bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Calciprotein Particle Synthesis Strategy Determines In Vitro Calcification Potential
Authors: Zeper Lara W. , Smith Edward R. , ter Braake Anique D. , Tinnemans Paul T. , de Baaij Jeroen H. F. , Hoenderop Joost G. J. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractCirculating calciprotein particles (CPP), colloids of calcium, phosphate and proteins, were identified as potential drivers of the calcification process in chronic kidney disease. The present study compared CPP produced using different protocols with respect to particle morphology, composition, particle number and in vitro calcification potency. CPP were synthesized with 4.4 mM (CPP-A and B) or 6 mM (CPP-C and D) phosphate and 2.8 mM (CPP-A and B) or 10 mM (CPP-C and D) calcium, with either bovine fetuin-A (CPP-C) or fetal bovine serum (CPP-A, B and D) as a source of protein, and incubated for 7 (CPP-A2) or 14 days (CPP-B2), 12 h (CPP-C2, D2 and B1) or 30 min (CPP-D1). Particle number was determined with nanoparticle tracking and calcium content was measured in CPP preparations and to determine human vascular smooth muscle cell (hVSMC) calcification. Morphologically, CPP-C2 were the largest. Particle number did not correspond to the calcium content of CPP. Both methods of quantification resulted in variable potencies of CPP2 to calcify VSMC, with CPP-B2 as most stable inducer of hVSMC calcification. In contrast, CPP-B1 and D1 were unable to induce calcification of hVSMC, and endogenous CPP derived from pooled serum of dialysis patients were only able to calcify hVSMC to a small extent compared to CPP2.CPP synthesized using different protocols appear morphologically similar, but in vitro calcification potency is dependent on composition and how the CPP are quantified. Synthetic CPP are not comparable to endogenous CPP in terms of the calcification propensity.
Large-scale demonstration of machine learning for the detection of volcanic deformation in Sentinel-1 satellite imagery
Authors: Biggs Juliet , Anantrasirichai Nantheera , Albino Fabien , Lazecky Milan , Maghsoudi Yasser 
Published: November 2022

AbstractRadar (SAR) satellites systematically acquire imagery that can be used for volcano monitoring, characterising magmatic systems and potentially forecasting eruptions on a global scale. However, exploiting the large dataset is limited by the need for manual inspection, meaning timely dissemination of information is challenging. Here we automatically process ~ 600,000 images of > 1000 volcanoes acquired by the Sentinel-1 satellite in a 5-year period (2015–2020) and use the dataset to demonstrate the applicability and limitations of machine learning for detecting deformation signals. Of the 16 volcanoes flagged most often, 5 experienced eruptions, 6 showed slow deformation, 2 had non-volcanic deformation and 3 had atmospheric artefacts. The detection threshold for the whole dataset is 5.9 cm, equivalent to a rate of 1.2 cm/year over the 5-year study period. We then use the large testing dataset to explore the effects of atmospheric conditions, land cover and signal characteristics on detectability and find that the performance of the machine learning algorithm is primarily limited by the quality of the available data, with poor coherence and slow signals being particularly challenging. The expanding dataset of systematically acquired, processed and flagged images will enable the quantitative analysis of volcanic monitoring signals on an unprecedented scale, but tailored processing will be needed for routine monitoring applications.
