bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Strength-enhanced Sn–In low-temperature alloy with surface-modified ZrO2 nanoparticle addition
Authors: Nitta Shunya , Tatsumi Hiroaki , Nishikawa Hiroshi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractLow-temperature packaging is essential for the widespread use of flexible electronic devices, and Sn–In eutectic alloys have attracted considerable attention because of their low melting temperatures. However, these alloys have a lower strength compared with other types of solder alloys. This study aimed to investigate the effect of adding nanoparticles on the mechanical strength of Sn–In eutectic alloys while keeping their melting temperature unchanged. ZrO2 nanoparticles coated with NiO (NiO/ZrO2 nanoparticles) were utilized to strengthen Sn–In eutectic alloys with a high dispersity. Sn–In composite alloys reinforced with NiO/ZrO2 nanoparticles were fabricated, and tensile strength evaluation and microstructure observations were conducted. The experimental results showed that the addition of nanoparticles to the Sn–In eutectic alloys did not change their melting behavior. The tensile strength of the Sn–In composite alloys reinforced with NiO/ZrO2 nanoparticles increased by up to 35.6%, which was attributed to grain refinement and dispersion strengthening. Even after thermal aging at 60 ºC, the Sn–In composite alloys reinforced with NiO/ZrO2 nanoparticles showed a 1.11 times higher ultimate tensile strength than that of the non-aged, non-reinforced eutectic alloy, despite grain coarsening. This was attributed to the contribution of dispersion strengthening. These results indicate that the addition of NiO/ZrO2 nanoparticles is an effective method to improve the strength of low-melting-temperature alloys.
The role of teacher support in students’ engagement with representational construction
Authors: Ingulfsen Line , Furberg Anniken , Knain Erik 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn this article, we study the role of teacher support in a collaborative learning setting that involves students’ constructions of visual representations in the environmental education context. Despite the consensus in the field of science education research that engagement with visual representations—such as diagrams, animations, and graphs—can support students’ conceptual understanding, studies reveal that learning from engagement with visual representations can be challenging for students. Adopting a sociocultural approach, this study contributes to extant research by analytically scrutinizing the role of teacher support in learning activities that revolve around students’ construction of visual representations. The empirical basis is a science project in which lower secondary school students drew and refined depictions of the effects of anthropogenic climate change. The analytical focus is on student–teacher interactions during group-based drawing activities in which students created representations of the carbon cycle and interacted with authorized representations. The analyses revealed how students found it challenging to compare, contrast, and integrate authorized representations and, additionally, to constructively use authorized representations in the process of designing their own representations. To support students in their efforts to construct scientific meaning, the teacher oriented the students’ attention towards the salient features of representations, supported students in making sense of ‘semiotic signs’, and enabled them to link scientific concepts with detailed depictions. In addition to the different forms of support provided by the teacher, the analyses of the student–teacher interactions also reveal the teacher’s use of specific ‘talk moves’ of elaboration and eliciting. The key implications include that teachers should select representations that are sufficiently different in terms of how concepts and phenomena are depicted, and that teachers should be prepared to support students in how to compare and contrast multiple representations. Further, strategies for supporting students’ exploration of their own ideas and suggestions are essential in the dynamics between students’ self-made representations and authorized representations.
How Satisfaction with Running Business and Private Life Are Related to Small-Business Owners’ Subjective Well-Being
Authors: Connolly Filip Fors , Sevä Ingemar Johansson , Gärling Tommy 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis study examined how satisfaction with aspects of running the business as well as satisfaction with aspects of the private life are related to small-business owners' subjective well-being (SWB). Measures were obtained of both life satisfaction (LS) and emotional well-being (EWB) to investigate possible differences. Questionnaire data from a survey of small-business owners (n=614) showed that in the business domain LS is associated with satisfaction with revenues, EWB with satisfaction with customer and employee contacts, and both LS and EWB with satisfaction with working time. In the private life domain, LS is associated with satisfaction with family and economy and EWB with satisfaction with leisure. Overall, LS has a stronger association than EWB with satisfaction with aspects of private life, while the associations with satisfaction with business aspects are equally strong.
