bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Inverse Boundary-Type Meshfree Method for Identification of 2D Elastic Properties of Anisotropic Solids
Authors: Hematiyan M.R. , Khosravifard A. , Mohammadi M. , Shiah Yui-Chuin 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

There are six elastic constants for an anisotropic body in plane strain/stress conditions. In the inverse problem of this study, it is assumed that the elastic constants of an anisotropic body are unknown, while the displacements or strains at several sampling points of the body under static loading are provided. For the first time, a boundary-type meshfree method, i.e. the method of fundamental solutions, is used for solving the problem, where the sensitivity analysis is performed by direct differentiation of the discretized equations. For that, the closed-form relations for sensitivity of the displacements/strains with respect to the elastic constants are analytically derived. Using a numerical study, it is shown that the proposed sensitivity analysis is much more advantageous compared to traditional finite difference approximation. A simple method for proper selection of initial guesses is also proposed. Two different example problems under plane strain and plane stress conditions are provided to investigate the accuracy of the proposed inverse method. Moreover, the effects of the number of measurement data, the measurement error, and the configuration of sampling points on the solution of the inverse problem are studied. It is observed that the solutions are more accurate in the cases where the sampling points are located at different parts of the body.
Viscosity-dependent swimming patterns assist Aliivibrio fischeri for symbiont partner finding
Authors: Lo Chien-Jung , Zhuang Xiang-Yu , Tseng Chao-Kai 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Bacteria employ diverse swimming patterns for chemotaxis, influenced by factors including flagellar arrangements, motor rotation, flagellar filament configurations, and polymorphism. Understanding the chemotactic strategy of Aliivibrio fischeri in locating a squid partner is paramount for comprehending this highly species-specific symbiosis. In this study, we applied three-dimensional swimming tracking and real-time visualization of lophotrichous flagellar configurations. These techniques unveiled viscosity-dependent transitions in swimming patterns, shifting from push-pull to push-wrap modes. Notably, our research also revealed synchronized flagellar switching and polymorphic transformations during the wrap mode, significantly extending A. fischeri’s backward swimming duration and, consequently, its overall run time. This strategic adaptation allows A. fischeri to broaden its effective search range, particularly within high-viscosity environments like the squid light organ. In response to attractants, the synchronization rate is reduced to facilitate efficient short-range searching. These innovative chemotactic strategies ensure precise navigation for A. fischeri in locating and colonizing its symbiotic partner, the squid Euprymna scolopes.
Dynamic Functional Connectivity Encodes Generalizable Representations of Emotional Arousal But Not Valence
Authors: Ke Jin , Song Hayoung , Bai Zihan , Rosenberg Monica , Leong Yuan Chang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Human affective experience varies along the dimensions of valence (positivity or negativity) and arousal (high or low activation). It remains unclear how these dimensions are encoded in the brain and if the representations generalize across diverse situations. Here we utilized two publicly available functional MRI datasets of participants watching movies to build predictive models of moment-to-moment valence and arousal from functional correlations in brain activity. We tested the models both within and across datasets and identified a situation-general arousal representation characterized by the interaction between multiple large-scale functional networks. The arousal representation generalized to two additional datasets. Predictions based on multivariate patterns of activation underperformed connectome-based predictions and did not generalize. In contrast, we found no evidence of a situation-general valence representation. Together, our findings reveal a generalizable representation of arousal encoded in patterns of dynamic functional connectivity, revealing an underlying similarity in how arousal is encoded across affective contexts.
