bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimal Procurement From Multiple Contracts in Agricultural Processing
Authors: Li Bin 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the procurement decisions of an agricultural processor that sources a commodity input from two quantity flexibility contracts, each of which is characterized by a unit reservation cost and a unit exercise cost, to produce and sell a commodity output under input and output spot price uncertainties. We identify the cost‐flexibility trade‐off faced by the processor when making procurement decisions and examine how this trade‐off in different contracts shapes the optimal procurement strategy. We also investigate how the spot price correlation affects the processor's procurement decisions, profitability, and the value of contract procurement; that is, the difference between the optimal expected profit with and without contract procurement. We find that as spot price correlation increases, the processor increases its total contract reservation volumes and the reservation volume from the contract with a lower exercise cost. We also find that while the optimal profit without contract procurement decreases in spot price correlation, the value of contract procurement increases; that is, contracts provide a hedge against increasing spot price correlation. Using a calibration based on a typical palm oil processor in Malaysia, we show that the hedging value does not eliminate the negative impact of an increasing correlation on the processor's profit; that is, the optimal expected profit with contract procurement also decreases in spot price correlation. We also observe that the value of contract procurement is substantial. Our results have important implications for the procurement strategy in agricultural processing industries.
Current Surgical Approach to Pulmonary Metastasectomy
Authors: Corkum Kristine S. , Craig Brian T. , Piche Nelson , Pio Luca , Fernandez‐Pineda Israel , Malek Marcus M. , Lautz Timothy B. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe lung is a common site of metastases for children and adolescents with a wide variety of solid tumors. The role for pulmonary metastasectomy is dictated by tumor histology and can serve either therapeutic or diagnostic purposes. Careful surgical planning is required to determine the optimal surgical approach and to ensure successful nodule localization. While high level data are limited, in appropriate situations pulmonary metastasectomy can confirm staging, guide therapy, improve survival, and reduce the need for other therapy escalations.
Enhanced mechanical property of polyethylene wax/gadolinium oxide/methyl vinyl silicone rubber composites via gamma irradiation
Authors: Xin Lingfei , Dai Yaodong , Qian Bingbing , Yao Chuqing , Wang Guohui 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThe properties of rubber can be changed by controlling the radiation conditions, so as to be suitable for specific application scenarios. This study compares the structure, mechanical properties, cross‐linking density, thermal properties, and shielding properties of polyethylene wax/gadolinium oxide/methyl vinyl silicone rubber (PEW/Gd2O3/MVQ) under different radiation doses and atmospheric conditions. The results showed that the tensile strength of the neutron shielding rubber exhibited growth and subsequently decreased with increasing irradiation dosage, and the tensile strength reached the optimum value of 8.29 MPa after 25 kGy in air. The hardness and cross‐linking density of the sample increase with the increase of the dose, and especially the hardness and cross‐linking density of the sample irradiated in the air atmosphere at 25 kGy were better than that in the vacuum. The addition of PEW to the rubber significantly increased the thermal neutron‐shielding rate, from 74.10% to 86.59% when 36 phr of Gd2O3 was added. The thermal neutron‐shielding rate increased from 84.42% to 88.39% when irradiated 50 kGy in air. It was found that the comprehensive performance of the rubber was optimized after irradiation of 25 kGy in the air atmosphere.Highlights
The mechanical properties of rubber are enhanced by low‐dose irradiation in air.
Irradiation of rubber in air is superior to irradiation in vacuum, with optimal results at 25 kGy.
Rubber maintains thermal stability at low doses of irradiation.
The addition of PEW improves the shielding properties.
Rubber retains excellent thermal neutron‐shielding properties after irradiation.
School belonging and students' math achievement among secondary students: the role of math attitude and disorderly behavior
Authors: Liu Ying , Huang Jinyan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this research, structural equation modeling and TIMSS data were employed to examine the impact of school belonging on math achievement among secondary students in Japan, Korea, and the United States, with a focus on the roles of math attitude and disorderly behavior. Utilizing SmartPLS 4.0, the study delved into the reliability and validity of the measurement model, the direct and indirect effects within the structural model, and gender differences in these dynamics. The findings indicated that while school belonging directly affected math achievement in the United States, it did not in Japan and Korea. Math attitude, encompassing aspects like enjoyment of math (liking math), math self‐concept, and the value placed on math (math value), along with disorderly behavior, emerged as key mediators in this relationship. The study also revealed that the associations between school belonging, math attitude, disorderly behavior, and math achievement were more pronounced in boys than in girls. Implications for educators are discussed.
Brief Expressive Writing Improves Social Performance in College Students With Mild Social Anxiety
