bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Are the ecotoxicological tools viable to evaluate the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plant effluents?
Authors: Diogo B. S. , Rodrigues S. , Lage O. M. , Antunes S. C. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEcotoxicological tools have proved to be sensitive and appropriate for the evaluation of the effectiveness of treatments used in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). The objective of this study was to assess the applicability of bioassays and biomarkers to evaluate the efficiency of different treatments throughout WWTP samples[A—raw influent, B—preliminary effluent, C—final effluent, and D—receiving stream], seasonally over 1 year, through a multispecies approach: i) bacterial cell viability [Escherichia coli, Rhodopirellulla rubra, Arthrobacter sp., and Pseudomonas putida]; ii) microalgae Raphidocelis subcapitata and the macrophyte Lemna minor growth inhibition; and iii) microcrustacean Daphnia magna acute and feeding rate assays. Total chlorophyll, malondialdehyde, and proline levels were evaluated in L. minor, and catalase, glutathione-S-transferase activities, and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances levels were quantified in D. magna, after exposure to wastewater samples. Overall, the tested species showed different sensitivities, P. putida = Arthrobacter sp. = R. rubra < R. subcapitata < E. coli = D. magna = L. minor, to the collected samples. The results obtained in D. magna and L. minor assays demonstrated that these organisms can be used in programs for monitoring and environmental assessment of wastewater effluents. The present study demonstrates the usefulness of ecotoxicological tools, with multispecies and different endpoints, to assess the effectiveness of WWTPs. Moreover, it is important to ensure that WWTP implements a monitoring program to minimize the discharge of effluents that compromise the environment in order to guarantee the good ecological quality of the environmental ecosystems.
Fatigue strength of shot-peened as-welded joints and post-weld-treated and subsequently clean-blasted fillet weld joints
Authors: Ahola A. , Lipiäinen K. , Riski J. , Koskimäki M. , Pyörret J. , Björk T. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractSurface treatment methods, such as shot peening and clean blasting, can improve the fatigue strength of welded joints. The aim of the current work is to experimentally evaluate the effects of clean blasting on the fatigue performance of post-weld-treated joints made of normal, high-strength, and ultra-high-strength steels, as well as obtain the fatigue strength improvement gained by the shot peening processes in welded connections made of different steel grades using literature data. A literature review was carried out to extract fatigue test data of welded joints, considering both clean blasting and shot peening processes. This data was statistically re-evaluated and used for a comparison to the results obtained in the current experimental work which focuses on evaluating the improvement gained by the clean blasting after post-weld treatments. Experimental fatigue tests were carried out on non-load-carrying transverse attachment joints prepared with gas metal arc welding, and made of S355, S700, and S1100 structural steels. TIG dressing and HFMI treatment post-weld treatments were implemented and, subsequently, the specimens were blast-cleaned using two different abrasives: corundum and sand. The re-analysis of existing fatigue test data indicated higher improvement by shot peening, i.e., average improvements of 1.71 and 1.52 in the fatigue strength for butt weld and fillet weld joints, respectively, than by clean blasting process for which an average improvement of 1.19 in fatigue strength was obtained. The enhancement factors, however, highly varied among different data sets indicating a clear impact of processing parameters on the improvement level. The statistical re-analyses considering all data sets of shot-peened specimens (butt weld and fillet weld joints) showed that one fatigue (FAT) class higher fatigue strength could be recommended for shot-peened joints compared to the as-welded condition with weld toe failures. The experimental work on the post-weld-treated joints indicated that the fatigue strength of clean-blasted joints was similar to that of non-blasted joints, and thus showing no major advantages or disadvantages by the clean blasting post-weld-treated joints with corundum and sand.
On the differential transcendentality of the Morita p-adic gamma function
Authors: Adamus Elżbieta 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn p-adic analysis one can find an analog of the classical gamma function defined on the ring of p-adic integers. In 1975, Morita defined the p-adic gamma function $$\Gamma _p$$

Γ
p

by a suitable modification of the function $$n \mapsto n!$$

n
↦
n
!

