bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New research on crop diversity of the early farmers in southeastern Europe (ca. 6400 − 5700 bce)
Authors: Sabanov Amalia , Soteras Raül , Hajdas Irka , Naumov Goce , Antolín Ferran 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPelagonia is a mountain valley in North Macedonia that was densely occupied by early farming communities in the second half of the 7th and early 6th millennium bce. Archaeobotanical analysis is being done on material from three sites there, Vrbjanska Čuka, Veluška Tumba and Vlaho. This paper presents the results of archaeobotanical analyses of remains from Pelagonia, which represent some of the oldest directly dated remains of cereals and pulses in Europe, and discusses the results on crop diversity among Early Neolithic communities within the region. The crop spectrum was broad, with five cereal species and several varieties, two pulses and potentially two oil crops. The diversity is slightly narrower than the one found in southwestern Asia, Greece and Bulgaria as Cicer arietinum (chickpea), Lathyrus sativus (grass pea) and Vicia ervilia (bitter vetch) were not present or very rare, and Triticum aestivum/durum (naked wheat) was only found in small amounts, probably because the early farmers were adapting their choices of crops to the different climatic conditions in Pelagonia. On the micro-regional level we have observed that the diversity and importance of certain crops may vary in relation to the 8.2 ka bp climate cooling event, as well as due to local environmental or cultural factors, showing the need for finer scale analyses beyond the level of site or phase.
Prognostic utility of serum NT-proBNP (fragments 1-76aa and 13-71aa) and galectin-3 in predicting death and re-hospitalisation due to cardiovascular events in patients with heart failure
Authors: Zhang Xi , Wan Yunxia , Karunathilaka Nuwan , Chan Wandy , Kostner Karam , Hartel Gunter , Coats Andrew J. S. , Atherton John J. , Punyadeera Chamindie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPatients with heart failure (HF) are at a higher risk of rehospitalisation. In this study, we investigated the prognostic utility of galectin-3 (Gal-3) and NT-proBNP fragments (1-76aa and 13-71aa) as biomarkers to predict outcomes for patients with HF. We collected blood samples from patients with HF (n = 101). Gal-3 and NT-proBNP fragments (1–76aa and 13–71aa) concentrations were measured by immunoassay. Survival analysis and Cox proportional regression models were used to determine the prognostic utility of Gal-3 and NT-proBNP fragments. In patients with increased baseline levels of NT-proBNP1-76 the time to primary endpoint (cardiovascular death or re-hospitalisation) was significantly shorter (p = 0.0058), but not in patient with increased baseline levels of Gal-3 or NTproBNP13-71. Patients with increased levels of NT-proBNP13-71aa at 1 month showed reduced time to the primary endpoint (p = 0.0123). Our findings demonstrated that Gal-3 and NT-proBNP can be used as prognostic biomarkers to stratify patients with HF.
Modeling elongational viscosity of polystyrene Pom-Pom/linear and Pom-Pom/star blends
Authors: Hirschberg Valerian , Lyu Shan , Schußmann Max G. , Wilhelm Manfred , Wagner Manfred H. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractThe elongational rheology of blends of a polystyrene (PS) Pom-Pom with two linear polystyrenes was recently reported by Hirschberg et al. (J. Rheol. 2023, 67:403–415). The Pom-Pom PS280k-2x22-22k with a self-entangled backbone (Mw,bb = 280 kg/mol) and 22 entangled sidearms (Mw,a = 22 kg/mol) at each of the two branch points was blended at weight fractions from 75 to 2 wt% with two linear polystyrenes (PS) having Mw of 43 kg/mol (PS43k) and 90 kg/mol (PS90k), respectively. While the pure Pom-Pom shows strong strain hardening in elongational flow (SHF > 100), strain hardening (SHF > 10) is still observed in Pom-Pom/linear blends containing only 2 wt% of Pom-Pom. The elongational start-up viscosities of the blends with Pom-Pom weight fractions above 10 wt% are well described by the Molecular Stress Function (MSF) model, however, requiring two nonlinear fit parameters. Here we show that quantitative and parameter-free modeling of the elongational viscosity data is possible by the Hierarchical Multi-mode Molecular Stress Function (HMMSF) model based on the concepts of hierarchical relaxation and dynamic dilution. In addition, we investigated the elongational viscosity of a blend consisting of 20 wt% Pom-Pom PS280k-2x22-22k and 80 wt% of a PS star with 11 arms of Mw,a = 25 kg/mol having a similar span molecular weight as PS43k and similar Mw,a as the Pom-Pom. This work might open up possibilities toward polymer upcycling of less-defined polymers by adding a polymer with optimized topology to gain the intended strain hardening, e.g., for film blowing applications.
