bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A rapid assessment of the illegal otter trade in Vietnam
Authors: Gomez Lalita , Nguyen Minh D. T. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractVietnam is home to four species of otters, and while population numbers are unknown, they are thought to be rare and in decline. Studies on the illegal otter trade in Asia have shown Vietnam to be a key end use destination for illegally sourced live otters for the pet trade and otter fur for the fashion industry. This study focused on the otter trade in Vietnam through seizure data analysis and an online survey, revealing the persistent trade of otters in Vietnam in violation of national wildlife laws and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). We found a substantial quantity of otter fur products for sale though CITES permits for such products were lacking, indicating illegal origins. Similarly, all four species of otters are protected in Vietnam, yet they were openly available for sale online in violation of national wildlife laws. Clearly, the online trade of wildlife and wildlife products in Vietnam requires greater monitoring, regulation, and enforcement to prevent the advertising and trade of illicit wildlife. In-depth scrutiny of online sellers and product sourcing is particularly warranted. To support enforcement efforts, revision of policies and laws is needed to hold social media and other online advertising companies accountable for enabling the illegal trade of wildlife.
Voellmy-type mixture rheologies for dilatant, two-layer debris flow models
Authors: Meyrat G. , McArdell B. , Müller C. R. , Munch J. , Bartelt P. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe formulate and test different Voellmy-type mixture rheologies that can be introduced into two-layer debris flow models. The formulations are based on experimental data from the Swiss Illgraben test site as well as on mathematical constraints in steady flow conditions. In agreement with the ideas of Iverson, we show that the uniform, fixed rheological models cannot accurately represent the changing frictional resistance when debris flows undergo spatial and temporal changes in solid–fluid composition. Indeed, the experimental results of Illgraben indicate that flow friction decreases with increasing volumetric fluid concentration; however, the degree of reduction depends on both the pore pressure and the solid particle agitation. The interplay between these processes makes friction in debris flows highly nonlinear and difficult to quantify. Changing the friction according to the flow composition must be carefully executed, because it can lead to numerical instabilities, which is a recurrent problem in two-layer debris flow models. We test the different rheological formulations using a real event documented with differential topographic data collected using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The model is able to reproduce the correct erosion pattern and exhibit the right density profile. The event includes de-watering at the front and deposition of sediment, which causes a change from debris flow to debris flood or hyperconcentrated flow, which indicates that two completely different flow states can be modeled with a single Voellmy-type mixture rheology.
How the social dignity of recipients is violated and protected across various forms of food aid in high-income countries: a scoping review
Authors: Andriessen Thirza , van der Velde Laura A. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Scholars have demonstrated that common ways of performing charitable food aid in high-income countries maintain a powerless and alienated status of recipients. Aiming to protect the dignity of recipients, alternative forms of food aid have taken shape. However, an in-depth understanding of dignity in the context of food aid is missing. We undertook a scoping review to outline ways in which the dignity of recipients is violated or protected across various forms of food aid in high-income countries. By bringing scientific results together through a social dignity lens, this paper offers a complex understanding of dignity in the context of food aid. The online database Scopus was used to identify scientific literature addressing food aid in relation to the dignity of recipients in high-income countries. The final selection included 37 articles representing eight forms of food aid in twelve countries. Across diverse forms of food aid, the selected studies report signs of (in)dignity concerning five dimensions: access to food aid, social interactions, the food, the physical space, and needs beyond food. Research gaps are found in the diversity of forms of food aid studied, and the identification of social standards important for recipients. Bringing the results of 37 articles together through a social dignity lens articulates the complex and plural ways in which the dignity of recipients is violated or protected. In addition, this review has demonstrated the usefulness of a social dignity lens to understand dignity across and in particular food aid contexts.
Minimizing the impact of geographical basis risk on weather derivatives
Authors: D’Aversa Mina , Mainini Alessandra , Moretto Enrico , Stefani Silvana , Uberti Pierpaolo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn the last decade, the index-based weather products (also called weather derivatives) have been gaining attention in the climate resilience discussion. Weather derivatives are designed to help companies hedging against climate variability. These products, that can be market-traded or over-the-counter, compensate individuals based on a pre-defined weather index. Thus, pay-offs of a weather derivative depend on a weather index and not, as with traditional types of insurance, on the actual amount of money lost due to adverse weather. One of the major drawbacks that may prevent weather derivatives to catch on is the impact of the Geographical Basis Risk (GBR), that is the deviation of weather conditions at different locations. In fact, when the reference weather station is not located in the immediate vicinity of the site of interest the hedging effectiveness may be reduced. In this paper, we contribute to the existing literature on GBR by proposing an optimization method that may help in offering a tailored solution, while at the same time keeping a standardized instrument as a reference. Using a historical record of Italian temperatures, strikes for temperatures are the choice variables of a penalty function containing pay-offs of a reference station and all other stations. Further, altitude and latitude of meteorological stations are shown to be relevant predictors to explain GBR. This can be an interesting starting point for the design of weather derivatives, since, from a unique station where the “reference” derivative is priced, all the other stations may be easily settled.