. In this note we prove that for any given prime number p the Morita p-adic gamma function $$\Gamma _p$$

Γ
p

is differentially transcendental over $${\mathbb {C}}_p(X)$$

C
p

(
X
)

. The main result is an analog of the classical Hölder’s theorem, which states that Euler’s gamma function $$\Gamma $$
Γ
does not satisfy any algebraic differential equation whose coefficients are rational functions.
What Works for Whom? Evaluating Patterns and Mechanisms of Change Among Bullies, Victims, and Bully-Victims Participating in a School-Based Prevention Program
Authors: Strohmeier Dagmar , Stefanek Elisabeth , Yanagida Takuya 
Published: February 2023

Abstract
The effectiveness and program mechanisms of a whole-school anti-bullying program that builds on the socio-ecological framework were investigated by applying person-oriented methods of data analyses. A longitudinal cluster randomized control study was utilized comprising 1377 adolescents (48.5% girls, Mage = 11.7) who participated in a 1-year whole school anti-bullying program that was implemented in 13 schools and 665 adolescents (45.2% girls, Mage = 11.6) who attended 5 control schools. Student reports were collected at pre- and post-test within a 1-year interval. Applying latent profile analyses (LPA), students who were actively involved in bullying as perpetrators (e.g., bullies), who were the target of bullying (e.g., victims), who were both (e.g., bully-victims), and who were not involved either as perpetrators or victims (e.g., uninvolved) were identified. Latent transition analyses (LTA) investigated transition patterns between bully, victim, bully-victim, and uninvolved subgroups in the control and intervention group before and after the 1-year program implementation. Program effectiveness (e.g., a higher transition probability in the intervention compared to the control group) were found for victims and bully-victims. It was explored whether changes in program mechanisms were differently related to changes in these sub-group memberships in the intervention group. Victims transiting to the uninvolved sub-group increased in help-seeking and anti-bullying norms, while bully-victims transiting to the uninvolved sub-group increased help-seeking, perceived teacher intervention, and anti-bullying norms. It can be concluded that this program works differently for different sub-groups of students and that different mechanisms of change drive changes in different sub-groups of students.
Analysis of local system behavior in the foreign exchange-market using neural networks and Monte-Carlo method for predictıon and risk assessment
Authors: Aşırım Adil , Aşırım Özüm Emre , Salepçioğlu Murat Adil 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIn this study, we attempt to show the reason behind the poor estimation of the future values of foreign exchange-rate (FXR) signals under difference-equation modeling, using the neural network approach for evaluating the local system coefficients. To do this, we have splitted EUR/USD and AUD/CAD signals into many small-segments and modeled each segment as the signal representation of a linear time-invariant (LTI) system using the simple linear difference equation (LDE) formulation. After a precise segmentation of each FXR signal such that an LTI system based modeling is highly accurate in each segment, it is observed that the coefficient values of the corresponding LDEs are highly volatile, which indicates that a reliable estimation would be very difficult using LDE modeling. Although the LDE coefficients are usually observed to take values within a small range over a given FXR signal segment (sample-set), frequent sudden-jumps in coefficient values do occur, which subjects/forces the dynamics of FXR signals to undertake the dynamics of these sudden-jumps rather than the dynamics of any other deterministic or stochastic process. To support this observation, the range of variation of the LDE coefficients over each segment is analyzed to quantify the volatility of the foreign-exchange market for risk assessment.
Female students as victims of sexual abuse at institutions of higher learning: insights from Kwazulu-natal, South Africa
Authors: Makhaye Mandisa Samukelisiwe , Mkhize Sazelo Michael , Sibanyoni Ephraim Kevin 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe focus of the wider study on which this paper is based was to uncover the social context of the sexual victimisation phenomenon in three selected institutions of higher learning in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa. The objectives of the study were to examine the nature of sexual victimisation against female students in selected universities in Durban; to determine the factors that contribute to the sexual victimisation of female students; to investigate the effects of sexual victimisation on female students and to explore the reasons for female students’ reluctance to report sexual victimisation. The sample comprised a total of 60 participants who had been purposively selected from three universities in the study area. The data were collected by means of interviews and were thematically analysed. The study found that incapacitated rape is more common on campuses than forcible rape, which is when perpetrators use threats and/or physical force. This could be attributed to the excessive use of alcohol and drugs by both victims and perpetrators. The study also confirmed that female students are reluctant to report sexual victimisation to the authorities. A key recommendation is that security measures need to be upgraded to ensure a safe environment for female students on campuses in the study area.
Extended producer responsibility’s effect on producers’ electronic waste management practices in Japan and Canada: drivers, barriers, and potential of the urban mine
Authors: Portugaise Mika Kaibara , Jóhannsdóttir Lára , Murakami Shinsuke 
Published: February 2023

