bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reduced fertilization constitutes an important prezygotic reproductive barrier between two sibling species of the hybridizing Brachionus calyciflorus species complex
Authors: Zhang Wei , Declerck Steven A. J. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBrachionus calyciflorusis a species complex consisting of four recently described species. Although several lines of evidence support their species status, hybridization between two of the sibling speciesB. calycifloruss.s. andB. elevatushas been inferred from both field and laboratory studies. In this study, we tested for the existence of prezygotic barriers between these species by performing two types of cross-fertilization experiments. In a ‘mate competition’ experiment we exposed mictic females to equal numbers of conspecific and allospecific males and demonstrate that intraspecific fertilizations occur at much higher frequencies than interspecific fertilizations, providing evidence for a strong prezygotic reproductive barrier. This result was consistent across numerous combinations of parental genotypes. In addition, by creating interspecific combinations of mictic females and males in a ‘no choice’ experiment, we found that interspecific fertilization success is independent of fertilization direction while it does seem to depend on maternal genotype. Our results demonstrate the existence of a strong prezygotic barrier that may play an important role in the maintenance of species boundaries. Yet, the observation of hybrids also shows a potential for gene flow between the species through hybridization.
The challenges of entering the metaverse: An experiment on the effect of extended reality on workload
Authors: Xi Nannan , Chen Juan , Gama Filipe , Riar Marc , Hamari Juho 
Published: February 2022

AbstractInformation technologies exist to enable us to either do things we have not done before or do familiar things more efficiently. Metaverse (i.e. extended reality: XR) enables novel forms of engrossing telepresence, but it also may make mundate tasks more effortless. Such technologies increasingly facilitate our work, education, healthcare, consumption and entertainment; however, at the same time, metaverse bring a host of challenges. Therefore, we pose the question whether XR technologies, specifically Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), either increase or decrease the difficulties of carrying out everyday tasks. In the current study we conducted a 2 (AR: with vs. without) × 2 (VR: with vs. without) between-subject experiment where participants faced a shopping-related task (including navigating, movement, hand-interaction, information processing, information searching, storing, decision making, and simple calculation) to examine a proposed series of hypotheses. The NASA Task Load Index (NASA-TLX) was used to measure subjective workload when using an XR-mediated information system including six sub-dimensions of frustration, performance, effort, physical, mental, and temporal demand. The findings indicate that AR was significantly associated with overall workload, especially mental demand and effort, while VR had no significant effect on any workload sub-dimensions. There was a significant interaction effect between AR and VR on physical demand, effort, and overall workload. The results imply that the resources and cost of operating XR-mediated realities are different and higher than physical reality.
The moderating role of gender in the association between quality of social relationships and sleep
Authors: Mousavi Zahra , Tran Mai-Lan , Borelli Jessica L. , Dent Amy L. , Kuhlman Kate R. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractTo determine whether the association between perceived social support or strain in close relationships and sleep outcomes varies by gender. Participants were selected from the Biomarker projects of either the MIDUS II or MIDUS Refresher study if they were in a married-or married-like relationship and shared a bed with their partner (N = 989). A subsample also participated in a seven-day sleep study (n = 282). Perceived social support and strain from partner, family, and friends were examined by self-report questionnaires. We used the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, sleep daily diary, and actigraphy to measure both subjective and objective sleep. Social support and strain were both associated with sleep outcomes. Specifically, higher social support was associated with fewer daily reports of light sleep and feeling more rested in the morning, while higher social strain was associated with higher clinical sleep disturbance. For women, but not men, social support was significantly associated with lower daily sleep disturbance while perceived social strain was significantly associated with higher daily sleep disturbance, lighter sleep, feeling less rested in the morning, lower sleep efficiency, and longer sleep onset latency. Mainly among women, social support and strain are associated with an important transdiagnostic health outcome–sleep–which may have implications for a wide range of health disparities. Interpersonal stressors may increase health risks differently for women compared to men and one mechanism that may link social relationships to long-term health outcomes is sleep.
Death, Immortality, and Meaning in Life: Precis and Further Reflections
Authors: Fischer John Martin 
Published: February 2022

