bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of medically assisted reproduction on autism spectrum disorder risk
Authors: Zamstein Omri , Wainstock Tamar , Gutvirtz Gil , Sheiner Eyal 
Published: June 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Techniques of medically assisted reproduction interact with the embryo at crucial developmental stages, yet their impact on the fetus and subsequent child’s health remains unclear. Given rising infertility rates and more frequent use of fertility treatments, we aimed to investigate if these methods heighten the risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children.

Methods
A population-based cohort study was conducted at Soroka University Medical Center, a tertiary referral hospital, encompassing singleton births. The incidence of ASD in offspring, incorporating either hospital or community-based diagnoses, was compared in relation to the conception method. To examine the cumulative incidence of ASD, a Kaplan–Meier survival curve was utilized. Cox proportional hazards model was employed to adjust for confounders.

Results
Among 115,081 pregnancies, 0.5% involved ovulation induction (OI) and 1.7% in vitro fertilization (IVF), with the rest conceived naturally. Fertility treatments were more common in older patients and linked to more diabetes, hypertensive disorders, preterm, and cesarean deliveries. Out of 767 ASD diagnoses, offspring from OI and IVF had higher initial ASD rates (2.1% and 1.3%) than natural conceptions (0.6%). In a Cox model accounting for maternal age, ethnicity, and gender, neither OI nor IVF was significantly associated with ASD. The adjusted hazard ratios were 0.83 (95% CI 0.48–1.43) for OI and 1.34 (95% CI 0.91–1.99) for IVF. When considering fertility treatments combined, the association with ASD remained non-significant (aHR 1.11, 95% CI 0.80–1.54, p = 0.52).

Conclusion
Fertility treatments, including OI and IVF, do not exhibit a significant association with heightened ASD risk in offspring.
Enhanced photocatalytic activity in AgCu-decorated ZnO nanoparticles under UV and sunlight
Authors: Noua Abd Elouahab , Kaya Dogan , Sigircik Gokmen , Tuken Tunc , Karadag Faruk , Ekicibil Ahmet 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis study investigates the structural, morphological, and photocatalytic properties of monometallic (Ag and Cu) and bimetallic (AgCu) nanoparticles (NPs) incorporated into ZnO NPs and their photocatalytic performance. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement were employed to analyze the structural characteristics, revealing the formation of a hexagonal wurtzite structure of ZnO and cubic phases of Ag and Cu within the metal-decorated NPs. Scanning electron microscopy provided visual evidence of the spherical morphology, with an average particle size of 50 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy confirmed the successful deposition of Ag, Cu, and AgCu NPs onto the ZnO surface. The photocatalytic efficiency of the NPs was evaluated by the degradation of methylene blue dye under UV light at a wavelength of 254 nm under sunlight irradiation. Under UV light, the bimetallic AgCu/ZnO system exhibited exceptional performance, achieving a degradation rate of about 95% with 10% AgCu/ZnO. Conversely, under sunlight illumination, the monometallic Cu/ZnO and Ag/ZnO NPs exhibited outstanding photocatalytic properties, with degradation rates of about 99 and 98%, respectively. These findings underscore the influence of the light source on photocatalytic performance as well as the significance of the plasmonic effects and charge-transfer mechanisms.
Study of La1−xSrxMnO3 nanoparticles: synthesis, magnetic properties and their hyperthermia applications
Authors: Sert Enis , Kaynar Mehmet Burak , Özcan Şadan 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this investigation, we synthesized nano-sized perovskite LSMO and Cu-doped LSMCx materials using the sol–gel method, exhibiting appropriate Curie temperatures and magnetic attributes conducive to the application of self-controlled hyperthermia. Centrifugal separation has been used to reduce particle size distribution and thus analyze magnetic properties dependent on mean particle size. Structural analysis was conducted using X-ray Powder Diffraction. The composition was determined through X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy, while topographical features were scrutinized employing Scanning Electron Microscopy. Magnetic properties were evaluated employing a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer, and the magneto-thermal characteristics were delineated using an Alternating Magnetic Field hyperthermia system. Notably, this study marks the pioneering identification of La1−xSrxMnO3 as a viable material candidate for auto-regulated hyperthermia, based on its magnetization range (5–20 emu/g) and Curie temperature span (287–357 K) that are changing with the mean particle size. Through comprehensive analysis, we thoroughly investigated its hyperthermia attributes, thereby contributing significant insights to the existing literature.
Reevaluating soil amplification using multi-spectral HVSR technique in La Chana Neighborhood, Granada, Spain
Authors: Araque-Perez Carlos Jose 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis work presents a thorough reevaluation of soil amplification in the La Chana neighborhood of Granada through a pioneering application of the horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratio technique on seismic noise data using various spectral approaches. The research recycles old seismic noise data recorded at 34 stations with 2 Hz instruments in the year 2010, supplemented with additional measurements recorded with broadband seismometers at nearby locations in the years 2013 and 2017. Initial traditional processing identifies a narrowband dominant frequency around 1.5 Hz, attributed to artificial or anthropogenic sources. To address this, the Maximum Entropy Algorithm was implemented to smooth the spectral response below 1 Hz, and filter out frequency peaks with very narrow spectral bands, while preserving the narrowband frequency around 1.5 Hz in some records. The Thomson Multitaper method further refined the spectral ratio, emphasizing the detection and suppression of narrow frequency bands that may be related to industrial activity. The results demonstrated the reappearance of the 1.5 Hz frequency, but this time without narrow bandwidths, indicating its possible correlation with the natural ground movement. Fundamental periods, ranging from 0.45 s to 0.88 s, suggest a diverse lithological composition, indicating the presence of layers of sands, clays, conglomerates, and carbonates over a basement that represents the main impedance contrast in the area. The multispectral approach surpasses conventional methods in precision and reliability, providing valuable insights for earthquake risk assessment, urban planning, and engineering decisions in seismically active regions.
The Role of Audio in Immersive Storytelling: a Systematic Review in Cultural Heritage
Authors: Privitera Alessandro Giuseppe , Fontana Federico , Geronazzo Michele 
Published: June 2024

