bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conservation volunteers’ experiences of connecting with nature during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Furlong Rhys , Hallam Jenny , Barnes Christopher 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic caused significant negative implications for individual wellbeing and many people accessed green spaces to help them cope with the demands of national lockdown restrictions. In response, the current study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to investigate the experiences of ten UK based nature volunteers whose activities had been disrupted due to the UK COVID-19 lockdowns throughout 2020. Each nature volunteer participated in a semi-structured interview held on a virtual platform which invited them to explore their experiences in nature during the pandemic. Analysis identified three main themes. ‘Sensations of nature’ explored the sense of presence and oneness with nature that the volunteers felt when mindfully engaging with the sensations found in nature. ‘Stability from nature’ investigated the ways in which the volunteers found meaning in nature and the sense of comfort, stability and hope this provided. Finally, ‘Changing relationships with nature’ examined the greater environmental awareness that the volunteers experienced and the ways in which this led to a desire to give back to nature. It is argued that mindful engagement with nature enhances a sense of personal wellbeing and cultivates a connection to nature which encourages environmental concern.
On the many terms for developmental language and learning impairments
Authors: Archibald Lisa M. D. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe terms Language Disorder, Developmental Language Disorder (DLD), Language-based learning disabilities, Specific Learning Disorder, and Specific Learning Disability are commonly used to describe children struggling to learn at school. In this position paper, the definitions and distinctions between these terms are discussed, and key overlaps and differences described. Although often used interchangeably, Specific Learning Disorder and Specific Learning Disability are not synonymous. Based on current definitions, both children with DLD and children with Specific Learning Disorder could be classified as having a Specific Learning Disability in the educational setting. In educational settings, children with DLD may additionally be identified using terms such as Language Impairment, Speech, Language, Communication Needs (SLCN), and others. Despite the problematic overlap in the names Specific Learning Disorder and Specific Learning Disability, one advantage of the latter term is the acknowledgement that many skills underlying academic learning are language-based thereby capturing the disability experienced by children with language or academic learning disorders.
Prevalence of bifidity of the seventh cervical vertebral spinous process in southwestern Nigeria: a computed tomography based study
Authors: Ibitoye Babatunde Oluwaseun , Oladipupo Olatunde Wasiu , Ibitoye Fransisca Omolara , Akadiri Olumide , Bello Olajumoke Fatima 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPalpation of the seventh cervical vertebra (C7) is an important landmark for counting vertebrae for vertebral spine surgical instrumentation. However, studies have shown that the spinous process of C7 displays an anatomical deviation among individuals, which may mislead a surgeon who is not aware of this, and there have been no such studies among southwest Nigerians. The present study aimed to examine the incidence of bifidity in the C7 spinous process and their variation among 48 subjects with the aid of a three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography. The 48 subjects who had undergone cervical spine computed tomography studies comprised the pooled data of ages between 12 and 55 years of black race in southwest Nigeria from the radiology department of the Trauma and Surgical Centre, Ondo State, Nigeria. A series of multivariate and discriminant statistical tests were performed on the measurement data to determine the occurrence of bifid spinous processes at C7 in southwestern Nigeria. The results show about 10% bifidity in the C-7 vertebra and no bifidity in the first cervical vertebra and the highest rate in the C-6 vertebra in the study population. The incidence in this study is significantly higher than findings in previous works. Thus, there is a need for clinicians to pay more attention to this variation when using C7 as a landmark especially in the studied population.
