bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparing the impact of emergency cash transfer payments during the COVID pandemic on coping among Australian young adults with and without pre-existing mental disorders: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Islam Md Irteja , Lyne Elizabeth , Freeman Joseph , Martiniuk Alexandra 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

Background
The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has caused financial hardship and psychological distress among young Australians. This study investigates whether the Australian Government’s emergency cash transfer payments – specifically welfare expansion for those unemployed prior to the pandemic (known in Australia as the JobSeeker Coronavirus Supplement) and JobKeeper (cash support for those with reduced or stopped employment due to the pandemic) – had a positive impact on individual’s level of coping during the coronavirus pandemic among those with and without mental and neurodevelopmental disorders (including anxiety, depression, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder).
Methods
The sample included 902 young adults from the last three waves (8, 9C1, 9C2) of the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC), a nationally representative cohort study. Random-effects models were used to assess the impact of emergency cash transfer payments on 18-22-year-old’s self-rated coping, stratifying the analysis by those with and without mental disorders. All models were adjusted for gender, employment, location, family cohesion, history of smoking, alcohol intake, and COVID-19 test result.
Results
Of the 902-sample analysed, 85% reported fair-to-high levels of coping, 19% had mental or neurodevelopmental disorders, 40% received the Coronavirus Supplement and 16% received JobKeeper. Analysing the total sample demonstrated that participants who received the JobKeeper payment were more likely to have a higher level of coping compared to those who did not receive the JobKeeper payment. Stratified analyses demonstrated that those with pre-existing mental or neurodevelopmental disorder obtained significant benefit from the JobKeeper payment on their level of coping, compared to those who did not receive JobKeeper. In contrast, receipt of the Coronavirus Supplement was not significantly associated with higher level of coping. Among those with no mental health disorder, neither the Coronavirus Supplement nor JobKeeper had a statistically significant impact on level of coping.
Conclusion
These findings suggest the positive impacts of cash transfers on level of coping during the pandemic were limited to those with a pre-existing mental or neurodevelopmental disorder who received JobKeeper.
Less berries and more pods: losers and winners of chronic disturbance in a tropical dry forest
Authors: Espinosa Carlos Ivan , Jara-Guerrero Andrea , Castillo-Escobar Judith , Cueva-Ortiz Jorge , Gusmán-Montalván Elizabeth , Stimm Bernd , Hildebrandt Patrick , Escudero Adrián 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Although chronic disturbance is widely recognized as a main driver in the loss of diversity of tropical forests, their consequences in other attributes of the diversity such as functional dimensions still need to be clarified, especially in those traits associated with the dispersal process of plants. Here, we evaluated the effects of chronic disturbance on the community functional traits of a seasonally dry tropical forest, and their potential effects on the frugivores community. We characterized eight traits related to seed dispersal and calculated the community weight mean and functional diversity indices for trees and the whole woody community. We used generalized linear models to evaluate the effects of the disturbance on the community weight mean, functional diversity, and the abundance and diversity of fruits as resources for wildlife. Our results revealed that, the dominance of plants with costly fruiting species was reduced with disturbance. The functional richness and divergence were reduced with the disturbance, mainly in the qualitative traits. Finally, the availability of resources was slightly different between groups of dispersers, observing a general pattern of reduction in the availability and richness of fruits with the disturbance. Our results suggest that the changes in vegetation richness and abundance are not random but the result of filtering on traits related to dispersal costs and their subsequent ability to withstand environmental stress. The observed changes in vegetation have a direct effect on the availability of resources for frugivorous species, which in the medium term can generate a cascading effect on the ecosystem.
