bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bonobo mothers have elevated urinary cortisol levels during early but not mid or late lactation
Authors: Nurmi Niina O. , Sonnweber Ruth , Schülke Oliver , Moscovice Liza R. , Deschner Tobias , Hohmann Gottfried 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn mammals, the costs of reproduction are biased towards females. Lactation is particularly energetically expensive, and behavioral and physiological data indicate that maternal effort during lactation induces energetic stress. Another source of stress in females is male aggression directed towards them when they are cycling. Evaluating the costs of reproduction in wild and mobile animals can be a challenging task, and requires detailed information on state-dependent parameters such as hormone levels. Glucocorticoid (GC) levels are indicative of nutritional and social stress, and are widely used to assess the costs of reproduction. We investigated variation in urinary levels of cortisol, the main GC in female bonobos (Pan paniscus), between and within reproductive stages. Female chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), the closest living relative of the bonobos, are often exposed to intense aggression from males, which causes a significant rise in their cortisol levels during the phase of their maximum fecundity. In bonobos, males compete for access to fertile females, but aggressive male mating strategies are absent in this species. Therefore, we expected that GC levels of cycling female bonobos would be lower than those of lactating females. Due to the long period of offspring care in bonobos, we expected that GC levels would remain elevated into the late stage of lactation, when immatures gain body weight but may still be nursed and carried by their mothers. We found elevated urinary GC levels only during the early stage of lactation. The GC levels of cycling females did not differ from those in the mid or late lactation stage. Behavioral strategies of female bonobos may allow them to compensate for the elevated energetic demands of lactation and prolonged maternal care.
Soil organic matter transformation influenced by silver birch (Betula pendula Roth) succession on abandoned from agricultural production sandy soil
Authors: Jonczak Jerzy , Oktaba Lidia , Pawłowicz Edyta , Chojnacka Aleksandra , Regulska Edyta , Słowińska Sandra , Olejniczak Izabella , Oktaba Jarosław , Kruczkowska Bogusława , Kondras Marek , Jankiewicz Urszula , Wójcik-Gront Elżbieta 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA chronosequence approach was applied to evaluate the effects of silver birch succession on soil organic matter (SOM). The studies covered five plots (arable field [AF], fallow [FA] and three birch stands aged 8, 33 and 40 years), and all located in the same complex of Brunic Arenosols in central Poland. The O and A horizons of the soils were sampled and analysed using the standard procedures in soil science. It was found that the birch succession was accompanied by dynamic changes in the stock and quality of the SOM. The transition from AF to FA soils did not significantly change the content or pool of SOM in the A horizon; however, it did modify its fractional composition and internal structure. This was reflected by an increase in the humic acids content and a decrease in the fulvic acid, as well as in the values of the elemental and13C-NMR analyses. Rapid losses in the SOM content and stock in the A horizon were recorded after entering the silver birch. The soils under the young birches were characterised by lower contents of low-molecular humus fractions, which are more susceptible to microbial degradation, than the FA soils. In addition, the birch succession contributed to a lower internal oxidation of the humic acids and an increase in the content of aliphatic structures in their molecules. The next stages of succession were characterised by gradually increasing SOM contents and stocks, accompanied by the increasing internal oxidation and maturity of the humic acids.
Incorporating software security: using developer workshops to engage product managers
Authors: Weir Charles , Becker Ingolf , Blair Lynne 
Published: December 2022

