bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Colombo Twin and Singleton Study (COTASS): Piloting the Feasibility of Collecting Nutritional Data and Extension of the Sample to Include Children of Twins
Authors: Dissanayake Lasith , Herath Binoli , Opatha Janani , Jabir Sameeha , Siriwardana Rajindra , Sirisena Kavish , Wickramasinghe Malmi , Wimalasekera Manouri , Liyanage Ruvini , Duminda Guruge G. N. , Jayaweera Kaushalya , Jayawardena Ranil , Zavos Helena M. S. , Sumathipala Athula , Rijsdijk Frühling 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNutrition and diet are key modifiable risk factors for the rising burden of non-communicable diseases like cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). The nutritional transition in dietary behaviours in LMICs has most likely contributed to this problem. Although traditionally assumed to be environmental, dietary choices are also genetically influenced. Twin study designs can be used to investigate the relative influence of genes and environment on nutrition intake, eating behaviours and associated psychological health. The overall aim of this project is to: provide proof-of-concept for the feasibility of using dietary (biomarker) data within the Children-of-Twin design in nutrition studies, develop laboratory skills and statistical genetic skills and establish a Sri Lankan-specific food composition database. Currently, a pilot study is being conducted with 304 individuals (38 Monozygotic twin pairs, 38 Dizygotic twin pairs and their male or female adult offspring). Questionnaire data on nutritional intake, eating behaviours, psychological well-being, physical health, and bio-specimens are being collected. A Sri Lankan-specific food composition database was developed, training sessions on macro and micro element analysis in biological samples and statistical genetics skills development were conducted and Community Engagement and Involvement programs were carried out in two districts of Sri Lanka.
Improved bounds for codes correcting insertions and deletions
Authors: Yasunaga Kenji 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper studies the cardinality of codes correcting insertions and deletions. We give improved upper and lower bounds on code size. Our upper bound is obtained by utilizing the asymmetric property of list decoding for insertions and deletions and can be seen as analogous to the Elias bound in the Hamming metric. Our non-asymptotic bound is better than the existing bounds when the minimum Levenshtein distance is relatively large. The asymptotic bound exceeds the Elias and the MRRW bounds adapted from the Hamming-metric bounds for the binary and the quaternary cases. Our lower bound improves on the bound by Levenshtein, but its effect is limited and vanishes asymptotically.
Comparing methods and indices for biodiversity and status assessment in a hydropower-regulated river
Authors: Majaneva Markus , Sundt-Hansen Line Elisabeth , Brandsegg Hege , Sivertsgård Rolf , Bongard Terje , Fossøy Frode 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe EU Water Framework Directive (WFD) aims to achieve good status of aquatic habitats. Classification of ecological status and identifying the stressors impacting aquatic habitats is essential for achieving this aim. Here, we evaluate different methods and indices for assessing ecological status in a hydropower-regulated river in central Norway using kick-sampling and macroinvertebrate identification through morphology and DNA as well as using environmental DNA. In Norway, the ASPT index (Average Score Per Taxon) is commonly used to evaluate ecological condition in general, although the index only provides evidence for organic pollution. We observed lower than expected diversity in the regulated river, but this was not reflected in the ASPT index, which showed “Good” to “High” status for all samples and methods. An alternative index, the IBIBI (Intercalibrated Benthic Invertebrate Biodiversity Index), returned “Bad” to “Moderate” status using the same data. The DNA-based identification methods returned in general higher species richness and somewhat higher index values than morphological species identification did. Our study exemplifies the importance of including relevant biological quality indices in WFD compliant assessments, and we advocate inclusion of a pressure-independent index like IBIBI in Norwegian river management and DNA-based identification methods for future river management in general.