AbstractI offer an overview of the book,Death, Immortality, and Meaning in Life, summarizing the main issues, arguments, and conclusions (Fischer 2020). I also present some new ideas and further developments of the material in the book. A big part of this essay is drawing connections between the specific issues treated in the book and those in other areas of philosophy, and in particular, the theory of agency and moral responsibility. I highlight some striking similarities of both structure and content between the death/meaning in life literature and the free will/moral responsibility literature.
External Ellipsoidal Approximations for Set Evolution Equations
Authors: Duda Steven , Gehrig Edeltraud , Lorenz Thomas 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn many applications, uncertainty and imprecision in control systems require the focus on reachable sets instead of single state vectors. Then, closed-loop controls also refer to these attainable sets leading to a class of set evolution problems. We suggest sufficient conditions for its well-posedness and for approximating their solutions by intersections of finitely many time-dependent ellipsoids characterized by solutions to a system of ordinary differential equations.
Habitat amount is less important than habitat configuration for a threatened marsupial predator in naturally fragmented landscapes
Authors: Moore Harry A. , Michael Damian R. , Dunlop Judy A. , Valentine Leonie E. , Cowan Mitchell A. , Nimmo Dale G. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractContextThe amount and configuration of habitat are independent but tightly linked landscape characteristics which are often confounded in ecological studies. Differentiating the effects of each characteristic is critical for conservation, because the mechanisms by which they influence populations are distinct. While studies that have measured the effects of habitat amount and configuration separately have often found the former to be more important, a subset of these studies suggest habitat configuration can be vital to a species when habitat amount is low (10–30%).ObjectivesWe aimed to test the independent effects of habitat amount and configuration on the occupancy and abundance of an endangered marsupial predator, the northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus), which persists in naturally fragmented rocky landscapes, in which habitat amount is naturally low (i.e. typically < 30%).MethodsNorthern quolls were surveyed across 22 study landscapes that were deliberately selected such that habitat amount and configuration were uncorrelated. Northern quoll occupancy and abundance was estimated at each landscape using data collected from remote sensing cameras, and a combination of occupancy and n-mixture models.ResultsSpatial configuration of rocky habitats was more important than the amount of habitat when predicting quoll occupancy and abundance; northern quolls were less abundant in landscapes that were more fragmented. In addition, northern quolls favoured areas that were topographically rugged and received more rainfall.ConclusionsOur results support the hypothesis that the effects of habitat configuration can be strongest when habitat amount is low, and underscore the importance of aggregated patches of rocky outcrops for northern quoll conservation. The subdivision of rocky habitat, for instance through construction of mines or mining infrastructure (e.g. road, rail lines), is likely to have negative impacts on northern quoll populations.
Daily Intake of Lemna minor or Spinach as Vegetable Does Not Show Significant Difference on Health Parameters and Taste Preference
Authors: Mes Jurriaan J. , Esser Diederik , Somhorst Dianne , Oosterink Els , van der Haar Sandra , Ummels Meeke , Siebelink Els , van der Meer Ingrid M. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe growing world population will increase the demand for new sustainable foods and ingredients. Here we studied the safety and tolerance of Lemna minor, a new sustainable vegetable crop from the duckweed family. Twenty-four healthy adults consumed either L. minor plant material or spinach as vegetable (170 g fresh weight) as part of a warm meal on 11 consecutively days in a randomized controlled parallel trial design. The intervention meals had a different recipe for each day of the week. All participants had to report daily if they experienced gastric complaints, feelings of hunger, fullness, desire to eat, thirst, general health, nausea, and stool consistency. Only hunger, flatulence and constipation were significantly different between both intervention groups. At the start and end of the intervention, blood and urine were sampled in order to analyze biomarkers for general health, e.g., kidney function, liver function, cardiovascular health, inflammation and iron status. Both intervention groups did not show significant differences for these biomarkers. In taste attributes the L. minor-based products showed in only a few specific cases a significant difference compared to the spinach-based products. Based on the results we conclude that 11 consecutive days intake of 170 g fresh weight L. minor plants as a cooked vegetable does not result in any adverse effect in healthy adult subjects.
A second chance for failed entrepreneurs: a good idea?
Authors: Gottschalk Sandra , Müller Bettina 
Published: February 2022

