bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Kinetics and mineralization fraction of organic matter from sewage sludge mixed with soil under controlled laboratory conditions
Authors: da Silva Diogo André Pinheiro , Matos Mateus Pimentel , Marques Marcus Vinícius Araújo , de Matos Antonio Teixeira , de Alencar Neves Thiago 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe objective of this work was to evaluate the kinetics and mineralization fraction of organic matter from sewage sludge mixed with the soil under controlled laboratory conditions. For this, organic material samples accumulated in layers 0–5 cm, 5–10 cm and 10–15 cm in relation to the surface of a vertical flow constructed wetland system (VF-CW) used for treatment of septic tank sludge, in addition to samples of dewatered sludge from a septic tank and a UASB reactor and non-dewatered sludge from an anaerobic digester were mixed with material collected from the surface layer of a Red Yellow Argisol at rates equivalent to the applications, via organic residues, of 300 and 600 kg ha−1 year−1 of total nitrogen. It was found that the two-phase kinetic equation fit better to the mineralization data of labile and recalcitrant organic carbon. For the lowest nitrogen application rate in the mixtures, the mineralization fractions of the total organic carbon were higher than 73%, while at the highest dose there was a reduction in the mineralization of organic matter by 17% and 63%, respectively in samples collected in layer 10–15 cm from the VF-CW and in the septic tank sludge dewatered in the drying bed.
Fabrication of wafer-scale nanoporous AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet distributed Bragg reflectors via one-step selective wet etching
Authors: Zhao Yongming , Shan Maocheng , Zheng Zhihua , Jian Pengcheng , Liu WeiJie , Tan Shizhou , Chen Changqing , Wu Feng , Dai Jiangnan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we reported on wafer-scale nanoporous (NP) AlGaN-based deep ultraviolet (DUV) distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) with 95% reflectivity at 280 nm, using epitaxial periodically stacked n-Al0.62Ga0.38N/u-Al0.62Ga0.38N structures grown on AlN/sapphire templates via metal–organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The DBRs were fabricated by a simple one-step selective wet etching in heated KOH aqueous solution. To study the influence of the temperature of KOH electrolyte on the nanopores formation, the amount of charge consumed during etching process was counted, and the surface and cross-sectional morphology of DBRs were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). As the electrolyte temperature increased, the nanopores became larger while the amount of charge reduced, which revealed that the etching process was a combination of electrochemical and chemical etching. The triangular nanopores and hexagonal pits further confirmed the chemical etching processes. Our work demonstrated a simple wet etching to fabricate high reflective DBRs, which would be useful for AlGaN based DUV devices with microcavity structures.
Stress monitoring capability of magnetostrictive Fe–Co fiber/glass fiber reinforced polymer composites under four-point bending
Authors: Katabira Kenichi , Miyashita Tomoki , Narita Fumio 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMany structural health monitoring (SHM) techniques have been investigated for damage detection in woven glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) laminates. Recently, the GFRP composites integrated with sensors have received attention because the composite material can transmit information about the structural condition during operation. Magnetostrictive materials are considered as feasible candidates to realize the contactless SHM techniques by exploiting the Villari effect, but the theoretical modeling to correlate a magnetostrictive response with structural conditions is a critical issue. In this study, the analytical procedure considering the mechanics of materials and electromagnetism was proposed to model the magnetic induction by the Villari effect of magnetostrictive GFRP laminates under bending. The magnetostrictive Fe–Co fiber/GFRP composites were then developed, and the four-point bending tests were carried out to evaluate the fabricated composites’ stress monitoring capability. The magnetic flux density behavior corresponded to the bending stress fluctuation. The maximum magnetic flux density change was 70.7 mT subjected to the peak bending stress of 158 MPa. The analytical solutions showed reasonable agreement with the experimental results. The applied stress and measured magnetic flux density were correlated by the theoretical models. Thus, these results suggest an important step in realizing the novel contactless SHM technique utilizing magnetostrictive materials.