Azilsartan Attenuates 3-Nitropropinoic Acid-Induced Neurotoxicity in Rats: The Role of IĸB/NF-ĸB and KEAP1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathways
Authors: Hamouda Hend A. , Sayed Rabab H. , Eid Nihad I. , El-Sayeh Bahia M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractHuntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor, psychiatric and cognitive symptoms. Injection of 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP) is a widely used experimental model for induction of HD. The current study aimed to inspect the potential neuroprotective properties of azilsartan (Azil), an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ATR1), in 3-NP-induced striatal neurotoxicity in rats. Rats were randomly allocated into five groups and treated for 14 days as follows: group I received normal saline; group II received Azil (10 mg/kg, p.o.); group III received 3-NP (10 mg/kg, i.p); group IV and V received Azil (5 or 10 mg/kg, p.o, respectively) 1 h prior to 3-NP injection. Both doses of Azil markedly attenuated motor and behavioural dysfunction as well as striatal histopathological alterations caused by 3-NP. In addition, Azil balanced striatal neurotransmitters levels as evidenced by the increase of striatal gamma-aminobutyric acid content and the decrease of glutamate content. Azil also amended neuroinflammation and oxidative stress via modulating IĸB/NF-ĸB and KEAP1/Nrf2 downstream signalling pathways, as well as reducing iNOS and COX2 levels. Moreover, Azil demonstrated an anti-apoptotic activity by reducing caspase-3 level and BAX/BCL2 ratio. In conclusion, the present study reveals the neuroprotective potential of Azil in 3-NP-induced behavioural, histopathological and biochemical changes in rats. These findings might be attributed to inhibition of ATR1/NF-κB signalling, modulation of Nrf2/KEAP1 signalling, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and anti-apoptotic properties.
Graphical Abstract
Asset, Token, or Coin? A Semiotic Analysis of Blockchain Language
Authors: Sewell Olivia , Robb Lachlan , Flood John 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBlockchain’s language and terminology is confusing, contested, and rapidly changing. As a hype-driven technology, Blockchain is critical to an increasing number of projects that exist in a space of regulatory uncertainty. As communities of blockchain develop and evolve, the language they use to describe these functions changes. This causes concerns when attempting to have global regulatory certainty and clarity. Regulators and communities have different approaches to blockchain language, and this causes problems because of the translation between practical use in a community, and the legal effects created by regulators. Of particular concern is the lack of clear expression amongst the broader community regarding the concept of blockchain-related assets as these ‘tokens’, ‘coins’, and ‘assets’ form a key part of financial regulation. This project uses semiotics to study the diverse language associated with blockchain. This analyzes a series of self-proclaimed ‘dictionaries of blockchain’ to assess key definitions, themes, perceptions, and misconceptions present in these communities. The study involved a case analysis of the terminology used in Australia’s proposed response to blockchain in comparison with that of wider communities. When comparing this to regulatory definitions and approaches, it becomes clear that this is an area that requires further attention. This project highlights the need for regulators to understand and use common terms in blockchain regulation. It is argued that this approach facilitates a better understanding of poorly understood concepts and clearly connects the law with those it intends to target.
Steady-State Dynamics of Ganglia Populations During Immiscible Two-Phase Flows in Porous Micromodels: Effects of the Capillary Number and Flow Ratio on Effective Rheology and Size Distributions
Authors: Anastasiou A. , Zarikos I. , Yiotis A. , Talon L. , Salin D. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe study experimentally the flow of non-wetting ganglia during the co-injection of n-heptane and water in a predominantly 2D PMMA micromodel, which is constructed based on a stochastic digital algorithm. The dynamics of the phase distribution patterns are recorded optically and post-processed using cluster identification and motion tracking algorithms in order to study the characteristics and the interactions between the mobile and stranded ganglia populations. We focus primarily on the effects of the capillary number (Ca) and the ratio of the injection flow rates (Q) on the observed ganglia size distributions and the effective two-phase rheology. Our experimental setup allows for the study of ganglia fragmentation and coalescence dynamics over five orders of magnitude (in terms ganglia sizes), thus offering novel physical insight on the pore-scale characteristics of different ganglia populations and on how their interactions determine the relative permeability of the non-wetting phase. We demonstrate that the rates of ganglia fragmentation and coalescence intensify at higher Ca values, as viscous forces become dominant over capillary ones, leading to a log-normal size distribution that shifts toward smaller mean values. This effect is directly correlated with the emergence of new flow paths that develop progressively through narrower pores-throats, where the continuous wetting phase sweeps ganglia with sizes smaller than the mean pore-throat diameter. These flow paths further contribute to the Darcy scale velocity of the non-wetting phase, thus leading to a power-law Darcian regime at intermediate Ca values with a scaling exponent that is found to be a function of Q.
