bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Leaf dimorphism in Cupressus nootkatensis D. Don and Cupressus vietnamensis (Farjon & T.H. Nguyên) Silba (Cupressaceae) and its ecological and evolutionary significance
Authors: Dörken Veit M. , Ladd Philip G. , Parsons Robert F. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Key message
We examined the leaf structure of two basal Cupressus species with a distinct leaf dimorphism. Some foliar features are regarded as ancestral and it is suggested that drought adaptation was one of the important ecological drivers in the evolution of the Cupressus genus.

Abstract
Leaf morphology and anatomy of two Cupressus species, C. nootkatensis and C. vietnamensis, were investigated with classical paraffin technique and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Like all Cupressus species these two are characterised by a dramatic change in the foliage. Juveniles have needle leaves first before they change abruptly to the mature scale leaf type. In C. vietnamensis, needle-leaved shoots occur next to scale-leaved ones even on mature trees, which is unique among today´s Cupressus species. Adults of C. nootkatensis develop only scale leaves throughout. In both taxa, the scale leaves show a distinct dimorphism between lateral and facial leaves, which are arranged in a flat spray; the foliate shoots are two-dimensionally flattened. These scale leaves show several xeromorphic features; e.g. strongly reduced leaf size, stomata with high, collar-like Florin rings, the presence of a distinct hypodermis as a continuous layer and well-developed transfusion tissue. The needle leaf type is found in Cunninghamia which is the basal member of the Cupressaceae and so is regarded as the ancestral condition and scale leaves as a derived one. Scale leaves are found in all the members of the cupressoid clade even within the basal taxa from mesic habitats. However scale leaves are a preadaptation to survival under xeric conditions and they are likely an evolutionary driver of the radiation of Cupressus into arid environments, as has also been the case in genera such a Callitris.
Sedimentstudie im Biosphärenpark Mur-Drau-Donau im Rahmen des EU-Projekts lifelineMDD
Authors: Dunst Roman , Klösch Mario , Schwarz Ulrich , Böck Kerstin , Habersack Helmut 
Published: June 2023

ZusammenfassungMit dem 19. Jahrhundert wurden Mur, Drau und Donau, wie viele andere Flüsse, zahlreichen Eingriffen unterworfen, was u. a. Auswirkungen auf den Sedimenthaushalt und die Ökologie zur Folge hatte. Im Jahr 2021 wurde der Biosphärenpark Mur-Drau-Donau (Transboundary Biosphere Reserve Mura-Drava-Danube, kurz: TBR MDD) von Kroatien, Ungarn, Serbien, Slowenien und Österreich zum Schutz ökologischer und kulturell wertvoller Flusslandschaften ins Leben gerufen. Im Zuge des EU-Interreg-DTP-Projekts lifelineMDD wurde eine Sedimentstudie durchgeführt, die zusammen mit Partnerstudien zu diversen biotischen und abiotischen Faktoren die Grundlage für die TBR-MDD-Fließgewässer-Revitalisierungsstrategie lieferte.Im Rahmen der Sedimentstudie wurden sedimenttransportbestimmende Parameter im historischen Referenzzustand erhoben und dem aktuellen Zustand gegenübergestellt. So wurden drastisch negative Entwicklungen aufgezeigt, wie die Reduktion der durchflossenen Breite der Mur um 59 %, der Drau um 40 % und der Donau um 29 %, Laufverkürzungen um bis zu 35 % (Drau) und damit einhergehende Gefälleerhöhungen. Aktuell verlaufen die Flüsse überwiegend in einem Einzelgerinne, wobei Seitenerosion größtenteils verhindert wird. Die erhöhte Transportkapazität bei reduziertem Sedimenteintrag führt zum Verlust wertvoller morphologischer Strukturen wie Sedimentbänken. Niederwasseranalysen basierend auf Pegeldaten zeigen Sohleintiefungen bis zu 2,7 m (Terezino Polje, Drau); Analysen aktueller Zeitreihen deuten auf einen fortlaufenden Eintiefungstrend hin.Um dem entgegenzuwirken, ist es bei Renaturierungsarbeiten notwendig, den Flüssen z. B. ausreichend Breite einzuräumen. Während langfristig die Geschiebedurchgängigkeit von Kraftwerken angestrebt werden sollte, kann zusätzlich durch Geschiebezugaben – auch von Material, das im Zuge der Arbeiten anfällt – der Fluss eigenständig eine Morphologie im dynamischen Gleichgewicht ausbilden.
Incidence of spine surgery in the South African private healthcare sector: ten-year trends within a large open medical scheme
Authors: Mann T. N. , Dunn R. N. , Vlok A. J. , Davis J. H. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Studies from developed countries suggest a dramatic increase in the utilization of spine surgery in recent decades, however less is known about spine surgery rates in the developing world. The aim of this study was to investigate ten-year trends in the incidence of spine surgery within South Africa’s largest open medical scheme.

