bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Housing or habitat: what drives patterns of avian species richness in urbanized landscapes?
Authors: Humphrey Jacinta E. , Haslem Angie , Bennett Andrew F. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Context
Conservation of biodiversity in cities depends on ecologically sensitive urban planning, informed by an understanding of patterns of species distributions and richness. Because urbanized landscapes are heterogeneous mosaics, and many species move between different land-cover types, it is valuable to compare ‘whole landscapes’ (broad-scale spatially heterogeneous areas) that systematically differ in landscape structure.

Objectives
We tested the relative influence of housing cover and canopy tree cover on avian species richness, to identify the components of landscape structure that most strongly influence landscape-scale richness (i.e., the pooled richness of multiple sites within a whole landscape).

Methods
We selected 30 residential landscapes (each 1 km2) in Melbourne, Australia, stratified to represent concurrent gradients of housing and canopy tree cover. Five point-count surveys were conducted at each of 10 sites per landscape (for a total of 50 surveys per landscape) and the data pooled to represent the whole landscape mosaic.

Results
Up to 82% of variation in avian richness was explained by properties of the whole landscape. Housing cover was most dominant and a strong predictor for multiple response groups including native, terrestrial, forest, and aquatic birds. As housing cover increased, the richness of all groups decreased. Tree cover, primarily comprised of scattered trees in residential areas, had less influence on richness. Nonetheless, for forest birds, the extent of native vegetation surrounding a landscape had an important positive influence, indicating the value of potential source habitat for urban bird populations.

