bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Efficacy and feasibility of SENSory relearning of the UPPer limb (SENSUPP) in people with chronic stroke: A pilot randomized controlled trial
Authors: Carlsson Håkan , Rosén Birgitta , Björkman Anders , Pessah‐Rasmussen Hélène , Brogårdh Christina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractBackgroundSensorimotor impairments of the upper limb (UL) are common after stroke, but there is a lack of evidence‐based interventions to improve functioning of UL.ObjectiveTo evaluate (1) the efficacy of sensory relearning and task‐specific training compared to task‐specific training only, and (2) the feasibility of the training in chronic stroke.DesignA pilot randomized controlled trial.SettingUniversity hospital outpatient clinic.ParticipantsTwenty‐seven participants (median age; 62 years, 20 men) were randomized to an intervention group (IG; n = 15) or to a control group (CG; n = 12).InterventionBoth groups received training twice weekly in 2.5‐hour sessions for 5 weeks. The training in the IG consisted of sensory relearning, task‐specific training, and home training. The training in the CG consisted of task‐specific training.Main Outcome MeasuresPrimary outcome was sensory function (touch thresholds, touch discrimination, light touch, and proprioception). Secondary outcomes were dexterity, ability to use the hand in daily activities, and perceived participation. A blinded assessor conducted the assessments at baseline (T1), post intervention (T2), and at 3‐month follow‐up (T3). Nonparametric analyses and effect‐size calculations (r) were performed. Feasibility was evaluated by a questionnaire.ResultsAfter the training, only touch thresholds improved significantly from T1 to T2 (p = .007, r = 0.61) in the IG compared to the CG. Within the IG, significant improvements were found from T1 to T2 regarding use of the hand in daily activities (p = .001, r = 0.96) and movement quality (p = .004, r = 0.85) and from T1 to T3 regarding satisfaction with performance in meaningful activities (p = .004, r = 0.94). The CG significantly improved the performance of using the hand in meaningful activities from T1 to T2 (p = .017, r = 0.86). The training was well tolerated by the participants and performed without any adverse events.ConclusionsCombined sensory relearning and task‐specific training may be a promising and feasible intervention to improve UL sensorimotor function after stroke.
Tailoring Interlayered Spacers of Two‐Dimensional Cesium‐Based Perovskite Ferroelectrics toward Exceptional Ferro‐Pyro‐Phototronic Effects
Authors: Liu Yi , Pan Xiong , Liu Xitao , Han Shiguo , Wang Jiaqi , Lu Lei , Xu Haojie , Sun Zhihua , Luo Junhua 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFerro‐pyro‐phototronic (FPP) effect is a triple coupling of ferroelectricity, light‐induced pyroelectricity, and photo‐excitation, which holds a bright promise for next‐generation modern optoelectronic devices. However, except for few oxides (e.g., BaTiO3), new FPP‐active candidates remain extremely scarce due to the knowledge lacking on the underlying role of three coupling components. By tailoring the interlayered spacers, the authors present a series of 2D cesium‐based perovskite ferroelectrics, (A′)2CsPb2Br7 (where A′‐site cation is organic spacer), showing remarkable FPP‐active properties. As expected, the dynamic ordering and reorientation of spacers along with atomic displacement of Cs+ in the perovskite cavity lead to their ferroelectric polarizations. Particularly, exceptional FPP properties are created through this cooperation; the most FPP‐active candidate (n‐hexylammonium)2CsPb2Br7 endows a giant contrast up to 1500% for photopyroelectric current to photovoltaic signal. This figure‐of‐merit is far beyond most inorganic oxide counterparts, such as ≈110% for BaTiO3. Further, the electric switching and controlling of FPP directions confirm a crucial role of ferroelectric polarization to this coupling effect. To the authors’ best knowledge, this is the first study on an FPP‐active candidate of 2D hybrid perovskites, which affords a new avenue to design ferroelectrics with targeted physical properties and forward their potentials to smart optoelectronic device application.
A tail-revisited Markowitz mean-variance approach and a portfolio network centrality
Authors: Mariani Francesca , Polinesi Gloria , Recchioni Maria Cristina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA measure for portfolio risk management is proposed by extending the Markowitz mean-variance approach to include the left-hand tail effects of asset returns. Two risk dimensions are captured: asset covariance risk along risk in left-hand tail similarity and volatility. The key ingredient is an informative set on the left-hand tail distributions of asset returns obtained by an adaptive clustering procedure. This set allows a left tail similarity and left tail volatility to be defined, thereby providing a definition for the left-tail-covariance-like matrix. The convex combination of the two covariance matrices generates a “two-dimensional” risk that, when applied to portfolio selection, provides a measure of its systemic vulnerability due to the asset centrality. This is done by simply associating a suitable node-weighted network with the portfolio. Higher values of this risk indicate an asset allocation suffering from too much exposure to volatile assets whose return dynamics behave too similarly in left-hand tail distributions and/or co-movements, as well as being too connected to each other. Minimizing these combined risks reduces losses and increases profits, with a low variability in the profit and loss distribution. The portfolio selection compares favorably with some competing approaches. An empirical analysis is made using exchange traded fund prices over the period January 2006–February 2018.
