bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impacts of a global pandemic on the efficacy and stability of contemporary wildlife conservation: South Africa as a case study
Authors: Ehlers Smith David A. , Ehlers Smith Yvette C. , Davies-Mostert Harriet T. , Thompson Lindy J. , Parker Daniel M. , de Villiers Deon , Ricketts Dean , Coverdale Brent , Roberts Peter J. , Kelly Christopher , Macfadyen Duncan N. , Manqele Nomthandazo S. , Power R. John , Downs Colleen T. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractConservationists speculated on potential benefits to wildlife of lockdown restrictions because of the COVID-19 pandemic but voiced concern that restrictions impeded nature conservation. We assessed the effects of lockdown restrictions on biodiversity conservation in South Africa, a biodiverse country with economic inequality and reliance on wildlife resources. We solicited expert opinion using the IUCN’s Threats Classification Scheme to structure a questionnaire and illustrated responses with individual case studies from government parastatal and non-governmental conservation organisations. The most highly reported threats were biological resource use, residential/commercial developments, invasive species, and human intrusions. The trends reported by 90 survey respondents were supported by case studies using environmental compliance data from parastatal conservation organisations. Lack of tourism revenue and funding were cited as hindrances to conservation. Mechanisms to prevent environmental degradation in the face of global emergencies must be implemented and ‘ring-fenced’ to ensure conservation is not a casualty during future global crises.
Comprehensive Control Strategy and Verification for PEM Fuel Cell/Battery/Supercapacitor Hybrid Power Source
Authors: Trinh Hoai-An , Truong Hoai Vu Anh , Pham Minh Duc , Do Tri Cuong , Lee Hong-Hee , Ahn Kyoung Kwan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractUsing renewable energy is becoming a new tendency for vehicular applications to reduce fossil fuel consumption and minimize greenhouse gas emissions. Well-known as an eco-friendly energy source, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is extensively used in hybrid power systems to achieve the objective of zero-emission and air protection. However, this type of fuel cell offers slow dynamics and cannot adapt to abrupt load variations when used as a primary energy source. To overcome this shortcoming, battery (BAT) and/or supercapacitor (SC) are supplemented as auxiliary sources. In this paper, an innovative energy management strategy (EMS) for a PEMFC/BAT/SC hybrid power source (HPS) is proposed to improve the accuracy of power distribution from energy sources to the load. In detail, according to different characteristics of energy sources, a frequency decoupling (FD) method is designed to determine the required currents for PEMFC, BAT, and SC based on the load power demand. Besides, an adaptive DC bus control loop is utilized to guarantee a stable DC output voltage by using the BAT. The proposed EMS is simulated in a MATLAB/Simulink environment and experimentally implemented with a real-time DSP TMS320F28379D controller board. Subsequently, a test bench of a 200 W PEMFC, 24 V–12 Ah battery, and 25 V–60 F supercapacitor is conducted for experimental validation. The obtained results show that the proposed EMS is effective to coordinate energy flows between the three used sources and enhance the fuel cell performance in a hybrid power system.
An Amorphous Anode for Proton Battery
Authors: Liu Huan , Cai Xiang , Zhi Xiaojuan , Di Shuanlong , Zhai Boyin , Li Hongguan , Wang Shulan , Li Li 
Published: December 2022

AbstractDeveloping advanced electrode materials is crucial for improving the electrochemical performances of proton batteries. Currently, the anodes are primarily crystalline materials which suffer from inferior cyclic stability and high electrode potential. Herein, we propose amorphous electrode materials for proton batteries by using a general ion-exchange protocol to introduce multivalent metal cations for activating the host material. Taking Al3+ as an example, theoretical and experimental analysis demonstrates electrostatic interaction between metal cations and lattice oxygen, which is the primary barrier for direct introduction of the multivalent cations, is effectively weakened through ion exchange between Al3+ and pre-intercalated K+. The as-prepared Al-MoOx anode therefore delivered a remarkable capacity and outstanding cycling stability that outperforms most of the state-of-the-art counterparts. The assembled full cell also achieved a high voltage of 1.37 V. This work opens up new opportunities for developing high-performance electrodes of proton batteries by introducing amorphous materials.
Resetting the Origins of Christianity
Authors: Vinzent Markus 
Published: December 2022