Organizational commitments to equality change how people view women’s and men’s professional success
Authors: Kelley Kristin , Hipp Lena , Protsch Paula 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo address women’s underrepresentation in high-status positions, many organizations have committed to gender equality. But is women’s professional success viewed less positively when organizations commit to women’s advancement? Do equality commitments have positive effects on evaluations of successful men? We fielded a survey experiment with a national probability sample in Germany (N = 3229) that varied employees’ gender and their organization’s commitment to equality. Respondents read about a recently promoted employee and rated how decisive of a role they thought intelligence and effort played in getting the employee promoted from 1 “Not at all decisive” to 7 “Very decisive” and the fairness of the promotion from 1 “Very unfair” to 7 “Very fair.” When organizations committed to women’s advancement rather than uniform performance standards, people believed intelligence and effort were less decisive in women’s promotions, but that intelligence was more decisive in men’s promotions. People viewed women’s promotions as least fair and men’s as most fair in organizations committed to women’s advancement. However, women’s promotions were still viewed more positively than men’s in all conditions and on all outcomes, suggesting people believed that organizations had double standards for success that required women to be smarter and work harder to be promoted, especially in organizations that did not make equality commitments.
Genome-wide identification and evolutionary analysis of the AP2/EREBP, COX and LTP genes in Zea mays L. under drought stress
Authors: Maghraby Amaal , Alzalaty Mohamed 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAP2 (APETALA2)/EREBP (ethylene-responsive element-binding protein), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and nonspecific lipid transfer proteins (LTP) play important roles in the response to drought stress. This is the first study to identify the COX gene in Zea mays L. via genome-wide analysis. The qRT‒PCR results indicated that AP2/EREBP, COX and LTP were downregulated, with fold changes of 0.84, 0.53 and 0.31, respectively, after 12 h of drought stress. Genome-wide analysis identified 78 AP2/EREBP, 6 COX and 10 LTP genes in Z. mays L. Domain analysis confirmed the presence of the AP2 domain, Cyt_c_Oxidase_Vb domain and nsLTP1 in the AP2/EREBP, COX and LTP proteins, respectively. The AP2/EREBP protein family (AP2) includes five different domain types: the AP2/ERF domain, the EREBP-like factor (EREBP), the ethylene responsive factor (ERF), the dehydration responsive element binding protein (DREB) and the SHN SHINE. Synteny analysis of the AP2/EREBP, COX and LTP genes revealed collinearity orthologous relationships in O. sativa, H. vulgare and A. thaliana. AP2/EREBP genes were found on the 10 chromosomes of Z. mays L. COX genes were found on chromosomes 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 8. LTP genes were found on chromosomes 1, 3, 6, 8, 9 and 10. In the present study, the Ka/Ks ratios of the AP2/EREBP paralogous pairs indicated that the AP2/EREBP genes were influenced primarily by purifying selection, which indicated that the AP2/EREBP genes received strong environmental pressure during evolution. The Ka/Ks ratios of the COX-3/COX-4 paralogous pairs indicate that the COX-3/COX-4 genes were influenced primarily by Darwinian selection (driving change). For the LTP genes, the Ka/Ks ratios of the LTP-1/LTP-10, LTP-5/LTP-3 and LTP-4/LTP-8 paralogous pairs indicate that these genes were influenced primarily by purifying selection, while the Ka/Ks ratios of the LTP-2/LTP-6 paralogous pairs indicate that these genes were influenced primarily by Darwinian selection. The duplication time of the AP2/EREBP paralogous gene pairs in Z. mays L. ranged from approximately 9.364 to 100.935 Mya. The duplication time of the COX-3/COX-4 paralogous gene pair was approximately 5.217 Mya. The duplication time of the LTP paralogous gene pairs ranged from approximately 19.064 to 96.477 Mya. The major focus of research is to identify the genes that are responsible for drought stress tolerance to improve maize for drought stress tolerance. The results of the present study will improve the understanding of the functions of the AP2/EREBP, COX and LTP genes in response to drought stress.
Gene targeting in adult organs using in vivo cleavable donor plasmids for CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a
Authors: Ishibashi Riki , Maki Ritsuko , Toyoshima Fumiko 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe CRISPR-Cas system for in vivo genome editing is a powerful tool for gene therapy against several diseases. We have previously developed the pCriMGET_9-12a system, an in vivo cleavable donor plasmid for precise targeted knock-in of exogenous DNA by both Cas9 and Cas12a. Here, we show that the pCriMGET_9-12a system can be applied for in vivo in-frame knock-in of exogenous DNA in adult mouse liver by hydrodynamic delivery of the targeting plasmids. The in vivo cleavable pCriMGET_9-12a donor plasmids significantly increased the knock-in efficiency of both CRISPR-Cas9 and CRISPR-Cas12a in the adult mouse liver compared to uncleavable donor plasmids. This strategy also achieved in-frame reporter gene knock-in without indel mutations. Therefore, in vivo gene targeting using the pCriMGET_9-12a system may contribute to the establishment of safer, more precise, versatile and efficient gene therapy methods in adult organs.
