bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Atoll Mangrove Progradation Patterns: Analysis from Jaluit in the Marshall Islands
Authors: Crameri Nicholas J. , Ellison Joanna C. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractLow-lying islands are vulnerable to coastal erosion, and mangroves, which can mitigate erosion, have suffered enormous losses in recent decades owing to human impacts. Previous studies have little investigated mangrove shores on atolls, which may face combined multiple threats. We analysed the large Marshall Islands atoll of Jaluit, at a higher resolution than previous spatial change studies, finding that mangrove shorelines prograded seawards over the last seven decades. Biogeomorphic colonisation processes were characterised from transects along ~ 14.6 km of shorelines. Mangrove progradation occurred in patterns of arc-shapes evident of long-shore drift deposition, patch expansion of offshore mangrove colonisers, and linear shoreline advance. Significant differences in the rates of expansion were identified, with arc-shaped colonisation showing the fastest rates of expansion. However, linear shoreline advance was the most frequent expansion pattern showing greater than three-fold more classified transects than arc-shaped colonisation and patch expansion. These results have implications for low island mangrove restoration. Applying mangrove planting patterns mimicking these different natural colonisation processes may enhance restoration success in ecosystem-based adaptation projects to mitigate sea level rise vulnerability. Results from this study show that atoll mangrove shorelines demonstrate resilience during past sea level rise rates, and that rates of expansion vary according to patterns of biogeomorphic colonisation.
Tracking of uranium and thorium natural distribution in the chemical fractions of the Nile Valley and the Red Sea phosphorites, Egypt
Authors: Aita Sami K. , Abdel-Azeem Marwa M. , Abu Khoziem Hanaa A. , Aly Gehan A. , Mahdy Nasser M. , Ismail Ahmed M. , Ali Hani H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe present study aims to elucidate the possible sources of uranium and thorium content in the Campanian–Maastrichtian phosphorites from the Duwi Formation in the Nile Valley and Red Sea by conducting facies analysis and sequential leaching method. Nile Valley samples were collected from the El-Sibaiya East area, while those of the Red Sea were collected from two locations: Hamadat and Zug El Bahar. The petrographic investigation revealed that the Sibaiya East phosphorites exhibit peloidal bioclastic phospharenite–phospharudite microfacies, while Hamadat and Zug El Bahar phosphorites display peloidal bioclastic phosphalutite and silicified peloidal bioclastic phospharenite microfacies, respectively. Besides, U–Th bearing accessory minerals, such as zircon and monazite occur in Sibaiya East phosphorites. Thorium is present in Zug El Bahar phosphorites as minute accumulations associating apatite and quartz. Moreover, uranium is found with vanadium and iron as fine patches in the Sibaiya East phosphorite, and as small disseminations associated with Ca and Si in the Hamadat phosphorite. The X-ray diffraction shows that the investigated phosphorites are essentially built up of hydroxyl apatite Ca5(PO4)3(OH) and quartz SiO2. To accurately evaluate the bioavailability and mobility of uranium and thorium in the investigated phosphorites, it was necessary to identify the overall concentration and the various chemical forms of these elements by a five-step sequential leaching technique. The results indicate that Th and U are more abundant in the Red Sea phosphorites than in the Nile Valley phosphorites. Furthermore, Th is not bio-available and it is mostly found in the residue as Th-bearing minerals. Uranium, unlike Th is bio-available and fractionates among all fractions, indicating that U accumulation is the result of various diagenetic processes.
Helicopter short-term collision avoidance with sampling-based model predictive control
Authors: Dikarew Alexej 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAutomatic helicopter flight in uncertain surroundings remains a challenging task due to sudden changes in environment, requiring fast response to guarantee safe and collision-free guidance. Increasing numbers of small unmanned aerial vehicles, which are not covered by air traffic control, pose a potential threat to rotorcraft operating in lower airspace. To provide collision avoidance in this scenario, the capability of reacting immediately to appearing obstacles and guiding the rotorcraft along feasible evasive trajectories is required. This paper presents an approach to short-term collision avoidance based on model predictive techniques. The proposed method, originally developed for automotive applications, finds optimal control inputs by predicting a set of trajectories utilizing a model resembling the helicopter dynamics. Compared to model predictive control, no iterative optimization is adopted, resulting in deterministic execution time. The proposed method is evaluated by closed-loop simulations with a non-linear helicopter model. Additional hardware-in-the-loop simulations are conducted to examine the real-time capability of the approach.
