bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A new mathematical model of phyllotaxis to solve the genuine puzzle spiromonostichy
Authors: Yonekura Takaaki , Sugiyama Munetaka 
Published: October 2023

AbstractArrangement of plant leaves around the stem, termed phyllotaxis, exhibits beautiful and mysterious regularities and has been one of the most attractive subjects of biological pattern formation. After the long history of studies on phyllotaxis, it is now widely accepted that the inhibitory effect of existing leaf primordia on new primordium formation determines phyllotactic patterning. However, costoid phyllotaxis unique to Costaceae of Zingiberales, displaying spiromonostichy characterized by a steep spiral with a small divergence angle, seems to disagree with the inhibitory effect-based mechanism and has remained as a “genuine puzzle”. We developed a new mathematical model, hypothesizing that each leaf primordium exerts not only the inhibitory effect but also some inductive effect. Computer simulations with the new model successfully generated a spiromonostichous pattern when these two effects met a certain relationship. The obtained spiromonostichy matched the real costoid phyllotaxis observed with Costus megalobractea, particularly for the decrease of the divergence angle associated with the enlargement of the shoot apical meristem. The new model was also shown to be able to produce a one-sided distichous pattern that is seen in phyllotaxis of a few plants of Zingiberales and has never been addressed in the previous model studies. These results implicated inductive as well as inhibitory mechanisms in phyllotactic patterning, at least in Zingiberales.
Feeding ecology and reproductive success of the Little Bittern Ixobrychus minutus in differently managed pond habitats
Authors: Filipiuk Maciej , Buczyński Paweł , Kloskowski Janusz 
Published: October 2023