Graphical Abstract
Patellar tendinopathy: an overview of prevalence, risk factors, screening, diagnosis, treatment and prevention
Authors: Theodorou Andreas , Komnos Georgios , Hantes Michael 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPatellar tendinopathy (PT), or jumper’s knee, is an overuse injury that occurs in professional, as well as recreational, athletes. This condition is a noncontact injury, typically characterized by gradually increasing pain in the patellar tendon. It is prevalent in participants of several sports, but it occurs mostly in jumping sports. The diagnosis of PT is primarily clinical; however, imaging techniques can be useful as well. Risk factors differ between sexes, playing conditions, the kind of sport, playing level and personal characteristics. Screening is an essential tool to assess PT. This condition affects athletic performance and often persists for years. The use of preventative methods is imperative because of the persistence of this condition, especially in elite athletes who sometimes end their career after long and failed treatments. There are a wide variety of treatment and rehabilitation options available, the majority of which are non-operative, such as eccentric exercises, cryotherapy, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, and anti-inflammatory strategies. If conservative treatment fails, surgery is the next most preferable step. Even though there are many surgical treatment methods, there is no clear evidence on what is the most effective approach to address PT. Taking this into consideration, as well as the extent of this clinical entity, novel therapeutic techniques, as well as screening and prevention methods, are expected to emerge in the near future.
Clinical Features and Voxel-Based-Symptom-Lesion Mapping of Silent Aspiration in Acute Infratentorial Stroke
Authors: Lesch H. , Wittayer M. , Dias M. , Nick A. , Ebert A. , Eisele P. , Alonso A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPost-stroke dysphagia (PSD) is a severe and common complication after ischemic stroke. The role of silent aspiration as an important contributing factor in the development of a dysphagia-associated complications, in particular aspiration-associated pneumonia has been insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics and risk factors of silent aspiration in patients with acute infratentorial stroke by FEES and to identify culprit lesions in stroke patient with a high risk of silent aspiration via voxel-based-symptom-lesion mapping (VBS/ML). This study is a retrospective observational study based on a prospectively collected FEES and stroke database. Consecutive patient cases with acute ischemic infratentorial stroke and FEES examination between 2017 and 2022 were identified. Group allocation was performed based on PAS scores. Imaging analysis was performed by manual assignment and by VBS/ML. Group comparisons were performed to assess silent aspiration characteristics. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine if baseline clinical, demographic, and imaging parameters were helpful in predicting silent aspiration in patients. In this study 84 patient cases with acute infratentorial stroke who underwent FEES examination were included. Patients were moderately affected at admission (mean NIH-SS score at admission 5.7 SD ± 4.7). Most lesions were found pontine. Overall 40.5% of patients suffered from silent aspiration, most frequently in case of bilateral lesions. Patients with silent aspiration had higher NIH-SS scores at admission (p < 0.05), had a more severe swallowing disorder (p < 0.05) and were 4.7 times more likely to develop post-stroke pneumonia. Patients who underwent FEES examination later than 72 h after symptom onset were significantly more likely to suffer from silent aspiration and to develop pneumonia compared to patients who underwent FEES examination within the first 72 h (p < 0.05). A binary logistic regression model identified NIH-SS at admission as a weak predictor of silent aspiration. Neither in manual assignment of the lesions to brain regions nor in voxel-wise statistic regression any specific region was useful in prediction of silent aspiration. Silent aspiration is common in patients with infratentorial stroke and contributes to the risk for pneumonia. Patients with silent aspiration are more severely affected by stroke, but cannot reliably be identified by NIH-SS at admission or lesion location. Patients suffering from acute infratentorial stroke should been screened and examined for PSD and silent aspiration.