Kinship practices in the early state El Argar society from Bronze Age Iberia
Authors: Villalba-Mouco Vanessa , Oliart Camila , Rihuete-Herrada Cristina , Rohrlach Adam B. , Fregeiro María Inés , Childebayeva Ainash , Ringbauer Harald , Olalde Iñigo , Celdrán Beltrán Eva , Puello-Mora Catherine , Valério Miguel , Krause Johannes , Lull Vicente , Micó Rafael , Risch Roberto , Haak Wolfgang 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe Early Bronze Age in Europe is characterized by social and genetic transformations, starting in the early 3rd millennium BCE. New settlement and funerary structures, artifacts and techniques indicate times of change with increasing economic asymmetries and political hierarchization. Technological advances in metallurgy also played an important role, facilitating trade and exchange networks, which became tangible in higher levels of mobility and connectedness. Archeogenetic studies have revealed a substantial transformation of the genetic ancestry around this time, ultimately linked to the expansion of steppe- and forest steppe pastoralists from Eastern Europe. Evidence for emerging infectious diseases such as Yersinia pestis adds further complexity to these tumultuous and transformative times. The El Argar complex in southern Iberia marks the genetic turnover in southwestern Europe ~ 2200 BCE that accompanies profound changes in the socio-economic structure of the region. To answer the question of who was buried in the emblematic double burials of the El Argar site La Almoloya, we integrated results from biological relatedness analyses and archaeological funerary contexts and refined radiocarbon-based chronologies from 68 individuals. We find that the El Argar society was virilocally and patrilineally organized and practiced reciprocal female exogamy, supported by pedigrees that extend up to five generations along the paternal line. Synchronously dated adult males and females from double tombs were found to be unrelated mating partners, whereby the incoming females reflect socio-political alliances among El Argar groups. In three cases these unions had common offspring, while paternal half-siblings also indicate serial monogamy or polygyny.
Precipitation and potential evapotranspiration determine the distribution patterns of threatened plant species in Sichuan Province, China
Authors: Li Jiangong , Pandey Bikram , Dakhil Mohammed A. , Khanal Manita , Pan Kaiwen 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA fundamental goal of ecologists is to determine the large-scale gradients in species richness. The threatened plants are the priority of such studies because of their narrow distribution and confinement to a specific habitat. Studying the distribution patterns of threatened plants is crucial for identifying global conservation prioritization. In this study, the richness pattern of threatened plant species along spatial and elevation gradients in Sichuan Province of China was investigated, considering climatic, habitat-heterogeneity (HHET), geometric constraint and human-induced factors. The species richness pattern was analyzed, and the predictor variables, including mean annual temperature (MAT), mean annual precipitation (MAP), potential evapotranspiration (PET), HHET, and disturbance (DIST), to species richness were linked using the geographical distribution data of threatened species compiled at a spatial resolution of 20 km × 20 km. Generalized linear models and structural equation modelling were used to determine the individual and combined effects of each variable on species richness patterns. Results showed a total of 137 threatened plant species were distributed between 200 and 4800 m.a.s.l. The central region of the province harbors the highest species diversity. MAP and PET profoundly explained the richness pattern. Moreover, the significant role of DIST in the richness patterns of threatened plants was elucidated. These findings could help determine the richness pattern of threatened plant species in other mountainous regions of the world, with consideration of the impact of climate change.
Time pressure reduces misinformation discrimination ability but does not alter response bias
Authors: Sultan Mubashir , Tump Alan N. , Geers Michael , Lorenz-Spreen Philipp , Herzog Stefan M. , Kurvers Ralf H. J. M. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractMany parts of our social lives are speeding up, a process known as social acceleration. How social acceleration impacts people’s ability to judge the veracity of online news, and ultimately the spread of misinformation, is largely unknown. We examined the effects of accelerated online dynamics, operationalised as time pressure, on online misinformation evaluation. Participants judged the veracity of true and false news headlines with or without time pressure. We used signal detection theory to disentangle the effects of time pressure on discrimination ability and response bias, as well as on four key determinants of misinformation susceptibility: analytical thinking, ideological congruency, motivated reflection, and familiarity. Time pressure reduced participants’ ability to accurately distinguish true from false news (discrimination ability) but did not alter their tendency to classify an item as true or false (response bias). Key drivers of misinformation susceptibility, such as ideological congruency and familiarity, remained influential under time pressure. Our results highlight the dangers of social acceleration online: People are less able to accurately judge the veracity of news online, while prominent drivers of misinformation susceptibility remain present. Interventions aimed at increasing deliberation may thus be fruitful avenues to combat online misinformation.
