bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The genetic consequences of successful reintroduction of wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) in Nebraska
Authors: Buchanan Brittaney L. , Olson Magdalena J. , Zink Robert M. , Vázquez‐Miranda Hernán 
Published: January 2025

AbstractThe wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) recovered from near extirpation because of protection from unrestricted harvest and from introductions and translocations. In Nebraska, modern turkeys are descendants of introductions of domestic, Eastern, Merriam's, and Rio Grande wild turkeys. Whether introduced birds mated assortatively by plumage traits is unknown, and the effects of restoration efforts on the genetic integrity of the introduced birds are unclear. We analyzed variation in the mitogenome and nuclear genome of 16 turkeys selected to represent each subspecies. Analyses of mitochondrial DNA genomes suggest two clades, Gould's plus Merriam's, and a blended group of Eastern, Osceola and Rio Grande turkeys. Analysis of 58 birds from Nebraska for mtDNA control region sequences, plus birds from museums and domestic stock, did not recover any groupings consistent with subspecies or our mitogenome results. We extracted 8,554 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from low‐coverage genomes, which resolved each subspecies albeit with some potential conflicts, but unlike the mtDNA pattern suggested that the Rio Grande was more closely related to individuals thought to represent Merriam's or Gould's subspecies. We designed 12 primers that bracketed subspecies‐specific/autapomorphic SNPs and used variation in these independent gene regions to assess genetic structure in birds from Nebraska, to evaluate genetically the known history of reintroductions. From 8,152 base pairs (bp) in the 12 gene regions flanking the subspecies‐specific/autapomorphic SNPs and after alignment and removal of sites with missing data, we created a data set (5,415 bp, 177 variable) of 57 birds from Nebraska including museum frozen tissue specimens identified to subspecies and 11 domestic birds. Our nuclear data suggested considerable blending of genetic distinctiveness among birds from Nebraska, as predicted by the history of reintroductions. Genetic data thus affirmed that Nebraska turkeys consisted mostly of birds of hybrid origin. The reestablishment of wild turkeys across North America has come at the cost of genetic admixing of originally distinct populations. Whether this is problematic depends on whether the goal of wild turkey management is to retain original genetic distinctiveness or harvestable populations of wild turkey irrespective of their genealogical background.
Exploring the New Croatian Mediation Framework: A Leap Forward or a Setback?
Authors: Brozović Juraj 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In 2023, Croatia enacted the new Amicable Dispute Resolution Act, aimed at providing a new framework for mediation, negotiation, and similar non-adjudicative amicable dispute resolution methods. Despite its ambitions, the changes were not fully implemented, and the new framework has not been unanimously welcomed by the mediation community. The new legislation causes some concerns, as some of the new inadvertent provisions are unclear, or leave dangerous legal gaps leading to uncertainty, with a negative impact on the further expansion of mediation. This chapter offers a critical overview of these changes.
Annulment of Arbitral Awards Rendered in Albania: Trends and Challenges
Authors: Tafaj Flutura Kola , Çinari Silvana 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The law no. 52/2023 “On Arbitration in the Republic of Albania”, which regulates domestic and international arbitration seated in Albania, entered into force in 2023, after decades of legal vacuum. The adoption of this law is a very welcome positive step. Firstly, it solves all the problems stemming from the lack of an arbitration law in Albania. Secondly, it comes at a time when the Albanian courts’ backlog is huge, mainly due to judicial reforms. Hence, in these times, the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including arbitration, assumes particular importance for the business community. One of the main problems solved with the entry into force of the arbitration law is the possibility of challenging arbitral awards, which was previously impossible for domestic and international arbitration awards rendered in Albania, due to the lack of an arbitration law. This chapter aims to focus precisely on the novelties brought by the new arbitration law regarding the annulment of arbitral awards rendered in Albania, whether in domestic or international arbitration. Also, although drafted based on the UNCITRAL Model Law, the Albanian arbitration law is not a verbatim adoption. Several differences exist in the provisions regulating the annulment of arbitral awards. For this reason, this chapter will also focus on the challenges related to the implementation of the provisions on the annulment of arbitral awards in Albania. The aims of this chapter are achieved following an analytical and comparative approach.
WHO, UN, and Sustainable Development Goals: Effective Measures for Prevention of CVD in Developing Economies