In Vivo Myelin Water Quantification Using Diffusion–Relaxation Correlation MRI: A Comparison of 1D and 2D Methods
Authors: Endt Sebastian , Engel Maria , Naldi Emanuele , Assereto Rodolfo , Molendowska Malwina , Mueller Lars , Mayrink Verdun Claudio , Pirkl Carolin M. , Palombo Marco , Jones Derek K. , Menzel Marion I. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMultidimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a versatile tool for microstructure mapping. We use a diffusion weighted inversion recovery spin echo (DW-IR-SE) sequence with spiral readouts at ultra-strong gradients to acquire a rich diffusion–relaxation data set with sensitivity to myelin water. We reconstruct 1D and 2D spectra with a two-step convex optimization approach and investigate a variety of multidimensional MRI methods, including 1D multi-component relaxometry, 1D multi-component diffusometry, 2D relaxation correlation imaging, and 2D diffusion-relaxation correlation spectroscopic imaging (DR-CSI), in terms of their potential to quantify tissue microstructure, including the myelin water fraction (MWF). We observe a distinct spectral peak that we attribute to myelin water in multi-component T1 relaxometry, T1-T2 correlation, T1-D correlation, and T2-D correlation imaging. Due to lower achievable echo times compared to diffusometry, MWF maps from relaxometry have higher quality. Whilst 1D multi-component T1 data allows much faster myelin mapping, 2D approaches could offer unique insights into tissue microstructure and especially myelin diffusion.
Nonparametric estimates of option prices via Hermite basis functions
Authors: Marinelli Carlo , d’Addona Stefano 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe consider approximate pricing formulas for European options based on approximating the logarithmic return’s density of the underlying by a linear combination of rescaled Hermite polynomials. The resulting models, that can be seen as perturbations of the classical Black-Scholes one, are nonpararametric in the sense that the distribution of logarithmic returns at fixed times to maturity is only assumed to have a square-integrable density. We extensively investigate the empirical performance, defined in terms of out-of-sample relative pricing error, of this class of approximating models, depending on their order (that is, roughly speaking, the degree of the polynomial expansion) as well as on several ways to calibrate them to observed data. Empirical results suggest that such approximate pricing formulas, when compared with simple nonparametric estimates based on interpolation and extrapolation on the implied volatility curve, perform reasonably well only for options with strike price not too far apart from the strike prices of the observed sample.
Biophysical factors control invasive annual grass hot spots in the Mojave Desert
Authors: Smith Tanner Corless , Bishop Tara B. B. , Duniway Michael C. , Villarreal Miguel L. , Knight Anna C. , Munson Seth M. , Waller Eric K. , Jensen Ryan , Gill Richard A. 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInvasive annual grasses can promote ecosystem state changes and habitat loss in the American Southwest. Non-native annual grasses such as Bromus spp. and Schismus spp. have invaded the Mojave Desert and degraded habitat through increased fire occurrence, severity, and shifting plant community composition. Thus, it is important to identify and characterize the areas where persistent invasion has occurred, identifying where subsequent habitat degradation has increased. Previous plot and landscape-scale analyses have revealed anthropogenic and biophysical correlates with the establishment and dominance of invasive annual grasses in the Mojave Desert. However, these studies have been limited in spatial and temporal scales. Here we use Landsat imagery validated using an extensive network of plot data to map persistent and productive populations of invasive annual grass, called hot spots, across the entire Mojave Desert ecoregion over 12 years (2009–2020). We also identify important variables for predicting hot spot distribution using the Random Forest algorithm and identifying the most invaded subregions. We identified hot spots in over 5% of the Mojave Desert mostly on the western and eastern edges of the ecoregion, and invasive grasses were detected in over 90% of the Mojave Desert at least once in that time. Across the entire Mojave Desert, our results indicate that soil texture, aspect, winter precipitation, and elevation are the highest-ranking predictive variables of invasive grass hot spots, while anthropogenic variables contributed the least to the accuracy of the predictive model. The total area covered by hot spots varied significantly among subregions of the Mojave Desert. We found that anthropogenic variables became more important in explaining invasive annual establishment and persistence as spatial scale was reduced to the subregional level. Our findings have important implications for informing where land management actions can prioritize reducing invasive annual persistence and promoting restoration efforts.
