bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing the purification of crocin-I from saffron through the combination of multicolumn countercurrent chromatography and green solvents
Authors: Hooshyari Ardakani Mohammad , Nosengo Chiara , Felletti Simona , Catani Martina , Cavazzini Alberto , De Luca Chiara , Rezadoost Hassan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCrocin-I, a valuable natural compound found in saffron (Crocus sativus L.), is the most abundant among the various crocin structures. Developing a cost-effective and scalable purification process to produce high-purity crocin-I is of great interest for future investigations into its biological properties and its potential applications in the treatment of neurological disorders. However purifying crocin-I through single-column preparative chromatography (batch) poses a yield-purity trade-off due to structural similarities among crocins, meaning that the choice of the collection window sacrifices either yield in benefit of higher purity or vice versa. This study demonstrates how the continuous countercurrent operating mode resolves this dilemma. Herein, a twin-column MCSGP (multicolumn countercurrent solvent gradient purification) process was employed to purify crocin-I. This study involved an environmentally friendly ethanolic extraction of saffron stigma, followed by an investigation into the stability of the crocin-I within the feed under varying storage conditions to ensure a stable feed composition during the purification. Then, the batch purification process was initially designed, optimized, and subsequently followed by the scale-up to the MCSGP process. To ensure a fair comparison, both processes were evaluated under similar conditions (e.g., similar total column volume). The results showed that, at a purity grade of 99.7%, the MCSGP technique demonstrated significant results, namely + 334% increase in recovery + 307% increase in productivity, and − 92% reduction in solvent consumption. To make the purification process even greener, the only organic solvent employed was ethanol, without the addition of any additive. In conclusion, this study presents the MCSGP as a reliable, simple, and economical technique for purifying crocin-I from saffron extract, demonstrating for the first time that it can be effectively applied as a powerful approach for process intensification in the purification of natural products from complex matrices.
Graphical Abstract
Weights for compact connected Lie groups
Authors: Kessar Radha , Malle Gunter , Semeraro Jason 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLet $$\ell $$
ℓ
be a prime. If $$\textbf{G}$$
G
is a compact connected Lie group, or a connected reductive algebraic group in characteristic different from $$\ell $$
ℓ
, and $$\ell $$
ℓ
is a good prime for $$\textbf{G}$$
G
, we show that the number of weights of the $$\ell $$
ℓ
-fusion system of $$\textbf{G}$$
G
is equal to the number of irreducible characters of its Weyl group. The proof relies on the classification of $$\ell $$
ℓ
-stubborn subgroups in compact Lie groups.
Defining hip osteoarthritis feature prevalence, severity, and change using the Scoring of Hip Osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI)
Authors: Heerey Joshua J. , Souza Richard B. , Link Thomas M. , Luitjens Johanna , Gassert Felix , Kemp Joanne L. , Scholes Mark J. , Crossley Kay M. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Objective
To define the reporting of Scoring Hip Osteoarthritis with MRI (SHOMRI) feature prevalence and severity, and to develop criteria to monitor feature change in longitudinal investigations.

Methods
Twenty-five participants (50 hips) of the femoroacetabular impingement and hip osteoarthritis cohort study underwent baseline and 2-year follow-up 3 T hip MRIs. Eight hip OA features were assessed using the SHOMRI. All MRIs were read paired with knowledge of timepoint by two blinded musculoskeletal radiologists. We provide definitions to report SHOMRI feature prevalence, severity, and longitudinal change.

Results
We report clear definitions for SHOMRI feature prevalence, severity, and change. When we applied the definitions to the studied cohort, we could detect the prevalence, severity, and change of hip OA features. For example, 88% of hips had labral tears (34% graded as severe tears) and 76% had cartilage defects (42% graded as full thickness). Over 70% of hips had feature change over 2 years, highlighting the sensitivity of SHOMRI definitions to assess longitudinal change of hip OA features. Intra-reader reliability was almost perfect (weighted (w)-kappa 0.86 to 1.00), with inter-reader reliability substantial to almost perfect (w-kappa 0.80 to 1.00).