Probabilistic seismic hazard analysis for Bagan (Myanmar)
Authors: Gögen Büşra , Karimzadeh Shaghayegh , Lourenço Paulo B. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFollowing the 2016 Chauk earthquake in Bagan (Myanmar), numerous old pagodas and temples suffered severe damage. This research presents a study on the seismic hazard analysis of the Bagan city in Myanmar, based on a probabilistic framework focussing on analysing 43 temples with their associated local soil information. To this end, two seismic source models are developed based on the tectonic setting of the region and information available. Instrumental and historical records are compiled from both literature and international earthquake catalogues while conducting catalogue completeness. This study uses state-of-the-art ground motion models to perform probabilistic seismic hazard analysis and develop seismic hazard maps for different return periods in the region. Results are also expressed for selected temples in the region in terms of site-specific uniform hazard spectra. The findings indicate significant seismic activity, with peak ground acceleration in the region ranging from 0.25 to 0.36 g for a return period of 2475 years, 0.22–0.32 g for a return period of 975 years, and 0.18–0.24 g for a return period of 475 years. The updated hazard levels indicate that the literature slightly underestimates hazard in the region under study.
Monitoring environmental sustainability in Japan: an ESGAP assessment
Authors: Sato Masahiro , Usubiaga-Liaño Arkaitz , Fairbrass Alison , Ekins Paul , Asuka Jusen 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper assesses the environmental sustainability of Japan by applying the environmental sustainability gap (ESGAP) framework, which builds on the concepts of strong sustainability, critical natural capital, environmental functions, and science-based reference values. The assessment is carried out using two indices of environmental sustainability (Strong Environmental Sustainability Index (SESI) and Strong Environmental Sustainability Progress Index (SESPI)) that provide a snapshot and a trend perspective on environmental sustainability performance and on progress toward it. The results reveal that Japan has not experienced significant changes in terms of aggregate environmental sustainability throughout the 2011–2017 period, but this is primarily a consequence of the mutually offsetting movements of different indicators. The country performs best for the human health and other welfare indicators, but worst for the sink function indicators such as the per-capita CO2 emissions and the eutrophication of fresh water. The indices also expose the main policy areas that Japan needs to strengthen to improve its environmental performance. They include issues such as tropospheric ozone pollution, which has long been discussed in scientific literature but never been a primal policy focus of the government until very recently.
Metastable β-Phase Ti–Nb Alloys Fabricated by Powder Metallurgy: Effect of Nb on Superelasticity and Deformation Behavior
Authors: Kalita D. , Mulewska K. , Jóźwik I. , Zaborowska A. , Gawęda M. , Chromiński W. , Bochenek K. , Rogal Ł. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the effect of Nb concentration on the mechanical properties, superelasticity, as well as deformation behavior of metastable β-phase Ti–Nb alloys produced via powder metallurgy. The alloys were fabricated through mechanical alloying, followed by consolidation using hot pressing. The resulting microstructure comprises fine β-phase grains with TiC carbide precipitates at the grain boundaries. The study reveals non-linear variations in the values of yield strength for the manufactured materials, which were attributed to the occurrence of various deformation mechanisms activated during the loading. It was found that the mechanisms change with the increasing concentration of Nb in the manner: stress-induced martensitic transformation, twinning, slip. However, all these mechanisms were activated at a reduced concentration of Nb compared to the materials obtained by casting technology previously reported in the literature. This is most probably associated with the elevated oxygen content, which affects the stability of the parent β-phase. The study revealed that superelasticity in Ti–Nb-based alloys prepared using powder metallurgy may be achieved by reducing the content of β-stabilizing elements compared to alloys obtained by conventional technologies. In this study, the Ti–14Nb (at. pct) alloy exhibited the best superelasticity, whereas conventionally fabricated Ti–Nb alloys displayed superelasticity at an Nb concentration of approximately 26 at. pct. The developed material exhibited a non-conventional, one-stage yielding behavior, resulting in a superelastic response at significantly higher stresses compared to conventionally fabricated Ti–Nb alloys.
