bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mating system in a small pelagic spawner: field case study of the mandarinfish, Synchiropus splendidus
Authors: Sadovy de Mitcheson Yvonne J. , Mitcheson George R. , Rasotto Maria B. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMating systems in fishes are extremely diverse, ranging from monogamy to multiple polygamous forms, some of which include alternative male mating tactics within species. The major reproductive mode across approximately 33,000 bony fishes is pelagic-spawning with external fertilization. Despite the dominance of this mode, it is relatively little studied in the field because the greater mobility of larger species typically makes individuals difficult to follow for extensive periods, or to catch and mark. However, smaller, more sedentary pelagic spawners provide excellent opportunities to examine mating system variability in response to environmental conditions. The mandarinfish, Synchiropus splendidus, is a small sedentary pelagic spawner which is accessible to divers. Its complex body markings are distinctive and variable allowing individuals to be identified and followed repeatedly without the need for capturing and marking fish. In over 400 h of underwater surveys, we recorded movements, inter- and intra-sexual behaviors, sex ratios, and the timing and duration of spawning activity of focal fish in predetermined study areas. We concluded that the mandarinfish has a polygamous mating system with pair-spawning. Females are sequentially polyandrous, spawning once nightly or not at all, while males are polygynous, spawning up to 8 times a night. Males and females use loosely defined spawning sites on a daily basis and show flexibility in their tactics through differential movements according to dispersion of individuals, distances between spawning sites and temporally limited daily female receptivity. These results reveal the mandarinfish to be an excellent model species for studying small pelagic spawners in the field.
Comparing cotyledon, leaf and root resistance to downy mildew in radish (Raphanus sativus L.)
Authors: Coelho Paula S. , Valério Luísa , Monteiro António A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractRadish downy mildew (DM) caused by the oomycete Hyaloperonospora brassicae f. sp. raphani is a serious problem in radish crop, an edible root vegetable of the Brassicaceae family. The objective of this research was to assess radish germplasm for DM resistance and to evaluate the response of different radish organs to the disease under controlled conditions. Forty-four radish accessions were inoculated at cotyledons and true-leaves with H. brassicae isolate R10, collected in cotyledons of field plants. The roots were tested with isolates R10 and R6, this last one collected in roots of field radish. DM symptoms varied with the radish genotype and plant organ analysed. Twenty-seven resistant and partially resistant accessions were identified in all plant stages and are promising sources of resistance to DM, namely 16 commercial varieties, 10 breeding lines, and one landrace. A significant correlation was observed between cotyledon and leaf (1st and 2nd leaves) DM resistance, but low and no correlation was found between the resistance of true-leaves or cotyledons and roots, respectively. Cotyledon and leaf evaluation cannot be used to predict root resistance response in radish. However, cotyledon resistance has its own value because non-infected cotyledons will act as a barrier to slow disease progression to true-leaves and roots. Interesting sources of DM resistance were identified that can be used in radish breeding programs.
Hasok Chang on the nature of acids
Authors: Scerri Eric R. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFor a period of several years the philosopher of science Hasok Chang has promoted various inter-related views including pluralism, pragmatism, and an associated view of natural kinds. He has also argued for what he calls the persistence of everyday terms in the scientific view. Chang claims that terms like phlogiston were never truly abandoned but became transformed into different concepts that remain useful. On the other hand, Chang argues that some scientific terms such as acidity have suffered a form of “rupture”, especially in the case of the modern Lewis definition of acids. Chang also complains that the degree of acidity of a Lewis acid cannot be measured using a pH meter and seems to regard this as a serious problem. The present paper examines some of these views, especially what Chang claims to be a rupture in the definition of acidity. It is suggested that there has been no such rupture but a genuine generalization, on moving from the Brønsted-Lowry theory to the Lewis theory of acidity. It will be shown how the quantification and measurement of Lewis acidity can easily be realized through the use of equilibrium theory and the use of stability constants.