A Robotic Assistant for Disabled Chess Players in Competitive Games
Authors: Pozzi Luca , Guerini Silvia , Arrigoni Stefano , Pedrocchi Alessandra , Gandolla Marta 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAccess to regular sports competitions is often precluded for disabled people. Chess, which has been recognized as a sport by the International Olympic Committee in 1999, is a rare exception. Nevertheless, to compete in official tournaments, people suffering from a high level of motor impairment must rely on the assistance of a person to move their pieces on the chessboard, under their indications. This can result in a reduction of the feeling of independence and self-esteem. In this work, a service robot is employed as an assistant for competitive chess players, moving pieces on a standard chessboard for competitions, and adhering to the rules of the international chess federation (e.g. not relying on a custom sensorized chess-set). The robot is controlled through an intuitive graphical user interface. The user interface can be navigated with easy-to-use devices, such as a mouse, a touchpad, or a commodity joystick for motion-impaired people (Ottobock calibratable Mini joystick). An effective framework for the opponent’s move identification from RGB-D images is proposed and used to keep track of the live game situation. The application is implemented in ROS on a PAL Robotics TIAGo robot, a service robot with a 7 degrees-of-freedom arm, an extensible torso, and a re-orientable RGB-D camera. The robustness of the application is tested by reproducing six famous chess games several times on a standard wooden competition chessboard, making TIAGo play on behalf of the player with white or black pieces, alternatively. The application is properly working without the need of operator intervention in the $$91.6\%$$

91.6
%

of the performed moves. The proposed approach successfully opens the door to independent competitive chess playing for motor disabled people in official tournaments.
Metabarcoding of Hepatitis E Virus Genotype 3 and Norovirus GII from Wastewater Samples in England Using Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Treagus Samantha , Lowther James , Longdon Ben , Gaze William , Baker-Austin Craig , Ryder David , Batista Frederico M. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractNorovirus is one of the largest causes of gastroenteritis worldwide, and Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is an emerging pathogen that has become the most dominant cause of acute viral hepatitis in recent years. The presence of norovirus and HEV has been reported within wastewater in many countries previously. Here we used amplicon deep sequencing (metabarcoding) to identify norovirus and HEV strains in wastewater samples from England collected in 2019 and 2020. For HEV, we sequenced a fragment of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene targeting genotype three strains. For norovirus, we sequenced the 5′ portion of the major capsid protein gene (VP1) of genogroup II strains. Sequencing of the wastewater samples revealed eight different genotypes of norovirus GII (GII.2, GII.3, GII.4, GII.6, GII.7, GII.9, GII.13 and GII.17). Genotypes GII.3 and GII.4 were the most commonly found. The HEV metabarcoding assay was able to identify HEV genotype 3 strains in some samples with a very low viral concentration determined by RT-qPCR. Analysis showed that most HEV strains found in influent wastewater were typed as G3c and G3e and were likely to have originated from humans or swine. However, the small size of the HEV nested PCR amplicon could cause issues with typing, and so this method is more appropriate for samples with high CTs where methods targeting longer genomic regions are unlikely to be successful. This is the first report of HEV RNA in wastewater in England. This study demonstrates the utility of wastewater sequencing and the need for wider surveillance of norovirus and HEV within host species and environments.
