bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Geometry and Kinematics of a Dancing Milky Way: Unveiling the Precession and Inclination Variation across the Galactic Plane via Open Clusters
Authors: He 何 Zhihong 治宏 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This Letter presents a study of the geometry and motion of the Galactic disk using open clusters in the Gaia era. The findings suggest that the inclination θ

i
of the Galactic disk increases gradually from the inner to the outer disk, with a shift in orientation at the Galactocentric radius of approximately 6 ± 1 kpc. Furthermore, this study brings forth the revelation that the mid-plane of the Milky Way may not possess a stationary or fixed position. A plausible explanation is that the inclined orbits of celestial bodies within our Galaxy exhibit a consistent pattern of elliptical shapes, deviating from perfect circularity; however, more observations are needed to confirm this. An analysis of the vertical motion along the Galactocentric radius reveals that the disk has warped with precession and that the line of node shifts at different radii, aligning with the results from the classical Cepheids. Although there is uncertainty for precession/peculiar motion in solar orbit, after considering the uncertainty, the study derives a median value of

ϕ

̇

LON

= 6.8 km s−1 kpc−1 in the Galaxy. This value for the derived precession in the outer disk is lower than those in the literature due to the systematic motion in solar orbit (θ

i
= 0.°6). The study also finds that the inclinational variation of the disk is significant and can cause systematic motion, with the variation rate

θ

̇

i

decreasing along the Galactic radius with a slope of −8.9 μas yr−1 kpc−1. Moreover, the derived

θ

̇

i

in solar orbit is 59.1 ± 11.2sample ± 7.7

V

Z
⊙

μas yr−1, which makes it observable for high-precision astrometry.
The Time Evolution of
Md/Ṁ
in Protoplanetary Disks as a Way to Disentangle between Viscosity and MHD Winds
Authors: Somigliana Alice , Testi Leonardo , Rosotti Giovanni , Toci Claudia , Lodato Giuseppe , Tabone Benoît , Manara Carlo F. , Tazzari Marco 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
As the classic viscous paradigm for protoplanetary disk accretion is challenged by the observational evidence of low turbulence, the alternative scenario of MHD disk winds is being explored as being potentially able to reproduce the same observed features traditionally explained with viscosity. Although the two models lead to different disk properties, none of them has been ruled out by observations—mainly due to instrumental limitations. In this work, we present a viable method to distinguish between the viscous and MHD framework based on the different evolution of the distribution in the disk mass (M

d
)–accretion rate (

M

̇

) plane of a disk population. With a synergy of analytical calculations and 1D numerical simulations, performed with the population synthesis code Diskpop, we find that both mechanisms predict the spread of the observed ratio

M

d

/

M
̇

in a disk population to decrease over time; however, this effect is much less pronounced in MHD-dominated populations compared with purely viscous populations. Furthermore, we demonstrate that this difference is detectable with the current observational facilities: we show that convolving the intrinsic spread with the observational uncertainties does not affect our result, as the observed spread in the MHD case remains significantly larger than in the viscous scenario. While the most recent data available show a better agreement with the wind model, ongoing and future efforts to obtain direct gas mass measurements with Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array and next-generation Very Large Array will cause a reassessment of this comparison in the near future.
Knowledge Base on Species Life Traits: A Spanish/French Plinian Core implementation use case
Authors: Pamerlon Sophie , Archambeau Anne-Sophie , Pando de la Hoz Francisco , Olivier Gargominy , Michel Franck , Tercerie Sandrine , Rodinson Eva , Maurel Noëlie , Martínez-Sagarra Gloria , Kerner Adeline , Vignes Lebbe Régine , Schatz Bertrand , Dupont Pascal 
Published: August 2023

