bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Long-term Energy System Modelling for a Clean Energy Transition in Egypt's Energy Sector
Authors: Gibson Anna 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Egypt has the potential to generate significant amounts of renewable energy, particularly solar PV, concentrated solar power (CSP) and onshore and offshore wind. Its large economy and rapidly growing population mean that the country is facing increasing energy demand. The energy sector is reliant on fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, for electricity production and is at risk of locking itself into a high carbon pathway. Globally, reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with national energy sectors is a target outlined in the UN’s Paris Agreement. To reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions associated with a higher dependence on fossil fuels, Egypt must consider upscaling renewable energy technologies (RET) to achieve a clean energy transition (CET).

This research modelled six scenarios using OSeMOSYS to identify the technologies and policy target improvements that are needed to upscale RETs within the energy sector. OSeMOSYS is a bottom-up, long-term energy system model that applies linear optimisation techniques to determine an array of least-cost technologies to satisfy a defined energy demand. The results showed that solar PV and onshore wind are key technologies to be upscaled to contribute towards Egypt’s CET. The optimal renewable target is the International Renewable Energy Agency’s (IRENA) 53% of electricity to be sourced from RETs by 2030, which will cost $16.4 billion more up to 2035 than Egypt’s current Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy (ISES) target of 42% by 2035; it also saves 732.0 Mt of CO2 over the entire modelling period to 2070.

Socio-economic barriers to this transition are considered, such as recent discoveries of natural gas reserves combined with a history of energy insecurity, political instability impacting investor confidence, and a lack of international climate funding. The paper concludes with policy recommendations that will enable Egypt to achieve a CET.
Higher sensitivity to human gaze under additional cost and risk: a field study on Azure-winged magpies
Authors: Yu Fan , Wang Xu , Zhao Yumeng , Li Zhongqiu 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
In predator-prey interactions, various factors affect the prey's perception of risk and decision to flee. Gaze sensitivity, the ability to react to the presence, direction, or movement of the head and eyes, has been reported in many birds and they could recognise not only the head direction but the subtle difference in eye direction. But few studies focused on variation in sensitivity to human gaze in relation to other risks and costs. Here, we studied the influence of human gaze on the escape behaviour of Azure-winged magpies (Cyanopica cyanus) and investigated the effects of breeding state and directness of approach on gaze sensitivity. In Experiment 1, we tested whether magpies showed different sensitivity to human gaze according to age class and breeding state when being approached directly. The results showed that the breeding state could affect the flight initiation distance (FID), with adults in the breeding season having a shorter FID. Meanwhile, only adults were found to be averse to direct human gaze and juveniles showed no sensitivity, implying that gaze aversion was not innate. In Experiment 2, we conducted three different gaze treatments on adult magpies in the breeding season under three bypass distances (0m, 2.5m, 5m). The results showed that directness of approach had no effects on FID, while the sensitivity to human gaze differed under three bypass distances. Adults could clearly recognise human head and eye direction at a certain bypass distance (2.5m). Our study reveals the cognitive ability of Azure-winged magpies to human head and eye direction and the effects of additional cost and risk, which may provide further insights into human-wildlife interactions, especially for birds in urban habitats.
Asymmetric effect of deforestation on the functional roles of interacting plants and hummingbirds
Authors: Guevara Esteban A. ,   D. Matthias Dehling1, Bello Carolina , Schleuning Matthias , Pellissier Loïc , G Tatiana Santander , Tobar Francisco , Graham Catherine H. 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Among global change drivers, deforestation not only erodes biodiversity but also the functions that species play in an ecosystem. The maintenance of many ecosystem functions, such as pollination, depends on the functional roles fulfilled by interacting plants and animals. Given that plants and animals respond differently to deforestation, a perspective that considers the functional roles of both interacting partners is needed but rarely considered. The contribution of species to an ecosystem function, i.e. the functional role, can be measured from the traits of its interacting partners. The functional role of a pollinator is based on the traits of the plants it visits and, conversely, the functional role of a plant species can be measured from the traits of its pollinators. Using 24,554 interactions between 33 hummingbird and 289 plant species, and their functional traits, collected across 14 sites and two years of sampling, we quantified species individual functional roles, the diversity of functional roles as the combination of all species functional roles, and the functional redundancy as the overlap in functional roles. We then evaluated the influence of habitat and elevation on the diversity and redundancy of functional roles. Deforestation disproportionally reduced the diversity and redundancy of functional roles of plants compared to their hummingbird pollinators, implying loss of plant functional roles with deforestation. Although deforestation had no effect on the diversity of functional roles of hummingbirds, the composition of their functional roles changed between habitats. By evaluating both trophic levels we found that deforestation more strongly influences the contribution of plants to ecosystem function. Given that ecosystem functions depend on the functional roles fulfilled by species in the two trophic groups, the reduced diversity of functional roles fulfilled by plants will likely affect the delivery of pollination function. Our evaluation of the functional roles of all species engaged in trophic interactions helped us to unravel an asymmetric effect of deforestation on plants and hummingbirds. Our approach to evaluate species’ functional roles in trophic networks can be extended to other ecosystem functions, in order to gain a holistic understanding on how ecosystem functions are affected by drivers of global change.
Awareness and utilization of Moringa oleifera as a sustainable livelihood approach: A case study of Sauyemwa West and Kaisosi East areas in Rundu, Kavango East region, Namibia
Authors: Kwaambwa Esther L C , Amwele Hilma R , Kwaambwa Habauka M 
Published: January 2023