AbstractNowadays, Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies play a supportive role in many research fields. In cultural heritage, various examples are available, including storytelling and narratives, where they can provide immersive and enhanced experiences to visitors and tourists, especially for entertainment and educational purposes. This review aims to investigate the opportunities that soundscape design and advanced sonic interactions in virtual and augmented environments can bring to cultural heritage sites and museums in terms of presence, emotional content, and cultural dissemination. Nineteen-two papers have been identified through the PRISMA methodology, and a promising positive effect of sonic interaction on user experience in a virtual environment can be observed in various studies, notwithstanding a general lack of specific contributions on the use of sound rendering and audio spatialisation for improving such experiences. Moreover, this work identifies the main involved research areas and discusses the state-of-the-art best practices and case studies where sonic interactions may assume a central role. The final part suggests possible future directions and applications for more engaging and immersive storytelling in the cultural heritage domain.
Location and Price Competition on a Uniform Path with Different Pricing Policies
Authors: Bhadury Joyendu , Eiselt H. A. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThis paper models duopolistic competition between an online retailer and a physical store retailer with the online retailer modelled as a firm with uniform delivered pricing policy and the physical store as a firm with a mill pricing policy. Both firms seek to maximize their respective profits through an appropriate choice of location and price. The market is assumed to be given by a “uniform path” - a tree whose node weights and arc lengths are equal. Modelling reality, we consider two alternate types of transportation costs faced by the online retailer: either dependent on the relative location of the firm and a customer or independent of it. Beginning with the framework of a Stackelberg, i.e., sequential game, optimal location and price strategies are analytically derived for both sequences of market entry by the two competitors. Cases in which the leader faces the first entry paradox or can become a monopolist by strategically deterring entry by the follower are delineated. Thereafter, Nash Equilibrium solutions to the simultaneous game are identified. Salient insights from the results include: (a) the competitive pressure faced by the physical store in the presence of online competition (b) the inability of an online retailer to compete in “large” markets under the first type of transportation cost and (c) the advantage to the physical retailer of being a market leader.
Optical electrical antiferromagnetic microfluidical mKDV magnetomotive phase
Authors: Körpinar Talat , Körpinar Zeliha 
Published: June 2024