AbstractKnowledge of the relationships between food habits and habitat is crucial for the assessment of habitat quality for birds. The present study investigated the diet and reproductive success of Little Bitterns Ixobrychus minutus nesting on cyprinid fish ponds, an important breeding habitat of this species in central and eastern Europe. Being subject to different management practices, fish ponds provide food resources of uneven availability for this small heron. Prey items regurgitated by nestlings were examined, and breeding success was estimated on monoculture ponds stocked either with small fish (of a size suitable for feeding nestlings) or large fish (unavailable to Little Bitterns and adversely affecting their non-fish prey), on abandoned ponds dominated by small fish but with large fish also present, and on angling ponds dominated by large sport fish but harbouring significant numbers of small fish as well. A total of 1356 prey items from 78 broods were identified. Although Little Bitterns exhibited dietary flexibility in response to the contrasting availability of prey on their nesting ponds, the bulk of the nestlings’ diet consisted of fish. The size of fish brought to the nest increased significantly with brood age, showing that parents adjusted the prey size to the gape constraints of their young. The chick production determined for 73 broods did not differ with respect to pond management, but the dietary composition indicated that to compensate for food shortages, birds nesting on ponds containing mainly large fish made foraging flights to food-richer ponds. The abundance of small-sized fish prey may be a factor limiting the breeding success of small- and medium-sized predatory waterbirds and should be taken into consideration in management strategies of habitats dominated by fish.
Vision and Tactile Robotic System to Grasp Litter in Outdoor Environments
Authors: Páez-Ubieta Ignacio de Loyola , Castaño-Amorós Julio , Puente Santiago T. , Gil Pablo 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe accumulation of litter is increasing in many places and is consequently becoming a problem that must be dealt with. In this paper, we present a manipulator robotic system to collect litter in outdoor environments. This system has three functionalities. Firstly, it uses colour images to detect and recognise litter comprising different materials. Secondly, depth data are combined with pixels of waste objects to compute a 3D location and segment three-dimensional point clouds of the litter items in the scene. The grasp in 3 Degrees of Freedom (DoFs) is then estimated for a robot arm with a gripper for the segmented cloud of each instance of waste. Finally, two tactile-based algorithms are implemented and then employed in order to provide the gripper with a sense of touch. This work uses two low-cost visual-based tactile sensors at the fingertips. One of them addresses the detection of contact (which is obtained from tactile images) between the gripper and solid waste, while another has been designed to detect slippage in order to prevent the objects grasped from falling. Our proposal was successfully tested by carrying out extensive experimentation with different objects varying in size, texture, geometry and materials in different outdoor environments (a tiled pavement, a surface of stone/soil, and grass). Our system achieved an average score of 94% for the detection and Collection Success Rate (CSR) as regards its overall performance, and of 80% for the collection of items of litter at the first attempt.
The war and tourism: security issues and business opportunities in shadow of Russian war against Ukraine
Authors: Kozlowski Artur Roland 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe effects of war have far-reaching consequences. They bring numerous victims—also civilians, destruction of infrastructure, enterprises, and citizens’ property. They cause political instability and lead to great security concerns, especially in tourist destinations. Experience with various wars indicates a minimum three-year negative effect of warfare on the tourism industry. The terrorist industry is also negatively affected by terrorism, which can occur regardless of the duration of the war itself. Terrorist attacks are deliberately organized in such a way as to evoke images of human victims, which affects the fear of tourist arrivals to such heavily burdened places. The paper discusses potential scenarios for the continuation of the war and its impact on the operational activity of international business with Russia. Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine brings closer the threat of war itself and shock to various industries, including the tourism industry. The paper presents the effects of the war on tourist trips from Russia but also Ukraine and its effects on traditional touristic destinations. Issues of threats to business are raised but also opportunities appearing on the horizon. The visa ban for Russians introduced by the EU with the simultaneous escalating and ruthless Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians does not inspire optimism. It should be expected that the 2023 tourist season will remain burdened with the stigma of war and the limited movement of Russians around Europe.
A New Approach for Measuring Viscoelastic Properties of Soft Materials Using the Dynamic Response of a Spherical Object Placed at the Sample Interface
Authors: Koruk H. , Koc H. O. , Yurdaer S. B. , Besli A. , Pouliopoulos A. N. 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
There are several techniques to characterize the mechanical properties of soft materials, such as the indentation method and the method based on the application of a spherical object placed inside the sample. The indentation systems usually yield the elastic properties of materials and their mathematical models do not consider the inertia of the sample involved in motion and radiation damping, while placing an object inside the sample is not practical and this procedure can alter the mechanical properties of the sample for the method based on the application of a bubble/sphere placed inside the sample.

Objective
A new approach for the identification of the viscoelastic properties of soft materials using the dynamic response of a spherical object placed at the sample interface was proposed.

Methods
The spherical object placed at the sample interface was pressed using an electromagnet and the dynamic response of the spherical object was tracked using a high-speed camera, while the dynamic response of the spherical object placed at the sample interface was estimated using a comprehensive analytical model. The effects of the shear modulus, viscosity, Poisson’s ratio and density of the soft sample, the radius and density of the spherical object and the damping due to radiation were considered in this mathematical model. The shear modulus and viscosity of the soft sample were determined by matching the experimentally identified and theoretically estimated responses of the spherical object.

Results
The shear moduli and viscosities of the three phantoms with the gelatin mass ratios of 0.20, 0.25 and 0.29 were measured to be 3450, 4300 and 4950 Pa and 12.5, 14.0 and 15.0 Pa⋅s, respectively. The shear modulus and viscosity of the phantom increases as the gelatin mass ratio increases. The frequency of oscillations of the hemisphere placed at the phantom interface increases as the gelatin mass ratio increases due to stiffness increase.

