bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of landscape structure and patch characteristics on the density of central populations of the eastern green lizard Lacerta viridis
Authors: Prieto‐Ramírez Ana María 
Published: August 2023

AbstractA better understanding of the impact of habitat loss on population density can be achieved by evaluating effects of both parameters within remnant habitat patches and parameters of the landscape surrounding those patches. The integration of predictors at the patch and landscape level is scarce in animal ecological studies, especially for reptiles. In this study, a patch–landscape approach was applied to evaluate the combined effects of within‐patch habitat quality, patch geometry and landscape configuration and composition on the density of remnant populations of the eastern green lizard, Lacerta viridis, in a highly modified landscape in Bulgaria. Landscape composition variables (proportion of different land covers) were measured at different spatial scales surrounding patches. Single‐scale models were built to evaluate combined effects of all predictors on density, when including all landscape composition variables at a specific spatial scale. Multi‐scale models were applied to analyze combined effects when including landscape composition variables at the scale of their strongest effect (scale of effect, SoE). Results showed that the SoE of proportion of cropland and urban areas was small (50 m), while for proportion of habitat was large (1.5 km). The overall effect of habitat loss was better explained by the multi‐scale model. Population density increased with patch area and decreased with patch shape irregularity and with the proportion of three land cover types surrounding patches—cropland, urban areas, and habitat. Combining patch and landscape parameters is important to identify ecological processes that occur simultaneously at different spatial levels and landscape scales, which would imply the application of multi‐scale approaches for the protection of wild animal populations. Results are contrasted with what is known about occupancy patterns of the species in the same region and approaches to integrate both occupancy and density, in the field design of animal ecological studies are suggested.
Detection of acoustic emission during fermentation using an electret sensor
Authors: Kageyama Kensuke , Kawarai Yuma 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this study, we focused on acoustic emission (AE) as a method for quantitative evaluation of fermentation. Since bubbling in the culture medium and detachment of the medium during fermentation are considered to be phenomena similar to corrosion, AE could be expected to be detected. Therefore, we conducted AE measurements using ECS during fermentation of yeast in sucrose solution, fermentation of yeast during sake brewing, and fermentation of sawdust in a hot bath facility, and investigated the possibility of evaluation of fermentation process using electret sensor (ECS). AE was detected during the fermentation of yeast. The peak frequency of AE detected during yeast fermentation was widely distributed. Cumulative number of AE, however, showed a strong correlation with the decrease in sugar content during fermentation, indicating the possibility of quantitative evaluation of the fermentation state by AE measurement if a time lag is considered. In the measurement of AE from the fermentation of sake malt, a large amount of AE was detected from the lower part of the tank immediately after brewing, and the number of AE gradually increased in the upper part of the tank. These AE measurements suggested that even in top fermentation, the initial fermentation may occur in the lower part of the tank. In the fermentation and warm bath facility, AE during fermentation could be detected even in powdered media. Although the durability of the ECS needs to be improved under high temperature and high humidity conditions, it is expected to be able to monitor the fermentation process better than temperature measurements.
Fast range expansion of the red imported fire ant in Virginia and prediction of future spread in the United States
Authors: Malone Morgan , Ivanov Kaloyan , Taylor Sally V. , Schürch Roger 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe red imported fire ant (RIFA),Solenopsis invicta(Buren), is a notorious, invasive species with broad impacts on ecosystems, economies, and human health. While incidental reports to the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) indicate a recent range expansion in Virginia, the full extent of RIFA spread in the area is currently unknown. In this study, we examined the distribution of RIFA in Virginia using multiple data sources: (1) during the summers of 2020 and 2021, we conducted a series of prospective visual surveys along public roadways in southern Virginia, (2) we used data from multiyear VDACS infestation reports covering the period 2016–2021, and (3) we surveyed local naturalists, county extension agents, and land managers. We compared the resulting data with an earlier predictive model quantifying the potential spread of RIFA and constructed a species distribution model to explore the potential range expansion of RIFA in the United States based on new occurrence data and bioclimatic variables. RIFA was found in seven Virginia counties beyond the current federal quarantine zone, and our data show that it has spread much further than predicted 15 years ago. Our species distribution model suggests that the range of RIFA is likely to increase further under the currently projected climate change scenarios, both in Virginia and more generally across the United States, with the lower Midwest expected to be one of the most affected areas. This study provides insights into the range expansion of RIFA at the border of its suitable North American habitat and elucidates some of the environmental factors associated with its current and future spread. In doing so, it provides information to advise sound management practices and prevention efforts.
