bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of mechanical properties of paver blocks by replacing cement with fly ash and marble waste
Authors: Hamza Muhammad , Shahzada Khan , Iqbal Mudassir , Khan Ezaz Ali 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPaver blocks (PB) play a pivotal role in various construction and infrastructure works providing aesthetically and durable pleasing surfaces for various applications such as pavements, walkways, and driveways. These blocks can be used for heavy vehicle loads instead of low-strength clay bricks and tiles. PB gained focus in the construction industry due to its multi-advantages like high strength, durability, and low maintenance cost. However, due to the usage of cement, its application is limited, which releases a huge amount of carbon dioxide into the ecosystem. Thus, it leads to global warming and climate change. In addition, cement is one of the expensive materials used in PB, which further reduces the interest of the construction industry and end-users of PB. Marble waste as its excessive amount of generation from stones in industry and fly ash as a byproduct from coal combustion immediate opportunities to use these materials and reduce the impact of waste material on the environment. Therefore, this study aims to reduce cement consumption by partially replacing marble waste and fly ash combinedly. The study contributes practically to the use of alternative materials in the construction industry. Three types of samples namely M1 (replacement with marble waste), M2 (replacement with fly ash), and M3 (replacement with both fly ash and marble waste) were used. Various proportions were added as a partial replacement, the replacement varying from 5 to 30%, which was 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30%. Statistical analyses were carried out for interpretations of the data. The result concluded that all three mixes achieved their maximum compressive strength on different days of curing. M1-15 and M3-20 mixes achieved maximum compressive strength related to control specimens at 56 days. However, the M2-20 mix achieved maximum compressive strength at 7, 28, and 56 days, The maximum flexural strength was recorded by the M1–15 mix at 7 and 56 days, while the M2–20 and M3–20 mix achieved maximum flexural strength at 7, 28 and 56 days. ANOVA tests by one-way indicate that there is no difference in the mean of compressive strength however, there is a difference in the mean of flexural strength. The Tukey post hoc analysis shows a statistically significant difference between all levels of days of compressive and flexural strength, except for some levels of compressive strength. The correlation test results indicate a positive and strong association between all three mixes.
Beyond the hype: exploring faculty perceptions and acceptability of AI in teaching practices
Authors: Ofosu-Ampong Kingsley 
Published: April 2024

AbstractLimited studies exist on faculty members or lecturers’ perception and behavioural acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) (e.g. ChatGPT) for their students' benefit. Teachers are the decision-makers for students' teaching and classroom activities. In this regard, the study examined lecturers’ use of AI-powered tools and the factors that influence the acceptance of AI in teaching and learning in universities. An online survey was conducted using a cross-sectional design, and the results were analysed using SPSS and SmartPLS. The study findings revealed that more than two-thirds (84%) of lecturers are willing to accept AI for their students, while 16% stated non-acceptance of AI for students. Factors such as years of teaching experience, institutional support for AI use, and attitude towards AI proved to be significant predictors of AI acceptance in education. Key factors influencing lecturers' acceptance of AI for their students include perceived pedagogical affordances, organisational policies and incentives, perceived complexity and usability and socio-cultural context. By addressing teacher concerns through supportive policies, user-friendly interfaces, and alignment with pedagogical goals, higher education institutions can create a more fertile ground for AI adoption.
Biotic and abiotic factors and the phylogenetic structure of extinction in the evolution of Tethysuchia
Authors: Forêt Tom , Aubier Paul , Jouve Stéphane , Cubo Jorge 
Published: April 2024