Applying a semi-quantitative risk assessment on petroleum production unit
Authors: Eltahan Fatma M. , Toderas Monica , Mansour Moustapha S. , El-Ashtoukhy El Sayed Z. , Abdou Mohamed A. , Shokry F. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractApplying safety means in the industry, especially in the petroleum industry is very important to maintain the industrial facility. A semi-quantitative risk assessment as Layers of Protection Analysis (LOPA) is used widely to quantify data after qualitative risk analysis as HAZOP using a simpler way than quantitative risk analysis ‘QRA’ as fault tree analysis ‘FTA’. This determines if a new safety integrity function ‘SIF’ is needed. This paper introduces a novel fuzzy logic system to solve the failure of crude oil shipping pumps. Several models are studied to select the most appropriate fuzzy membership functions. Results are compared with results from the LOPA model, which shows the advantages of using the proposed model to reduce the RRF for the potential hazard and achieve a simple and reliable control method.
Numerical simulation based performance enhancement approach for an inorganic BaZrS3/CuO heterojunction solar cell
Authors: El-Naggar Ahmed A. , Lotfy Lotfy A. , Felfela A. A. , Ismail Walid , Abdelfatah Mahmoud , Sharshir Swellam W. , El-Shaer Abdelhamid 
Published: March 2024

AbstractOne of the main components of the worldwide transition to sustainable energy is solar cells, usually referred to as photovoltaics. By converting sunlight into power, they lessen their reliance on fossil fuels and the release of greenhouse gases. Because solar cells are decentralized, distributed energy systems may be developed, which increases the efficiency of the cells. Chalcogenide perovskites have drawn interest due to their potential in solar energy conversion since they provide distinctive optoelectronic characteristics and stability. But high temperatures and lengthy reaction periods make it difficult to synthesise and process them. Therefore, we present the inaugural numerical simulation using SCAPS-1D for emerging inorganic BaZrS3/CuO heterojunction solar cells. This study delves into the behaviour of diverse parameters in photovoltaic devices, encompassing efficiency (η) values, short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and open-circuit voltage (Voc). Additionally, we thoroughly examine the impact of window and absorber layer thickness, carrier concentration, and bandgap on the fundamental characteristics of solar cells. Our findings showcase the attainment of the highest efficiency (η) values, reaching 27.3% for our modelled devices, accompanied by Jsc values of 40.5 mA/cm2, Voc value of 0.79 V, and FF value of 85.2. The efficiency (η) values are chiefly influenced by the combined effects of Voc, Jsc, and FF values. This optimal efficiency was achieved with CuO thickness, band gap, and carrier concentration set at 5 µm, 1.05 eV, and above 1019 cm−3, respectively. In comparison, the optimal parameters for BaZrS3 include a thickness of 1 µm, a carrier concentration below 1020 cm−3, and a band gap less than 1.6 eV. Therefore, in the near future, the present simulation will simultaneously provide up an entirely novel field for the less defective perovskite solar cell.