Permacrisis: A Psycho-Socio-Linguistic Analysis
Authors: Zatti Alberto 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This research analyses the “word of the year 2022”: Permacrisis. Through the Semantic Differential tool (Osgood, 1964), 16 words were investigated among those most searched for in Google Search in the second half of 2022. Central questions are: What are the cultural differences in permacrisis connotation among five countries (Italy, France, United Kingdom, Germany and Poland)? What are the cultural differences in how permacrisis is connotated? How do different political orientations relate to the concepts of Politics and Democracy regarding permacrisis? The research showed how the Permacrisis is strongly linked to concepts such as Nuclear weapons, World War III and the COVID-19 virus. On a sample of 1273, the study showed evident cultural differences in permacrisis connotation, such as the emphasis on Weapons by the Italians or the Economic Crisis by the Germans. Statistical analysis reveals different anxieties: i.e. Italians fear losing their strength, the French anger about not being heard, while the British are anxious to remain socially isolated. A contrast between the concepts of Politics and Democracy was analysed on the sample's declarations of belonging to political orientations such as Conservatives, Christian democrats, Social democrats, Greens and the Left. Finally, the concept of Climate Crisis has been analysed, which results in the Semantic Differential, against any prevision, placed in a more peripheral orbit than the concepts associated with Permacrisis. Complete Tables and Figures can be consulted at the Open Science Framework URL https://osf.io/bwcp3/?view_only=be46b29bbf4d47ceba50138f82f2cd1d.
Activity patterns of European wildcat (Felis silvestris Schreber, 1777) in Cantabrian Cordillera (NE de España) and interactions with sympatric carnivores.
Authors: García Pablo Vázquez , Vázquez Víctor M. , Hartasánchez Alfonso , Pando Doriana , Alambiaga Iván , Gonzalez Juan S. Monros 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Activity pattern of animals is a very important factor for understanding their behavior. The use of time among sympatric species is usually distributed, especially among those that interact in predator-prey or competitive relationships. With the use of photo-trapping cameras the time at which different species are active can be recorded, providing a very useful tool for this type of research. In this study, we analyzed photo-trapping cameras data collected over five years in the Cantabrian Cordillera with the aim of explore the activity pattern of the European wildcat (Felis silvestris) and compare it with sympatric species. More than 22,000 photographs were obtained, representing more than 9,000 wildlife events, including 20 mammal species. Of these, 464 corresponded to European wildcats. With these data, we observed that the species activity pattern is mainly crepuscular- nocturnal, although activity data for the species can be observed throughout the day. Differences in activity patterns at different times of the year were detected and could be related to breeding season, prey availability or human activities. Pattern comparison with other sympatric mesocarnivores revealed important insights into potential interspecific relationships within the study area.
Exploring the Challenges in Developing Reading Skills at the Tertiary Level: A Study in the Asian EFL Context of Bangladesh
Authors: Rahim Wakil ur , Nipa Meherun Nisa , Sami Samiha Rahman , Emti Sabrin Haque 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

This research Exploring into the multifaceted challenges confronted by tertiary students in developing reading skills within the context of English as a Foreign Language (EFL), with a specific emphasis on the experiences of Bangladeshi university pupils. The focal point of the study revolves around reading strategies and skill development, shedding light on the second language reading concepts of these students. Employing a mixed-methods approach, the investigation incorporates a questionnaire survey administered to students and interviews conducted with three tertiary-level teachers. In the pursuit of a comprehensive understanding, secondary data, drawn from peer-reviewed journal articles, supplements the primary data collection. The amalgamation of questionnaire responses and insights gleaned from interview sessions articulates the perspectives of both students and teachers regarding the challenges associated with reading and its development. The research underscores the current state of tertiary students' reading strategies, elucidating the issues they encounter and proposing viable solutions. The study elucidates the significance of addressing the challenges faced by Bangladeshi university freshmen in conquering their apprehensions related to reading in English. Through a nuanced exploration of reading fears, the research contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discourse on English language education at the tertiary level. The narrative encompasses the intricacies of reading development, highlighting the shortcomings in reading skills among tertiary students and probing into the factors that precipitate these challenges, such as the dynamics of intensive and extensive reading. Crucially, the research engages with the concept of critical reading and its progressive expansion, elucidating the trajectory of reading skill development at the tertiary level. In conclusion, the study not only encapsulates the existing issues but also offers recommendations for mitigating the challenges associated with reading skills. These insights contribute significantly to the ongoing dialogue on the current state of English language education for Bangladeshi university freshmen, paving the way for a more informed and effective approach to fostering reading proficiency at the tertiary level.
