bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporal change in phytoplankton diversity and functional group composition
Authors: Di Cavalho Josie Antonucci , Rönn Lena , Prins Theo C. , Hillebrand Helmut 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOne of the key challenges in managing eutrophication in coastal marine ecosystems is the harmonized cross-border assessment of phytoplankton. Some general understanding of the consequences of shifting nutrient regimes can be derived from the detailed investigation of the phytoplankton community and its biodiversity. Here, we combined long-term monitoring datasets of German and Dutch coastal stations and amended these with additional information on species biomass. Across the integrated and harmonized dataset, we used multiple biodiversity descriptors to analyse temporal trends in the Wadden Sea phytoplankton. Biodiversity, measured as the number of species (S) and the effective number of species (ENS), has decreased in the Dutch stations over the last 20 years, while biomass has increased, indicating that fewer species are becoming more dominant in the system. However, biodiversity and biomass did not show substantial changes in the German stations. Although there were some differences in trends between countries, shifts in community composition and relative abundance were consistent across stations and time. We emphasise the importance of continuous and harmonized monitoring programmes and multi-metric approaches that can detect changes in the communities that are indicative of changes in the environment.
Cascading climate effects in deep reservoirs: Full assessment of physical and biogeochemical dynamics under ensemble climate projections and ways towards adaptation
Authors: Mi Chenxi , Shatwell Tom , Kong Xiangzhen , Rinke Karsten 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
We coupled twenty-first century climate projections with a well-established water quality model to depict future ecological changes of Rappbode Reservoir, Germany. Our results document a chain of climate-driven effects propagating through the aquatic ecosystem and interfering with drinking water supply: intense climate warming (RCP8.5 scenario) will firstly trigger a strong increase in water temperatures, in turn leading to metalimnetic hypoxia, accelerating sediment nutrient release and finally boosting blooms of the cyanobacterium Planktothrix rubescens. Such adverse water quality developments will be suppressed under RCP2.6 and 6.0 indicating that mitigation of climate change is improving water security. Our results also suggested surface withdrawal can be an effective adaptation strategy to make the reservoir ecosystem more resilient to climate warming. The identified consequences from climate warming and adaptation strategies are relevant to many deep waters in the temperate zone, and the conclusion should provide important guidances for stakeholders to confront potential climate changes.
Association of microRNA-192, pentraxin-3, and transforming growth factor-beta1 with estimated glomerular filtration rate in adults with diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Negeem Zienab R. , Moneim Adel Abdel , Mahmoud Basant , Ahmed Amr E. , Hasona Nabil A. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Objective
Nephropathy is among the most pervasive complications of diabetes; it frequently results in end-stage renal disease and even death. However, current biomarkers for diabetic nephropathy (DN) have limited diagnostic utility. Thus, this present study aims to examine the associations of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) with plasma concentrations of microRNA-192 (miR-192), pentraxin-3 (PTX-3), and transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-β1) to identify biomarkers able to distinguish late-stage from early-stage DN.

Methods
In total, 50 healthy volunteers and 271 diabetes patients were enrolled in this study. Participants were stratified into seven groups according to eGFR and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), healthy controls, diabetes without DN (G1), diabetes with mild renal impairment (G2), and 4 DN grades (G3a, G3b, G4, and G5).

Results
DN groups exhibited increases in serum miR-192 (p < 0.05), PTX-3(p < 0.05), TGF-β1(p < 0.05), malondialdehyde (p < 0.05), and xanthine oxidase (p < 0.05) levels and reductions in glutathione-s-transferase (p < 0.05) and superoxide dismutase (p < 0.05) compared to healthy controls. Among patients, eGFR was negatively correlated with miR-192, PTX-3, and TGF-β1, and positively correlated with HbA1c. In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, miR-192 and PTX-3 demonstrated good diagnostic performance in distinguishing early from advanced DN.