AbstractIn this manuscript, we illustrate antiferromagnetic geometric electric Heisenberg-microfluidical axially mKdV $$ \textbf{r}$$
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flux solidity in spherical Heisenberg group. Then, we get optical electric Heisenberg-microfluidical mKdV $$\textbf{r}$$
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phase. Also, we obtain antiferromagnetic axially electrical Heisenberg-microfluidical mKdV $$\textbf{r}$$
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flux $$\textbf{r}$$
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-direction orbit in spherical Heisenberg group. Finally, we have antiferromagnetic optical electric Heisenberg-microfluidical mKdV $$\textbf{r}$$
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phase.
Artificial consciousness: a perspective from the free energy principle
Authors: Wiese Wanja 
Published: June 2024

AbstractDoes the assumption of a weak form of computational functionalism, according to which the right form of neural computation is sufficient for consciousness, entail that a digital computational simulation of such neural computations is conscious? Or must this computational simulation be implemented in the right way, in order to replicate consciousness?From the perspective of Karl Friston’s free energy principle, self-organising systems (such as living organisms) share a set of properties that could be realised in artificial systems, but are not instantiated by computers with a classical (von Neumann) architecture. I argue that at least one of these properties, viz. a certain kind of causal flow, can be used to draw a distinction between systems that merely simulate, and those that actually replicate consciousness.
Effects of (Short) Clues on Performance, Stress, and Self-Efficacy in the Accomplishment of Tasks with Complex Molecular Representations
Authors: Minkley Nina , Lucas Marco , Bernholt Sascha 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe understanding of complex molecular representations is crucial for comprehending molecular scientific phenomena, but many students struggle with them. Therefore, we investigated the effectiveness of short written clues in dealing with molecular representations, specifically their impact on performance, self-efficacy, and stress reactions. A total of 136 secondary school students participated and engaged in tasks involving complex molecular representations in a prior knowledge test and a main test. Half of the students received clues, while the other half did not. The results showed that students who received clues performed significantly better on the test, highlighting their effectiveness for improving performance. However, the clues had no influence on self-efficacy, which remained moderate for both groups. Physiological stress responses (heart rate variability) indicated that students without clues experienced increased stress during the main test, whereas those with clues maintained lower stress levels like those in the prior knowledge test. Subjective stress levels decreased for both groups from the prior knowledge test to the main test, with students who received clues tending to report lower stress levels. In conclusion, short written clues were found to be effective in improving performance and reducing stress levels when dealing with complex molecular representations, although long-term interventions may be required to enhance self-efficacy.
The benefits of common inclusive identities for adolescent bystanders’ intentions to help homophobic bullying victims
Authors: António Raquel , Guerra Rita , Moleiro Carla 
Published: June 2024

AbstractBystanders’ helping behaviors are essential to mitigate bullying and its consequences, although bystanders do not always intervene on behalf of those who are victimized. One study (N = 170) tested, experimentally, the impact of different forms of common identities (one-group and dual-identity vs. control) on youth (aged between 12 and 19 years) bystanders’ helping behavioral intentions in the context of a common form of bias-based bullying (i.e., homophobic bullying). Results showed that dual-identity triggered more behavioral intentions to help victims of homophobic bullying. Overall, these findings extended previous studies illustrating the potential of common identities to foster bystanders’ helping responses to homophobic bullying episodes in the school context.
Measurements of Water-Soluble Ions in Particulate Matter 2.5 in Polish Rural Areas: Identifying Possible Sources
Authors: Chyzhykov Dmytro , Mathews Barbara 
Published: June 2024