The impact of large carnivore population density on sheep and goat losses in Slovakia
Authors: Finďo Slavomír , Gallay Igor , Mikušová Miriama , Skuban Michaela , Bučko Jozef 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

The population density of large carnivores is a crucial factor influencing livestock losses; however, existing research on this subject has produced conflicting results. Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between the population density of brown bears and Eurasian wolves and the resulting losses in sheep and goats due to these predators. We also compared the livestock losses caused by wolves and bears during a single attack. Our dataset comprised 1,285 wolf and 539 bear attacks recorded from 2007 to 2021. Over this period, wolves killed 6,286, and bears killed 1,345 sheep and goats. To assess the relationship between the mean density of large carnivores and the number of depredation events or combined sheep and goat losses, we employed a generalized linear model (GLM) with a log-link and a negative binomial error distribution. Additionally, we utilized a negative binomial generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) to compare differences in the mean number of animals killed per depredation event. Our results reveal an increase in sheep and goat losses and depredation events correlated with a consistent rise in wolf density. However, this pattern did not hold for bear density, as losses caused by bears significantly declined with an increase in their density. The mean number of sheep and goats killed per attack was higher for wolves (4.86) than for bears (2.48). Our research suggests that livestock damage may not necessarily escalate with an increase in the population density of predators, highlighting differences between wolves and bears.
Modelling the propagation of properties across services in cyber-physical energy systems
Authors: Narayan Anand , Brand Michael , Huxoll Nils , Hassan Batoul Hage , Lehnhoff Sebastian 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Modern power systems, referred to as cyber-physical energy systems (CPESs), are complex systems with strong interdependencies between power and information and communication technology (ICT) systems. CPESs also have dependencies between the essential grid services. For instance, coordinated voltage control depends on state estimation, which depends on measurement acquisition. Due to the high relevance of these grid services for operating CPESs, assessing their performance is crucial for assessing the performance of a CPES. Most of these grid services are so-called ICT-enabled grid services, which means that they rely to a high degree on ICT. Accordingly, properties such as availability, correctness and timeliness, which depend on the involved software, hardware and data of the ICT system, must be considered for assessing the performance of an ICT-enabled grid service. Disturbances and repair actions in CPESs impact these properties, which can then propagate and affect the performance of a grid service as well as other dependent grid services. There is, therefore, a need for the ability to model the influence of the properties of software, hardware and data on ICT-enabled grid services for single services as well as across several services, resulting in a propagation of these parameters.
This paper proposes a meta model for assessing the performance of ICT-enabled grid services, which can be instantiated for different grid services considering their dependencies. A multi-dimensional operational state space, which serves as a visualisation of the performance of grid services in terms of their state trajectory, is also proposed in this paper. These contributions enable new possibilities for planning and vulnerability analyses: property changes in parts of the ICT system can be simulated to investigate their consequences throughout the ICT-enabled grid services. This is demonstrated by a case study with a state estimation service considering an exemplary CPES and scenarios with disturbances. The performance of this state estimation service considering the disturbances is then investigated using the proposed meta model, and the change in performance is visualised as trajectories in the proposed operational state space.