Conclusion
Elevated serum miR-192 and PTX-3 are associated with lower eGFR in DN, suggesting their utility as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
Improvement of nutritional quality of food crops with fertilizer: a global meta-analysis
Authors: Ishfaq Muhammad , Wang Yongqi , Xu Jiuliang , Hassan Mahmood Ul , Yuan Hao , Liu Lianlian , He Boyi , Ejaz Irsa , White Philip J. , Cakmak Ismail , Chen Wei-Shan , Wu Jiechen , van der Werf Wopke , Li Chunjian , Zhang Fusuo , Li Xuexian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractProviding the world’s population with sufficient and nutritious food through sustainable food systems is a major challenge of the twenty-first century. Fertilizer use is a major driver of crop yield, but a comprehensive synthesis of the effect of fertilizer on the nutritional quality of food crops is lacking. Here we performed a comprehensive global meta-analysis using 7859 data pairs from 551 field experiment-based articles published between 1972 and 2022, assessing the contribution of fertilization with a wide set of plant nutrients to the nutritional quality of food crops (i.e., fruits, vegetables, cereals, pulses/oil crops, and sugar crops). On average, fertilizer application improved crop yield by 30.9% (CI: 28.2–33.7%) and nutritional quality (referring to all nutritionally relevant components assessed; carbohydrates, proteins, oil, vitamin C, representative mineral nutrients, and total soluble solids) by 11.9% (CI: 10.7–12.1%). The improvements were largely nutrient- and crop species dependent, with vegetables being the most responsive. Potassium, magnesium, and micronutrients played important roles in promoting crop nutritional quality, whereas the combined application of inorganic and organic source(s) had the greatest impact on quality. Desirable climatic conditions and soil properties (i.e., silt loam, soil organic matter 2.5–5.0%, and pH 4.5–8.5) supported further enhancements. Considering cross-continent responsiveness, the increase in the nutritional quality of food crops with fertilizer application was greatest in Africa. In a nutshell, our findings pave the way towards a quantitative understanding of nutrient management programs and responsible plant nutrition solutions that foster the sustainable production of nutritious and healthy food crops for human consumption.
Agency, Goal-Directed Behavior, and Part-Whole Relationships in Biological Systems
Authors: Watson Richard 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this essay we aim to present some considerations regarding a minimal but concrete notion of agency and goal-directed behavior that are useful for characterizing biological systems at different scales. These considerations are a particular perspective, bringing together concepts from dynamical systems, combinatorial problem-solving, and connectionist learning with an emphasis on the relationship between parts and wholes. This perspective affords some ways to think about agents that are concrete and quantifiable, and relevant to some important biological issues. Instead of advocating for a strict definition of minimally agential characteristics, we focus on how (even for a modest notion of agency) the agency of a system can be more than the sum of the agency of its parts. We quantify this in terms of the problem-solving competency of a system with respect to resolution of the frustrations between its parts. This requires goal-directed behavior in the sense of delayed gratification, i.e., taking dynamical trajectories that forego short-term gains (or sustain short-term stress or frustration) in favor of long-term gains. In order for this competency to belong to the system (rather than to its parts or given by its construction or design), it can involve distributed systemic knowledge that is acquired through experience, i.e., changes in the organization of the relationships among its parts (without presupposing a system-level reward function for such changes). This conception of agency helps us think about the ways in which cells, organisms, and perhaps other biological scales, can be agential (i.e., more agential than their parts) in a quantifiable sense, without denying that the behavior of the whole depends on the behaviors of the parts in their current organization.
COVID-19-Related Risk, Resilience, and Mental Health Among Mexican American Mothers Across the First Year of the Pandemic
Authors: Non Amy L. , Clausing Elizabeth S. , Lara-Cinisomo Sandraluz , D’Anna Hernandez Kimberly L. 
Published: November 2023

Abstract

Background
Latina mothers have been especially affected by the pandemic and historically exhibit high rates of depression and anxiety. However, few longitudinal studies have assessed the effect of the pandemic on this vulnerable population. We hypothesized that COVID-19-related stressors would associate with psychological distress among Latina mothers across the first year of the pandemic.