A Skin-Inspired Self-Adaptive System for Temperature Control During Dynamic Wound Healing
Authors: Geng Yaqi , Chen Guoyin , Cao Ran , Dai Hongmei , Hu Zexu , Yu Senlong , Wang Le , Zhu Liping , Xiang Hengxue , Zhu Meifang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe thermoregulating function of skin that is capable of maintaining body temperature within a thermostatic state is critical. However, patients suffering from skin damage are struggling with the surrounding scene and situational awareness. Here, we report an interactive self-regulation electronic system by mimicking the human thermos-reception system. The skin-inspired self-adaptive system is composed of two highly sensitive thermistors (thermal-response composite materials), and a low-power temperature control unit (Laser-induced graphene array). The biomimetic skin can realize self-adjusting in the range of 35–42 °C, which is around physiological temperature. This thermoregulation system also contributed to skin barrier formation and wound healing. Across wound models, the treatment group healed ~ 10% more rapidly compared with the control group, and showed reduced inflammation, thus enhancing skin tissue regeneration. The skin-inspired self-adaptive system holds substantial promise for next-generation robotic and medical devices.
Recent Progress in Improving Rate Performance of Cellulose-Derived Carbon Materials for Sodium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Fujuan , Zhang Tianyun , Zhang Tian , He Tianqi , Ran Fen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCellulose-derived carbon is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for high-performance anode materials in sodium-ion batteries; however, its poor rate performance at higher current density remains a challenge to achieve high power density sodium-ion batteries. The present review comprehensively elucidates the structural characteristics of cellulose-based materials and cellulose-derived carbon materials, explores the limitations in enhancing rate performance arising from ion diffusion and electronic transfer at the level of cellulose-derived carbon materials, and proposes corresponding strategies to improve rate performance targeted at various precursors of cellulose-based materials. This review also presents an update on recent progress in cellulose-based materials and cellulose-derived carbon materials, with particular focuses on their molecular, crystalline, and aggregation structures. Furthermore, the relationship between storage sodium and rate performance the carbon materials is elucidated through theoretical calculations and characterization analyses. Finally, future perspectives regarding challenges and opportunities in the research field of cellulose-derived carbon anodes are briefly highlighted.
Harness High-Temperature Thermal Energy via Elastic Thermoelectric Aerogels
Authors: Li Hongxiong , Ding Zhaofu , Zhou Quan , Chen Jun , Liu Zhuoxin , Du Chunyu , Liang Lirong , Chen Guangming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDespite notable progress in thermoelectric (TE) materials and devices, developing TE aerogels with high-temperature resistance, superior TE performance and excellent elasticity to enable self-powered high-temperature monitoring/warning in industrial and wearable applications remains a great challenge. Herein, a highly elastic, flame-retardant and high-temperature-resistant TE aerogel, made of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate)/single-walled carbon nanotube (PEDOT:PSS/SWCNT) composites, has been fabricated, displaying attractive compression-induced power factor enhancement. The as-fabricated sensors with the aerogel can achieve accurately pressure stimuli detection and wide temperature range monitoring. Subsequently, a flexible TE generator is assembled, consisting of 25 aerogels connected in series, capable of delivering a maximum output power of 400 μW when subjected to a temperature difference of 300 K. This demonstrates its outstanding high-temperature heat harvesting capability and promising application prospects for real-time temperature monitoring on industrial high-temperature pipelines. Moreover, the designed self-powered wearable sensing glove can realize precise wide-range temperature detection, high-temperature warning and accurate recognition of human hand gestures. The aerogel-based intelligent wearable sensing system developed for firefighters demonstrates the desired self-powered and highly sensitive high-temperature fire warning capability. Benefitting from these desirable properties, the elastic and high-temperature-resistant aerogels present various promising applications including self-powered high-temperature monitoring, industrial overheat warning, waste heat energy recycling and even wearable healthcare.
Reimagining democratic education by positioning Aboriginal Country-centred learning as foundational to curriculum and pedagogy
Authors: Thorpe Katrina , ten Kate Linda , Burgess Cathie 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn settler colonial societies such as Australia, democracy has its origins in colonisation and so this influences educational structures, policies and what is taught every day in classrooms. The current national education vision, the Alice Springs (Mparntwe) Education Declaration (Education Council Secretariat, 2019) states that a purpose of education is to create “a socially cohesive society that values respects and appreciates different points of view and cultural, social linguistic, and religious diversity” (p. 5), framing key democratic principles as central to this work. Paradoxically, as the corporate-style education agenda continues to narrow and limit an already Eurocentric, monocultural curriculum, and performance-manage teachers, democratic approaches such as critical thinking, problem-solving and experiential learning are at risk. In October 2023, the Australian people were asked to vote on altering the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander “Voice” to parliament. The Voice to Parliament would have provided greater representation in parliamentary processes and political decision making on matters impacting Indigenous peoples interests and rights (Fredericks, 2023, p. 125). The divisive debate and vilification of Indigenous Australians that preceded the referendum and resulted in a resounding “No” vote, reflects the historical failure of the education system to prepare students for active and informed citizenship. Learning from Country (LFC), where knowledges shared by Aboriginal peoples and Country are positioned as central to understanding this country, suggests a way in which we might decolonise Australian education and address the social, cultural and environmental issues facing all citizens. This paper discusses Country-centred learning where teacher educators and preservice teachers learn from Country through walking with and listen to Aboriginal community-based educators to develop the pedagogical skills needed to implement a participatory democratic approach in their classrooms. LFC supports opportunities to story Aboriginal ways of being, knowing and doing into curriculum and pedagogy using a framework to guide teachers in ways that respect multiple local community perspectives to build cohesive school communities.