Authors: Taubert Kathryn A. , Smith Sidney C. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. CVD is a noncommunicable disease (NCD), and other major NCDs include cancer, diabetes, and chronic lung disease. These four groups of NCDs (led by CVD) are responsible for approximately three-fourths of all deaths globally. The majority of these deaths, including deaths that occur prematurely, are in low- and middle-income countries where the NCD/CVD death rate has been burgeoning since the latter part of the twentieth century. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations (UN) recognize that the rapid rise of NCDs represent a major health challenge to global development. This chapter describes the initiatives from these two groups designed to better recognize and treat NCDs and reverse the premature mortality from them. The WHO developed a global strategy for the prevention and control of NCDs with an overarching mortality goal to achieve a 25% relative reduction in risk of premature mortality from NCDs by 2025 (later changed to 2030 in accord with the UN). The UN goal to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being” is a part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals and has a target to reduce by one-third premature mortality from NCDs by 2030.
COVID-19 Pandemia, Socio-economic Status, Limitations, and Outcomes Observed in the Access to Health Care
Authors: Avendaño Luis Fidel , Canals Mauricio , Nazal Carolina Nazzal , Alonso Faustino 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The global impact of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has symbolized the most serious public health episode since the 1918 influenza pandemic. Although pathogenic factors include host, enviroment, and causal agent, the latter appears typically transcendent. ARN viruses represent the principal future threat. Science rapidly identified the agent and developed vaccines. The easy air viral transmission, mainly from pre-symptomatic and asymptomatic cases, makes ineffective most non-pharmaceutical interventions.
Chile started in March 2020 combating the COVID pandemic. The principal actions were (1) rapid viral diagnosis implementation (RT-PCR); (2) containment measures (mobility restriction in the country and frontiers, educational institutions closure, contact tracing, facemasks use, quarantines); (3) reinforcement of COVID health service attention; (4) prompt adquisition of vaccines.
Among health actions, the vaccination coverage was the main accomplished objective. Their cost is briefly commented. The public-private coordination and the scientific and health collaboration improved the pandemic management.
Despite the decrease in primary health care monitoring of chronic patients due to COVID-19 restrictions, the universal coverage for acute myocardial infarction (Chile, 2005) and the integrated bed system through public-private collaboration of the health system was effective in preventing the increase in case fatality during the pandemic.
Topology-inclusive aerodynamic shape optimisation using a cellular automata parameterisation
Authors: Wood M. J. , Rendall T. C. S. , Allen C. B. , Kedward L. J. , Taylor N. J. , Fincham J. , Leppard N. E. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
A novel geometry parameterisation method constructed from a volume-of-solid driven cellular automata is presented. The method is capable of describing complex geometry of arbitrary topology using a set of volume-of-solid parameters applied to a geometry control mesh. This is done by approximating the smooth geometry of minimum surface area subject to a set of localised constraints on contained volume defined by both the control mesh and volume-of-solid parameters. Localised control mesh refinement is possible through splitting of control mesh cells to provide additional degrees of freedom where necessary. The parameterisation is shown to reconstruct over 98% of a library of aerofoil geometries to within a standard wind tunnel-equivalent geometric tolerance, and to recover known analytical optima in supersonic flow. Using gradient-free optimisation methods, the parameterisation is then shown to construct aerodynamic geometries consisting of multiple objects to package a set of existing geometries. Finally, the parameterisation is used to construct an optimal supersonic multi-body geometry with less than half the drag of the equivalent volume optimal single body.
A comprehensive review of residual stresses in carbon steel welding: formation mechanisms, mitigation strategies, and advanced post-weld heat treatment techniques
Authors: Falodun Oluwasegun , Oke Samuel , Bodunrin Michael 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Residual stresses are critical factors influencing the service performance, reliability, and durability of welded carbon steel joints. These stresses can affect the joint, susceptible to brittle fracture, fatigue failure, and stress corrosion cracking, particularly within the heat-affected zone (HAZ). These stresses result from uneven thermal expansion and contraction during welding, with thicker plates and constrained configurations being more susceptible. Post-weld heat treatment (PWHT) assumes a critical function in mitigating these stresses by tempering martensitic structures, refining microstructures, and enhancing mechanical properties such as toughness and ductility. This review examines the mechanisms driving residual stress formation, evaluates the effectiveness of PWHT techniques, and highlights advanced methodologies like neutron diffraction, computational modeling, and hybrid welding processes. While PWHT significantly alleviates residual stresses, complete stress elimination remains unattainable, emphasizing the need for innovative strategies such as hybrid welding methods, computational modeling, and advanced heat treatments. This work integrates metallurgical principles with experimental findings to provide a strategy for enhancing the performance and reliability of welded joints in critically demanding industrial applications.