Complex dynamics in a nonlinear duopoly model with heuristic expectation formation and learning behavior
Authors: Mignot Sarah , Tramontana Fabio , Westerhoff Frank 
Published: July 2023

AbstractWe develop a nonlinear duopoly model in which the heuristic expectation formation and learning behavior of two boundedly rational firms may engender complex dynamics. Most importantly, we assume that the firms employ different forecasting models to predict the behavior of their opponent. Moreover, the firms learn by leaning more strongly on forecasting models that yield more precise predictions. An eight-dimensional nonlinear map drives the dynamics of our approach. We analytically derive the conditions under which its unique steady state is locally stable and numerically study its out-of-equilibrium behavior. In doing so, we detect multiple scenarios with coexisting attractors at which the firms’ behavior yields distinctively different market outcomes.
Normative Intercorrelations Between EEG Microstate Characteristics
Authors: Kleinert Tobias , Nash Kyle , Koenig Thomas , Wascher Edmund 
Published: July 2023

AbstractEEG microstates are brief, recurring periods of stable brain activity that reflect the activation of large-scale neural networks. The temporal characteristics of these microstates, including their average duration, number of occurrences, and percentage contribution have been shown to serve as biomarkers of mental and neurological disorders. However, little is known about how microstate characteristics of prototypical network types relate to each other. Normative intercorrelations among these parameters are necessary to help researchers better understand the functions and interactions of underlying networks, interpret and relate results, and generate new hypotheses. Here, we present a systematic analysis of intercorrelations between EEG microstate characteristics in a large sample representative of western working populations (n = 583). Notably, we find that microstate duration is a general characteristic that varies across microstate types. Further, microstate A and B show mutual reinforcement, indicating a relationship between auditory and visual sensory processing at rest. Microstate C appears to play a special role, as it is associated with longer durations of all other microstate types and increased global field power, suggesting a relationship of these parameters with the anterior default mode network. All findings could be confirmed using independent EEG recordings from a retest-session (n = 542).
S100A8 gene copy number and protein expression in breast cancer: associations with proliferation, histopathological grade and molecular subtypes
Authors: Børkja Mathieu Le Boulvais , Giambelluca Miriam S. , Ytterhus Borgny , Prestvik Wenche S. , Bjørkøy Geir , Bofin Anna M 
Published: July 2023

Abstract
Background and aims
Amplification of S100A8 occurs in 10–30% of all breast cancers and has been linked to poorer prognosis. Similarly, the protein S100A8 is overexpressed in a roughly comparable proportion of breast cancers and is also found in infiltrating myeloid-lineage cells, again linked to poorer prognosis. We explore the relationship between these findings.

Methods
We examined S100A8 copy number (CN) alterations using fluorescence in situ hybridization in 475 primary breast cancers and 117 corresponding lymph nodes. In addition, we studied S100A8 protein expression using immunohistochemistry in 498 primary breast cancers from the same cohort.

Results
We found increased S100A8 CN (≥ 4) in tumor epithelial cells in 20% of the tumors, increased S100A8 protein expression in 15%, and ≥ 10 infiltrating S100A8 + polymorphonuclear cells in 19%. Both increased S100A8 CN and protein expression in cancer cells were associated with high Ki67 status, high mitotic count and high histopathological grade. We observed no association between increased S100A8 CN and S100A8 protein expression, and only a weak association (p = 0.09) between increased CN and number of infiltrating S100A8 + immune cells. Only S100A8 protein expression in cancer cells was associated with significantly worse prognosis.

Conclusions
Amplification of S100A8 does not appear to be associated with S100A8 protein expression in breast cancer. S100A8 protein expression in tumor epithelial cells identifies a subgroup of predominantly non-luminal tumors with a high mean age at diagnosis and significantly worse prognosis. Finally, S100A8 alone is not a sufficient marker to identify infiltrating immune cells linked to worse prognosis.
Strategy for learning microcontroller programming—a graphical or a textual start?
