bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasonics and urban greening: an exploratory study on ultrasound presence in urban spaces
Authors: Grimshaw-Aagaard Mark , Bemman Brian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractAirborne ultrasound is a frequently overlooked feature of our environment as it is not audible to humans, and little is known of its health effects on humans. Presently, regulations governing noise pollution in urban areas concern only human-audible sound, and there are few regulations governing technologies that emit ultrasound as a by-product of their operation or for many devices that emit it deliberately. Moreover, developing fields of research have highlighted the role of ultrasound in non-human species communication and the deleterious consequences for some species of human-produced ultrasound. If urban spaces are to become more sustainable through urban greening—capable of sustaining significant populations of non-human species—studies must be undertaken to begin investigating the presence of ultrasound in such areas. In this paper, we present an exploratory study of urban ultrasoundscapes aimed at measuring the presence and levels of ultrasound in the Danish city of Aalborg. Our preliminary results show that there were increases in ultrasound at periods throughout the day with more or less a lower constant presence at locations that were furthest from major streets. In the urban recordings as well as one rural recording, however, the highest percentages of ultrasound occurred during the night and the lowest percentages were found during midday. Finally, the content of the ultrasound found at locations nearest to green spaces showed most commonality in spectra and levels and our location nearest to a hospital produced the highest levels and most dissimilar ultrasound spectra when compared to all other locations.
A continuum model for the elongation and orientation of Von Willebrand factor with applications in arterial flow
Authors: Yeo E. F. , Oliver J. M. , Korin N. , Waters S. L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe blood protein Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is critical in facilitating arterial thrombosis. At pathologically high shear rates, the protein unfolds and binds to the arterial wall, enabling the rapid deposition of platelets from the blood. We present a novel continuum model for VWF dynamics in flow based on a modified viscoelastic fluid model that incorporates a single constitutive relation to describe the propensity of VWF to unfold as a function of the scalar shear rate. Using experimental data of VWF unfolding in pure shear flow, we fix the parameters for VWF’s unfolding propensity and the maximum VWF length, so that the protein is half unfolded at a shear rate of approximately $$5000\,\text {s}^{-1}$$

5000

s

-
1

. We then use the theoretical model to predict VWF’s behaviour in two complex flows where experimental data are challenging to obtain: pure elongational flow and stenotic arterial flow. In pure elongational flow, our model predicts that VWF is 50% unfolded at approximately $$2000\,\text {s}^{-1}$$

2000

s

-
1

, matching the established hypothesis that VWF unfolds at lower shear rates in elongational flow than in shear flow. We demonstrate the sensitivity of this elongational flow prediction to the value of maximum VWF length used in the model, which varies significantly across experimental studies, predicting that VWF can unfold between $$2000\text { and }3200\,\text {s}^{-1}$$

2000

and

3200

s

-
1

depending on the selected value. Finally, we examine VWF dynamics in a range of idealised arterial stenoses, predicting the relative extension of VWF in elongational flow structures in the centre of the artery compared to high shear regions near the arterial walls.
Community-Identified Implementation Strategies for Promoting the Adoption of HIV Self-Testing in a Southern California American Indian community: A Rapid Qualitative Analysis
Authors: Prescott Maximo R. , Montoya Jessica L. , Perry Christina , Teran Ray , Armenta Richard , Gaines Tommi L. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHIV incidence increased by 18% between 2015 and 2019 among American Indians (AIs) despite declining rates in other racial/ethnic groups. Culturally-appropriate implementation of prevention programs is needed to address the intersectional conditions contributing to HIV vulnerabilities experienced by AIs. The objectives of this study were to understand factors influencing HIV testing decisions and identify implementation strategies to promote the acceptability of HIV self-testing (HIVST) in a southern California AI community. A total of 15 semi-structured interviews were completed with adult community members of a southern California AI reservation. Analysis used a rapid analytic approach that was guided by the Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment (EPIS) framework and expert recommendations for implementing change (ERIC) compilation. Two team members applied a standardized summary template to elucidate implementation determinants and implementation strategies for adopting HIVST. Barriers to HIV testing identified by community members included HIV-related stigma and privacy concerns within their community. Community members expressed positive perceptions of the acceptability of HIVST, with many identifying ease of use and privacy as appealing attributes. Several implementation strategies were suggested for facilitating the adoption of HIVST, including increasing access to tests by mailing kits to community members and increasing demand for kits through media campaigns (e.g., local flyers, social media posts, and booths at tribal events). Community members also recommended discreet packaging of kits and cultural adaptation of accompanying materials (e.g., educational videos featuring community members). The qualitative input from AI community members facilitated identification of implementation strategies that may promote the acceptability and culturally-appropriateness of HIVST.
“One a Day Keeps the Prison Away”: Understanding the Experiences of Individuals Convicted of Sexual Offences Receiving Anti-Androgens for the Treatment of Problematic Sexual Arousal
Authors: Lievesley Rebecca , Swaby Helen , Winder Belinda , Norman Christine , Hocken Kerensa 
Published: April 2024

