bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Measurements and Simulation of Compressive Behavior of Biodegradable Seedling Containers
Authors: Jiang Yu , Zhang Xinyue , Hoppe Teo , Birch Robyn , Chen Ying 
Published: April 2024

HighlightsCompression tests were conducted on biodegradable containers with various conditions.The lateral loading reduced the compressive strength compared with the vertical loading.A model was developed using FEA to simulate the compressive behavior of the biocontainer.Model results showed similar ductile behaviors of the biocontainers with test results.The compressive strengths of wet biocontainers were below 20% of dry ones. Abstract. Biodegradable seedling containers (biocontainers) are becoming increasingly popular for use in transplanting and greenhouse applications. However, biocontainers have reduced mechanical strength when compared to plastic containers, often being damaged during the handling process. In this study, Canadian peat moss biocontainers were tested to study their compressive properties under different scenarios of various container sizes (small and large), moisture conditions (dry and wet), and orientation (vertical and lateral) relative to the loading direction. Also, simulations were performed using the Finite Element Analysis (FEA) for the selected scenario, focusing on the small container with two moisture conditions. The testing results showed that the force-displacement behavior of biocontainers varied dramatically with the orientation. In the lateral orientation, the biocontainers were able to carry loads while being largely deformed. However, the lateral orientation resulted in a reduced compressive strength of 21% compared with the vertical orientation. The moisture condition was found to be the second most dominant factor affecting the result. The compressive strength of the wet biocontainer was only 15.4%-19.6% of the dry ones. FEA simulation results showed similar ductile behaviors of the biocontainers under compression. Compared with the testing results, the relative errors of the simulated compressive strengths were 24.0% for the small, dry container and 9.89% for the small, wet one. FEA simulations were conducted with various Young’s Modulus values, revealing a logarithmic relationship with the container strength and deformation. The obtained knowledge of how the biocontainers react when subjected to compression provides insight to the failure mechanism of the container. The information is valuable for guiding the proper handling of biocontainers. Keywords: Biocontainer, Compression, FEA, Moisture condition, Property.
Thermo-optic reconfigurable three-mode (de)multiplexer based on an asymmetrical horizontal directional coupler
Authors: Memon Areez Khalil , Zhang Hao , Chen Kaixin 
Published: April 2024

In this paper, we propose a thermo-optic reconfigurable three-mode (de)multiplexer
based on an asymmetrical horizontal three-waveguide directional
coupler that includes two identical single-mode waveguides and a
three-mode waveguide. Over the whole wavelength range of
1540–1560 nm, and for the TE (TM) polarization, our typical
fabricated device with polymer material shows coupling efficiencies as
high as 94% (93%) and 93% (92%) for the mode conversions of LP01−LP11a and LP01−LP11b, with the heating powers of
53.57 mW and 71.19 mW, respectively. Our proposed device
can be employed in the fields of reconfigurable mode-division
multiplexing systems.
Compact adiabatic mode (de)multiplexer using a subwavelength grating waveguide in the silicon-on-insulator platform
Authors: Long Jing , Liu Xiaochun , Chen Changshui 
Published: April 2024

Mode-division multiplexing technology holds great promise for addressing the ever-increasing demand for data transmission capacity. This paper proposes a compact adiabatic mode (de)multiplexer [(de)MUX] using a subwavelength grating (SWG) waveguide in the silicon-on-insulator platform, with optimization for the TE0-TE1 and TE0-TE2 mode (de)MUXs. By introducing an SWG waveguide, the coupling strength of waveguides can be enhanced, making it possible for the realization of more compact adiabatic mode (de)MUXs. The adiabatic evolution lengths for TE0-TE1 and TE0-TE2 mode (de)MUXs are only 10 µm and 17.5 µm, respectively. The numerical simulation shows that the operating bandwidth of the proposed device is beyond 200 nm. For the TE0-TE1 mode (de)MUX, the insertion loss and mode crosstalk of TE0-TE1 mode conversion within the whole wavelength range of 1450–1650 nm are less than 0.25 dB and −32.0dB, respectively. For the TE0-TE2 mode (de)MUX, the insertion loss and mode crosstalk of TE0-TE2 mode conversion within the entire bandwidth are less than 0.26 dB and −27.4dB, respectively. The TE0-TE1 and TE0-TE2 mode (de)MUXs can be cascaded to form a three-mode (de)MUX. For TE0-TE0, TE0-TE1, and TE0-TE2 processes within the entire bandwidth, the mode crosstalks are less than −33.5dB, −26.1dB, and −25.8dB, respectively. The device is scalable to the conversion of TE0 mode to higher-order mode.
Characteristics of men who have casual sex with men among Chinese university students: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Chen Weiyong , Ma Qiaoqin , Pan Xiaohong , Chen Lin , Wang Hui , Zhou Xin , Jiang Tingting , Chen Wanjun 
Published: April 2024

