bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sustainable mobility governance in smart cities for urban policy development – a scoping review and conceptual model
Authors: Anthony Jnr Bokolo 
Published: October 2023

PurposeThe aim of this study is to propose a governance model and key performance indicators on how policymakers can contribute to a more accessible, inclusive and sustainable mobility within and across smart cities to examine sustainable urban mobility grounded on the rational management of public transportation infrastructure.Design/methodology/approachThis study employed desk research methodology grounded on secondary data from existing documents and previous research to develop a sustainable mobility governance model that explores key factors that influence future urban policy development. The collected secondary data was descriptively analyzed to provide initiatives and elements needed to achieve sustainable mobility services in smart cities.FindingsFindings from this study provide evidence on how cities can benefit from the application of data from different sources to provide value-added services to promote integrated and sustainable mobility. Additionally, findings from this study discuss the role of smart mobility for sustainable services and the application for data-driven initiatives toward sustainable smart cities to enhance mobility interconnectivity, accessibility and multimodality. Findings from this study identify technical and non-technical factors that impact the sustainable mobility transition.Practical implicationsPractically, this study advocates for the use of smart mobility and data-driven services in smart cities to improve commuters' behavior aimed at long-term behavior change toward sustainable mobility by creating awareness on the society and supporting policymakers for informed decisions. Implications from this study provide information that supports policymakers and municipalities to implement data-driven mobility services.Social implicationsThis study provides implications toward behavioral change of individuals to adopt a more sustainable mode of travels, increase citizens’ quality of life, improve economic viability of business involved in providing mobility-related services and support decision-making for municipalities and policymakers during urban planning and design by incorporating the sustainability dimension into their present and future developments.Originality/valueThis paper explores how urban transportation can greatly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provides implications for cities to improve accessibility and sustainability of public transportation, while simultaneously promoting the adoption of more environmentally friendly means of mobility within and across cities. Besides, this study provides a detailed discussion focusing on the potential opportunities and challenges faced in urban environment in achieving sustainable mobility. The governance model developed in this study can also be utilized by technology startups and transportation companies to assess the factors that they need to put in place or improve for the provision of sustainable mobility services.
Development of engineered endolysins with in vitro intracellular activity against streptococcal bovine mastitis‐causing pathogens
Authors: Vander Elst Niels , Bert Joni , Favoreel Herman , Lavigne Rob , Meyer Evelyne , Briers Yves 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBacteriophage‐derived endolysins are a novel class of antimicrobials known to rapidly kill bacteria, including antibiotic‐resistant strains. We here engineered endolysins against the bovine mastitis pathogens Streptococcus uberis, Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus dysgalactiae, also targeting intracellular survival and biofilm formation. For this purpose, high‐throughput DNA assembly was used to create a library with >80,000 theoretical endolysin variants for screening of their bacteriolytic activity against Gram‐positive isolates from (sub)clinically affected cows. This lytic activity was evaluated by turbidity reduction and time‐kill assays in phosphate‐buffered saline and pasteurized whole cow's milk to allow a rank up of the most potent leading candidates. A top candidate was selected with a 4.0 log killing efficacy against S. uberis, also showing similar activity against S. agalactiae and S. dysgalactiae. This top candidate eradicated S. uberis biofilm and showed intracellular activity in two bovine mammary epithelial cell lines as was confirmed by confocal microscopy. A potentiating effect on cloxacillin, a beta‐lactam penicillin used to intramammarily treat bovine Gram‐positive mastitis, was observed for this top candidate endolysin in raw cow's milk from (sub)clinically infected udders. Our in vitro results indicate that engineered endolysins may have a future role as add‐on in the treatment of bovine streptococcal mastitis.
Effect of ultrasound‐guided thoracic paravertebral block on perioperative analgesia in elderly patients undergoing video‐assisted thoracic lobectomy in China: An interventional clinical randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gong Chanjuan , Ma Rong , Li Bing , Wen Li , Ding Zhengnian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the analgesic effect and safety of ultrasound‐guided thoracic paravertebral block (UG‐TPVB) in Chinese elderly patients undergoing video‐assisted thoracic lobectomy (VATL) and to study the influence of aging factors on these effects.MethodsThis study was a single‐center, single‐blind, prospective, randomized, controlled trial. A total of 300 patients scheduled for VATL were recruited and randomly divided into the UG‐TPVB group (T group) and conventional anesthesia group (C group) according to the recruitment order, and subgroups were set up according to whether the age was ≥65 years old or not. The postoperative 12, 24, and 48 h static/dynamic visual analog scale (VAS) scores, intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative extubation time, post‐anesthesia care unit (PACU) stay time, hospitalization days, postoperative complications, and other indicators were compared between the two groups.ResultsThe postoperative 12, 24, and 48 h static/dynamic VAS scores of the T group were significantly lower than those of the C group. The intraoperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative extubation time, PACU stay time, and postoperative hospitalization days were significantly lower than those of the C group. The incidence of postoperative 48 h urinary retention in the T group was significantly lower than that in the C group. These advantages showed no significant difference or slight difference between elderly patients and nonelderly patients, indicating that UG‐TPVB did not influence the analgesic effect and safety of VATL patients by age or age difference.ConclusionUG‐TPVB is an effective and safe perioperative analgesia method for elderly VATL patients. Its application improves the quality of life and prognosis of elderly VATL patients.
Graph embedding and transfer learning can help predict potential species interaction networks despite data limitations
Authors: Strydom Tanya , Bouskila Salomé , Banville Francis , Barros Ceres , Caron Dominique , Farrell Maxwell J. , Fortin Marie‐Josée , Mercier Benjamin , Pollock Laura J. , Runghen Rogini , Dalla Riva Giulio V. , Poisot Timothée 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Metawebs (networks of potential interactions within a species pool) are a powerful abstraction to understand how large‐scale species interaction networks are structured.