AbstractElectronic waste is the fastest-growing domestic waste stream globally, continuously outstripping projections. With increasing ubiquity of complex computing, many non-renewables are contained in end-of-life electronics, creating a vast urban mine, potentially hazardous, depending on treatment. The aim of this study is to compare how Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policy is applied in two case countries, Japan and Canada, the practical implications of EPR policy design on producer operations, and how EPR affects electronic waste management improvements in each case. These cases share international obligations for electronic waste management but employ contrasting EPR policies. These policies are widespread in both cases, yet are not presided over by larger, regional obligations. Therefore, country-level interviews with electronic waste management stakeholders focusing on how EPR regulation affects producer practice were conducted. The physical application of EPR, as seen in Japan, drives design changes by producers intending to simplify downstream treatment, while financial responsibility in Canada, creates greater concern with cost-savings for producers, complicating end-of-life processing. EPR implementation, along with specific geographical factors, also create contrasting resource recovery results between countries. Regulation primarily drives EPR implementation in both countries, which is consistent with the literature. This study presents new drivers and barriers, namely pre-emptive legislation, and no incentive to improve, classifying the Japanese and Canadian systems as suffering from externalities on an insular system, and lack of harmonization, respectively. This research addresses a gap in comparative studies across regions of physical and financial EPR effects on producer practice.
DPReLU: Dynamic Parametric Rectified Linear Unit and Its Proper Weight Initialization Method
Authors: Yang Donghun , Ngoc Kien Mai , Shin Iksoo , Hwang Myunggwon 
Published: February 2023

AbstractActivation functions are essential in deep learning, and the rectified linear unit (ReLU) is the most widely used activation function to solve the vanishing gradient problem. However, owing to the dying ReLU problem and bias shift effect, deep learning models using ReLU cannot exploit the potential benefits of negative values. Numerous ReLU variants have been proposed to address this issue. In this study, we propose Dynamic Parametric ReLU (DPReLU), which can dynamically control the overall functional shape of ReLU with four learnable parameters. The parameters of DPReLU are determined by training rather than by humans, thereby making the formulation more suitable and flexible for each model and dataset. Furthermore, we propose an appropriate and robust weight initialization method for DPReLU. To evaluate DPReLU and its weight initialization method, we performed two experiments on various image datasets: one using an autoencoder for image generation and the other using the ResNet50 for image classification. The results show that DPReLU and our weight initialization method provide faster convergence and better accuracy than the original ReLU and the previous ReLU variants.
The Maya Battle, 786–1519
Authors: Miller Mary E. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractA careful reading of the battle in the Bonampak murals offers new insights into eighth-century strategies for warfare, and the importance of overwhelming force in both aggression and deterrence. These same two strategies were critical during the Spanish invasion, especially in defense of freshwater resources. The murals of Bonampak provide insights into the Maya battle, including the emphasis on teamwork in execution of battle tactics and the seemingly contradictory emphasis on the individual, in terms of hieroglyphics. Despite exhaustive study of the paintings, the potential consideration of color-defined and pattern shields also may reveal groupings of warriors previously unrecognized in both battle and presentation of captives. Sixteenth-century accounts by Spanish invaders confirm a practice that includes defense of water sources along the coast of Yucatan, with details that can be evaluated regarding eighth-century Maya practice.
Cannabis use and episodic memory performance among adolescents: Moderating effects of depression symptoms and sex
Authors: Lehman Sarah M. , Thompson Erin L. , Pacheco-Colón Ileana , Hawes Samuel W. , Adams Ashley R. , Granja Karen , Pulido William J. , Gonzalez Raul 
Published: February 2023

