bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A closer look at root water potential: experimental evidence based on drought stress of Chrysopogon zizanioides
Authors: Ganesan Suriya Prakash , Boldrin David , Leung Anthony Kwan 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Aims
Gradients in water potential of soil and plant system drives the water movement in soil-plant-atmospheric continuum. Here, we demonstrate how root water potential measured directly from the roots upon changes in soil water potential would contribute to the understanding of the drought response in Chrysopogon zizanoides.

Methods
Plants of Chrysopogon zizanoides L. were sampled at different soil water status (inducing drought) and growth periods (3-, 4- and 5- months). The roots and leaves of the plants were dissected to measure the root water potential and specific leaf area, respectively. The root water potential was measured in a WP4C dew-point potentiometer. Root diameter corresponding to the roots measured for root water potential was also measured.

Results
Our findings showed a logarithmic increase in gradient between soil and root water potential under the induced drought stress, similar to the existing findings of root hydraulic conductance. Specific leaf area significantly decreased with root water potential, indicating the hydraulic continuity between roots and leaves. A new power law correlation between root diameter and root water potential established a trait-based understanding of root water uptake.

Conclusion
The aggregation of such root water potential measurements using potentiometer would offer strategies to explore the implications of below-ground plant behaviour in applications such as slope stability and irrigation.
Development of standard computerised adaptive test (CAT) settings for the EORTC CAT Core
Authors: Petersen Morten Aa. , Vachon Hugo , Giesinger Johannes M. , Groenvold Mogens ,   the European Organisation for Research, Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Group
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Aims
Computerised adaptive test (CAT) provides individualised patient reported outcome measurement while retaining direct comparability of scores across patients and studies. Optimal CAT measurement requires an appropriate CAT-setting, the set of criteria defining the CAT including start item, item selection criterion, and stop criterion. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) CAT Core allows for assessing the 14 functional and symptom domains covered by the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. The aim was to present a general approach for selecting CAT-settings and to use this to develop a portfolio of standard settings for the EORTC CAT Core optimised for different purposes and populations.

Methods
Using simulations, the measurement properties of CATs of different length and precision were evaluated and compared allowing for identifying the most suitable settings. All CATs were initiated with the most informative QLQ-C30 item. For each domain two fixed-length and two fixed-precision standard CATs were selected focusing on efficiency (brief version) and precision (long), respectively.

Results
The brief fixed-length CATs included 3–5 items each while the long versions included 5–8 items. The fixed-precision CATs aimed for reliability of 0.65–0.95 (brief versions) and 0.85–0.98 (long versions), respectively. Median sample size savings using the CATs compared to the QLQ-C30 scales ranged 20%-31%, although savings varied considerably across the domains.

Conclusion
The EORTC CAT Core standard settings simplify selection of relevant and appropriate CATs. The CATs prioritise either brevity and efficiency or precision, but all provide increased measurement precision and hence, reduced sample size requirements compared to the QLQ-C30 scales. The CATs may be used as they are or modified to accommodate specific requirements.
The Legend of 1900: Law, Space, and Immigration
Authors: Hu Lung-Lung 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the late 19th and early 20th centuries, more than 4 million Italians migrated to the United States of America (U.S.), which they regarded as a utopia. The film The Legend of 1900, which was inspired by Alessandro Baricco’s monologue Nocecento and directed by Giuseppe Tornatore, tells the story about the genius pianist 1900, an orphan, who is fostered by Danny, a black coalman in the boiler room of an ocean liner, and whose parents are presumably Italian immigrants. Due to immigration law, 1900, a man with neither identity, visa, nor legal papers, cannot legally set foot on American soil. As a genius pianist, his existence is nothing more than that of musician—an entertainer to passengers on the gigantic trans-Atlantic liner Virginian, the only place he is permitted to live. According to Michel Foucault’s notion of heterotopia, a ship is “a piece of floating space, a placeless place”—a vessel transporting people to the land of their dreams. However, 1900, who has no legal status, will never arrive in utopia aboard Virginian. He can only construct a heterotopia—a mirror of utopia—so that it to him is a utopia. In the eyes of the law, 1900 is a legally non-existent person on Virginian, a placeless place. However, it is this lawless heterotopia and isolation that create a genius. In this paper, I illustrate how Virginian, as a place outside the law of land, metaphorically gives birth to a pianist, 1900, and why 1900 at the end chooses not to leave the ship, while also discussing the meaning behind the film and the relationship between law and space.
‘We Attempted to Deliver Your Package’: Forensic Translation in the Fight Against Cross-Border Cybercrime
Authors: Sousa-Silva Rui 
Published: January 2024