AbstractCrocodylomorpha is a large and diverse clade with a long evolutionary history now restricted to modern crocodilians. Tethysuchia is a less-inclusive clade of semi-amphibious taxa that crossed two biological crises: the second Oceanic Anoxic Event (OAE 2) and the Cretaceous/Paleogene (K/Pg) crisis. Numerous studies have sought to find the driving factors explaining crocodylomorph evolution, producing contradictory conclusions. Studies of included groups may be useful. Here, we study factors driving tethysuchian evolution using phylogenetically informed statistical analyses. First, we tested the phylogenetic structure of tethysuchian extinction at the OAE 2 and K/Pg crises. We then used phylogenetic comparative methods to test the influence of intrinsic (body size, snout proportion) and extrinsic (temperature, paleolatitude) factors on the evolution of tethysuchian diversity at the OAE 2 and the K/Pg crises. Finally, we tested whether temperature influenced the evolution of body size. We conclude that (1) extinction was not random in regard to phylogeny for Tethysuchia at the OAE 2 and K/Pg crises; (2) while an important tethysuchian turnover follows OAE 2, the K/Pg crisis was followed by an explosion in diversity of tethysuchians, probably linked to the colonization of emptied ecological niches; (3) tethysuchians lived in warmer environments after the OAE 2 crisis, possibly because of both global warming and latitudinal distribution shifts; (4) there is a significant change of snout proportion after the OAE 2 and the K/Pg crises, likely caused by niche partitioning; and (5) there is a positive correlation between body size and temperature, possibly because of a longer growth season.
Pitfalls for the sustainability of forest transitions: evidence from Southeast Asia
Authors: Kull Christian A , Bartmess Jennifer , Dressler Wolfram , Gingrich Simone , Grodzicki Maciej , Jasikowska Katarzyna , Łapniewska Zofia , Mansourian Stephanie , Nguyen Van Thi Hai , Persson Joel , Pichler Melanie , Rajaonarivelo Herimino Manoa , Robert Amélie , Tran Thang Nam , Woods Kevin 
Published: April 2024

SummaryThe concept of a forest transition – a regional shift from deforestation to forest recovery – tends to equate forest area expansion with sustainability, assuming that more forest is good for people and the environment. To promote debate and more just and ecologically sustainable outcomes during this period of intense focus on forests (such as the United Nations’ Decade on Ecological Restoration, the Trillion Trees initiative and at the United Nations’ Climate Change Conferences), we synthesize recent nuanced and integrated research to inform forest management and restoration in the future. Our results reveal nine pitfalls to assuming forest transitions and sustainability are automatically linked. The pitfalls are as follows: (1) fixating on forest quantity instead of quality; (2) masking local diversity with large-scale trends; (3) expecting U-shaped temporal trends of forest change; (4) failing to account for irreversibility; (5) framing categories and concepts as universal/neutral; (6) diverting attention from the simplification of forestlands into single-purpose conservation forests or intensive production lands; (7) neglecting social power transitions and dispossessions; (8) neglecting productivism as the hidden driving force; and (9) ignoring local agency and sentiments. We develop and illustrate these pitfalls with local- and national-level evidence from Southeast Asia and outline forward-looking recommendations for research and policy to address them. Forest transition research that neglects these pitfalls risks legitimizing unsustainable and unjust policies and programmes of forest restoration or tree planting.
Resonant Electron Signatures in the Formation of Chorus Wave Subpackets
Authors: Wang Xueyi , Chen Huayue , Omura Yoshiharu , Hsieh Yi‐Kai , Chen Lunjin , Lin Yu , Zhang Xiao‐Jia , Xia Zhiyang 
Published: April 2024