How do we know what we know about the origins of the Christian religion? Neither its founder, nor the Apostles, nor Paul left any written accounts of their movement. The witnesses' testimonies were transmitted via successive generations of copyists and historians, with the oldest surviving fragments dating to the second and third centuries - that is, to well after Jesus' death. In this innovative and important book, Markus Vinzent interrogates standard interpretations of Christian origins handed down over the centuries. He scrutinizes - in reverse order - the earliest recorded sources from the sixth to the second century, showing how the works of Greek and Latin writers reveal a good deal more about their own times and preoccupations than they do about early Christianity. In so doing, the author boldly challenges understandings of one of the most momentous social and religious movements in history, as well as its reception over time and place.
Optimizing multiplexed imaging experimental design through tissue spatial segregation estimation
Authors: Bost Pierre , Schulz Daniel , Engler Stefanie , Wasserfall Clive , Bodenmiller Bernd 
Published: December 2022

AbstractRecent advances in multiplexed imaging methods allow simultaneous detection of dozens of proteins and hundreds of RNAs, enabling deep spatial characterization of both healthy and diseased tissues. Parameters for the design of optimal multiplex imaging studies, especially those estimating how much area has to be imaged to capture all cell phenotype clusters, are lacking. Here, using a spatial transcriptomic atlas of healthy and tumor human tissues, we developed a statistical framework that determines the number and area of fields of view necessary to accurately identify all cell phenotypes that are part of a tissue. Using this strategy on imaging mass cytometry data, we identified a measurement of tissue spatial segregation that enables optimal experimental design. This strategy will enable an improved design of multiplexed imaging studies.
Multifaceted atlases of the human brain in its infancy
Authors: Ahmad Sahar , Wu Ye , Wu Zhengwang , Thung Kim-Han , Liu Siyuan , Lin Weili , Li Gang , Wang Li , Yap Pew-Thian 
Published: December 2022

AbstractBrain atlases are spatial references for integrating, processing, and analyzing brain features gathered from different individuals, sources, and scales. Here we introduce a collection of joint surface–volume atlases that chart postnatal development of the human brain in a spatiotemporally dense manner from two weeks to two years of age. Our month-specific atlases chart normative patterns and capture key traits of early brain development and are therefore conducive to identifying aberrations from normal developmental trajectories. These atlases will enhance our understanding of early structural and functional development by facilitating the mapping of diverse features of the infant brain to a common reference frame for precise multifaceted quantification of cortical and subcortical changes.
Evolutionary scaling of maximum growth rate with organism size
Authors: Lynch Michael , Trickovic Bogi , Kempes Christopher P. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractData from nearly 1000 species reveal the upper bound to rates of biomass production achievable by natural selection across the Tree of Life. For heterotrophs, maximum growth rates scale positively with organism size in bacteria but negatively in eukaryotes, whereas for phototrophs, the scaling is negligible for cyanobacteria and weakly negative for eukaryotes. These results have significant implications for understanding the bioenergetic consequences of the transition from prokaryotes to eukaryotes, and of the expansion of some groups of the latter into multicellularity. The magnitudes of the scaling coefficients for eukaryotes are significantly lower than expected under any proposed physical-constraint model. Supported by genomic, bioenergetic, and population-genetic data and theory, an alternative hypothesis for the observed negative scaling in eukaryotes postulates that growth-diminishing mutations with small effects passively accumulate with increasing organism size as a consequence of associated increases in the power of random genetic drift. In contrast, conditional on the structural and functional features of ribosomes, natural selection has been able to promote bacteria with the fastest possible growth rates, implying minimal conflicts with both bioenergetic constraints and random genetic drift. If this extension of the drift-barrier hypothesis is correct, the interpretations of comparative studies of biological traits that have traditionally ignored differences in population-genetic environments will require revisiting.
Lutein isolated from Scenedesmus obliquus microalga boosts immunity against cyclophosphamide-induced brain injury in rats
Authors: El-Baz Farouk K. , Salama Abeer , Ali Sami I. , Elgohary Rania 
Published: December 2022