The superior performance of silica gel supported nano zero-valent iron for simultaneous removal of Cr (VI)
Authors: Salama Eslam , Samy Mahmoud , Shokry Hassan , El-Subruiti Gehan , El-Sharkawy Asmaa , Hamad Hesham , Elkady Marwa 
Published: December 2022

AbstractPure nano zero-valent iron (NZVI) was fabricated under optimum conditions based on material production yield and its efficiency toward acid blue dye-25 decolorization. The optimum prepared bare NZVI was immobilized with two different supports of silica and starch to fabricate their composites nanomaterials. The three different prepared zero-valent iron-based nanomaterials were evaluated for removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The silica-modified NZVI recorded the most outstanding removal efficiency for Cr(VI) compared to pristine NZVI and starch-modified NZVI. The removal efficiency of Cr(VI) was improved under acidic conditions and decreased with raising the initial concentration of Cr(VI). The co-existence of cations, anions, and humic acid reduced Cr(VI) removal efficiency. The removal efficiency was ameliorated from 96.8% to 100% after adding 0.75 mM of H2O2. The reusability of silica-modified NZVI for six cycles of Cr(VI) removal was investigated and the removal mechanism was suggested as the physicochemical process. Based on Langmuir isotherm, the maximal Cr(VI) removal capacity attained 149.25 mg/g. Kinetic and equilibrium data were efficiently fitted using the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, respectively confirming the proposed mechanism. Diffusion models affirmed that the adsorption rate was governed by intraparticle diffusion. Adsorption thermodynamic study suggested the spontaneity and exothermic nature of the adsorption process. This study sheds light on the technology that has potential for magnetic separation and long-term use for effective removal of emerging water pollutants.
Long sedentary time is associated with worsened cardiometabolic risk factors among university employees in Eastern Ethiopia
Authors: Motuma Aboma , Gobena Tesfaye , Roba Kedir Teji , Berhane Yemane , Worku Alemayehu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractSedentary time is associated with increased risks of detrimental health outcomes. Prolonged sedentary time associates with cardiometabolic risk factors and increased mortality regardless of physical activity. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the associations of sedentary time and cardiometabolic risk factors among university employees in Eastern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1200 participants. Data were collected using the World Health Organization STEPS survey instrument, and sedentary behavior questionnaire in hour per day. Sedentary time is the time spent for any duration (minutes per day or hours per day) by considering a local context. Study participants were asked how many minutes or hours they spent in sedentary time at work, their leisure time and in transportation. Finally, the total sedentary time was calculated by the sum of the individual spent in sedentary time at work, leisure, and transportation. Cardiometabolic risk factors were assessed with blood samples analysis and anthropometric measurements. The associations between sedentary time and cardiometabolic risk factors were examined using linear regression models. An adjusted coefficient (β) with the 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to report the results. p value < 0.05 was considered for statistical significance. The mean age of the study participants were (35 ± 9.4 years). Almost half of the study participants, 566 (48.6) were women and 598 (51.4%) were men. As the total sedentary time was increased by one unit, the body mass index increased by β = 0.61; (95% CI 0.49–0.71),waist circumference increased by β = 1.48; (95% CI 1.14–1.82), diastolic blood pressure increased by β = 0.87; (95% CI 0.56–1.18), systolic blood pressure increased by β = 0.95; (95% CI 0.45–1.48), triglycerides increased by β = 7.07; (95% CI 4.01–10.14), total cholesterol increased by β = 3.52; (95% CI 2.02–5.02), fasting plasma glucose increased by β = 4.15; (95% CI 5.31–4.98) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased by β = 2.14; (95% CI 0.96–3.33) with the effects of other variables maintain constant. These findings depict the need for strategies that policymakers should promote physical activity and encouraging the breaking up of prolonged sedentary time to reduce cardiometabolic risk factors among university employees in Ethiopia.