Data-driven modelling with coarse-grid network models
Authors: Lie Knut-Andreas , Krogstad Stein 
Published: August 2023

AbstractWe propose to use a conventional simulator, formulated on the topology of a coarse volumetric 3D grid, as a data-driven network model that seeks to reproduce observed and predict future well responses. The conceptual difference from standard history matching is that the tunable network parameters are calibrated freely without regard to the physical interpretation of their calibrated values. The simplest version uses a minimal rectilinear mesh covering the assumed map outline and base/top surface of the reservoir. The resulting CGNet models fit immediately in any standard simulator and are very fast to evaluate because of the low cell count. We show that surprisingly accurate network models can be developed using grids with a few tens or hundreds of cells. Compared with similar interwell network models (e.g., Ren et al., 2019, 10.2118/193855-MS), a typical CGNet model has fewer computational cells but a richer connection graph and more tunable parameters. In our experience, CGNet models therefore calibrate better and are simpler to set up to reflect known fluid contacts, etc. For cases with poor vertical connection or internal fluid contacts, it is advantageous if the model has several horizontal layers in the network topology. We also show that starting with a good ballpark estimate of the reservoir volume is a precursor to a good calibration.
A Systematic Review on Students’ Perceptions of Self-Assessment: Usefulness and Factors Influencing Implementation
Authors: Yan Zi , Panadero Ernesto , Wang Xiang , Zhan Ying 
Published: August 2023

AbstractStudents are the central agent in self-assessment; therefore, their perceptions are crucial for successful self-assessment. Despite the increasing number of empirical studies exploring how students perceive self-assessment, systematic reviews synthesising students’ perceptions of self-assessment and relating them to self-assessment implementation are scarce. This review covered 44 eligible studies and synthesised findings related to two key aspects of students’ perceptions of self-assessment: (1) usefulness of self-assessment; and (2) factors influencing their implementation of self-assessment. The results revealed inconclusive findings regarding students’ perceived usefulness of self-assessment. Although most studies reported a generally positive perception of self-assessment among students, some studies revealed students’ skepticism about its usefulness. Usefulness was influenced by specific individual factors (i.e., gender, age, and educational level) and instructional factors (i.e., external feedback, use of instruments, and self-assessment purpose). Additionally, implementation was influenced by specific individual factors (i.e., perceived usefulness, affective attitude, self-efficacy, important others, and psychological safety) and instructional factors (i.e., practice and training, external feedback, use of instruments, and environmental support). The findings of this review contribute to a better understanding of students’ perceptions of self-assessment and shed light on the design and implementation of meaningful self-assessment activities that cater to students’ learning needs.
Self-efficacy and entrepreneurial performance of start-ups
Authors: Caliendo Marco , Kritikos Alexander S. , Rodríguez Daniel , Stier Claudia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractSelf-efficacy reflects the self-belief that one can persistently perform difficult and novel tasks while coping with adversity. As such beliefs reflect how individuals behave, think, and act, they are key for successful entrepreneurial activities. While existing literature mainly analyzes the influence of the task-related construct of entrepreneurial self-efficacy, we take a different perspective and investigate, based on a representative sample of 1,405 German business founders, how the personality characteristic of generalized self-efficacy influences start-up performance as measured by a broad set of business outcomes up to 19 months after business creation. Outcomes include start-up survival and entrepreneurial income, as well as growth-oriented outcomes such as job creation and innovation. We find statistically significant and economically important positive effects of high scores of self-efficacy on start-up survival and entrepreneurial income, which become even stronger when focusing on the growth-oriented outcome of innovation. Furthermore, we observe that generalized self-efficacy is similarly distributed between female and male business founders, with effects being partly stronger for female entrepreneurs. Our findings are important for policy instruments that are meant to support firm growth by facilitating the design of more target-oriented offers for training, coaching, and entrepreneurial incubators.