Abstract

Objective: This study explored the awareness and utilization of Moringa oleifera for sustainable livelihoods in Kaisosi East and Sauyemwa West areas in Rundu in Kavango East region, Namibia
Methodology: Purposive sampling was used to select two regions which are Kaisosi East and Sauyemwa West of Rundu in Kavango East region. Data on socio-demographics and uses of M. oleifera was collected using a structured interview questionnaire from 82 farmers that were randomly selected across the two selected areas of study.
Results: Majority of farmers in the study area were female (56.1%) whereas for employment status 68.3% were unemployed and for educational, 51.2% had attained secondary school level of education. Results from the study revealed that majority of the respondents (48.8%) fell within the range of 20-39 years and 67.1% were single. The results also showed that the majority of the respondents were aware of the Moringa plant such that 34.7% use it for medicinal purposes and 19.5% as source of income generation through the sales of Moringaproducts. The results showed that there is no significant difference (P > 0.05) in the use of Moringa between socio-demographic factors. The study further revealed that many of the farmers were aware of the plant and could identify the plant physically and by name.
Recommendations: The study suggests that there is a large scope for increasing the cultivation and utilization of the M. oleifera in the study area. To achieve that objective, efforts are needed to improve farmers’ access to credit and markets as well as training production and processing of M. oleifera.
Intraspecific trait variation and species turnover in successional tropical forests: assessing trait imputation for community weighted means
Authors: Hogan J. Aaron , Xu Han , Baraloto Christopher 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Accounting for intraspecific trait variation (ITV) is crucial to plant ecology for vegetation modeling efforts. ITV can be substantial; however, it remains unclear how ITV influences community-weighted mean (CWM) trait estimates. We use leaf and root trait data from 423 trees of 72 species from 15 Angiosperm families in combination with community data from 164 25×25m plots comprising 580 species to evaluate the contributions of ITV and compositional turnover to CWMs, comparing unlogged primary tropical forest to selectively-logged and clear-cut secondary tropical forest. We also examine the effect of imputing missing trait values using phylogenetic generalized linear modeling (PhyloPars) on CWMs. For six of the seven traits, ITV negatively covaried with community compositional turnover to generate larger CWM differences between forest types than observed if ITV was not integrated. For example, plot average weighted mean specific leaf area was 10.7 and 10.4 m2 kg-1 for primary and secondary forests, not accounting for ITV, but shifted to 9.8 and 11.1 m2 kg-1 after doing so. Our results from 72-species assemblages were largely consistent with results using phylogenetically-imputed traits for the entire community. The contribution of ITV to CWMs ranged from 25 to 75%, with nearly all trait variation due to forest type attributable to ITV. CWM trait estimates became more conservative with forest age, whereas ITV for many traits showed an opposing acquisitive shift (i.e., increasing in leaf area or root length), and because of negative covariation between ITV and species turnover, forest age-related weighted-mean trait differences increased.
THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF COMMENTS (PRAISE, SUGGESTION, AND CRITICISM) ON STUDENTS’ WRITING ACHIEVEMENT
Authors: Rahayu Nanik Sri 
Published: January 2023