AbstractA 2‐D GCPIC simulation in a dipole field system has been conducted to explore the excitation of oblique whistler mode chorus waves driven by energetic electrons with temperature anisotropy. The rising tone chorus waves are initially generated near the magnetic equator, consisting of a series of subpackets, and become oblique during their propagation. It is found that electron holes in the wave phase space, which are formed due to the nonlinear cyclotron resonance, oscillate in size with time during subpacket formation. The associated inhomogeneity factor varies accordingly, giving rise to various frequency chirping in different phases of subpackets. Distinct nongyrotropic electron distributions are detected in both wave gyrophase and stationary gyrophase. Landau resonance is found to coexist with cyclotron resonance. This study provides multidimensional electron distributions involved in subpacket formation, enabling us to comprehensively understand the nonlinear physics in chorus wave evolution.
Fecal Bacteria Contamination of Floodwaters and a Coastal Waterway From Tidally‐Driven Stormwater Network Inundation
Authors: Carr M. M. , Gold A. C. , Harris A. , Anarde K. , Hino M. , Sauers N. , Da Silva G. , Gamewell C. , Nelson N. G. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractInundation of coastal stormwater networks by tides is widespread due to sea‐level rise (SLR). The water quality risks posed by tidal water rising up through stormwater infrastructure (pipes and catch basins), out onto roadways, and back out to receiving water bodies is poorly understood but may be substantial given that stormwater networks are a known source of fecal contamination. In this study, we (a) documented temporal variation in concentrations of Enterococcus spp. (ENT), the fecal indicator bacteria standard for marine waters, in a coastal waterway over a 2‐month period and more intensively during two perigean spring tide periods, (b) measured ENT concentrations in roadway floodwaters during tidal floods, and (c) explained variation in ENT concentrations as a function of tidal inundation, antecedent rainfall, and stormwater infrastructure using a pipe network inundation model and robust linear mixed effect models. We find that ENT concentrations in the receiving waterway vary as a function of tidal stage and antecedent rainfall, but also site‐specific characteristics of the stormwater network that drains to the waterway. Tidal variables significantly explain measured ENT variance in the waterway, however, runoff drove higher ENT concentrations in the receiving waterway. Samples of floodwaters on roadways during both perigean spring tide events were limited, but all samples exceeded the threshold for safe public use of recreational waters. These results indicate that inundation of stormwater networks by tides could pose public health hazards in receiving water bodies and on roadways, which will likely be exacerbated in the future due to continued SLR.
The Middle and Low Latitude Ion Composition Variations Observed by the DMSP Satellites on 20–31 August 2018
Authors: Zhang Ruilong , Liu Libo , Zhong Jiahao , Chen Yiding , Le Huijun , Li Wenbo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe coupling between the ionosphere and plasmasphere is not known well during the quiet and storm times. The topside ionosphere ion composition reflects the exchange between the ionosphere and plasmasphere. We used the DMSP satellite observations to show the changes of the 840 km altitude H+ and O+ ions at ∼3–6 LT in the mid‐ and low‐latitudes on 20–31 August 2018 where a storm occurred on 25 August. The H+ was the main ion at 3–4 LT, and its concentration presented two peaks around 40°N/S magnetic latitudes on 20–24 August. The H+ concentration strongly lessened for more than five days around 40°N/S magnetic latitudes in the recovery phase of the storm on 26–30 August. Further, the enhancement and reduction of the H+ concentration persisted mainly in the Pacific and Asian sectors. The O+ density increased in Northern Hemisphere at 6:36 LT, and the H+ concentration showed the maximum around the magnetic equator during the quiet times, while the H+ concentration still mainly reduced around 40°N/S and stronger at 40°S in the recovery phase. The plasmaspheric total electron content showed a peak around the magnetic equator on 20–24 August, and the peak was weakened or disappeared on 26–30 August. The plasmasphere might be the principal sources for the mid‐latitude H+ enhancement along the geomagnetic field lines during the quite times and the storm‐time suppressed plasmasphere plasma density would weaken the supply of the H+ at 840 km altitude.
Thank You to Our 2023 Reviewers
Authors: Schubnel Alexandre , Abercrombie Rachel , Bernabé Yves , Bostock Michael , Dekkers Mark , Friedrich Anke , Han Shin‐Chan , Ide Satoshi , Manighetti Isabelle , Niu Fenglin , Schmitt Douglas R. , Tsuchiya Jun 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe entire editorial board of the Journal of Geophysical Research‐Solid Earth would like to sincerely thank all our colleagues who reviewed manuscripts for us in 2023. The hours they spent reading in order to provide insightful comments on manuscripts not only help improve the quality of these manuscripts but also ensure the scientific rigor of our reviewing process and eventually, of the research published in the field of Solid Earth Geophysics by our journal. With the advent of open science and AGU's data policy, the reviewing process now also encompasses checking the accessibility and availability of data and developed software. This is a key objective of AGU's FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable) policy, for which many reviewers have provided suggestions that helped to improve the data presentation and availability, and which also fed the editorial board's reflection on the matter. Of course, we particularly appreciate timely reviews, particularly in light of the growing demands imposed by the increase of manuscripts submitted to Journal of Geophysical Research‐Solid Earth. We received 1,869 submissions in 2023, and 1,472 reviewers contributed to their evaluation by providing 2,237 reviews in total. We are deeply thankful for all of their contributions. The editorial board of Journal of Geophysical Research‐Solid Earth: Rachel Abercrombie, Yves Bernabé, Michael Bostock (former editor), Mark Dekkers, Anke Friedrich, Shin‐Chan Han, Satoshi Ide, Isabelle Manighetti (former EIC), Fenglin Niu, Douglas R. Schmitt, Alexandre Schubnel (EIC), Jun Tsuchiya, and all the associate editors of JGR‐SE.