Association of inflammation-mediated blood heavy metals with plasma atherogenic index: NHANES analysis 2015-2020
Authors: Wang xue , zhang Ming xue 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Heavy metal pollutants are widely present in a variety of environments, and several studies have shown that exposure to heavy metals is associated with the risk of atherosclerosis. However, the underlying mechanism of this association remains unclear.AIP, as a biomarker for predicting cardiovascular events, can reflect the risk of atherosclerosis and the severity of blood vessel stenosis. Therefore, to explore the relationship between single metal and combined metal exposure and plasma atherosclerosis index. The study included data from the 2015–2016 and 2017–2020 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) and assessed the mediating role of inflammation in adults. In a single metal model, a positive dose-response relationship was observed between the blood metal selenium (Se) and AIP, and a negative correlation between cadmium (Cd) and mercury (Hg) and AIP. We construct weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR).In the WQS model, AIP increased significantly with the increase of the concentration of mixed heavy metals, while in the BKMR model, the results were consistent, with statistical significance. In addition, mediated analysis showed that HS-CRP-mediated elevations of 11.83% of blood selenium-associated AIP indicated that the metal caused an inflammatory response that aggravated atherosclerosis progression.
Epigenetic aging of seminal fluid is associated with inflammation
Authors: Feng Junxi , Rubbi Liudmilla , Kianian Reza , Mills Jesse Nelson , Osadchiy Vadim , Sigalos John Tucker , Eleswarapu Sriram Venkata , Pellegrini Matteo 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Male infertility has been a primary cause of global infertility, affecting 8–12% of couples worldwide. Previous studies have shown that semen quality decreases with advanced aging with an increased presence of inflammatory cells. In this study, we examined the DNA methylation of seminal fluid to understand how the methylome changes with age and infertility. We also compare the age associated changes in semen to those observed in buccal swabs in order to characterize differences in epigenetic aging across diverse tissues. We found that infertility associated changes in the DNA methylation of semen are driven by changes in cell composition, while those associated with aging are linked to inflammatory genes. Many age associated sites are demethylated with advanced aging and are associated with the activation of inflammatory pathways. By contrast, we do not observe age associated changes in inflammatory genes in buccal swab methylomes, which instead are characterized by changes to bivalent promoters. Our study suggests that DNA methylation could serve as a biomarker for male infertility assessment in addition to the standard semen analysis.
Routine outpatient dermatological evaluation of kidney transplant recipients using dermatoscopy as an additional tool: a preliminary analysis
Authors: Caldas Adriana Cristina , Caldas Heloisa , Abbud-Filho Mario , Charpiot Ida MMF , Algazal Omar 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Introduction. Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignancy following renal transplantation and leads to significant years of potential life lost. Dermatoscopy use in the routine clinical setting has shown promise in increasing the diagnosis of NMSC. Objectives. 1) To assess the prevalence of NMSC in renal transplant recipients (RTx) using the dermatoscopy (DC); 2) to identify associated risk factors; 3) to compare the accuracy of dermatoscopy with histopathological results.
Methods. A prospective study was conducted from January 2022 to January 2023 and 100 RTx from the outpatient clinic were randomly referred for dermatological examination and then divided into two groups: with NMSC (NMSC; n=39) and without NMSC (non-NMSC; n=61). RTx variables related to habits, tumor characteristics, and transplantation were analyzed.
Results: Clinical dermatological evaluation identified 23 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (59%) and 16 basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (41%). Factors associated with NMSC included: male gender (OR=2); age over 50 years (OR=5.4); occupational sun exposure (OR=2.5); recreational sun exposure (OR=4.9); actinic keratosis (OR=6.5); family history of NMSC (OR=7.6); and induction with thymoglobulin (OR=2.4). The accuracy rate between clinical diagnosis and dermatoscopy compared to the final histological result after biopsy was 81.25% for suspected NMSC cases.
Conclusions: NMSC occurred in 39% of the evaluated RTx cases, with a family history and actinic keratosis being the main risk factors. Dermatoscopy diagnosed NMSC in 81%, and therefore, we suggest that this examination should be incorporated into routine evaluation.