Because metawebs are typically expressed at large spatial and taxonomic scales, assembling them is a tedious and costly process; predictive methods can help circumvent the limitations in data deficiencies, by providing a first approximation of metawebs.

One way to improve our ability to predict metawebs is to maximize available information by using graph embeddings, as opposed to an exhaustive list of species interactions. Graph embedding is an emerging field in machine learning that holds great potential for ecological problems.

Here, we outline how the challenges associated with inferring metawebs line‐up with the advantages of graph embeddings; followed by a discussion as to how the choice of the species pool has consequences on the reconstructed network, specifically as to the role of human‐made (or arbitrarily assigned) boundaries and how these may influence ecological hypotheses.
Mutual Aid as a Praxis for Critical Environmental Justice: Lessons from W.E.B. Du Bois, Critical Theoretical Perspectives, and Mobilising Collective Care in Disasters
Authors: McKane Rachel G. , Greiner Patrick Trent , Pellow David 
Published: October 2023

AbstractWe build on the critical environmental justice (CEJ) framework by exploring mutual aid as a means of practising and realising transformative environmental justice that allows activists to build environmentally resilient and just communities beyond the state. We draw on the work of W.E.B. Du Bois, the Black Radical Tradition, and other critical approaches to demonstrate how mutual aid offers a meaningful point of conjunction for uniting ideological approaches to environmental justice that are often understood as being at odds with one another. To demonstrate this in action, we provide brief examples on the proliferation and longevity of mutual aid in times of disaster, including the 1927 Mississippi floods, Hurricane Katrina, the Nashville tornados, and the Texas power outages. Through these accounts, we seek to demonstrate how environmental justice organisations can and have advanced collective liberation using mutual aid as a critical orientation rooted in community based care and empowerment.
Parents underestimate fatigue in younger children aged 5–7 years with asthma but not in older children
Authors: Taminskiene Vaida , Vaitkaitienene Egle , Turner Steve , Valiulis Algirdas , Stukas Rimantas , Kostiuk Olena , Prokopciuk Nina , Juskiene Izabele , Valiulis Arunas 
Published: October 2023