Methods
We investigated COVID-19-related impact, stigma, and fears across two critical time points and changes in these measures in relation to changes in maternal anxiety and depression among mothers of Mexican descent living in Southern California (n=152). Surveys were administered within 5–16 weeks of the March 19, 2020 stay-at-home COVID-19 order in California and again between June to December 2021.

Results
High proportions of women reported moderate to severe impacts of COVID-19 early in the pandemic, which reduced modestly a year later, e.g., reduced family incomes (55.9% 2020 Lockdown vs 32.7% 1-year follow-up). Anticipatory stigma was high across the first year, e.g., worrying at least some of the time that a family member will be deported (33.1% 2020 Lockdown vs. 14.1% 1-year follow-up), or they would not be able to care for their children (88.5% 2020 lockdown vs 82.2% 1-year follow-up). COVID-19 stigma, impact, and fears were significantly associated with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms at both time points (p<0.003), and changes in COVID-19 impact were associated with changes in depression (p=0.0004).

Conclusion
Findings emphasize the adverse socioeconomic and psychological effects of the pandemic for Latina mothers.
Hydrocarbon generation and migration in the Fuxin Basin during the Cretaceous evolution of the North China Craton, NE China
Authors: Xie Wenquan , Jia Jianliang , Mansour Ahmed , Wang Xiaoming 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe extensive thinning and destruction of North China Craton (NCC) during the Early Cretaceous led to the development of numerous rift basins and petroleum systems. However, the specific relationship between NCC evolution and hydrocarbon generation and accumulation in these sedimentary basins is still unclear. In this study organic geochemistry and oil-source correlation analyses were conducted to investigate the hydrocarbons generation potential and migration pathway in the representative Fuxin Basin. Results demonstrate that the semi-deep lacustrine source rocks were developed in the Jiufotang Formation (K1jf) in the west and the upper Shahai Formation (K1sh) in the east, both of which are enriched with organic matter content and hydrocarbon generation potential of kerogen Types II to III. Based on the hierarchical cluster analysis of crude oils biomarker fingerprints, two crude oil types (A and B) were deduced. The Type A crude oil is characterized by high gammacerane, low pristane/phytane, relatively high C29 regular sterane and methylphenanthrene index, which is consistent with the K1jf biomarker characteristics in the west. Therefore, the Type A crude oil is likely generated from the K1jf source rock that accumulated in turbidite sand bodies of the K1jf and/or migrated to the K1sh reservoir through strike-slip faults. Type B crude oil is dominated by low gammacerane, moderate pristane/phytane, high C27 regular sterane and 1,2,5-trimethylnaphthalenes, which is in good agreement with the K1sh4 features. The basin simulation revealed that hydrocarbon generation of source rocks in the Jiufotang and Shahai formations was linked to a rapid subsidence of the basin, which was induced by intense extension with the NCC destruction during the Early Cretaceous. Subsequently, the rapid subduction of the Western Pacific plate during the earliest Late Cretaceous led to the development of extensive epigenetic fractures, enabling extensive hydrocarbon migration in the Fuxin Basin. This study sheds light on oil sources in sedimentary basins in an extensional setting and provides insights into the dynamic process of hydrocarbon generation and migration associated with NCC evolution.
Effect of flexible camshaft technology on dual-fuel engine performance using phenomenological combustion model
