bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Integrated Extreme Rainfall Modeling Tool (SDExtreme) for Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation
Authors: Yeo Myeong-Ho , Nguyen Van-Thanh-Van , Kim Yong Sang , Kpodonu Theodore A. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe estimation of the Intensity–Duration–Frequency (IDF) relation is often necessary for the planning and design of various hydraulic structures and design storms. It has been an increasingly greater challenge due to climate change conditions. This paper therefore proposes an integrated extreme rainfall modeling software package (SDExtreme) for constructing the IDF relations at a local site in the context of climate change. The proposed tool is based on a temporal downscaling method to describe the relationships between daily and sub-daily extreme precipitation using the scale-invariance General Extreme Value (GEV) distribution. In addition, SDExtreme provides a modified bootstrap technique to determine confidence intervals (CIs) of the estimated IDF curves for current and the future climate conditions. The feasibility and accuracy of SDExtreme were assessed using rainfall data available from the selected rain gauge stations in Quebec and Ontario provinces (Canada) and climate simulations under three different climate change scenarios provided by the Canadian Earth System Model (CanESM2) and the Canadian Regional Climate Model (CanRCM4).
Anthropogenic particles in coypu (Myocastor coypus; Mammalia, Rodentia)’ faeces: first evidence and considerations about their use as track for detecting microplastic pollution
Authors: Gallitelli Luca , Battisti Corrado , Pietrelli Loris , Scalici Massimiliano 
Published: June 2022