Endogenous mutant Huntingtin alters the corticogenesis via lowering Golgi recruiting ARF1 in cortical organoid
Authors: Liu Yang , Chen Xinyu , Ma Yunlong , Song Chenyun , Ma Jixin , Chen Cheng , Su Jianzhong , Ma Lixiang , Saiyin Hexige 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPathogenic mutant huntingtin (mHTT) infiltrates the adult Huntington’s disease (HD) brain and impairs fetal corticogenesis. However, most HD animal models rarely recapitulate neuroanatomical alterations in adult HD and developing brains. Thus, the human cortical organoid (hCO) is an alternative approach to decode mHTT pathogenesis precisely during human corticogenesis. Here, we replicated the altered corticogenesis in the HD fetal brain using HD patient-derived hCOs. Our HD-hCOs had pathological phenotypes, including deficient junctional complexes in the neural tubes, delayed postmitotic neuronal maturation, dysregulated fate specification of cortical neuron subtypes, and abnormalities in early HD subcortical projections during corticogenesis, revealing a causal link between impaired progenitor cells and chaotic cortical neuronal layering in the HD brain. We identified novel long, oriented, and enriched polyQ assemblies of HTTs that hold large flat Golgi stacks and scaffold clathrin+ vesicles in the neural tubes of hCOs. Flat Golgi stacks conjugated polyQ assemblies by ADP-ribosylation factor 1 (ARF1). Inhibiting ARF1 activation with Brefeldin A (BFA) disassociated polyQ assemblies from Golgi. PolyQ assembles with mHTT scaffolded fewer ARF1 and formed shorter polyQ assembles with fewer and shorter Golgi and clathrin vesicles in neural tubes of HD-hCOs compared with those in hCOs. Inhibiting the activation of ARF1 by BFA in healthy hCOs replicated impaired junctional complexes in the neural tubes. Together, endogenous polyQ assemblies with mHTT reduced the Golgi recruiting ARF1 in the neuroepithelium, impaired the Golgi structure and activities, and altered the corticogenesis in HD-hCO.
FGF7 enhances the expression of ACE2 in human islet organoids aggravating SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Meng Hao , Liao Zhiying , Ji Yanting , Wang Dong , Han Yang , Huang Chaolin , Hu Xujuan , Chen Jingyi , Zhang Hengrui , Li Zonghong , Wang Changliang , Sun Hui , Sun Jiaqi , Chen Lihua , Yin Jiaxiang , Zhao Jincun , Xu Tao , Liu Huisheng 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a primary cell surface viral binding receptor for SARS-CoV-2, so finding new regulatory molecules to modulate ACE2 expression levels is a promising strategy against COVID-19. In the current study, we utilized islet organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs), animal models and COVID-19 patients to discover that fibroblast growth factor 7 (FGF7) enhances ACE2 expression within the islets, facilitating SARS-CoV-2 infection and resulting in impaired insulin secretion. Using hESC-derived islet organoids, we demonstrated that FGF7 interacts with FGF receptor 2 (FGFR2) and FGFR1 to upregulate ACE2 expression predominantly in β cells. This upregulation increases both insulin secretion and susceptibility of β cells to SARS-CoV-2 infection. Inhibiting FGFR counteracts the FGF7-induced ACE2 upregulation, subsequently reducing viral infection and replication in the islets. Furthermore, retrospective clinical data revealed that diabetic patients with severe COVID-19 symptoms exhibited elevated serum FGF7 levels compared to those with mild symptoms. Finally, animal experiments indicated that SARS-CoV-2 infection increased pancreatic FGF7 levels, resulting in a reduction of insulin concentrations in situ. Taken together, our research offers a potential regulatory strategy for ACE2 by controlling FGF7, thereby protecting islets from SARS-CoV-2 infection and preventing the progression of diabetes in the context of COVID-19.
Efficacy and safety of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of refractory immune thrombocytopenia: a prospective, single arm, phase I trial
Authors: Chen Yunfei , Xu Yanmei , Chi Ying , Sun Ting , Gao Yuchen , Dou Xueqing , Han Zhibo , Xue Feng , Li Huiyuan , Liu Wei , Liu Xiaofan , Dong Huan , Fu Rongfeng , Ju Mankai , Dai Xinyue , Wang Wentian , Ma Yueshen , Song Zhen , Gu Jundong , Gong Wei , Yang Renchi , Zhang Lei 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPatients with refractory immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) frequently encounter substantial bleeding risks and demonstrate limited responsiveness to existing therapies. Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) present a promising alternative, capitalizing on their low immunogenicity and potent immunomodulatory effects for treating diverse autoimmune disorders. This prospective phase I trial enrolled eighteen eligible patients to explore the safety and efficacy of UC-MSCs in treating refractory ITP. The research design included administering UC-MSCs at escalating doses of 0.5 × 106 cells/kg, 1.0 × 106 cells/kg, and 2.0 × 106 cells/kg weekly for four consecutive weeks across three cohorts during the dose-escalation phase, followed by a dose of 2.0 × 106 cells/kg weekly for the dose-expansion phase. Adverse events, platelet counts, and changes in peripheral blood immunity were monitored and recorded throughout the administration and follow-up period. Ultimately, 12 (with an addition of three patients in the 2.0 × 106 cells/kg group due to dose-limiting toxicity) and six patients were enrolled in the dose-escalation and dose-expansion phase, respectively. Thirteen patients (13/18, 72.2%) experienced one or more treatment emergent adverse events. Serious adverse events occurred in four patients (4/18, 22.2%), including gastrointestinal hemorrhage (2/4), profuse menstruation (1/4), and acute myocardial infarction (1/4). The response rates were 41.7% in the dose-escalation phase (5/12, two received 1.0 × 106 cells/kg per week, and three received 2.0 × 106 cells/kg per week) and 50.0% (3/6) in the dose-expansion phase. The overall response rate was 44.4% (8/18) among all enrolled patients. To sum up, UC-MSCs are effective and well tolerated in treating refractory ITP (ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04014166).
Environmental barriers perceived by the Finnish population with spinal cord injury: a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Saarimäki Sanna-Mari , Reiterä Paula , Täckman Anni , Arokoski Jari , Vainionpää Aki , Kallinen Mauri , Tallqvist Susanna , Koskinen Eerika , Hämäläinen Harri , Kauppila Anna-Maija , Anttila Heidi , Hiekkala Sinikka 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
Study design
Cross-sectional survey of the Finnish population with spinal cord injury (SCI).