Analysis of Isotretinoin-Induced Alterations in the Levels of Plasma Trace Elements: Investigation of the Relationship Between Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium, Zinc, and Treatment-Related Side Effects
Authors: Akman Tugrul Cagri , Yazici Mustafa , Atila Alptug , Mertoglu Cuma 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIsotretinoin is an effective treatment against acne vulgaris, but it also causes many side effects during and after the treatment. The relationship between the changes in the levels of plasma trace elements of patients with AV after 3 months of isotretinoin treatment and the side effects was investigated in the study. Plasma samples of 35 patients were collected before and after isotretinoin treatment. Samples were analyzed by Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometer. After treatment, the levels of phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc in plasma increased statistically, while the level of potassium decreased (p < 0.05). The treatment had differing effects on zinc levels based on the gender of the individuals. With treatment, the levels of zinc in the plasma of men showed a greater increase compared to women (p = 7.3e-04). Additionally, the correlation matrix analysis revealed a strong correlation (R > 0.8) between magnesium and calcium. According to the study results, the change in phosphorus and potassium levels shows that isotretinoin affects kidney functions. The results suggest that phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and zinc are associated with fatigue, dry skin and chapped lips, hair loss, and sebum secretion, respectively. Consequently, the study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive pre-treatment assessment, including monitoring of liver and kidney function as well as the levels of phosphorus and potassium in patients.
Ricci Flow Under Kato-Type Curvature Lower Bound
Authors: Lee Man-Chun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn this work, we extend the existence theory of non-collapsed Ricci flows from point-wise curvature lower bound to Kato-type curvature lower bound. As an application, we prove that any compact three-dimensional non-collapsed strong Kato limit space is homeomorphic to a smooth manifold. Moreover, similar result also holds in higher dimension under stronger curvature condition. We also use the Ricci flow smoothing to study stability problem in scalar curvature geometry.
The Penalty of Party on Black Homeownership: The Impacts of Judicial Institutional Settings on the Black Political Economy
Authors: Roberson Kendrick B. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBlack homeownership declines across the U.S.A. at significantly higher rates than white, Hispanic, or Asian homeownership. Although the cost to own a home is lower in Republican states, Black Americans are much less likely to maintain homeownership in those areas. This article attempts to gain leverage on the following question: “what is the penalty of political parties on Black homeownership in America?” The findings presented here provide support to the notion that there is a nationwide penalty of political parties on Black homeownership. The variation in this penalty is dependent on a given state’s opportunity structure for institutional racism, which changes based on the state’s foreclosure laws and partisan leanings. To support the nationwide findings, this article provides a case study on Black homeownership across the state of New York’s judicial districts with 221 partisan-elected judges, revealing that there remains a penalty in Republican judicial districts. Previous scholarship has analyzed the relationship between parties and foreclosures, as well as the relationship between race and foreclosures. This article assesses the intertwined relationship of parties, race, and foreclosures.
The seeds of success: the pivotal role of first round cooperation in public goods games
Authors: Gürdal Mehmet Y. , Torul Orhan , Yahşi Mustafa 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis paper examines cooperation and punishment in a public goods game in Istanbul. Unlike prior within-subject designs, we use a between-subject design with separate no-punishment and punishment conditions. This approach reveals that punishment significantly increases contributions, demonstrating the detrimental effect of having prior experience without sanctions. We highlight two critical factors—heterogeneous initial contributions across groups and how subjects update their contributions based on prior contributions and received punishment. An agent-based model verifies that the interaction between these two factors leads to a strong persistence of contributions over time. Analysis of related data from comparable cities shows similar patterns, suggesting our findings likely generalize if using a between-subject design. We conclude that overlooking within-group heterogeneity biases cross-society comparisons and subsequent policy implications.