Factorial design-assisted reverse phase HPLC–UV approach for the concurrent estimation of cetirizine and azelastine in aqueous humor
Authors: Abd-AlGhafar Walaa Nabil , Aly Fatma Ahmed , Sheribah Zeinab Awad , Saad Samar 
Published: December 2022

AbstractA new analytical quality by design-assisted HPLC–UV approach is presented, for the first time, for the concurrent determination of cetirizine (CTZ) and azelastine (AZE) in raw materials, commercial eye drops and aqueous humor. The two drugs are co-administered as eye drops in severe ocular allergies. A 23 full factorial design was adopted for the chromatographic optimization to ensure the best analytical performance and reliability, as well as to save time, effort and solvent consumption. The parameters, including pH, acetonitrile ratio, and flow rate, were selected as independent factors. The responses analyzed were resolution and tailing of peaks. The separation was achieved through isocratic elution on C8 column with mobile phase made up of acetonitrile: 0.3% triethylamine of pH 5 (60:40 v/v) at a flow rate of 1.2 mL min−1 and detection at 216 nm. The elution time was less than 6 min. The approach was fully validated in accordance with International Council for Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. Good linearity was achieved over the concentration ranges of 1.0–30 and 0.5–10 µg mL−1 with limits of detection of 0.310 and 0.158 µg mL−1 and limits of quantification of 0.940 and 0.479 µg mL−1 for CTZ and AZE, respectively, with correlation coefficients of 0.9998. The intra- and inter-day precisions were lower than 2%. The good sensitivity of the approach permits the analysis of CTZ and AZE in spiked aqueous humor with mean percentage recoveries of 100.93 ± 1.42 and 100.11 ± 1.55, respectively. The statistical comparison between results of the developed method and the comparison method revealed no differences, indicating the accuracy of the method.
Analysis of dead-core formation in catalytic reaction and diffusion processes with generalized diffusion flux
Authors: Skrzypacz Piotr , Kabduali Bek , Kadyrbek Alua , Szafert Sławomir , Andreev Vsevolod , Golman Boris 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDead-core and non-dead-core solutions to the nonlinear diffusion–reaction equation based on the generalized diffusion flux with gradient-dependent diffusivity and the power-law reaction kinetics in catalyst slabs are established. The formation of dead zones where the reactant concentration vanishes is characterized by the critical Thiele modulus that is derived as a function of reaction order and diffusion exponent in the generalized diffusion flux. The effects of reaction order and diffusion exponent on the reactant concentration distribution in the slab and dead-zone length are analyzed. It is particularly demonstrated that by contrast to the model based on the standard Fick’s diffusion, dead-core solutions exist in the case of first-order reactions. Also, the relationship between critical Thiele moduli for models based on the generalized and standard Fick’s diffusion fluxes is established.
Reconstructing spatial pattern of historical cropland in karst areas of Guizhou, Southwest China
Authors: Yang Liuying , Zhao Cuiwei , Jiao Shulin , Li Shuang , Wang Lei , Li Yinjiu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractKarst regions are exceptionally responsive to global change with their harsh natural environment, fragile ecology, and acute human-land conflicts. The reconstruction of cropland spatial pattern in karst areas during the historical period is typical for studying human-land relations in karst areas and has important practical significance for climate study. The ecological environment changes at regional and global scales, primarily to provide essential data and a theoretical basis for studying the inverse evolution of rock desertification in karst areas. Guizhou province, a typical karst area, was selected as the research area in 1820. Based on the correction of historical population data and cropland data, a reconstruction model of cropland spatial pattern in karst areas during the historical period was constructed by selecting factors such as elevation, slope, soil types, organic matter content, climatic productivity potential, distance to river and distance from settlements to reconstruct the spatial pattern distribution of cropland in 1820 of Guizhou. The results show that the data on cropland recorded in Guizhou during the Qing dynasty is too low, mainly due to Yin-Ni and the policy of Tu-Di-Mian-Ke. In 1820, the total area of revised cropland in Guizhou was 1,851,792 hm2, with the highest proportion of 14.32% in Dading Fu and the lowest in Songtao Ting at 1.6%. Only 30% of the grid in Guizhou has a cropland distribution. It is mainly concentrated in the central part of Qianzhong District (Anshun and Guiyang Fu), the southern part of Qianbei District (Pingyue Fu and southern Zunyi Fu), the western part of Qiandongnan District, the central and eastern parts of the Qiandongbei District. The overall average reclamation rate of land in Guizhou is 10.93%, the highest reclamation intensity in Qianzhong District, with 8.5% of grids ≥ 50%, and the smallest in Qianxinan District, with only 1.65% of grids ≥ 50%. The analysis is validated by comparing the reconstruction model and the reconstruction results. It can be seen that the reconstruction model and research results of this paper can more objectively reflect the distribution of cropland in karst areas during the historical period, and the reconstruction model is suitable for karst areas with low productivity levels.