Conclusions
Cities can be home to a diverse avifauna. The strong influence of landscape structure on species richness indicates a scope to plan and manage urbanized areas to support a diversity of birds that require natural habitat elements. We conclude that urbanizing environments can best be designed to benefit native birds by protecting patches of native vegetation (particularly large source areas) combined with localized higher housing cover, rather than uniform (lower) housing cover across the entire landscape.
Pandemic Leadership: Is It Just a Matter of Good and Bad?
Authors: Setyaningsih Titik , Bastian Indra , Arifa Choirunnisa , Rakhman Fuad 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
This study aims to explore governmental leadership in response to global pandemic. A total of 52 articles from Scopus database were analyzed using Leximancer 4.51, followed by a content analysis. The findings are: (1) There are two concept changes, namely crisis labeling and a change in the meaning of masculine versus feminine which is embedded in leader’s decisions; (2) The theories that support the phenomenon of leadership are quite diverse; (3) The most common methodology is case study. The limitations of the study, especially in the articles analyzed during the coronavirus outbreak. We suggest future research directions into historical perspective.
A Monte Carlo Study of Some Empirical Methods to Find the Optimal Poverty Line in Multidimensional Poverty Measurement
Authors: Nájera Héctor , Gordon David 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA key problem in multidimensional poverty measurement is how to identify the optimal poverty line, or threshold value, in order to split the ‘poor’ and ‘not poor’ groups. Intersection approaches aim to set a cut-point k for deprivation distribution and a cut-point Z for income/expenditure distributions. Union approaches require a unique k threshold for the combined distribution of income and deprivation and measures based only on the deprivation score need a k cut-point exclusive to this domain. The selection of a cut-point is a contested issue, but empirical methods have the potential to advance these debates. For both bi-domain (intersection) and uni-domain approaches, there is a lack of clear guidance about the reliability of some existing statistical approaches (the Bristol optimal method (BOM), the Poisson-based and negative binomial frameworks and mixture univariate analysis) for choosing k. Monte Carlo simulation is used to evaluate the performance of these methods, with the findings suggesting that the BOM is the most reliable method when certain reasonable assumptions hold.
The Nash bargaining solution: sometimes more utilitarian, sometimes more egalitarian
Authors: Rachmilevitch Shiran 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe first-order condition of the Nash bargaining solution equates the ratio of utilities to the ratio of marginal utilities. It turns out that this common ratio plays a role in determining whether the Nash solution, roughly speaking, is “more utilitarian” or “more egalitarian.” More specifically, I propose a sense of proximity to utilitarianism and/or egalitarianism according to which, in bargaining problems with distinct utilitarian and egalitarian points, the Nash solution is closer to utilitarianism if the aforementioned ratio is smaller than one, and closer to egalitarianism if that ratio is greater than one.
The Catalytic Role of Electrons and Positrons in the Synthesis of Chemicals and of Hadrons
Authors: Vayenas Constantinos G. , Tsousis Dionysios 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe discuss the similarities and differences between catalysis/electrocatalysis of chemical processes, such as ammonia synthesis or H2O electrolysis on one hand, and of nuclear catalytic processes, commonly called baryosynthesis, such as the synthesis of neutrons and protons from quarks, on the other. In chemical synthesis the underlying forces are well known to be electrostatic in nature while in the synthesis of hadrons or nuclei from quarks (known as hadronization or nucleosynthesis) the underlying forces are known as the Strong nuclear forces, whereas if electrons are also involved, as Weak nuclear forces. Here we discuss for the first time from a catalytic viewpoint the importance of some recent developments in our understanding of the structure and synthesis of hadrons via a model entitled Rotating Lepton Model (RLM), which is quite similar to the Bohr model of the H atom used in Chemistry but which has shown that the Strong Force is a gravitational force between three very fast (relativistic) neutrinos, rotating symmetrically on a circular orbit, whose gravitational masses and gravitational attraction increases dramatically with increasing rotational speed, according to the theory of Special Relativity (SR), thus reaching the masses of quarks and the value of the Strong Force respectively. We show that, interestingly, positrons and electrons, which quite often play a very important and well established catalytic role in chemical synthesis due to their electrical charge, also play an equally important and central catalytic role in nuclear synthesis due to their enormous mass, relative to the mass of the neutrinos, and the concomitant dramatic acceleration of neutrinos to ultrarelativistic speeds and huge mass increase, resulting to enhanced very strong gravitational binding between them which reaches the value of the Strong Force. Consequently, electrons and positrons are the dual, electrostatic and gravitational, catalysts of our Universe for the production of chemicals and baryons.
Evaluation of water quality of Chahnimeh as natural reservoirs from Sistan region in southwestern Iran: a Monte Carlo simulation and Sobol sensitivity assessment