On piecewise linear approximations of bilinear terms: structural comparison of univariate and bivariate mixed-integer programming formulations
Authors: Bärmann Andreas , Burlacu Robert , Hager Lukas , Kleinert Thomas 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBilinear terms naturally appear in many optimization problems. Their inherent non-convexity typically makes them challenging to solve. One approach to tackle this difficulty is to use bivariate piecewise linear approximations for each variable product, which can be represented via mixed-integer linear programming (MIP) formulations. Alternatively, one can reformulate the variable products as a sum of univariate functions. Each univariate function can again be approximated by a piecewise linear function and modelled via an MIP formulation. In the literature, heterogeneous results are reported concerning which approach works better in practice, but little theoretical analysis is provided. We fill this gap by structurally comparing bivariate and univariate approximations with respect to two criteria. First, we compare the number of simplices sufficient for an $$ \varepsilon $$
ε
-approximation. We derive upper bounds for univariate approximations and compare them to a lower bound for bivariate approximations. We prove that for a small prescribed approximation error $$ \varepsilon $$
ε
, univariate $$ \varepsilon $$
ε
-approximations require fewer simplices than bivariate $$ \varepsilon $$
ε
-approximations. The second criterion is the tightness of the continuous relaxations (CR) of corresponding sharp MIP formulations. Here, we prove that the CR of a bivariate MIP formulation describes the convex hull of a variable product, the so-called McCormick relaxation. In contrast, we show by a volume argument that the CRs corresponding to univariate approximations are strictly looser. This allows us to explain many of the computational effects observed in the literature and to give theoretical evidence on when to use which kind of approximation.
A Weekly Diary Study on Playful Study Design, Study Engagement, and Goal Attainment: The Role of Proactive Personality
Authors: Wang Huatian , Ren Yue , Liu Wei 
Published: November 2022

AbstractStudents’ learning processes are heavily impeded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Students are experiencing more online learning environment and less face-to-face idea exchange, which may make them feel exhausted and demotivated. Using self-determination and proactivity theories, we propose and examine whether playful study design (PSD)—a proactive study strategy including designing fun and designing competition in learning tasks—is effective in fostering study engagement, which, in turn, improves study goal attainment during the COVID-19 period. Moreover, we examine whether students who are high in proactive personality will benefit more (e.g., reach a higher level of study engagement) when using the PSD strategy. We collected data using a weekly diary approach during four consecutive weeks, including 97 people and 308 within-person observations. Results of multilevel analyses showed that weekly PSD was positively related to weekly study engagement, and in turn, facilitated weekly goal attainment. Moreover, we found that proactive personality moderated and strengthened the positive associations between PSD and goal attainment, study engagement and goal attainment, but not for the relationship between PSD and study engagement. Overall, we provide one of the first attempts to demonstrate how PSD strategy can be used in student study life to improve study engagement and reach their goals. We shed light on how proactive personality can safeguard the success of PSD strategy. Theoretical and practical contributions are discussed.
Prefacing unexplored archives from Central Andean surface-to-bedrock ice cores through a multifaceted investigation of regional firn and ice core glaciochemistry
Authors: Clifford Heather M. , Potocki Mariusz , Rodda Charles , Dixon Daniel , Birkel Sean , Handley Michael , Korotkikh Elena , Introne Douglas , Schwanck Franciele , Tavares Flavia A. , Bernardo Ronaldo T. , Lindau Filipe G. L. , Gomez Oscar Vilca , Jara-Infantes Harrison , Urviola Victor Bustínza , Perry L. Baker , Maurer Jonathan , Seimon Anton , Schwikowski Margit , Casassa Gino , Hou Shugui , Kurbatov Andrei V. , Miner Kimberley R. , Simões Jefferson C. , Mayewski Paul A. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractShallow firn cores, in addition to a near-basal ice core, were recovered in 2018 from the Quelccaya ice cap (5470 m a.s.l) in the Cordillera Vilcanota, Peru, and in 2017 from the Nevado Illimani glacier (6350 m a.s.l) in the Cordillera Real, Bolivia. The two sites are ~450 km apart. Despite meltwater percolation resulting from warming, particle-based trace element records (e.g. Fe, Mg, K) in the Quelccaya and Illimani shallow cores retain well-preserved signals. The firn core chronologies, established independently by annual layer counting, show a convincing overlap indicating the two records contain comparable signals and therefore capture similar regional scale climatology. Trace element records at a ~1–4 cm resolution provide past records of anthropogenic emissions, dust sources, volcanic emissions, evaporite salts and marine-sourced air masses. Using novel ultra-high-resolution (120 μm) laser technology, we identify annual layer thicknesses ranging from 0.3 to 0.8 cm in a section of 2000-year-old radiocarbon-dated near-basal ice which compared to the previous annual layer estimates suggests that Quelccaya ice cores drilled to bedrock may be older than previously suggested by depth-age models. With the information collected from this study in combination with past studies, we emphasize the importance of collecting new surface-to-bedrock ice cores from at least the Quelccaya ice cap, in particular, due to its projected disappearance as soon as the 2050s.