Authors: Vrbančič Franc , Kocijančič Slavko 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMicrocontroller programming competencies contribute to the sustainable employability of engineering graduates of both higher and secondary education. To develop the required programming skills, one of the challenges for educators is to determine which programming environments should be implemented in introductory programming courses. Conceptually, graphical (e.g. iconic or diagrammatic) environments appear to be very different from textual environments. Our study focused on a programming course in a mechatronics vocational training programme at the secondary school level in Slovenia. To investigate the expectations of potential employers towards our graduates, we surveyed local companies. Out of 104 respondents, 90 (86.5%) expected graduates to be able to use various programming environments, including upcoming ones. In our study, we divided 114 students into two groups of equal prior knowledge. Group A started the course with a textual programming environment and switched to a graphical one in the second sequence, while group B followed a reverse sequence. Group A achieved better test results after both sequences. Knowledge transfer, as measured by normalised learning gains, was also in favour of group A. We concluded that it is more efficient to start with the textual environment and then continue with the graphical environment. The results of this study open up some challenges for further research to investigate the effectiveness of introductory programming courses based on programmable electronics with students of similar ages. Further research should consider the specific requirements of the different courses but should also the effectiveness of knowledge transfer between different programming environments.
Interaction Quality Among Children, Staff and Parents in German ECEC Centres in the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Neuberger Franz , Grgic Mariana , Fackler Sina 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres implemented various protective and hygiene measures. Some of these, such as maintaining distance or wearing face masks, temporarily restricted interactions between pedagogical staff, children, and parents. This may have made it difficult for staff to provide high-quality interactions with positive and sensitive attitudes towards children and parents. The long-term effects of these distancing measures on the quality of daily interactions in ECEC centres have been largely unexplored. Based on a panel survey of German ECEC centre leaders conducted over a period of one and a half years, we used random-effect-within-between models to provide a long-term assessment of the effects of specific protective measures on different levels of interactions within ECEC centres. These levels include staff-child interactions, interactions between children, and cooperation between staff and parents. Our findings indicate that child-child interactions were largely unaffected by the measures, while staff-parent interactions suffered the most. Communication with parents and regular implementation of pedagogical practices had a stabilizing effect, while keeping distance from children, wearing face masks, and (pandemic-related) staff shortages worsened staff-child interactions. Additionally, our findings revealed that adopting a stricter group concept was associated with improved staff-child interactions. Centers that had previously used an open group concept reported lower quality interactions during the pandemic. This study provides valuable insights into the effects of protective measures on daily interactions in ECEC centres, highlighting the importance of considering both short-term and long-term effects when implementing protective measures.
Program transformation landscapes for automated program modification using Gin
Authors: Petke Justyna , Alexander Brad , Barr Earl T. , Brownlee Alexander E. I. , Wagner Markus , White David R. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAutomated program modification underlies two successful research areas — genetic improvement and program repair. Under the generate-and-validate strategy, automated program modification transforms a program, then validates the result against a test suite. Much work has focused on the search space of application of single fine-grained operators — copy, delete, replace, and swap at both line and statement granularity. This work explores the limits of this strategy. We scale up existing findings an order of magnitude from small corpora to 10 real-world Java programs comprising up to 500k LoC. We decisively show that the grammar-specificity of statement granular edits pays off: its pass rate triples that of line edits and uses 10% less computational resources. We confirm previous findings that delete is the most effective operator for creating test-suite equivalent program variants. We go farther than prior work by exploring the limits of delete ’s effectiveness by exhaustively applying it. We show this strategy is too costly in practice to be used to search for improved software variants. We further find that pass rates drop from 12–34% for single statement edits to 2–6% for 5-edit sequences, which implies that further progress will need human-inspired operators that target specific faults or improvements. A program is amenable to automated modification to the extent to which automatically editing it is likely to produce test-suite passing variants. We are the first to systematically search for a code measure that correlates with a program’s amenability to automated modification. We found no strong correlations, leaving the question open.