Conclusions
After matching the experimental and theoretical steady-state displacements and amplitudes of oscillations of the hemisphere at the sample interface, the comparison of the experimentally identified and theoretically predicted frequency of oscillations further confirmed the identified material properties of the samples. The approach presented here is expected to provide valuable information on material properties in biomedical and industrial applications.
Ecliptasaponin A attenuates renal fibrosis by regulating the extracellular matrix of renal tubular cells
Authors: Li Xiaomin , Dong Wenhui , Yang Yanlin , Ren Shijing , Wang Xiangyu , Zou Meina , Lu Wen , Liu Lerong , Xue Yaoming 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRenal fibrosis is the most common manifestation of end-stage renal disease (ESRD), including diabetic kidney disease (DKD), but there is no effective treatment in renal fibrosis. Natural products are a rich source of clinical drug research and have been used in the clinical research of various diseases. In this study, we searched for traditional Chinese medicine monomers that attenuate fibrosis and assessed their effect on the fibrosis marker connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cells which we found ecliptasaponin A. Subsequently, we evaluated the effect of ecliptasaponin A on renal fibrosis in the classic renal fibrosis unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) mouse model and found that ecliptasaponin A could reduce the renal collagen fiber deposition and renal extracellular matrix (ECM) protein expression in UUO mice. In vitro, ecliptasaponin A can inhibit ECM protein expression in human kidney-2 (HK-2) cells induced by transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGFβ1). To further clarify the mechanism of ecliptasaponin A in attenuating renal fibrosis, we performed transcriptome sequencing of HK-2 cells treated with TGFβ1 and ecliptasaponin A. The functions and pathways were mainly enriched in the extracellular matrix and TGFβ signalling pathway. Matrix metalloproteinase 10 (MMP10) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) are the main differentially expressed genes in extracellular matrix regulation. Then, we measured MMP10 and MMP13 in the cells and found that ecliptasaponin A had a significant inhibitory effect on MMP13 expression but not on MMP10 expression. Furthermore, we overexpressed MMP13 in HK-2 cells treated with TGFβ1 and found that MMP13 promoted HK-2 cell injury. Our findings suggest that ecliptasaponin A can attenuate renal fibrosis, which may provide a new method for treating renal fibrosis clinically.
The impact of bee product incorporation on the processing properties, nutritional value, sensory acceptance, and microbial stability of bread
Authors: Ertosun Seymanur , Falcão Soraia I. , Aylanc Volkan , Tomás Andreia , Russo-Almeida Paulo , Rodrigues Paula , Vilas-Boas Miguel 
Published: October 2023

AbstractConsumers are making their lifestyle healthier by changing diet, so food producers are exploring the enrichment of daily products using natural additives with nutraceutical properties. The addition of bee products is a good example, enabling a positive input in nutrients at the same time that the phytochemical substances present on it, may add complementary bioactive functions. This study centred on formulating recipes for traditional bread, incorporating bee products such as bee pollen and bee bread. The fortified breads revealed a coherent increase on protein and lipid content, while the fibre value depends on the type of bee product added. The enrichment seems also to induce changes in the physical properties, with the fortified breads becoming yellow-brownish colour and firming, due to the increase in the protein content, at the same time that some reduction in elasticity is observed. The sensorial perception, tested to assess the market product acceptability, gave encouraging outcomes with high scores for bee bread enrichment. It is relevant to highlight that the recipes used can be classified as “low salt content” bread, with salt values below 130 mg/100 g.
Methodology and Results of a Joint IFSO-WGO Delphi Survey of 94 Intercontinental, Interdisciplinary Experts in Obesity Management
Authors: Kow Lilian , Sharaiha Reem Z. , O’Kane Mary , White Kevin P. , Macedo Guilherme , Toouli Jim , Shikora Scott 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Background
Obesity affects 1.5 billion people worldwide, yet few are treated effectively and considerable variability exists in its management. In 2020, a joint International Federation of Surgery for Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO) and World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) advisory committee initiated the drafting of consensus guidelines on obesity management, to be based on detailed literature reviews and the results of an extensive multi-disciplinary survey of intercontinental experts. This paper reports on the latter. The objective of this study is to identify areas of consensus and non-consensus among intercontinental, inter-disciplinary experts in obesity management.