AbstractLutein is a naturally potent antioxidant carotenoid synthesized in green microalgae with a potent ability to prevent different human chronic conditions. To date, there are no reports of the immune-stimulating effect of pure lutein isolated fromScenedesmus obliquus.Thus, we isolated the natural lutein fromS. obliquusand evaluated its effectiveness as an immunostimulant against cyclophosphamide-induced brain injury. We purified all-E-(3R, 3′R, 6′R)-Lutein fromS. obliquususing prep-HPLC and characterized it by1H- and13C-NMR spectroscopy. We assigned rats randomly to four experimental groups: the Control group got a vehicle for lutein dimethyl sulfoxide for ten successive days. The Cyclophosphamide group received a single i.p injection of Cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg). Lutein groups received 50 and 100 (mg/kg) of lutein one time per day for ten successive days after the cyclophosphamide dose. Lutein administration reduced brain contents of Macrophage inflammatory protein2 (MIP2), cytokine-induced- neutrophil chemoattractant (CINC), and Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP1). Besides, it lowered the contents of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and interleukin 18 (IL-18), associated with low content of NLR pyrin domain protein 3 (NLRP3) and consequently caspase-1 compared to the cyclophosphamide group. In the histomorphometric analysis, lutein groups (50 and 100 mg/Kg) showed mild histopathological alterations as they significantly reduced nuclear pyknosis numbers by 65% and 69% respectively, compared to the cyclophosphamide group. This is the first study that showed the immunomodulatory roles of lutein against cyclophosphamide-induced brain injury via decreasing neuroinflammation, chemokines recruitment, and neuron degeneration with the modulation of immune markers. Hence, lutein can be an effective immunomodulator against inflammation-related immune disorders.
Pre-exposure cognitive performance variability is associated with severity of respiratory infection
Authors: Zhai Yaya , Doraiswamy P. Murali , Woods Christopher W. , Turner Ronald B. , Burke Thomas W. , Ginsburg Geoffrey S. , Hero Alfred O. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractUsing data from a longitudinal viral challenge study, we find that the post-exposure viral shedding and symptom severity are associated with a novel measure of pre-exposure cognitive performance variability (CPV), defined before viral exposure occurs. Each individual’s CPV score is computed from data collected from a repeated NeuroCognitive Performance Test (NCPT) over a 3 day pre-exposure period. Of the 18 NCPT measures reported by the tests, 6 contribute materially to the CPV score, prospectively differentiating the high from the low shedders. Among these 6 are the 4 clinical measures digSym-time, digSym-correct, trail-time, and reaction-time, commonly used for assessing cognitive executive functioning. CPV is found to be correlated with stress and also with several genes previously reported to be associated with cognitive development and dysfunction. A perturbation study over the number and timing of NCPT sessions indicates that as few as 5 sessions is sufficient to maintain high association between the CPV score and viral shedding, as long as the timing of these sessions is balanced over the three pre-exposure days. Our results suggest that variations in cognitive function are closely related to immunity and susceptibility to severe infection. Further studying these relationships may help us better understand the links between neurocognitive and neuroimmune systems which is timely in this COVID-19 pandemic era.
Quantitative evaluation of precautions against the COVID-19 indoor transmission through human coughing
Authors: Nie Zhenguo , Chen Yunzhi , Deng Meifeng 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn this work, we focus on the dispersion of COVID-19-laden droplets using the transient computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling and simulation of the coughing process of virus carriers in an enclosure room, aiming to set up the basic prototype of popular precautionary strategies, i.e., face mask, upward ventilation, protective screen, or any combination thereof, against the indoor transmission of COVID-19 and other highly contagious diseases in the future. A multi-component Eulerian–Lagrangian CFD particle-tracking model with user-defined functions is utilized under 8 cases to examine the characteristics of droplet dispersion concerning the mass and heat transfer, droplet evaporation, air buoyancy, air convection, air-droplet friction, and turbulent dispersion. The result shows that implementing upward ventilation is the most effective measure, followed by wearing face masks. Protective screens can restrict the movement of the coughing droplets (though it will not reduce viral load). However, applying protective screens arranged with lean can be counterproductive in preventing the spread of COVID-19 when it is inappropriately placed with ventilation. The soundest solution is the combination of the face mask and upward ventilation, which can reduce the indoor infectious concentration by nearly 99.95% compared with the baseline without any precautionary strategies. With the resumption of school and work in the post-epidemic era, this study would provide intelligence-enhancing advice for the masses and rule-makers to curb the pandemic.
Explainable automated recognition of emotional states from canine facial expressions: the case of positive anticipation and frustration
Authors: Boneh-Shitrit Tali , Feighelstein Marcelo , Bremhorst Annika , Amir Shir , Distelfeld Tomer , Dassa Yaniv , Yaroshetsky Sharon , Riemer Stefanie , Shimshoni Ilan , Mills Daniel S. , Zamansky Anna 
Published: December 2022

