bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Defining the Angolan Highlands Water Tower, a 40 plus-year precipitation budget of the headwater catchments of the Okavango Delta
Authors: Lourenco Mauro , Woodborne Stephan 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAngola is a source of many major rivers in southern Africa and is referred to as the “water tower” of the region. The lack of a defined area delineating the Angolan Highlands water tower (AHWT) limits the conservation of this important freshwater source. This study hydrologically defines the boundary of the AHWT as areas > 1274 m above mean sea level within the Central Bié Plateau of Angola. Using the Climate Hazards Group InfraRed Precipitation with Station (CHIRPS) data, this study provides a 41-year precipitation budget of the AHWT and surrounding basins. Between 1981 and 2021, the average annual precipitation over the AHWT was 1112 mm and the gross annual average precipitation volume was approximately 423 km3 over an area of 380,382 km2. The AHWT is the southern source of the Congo Basin, the western source of the Zambezi Basin, and the sole water source of the endorheic Okavango Basin and Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On average, approximately 133 km3 (92.36%) of the gross annual precipitation volume for the headwater Cuito and Cubango catchments of the Okavango River is lost before reaching the Okavango Delta. Estimates of the annual flooding of the Okavango Delta during a 35-year period (1985–2019) were correlated to precipitation in the headwater catchments. Correlation coefficients are stronger for the entire rainfall season (0.76) and early rainfall season (0.62) for the combined Cuito–Cubango catchment in comparison to late rainfall season (0.50), which suggests that the antecedent conditions (first and second flood pulse) during the early rainfall season allows for greater Okavango Delta flood inundation. The correlation coefficients between the Cubango (0.72) and Cuito (0.78) Rivers and annual flood inundation are not significantly different (P > 0.05); however, these rivers have fundamental hydrological differences that influence the functioning of the Okavango Delta. The Cubango River, described as a flushing system, has much steeper gradient, more compact and shallow soils and flows faster with significant rapids, whereas the peatland rich, absorbent, seepage-driven baseflow of the Cuito River sustains the Okavango Delta during the dry season. The dynamics of seasonal precipitation, hydrology and climate change in the AHWT have important repercussions on water budgets, food security and biodiversity throughout southern Africa, requiring continued collaboration between countries to ensure that future development is sustainable.
A comprehensive study on the influence of the scan pattern in two porosity levels and surface roughness on the fatigue behavior of laser powder bed fusion manufactured specimens made of steel H13
Authors: Zhang J. , Schumacher J. , Clausen B. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs a developing and immature technique, additive manufacturing (AM) shows some limitations: depending on material and process parameters so far, it usually results in parts with residual porosity, high residual stresses and a surface with a certain level of roughness. Due to its weaknesses and high production costs, AM is more preferably used when the fabricated parts have a high geometry complexity, the material used is very expensive, or the parts can offer additional performance. In order to allocate AM further in industry, a better understanding of the not well-investigated fatigue behavior is necessary. This work focuses on the influences of some general process parameters including laser power, scan speed, scan pattern and postmachining on the resulting fatigue properties of H13 tool steel specimens generated through powder bed fusion (PBF) technique. Results reveal that scan patterns influence fatigue properties by affecting the largest porous defect size and microstructure thus matrix strength. The degree of porosity or roughness resulting from the energy input and postmachining has a significant inferior impact on the fatigue strength. Neither porosity nor tensile properties show a single direct mathematic correlation with the fatigue properties.
Permafrost-thaw lake development in Central Yakutia: sedimentary ancient DNA and element analyses from a Holocene sediment record
Authors: Baisheva Izabella , Pestryakova Luidmila , Levina Sardana , Glückler Ramesh , Biskaborn Boris K. , Vyse Stuart A. , Heim Birgit , Herzschuh Ulrike , Stoof-Leichsenring Kathleen R. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn Central Yakutia (Siberia) livelihoods of local communities depend on alaas (thermokarst depression) landscapes and the lakes within. Development and dynamics of these alaas lakes are closely connected to climate change, permafrost thawing, catchment conditions, and land use. To reconstruct lake development throughout the Holocene we analyze sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) and biogeochemistry from a sediment core from Lake Satagay, spanning the last c. 10,800 calibrated years before present (cal yrs BP). SedaDNA of diatoms and macrophytes and microfossil diatom analysis reveal lake formation earlier than 10,700 cal yrs BP. The sedaDNA approach detected 42 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) of diatom taxa, one ASV of Eustigmatophyceae (Nannochloropsis), and 12 ASVs of macrophytes. We relate diatom and macrophyte community changes to climate-driven shifts in water level and mineral and organic input, which result in variable water conductivity, in-lake productivity, and sediment deposition. We detect a higher lake level and water conductivity in the Early Holocene (c. 10,700–7000 cal yrs BP) compared to other periods, supported by the dominance of Stephanodiscus sp. and Stuckenia pectinata. Further climate warming towards the Mid-Holocene (7000–4700 cal yrs BP) led to a shallowing of Lake Satagay, an increase of the submerged macrophyte Ceratophyllum, and a decline of planktonic diatoms. In the Late Holocene (c. 4700 cal yrs BP–present) stable shallow water conditions are confirmed by small fragilarioid and staurosiroid diatoms dominating the lake. Lake Satagay has not yet reached the final stage of alaas development, but satellite imagery shows an intensification of anthropogenic land use, which in combination with future warming will likely result in a rapid desiccation of the lake.