Methods
Guided by an international consensus-survey expert, a three-round online Delphi survey was conducted in the summer of 2021 of international obesity-management experts spanning the fields of medicine, bariatric endoscopy and surgery, psychology, and nutrition. Issues like epidemiology and risk factors, patient selection for metabolic and bariatric surgery (ASMBS-Clinical-Issues-Committee, Surg Obes Relat Dis : Off J Am Soc Bariatric Surg. 8:e27-32, 1), psychological issues, patient preparation for MBS, bariatric endoscopy, and outcomes and follow-up were addressed.

Results
Ninety-four experts from six continents voted on 180 statements, with consensus reached on 158, including consensus agreement with 96 and disagreement with 24 statements (38 had other response options besides agree/disagree). Among unanimous opinions were the need for all medical societies to work together to address obesity, for regular regional and national obesity surveillance, for multi-disciplinary management, to recognize the increasing impact of childhood and adolescent obesity, to accept some weight regain as normal after MBS, and for life-long follow-up of MBS patients.

Conclusions
Obesity is a major health issue that requires aggressive surveillance and thoughtful multidisciplinary management.
Rhabdomyolysis or Severe Acute Hepatitis Associated with the Use of Red Yeast Rice Extracts: an Update from the Adverse Event Reporting Systems
Authors: Banach Maciej , Norata Giuseppe Danilo 
Published: October 2023

Abstract
Purpose of Review
Elevated plasma levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) are a major risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), and lowering LDL-C reduces the risk of cardiovascular adverse events. Among natural approaches known for their lipid-lowering properties, red yeast rice (RYR) has a cholesterol-lowering effect due to the presence of bioactive components (monacolins) that act by inhibiting the activity of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase. In August 2018, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) concluded in its assessment of the use of RYR (further amended in June 2022) that monacolins from RYR raise significant safety concerns when used as a food supplement at a dose of 10 mg/day. In particular, individual cases of serious adverse effects of monacolins from RYR have been reported at intakes as low as 3 mg/day. The EFSA Panel pointed out several uncertainties regarding the available data.

Recent Findings
We conducted an in-depth and updated analysis of the serious adverse events, with a focus on rhabdomyolysis and acute hepatitis, associated with the consumption of RYR. An analysis of the Food and Drug Administration reporting systems revealed a very small number of cases of rhabdomyolysis or severe acute hepatitis associated with RYR use. In addition, only a few case reports of these serious adverse events associated with RYR use have been published.

Summary
Based on data from adverse event reporting systems and available case reports, the occurrence of rhabdomyolysis or severe acute hepatitis that could be associated with the use of RYR appears to be extremely rare compared to the occurrence with statins, which is rare to common.
Social–Emotional Skills in Five-to-Six-Year-Olds in Social Hotspots in Germany: Individual Trajectories in a Prospective Cohort
Authors: Biermann Josefin , Franze Marco , Hoffmann Wolfgang 
Published: October 2023