Effectiveness of the low-FODMAP diet in improving non-celiac gluten sensitivity: a systematic review
Authors: Fernandes Dias Luisa Bittencourt de Aquino , Kobus Rafaela Alexia , Bagolin do Nascimento Amanda 
Published: November 2022

AbstractNon-celiac gluten sensitivity is characterised by the presence of gastrointestinal and extraintestinal symptoms following gluten ingestion. Recent studies suggested an association between non-celiac gluten sensitivity and the consumption of fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols (FODMAP). This systematic review aimed to examine literature evidence on the relationship between non-celiac gluten sensitivity and FODMAP intake. A comprehensive search was carried out for randomised clinical trials addressing gastrointestinal symptoms as the primary outcome, published between 2010 and 2020 in Portuguese, English or Spanish, and indexed in Scopus, PubMed, SciELO, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase or VHL (LILACS) databases. The systematic review was performed using the population, intervention, comparison and outcome (PICO) framework. A total of 1133 articles were retrieved for further assessment. Three articles were selected for systematic review, one of which included two interventions with different periods and assessments. Quality of evidence was assessed according to the GRADE protocol. The selected articles used different instruments to measure gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life, hindering comparison of data. Clinical trials identified an association between decreased gastrointestinal symptoms and FODMAP restriction. There are few studies on the topic, and those available used different instruments to assess gastrointestinal symptoms and quality of life. Nevertheless, current evidence supports the gluten-free diet still represents first-line therapy. However, a FODMAP restriction can decrease gastrointestinal symptoms in individuals with non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Further research is needed to confirm this finding.
An Indigenous perspective on the conservation of an insular endemic: the prehensile-tailed skink Corucia zebrata on the Solomon Islands
Authors: Pikacha Patrick G. , Boseto David , Tigulu Ikuo , Boseto Hensllyn , Hurutarao Josef , Lavery Tyrone H. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe prehensile-tailed skink Corucia zebrata is endemic to the Solomon Islands. It is the most traded reptile from the country. During 2000–2019, CITES reported the legal export of 10,567 individuals. Although the level of this trade is well documented, impacts on the skink's survival in its native range are comparatively unknown. During January–May 2020, we surveyed 146 people on 12 islands to collect information on the habitats preferred by the prehensile-tailed skink, to understand perceptions of the species' conservation status and identify any potential threats. Respondents reported lowland and hill forests as being favoured habitats, with low proportions of respondents identifying coastal and montane forests as suitable habitat. Habitat loss (72%), hunting (17%), and predation (6%) were identified as the main threats. People younger than 30 years of age reported killing the skinks more frequently than did people over the age of 30. Prehensile-tailed skinks have a relatively small home range, long reproductive cycle, and are vulnerable to numerous threats. We thus recommend a halt to the current practice of exporting wild-caught prehensile-tailed skinks, and replacement by a well-regulated captive breeding programme.
Towards customised sovereignty: West Nordic societies in the new great power rivalry
Authors: Kobzeva Mariia 
Published: November 2022

Abstract
Two factors historically played a decisive role in the West Nordic region’s affairs: its strategic location and small societies’ long struggle for independence. The current power balance shift challenges the progress of Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland towards strengthening their independence and sovereignty. The research suggests a theoretical contemplation of the West Nordic region’s shifting practices of sovereignty in current affairs with Russia and China amid the US’ patronage. Drawing on the model of Patron-Client relations, the article considers the US as a patron state for the West Nordic region, whereas Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland are discussed as clients. The Kingdom of Denmark is regarded as a junior patron due to its intermediate position in relations with the US on the one hand and the Faroe Islands and Greenland on the other. Russia and China are addressed as patron adversaries. The research enquires as to whether any of the two US opponents advertise themselves as alternative patrons for the West Nordic region and what explains the weak or alarmist US reactions to Russia and China initiatives in the region. Special focus is on the comparison of the three great powers’ behaviour in the region. Major findings raise the discussion of customisation of sovereignty and its consequences for future relations in the West Nordic and globally.