Can a single account of supererogation handle both finite and infinite cases?
Authors: Smith Holly M. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDiscussions of supererogation usually focus on cases in which the agent can choose among a finite number of options. However, Daniel Muñoz has recently shown that cases in which the agent faces an infinite chain of increasingly less good options make trouble for existing definitions of supererogation. Muñoz proposes a promising new definition as a solution to the problem of infinite cases. I argue that any acceptable account of supererogation must (1) enable us to accurately identify supererogatory acts in both finite and infinite option cases. It must also (2) include a suitably related account of what makes one act more supererogatory than another for finite, infinite, single-choice (one agent choosing among several supererogatory options) and inter-choice (two different agents, each choosing a supererogatory option) cases. I further argue that the best current account of supererogation for finite cases works well for finite cases, but cannot handle infinite cases. However, Muñoz’s proposal cannot handle inter-choice cases in either finite or infinite cases. I conclude we still need an account for infinite cases, and may have to settle for separate definitions of supererogation for finite and infinite cases.
TAT-PEP Alleviated Cognitive Impairment by Alleviating Neuronal Mitochondria Damage and Apoptosis After Cerebral Ischemic Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Zhao Pin , Zhang Jiapo , Kuai JianKe , Li Liya , Li Xuying , Feng Namin , Du Hailiang , Li Chen , Wang Qiang , Deng Bin 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPaired immunoglobulin-like receptor B (PirB) was identified as a myelin-associated inhibitory protein (MAIP) receptor that plays a critical role in axonal regeneration, synaptic plasticity and neuronal survival after stroke. In our previous study, a transactivator of transcription-PirB extracellular peptide (TAT-PEP) was generated that can block the interactions between MAIs and PirB. We found that TAT-PEP treatment improved axonal regeneration, CST projection and long-term neurobehavioural recovery after stroke through its effects on PirB-mediated downstream signalling. However, the effect of TAT-PEP on the recovery of cognitive function and the survival of neurons also needs to be investigated. In this study, we investigated whether pirb RNAi could alleviate neuronal injury by inhibiting the expression of PirB following exposure to oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD) in vitro. In addition, TAT-PEP treatment attenuated the volume of the brain infarct and promoted the recovery of neurobehavioural function and cognitive function. This study also found that TAT-PEP exerts neuroprotection by reducing neuronal degeneration and apoptosis after ischemia–reperfusion injury. In addition, TAT-PEP improved neuron survival and reduced lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release in vitro. Results also showed that TAT-PEP reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation in OGD-injured neurons. The possible mechanism was that TAT-PEP could contribute to the damage of neuronal mitochondria and affect the expression of cleaved caspase 3, Bax and Bcl-2. Our results suggest that PirB overexpression in neurons after ischaemic-reperfusion injury induces neuronal mitochondrial damage, oxidative stress and apoptosis. This study also suggests that TAT-PEP may be a potent neuroprotectant with therapeutic potential for stroke by reducing neuronal oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage, degeneration and apoptosis in ischemic stroke.
Increased Intestinal Permeability: An Avenue for the Development of Autoimmune Disease?
Authors: English Jamie , Connolly Lisa , Stewart Linda D. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe intestinal epithelium acts as the first line of defence against pathogens present in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. The epithelium is composed of a single monolayer that includes a variety of cell types, each of which play roles in nutrient and water absorption, antimicrobial defence, and immunomodulation to maintain a homeostatic gut environment. Tight junction (TJ) complexes between adjacent intestinal epithelial cells are responsible for the structural integrity of the gut barrier and controlling the paracellular translocation of luminal contents. The effectiveness of TJs can be impacted by both genetic and environmental factors including microbiota dysbiosis and dietary components. The increased systemic entry of luminal contents has been associated with the development, progression, and/or relapse of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s and rheumatoid arthritis. In particular, the extraintestinal spread of luminal microbes possessing components with structural similarity to those of the human host are thought to be involved in the breakdown of immune tolerance towards host components. Here, the structure and function of the intestinal epithelium are discussed as well as the genetic and environmental factors that influence its permeability. There is emphasis on the role of increased intestinal permeability and how the subsequent translocation of luminal contents could be involved in the development and/or exacerbation of autoimmune diseases. This review reinforces how protecting the integrity of the intestinal epithelium and minimising immunological exposure to luminal components, either directly or indirectly, could be a useful strategy in reducing the prevalence and severity of autoimmune diseases.