AbstractAimTo assess fatigue in children aged 2–17 years with asthma from both child and parent perspectives and describe associated factors.MethodsFatigue scores were self‐reported by children aged 5–17 years old and proxy‐reported by parents or carers for all children. The Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale was used. Fatigue scores ranged from 0 to 100, higher scores meant less fatigue.ResultsThere were 527 children and parents enrolled. The mean overall fatigue score by self‐report was 72.7 ± 15.8 and by proxy report was 75.8 ± 16.3. Self‐reported fatigue score was lower in children aged 5–7 years (71.5 ± 15.9) compared to proxy‐reported score (76.3 ± 15.5). Proxy and self‐reported fatigue scores were similar between parents and older children. Fatigue scores were lower in association with poor asthma control and receipt of social support. Lower self‐reported, but not proxy‐reported, fatigue score was related to asthma severity. Lower proxy‐reported, but not self‐reported, fatigue score was related to the child being older and having shortness of breath.ConclusionParents underestimated the fatigue of younger children aged 5–7 years, but fatigue scores were similar between parents and older children. Both clinical and social factors are associated with fatigue in children with asthma.
Formation of Intra‐Epidermal bodies (IEBs) is associated with giant macrophage‐like cells that patrol fish epidermis
Authors: DePasquale Joseph A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractIntra‐epidermal bodies (IEBs) are large dynamic circular structures that form within fish scale epidermis. IEBs are believed to reflect the sequestering of intra‐epidermal debris, such as damaged or dead cells, within the epidermis. The present report describes an association between a giant cell that patrols the epidermis and the formation of IEBs. The giant cell, likely macrophage‐related, is a broadly spread cell with lengths up to ~90 μm and average spread areas >600 μm2. Time‐lapse video microscopy was used to monitor formation of IEBs and determine any association between the IEB and the giant cells. Giant cells were observed to form IEBs, and as an IEB dissipated a giant cell was observed to exit the area previously occupied by the IEB. These observations suggest the IEB is a transitional form of the giant cell, serving as a temporary compartment to isolate and initiate breakdown of the debris scavenged by the giant cell.
The effect of MultiSensory Music Drama on the interactive engagement of students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities
Authors: Johnels Linn , Wandin Helena , Dada Shakila , Wilder Jenny 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundInteractive engagement, specifically attention and initiation, are considered important skills for facilitating development and learning in students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities. Prior research has suggested that music therapy and multisensory storytelling are two promising interventions for supporting interactive engagement in this population. However, there are no known/published studies that have investigated the effect of combining relevant elements from musical interaction and multisensory storytelling for this group of students. This study aims to determine the effect of a novel educational approach—MultiSensory Music Drama (MSMD)—on the interactive engagement of students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.MethodsA single‐case experimental design, specifically an ABAB design across three participants, was used to describe the effect of MSMD on interactive engagement when compared with a control activity. School staff members' perceptions of student interactive engagement and social validity were obtained.FindingsCoded video observations showed significantly higher levels of interactive engagement during MSMD for all three participants when compared to the control activity. Furthermore, the ratings on the interactive engagement from school staff members improved for two of the three participants. Finally, school staff members scored the social validity and perceived educational usefulness of the MSMD as very high.ConclusionsThe findings provide initial evidence that MSMD may be effective in supporting the interactive engagement of some students with severe/profound intellectual and multiple disabilities.
A global meta‐analysis of the impacts of forest fragmentation on biotic mutualisms and antagonisms
Authors: Siegel Tovah , Magrach Ainhoa , Laurance William F. , Luther David 
Published: October 2023

AbstractForest fragmentation is a grave threat to biodiversity. Forests are becoming increasingly fragmented with more than 70% now < 1 km from forest edge. Although much is known about the effects of forest fragmentation on individual species, much less is understood about its effects on species interactions (i.e., mutualisms, antagonisms, etc.). In 2014, a previous meta‐analysis assessed the impacts of forest fragmentation on different species interactions, across 82 studies. We pooled the previous data with data published in the last 10 years (combined total 104 studies and 168 effect sizes). We compared the new set of publications (22 studies and 32 effect sizes) with the old set to evaluate potential changes in species interactions over time given the global increase in fragmentation rates. Mutualisms were more negatively affected by forest fragmentation than antagonisms (p < 0.0001). Edge effects, fragment size, and degradation negatively affected mutualisms, but not antagonisms, a different finding from the original meta‐analysis. Parasitic interactions increased as fragment size decreased (p < 0.0001)—an intriguing result at variance with earlier studies. New publications showed a more negative mean effect size of forest fragmentation on mutualisms than old publications. Although research is still limited for some interactions, we identified an important scientific trend: current research tends to focus on antagonisms. We concluded that forest fragmentation disrupts important species interactions and that this disruption has increased over time.
Species‐level correlates of land‐use responses and climate‐change sensitivity in terrestrial vertebrates
Authors: Etard Adrienne , Newbold Tim 
Published: October 2023