Teacher’s comments as a respond to the students’ draft has an important effect on students writing motivation and achievement during the teaching and learning process in writing. These comments or the teacher reply for the students’ draft are usually waited by the students as it is assumed as a two- way communication during completing the final draft. However, many students may have different responds in accommodating these comments. This study investigated whether praise, suggestion, and criticism as teacher’ comments have significant effects on the students writing paragraph achievement. Through a quasi-experimental design using quantitative methods for students in the third semester of IAIN Tulungagung's English Department, the research shows that there are significant differences in writing paragraph scores between students taught before and after using different types of comments. In addition, among these three strategies, the suggestion gave more improvement than the other two types of comments.
The use of mesenchymal stem cells in the treatment of severe forms of new coronavirus infection COVID-19: a prospective observational study
Authors: Dzyadzko Aleksandr M. , Krivenko S. I. , Syradouey A. V. , Dedylya N. I. , Prylutski P. S. , Prymakova E. A. , Symanovich A. A. , Nazarova E. A. , Petrovskaya K. H. , Smolnikova V. V. , Romanova I. A. 
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION: One of the promising treatments for COVID-19 aimed at correcting the immune response and reducing the level of pro-inflammatory cytokines is the use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). There is evidence that MSCs, due to various mechanisms, are able to suppress the cytokine storm in patients with COVID-19. Thus, the use of MSCs can contribute to the suppression of inflammation and the regulation of immune homeostasis in patients with severe COVID-19. OBJECTIVE: Evaluation of the effect of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy on the course of severe forms of novel coronavirus infection, accompanied by “cytokine storm”. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective single-center study included 39 patients treated for coronavirus infection on the basis of the intensive care unit and, after randomization, randomly divided into control (n = 16) and study groups (n = 23). An assessment of clinical, laboratory parameters in both groups and a cytokine profile in the study group was carried out. Outcomes were compared, the incidence of complications and clinical and laboratory parameters in both groups, and the cytokine profile in the study group. RESULTS: The use of MSCs in patients with severe forms of COVID-19 affected the outcomes of the disease, the duration of stay on mechanical ventilation, the course of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (an increase in the oxygenation index in patients of the study group by 5, 7 days from administration in comparison with the control group). CONCLUSIONS: In patients treated with MSCs, there was a significant decrease in a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Mathematical modeling of severe ischemic stroke with multiple organ failure: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Silkin V. V. , Ershov Vadim I. , Burdakov V. V. , Biryukova T. V. , Bredikhin A. Yu. , T. Yu. Lozinskaya T. Yu. Lozinskaya 
Published: January 2023

INTRODUCTION: The development of organ dysfunctions and multiple organ failure (MOF) in patients with severe ischemic stroke (IS) is a factor in aggravating the clinical course and outcome. OBJECTIVE: To study the prognostic aspects of the clinical course and outcomes of severe IS with the development of MOF. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 110 patients with severe IS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale ≥ 16 points). To assess the severity of MOF on days 1 and 5 of hospitalization, standard scales SAPS II, SOFA were used. The predictor significance of the indicators was determined by a comparative regression analysis using the least squares method. RESULTS: In patients with a fatal outcome compared to survivors, a higher severity of MOF on the SAPS II was observed both on the first (31 (25; 39) and 24 (21; 29) respectively, p < 0.0001) and fifth days of the disease (40 (33; 49.5) and 29 (25; 35) respectively, p < 0.0001). In the development of severe IS with MOF, an unfavorable outcome is significantly more often observed in the cardioembolic subtype compared to the atherothrombotic subtype of IS (50.75 and 29.85 % respectively, p = 0.0469). The probable mortality according to comparative regression analysis was significantly higher in cardioembolic stroke for patients with MOF severity from 29 to 49 points on the SAPS II (p = 0.0021). CONCLUSIONS: MOF is the most important predictor of death in severe IS. At the same time, the cardioembolic subtype of IS differ by a higher probable mortality in comparison with the atherothrombotic subtype with the MOF severity in the range of 29–49 points according to the SAPS II scale.
A novel integrated approach for monitoring drought stress in an aeolian desertification area using Vegetation Drought Status Index
Authors: Zhao Zhixin , Liu Qi , Huo Aidi , Cheng Yuxiang , Guan Wenke , Mohamed EL-Sayed Abuarab , Mokhtar Ali , Elbeltagi Ahmed 
Published: January 2023

Abstract
Drought is a costly natural disaster. The accuracy and applicability of different drought indexes in drought monitoring at different research areas are also different. Based on remote sensing (RS) and geographic information system technology, we propose a new RS-based drought index, Vegetation Drought Status Index (VDSI), for agricultural drought monitoring in both arid and humid regions using multi-sensor data. This index combines the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor and data from 81 verification points regarding the in situ soil drought status. The model was applied to drought monitoring in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region of China. Based on the comprehensive influence of water absorption on the reflectance spectrum of vegetation and soil, the reflectance of soil in MODIS bands B6 and B7 is generally higher than that of vegetation, so the model can directly obtain the surface soil moisture index. The correlation analysis (R2 &gt; 0.79) was valid; the change trends were the same; i.e., VDSI is a reliable referential index for agricultural drought monitoring.
COVID-19 Testing Practices, Preventive Behaviors, and Factors Associated With Test Positivity: Population-Based Statewide Survey Study
Authors: Kanyangarara Mufaro , Daguise Virginie , Gual-Gonzalez Lídia , Litwin Alain H , Korte Jeffrey , Ross Connor , Nolan Melissa S ,   SC STRONG Project Team
Published: January 2023

Background
The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged public health efforts globally. Timely population-based surveillance is crucial to support public health programs and policies to limit the spread of COVID-19. The South Carolina (SC) Sampling and Testing Representative Outreach for Novel Coronavirus Guidance (SC STRONG) statewide initiative was established to estimate population-level prevalence and immunity and characterize the transmission dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 using community testing and online surveys.

