bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Canopies, the Final Frog-tier: exploring responses of a specialist treefrog to prescribed fire in a pyrogenic ecosystem
Authors: Biazzo Ian N. , Quintana-Ascencio Pedro F. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Pine flatwoods of the southeastern United States were shaped by frequent fires. Land managers use prescribed fires to control fuels but also to restore historical fire dynamics. Broad outcomes of this practice are well-understood, but impacts on many organisms are still being explored. Frogs, for example, have upland and wetland requirements, limited mobility, and skin susceptible to desiccation. Treefrogs spend most of their lives in uplands away from water. When fire approaches, animals may escape to an unburned area, shelter in place, or be killed by the fire. We examined which of these mechanisms is the prevailing short-term response for a specialist treefrog in a pyrogenic flatwood system.

Results
We assessed the short-term impacts of prescribed fire on the dynamics of an upland flatwood specialist, the pinewoods treefrog Dryophytes femoralis, using a replicated before-after-control-impact field experiment. We set pipes as treefrog refugia at 3 m, 6 m, 9 m, and 9+ m in 12 pine trees spread evenly across two treatments: reference trees in units burned in 2020 and trees in units with 2021 prescribed fire. Prescribed fires occurred on 16 April and 21 July 2021. Every 2 weeks between 5 March and 5 September, we checked pipes for frogs and assigned them unique color marks. We observed 78 individuals with 199 additional recaptures. We modeled abundance (as raw counts), survival, and vertical movement using mark-recapture methods, multi-state, and mixed linear models with a Bayesian framework. Survival and recapture were comparable among prescribed fire treatments, but abundances and movement probability varied. Frogs in trees in areas burned during the study were more likely to stay in place and less likely to descend to lower heights. We observed more frogs in trees after a 2021 fire compared to reference trees.

Conclusions
The prevailing mechanism for resiliency to fire for pinewoods treefrogs was migration up large pines, then likely recolonization to lower vegetation layers when plants regreen post-fire. This substantiates conclusions from other works that the integrity of mature pines is key to sustaining native biodiversity. Future work and management should consider the three-dimensional structure of habitat when developing burn prescriptions and study designs.
A review on chemical precipitation in carbon capture, utilization and storage
Authors: Lin Jui-Yen , Garcia Erica A. , Ballesteros Florencio C. , Garcia-Segura Sergi , Lu Ming-Chun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractCarbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies are being developed to address the increasing CO2 emissions, mitigating the global warming and climate change. In this context, chemical precipitation has been advanced to enhance the performance, energy-efficiency and profitability of CCUS. In this review, we first present the fundamentals of precipitation and dissolution, and then summarize the incorporation of precipitation in each aspect of CCUS. The controlled precipitation of CO2-rich solid during the capture of CO2 by regenerable solvents can reduce the energy demand. The mineral carbonation of silicate and industrial waste sequestrates CO2 as stable solids. The efficiency of mineral carbonation, either direct or indirect, is dictated by the dissolution of minerals and the precipitation of carbonates and silica. The precipitation of calcium carbonate can be controlled to produce various polymorphs and morphology, enabling its utilization for the enhancement of profitability and environmental benefits. Ultimately, the prospective for future research was proposed.
Hematological and histopathological impacts of nano-emamectin benzoate against the larvae of the cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) under laboratory conditions
Authors: Amin Hassan Sayed Hassan , Ali Mohamed Sayed Salama , El-Sheikh Tarek Afifi Abd El-Hamed , El-Gohary El-Gohary El-Said Attia 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Insects withstand foreign substances and infection by expressing robust defense responses, which are mediated by hemocytes, fat body, midgut, and many other tissues. The Egyptian cotton leafworm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval), is a polyphagous pest with considerable economic importance in Egypt and globally. Many control strategies were employed to control this pest. Nowadays, there is a trend to use nanotechnology tools in agricultural practices as they balance minimal concentration and maximum pest control, safe concentration, and reduce the cost of pest control. The present study aimed to evaluate the hematological and histopathological response of S. littoralis larvae post-treatment with sublethal concentrations of emamectin benzoate and its nanoform, besides the silver nanoparticles.