Conclusion
This study is the first to provide definitions to report SHOMRI feature prevalence, severity, and change. The proposed definitions will enable comparison between hip MRI studies and improve our understanding of hip OA pathogenesis.
Hypertrophied medial parapatellar plica: a case of a medial plica anatomical variation with insertion to the inter-meniscal ligament in an adolescent athlete treated arthroscopically
Authors: Vasiliadis Angelo V. , Koukoulias Nikolaos E. , Dimitriadis Theofilos , Totlis Trifon 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
The present study aims to report the arthroscopic, radiological and clinical appearance of a rare anatomical variation of a hypertrophied medial parapatellar plica with its response to arthroscopic treatment.

Case presentation
A 14-year-old female handball athlete presented with a history of left knee injury during her participation in a handball training session and subsequent locked knee at 20º flexion. Tenderness was located at the medial joint line. Plain radiographs of the injured knee were normal. The magnetic resonance imaging revealed a hypertrophic medial parapatellar plica and a horizontal tear of the medial meniscus. A standard knee arthroscopy was performed. An extremely hypertrophied medial plica was identified, covering a great part of the medial femoral condyle extending up to the femoral trochlea. Distally, it was attached into the inter-meniscal ligament. The plica was excised and the medial meniscus tear was repaired. At 1-month post-operatively, the patient was completely asymptomatic and at 3-months she returned to her weekly training routine.

Conclusions
This study presented a rare anatomical variation of a hypertrophied medial parapatellar plica with atypical course in the medial patellofemoral compartment and insertion into the inter-meniscal ligament. In combination with a medial meniscus tear led to a locked knee. Arthroscopic medial meniscus repair and plica excision resulted in complete resolution of symptoms.
Prenatal diagnosis of intrathoracic kidney and adrenal gland in left-sided congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Tian Tian , Chen Huizhu , Tang Jing , Luo Hong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA 29-year-old primigravida at 31 weeks of gestation was referred for intrathoracic kidney (ITK). Ultrasound revealed left kidney intrathoracic placement with an anteriorly positioned ectopic adrenal gland. Magnetic resonance imaging confirmed diaphragmatic interruption and colon herniation. A female neonate, delivered at 37 weeks, underwent successful thoracoscopic repair for a left Bochdalek hernia. Despite compression of the left lung, notably optimistic lung-to-head ratio (LHR) values were observed, correlating with favorable outcomes. This case underscores the rare occurrence of ITK, its association with Bochdalek hernia, and the importance of comprehensive prenatal evaluations.
Exploring nexus policy insights for water-energy-food resilient communities
Authors: Adamos Giannis , Caucci Serena , Charpentier Löic , Chediek Juliana , Krol Durk , Laspidou Chrysi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper provides a non-exhaustive overview of the main policies of the European Green Deal from the perspective of the water, energy and food Nexus, seeking for correlations, developments, actions and commandments that are intended to fulfil the prognoses designed by the Agreement., It covers the main public policies being implemented in the fields of water, energy and food in order to address any interlinkages among the policies already applied under a Nexus approach. The paper also points out some considerations over the European Union’s legal framework into the Nexus for water-related challenges’ perspectives. The goal is to facilitate the collaboration with stakeholders to gain deeper insights into how the interconnected relationship between water, energy, and food promotes policy alignment in the realms of these resources, facilitating Europe's shift towards a circular and eco-friendly economy.