AbstractEvidence from data breach reports shows that many competent software development teams still do not implement secure, privacy-preserving software, even though techniques to do so are now well-known. A major factor causing this is simply a lack of priority and resources for security, as decided by product managers. So, how can we help developers and product managers to work together to achieve appropriate decisions on security and privacy issues? This paper explores using structured workshops to support teams of developers in engaging product managers with software security and privacy, even in the absence of security professionals. The research used the Design Based Research methodology. This paper describes and justifies our workshop design and implementation, and describes our thematic coding of both participant interviews and workshop discussions to quantify and explore the workshops’ effectiveness. Based on trials in eight organizations, involving 88 developers, we found the workshops effective in helping development teams to identify, promote, and prioritize security issues with product managers. Comparisons between organizations suggested that such workshops are most effective with groups with limited security expertise, and when led by the development team leaders. We also found workshop participants needed minimal guidance to identify security threats, and a wide range of ways to promote possible security improvements. Empowering developers and product managers in this way offers a powerful grassroots approach to improve software security worldwide.
Chasing Metaverses: Reflecting on Existing Literature to Understand the Business Value of Metaverses
Authors: Polyviou Ariana , Pappas Ilias O. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMetaverses refer to immersive virtual worlds in which people, places, and things of the physical world are represented by their digital representations. The wide adoption of metaverses is expected to widely disrupt the way we interact in the virtual world by elevating our online interactive experiences and bringing a plethora of implications for businesses. Following a structured literature review of related research published in the last decade, we shed light on our current understanding of metaverses and reflect on the potentially transformative value of metaverses for businesses in the near future. We draw on an established research framework to organize the insights of existing literature across different levels of analysis and activities’ purpose. Through this analysis, we reveal eight propositions on the changes brought by the use of metaverses and identify a number of open questions which could serve as future research avenues.
Stable and unstable associations between learning environment factors and study approaches: two consecutive cross-sectional analyses of Norwegian occupational therapy students
Authors: Mørk Gry , Stigen Linda , Gramstad Astrid , Magne Trine A. , Carstensen Tove , Bonsaksen Tore 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRelationships between learning environment variables and students’ approaches to studying have been investigated from many points of view over the last decades. However, few studies have explored whether such relationships are stable over time. In the two consecutive cross-sectional analyses performed in this study, Norwegian occupational therapy students’ perceptions of their learning environment and their approaches to studying were assessed in the second (162 students) and third (193 students) year of their study program. Aside from sociodemographic information, the students completed the Course Experience Questionnaire and the Approaches and Study Skills Inventory for Students, with the aim of exploring whether associations between learning environment variables and study approaches were stable across time. The data were analyzed with hierarchical linear regression analyses. Relatively stable associations with students’ study approaches were found for the learning environment variables of ‘generic skills’ and ‘appropriate workload’. The learning environment variables of ‘clear goals and standards’ and ‘student autonomy’ were directly associated with study approaches in both study years, but the nature of the associations shifted during the study period. Thus, knowledge of stability and change in these relationships could assist faculty in promoting a well-functioning learning environment throughout the study program.
Quantifying crop vulnerability to weather-related extreme events and climate change through vulnerability curves
Authors: Monteleone Beatrice , Borzí Iolanda , Bonaccorso Brunella , Martina Mario 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWeather extremes have been responsible for widespread economic damage at global scale in the last decades. Agriculture alone absorbed 26% of the overall impact caused by natural hazards in low- and middle-income countries and even in high-income countries yield losses due to extreme weather are relevant. Vulnerability curves are traditionally used to quickly estimate the damage due to extreme events. This study maps the articles published from January 2000 to May 2022 implementing crop vulnerability curves to weather-related extreme events and climate change. Fifty-two articles have been identified through the use of Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar and the references of the selected papers. The selected papers have been analysed to determine for which extreme events vulnerability curves have been proposed, which crops have been studied, which explanatory variables have been used to create the curves, which functions are used to develop vulnerability curves and the number of parameters on which the proposed functions rely. Comparisons among the vulnerability curves for the various extremes are proposed, as well as indications of the main drawback of the developed vulnerability curves. Finally, areas where further research is needed are proposed together with recommendations on which elements should be included in vulnerability curve development.
In Search of the "Right" Integration Effects: From Complex to Simple Modeling
Authors: Breuss Fritz 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRecently, studies with different methods (computable general equilibrium models, dynamic stochastic general equilibrium models, structural gravity equations) evaluated the European Union’s Single Market. The problem with all these studies is that they use complex models with datasets that are not always replicable. This paper demonstrates that even a simple model of the European Union can capture the most important effects of European economic integration: the European Union’s Single Market, the introduction of the Euro, and the following European Union enlargements. A simple European Union model, built with the publicly available program, EViews, serves this purpose. The dataset is also freely available from the European Commission. This makes the model results replicable. Evaluation of Austrian membership in the European Union is in the foreground of the analysis with the simple European Union model, followed by the next steps of integration, such as the introduction of the Euro and the big European Union enlargements. However, this prototype model is also able to estimate the integration effects of other European Union member states.
Capital stock, energy, and innovation-related aspects as drivers of environmental quality in high-tech investing economies
Authors: Celik Ali , Alola Andrew Adewale 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
By looking at the technological advancement and climate change mitigation plan of the advanced economies, the current study examines the role of sustainable development aspects such as innovations, high technology export, labor productivity, capital stock, research and development (R&D), information and communication technology (ICT), capital stock, and energy use in mitigating environmental degradation for the selected panel of countries with the most investment in technology (China, Denmark, Finland, France, Israel, Korea, Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, United Kingdom, and United States) over the period 2000–2018. Foremost, the pooled ordinary least square (POLS) and random-effects (RE) generalized least squares (GLS) approaches provided additional interesting inferences. As such, the POLS result revealed that only capital stock in the panel countries shows a desirable environmental effect. At the same time, labor productivity, innovation, R&D, ICT, and energy further hamper ecological quality in the examined panel countries. Similarly, the GLS result largely affirms the POLS results, with only the capital stock among the explanatory variables showing evidence of emission mitigation effect in the panel. Additionally, the panel Granger causality result illustrates evidence of unidirectional causality only innovation, ICT, and capital stock to environmental degradation.
A multimodal user interface for touchless control of robotic ultrasound
Authors: Schreiter Josefine , Mielke Tonia , Schott Danny , Thormann Maximilian , Omari Jazan , Pech Maciej , Hansen Christian 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
Purpose
Past research contained the investigation and development of robotic ultrasound. In this context, interfaces which allow for interaction with the robotic system are of paramount importance. Few researchers have addressed the issue of developing non-tactile interaction approaches, although they could be beneficial for maintaining sterility during medical procedures. Interaction could be supported by multimodality, which has the potential to enable intuitive and natural interaction. To assess the feasibility of multimodal interaction for non-tactile control of a co-located robotic ultrasound system, a novel human–robot interaction concept was developed.