AbstractLimited data on rural Poland's atmospheric ion concentrations exists, with no publicly available monitoring data in urban areas. These knowledge gaps hinder the comparison of concentrations across environments and the identification of their sources. This study examines water-soluble ions across five rural locations in Poland over four years to investigate their concentrations and sources in the atmosphere. This study explores aerosol origins, performing a four-year correlation analysis across five locations to reveal ion relationships. Notably, sulfate (SO₄2⁻), nitrate (NO₃⁻), and ammonium (NH₄⁺) exhibit significant correlations ranging from 0.3 to 0.8, suggesting a common pollution source in all analyzed rural locations. Interestingly, magnesium (Mg2⁺) and sodium (Na⁺) in two locations demonstrated a strong correlation, ranging between 0.4 and 0.9, suggesting the influence of sea spray on these sites. Principal component analysis is used to investigate the factors influencing ion concentrations, revealing distinctive patterns for each location and explaining the total variances ranging from 74.9% to 84.8%. This underscores the significance of geographical and environmental factors. The study's novelty lies in its thorough and long-term analysis of water-soluble ion concentrations across rural Poland, providing an extensive dataset for the region. The study fills a data gap on rural pollution sources and reveals consistent ion patterns across different sites and seasons. The findings emphasize geographical and environmental impacts on aerosol composition and suggest common pollution sources for all areas. This research encourages further investigations into the stability and origins of ions in rural environments, providing valuable insights for local and broader atmospheric studies.
Harmonizing corporate venturing dimensions and its characteristics: a systematic analysis
Authors: Dall Nils , Terzidis Orestis , Krooß Leon 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe research literature on Corporate Venturing (CV) has increased over the last few years. While research mainly focuses on analyzing one single CV dimension (e.g. Ambidexterity, etc.) or the interplay between selected dimensions, rarely does research cover and explain all CV dimensions and their characteristics holistically. This paper analyzes the status quo of different CV dimensions and their characteristics. To do so, we identified 100 studies we first used to perform a bibliometric analysis. After that, we executed a conceptual systematic literature review (SLR), updating and extending an existing research paper written by Gutmann (Manag Rev Q 69(2):121–157, 2018). The bibliometric analysis results help objectively evaluate and describe the research landscape and point out leading countries, main keywords, main cited papers, and main research clusters of our CV research. We discovered three new dimensions within our SLR: Relatedness, Time Horizon, and Development Stage. In addition, we show new findings within the 7 CV dimensions described by the existing research paper. Even though the characteristics within each dimension have, to some extent, developed significantly over time, each of the dimensions described in this paper contains substantial new knowledge. e.g. previously the dimension “Link to the corporate firm” mainly covered operational and structural linkages. However, we distinguish these linkages between operational and strategic autonomy.
Simultaneous biofiltration of H2S, NH3, and toluene using compost made of chicken manure and sugarcane bagasse as packing material
Authors: Guzmán-Beltrán Ana María , Vela-Aparicio Diana , Montero Sergio , Cabeza Iván O. , Brandão Pedro F. B. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractOffensive odors from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) are caused by volatile inorganic compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and ammonia and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), such as toluene. To treat these pollutants, biofiltration is an effective and economical technology used worldwide due to its low investment and environmental impact. In this work, a laboratory-scale prototype biofilter unit for the simultaneous biofiltration of hydrogen sulfide, ammonia, and toluene was evaluated by simulating the emission concentrations of the El Salitre WWTP Bogotá, Colombia, using a compost of chicken manure and sugarcane bagasse as packing material for the biofilter. The prototype biofilter unit was set to an operation flow rate of 0.089 m3/h, an empty bed residence time (EBRT) of 60 s, and a volume of 0.007 m3 (6.6 L). The maximum removal efficiency were 96.9 ± 1.2% for H2S, at a loading rate of 4.7 g/m3 h and a concentration of 79.1 mg/m3, 68 ± 2% for NH3, at a loading rate of 1.2 g/m3 h and a concentration of 2.0 mg/m3, and 71.5 ± 4.0% for toluene, at a loading rate of 1.32 g/m3 h and a concentration of 2.3 mg/m3. The removal efficiency of the three compounds decreased when the toluene concentration was increased above 40 mg/m3. However, a recovery of the system was observed after reducing the toluene concentration and after 7 days of inactivity, indicating an inhibitory effect of toluene. These results demonstrate the potential use of the prototype biofilter unit for odor treatment in a WWTP.
Measurement of volatile organic compounds using tethered balloons in a polluted industrial site in Catalonia (Spain)
Authors: Díez-Palet Isabel , Jaén Clara , Marco Esther , Van Drooge Barend L. , Fernández Pilar , Grimalt Joan O. 
Published: June 2024