Genetic distribution of bovine viral diarrhea virus in free-living cattle in China
Authors: Wang Huihui , Yang Xuanye , Hu Xinyan , Wang Jinqian , Cao Xiaoan , Zhou Jian-hua 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

According to sequencing of the 5’ untranslated region (5’UTR) in viral genome, five strains of bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) isolated from different provinces in China were genetically typed. The phylogenetic tree for BVDV 5’UTR displays that the isolated strain 22AH-1 is clustered into the genotype 1c clade, the strain 22-Gansu-F2 is clustered into the genotype 2a clade, the strains 22Anhui-7, 22-Sichuan-B8 and 22-Gansu-F3 are clustered into the genotype 2d clade. Depending on principal component analysis for synonymous codon usage pattern, BVDV strains generally exhibit the genotype-specific model. Although most synonymous codons are selected at the highly variable levels, the strongly suppressive usages focus on synonymous codons containing CG dinucleotides in all BVDV strains. Moreover, the plot of ENC value vs. GC3 content obviously shows that apart from nucleotide usage at highly variable patterns derived from mutation pressure, strong selective forces caused by natural selection mediate synonymous codon usage pattern of BVDV. Taken together, the related results give new insight into multiple selective forces acting on synonymous codon usage beyond nucleotide usage variation during BVDV evolutionary pathway.
Stock Market Analysis
Authors: HUANG DENGXIN 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
This document presents a stock market analysis conducted on a dataset consisting of 750 instances and 16 attributes donated in 2014-10-23. The analysis includes an exploratory data analysis (EDA) section, feature engineering, data preparation, model selection, and insights from the analysis. The Fama French 3-factor model is also utilized in the analysis. The results of the analysis are presented, with linear regression being the best-performing model.
Optical solitons perturbation and traveling wave solutions in magneto-optic waveguides with the generalized stochastic Schrödinger-Hirota equation
Authors: Tang Lu 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The main purpose of this work is to study the optical soliton solutions and single traveling wave solutions of the generalized stochastic Schrödinger-Hirota equation in magneto-optic waveguides. With the help of the complete discriminant system technique and symbolic computation, a range of new single traveling wave solutions and optcial solitons are derived, which include Jacobian elliptic function solutions, dark solitons, trigonometric function solutions, singular solitons, rational function solutions , hyperbolic function solutions, periodic wave solutions and solitary wave solutions. Lastly, in order to understand mechanisms of complex physical phenomena and dynamical processes for the generalized stochastic Schrödinger-Hirota equation in magneto-optic waveguides, two-dimensional and three-dimensional diagrams are also drawn.
Review of Soil Loss Estimation in Ethiopia: Evaluating the Use of the RUSLE Model integrated with GIS and Remote Techniques
Authors: Terefe Baye 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Soil erosion is one of Ethiopia's most severe ecological problems, affecting agricultural output, water quality, and ecosystem well-being. The RUSLE (Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation) model is an extensively used tool for estimating soil erosion, but its applicability in Ethiopia has yet to be effectively evaluated. This article systematically examines the RUSLE model's application in estimating soil loss, emphasizing Ethiopia. A wide-ranging search technique was used to categorize appropriate research articles, books, and other sources related to the practice of the RUSLE model for estimating soil loss in Ethiopia for this review paper. This review observes the model's strengths and limitations, examines the factors contributing to soil erosion, and identifies region-specific strategies for effective soil conservation and mitigation. This review helps the management of soil erosion challenges in Ethiopia by advancing our understanding of the model's utility and providing valuable insights. The findings of this review presented here are critical for estimating soil erosion. They will play a more significant role in improving agricultural methods, protecting soil resources, and ensuring the overall ecological well-being of the country.
Petrography and geochemistry of Nyiragongo volcanic flows from 2002 and 2021: A comparative study
Authors: MUFUNGIZI Innocent , OHANGA Ndjate , KABULOA Jean , BONGELI Roda , HUBERT Tésor , DIAKONDUA Ridi , LOOLA Ruben 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The authors have requested that this preprint be removed from Research Square.