bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A biosemiotic interpretation of certain genital morphological structures in the spiders Dysdera erythrina and Dysdera crocata (Araneae: Dysderidae)
Authors: Schult Joachim , Preik Onno , Kirschner Stefan , Friedrich Frank 
Published: September 2023

AbstractA biosemiotic approach to the interpretation of morphological data is apt to highlight morphological traits that have hitherto gone unnoticed for their crucial roles in intraspecific sign interpretation and communication processes. Examples of such traits include specific genital structures found in the haplogyne spidersDysdera erythrina(Walckenaer 1802) andDysdera crocata(Koch 1838). In bothD. erythrinaandD. crocata, the distal sclerite of the male bulb and the anterior diverticulum of the female endogyne exhibit a striking, previously unreported correspondence in size and shape, allowing for a precise match between these structures during copulation. InD. erythrina, the sclerite at the tip of the bulb and the anterior diverticulum are semi-circular in shape, whereas inD. crocatathey are rectangular. From the perspective of biosemiotics, which studies the production and interpretation of signs and codes in living systems, these structures are considered the morphological zones of an intraspecific sign interpretation process. This process constitutes one of the necessary prerequisites for sperm transfer and the achievement of fertilization. Therefore, these morphological elements deserve particular attention as they hold higher taxonomic value compared to morphological traits of the bulb for which a relevant role in mating and fertilization has not been proven. Thus, an approach to species delimitation based on biosemiotics, with its specific evaluation of morphological structures, provides new insights for the multidisciplinary endeavour of modern integrative taxonomy.
Alternative Eco-friendly Treatment of Hollow Cellulosic Fiber-Based Hybrid Composites for Remarkable Reactive Dyeing
Authors: Diab Hanan Abdelmohsen , Hakeim Osama A. , EL-Moursy Amal Mohamed 
Published: September 2023

AbstractEgyptian Chorisia hollow fibers have been blended with cotton waste, polyester waste, and raw bamboo at various ratios and weft counts using open-end spinning. The blended fabrics of hybrid composites were subjected to atmospheric plasma, pectinase, and lipase enzyme treatments, as well as the substitution of all hazardous chemicals, as sustainable alternatives to traditional alkaline scouring. The impacts of the treatments on the hollow-based fabrics' hydrophilicity, surface morphology, and color performance have been discussed. Pretreatment is associated with considerable weight loss (~ 12%) and a wetting time of less than 5 s which represents adequate absorbency of the composite. The enzymatic treatment contributed to looser arrangement of the fibrils which indicates an effective elimination of lignin and hemicellulose. The crystalline sections were greatly influenced by enzymatic treatment, providing effective decrease of cellulose crystallinity by about 30–40% as revealed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Compared to conventional scouring, bio-scouring discharges significantly less effluent. The treated composite using either enzyme or plasma pretreatment method produced about at least 300% higher color yield (K/S) and 100% enhanced dye fixation (% F) than the untreated fabric. The lipase pretreatment without subsequent to atmospheric plasma treatment could be enough to achieve the highest hydrophilicity and color performance level under the experimental conditions.
Entomological analysis for archeological reconstruction and conservation strategies design: the mummies of Cerreto di Spoleto (Central Italy)
Authors: Lunardini Agata , Carta Giuseppina , Costantini Lorenzo , Minozzi Simona , Giuffra Valentina , Giordani Giorgia , Vanin Stefano 
Published: September 2023