Results
The results revealed the high toxicity of emamectin benzoate and its nanoform (LC50 values were 0.0524 and 0.023 ppm, respectively). The results also showed that all tested compounds significantly influenced the mean number of laid eggs/female. The emamectin benzoate nanoform (837.3 ± 52.09) was the most efficient compound compared to the control (1999.3 ± 46.5). The hematological responses against the EMB + AgNP were lowered total hemocyte counting (22.41 ± 1.3) compared to the untreated larvae (38.08 ± 0.83). In addition, there were some histopathological changes in the midgut tissues. They were represented as destroying the integrity of the epithelial cells and the ciliated border. The columnar cells began to disintegrate, and the peritrophic membrane became vacuolized. In contrast, the cuticle layers were not affected by various treatments.

Conclusion
We can conclude that the employment of emamectin benzoate, either in its original form or as its nanoform, is considered a promising substitute for conventional insecticides. The nanoform of emamectin benzoate proved its high efficiency against the larvae of the cotton leafworm, which may allow the application of this formulation at low concentrations.
Case report on surgical removal of 3.5 kg benign mesenchymal tumor from the mandible region
Authors: Bakshi Jaimanti , Tiwana Harsimran , Prashant Shivji , Bahadur Donjon , John Jerry , Saini Jyoti , Goyal Atul Kumar 
Published: October 2022

Abstract

Background
Benign mesenchymal tumors are rare tumors accounting for 5% of all salivary gland tumors and less than 10% of submandibular or sublingual gland tumors.

Case presentation
The present case study represents a rare case of large-size benign mesenchymal tumors arising from the mandible region. The patient comes with the complaint of prominent swelling on the right side of the lower jaw. Clinical history revealed that the swelling appeared around 5 years ago and enhanced over time to form a large tumor. The patient presented with signs of anemia and hypoproteinemia, which were developed due to dysphagia and bleeding in the tumor. A worm infestation was also found during the clinical examination, and severe pain, foul smell, fungating tumor, frequent pus discharge, and bleeding were also reported. The patient was treated by surgical removal of tumors within 8 h of surgery. Right segmental mandibulectomy with wide local tumor excision was performed under general anesthesia and prophylactic tracheostomy to maintain a secure airway. A huge defect of 8 cm × 6 cm was generated on the right side of the face after tumor removal, which was repaired with the help of local advancement flap reconstruction. The tumor size was 30 cm × 20 cm with a weight of 3.5 kg.

Conclusion
To our best knowledge, the present study is the first in the literature that has reported such a large tumor in the mandible region. The success of surgery presented in the current case is very rare to achieve in developing countries. By reporting the detailed procedures, the present case study will help increase the misdiagnosis, improper treatment, treatment delays, or associated complications.
Otologic symptoms and hearing thresholds among a cohort of call center operators in Lagos
Authors: Olagbemi Derek O. O. , Asoegwu Chinyere N. , Somefun Abayomi O. , Nwawolo Clement C. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
The call center operation jobs are becoming a global phenomenon. The use of headphones for 7 to 9 h daily with varying noise level exposure is quite common among call center operators. This can cause structural and/or functional changes in the auditory system. Researchers have arrived at different conclusions regarding the risks associated with prolonged headphone usage. This study aimed to evaluate the risk of hearing changes and the range of otologic symptoms among call center operators in Lagos State, Nigeria.

Methods
This is a prospective cross-sectional study carried out on 90 call center operators (customer service staff) and 90 administrative staff (controls) aged 18 to 40 years working in two call centers affiliated to different private establishments in Lagos State. Their biographic data, work information, and otologic/non-otologic symptoms developed with the commencement of the job were obtained with a self-administered structured questionnaire. After otoscopic examination, diagnostic pure tone audiometry (PTA) was carried out before and after the work shift.