AbstractCybercrime has increased significantly, recently, as a result of both individual and group criminal practice, and is now a threat to individuals, organisations, and democratic systems worldwide. However, cybercrime raises two main challenges for legal systems: firstly, because cybercriminals operate online, cybercrime spans beyond the boundaries of specific jurisdictions, which constrains the operation of the police and, subsequently, the conviction of the perpetrators; secondly, since cybercriminals can operate from anywhere in the world, law enforcement agencies struggle to identify the origin of the communications, especially when obfuscation strategies are used, e.g. dark web fora. Nevertheless, cybercriminals inherently use language to communicate, so the linguistic analysis of suspect communications is particularly helpful in deterring cybercriminal practice. This article reports the potential of forensic translation in the fight against cybercrime. Although the term ‘forensic translation’ is typically understood as a synonym of ‘legal translation’, it is argued that the implications of forensic translation span beyond those of legal translation, to include analyses of language rights, of the right to interpretation and translation in legal procedures (in the EU), or even investigative and intelligence practices. Translation is a pervasive activity that is conducted, not only by professional translators, but also by lay speakers of language, often using machine translation systems. The ease of use of the latter makes it particularly suitable for cross-border criminal (e.g. extortion or fraud) and cybercriminal communications (e.g. cybertrespass, cyberfraud, cyberpiracy, cyberporn or child online porn, cyberviolence or cyberstalking). This article presents the results of the analysis of cybercriminal communications from a forensic translation perspective. It demonstrates that translation is frequently used to spread cybercriminal communications, and that reverse-engineering the translational procedure will assist law enforcement agencies in narrowing down their pool of suspects and, consequently, deter cybercriminal threats.
Left Populism and the Education of Desire
Authors: McGregor Callum 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper mobilises the psychoanalytic concepts of desire and enjoyment to better understand how processes of education aimed at extending and defending democratic life might respond to and engage with populist politics. I approach this task by engaging with a particular vector of Mouffe and Laclau’s political philosophy, moving from a critique of liberal democracy’s rationalist pretensions to their insistence that left populism and its passionate construction of a ‘people’ is the central task facing radical politics. This attention to the libidinal basis of political identification locates them in a community of Left Lacanian thinkers who reframe the problems of democratic politics in terms of desire and enjoyment rather than miseducation or its lack. Whilst this position might suggest a binary choice between different analytical frames, I inquire into what insights are generated by theorising left populism as an ‘education of desire’. The paper is organised into four main parts: the opening discussion clarifies my understanding of education by engaging with the literature on educational agonism. The second section lays the groundwork for a critique of the way in which education is fetishized, in different ways, by liberals and radicals as a panacea for populist politics. The third section reframes democratic crisis as an enjoyment problem in order to better grasp the relationship between the liberal democratic disavowal of its own irrationality and the structure of right-wing populist enjoyment. The fourth section applies these insights to develop a critical analysis of what is at stake when we explicitly consider the left populist construction of a ‘people’ as an educational task. I conclude by drawing together and summarising the main features and considerations of left populism understood as an education of desire.
Are volatile methylsiloxanes in downcycled tire microplastics? Levels and human exposure estimation in synthetic turf football fields
Authors: Ferreira Tiago , Homem Vera , Cereceda-Balic Francisco , Fadic Ximena , Alves Arminda , Ratola Nuno 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDowncycled rubber, derived from end-of-life tires (ELTs), is frequently applied as crumb rubber (CR) as infill of synthetic turf in sports facilities. This practice has been questioned in recent years as numerous studies have reported the presence of potentially hazardous chemicals in this material. CR particles fall into the category of microplastics (MPs), making them possible vectors for emerging micropollutants. A preliminary study where volatile methylsiloxanes (VMSs) were found in CR originated the hypothesis that VMSs are present in this material worldwide. Consequently, the present work evaluates for the first time the levels and trends of seven VMSs in CR from synthetic turf football fields, while attempting to identify the main sources and impacts of these chemicals. A total of 135 CR samples and 12 other of alternative materials were analyzed, employing an ultrasound-assisted dispersive solid-phase extraction followed by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS), and the presence of VMSs was confirmed in all samples, in total concentrations ranging from 1.60 to 5089 ng.g−1. The levels were higher in commercial CR (before field application), a reflection of the use of VMS-containing additives in tire production and/or the degradation of silicone polymers employed in vehicles. The VMSs generally decreased over time on the turf, as expected given their volatile nature and the wearing of the material. Finally, the human exposure doses to VMSs in CR (by dermal absorption and ingestion) for people in contact with synthetic turf in football fields were negligible (maximum total exposure of 20.5 ng.kgBW−1.year−1) in comparison with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) reference doses: 1.35 × 109 ng.kgBW−1.year−1 for D4 and 1.83 × 109 ng.kgBW−1.year−1 for D5. Nevertheless, more knowledge on exposure through inhalation and the combined effects of all substances is necessary to provide further corroboration. This work proved the presence of VMSs in CR from ELTs, another family of chemical of concern to take into account when studying MPs as vectors of other contaminants.
Combined application of up to ten pesticides decreases key soil processes
Authors: Meidl Peter , Lehmann Anika , Bi Mohan , Breitenreiter Carla , Benkrama Jasmina , Li Erqin , Riedo Judith , Rillig Matthias C. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNatural systems are under increasing pressure by a range of anthropogenic global change factors. Pesticides represent a nearly ubiquitously occurring global change factor and have the potential to affect soil functions. Currently the use of synthetic pesticides is at an all-time high with over 400 active ingredients being utilized in the EU alone, with dozens of these pesticides occurring concurrently in soil. However, we presently do not understand the impacts of the potential interaction of multiple pesticides when applied simultaneously. Using soil collected from a local grassland, we utilize soil microcosms to examine the role of both rate of change and number of a selection of ten currently used pesticides on soil processes, including litter decomposition, water stable aggregates, aggregate size, soil pH, and EC. Additionally, we used null models to enrich our analyses to examine potential patterns caused by interactions between pesticide treatments. We find that both gradual and abrupt pesticide application have negative consequences for soil processes. Notably, pesticide number plays a significant role in affecting soil health. Null models also reveal potential synergistic behavior between pesticides which can further their consequences on soil processes. Our research highlights the complex impacts of pesticides, and the need for environmental policy to address the threats posed by pesticides.
Mitigation strategies to reduce particulate matter concentrations in civil engineering laboratories
Authors: Zumrut Irem Bayram , Kale Ozge Akboga , Tetik Yilmaz Ogunc , Baradan Selim 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the departments of civil engineering, many experiments are conducted in laboratories for educational and research purposes. Varying degrees of respirable dust are generated as the outcome of these experiments, which could cause harm to instructors’ and students’ health. This study is devised to highlight the importance of indoor air quality in university laboratories. As part of the research, four different particulate matter (PM) sizes (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM4.0, and PM10) were measured during specific experiments—sieve analysis, preparation of the concrete mixture, crushing aggregate by jaw crusher, dynamic triaxial compression test, sieve analysis of silt specimen, cleaning sieve by an air compressor, and proctor compaction test—being conducted periodically in the laboratories of civil engineering departments. The measured values are mainly high compared to indoor air quality standards. Mitigation strategies were applied to reduce indoor air PM levels in the three experiments that contained the highest PM levels. The results have shown that mitigation strategies applied as control measures could make a remarkable difference in protecting instructors and civil engineering students.
Soil redox maps: assessment of small field-scale redox zonation by Mn and Fe oxide-coated IRIS films
Authors: Dorau Kristof , Zanger Theresa , Bolten Andreas , Mansfeldt Tim 
Published: January 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Intra-field redox zonation across depth in soils can be heterogeneous and account for the presence of biogeochemical “hot spots.” Understanding the spatial distribution of hot spots is desirable but hard to obtain.