Authors: Abaskharon Mina , Cepelak Sebastian , Henke Björn , Schleef Karsten , Buchholz Bert 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe objective of the current study is to investigate the effect of tunable valve timings on the performance and emissions of a dual-fuel marine engine. A simulation model was developed in MATLAB to simulate the valvetrain mechanism. The model generates different valve lift curves depending on the input conditions, and after that, it tests them against any possible collision with the piston. The valid valve lift curves were exported to a two-zone combustion model in AVL CRUISE-M platform. The combustion model depends on the fractal principle and aims to predict the in-cylinder parameters. In addition, it contains sub-models to calculate the ignition delay and emissions formation. Model results were compared against experimental data, as the latter were obtained from a heavy-duty, medium-speed, single-cylinder research engine, which employs natural gas as a main fuel. The results showed good agreement and the model was used for further investigations with other cam pairs. It has been found that the fractal combustion model can effectively represent the combustion behavior in the dual-fuel engine. Furthermore, valve timing has a significant influence on the engine performance and exhaust emissions. Results also revealed that applying Miller cycle can reduce the nitrogen oxides emissions, while the higher valve overlap period had a negative effect on methane slip.
Leveraging flow chemistry for the synthesis of trisubstituted isoxazoles
Authors: Prieschl Michael , Sulzer Niklas , Sedelmeier Joerg , Kaldre Dainis , Lebl René , Püntener Kurt , Hildbrand Stefan , Williams Jason D. , Kappe C. Oliver 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe synthesis of trisubstituted isoxazoles generally requires multiple individual chemical steps, making them amenable to improvements in efficiency by telescoping as a multistep flow process. Three steps (oximation, chlorination and cycloaddition) were developed in continuous flow mode, aiming to function as an high-yielding and efficient sequence. We demonstrate this sequence using two aldehyde starting materials of interest: one carbocyclic and one heterocyclic. Between these two substrates, significant differences in solubility and reactivity necessitated modifications to the route. Most notably, the chlorination step could be carried out using either an organic N-Cl source (applicable for the carbocyclic aldehyde) or Cl2 generated on-demand in a flow setup (applicable for the heterocyclic aldehyde). By selecting the most effective method for each substrate, good yields could be achieved over the telescoped sequence.
The ams proteins and the amylovoran biosynthetic pathway: an extensive bioinformatic study
Authors: Carlini Lavinia , Esposito Alfonso , Ambrosino Luca , Bharti Sharda , Invernizzi Luca Mauro , Piazza Silvano , Benini Stefano 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe genus Erwinia includes plant-pathogenic, non-pathogenic and even opportunistic human pathogens. Among them, Erwinia amylovora is one of the most studied species, as the etiological agent of the relevant necrotic plant disease fire blight. Its most important pathogenicity factor is amylovoran, an exopolysaccharide essential in the formation of a protective biofilm used by the bacterium to escape the plant protection mechanisms. Amylovoran biosynthesis, regulation and secretion require the concerted action of twelve genes clustered in a region spanning 16 kb, the ams operon. Most of the encoded proteins build and polymerize the repeating oligosaccharide units of galactose, glucose, glucuronic acid and pyruvate, others have signalling, regulation and secretion functions. We compared the ams operon organisation, predicted 3D structure of the encoded proteins of Erwinia amylovora in eighteen Erwinia species. We detected the presence of a paralog (for the amsG gene) and some rearrangements in the EPS biosynthetic operon in specific taxa that could be connected to the species-specific pathogenicity profile. The present study adds fundamental information about the genomic determinants of exopolysaccharide secretion in the Erwinia genus, and clarifies the evolutionary relationships among the genes in the ams operon.
A Diversity-Based Synthetic Oversampling Using Clustering for Handling Extreme Imbalance
Authors: Yang Yuxuan , Akbarzadeh Khorshidi Hadi , Aickelin Uwe 
Published: November 2023