Variables controlling growing season carbon dynamics in desert shrub ecosystem
Authors: Şaylan Levent , Kimura Reiji , Başakin Eyyup Ensar , Kurosaki Yasunori 
Published: March 2024

AbstractArid and semi-arid lands (drylands) are under the influence of extreme environmental conditions and cover large areas on Earth’s land surface. Determining temporal and spatial variations of the greenhouse gas and energy exchange in these ecosystems will provide a better understanding of both, the dynamics between the drylands’s surface and the atmosphere and the importance in climate change. In this study, CO2 exchanges over a shrub steppe ecosystem were determined using the Eddy Covariance method during both dry and wet growing seasons in the Gobi Desert, Mongolia. The net ecosystem exchange (NEE) was modeled using the extreme gradient boosting method (XGBOOST). Variables influencing NEE were estimated employing the SHapley Additive exPlanations algorithm (SHAP). The XGBOOST predictions demonstrated impressive results across all growing seasons, with high performance metrics (R2 = 0.821; NSE = 0.817), particularly notable during the wet season (R2 = 0.932; NSE = 0.929). The total NEE changed between 79.7 and -110.4 gC m−2 throughout the growing seasons. Especially the precipitation before the growing period has a positive impact on carbon sequestration in the shrub ecosystem in the following dry season. A high similarity was found in the patterns of daily NEE of all growing seasons and normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI), albedo, soil water content, temperature, sensible heat flux, the difference between air and soil temperature in desert shrub ecosystem. Although NDVI was the dominant factor during the wet season, there was a weaker relationship between these factors and NEE in the dry season than in the wet season.
Assessment of air pollution emitted during cooking using biomass and cleaner fuels in the Shiselweni region of Eswatini (Swaziland)
Authors: Neumann Melinda , Dlamini Wonder Nathi , Sallah-Ud-Din Rasham , Berekute Abiyu Kerebo , Siregar Sepridawati , Getnet Mastewal Endeshaw , Maulana Muchsin , Pan Wen-Chi , Lung Shih-Chun Candice , Yu Kuo-Pin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn Eswatini, 62.3% of households still rely on solid fuel for cooking, especially wood (61.8%). Smoke emissions during biomass burning remain the primary source of indoor air pollution, comprising pollutants detrimental to health. This study provides a quantitative exposure assessment of fuels used in the Shiselweni region with the objectives of monitoring the carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations during cooking events and evaluating cancer and noncancer risks due to exposure to particulate-bound polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) during cooking events among cooking personnel in households that cook indoors by burning biomass. Real-time CO, CO2, and particulate matter (PM) monitoring was performed in seventeen kitchens during cooking events across the Shiselweni region using different cooking methods: biomass in open fires and stoves, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and electric stoves. PM2.5, PM10, and CO exceeded indoor exposure guidelines for biomass fuel-related homesteads. Particulate PAH intake concentrations were evaluated, and biomass fuel users exhibited high cancer risks and low embryo survival chances due to particulate PAH exposure. The average total cost of reducing the incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR) and hazard quotient (HQ) to acceptable levels was lower when shifting from biomass to LPG stoves than when shifting to electric stoves.
Graphical abstract
Disassembly line optimization with reinforcement learning
Authors: Kegyes Tamás , Süle Zoltán , Abonyi János 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs the environmental aspects become increasingly important, the disassembly problems have become the researcher’s focus. Multiple criteria do not enable finding a general optimization method for the topic, but some heuristics and classical formulations provide effective solutions. By highlighting that disassembly problems are not the straight inverses of assembly problems and the conditions are not standard, disassembly optimization solutions require human control and supervision. Considering that Reinforcement learning (RL) methods can successfully solve complex optimization problems, we developed an RL-based solution for a fully formalized disassembly problem. There were known successful implementations of RL-based optimizers. But we integrated a novel heuristic to target a dynamically pre-filtered action space for the RL agent (dlOptRL algorithm) and hence significantly raise the efficiency of the learning path. Our algorithm belongs to the Heuristically Accelerated Reinforcement Learning (HARL) method class. We demonstrated its applicability in two use cases, but our approach can also be easily adapted for other problem types. Our article gives a detailed overview of disassembly problems and their formulation, the general RL framework and especially Q-learning techniques, and a perfect example of extending RL learning with a built-in heuristic.