Deterministic periodic structures in a model of the human airways
Authors: Kluwe M. , Rockstroh T. , Chaves H. , Bauer K. 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Normal breathing induces significant variations in Reynolds numbers throughout the human airways, resulting in distinct flow regimes. However, the onset of instabilities and the development of flow structures in this context are not yet fully understood. This study presents the application of a novel point-wise measurement technique, Correlation Velocimetry (CV), to investigate unsteady velocity variations within breathing cycles at very high temporal resolution over a strongly extended measurement duration. Our approach enabled the evaluation of velocity data from more than 1000 successive breathing cycles in a realistic airway model, providing unprecedented statistical robustness. We observed both high- and low-frequency oscillating structures with spatial and temporal coherence across all investigated breathing regimes, ranging from Reynolds numbers of 274 to 4382. The cycle-to-cycle repeatability of these structures suggests the presence of defined physical mechanisms. Contrary to previous interpretations attributing similar fluctuations to turbulence or transitional states, our analysis indicates that these oscillations likely arise from geometric features forming systems of harmonic oscillators driven by the fundamental breathing frequency. This study provides new insights into the complex, multi-scale nature of respiratory airflow dynamics, challenging existing models and offering implications for improving computational simulations and our understanding of respiratory physiology.
Psychological burden in patients with sellar masses under conservative and surgical management
Authors: Kalasauskas Darius , Ernst Andreas , Mireri Sydney , Keric Naureen , Thavarajasingam Santhosh G. , Omran Wael , Wüster Christian , Ringel Florian , Conrad Jens 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the level of distress and the quality of life of operated and non-operated patients with pituitary tumors. Patients who presented to a neurosurgical center and two endocrinological services for outpatient follow-up after surgical treatment, as well as those under medical therapy or radiological follow-up without treatment, were invited to participate in the study. Sociodemographic, health-related quality of life and clinical data were assessed. Psychosocial factors were measured using the Distress Thermometer (DT), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Short Form (SF-36), and the Sino-nasal outcome test (SNOT). Thirty-two postoperative patients and thirty conservatively managed patients (n = 21 under medical treatment, n = 9 watch and wait), mean age 53, SD 19; 56% female participated in the study. Prolactinomas (35%) and non-functioning pituitary adenomas (21%) were the most common findings. There were no significant differences between conservative and operative groups in mean DT score (4.7 (SD 2.45) vs. 4.9 (SD 3.0), p = 0.61), HADS anxiety score (6.4 (SD 3.9) vs. 6.0 (SD 4.3), p = 0.76) or depression score (5.7 (SD 4.8) vs. 4.6 (SD 3.6), p = 0.50). For patients with ACTH-producing adenomas, the mean anxiety score was significantly higher (10.3 (SD 1.9) vs. 5.9 (SD 4.0), p = 0.03). The SNOT score correlated significantly with the DT, HADS-A, and HADS-D scores and therefore was associated with higher psychological distress. The level of self-reported distress in patients with sellar processes was not associated with a specific treatment strategy. ACTH-producing adenomas and manifest nasal symptoms were associated with higher psychological distress.
Benefits and challenges of inclusive emerging technologies in universities: Analysis of the voice of students
Authors: Castellano-Beltran Ana , Carballo Rafael , Moriña Anabel 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The use of technology in higher education has been shown to have multiple learning benefits, providing great help to all students. However, more evidence is needed on the benefits of technology for inclusive higher education through the analysis of classroom practices. This study aimed to analyse the advantages and limitations identified by students, after their faculty members used emerging technologies from an integrative perspective after receiving training in this field. A qualitative evaluation of the impact of the teaching practice was carried out to analyse their experiences with emerging technologies and study their effects on the learning of 49 students. The data were gathered using focus groups. The data analysis was conducted through an inductive system of categories and codes. The results showed benefits derived from the use of technologies in the university classroom, such as the increase of motivation, participation and learning, educational inclusion, and a better relationship between faculty and students. The students also pointed out difficulties linked to the use of technology and made recommendations for improvement. This article then discusses the obtained results and compares them with those of previous studies. It concludes by highlighting the benefits and importance of faculty training in technologies to advance toward a more inclusive higher education.