The French “Traits” working group was created in 2021 to support the development of the national knowledge base on species life traits managed by the PatriNat department*1, to identify and implement a suitable standard for managing and sharing species life traits (including interactions) at the national, then international, level. Its core members are part of several PatriNat teams (Species Knowledge, Dissemination & Mediation, Coordination of Information Systems), as well as other French research units*2 working on the topic of traits and ontologies.
The Plinian Core (Plinian Core Task Group 2021) was first discussed in 2004 and its development began in 2005–2006 when the first version was deployed as a collaboration between InBIO*3 (Costa Rica) and GBIF Spain*4. It reuses and extends the Darwin Core vocabulary (Wieczorek et al. 2012, Darwin Core Maintenance Interest Group 2014) to describe different aspects of biological species information, that is, all kinds of properties or traits related to taxa, including biological and non-biological species traits.
The Plinian Core was discussed with Dr Pando (convener of the TDWG Plinian Core Task Group*5) during one of the Traits working group meetings, and was found to be relevant to the French species life traits database (currently in development). The Traits working group future works will be following the example of the Plinian Core-based EIDOS database*6 (Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition), which allows for detailed species pages with distinct information sections (e.g., interactions, taxonomy, legal status, conservation). This collaboration resulted in a Capacity Enhancement Support Programme project submission (GBIF 2023) between French and Spanish partners, allowing for the consolidation of both the infrastructure and the sharing process of species life traits for taxa found on all French territories, as well as European Union territories.
Additionally, this is an opportunity to provide information to GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) through a new update of the TAXREF (Gargominy 2022) national checklist, one of the core constituents of the GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF 2022). Species life traits and interactions will be added thanks to the new Plinian Core extension implemented on the GBIF Integrated Publishing Toolkit (IPT),*7 and an Atlas of Living Australia’s architecture BIE (Biodiversity Information Explorer) module*8 developed by Costa Rica in the context of a Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP) project carried out with SIBBR*9 (GBIF Brasil).
Cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy in the treatment of difficult bile ducts stones – Bulgarian and Egyptian experience
Authors: Karagyozov Petko , El-Atrebi Kamal , Boeva Irina , Tishkov Ivan 
Published: August 2023

﻿Introduction: Up to 10% of bile duct stones are deemed ‘difficult’ because they cannot be extracted using standard endoscopic techniques. In these situations, cholangioscopy allows for stone fragmentation under direct visual control.
﻿Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a digital single-operator cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy in cases of difficult stones and to analyze factors related to adverse events and procedure time.
﻿Materials and methods: A retrospective review of prospective databases from two tertiary referral centers was performed, which included 38 patients with difficult bile duct stones. All of the patients had previous endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatographies and at least one unsuccessful surgery to remove a stone. Following the standard protocol, we performed a digital single-operator cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy using either electrohydraulic or laser lithotripsy. The main goal was to achieve ductal clearance, which was confirmed by a negative occlusive cholangiogram. We also investigated the occurrence of complications, the factors associated with them, and the variables influencing procedure duration.
﻿Results: For the study period, 38 patients were treated with digital single-operator cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy (33 with laser lithotripsy and 5 with electrohydraulic lithotripsy). Complete ductal clearance was achieved in 92.1% of cases, and in 78.9% of cases, it was accomplished in a single session. The average number of procedures until complete stone removal was 1.22 (1-3). The mean procedure times for electrohydraulic lithotripsy and laser lithotripsy was 83 minutes and 115 minutes, respectively. Complications, which were defined as mild, were observed in four (10.5%) patients. There was no correlation between age, size of stone, duration of the procedure and amount of saline used during lithotripsy and occurrence of complications. The presence of a stricture, barrel shaped or irregular shaped stones was associated with an increased risk of complications (p&lt;0.05). Large stones, multiple lithiases, intrahepatic location, and failed previous EPLBD/ML were related to prolonged procedure time (p&lt;0.05). ﻿
Conclusions: A single-operator cholangioscopy-guided lithotripsy is a highly effective and safe procedure. The presence of a distal common bile duct stricture and complex shape of stones is associated with a higher risk of procedure complications.
Knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care among medical officers at National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka
Authors: Ekanayake Ruchira Sarangi , Nilaweera Irosha , Vithana Chiranthika , Dilhani Sachintha , Nawaratne Sashiprabha , Perera Suraj 
Published: August 2023