Mechanically Joined Extrusion Profiles for Battery Trays
Authors: Kneuper Florian , Neumann Stefan , Schulze André , Otroshi Mortaza , Tekkaya A. Erman , Meschut Gerson 
Published: January 2024

AbstractIn the context of electromobility, ensuring the leak tightness of assemblies is of paramount importance, particularly in battery housings. Current battery housings, often featuring base assemblies crafted from extruded aluminum profiles, address the challenge of leak tightness at joints through methods like friction stir welding, a process known for its time and cost intensiveness. The aim of this study is to develop and implement a new type of extruded profile concept to produce tight base assemblies for battery housings by a longitudinal mechanical single stroke joining process. The geometry, the process and the properties of the aluminum profiles are investigated to get a joint that meets the tightness requirements and achieve high load-bearing capacities in agreement with the high homologation requirements set to vehicles with high-voltage systems. The joint is formed by means of a single stage press stroke, which eliminates the need for complex tool designs that are necessary for continuous joining (roll joining). Flat steel contact surfaces are used as joining tools. To evaluate the joint quality, force curves from the joining process are analyzed and the resulting joint geometries are assessed using micrographs. The resulting leak tightness of the linear joints is measured by a helium sniffer leak detector and the load-bearing capacities are investigated by shear lap and bending tests and fatigue strength test. The study also explores whether a difference in strength between the two joining partners has a positive effect on the joint properties.
Preparation and evaluation of ecofriendly nanocreams containing some plant essential oils and monoterpenes against adults of Culex pipiens L. with some biochemical and histological studies on albino rat
Authors: Taktak Nehad E. M. , Badawy Mohamed E. I. , Awad Osama M. , Abou El-Ela Nadia E. , Aborhyem Samar M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPlant essential oils (EOs) are considered a vital tool of novel natural mosquito repellents and botanical adulticides. Five plant EOs (cinnamon, cypress, lavender, lemon eucalyptus and tea tree) and their major constituents (cinnamaldehyde, citronellal, β-cymene, (R)-linalool, and α-terpinyl acetate) were investigated against adults of Culex pipiens. The efficacy of the tested compounds was manipulated as mortality and knockdown using a fumigation technique. After that, the most active compounds against adults (lemon eucalyptus oil and linalool) were investigated once more as repellents after incorporating them on a cream base against C. pipiens adults compared to their nano-cream using arm-in-cage technique. In addition, the biochemical and histological effects of dermal treatment of linalool, lemon eucalyptus,, and their nanoemulsions (NEs) were studied on male albino rats. Total protein assay, acetylcholinesterase (AChE), adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase), and liver and kidney functions were determined in blood serum. Complete blood count (CBC) was determined in whole blood. The results showed that lemon eucalyptus oil and (R)-linalool caused the highest knockdown activity against C. pipiens adults with Kt50 40.29 s and 12.73 s, respectively. The repellent effect (RC50) of nanocream formulations of lemon eucalyptus oil (10.03 mg/L) and (R)-linalool (68.11 mg/L) were higher than the original effects of these compounds with RC50 values = 100.82 mg/L and 998.54 mg/L, respectively. There are no obvious harmful side effects of the dermal topical treatments of (R)-linalool and lemon eucalyptus oil on the tested biochemical parameters of treated albino rats compared with the control. Furthermore, there are no obvious effects of the dermal topical treatments of (R)-linalool and lemon eucalyptus oil on the histological status of the treated skin of albino rats compared with untreated treatment. The tested oils and monoterpenes could be considered promising candidates for botanical adulticides against C. pipiens. Also, nano-cream of lemon eucalyptus oil and (R)-linalool could be considered promising ecofriendly repellents for C. pipiens adults.