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze how previously failed entrepreneurs fare with their current venture in terms of survival compared with novices. While previous studies have focused on the superior learning effects of failure experience, we point to the selection process that takes place before failed entrepreneurs become business owners again. One potential driver of this process is entrepreneurial talent. We find that failed entrepreneurs are less likely to survive with their current venture. This result persists for several subgroups of entrepreneurs, if we consider the number of past failure events, or if we control for the inclination of entrepreneurs to pursue high-risk projects. Overall, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that previously failed entrepreneurs are those with below-average entrepreneurial talent.
Two-Phase Flow Mechanisms Controlling CO2 Intrusion into Shaly Caprock
Authors: Kivi I. R. , Makhnenko R. Y. , Vilarrasa V. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractGeologic carbon storage in deep saline aquifers has emerged as a promising technique to mitigate climate change. CO2 is buoyant at the storage conditions and tends to float over the resident brine jeopardizing long-term containment goals. Therefore, the caprock sealing capacity is of great importance and requires detailed assessment. We perform supercritical CO2 injection experiments on shaly caprock samples (intact caprock and fault zone) under representative subsurface conditions. We numerically simulate the experiments, satisfactorily reproducing the observed evolution trends. Simulation results highlight the dynamics of CO2 flow through the specimens with implications to CO2 leakage risk assessment in field practices. The large injection-induced overpressure drives CO2 in free phase into the caprock specimens. However, the relative permeability increase following the drainage path is insufficient to provoke an effective advancement of the free-phase CO2. As a result, the bulk CO2 front becomes almost immobile. This implies that the caprock sealing capacity is unlikely to be compromised by a rapid capillary breakthrough and the injected CO2 does not penetrate deep into the caprock. In the long term, the intrinsically slow molecular diffusion appears to dominate the migration of CO2 dissolved into brine. Nonetheless, the inherently tortuous nature of shaly caprock further holds back the diffusive flow, favoring safe underground storage of CO2 over geological time scales.
Roles of mannosylerythritol lipid-B components in antimicrobial activity against bovine mastitis-causing Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Yamauchi Shinya , Furukawa Mutsumi , Kawahara Akio , Sugahara Tomohiro , Yamamoto Shuhei , Kitabayashi Masao , Sogabe Atsushi , Shimoda So , Hata Eiji , Watanabe Kouichi , Yoneyama Hiroshi , Aso Hisashi , Nochi Tomonori 
Published: February 2022

AbstractMannosylerythritol lipid-B (MEL-B), which comprises ester-bonded hydrophilic ME and hydrophobic fatty acids, is a bio-surfactant with various unique properties, including antimicrobial activity against most gram-positive bacteria. The gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus is a causative pathogen of dairy cattle mastitis, which results in considerable economic loss in the dairy industry. Here, we demonstrate the efficacy of MEL-B as a disinfectant against bovine-derived S. aureus and elucidate a mechanism of action of MEL-B in the inhibition of bacterial growth. The growth of bovine mastitis causative S. aureus BM1006 was inhibited when cultured with MEL-B above 10 ppm. The activity of MEL-B required fatty acids (i.e., caprylic and myristoleic acids) as ME, the component of MEL-B lacking fatty acids, did not inhibit the growth of S. aureus even at high concentrations. Importantly, ME-bound fatty acids effectively inhibited the growth of S. aureus when compared with free fatty acids. Specifically, the concentrations of ME-bound fatty acids and free caprylic and myristoleic acids required to inhibit the growth of S. aureus were 10, 1442, and 226 ppm, respectively. The involvement of ME in the antimicrobial activity of MEL-B was confirmed by digestion of MEL-B with alkali, which dissociated ME and fatty acids. These results indicated that a mechanism of action of MEL-B in inhibiting the growth of S. aureus could be explained by the effective transporting of antimicrobial fatty acids to the bacterial surface via hydrophilic ME.
Teaching Dynamics to Biology Undergraduates: the UCLA Experience
Authors: Garfinkel Alan , Bennoun Steve , Deeds Eric , Van Valkenburgh Blaire 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThere is a growing realization that traditional “Calculus for Life Sciences” courses do not show their applicability to the Life Sciences and discourage student interest. There have been calls from the AAAS, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the NSF, and the American Association of Medical Colleges for a new kind of math course for biology students, that would focus on dynamics and modeling, to understand positive and negative feedback relations, in the context of important biological applications, not incidental “examples.” We designed a new course, LS 30, based on the idea of modeling biological relations as dynamical systems, and then visualizing the dynamical system as a vector field, assigning “change vectors” to every point in a state space. The resulting course, now being given to approximately 1400 students/year at UCLA, has greatly improved student perceptions toward math in biology, reduced minority performance gaps, and increased students' subsequent grades in physics and chemistry courses. This new course can be customized easily for a broad range of institutions. All course materials, including lecture plans, labs, homeworks and exams, are available from the authors; supporting videos are posted online.
A detailed method for creating digital 3D models of human crania: an example of close-range photogrammetry based on the use of Structure-from-Motion (SfM) in virtual anthropology
Authors: Lauria Gabriele , Sineo Luca , Ficarra Salvatore 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPhotogrammetry is a survey technique that allows for the building of three-dimensional (3D) models from digitized output data. In recent years, it has been confirmed as one of the best techniques to build 3D models widely used in several fields such as life and earth sciences, medicine, architecture, topography, archaeology, crime scene investigation, cinematography, and engineering. Close-range photogrammetry, in particular, has several applications in osteological studies allowing to create databases of 3D bone models available for subsequent qualitative and quantitative studies. This work provides a step-by-step guide of the photo acquisition protocol and the photogrammetric workflow for creating high-resolution 3D digital models of human crania. Our method, based on Structure-from-Motion (SfM), uses single-camera photogrammetry to capture chromatic details and reconstruct shape with a scale error of less than 1 mm. Using relatively inexpensive and easily transportable equipment and a quick and simple protocol, realistic and accurate models can be be produced with minimal effort.
The strategic value of design for remanufacturing: a case study of professional imaging equipment
Authors: Boorsma Nina , Peck David , Bakker Tanya , Bakker Conny , Balkenende Ruud 
Published: February 2022