Methods
The medical use case of needle-based interventions under hybrid computed tomography and ultrasound imaging was analyzed by interviewing four radiologists. From the resulting workflow, interaction tasks were derived which include human–robot interaction. Based on this, characteristics of a multimodal, touchless human–robot interface were elaborated, suitable interaction modalities were identified, and a corresponding interface was developed, which was thereafter evaluated in a user study with eight participants.

Results
The implemented interface includes voice commands, combined with hand gesture control for discrete control and navigation interaction of the robotic US probe, respectively. The interaction concept was evaluated by the users in the form of a quantitative questionnaire with a average usability. Qualitative analysis of interview results revealed user satisfaction with the implemented interaction methods and potential improvements to the system.

Conclusion
A multimodal, touchless interaction concept for a robotic US for the use case of needle-based procedures in interventional radiology was developed, incorporating combined voice and hand gesture control. Future steps will include the integration of a solution for the missing haptic feedback and the evaluation of its clinical suitability.
Sustainability implications of Rwanda’s Vision 2050 long-term development strategy
Authors: Perez-Guzman Katya , Imanirareba Dative , Jones Sarah K. , Neubauer Rudolf , Niyitanga Fidèle , Naramabuye François Xavier 
Published: December 2022

AbstractImproving livelihoods in Rwanda requires overcoming food insecurity and malnutrition. Vision 2050 is Rwanda’s long-term development strategy, yet little is known about its potential trade-offs for the country’s biodiversity, forest cover, and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Scenario analysis can provide insights into how to achieve such goals more sustainably. Here, we use the Food, Agriculture, Biodiversity, Land-Use, and Energy (FABLE) Calculator, a simple integrated assessment tool, to explore potential sustainability implications by 2050 through two scenarios: (1) Current Trends and (2) Vision 2050. The Vision 2050 pathway incorporates components of the government’s long-term development strategy and associated national agricultural policy targets. It includes greater increases in crop productivity and decreases in post-harvest losses, and shifts to more sustainable diets, compared to the Current Trends pathway. Results show that the Vision 2050 pathway would, relative to Current Trends, lead to a greater decrease in agricultural land area and an increase in non-forested natural land-cover area, with consequent decreases in GHG emissions from agriculture, increases in carbon sequestration, and increases in the share of land that can support biodiversity conservation. Shifts to a healthier diet in the Vision 2050 pathway would only be compatible with national agricultural priorities if these diets favor consumption of foods that underpin sustainable livelihoods in Rwanda, such as beans, cassava, potatoes, sweet potatoes, banana, and corn. We discuss the potential for integrated land-use planning and adoption of agroecological farming practices to help Rwanda achieve food security, livelihood, biodiversity, and climate mitigation goals in tandem.
Edible Coatings Based on a Furcellaran and Gelatin Extract with Herb Addition as an Active Packaging for Carp Fillets
Authors: Tkaczewska Joanna , Jamróz Ewelina , Kasprzak Mirosław , Zając Marzena , Pająk Paulina , Grzebieniarz Wiktoria , Nowak Nikola , Juszczak Lesław 
Published: December 2022