Effects of Early Childhood Teacher Knowledge and Feedback on Children’s Early Mathematical Development in German Kindergartens
Authors: Aumann Lena , Puca Rosa Maria , Gasteiger Hedwig 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Natural everyday situations can offer valuable opportunities for children to develop mathematical ideas. However, as children enter school with widely varying levels of achievement in mathematics, not all children seem to benefit equally from embedded math learning opportunities. To help children take advantage of these opportunities, early childhood (EC) teachers seem to play a significant role in fostering children’s mathematical learning. Previous research suggests that both the teacher’s knowledge and their feedback significantly influence the extent to which children learn. However, most studies on feedback rely on experimental research designs and do not examine naturally occurring feedback in situations involving embedded math learning opportunities. Thus, the influence of EC teachers’ mathematical pedagogical content knowledge (MPCK) and their naturally given feedback on children’s mathematical learning remains underexplored. This paper investigates the effects of naturally given feedback and the MPCK of N = 48 EC teachers on the mathematical development of N = 140 children. Results indicate that process-related feedback positively impacts children’s mathematical development, while other kinds of feedback (e.g., person-related) and teachers’ MPCK do not demonstrate significant effects. These findings highlight the importance of integrating process-related feedback into professional development (PD) programs for EC teachers to enhance their ability to provide effective feedback.
A heuristic algorithm to improving the coil slitting process in the steel industry
Authors: Soto-Sánchez Óscar , Sierra-Paradinas María , Gallego Micael , Alonso-Ayuso Antonio , Gortázar Francisco 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The steel industry is constantly facing problems and challenges that require optimisation to improve the production process. We present an algorithm to address a major challenge, the slitting problem, for a specific Spanish company. This problem arises when large steel coils need to be cut into smaller strips. Given the highly heterogeneous stock (coils come from previous operations), selecting the most suitable coils and defining the cutting patterns become very complicated due to operational and customer constraints. The company aims to reduce the leftovers and increase the service level (the difference between the weight requested by the customer and the weight supplied). The algorithm is currently in production and was validated using the company’s data and compared with an exact model. Results significantly improved the company’s operations, achieving a 50% reduction in leftovers and a much better service level in minutes, as opposed to the hours the company previously required. Although there are Mixed Integer Linear Optimization models that provide an optimal solution in small cases, they are not a viable alternative for the company because they require excessive computational time (even, in some cases, to obtain feasible solutions) and use overly expensive commercial solvers.
Contributions from Türkiye on grade inflation in higher education: educational landscapes before, during, and after COVID-19
Authors: Karadag Engin , Ciftci S. Koza 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
Numerous reputable studies have reported a significant grade increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. These short-term increases cannot be attributed to student achievement, suggesting that the pandemic has precipitated grade inflation. In this study, we examine the temporary and permanent effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on grade inflation in higher education. We analyze 954,389 student grades for 16,962 courses taught by 5916 instructors in five universities in Türkiye over 6 years (12 semesters) before, during, and post the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic caused a marginal increase in grades in higher education and that this increase was primarily sustained post-pandemic. FD (0.5) and FF (0.0) grades decreased during and post-pandemic compared to the before-pandemic period, while the highest grade, AA (4.00), increased. Furthermore, we observed that grades in online courses, which became prevalent especially post-pandemic, were significantly higher than in face-to-face classes. Based on these results, we conclude that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected grade inflation in higher education.
Complexity of scheduling few types of jobs on related and unrelated machines
Authors: Koutecký Martin , Zink Johannes 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
The task of scheduling jobs to machines while minimizing the total makespan, the sum of weighted completion times, or a norm of the load vector are among the oldest and most fundamental tasks in combinatorial optimization. Since all of these problems are in general -hard, much attention has been given to the regime where there is only a small number k of job types, but possibly the number of jobs n is large; this is the few job types, high-multiplicity regime. Despite many positive results, the hardness boundary of this regime was not understood until now. We show that makespan minimization on uniformly related machines (