AbstractAnthropogenic plastic litter is widespread in all environments, with particular emphasis on aquatic habitats. Specifically, although freshwater mammals are important as they are at the top of food web, research mainly focus on marine animals, while only few studies have been carried out on freshwater mammals. The main gap is that microplastics (MP) are completely understudied in freshwater mammals. Here, we reported the first evidence of the presence of anthropogenic particles (including MP) in coypu (Myocastor coypus)’ faeces. Coypu is a rodent mammal inhabiting rivers and wetland areas, and we discussed our preliminary data suggesting the use of these tracks as possible future bioindicator of MP pollution in wetlands and freshwaters. We collected 30 coypu’s faeces in “Torre Flavia wetland” nature reserve. Then, in laboratory, faeces were digested in 30 ml hydrogen peroxide (30%) for a week a 20 °C and analysed under stereoscope. All the suspected found MP were isolated in a petri dish, using FT-IR analysis to confirm the polymers. Overall, we recorded 444 natural and anthropogenic particles with most of items being fibres. FT-IR analysis of the 10% of the particles recovered revealed that 72% of them was not MP (mainly, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyamide). Also, the number of anthropogenic particles is not correlated with the faecal weight. Given that alien species, such as coypu, are widespread species, our results might have a great importance as these species and MP in faecal tracks may be used as undirect proxy of environmental bioavailability of MP pollution.
Early Martensitic Transformation in a 0.74C–1.15Mn–1.08Cr High Carbon Steel
Authors: Kohne Thomas , Maimaitiyili Tuerdi , Winkelmann Aimo , Maawad Emad , Hedström Peter , Borgenstam Annika 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
The martensitic transformation in a high carbon steel was studied by a new experimental approach focusing on the nucleation and growth as well as the variant pairing of the early-formed martensite. A mixed microstructure with tempered early-formed martensite and fresh later-formed martensite was achieved by a heat treatment with an isothermal hold below the martensite start temperature. In-situ high-energy X-ray diffraction showed no further transformation of austenite to ferrite/martensite during the isothermal hold. The tempered early-formed martensite was characterized with a combination of light optical microscopy and local tetragonality determination by electron backscatter diffraction. The characterization allowed qualitative as well as quantitative analysis of the tempered early-formed martensite with regard to the prior austenite grain boundaries (PAGB) and variant pairing. The early-formed martensite was shown to grow predominantly along the PAGBs and clustering was observed indicating an autocatalytic nucleation mechanism. The variant pairing of the early-formed martensite had a stronger plate character compared to the later-formed martensite.
Echinacoside Improves Cognitive Impairment by Inhibiting Aβ Deposition Through the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2/PPARγ Signaling Pathways in APP/PS1 Mice
Authors: Qiu Hui , Liu Xuemin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractEchinacoside (ECH), a phenylethanoid glycoside, has protective activity in neurodegenerative disease, including anti-inflammation and antioxidation. However, the effects of ECH in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are not very clear. This present study investigates the role and mechanism of ECH in the pathological process of AD. APP/PS1 mice treated with ECH in 50 mg/kg/day for 3 months. Morris water maze, nesting test, and immunofluorescence staining used to observe whether ECH could improve AD pathology. Western blot used to study the mechanism of ECH improving AD pathology. The results showed that ECH alleviated the memory impairment of APP/PS1 mice by reducing the time of escape latency as well as increasing the times of crossing the platform and rescued the impaired ability to construct nests. In addition, ECH significantly reduced the deposition of senile plaques in the brain and decreased the expression of BACE1 in APP/PS1 mice through activating PI3K/AKT/Nrf2/PPARγ pathway. Furthermore, ECH decreased ROS formation, GP91 and 8-OHdG expression, upregulated the expression of SOD1 and SOD2 as well as activating the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 signaling pathway. Moreover, ECH inhibited glia cells activation, pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and TNF-α release, NLRP3 inflammasome formation through TXNIP/Trx-1 signaling pathway. In conclusion, this paper reported that ECH improved cognitive function, inhibited oxidative stress, and inflammatory response in AD. Therefore, we suggest that ECH may considered as a potential drug for AD treatment.
1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignments of a conserved putative cell wall binding domain from Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Davis Jessica L. , Hounslow Andrea M. , Baxter Nicola J. , Mesnage Stéphane , Williamson Mike P. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractEnterococcus faecalis is a major causative agent of hospital acquired infections. The ability of E. faecalis to evade the host immune system is essential during pathogenesis, which has been shown to be dependent on the complete separation of daughter cells by peptidoglycan hydrolases. AtlE is a peptidoglycan hydrolase which is predicted to bind to the cell wall of E. faecalis, via six C-terminal repeat sequences. Here, we report the near complete assignment of one of these six repeats, as well as the predicted backbone structure and dynamics. This data will provide a platform for future NMR studies to explore the ligand recognition motif of AtlE and help to uncover its potential role in E. faecalis virulence.
Self-representation through avatars in digital environments
Authors: Zimmermann Daniel , Wehler Anna , Kaspar Kai 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDue to its prominent role in online social networks, avatar creation has become an important research topic in the field of computer-mediated communication. One main motive for creating avatars is the representation of one’s own identity. Previous research indicates that avatar creation depends on the activity context for which the avatar is created. Though, studies comparing avatar creation for a wide variety of activity contexts are still missing. The present study addresses this empirical gap by examining (1) the self-representation of physical, demographical, and personality characteristics through avatars, (2) differences in self-representation between various online activity contexts, and (3) between-participant variance in ascribed personality traits. Participants attributed physical, demographical, and personality characteristics to their avatar for one of six online activity contexts and indicated the same characteristics for their actual and ideal selves. We analysed the data of 568 participants and found a high level of congruence between demographical/physical characteristics of the avatar, the actual self, and the ideal self. Furthermore, we found an idealised representation of the avatar’s personality traits, which was affected by the specific activity context. Last, the between-participant variance in the avatar’s personality traits was mainly larger than the variance in the ideal self but smaller than the variance in the actual self, indicating a link between avatar creation and social norms. These results deliver new insights into the strategies behind avatar creation in different contexts and build a basis for future research and practical implications for developers and designers of virtual worlds.
Measurement and performance impact of team mental models on process performance
Authors: Leyer Michael , Schneider Sabrina , Strohhecker Jürgen 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Efficient business process execution is an essential part of an organisation’s success. It depends on good dynamic decision making of process actors that is guided by their mental models of business processes (MMBP). The study investigates the effect of MMBPs on process performance at two levels. At the level of individuals, the impact of MMBP accuracy on performance is analyzed, and at the level of a team, the effect of similarity of MMBPs of all team on performance is researched. At both levels, MMBPs are differentiated in a narrow part that focuses on the mental representations of process steps that precede or follow on the one conducted by the actor and a holistic model that captures the process as a whole. We use laboratory observations with 159 participants in 10 teams from a real effort loan processing role play. We obtain individual MMBP accuracy measures by using a process knowledge test and measure the process performance of teams with the outcome of the role play. Our study contributes in three ways to existing research. First, the measurement approach of individual MMBP accuracy and similarity is extended to the level of teams. Second, the study shows that the accuracy of both narrow and holistic MMBPs as well as similarity of holistic MMBPs positively impact team process performance. Third, by using an observable team process performance measures from a real-effort task, we increase the validity of our findings compared to other research relying on self-assessed performance measures.
Minimal bandwidth for $${\mathbb C}^*$$-actions on generalized Grassmannians
Authors: Franceschini Alberto 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe bandwidth of a $${\mathbb C}^*$$

