bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Task-Oriented and Change-Preserving Data Classification for Multi-Temporal Choropleth Maps
Authors: Schiewe Jochen 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSeries or animations of classified choropleth maps are an important form of reproducing multi-temporal, cardinally scaled data sets, especially in media. However, there are problems with such representations that are not taken into account by the known methods of data classification (such as equidistant grouping or quantiles), and therefore lead to visualizations that are not sufficiently suitable for use. On the one hand, different questions and change analysis tasks are not explicitly considered in the process of making these maps. In the following, typical change tasks are singled out (i.e. show absolute differences, absolute percentage changes, positive changes and deviations from the trend) and the corresponding metrics for quantitative description are proposed. On the other hand, there are no measures in the usual procedures to avoid the loss of significant changes after classification (i.e. the regions belong to the same class). In the following, a procedure is therefore proposed that begins with rules for assigning value differences to class differences (e.g. based on statistical significance). Based on this, a preservation measure is defined that describes the success of obtaining the desired class differences after applying the classification. This measure can also be used to guide a new classification procedure. Using two multi-temporal data sets, the effects of the developed measures and methods are demonstrated both numerically and visually in corresponding choropleth maps.
Differences in spine growth potential for Sanders maturation stages 7A and 7B have implications for treatment of idiopathic scoliosis
Authors: Hori Yusuke , Kaymaz Burak , da Silva Luiz Carlos Almeida , Rogers Kenneth J. , Yorgova Petya K. , Gabos Peter G. , Shah Suken A. 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to clarify the differences in spine and total body height growth and curve progression between Sanders maturation stage (SMS) 7A and 7B in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Methods
This retrospective case–control study involving patients with AIS at SMS 7 evaluated the differential gains in the spine (T1-S1) and total body height and curve progression between SMS 7A and 7B. A validated formula was used to calculate the corrected height, accounting for height loss due to scoliosis. A multivariable non-linear and logistic regression model was applied to assess the distinct growth and curve progression patterns between the SMS 7 subtypes, adjusting for potential confounders.

Results
A total of 231 AIS patients (83% girls, mean age 13.9 ± 1.2 years) were included, with follow-up averaging 3.0 years. Patients at SMS 7A exhibited larger gains in spine height (9.9 mm vs. 6.3 mm) and total body height (19.8 mm vs. 13.4 mm) compared with SMS 7B. These findings remained consistent even after adjustments for curve magnitude. Non-linear regression models showed continued spine and total body height increases plateauing after 2 years, significantly greater in SMS 7A. More SMS 7A patients had curve progression over 10°, with an adjusted odds ratio of 3.31.

Conclusion
This study revealed that patients staged SMS 7A exhibited more spine and total body growth and a greater incidence of substantial curve progression than those at 7B. These findings imply that delaying brace discontinuation until reaching 7B could be beneficial, particularly for those with larger curves.

Level of evidence
Level III (Case–control study).
A Novel Training Approach in Deep Spiking Neural Network Based on Fuzzy Weighting and Meta-heuristic Algorithm
Authors: Hamian Melika , Faez Karim , Nazari Soheila , Sabeti Malihe 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe challenge of supervised learning in spiking neural networks (SNNs) for digit classification from speech signals is examined in this study. Meta-heuristic algorithms and a fuzzy logic framework are used to train SNNs. Using gray wolf optimization (GWO), the features obtained from audio signals are reduced depending on the dispersion of each feature. Then, it combines fuzzy weighting system (FWS) and spike time-dependent flexibility (STDP) approach to implement the learning rule in SNN. The FWS rule produces a uniformly distributed random weight in the STDP flexibility window, so that the system requires fewer training parameters. Finally, these neurons are fed data to estimate the training weights and threshold values of the neurons using wild horse algorithm (WHO). With the parameters given, these rule weights are applied to appropriately display the class's share in extracting the relevant feature. The suggested network can classify speech signals into categories with 97.17% accuracy. The dataset was obtained using neurons operating at sparse biological rates below 600 Hz in the TIDIGITS test database. The suggested method has been evaluated on the IRIS and Trip Data datasets, where the classification results showed a 98.93% and 97.36% efficiency, respectively. Compared to earlier efforts, this study's results demonstrate that the strategy is both computationally simpler and more accurate. The accuracy of classification of digits, IRIS and Trip Data has increased by 4.9, 3.46 and 1.24%, respectively. The principal goal of this research is to improve the accuracy of SNN by developing a new high-precision training method.
Algorithm Optimization of Computer Simulation Vehicle Driving Simulation System Based on Virtual Reality Technology
Authors: Zou Lan , Liang Tianhui 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe traditional automobile driving simulation system has the problems of low calculation efficiency and lack of realism. The traditional automobile driving simulation system with low computational efficiency and lack of realism limits the learning effect. Through virtual reality technology, vehicle driving can be simulated. By optimizing the algorithm of simulating vehicle driving simulation system, the preference of testers for driving style is investigated and the driver's preference style is determined. Finally, through the automatic driving simulation test method based on genetic algorithm, the key scenes can be divided into 11 different types, and the Euclidean distance of these 11 types is analyzed. Most drivers prefer a more conservative autonomous driving style. When analyzing 11 key scenario types, the Euclidean distance between scenario 2 and scenario 3 is the smallest, which is 33 m, and the maximum Euclidean distance between scenario 6 and scenario 11 is 91 m. The difference between scene 2 and scene 3 is the smallest, while the difference between scene 6 and scene 11 is the largest, and there are differences between each scene. Through virtual reality technology and algorithm optimization, the performance and user experience of driving simulation system are improved.
The Relation Between Cigarette Smoking and Development of Sepsis: A 10-Year Follow-Up Study of Four Million Adults from the National Health Screening Program
Authors: Lee Eun Hwa , Lee Kyoung Hwa , Lee Kyu-na , Park Yebin , Do Han Kyung , Han Sang Hoon 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Sepsis remains a growing global health concern with soaring mortality and no direct anti-sepsis drug. Although smoking has distinct deleterious effects on chronic inflammatory illnesses and can impair immune function, a comprehensive analysis of the connection between sepsis and smoking is lacking.