Objectives
The characteristics of men who have sex with men (either exclusively or with both men and women; MSM) who engaged in casual sex among Chinese male university students have not been compared with the characteristics of men who have sex with only women (MSW). This information is important for tailoring targeted behavioral interventions to prevent human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/sexually transmitted infection (STI) transmission in this subgroup of MSM.

Methods
Data were derived from a large cross-sectional electronic questionnaire survey conducted at 13 universities in Zhejiang Province, China, in 2018. Bivariate analyses were used to compare demographic, HIV-related psychosocial, and behavioral characteristics between MSM and MSW students who engaged in casual sex during the previous year. Proportion differences between the two groups and their 95% confidence intervals were analyzed.

Results
Among the 583 sexually active male students who engaged in casual sex during the previous year, 128 and 455 were MSM and MSW, respectively. Compared with MSW students, larger proportions of MSM students reported knowing that male-to-male sexual behavior was the main mode of HIV transmission among Chinese students (62.5% vs. 45.5%), consenting to commercial sex (67.2% vs. 53.4%), wanting to know the HIV serostatus of partners before casual sex (65.8% vs. 51.3%), feeling at risk of HIV infection (40.5% vs. 11.8%), high condom-decision scale scores (55.3% vs. 42.6%), engaging in sex with ≥ 5 casual sex partners (44.6% vs. 25.9%), searching for casual partners online (89.2% vs. 51.3%), consuming alcohol before casual sex (64.8% vs. 45.0%), engaging in sex with regular partners (83.1% vs. 67.0%), engaging in commercial sex (54.2% vs. 26.4%), and visiting a clinic for voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) (16.4% vs. 8.4%). However, compared with MSW students, smaller proportions of MSM students reported knowing that consistent condom use could prevent HIV transmission (80.5% vs. 95.2%) and that VCT should be actively sought after risky sexual behavior (78.9% vs. 93.8%), using condoms sometimes/often (26.4% vs. 44.3%), and consistently using condoms (28.9% vs. 40.1%) while engaging in sex with casual partners.