C

∗

-action of a polarized pair (X, L) is a natural measure of its complexity. In this paper, we study $${\mathbb C}^*$$

C

∗

-actions on rational homogeneous spaces, determining which provide minimal bandwidth. We prove that the minimal bandwidth is linked to the smallest coefficient of the fundamental weight, in a base of simple roots, which describes the variety as a marked Dynkin diagram. As a direct application of the results we study the Chow groups of the Cayley plane $$\mathrm{E}_6(6)$$

E
6

(
6
)

.
Influence of Sheet Metal Pre-forming on Edge Crack Sensitivity using an AHSS Steel Grade
Authors: Feistle M. , Kindsmüller A. , Pätzold I. , Golle R. , Volk W. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Especially in the automotive sector, high-strength sheet materials are processed in the manufacturing industry. These steels often show a pronounced sensitivity to edge cracks. Because of this, many edge crack testing methods for a wide variety of stress conditions have been developed to describe the edge crack sensitivity of a material. Only the hole expansion test according to ISO 16630 has been standardized. However, the standardization has some gaps in the process description, which has resulted in test modifications. Another disadvantage is the dependence of the results on the machine operator. In the past, the influence of the shear cutting parameters die clearance, cutting edge geometry, and type of cutting line on the edge crack sensitivity was only calculated for undeformed sheet materials. Not only are shear cutting operations carried out on undeformed sheet blanks in the context of the manufacturing of sheet metal components, but more and more pre-formed sheets are mechanically separated and subsequently further formed. Therefore, it is essential to consider the influence of the type and amount of pre-forming introduced on the sensitivity of a material to edge cracks. The discrete types of pre-forming, uniaxial tension, plane strain, and equi-biaxial stretch forming were introduced to sheet metal blanks using dual-phase steel. The Edge-Fracture-Tensile-Test was used to identify the residual formability of the undeformed and pre-formed specimens. The Edge-Crack-Sensitivity-Factor$${K}_{\mathrm{ec}}$$

K
ec

, which can be used to predict edge cracks in a finite element forming simulation, was determined from the recorded major strains for selected parameter configurations.
Utilising TMS-EEG to Assess the Response to Cerebellar-Brain Inhibition
Authors: Sasaki R. , Hand B. J. , Liao W. Y. , Rogasch N. C. , Fernandez L. , Semmler J. G. , Opie G. M. 
Published: June 2022