AbstractUnderstanding the chemical composition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) near emission sources and in the background atmosphere above the mixing layer height (MLH) provides insight into the fate of VOCs and is essential for developing effective air pollution control strategies. Unfortunately, knowledge of the qualitative and quantitative changes of VOCs and their vertical transport in the atmosphere is limited due to challenging experimental setups. In this study, an innovative method using tethered balloons was tested and implemented to sample 40 VOCs and O3 below and above the MLH at an industrial site in Spain. VOC and O3 samples were collected with different types of sorbent cartridges and analyzed using chromatographic techniques. Overall, a decrease in VOC concentration with altitude was observed along with a homogeneous chemical composition up to 300 m AGL. This decrease with altitude denoted the primary origin of these VOCs, which were strongly influenced by industrial processes and the traffic emissions in the area. Conversely, O3 concentrations were notably higher at balloon level and increased during nighttime temperature inversion episodes in those samples collected above the mixing layer. Ground samples contained freshly emitted pollutants of industrial origin, while balloon samples consisted of aged pollutants from traffic, other combustion sources, or from a secondary origin. This study is the first to assess the vertical composition of VOCs at a site of these characteristics and demonstrates that tethered balloons are a cost-effective method for studying air pollution dynamics from the ground to higher altitudes in the low troposphere.
Relationships between pesticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, blood parameters and oxidative stress of white stork Ciconia ciconia chicks in Poland
Authors: Siekiera Joachim , Jankowiak Łukasz , Siekiera Artur , Ostaszewska Monika , Jerzak Leszek , Kasprzak Mariusz , Ciepliński Mateusz , Kamiński Piotr , Frątczak Martyna , Tryjanowski Piotr 
Published: June 2024

AbstractThe white stork Ciconia ciconia is a bird species located at the top of the trophic pyramid in grassland and wetland ecosystems. This charismatic species is susceptible to pesticides and their environmental residues. In 2016, we collected blood samples from 114 white stork chicks across Western and Southern Poland. Chicks were sexed by molecular analysis and aged by development pattern. We studied the relationship between the concentration of pesticides (beta-HCH, heptachlor, aldrin, endrin, 4.4′-DDD, 4.4′-DDE and 4.4′-DDT) and of PCB in the chicks’ blood with blood morphology and biochemistry parameters in the blood. The mean (± SD) values of concentrations of above detection level pesticides were: for (1) beta-HCH 4.139 ± 19.205; (2) 4.4′-DDE 9.254 ± 91.491 and additionally (3) PCB 16.135 ± 44.777 ppb. We found negative relationships between beta-HCH and oxidative stress enzyme activity in the blood, between beta-HCH and leukocyte concentration and between 4.4′-DDE and catalase activity. We also found a positive relationship between the concentration of pesticides in blood and the age of chicks. Interestingly, we found a higher concentration of PCB in the blood of male stork chicks than in female stork chicks. We provide more evidence that the presence of pesticides in the environment can be a strong stress factor, shaping the health status of birds.