Introduction: Though palliative care is an essential component in the continuum of cancer care, it is still at an evolving phase in Sri Lanka.Objective: To identify knowledge, attitude, self-perceived competencies in practicing palliative care and factors associated among medical officers in National Cancer Institute, Sri Lanka.Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was conducted among doctors in National Cancer Institute in 2020/21 using self-administered questionnaire to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies on palliative care. Doctors worked less than 3 months and directly not involved in patient care were excluded. Scoring systems were used to assess knowledge, attitudes and self-perceived competencies. A descriptive analysis of data was done using SPSS 21 using median scores, frequencies and chi- square test. Ethical clearance was taken from the Ethical Review Committee, Faculty of Medicine, University of Colombo. Results: Out of 120 doctors included in the study, 83 (69.3%) were females and 37 (30.7%) were males. Majority 101(84.2%) were Sinhalese. Sixty (60%) were 31-40 years. Eleven (9.2%) had training in service. Five (4.2%) had a percentage score for knowledge ≤50 while 57 (47.5%) had > 75. Only 3 (2.5%) had a percentage score for attitudes of 51-75 while 116 (96.7%) had > 75. For competency level 57 (47.5%) had percentage score ≤50 while 23 (19.2%) had > 75. Ethnicity, age, work experience, receiving undergraduate training were not significantly associated with knowledge, attitudes and practices (p > .05).Conclusion: Though level of knowledge and attitudes were high, self -perceived competencies were low which highlights the need of training in palliative care. Eg: undergraduate curricular and in-service.
Seroprevalence of transfusion transmissible infections by ELISA in donors testing negative with rapid ICT in Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwo C. G. , Obazee Y. D. , Sanni E. O. , Ezike N. K. , Adegboro B. , Asalu A. F. 
Published: August 2023

Background: Blood transfusion saves lives, but it is associated with many complications which include transfusion transmissible infections (TTIs). The major objectives of this study were to determine; the prevalence of TTIs in the blood donated at Asokoro District Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria from 01 January to 31 December 2019; investigate the accuracy of rapid immunochromatographic (ICT) tests for preliminary TTIs screening of blood donors’ samples and confirmed by ELISA test; and establish baseline data that will provide the impetus for improvement in equipment, infrastructure, and health system management, with the ultimate goal of ensuring safer blood transfusion practice.
Methodology: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study of records of blood donors at the Blood Bank of Asokoro District Hospital, a quasi-tertiary centre situated at Abuja, Federal Capital Territory (FCT), northcentral Nigeria, between 01 January to 31 December 2019. The socio-demographic biodata (age and gender), blood parameters (PCV and blood groups), and TTIs test results (by rapid ICT kit and ELISA) of donors were manually extracted from the record books of the hospital’s blood bank. Only donor blood samples that initially tested negative for TTIs met the inclusion criteria. The data were entered into the spreadsheet of Microsoft Excel, and analysed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Windows version 23.0. Chi square test was used to determine association between variables and p value less than 0.05 was considered statistical significance.
Results: A total of 1400 blood samples of donors, received within the study period, met the inclusion criteria of testing negative for TTIs on rapid ICT kit test. The mean age (± SD) of the donors was 35.6±6.7 years with age range of 18-67 years. The median age was 35 years, and the predominant age group was 30-39 years, accounting for 55.4% (775/1400). Majority of the donors (97.1%, 1359/1400) were males. In terms of ABO blood group distribution, group O Rh D positive was the commonest, followed by group A Rh D positive, while the least is group AB Rh D positive. The overall prevalence of TTIs by ELISA test was 4.9% (68/1400). This prevalence was highest for HCV (1.9%, 26/1400), followed by HIV (1.2%, 17/1400), HBV (0.9%, 13/1400) and syphilis (0.9%, 12/1400).
Conclusion: The detection of TTIs by ELISA test from false negative donor samples preliminarily screened with rapid ICT kit highlighted by our study speaks to the unreliability of rapid ICT kits in screening of blood donors for TTIs. There is need therefore for health authorities in Nigeria and other LMICs to ensure widespread availability of highly sensitive blood screening methods such as ELISA to the point where it will be possible to enforce legislation against the use of the less accurate rapid ICT screening kits.
On de facto moral friends and a two-level, multimodal account of moral considerability: A critique of Metzian relationalism
Authors: Ganya Wandile 
Published: August 2023