Urban surface classification using self-supervised domain adaptive deep learning models and its application in urban environment studies
Authors: Ding Xiaotian , Fan Yifan , Li Yuguo , Ge Jian 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Changed urban surface and human activities in urban areas have led to serious environmental problems globally, including deteriorated local thermal/wind environments and air pollution. In this study, we proposed and validated a domain adaptive land cover classification model, to automatically classify Google Earth images into pixel-based land cover maps. By combining the domain adaptation and self-supervised learning technique, we extend the model’s generalization ability even trained with a small dataset. Furthermore, we explored the impact of land surface composition on the local meteorological parameters and air pollutant concentrations. Urban surface information was extracted around weather stations and air quality monitoring stations from three most developed urban agglomerations in China, including Beijing, Shanghai and the great bay area (GBA). Correlation analysis results show that air temperature has a strong positive correlation with neighbor artificial impervious surface fraction, with Pearson correlation coefficients higher than 0.6 in all areas except for the spring in the GBA. The correlation is much weaker and variant for air pollutants. This work provides an efficient method for urban land cover extraction which will be of great value for assessing the urban surface composition, quantifying the impact of land use/land cover, and facilitating the development of informed policies.
Molecular phylogeny and historical biogeography of Iranian Murid rodents inferred from mitochondrial cytochrome b gene
Authors: Afzali Yaser Amir , López-Antoñanzas Raquel 
Published: August 2023

Abstract

The family Muridae represents the largest, most diverse and successful of all groups of mammals. Here we infer the phylogenetic relationships and historical biogeography for the Iranian murid rodents, which consist in 17 species distributed in two subfamilies and six genera. Molecular dating analyses using a relaxed Bayesian molecular clock support the monophyly of Murinae and Gerbillinae and allow to set up a divergence date between them around 18.86 Ma (Million years ago). According to our results, murines may have originated approximately 13.49 Ma and the diversification of most of their evolutionary lineages may have taken place between 10–4 Ma, which is consistent with the fossil record. Our results provide strong support for the tribes Apodemyini and Rattini (Murinae) but the monophyly of the genus Meriones belonging to the Gerbillinae is questioned. Historical biogeographic analysis supports a Paleotropical origin for the Iranian murids, likely found in central and eastern Iran (Desert and Xeric Shrubland ecoregion). From there they dispersed to colonize the Afrotropical, Indomalayan and Palearctic realms. All in all, Iran seems to have acted as a corridor for faunal exchanges between the Afrotropic and Saharo-Arabian realms and the Indomalayan realm as well as between Central Asia and the Mediterranean regions.
Testing the evolutionary driving forces on display signal complexity in an Asian agamid lizard
Authors: Lin Yusong , Qiu Xia , Fu Jinzhong , Peters Richard , Qi Yin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Elucidating the factors behind the evolution of signal complexity is essential in understanding animal communication. Compared to vocal and color signals, dynamic display signals only start to attract attention recently. In this study, we tested the social complexity and background noise hypotheses on the evolution of dynamic display signal complexity. We collected displays videos from twelve populations across the distribution range of the Asian agamid lizard, Phrynocephalus przewalskii. Their various components (tail coil, tail lash, body turning, and limb flapping) were quantified. Furthermore, we measured the population density and sexual size dimorphism (SSD), as estimates of social complexity, and vegetation height, as estimate of background noise. Using linear mixed models, we tested associations between measurements of signal component variability (e.g. coefficient of variation of maximum speed Limb flapping), display (as a whole) complexity (e.g. Component change rate) and estimates of social complexity and background noise. Several significant associations were detected, including between CV of maximum speeds of body turning/limb flapping and SSD (negative), between component change rate and background noise (positive). Several other associations were sex-dependent and the trends were often opposite between the sexes. Our data are consistent with both social complexity and background noise hypotheses, and our research provides direct evidence on the level-specific links among display complexity, social complexity and background noise.