Abstract Cerebellar-brain inhibition (CBI) is a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) paradigm indexing excitability of cerebellar projections to motor cortex (M1). Stimulation involved with CBI is often considered to be uncomfortable, and alternative ways to index connectivity between cerebellum and the cortex would be valuable. We therefore sought to assess the utility of electroencephalography in conjunction with TMS (combined TMS-EEG) to record the response to CBI. A total of 33 volunteers (25.7 ± 4.9 years, 20 females) participated across three experiments. These investigated EEG responses to CBI induced with a figure-of-eight (F8; experiment 1) or double cone (DC; experiment 2) conditioning coil over cerebellum, in addition to multisensory sham stimulation (experiment 3). Both F8 and DC coils suppressed early TMS-evoked EEG potentials (TEPs) produced by TMS to M1 (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the TEP produced by CBI stimulation was related to the motor inhibitory response to CBI recorded in a hand muscle (P < 0.05), but only when using the DC coil. Multisensory sham stimulation failed to modify the M1 TEP. Cerebellar conditioning produced changes in the M1 TEP that were not apparent following sham stimulation, and that were related to the motor inhibitory effects of CBI. Our findings therefore suggest that it is possible to index the response to CBI using TMS-EEG. In addition, while both F8 and DC coils appear to recruit cerebellar projections, the nature of these may be different.
Large-sized Late Turonian–Early Coniacian (Late Cretaceous) inoceramid bivalves from Germany: taxonomic issues, temporal framework and palaeoecological implications
Authors: Niebuhr Birgit , Wilmsen Markus 
Published: June 2022

AbstractA systematic-stratigraphic revision of selected large Late Turonian–Early Coniacian inoceramids of the lamarcki group from Germany showed that both historical specimens of Goldfuss (1836), introduced as Inoceramus annulatus and later becoming the types of Late Turonian I. lamarcki stuemckei Heinz, 1928a and Early Coniacian I. annulatus Goldfuss, 1836, respectively, are of Late Turonian age. I. stuemckei Heinz, 1928a, as emended herein, is well represented by its lectotype. Bulky isolated hinges from Upper Turonian strata, used by Heinz (1932a) to erect Heroceramus hercules, are just fragments of contemporaneous large I. stuemckei; H. hercules is thus invalid. The common Late Turonian I. stuemckei occurs facies-independent from near- to offshore settings and its first common appearance is an excellent marker for the substage base. I. annulatus Goldfuss, 1836 was later applied to very large forms first appearing in the mid-Early Coniacian. Thus, I. annulatus sensu Walaszczyk and Wood (1998) is poorly represented by its medium-sized latest Turonian lectotype, causing some nomenclatorial issues. I. stuemckei (heightmax 500 mm) and I. annulatus (heightmax one metre) are characterized by a stratigraphically abrupt shell enlargement and hinge buttressing across the Middle/Upper Turonian boundary and within the Early Coniacian, respectively. This shift to larger sizes, a common passive defense strategy against predation, is accompanied by widespread evidence for increased Late Turonian predation pressure by marine durophages. We thus speculate that the size increase in Late Turonian–Early Coniacian inoceramid bivalves is part of an escalating arms race between prey and predators, ultimately triggering Late Cretaceous inoceramid gigantism.
Opportunistic behaviour of players’ agents in football and its monitoring by the players—an empirical analysis from the perspective of the players
Authors: Gohritz Andreas , Hovemann Gregor , Ehnold Peter 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis article explores the following questions: (1) To what extent and in relation to which activities do football players perceive actions of their agents that are directed against their own interests depending on their performance levels? (2) Are players’ agents monitored by their players, and if so, in relation to which activities? (3) Which factors influence the monitoring behaviour of players? The relationship between the actors is modelled as a principal–agent relationship. The explorative study includes a dataset of 336 professional German football players. A logistic regression model was used to consider relevant factors influencing players’ monitoring behaviour. The results indicate that players’ agents across all leagues take actions potentially harmful to the players and show that approximately 50–60% of the players had their current agent monitored. Monitoring behaviour is influenced by ‘selection criteria’ and ‘framework conditions of the working relationship’, but not to the extent that could be expected. The research helps to understand the increasingly important relationship between players and agents. Players need to be aware that agents pursue their own objectives, which could be against the players interests. Therefore, monitoring is necessary. But data also show a lack of transparency, so that players do not know what agents are allowed to do and what is forbidden. If the associations and/or the players’ unions want to prevent possible damage to the players by their agents, it seems advisable to intensify and support information and awareness-raising campaigns or to adopt new statutes that regulate the players’ agents market more closely.
In silico SARS-CoV-2 vaccine development for Omicron strain using reverse vaccinology
Authors: Li Vladimir , Lee Chul , Yoo DongAhn , Cho Seoae , Kim Heebal 
Published: June 2022