Authors: Li Yan , Liu Zhiwei 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTSocial anxiety is a prevalent issue among college students, often leading to poor academic and psychosocial adjustment. Expressive writing has shown promise as a brief, cost‐effective intervention for improving mental and physical health. This study investigated the effects of a 15‐min expressive writing session on the social performance of mildly socially anxious college students. Participants (N = 128) were randomly assigned to write expressively about social anxieties or do a control writing task. Before and after, they introduced themselves while being audio recorded. Results demonstrated that expressive writing significantly increased the number of words spoken, time spent speaking, speech rate, and use of positive emotion words during the social interaction, compared to the control condition. However, no significant effects were found for negative emotion word use or speech volume. Additionally, no significant relationship was observed between the number of words written and social performance measures. These findings suggest that even brief expressive writing interventions can improve some aspects of social performance in mildly socially anxious college students. The lack of association between writing length and social performance outcomes highlights the potential effectiveness of short writing exercises, which is particularly relevant for school‐based applications where time and resources are often limited. This study provides initial evidence for the use of brief expressive writing as a scalable, practical intervention to improve social functioning and promote adjustment among socially anxious students in educational settings.
Developments in Permafrost Science and Engineering in Response to Climate Warming in Circumpolar and High Mountain Regions, 2019–2024
Authors: Burn Christopher R. , Bartsch Annett , Chakraborty Elora , Das Soumik , Frauenfelder Regula , Gärtner‐Roer Isabelle , Gisnås Kjersti G. , Herring Teddi , Jones Benjamin M. , Kokelj Steven V. , Langer Moritz , Lathrop Emma , Murton Julian B. , Nielsen David M. , Niu Fujun , Olson Christine , O'Neill H. Brendan , Opfergelt Sophie , Overduin Pier Paul , Schaefer Kevin , Schuur Edward A. G. , Skierszkan Elliott , Smith Sharon L. , Stuenzi Simone M. , Tank Suzanne E. , van der Sluijs Jurjen , Vieira Gonçalo , Westermann Sebastian , Wolfe Stephen A. , Yarmak Ed 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTResearch in geocryology is currently principally concerned with the effects of climate change on permafrost terrain. The motivations for most of the research are (1) quantification of the anticipated net emissions of CO2 and CH4 from warming and thaw of near‐surface permafrost and (2) mitigation of effects on infrastructure of such warming and thaw. Some of the effects, such as increases in ground temperature or active‐layer thickness, have been observed for several decades. Landforms that are sensitive to creep deformation are moving more quickly as a result, and Rock Glacier Velocity is now part of the Essential Climate Variable Permafrost of the Global Climate Observing System. Other effects, for example, the occurrence of physical disturbances associated with thawing permafrost, particularly the development of thaw slumps, have noticeably increased since 2010. Still, others, such as erosion of sedimentary permafrost coasts, have accelerated. Geochemical effects in groundwater from trace elements, including contaminants, and those that issue from the release of sediment particles during mass wasting have become evident since 2020. Net release of CO2 and CH4 from thawing permafrost is anticipated within two decades and, worldwide, may reach emissions that are equivalent to a large industrial economy. The most immediate local concerns are for waste disposal pits that were constructed on the premise that permafrost would be an effective and permanent containment medium. This assumption is no longer valid at many contaminated sites. The role of ground ice in conditioning responses to changes in the thermal or hydrological regimes of permafrost has re‐emphasized the importance of regional conditions, particularly landscape history, when applying research results to practical problems.
Influence of environmental conditions on the creep behavior of large‐scale concrete specimens
Authors: Bachofner Wolfgang , Suza Dominik , Huber Patrick , Müller Harald S. , Kollegger Johann 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIn this article, a testing campaign on large‐scale concrete specimens to study the influence of environmental conditions on their creep behavior for different member sizes is presented. This testing campaign is unique due to its specimen dimensions (cross‐sectional areas of up to 1 m2) and the continuous deformation measurements for over 6 years. To quantify the influence of the environmental conditions on the creep behavior, two types of test specimens were produced, consisting of the same concrete mixture but having different production dates (summer of 2017 and winter of 2018). The large‐scale specimens were stored outside and therefore exposed to real environmental conditions. The measurement data collected over more than 6 years show that the environmental conditions during the first year have a tremendous impact on the creep behavior of the large‐scale specimens. Furthermore, the experimentally determined creep compliance of the specimens produced in winter exceeded that of the specimens produced in summer.
Dynamic Capabilities and the Management of Institutional Voids: A Case Study of Intra‐African Internationalization
Authors: Andrews Luke R. J. , Luiz John M. 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTInstitutional voids are often presented as challenges of doing business in emerging markets. We seek to understand how the presence of institutional voids impacts foreign operations and the capabilities required in such environments, within an African setting. We examine this through a qualitative case study of a South African MNE operating in Nigeria and investigate how different capabilities were utilized in addressing institutional voids. The findings indicate that the MNE differentiated between institutional voids that were known and predictable, versus those that were unknown before entry and by the level of volatility associated with them. The latter required increasing orders of capabilities. We demonstrate how distinct capabilities were deployed to address different consequences of voids. We explain the link between the institutional setting and the MNE process of orchestrating both internal and external resources allowing for a better understanding of how institutions impact on MNE capabilities.
Spontaneous CP breaking in a QCD-like theory
Authors: Csáki Csaba , Ruhdorfer Maximilian , Youn Taewook 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We examine the phase structure of a QCD-like theory at $$ \overline{\theta} $$