Results
The most commonly reported symptoms among the call center operators were headache, tinnitus, and vertigo. Symptoms were noted as early as 3 months into the job in 20 (24.7%) call center operators. The pre-shift and post-shift mean PTA of the call center operators were normal bilaterally and comparable to the controls. There was an elevation of low frequency (500 Hz) mean PTA of > 30 dB in both the call center operators and the controls. The mean PTA average for the call center operators’ pre-shift and post-shift were 25.4 ± 8.2 and 25.6 ± 8.1 in the right ear, 24.8 ± 8.5 and 24.7 ± 8.9 in the left ear, 25.9 ± 7.8 and 24.7 ± 7.8 right and left ears for the control. There were no statistically significant differences between the call center operators’ pre-shift and the controls’ hearing thresholds, and the pre-shift and post-shift hearing thresholds of the call center operators at all frequencies and in both ears.

Conclusion
Otologic and non-otologic symptoms arise from prolonged headphones usage among call center operators. No hearing damage or headphone noise-induced hearing loss was recorded in the call center operators in this study.
Lipopolysaccharide alters CEBPβ signaling and reduces estradiol production in bovine granulosa cells
Authors: Dickson Mackenzie J. , Sheldon I. Martin , Bromfield John J. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Background
Bacterial infection of the uterus in postpartum dairy cows limits ovarian follicle growth, reduces blood estradiol concentrations, and leads to accumulation of bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in ovarian follicular fluid. Although treating granulosa cells with LPS in vitro decreases the expression of the estradiol synthesis enzyme CYP19A1 and reduces estradiol secretion, the molecular mechanisms are unclear. The transcription factor CCAAT enhancer binding protein beta (CEBPβ) not only facilitates the transcription of LPS regulated cytokines, but also binds to the promoter region of CYP19A1 in humans, mice, and buffalo. We hypothesized that LPS alters CEBPβ signaling to reduce CYP19A1 expression, resulting in decreased estradiol secretion.

Methods
Bovine granulosa cells were isolated from small/medium or large follicles and treated with LPS in the presence of FSH and androstenedione for up to 24 h.

Results
Treatment with LPS increased CXCL8 and IL6 gene expression and reduced estradiol secretion in granulosa cells from both small/medium and large follicles. However, LPS only reduced CYP19A1 expression in granulosa cells from large follicles. Treatment with LPS increased CEBPB expression and reduced CEBPβ nuclear localization in granulosa cells from small/medium follicles, but not granulosa cells from large follicles.

Conclusions
Although LPS reduces estradiol synthesis in bovine granulosa cells, the effects of LPS on CYP19A1 and CEBPβ are dependent on follicle size.
Urban park design and children’s physical activity levels: an investigation of design characteristics of green areas and playgrounds
Authors: El-Kholy Shereen A. , Moustafa Yasser M. , Abou El-Ela Manal A. S. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractPhysical activity has a great impact on the development and overall health of children. Urban parks, which generally feature both green areas and playgrounds, offer children a wide range of opportunities to be physically active. However, previous studies have shown that a significant number of children are sedentary during park visits, rather than engaging in vigorous activities. In addition, children’s physical activities in urban parks have not been sufficiently studied in the Egyptian context. Accordingly, the main objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between the design characteristics of urban parks and children’s physical activity in the Egyptian context. To achieve its objective, the study relied on a mixed qualitative-quantitative approach to investigate six settings in a large urban park east of Cairo, three green areas, and three playgrounds. Methods of data collection included field documentation of the design characteristics of the six settings investigated, structured observations, behavioral mapping, and semi-structured interviews with 16 children. Study results show that the presence of both green areas and playgrounds is important in the design of parks. The study also identifies the design features that need to be considered in the design of parks to promote children’s vigorous activity. These features are the presence of wide-open green spaces, the presence and variety of vegetation, the presence of water bodies, the presence of challenging age-appropriate play equipment in playgrounds, the availability of pathways, the availability of shading, the variety and appropriate use of ground surface materials, and the variety in topography. Findings of the study can help designers and decision-makers in efforts to create urban parks that promote the active play of children.
Simultaneous source separation by shot collocation and strength variation
Authors: Dao Toan , Zhang Chao , van der Baan Mirko , Landrø Martin 
Published: October 2022