Slow Inversion of Coordinated Thioether Groups in SNS‐Type Ruthenium Pincer Complexes
Authors: Rummel Frederik , Wehmeyer Frerk , Vogt Matthias , Langer Robert 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe thioether‐group‐containing SNS‐type pincer complex [({EtSCH2CH2}2NH)RuCl(H)(PPh3)] (2) exists in three different diastereomers (2 a–c). The molecular structures obtained from single crystal X‐Ray diffraction studies of all three isomers reveal a difference in the relative orientation of the respective EtS‐groups, while other commonly observed diastereomers as the result of cis‐/trans‐ or fac‐/mer‐isomerism are not observed. Chemical exchange between the three diastereomers 2 a–c was discovered by phase‐sensitive 1H and 31P NOESY NMR spectroscopy, and further quantified by line shape analysis of 1H NMR spectra. The experimentally derived averaged Gibbs energies of activation for the interconversion of the isomers (65–70 kJ/mol) are in good agreement with the results obtained from DFT calculations, which suggest an inversion of the ligating sulfur atoms, although a dissociative pathway for the configurational inversion can be competitive.
Sustainable energy transition in Bangladesh: Challenges and pathways for the future
Authors: Mohazzem Hossain Shah , Biswas Sagor , Raihan Uddin Md 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe industrial development of a country plays a vital role in its overall progress and is closely tied to its capacity of electricity generation. However, the scarcity of natural resources and increasing costs of fuel in global markets pose significant challenges for developing countries like Bangladesh in managing the rising expenses of electricity generation. Consequently, the government of Bangladesh is exploring alternative energy resources such as solar, wind, hydroelectricity, biomass, and biogas to supplement fossil fuels and optimize electricity generation cost. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current status of natural resources, including gas, coal, and oil, which are conventionally used for electricity generation in Bangladesh. It highlights concerns about dwindling resource availability and their impact on the country's energy landscape. Through numerical analysis, it demonstrates the detrimental effects of relying heavily on gas‐based power plants, leading to electricity supply instability. To address the ongoing energy crisis, the paper proposes the adoption of renewable energy sources as a viable solution. Additionally, it also acknowledges the challenges associated with implementing large‐scale renewable projects in distinct areas of the country, such as limited infrastructure, technical constraints, and the need for significant investment. Overcoming these barriers is crucial for achieving widespread utilization of renewable resources. This paper concludes by offering recommendations to overcome these challenges and maximize the contributions of renewable energy in meeting future energy demands. The suggestions include developing robust infrastructure, implementing policy reforms to attract investment, emphasizing research and development, and promoting community engagement in renewable energy initiatives. It also highlights the potential of renewable energy resources in shaping a more secure and sustainable energy future for Bangladesh, emphasizing the importance of electricity generation for socio‐economic development.
Uncovering the flocculating and dye recovery potential of pH‐responsive bioflocculant produced by Bacillus thuringiensis
Authors: Zhong Zhi‐Chen , Wu Xin‐Ping , Wu Chun‐Yung , Chen Yu‐Jie , Shu Che‐Chi 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn this study, the decolorization of anionic dyes was investigated using a novel pH‐responsive bioflocculant (named BF‐TWB10) derived by Bacillus thuringiensis. The BF‐TWB10 showed a dye removal capacity of 99.06% for C.I. Direct Red 224 (DR 224) and 99.22% for C.I. Acid Black 172 (AB 172) at pH 2.0. Its dye removal capacity decreased with increasing pH and the zeta potential analysis revealed that the dye particles exhibited stronger dispersion forces at higher pH levels. Owing to this pH‐responsive property, BF‐TWB10 could be utilized to recover anionic dyes. The recovery rate was 83.46% for DR 224 and 76.46% for AB 172. We then attempted to concentrate the regenerated dye solutions by regenerating the dye‐loaded floc in one‐tenth of its original volume. The concentration multiple of the regenerated dye solutions reached 8.220 and 7.758 times for DR 224 and AB 172, respectively. In addition, the recovery rate of both dyes increased after three cycles of decolorization/regeneration. The results suggested that BF‐TWB10 has potential not only to remediate dyes from textile effluent but also to recover dyestuffs.
Investigating self‐blame and trauma symptoms in parents of young people with anorexia nervosa
Authors: Irish Madeleine , Adams Joanna , Cooper Myra 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundCaring for a young person with anorexia nervosa (AN) has been associated with psychological distress and found to be a traumatic experience. This can have an impact on patient and family outcomes.ObjectiveThis study aimed to investigate whether self‐blame cognitions contribute to post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in parents of young people with AN.MethodsA cross‐sectional design was used. One hundred and twenty‐three parents of young people with AN completed a range of questionnaires assessing self‐blame cognitions and PTSD symptoms.ResultsOverall, levels of self‐blame cognitions were significantly higher in those experiencing higher levels of PTSD symptoms compared to low levels. Additionally, levels of self‐blame cognitions significantly predicted PTSD symptoms over and above demographic factors and illness severity, accounting for 22% of unique variance in PTSD symptoms.ConclusionsThe findings suggest that negative appraisals regarding self‐blame for their child's eating disorder contributed to the potential maintenance of PTSD symptoms. Parents presenting with thoughts of self‐blame would benefit from further support to reduce these feelings and, subsequently, reduce carer distress.