Mucisphaera calidilacus gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel planctomycete of the class Phycisphaerae isolated in the shallow sea hydrothermal system of the Lipari Islands
Authors: Kallscheuer Nicolai , Jogler Christian , Peeters Stijn H. , Boedeker Christian , Jogler Mareike , Heuer Anja , Jetten Mike S. M. , Rohde Manfred , Wiegand Sandra 
Published: January 2022

AbstractFor extending the current collection of axenic cultures of planctomycetes, we describe in this study the isolation and characterisation of strain Pan265T obtained from a red biofilm in the hydrothermal vent system close to the Lipari Islands in the Tyrrhenian Sea, north of Sicily, Italy. The strain forms light pink colonies on solid medium and grows as a viscous colloid in liquid culture, likely as the result of formation of a dense extracellular matrix observed during electron microscopy. Cells of the novel isolate are spherical, motile and divide by binary fission. Strain Pan265T is mesophilic (temperature optimum 30–33 °C), neutrophilic (pH optimum 7.0–8.0), aerobic and heterotrophic. The strain has a genome size of 3.49 Mb and a DNA G + C content of 63.9%. Phylogenetically, the strain belongs to the family Phycisphaeraceae, order Phycisphaerales, class Phycisphaerae. Our polyphasic analysis supports the delineation of strain Pan265T from the known genera in this family. Therefore, we conclude to assign strain Pan265T to a novel species within a novel genus, for which we propose the name Mucisphaera calidilacus gen. nov., sp. nov. The novel species is the type species of the novel genus and is represented by strain Pan265T (= DSM 100697T = CECT 30425T) as type strain.
The extreme rainfall gradient of the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve and its impact on forest bird richness
Authors: Quilodrán Claudio S. , Sandvig Erik M. , Aguirre Francisco , de Aguilar Juan Rivero , Barroso Omar , Vásquez Rodrigo A. , Rozzi Ricardo 
Published: January 2022

AbstractA natural laboratory is a place supporting the conditions for hypothesis testing under non-anthropogenic settings. Located at the southern end of the Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion in southwestern South America, the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve (CHBR) has one of the most extreme rainfall gradients in the world. Subject to oceanic climate conditions, it is also characterized by moderate thermal fluctuations throughout the year. This makes it a unique natural laboratory for studying the effects of extreme rainfall variations on forest bird communities. Here, we monitor the bird species richness in the different forest types present in the CHBR. We found that species richness decreased with increasing precipitation, in which an increase of 100 mm in average annual precipitation showed about 1% decrease in species richness. Similar patterns were found among different forest types within the CHBR. These results provide a baseline to investigate the interactions between physical and biotic factors in a subpolar region that climatically contrasts with boreal forests, which is subject to continental climatic conditions. This research highlights the importance of ecological and ornithological long-term studies in the CHBR, which can contribute both to a higher resolution of the heterogeneity of climate changes in different regions of the world, and to orient conservation policies in the Magellanic sub-Antarctic ecoregion in the face of growing development pressures.
Do Video Modeling and Metacognitive Prompts Improve Self-Regulated Scientific Inquiry?
Authors: Omarchevska Yoana , Lachner Andreas , Richter Juliane , Scheiter Katharina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractGuided inquiry learning is an effective method for learning about scientific concepts. The present study investigated the effects of combining video modeling (VM) examples and metacognitive prompts on university students’ (N = 127) scientific reasoning and self-regulation during inquiry learning. We compared the effects of watching VM examples combined with prompts (VMP) to watching VM examples only, and to unguided inquiry (control) in a training and a transfer task. Dependent variables were scientific reasoning ability, hypothesis and argumentation quality, and scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes. Participants in the VMP and VM conditions had higher hypothesis and argumentation quality in the training task and higher hypothesis quality in the transfer task compared to the control group. There was no added benefit of the prompts. Screen captures and think aloud protocols during the two tasks served to obtain insights into students’ scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes. Epistemic network analysis (ENA) and process mining were used to model the co-occurrence and sequences of these processes. The ENA identified stronger co-occurrences between scientific reasoning and self-regulation processes in the two VM conditions compared to the control condition. Process mining revealed that in the VM conditions these processes occurred in unique sequences and that self-regulation processes had many self-loops. Our findings show that video modeling examples are a promising instructional method for supporting inquiry learning on both the process and the learning outcomes level.