AbstractInsects found in archeological contexts provide useful information for reconstructing past events. In the context of funerary archeology, insects may help in reconstructing funerary practices or rituals, and in the understanding of the taphonomic processes. Furthermore, studying these insects is fundamental for developing effective conservation strategies for cultural heritage. This article focuses on the entomological investigation of four mummies (nineteenth century) discovered in the church of Santa Maria Annunziata (Cerreto di Spoleto, Central Italy). The research aimed to verify and eventually support archeological hypotheses about the four bodies and to plan an effective conservation strategy. The predominant findings were Diptera puparia and adult Coleoptera. Alongside, common species typical of the hypogean burial, such asHydrotaea capensisand several mycetophilous (mold feeder) species were also collected. The presence of blowfly remains (Calliphoridae) would suggest that the bodies were exposed before burial.
Characterization of synthetic porous media images by using fractal and multifractal analysis
Authors: Pavón-Domínguez Pablo , Díaz-Jiménez Marina 
Published: September 2023

AbstractFractal and multifractal analysis of porous images allow the description of porous media through a scale-invariant understanding. There have been numerous works that have used these analysis techniques for the description of a great variety of real porous media. However, these studies are usually comparative, being difficult to discern the role played by the pore size and pore distribution in the results of fractal and multifractal analysis. This works develops an in-depth study of different synthetic porous media from a fractal and multifractal approach, in which both the pore size and its distribution in the medium are parameterized. Thus, a set of synthetic binary images have been generated obtaining deterministic and random structures with different fixed pore sizes and also with different rates of pore sizes. Lacunarity is also calculated in order to complete the aforementioned analysis. Results evinces that fractal dimension increases with pore size and that it is higher when the pore distribution obeys a random distribution versus a deterministic one. However, when the pore size is very large, fractal dimension is similar regardless of the pore distribution. From a multifractal approach, pore size is negatively correlated with the degree of multifractality. In fact, in images with mixtures of different pore sizes it is also found that the greater the ratio of small pores, the greater degree of multifractality. By contrast, when the ratio of large pores is relevant, the degree of multifractality also increases due to the merging of macro-pores.
Road Asset Management and the Vehicles of the Future: An Overview, Opportunities, and Challenges
Authors: Gomes Correia Matheus , Ferreira Adelino 
Published: September 2023

AbstractConnected and automated vehicles (CAVs) have the potential to significantly impact transportation systems in terms of mobility, the environment, safety, and the economy. These vehicles rely on a range of sensors and cameras to detect road signs and lane markings, as well as to scan their surroundings, and they are connected to other vehicles and infrastructures. Previous research has highlighted the need for transport asset management processes to manage the intrinsic aspects of CAVs more effectively, with a view to improving performance, resource utilization, and budget planning. However, little literature was found with a deep discussion of how CAVs will impact asset management. In this article we offer an initial discussion on the impacts of CAVs on road asset management. To do so, we first provide a short introduction to CAVs, followed by an overview of road asset management. We then comprehensively discuss many asset management aspects that are affected by CAVs. Finally, future research opportunities, challenges, and important subjects are outlined.
Some thoughts and experiments on Bergman’s compact amalgamation problem
Authors: Joswig Michael , Kummer Mario , Thom Andreas , Yun Claudia He 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe study the question whether copies of $$S^{1}$$

S
1

in $$\textrm{SU}(3)$$

SU
(
3
)