Effectiveness of nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools: A systematic review
Authors: Comeau Abigail , Mertens Bradley , Bachwal Lavanya , Utter Jennifer , van Herwerden Louise 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIssue AddressedDietary intake of Australian adolescents is suboptimal. Schools are an ideal setting for health promotion initiatives to develop healthy lifestyle behaviours among adolescents. However, we do not know which nutrition‐focused, school‐based interventions are effective at improving health outcomes in adolescents in Australia. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the effect of nutrition interventions on health outcomes in Australian secondary school students.MethodsMEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, ERIC and Informit were systematically searched on 4th November 2022. Studies in any language evaluating nutrition interventions implemented in Australian secondary schools were included. Studies evaluating interventions conducted in primary schools or outside the school setting were excluded, as were any grey literature, systematic reviews and meta‐analyses. Screening and data extraction were performed in duplicate. Quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool.ResultsThirteen studies (n = 27 224) reporting on nutrition interventions implemented in Australian secondary schools were included. Studies were conducted in five different states and a capital territory within Australia and were mostly randomised controlled trials. Most studies reported a significant improvement on nutrition‐related health outcome measures (dietary behaviour n = 6, nutritional knowledge and attitudes n = 4 and anthropometric n = 1).ConclusionsThis review found limited studies reporting on nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools. However, most were shown to be effective in improving nutrition‐related health outcomes.So What?Since there were limited studies in peer‐reviewed journals, more research in this area is needed to confirm the effectiveness of nutrition interventions in Australian secondary schools and to assess long‐term effects on student's health outcomes.
Blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 in Luanda, Angola: A retrospective study
Authors: Sebastião Cruz S. , Sacomboio Euclides , Francisco Ngiambudulu M. , Cassinela Edson K. , Mateus António , David Zinga , Pimentel Victor , Paixão Joana , Neto de Vasconcelos Jocelyne , Morais Joana 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsSARS‐CoV‐2 infection is a public health concern. Several aspects related to the pattern of infection remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the blood pressure pattern among blood donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 in Luanda, Angola, a sub‐Saharan African country.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis containing 343 blood donors from December 2019 to September 2020. Parametric tests compared means while χ2 and logistic regression checked features associated with high blood pressure and were considered significant when p < 0.05.ResultsThe mean age of blood donors was 32.2 ± 8.81 years (ranging from 18 to 61 years) and 93% of the men's gender. Overall, 4.7% of the studied population had been exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2. High blood pressure prevalence increased from unexposed to exposed SARS‐CoV‐2 (6.7%–18.8%, p = 0.071). SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure increase systole (131 ± 12.2 mmHg to 136 ± 14.2 mmHg, p = 0.098), diastole (79.9 ± 9.53 mmHg to 84.2 ± 12.7 mmHg, p = 0.086), pulse in beats per minute (72.0 ± 11.1 to 73.7 ± 8.50, p = 0.553), and decrease donating time (6.31 ± 3.72 min to 5.48 ± 1.61 min, p = 0.371). Chances of having high blood pressure were high [OR: 3.20 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.85–12.1), p = 0.086] in exposed SARS‐CoV‐2. Donors exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2 with abnormal donation time increased from the donor up to 40 years to over 40 years (from 35.7% to 50%, p = 0.696). The mean systolic, diastolic, and pulse pressure were higher for non‐O donors (p > 0.05). A significant link was observed, between the Rhesus factor and blood pressure status (p = 0.032).ConclusionWe showed important variations in blood pressure indices of the Angolan population exposed to SARS‐CoV‐2. Older age and non‐O blood groups appear to be important biological factors for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, as well as the risk of developing cardiovascular disease after or during SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure. Further studies assessing the impact on cardiovascular functions with ongoing or long‐term SARS‐CoV‐2 exposure in individuals from resource‐limited countries should be considered.