θ
¯

= π obtained from supersymmetric SU(N) QCD perturbed by a small amount of supersymmetry breaking via anomaly mediation (AMSB QCD). The spectrum of this theory matches that of QCD at the massless level, though the superpartners are not decoupled. In this theory it is possible to nail down the phase structure at $$ \overline{\theta} $$

θ
¯

= π as a function of the quark masses and the number of flavors F. For one flavor we find that there is a critical quark mass, below which CP is unbroken, while above the critical mass CP is spontaneously broken. At the critical mass there is a second-order phase transition along with a massless η′. We are able to analytically solve for the minima and the critical mass for N = 2, 3 as well as for the large N limit, while for other N one can find numerical results. For two flavors, we find that CP is always broken as long as the quark masses are equal and non-zero, however there is a non-trivial phase boundary for unequal quark masses, which we find numerically. For F ≥ 3 we obtain an intricate phase boundary which reproduces the various quark mass limits. All our results are in agreement with the predictions of refs. [1–5] for ordinary QCD that were based on anomaly matching arguments for generalized symmetries and the effective chiral Lagrangian. We also briefly comment on the domain wall solutions first discussed by Draper [6], and are able to present analytic results for the simplest case of SU(2) with one flavor.
WWP1 inhibition suppresses the proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells by regulating the PI3K-AKT pathway
Authors: Notoya Genso , Kishikawa Takahiro , Yasugi Kengo , Iwata Takuma , Seimiya Takahiro , Miyabayashi Koji , Takahashi Ryota , Yamamoto Keisuke , Ijichi Hideaki , Otsuka Motoyuki , Fujishiro Mitsuhiro 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Background
The proto-oncogene WWP1 is overexpressed in various cancers and contributes to tumor growth and poor prognosis. Recently, WWP1 inhibition was reported to suppress tumor development and cell proliferation by activating the PTEN function. However, the expression profiles and clinical significance of WWP1 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) tissues remain undetermined. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the WWP1 expression in PDAC and investigate the therapeutic potential of WWP1 inhibition.