Methods
This retrospective review included adult inpatient spine surgeries funded by the scheme between 2008 and 2017. The incidence of spine surgery was investigated by age group-overall and for degenerative pathologies, fusion and instrumentation. Surgeons per 100,000 members were determined. Trends were evaluated by linear regression and by crude 10-year change in incidence.

Results
A total of 49,575 spine surgeries were included. The incidence of surgery for lumbar degenerative pathology showed a significant upward trend among 60–79 year olds but declined among 40–59 year olds. The incidence of lumbar fusion and lumbar instrumentation declined significantly among 40–59 year olds with little change among 60–79 year olds. The ratio of orthopaedic spinal surgeons decreased from 10.2 to 6.3 per 100,000 members whereas the ratio of neurosurgeons decreased from 7.6 to 6.5 per 100,000.

Conclusion
Spine surgery in the South African private healthcare sector bears some similarity to developed countries in that it is dominated by elective procedures for degenerative pathology. However, the findings did not reflect the marked increases in the utilization of spine surgery reported elsewhere. It is hypothesized that this may be partly related to differences in the supply of spinal surgery.
ASL-MRI-guided evaluation of multiple burr hole revascularization surgery in Moyamoya disease
Authors: Lewén Anders , Fahlström Markus , Borota Ljubisa , Larsson Elna-Marie , Wikström Johan , Enblad Per 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Moyamoya (MM) disease is characterized by progressive intracranial arterial stenosis. Patients commonly need revascularization surgery to optimize cerebral blood flow (CBF). Estimation of CBF and cerebrovascular reserve (CVR) is therefore necessary before and after surgery. However, assessment of CBF before and after indirect revascularization surgery with the multiple burr hole (MBH) technique in MM has not been studied extensively. In this study, we describe our initial experience using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance perfusion imaging (ASL-MRI) for CBF and CVR assessment before and after indirect MBH revascularization surgery in MM patients.

Methods
Eleven MM patients (initial age 6–50 years, 1 male/10 female) with 19 affected hemispheres were included. A total of 35 ASL-MRI examinations were performed using a 3D-pCASL acquisition before and after i.v. acetazolamide challenge (1000 mg in adults and 10 mg/kg in children). Twelve MBH procedures were performed in seven patients. The first follow-up ASL-MRI was performed 7–21 (mean 12) months after surgery.

Results
Before surgery, CBF was 46 ± 16 (mean ± SD) ml/100 g/min and CVR after acetazolamide challenge was 38.5 ± 9.9 (mean ± SD)% in the most affected territory (middle cerebral artery). In cases in which surgery was not performed, CVR was 56 ± 12 (mean ± SD)% in affected hemispheres. After MBH surgery, there was a relative change in CVR compared to baseline (preop) of + 23.5 ± 23.3% (mean ± SD). There were no new ischemic events.