AbstractObjective:Cannabis use has been linked to poorer episodic memory. However, little is known about whether depression and sex may interact as potential moderators of this association, particularly among adolescents. The current study addresses this by examining interactions between depression symptoms and sex on the association between cannabis use and episodic memory in a large sample of adolescents.Method:Cross-sectional data from 360 adolescents (Mage = 17.38, SD = .75) were analyzed at the final assessment wave of a two-year longitudinal study. We used the Drug Use History Questionnaire to assess for lifetime cannabis use, and the Computerized Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children, Fourth edition to assess the number of depression symptoms in the past year. Subtests from the Wechsler Memory Scale, Fourth Edition and the California Verbal Learning Test, Second Edition were used to assess episodic memory performance.Results:The effect of the three-way interaction among cannabis use, depression symptoms, and sex did not have a significant impact on episodic memory performance. However, follow-up analyses revealed a significant effect of the two-way interaction of cannabis use and depression symptoms on episodic memory, such that associations between cannabis use and episodic memory were only significant at lower and average levels of depression symptoms.Conclusions:Contrary to our hypotheses, we found that as depression symptoms increased, the negative association between cannabis use and episodic memory diminished. Given the use of a predominantly subsyndromic sample, future studies should attempt to replicate findings among individuals with more severe depression.
Sensitivity of the Relationship Between Antarctic Ice Shelves and Iron Supply to Projected Changes in the Atmospheric Forcing
Authors: Dinniman Michael S. , St‐Laurent Pierre , Arrigo Kevin R. , Hofmann Eileen E. , van Dijken Gert L. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractUpward advection or mixing of iron‐rich deep waters due to circulation changes driven by the rate of basal ice shelf melt was shown to be a primary control on chlorophyll a production in coastal polynyas over the Antarctic continental shelf. Here, the effects of atmospheric changes projected in 2100 on this relationship were examined with a 5‐km resolution ocean/sea ice/ice shelf model of the Southern Ocean with different simulated dissolved iron sources and idealized biological uptake. The atmospheric changes are added as idealized increments to the forcing. Inclusion of a poleward shift and strengthening of the winds, increased precipitation, and warmer atmospheric temperatures resulted in doubling of the heat advected onto the continental shelf and an 83% increase in the total Antarctic ice shelf basal melt. The total dissolved iron supply to the surface waters over the continental shelf increased by 62%, while the surface iron supply due just to basal melt driven overturning increased by 48%. However, even though the ice shelf driven contribution becomes less important to the total iron supply on average (29% of total), the ice shelf involvement becomes relatively even more important in some locations, such as the Amundsen and Bellingshausen Seas. The modified atmospheric conditions also produced a reduction in summer sea ice extent and a shoaling of the summer mixed layers. These simulated responses to projected changes suggest relief of light and nutrient limitation for phytoplankton blooms over the Antarctic continental shelf and perhaps an increase in annual production in years to come.
Physics‐Informed Neural Networks of the Saint‐Venant Equations for Downscaling a Large‐Scale River Model
Authors: Feng Dongyu , Tan Zeli , He QiZhi 
Published: February 2023