Tristetraprolin overexpression drives hematopoietic changes in young and middle-aged mice generating dominant mitigating effects on induced inflammation in murine models
Authors: Tanaka-Yano Mayuri , Zong Le , Park Bongsoo , Yanai Hagai , Tekin-Turhan Ferda , Blackshear Perry J. , Beerman Isabel 
Published: August 2023

AbstractTristetraprolin (TTP), encoded by Zfp36 in mice, is one of the best-characterized tandem zinc-finger mRNA binding proteins involved in mRNA deadenylation and decay. TTPΔARE mice lack an AU-rich motif in the 3′-untranslated regions of TTP mRNA, leading to increased TTP mRNA stability and more TTP protein, resulting in elevated mRNA decay rates of TTP targets. We examined the effect of TTP overexpression on the hematopoietic system in both young and middle-aged mice using TTPΔARE mice and found alterations in blood cell frequencies, with loss of platelets and B220 cells and gains of eosinophils and T cells. TTPΔARE mice also have skewed primitive populations in the bone marrow, with increases in myeloid-biased hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) but decreases in granulocyte/macrophage-biased multipotent progenitors (MPP3) in both young and middle-aged mice. Changes in the primitive cells’ frequencies were associated with transcriptional alterations in the TTP overexpression cells specific to age as well as cell type. Regardless of age, there was a consistent elevation of transcripts regulated by TNFα and TGFβ signaling pathways in both the stem and multipotent progenitor populations. HSCs with TTP overexpression had decreased reconstitution potential in murine transplants but generated hematopoietic environments that mitigated the inflammatory response to the collagen antibody-induced arthritis (CAIA) challenge, which models rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders. This dampening of the inflammatory response was even present when there was only a small frequency of TTP overexpressing cells present in the middle-aged mice. We provide an analysis of the early hematopoietic compartments with elevated TTP expression in both young and middle-aged mice which inhibits the reconstitution potential of the HSCs but generates a hematopoietic system that provides dominant repression of induced inflammation.
Sustainable management in the slow fashion industry: carbon footprint of an Italian brand
Authors: de Albuquerque Landi Fabiana Frota , Fabiani Claudia , Pioppi Benedetta , Pisello Anna Laura 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Purpose
Environmental impacts associated with the fashion industry concern society and require commitment to sustainable development goals from leading companies. The role of the luxury sector in setting trends and negotiating power within the supply chain can lead this industry towards sustainability. This study constructs a comprehensive operational flux inventory attributed to an Italian luxury garment brand, aiming to investigate and propose feasible strategies to reduce potential impacts coupled with their products.

Methods
Under the operational control criteria, a whole year of activities was tracked using mainly primary data from its management system. According to ISO 14064–1:2019, potential greenhouse gas emissions were classified, organized, and processed into six categories. The analysis, at the company level, covered the product’s complete life cycle, i.e., from cradle to the grave. The ecoinvent database considered preferentially local geography, and the cut-off system approach, therefore assigning emissions to the primary user.

Results and discussion
Results showed that the only unit in central Italy where the headquarter is located (excluding retail stores), producing 485,193 women’s clothing in a year, emitted 9804 t CO2 eq. Most of these impacts (69% or 6752 t CO2 eq) can be associated with indirect emissions related to raw products and materials, and about 93% of this amount results from the high-quality products used by the company. Transportation represents 14% of the total emissions, while the use phase accounts for about 13%. As a final step, six different mitigation scenarios were proposed and analyzed by focusing on non-core production activities, i.e., upstream, and downstream operations, and consumers’ habits. Once combined, these strategies can potentially reduce by about 25% the study case company overall emissions.

Conclusions
As a conclusion, exploring possible alternatives through environmental assessment tools can support strategies for achieving impact reduction. While aggressive changes can be done in non-core activities with excellent results, changes perceived by the customers can also be well desired to mark innovation and advances in the business mindset.