Investigation of the combustion and ash deposition characteristics of oil palm waste biomasses
Authors: Kuswa Fairuz Milkiy , Putra Hanafi Prida , Prabowo  , Darmawan Arif , Aziz Muhammad , Hariana Hariana 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBiomass serves as an alternative energy solution for decarbonizing coal-fired power plants, which have been reactivated in several countries due to the global energy crisis. Oil palm waste, owing to its abundant availability, holds significant potential as a biomass fuel. This study aimed to investigate the combustion performance of various oil palm wastes in comparison to coal. Biomass combustion is associated with ash-related problems such as slagging, fouling, and corrosion, which may accelerate ash deposit acceleration, reduce heat transfer, and damage refractory equipment in boilers. Ash-related problems were evaluated using the method commonly adopted for solid fuel, including experimental drop tube furnace combustion and ash observation. The results indicate that each oil palm waste has different combustion characteristics. Palm leaves, empty fruit bunch, and palm fronds with clean probe observation have a relatively low tendency of slagging and fouling and can be recommended as biomass fuel for co-firing. However, their high alkali and iron contents need to be considered. Palm fiber has similar combustion characteristics to coal, but it has a high slagging and fouling tendencies. The palm stems with high chlorine content have a high corrosion tendency confirmed by probe observation, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction analyses.
The oracle of Delphi 2.0: considering artificial intelligence as a challenging tool for the treatment of eating disorders
Authors: Abbate-Daga Giovanni , Taverna Alberto , Martini Matteo 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn this editorial, we discuss how the diffusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based tools—such as the recently available conversational AIs—could impact and transform eating disorders (EDs) care. We try to envision the possible use of AI by individuals affected by EDs and by clinicians, in terms of prevention, support to treatment, and development of new and actually personalized treatment strategies. We then focus on how the introduction of AI into psychotherapy could either represent an element of disruption for the therapeutical relationship or be positively and creatively integrated into session and inter-sessional dynamics. As technological advancements open scenarios where anyone could have access to a personal and all-knowing “oracle”, the ability to formulate questions, individuals’ experiences, and the scientific rigor with which clinicians study them must remain at the center of our work. Ethical and legal issues about the use of AI are also considered.
The PERMA + 4 Short Scale: A Cross-Cultural Empirical Validation Using Item Response Theory
Authors: Donaldson Scott I. , Donaldson Stewart I. , McQuaid Michelle , Kern Margaret L. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractA substantial body of empirical research has used the positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, accomplishment (PERMA) framework to measure building blocks of well-being across diverse samples and cultures, with most studies using the 23-item PERMA-Profiler (Butler & Kern, 2016) or a workplace variant. Donaldson and Donaldson (2021a) added four additional domains (physical health, mindset, environment, economic security; PERMA + 4). Psychometric development and testing of the original, translated, and variant versions of the measure have relied on Classical Test Theory approaches, such as factor analytic methods. In the workplace, valid, brief measures are critical. The current study used item response theory to analyze data from a large sample of Canadian (n = 1,003) and Australian (n = 942) employees to create a 9-item short scale of PERMA + 4. A graded response model showed good item discrimination (a > 1.40), and similar test information compared to the full measure. A short scale of PERMA + 4 will be useful for future studies of the building blocks of well-being and positive functioning, as well as for evaluating well-being programs and interventions within the workplace.
Watercress (Nasturtium officinale) as a Novel Plant-based Alternative to Synthetic Soil Urease Inhibitor Sources
Authors: Jarosz Kinga , Olech Zofia , Padoł Sonia 
Published: June 2023

Abstract
In order to achieve growth in agricultural production, nitrogen fertilisers are widely used. The urease enzyme, present in soil, vastly accelerates the pace of nitrogen transformation into plant-available forms. Rapid acceleration causes high nitrogen losses and the products of said reactions (e.g., greenhouse gases) which are released into the environment (Hube et al., Agric Ecosyst Environ: 46–54, 2017). Many countries have imposed regulations and laws regarding the compulsory use of urease inhibitory precautions when fertilising with urea. However, the inhibitors in use involve a high cost and new environmental risks. In this study, watercress (Nasturium officinale) is presented and investigated as an alternative. Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) Han’s method, high-performance liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR). An organosulfur compound dimethyl thiosulfinate (DMTS) was recognised in watercress extract, DMTS concentration was assessed and its inhibitory influence on native and soil ureases confirmed. The urease inhibition was of competitive character. Watercress have potential use as a natural source of urease inhibitor both in agriculture and other branches.

