bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decision-support system for safety and security assessment and management in smart cities
Authors: González-Villa Javier , Cuesta Arturo , Spagnolo Marco , Zanotti Marisa , Summers Luke , Elms Alexander , Dhaya Anay , Jedlička Karel , Martolos Jan , Cetinkaya Deniz 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCounter-terrorism measures and preparedness play a critical role in securing mass gatherings, soft targets, and critical infrastructures within urban environments. This paper introduces a comprehensive Decision Support System developed as part of the S4AllCitites project, designed to seamlessly integrate with existing legacy systems in Smart Cities. The system encompasses urban pedestrian and vehicular evacuation, incorporating predictive models to anticipate the progression of incendiary and mass shooting attacks, alongside a probabilistic model for threat assessment in the case of improvised explosive devices. A notable achievement of this research is the successful implementation and deployment of the system in operational environments through pilot studies. It empowers public and private security operators with real time decision support capabilities during both prevention and intervention stages of potential attacks. The decision support information provided encompasses various aspects, including optimal evacuation strategies, estimated egress times, pedestrian movement profiles, probability assessments, and the potential impact of different terrorist threats in terms of casualties. Additionally, the system offers real-time insights into the status of the traffic network under normal and unusual conditions, enabling efficient emergency management throughout its progression. This includes the ability to identify optimal intervention routes and assess the impact of anomalous traffic resulting from evacuations.
Multiscale matrix pencils for separable reconstruction problems
Authors: Cuyt Annie , Lee Wen-shin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe nonlinear inverse problem of exponential data fitting is separable since the fitting function is a linear combination of parameterized exponential functions, thus allowing to solve for the linear coefficients separately from the nonlinear parameters. The matrix pencil method, which reformulates the problem statement into a generalized eigenvalue problem for the nonlinear parameters and a structured linear system for the linear parameters, is generally considered as the more stable method to solve the problem computationally. In Section 2 the matrix pencil associated with the classical complex exponential fitting or sparse interpolation problem is summarized and the concepts of dilation and translation are introduced to obtain matrix pencils at different scales. Exponential analysis was earlier generalized to the use of several polynomial basis functions and some operator eigenfunctions. However, in most generalizations a computational scheme in terms of an eigenvalue problem is lacking. In the subsequent Sections 3–6 the matrix pencil formulation, including the dilation and translation paradigm, is generalized to more functions. Each of these periodic, polynomial or special function classes needs a tailored approach, where optimal use is made of the properties of the parameterized elementary or special function used in the sparse interpolation problem under consideration. With each generalization a structured linear matrix pencil is associated, immediately leading to a computational scheme for the nonlinear and linear parameters, respectively from a generalized eigenvalue problem and one or more structured linear systems. Finally, in Section 7 we illustrate the new methods.
A puzzle about first-person imagination
Authors: Weber Clas 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIt is easy to imagine being someone else from the first-person point of view. Such imaginings give rise to a puzzle. In this paper I explain what the puzzle is and then consider several existing attempts of solving the puzzle. I argue that these attempts are unsuccessful. I propose a Lewisian account of first-person imagination and make the case that this account solves the puzzle
Soil zinc fertilisation does not increase maize yields in 17 out of 19 sites in Sub-Saharan Africa but improves nutritional maize quality in most sites
Authors: Van Eynde Elise , Breure Mirjam S. , Chikowo Regis , Njoroge Samuel , Comans Rob N. J. , Hoffland Ellis 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAimsFertilisating crops with zinc (Zn) is considered important to enhance agricultural productivity and combat human Zn deficiencies in sub-Saharan Africa. However, it is unclear on which soils Zn fertilisation can lead to higher yields and increased grain Zn concentrations. This study aimed to find soil properties that predict where soil Zn is limiting maize yields and grain Zn concentrations, and where these respond positively to Zn fertilisation.MethodsZinc omission trials were set up at multiple farm locations in Kenya (n = 5), Zambia (n = 4) and Zimbabwe (n = 10). Grain yields and tissue Zn concentrations were analysed from plots with a full fertiliser treatment as compared to plots where Zn was omitted.ResultsA positive maize yield response to soil Zn fertilisation was found at only two out of nineteen locations, despite soil Zn levels being below suggested critical concentrations at most locations. Soil properties nor plant concentrations were able to explain maize yield response to Zn fertilisation. However, positive responses in Zn uptake and grain Zn concentrations to Zn fertilisation were found at the majority of sites, especially in soils with low pH and organic carbon contents. Labile soil Zn measurements related more with Zn uptake (R2 = 0.35) and grain Zn concentrations (R2 = 0.26) than actual available Zn measurements.ConclusionsWe conclude that soil Zn fertilisation did not increase maize yields, but can increase maize grain Zn concentrations, especially in soils with low pH and organic carbon content. Predicting a yield response to Zn fertilisation based on soil properties remains a challenge.
Comparing Virtual and In-Person Implementation of a School-Based Sexual Health Promotion Program in High Schools with Large Latino Populations
Authors: Faccio Bianca , McClay Alison , McConnell Krystle , Gates Christopher , Finocharo Jane , Tallant Julia , Martinez Valerie , Manlove Jennifer 
Published: June 2023