This paper aims to ground an argument for a widened scope in regard to the motivations or reasons accounting for moral considerability. Such a scope, it is here argued, would account not only for human persons but animals, ecosystems, hypothetical artificial moral agents and so-called Martians as well. And it does so by first distinguishing between two categories of entities: members of group X, and entities not of group X. This basic distinction is then employed to articulate the groundwork for a two-level, multimodal account of moral considerability and gives signification to the idea of de facto moral friends. To achieve this, it appropriates much of its central tenets from the affluence of African philosophical, and intellectual heritage, on this occasion, the notion of Ubuntu. Lastly, this paper assumes the viewpoint of metaethical X-centrism, alternatively, metaethical anthropocentrism in constructing moral claims
“It” and personhood in African philosophy
Authors: Maraganedzha Mutshidzi 
Published: August 2023

The question of the nature of “it” and the progression1 from “it” to an “it” in Ifeanyi Menkiti’s normative conception of a person has created divisions amongst philosophers in African philosophy. In this article, I attempt to offer a charitable interpretation of Menkiti’s use of an “it” to denote an individual’s life through the usage of epistemological and ontological tools to assess the individual’s performance. In doing so, I argue that a better account of the progression is from an “it” to an “it+” rather than from an “it” to an “it-it” as formulated by Edwin Etieyibo. This formulation of the nameless dead acknowledges that the latter “it” is significantly distinct from the first “it” as it possesses a number of properties that are distinct from its former “it”, with the moral force as the significant factor in its constitution. In this article, I seek to argue that accepting Etieyibo’s formulations of the latter “it” as an “it-it” risks complicating the normative account of a person conceptually.
Complementary personhood and gender: An interrogation within African philosophy
Authors: Ofana Diana Ekor 
Published: August 2023

In this paper, I argue for an Afro-communitarian account of personhood that considers the value of complementarity as a necessary part of human existence. The reason for conceptualizing personhood as a complementary enterprise is to dispel the understanding of gender that sustains gender inequality. I aim to explore the logic that characterizes complementary personhood as a specific kind of Afro-communitarian personhood that can account for gender complementarity. I argue that the universalized idea of patriarchy and gender, as construed within Western feminist theorizing, cannot account for every society as these concepts differ from culture to culture. In this paper, I use complementary personhood as a lens through which a fluid understanding of gender and gender relations can be drawn against the backdrop of the hierarchy and binary opposition that undergird most Western interrogations of the concepts of gender and patriarchy. To do so, I present an overview of what complementary personhood entails. The preceding elucidation would become the basis for understanding the Afro-centric notion of gender relation. I then tease out an Afro- centric triangle of gender relations using the Ezumezu logical system as its background logic.
Review on performance responses of dairy cattle against thermal stress
Authors: Mohammed Tassew 
Published: August 2023