Genomic epidemiology of SARS- CoV-2 Omicron variants in the Republic of Korea
Authors: Lee Dong-Wook , Kim Jeong-Min , Park Ae Kyung , Kim Da-Won , Kim Ji-Yun , Lim Noori , Lee Hyeokjin , Kim Il-Hwan , Kim Jeong-Ah , Lee Chae young , Kwon Jung-Hoon , Kim Eun-Jin 
Published: December 2022

AbstractThe outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a global pandemic since 2019. Variants of concern (VOCs) declared by the World Health Organization require continuous monitoring because of their possible changes in transmissibility, virulence, and antigenicity. The Omicron variant, a VOC, has become the dominant variant worldwide since November 2021. In the Republic of Korea (South Korea), the number of confirmed cases increased rapidly after the detection of Omicron VOC on November 24, 2021. In this study, we estimated the underlying epidemiological processes of Omicron VOC in South Korea using time-scaled phylodynamic analysis. Three distinct phylogenetic subgroups (Kor-O1, Kor-O2, and Kor-O3) were detected in South Korea. The Kor-O1 subgroup circulated in the Daegu region, whereas Kor-O2 and Kor-O3 circulated in Incheon and Jeollanam-do, respectively. The viral population size and case number of the Kor-O1 subgroup increased more rapidly than those of the other subgroups, indicating the rapid spread of the virus. The results indicated the multiple introductions of Omicron sub-lineages into South Korea and their subsequent co-circulation. The evolution and transmission of SARS-CoV-2 should be continuously monitored, and control strategies need to be improved to control the multiple variants.
Multiscale responses and recovery of soils to wildfire in a sagebrush steppe ecosystem
Authors: Lohse Kathleen A. , Pierson Derek , Patton Nicholas R. , Sanderman Jonathan , Huber David P. , Finney Bruce , Facer Jeremy , Meyers Jared , Seyfried Mark S. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractEcological theory predicts a pulse disturbance results in loss of soil organic carbon and short-term respiration losses that exceed recovery of productivity in many ecosystems. However, fundamental uncertainties remain in our understanding of ecosystem recovery where spatiotemporal variation in structure and function are not adequately represented in conceptual models. Here we show that wildfire in sagebrush shrublands results in multiscale responses that vary with ecosystem properties, landscape position, and their interactions. Consistent with ecological theory, soil pH increased and soil organic carbon (SOC) decreased following fire. In contrast, SOC responses were slope aspect and shrub-microsite dependent, with a larger proportional decrease under previous shrubs on north-facing aspects compared to south-facing ones. In addition, respiratory losses from burned aspects were not significantly different than losses from unburned aspects. We also documented the novel formation of soil inorganic carbon (SIC) with wildfire that differed significantly with aspect and microsite scale. Whereas pH and SIC recovered within 37 months post-fire, SOC stocks remained reduced, especially on north-facing aspects. Spatially, SIC formation was paired with reduced respiration losses, presumably lower partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), and increased calcium availability, consistent with geochemical models of carbonate formation. Our findings highlight the formation of SIC after fire as a novel short-term sink of carbon in non-forested shrubland ecosystems. Resiliency in sagebrush shrublands may be more complex and integrated across ecosystem to landscape scales than predicted based on current theory.