context, we consider the arithmetic reduction of age (ARA) and arithmetic reduction of intensity (ARI) classes of IR models, with constant repair efficiency and a power‐law process distribution to model failure times and a univariate Gamma distributed frailty by all systems failure times. Classical inferential methods are used to estimate the parameters and reliability predictors of systems under IRs. An extensive simulation study is carried out under different scenarios to investigate the suitability of the models and the asymptotic consistency and efficiency properties of the maximum likelihood estimators. Finally, we illustrate the practical relevance of the proposed models on two real data sets.
Enhancing mechanical and radiation shielding properties of concrete with lead monoxide and granodiorite: Individual and synergistic effects at micro and nano particle scales
Authors: Fathy Islam N. , El‐Sayed Alaa A. , Tayeh Bassam A. , Mahmoud Alaa A. , Abouelnour Mohamed A. , Elfakharany Maged E. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the individual and combined effects of micro and nano lead monoxide (PbO) and granodiorite (GD) on concrete's mechanical and radiation shielding properties. Both materials were partially substituted for cement at varying ratios. Additionally, mixtures with optimal radiation shielding performance were prepared to explore the synergy of combining them. The mentioned materials are used for the first time in an extensive study at the nano scale to investigate their impact on concrete's mechanical properties, microstructure, and gamma radiation attenuation. Two gamma ray sources of uranium (U238) and cesium (Cs137) were used measure the radiation attenuation coefficients for all designed concrete mixes. A simple methodology was followed to assess the concrete shields efficiency via utilizing portable handheld gamma‐ray spectrometer that offers two reading modes. Results indicated that increasing the ratio of PbO is directly proportional to the concrete ability to attenuate radiation, where the optimal individual replacement ratios were recorded at 5% for micro and nano particle sizes. At this ratio, the linear attenuation coefficient (μ) values were improved by 39.57% and 24.78% for the nano and micro PbO, respectively. Additionally, the optimal ratio for improving mechanical properties was at 3% and 2% for nano and micro PbO, while the higher ratios showed a decline in mechanical properties especially at 5% micro PbO with 7.02% reduction in the compressive strength value. Regarding GD powder, the optimal replacement ratios for improving concrete radiation shielding were consistent with those enhancing its mechanical properties at 4% and 7% in both nano and micro scales, respectively. The combined mixes further enhanced the overall concrete performance, especially its radiation shielding ability. Compared to the control mix, the compressive strength, tensile strength, and μ were increased by 25.7%, 16.2%, and 44.7% at the optimal mixture of 5% nano PbO + 4% nano GD.
Patterns of belief and trust in climate change information
Authors: Johnson Victoria , Butterfuss Reese , Harsch Rina , Kendeou Panayiota 
Published: June 2024

AbstractA crucial hurdle to addressing climate change is science denial. While research suggests that science denial is related to judgments individuals make about the credibility of information sources, less is known about how source credibility and characteristics of the individual interact to affect science denial. In the present study, we examined the extent to which individuals' belief in climate change claims and trust in the sources of these claims were influenced by the interaction between the political leaning of information sources (i.e., conservative media vs. liberal media vs. scientific institutions), individuals' political ideologies, and individuals' epistemic beliefs (beliefs about the nature of knowledge and knowing). We found that both individuals' belief in climate change information and trust in sources were predicted by interactions between these variables. For example, participants who believed that facts are not politically constructed were more likely to believe in climate information and trust scientific sources, regardless of the participant's partisanship. These findings suggest that epistemic profiles associated with deference to scientific sources might protect against climate change denial. Therefore, cultivating such epistemic beliefs and the skills to critically evaluate sources could be instrumental to combating climate change denial.