Conclusion
Using ASL-MRI we followed changes in CBF and CVR in patients with MM. The technique was encouraging for assessments before and after revascularization surgery.
Aeroelastic analysis of membrane airfoils and flexible-chord airfoils with trailing-edge flaps
Authors: Hussein Omar S. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis paper studies the static and dynamic aeroelastic characteristics of membrane airfoils and flexible-chord airfoils (deformable airfoils) with the emphasis on the effects of a trailing-edge (TE) flap which is a novel topic. Two modeling approaches are presented; the first method is the Rayleigh–Ritz method, and the second method is the finite element method which is an efficient method to study the TE flap effects. The two models are presented in the Laplace domain which enables the transient response analysis. The models adopt the potential flow aerodynamics based on the Prandtl–Glauert thin-airfoil theory and the Theodorsen’s unsteady theory. The airfoils are assumed to have small deformations, so linear structural models are used. The effect of the airfoils’ flexibilities on the static aeroelastic characteristics and the dynamic responses due to step and harmonic TE flap inputs is presented through a parametric study.
A clinicopathological analysis of supratentorial ependymoma, ZFTA fusion-positive: utility of immunohistochemical detection of CDKN2A alterations and characteristics of the immune microenvironment
Authors: Hashimoto Naohito , Suzuki Tomonari , Ishizawa Keisuke , Nobusawa Sumihito , Yokoo Hideaki , Nishikawa Ryo , Yasuda Masanori , Sasaki Atsushi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractEPN-ZFTA is a rare brain tumor where prognostic factors remain unclear and no effective immunotherapy or chemotherapy is currently available. Therefore, this study investigated its clinicopathological features, evaluated the utility of MTAP and p16 IHC as surrogate markers ofCDKN2Aalterations, and characterized the immune microenvironment of EPN-ZFTA. Thirty surgically removed brain tumors, including 10 EPN-ZFTA, were subjected to IHC. MLPA was performed forCDKN2AHD in 20 ependymal tumors, including EPN-ZFTA. The 5-years OS and PFS of EPN-ZFTA were 90% and 60%, respectively.CDKN2AHD was detected in two cases of EPN-ZFTA; these cases were immunohistochemically negative for both MTAP and p16 and recurred earlier after surgery. As for the immune microenvironment of EPN-ZFTA, B7-H3, but not PD-L1, was positive in all cases of EPN-ZFTA; Iba-1-positive or CD204-positive macrophages were large, while infiltrating lymphocytes were small, in number in EPN-ZFTA. Collectively, these results indicate the potential of MTAP and p16 IHC as useful surrogate markers ofCDKN2AHD in EPN-ZFTA, and tumor-associated macrophages, including the M2 type, may contribute to its immune microenvironment. Furthermore, the expression of B7-H3 in EPN-ZFTA may indicate the usefulness of B7-H3 as a target of immune checkpoint chemotherapy for EPN-ZFTA via B7-H3 pathway.
Raman Spectroscopy and Machine Learning Enables Estimation of Articular Cartilage Structural, Compositional, and Functional Properties
Authors: Shehata Eslam , Nippolainen Ervin , Shaikh Rubina , Ronkainen Ari-Petteri , Töyräs Juha , Sarin Jaakko K. , Afara Isaac O. 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Objective
To differentiate healthy from artificially degraded articular cartilage and estimate its structural, compositional, and functional properties using Raman spectroscopy (RS).

Design
Visually normal bovine patellae (n = 12) were used in this study. Osteochondral plugs (n = 60) were prepared and artificially degraded either enzymatically (via Collagenase D or Trypsin) or mechanically (via impact loading or surface abrasion) to induce mild to severe cartilage damage; additionally, control plugs were prepared (n = 12). Raman spectra were acquired from the samples before and after artificial degradation. Afterwards, reference biomechanical properties, proteoglycan (PG) content, collagen orientation, and zonal (%) thickness of the samples were measured. Machine learning models (classifiers and regressors) were then developed to discriminate healthy from degraded cartilage based on their Raman spectra and to predict the aforementioned reference properties.

Results
The classifiers accurately categorized healthy and degraded samples (accuracy = 86%), and successfully discerned moderate from severely degraded samples (accuracy = 90%). On the other hand, the regression models estimated cartilage biomechanical properties with reasonable error (≤ 24%), with the lowest error observed in the prediction of instantaneous modulus (12%). With zonal properties, the lowest prediction errors were observed in the deep zone, i.e., PG content (14%), collagen orientation (29%), and zonal thickness (9%).