This manuscript is aimed at reviewing the performance responses of dairy cattle against thermal stress resulting from climate change. Climate change is the major factor that largely affects the dairy industry. Thermal stress (TS) is the perceived discomfort and physiological strains associated with exposure to excessive ambient temperature. Temperature and Humidity Index (THI) have been adopted to describe thermal conditions that drive thermal stress in dairy cattle. The effects of TS are devastating in the dairy industry if not managed well. The thermo-neutral zone for dairy cattle and calves in the tropics is THI <72. Milk yield reductions of up to 50% have been reported for Holstein cows due to thermal stress under summer climate conditions. Moreover, thermal stress is associated with alterations in milk composition. TS reduces the length and intensity of estrus manifestation. Moreover, 80% of estrus may be unnoticeable during the summer season in temperate regions, which further reduces fertility. Conception rates of dairy cows may drop up to 20–27% in the summer season. Climate-induced thermal stress resulted in a decrease of 3.5 kg and 25 kg in the birth weight and weaning weight of Fogera calves, respectively. Dry matter feed intake was reduced by 9.6%. Commonly used thermal stress reduction strategies included modification of the physical environment, breeding for heat-tolerant dairy cattle, and nutritional management. The productive and reproductive traits are susceptible to the negative impacts of thermal stress with an increase in THI above 68.0 for Holstein Frisian cattle and their crosses and 72 for tropical cattle under an open shed system. Mitigations of thermal stress by breeding heat-tolerant animals, using a loose house system, and season-based feeding should be considered an integral component of the dairy cattle management system.
Knowledge, attitude, and practice of goat farmers towards contagious caprine pleuropneumonia in Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Zegeye Asres , Temesgen Wudu , Fentie Tsegaw , Mekonnen Sefinew Alemu , Berju Adugna , Nigatu Seleshe , Kenubih Ambaye , Haile Belete , Molla Wassie 
Published: August 2023

Contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) is known for its high mortality, morbidity, and economic losses. A cross-sectional study using a multistage cluster sampling technique was conducted in Amhara Regional State from January to June 2019 to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices of goat farmers towards CCPP in the region. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information from the goat farmers found in 12 districts. A total of 386 goat producer respondents participated in the questionnaire survey. Out of all the households of goat farmers interviewed, 370 (95.8%) were headed by males, while 16 (4.2%) were headed by females. Of all the respondents, 73.58% did not know the disease. The remaining 26.42% were familiar with the CCPP and had seen the disease in their goats or nearby goat flocks, and from this 4%, they experienced CCPP with their goats. Half of the participants who experienced the disease in their flock reported that mixing with neighboring flocks was the major source of CCPP infection. The goat farmers who are familiar with the disease had a high-risk perception of CCPP with a mean score of 4 out of 5 for the seriousness of the disease and 4.12 out of 5 for the risk of infection. These farmers showed a good perception of the effectiveness of prevention practices with a mean score of 4 out of 5 for the usefulness of vaccinations and reporting disease outbreaks to veterinary authorities. This collective understanding demonstrates their awareness of the disease and the proactive measures they are willing to take to mitigate its impact on their flocks. They have a good practice of vaccinating and treating their goats. Most of the farmers use veterinary clinic services to control CCPP occurrence in their herds. Although the farmers familiar with the disease have a good understanding of the risk of the disease and a positive attitude towards control measures, most farmers are not aware of the disease and hence better animal extension about the disease is needed in the study area.
Establishing Connections with the Ancestors through <i>Umxhentso</i> Dance
Authors: Izu Benjamin Obeghare , De Villiers Alethea 
Published: August 2023

Through the ages, ritual dances have been part of human culture. Although artistic, the umxhentso dance is a ritual dance performed by the Xhosa amagqirha (traditional healers) to establish connections with supernatural beings. During the dance performance, the amagqirha enter a state of trance and connect with the spiritual realm. During this state of trance, they seek guidance and vision from their ancestors. The amagqirha, in all the Xhosa communities, perform these dance rituals at initiation and healing ceremonies. The objectives of this study were to examine the religious and social purposes of umxhentso dance in amagqirha rituals and determine how it assists amagqirha in establishing connections with their ancestors during ceremonies. This study adopted the naturalistic research approach in studying the umxhentso dance during the amagqirha ceremonies. The researchers examined, evaluated and assessed the research participants’ actions and behaviours in a natural setting within a societal and cultural framework.