Molecular detection of herpesvirus in a skin lesion of a humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) from the Western Mediterranean Sea
Authors: Vargas-Castro Ignacio , Crespo-Picazo José Luis , Jiménez Martínez Mª Ángeles , Muñoz-Baquero Marta , Marco-Cabedo Vicente , García-Párraga Daniel , Sánchez-Vizcaíno José Manuel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHerpesvirus has the potential to infect a wide variety of animal species. In cetaceans, Alpha- and/or Gammaherpesvirinae have been identified in eight families of odontocetes, and one family of mysticetes. In May 2022, an adult humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) was found stranded in Valencia, Spain. The whale was emaciated, in poor body condition, with multiple lacerations on the dorsal fin and a high number of epibionts of the Cyamidae family, known as whale lice. The individual had been previously released from a ghost net entanglement 5 days before becoming stranded. In a closer examination, various skin lesions were observed, including chronic, proliferative, and erosive dermatitis and a large ulcer extending to the deep dermis. As part of the infectious disease surveillance programme, molecular testing was performed on skin samples for herpesvirus, cetacean morbillivirus, and poxvirus. A positive result for herpesvirus was obtained from one of the skin lesions. The sequence was found to belong to the Alphaherpesvirinae subfamily, and it was closely related to alphaherpesvirus sequences from a fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus) and a humpback whale. Cetacean morbillivirus and poxvirus testing was negative. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report of herpesvirus in a humpback whale from the Mediterranean Sea. Reports on herpesvirus detection or infection in humpback whales (only species within the genus Megaptera) are scarce. In consequence, future virological assessments of humpback whales should include testing for herpesvirus.
On the Micro-Stress Fields in Fibre-Hybrid Polymer Composite Laminae with Periodic Microstructure Under Transverse Tension and Transverse Shear Loading
Authors: Romano G. , Rao Y. N. , Liu C. , Katnam K. B. , Zou Z. , Potluri P. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the effect of intra-laminar fibre hybridisation, i.e., primary and secondary fibres within a matrix, on the homogenised properties and micro-stress fields in uni-directional polymer composite laminae. The study is focused on S-glass/epoxy laminae which are hybridised with secondary fibres (e.g., polypropylene). Two-dimensional repeating unit cells (2D RUCs) with periodic microstructures are developed to conduct the micro-mechanical analyses under transverse tensile and transverse shear loading conditions. Uni-directional fibre-hybrid S-glass/epoxy laminae with different secondary fibres are studied by varying (a) the periodic microstructure and (b) the material properties of the constituent fibres to assess the effect of such geometric and material variations on the homogenised elastic lamina properties and intra-lamina micro-stress fields. The results show that intra-laminar fibre hybridisation significantly affects the elastic lamina properties and micro-stress fields. Notably, the presence of the secondary fibres significantly increases or reduces the stress fields in the matrix and at the fibre-matrix interfaces (i.e. normal and shears stress components)–depending on the microstructure and the stiffness of the secondary fibres–which could be explored to manipulate the damage modes and thus energy dissipation mechanisms.
Permafrost degradation and its consequences for carbon storage in soils of Interior Alaska
Authors: Liebmann Patrick , Bárta Jiří , Vogel Cordula , Urich Tim , Kholodov Alexander , Varsadiya Milan , Mewes Ole , Dultz Stefan , Waqas Muhammad , Wang Haitao , Shibistova Olga , Guggenberger Georg 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPermafrost soils in the northern hemisphere are known to harbor large amounts of soil organic matter (SOM). Global climate warming endangers this stable soil organic carbon (SOC) pool by triggering permafrost thaw and deepening the active layer, while at the same time progressing soil formation. But depending, e.g., on ice content or drainage, conditions in the degraded permafrost can range from water-saturated/anoxic to dry/oxic, with concomitant shifts in SOM stabilizing mechanisms. In this field study in Interior Alaska, we investigated two sites featuring degraded permafrost, one water-saturated and the other well-drained, alongside a third site with intact permafrost. Soil aggregate- and density fractions highlighted that permafrost thaw promoted macroaggregate formation, amplified by the incorporation of particulate organic matter, in topsoils of both degradation sites, thus potentially counteracting a decrease in topsoil SOC induced by the permafrost thawing. However, the subsoils were found to store notably less SOC than the intact permafrost in all fractions of both degradation sites. Our investigations revealed up to net 75% smaller SOC storage in the upper 100 cm of degraded permafrost soils as compared to the intact one, predominantly related to the subsoils, while differences between soils of wet and dry degraded landscapes were minor. This study provides evidence that the consideration of different permafrost degradation landscapes and the employment of soil fractionation techniques is a useful combination to investigate soil development and SOM stabilization processes in this sensitive ecosystem.