On Design and Assessment of Tail Void Grouting Material in Mechanized Tunneling: A Review
Authors: Mohammadzamani Danial , Alimardani Lavasan Arash , Wichtmann Torsten 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe utilization of tail void grout as a stabilizing and sealing agent in mechanized tunneling procedures is of paramount significance, given the geological and engineering conditions inherent to tunneling projects. Prior to its application within a tunnel, a detailed evaluation of the fresh-state characteristics of the grout, as well as the time-dependent evolution of its hydro-mechanical properties, becomes imperative. This review paper aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to the various types of tail void grouting materials used in mechanized tunneling. The potential for behavior enhancement of the grout through the utilization of different additives, considering diverse mixing ratios in varying ground conditions, is discussed. Moreover, an in-depth analysis of the fresh- and hardened-state properties of different grout types, along with the cross-effects induced by additives in the grout mixture, is presented and reviewed. The paper also delves into the testing methodologies and property investigations employed to assess different grout types using experimental approaches. Additionally, a detailed overview of the numerical simulation of mechanized tunneling is provided, with a particular emphasis on the role of grout. Finally, the coupled hydro-mechanical effects of typical grout additives are explored, and the applicability of various grouting material according to the ground conditions is presented and discussed.
“Why are we learning this?!” — Investigating students’ subjective study values across different disciplines
Authors: Breetzke Jonas , Özbagci Derya , Bohndick Carla 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDifferences between academic disciplines have been a well-studied theme in higher education research. But even though students’ subjective study values are a key factor for successful studying, research examining their disciplinary differences in the higher education context is lacking. To address this, this study draws on expectancy-value theory, investigates students’ subjective study values across nine different disciplines, and analyses its discipline-specific relation to study success. For this, we used a large-scale data sample of N = 6.321 university students from the German National Educational Panel Study. Subjective study values were assessed in terms of intrinsic values, utility values, attainment values, and costs, while study success was captured by students’ grade and dropout intention. Data were analysed through multi-group structural equation modelling. Our findings suggest that (1) students’ subjective study values differ markedly across academic disciplines and (2) study disciplines moderate the relation between study values and study success. On a research level, our findings contribute to a more differentiated view on subjective study values in the higher education context. On a practical level, our findings can help to uncover motivational problems of students from different disciplines, which might ultimately help to reduce dropouts and improve grades.
What strategies do students use when they are programming a robot to follow a curved line?
Authors: Anderhag Per , Salomonsson Niklas , Bürgers Andre , Estay Espinola Cesar , Fahrman Birgit , Seifeddine Ehdwall Dana , Sundler Maria 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDuring a relatively short period of time, programming has been implemented in the national curriculum of the compulsory school in Sweden. Since 2018, programming is a new content in the technology subject and the research field has discussed some of the challenges teachers and students, who generally have little experiences of programming, face when programming is introduced in teaching. In this study, we have explored what strategies lower secondary school students (ages 13–15) use when they are programming a robot to follow a curved line in technology education class. Data consists of screen recorded films when students are pair programming a robot. Student talks were transcribed verbatim and analysed using Practical Epistemological Analysis. The analysis revealed three different strategies that the students used when programming the robot: (1) sensor—follow the line, searching for a code that automatically would make the robot to follow the route, (2) sensor—wheels, using codes to create a feedback system between sensor and wheels, and (3) rotations—degrees–wheels, using the position of the robot to stepwise fine tune the movement of the wheels. In line with previous research, the students in our study spent much time discussing, testing, and debugging their code, and our findings contribute by showing how these discussions were aligned with the strategy used. Depending on the strategy, students actively looked for and tested codes affecting different aspects of the sensor-wheel system, such as for example sensor input, power, rotations or turning. Implications for teaching is discussed.
The effect of low concentrations of polypyrrole on the structural, thermal, and dielectric characteristics of CMC/PPy blends
Authors: Salem Amira M. , Mohamed A. Raouf , Yassin A. Y. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe current work aims to synthesize carboxymethyl cellulose/polypyrrole (CMC/PPy) blends with different PPy concentrations as promising blends for energy storage devices with low cost and excellent chemical and physical characteristics. The structural and dielectric characteristics of CMC/PPy blends were studied. FT-IR spectroscopy is utilized to study the structural properties of the present blends, whereas the dielectric properties are explored at frequency range of 0.1 Hz−20 MHz. The structural study of CMC/PPy blends showed good homogeneity between the CMC matrix and PPy as a conductive filler. The thermal behavior of the present blends was also investigated using DSC, where the thermal stability of the blends was improved after incorporating PPy into the host matrix. The dielectric characteristics results indicated a rise in the dielectric parameters of CMC with an increase in the PPy content up to 8 wt%. The dielectric parameters of CMC/PPy blends are frequency dependents. The dielectric constant (ε′) and AC electrical conductivity of the blends under study enhanced by about 33% with a rise in the PPy content to 8 wt%. The dielectric loss (ε″) values decreased from 3.4938 to 0.93071 at 10 kHz; this performance means that the CMC/PPy blends have an excellent possibility for energy storage devices with low dielectric loss in various applications, such as sensors, batteries, and capacitors.