Conclusions
MSM students who engaged in casual sex were at a greater risk of HIV/STI transmission, compared with MSW students. Comprehensive interventions to address the risks of unprotected male-to-male sex, searching for casual sex partners online, and non-use of HIV testing services are needed to reduce the burden of HIV/STI transmission among this subgroup of MSM.
Developing EFL Learners’ Collocational Knowledge in Self-Regulated Flipped Classroom: A Mixed-Methods Study
Authors: Akbarian Is’haaq , Elyasi Fatemeh 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
This study compares flipped approach with self-regulated flipped approach on EFL learners’ collocational knowledge. Thirty available EFL students were randomly assigned to two equal experimental groups: flipped and self-regulated flipped. For six weeks, both groups received learning contents outside of class time, and class time was used for interactive activities. However, self-regulating strategies (goal-setting and self-evaluation) were employed to the self-regulated flipped participants to help them schedule their out-of-class time to effectively work on the content before class to interact collaboratively with their peers and teachers in class activities. Three collocation videos were sent to their different WhatsApp groups. A researcher-made test on Adjective + Noun and Verb + Noun collocations served as the pre- and post-test. The time spent on watching collocations was collected through a ‘study log’. The results of a mixed between-within subjects analysis of variance revealed that integrating self-regulation into flipped approach enhanced the students’ collocational knowledge; their planning strategies and using study time also improved. The study has implications for EFL teachers and material developers.
Investigating the Borrowing of English Inflectional Morphemes Into Chinese Newspapers
Authors: Ni Chuanbin , Jin Xiaobing 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
It is controversial whether English inflectional morphemes can be systematically borrowed into written Chinese since English and Chinese are typologically and orthographically different. This paper intends to investigate the borrowing of eight English inflectional morphemes [–’s (possessive), –(e)s (plural), –ed (past tense, past participle), –ing (present participle), –en (past participle),–s (the 3rd person singular), –er (comparative), and –est (superlative)] into Chinese with a corpus of Chinese newspapers collected from 2005 to 2021. The findings of this study suggest a significant presence of the systematically borrowed English inflectional morphemes into Chinese newspapers in terms of borrowability. Based on the analysis of the linguistic features and frequency distribution of the borrowed morphemes into Chinese newspapers, it can be concluded that the English inflectional morphemes borrowed can be well adapted into Chinese.
The Correlations Between Perceived Classroom Environment, Foreign Language Learning Boredom and EFL Achievement: A Full Mediation Model
Authors: Zheng Rongrong , Feng Enhao 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
The present study adopted a mixed-methods approach to investigate the relationships between EFL (English as a foreign language) learners’ perceived classroom environment (PCE), foreign language learning boredom (FLLB), and English achievement. Two hundred and seventy Chinese high school students participated in a questionnaire survey and 9 students participated in a semistructured interview. The results revealed that: 1) General PCE was negatively correlated with FLLB and positively correlated with achievement. Task orientation was the only component of PCE that significantly related to achievement; all components of PCE except student cohesiveness were significantly related to FLLB; 2) Teacher support, task orientation, and class order negatively influenced FLLB, which negatively influenced English achievement. None of the components of PCE directly influenced English achievement; 3) FLLB fully mediated the influence of teacher support and task orientation on achievement. Responses from the participants triangulated our findings in the quantitative part. According to the research findings, English teachers should adequately support their students and appropriately orient learning tasks to reduce students’ boredom levels and improve their English achievement.
My Numerous Detours – Toward Private Law as Society’s Constitution
Authors: Teubner Gunther 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe author responds in two ways to the contributions in this special issue dealing with aspects of his scholarly work. In his first, more general response, he traces the influences that various institutions and individuals exerted on him and were reflected in his work on private law theory. In retrospect, he understands both his many years abroad and his involvement with extra-legal disciplines, especially systems theory and sociology of law, as a search for the identity of private law in foreign legal systems as well as in foreign disciplines. At the end of this search stands the concept of societal constitutionalism. The author understands private law as society’s constitution, more precisely: as the legal constitution of the self-governance of a variety of social systems. In a second, more specific response, the author deals with some of the questions raised in the various contributions to the special issue. From the perspective of both sociology of law and legal doctrine, the author addresses problems of society’s constitution that arise, on the one hand, outside the borders of the nation-state in transnational political processes and, on the other hand, outside the institutionalized political sector, in the "private" sectors of world society. They revolve around the theoretical and practical potential of societal constitutionalism: how, in non-state institutions, the new power centers of society, particularly in the emerging socio-digital institutions, private law can set the normative conditions for fundamental rights, the rule of law, democratic participation, and, increasingly today, ecological sensibility.
The Effects of the Initial Geometrical Errors on the Piston Friction and Sealing Performance in a Buoyancy Regulator of an Underwater Glider
Authors: Yang Chiye , Guo Liming , Liu Jing , Pan Guang , Song Baowei 
Published: April 2024

Abstract
As an important power component of an underwater glider, the energy consumption of the buoyancy regulator directly affects the endurance of the underwater glider. The accurate calculation and prediction methods for the friction forces can be helpful for improving the working performance of the buoyancy regulator. The traditional friction prediction models consider the cylinder as perfect cylinder without any geometric error, which cannot accurately reflect the effects of the initial geometric defects on the friction force and sealing performance of the cylinder of the piston type buoyancy regulator. This article proposes a new friction force calculation method considering the initial geometrical defects of the cylinder. By using the theoretical analysis and finite element calculations, the effects of the initial geometrical defects on the friction force and sealing performance of the piston type buoyancy regulator can be more accurately analyzed. The effect of the ovality and taper on the friction force and sealing performance is analyzed. In addition, the friction force calculation method proposed in this article is validated by an experiment. This article can provide an accurate cylinder friction force calculation method considering the initial geometrical errors for the piston type buoyancy regulators.
Venous thromboembolism in Cushing syndrome: results from an EuRRECa and Endo-ERN survey
Authors: Cherenko M , Appelman-Dijkstra N M , Priego Zurita A L , Biermasz N R , Dekkers O M , Klok F A , Reisch N , Aulinas A , Biagetti B , Cannavo S , Canu L , Detomas M , Devuyst F , Falhammar H , Feelders R A , Ferrau F , Gatto F , Grasselli C , van Houten P , Hoybye C , Isidori A M , Kyrilli A , Loli P , Maiter D , Nowak E , Pivonello R , Ragnarsson O , Steenaard R V , Unger N , van de Ven A , Webb S M , Yeste D , Ahmed S F , Pereira A M 
Published: April 2024