AbstractMany sexual health programs transitioned to virtual implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite its devastation, the pandemic provided an opportunity to learn about virtual compared to in-person implementation of a sexual health promotion program—El Camino. This study assessed differences in program attendance, engagement, quality, and student ratings for virtual versus in-person implementation of El Camino as part of a rigorous evaluation in high schools with high Latino populations in Maryland. Drawing on positive youth development practices, El Camino helps participants identify personal goals and learn about sexual reproductive health and healthy relationships. This mixed-methods study incorporates data from performance measures, baseline and post-intervention participant surveys, observations, monthly implementation reports, and debriefs with facilitators to describe and compare virtual and in-person program implementation. At baseline, participants were an average of 16.2 years old; between 8 and 12th grade; 61% female; 79% Hispanic, Latino, or of Spanish origin; and 54% spoke mostly Spanish at home. Recruitment and retention of students outside of school classes were challenging for both forms of implementation. However, attendance was higher during in-person implementation and in schools where the organization implementing El Camino had a strong presence before the pandemic. Findings indicate high fidelity, excellent quality ratings, and positive student perceptions of the program and facilitators in both the virtual and in-person cohorts, which suggest that both forms of implementation were comparable and furthermore highlight the strength of the virtual adaptation of the El Camino program.
How to improve academic well-being: an analysis of the leveraging factors based on the Italian case
Authors: Tontodimamma Alice , del Gobbo Emiliano , Corbo Mariangela , Aquino Antonio 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAt first glance, for those who start out in it the academic environment may seem attractive, but they soon experience the difficulties inherent in this type of career. At the same time, the academic sector is crucial to the social, cultural, and economic development of any country. Given this important role, it is fundamental for the decision makers to guarantee the best return on investment made into this sector. The good health of workers has important implications for the quality of their lives since it affects their level of productivity at work, and it is especially relevant for research programmes, where most of the work is intellectual. In the present research, we have analysed the health of workers without tenure in the Italian academic environment, i.e. PhD students and short term contract researchers, in order to understand which factors have the most relevant impact on their state of health. 699 participants (398 females, 301 males) completed an online questionnaire that included both ad hoc Likert-scales and open-ended questions. Our results, elaborated through Structural Equation Modelling and Text Mining techniques, show how researchers experience high levels of anxiety both from the characteristics of the academic environment and from the career advancement system. Specifically, both job-related factors (i.e. perception of fairness, professional growth, and safety perception) and relational factors (i.e. relationships with supervisors and colleagues) predict the anxiety of non-tenured researchers. Furthermore, women researchers show a high level of anxiety compared with male researchers. Policy implications of our findings are provided.
Computer simulations and surrogative reasoning for the design of new robots
Authors: Datteri Edoardo , Schiaffonati Viola 
Published: June 2023