can be amalgamated in a compact group. This is the simplest instance of a fundamental open problem in the theory of compact groups raised by George Bergman in 1987. Considerable computational experiments suggest that the answer is positive in this case. We obtain a positive answer for a relaxed problem using theoretical considerations.
Anti-carcinoma and anti -microbial behavioral studies for octahedral synthesized Schiff base metal complexes
Authors: Abd El-Halim Hanan , El-Sayed Omnia Y. , Mohamed Gehad G. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract2,2′-((1Z-1′Z) (1,3-diphenylpropane-1,3-diylidene) bis (azanylylidene)) dibenzoic acid (H2L) Schiff base ligand, derived from condensation reaction in a molar ratio 2:1 between anthranilic acid and dibenzoyl methane, respectively. Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) complexes were obtained from 1:1 (ligand: metal salt) reaction. Elemental analyses, IR, 1H NMR, UV–Vis, ESR, mass spectra, conductivity, and magnetic susceptibility measurements as well as thermal (TG/DTG) analyses have been used to conclude the molecular structure of the prepared complexes. From the analytical and spectroscopic tools, the stoichiometry of the complexes was found to be of ML type with octahedral geometry. The conductivity values supported the electrolytic nature of Cr(III) and Fe(III) complexes and non- electrolytic nature of the remaining complexes. From IR studies, the involvement of two azomethine nitrogen atoms and two carboxylate oxygen has been proved as tetradendate binding sites of the ligand. Screening Schiff base and its complexes for their antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis as G + bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli as G− bacteria) and fungi (Aspergillus fumigatus; Syncephalastrum racemosum; Geotricum candidum and Candida albicans) has been conducted by disk diffusion method. The Comparison between the antimicrobial activity of the metal complexes and the free ligand showed the advancement of the metal complexes. Unfortunately, no promising anti-tumor activity has been detected for the ligand and its metal complexes as they were evaluated against human cancer (MCF-7 cells viability).
Can ChatGPT Pass High School Exams on English Language Comprehension?
Authors: de Winter Joost C. F. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractLaunched in late November 2022, ChatGPT, a large language model chatbot, has garnered considerable attention. However, ongoing questions remain regarding its capabilities. In this study, ChatGPT was used to complete national high school exams in the Netherlands on the topic of English reading comprehension. In late December 2022, we submitted the exam questions through the ChatGPT web interface (GPT-3.5). According to official norms, ChatGPT achieved a mean grade of 7.3 on the Dutch scale of 1 to 10—comparable to the mean grade of all students who took the exam in the Netherlands, 6.99. However, ChatGPT occasionally required re-prompting to arrive at an explicit answer; without these nudges, the overall grade was 6.5. In March 2023, API access was made available, and a new version of ChatGPT, GPT-4, was released. We submitted the same exams to the API, and GPT-4 achieved a score of 8.3 without a need for re-prompting. Additionally, employing a bootstrapping method that incorporated randomness through ChatGPT’s ‘temperature’ parameter proved effective in self-identifying potentially incorrect answers. Finally, a re-assessment conducted with the GPT-4 model updated as of June 2023 showed no substantial change in the overall score. The present findings highlight significant opportunities but also raise concerns about the impact of ChatGPT and similar large language models on educational assessment.
Plasma-Free Blood as a Potential Alternative to Whole Blood for Transcriptomic Analysis
Authors: Chen Qingwang , Guo Xiaorou , Wang Haiyan , Sun Shanyue , Jiang He , Zhang Peipei , Shang Erfei , Zhang Ruolan , Cao Zehui , Niu Quanne , Zhang Chao , Liu Yaqing , Shi Leming , Yu Ying , Hou Wanwan , Zheng Yuanting 
Published: September 2023