Dissolution‐driven convection of a power‐law fluid in a porous medium in the presence of chemical reaction
Authors: Reddy G. Shiva Kumar , Ragoju Ravi , Reddy N. Keerthi , Edla Damodar Reddy 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe flow through porous medium accounts for numerous applications in various fields namely, agriculture, geothermal sciences, and engineering. Furthermore, dissolution‐driven convection in porous media has grabbed great attention in recent years due to its practical applications in long‐term geological storage of carbon dioxide, in the production of mineral deposits, and other industrial applications. In this regard, the current numerical analysis focuses on addressing the thermal instability of dissolution‐driven convective phenomena of a power‐law fluid through a porous horizontal domain with a first‐order chemical reaction. For linear stability analysis, the method of normal modes has been employed to solve governing dimensionless equations which give rise to an eigenvalue problem. The bvp4c routine in MATLAB R2020a has been used to solve the raised problem for the onset of convection. The impact of Damköhler number, Péclet number, and power‐law index on the onset of convection has been investigated. The role of these critical parameters is found to be highly significant in stabilizing the system. An increase in the power‐law index causes stabilization or destabilization in the system, depending on the Péclet number. An enhancement in the magnitude of Damköhler number makes the system stable for all values of the Péclet number. Also, Damköhler and critical Rayleigh number are inter‐related, that is, an increment in Damköhler number results in the enhancement of critical Rayleigh numbers, which in turn leads to stabilization of the system. The critical wave number is observed to have a remarkable influence on Damköhler number as well as power‐law index.
Transition Metal‐Catalyzed Electroreductive Cross‐Couplings for C−C Bond Formation
Authors: Gao Meng‐Yu , Gosmini Corinne 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThis mini review provides an overview of a range of Ni‐, Co‐ and Pd‐catalyzed electroreductive cross‐coupling reactions. The combination of homogeneous transition‐metal catalysis and electrochemistry are green alternatives to traditional reductive cross‐coupling reactions to form Csp2‐Csp2, Csp2‐Csp3 and some Csp3‐Csp3 bonds in one step. Most of these reactions use the sacrificial anode process.
Determinants of respectful maternity care at a tertiary care teaching institute in South India: A mixed‐methods study
Authors: Dasari Papa , Sastry Jaya Gowri , Thulasingam Mahalakshmy , Fisher Jane , Chandrasekaran Nithya 
Published: August 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the proportion of women who experienced disrespect and abuse (D&A) and the type of D&A during labor and postpartum, and to determine the factors significantly associated with D&A.MethodsA cross‐sectional mixed‐methods study undertaken in tertiary care teaching institute South India. After ethical approval, 380 postpartum women within 72 h of delivery were recruited for the study. The determinants of respectful maternity care (RMC) were assessed quantitatively and qualitatively. For quantitative assessment, they were interviewed using questionnaires adopted from the United States Agency for International Development‐ Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program (USAID‐MCHIP) protocol, which has verification criteria for RMC. As a second method for quantitative assessment, they were asked to rate the care from their perspective on a 10‐point score. For the qualitative component, they were asked to identify the healthcare workers associated with D&A by their designation and to answer three open‐ended questions. IBM SPSS Statistics 25 (IBM Corporation, Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 25) was used for analysis. D&A as per RMC standards I–VII and its severity were expressed as frequencies and percentages with 95% confidence interval. Univariate analysis was used to determine the associated factors, and severity was determined by χ2 test.ResultsThe prevalence of D&A was high (85%) according to the RMC standards of the USAID‐MCHIP questionnaire, whereas it was only 33% according to women's perspective. The most common type of D&A was non‐dignified care. The factors significantly associated with D&A were women over 25 years, those admitted as an emergency referral, having a recommendation letter, and relatives working at the same healthcare facility.ConclusionThe prevalence of D&A was high as measured by the USAID‐MCHIP questionnaire, and the most common type was non‐dignified care followed by physical abuse.
Pulse electrochemical synaptic transistor for supersensitive and ultrafast biosensors
Authors: Ji Jianlong , Wang Zhenxing , Zhang Fan , Wang Bin , Niu Yan , Jiang Xiaoning , Qiao Zeng‐ying , Ren Tian‐ling , Zhang Wendong , Sang Shengbo , Cheng Zhengdong , Sun Qijun 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHigh sensitivity and fast response are the figures of merit for benchmarking commercial sensors. Due to the advantages of intrinsic signal amplification, bionic ability, and mechanical flexibility, electrochemical transistors (ECTs) have recently gained increasing popularity in constructing various sensors. In the current work, we have proposed a pulse‐driven synaptic ECT for supersensitive and ultrafast biosensors. By pulsing the presynaptic input (drain bias, VD) and setting the modulation potential (gate bias) near transconductance intersection (VG,i), the synaptic ECT‐based pH sensor can achieve a record high sensitivity up to 124 mV pH−1 (almost twice the Nernstian limit, 59.2 mV pH−1) and an ultrafast response time as low as 8.75 ms (7169 times faster than the potentiostatic sensors, 62.73 s). The proposed synaptic sensing strategy can effectively eliminate the transconductance fluctuation issue during the calibration process of the pH sensor and significantly reduce power consumption. Besides, the most sensitive working point at VG,i has been elaborately figured out through a series of detailed mathematical derivations, which is of great significance to provide higher sensitivity with quasi‐nonfluctuating amplification capability. The proposed electrochemical synaptic transistor paired with an optimized operating gate offers a new paradigm for standardizing and commercializing high‐performance biosensors.image