bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Large and high-altitude foraging ranges suggests importance of Wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats (Chaerephon plicatus) for consuming dispersing pest insects
Authors: Bumrungsri Sara , Srilo Supawan , Lewanzik Daniel , Voigt Christian C. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

High altitude flying bats may contribute to the reduction of dispersing pest insects, yet we are lacking detailed studies on their vertical foraging behavior. Here, we examined the three-dimensional foraging behavior of 18-g wrinkle-lipped free-tailed bats using miniaturized Global Positioning System loggers during the peak emergence of planthoppers, a major pest for rice. We predicted bats to spend most foraging time at high altitudes, i.e., > 110 m above ground, and to use relatively large foraging ranges. Furthermore, we predicted high altitude flights to occur above forested sites, which are locally limited to mountain ridges, and low altitude flight to occur in urban areas and above cropland. Most of the 11 tracked bats used large foraging ranges, covering between 40 to 1,740 km2 during a single night. During single foraging trips, bats traveled 60 km (median), covering a maximum of 26 km (median) in relation to the cave roost. Bats flew at a median altitude of 146 meters above ground, yet occasionally more than 1,600 m above ground. Furthermore, bats spent about 40% of foraging at low altitudes, preferring urban areas and forested sites, but avoided croplands and water bodies. When flying at high altitudes, bats preferred forested sites. Because of its distinct flight behavior and its preferred prey items, i.e. planthoppers, C. plicatus may be crucial in limiting the dispersal capacity of this major rice pest while it is wind drifting to more northern regions in Asia. Protection of this bat is essential for ensuring rice harvests across whole Asia.
Dynamic Glacier Change Monitoring and Its Response to Climate Change in the Koshi River Basin
Authors: Qin Ji , Li-yuan Tong , Jia-Qi Wang 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

With the data available now from Landsat remote sensing images and digital elevation model (DEM), we employ both the ratio threshold technique and visual interpretation approach to discern glacier boundaries within the Koshi River Basin, across the years 1990 to 2020. Meanwhile, using meteorological grid data, we investigate the glaciers' responses to climatic change. Research findings show that: (1) The Koshi River Basin's glaciers exhibited an unbroken trend of shrinking dimensions between 1990 and 2020, and the withdrawal rate is increasing. The annual area retreat percentage of debris-covered glacier was approximately 0.28%/a and the clean glacier was 0.73%/a. (2) During the last thirty years, within the investigated zone, the glacier area takes on a upward and then downward trend with increased altitude. Debris-covered glaciers are mainly distributed at an elevation range of 5000 ~ 6600 m, while the debris-free glaciers are mainly located at elevations from 5200 to 6400 m. (3) The distribution and retreat tendency appears to have distinctions between different slopes. Debris-covered glaciers were mainly distributed between 5 ~ 10°, while debris-free glaciers were greatly distributed between 10 ~ 15°. Glacier shrinkage was largely in the range of 30 ~ 35°. (4) Glaciers shrinkage shows a certain hysteresis phenomenon. This paper comprehensively analyzes the regional temperature and precipitation data with a 10-year lag period, and finds that rising temperature and decreasing precipitation are likely to be the main factors that cause glaciers to retreat. What’s more, the former plays a greater role.
Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) slag as an additive in sodium carbonate-activated slag cements
Authors: Stefanini Laura , Walkley Brant , Provis John L. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Basic oxygen furnace slag (BOFS) is a high-volume waste resulting from the production of steel from pig iron. Due to its high free lime content, BOFS is difficult to recycle and/or include into conventional cement systems. Alkali-activation technology offers a pathway to transform industrial wastes such as BOFS into low-carbon cements. Alternative precursors for cement systems are needed as the reliance on commonly used materials like ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is becoming unsustainable due to decreasing availability. This study investigates alkali-activated cements incorporating 20 and 30 wt. % of weathered BOFS as a replacement for GGBFS, in both sodium silicate- and sodium carbonate-activated systems. A fraction of BOFS subject to mechanical activation is compared against the untreated BOFS in the 20 wt. % systems. It is observed that in weathered BOFS, a significant portion of the free-lime is found to convert to portlandite, which accelerates alkali-activation kinetics. In sodium silicate-activated systems, the high pH of the activator results in incomplete reaction of the portlandite present in BOFS. The sodium carbonate-activated system shows near complete conversion of portlandite, causing an acceleration in the kinetics of reaction, setting, and hardening. These findings confirm the viability of sodium carbonate activated GGBFS-based systems with only a minor loss in strength properties. BOFS can be utilised as a valuable cement additive for the production of sustainable alkali-activated cements utilising sodium silicate as a less carbon-intensive activator solution than the more commonly used sodium silicate. Mechanical activation of BOFS offers further optimisation potential for alkali-activation.
An exploratory study of metabolomics in endogenous and cannabis-use-associated psychotic-like experiences in adolescence
Authors: Kurkinen Karoliina , Kärkkäinen Olli , Lehto Soili , Luoma Ilona , Kraav Siiri-Liisi , Kivimäki Petri , Therman Sebastian , Tolmunen Tommi 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

In adolescence, psychotic-like experiences (PLE) may indicate potential prodromal symptoms preceding the onset of psychosis. Metabolomic studies have shown promise in providing valuable insights into predicting psychosis with enhanced precision compared to conventional clinical features. This study investigated metabolomic alterations associated with PLE in 76 depressed adolescents aged 14–20 years. Serum concentrations of 92 metabolites were analyzed with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. PLE were assessed using the Youth Experiences and Health (YEAH) questionnaire. The associations between PLE symptom dimensions (delusions, paranoia, hallucinations, negative symptoms, thought disorder, and dissociation) and metabolite concentrations were analyzed in linear regression models adjusted for different covariates. The symptom dimensions consistently correlated with the metabolome in different models, except those adjusted for cannabis use. Specifically, the hallucination dimension was associated with 13 metabolites (acetoacetic acid, allantoin, asparagine, decanoylcarnitine, D-glucuronic acid, guanidinoacetic acid, hexanoylcarnitine, homogentidic acid, leucine, NAD+, octanoylcarnitine, trimethylamine-N-oxide, and valine) in the various linear models. However, when adjusting for cannabis use, eight metabolites were associated with hallucinations (adenine, AMP, cAMP, chenodeoxycholic acid, cholic acid, L-kynurenine, neopterin, and D-ribose-5-phosphate). The results suggest diverse mechanisms underlying PLE in adolescence; hallucinatory experiences may be linked to inflammatory functions, while cannabis use may engage an alternative metabolic pathway related to increased energy demand and ketogenesis in inducing PLE. The limited sample of individuals with depression restricts the generalizability of these findings. Future research should explore whether various experiences and related metabolomic changes jointly predict the onset of psychoses and related disorders.
Bi-level Identification of Governing Equations for Nonlinear Physical Systems
Authors: Yang Lijun , Li Zeyu , Yuan Huining , Han Wang , Li Hongjue , Hou Yiming , Ding Haidong , Jiang Zhiguo 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

The identification of governing equations from data for nonlinear physical systems has been a long-standing challenge in scientific discovery. However, the inherently ill-posed nature of this inverse problem often leads to false discoveries that overfit certain datasets without capturing the true dynamics of the studied system. To overcome the challenge, we propose a Bi-level Identification of Equations (BILLIE) framework in this work to simultaneously perform equation discovery and validation in two hierarchical objectives of a bi-level optimization. BILLIE is effectively solved using policy gradient techniques from reinforcement learning and hence offers the possibility of identifying very challenging physical systems where the existing approaches fail. Our experimental results on the Navier-Stokes equation, the Burgers' equation, and the three-body system demonstrate BILLIE's dominant performance over existing methods. Moreover, we apply BILLIE to the task of discovering the RNA and protein velocity equations from real-world single-cell sequencing. For the first time, we can quantitatively discover these prominent velocity equations in a data-driven manner, which marks a departure from previous reliance on experts' empirical intuitions to hypothesize these equations. Notably, the equations identified by BILLIE surpass empirical equations in accurately characterizing the future states of differentiated cells. This demonstrates BILLIE's strong potential to contribute to the discovery of fundamental physical rules underlying diverse scientific phenomena.