Authors: Kamani Hossein , Hosseini Alireza , Mohebi Samaneh , Keshtkar Mahsa , Mohammadpour Amin , Khodadadi Nematullah , Mohammadi Leili , Mousavi Khaneghah Amin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMaintaining the water quality is essential because of the limitation of drinking water bodies and their significant effects on life. Recently, much scientific interest has been attracted to the ecological condition assessment of water resources. Because of numerous health issues connected to water quality, the present work aimed to define the water quality status of Chahnimeh reservoirs, Sistan and Baluchistan province, Iran via the Iran Water Quality Index (IRWQISC), the National Sanitation Foundation Water Quality Index (NSFWQI), and human risk assessment. This cross-sectional descriptive work was accomplished in 4 seasons in 2020. The samples were gathered from 5 various points of Chahnimeh reservoirs. This study led to the results that the NSFWQI index was between 29.4 to 49.32, which showed “bad” quality, and the IRWQI index was between 19.27 and 39.23, which indicated “bad” and “relatively bad” quality. The best water quality based on both indexes was observed in the spring, and the worst was in the fall and summer. The highest value of HQ related to nitrate in drinking water was 1.60 in the group of children. However, according to the Monte Carlo simulation, HQ95% was estimated as 1.29. The Sobol sensitivity analysis of the first-order effect showed that daily water’s daily ingestion rate (IR) was the most sensitive input. In addition, the value of the second-order effect indicated that the interaction effect of concentration—ingestion rate was the most sensitive input parameter for HQ. Therefore, regular monitoring is necessary to ensure water safety for human consumption.
Advancing age increases the size and severity of spontaneous atheromas in mouse models of atherosclerosis
Authors: Gogulamudi Venkateswara R. , Durrant Jessica R. , Adeyemo Adelola O. , Ho Huynh Mi , Walker Ashley E. , Lesniewski Lisa A. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Using multiple mouse models, we explored the impact of aging on the size and severity of atherosclerotic lesions. In young, middle-aged and old apolipoprotein E knockout mice (ApoE−/−) fed an atherogenic diet (AD) for 3–8 weeks, plaque/atheroma formation in the descending aorta and aortic root, and atheroma development in the carotid in response to partial carotid ligation (PCL) were assessed. Total and LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides were higher in old compared to both other age groups, regardless of AD duration. Aortic plaque burden increased with AD duration in all ages. The size and plaque morphology grade of aortic root atheromas was higher with age; however, there was no effect of age on the size or severity of carotid atheromas after PCL. We additionally induced hyperlipidemia in young and old C57BL/6 mice by adeno-associated virus mediated upregulation of LDL receptor regulator, Pcsk9, and 5 weeks of AD. Despite lower cholesterol in old compared to young Pcsk9 mice, there was a greater size and severity of aortic root atheromas in old mice. However, like the ApoE−/− mice, there was no effect of age on size or severity of PCL-induced carotid artery atheromas in Pcsk9 mice. Together, these results suggest that aging increases the size and severity of spontaneous aortic atheromas.
The Effects of Urban Living Conditions on Subjective Well-Being: The Case of German Foreign Service Employees
Authors: Rüger Heiko , Hoherz Stefanie , Schneider Norbert F. , Fliege Herbert , Bellinger Maria M. , Wiernik Brenton M. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractIn an increasingly urbanized world, understanding the determinants of urban well-being will continue to grow in importance. Although the effects of different indicators of living conditions on well-being have been widely studied individually, little is known about their relative impact when examined jointly. In this study, we use a unique multi-source dataset that allows us to investigate the effect and relative importance of a variety of subjectively and objectively assessed aspects of urban living conditions on the subjective well-being (SWB) of German Foreign Service expatriates. The study captures living conditions in metropolises around the world at different stages of development, and assesses living conditions in a culturally comparably homogeneous set of participants, thus being potentially less confounded with cultural differences. Using linear regression and dominance analysis, we find that ‘quality of and access to nature’ (i.e., green space), ‘quality of housing’, and ‘quality of public goods’ (i.e., water, air, and sewage systems) have the strongest associations with SWB. Subjectively rated characteristics show stronger associations with SWB than externally assessed characteristics. Additionally, we examine whether the size of a city or the level of development of a country has an effect on SWB. Both living in a megacity (≥ 10 million inhabitants) and a lower development status have negative effects on SWB. However, these effects disappear when the various indicators of living conditions are controlled for. Our findings can inform organisations sending employees abroad as well as urban planners seeking to improve their policies and decision-making.
A Systematic Review Investigating Maternal Nutrition During Pregnancy After Bariatric Surgery
Authors: Guthrie Taylor M. , Dix Clare F. , Truby Helen , Kumar Sailesh , de Jersey Susan J. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe aim of this review was to report on maternal diet, micronutrient supplementation, and gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy following bariatric surgery and explore the impact on maternal micronutrient deficiency, offspring growth, and perinatal outcomes. A search in PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and ProQuest in July 2022 returned 23 eligible studies (n = 30–20, 213). Diet was reported in two studies, supplementation in six and GWG in 19 studies. Although many women did not achieve healthy GWG, no consistent link with adverse outcomes was reported. Studies were grades II and III on the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence hierarchy and received a neutral or negative score on the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist, suggesting that methodological limitations impact the reliability of reported findings.
PCB-waste derived resin as a binary ion exchanger for zinc removal: Isotherm modelling and adsorbent optimization
Authors: Zuhara Shifa , McKay Gordon 
Published: April 2023