Conclusion
RS is capable of discriminating between healthy and damaged cartilage, and can estimate tissue properties with reasonable errors. These findings demonstrate the clinical potential of RS.
Copper oxide-based high-performance symmetric flexible supercapacitor: potentiodynamic deposition
Authors: Sayyed Saima G. , Shaikh Arif V. , Shinde Ugalal P. , Hiremath Pavan , Naik Nithesh 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFlexible supercapacitors have gained significant attention in recent times due to their many advantages such as high specific capacitance, lightweight, long lifespan, high energy density, high flexibility, and high-power density. These benefits make them ideal for various high-power applications in various industries. Copper oxide is particularly attractive as an electrode material because of its high theoretical specific capacitance, low cost, and eco-friendliness. Copper oxide is the most promising electrode material in energy storage systems among metal oxides due to its higher theoretical value of specific capacitance (1800 F/g). In the present study, the synthesis of a thin film of copper oxide on a flexible copper substrate through electrodeposition was carried out to produce a flexible and lightweight supercapacitor. The supercapacitor's performance was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge–discharge analysis in a 1 M KOH electrolyte. The results showed that the copper oxide/copper-based supercapacitor had a large specific capacitance of 983.3 F/g and good performance even after 2200 cycles, with a capacity retention of 89.70%. The flexibility of the electrode was measured at various bending angles. The electrode showed a capacity retention of 87.5% after a 180° bending angle with a good coulombic efficiency of 79.15%. Hence, it could be a promising material for flexible supercapacitor electrodes. This demonstrates that copper oxide has great potential as a material for flexible supercapacitor electrodes. The newer applications for supercapacitors in industries such as wearable electronics, flexible displays, and energy harvesting systems can be explored.
The Structural Changes and Its Impact on Optical Dispersion of PVA/PVP Embedded with Zinc Sulphate Nanoparticles and Irradiated with Electron-Beam
Authors: Salah M. , Abdelmaksoud Heba , Abdel-Wahab F. A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPVA/PVP films doped with zinc sulphate heptahydrate (ZnSO4·7H2O) nanoparticles (NPs) are prepared using an in situ chemical method. Furthermore, as-prepared samples are irradiated with an electron beam at doses of 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 kGy. Elemental analyses using energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) of the fresh films showed the existence of both zinc oxide and zinc sulphide as main and minor phases in sequence. Moreover, scanning electron microscope measurements (SEM) revealed that embedded Zn NPs have regular and evenly distributed pores inside PVA/PVP network. On the other hand, the structural variations due to e-beam irradiation are monitored by a high-resolution-transmission electron microscope (HR-TEM), which displayed that encapsulated Zn NPs are well dispersed and capped inside PVA/PVP structural network. The measured optical absorption coefficient (α) of PVA/PVP/zinc sulphate nanocomposite films showed an increase against e-beam dose. Moreover, the calculated optical energy gap, Eg, exhibited a reduction from 3.31 to 2.82 eV against the increase in irradiation dose. Evaluated values of wavelength at zero material dispersion (WZMD) indicated that e-beam irradiation can tune the structure of the studied samples to be used as a data transmitter in optical fiber telecommunication in the IR spectral range of 1.6842–1.0351 μm.
Assessing the relation between geodiversity and species richness in mountain heaths and tundra landscapes
Authors: Salminen Henriikka , Tukiainen Helena , Alahuhta Janne , Hjort Jan , Huusko Karoliina , Grytnes John-Arvid , Pacheco-Riaño L. Camila , Kapfer Jutta , Virtanen Risto , Maliniemi Tuija 
Published: June 2023

AbstractContextRecent studies show that geodiversity—the diversity of Earth's landforms, materials, and processes—has a positive relationship with biodiversity at a landscape scale. However, there is a substantial lack of evidence from finer scales, although this knowledge could improve the understanding of biodiversity patterns.ObjectivesWe investigate whether plot-scale geodiversity and plant species richness (vascular plants, bryophytes, lichens, and total richness) are positively linked in different tundra landscapes.MethodsWe collected geodiversity (presence of different geofeatures) and plant species richness data from 165 sites in three distinct regions: isolated low-lying mountain heaths, and in sporadic and continuous mountain heaths and tundra. We used non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordination to explore the correlations between the composition of geofeatures and species richness, followed by univariate and multivariate generalized linear models (GLM), to assess whether georichness is important for species richness.ResultsGeofeature composition was linked to species richness in all regions, as indicated by NMDS ordination. Both univariate and multivariate GLM models showed statistically significant relationship between species richness and georichness in all studied species richness groups in continuous Arctic-alpine tundra. Additionally, there was a positive link between georichness and lichen richness in isolated boreal mountain tops.Main conclusionsWe showed that plot-scale geodiversity has a positive relationship with species richness, yet the effect varies regionally and between species groups. Our study provides strong empirical evidence that geodiversity supports species richness in continuous Arctic-alpine tundra. This information can be used in species richness models but also be applied in biodiversity management and conservation.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation alleviates glial activation through suppressing HMGB1/TLR4 pathway in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Han Chao , Zhang Xue , Dou Kaixin , Yao Weichao , Yao Minyi , Wan Qi , Xie Anmu 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
Background
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been demonstrated to be effective in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but whether rTMS treatment has a relieving effect on neuroinflammation remains to be investigated. In this article, we explored the effects of rTMS on forelimb use asymmetry and neuroinflammation-related mechanisms in a 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced PD rat model.