Methods
Cellular proliferation assays were performed using a doxycycline-inducible shWWP1 expression system. Transcriptome analyses were conducted to identify the altered pathways in WWP1-depleted cells. PTEN ubiquitination by WWP1 was confirmed using immunoprecipitation assays. In vivo xenograft and drug screening assays were performed to evaluate the clinical significance of WWP1 inhibition.

Results
WWP1 was significantly upregulated in PDAC tissues and associated with poor prognosis. WWP1 depletion significantly reduced the proliferation of PDAC cell lines, correlating with the suppression of the PI3K-AKT pathway. Mechanistically, as reported in other cancer types, PTEN is a target of WWP1 in PDAC cells. PTEN silencing abrogated the growth-inhibitory effects in WWP1-depleted cells, suggesting that the anti-tumor effects of WWP1 inhibition are mediated through PTEN activation. In vivo xenograft studies confirmed that WWP1 depletion substantially inhibited tumor growth. Moreover, drug screening assays revealed that WWP1 depletion had an additive effect with the PI3K-AKT pathway inhibitors on hindering tumor growth.

Conclusion
WWP1 inhibition enhances the anti-tumor effects of PI3K-AKT pathway inhibitors through PTEN activation. Thus, WWP1 could be a potential therapeutic target in PDAC.
Evaluation of the Level of Selected Inquiry Skills Among Grammar School Students
Authors: Čipková Elena , Šmida Dominik , Pecníková Katarína 
Published: December 2024

AbstractTeachers should lead students to inquiry and discover the world around them. For this reason, it is essential that students possess inquiry skills that will enable them to investigate inquiry processes and carry out inquiry activities. Although the development of inquiry skills is essential part of Slovak state curriculum, the administered test showed a relatively low level of inquiry skills among Slovak grammar school students (16–19 years old), especially in the skills of identifying variables, formulating hypotheses, determining the accuracy of experimentally obtained data, and understanding the elements of inquiry. The results indicate that the students’ future professional orientation has a relatively significant influence on their level of inquiry skills which are not systematically developed in individual years of study. It is necessary to implement inquiry activities in the education process that will enable students to develop their skills throughout their entire grammar school studies, regardless of their future professional orientation.
Challenges and insights in the acclimatization step of micropropagated woody plants
Authors: Grzelak Monika , Pacholczak Andrzej , Nowakowska Karolina 
Published: December 2024