Methods
This large-scale longitudinal cohort study retrospectively assessed adults aged ≥ 20 years who underwent national health checkups under the Korean National Health Insurance Service between January and December 2009 (N = 4,234,415) and were followed up for 10 years. Sepsis was identified based on the International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision codes, and smoking status, including accumulated amount, was collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used, adjusting for age, sex, household income, body mass index, drinking, exercise, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and chronic renal disease.

Results
After excluding cases with sepsis occurring before follow-up or after ≤ 1 year of follow-up, 3,881,958 participants, including non-smokers (N = 2,342,841), former smokers (N = 539,850), and active smokers (N = 999,267), were included. Compared to non-smokers, all active smokers (adjust hazard ratio: 1.41, 95% confidence interval 1.38–1.44) and former smokers (1.10, 1.07–1.14) with ≥ 20 pack-years exhibited a significantly higher risk of sepsis (p < 0.001). Smoking of ≥ 30 pack-years in former and active smokers groups significantly increased sepsis incidence (adjust hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.34 [1.31–1.38], p < 0.001).

Conclusions
Smoking is closely associated with the incidence of sepsis. Smoking cessation may help in the primary prevention of sepsis.
The Causal Association Between Blood Lead and Sleep Disorders: Evidence from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Authors: Chen Shengnan , Zhang Ming , Zhang Weisong , Shao Xiaolong , Yang Xiaobin , Yang Zhi , Nan Kai 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Background
Poor sleep quality is a global public health concern. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for sleep disorders and clarify their causal effects.

Methods
Data were obtained from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and Mendelian randomization (MR)-Base databases. Baseline characteristics of individuals with and without sleep disorders were compared. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate the effects of each variable on sleep disorders. Causal effects of blood lead levels and hypertension on sleep disorders were assessed using MR analysis.

Results
In total, 3660 individuals were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of self-reported sleep disorders was 26.21%. Serum lead level, serum mercury level, serum retinol level, prevalence of hypertension, and daily vigorous work duration were significantly higher for those in the sleep disorders group than the control group. After adjusting for various covariates, the effects of serum lead and hypertension on sleep disorders were stable from logistic regression models 1–4. MR analysis showed that blood lead levels were causally related to the risk of sleep disorders (odds ratio (OR) = 1.09, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.17, P = 0.030). There was no causal link between elevated blood pressure and sleep disorders (OR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.94–1.04, P = 0.757). Goodness-of-fit tests and sensitivity analyses were used to verify the reliability of the results.

Conclusions
Blood lead is positively and causally associated with an increased risk of sleep disorders. These findings provide a novel perspective regarding sleep protection. Taking effective measures to reduce lead exposure may significantly improve sleep health.
Reviving the lecture: using visually dynamic approaches to teach physiological concepts
Authors: Cork Simon C. , Yhnell Emma 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThe educational benefit of the traditional didactic lecture to learners in Higher Education is hotly debated. Given increasing student numbers, existing technical set ups and many logistical concerns, lectures remain the norm in many Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). In this personal view piece, we discuss the benefits, opportunities, and challenges of incorporating dynamic teaching approaches, including “draw-alongs” and animations into undergraduate lectures, typically with large class sizes, to create more engaging and interactive lectures for learners.
Utilizing gamification to promote pro-sustainable behavior among information technology students
Authors: Charkova Denitza Anguelova 
Published: February 2024