Simultaneous shooting offers opportunities for significant cost savings in seismic data acquisitions. The most common strategy uses random delay shots where source separation is achieved during the processing stage, thereby doubling source densities. We have determined that the creation of a collocated source survey, where shots are repeated simultaneously at multiple positions, is a viable alternative strategy, with the additional benefit that it may increase source density even further while keeping the acquisition duration unchanged. Source separation is achieved using overcomplete independent component analysis by first by applying a directional wavelet transform to separate source signals with different slowness, then estimating the mixing matrix, followed by solving an optimization problem with an energy constraint combined with a sparseness inducing prior and obtaining the required waveforms. Synthetic tests find average reconstruction quality on the order of 22.1, 15.4, and 8.4 dB if, respectively, three, four, or five shots are acquired in two mixtures. Examination of the true versus obtained zero-offset sections also demonstrates the robustness of our signal recovery strategy. The advantage of shot collocation over conventional acquisitions is that it may triple or even quadruple the source density for unchanged acquisition durations with superior reconstruction results compared with dithered acquisitions using similar blending factors.
MEANet: Magnitude estimation via physics-based features time series, an attention mechanism, and neural networks
Authors: Song Jindong , Zhu Jingbao , Li Shanyou 
Published: October 2022

The traditional magnitude estimation method, which establishes a linear relationship between a single warning parameter and the magnitude, exhibits considerable scatter and underestimation. In addition, the extraction of features from raw waveforms by a deep learning network is a black box. To provide a more robust magnitude estimation and to construct a deep learning network with an interpretable input, in light of deep learning and earthquake rupture physics, we have established a magnitude estimation network model (MEANet) via the physics-based features time series, an attention mechanism, and neural networks. We use events with 4 ≤ M ≤ 7.5 that occur in Japan and the Sichuan-Yunnan region, China, to train and validate MEANet, and then use MEANet to test additional events. Our results find that MEANet has a more robust magnitude estimation than the traditional [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] methods, with a standard deviation of error of ±0.25 magnitude units at a single station with a 3 s P-wave time window. Within 10 s after the first station is triggered, based on the weighted average of the triggered stations, MEANet provides robust magnitude estimation without underestimation for events with 4 ≤ M ≤ 7.5. Our finding implies that the final magnitude is to some degree deterministic by the combination of deep learning and physics-based features. Meanwhile, MEANet might have potential for earthquake early warning.
The Nature of Courage in Plato’s Laches
Authors: Sermamoglou-Soulmaidi Georgia 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
This paper argues against two commonly held views on the nature of courage and its relationship with virtue in Plato’s Laches. These views are the following: First, Laches’ and Nicias’ accounts of courage should be read as complementary, in the sense that each presents one of the two components of courage. Second, Socrates rejects the unity of virtue he defends in the Protagoras, endorsing instead the view that courage is only a part of virtue. In this paper, I aim to show that the reader of the Laches is invited to endorse Nicias’ unitary understanding of courage as knowledge of good and evil and, as a consequence of this, to grant the unity of virtue.
Global Politico-Economic Dynamics during a Local Conflict: Reciprocal Patterns of Cooperation and Sanctions
Authors: Weisser Reinhard A. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Employing global daily news coverage on interactions between stakeholders in G20 countries, this research offers a near-real-time analysis of changing interaction patterns between Russia and other G20 economies after the onset of open military conflict. Building on an event study over eight months, further analyses of reciprocal response dynamics point to potentially costly short-term consequences of sanctions, such as the breakdown and diversion of international cooperation amongst major economies in a broader sense. Once such a reciprocal cooperation decay has set in, re-establishing international cooperation between major societal actors may take considerable time.
Kelp nursery optimisation: density-dependent effects in early life-cycle stages of Ecklonia radiata (Laminariales)
Authors: Schwoerbel Jakop , Visch Wouter , Wright Jeffrey T. , Bellgrove Alecia , Sanderson J. Craig , MacLeod Catriona , Hurd Catriona L. 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Kelp aquaculture is an emerging industry outside of Asia. To be successful, this industry requires a reliable production of seedstock, the optimisation of which greatly benefits from a detailed physiological understanding of the microscopic life-cycle stages of the cultured species. This study investigated the impact of six zoospore densities (10–278 mm−2) on the subsequent development of Ecklonia radiata gametophytes and sporophytes. The results showed that germination rates and sex ratio were unaffected by initial zoospore density, but there were significant effects on gametophyte size and sporophyte production. After two weeks, female gametophytes were largest at an initial zoospore density of 40 mm−2 while male gametophytes grew largest at densities below 40 mm−2, but after four weeks gametophyte size showed a negative relationship with initial zoospore density. Significantly more sporophytes developed at initial zoospore densities below 40 individuals mm−2 and no sporophytes were observed at the highest density (271 zoospores mm−2). These results clearly show the importance of initial zoospore density in optimising the nursery stage of kelp aquaculture.
Treatment of rat brain ischemia model by NSCs-polymer scaffold transplantation
Authors: Qi Yue , Wu Tao , Yan Dongdong , Li Manhui , Chen Baodong , Xiong Yi 
Published: October 2022