Study on rock brittleness characteristics of deep volcanic reservoir under different confining pressures
Authors: Qiu Guozhou , Chang Xin , Li Jing , Guo Yintong , Wang Lei , Ma Hongling , Guo Wuhao , Bi Zhenhui 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe mechanical properties of deep volcanic reservoir rocks are complex and the brittleness characteristics are not clear. In order to study the brittleness characteristics of deep volcanic rocks, triaxial compression tests and XRD tests under different confining pressures were carried out to study the brittleness characteristics of deep volcanic rocks. Three methods were used to evaluate the brittleness of volcanic rocks from different sides: the brittleness evaluation method based on stress–strain curve characteristics (BI1), the brittleness evaluation method based on energy dissipation (BI2) and the brittleness evaluation method based on mineral composition (BI3). The three methods showed that the brittleness index of volcanic rocks decreases with the increase in confining pressure, and the higher the depth of volcanic rocks, the lower the brittleness. On the basis of previous studies, an improved brittleness evaluation method based on internal friction Angle was proposed, and the obtained evaluation results were almost consistent with the results obtained by the brittleness evaluation method based on stress–strain curve characteristics (BI1) and the brittleness evaluation method based on energy dissipation (BI2), indicating the feasibility of the improved brittleness evaluation method. The brittleness characteristics of deep volcanic rocks are clearly defined to provide reference for the exploration and development of deep volcanic rocks reservoir.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Islamic Ethics: Towards Pluralist Ethical Benchmarking for AI
Authors: Elmahjub Ezieddin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThis paper explores artificial intelligence (AI) ethics from an Islamic perspective at a critical time for AI ethical norm-setting. It advocates for a pluralist approach to ethical AI benchmarking. As rapid advancements in AI technologies pose challenges surrounding autonomy, privacy, fairness, and transparency, the prevailing ethical discourse has been predominantly Western or Eurocentric. To address this imbalance, this paper delves into the Islamic ethical traditions to develop a framework that contributes to the global debate on optimal norm setting for designing and using AI technologies.The paper outlines Islamic parameters for ethical values and moral actions in the context of AI's ethical uncertainties. It emphasizes the significance of both textual and non-textual Islamic sources in addressing these uncertainties while placing a strong emphasis on the notion of "good" or "maṣlaḥa" as a normative guide for AI's ethical evaluation. Defining maṣlaḥa as an ethical state of affairs in harmony with divine will, the paper highlights the coexistence of two interpretations of maṣlaḥa: welfarist/utility-based and duty-based. Islamic jurisprudence allows for arguments supporting ethical choices that prioritize building the technical infrastructure for AI to maximize utility. Conversely, it also supports choices that reject consequential utility calculations as the sole measure of value in determining ethical responses to AI advancements.
Assessing Antitrust Damages in Follow-On Actions Against Cartels
Authors: Wurmnest Wolfgang 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAssessing damages in follow-on actions against cartels that have infringed EU or domestic antitrust law is still in its infancy in Europe. This Article highlights the reasons why this issue has only recently started reaching the courts and analyses the pitfalls and problems courts face when calculating or estimating the amount of loss caused by a cartel to individual plaintiffs. As this endeavour raises complex economic questions, the Article outlines the basic economic approaches to measure antitrust harm and derives general principles from EU law on how courts should deal with economic evidence in follow-on actions to ensure an effective enforcement of competition law.
Effects of a front-of-package disclosure on accuracy in assessing children’s drink ingredients: two randomised controlled experiments with US caregivers of young children
Authors: Fleming-Milici Frances , Gershman Haley , Pomeranz Jennifer , Harris Jennifer L 
Published: November 2023

AbstractObjective:Test effects of a standardised front-of-package (FOP) disclosure statement (indicating added sugar, non-nutritive sweetener (NNS) and juice content) on accuracy in assessing ingredients and perceived healthfulness of children’s drinks.Design:In two randomised controlled experiments, the same participants viewed drink packages and indicated if products contained added sugar or NNS and percent juice and rated drink healthfulness. Experiment 1 (E1) included novel (non-US) children’s drinks with a) product claims only (control), b) claims and disclosure, or c) disclosure only. Experiment 2 (E2) included existing children’s drinks (with claims) with a) no disclosure (control) or b) disclosure. Both experiments evaluated sweetened (fruit drink and flavoured water) and unsweetened (100 % juice and juice/water blend) drinks. Potential individual differences (education level and race/ethnicity) in effects were explored.Setting:Online surveyParticipants:Six hundred and forty-eight US caregivers of young children (1–5 years)Results:FOP disclosures significantly increased accuracy for most ingredients and drink types, including identifying presence or absence of NNS in sweetened drinks, no added sugar in juice/water blends, and actual percent juice in fruit drinks and juice/water blends in both experiments. Disclosures also increased recognition that the novel 100 % juice and juice/water blend did not contain NNS or added sugar (E1) and existing sweetened drinks contained added sugar (E2). Disclosures reduced perceived healthfulness of sweetened drinks but did not increase unsweetened drink healthfulness ratings. Some differences by participant socio-demographic characteristics require additional research.Conclusions:FOP disclosures on children’s drink packages can increase caregivers’ understanding of product ingredients and aid in selecting healthier children’s drinks.