Developing a European network of analytical laboratories and government institutions to prevent poisoning of raptors
Authors: Valverde Irene , Espín Silvia , Gómez-Ramírez Pilar , Sánchez-Virosta Pablo , García-Fernández Antonio J. , Berny Philippe 
Published: January 2022

AbstractMany cases of wildlife poisoning in Europe have been reported causing population declines, especially in raptors. Toxicovigilance and risk assessment studies are essential to reinforce the knowledge of the number of illegal poisoning cases and the substances involved in these crimes. Many researchers and projects in different institutions have suggested the creation of a network to improve communication and share information between European countries. This article presents the results of the Short-Term Scientific Mission titled “Developing a Network of Analytical Labs and Government Institutions” supported by the COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility (CA16224), which aims to initiate a network of veterinary forensic toxicology laboratories, in order to improve communication among laboratories to prevent wildlife poisoning, especially in raptors. For this purpose, a questionnaire was designed and sent by email to 119 laboratories in Europe. It contained 39 questions on different topics (e.g. laboratory activities, analytical information). A total of 29 responses were received. Most participant laboratories work on veterinary forensic toxicology research and external cases at the same time, which provides a robust overview of the actual situation in the field. Analytical techniques and data collection methods should be harmonised, and communication between laboratories is encouraged to create a more effective network. The present study established contact between laboratories as an initial step to create a European network and compiled basic data to identify strengths and weaknesses that will help harmonise methodologies across Europe and increase pan-European capacities.
Quantum gravity with THESEUS
Authors: Burderi L. , Sanna A. , Di Salvo T. , Riggio A. , Iaria R. , Gambino A. F. , Manca A. , Anitra A. , Mazzola S. M. , Marino A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this paper we explore the possibility to search for a dispersion law for light propagation in vacuo with a sample of Gamma-Ray Bursts detected by the THESEUS satellite. Within Quantum Gravity theories, different models for space-time quantization predict relative discrepancies of the speed of photons w.r.t. the speed of light that (in a series expansion) depend on a given power of the ratio of the photon energy to the Planck energy. This ratio is as small as 10− 23 for photons in the soft γ −ray band (100 keV). The dominant effect is determined by the first significant term of this expansion. If the first order in this expansion is relevant, these theories imply a Lorentz Invariance Violation (LIV hereafter) and are generally dubbed LIV-theories. Therefore, to detect this effect, light must propagate over enormous distances and the experiment must have extraordinary sensitivity. Gamma-Ray Bursts, occurring at cosmological distances, could be used to detect this tiny signature of space-time granularity. Once the photons of a Gamma-Ray Burst are emitted at a given (cosmological) distance, they arrive on the detector with relative delays that linearly depends on the energy differences and on the distance travelled, that, given a set of cosmological parameters, is a unique function of the redshift. The strong temporal variability of the Gamma-Ray Bursts light-curves allows, with different techniques (e.g. cross-correlations), to compute these delays by comparing light-curves of Gamma-Ray Bursts for which the redshift is known, in adjacent energy bands covering a sufficiently wide energy range. In this way, LIV-theories can be effectively constrained. THESEUS offers the opportunity to collect a homogeneous set of GRBs for which the redshift is known, with a signal to background ratio sufficient to compute delays through cross correlation techniques, and covering an energy band (from few keV to few MeV) wide enough to produce significant delays. In this article we explore the possibility to constrain LIV-theories with THESEUS by means of Monte Carlo simulations. In summary, within the nominal duration of 3 years, THESEUS could constrain (or detect) Quantum Gravity Lorentz Invariance Violation effects at al level of 17 times the Planck Length (1.6 × 10− 33 cm); if the mission is extended up to 7 years, this constrain is improved down to a level of 11 times the Planck Length.
Local hydrological conditions and spatial connectivity shape invertebrate communities after rewetting in temporary rivers
Authors: Pineda-Morante David , Fernández-Calero José María , Pölsterl Sebastian , Cunillera-Montcusí David , Bonada Núria , Cañedo-Argüelles Miguel 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTemporary rivers (TRs) dominate global river networks and are increasing in occurrence and spatiotemporal extent. However, few studies have investigated the communities that establish after rewetting events (i.e. the end of the dry phase), when local hydrological conditions can shape the communities through species sorting, and the spatial connectivity of sites can also influence colonisation. Here, we analysed the relative importance of both local hydrological conditions and spatial connectivity on the invertebrate communities of seven not impacted Mediterranean TRs after rewetting. We quantified the frequency and duration of drying events and the time since flow resumed. We also quantified spatial connectivity based on each site’s position in the river network (i.e. network connectivity) and the presence of nearby disconnected streams. Overall, we found that both hydrological conditions and network connectivity played a significant role in structuring aquatic invertebrate communities after rewetting. Taxonomic richness, functional richness and functional redundancy decreased with the frequency and duration of drying events and increased with time since the most recent rewetting. Network connectivity showed a significant unimodal relationship with taxonomic and functional metrics. In contrast, the presence of nearby disconnected streams was negatively related to functional richness and functional dispersion. Given that flow intermittence in Mediterranean areas is expected to intensify under future global change scenarios, our results can be helpful to guide future conservation and management actions.