Oleic and linoleic acids induce oxidative stress in chondrocytes by inhibiting autophagy‐regulated ciliogenesis
Authors: Li Xiaodong , Mao Chuanyuan , Sun Guantong , Zhao Chen , Dai Jingjing , Yang Fei , Wang Lei , Wang Xiaoqing 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe lack of a cure for osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent joint disease among older individuals, remains an ongoing challenge. Obesity is a common risk factor for OA. Chondrocyte autophagy plays a crucial role in delaying the onset of OA. Our previous studies have demonstrated a significant elevation in the levels of oleic acid (OLA) and linoleic acid (LA) in the synovial fluid (SF) of patients with OA and obesity compared to those with OA alone, and an inhibitory effect of these molecules on the activation of autophagy. Accumulating evidence indicates a reciprocal regulatory relationship between autophagy and ciliogenesis; however, whether autophagy‐mediated ciliogenesis plays a significant role in the pathogenesis of OA remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether OLA and LA affect OA development via the regulation of chondrocyte autophagy‐mediated ciliogenesis. We found that both molecules inhibited this process in chondrocytes. Moreover, intracellular calcium and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels increased simultaneously. Further, we explored the relationship between autophagy and ciliogenesis in chondrocytes. Activation of autophagy by rapamycin significantly attenuated the ciliogenesis inhibition caused by OLA and LA. Importantly, the downregulation of AKT and mTOR expression in chondrocytes reversed the autophagy‐mediated inhibition of ciliogenesis and the ROS‐accumulation‐mediated inflammation induced by OLA and LA. Taken together, our results suggest that OLA and LA induce calcium‐overload‐driven ROS accumulation via autophagy‐mediated ciliogenic disorders during OA pathogenesis. These findings demonstrate that targeting autophagy and ciliogenesis in chondrocytes is a protective strategy in the OA pathogenesis induced by OLA and LA.
The News Media Organizations RT and Sputnik and Their Audiences
Authors: Hellman Maria 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis chapter introduces the two Russian state-affiliated news media organizations, Sputnik and RT, and provides background on their development. It also discusses what is known about their journalistic culture with regard to organization and journalistic style. Scholars have highlighted that although they are international news organizations producing and disseminating information and current affairs for a global audience, in a similar way to other news media outlets, there are significant differences between RT/Sputnik and news organizations such as BBC World or CNN International. These differences in journalistic ethos have a bearing on the storytelling techniques used, and these are therefore also analyzed in this chapter. Finally the chapter presents previous research findings on the audiences for RT and Sputnik, why people turn to these channels and how they perceive and engage with the news content. Having thus positioned RT and Sputnik as international news organizations and given an account of what is known about audience reception of their messaging, Chap. 3 focuses on how RT and Sputnik have used disinformation and targeted various states.
Everyday Disinformation: RT and Sputnik News Coverage
Authors: Hellman Maria 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis chapter seeks to explain why disinformation should be seen as an everyday practice and how this is connected to digital news media. It takes its point of departure in the notion that the digital media ecology enables the construction and dissemination of strategic narratives (Oates, 2014) and that media technological developments have expanded the digital news media market and its audiences globally. At the same time, these organizational, technological, and political media developments are being used increasingly successfully by authoritarian regimes to suppress, control, and surveille. Sweden is one of the Western countries that has been heavily targeted by Russian disinformation by way of international news. RT and Sputnik news coverage tends to reflect Russian perceptions of the West as a threat to the values that the Kremlin has declared it will defend. They can be summarized as the promotion of typical national conservative values such as the promotion of Orthodox Christianity, “morality”, and “traditional family values”. More importantly, these Russian state media center their coverage on explaining the decline of Western states as a consequence of the increase of Islam in politics and society, LGBTI+communities, and migration. The chapter reviews studies about how RT and Sputnik construct denigrating depictions of a number of different countries attempting to use such imagery to sow distrust between citizens and politicians, and between citizens and public institutions both on a day-to-day basis and centered on events such as election campaigns or foreign policy crisis.
Diffusion in Disordered Media
Authors: Malthe-Sørenssen Anders 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this chapter we will study diffusional transport in disordered media. We can model diffusional transport either by solving the diffusion equation or by studying the time developments of random walks—both approaches produce the same results. We will use the statistical approach and study how random walkers spread with time in free space as well as on percolation clusters. We will introduce a scaling theory for the behavior of this process in both space and time—extending our previous scaling approaches and proving us with new tools and insights.