AbstractProblematic sexual arousal (PSA) is an umbrella term to describe a range of clinical presentations related to excessive sexual thinking (e.g., sexual preoccupation) and sexual behavior (e.g., hypersexuality). Although such concepts are known to affect sexual recidivism among individuals convicted of sexual offences, PSA is not routinely or directly targeted in offending behavior programs in England and Wales. However, in recent years, there have been moves to incorporate pharmacological interventions for addressing this among people with sexual offence histories. Although some work to understand the experiences of those taking SSRI medication for this purpose has emerged, little is known about the experiences of service users taking anti-androgen medication. In this study, we interviewed all individuals in prison taking anti-androgens for the treatment of problematic sexual arousal following convictions for sexual offences in England at the time of data collection (N = 10). Using a phenomenologically oriented thematic analysis, we established themes pertaining to “Differing needs: Motivations for treatment,” “Medication as a risk management strategy,” and how the medication helped the men in their pursuit of “Discovering a ‘new me’.” This work contributes important knowledge to inform the development of ethical and effective prescribing of anti-androgen medication with this population and offer recommendations for both future research and the development of clinical practice.
Resveratrol activates autophagy and protects from UVA-induced photoaging in human skin fibroblasts and the skin of male mice by regulating the AMPK pathway
Authors: Xia Yangmin , Zhang Hao , Wu Xiangyi , Xu Ye , Tan Qian 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSkin photoaging is mostly caused by ultraviolet A (UVA), although active medications to effectively counteract UVA-induced photoaging have not yet been created. Resveratrol, a naturally occurring polyphenol found in the skin of grapes, has been shown to have various biological functions such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics. However, the role of resveratrol in UVA-induced photoaging has not been clarified. We investigated the mechanism of action of resveratrol by UVA irradiation of human skin fibroblasts (HSF) and innovatively modified a mouse model of photoaging. The results demonstrated that resveratrol promoted AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation to activate autophagy, reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, inhibit apoptosis, and restore normal cell cycle to alleviate UVA-induced photoaging. In addition, subcutaneous injection of resveratrol not only improved the symptoms of roughness, erythema, and increased wrinkles in the skin of UVA photodamaged mice, but also alleviated epidermal hyperkeratosis and hyperpigmentation, reduced inflammatory responses, and inhibited collagen fiber degradation. In conclusion, our studies proved that resveratrol can treat UVA-induced photoaging and elucidated the possible molecular mechanisms involved, providing a new therapeutic strategy for future anti-aging.
Chromophores in spinning dopes of cellulose and imidazolium ionic liquids
Authors: Rosenau Thomas , Zhang Jiaping , Koide Mitsuharu , Rinner Uwe , Hettegger Hubert , Potthast Antje , Gotoh Yasuo 
Published: April 2024