Improvement of sciatic nerve regeneration by multichannel nanofibrous membrane-embedded electro-conductive conduits functionalized with laminin
Authors: Nazeri Niloofar , Derakhshan Mohammad Ali , Mansoori Korosh , Ghanbari Hossein 
Published: May 2022

AbstractMultichannel structures in the design of nerve conduits offer potential advantages for regeneration of damaged nerves. However, lack of biochemical cues and electrical stimulation could hamper satisfactory nerve regeneration. The aim of this study was to simultaneously evaluate the effects of topographical, biological, and electrical cues on sciatic nerve regeneration. Accordingly, a series of multichannel nerve conduit was made using longitudinally-aligned laminin-coated poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)/carbon nanotubes (CNT) nanofibers (NF, mean diameter: 455 ± 362 nm) in the lumen and randomly-oriented polycaprolactone (PCL) NF (mean diameter: 340 ± 200 nm) on the outer surface. In vitro studies revealed that the materials were nontoxic and able to promote cell attachment and proliferation on nanofibers and on fibrin gel. To determine the influence of laminin as biological and CNT as electrical cues on nerve regeneration, either of hollow PCL conduits, PLGA NF-embedded, PLGA/CNT NF-embedded or laminin-coated PLGA/CNT NF-embedded PCL conduits were implanted in rats. A new surgery method was utilized and results were compared with an autograft. The results of motor and sensory tests in addition to histopathological examination of the regenerated nerves demonstrated the formation of nerve fibers in laminin-coated PLGA/CNT NF-embedded PCL conduits. Results suggested that these conduits have the potential to improve sciatic nerve regeneration.
Fabrication of interconnected porous Ag substituted octacalcium phosphate blocks based on a dissolution-precipitation reaction
Authors: Sugiura Yuki , Horie Masanori 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHere, we introduce Ag substituted octacalcium phosphate (OCP-Ag) blocks with interconnected porous structure and sufficient mechanical strength as bone substitute (i.e., foam). We employed a two-step process for fabrication, which includes a setting reaction for acidic calcium phosphate granules using an acidic phosphate solution and a phase conversion process via dissolution-precipitation method in cocktail ((NH4)2HPO4-NH4NO3-NaNO3-AgNO3) solutions. The Ag contents in the fabricated OCP-Ag foams were 0.08–0.15 at%, which were sufficient in exhibiting contact antibacterial ability. The mechanical strength and porosity of the OCP-Ag foams were about 0.5 MPa and 70%, respectively. These values were sufficient for the application of the OCP-Ag foams as bone substitute.
Design of an electrospun tubular construct combining a mechanical and biological approach to improve tendon repair
Authors: Pien N. , Van de Maele Y. , Parmentier L. , Meeremans M. , Mignon A. , De Schauwer C. , Peeters I. , De Wilde L. , Martens A. , Mantovani D. , Van Vlierberghe S. , Dubruel P. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHand tendon injuries represent a major clinical problem and might dramatically diminish a patient’s life quality. In this study, a targeted solution for flexor tendon repair was developed by combining a mechanical and biological approach. To this end, a novel acrylate-endcapped urethane-based polymer (AUP) was synthesized and its physico-chemical properties were characterized. Next, tubular repair constructs were developed using electrospinning of the AUP material with incorporated naproxen and hyaluronic acid (i.e. anti-inflammatory and anti-adhesion compounds, respectively), and with a tubular braid as mechanical reinforcement. Tensile testing of the repair constructs using ex vivo sheep tendons showed that the developed repair constructs fulfilled the required mechanical properties for tendon repair (i.e. minimal ultimate stress of 4 MPa), with an ultimate stress of 6.4 ± 0.6 MPa. Moreover, in vitro biological assays showed that the developed repair tubes and the incorporated bioactive components were non-cytotoxic. In addition, when equine tenocytes and mesenchymal stem cells were co-cultured with the repair tubes, an increased production of collagen and non-collagenous proteins was observed. In conclusion, this novel construct in which a mechanical approach (fulfilling the required mechanical properties) was combined with a biological approach (incorporation of bioactive compounds), shows potential as flexor tendon repair application.