AbstractSocial–emotional skills as valid predictors for subsequent school success should be promoted in early childhood. Preschools are a relevant setting to reach children from families with low socioeconomic status. The federal state law for children´s day-care and preschools in the state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania offers preschools in difficult social areas financial support for the individual targeted promotion. Prospective longitudinal observational data of a cohort: annual application of Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools domains “social competence” and “social interaction” over two years of 5-to-6-year-olds. Calculation of prevalence rate ratios and ratios of rate of improvements are divided by rate of deteriorations after one year. The proportion of children with inconclusive findings in “social competence” decreases. > 50% have no finding after one year. In “social interaction,” the proportion of children with inconclusive findings increases. Both domains detected more improvements than deteriorations for all children after one year. The indicated improvement of developmental risks is possibly associated with a reduction of social inequalities and tend to improve equal opportunities for all children at school start. Nevertheless, results of some children are deteriorating. More effective promotion of social–emotional skills is needed also for children without developmental risks—especially for children with internalizing problems. Trial registration: German Clinical Trials Register, ID: DRKS00015134, Registered on 29 October 2018, retrospectively registered.
Dealing with Desirable Difficulties: Supporting Students to Accept, Reduce, or Silence Effort
Authors: de Bruin Anique B. H. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIn this writing, I summarize the insights from my keynote lecture at the annual 2023 IAMSE Meeting in Cancún, Mexico, titled “Effort is the new smart. Supporting students in the self-regulated use of desirable difficulties.” I explain how self-regulated learning is challenging for many students in higher education and even more so under learning conditions that create desirable difficulties: conditions that foster long-term learning and transfer of knowledge and skills, but that are generally more effortful to engage in. I describe how the intricate relation between perceived effort and perceived learning determines students’ use of desirable difficulties. Finally, I outline promising interventional approaches academic teachers can employ to support students to seek out and engage in desirable difficulties.
Temperature-Arousing Self-Powered Fire Warning E-Textile Based on p–n Segment Coaxial Aerogel Fibers for Active Fire Protection in Firefighting Clothing
Authors: He Hualing , Qin Yi , Zhu Zhenyu , Jiang Qing , Ouyang Shengnan , Wan Yuhang , Qu Xueru , Xu Jie , Yu Zhicai 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFirefighting protective clothing is a crucial protective equipment for firefighters to minimize skin burn and ensure safety firefighting operation and rescue mission. A recent increasing concern is to develop self-powered fire warning materials that can be incorporated into the firefighting clothing to achieve active fire protection for firefighters before the protective clothing catches fire on fireground. However, it is still a challenge to facilely design and manufacture thermoelectric (TE) textile (TET)-based fire warning electronics with dynamic surface conformability and breathability. Here, we develop an alternate coaxial wet-spinning strategy to continuously produce alternating p/n-type TE aerogel fibers involving n-type Ti3C2Tx MXene and p-type MXene/SWCNT-COOH as core materials, and tough aramid nanofiber as protective shell, which simultaneously ensure the flexibility and high-efficiency TE power generation. With such alternating p/n-type TE fibers, TET-based self-powered fire warning sensors with high mechanical stability and wearability are successfully fabricated through stitching the alternating p–n segment TE fibers into aramid fabric. The results indicate that TET-based fire warning electronics containing 50 p–n pairs produce the open-circuit voltage of 7.5 mV with a power density of 119.79 nW cm−2 at a temperature difference of 300 °C. The output voltage signal is then calculated as corresponding surface temperature of firefighting clothing based on a linear relationship between TE voltage and temperature. The fire alarm response time and flame-retardant properties are further displayed. Such self-powered fire warning electronics are true textiles that offer breathability and compatibility with body movement, demonstrating their potential application in firefighting clothing.
A criterion for singular complex analytic germs not to be Lipschitz normally embedded
Authors: Denkowski Maciej P. , Zając Karolina 
Published: October 2023

AbstractRecently, the notion of Lipschitz normally embedded sets introduced by Birbrair and Mostowski has been extensively studied. In the present paper we give a simple ‘effective’ criterion for a pure dimensional complex analytic germ not to be normally embedded.
Geleit: Verantwortung als menschliche Praxis, mit Anderen durch Gründe Welt zu teilen
Authors: Buddeberg Eva 
Published: October 2023

ZusammenfassungMit dem Begriff ›Verantwortung‹ wird eine Praxis des Gründegebens bezeichnet, die konstitutiv für die Weise ist, wie Menschen miteinander Welt teilen. Ihr zugrunde liegt eine sprachlich verfasste Zurechnungsrelation, bei der ein Subjekt von einer Instanz für sein Handeln zur Rechenschaft gezogen wird, indem diese das Subjekt nach Gründen für sein Handeln fragt. Diese Praxis ist für das menschliche Zusammenleben wesentlich, auch da, wo nicht explizit von Verantwortung die Rede ist, vielmehr – wie etwa in der vormodernen Literatur – auf Konzepte zurückgegriffen wird, die doch in manchem eine Familienähnlichkeit zur hier skizzierten Praxis aufweisen.