Modeling Urban Impact on Zhengzhou Storm on July 20, 2021
Authors: Huang Xiaowen , Wang Dashan , Li Laurent Z. X. , Li Qi , Zeng Zhenzhong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe heavy storm event that occurred from 18 to 22 July 2021, in Henan province caused severe floods and casualties, especially in the provincial city, Zhengzhou. While the impacts of large‐scale synoptic systems and local‐scale orographic effects on the storm event have been studied, the role of urbanization remains unexplored. Using Weather Research and Forecasting model, the study designed two numerical experiments, differentiated by the presence of urban land cover, to investigate the urban impact on the storm event over Henan province, with a focus on Zhengzhou. Urbanization increases precipitation in the major urban area of Zhengzhou and its south, western Kaifeng, and western Xuchang, where the largest increases reach from 188.2 to 304.4 mm. Further investigation into Zhengzhou city reveals that urbanization leads to shifted precipitation center and stagnation in the major urban area, resulting in earlier peak rainfall time and more concentrated precipitation. Elevated surface temperature and sensible heat are identified before the peak rainfall arrives, which leads to increased planet boundary layer height, suggesting the contribution of the urban heat island effect. Thermal perturbation and increased surface roughness over urban areas promote vertical uplift and moisture convergence, increasing water vapor and forming storm system drags during the peak precipitation time, thus bringing earlier and higher amounts of precipitation to the major urban area and its south. The study calls for the consideration of the urban effect of extreme storm events and the precaution against waterlogging over urban areas in rapid‐developing cities.
Tree diversity in a tropical agricultural-forest mosaic landscape in Honduras
Authors: Ngo Bieng Marie Ange , Delgado-Rodríguez Diego , Vilchez-Mendoza Sergio , López-Sampson Arlene , García Edwin , Sepúlveda Norvin , Somarriba Eduardo 
Published: November 2022

AbstractBiodiversity decline in the tropics requires the implementation of comprehensive landscape management where agricultural systems are necessarily an integral element of biodiversity conservation. This study evaluates the potential for taxonomic biodiversity conservation within an intensive livestock-agricultural-forest mosaic landscape in Catacamas, Honduras. Tree sampling was performed in 448 plots set up within different forest and agricultural land uses: secondary forests, agroforestry coffee plantations, agriculture, pastures, live fences and riparian forest. All trees with a minimum diameter at breast height of 10 cm were identified and measured. We characterized their tree structure and diversity, and compared tree diversity between the different uses. The results indicate a high degree of tree species diversity: 375 species identified, belonging to 74 families among the 15,096 trees inventoried across 84.2 hectares, including many rare species (40% of the species registered three individuals or fewer). Biodiversity indices for agroforestry coffee were found equivalent to those for natural secondary forests in the Catacamas landscape. Combining biodiversity conservation and agricultural production is possible in human-pressured tropical landscapes through tree cover maintenance. Enrichment practices combining local producers and technical knowledge may improve tree diversity in agricultural landscapes by prioritizing a mix of forest and introduced tree species (rare and with multiple uses).
Ensembles of data-efficient vision transformers as a new paradigm for automated classification in ecology
Authors: Kyathanahally S. P. , Hardeman T. , Reyes M. , Merz E. , Bulas T. , Brun P. , Pomati F. , Baity-Jesi M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractMonitoring biodiversity is paramount to manage and protect natural resources. Collecting images of organisms over large temporal or spatial scales is a promising practice to monitor the biodiversity of natural ecosystems, providing large amounts of data with minimal interference with the environment. Deep learning models are currently used to automate classification of organisms into taxonomic units. However, imprecision in these classifiers introduces a measurement noise that is difficult to control and can significantly hinder the analysis and interpretation of data. We overcome this limitation through ensembles of Data-efficient image Transformers (DeiTs), which we show can reach state-of-the-art (SOTA) performances without hyperparameter tuning, if one follows a simple fixed training schedule. We validate our results on ten ecological imaging datasets of diverse origin, ranging from plankton to birds. The performances of our EDeiTs are always comparable with the previous SOTA, even beating it in four out of ten cases. We argue that these ensemble of DeiTs perform better not because of superior single-model performances but rather due to smaller overlaps in the predictions by independent models and lower top-1 probabilities, which increases the benefit of ensembling.