Materials and methods
In this study, low-cost manganese (Mn) and iron (Fe) oxide-coated Indicator of Reduction In Soils (IRIS) films were installed at a wetland. A grid soil sampling approach within a monitoring plot (20 × 20 m; 2-m raster cells) featured a microrelief of 29 cm above the water table (WT). Data of Mn and Fe oxide removal along IRIS films and natural (newly formed) Fe oxides along Mn IRIS served to spatially resolve digital redox maps by ordinary kriging.

Results and discussion
A distinctive redox zonation due to the microrelief could be differentiated with the lowest oxide loss at elevated terrain. Located at 9 to 29 cm above the WT, small-scaled pattern of oxide loss of a few cm2 occurred due to anoxic microsites (zone I). Zone II was located at 4 to 9 cm above the WT (Fe2+ sink), whereas zone III extended below and a few cm above the WT (Fe2+ source). Mn IRIS displayed three times more oxide loss, compared to Fe IRIS. Thereupon, natural Fe oxides formed to a major extent along Mn IRIS with on average 80% in redox zone I and II. Thus, Fe2+ was an omnipresent constituent in soil solution, while no or only minor synthetic Fe oxide along Fe IRIS were removed. This highlights the clear difference between the reducibility of pedogenic Fe oxides and synthetic Fe oxides. Overall, the large reactive surface area of IRIS can circumvent problems associated with misclassification of the soil redox status using redox electrodes, which are more susceptible to soil spatial variability.