Objective
This paper aimed to leverage the survey data collected as part of the initiative to understand risk perceptions, testing practices, and preventive behaviors and identify risk factors for COVID-19 test positivity in SC over time.

Methods
Probability proportionate to size cluster random sampling was used to select SC residents to participate in testing for COVID-19 infection and antibodies and to complete an online survey. This paper focuses on data from the online surveys completed between November 2020 and June 2021. Descriptive statistics were used to describe risk perceptions, attitudes and behaviors, and associated changes over time. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with self-reported COVID-19 test positivity.

Results
Among the 7170 online survey respondents, 58.7% (4213/7170) self-reported ever testing for COVID-19. The most commonly cited barriers to testing were inconvenient dates, time, and location, as well as discomfort. Overall, 18.7% (790/7170) of respondents reported a history of COVID-19 test positivity. Multivariate logistic regression results indicated that individuals who were aged 50 years or older, self-identified as Black/African American, were obese, and were employed as frontline health care workers or nursing home staff were more likely to self-report COVID-19 test positivity. By contrast, there was a decreased likelihood of test positivity among respondents who were concerned about the burden of COVID-19 in their community and about being infected.

Conclusions
Strategies to remove testing barriers should be implemented to improve access. Our findings provide insights on statewide testing patterns, adoption of prevention behaviors, and risk factors for infection and may inform public health strategies to curb transmission.
COVID-19 in Vietnam and Its Impact on Road Trauma: Retrospective Study Based on National Data
Authors: Nguyen Ba Tuan , Blizzard Christopher Leigh , Palmer Andrew , Nguyen Huu Tu , Cong Quyet Thang , Tran Viet , Nelson Mark 
Published: January 2023

Background
Despite significant improvement in the last decade, road trauma remains a substantial contributor to deaths in Vietnam. The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated public health measures that had an unforeseen benefit on road trauma in high-income countries. We investigate if this reduction was also seen in a low- to middle-income country like Vietnam.

Objective
Our aim was to investigate how the COVID-19 pandemic and the government policies implemented in response to it impacted road trauma fatalities in Vietnam. We also compared this impact to other government policies related to road trauma implemented in the preceding 14 years (2007-2020).

Methods
COVID-19 data were extracted from the Vietnamese Ministry of Health database. Road traffic deaths from 2007 to 2021 were derived from the Vietnamese General Statistical Office. We used Stata software (version 17; StataCorp) for statistical analysis. Poisson regression modeling was used to estimate trends in road fatality rates based on annual national mortality data for the 2007-2021 period. The actual change in road traffic mortality in 2021 was compared with calculated figures to demonstrate the effect of COVID-19 on road trauma fatalities. We also compared this impact to other government policies that aimed to reduce traffic-related fatalities from 2007 to 2020.

Results
Between 2007 and 2020, the number of annual road traffic deaths decreased by more than 50%, from 15.3 to 7 per 100,000 population, resulting in an average reduction of 5.4% per annum. We estimated that the road traffic mortality rate declined by 12.1% (95% CI 8.9-15.3%) in 2021 relative to this trend. The actual number of road trauma deaths fell by 16.4%. This reduction was largely seen from August to October 2021 when lockdown and social distancing measures were in force.

Conclusions
In 2021, the road traffic–related death reduction in Vietnam was 3 times greater than the trend seen in the preceding 14 years. The public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam was associated with a third of this reduction. It can thus be concluded that government policies implemented to address the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a 4.3% decrease in road traffic deaths in 2021. This has been observed in high-income countries, but we have demonstrated this for the first time in a low- and middle-income country.
Journey to the other side of the brain: asymmetry in patients with chronic mild or moderate traumatic brain injury
Authors: Ross David E , Seabaugh John D , Seabaugh Jan M , Alvarez Claudia , Ellis Laura Peyton , Powell Christopher , Reese Christopher , Cooper Leah , Shepherd Katherine , Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative for the 
Published: January 2023

Aim: Patients with chronic mild or moderate traumatic brain injury have some regions of brain atrophy (including cerebral white matter) but even more regions of abnormal brain enlargement (including other cerebral regions). Hypothesis: Ipsilateral injury and atrophy cause the eventual development of contralateral compensatory hypertrophy. Materials & methods: 50 patients with mild or moderate traumatic brain injury were compared to 80 normal controls (n = 80) with respect to MRI brain volume asymmetry. Asymmetry-based correlations were used to test the primary hypothesis. Results: The group of patients had multiple regions of abnormal asymmetry. Conclusion: The correlational analyses supported the conclusion that acute injury to ipsilateral cerebral white matter regions caused atrophy, leading eventually to abnormal enlargement of contralateral regions due to compensatory hypertrophy.