AbstractNeural stem cells (NSCs) transplantation is a promising therapeutic strategy for ischemic stroke. However, significant cell death after transplantation greatly limits its effectiveness. Poly (trimethylene carbonate)15-F127-poly (trimethylene carbonate)15(PTMC15-F127-PTMC15, PFP) is a biodegradable thermo-sensitive hydrogel biomaterial, which can control drug release and provide permissive substrates for donor NSCs. In our study, we seeded NSCs into PFP polymer scaffold loaded with three neurotrophic factors, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, and Neurotrophin-3. And then we transplanted this NSCs-polymer scaffold in rat brains 14 days after middle cerebral artery occlusion. ELISA assay showed that PFP polymer scaffold sustained releasing three neurotrophic factors for at least 14 days. Western Blot and fluorescence immunostaining revealed that NSCs-polymer scaffold transplantation significantly reduced apoptosis of ischemic penumbra and promoted differentiation of the transplanted NSCs into mature neurons. Furthermore, infarct size was reduced, and neurological performance of the animals were improved by the transplanted NSCs-polymer scaffold. These results demonstrate that PFP polymer scaffold loaded with neurotrophic factors can enhance the effectiveness of stem cell transplantation therapy, which provides a new way for cell transplantation therapy in ischemic stroke.
Hybrid renewable energy resources accuracy, techniques adopted, and the future scope abetted by the patent landscape – a conspicuous review
Authors: Mamidala Sreekanth , Mohan Govindarajalu , Veeramani Chelliah 
Published: October 2022

Abstract
Renewables always attract everything than other thrust research areas owing to the global warming issue caused by using the non-renewables therein which should be mitigated at the earliest possible time. The easiest and safest alternative is employing renewable energy resources for the generation of energy that is completely sustainable. Many countries started insisting to seek alternatives trying to terminate to the fullest extent. Even though all these measures are taken, it is very hard to mitigate the utilization of non-renewables, owing to efficacy lag in renewables. The simplest solution for this problem is hybrid usage of renewables to enhance the efficiency. This article took this as a factor, gathered data for hybrid RERs technique with its accuracy range for easy selection of techniques by the stakeholders, trending technology being adopted, and future scope abetted by the patent landscape.