AbstractComputer simulations are widely used for surrogative reasoning in scientific research. They also play a crucial role in engineering, more specifically in the design of new robotic systems, yet the nature of this role has been little discussed so far in the philosophy of technology literature. The main claim made in this article is that the notion of surrogative reasoning is central to understanding how computer simulations can serve the purpose of designing new robots. More specifically, it is argued that computer simulations can support two forms of surrogative reasoning, which are called model-oriented and prediction-oriented, whose inferential structure is reconstructed to some extent. And it is argued that, when computer simulations are used to design new robots, they are distinctively used in the model-oriented way. By unravelling the structure of the computer simulation-supported methods adopted in robotic design, this article may contribute to a finer-grained understanding of the epistemic processes involved in technological research.
Associations between wildlife observations, human-tick encounters and landscape features in a peri-urban tick hotspot
Authors: Taylor Casey L. , Lydecker Henry W. , Hochuli Dieter F. , Banks Peter B. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractZoonotic disease vectors, their wildlife hosts, and the surrounding landscape interact in complex ways that vary spatially, temporally and with anthropogenic change. Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) are one of the most important vectors of human disease globally but managing the risk of tick bites in urban areas requires a detailed understanding of these complex vector-host-environment relationships at multiple spatial scales. Extensive knowledge gaps of these interactions in Australia limits options for managing ticks and exacerbates human-wildlife conflict. To address this, we used an online survey to determine the potential drivers of human-tick encounters operating at the local, yard scale and at the broader, landscape scale in a peri-urban area of Australia. We explored the relationships between reported tick encounters in yards and yard traits, host sightings (yard-scale) and broader landscape traits (landscape-scale). We found that sightings of potential hosts such as long-nosed bandicoots (Perameles nasuta) and brush-turkeys (Alectura lathami), and broader landscape traits such as distance to wet sclerophyll forest, were important predictors of reported tick encounters. Yard traits such as garden mulching and leaf litter cover showed no relationships with tick encounters. However, garden mulching and the absence of pets were predictors of frequent bandicoot sightings in yards. Mulching over 20m2, moderate to dense leaf litter cover on lawns, and living adjacent to bush were predictors of frequent brush-turkey sightings in yards. Our results suggest that residents may be able to reduce tick encounter risk by making yards less attractive to potential hosts. The observed relationships provide a critical foundation for field studies that can determine underlying mechanisms and inform appropriate tick management in urban environments.
Graphical abstract
Capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry as a tool for Caenorhabditis elegans metabolomics research
Authors: Salzer Liesa , Schmitt-Kopplin Philippe , Witting Michael 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Polar metabolites in Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have predominantly been analyzed using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS). Capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE-MS) represents another complementary analytical platform suitable for polar and charged analytes.

Objective
We compared CE-MS and HILIC-MS for the analysis of a set of 60 reference standards relevant for C. elegans and specifically investigated the strengths of CE separation. Furthermore, we employed CE-MS as a complementary analytical approach to study polar metabolites in C. elegans samples, particularly in the context of longevity, in order to address a different part of its metabolome.

Method
We analyzed 60 reference standards as well as metabolite extracts from C. elegans daf-2 loss-of-function mutants and wild-type (WT) samples using HILIC-MS and CE-MS employing a Q-ToF-MS instrument.

Results
CE separations showed narrower peak widths and a better linearity of the estimated response function across different concentrations which is linked to less saturation of the MS signals. Additionally, CE exhibited a distinct selectivity in the separation of compounds compared to HILIC-MS, providing complementary information for the analysis of the target compounds. Analysis of C. elegans metabolites of daf-2 mutants and WT samples revealed significant alterations in shared metabolites identified through HILIC-MS, as well as the presence of distinct metabolites.