Rupture and Afterslip Controlled by Spontaneous Local Fluid Flow in Crustal Rock
Authors: Aben Frans M. , Brantut Nicolas 
Published: November 2023

AbstractShear rupture and fault slip in crystalline rocks like granite produce large dilation, impacting the spatiotemporal evolution of fluid pressure in the crust during the seismic cycle. To explore how fluid pressure variations are coupled to rock deformation and fault slip, we conducted laboratory experiments under upper crustal conditions while monitoring acoustic emissions and in situ fluid pressure. Our results show two separate faulting stages: initial rupture propagation, associated with large dilatancy and stabilized by local fluid pressure drops, followed by sliding on the newly formed fault, promoted by local fluid pressure recharge from the fault walls. This latter stage had not been previously recognised and can be understood as fluid‐induced afterslip, co‐located with the main rupture patch. Upscaling our laboratory results to the natural scale, we expect that spontaneous fault zone recharge could be responsible for early afterslip in locally dilating regions of major crustal faults, independently from large‐scale fluid flow patterns.
Sensing the oxygen and temperature in the adipose tissues – who’s sensing what?
Authors: Kang Gi-Sue , Jo Hye-Ju , Lee Ye-Rim , Oh Taerim , Park Hye-Joon , Ahn G-One 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAdipose tissues, composed of various cell types, including adipocytes, endothelial cells, neurons, and immune cells, are organs that are exposed to dynamic environmental challenges. During diet-induced obesity, white adipose tissues experience hypoxia due to adipocyte hypertrophy and dysfunctional vasculature. Under these conditions, cells in white adipose tissues activate hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a transcription factor that activates signaling pathways involved in metabolism, angiogenesis, and survival/apoptosis to adapt to such an environment. Exposure to cold or activation of the β-adrenergic receptor (through catecholamines or chemicals) leads to heat generation, mainly in brown adipose tissues through activating uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), a proton uncoupler in the inner membrane of the mitochondria. White adipose tissues can undergo a similar process under this condition, a phenomenon known as ‘browning’ of white adipose tissues or ‘beige adipocytes’. While UCP1 expression has largely been confined to adipocytes, HIF can be expressed in many types of cells. To dissect the role of HIF in specific types of cells during diet-induced obesity, researchers have generated tissue-specific knockout (KO) mice targeting HIF pathways, and many studies have commonly revealed that intact HIF-1 signaling in adipocytes and adipose tissue macrophages exacerbates tissue inflammation and insulin resistance. In this review, we highlight some of the key findings obtained from these transgenic mice, including Ucp1 KO mice and other models targeting the HIF pathway in adipocytes, macrophages, or endothelial cells, to decipher their roles in diet-induced obesity.