AbstractRNA sequencing (RNAseq) technology has become increasingly important in precision medicine and clinical diagnostics, and emerged as a powerful tool for identifying protein-coding genes, performing differential gene analysis, and inferring immune cell composition. Human peripheral blood samples are widely used for RNAseq, providing valuable insights into individual biomolecular information. Blood samples can be classified as whole blood (WB), plasma, serum, and remaining sediment samples, including plasma-free blood (PFB) and serum-free blood (SFB) samples that are generally considered less useful byproducts during the processes of plasma and serum separation, respectively. However, the feasibility of using PFB and SFB samples for transcriptome analysis remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to assess the suitability of employing PFB or SFB samples as an alternative RNA source in transcriptomic analysis. We performed a comparative analysis of WB, PFB, and SFB samples for different applications. Our results revealed that PFB samples exhibit greater similarity to WB samples than SFB samples in terms of protein-coding gene expression patterns, detection of differentially expressed genes, and immunological characterizations, suggesting that PFB can serve as a viable alternative to WB for transcriptomic analysis. Our study contributes to the optimization of blood sample utilization and the advancement of precision medicine research.
The influence of hospital leadership support on burnout, psychological safety, and safety climate for US infection preventionists during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Gilmartin Heather M. , Saint Sanjay , Ratz David , Chrouser Kristin , Fowler Karen E. , Greene M. Todd 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjective:To explore infection preventionists’ perceptions of hospital leadership support for infection prevention and control programs during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and relationships with individual perceptions of burnout, psychological safety, and safety climate.Design:Cross-sectional survey, administered April through December 2021.Setting:Random sample of non-federal acute-care hospitals in the United States.Participants:Lead infection preventionists.Results:We received responses from 415 of 881 infection preventionists, representing a response rate of 47%. Among respondents, 64% reported very good to excellent hospital leadership support for their infection prevention and control program. However, 49% reported feeling burned out from their work. Also, ∼30% responded positively for all 7 psychological safety questions and were deemed to have “high psychological safety,” and 76% responded positively to the 2 safety climate questions and were deemed to have a “high safety climate.” Our results indicate an association between strong hospital leadership support and lower burnout (IRR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.50–0.74), higher perceptions of psychological safety (IRR, 3.20; 95% CI, 2.00–5.10), and a corresponding 1.2 increase in safety climate on an ascending Likert scale from 1 to 10 (β, 1.21; 95% CI, 0.93–1.49).Conclusions:Our national survey provides evidence that hospital leadership support may have helped infection preventionists avoid burnout and increase perceptions of psychological safety and safety climate during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings aid in identifying factors that promote the well-being of infection preventionists and enhance the quality and safety of patient care.
Functional priority of syntax over semantics in Chinese ‘ba’ construction: evidence from eye-tracking during natural reading
Authors: Wei Yanjun , Tang Yingjuan , Privitera Adam John 
Published: September 2023

AbstractStudies on sentence processing in inflectional languages support that syntactic structure building functionally precedes semantic processing. Conversely, most EEG studies of Chinese sentence processing do not support the priority of syntax. One possible explanation is that the Chinese language lacks morphological inflections. Another explanation may be that the presentation of separate sentence components on individual screens in EEG studies disrupts syntactic framework construction during sentence reading. The present study investigated this explanation using a self-paced reading experiment mimicking rapid serial visual presentation in EEG studies and an eye-tracking experiment reflecting natural reading. In both experiments, Chinese ‘ba’ sentences were presented to Chinese young adults in four conditions that differed across the dimensions of syntactic and semantic congruency. Evidence supporting the functional priority of syntax over semantics was limited to only the natural reading context, in which syntactic violations blocked the processing of semantics. Additionally, we observed a later stage of integrating plausible semantics with a failed syntax. Together, our findings extend the functional priority of syntax to the Chinese language and highlight the importance of adopting more ecologically valid methods when investigating sentence reading.
Growth rate affects blood flow rate to the tibia of the dinosaur Maiasaura
Authors: Seymour Roger S. , Caldwell Heath R. , Woodward Holly N. , Hu Qiaohui 
Published: September 2023

AbstractFossil bones were once living tissues that demanded internal blood perfusion in proportion to their metabolic requirements. Metabolic rates were primarily associated with bone growth (modeling) in the juvenile stages and with alteration and repair of existing bone affected by weight bearing and locomotion (remodeling) in later stages. This study estimates blood flow rates to the tibia shafts of the Late Cretaceous hadrosaurid Maiasaura peeblesorum, based on the size of the primary nutrient foramina in fossil bones. Foramen size quantitatively reflects arterial size and hence blood flow rate. The results showed that the bone metabolic intensity of juveniles (ca. 1 year old) was greater than fourfold higher than that of 6- to 11-year-old adults. This difference is much greater than expected from standard metabolic scaling and is interpreted as a shift from the high metabolic demands for primary bone modeling in the rapidly growing juveniles to a lower metabolic demand of adults to remodel their bones for repair of microfractures accumulated during locomotion and weight bearing. Large nutrient foramina of adults indicate a high level of cursorial locomotion characteristic of tachymetabolic endotherms. The practical value of these results is that juvenile and adult stages should be treated separately in interspecific analyses of bone perfusion in relation to body mass.
Media wars: Remaking the logics of propaganda in India’s wartime cine-ecologies
Authors: Mukherjee Debashree 
Published: September 2023