Topological charges of fullerenes
Authors: Udvardi László , László István 
Published: May 2022

AbstractWe defined the topological charge and bump number for fullerenes. All even fullerene isomers from $$C_{20}$$

C
20

up to $$C_{70}$$

C
70

were constructed. After optimizing the geometry of the molecules the relation between the topological charge, the bump number and the atomization energy were analysed.
Revisiting the paradox of whether retail buyers behave more like consumers or industrial purchasers: the case of price discounts
Authors: Isojärvi Jyrki , Aspara Jaakko , Movarrei Reza 
Published: May 2022

Abstract
A long-lasting debate in marketing literature is whether retail buyers who purchase consumer products behave like consumers or like industrial purchasing managers. We address this question empirically, by focusing on retail buyers’ behavioral responses to price discounts. Cooperating with a national wholesaler of drugstore products, we conduct a field experiment on the wholesaler’s product ordering platform. We expose the retail buyers (n = 780) to a new product offer that either includes a price discount or not. Simultaneously, we vary peripheral cues included in the offer (package color and organic claim). The results support the “industrial buyer resemblance” argument: The price discount decreases the retail buyers’ purchase likelihood, and there is no significant interaction effect between the price discount and the peripheral cues. An additional qualitative study reveals that retail buyers speculate on the motivations behind the price discount, which elicits suspicions about the product’s quality and resale potential.
Development of SiO2-coumarin fluorescent nanohybrid and its application for Cu(II) sensing in aqueous extracts of roadside soil
Authors: Qian Bin , De Silva Shamali , Reichman Suzie M. , Bao Lei , Trinchi Adrian , Lan Minbo , Wei Gang , Váradi Linda , Cole Ivan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractA SiO2-coumarin nanohybrid was investigated for its Cu(II) sensing performance in aqueous media, and in comparison with the Cu(II)-selective coumarin used alone. Fluorescence of both coumarin itself and the nanohybrid, λex/λem 435/481 nm, was selectively quenched by Cu(II) when tested against a range of multivalent cations. The nanohybrid had enhanced Cu(II) sensing properties when compared to the coumarin including (i) improved limit of detection from μM-level (0.48 μM) of Cu(II) using coumarin alone to nM-level (0.033 μM) and (ii) an extended linear detection range of 0.033–260 μM (0.0005–4.1 mg/mL) Cu(II) compared to 0.48–55 μM for the coumarin itself. The lower limit of detection and extended range were achieved with a smaller amount of coumarin and no traces of organic solvents used to help coumarin dissolution. Characterization suggested that under applied test conditions at pH = 5, SiO2 nanoparticles with negative surface charges adsorbed coumarin and then (when present) Cu(II) ions. The SiO2-coumarin nanohybrid was then applied for the determination of Cu(II) levels in aqueous soil extracts reaching over 94% recovery rates when used against the standard soil analysis method by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Graphical Abstract
Nonlinear analysis of forced mechanical systems with internal resonance using spectral submanifolds, Part II: Bifurcation and quasi-periodic response
Authors: Li Mingwu , Haller George 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn Part I of this paper, we have used spectral submanifold (SSM) theory to construct reduced-order models for harmonically excited mechanical systems with internal resonances. In that setting, extracting forced response curves formed by periodic orbits of the full system was reduced to locating the solution branches of equilibria of the corresponding reduced-order model. Here, we use bifurcations of the equilibria of the reduced-order model to predict bifurcations of the periodic response of the full system. Specifically, we identify Hopf bifurcations of equilibria and limit cycles in reduced models on SSMs to predict the existence of two-dimensional and three-dimensional quasi-periodic attractors and repellers in periodically forced mechanical systems of arbitrary dimension. We illustrate the accuracy and efficiency of these computations on finite-element models of beams and plates.