Conclusion
CE-MS was successfully applied in C. elegans metabolomics, being able to recover known as well as identify novel putative biomarkers of longevity.
Inter-laboratory comparison of plant volatile analyses in the light of intra-specific chemodiversity
Authors: Eckert Silvia , Eilers Elisabeth J. , Jakobs Ruth , Anaia Redouan Adam , Aragam Kruthika Sen , Bloss Tanja , Popp Moritz , Sasidharan Rohit , Schnitzler Jörg-Peter , Stein Florian , Steppuhn Anke , Unsicker Sybille B. , van Dam Nicole M. , Yepes Sol , Ziaja Dominik , Müller Caroline 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Introduction
Assessing intraspecific variation in plant volatile organic compounds (VOCs) involves pitfalls that may bias biological interpretation, particularly when several laboratories collaborate on joint projects. Comparative, inter-laboratory ring trials can inform on the reproducibility of such analyses.

Objectives
In a ring trial involving five laboratories, we investigated the reproducibility of VOC collections with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and analyses by thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC-MS). As model plant we used Tanacetum vulgare, which shows a remarkable diversity in terpenoids, forming so-called chemotypes. We performed our ring-trial with two chemotypes to examine the sources of technical variation in plant VOC measurements during pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical steps.

Methods
Monoclonal root cuttings were generated in one laboratory and distributed to five laboratories, in which plants were grown under laboratory-specific conditions. VOCs were collected on PDMS tubes from all plants before and after a jasmonic acid (JA) treatment. Thereafter, each laboratory (donors) sent a subset of tubes to four of the other laboratories (recipients), which performed TD-GC-MS with their own established procedures.

Results
Chemotype-specific differences in VOC profiles were detected but with an overall high variation both across donor and recipient laboratories. JA-induced changes in VOC profiles were not reproducible. Laboratory-specific growth conditions led to phenotypic variation that affected the resulting VOC profiles.

Conclusion
Our ring trial shows that despite large efforts to standardise each VOC measurement step, the outcomes differed both qualitatively and quantitatively. Our results reveal sources of variation in plant VOC research and may help to avoid systematic errors in similar experiments.
Distribution analysis of ECTS credits allocated to physical training sciences and methodology (M-EDF/01) and sport sciences and methodology (M-EDF/02) in Italian master’s degree programs in exercise and sport sciences
Authors: D’Elia Francesca , D’Isanto Tiziana , Aliberti Sara , Altavilla Gaetano , Raiola Gaetano 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose
In Italy, the 2021 sports reform recognized the professional figure of kinesiologist, with its related specializations. Three master’s degrees in Exercise and sport sciences (ESS) are offered by Italian high institutions with different purpose and distribution of the European credit transfer system (ECTS) credits. Those allocated to ESS area can be divided in two specific academic disciplines (ADs): physical training sciences and methodology (M-EDF/01) and sport sciences and methodology (M-EDF/02). The aim was twofold: first, to provide the exact measure of the ECTS credits distribution allocated to ESS area, both aggregated that disaggregated by M-EDF/01 and M-EDF/02 ADs, in the three different master’s degrees in ESS; second, to investigate their differences, to check their consistency with the professional profiles of kinesiologist.

Methods
The sample consisted of all the Italian master’s degree in ESS in 2022. The total no. of ECTS credits allocated to ESS area, both aggregated that disaggregated by M-EDF/01 and M-EDF/02 ADs, were collected through Universitaly portal. Descriptive statistics and one-way ANOVA were performed to analyze data.

Results
A great degree of heterogeneity within the same of degree course was found. The problem was not about the differences between the no. of ECTS credits allocated to ESS area among different degree courses, but within the same degree courses. From the scatter indices, the unevenness of the distribution of ECTS credits within the same degree courses and, consequently, the unrepresentativeness of the average, emerged.