AbstractAcclimatization is the last step of plants in vitro propagation while it comes to alter the environment conditions from tailor for plant requirements, sterile laboratory to external ex vitro conditions. Consequently, during acclimatization it may reach to plants mortality due to abiotic and biotic stresses occurring in external environment (high temperature, light intensity, low air relative humidity and the presence of microorganisms and pathogens in soil). Micropropagated plants develop alter organs on morphological, anatomical or biochemical levels which must be correct during acclimatization to improve adaptation of plants to ex vitro conditions. Therefore, there is a need to create acclimatization protocols to improve the effectiveness of this vegetative propagation method. So far there were formulated facilities as pre-acclimation, in vitro acclimatization, water cultures, CO2 enrichment, application of biostimulators and plant growth regulators. In following research we focused on describing previous achievements about the changes occurring in woody plants by micropropagation and summary of achievements in acclimatization of micropropagated woody plants. This article summary the current state of knowledge on acclimatization for various range of woody species by anatomical, physiological and biochemical levels. There are described ways to increase the survival of acclimatized plants and minimize acclimatization stress it also collects substances used so far to enhance plant growth during acclimatization.
The power of personalised feedback: evidence from an indoor air quality experiment
Authors: Abdel Sater Rita , Perona Mathieu , Huillery Elise , Chevallier Coralie 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
Indoor air pollution is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, but its sources and impacts are largely misunderstood by the public. In a randomised controlled trial including 281 households in France, we test two interventions aimed at changing indoor polluting behaviour by raising households’ awareness of health risks associated with indoor air pollution. While both generic and personalised information increased knowledge, only personalised information including social comparison feedback changed behaviour, leading to a reduction of indoor PM2.5 (particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 µm) emissions by 20% on average. Heterogeneous treatment effects show that this effect is concentrated on the most polluted households at baseline, for whom the reduction reaches 40%.
Family Floer mirror space for local SYZ singularities
Authors: Yuan Hang 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
We give a mathematically precise statement of the SYZ conjecture between mirror space pairs and prove it for any toric Calabi-Yau manifold with the Gross Lagrangian fibration. To date, it is the first time we realize the SYZ proposal with singular fibers beyond the topological level. The dual singular fibration is explicitly written and proved to be compatible with the family Floer mirror construction. Moreover, we discover that the Maurer-Cartan set of a singular Lagrangian is only a strict subset of the corresponding dual singular fiber. This responds negatively to the previous expectation and leads to new perspectives of SYZ singularities. As extra evidence, we also check some computations for a well-known folklore conjecture for the Landau-Ginzburg model.
Simplices in large sets and directional expansion in ergodic actions
Authors: Björklund Michael , Fish Alexander 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
In this paper, we study ergodic

$\mathbb {Z}^r$

-actions and investigate expansion properties along cyclic subgroups. We show that under some spectral conditions, there are always directions which expand significantly a given measurable set with positive measure. Among other things, we use this result to prove that the set of volumes of all r-simplices with vertices in a set with positive upper density must contain an infinite arithmetic progression, thus showing a discrete density analogue of a classical result by Graham.
SLAPP vs. Mutual Trust: Protecting the Public Debate Through Public Policy Considerations
Authors: Nowicka Zuzanna 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This Article argues that to protect public debate, which is vital for democratic societies, it is crucial for courts in EU Member States to apply the freedom of expression standards established by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) when adjudicating cases, particularly in the context of Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation (SLAPPs). The Article examines whether the obligation to protect the freedom of expression extends to the non-enforcement of judgments that could have a chilling effect on public debate, and explores the legal implications within the framework of the EU’s mutual recognition regime. By analyzing the Real Madrid v. Le Monde case, the Article highlights the importance of safeguarding free speech and public debate, praising the European Court of Justice (ECJ) for providing clear guidance on when non-enforcement is necessary to prevent the suppression of the public debate. The Article concludes by emphasizing the evolving role of the ECJ in balancing mutual trust among Member States with the protection of fundamental rights, especially in light of the EU’s ongoing integration and its potential accession to the ECtHR.
Intra-Party Leadership Contests and Effect on Levels of Satisfaction with Democracy on Party Voters
Authors: Katsourides Yiannos , Ioannidis Nikandros 
Published: December 2024

Abstract
This article investigates the relationship between intra-party leadership contestations on levels of satisfaction with democracy among party voters, trying to identify the impact of the former on the latter. The article draws on empirical data for a cross-sectional analysis from three different data sets that cover 11 countries, including a more case-specific analysis that utilizes panel data from Germany. Overall, the study aims to capture the dynamics of intra-party politics and the magnitude of its effect on perceptions of democracy among parties' voters. We find that intra-party politics at its probably most competitive version, that is elections for the head of the party, does not seem to exercise any significant influence on voters' satisfaction with democracy.