Abstract
This is the first such study in which a gelatin extract obtained from carp skins enriched with dry herbs (thyme or rosemary) has been prepared. Extracts prepared in such a manner were added to furcellaran coatings. Coatings were tested for their mechanical properties and the obtained results showed that the control coatings, and those with the addition of rosemary, had the best strength-related parameters. A new ready-to-cook product was evaluated with regard to the preservative effects of carp skin gelatin coatings containing rosemary and thyme extracts in terms of pH, biogenic amine formulation, microbial changes and sensorial characteristics. The coatings with added rosemary proved effective in inhibiting the formation of biogenic amines, and slowing down the microbial deterioration of carp fillets (reduction by 0.53 and 0.29 log cfu/g). The evaluated herb coatings changed the characteristic taste of fish. Interestingly, the coatings emphasized the natural saltiness of fish meat.
Stories of change in nutrition in Burkina Faso 1992–2018: a macro-level perspective
Authors: Turowska Zuzanna , Buttarelli Emilie , Sombié Issa , Nisbett Nicholas , Van den Bold Mara , Becquey Elodie 
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Looking back at the development of successful enabling environments for nutrition may inform policymakers on how to accelerate progress to end all forms of malnutrition by 2030. As under-five stunting declined substantially in Burkina Faso, from a peak at 45% in 1998/99 to 25% in 2018, we analyzed through a stories of change approach the actors, ideas, initiatives, policies and capacities which enabled wide-scale nutrition progress. We triangulated findings from policy analysis, stakeholder mapping, and national-level semi-structured interviews (n = 20). We found that since 2002, nutrition has been anchored in the Ministry of Health, where leadership advocated for the creation of coordination bodies, enabling a coherent defining of nutrition and laying groundwork for better integration of nutrition into and prioritization of nutrition by the health and tangential ministries. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Health and its partners, horizontal and vertical coherence in nutrition action increased, through effective cooperation between nutrition actors; increasing intersectoral collaboration, particularly with the influential agriculture sector; and increasing funding to support nutrition-sensitive programming and build the capacity of nutrition staff. Nevertheless, sustainably organizing funding and human resources at the decentralized level remained challenging, in a context of emerging threats such as climate change and insecurity. Burkina Faso’s health sector’s success in creating an enabling environment for nutrition may have contributed to improvements in child nutrition alongside other sectoral improvements. Enhancing accountability of the Health, Agriculture, WASH, Education and Social Protection sectors and empowering decentralized bodies to take nutrition-relevant decisions may help accelerating progress in nutrition.
Farmer demand for certified legume seeds and the viability of farmer seed enterprises: Evidence from Myanmar
Authors: Win Myat Thida , Maredia Mywish K. , Boughton Duncan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLegume seed systems in many developing countries are characterized by low availability of certified seeds because the private sector is often absent, and the public sector has limited capacity to produce such seeds. Farmer seed enterprises (FSEs) are therefore increasingly promoted as alternative suppliers of certified and in some instances, quality declared and truthfully labelled seeds. In this study, we assess the commercial viability of FSEs that produce chickpea and green gram certified seeds by comparing average seed production cost, inclusive of opportunity costs and expected profits, with consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) price. The cost of seed production data come from a survey of 63 FSEs and the data on WTP are from the Becker, DeGroot, Marschak (BDM) bidding experiments conducted with 512 farmers from the Central Dry Zone of Myanmar. We find that the post-harvest storage cost during the 7–8 months between harvest and the next planting season contributes significantly to the total cost of producing seeds. Forty-seven percent of chickpea farmers and 53% of green gram farmers were willing to pay equal to or higher than the average minimum cost of producing certified seeds. which is as an upper bound estimate of potential market share for FSEs’ certified seeds. This potential customer base of FSEs can be further increased by reducing the cost, especially post-harvest and labor costs. What role government, private companies, and NGOs could play in reducing the cost and increasing the demand for certified seed are important policy research questions discussed in the paper.
New fractional maximal operators in the theory of martingale Hardy and Lebesgue spaces with variable exponents
Authors: Weisz Ferenc 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWe generalize the usual Doob maximal operator as well as the fractional maximal operator and introduce $$M_{\gamma ,s,\alpha }$$

M

γ
,
s
,
α

, a new fractional maximal operator for martingales. We prove that under the log-Hölder continuity condition of the variable exponents $$p(\cdot )$$

p
(
·
)

and $$q(\cdot )$$

q
(
·
)

, the maximal operator $$M_{\gamma ,s,\alpha }$$

M

γ
,
s
,
α

is bounded from the variable Lebesgue space $$L_{q(\cdot )}$$

L

q
(
·
)

to $$L_{p(\cdot )}$$

L

p
(
·
)

and from the variable Hardy space $$H_{q(\cdot )}$$

H

q
(
·
)

to $$L_{p(\cdot )}$$

L

p
(
·
)

, whenever $$0 \le \alpha <1$$

0
≤
α
<
1

, $$0<q_-\le q_+ \le 1/\alpha $$

0
<

q
-

≤

q
+

≤
1
/
α

, $$0<\gamma ,s<\infty $$

0
<
γ
,
s
<
∞

, $$1/p(\cdot )= 1/q(\cdot )- \alpha $$

1
/
p
(
·
)
=
1
/
q
(
·
)
-
α

and $$1/p_- - 1/p_+ < \gamma +s$$

1
/

p
-

-
1
/

p
+

<
γ
+
s

. Moreover, for $$\alpha =0$$

α
=
0

, the operator $$M_{\gamma ,s,0}$$

M

γ
,
s
,
0

generates equivalent quasi-norms on the Hardy spaces $$H_{p(\cdot )}$$

H

p
(
·
)

.