AbstractIn animal research, automation of affective states recognition has so far mainly addressed pain in a few species. Emotional states remain uncharted territories, especially in dogs, due to the complexity of their facial morphology and expressions. This study contributes to fill this gap in two aspects. First, it is the first to address dog emotional states using a dataset obtained in a controlled experimental setting, including videos from (n = 29) Labrador Retrievers assumed to be in two experimentally induced emotional states: negative (frustration) and positive (anticipation). The dogs’ facial expressions were measured using the Dogs Facial Action Coding System (DogFACS). Two different approaches are compared in relation to our aim: (1) a DogFACS-based approach with a two-step pipeline consisting of (i) a DogFACS variable detector and (ii) a positive/negative state Decision Tree classifier; (2) An approach using deep learning techniques with no intermediate representation. The approaches reach accuracy of above 71% and 89%, respectively, with the deep learning approach performing better. Secondly, this study is also the first to study explainability of AI models in the context of emotion in animals. The DogFACS-based approach provides decision trees, that is a mathematical representation which reflects previous findings by human experts in relation to certain facial expressions (DogFACS variables) being correlates of specific emotional states. The deep learning approach offers a different, visual form of explainability in the form of heatmaps reflecting regions of focus of the network’s attention, which in some cases show focus clearly related to the nature of particular DogFACS variables. These heatmaps may hold the key to novel insights on the sensitivity of the network to nuanced pixel patterns reflecting information invisible to the human eye.
Investigation on mechanical properties deterioration of concrete subjected to freeze–thaw cycles
Authors: Xie Ruifeng , Yang Jianlin , Xie Enpu 
Published: December 2022

AbstractConcrete structures in cold regions are usually suffer from froze and thaw action. A combined investigation of nanoindentation technique and X-ray diffraction were adopted to demonstrate the microstructure change and micromechanical properties deterioration of concrete subjected to freeze–thaw (F-T) cycles in this study. The results showed that the indentation modulus and hardness of the main compositions in mortar, such as calcium-silicate-hydrates and calcium hydroxide, both gradually decreases as the F–T cycles increase, with the greatest reduction approximate 38% after 1500 F–T cycles, while the corresponding greatest reduction of the main compositions in interfacial transition zone (ITZ) is close to 50%. In addition, the micropores in mortar and ITZ both gradually converge and connect to form larger diameter pores, and the thickness of ITZ increased rapidly from 25 to 50 μm after 1500 F–T cycles. On this basis, the effective modulus of elasticity under different F–T cycles are analyzed through Mori–Tanaka scheme with consistent variation tendency of dynamic modulus of elasticity test. Subsequently, the mechanical properties deterioration of concrete under F–T cycles is mainly attributed to the decrease of mechanical properties (such as modulus and hardness) of microscopic components, and the increase and propagation of the internal micropores especially for micropores in ITZ.
Duration judgments are mediated by the similarity with the temporal context
Authors: Boned Jaume , López-Moliner Joan 
Published: December 2022