Glass Ornament in the Late Islamic Period: Composition of Glass Bangles from Northern Qatar
Authors: Cheng Qian , Rehren Thilo , Ogutu Julius , Carter Robert Andrew 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Glass ornaments such as bangles are widely distributed along trade routes between the East and West, indicating interactions and exchange between manufacturing and consumption sites. In the Persian Gulf region, numerous glass bangles have been excavated from late 2nd millennium CE contexts, but rather few of these have been studied with scientific analysis. Here, we report data of 56 representative samples from assemblages found at seven coastal sites of northern Qatar that date between the 18th and 20th centuries CE, analysed by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Based on the chemical compositions combined with their respective colours, the assemblage represents six different glass provenances, including one subgroup from the Levant, one subgroup from Mesopotamia, and another two subgroups using different plant types as fluxes, with their sand source similar to Sasanian glasses from Central Iraq between the 3rd and 7th centuries CE, and two high-alumina subgroups associated with an Indian origin. The paper also compares the Qatar bangles with others from the Islamic world and India to discuss differences and similarities of them.
Effects of eye exercises of acupoints on visual symptoms and tear film stability in dry eye patients
Authors: Li Yue , Jiang Li , Huang Guangyi , Li Jinfen , Xiong Jiawei , Liao Tao , Huang Hui , He Wenjing , Zhou Zhou , Lv Jian , Chen Qi , Li Lili , Lan Qianqian , Li Min , Lu Peng , Xu Fan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background
To explore the therapeutic benefits of eye exercises of acupoints (EEA) for dry eye disease.
Methods
This study was divided into three groups, which were dry eye without EEA group, dry eye with EEA group and pre-clinical dry eye with EEA group. First, we assessed the improvement of symptoms in dry eye patients by evaluating the ocular surface disease index (OSDI) questionnaire before and after EEA. Then, we studied the changes in the signs of dry eye before and after EEA, including Schirmer I test (SIT), fluorescein breakup time (FBUT), first and average non-invasive tear breakup time (F-NITBUT and A-NITBUT). Lipid layer thickness (LLT), number of total and incomplete blinks were measured by LipiView. Finally, we observed the difference of objective visual quality before and after EEA, namely MTF cutoff and Strayer ratio (SR).
Results
In dry eye with EEA group, OSDI scores decreased significantly after EEA (P < 0.05). FBUT, LLT after EEA increased significantly compared to preintervention (P < 0.05), F-NITBUT and A-NITBUT after EEA prolonged significantly compared to preintervention (P < 0.001), MTF cutoff and SR after EEA improved significantly compared to preintervention (P < 0.05). However, in this group, there was no increase in tear secretion and no change in blink frequency (P > 0.05). Besides, in the dry eye without EEA group, the above indicators did not show significant changes in both tests (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
The potential regulatory effect of EEA provides a good protective effect on visual symptoms of dry eye patients and actively promotes tear film stability.
Trial registration
This trial was registered in China Clinical Trial Center on June 19, 2023, registration number is ChiCTR2300072604.
Application of Rain Classroom and PAD Class Blended Learning in a Surgical Nursing Course: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Lv Hui , Luo Qianying , Luo Guirong , Meng Minglv , Qin Yan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Chinese government mandated that universities use information technology to reform and innovate the teaching environment, teaching methods, and teaching models, and adopt online and offline teaching models to improve teaching quality.
Objectives: This study aimed to explore the application effect of Rain Classroom combined with Presentation-Assimilation-Discussion [1] Class blended learning based on constructivism in a surgical nursing course.
Design: A cross-sectional survey.
Setting: Medical university in China.
Participants: The participants were 212 nursing undergraduates.
Methods: The participants were divided into two groups: the control group receiving the traditional teaching model and the observation group receiving blended learning. Pre-and post-class questionnaires were conducted.
Results: Student scores for the comprehensive assessment, independent learning ability, and self-efficacy in the observation group were statistically significantly higher than those in the control group. Satisfaction with the teaching modelwas higher in the observation group than in the control group.
Conclusions: Rain Classroom with PAD Classeffectively improved teaching quality, students’ academic performance, self-learning ability, and self-efficacy, and increased satisfaction with teaching methods.