The transfer of health care from hospital to home from the perspective of the health- and social care providers – an interview study
Authors: Tarvis Maria , Ziegert Kristina , Forsberg Elenita , Andersson Janicke , Gillsjö Catharina 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background
The process of transferring health care services from hospital care to municipal home health care is ongoing in Sweden, which contributes to an increasingly advanced health care in patients’ homes.
Methods
This study has a qualitative design. Data were collected in two rural municipalities in western Sweden during autumn 2020. Fourteen registered nurses and ten assistant nurses employed by the municipalities participated in focus group interviews, and three physicians in primary mobile health care employed by primary health care were individually interviewed via telephone. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyze data.
Results
The analyze resulted in two main themes. The first theme, Home—An arena in which one balances dual roles and respectfully negotiates the provision of care as a guest, was related to respect for the home and for those who live there. The second theme, Striving to fulfill expectations and requirements while simultaneously preserving professionalism, was related to profession and cooperation.
Conclusions
The result of this study shows that working in home health care requires negotiation to achieve an appropriate home- and work environment, and collaboration between health care providers to achieve good and safe patient care in the home.
Development and validation of a predictive model for failure of ureteral access sheath placement in patients with ureteral calculi
Authors: Luo Di , Zhang Jingdong , Xie Linguo , Wang Rui , Ren Haotian , Shang Zhiqun , Li Chunpeng , Liu Chunyu 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Objective: Construction and validation of a dynamic online nomogram for failed ureteral access sheath (UAS) placement during retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) in patients with ureteral stones.
Methods: This study retrospectively gathered medical records and stone data from patients undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) for ureteral stones at the Department of Urology, the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, between January and December 2022. Lasso combined logistic regression was utilized to identify independent risk factors associated with unsuccessful UAS placement in individuals with ureteral stones. Subsequently, a nomogram model was developed to predict the likelihood of failed UAS placement in this patient cohort. The model's performance was assessed through Receiver Operating Characteristic Curve (ROC) analysis, calibration curve assessment, and Decision Curve Analysis (DCA).
Results: Significant independent risk factors for unsuccessful UAS placement in patients with ureteral stones included age (OR = 0.95, P < 0.001), male gender (OR = 2.15, P = 0.017), body mass index (BMI) (OR = 1.12, P < 0.001), history of stone evacuation (OR = 0.35, P = 0.014), and ureteral stone diameter (OR = 0.23, P < 0.001). A nomogram was constructed based on these variables. Model validation demonstrated an area under the ROC curve of 0.789, indicating good discrimination. The calibration curve exhibited strong agreement, and the decision curve analysis revealed a favorable net clinical benefit for the model.
Conclusions: In our study, we concluded that young age, male sex, high BMI, no history of stone evacuation, and small diameter of ureteral stones were independent risk factors for failure of UAS placement in patients with ureteral stones, and the dynamic nomogram established with these 5 factors was clinically effective in predicting the outcome of UAS placement.
On the crack resistance and damage tolerance of 3D-printed nature-inspired hierarchical composite architecture
Authors: Hong Soon Hyung , Yu Siwon , Park Seunggyu , Lee Kang Taek , Hwang Jun Yeon , Marrow T. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Materials scientists have taken a learn-from-nature approach to study the structure-property relationships of natural materials. Here we introduce a new type of nature-inspired composite architecture showing a hierarchical assembly of granular-like building blocks with specific topological textures. The structural complexity of the resulting architecture was advanced by applying the concept of ‘grain orientation’ internally to each building block to induce a tailored crack resistance. Hexagonal grain-shaped building blocks were filled with parallel-oriented filament bundles, and these functioned as stiff-blocks with high anisotropy due to the embedded fiber reinforcements. Process-induced interfacial voids provided preferential crack paths, were strategically integrated with cracks to improve fracture toughness at the macroscopic scale. The resultant characteristic cracking behaviors were inherently induced by the synergistic crack-void interactions and the obstacle effects of aligned fibers. This study discusses the structural effects of the local/global orientations, stacking sequences, feature sizes, and gradient assemblies of granular blocks on crack tolerance behavior. Our approach to applying crystallographic concepts to complex composite architectures provides an alternative method for gaining insight into natural toughening mechanisms at the meso- and macro-scale and may inspire for new models of fracture mechanics.