Background
Patients with Cushing syndrome (CS) are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Objective
The aim was to evaluate the current management of new cases of CS with a focus on VTE and thromboprophylaxis.

Design and methods
A survey was conducted within those that report in the electronic reporting tool (e-REC) of the European Registries for Rare Endocrine Conditions (EuRRECa) and the involved main thematic groups (MTG’s) of the European Reference Networks for Rare Endocrine Disorders (Endo-ERN) on new patients with CS from January 2021 to July 2022.

Results
Of 222 patients (mean age 44 years, 165 females), 141 patients had Cushing disease (64%), 69 adrenal CS (31%), and 12 patients with ectopic CS (5.4%). The mean follow-up period post-CS diagnosis was 15 months (range 3–30). Cortisol-lowering medications were initiated in 38% of patients. One hundred fifty-four patients (69%) received thromboprophylaxis (including patients on chronic anticoagulant treatment), of which low-molecular-weight heparins were used in 96% of cases. VTE was reported in six patients (2.7%), of which one was fatal: two long before CS diagnosis, two between diagnosis and surgery, and two postoperatively. Three patients were using thromboprophylaxis at time of the VTE diagnosis. The incidence rate of VTE in patients after Cushing syndrome diagnosis in our study cohort was 14.6 (95% CI 5.5; 38.6) per 1000 person-years.

Conclusion
Thirty percent of patients with CS did not receive preoperative thromboprophylaxis during their active disease stage, and half of the VTE cases even occurred during this stage despite thromboprophylaxis. Prospective trials to establish the optimal thromboprophylaxis strategy in CS patients are highly needed.

Significance statement
The incidence rate of venous thromboembolism in our study cohort was 14.6 (95% CI 5.5; 38.6) per 1000 person-years. Notably, this survey showed that there is great heterogeneity regarding time of initiation and duration of thromboprophylaxis in expert centers throughout Europe.
Experience of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries: case series
Authors: Al-Juraibah Fahad , Al Shaikh Adnan , Al-Sagheir Afaf , Babiker Amir , Al Nuaimi Asma , Al Enezi Ayed , Mikhail George S , Mundi Hassan A , Penninckx Hubert K , Mustafa Huda , Al Ameri Majid , Al-Dubayee Mohamed , Ali Nadia S , Fawzy Nagla , Al Shammari Sameer , Fiad Tarek 
Published: April 2024

Summary
X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets (XLH), the most prevalent form of inherited hypophosphatemic rickets, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the gene encoding phosphate-regulating endopeptidase homolog, X-linked (PHEX). This case series presents 14 cases of XLH from Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The patients’ medical history, biochemical and radiological investigative findings, as well as treatment responses and side effects from both conventional and burosumab therapy, are described. Cases were aged 2–40 years at diagnosis. There were two male cases and 12 female cases. All cases were treated with conventional therapy which resulted in a lack of improvement in or worsening of the clinical signs and symptoms of rickets or biochemical parameters. Side effects of conventional therapy included nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nephrocalcinosis, and hyperparathyroidism, which affected the patients’ quality of life and adherence to treatment. In the 10 patients treated with burosumab, there was a marked improvement in the biochemical markers of rickets, with a mean increase in serum phosphate of +0.56 mmol/L and tubular maximum phosphate reabsorption (TmP) to glomerular filtration rate (GFR) ratio (TmP/GFR) of +0.39 mmol/L at 12 months compared to baseline. Furthermore, a mean decrease in serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of −80.80 IU/L and parathyroid hormone (PTH) of −63.61 pmol/L at 12 months compared to baseline was observed in these patients. Additionally, patients treated with burosumab reported reduced pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue as well as the ability to lead more physically active lives with no significant side effects of treatment.