AbstractEffective removal of heavy metals from wastewaters can enable increased reuse of treated wastewater and reduce water scarcity worldwide. This paper describes the results of an initial study on zinc removal using waste-derived aluminosilicate-based material by binary ion exchange with calcium and potassium. About 2 mmol/g of zinc removal adsorption capacity was demonstrated using the aluminosilicate resin. Seven equilibrium isotherm models have been analyzed using the zinc adsorption data; the best fit to the experimental values based on the lowest SSE error was the SIPS model. A mechanism between zinc adsorption and the calcium and potassium desorption has been developed and modelled and is confirmed based on the mass balance analysis between the divalent calcium ions and the monovalent potassium ions exchanged with the divalent zinc ions adsorbed. Desorption studies using isotherm model equations for the calcium and potassium data further confirmed the mechanism. Regeneration was over 80% per cycle for three acid regenerations, indicating the zinc can be recovered for re-use. Furthermore, optimization using the SIPS model showed the minimum amount of adsorbent required using a two-stage reactor system is much lower, proving the need for a two-stage reactor to make the system more economical. Future experiments on multicomponent analysis and further optimization will help develop this adsorbent for real water systems.
Kidney Xenotransplantation: Are We Ready for Prime Time?
Authors: dos Santos Rafael Miyashiro Nunes 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Purpose of Review
With the exponential increase in interest and great strides toward clinical application, many experts believe we are ready for kidney xenotransplant human trials. In this review, we will examine the obstacles overcome and those yet to be conquered, discussing the human trials performed and the questions they raised. Additionally, we will revisit overlooked aspects that may be crucial for improvements and suggest future approaches for xenotransplant research.