Trapped in an Abusive Relationship with an Organized Crime Offender: the Importance of Mental Health Support
Authors: Hoeboer Chris M. , Bakker Anne , Wijn Remco , Kallen Victor , Olff Miranda 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study aims to get more insight into experiences in the process towards mental recovery and the feasibility of providing mental health support to victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) committed by organized crime offenders in The Netherlands. 150 female victims were identified and, when reached, offered the option for safe and anonymous mental health support for their trauma-related symptoms. We used a mixed-method design involving information from police files (n = 150), patient files (n = 7), focus groups with therapists involved in the mental health support program (n = 4) and in-depth interviews with patients themselves (n = 4). Results showed that participants in the interviews experienced many mental health complaints, but limited access to mental health support. They were trapped in a relationship characterized by violence, psychological warfare and a forced dependency. All interviewed participants were isolated from social support and society in general. Escaping the criminal partner was extremely difficult and even when the participant successfully regained some form of independency, true separation appeared to be almost impossible. The participants felt little support from governmental and non-governmental aid organisations in this process. The mental health support in the current project proved challenging but feasible. Findings suggest that victims of IPV committed by organized crime offenders urgently need professional help. Actions to ensure their safety and to overcome barriers that hamper access to aid organizations are required.
Physical, Chemical and Compaction Characteristics of Slightly Weathered Tephras of New Zealand
Authors: Sood Shaurya , Chiaro Gabriele , Wilson Thomas , Stringer Mark 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe North Island of New Zealand is a region of high volcanic activity, with significant eruptions over the past. Analogous to past events, future volcanic eruptions would produce a considerable volume of ash and granular soils, covering widespread areas and raising concerns for their disposal and storage. Such deposits, primarily airfall tephra, could be potentially used in geotechnical engineering applications such as foundations, roadway embankments and land reclamations. However, before their use as structural fills can be recommended, detailed laboratory investigations of their physical, chemical, compaction, and geotechnical engineering properties (strength, compressibility, collapsibility, liquefaction potential, etc.) must be conducted. Different tephra deposits can be products of different eruptions, so chemical composition analyses can be combined with the physical, compaction, and engineering properties to characterize such deposits. Accordingly, this paper provides useful insights from physical (grain size, specific gravity, and morphology), chemical (elemental and mineralogy using X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction), and compaction tests (maximum dry density, optimum water content, and particle breakage) for eleven selected volcanic tephra samples sourced from the North Island of New Zealand in the Rotorua, Taupo, and Auckland regions.
Collapse Studies in Archaeology from 2012 to 2023
Authors: Middleton Guy D. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
The study of collapse in archaeology and history has continued to grow and develop in the last decade and is a respectable target of investigation in and beyond these fields. Environmental determinism and apocalyptic narratives have become less acceptable and collapsology has matured into a more nuanced, self-critical, and sophisticated field. This review explores recent work on collapse in archaeology between 2012 and 2023. It demonstrates how collapse, and associated concepts such as resilience, fragility, and vulnerability, are studied in the light of present-day threats, how collapse studies are increasingly recognized to have application in the present day, where they can contribute to discourses of resilience and sustainable development, and shows the diversity present in collapse studies. It also discusses the language and concepts of collapse. I explore these areas with reference to general works on collapse and to six specific historical episodes of collapse: Old World collapse, eastern Mediterranean collapse, the Western and Eastern Roman Empires, the Classic Maya, Tiwanaku, and Rapa Nui.