AbstractLand‐use and climate change are major pressures on terrestrial biodiversity. Species’ extinction risk and responses to human pressures relate to ecological traits and other characteristics in some clades. However, large‐scale comparative assessments of the associations between traits and responses to multiple human pressures across multiple clades are needed. We investigated whether a set of ecological characteristics that are commonly measured across terrestrial vertebrates (ecological traits and geographic range area) are associated with species’ responses to different land‐use types and species’ likely sensitivity to climate change. We aimed to test whether generalizable patterns in response to these pressures arise across both pressures and across vertebrate clades, which could inform assessments of the global signature of human pressures on vertebrate biodiversity and guide conservation efforts. At the species level, we investigated associations between land‐use responses and ecological characteristics with a space‐for‐time substitution approach, making use of the PREDICTS database. We investigated associations between ecological characteristics and expected climate‐change sensitivity, estimated from properties of species realized climatic niches. Among the characteristics we considered, 3 were consistently associated with strong land‐use responses and high climate‐change sensitivity across terrestrial vertebrate classes: narrow geographic range, narrow habitat breadth, and specialization on natural habitats (which described whether a species occurs in artificial habitats or not). The associations of other traits with species’ land‐use responses and climate‐change sensitivity often depended on species’ class and land‐use type, highlighting an important degree of context dependency. In all classes, invertebrate eaters and fruit and nectar eaters tended to be negatively affected in disturbed land‐use types, whereas invertebrate‐eating and plant‐ and seed‐eating birds were estimated to be more sensitive to climate change, raising concerns about the continuation of ecological processes sustained by these species under global changes. Our results highlight a consistently higher sensitivity of narrowly distributed species and habitat specialists to land‐use and climate change, which provides support for capturing such characteristics in large‐scale vulnerability assessments.
A randomized, controlled trial of prulifloxacin as conversion therapy after intravenous carbapenem in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis caused by third generation cephalosporin resistant pathogens: A pilot study
Authors: So‐Ngern Apichot , Jirajariyavej Supunnee , Thuncharoon Huttaya , Khunthupat Nuttha , Chantarojanasiri Teerachai , Montakantikul Preecha 
Published: October 2023

AbstractThe efficacy of converting to oral fluoroquinolones after initial intravenous antibiotics for the treatment of acute pyelonephritis (APN) caused by the third‐generation cephalosporin resistant Enterobacteriaceae (3‐GCrEC) needs to be investigated. The objective was to compare the clinical and bacteriological outcome of oral prulifloxacin with intravenous ertapenem for the treatment of APN caused by 3‐GCrEC. A pilot, randomized controlled trial of patients with APN caused by 3‐GCrEC was conducted at two hospitals from August 2015 to December 2020. Any intravenous antimicrobial drug was initially permitted for empirical therapy. On day 4, adult patients (aged >18 years) with either non‐bacteremic or bacteremic APN were eligible for the study if their infection was caused by 3‐GCrEC susceptible to the study drugs. The patients were randomly assigned to receive either oral prulifloxacin or intravenous ertapenem. The total duration of antimicrobial therapy was 14 days. Of the 21 enrolled patients, 11 were treated with prulifloxacin, and 10 were treated with ertapenem. At the test of cure visit, there was no statistically significant difference between the patients with overall clinical success who were treated with prulifloxacin (90.9%) and those treated with ertapenem (100%, p = 0.999). In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in microbiological eradication between the prulifloxacin and ertapenem groups (100% vs. 100%, p = 0.999). The converting to oral prulifloxacin after intravenous antibiotics therapy appears to be an alternative option for treatment of APN caused by 3‐GCrEC. A further large randomized controlled trial should be investigated.
Genomic variation in neurons
Authors: Zolzaya Sunjidmaa , Narumoto Ayano , Katsuyama Yu 
Published: October 2023

AbstractNeurons born during the fetal period have extreme longevity and survive until the death of the individual because the human brain has highly limited tissue regeneration. The brain is comprised of an enormous variety of neurons each exhibiting different morphological and physiological characteristics and recent studies have further reported variations in their genome including chromosomal abnormalities, copy number variations, and single nucleotide mutations. During the early stages of brain development, the increasing number of neurons generated at high speeds has been proposed to lead to chromosomal instability. Additionally, mutations in the neuronal genome can occur in the mature brain. This observed genomic mosaicism in the brain can be produced by multiple endogenous and environmental factors and careful analyses of these observed variations in the neuronal genome remain central for our understanding of the genetic basis of neurological disorders.
Private ownership and management control decisions in infrastructure from the perspective of Transaction Cost Theory: Evidence from emerging economies
Authors: Baker Nicole B. , Haddad Christian 
Published: October 2023

AbstractFrom the perspective of Transaction Cost Theory, this paper proposes a conceptual model to assess ownership and management control decisions of private partners in public‐private partnerships for infrastructure with regard generic risk factors, namely asset specificity, demand risk, environmental risk, social risk, macroeconomic risk, and governance or behavioral risk. Using an ordinal logistic model, hypotheses are tested on data covering 2152 projects in 12 emerging countries for the period 2010–2019. Overall results indicate that the extent of private ownership and management control is negatively related to risks, the marginal effects of which are moderated by high‐quality public institutions.