Comparing how accurately four different proximal spectrometers can estimate pasture nutritive characteristics: effects of spectral range and data type
Authors: Thomson Anna L. , Vassiliadis Simone , Copland Amy , Stayches Danielle , Jacobs Joe , Morse-McNabb Elizabeth 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe nutrition of grazing ruminants can be optimized by allocating pasture according to its nutritive characteristics, provided that nutritive concentrations are determined in near-real time. Current proximal spectrometers can provide accurate predictive results but are bulky and expensive. This study compared an industry standard, ‘control’, proximal spectrometer, often used for scientific estimation of pasture nutrient concentrations in situ (350–2500 nm spectral range), with three lower-cost, ‘next-generation’, handheld spectrometers. The candidate sensors included a hyperspectral camera (397–1004 nm), and two handheld spectrometers (908–1676 nm and 1345–2555 nm respectively). Pasture samples (n = 145) collected from two paddocks on a working Australian dairy farm, over three timepoints, were scanned in situ by each instrument and then analysed for eight nutritive parameters. Chemometric models were then developed for each nutrient using data from each sensor (split into 80:20 calibration and validation sets). According to Lin’s Concordance Correlation Coefficient (LCCC) from independent validation (n = 29), the hyperspectral camera was the best candidate instrument (LCCC from 0.31 to 0.85, and 0.67 on average), rivalling the control sensor (LCCC from 0.41 to 0.84, and 0.67 on average). Consideration was given to whether the hyperspectral camera’s success was due to spectral range or data type/capture method. It was found that the 400–920 nm (trimmed) spectral region was slightly less sensitive in principle to nutrient concentrations than higher spectral ranges. Therefore, the predictive performance of the camera was attributed to the advantage of gathering data as hyperspectral images as opposed to single spectra.
How Do Base Rules Constitute a Virtual World?
Authors: Pałosz Radosław 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe classic theory of rules and norms rooted in John Searle’s theory of institutional facts makes it impossible to treat directives encoded in information and communication technologies (ICT) as rules. In the age of increasing dependence on ICTs, it is important to develop a proper ontological framework for discussing previously unknown issues. The aim of the paper is to characterize the rules constituted by the language of the code and show how they differ from purely social institutional rules. The analysis is based mostly on Jaap Hage's theory of rules as constraints on possible worlds. Hage's understanding makes it possible to explain how rules embedded in the code regulate the functioning of a non-intentional computer system. As a useful representation of relations between base rules and institutional rules, the author presents an example of virtual worlds of massive multiplayer online games, which are spaces that facilitate the emergence of complex, normative social orders. They are very illustrative when it comes to the distinction between digital and social dimensions, thus showing how human culture is able to flourish on top of the digital facts that function as observer-independent, physical brute facts. It is possible, because the base rules constrain the system that processes them, by which they constitute digital facts rather than directly guide users’ behavior. The analysis aims to provide tools for the future development of an appropriate legal framework to analyze the digital layer of reality.
The Structure of the Large-Scale Heliosphere as Seen by Current Models
Authors: Kleimann Jens , Dialynas Konstantinos , Fraternale Federico , Galli André , Heerikhuisen Jacob , Izmodenov Vladislav , Kornbleuth Marc , Opher Merav , Pogorelov Nikolai 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis review summarizes the current state of research aiming at a description of the global heliosphere using both analytical and numerical modeling efforts, particularly in view of the overall plasma/neutral flow and magnetic field structure, and its relation to energetic neutral atoms. Being part of a larger volume on current heliospheric research, it also lays out a number of key concepts and describes several classic, though still relevant early works on the topic. Regarding numerical simulations, emphasis is put on magnetohydrodynamic (MHD), multi-fluid, kinetic-MHD, and hybrid modeling frameworks. Finally, open issues relating to the physical relevance of so-called “croissant” models of the heliosphere, as well as the general (dis)agreement of model predictions with observations are highlighted and critically discussed.