AbstractHigher education institutions (HEIs) have made substantial strides towards incorporating sustainability into their curricula. However, the methodology of education for sustainable development (ESD) needs to be more performance-oriented and grounded in practical experience in order to foster behavioral changes towards environmental protection. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a gamification-driven strategy in encouraging students of information technology (IT) to adopt sustainable practices. The data was gathered from the digital records and survey responses of 75 information technology (IT) students as a component of their English language course. The results of the study suggested that the gamified method successfully encouraged students to adopt sustainable practices in their personal lives and future workplaces. The students' viewpoints regarding the accountability of individual employers and citizens for the well-being of our planet underwent a substantial transformation in support of sustainable development. The method described is applicable to various academic fields, including the humanities, sciences, medical studies, and others.
(Re)negotiating State Authority: How Hinterland Protests against Global Capital Impact the Mediating Role of Traditional Rulers in Postcolonial Sierra Leone
Authors: Sesay Mohamed 
Published: February 2024

AbstractSesay draws from three hinterland protests against multinational corporations in the mining and agricultural sectors to examine how global capital influences central/local politics in postcolonial Sierra Leone. Focusing specifically on the mediating role of traditional rulers—a strong legacy of British colonial indirect rule—Sesay argues that hinterland protests not only enable the relative autonomy of rural citizens to (re)negotiate with the state outside existing political arrangements but also challenge the broker authority of these rulers in center/peripheral relations. While some protests form new alignment of interest with traditional rulers, others allow rural citizens to bypass their chiefs to summon the attention of central authorities. In either of these processes, the local constituents question the position of chiefs in the indirect governance system and shape the governing strategies adopted by the central government to rule over the hinterland.
Exploring East Asia's Successful Early-Stage Covid-19 Response: An Empirical Investigation
Authors: Chung Kee Hoon , Jung Haeil , Jung Miyeun 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis study examines whether a degree of autocracy and high quality of bureaucracy—two mechanisms often discussed in the context of Covid-19 responses—provide a meaningful explanation for East Asia's relative success compared to the rest of the world at the beginning of the Covid pandemic. Our multiple regression analysis for 111 countries supports our expectation, as East Asia as a region is significantly and negatively associated with confirmed Covid-19 cases and deaths compared to the rest of the world, and its interaction with the quality of bureaucracy further contributes to the negative association. In sum, this research highlights the important role of East Asia's regional characteristics in pandemic responses.
Chinese stalagmite δ18O records reveal the diverse moisture trajectories during the middle to late last glacial period
Authors: Yang Huihui , Chou Yu-Min , Jiang Xiuyang , Zheng Wei , He Yaoqi , Banerjee Yogaraj , Shen Chuan-Chou , Yu Tsai-Luen , Zhong Yi , Humbert Fabien , Liu Qingsong 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Based on 30 high-resolution U-Th dating controls, we reconstruct stalagmite δ18O records from 45 to 15 thousand years ago (ka B.P., before AD 1950) from the Shizhu Cave, which is located in southwestern China under the influence of both the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) and the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM). By integrating with the other stalagmite δ18O records in Asia during the middle to late last glacial, our results reveal two main moisture trajectories: one from the Indian Ocean, through the Shizhu Cave towards central China, and the other from the Pacific Ocean to central and northern China. The systematic decrease of the average values of stalagmite δ18O records from oceans to inland China reveals a spatial pattern of water vapour fractionation and moisture trajectory during the middle to late last glacial. In contrast, the variation amplitude, which is defined as the departures apart from the background δ18O records during Heinrich stadials 1 to 4 (HS1–HS4), show an increasing trend from the coastal oceans to mid-latitude inland China, presenting a ‘coastal-inland’ pattern, which can be interpreted by the enhanced East Asian Winter Monsoon (EAWM) and the weakened EASM. More specifically, the enriched stalagmite δ18O records in the EASM region during HS1 to HS4 are caused by the decreased summer rainfall amount or/and the increased proportion of summer moisture resources from the Pacific Ocean. These new observations deepen our understanding of the complicated stalagmite δ18O records in the EASM region.
Characterization of variables related to high stability of raw cow milk
Authors: Martins Fernanda Antunes , Marinho Marina Tolentino , Fischer Vivian , Pereira João Ricardo Alves , Los Paulo Ricardo , Martins Adriana de Souza 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis research paper analyzes the stability of raw cow milk in the alcohol test and seeks to understand to know the factors that influence milk stability and the occurrence of unstable non-acid milk. Milk samples were collected from the cooling tanks of rural farmers in the state of Paraná twice in summer and twice in winter. The farms were classified according to the production system: pasture with supplementation and feedlot. The following variables were analyzed: stability in the alcohol test, titratable acidity, ionized calcium concentration (iCa), chemical composition of milk, somatic cell count and standard plate count. The results showed that milk stability was greater in winter vs. summer, when the milk contained higher iCa, and in the feedlot vs. pasture system. The Pearson Correlation between variables (ethanol stability, milk composition, iCa, cooling tank temperature, milk volume, number of milking, number of cows milked, fat/protein ratio, distance and travel time) were analyzed. Stability was negatively correlated with iCa concentration and positively with lactose content. Logistic regression of the risk of unstable non-acid milk at 72% alcohol (UNAM72) showed that only iCa and lactose were determinants, while evaluation of the same risk at 78% alcohol revealed iCa, titratable acidity, lactose and milk urea nitrogen as risk factors. Under the dairy farming conditions of Paraná state, the frequency of UNAM72 was low (12.16%) and was higher in summer and in pasture systems with supplementation. In conclusion, in dairy herds bred with high technological level, with adequate nutritional and health management, the frequency of UNAM is low and is related to nutritional management abnd, perhaps, heat stress, factors that alter iCa and lactose levels.
What would it look like? Visualizing a future US Corn Belt landscape with more table food production
Authors: Stone Tiffanie F. , Thompson Janette R. , Zimmerman Emily , Brighenti Tassia M. , Liebman Matt 
Published: February 2024