AbstractLarge‐scale river models are being refined over coastal regions to improve the scientific understanding of coastal processes, hazards and responses to climate change. However, coarse mesh resolutions and approximations in physical representations of tidal rivers limit the performance of such models at resolving the complex flow dynamics especially near the river‐ocean interface, resulting in inaccurate simulations of flood inundation. In this research, we propose a machine learning (ML) framework based on the state‐of‐the‐art physics‐informed neural network (PINN) to simulate the downscaled flow at the subgrid scale. First, we demonstrate that PINN is able to assimilate observations of various types and solve the one‐dimensional (1‐D) Saint‐Venant equations (SVE) directly. We perform the flow simulations over a floodplain and along an open channel in several synthetic case studies. The PINN performance is evaluated against analytical solutions and numerical models. Our results indicate that the PINN solutions of water depth have satisfactory accuracy with limited observations assimilated. In the case of flood wave propagation induced by storm surge and tide, a new neural network architecture is proposed based on Fourier feature embeddings that seamlessly encodes the periodic tidal boundary condition in the PINN's formulation. Furthermore, we show that the PINN‐based downscaling can produce more reasonable subgrid solutions of the along‐channel water depth by assimilating observational data. The PINN solution outperforms the simple linear interpolation in resolving the topography and dynamic flow regimes at the subgrid scale. This study provides a promising path toward improving emulation capabilities in large‐scale models to characterize fine‐scale coastal processes.
Dasabuvir suppresses esophageal squamous cell carcinoma growth in vitro and in vivo through targeting ROCK1
Authors: Liu Xinning , Jiang Yanan , Zhou Hao , Zhao Xiaokun , Li Mingzhu , Bao Zhuo , Wang Zitong , Zhang Chenyang , Xie Zhenliang , Zhao Jimin , Dong Zigang , Liu Kangdong , Guo Zhiping 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is an upper gastrointestinal cancer with high morbidity and mortality. New strategies are urgently needed to prolong patients’ survival. Through screening FDA-approved drugs, we found dasabuvir, a drug approved for hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment, suppressed ESCC proliferation. Dasabuvir could inhibit the growth of ESCC cells in a time and dose-dependent manner and arrested cell cycle at the G0/G1 phase. The antitumor activity was further validated in vivo using patient-derived xenograft tumor models. In terms of mechanism, we unveil that dasabuvir is a Rho-associated protein kinase 1 (ROCK1) inhibitor. Dasabuvir can bind to ROCK1 and suppress its kinase activity, thus downregulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 by ROCK1 and the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cyclin D1. These results provide evidence that dasabuvir suppresses ESCC growth in vivo and in vitro through blocking ROCK1/ERK signaling pathway.
Rho A/ROCK1 signaling-mediated metabolic reprogramming of valvular interstitial cells toward Warburg effect accelerates aortic valve calcification via AMPK/RUNX2 axis
Authors: Liu Huiruo , Yin Hang , Wang Zhen , Yuan Qiuhuan , Xu Feng , Chen Yuguo , Li Chuanbao 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe aberrant differentiation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) to osteogenic lineages promotes calcified aortic valves disease (CAVD), partly activated by potentially destructive hemodynamic forces. These involve Rho A/ROCK1 signaling, a mechano-sensing pathway. However, how Rho A/ROCK1 signaling transduces mechanical signals into cellular responses and disrupts normal VIC homeostasis remain unclear. We examined Rho A/ROCK1 signaling in human aortic valves, and further detected how Rho A/ROCK1 signaling regulates mineralization in human VICs. Aortic valves (CAVDn = 22, normal control (NC)n = 12) from patients undergoing valve replacement were investigated. Immunostaining and western blotting analysis indicated that Rho A/ROCK1 signaling, as well as key transporters and enzymes involved in the Warburg effect, were markedly upregulated in human calcified aortic valves compared with those in the controls. In vitro, Rho A/ROCK1-induced calcification was confirmed as AMPK-dependent, via a mechanism involving metabolic reprogramming of human VICs to Warburg effect. Y-27632, a selective ROCK1 inhibitor, suppressed the Warburg effect, rescued AMPK activity and subsequently increased RUNX2 ubiquitin-proteasome degradation, leading to decreased RUNX2 protein accumulation in human VICs under pathological osteogenic stimulus. Rho A/ROCK1 signaling, which is elevated in human calcified aortic valves, plays a positive role in valvular calcification, partially through its ability to drive metabolic switching of VICs to the Warburg effect, leading to altered AMPK activity and RUNX2 protein accumulation. Thus, Rho A/ROCK1 signaling could be an important and unrecognized hub of destructive hemodynamics and cellular aerobic glycolysis that is essential to promote the CAVD process.