Abstract
Background
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic began in 2019 but it remains as a serious threat today. To reduce and prevent spread of the virus, multiple vaccines have been developed. Despite the efforts in developing vaccines, Omicron strain of the virus has recently been designated as a variant of concern (VOC) by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Objective
To develop a vaccine candidate against Omicron strain (B.1.1.529, BA.1) of the SARS-CoV-19.

Methods
We applied reverse vaccinology methods for BA.1 and BA.2 as the vaccine target and a control, respectively. First, we predicted MHC I, MHC II and B cell epitopes based on their viral genome sequences. Second, after estimation of antigenicity, allergenicity and toxicity, a vaccine construct was assembled and tested for physicochemical properties and solubility. Third, AlphaFold2, RaptorX and RoseTTAfold servers were used to predict secondary structures and 3D structures of the vaccine construct. Fourth, molecular docking analysis was performed to test binding of our construct with angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Lastly, we compared mutation profiles on the epitopes between BA.1, BA.2, and wild type to estimate the efficacy of the vaccine.

Results
We collected a total of 10 MHC I, 9 MHC II and 5 B cell epitopes for the final vaccine construct for Omicron strain. All epitopes were predicted to be antigenic, non-allergenic and non-toxic. The construct was estimated to have proper stability and solubility. The best modelled tertiary structures were selected for molecular docking analysis with ACE2 receptor.

Conclusions
These results suggest the potential efficacy of our newly developed vaccine construct as a novel vaccine candidate against Omicron strain of the coronavirus.
Efficient photocatalytic hydrogen evolution coupled with benzaldehyde production over 0D Cd0.5Zn0.5S/2D Ti3C2 Schottky heterojunction
Authors: Tao Junnan , Wang Mingyuan , Liu Guiwu , Liu Qinqin , Lu Lei , Wan Neng , Tang Hua , Qiao Guanjun 
Published: June 2022

AbstractConverting water into hydrogen fuel and oxidizing benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde simultaneously under visible light illumination is of great significance, but the fast recombination of photogenerated carriers in photocatalysts seriously decreases the conversion efficiency. Herein, a novel dual-functional 0D Cd0.5Zn0.5S/2D Ti3C2 hybrid was fabricated by a solvothermally in-situ generated assembling method. The Cd0.5Zn0.5S nano-spheres with a fluffy surface completely and uniformly covered the ultrathin Ti3C2 nanosheets, leading to the increased Schottky barrier (SB) sites due to a large contact area, which could accelerate the electron-hole separation and improve the light utilization. The optimized Cd0.5Zn0.5S/Ti3C2 hybrid simultaneously presents a hydrogen evolution rate of 5.3 mmol/(g·h) and a benzaldehyde production rate of 29.3 mmol/(g·h), which are ∼3.2 and 2 times higher than those of pristine Cd0.5Zn0.5S, respectively. Both the multiple experimental measurements and the density functional theory (DFT) calculations further demonstrate the tight connection between Cd0.5Zn0.5S and Ti3C2, formation of Schottky junction, and efficient photogenerated electron—hole separation. This paper suggests a dual-functional composite catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and benzaldehyde production, and provides a new strategy for preventing the photogenerated electrons and holes from recombining by constructing a 0D/2D heterojunction with increased SB sites.