Single-cell characterization of macrophages in uveal melanoma uncovers transcriptionally heterogeneous subsets conferring poor prognosis and aggressive behavior
Authors: Li Ke , Sun Lanfang , Wang Yanan , Cen Yixin , Zhao Jingting , Liao Qianling , Wu Wencan , Sun Jie , Zhou Meng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractUveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent primary intraocular malignancy with high metastatic potential and poor prognosis. Macrophages represent one of the most abundant infiltrating immune cells with diverse functions in cancers. However, the cellular heterogeneity and functional diversity of macrophages in UM remain largely unexplored. In this study, we analyzed 63,264 single-cell transcriptomes from 11 UM patients and identified four transcriptionally distinct macrophage subsets (termed MΦ-C1 to MΦ-C4). Among them, we found that MΦ-C4 exhibited relatively low expression of both M1 and M2 signature genes, loss of inflammatory pathways and antigen presentation, instead demonstrating enhanced signaling for proliferation, mitochondrial functions and metabolism. We quantified the infiltration abundance of MΦ-C4 from single-cell and bulk transcriptomes across five cohorts and found that increased MΦ-C4 infiltration was relevant to aggressive behaviors and may serve as an independent prognostic indicator for poor outcomes. We propose a novel subtyping scheme based on macrophages by integrating the transcriptional signatures of MΦ-C4 and machine learning to stratify patients into MΦ-C4-enriched or MΦ-C4-depleted subtypes. These two subtypes showed significantly different clinical outcomes and were validated through bulk RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence assays in both public multicenter cohorts and our in-house cohort. Following further translational investigation, our findings highlight a potential therapeutic strategy of targeting macrophage subsets to control metastatic disease and consistently improve the outcome of patients with UM.
Development and validation of an age-sex-ethnicity-specific metabolic syndrome score in the Chinese adults
Authors: Yang Shujuan , Yu Bin , Yu Wanqi , Dai Shaoqing , Feng Chuanteng , Shao Ying , Zhao Xing , Li Xiaoqing , He Tianjing , Jia Peng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractMetabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by metabolic dysfunctions and could predict future risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, the traditionally defined dichotomous MetS neither reflected MetS severity nor considered demographic variations. Here we develop a continuous, age-sex-ethnicity-specific MetS score based on continuous measures of the five metabolic dysfunctions (waist circumference [WC], triglycerides [TG], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], mean arterial pressure [MAP], and fasting blood glucose [FBG]). We find that the weights of metabolic dysfunctions in the score vary across age-sex-ethnicity-specific subgroups, with higher weights for TG, HDL-C, and WC. Each unit increase in the score is associated with increased risks for hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension, and elevated levels of HbA1c, cholesterol, body mass index, and serum uric acid. The score shows high sensitivity and accuracy for detecting CVD-related risk factors and is validated in different geographical regions. Our study would advance early identification of CVD risks and, more broadly, preventive medicine and sustainable development goals.
A carbon-nitrogen negative feedback loop underlies the repeated evolution of cnidarian–Symbiodiniaceae symbioses
Authors: Cui Guoxin , Mi Jianing , Moret Alessandro , Menzies Jessica , Zhong Huawen , Li Angus , Hung Shiou-Han , Al-Babili Salim , Aranda Manuel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSymbiotic associations with Symbiodiniaceae have evolved independently across a diverse range of cnidarian taxa including reef-building corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying their regulation and repeated evolution are still elusive. Here, we show that despite their independent evolution, cnidarian hosts use the same carbon-nitrogen negative feedback loop to control symbiont proliferation. Symbiont-derived photosynthates are used to assimilate nitrogenous waste via glutamine synthetase–glutamate synthase-mediated amino acid biosynthesis in a carbon-dependent manner, which regulates the availability of nitrogen to the symbionts. Using nutrient supplementation experiments, we show that the provision of additional carbohydrates significantly reduces symbiont density while ammonium promotes symbiont proliferation. High-resolution metabolic analysis confirmed that all hosts co-incorporated glucose-derived 13C and ammonium-derived 15N via glutamine synthetase–glutamate synthase-mediated amino acid biosynthesis. Our results reveal a general carbon-nitrogen negative feedback loop underlying these symbioses and provide a parsimonious explanation for their repeated evolution.