AbstractSpinning of cellulose dissolved in 3-alkyl-1-methylimidazolium ionic liquids is a current approach to manmade cellulosic fibers. To curb cellulose degradation in the dope, stabilizers have to be used. Generation of chromophores in the dope and the resulting fibers is unavoidable, with most of the discoloration resulting from the employed antioxidants. In the present work, the chemical structures of the chromophores derived from the most common “green” stabilizers currently used, namely propyl gallate (a gallic acid derivative), hydroxytyrosol (and antioxidant from olives), and tocopheramines (vitamin E derivatives), were elucidated by a combination of analytical techniques and final confirmation by comparison with independently synthesized samples. While most compounds are oxidation and rearrangement products of the antioxidants themselves, coupling products with the ionic liquid´s imidazolium cations were also found. Identification of the colored compounds is a critical issue for both the optimization of fiber bleaching steps and solvent purification/recovery in the spinning process. Now that the nature of the generated chromophores is known, milder yet more effective bleaching treatments can be developed and solvent purification/recycling can be specifically optimized.
Distribution of resources beyond 5G networks with heterogeneous parallel processing and graph optimization algorithms
Authors: Khadidos Alaa O. , Manoharan Hariprasath , Selvarajan Shitharth , Khadidos Adil O. , Alshareef Abdulrhman M. , Altwijri Mohammed 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper, a design model for resource allocation is formulated beyond 5G networks for effective data allocations in each network nodes. In all networks, data is transmitted only after allocating all resources, and an unrestrained approach is established because the examination of resources is not carried out in the usual manner. However, if data transmission needs to occur, some essential resources can be added to the network. Moreover, these resources can be shared using a parallel optimization approach, as outlined in the projected model. Further the designed model is tested and verified with four case studies by using resource allocator toolbox with parallax where the resources for power and end users are limited within the ranges of 1.4% and 6%. Furthermore, in the other two case studies, which involve coefficient determination and blockage factors, the outcomes of the proposed approach fall within the marginal error constraint of approximately 31% and 87%, respectively.
Do remittances mitigate poverty? Evidence from selected countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America
Authors: Ojeyinka Titus Ayobami , Ibukun Cleopatra Oluseye 
Published: April 2024

AbstractThe overall objective of the Sustainable Development Goals is to end poverty in all its manifestations by 2030. To achieve this, international remittance inflows have been identified as crucial external financing, especially for developing countries, to secure the resources needed to improve the living conditions of the poor in these countries. It is on this premise that this study investigates the nexus between remittances and poverty in selected countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, given that these regions receive the highest amount of remittances globally. The study uses annual data on 38 top recipients of remittances between 1990 and 2021. To ensure the robustness of the results, the study employs two indicators of poverty: household consumption expenditure and poverty headcount. On the methodological front, the study addresses the issue of cross-sectional dependence in a panel study and also corrects for endogeneity, using both static and dynamic methods of analysis, respectively. Empirical findings from the cross-sectional dependence test confirm the interdependence of countries in the study. Interestingly, the study confirms the optimistic view that remittance reduces poverty in the selected countries. This finding is consistent for the two poverty indicators regardless of the methodology adopted. The study concludes that remittance inflows play a pivotal role in alleviating poverty in the selected countries. Based on the findings, governments in the three regions are advised to devise appropriate policies and structures that can support and channel the proceeds from remittances to productive ventures to reduce the incidence of poverty in their respective countries.
Leachability of hexavalent chromium from fly ash-marl mixtures in Sarigiol basin, Western Macedonia, Greece: environmental hazard and potential human health risk
Authors: Georgaki Maria-Nefeli , Mytiglaki Christina , Tsokkou Sophia , Kantiranis Nikolaos 
Published: April 2024

AbstractHexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) is an environmental contaminant brining high concerns due to its higher toxicity and mobility in comparison with trivalent chromium Cr(III). Cr (VI) has been linked with several adverse health effects, including respiratory diseases, lung cancer, and skin irritation. The primary sources of it in the environment are industrial activities.Most of the time, fly ash made of lignite can release Cr(VI) when it comes into contact with water in an aquatic environment. The objective of this study is the investigation of Cr (VI) concentration in leachates of fly ash and marl mixtures and the determination of its solubility under different pH conditions. Samples of fly ash were collected from the Power Plant of Agios Dimitrios. Additionally, samples of marl were collected from the mine of South Field, and both samples were mixed and prepared in in different proportions (% w.t.). The leaching experiments were carried out according to the EN-12457/1-4 (2003) standard under different pH conditions and chemical analysis of the leachates were performed by spectrophotometry with diphenylcarbazide (DPC). The environmental footprint of Cr (VI) in the study area was significant, especially in mixtures containing higher concentrations of fly ash. A critical pH range between 6 to 12 is observed. At acidic pH values, a high release of Cr (VI) was observed, while at the mentioned critical values (pH 10–12), a gradual decrease in its leachability was noticed. The high concentrations of Cr (VI) in the industrial area studied require immediate actions in terms of managing and limiting the potential hazardous impacts on the environment and by extension on the public health by developing appropriate prevention strategies.
Graphical abstract
A survey of nuclear quadrupole deformation in order to estimate the nuclear MQM and its relative contribution to the atomic EDM
Authors: MohanMurthy Prajwal , Silwal Umesh , Winger Jeff A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractMeasurement of a non-zero permanent electric dipole moment (EDM) in fundamental particles, such as in an electron or a neutron, or in nuclei or atoms, can help us gain a handle on the sources of Charge-Parity (CP) violation, both in the Standard Model (SM) and beyond. The nuclear magnetic quadrupole moment (MQM), the central topic of this work, is also CP, P, and T violating. Nucleons and nuclei have a non-zero MQM from sources within the SM, but the nuclear MQM is dramatically enhanced if the nuclei are structurally quadrupole deformed. Multiple sources contribute to an atomic EDM namely: (i) nuclear EDM through its Schiff moment, which is enhanced by nuclear octupole deformation, (ii) CP violating interactions between the electrons and the nuclei, and (iii) the nuclear MQM that contributes to the atomic EDM in atoms with an unpaired valence electron. Our survey of nuclear quadrupole deformation identified 48 isotopes as ideal systems in which to search for a CP violating EDM via their enhanced nuclear MQM. Of these candidates, $$^{223,225}$$

223
,
225

Fr, $$^{223}$$

223

Ra, $$^{223,225,227}$$

223
,
225
,
227

Ac, $$^{229}$$

229

Th, and $$^{229}$$

229

Pa also have maximally enhanced nuclear Schiff moment contribution due to their octupole deformation. Laser cooling of the isotopes of Fr and Ra, among a few others, has already been demonstrated, making $$^{223,225}$$

223
,
225

Fr and $$^{223}$$

223

Ra some of the best systems in which to measure an EDM.
A standard form for scattered linearized polynomials and properties of the related translation planes
Authors: Longobardi Giovanni , Zanella Corrado 
Published: April 2024

AbstractIn this paper, we present results concerning the stabilizer $$G_f$$

G
f

in $${{\,\mathrm{{GL}}\,}}(2,q^n)$$

GL

(
2
,

q
n

)

of the subspace $$U_f=\{(x,f(x)):x\in \mathbb {F}_{q^n}\}$$

U
f

=

{

(
x
,
f

(
x
)

)

:
x
∈

F

q
n

}

, f(x) a scattered linearized polynomial in $$\mathbb {F}_{q^n}[x]$$

F

q
n

[
x
]

. Each $$G_f$$

G
f

contains the $$q-1$$

q
-
1

maps $$(x,y)\mapsto (ax,ay)$$

(
x
,
y
)
↦
(
a
x
,
a
y
)

, $$a\in \mathbb {F}_{q}^*$$

a
∈

F

q

∗

. By virtue of the results of Beard (Duke Math J, 39:313–321, 1972) and Willett (Duke Math J 40(3):701–704, 1973), the matrices in $$G_f$$

G
f

are simultaneously diagonalizable. This has several consequences: (i) the polynomials such that $$|G_f|>q-1$$

|

G
f

|
>
q
-
1

have a standard form of type $$\sum _{j=0}^{n/t-1}a_jx^{q^{s+jt}}$$

∑

j
=
0

n
/
t
-
1

a
j

x

q

s
+
j
t

for some s and t such that $$(s,t)=1$$

(
s
,
t
)
=
1

, $$t>1$$

t
>
1

a divisor of n; (ii) this standard form is essentially unique; (iii) for $$n>2$$

n
>
2

and $$q>3$$

q
>
3

, the translation plane $$\mathcal {A}_f$$

A
f

associated with f(x) admits nontrivial affine homologies if and only if $$|G_f|>q-1$$

|

G
f

|
>
q
-
1

, and in that case those with axis through the origin form two groups of cardinality $$(q^t-1)/(q-1)$$