Mechanical properties and thermal conductivity of lightweight and high-strength carbon-graphite thermal insulation materials
Authors: He Junchao , Wu Haihua , Zhong Lei , Zhong Qiang , Yang Qiang , Ye Xicong , Liu Zhi , Kang Yi 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThermal insulation composites are widely used in civil and military applications; however, it is difficult to achieve the synergy of multiple technical objectives such as lightweight, thermal insulation, high pressure resistance and high-temperature resistance by adopting traditional preparation techniques. In this study, a novel carbon-graphite thermal insulation material was rapidly prepared by exploiting the micro-thermal press additive manufacturing forming technology, and these multiple objectives were simultaneously achieved by introducing a large number of closed pores. It was found that the percentage of closed pores in the carbon-graphite insulation was increased by increasing the forming density or the amount of thermosetting phenolic resin added, but the thermal conductivity increased in parallel with the compressive strength, while the addition of pre-covered expandable graphite was able to achieve the synergy of high compressive strength and low thermal conductivity. When the content of thermosetting phenolic resin was 25 wt%, forming density was 1.2 g·cm−3, and expandable graphite was clad twice, the prepared carbon-graphite insulation exhibited a closed porosity/porosity ratio, compressive strength, and thermal conductivity of 48.92%, 16.432 MPa, and 0.743 W·m −1 K−1, which has the advantages of lightweight, high compressive strength, heat insulation and high-temperature resistance and has good prospects for industrial applications.
A Framework for Dynamic Configuration of TLS Connections Based on Standards
Authors: Pastor-Galindo Javier , López-Millán Gabriel , Marín-López Rafael , Pereñíguez-García Fernando , Cánovas Óscar 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol is widely used for protecting end-to-end communications between network peers (applications or nodes). However, the administrators usually have to configure parameters (e.g., cryptography algorithms or authentication credentials) to establish TLS connections manually. However, this way of managing security connections becomes infeasible when the number of network peers is high. This paper proposes a TLS management framework that configures and manages TLS connections in a dynamic and autonomous manner. The solution is based on well-known standardized protocols and models that allow providing the necessary configuration parameters to establish a TLS connection between two network nodes. Nowadays, this is required in several application scenarios such as virtual private networks, virtualized network functions, or service function chains. Our framework is based on standard elements of the Software Defined Networking paradigm, widely adopted to provide flexibility to network management, such as for the scenarios aforementioned. The proposed framework has been implemented in a proof of concept to validate the suitability of the proposed solution to manage the dynamic configuration of TLS connections. The experimental results confirm that the implementation of this framework enables an operable and flexible procedure to manage TLS connections between network nodes in different scenarios.
The effect of unavailable donation opportunities on donation choice
Authors: Morvinski Coby 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn the context of charitable donation decisions, we demonstrate that adding information to the decision context about a fundraising campaign one cannot act on (i.e., an unavailable alternative) increases donations for the remaining, available campaign. At times, adding an unavailable alternative is even more effective at increasing the donation rate than adding an available alternative to the choice set, contradicting the normative assumption that having more options is better. We find preliminary evidence suggesting that the effect is driven by perceived impact—adding an unavailable alternative leads consumers to believe their donation will have a greater impact on the remaining cause. This investigation contributes to the consumer prosocial behavior literature by demonstrating the positive effect of unavailable alternatives on donation choice and identifying its extent and determinants. Future directions and practical implications for fundraising managers are discussed.
Optical biosensor based on enhanced surface plasmon resonance: theoretical optimization
Authors: Meradi Kada A. , Tayeboun Fatima , Guerinik Amine , Zaky Zaky A. , Aly Arafa H. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractIn this article, a theoretical design of enhanced surface plasmon resonance is proposed. The suggested sensor is composed of titanium, silver, graphene, photonic crystal, and a sensing layer. This structure is used to detect cancer cells and hemoglobin in blood plasma based on their refractive indices. Different parameters such as sensitivity and figure of merit are studied at an operating wavelength of 633 nm. The recorded sensitivity and figure of merit are 72 degrees/RIU and 346 RIU−1. The ability of the proposed sensor to detect cancer cells and blood plasma concentration will be investigated.