Graphical Abstract
The Warburg effect: a score for many instruments in the concert of cancer and cancer niche cells
Authors: Jaworska Martyna , Szczudło Julia , Pietrzyk Adrian , Shah Jay , Trojan Sonia E. , Ostrowska Barbara , Kocemba-Pilarczyk Kinga A. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAlthough Warburg's discovery of intensive glucose uptake by tumors, followed by lactate fermentation in oxygen presence of oxygen was made a century ago, it is still an area of intense research and development of new hypotheses that, layer by layer, unravel the complexities of neoplastic transformation. This seemingly simple metabolic reprogramming of cancer cells reveals an intriguing, multi-faceted nature that may link various phenomena including cell signaling, cell proliferation, ROS generation, energy supply, macromolecules synthesis/biosynthetic precursor supply, immunosuppression, or cooperation of cancerous cells with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), known as reversed Warburg effect. According to the current perception of the causes and consequences of the Warburg effect, PI3K/Akt/mTOR are the main signaling pathways that, in concert with the transcription factors HIF-1, p53, and c-Myc, modulate the activity/expression of key regulatory enzymes, including PKM2, and PDK1 to tune in the most optimal metabolic setting for the cancer cell. This in turn secures adequate levels of biosynthetic precursors, NADPH, NAD+, and rapid ATP production to meet the increased demands of intensively proliferating tumor cells. The end-product of “aerobic glycolysis”, lactate, an oncometabolite, may provide fuel to neighboring cancer cells, and facilitate metastasis and immunosuppression together enabling cancer progression. The importance and possible applicability of the presented issue are best illustrated by numerous trials with various agents targeting the Warburg effect, constituting a promising strategy in future anti-cancer regimens. In this review, we present the key aspects of this multifactorial phenomenon, depicting the mechanisms and benefits behind the Warburg effect, and also pointing to selected aspects in the field of anticancer therapy.
Lewis and Quine in context
Authors: Verhaegh Sander 
Published: June 2023

AbstractRobert Sinclair’sQuine, Conceptual Pragmatism, and the Analytic-Synthetic Distinctionpersuasively argues that Quine’s epistemology was deeply influenced by C. I. Lewis’s pragmatism. Sinclair’s account raises the question why Quine himself frequently downplayed Lewis’s influence. Looking back, Quine has always said that Rudolf Carnap was his “greatest teacher” and that his 1933 meeting with the German philosopher was his “first experience of sustained intellectual engagement with anyone of an older generation” (1970, 41; 1985, 97-8, my emphasis). Quine’s autobiographies contain only a handful of biographical references to Lewis and he regularly soft-pedaled the latter’s influence in private correspondence. In this note, I discuss some archival evidence that helps us better understand Quine’s reluctance to acknowledge Lewis’s influence. I contextualize the relation between Lewis and Quine and argue that the latter viewed his teacher as a retrograde force in modern epistemology, impeding the more rigorous approach that Carnap had been developing in Europe. Next, I briefly discuss Lewis’s contribution to the development of scientific philosophy in the United States and argue that Quine underestimated his teacher’s role in this process. In doing so, I argue that Quine’s zealous commitment to Carnap’s approach negatively affected his assessment of Lewis’s influence, thereby supplementing Sinclair’s praiseworthy reconstruction with an explanation of why Quine himself underestimated Lewis’s role.
Micro/nanoplastics contamination of the terrestrial environment: exposure routes, dose, and co-contaminants complicate the risk calculus
Authors: Zhao Xiaoli , Wu Xiaowei , White Jason C. , Tang Zhi , Wu Fengchang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs xenobiotics in the environment, microplastics and nanoplastics have become ever-present in the environment, especially in terrestrial environment. However, a critical issue is that these anthropogenic contaminants are toxic to some terrestrial microorganisms, and the results of that toxic interaction over time can significantly impact microbial community structure and function, with unknown ramifications for ecosystem health. This viewpoint highlights the fact that, considering the diverse array of MPs/NPs, the broad dose range, and the presence of co-contaminants (e.g., retained organic and elemental pollutants, polymer additives) associated with these materials, their risk calculus to microbiome in terrestrial environment is incredibly complex. Short- and long-term dose-response that spans environmentally relevant concentrations and includes appropriate levels of analyte complexity (additives, co-contaminants). This should include microcosm studies that enable assessment of 'omic' parameters over the long term, as well as detailed assessment of impacts on soil microbiome function. We also need to understand impacts on eukaryotic microbes. In conclusion, for both toxicity and benefit, we should focus more on the dynamics of impacts on the microbiome. As some populations are inhibited, others increase. It is not because the plastics are conveying benefit directly but because more sensitive species are decreasing, which frees up resources from less competition. Those changes then have additional consequences, such as shifts in predator species and nutrient cycling and redox conditions.
Graphical Abstract