Conclusions
The heterogeneity of ECTS credits distribution allocated to ESS area (both aggregated and disaggregated by ADs), generate different undergraduate education, which varies according to the University at which one enrolls. Systemic action is needed to ensure the same education to students that choose the same master’s degree course but in different sites.
Species-specific influence of powdery mildew mycelium on the efficiency of PM accumulation by urban greenery
Authors: Przybysz Arkadiusz , Nawrocki Adam , Mirzwa-Mróz Ewa , Paduch-Cichal Elżbieta , Kimic Kinga , Popek Robert 
Published: June 2023

AbstractParticulate matter (PM) is one of the most important air pollutants, especially in urban areas. The efficiency of PM biofiltration by plants depends on the morphological features of the foliage. More PM is deposited on complex leaves, covered with thick wax layer, trichomes, epidermal glands, and convex venation. Very few literature reports suggest that also the presence of mycelium of nonparasitic and saprophytic fungi positively affects the accumulation of PM on the leaves. In this work, to our best knowledge, for the first time the effect of the mycelium of the parasitic powdery mildew on the efficiency of PM accumulation by urban greenery was studied. Uninfested and fungus-infested leaves of Acer negundo L., Malus domestica Borkh Quercus robur L., and Berberis vulgaris L. were harvested in July in the center of Warsaw city. The effect of powdery mildew infection on PM accumulation was species-specific. A higher amount of PM on leaves not infected with powdery mildew was found in M. domestica and Q. robur, while in A. negundo and B. vulgaris more PM was accumulated on leaves infected with fungus. All species (except A. negundo) accumulated more of the PM of 0.2–2.5-μm and 2.5–10-μm size fractions on leaves not infected with powdery mildew. One of the greatest consequences of the presence of powdery mildew mycelium on the foliage is most probably reduction of the direct involvement of waxes in PM accumulation and retention processes.
Changes in Oesophageal Transit, Macro-Reflux Events, and Gastric Emptying Correlate with Improvements in Gastro-Intestinal Symptoms and Food Tolerance Early Post Sleeve Gastrectomy
Authors: Wickremasinghe Anagi C. , Johari Yazmin , Yue Helen , Laurie Cheryl , Shaw Kalai , Playfair Julie , Beech Paul , Hebbard Geoffrey , Yap Kenneth S. , Brown Wendy , Burton Paul 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose
There are significant alterations in gastro-intestinal function, food tolerance, and symptoms following sleeve gastrectomy (SG). These substantially change over the first year, but it is unclear what the underlying physiological basis for these changes is. We examined changes in oesophageal transit and gastric emptying and how these correlate with changes in gastro-intestinal symptoms and food tolerance.

Material and Methods
Post-SG patients undertook protocolised nuclear scintigraphy imaging along with a clinical questionnaire at 6 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months.

Results
Thirteen patients were studied: mean age (44.8 ± 8.5 years), 76.9% females, pre-operative BMI (46.9 ± 6.7 kg/m2). Post-operative %TWL was 11.9 ± 5.1% (6 weeks) and 32.2 ± 10.1% (12 months), p-value < 0.0001. There was a substantial increase of meal within the proximal stomach; 22.3% (IQR 12%) (6 weeks) vs. 34.2% (IQR 19.7%) (12 months), p = 0.038. Hyper-accelerated transit into the small bowel decreased from 6 weeks 49.6% (IQR 10.8%) to 42.7% (IQR 20.5%) 12 months, p = 0.022. Gastric emptying half-time increased from 6 weeks 19 (IQR 8.5) to 12 months 27 (IQR 11.5) min, p = 0.027. The incidence of deglutitive reflux of semi-solids decreased over time; 46.2% (6 weeks) vs. 18.2% (12 months), p-value < 0.0001. Reflux score of 10.6 ± 7.6 at 6 weeks vs. 3.5 ± 4.4 at 12 months, (p = 0.049) and regurgitation score of 9.9 ± 3.3 at 6 weeks vs. 6.5 ± 1.7, p = 0.021 significantly reduced.

Conclusions
These data demonstrate that there is an increase in the capacity of the proximal gastric sleeve to accommodate substrate over the first year. Gastric emptying remains rapid but reduce over time, correlating with improved food tolerance and reduced reflux symptoms. This is likely the physiological basis for the changes in symptoms and food tolerance observed early post-SG.

Graphical Abstract