Does transcranial direct current stimulation enhance visual working memory? A replication study
Authors: Jiang Shuangke , Jones Myles , von Bastian Claudia 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
In recent years, non-invasive brain stimulation has been highlighted as a possible intervention to induce cognitive benefits, including on visual working memory (VWM). However, findings are inconsistent, possibly due to methodological issues. A recent high-profile study by Wang et al. (2019) reported that anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) over posterior parietal cortex (PPC), but not over dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), selectively improved VWM capacity but not precision, especially at a high VWM load. Given the broad implications of this finding, it is imperative to test its replicability. Thus, in the current pre-registered conceptual replication study, we accounted for the key potential methodological issues in the original study and tested an adequate number of subjects required to demonstrate the previously reported effects (n = 48 compared to n = 20). Participants underwent counterbalanced PPC, DLPFC and sham stimulation before completing 360 trials of a continuous orientation-reproduction task. We failed to replicate the selective effect of PPC stimulation. Instead, our results showed little credible evidence for effects of tDCS regardless of stimulation region and VWM load. The absence of tDCS effects was largely supported by substantial to strong Bayesian evidence. Therefore, our results challenge previously reported benefits of anodal PPC-tDCS on VWM.
Comparison of the level of physical activity after the COVID-19 pandemic in Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic
Authors: Líška Dávid , Kobesová Alena , Rutkowski Sebastian , Oplatková Lenka , Sýkora Jozef , Pupiš Martin , Novák Jakub , Šarkanová Ivana , Urbářová Eliška , Rutkowska Anna 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with limited physical activity of most of the world's population. This cross-sectional prospective study aimed to assess the levels of physical activity (PA) of university students in Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia after COVID using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF). A total of 2635 students were recruited, and their PA levels were measured using the IPAQ-SF between September and December 2022. PA measured by metabolic equivalent (MET) scores, varied between the three countries: Slovakia median MET-minutes/week score 4459.9; Czech Republic 3838.8 Poland 3567.1. The results of the post hoc analysis revealed that there were significant differences in MET-minutes/week values between the Czech Republic and Poland (p<0.035) as well as between the Czech Republic and Slovakia (p<0.037). The analysis of energetic expenditure during walking revealed that students from the Czech Republic and Slovakia had higher median MET-min/weeks values (Czech 2284.1; Slovak 2467.1) compared to their Polish (1536.1) peers (p<0.001). Polish cohort presented with significantly higher BMI (p<0.001) than Czech and Slovak groups (BMI Czech: 22.3; Slovak 22.8; Polish 23.8). Compared to available pre-COVID studies it seems that the total level of PA in the observed cohorts has not returned to the pre-COVID levels and the students remain less active.
Identification of a cuproptosis-associated gene signature and Peptidylprolyl isomerase C as therapeutic target in cutaneous melanoma
Authors: Zhou Bin , Sha Shanshan , Yang Liu , Fu Yangxue , Tan Lulu , Sun Shuomin , Li Jun , Huang Changzheng , Dong Liyun , Tao Juan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Cutaneous melanoma is widely known to be the most lethal of skin tumors. Cuproptosis is a newly discovered cell death form which is related to the process of oxidative phosphorylation. However, the exact involvement of cuproptosis in melanoma is unknown. Our research explored the potential relationship between cuproptosis-related genes with prognosis, immune microenvironments, and treatments of melanoma. The cuproptosis regulators differ substantially in melanoma and normal tissues. Additionally, cuproptosis regulators are associated with melanoma. The newly established cuproptosis-related gene signature (CGS) could effectively predict overall survival (OS) of melanoma, and a novel nomogram combining clinical characteristics with CGS was constructed. Further, CD8 + T cells, Tfh cells, B cells, and myeloid-derived suppressor cells were correlated with the CGS. Among the CGS, Peptidylprolyl isomerase C (PPIC) was most associated with melanoma’s poor prognosis and drug resistance. PPIC can promote melanoma progression by enhancingmelanoma cell invasiveness and decreasing CD8 + T cell activation. The current study revealed the correlation between CGS with melanoma prognosis, immune microenvironment, and drug resistance. Moreover, our study provided new data that supports PPIC as a potential and efficient biomarker for OS prognosis in the treatment of melanoma.