VCP regulates early tau seed amplification via specific cofactors
Authors: Batra Sushobhna , Vaquer-Alicea Jaime III , Valdez Clarissa , Taylor Skyler P , Manon Victor A , Vega Anthony R , Kashmer Omar M , Kolay Sourav , Lemoff Andrew , Cairns Nigel J , White Charles L , Diamond Marc I 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Background Neurodegenerative tauopathies may progress based on seeding by pathological tau assemblies, whereby an aggregate is released from one cell, gains entry to an adjacent or connected cell, and serves as a specific template for its own replication in the cytoplasm. In vitro seeding reactions typically take days, yet seeding into the complex cytoplasmic milieu happens within hours, implicating a machinery with unknown players that controls this process in the acute phase.
Methods We used proximity labeling to identify factors that control seed amplification within 5h of seed exposure. We fused split-APEX2 to the C-terminus of tau repeat domain (RD) to reconstitute peroxidase activity 5h after seeded intracellular tau aggregation. Valosin containing protein (VCP/p97) was the top hit. VCP harbors dominant mutations that underlie two neurodegenerative diseases, multisystem proteinopathy and vacuolar tauopathy, but its mechanistic role is unclear. We used immortalized cells and human neurons to study the effects of VCP on tau seeding. We exposed cells to fibrils or brain homogenates in cell culture media and measured effects on uptake and induction of intracellular tau aggregation following various genetic and chemical manipulations of VCP.
Results VCP knockdown reduced tau seeding. Chemical inhibitors had opposing effects on aggregation in HEK293T tau biosensor cells and human neurons alike: ML-240 increased seeding efficiency, whereas NMS-873 decreased it. The inhibitors were effective only when administered within 8h of seed exposure, indicating a role for VCP early in seed processing. We screened 30 VCP co-factors in HEK293T biosensor cells by genetic knockout or knockdown. Reduction of ATXN3, NSFL1C, UBE4B, NGLY1, and OTUB1 decreased tau seeding, as did NPLOC4, which also uniquely increased soluble tau levels. By contrast, reduction of FAF2 increased tau seeding.
Conclusions Divergent effects on tau seeding of chemical inhibitors and cofactor reduction indicate that VCP regulates this process. This is consistent with a dedicated cytoplasmic processing complex based on VCP that directs seeds acutely towards degradation vs. amplification.
Decent Work in the Informal Sector and Economic Growth: Jua Kali Artisan Businesses’ Sustainability Challenges in Eastlands of Nairobi
Authors: Momanyi Christopher 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

With the shrinking of the formal employment and the creation of more jobs in the informal sector, a lot needs to be done to create more decent jobs in the informal sector. It seems that most governments have plans to improve the informal sector by supporting in various ways to create decent jobs. The Kenyan government policy plans in recent years have single out the Jua Kali sector as the mainstay of Kenya’s economy in the creation of jobs. There are many efforts by many government departments to lay strategies on how to better the operating capability of the informal sector as the most viable alternative to employment. However, these efforts are being put into test by the inability of most Jua Kali artisan businesses and in general micro small and medium (MSMEs) businesses not surviving their fifth year since their inception. There is a general consensus that the Jua Kali sector is expanding and accounts for 80 percent of new jobs in the Kenyan economy. However, creating decent jobs seems to be a tall order as many Jua Kali artisan businesses collapse by the 10th year after their inception. The Jua Kali sector should not be evaluated only by the number of jobs it creates but also by how many businesses are stable and long lasting in creating and maintaining decent jobs. The magnitude of the informal sector does not reflect the number of decent jobs being created and how long the businesses that create them will last. Data for this research were obtained by a survey carried out in the Eastlands of Nairobi, Kenya by using an interview and observation schedule. The research established that it is only 52.2 percent of the interviewed artisans who owned artisan businesses. Out of the 481 artisans interviewed for this research, 254 had been in the Jua Kali sector within six years, 110 within ten years, 36 within 18 years. Most Jua Kali artisans gained their skills in the Jua Kali sector by apprenticeship (86.3%) while a small percentage (12.7%) trained in Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) institutions while a further one percent gained their skills in their former employment. Most of the artisans had attained the basic formal education qualifications i.e. primary education (27.9%) and secondary education (47.6%).