Targeted deletion of ecto-5′-nucleotidase results in retention of inosine monophosphate content in postmortem muscle of medaka (Oryzias latipes)
Authors: Murakami Yu , Ando Masashi , Futamata Ryota , Horibe Tomohisa , Ueda Kazumitsu , Kinoshita Masato , Kobayashi Toru 
Published: November 2022

AbstractInosine monophosphate (IMP) is an important indicator of meat freshness and contributes to its umami taste. An attractive strategy for enhancing umami is to suppress the IMP-degrading activity and increase the IMP content in the skeletal muscle through genome editing technology using the CRISPR-Cas9 system. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying IMP degradation remain unclear. We cloned two ecto-5′-nucleotidase genes, designated as ecto-5′-nucleotidase-a (nt5ea) and ecto-5′-nucleotidase-b (nt5eb), from medaka (Oryzias latipes), a vertebrate model organism. Expression analysis using embryos showed that nt5ea or nt5eb overexpression remarkably upregulated IMP degradation, and that the IMP-degrading activity was higher in Nt5ea than in Nt5eb. Furthermore, we established frame-shifted or large deletion (lacking nt5ea or nt5eb locus) mutant strains and assayed the effects of gene disruptions on the amount of IMP in skeletal muscle. The nt5ea-deficient medaka showed considerable higher levels of IMP at 48 h postmortem than did the wild-type fish. The nt5eb mutants also exhibited higher IMP contents than that in the wild types, but the increase was less than that in the nt5ea mutants. Our results demonstrated that nt5e is an important regulator of IMP levels in skeletal muscle and that its loss of function was effective in maintaining IMP content.
Bacteriophage DW-EC with the capability to destruct and inhibit biofilm formed by several pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Wiguna Olivia Dwijayanti , Waturangi Diana Elizabeth , Yogiara  
Published: November 2022

AbstractBiofilm formation by pathogenic bacteria is a major challenge in the food industry. Once a biofilm is established, such as on food processing equipment, it becomes more difficult to eradicate. Although physical and chemical treatments are often used to control biofilm formation, these treatments can have significant drawbacks. Alternative biofilm treatments are needed. Phage DW-EC was isolated from dawet, an Indonesian traditional Ready-To-Eat food, which has high specificity for Enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), Enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC), and Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC). Phage DW-EC produces several enzymes that can prevent the development of biofilm and biofilm eradication. Depolymerase enzymes break down the polysaccharides layer on the biofilms can lead to biofilm damage. On the other hand, endolysin and putative like-T4 lysozyme will lyse and kill a bacterial cell, thereby preventing biofilm growth. This research aims to determine the capability of previously identified phage DW-EC to inhibit and destroy biofilms produced by several foodborne pathogens. Phage DW-EC formed plaques on the bacterial lawns of EHEC, EPEC, and ETEC. The efficiency of plating (EOP) values for EHEC, EPEC, ETEC, and Bacillus cereus were 1.06, 0.78. 0.70, and 0.00, demonstrating that DW-EC was effective in controlling pathogenic E. coli populations. Furthermore, phage DW-EC showed anti-biofilm activity against foodborne pathogenic bacteria on polystyrene and stainless-steel substrates. DW-EC biofilm inhibition and destruction activities against pathogenic E. coli were significantly higher than against B. cereus biofilms, which was indicated by a lower density of the biofilm than B. cereus. Microscopic visualization verified that bacteriophage DW-EC effectively controlled EHEC, EPEC, and ETEC biofilms. The results showed that DW-EC could inhibit and destroy biofilm, making it promising to be used as an anti-biofilm candidate for polystyrene and stainless steel equipment in the food industry.