Flexible and customizable three-dimensional woven fabrics using dielectric- magnetic coupled polyamide-66 composite fibers for efficient and controllable electromagnetic wave absorption
Authors: Gao Shuang , Deng Xiuyan , Qi Xiaoming , Dai Hongbo , Fu Shaoyun , Fu Yaqin 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
High-performance microwave absorption materials with broad electromagnetic absorption bandwidths and scalable architectures have been increasingly demanded in the modern electric and telecommunications industries. Herein, we propose a series of large-scale microwave absorption (MA) three-dimensional (3D) woven fabrics with the customizable microwave absorption characteristics constructed using the nano-engineered carbon black (CB)-Fe3O4/polyamide-66 (PA-66) composite fibers that possess of a unique core-sheath structure. Notably, the impedance matching and microwave attenuation of the proposed 3D fabric absorbers are realized attributing to the dielectric-magnetic coupling effect of CB and Fe3O4 within the constituent fibers. The overall MA performance of these 3D fabric absorbers are then optimized by strategically modulating their macroscopic woven patterns. In this study, the reflection loss (RL) of the 3D fabric absorbers was measured following the arch test method. In specific, at the incident angle of 60°, the minimum RL (RLmin) of the 3D fabric absorber with the weft density of 250 picks/10-cm (3DF-250) reaches − 34.5 dB at the thickness of 1.68 mm and presents an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, as RL≤-10 dB) of 4.99 GHz. Particularly, at the incident angle of 0°, the EAB of the folded 3DF-250 absorber (i.e., at the thickness of 3.36 mm) covers the entire X-band. In addition, the proposed 3D fabric absorbers show good softness (with drape coefficient of 83.1–88.8%), superior mechanical properties (i.e., an average equivalent strength of 35 MPa and fracture strain of 60%), and great air permeability (> 109 mm/s). In a word, we believe that the 3D fabric absorbers can be a strong candidate for being a viable microwave stealth material and demonstrate great application potentials for the wearable electromagnetic wave protection.
Synthesis of dimethyl carbonate from CO2 catalyzed by spherical polymeric ionic liquid catalyst
Authors: Liu Wenqiang , Wang Yajuan , Li Jiangxin , Zhang Juan 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is widely used and nontoxic and can replace more dangerous materials such as dimethyl sulfate or methyl chloride. Spherical particle catalysts (PILs-XSS) were synthesized by suspension polymerization, which was characterized by SEM-EDS, FT-IR, TG, and BET-BJH. The characterization results showed that PILs-XSS had a specific core structure, a certain pore size (14.3nm), and surface area size (71.5m2/g), and remained stable at 293.4°C. The catalyst performance was evaluated by a one-pot synthesis of dimethyl carbonate. The process conditions were optimized in detail. The optimal reaction conditions were as follows: the dosage of PILs-XSS was 2.5 wt %, the CO2 pressure was 1.5 MPa, the reaction temperature was 100°C, the reaction time was 4 h, the molar ratio of methanol to propylene oxide (PO)was 3: 1, and the dosage of cocatalyst Na2CO3 was 3 wt %. Under the optimum conditions, the conversion of PO was up to 98.8% and the yield of DMC reached 53.7%. In addition, the combined catalyst PILs-Na2CO3 was easily recovered by filtration in the reaction system. After five times of repeated use, the activity and the shape of the catalyst were almost unchanged, which meant that the catalyst had amazing mechanical strength. This study found that the transesterification catalyst Na2CO3 not only had good transesterification efficiency but also promoted the reaction of CO2.