AbstractWhen we try to assess the duration of an event, we are often affected by external information. Studies on multiple timing have found that simultaneous timing information can produce an averaging or central tendency effect, where the perceived duration of the elements tends to be biased towards a general average. We wanted to assess how this effect induced by simultaneous distractors could depend on the temporal similarity between stimuli. We used a duration judgment task in which participants (n = 22) had to compare the duration of two identical targets (1 s) accompanied by simultaneous distractors of different durations (0.3, 0.7, 1.5 or 3 s). We found a central tendency effect, where duration judgments of the target were systematically biased towards the duration of the distractors that accompanied them. We put forward a model based on the concept of duration-channels that can explain the central tendency effect with only one estimated parameter. This parameter modulates the rate of decay of this effect as distractors duration become more different than the duration of the target.
Application of a Joint Coordinate System Kinematic Model to the Canine Thoracic Limb
Authors: Sandberg Gabriella S. , Torres Bryan T. , Budsberg Steven C. 
Published: December 2022

AbstractObjective The aim of this study was to apply a three-dimensional kinematic model to the canine thoracic limb using a joint coordinate system.Animals Six clinically normal adult mixed-breed dogs.Procedures Dogs had 19 retroreflective markers affixed to the skin of the right forelimb. Twelve infrared cameras were arranged in a circle around the testing space, recording the locations of the markers as dogs walked and trotted through the testing space. Five trials were used of both walks and trots at velocities 0.9 to 1.2 m/s and 1.7 to 2.1 m/s respectively. Raw marker location data were used to generate a joint coordinate system, and a six degrees of freedom model of the canine forelimb was created. Three-dimensional kinematic angles were collected for the shoulder, elbow and carpal joints.Results Sagittal, transverse and frontal plane kinematics joint angles were generated by use of a joint coordinate system. Range of motion was calculated for each joint in all three planes.Conclusion and Clinical Relevance This minimally invasive joint coordinate system model can be used in both clinical and research settings to determine changes in range of motion of the shoulder, elbow or carpus in the canine forelimb in three dimensions.
Sex and age differences in “theory of mind” across 57 countries using the English version of the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test
Authors: Greenberg David M. , Warrier Varun , Abu-Akel Ahmad , Allison Carrie , Gajos Krzysztof Z. , Reinecke Katharina , Rentfrow P. Jason , Radecki Marcin A. , Baron-Cohen Simon 
Published: December 2022

The “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” Test (Eyes Test) is a widely used assessment of “theory of mind.” The NIMH Research Domain Criteria recommends it as one of two tests for “understanding mental states.” Previous studies have demonstrated an on-average female advantage on the Eyes Test. However, it is unknown whether this female advantage exists across the lifespan and across a large number of countries. Thus, we tested sex and age differences using the English version of the Eyes Test in adolescents and adults across 57 countries. We also tested for associations with sociodemographic and cognitive/personality factors. We leveraged one discovery dataset (
N
= 305,726) and three validation datasets (
N
s = 642; 5,284; and 1,087). The results show that: i) there is a replicable on-average female advantage in performance on the Eyes Test; ii) performance increases through adolescence and shallowly declines across adulthood; iii) the on-average female advantage is evident across the lifespan; iv) there is a significant on-average female advantage in 36 out of 57 countries; v) there is a significant on-average female advantage on translated (non-English) versions of the Eyes Test in 12 out of 16 countries, as confirmed by a systematic review; vi) D-scores, or empathizing-systemizing, predict Eyes Test performance above and beyond sex differences; and vii) the female advantage is negatively linked to “prosperity” and “autonomy,” and positively linked to “collectivism,” as confirmed by exploratory country-level analyses. We conclude that the on-average female advantage on the Eyes Test is observed across ages and most countries.