Objectives
To explore the frequencies of perceived environmental barriers (EB) that made participation harder for the Finnish population with SCI and to compare the occurrence of perceived EBs by gender, age, time since injury, and injury severity.

Setting
Participants were recruited from the registers of the three SCI outpatient clinics responsible for the lifelong care of people with SCI in Finland.

Methods
The self-administered Nottwil Environmental Factors Inventory Short Form (NEFI-SF) collected in the Finnish Spinal Cord Injury Study (FinSCI) (n = 1772) was used. Nonparametric tests and multinomial logistic regression models were utilized.

Results
880 individuals responded to the NEFI-SF items (response rate 50%). Climate was perceived as a barrier by 72% and a serious one by 44% of the respondents. The rates regarding public access were 59% and 24%, private home access 46% and 18%, and long-distance transport 45% and 20%. Four out of ten respondents reported that finances, lack of assistive devices for short-distance transport, and political decisions restricted their participation. The NEFI-SF total scores were higher (meaning more perceived restrictions by EBs) for those more severely injured.

Conclusions
Climate, access to public and private places, challenges with transport, finances, and political decisions were the EBs most frequently perceived to restrict participation by the Finnish population with SCI. Most EBs that were prominent causes of restrictions are modifiable. Greater accessibility to the built environment, equal services to all, and positive special treatment could reduce their effects.