Developments of a centimeter-level precise muometric wireless navigation system (MuWNS-V) and its first demonstration using directional information from tracking detectors
Authors: Varga Dezso , Tanaka Hiroyuki K. M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractVarious positioning techniques such as Wi-Fi positioning system have been proposed to use in situations where satellite navigation is unavailable. One such system, the muometric positioning system (muPS), was invented for navigation which operates in locations where even radio waves cannot reach such as underwater or underground. muPS takes advantage of a key feature of its probe, cosmic-ray muons, which travel straightforwardly at almost a speed of light in vacuum regardless of the matter they traverse. Similar to other positioning techniques, muPS is a technique to determine the position of a client’s muPS receiver within the coordinate defined by reference detectors. This can be achieved either by using time-of-flight (ToF) or angle of arrival (AoA) measurements. The latter configuration (AoA), called the Vector-muPS has recently been invented and the present paper describes the developments of the first prototype of a vector muometric wireless navigation system (MuWNS-V) with this new vector-muPS concept and its demonstration. With MuWNS-V, the reference tracker and the receiver ran wirelessly with fully independent readout systems, and a positioning accuracy of 3.9 cm (RMS) has been achieved. We also evaluated the outcome of measuring continuous indoor localization of a moving receiver with this prototype. Our results indicated that further improvements in positioning accuracy will be attainable by acquiring higher angular resolution of the reference trackers. It is anticipated that “sub-cm level” navigation will be possible for muPS which could be applied to many situations such as future autonomous mobile robot operations.
Intravenous metoclopramide for increasing endoscopic mucosal visualization in patients with acute upper gastrointestinal bleeding: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
Authors: Manupeeraphant Paveeyada , Wanichagool Dhanusorn , Songlin Thaphat , Thanathanee Piyarat , Chalermsuksant Nalerdon , Techathuvanan Karjpong , Sethasine Supatsri 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAcute upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage (UGIH) is the most common emergency condition that requires rapid endoscopic treatment. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of pre-endoscopic intravenous metoclopramide on endoscopic mucosal visualization (EMV) in patients with acute UGIH. This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind controlled trial of participants diagnosed with acute UGIH. All participants underwent esophagogastroduodenoscopy within 24 h. Participants were assigned to either the metoclopramide or placebo group. Modified Avgerinos scores were evaluated during endoscopy. In total, 284 out of 300 patients completed the per-protocol procedure. The mean age was 62.8 ± 14.3 years, and 67.6% were men. Metoclopramide group achieved a higher total EMV and gastric body EMV score than the other group (7.34 ± 1.1 vs 6.94 ± 1.6; P = 0.017 and 1.80 ± 0.4 vs 1.64 ± 0.6; P = 0.006, respectively). Success in identifying lesions was not different between the groups (96.5% in metoclopramide and 93.6% in placebo group; P = 0.26). In the metoclopramide group, those with active variceal bleeding compared with the control group demonstrated substantial improvements in gastric EMV (1.83 ± 0.4 vs 1.28 ± 0.8, P = 0.004), antral EMV (1.96 ± 0.2 vs 1.56 ± 0.6, P = 0.003), and total EMV score (7.48 ± 1.1 vs 6.2 ± 2.3, P = 0.02). Pre-endoscopic intravenous metoclopramide improved the quality of EMV in variceal etiologies of UGIH, which was especially prominent in those who had signs of active bleeding based on nasogastric tube assessment.Trial Registration: Trial was registered in Clinical Trials: TCTR 20210708004 (08/07/2021).
Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) improves hot and cold executive functions in children with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
Authors: Nejati Vahid , Dehghan Mahshid , Shahidi Shahriar , Estaji Reza , Nitsche Michael A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractChildren with attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have impaired hot and cold executive functions, which is thought to be related to impaired ventromedial and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (vmPFC and dlPFC) functions. The present study aimed to assess the impact concurrent stimulation of dlPFC and vmPFC through transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), a non-invasive brain stimulation tool which enhances cortical excitability via application of alternating sinusoidal currents with random frequencies and amplitudes over the respective target regions on hot and cold executive functions. Eighteen children with ADHD received real and sham tRNS over the left dlPFC and the right vmPFC in two sessions with one week interval. The participants performed Circle Tracing, Go/No-Go, Wisconsin Card Sorting, and Balloon Analogue Risk Tasks during stimulation in each session. The results showed improved ongoing inhibition, prepotent inhibition, working memory, and decision making, but not set-shifting performance, during real, as compared to sham stimulation. This indicates that simultaneous stimulation of the dlPFC and the vmPFC improves hot and cold executive functions in children with ADHD.