Conclusions
Homogeneity and representativeness of redox sensitive topsoil samples or soil solutions can in fact only be guaranteed within a range < 5 m for this particular study site. IRIS can be utilized to investigate both: microsite-driven features such as neo-formed natural Fe oxides along Mn IRIS (< mm to cm scale) and geo-referenced oxide loss from IRIS at the plot scale (tens to hundreds of meters). Soil redox maps deliver important spatial information for the worldwide growing demand for high-resolution digital soil maps.

Graphical Abstract
Selves, Persons, and the Neo-Lucretian Symmetry Problem
Authors: Stokes Patrick 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe heavily discussed (neo-)Lucretian symmetry argument holds that as we are indifferent to nonexistence before birth, we should also be indifferent to nonexistence after death. An important response to this argument insists that prenatal nonexistence differs from posthumous nonexistence because we could not have been born earlier and been the same ‘thick’ psychological self. As a consequence, we can’t properly ask whether it would be better for us to have had radically different lives either. Against this, it’s been claimed we can form preferences as to which ‘thick’ (psychological) self our ‘thin’ (metaphysical) self would be better off ‘associated’ with. I argue that these discussions draw the right distinction, but do so in the wrong place: understanding the ‘thin’ self phenomenally instead of metaphysically allows us to understand how we can rationally form preferences to have been somebody else.
Replies to Vendrell Ferran, Piercey, Schechtman, and Collins
Authors: Mikkonen Jukka 
Published: January 2024

Abstracti) Íngrid Vendrell Ferran’s defence of the ‘experiential view’ and her related conception of ‘radical neo-cogntivism’, ii) Robert Piercey’s view of the epistemic value of plots and emplotment, iii) Marya Schechtman’s revisionist ideas of self-narration, and, finally, iv) David Collins’s suggestion of the value of an imaginative engagement with the author of an artwork.
What Role Do Maladaptive Coping and Escape Expectancies Play in the Relationship Between Stress and Problem Gambling? Testing a Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Caudwell Kim M. , Bacovic Ivana , Flack Mal 
Published: January 2024

AbstractStress has long been implicated in relation to problem gambling and gambling disorder. However, less is known about the psychological processes that link stress to problem gambling through other known correlates, including outcome expectancies and maladaptive coping. The current study tests a moderated mediation model whereby the effect of stress on problem gambling was hypothesized to be mediated by escape outcome expectancies, with this mediation effect moderated by maladaptive coping. Participants (N = 240; 50.2% male, Mage = 32.76 years; SDage = 11.35 years) were recruited from an online crowdsourcing platform and provided responses on the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21; Lovibond & Lovibond, 1995), the Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI; Ferris & Wynne, 2001), escape subscale of the Gambling Outcome Expectancies Scale (GOES; Flack & Morris, 2015) and the Brief COPE (Carver, 1997). The model was tested using Hayes’ (2018) PROCESS macro, revealing a significant moderated mediation effect of the stress-escape path by maladaptive coping, showing that the effect was significant when maladaptive coping was high. The findings provide support for escape outcome expectancies as being a potential mechanism through which the stress-problem gambling relationship may operate specifically, influenced by how gamblers are engaged in maladaptive coping generally. There is a need to further investigate the potential for combining gambling outcome expectancy challenges with methods to reduce maladaptive coping or develop more adaptive responses in the face of stress among problem gamblers.
Clinical evaluation of a patient participation assessment system for upper extremity rehabilitation exercises
Authors: Ödemiş Erkan , Baysal Cabbar Veysel 
Published: January 2024

Abstract In conventional and robotic rehabilitation, the patient’s active participation in exercises is essential for the maximum functional output to be received from therapy. In rehabilitation exercises performed with robotic devices, the difficulty levels of therapy tasks and the device assistance are adjusted based on the patient’s therapy performance to improve active participation. However, the existing therapy performance evaluation methods are based on either some specific device designs or certain therapy tasks, which limits their widespread use. In this paper, the effectiveness of a participation assessment system, which can evaluate patients’ therapy performance, tiredness, and slacking independent of any device design and therapy exercise, was clinically tested on ten patients diagnosed with frozen shoulder syndrome. The patients performed exercises using the system once a week throughout their 4-week treatment period. Multiple clinical measurements and scales were employed during the clinical study to assess patients’ progress and status, such as tiredness throughout the therapy process. The clinical data, along with the patient findings obtained from the participation assessment system, were statistically analyzed and compared. The findings revealed that the patients’ improvements and progress during the therapy process clinically coincide with the variations in the performance evaluation results of the system, and the implemented method successfully assesses the patients’ participation during the rehabilitation exercises.
Graphical Abstract