A Transfemoral Prosthesis Modelling in SolidWorks and Stress, Elongation Analyses of it in ANSYS
Authors: Bulut Semiha , Duman Burak 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This paper describes the modelling and analyses of a transfemoral prosthesis. The prosthesis design was done in SolidWorks as it includes, the modelling of a foot model that has a spring like mechanism. In this work, a transfemoral prosthesis leg was designed for a person who weights 90 kg and the forces and loads which the prosthesis exposed were analysed statically by ANSYS programme. The transfemoral prosthesis was designed and analysed as two parts: the foot and the leg. Two different materials were chosen for these two different parts of the prosthesis due to the fact that those parts were under different loads and deformation forces. The stress and deformation distribution of the both parts were analysed seperately. The steel material was chosen for the foot part and the aluminium alloy material was chosen for the leg and knee parts of the prosthesis. In this work, the first of all; each parts of the prosthesis were modelled in Solidworks. Afterwords, those models were imported into ANSYS programme and analysed. It was cofirmed by the analyses results that the chosen materials were suitable for the transfemoral prosthesis and the prosthesis was strong enough to carry those forces, loads and deformations that were produced by a 90 kg weight person.
From Sustainable Consumption to Climate Activism. Sustainability Careers of Young People in Germany.
Authors: von Querfurth Sarah , Herbes Carsten 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

This article examines young people’s pathways towards climate activism and how they relate to consumption practices. Based on 21 narrative interviews with younger adults in Germany, we identified different types of consumption practices and corresponding attitudes towards sustainability among activists, supporters and non-supporters of the climate movement. Using the concept of “careers of practice” by Reckwitz (2002), we highlight how sustainable consumption practices were broadened by supporters and actvists of the climate movement Fridays for Future. This emerged parallel to the development of the personal meaning of reflective consumption practices geared towards sustainability. For the group of activists, the relevance of individual consumption practices shrinks over time and they see more impact in political activism. They continue sustainable consumption practices but emphasize participating in political activism. The article identifies typical pathways of young adults coping with the experience of the climate crises and relates their “sustainability careers” to biographical markers.
Investigating Racial Bias and Attribution Error in Grading Student Performance
Authors: Reibel Anthony , Roegman Rachel 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Standards-based grading (SBG) is a more recent approach to grading that aims to reduce the impact of teacher biases that affect grading. This study investigates whether SBG effectively mitigates biases related to race and attribution errors that can distort traditional grading methods. To achieve this, a quantitative factorial vignette experiment was conducted to analyze the qualitative feedback given on student performance, shedding light on teachers' evaluative reasoning under SBG. Findings indicate that despite the structured framework of SBG, the evaluative process remains susceptible to a wide range of influencing factors, though there were no significant findings related to racial bias. The results of the factorial vignette experiment underscored that while SBG aims to objectify the grading process, some biases may still affect teachers' evaluations, highlighting the intricate web of factors involved in the evaluation process. The paper contributes significantly to the ongoing discourse surrounding modern grading systems, emphasizing the need for continuing evolution in grading methodologies to ensure fairness and objectivity in student assessments.