Theory-based habit modeling for enhancing behavior prediction in behavior change support systems
Authors: Zhang Chao , Vanschoren Joaquin , van Wissen Arlette , Lakens Daniël , de Ruyter Boris , IJsselsteijn Wijnand A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractPsychological theories of habit posit that when a strong habit is formed through behavioral repetition, it can trigger behavior automatically in the same environment. Given the reciprocal relationship between habit and behavior, changing lifestyle behaviors is largely a task of breaking old habits and creating new and healthy ones. Thus, representing users’ habit strengths can be very useful for behavior change support systems, for example, to predict behavior or to decide when an intervention reaches its intended effect. However, habit strength is not directly observable and existing self-report measures are taxing for users. In this paper, building on recent computational models of habit formation, we propose a method to enable intelligent systems to compute habit strength based on observable behavior. The hypothesized advantage of using computed habit strength for behavior prediction was tested using data from two intervention studies on dental behavior change ($$N = 36$$N=36and$$N = 75$$N=75), where we instructed participants to brush their teeth twice a day for three weeks and monitored their behaviors using accelerometers. The results showed that for the task of predicting future brushing behavior, the theory-based model that computed habit strength achieved an accuracy of 68.6% (Study 1) and 76.1% (Study 2), which outperformed the model that relied on self-reported behavioral determinants but showed no advantage over models that relied on past behavior. We discuss the implications of our results for research on behavior change support systems and habit formation.
An adaptive Metalearner-based flow: a tool for reducing anxiety and increasing self-regulation
Authors: Jebur Ghassan , Al-Samarraie Hosam , Alzahrani Ahmed Ibrahim 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAnxiety and self-regulation are the most common problems among the college student population. There are few attempts found in the literature to promote the development of students’ cognitive and metacognitive abilities in online learning environments. In addition, mechanisms for overcoming or reducing individuals’ anxiety in a computer-mediated environment is yet to be fully characterized. This study was conducted to investigate the potential of integrating the concept of flow into the design of a Metalearner (MTL) to help reduce anxiety and increase self-regulation among students. The design of MTL was based on the development of adaptive strategies to balance between the challenge of the task and user skills. A total of 260 participants were asked to use the system and respond to an online questionnaire that asked about flow antecedents, experience, and consequences. The structural model results showed that incorporating flow into the design of MTL can help reduce anxiety and improve self-regulation among students. Our findings can be used to enrich students’ online learning experience and inform designers and developers of learning systems about the importance of regulating task complexity according to the challenge/skills balance. This would help learners to process the presented information meaningfully and to make the inferences necessary for understanding the learning content.
Effect of physical activity during COVID-19 on the sleep health of community-level athletes in Australia
Authors: Walsh Andrew , Harris Sarah , Beranek Philipp , Vial Shayne , Cruickshank Travis , Turner Mitchell 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe COVID-19 outbreak presents a serious health challenges, with Australia enforcing tight restrictions, impacting sporting activities and sleep health of many Australians. Routine lifestyle patterns (physical activity and employment) are important to maintaining overall sleep health. Current literature indicates COVID-19 pandemic negatively affected the employment status and sport engagement. The aim of this study was to explore the effect of physical activity during COVID-19 on sleep health, and its association with employment and sport engagement of community-level athletes throughout Australia. Participants self-reported sleep health prior to COVID-19 (pre-sleep) and over the month prior to data collection (during-sleep) using the validated 5-item Satisfaction Alertness Timing Efficiency and Duration questionnaire (SATED). Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test assessed the difference in pre- and during perceived sleep health scores. A generalized linear model was used to assess the impact of sporting and demographic factors on a community athlete’s change in perceived sleep health score. A total of 139 community-level Australian athletes responded. The majority of participants were aged 18–30 and engaged in full-time employment prior to COVID-19 (n = 82, 54%). Eight percent of participants were unemployed prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 12, 8%). Our findings show that sleep health values were higher during COVID-19, with 91.4% of respondents able to maintain some form of physical activity during the pandemic. Together, our results show better sleep health scores reported by the respondents who maintained or lost employment and maintained sporting engagements during the pandemic.