$$Q|HM|C_{\max }$$

Q
|
H
M
|

C
max

) is -hard already with 6 job types, and that the related Cutting Stock problem is -hard already with 8 item types. For the more general unrelated machines model (

$$R|HM|C_{\max }$$

R
|
H
M
|

C
max

), we show that if the largest job size

$$p_{\max }$$

p
max

or the number of jobs n is polynomially bounded in the instance size |I|, there are algorithms with complexity

$$|I|^{{{\,\mathrm{\textrm{poly}}\,}}(k)}$$

|
I
|

poly

(
k
)

. Our main result is that this is unlikely to be improved because

$$Q||C_{\max }$$

Q
|
|

C
max

is

$$\mathsf {W[1]}$$

W
[
1
]

-hard parameterized by k already when n,

$$p_{\max }$$

p
max

, and the numbers describing the machine speeds are polynomial in |I|; the same holds for

$$R||C_{\max }$$

R
|
|

C
max

(without machine speeds) when the job sizes matrix has rank 2. Our positive and negative results also extend to the objectives

$$\ell _2$$

ℓ
2

-norm minimization of the load vector and, partially, sum of weighted completion times

$$\sum w_j C_j$$

∑

w
j

C
j

. Along the way, we answer affirmatively the question whether makespan minimization on identical machines (

$$P||C_{\max }$$

P
|
|

C
max

) is fixed-parameter tractable parameterized by k, extending our understanding of this fundamental problem. Together with our hardness results for

$$Q||C_{\max }$$

Q
|
|

C
max

, this implies that the complexity of

$$P|HM|C_{\max }$$

P
|
H
M
|

C
max

is the only remaining open case.
Optimal Control problems of NS-$$\alpha $$ and NS-$$\omega $$ turbulence models: analysis and numerical tests
Authors: Haçat Gülnur , Çıbık Aytekin , Yılmaz Fikriye , Kaya Songül 
Published: January 2025

Abstract
In this study, optimal control problems for the Navier-Stokes-

$$\alpha $$

α

(NS-

$$\alpha $$

α

) model and the Navier-Stokes-

$$\omega $$

ω

(NS-

$$\omega $$

ω

) model are considered. Optimality conditions are derived, and semi-discrete a priori error estimates for all fluid variables are analyzed for both models. Numerical tests are performed to verify the accuracy of the theoretical findings and to demonstrate the effectiveness of optimal control. Given the proven utility of the NS-

$$\alpha $$

α

and NS-

$$\omega $$

ω

models in fluid dynamics, this study addresses a significant gap by exploring the potential of optimal control to enhance the performance, efficiency, safety, and environmental impact of fluid systems.