(

q
t

-
1
)

/

(
q
-
1
)

that exchange axes and coaxes; (iv) no plane of type $$\mathcal {A}_f$$

A
f

, f(x) a scattered polynomial not of pseudoregulus type, is a generalized André plane.
An ultimately periodic chain in the integral Lie ring of partitions
Authors: Aragona Riccardo , Civino Roberto , Gavioli Norberto 
Published: April 2024

AbstractGiven an integer n, we introduce the integral Lie ring of partitions with bounded maximal part, whose elements are in one-to-one correspondence to integer partitions with parts in $$\{1,2,\dots , n-1\}$$

{
1
,
2
,
⋯
,
n
-
1
}

. Starting from an abelian subring, we recursively define a chain of idealizers and we prove that the sequence of ranks of consecutive terms in the chain is ultimately periodic. Moreover, we show that its growth depends of the partial sum of the partial sum of the sequence counting the number of partitions. This work generalizes our previous recent work on the same topic, devoted to the modular case where partitions were allowed to have a bounded number of repetitions of parts in a ring of coefficients of positive characteristic.
Finding Space-Time Boundaries with Deformable Hypersurfaces
Authors: Jensen Patrick M. , Bærentzen J. Andreas , Dahl Anders B. , Dahl Vedrana A. 
Published: April 2024

AbstractDynamic 3D imaging is increasingly used to study evolving objects. We address the problem of detecting and tracking simple objects that merge or split in time. Common solutions involve detecting topological changes. Instead, we solve the problem in 4D by exploiting the observation that if objects only merge or only split, they appear as a single component in 4D. This allows us to initiate a topologically simple 3D hypersurface and deform it to fit the surface of all objects at all times. This gives an extremely compact representation of the objects’ evolution. We test our method on artificial 4D images and compare it to other segmentation methods. We also apply our method to a 4D X-ray data set to quantify evolving topology. Our method performs comparably to existing methods with better resource use and improved robustness.
Influence of TiO2 coverage on activity and stability of Pd-TiO2/MWCNT-supported catalysts used in direct formic acid fuel cells
Authors: Malolepszy A. , Mazurkiewicz-Pawlicka M. , Stobinski L. , Lesiak-Orłowska B. , Mierzwa B. , Kövér L. , Tóth J. , Chang Yuan Chih 
Published: April 2024

AbstractPd and TiO2 supported on functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (f-MWCNTs) catalysts were investigated in formic acid electrooxidation reaction in direct formic acid fuel cell. TiO2 (5–60 wt.% loading) on f-MWCNTs was deposited using microwave-assisted hydrothermal method. 20 wt.% of Pd was deposited on TiO2/f-MWCNTs by reduction of palladium (II) chloride salt with sodium borohydride. Catalysts’ structure and composition were characterized by XRD, STEM, HR-TEM, TGA, XPS/XAES (Pd, Ti, O spectra features, density of valence states, Auger parameters). Average crystallite size of Pd and TiO2 from XRD (3–4 nm) agrees with those by HR-TEM (3–5 nm). Low TiO2 coverages (below 32wt.%) show smaller crystallites due to increased surface hydrophilicity, higher amount of TiO2 oxygen vacancies with attached Pd nanoparticles, increased density of valence states of strong Pd–TiO2 interface. In contrary, the higher coverages indicate lower amount of Pd–O–Ti, Ti–O–C, Pd–O–C interfaces, with electron charge transfer from TiO2 to f-MWCNTs, and to Pd. Catalysts activity (40–106 mWmgPd−1) and stability (5–240 h) are enhanced at low TiO2 coverages (4–8 wt.%) due to a strong Pd-TiO2 interface on oxygen vacancies, improved electron transport and a high active surface area. Oscillatory self-cleaning mechanism of Pd is due to oxidation by -OH groups (TiO2, f-MWCNTs), and hydrogen and CO spillover.