Methods and results
Rats in the 6-OHDA+rTMS group received 10 Hz rTMS daily for 4 weeks. Behavioral tests (the cylinder test) were performed at the 3rd and 7th weeks after the operation. Astrocyte and microglia activation and protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH), high-mobility group box 1(HMGB1) and toll-like receptors 4(TLR4) were investigated by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analyses, respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, forelimb use asymmetry was ameliorated in the 6-OHDA+rTMS group. Consistent with the behavioral tests, rTMS increased TH in the substantia nigra (SN) and the striatum of PD rats. High glial activation and HMGB1/TLR4 expression in the SN and the striatum were observed in the 6-OHDA group, while rTMS alleviated these changes.

Conclusions
This study showed that rTMS might be a promising method for alleviating neuroinflammation in PD rat models, and the effects might be mediated through the downregulation of the HMGB1/TLR4 pathway.
The Dark Side of Meritocratic Beliefs: Is Believing in Meritocracy Detrimental to Individuals from Low Socioeconomic Backgrounds?
Authors: García-Sierra Alicia 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIndividuals’ perceptions of how the path toward success is built might affect their choices and behaviors. This study examines whether holding meritocratic beliefs has heterogeneous effects on the long-term socioeconomic outcomes of individuals from different SES. I argue that, when the hurdles faced by the less privileged groups during their educational and labor market trajectories clash with their meritocratic beliefs, the generated frustration and low self-efficacy will affect their decisions and their performance, which eventually may impact their socioeconomic outcomes. Using German longitudinal data and siblings' fixed effects, results reveal that individuals from low socioeconomic backgrounds who hold strong meritocratic beliefs during their adolescence are more likely to have a precarious work situation when they are adults, as well as less likely to be fully working. This effect is reversed or non-existent for those from high socioeconomic status. These results open new paths to explore the crucial effect that societal discourses praising the meritocratic ideal could have on individuals from more deprived socioeconomic backgrounds.
The effect of anthropomorphic competence-warmth congruence of service robots on recommendation intention
Authors: Chi Rui , Zhang Jianyu , Pan Mingqing 
Published: June 2023

AbstractService robots are becoming more popular as artificial intelligence technology advances. Based on the theory of mind perception, this study divides the anthropomorphism of service robots into two dimensions (competence and warmth) and discusses its impact on consumer psychology from the perspective of dual matching. First, anthropomorphism of service robots has positive effect on consumers’ attachment to robots. Second, consumer attachment to service robots increased when anthropomorphic competence and warmth were congruent. Third, consumer attachment to service robots mediated the relationship between anthropomorphic competence and warmth (in)congruence of service robots and consumer recommendation intention. Fourth, consumer paradox mindset moderated the effect of anthropomorphic competence and warmth (in)congruence of service robots on consumer attachment to service robots. These research conclusions have made important theoretical contributions and practical guidance for the research of anthropomorphic service robots and consumer attitudes.
Compacitification and Positive Mass Theorem for Fibered Euclidean End
Authors: Dai Xianzhe , Sun Yukai 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWe consider the Positive Mass Theorem for Riemannian manifolds $$(M^{n},g)$$

(

M
n

,
g
)

with the asymptotic end $$(\mathbb {R}^{k}\times X^{n-k}, g_{\mathbb {R}^{k}}+g_{X})$$

(

R

k

×

X

n
-
k

,

g

R

k

+

g
X

)

($$k\ge 3$$

k
≥
3

) by studying the corresponding compactification problem. Here $$(X, g_X)$$

(
X
,

g
X

)

is a compact scalar flat manifold. We show that the Positive Mass Theorem holds if certain generalized connected sum admits no metric of positive scalar curvature. Moreover we establish the rigidity result, namely, the mass is zero iff M is isometric to $$\mathbb {R}^{k}\times X^{n-k}$$

R

k

×

X

n
-
k

.