Water depth prediction in combined sewer networks, application of generative adversarial networks
Authors: Koochali Alireza , Bakhshipour Amin E. , Bakhshizadeh Mahta , Habermehl Ralf , Dilly Timo C. , Dittmer Ulrich , Ahmed Sheraz , Haghighi Ali , Dengel Andreas 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper addresses the pressing issue of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in urban areas, which pose significant environmental and public health threats. CSOs occur when combined sewer systems become overwhelmed during heavy rainfall, leading to untreated sewage and stormwater being discharged into nearby water bodies. To effectively manage and mitigate CSO effects, accurate predictions of CSOs are crucial for real-time control measures. This study introduces an innovative approach that utilizes Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) to augment data and improve the accuracy of data-driven models for predicting water depth in combined sewer systems. Apart from data augmentation, the paper addresses scenarios where rare patterns, such as extreme events, are infrequently observed regardless of dataset size. It proposes a specialized generative model based on GANs designed to augment datasets targeting these rare patterns. This innovation involves adding a tail-focused loss function to the adversarial objective of the GAN training pipeline. The research is exemplified through a case study in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The results indicate an improvement in water depth predictions. Also, it was found that the model trained solely with synthetic data is comparable to that trained with real data.
Graphical Abstract
Maize Grain Yield and Quality Improvement Through Biostimulant Application: a Systematic Review
Authors: Ocwa Akasairi , Mohammed Safwan , Mousavi Seyed Mohammad Nasir , Illés Árpád , Bojtor Csaba , Ragán Péter , Rátonyi Tamás , Harsányi Endre 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIncreasing the productivity of cereals such as maize while protecting the environment remains a fundamental impetus of healthy food production systems. The use of biostimulants is one of the sustainable strategies to achieve this balance, although the ability of biostimulants to enhance maize productivity varies. Moreover, research on the efficacy of biostimulants is ubiquitous with limited comprehensive global analysis. In this context, this systematic review evaluated the sole and interactive effects of biostimulants on the yield and quality of maize grain from a global perspective. Changes in yield (t ha-1), protein content (%), starch content (%) and oil content (%) of maize grain were assessed. Results revealed that sole and combined application of biostimulants significantly improved grain yield. Irrespective of the region, the highest and the lowest grain yields ranged between 16-20 t ha-1 and 1-5 t ha-1, respectively. In sole application, the promising biostimulants were chicken feather (16.5 t ha-1), and endophyte Colletotrichum tofieldiae (14.5 t ha-1). Sewage sludge × NPK (15.4 t ha-1), humic acid × control release urea (12.4 t ha-1), Azospirillum brasilense or Bradyrhizobium japonicum × maize hybrids (11.6 t ha-1), and Rhizophagus intraradices × earthworms (10.0 t ha-1) had higher yield for the interactive effects. The effects of biostimulants on grain quality were minimal, and all attributes improved in the range from 0.1 to 3.7%. Overall, biostimulants had a distinct improvement effect on yield, rather than on the quality of grain. As one way of maximising maize productivity, soil health, and the overall functioning of crop agroecosystems, the integrated application of synergistic microbial and non-microbial biostimulants could provide a viable option. However, the ability to produce consistent yield and quality of grain improvement remains a major concern.
Identifying the optimal temperature and water activity conditions of phytopathogenic fungi recovered from Al-Baha province
Authors: Almiman Bandar 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFungi are responsible for many plant infections. Indeed, fungi are responsible for most plant spoilage that occurs in the field or in storage, causing symptoms of dieback, leaf spot, rot, rust and wilt. A more serious issue is that fungi produce mycotoxins, which can contaminate crops. Samples of leaf, fruit and root tissues were collected from sick crops, pre- and post-harvest within Al-Baha region. Using molecular markers, twenty fungal isolates were identified that represent eight genera and thirteen species. The most common species were Penicillium spp. (45%), followed by Aspergillus spp. (25%). The remaining 30% were comprised of multiple species (Alternaria alternata, Fusarium oxysporum, Geotrichum candidum, Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Megasporoporia minor and Rhizopus arrhizu). The majority of these isolates are recognised as spoilers of crops and producers of mycotoxins. The study evaluated which temperatures optimised fungal growth. Half of the isolates thrived best at 25 °C; six isolates favoured 30 °C, whilst four isolates grew best at 20 °C. The study also evaluated the optimal water activity (aw) for fungal growth, at four points (0.995, 0.99, 0.90 and 0.85 aw). The isolates were categorised as being either xerophilic, mesophilic or hydrophilic. The majority of isolates (70%) were xerophilic (Aspergillus and Penicillium spp.), 10% were mesophilic (Alternaria alternata and Rhizopus oryzae spp.) and 20% were hydrophilic (Lasiodiplodia theobromae, Geotrichum candidum, Megasporoporia minor and Fusarium oxysporum spp). The information derived from this study will assist in building effective strategies to control these pathogens, minimising crops losses and mycotoxin contamination.