AbstractImbalanced data are typically observed in many real-life classification problems. However, mainstream machine learning algorithms are mostly designed with the underlying assumption of a relatively well-balanced distribution of classes. The mismatch between reality and algorithm assumption results in a deterioration of classification performance. One form of approach to address this problem is through re-sampling methods, although its effectiveness is limited; most re-sampling methods fail to consider the distribution of minority and majority instances and the diversity within synthetically generated data. Diversity becomes increasingly important when minority data becomes more sparse, as each data point becomes more valuable. They should all be considered during the generation process instead of being regarded as noise. In this paper, we propose a cluster-based diversity re-sampling method, combined with NOAH algorithm. Neighbourhood-based Clustering Diversity Over-sampling (NBCDO) is introduced with the aim to complement our previous cluster-based diversity algorithm Density-based Clustering Diversity Over-sampling (DBCDO). It first uses a neighbourhood-based clustering algorithm to consider the distribution of both minority and majority class instances, before applying NOAH algorithm to encourage diversity optimisation during the generation of synthetic instances. We demonstrate the implementation of both cluster-based diversity methods by conducting experiments over 10 real-life datasets with ≤ 5% imbalance ratio and show that our proposed cluster-based diversity algorithm (NBCDO, DBCDO) brings performance improvements over its comparable methods (DB-SMOTE, MAHAKIL, KMEANS-SMOTE, MC-SMOTE).
A Novel Approach for Specification Testing on Heart Disease Detection Using Feed-Forward Neural Network
Authors: Naresh E. , Darshan S. L. Shiva , Srinidhi N. N. , Niranjanmurthy M. , Dayananda P. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe proposed work highlights the importance of testing in machine-learning applications and the ensuing need to increase model quality to decrease the likelihood of errors. The proposed work considers patient health information that may be utilized for decision-making or prediction utilizing various computations, and in this instance, it emphasizes the development of artificial neural networks with the multilayer perceptron method to forecast cardiac abnormalities. The dataset employed in this work includes information about the patient’s demographics, clinical measures, and medical background. Utilizing this labelled dataset, one may estimate if each patient has heart disease or not. We developed a GUI to collect data about a new patient to accomplish the task specified. After the model is generated, effective functionality testing was performed on the model. As a result of the testing report’s assistance in identifying faults and defects, the artificial neural network’s accuracy ultimately improved as a result of its improved accuracy following correction. After undergoing feature testing, the application’s accuracy ascended to 96.69%, which is a higher percentage than was attained using any alternative method.
Douglas fir and Norway spruce have similar effects on small mammal density, but not survival, in Central European managed forests
Authors: Appleby Scott M. , Balkenhol Niko 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn an effort to ameliorate the impacts of climate change, forest managers in Central Europe increasingly turn to conifer species that produce higher yields and are better adapted to projected future climatic conditions. Though small mammals are an important component of the forest ecosystem, the impacts of enriching native broadleaf forests with conifers on small mammal communities are not well understood. We conducted mark–recapture surveys of small mammals to ascertain differences in their community structure among stands of two conifers (native Norway sprucePicea abiesand non-native Douglas firPseudotsuga menziesii) and the dominant broadleaf in the region, European beech (Fagus sylvatica). After estimating the density of two common species, the yellow-necked mouseApodemus flavicollisand bank voleClethrionomys glareolus, we found that the population density of each is positively related to the proportion of beech and negatively to the proportion of conifers in each stand, though these effects of stand composition are smaller than the positive effect of herb cover. Increasing Norway spruce proportion reduced monthly survival of small mammals, while Douglas fir proportion had a positive effect on survival. We conclude that the two conifer species have similar impacts on small mammal density, though overall small mammal survival was significantly lower on plots with Norway spruce. This suggests that increasing the proportion of Douglas fir at the expense of Norway spruce may be possible without significantly changing local patterns of small mammal population density, but further research is necessary to elucidate the exact impacts of these two conifer species on small mammal demography and behavior.
Employer Perspectives on Hiring Youth Previously Involved with Juvenile Justice: A National Survey
Authors: Unruh Deanne K. , Reardon Kyle , Strycker Lisa 
Published: November 2023

AbstractEmployment is a defining aspect of adult life as well as a protective factor for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, but employment rates for juvenile-justice-involved youth are substantially lower than for their noninvolved peers. Interventions have been developed to increase employment for juvenile-justice-involved youth, yet few studies have examined employer perspectives about hiring them. The purpose of this replication study was to document employer perceptions of hiring youth in the juvenile justice system; whether youth should disclose prior involvement in the system; and the skills and qualifications that employers value in their workers. Findings indicate that, relative to the results of prior studies, employers’ perceptions appear to have improved such that they are more likely to hire youth who have been involved with the juvenile justice system. This research provides insights into how educators, behavior analysts, and other rehabilitation and support personnel can help these youth obtain employment, and suggests future research directions to further reduce hiring stigma.