AbstractRecent Second World War historiography has rightly highlighted the forgotten contributions of South Asia in the Allied war effort, and the everyday meanings of the war in South Asia. The role of cinema here, however, remains largely overlooked. This article focuses on British efforts to produce war propaganda in India with the help of Indian filmmakers, through varying tactics of incentivization and coercion. Between 1940 and 1945, the British colonial administration attempted several strategies to build a local film propaganda apparatus in India but, as I demonstrate, each stage was met with differentiated forms of cooperation, reluctance, and outright refusal, finally leading to the adoption of the unlikely genre of the full-length fiction film as the main mode of war propaganda in India. Derided as frivolous and half-hearted by critics at the time, the Indian-language ‘war effort’ film is more generatively framed as a form of ‘useless cinema’ that defied the logics of propaganda and privileged ideological ambivalence. This article brings together media history, film analysis, industrial debates about supply chains and licence regimes, aesthetic concerns about subtlety, and political differences about the ideological meanings of the war to situate the Second World War within the complex cine-ecologies of India. I read films and film industrial negotiations together to add to the multi-sited story of India’s experience of the Second World War that this special issue develops.
Maternal postnatal depressive symptoms and children’s internalizing problems: The moderating role of mother–infant RSA synchrony
Authors: Lan Qili , Zhang Chen , Lunkenheimer Erika , Chang Suying , Li Zhi , Wang Li 
Published: September 2023

AbstractMaternal depressive symptoms are a crucial risk factor for children’s internalizing problems, though positive mother–child relationships may buffer this risk transmission. Mother–child physiological coregulation (e.g., synchrony) has emerged as a potentially important mechanism of developmental psychopathology and may play a role in the transmission of internalizing symptoms. In this two-wave longitudinal study, we examined whether and how mother–infant physiological synchrony (of respiratory sinus arrhythmia; RSA) moderated the association between maternal postnatal depressive symptoms and children’s internalizing problems in a rural, low-SES community sample (N = 166 dyads). At 6 months, mother–infant RSA synchrony and infant negative affect were assessed during free play. Mother reported their depressive symptoms at 6 months and children’s internalizing problems at 24 months. Multilevel structural equation models indicated that mother–infant dyads demonstrated significant and positive RSA synchrony on average and RSA synchrony significantly moderated the association between maternal depressive symptoms and children’s internalizing problems even after controlling for infant negative affect. Greater maternal depressive symptoms were associated with higher child internalizing problems when RSA synchrony was lower but not when it was higher. This finding suggests that mother–infant RSA synchrony may operate as a resilience factor for the intergenerational transmission of internalizing symptoms in community samples.
City-Level Law and Action for Climate-Resilient Development in Southern Africa
Authors: du Plessis Anél , Steyn Nicolene , Rantlo John 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis article studies eight cities in four countries in the southern African region (Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Botswana) to explore whether and how local governing authority has been channelled towards local climate-resilient development. The authors undertook a desk-based identification and review of available primary and secondary legal sources and normative documents while also drawing on scientific papers and policy documents for statistics and information about urbanization, climate change, politics, and governance in the selected countries. The analysis is interested in the law but is not strictly of a legal nature in the sense that the authors did not aim for a critical analysis of the regulatory detail in the relevant legal instruments. Instead, the article provides an evaluation of the political, de facto choices made by selected local governments as to how and to what extent to utilize their governing authority (legislative and executive) towards climate-resilient development. The authors explore if and how local government powers in the four southern African countries are currently leveraged for local climate action, and comment on the possible reasons for the status quo by comparing the four jurisdictions.