AbstractRemanufacturing offers an approach to extend product lifetime beyond its first use. After restoring products to original quality, they are reintroduced to the market. To make products more suited for this approach, and to increase resource-efficiency, design for remanufacturing can be incorporated for new product development. Academic literature points out opportunities for improved implementation particularly through early-stage design activities. This paper presents an in-depth, single case study into the opportunities and barriers to incorporate design for remanufacturing ine early-stage design. The selected case company is a producer of professional imaging equipment with an internal remanufacturing division. The company has decades of experience in remanufacturing and has introduced a company standard on design for End-of-Life. For data collection, employees from different departments were interviewed and observed. Design management theory was used to combine findings from all perspectives into a company-specific strategy map. This map shows departmental interrelations and dependencies, and exposes the opportunities for creating new value through design. At the case company, remanufacturing was found to be separate from, and secondary to, the development of newly manufactured products. If the strategy of a company is not attuned to developing products that serve multiple use-cycles, its execution will remain sub-optimal and remanufacturing will be a value-retention strategy in isolation. These findings may be valid for other companies that have remanufacturing operations, which are separate, as well.
A systematic review of diabetes risk assessment tools in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Ekure Edgar , Ovenseri-Ogbomo Godwin , Osuagwu Uchechukwu L. , Agho Kingsley E. , Ekpenyong Bernadine N. , Ogbuehi Kelechi C. , Ndep Antor O. , Okonji Patrick , Mashige Khathutshelo Percy , Naidoo Kovin Shunmugan 
Published: February 2022

Abstract
Objectives
To systematically review all current studies on diabetes risk assessment tools used in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to diagnose diabetes in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

Methods
Tools were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Ovid, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library for articles published from January 2010 to January 2020. The search included articles reporting the use of diabetes risk assessment tool to detect individuals with type 2 diabetes in SSA. A standardized protocol was used for data extraction (registry #177726).

Results
Of the 825 articles identified, 39 articles met the inclusion criteria, and three articles reported tools used in SSA population but developed for the Western population. None was validated in SSA population. All but three articles were observational studies (136 and 58,657 study participants aged between the ages of 15 and 85 years). The Finnish Medical Association risk tool, World Health Organization (WHO) STEPS instrument, General Practice Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPPAQ), Rapid Eating and Activity Assessment for Patients (REAP), and an anthropometric tool were the most frequently used non-invasive tools in SSA. The accuracy of the tools was measured using sensitivity, specificity, or area under the receiver operating curve. The anthropometric predictor variables identified included age, body mass index, waist circumference, positive family of diabetes, and activity levels.

Conclusions
This systematic review demonstrated a paucity of validated diabetes risk assessment tools for SSA. There remains a need for the development and validation of a tool for the rapid identification of diabetes for targeted interventions.
Implementing a ‘Vegetables First’ Approach to Complementary Feeding
Authors: Nekitsing Chandani , Hetherington Marion M. 
Published: February 2022

Abstract

Purpose of Review

To provide a rationale for promoting a vegetables first approach to complementary feeding (CF), building on prior exposure to vegetable flavours experienced in utero and via breastfeeding (chemosensory continuity).

Recent Findings

Vegetables confer selective health benefits but population intakes are below recommendations globally; maternal intake of vegetables during both pregnancy and lactation promotes familiarity with some vegetable flavours. Building on this exposure, vegetables as a first food during CF further promote acceptance. However, experiments testing efficacy of a vegetables first approach to CF demonstrate increased liking and intake, some evidence of generalisability but little evidence of sustained effects beyond infancy.

Summary

The aim to increase the quantity and variety of vegetables eaten by children is both desirable, to improve nutrient quality of the diet, and achievable. However, longer, larger, randomised control trials are needed to evidence any longer term, sustainable benefits to liking and intake of vegetables.