Recent Findings
Improving survival in pig-to-non-human-primate models with the identification of an ideal immunosuppression regimen led to 3 cases of kidney xenotransplant in brain-dead humans with limited follow-up and a single clinical case of pig-to-human heart xenotransplant with 2-month survival.

Summary
With limited human results and unlimited potential, xenotransplantation shines a beacon of hope for a brighter future. However, we must navigate through the complexities of balancing scientific progress and patient welfare, avoiding being blinded by xenotransplantation’s unquestionable potential.
Verbesserung der Datengrundlage der Mindestlohnforschung mittels maschineller Lernverfahren
Authors: Dumpert Florian , Beck Martin 
Published: April 2023

ZusammenfassungMit der Einführung des allgemeinen gesetzlichen Mindestlohnes zum 1. Januar 2015 stieg der Bedarf an geeigneten Daten für die Evaluation der Mindestlohnwirkungen. Die Mindestlohnkommission empfahl daher in ihrem ersten Bericht an die Bundesregierung die Verknüpfung der Integrierten Erwerbsbiografien mit der Verdienststrukturerhebung. Die Paneldaten der Integrierten Erwerbsbiografien sollen durch die Verknüpfung mit ansonsten fehlenden Angaben zum Bruttostundenverdienst bzw. zur Mindestlohnbetroffenheit aus der Verdienststrukturerhebung angereichert werden, um so die Analysemöglichkeiten zu verbessern. Sowohl ein deterministisches als auch ein probabilistisches Record Linkage waren aus rechtlichen Gründen nicht umsetzbar. Daher hat das Statistische Bundesamt die Option einer Anreicherung der Integrierten Erwerbsbiografien mit Informationen zur Mindestlohnbetroffenheit aus der Verdienststrukturerhebung auch mittels maschineller Lernverfahren geprüft. Im Fokus standen die Methoden „Random Forest“ und „Boosting“, die keine Verknüpfung oder Weitergabe von Einzeldatensätzen erfordern und daher datenschutzrechtlich handhabbar sind. Über die konkrete Vorgehensweise, speziell die getesteten Modellierungsvarianten für die Teilpopulationen Vollzeit‑, Teilzeit- und geringfügig entlohnte Beschäftigte, wird in diesem Beitrag ausführlich berichtet.Die vorliegende Untersuchung hat gezeigt, dass entsprechende Modelle prinzipiell erlernbar sind und es somit grundsätzlich möglich ist, die Integrierten Erwerbsbiografien um eine Angabe zur Mindestlohnbetroffenheit zu ergänzen. Deutlich erkennbar wurde im Zuge der Untersuchungen aber auch der Zielkonflikt zwischen Sensitivität und positivem Vorhersagewert, das heißt der Konflikt zwischen dem Ziel, möglichst alle vom Mindestlohn betroffenen Beschäftigten als solche zu klassifizieren, und dem Ziel, bei dieser Klassifikation möglichst keine vom Mindestlohn nicht betroffenen Beschäftigten, irrtümlich als „vom Mindestlohn betroffen“ zu kennzeichnen. In der Praxis muss diesem Zielkonflikt bei der Auswahl der eingesetzten Modelle in Abhängigkeit vom angestrebten Analysezweck Rechnung getragen werden.Ob, wann und wie die Resultate der vorliegenden Untersuchung in den Integrierten Erwerbsbiografien konkret umgesetzt werden können, bedarf weiterer Untersuchungen und Festlegungen.
Comparison of the Ways in Which Nitidine Chloride and Bufalin Induce Programmed Cell Death in Hematological Tumor Cells
Authors: Su Zejie , Luo Man , Chen Zhi Lian , Lan Hai 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe objective of this work to study the programmed cell death (PCD) in hematological tumor cells induced by nitidine chloride (NC) and bufalin (BF). Hematological tumor cells were exposed to various doses of NC and BF to measure the level of growth inhibition. While inverted microscope is used to observe cell morphology, western blot technique is used to detect apoptosis-related protein expression levels. The effects of NC and BF on hematological tumor cells were different. Although abnormal cell morphology could be seen under the inverted microscope, the western blot results showed that the two medicines induced PCD through different pathways. Drug resistance varied in intensity across distinct cells. THP-1, Jurkat, and RPMI-8226 each had half maximum inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 36.23 nM, 26.71 nM, and 40.46 nM in BF, and 9.24 µM, 4.33 µM, and 28.18 µM in NC, respectively. Different hematopoietic malignancy cells exhibit varying degrees of drug resistance, and the mechanisms by which apoptosis of hematologic tumor cells is triggered by NC and BF are also distinct.
Nanomaterial-decorated micromotors for enhanced photoacoustic imaging
Authors: Aziz Azaam , Nauber Richard , Iglesias Ana Sánchez , Tang Min , Ma Libo , Liz-Marzán Luis M. , Schmidt Oliver G. , Medina-Sánchez Mariana 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMicro-and nanorobots have the potential to perform non-invasive drug delivery, sensing, and surgery in living organisms, with the aid of diverse medical imaging techniques. To perform such actions, microrobots require high spatiotemporal resolution tracking with real-time closed-loop feedback. To that end, photoacoustic imaging has appeared as a promising technique for imaging microrobots in deep tissue with higher molecular specificity and contrast. Here, we present different strategies to track magnetically-driven micromotors with improved contrast and specificity using dedicated contrast agents (Au nanorods and nanostars). Furthermore, we discuss the possibility of improving the light absorption properties of the employed nanomaterials considering possible light scattering and coupling to the underlying metal-oxide layers on the micromotor’s surface. For that, 2D COMSOL simulation and experimental results were correlated, confirming that an increased spacing between the Au-nanostructures and the increase of thickness of the underlying oxide layer lead to enhanced light absorption and preservation of the characteristic absorption peak. These characteristics are important when visualizing the micromotors in a complex in vivo environment, to distinguish them from the light absorption properties of the surrounding natural chromophores.
Spatial Patterns and Drivers of SME Digitalisation
Authors: Holl Adelheid , Rama Ruth 
Published: April 2023

AbstractDigital transformation plays an increasingly important role in the growth and competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), yet little is known regarding spatial inequalities in their adoption of advanced digital technologies. Using recent data from the Flash Eurobarometer 486, we study the spatial patterns of drivers for the implementation of new digital technologies in SMEs in Europe. In our analysis, the focus is on the possible influence of location. Considerable heterogeneity of SMEs is found in their propensity to adopt advanced digital technologies related to the strength of the local business environment and to the urban/rural hierarchy.Plain English Summary: European SMEs and DigitalisationThe adoption of digital technologies favours the competitiveness, resilience, and internationalisation of firms, but SMEs, which form the backbone of the EU economy, are lagging behind. A recent survey reveals that location greatly influences the probability that European SMEs adopt digital technology. Rural and small-town SMEs are less likely to be adopters, even when country, sector, and firm-specific characteristics are taken into account. However, good business environments always encourage the adoption of digitalisation technologies, whatever the geographic location of an SME. Innovators tend to be adopters, especially when they employ green innovation or management innovation. Larger SMEs, companies that are part of a business group, grow more rapidly, and/or export, are all more likely to adopt digital technologies. Policy-makers need to contemplate the urban/rural-divide and promote strong business environments in all types of locations. Public encouragement towards innovation is likely to indirectly promote easier access to digital technologies.