Abstract
Most farmland in the US Corn Belt is used to grow row crops at large scales (e.g., corn, soybean) that are highly processed before entering the human food stream rather than specialty crops grown in smaller areas and meant for direct human consumption (table food). Bolstering local table food production close to urban populations in this region through peri-urban agriculture (PUA) could enhance sustainability and resilience. Understanding factors influencing PUA producers' preferences and willingness to produce table food would enable supportive planning and policy efforts. This study combined land use visualization and survey data to examine the potential for increased local table food production for the US Corn Belt. We developed a spatial visualization of current agricultural land use and a future scenario with increased table food production designed to meet 50% of dietary requirements for a metropolitan population in 2050. A survey was administered to row crop (1360) and specialty crop (55) producers near Des Moines, Iowa, US to understand current and intended agricultural land use and factors influencing production. Responses from 316 row crop and 25 specialty crop producers were eligible for this analysis. A future scenario with increased table food production would require less than 3% of available agricultural land and some additional producers (approximately 130, primarily for grain production). Survey responses indicated PUA producers planned small increases in table food production in the next three to five years. Producer plans, including land rental for table food production, could provide approximately 25% of residents' fruit, vegetables, and grains, an increase from the baseline of 2%. Row crop producers ranked food safety regulations, and specialty producers ranked labor concerns as strong influences on their decision-making. Both groups indicated that crop insurance and processing facilities were also important. Increasing table food production by clustering mid-scale operations to increase economies of scale and strengthening supply chains and production infrastructure could provide new profitable opportunities for farmers and more resilient food systems for growing urban regions in the US Corn Belt. Continuing to address producer factors and landscape-scale environmental impacts will be critical in considering food system sustainability challenges holistically.
Between War, Politics, and “Something Nice Back Home”: Uncovering the First Mozambican Experiences within the “World Music” Market (1987–1994)
Authors: FREITAS MARCO ROQUE DE 
Published: February 2024

AbstractThis article analyzes the internationalization of Mozambican music within the “World Music” market during the country’s transitional period from a single-party socialist-led system to a multiparty, liberal one (1987–1994) in relation to the country’s nation-building process. The comparative examination of three cases—Orchestra Marrabenta Star de Moçambique, the song “Baila Maria” by Grupo RM (Amoya), and Real World Records’ albums by Eyuphuro and Ghorwane—shows that the “World Music” market not only served as an escape valve from the country’s lethargic phonographic industry but also emerged as a privileged channel to promote Mozambique’s official musical policy abroad during a crucial civil war-torn period.
Constraints on Lateral Variations of Martian Crustal Thickness From Seismological and Gravity Field Measurements
Authors: Drilleau Mélanie , Samuel Henri , Garcia Raphaël F. , Rivoldini Attilio , Perrin Clément , Wieczorek Mark , Lognonné Philippe , Banerdt William B. 
Published: February 2024

AbstractUsing body wave arrival times from 31 seismic events recorded on Mars by the InSight mission, combined with topography and gravity field modeling, we constrained lateral variations of crustal thickness through a Bayesian inversion approach. The parameterization of the seismic structure relies on quantities that influence the thermochemical evolution of Mars, enabling the seismic velocities and densities in the different planetary envelopes to be consistently linked through common physical assumptions. Compared to a 1D structure, models with lateral variations of crustal thickness show two possible interpretations of the thermal evolution of Mars, with either a hot or cold scenario at the present‐day. We found the hot scenario to be more compatible with InSight's radiotracking data and the tidal Love number. We relocated the marsquakes and derived maps of seismicity recorded by InSight, which is mostly located along or North of the boundary between the Northern lowlands and the Southern highlands.