Learning points

Conventional therapy resulted in a suboptimal response, with a lack of improvement of clinical signs and symptoms.

Side effects of conventional therapy included nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nephrocalcinosis, and hyperparathyroidism, which affected the patients’ quality of life and adherence to treatment.

Burosumab demonstrated marked improvements in the biochemical markers of rickets, in addition to reducing pain, muscle weakness, and fatigue.

There were no significant side effects associated with burosumab therapy.
Sistematización de experiencia: transformación de las prácticas académicas del curso Introducción a la Administración de Negocios, Recinto de Guápiles, Universidad de Costa Rica, en el contexto del COVID-19
Authors: Arguedas Ulloa Ariel Jesús 
Published: April 2024

Description: This paper describes the good academic practices adopted after the global health crisis that has affected the educational field. Objective: To describe the steps to achieve transformation in the academic practices of the Introduction to Business Administration course University of Costa Rica. Methodology: The five-time methodology recommended by Jara (2011) has been used. Results: The great transformation in academic practices lies in the fact that the methodology becomes 100% virtual, where the teacher had to previously design the teaching material for his synchronous class and add asynchronous educational elements that make him approach the subject, objectives, and share them through a pedagogical strategy with students, while relying on non-traditional digital tools. Conclusions: The global context forces all teachers to modernize the structure of physical or virtual classrooms depending on the student with dynamic and interactive spaces; in addition, it is concluded that academic practices are not an occurrence. Rather, it is a planned process in which evaluation and accompaniment with peers is of great help for instructional design.
Динаміка таксаційних показників ялинових деревостанів на північно-східному макросхилі Українських Карпат
Authors: Lavnyy Vasyl , Matusevych Olexandr 
Published: April 2024

Досліджено динаміку таксаційних показників деревостанів у двох переважаючих типах ялинових лісів ‒ вологій буково-ялицевій сусмеречині та вологій високогірній сусмеречині на 41 пробній ділянці загальною площею 7,225 га на території Івано-Франківської, Львівської та Чернівецької областей. Пробні ділянки було закладено у лісостанах як природного, так і штучного походження різної повноти. Вони знаходилися у лісах різних категорій, на схилах різної експозиції та стрімкості. Вік досліджених ялинових деревостанів становив від 31 до 157 років. Запаси стовбурової деревини в ялинових деревостанах залежно від віку, класу бонітету, висоти над рівнем моря та повноти змінюються від 207 до 1044 м3∙га-1.
Згідно розробленої моделі прогнозу росту ялинових деревостанів І класу бонітету в умовах вологої високогірної сусмеречини, у віці 100 років вони будуть мати такі таксаційні показники: середню висоту ‒ 29,6 м, середній діаметр ‒ 31,8 см, суму площ поперечних перерізів ‒ 40,4 м2, густоту ‒ 510 дерев/га, запас стовбурової деревини ‒ 563 м3∙га-1. В умовах вологої буково-ялицевої сусмеречини ялинові деревостани Іа класу бонітету у віці 100 років будуть мати такі таксаційні показники: середню висоту ‒ 33,4 м, середній діаметр ‒ 39,8 см, суму площ поперечних перерізів ‒ 41,2 м2, густоту ‒ 331 дерев/га, запас стовбурової деревини ‒ 652 м3∙га-1.
Середня зміна запасу (без урахування відпаду) у віці 100 років за переважаючої відносної повноти 0,7 у вологій високогірній сусмеречині становить 5,7 м3∙га-1, а у вологій буково-ялицевій сусмеречині ‒ 6,6 м3∙га-1 за рік. Для нормальних деревостанів з відносною повнотою 1,0 вона може досягати щорічно відповідно 8,1 м3∙га-1 у типі лісу С3–См і 9,4 м3∙га-1 – у типі лісу С3–бк-яцСм.
Результати порівняння отриманої моделі динаміки таксаційних показників ялинових деревостанів з існуючими таблицями ходу росту Є.І. Цурика та Г.А. Ходота показали незначні відхилення. Максимальна розбіжність (29,7%) існує за густотою ялинових деревостанів в умовах вологої буково-ялицевої сусмеречини.