Nietzsche as metaphysician but which metaphysics? A response to Justin Remhof
Authors: Doyle Tsarina 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis article is a critical response to Justin Remhof’s Nietzsche as Metaphysician. It contends that Remhof runs the question of whether Nietzsche is a metaphysician too closely with the related but separate question of what type of metaphysician he is. It is argued that Remhof is correct in claiming that Nietzsche is a metaphysician and that his metaphysics informs his wider philosophy. However, Remhof’s view that Nietzsche is a metaphysical constructivist is subject to criticism.
Bilateral treaty networks: assessing cooperative spillover in defense and investment
Authors: Kinne Brandon J , Peinhardt Clint 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe potential for mutual influence or “spillover” between economic and security cooperation is a long-standing area of interest for policymakers and scholars alike. This paper examines how network dynamics affect spillover. We focus on two prominent types of formal bilateral cooperation—defense cooperation agreements (DCAs) and bilateral investment treaties (BITs)—both of which have proliferated dramatically in the post-Cold War international system. We argue that existing theoretical and empirical approaches to economic-security spillover focus too strictly on influences at the bilateral level. As with other forms of international cooperation, BITs and DCAs comprise larger international networks. Governments develop portfolios of BITs or DCAs with distinct structural goals in mind, and they implement specific strategies in pursuing those goals. With BITs, governments follow anetwork-hierarchystrategy that allows them to influence treaty design and protect their firms. In DCAs, governments instead favor anetwork-communitystrategy focused on pooling collective security goods among groups of like-minded collaborators. When these network strategies complement one another, they promote cooperative economic-security spillover. When they conflict, however, they inhibit spillover, such that cooperation in economic or security issues discourages cooperation in the opposing issue area.
Political orientation and education investment: an OECD perspective
Authors: Lu Yifan , Yan Kaiyue , Wang Cong 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper explores the potential causal relationship between political orientation and education investment by using panel data from 21 OECD countries from 1970 to 2020 and utilizing estimators that address endogeneity (i.e. 2SLS, System GMM, and Lewbel 2SLS). In particular, using communist influence as a physical instrument for political orientation, we find a positive impact of the right political orientation on education investment, and the impact of the left orientation is negative. The positive impact from the right orientation is also stronger than the negative impact from the left. Moreover, these core results are robust to alternative measures of political orientation and education investment, alternative estimators that address endogeneity, and the moderation effect of innovation.
Securing securities: political risk, sovereign debt, and the Anglo-American financial power transition
Authors: Lee Michael 
Published: March 2024

AbstractUnder what conditions do countries lose their status as the leading global financial center? Some scholars argue that such shifts follow shortly after transitions in the distribution of other key capabilities (e.g. GDP), while others argue that path dependence or other more bespoke capabilities might be able to sustain financial leadership long after decline in other capabilities. This paper aims to understand the causes of the Anglo-American financial transition. I argue that the ability to manage political risk for investors is critical to the position of countries as financial entrepôts. In the case of British financial leadership, I argue that Britain’s position as an entrepôt hinged on its power projection capability, which enabled Britain to limit political risk for investors in ways that other states could not replicate. The gradual loss of those capabilities, in turn, saw Britain eventually become overshadowed by the United States. I support my claims with a TERGM analysis of the interwar sovereign debt network.
Carotid Stenosis and Stroke: Historical Perspectives Leading to Current Challenges
Authors: Pelz David M. , Fox Allan J. , Spence J. David , Lownie Stephen P. 
Published: March 2024

ABSTRACT:The carotid artery is unique; it is the only vessel to bifurcate into a bulb larger than itself. The history of its anatomic description, understanding of its pathophysiology and evolution of its imaging are relevant to current controversies regarding measurement of stenosis, surgical/endovascular therapies and medical management of carotid stenosis in stroke prevention. Treatment decisions on millions of symptomatic and asymptomatic patients are routinely based on information from clinical trials from over 30 years ago. This article briefly summarizes the highlights of past research in key areas and discuss how they led to current challenges of diagnosis and treatment.