Morphogenesis of a chiral liquid crystalline droplet with topological reconnection and Lehmann rotation
Authors: Yoshioka Jun , Ito Yuki , Fukao Koji 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMorphogenesis is a hierarchical phenomenon that produces various macroscopic structures in living organisms, with high reproducibility. This study demonstrates that such structural formation can also be observed in a chiral liquid crystalline droplet under a temperature gradient. Through specific control of the temperature change process, we were able to switch the final structure obtained as a result of the formation via the appearance and reconnection of loop defects in the transient state during structure formation. Simultaneously, the existence of the gradient resulted in a characteristic rotational phenomenon called Lehmann rotation, which was prominently induced in the transient state. By demonstrating three-dimensional measurements of the flow field, we revealed the existence of Marangoni convection in the state. Consequently, it is indicated that the convection results in high-speed Lehmann rotation and large structural deformation with topological changes, thereby playing a significant role in the structure formation.
Toxic heavy metal ions contamination in water and their sustainable reduction by eco-friendly methods: isotherms, thermodynamics and kinetics study
Authors: Singh Veer , Ahmed Ghufran , Vedika Sonali , Kumar Pinki , Chaturvedi Sanjay K. , Rai Sachchida Nand , Vamanu Emanuel , Kumar Ashish 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHeavy metal ions can be introduced into the water through several point and non-point sources including leather industry, coal mining, agriculture activity and domestic waste. Regrettably, these toxic heavy metals may pose a threat to both humans and animals, particularly when they infiltrate water and soil. Heavy metal poisoning can lead to many health complications, such as liver and renal dysfunction, dermatological difficulties, and potentially even malignancies. To mitigate the risk of heavy metal ion exposure to humans and animals, it is imperative to extract them from places that have been polluted. Several conventional methods such as ion exchange, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, membrane filtration and chemical precipitation have been used for the removal of heavy metal ions. However, these methods have high operation costs and generate secondary pollutants during water treatment. Biosorption is an alternative approach to eliminating heavy metals from water that involves employing eco-friendly and cost-effective biomass. This review is focused on the heavy metal ions contamination in the water, biosorption methods for heavy metal removal and mathematical modeling to explain the behaviour of heavy metal adsorption. This review can be helpful to the researchers to design wastewater treatment plants for sustainable wastewater treatment.
Evaluation of vegetation restoration effectiveness along the Yangtze River shoreline and its response to land use changes
Authors: Huang Yinlan , Li Xinyi , Liu Dan , Duan Binyan , Huang Xinyu , Chen Shi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAssessing the effectiveness of vegetation restoration along the Yangtze River shoreline and exploring its relationship with land use changes are imperative for providing recommendations for sustainable management and environmental protection. However, the impact of vegetation restoration post-implementation of the Yangtze River Conservation Project remains uncertain. In this study, utilizing Sentinel-2 satellite imagery and Dynamic World land use data from pre- (2016) and post- (2022) Yangtze River Conservation Project periods, pixel-based binary models, transition matrices, and geographically weighted regression models were employed to analyze the status and evolution of vegetation coverage along the Yangtze River shoreline. The results indicated that there had been an increase in the area covered by high and high-medium vegetation levels. The proportion of vegetation cover shifting to better was 4201.87 km2 (35.68%). Hotspots of vegetation coverage improvement were predominantly located along the Yangtze River. Moreover, areas witnessing enhanced vegetation coverage experienced notable land use changes, notably the conversion of water to crops (126.93 km2, 22.79%), trees to crops (59.93 km2, 10.76%), and crops to built area (59.93 km2, 10.76%). Notably, the conversion between crops and built area emerged as a significant factor influencing vegetation coverage improvement, with average regression coefficients of 0.68 and 0.50, respectively. These outcomes underscore the significance of this study in guiding ecological environmental protection and sustainable management along the Yangtze River shoreline.