bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Technology Transfer and Imitation in a Cournot Oligopoly
Authors: Mallios Aineas Kostas 
Published: August 2024

AbstractI examine and compare patent licensing by fixed fee and unit royalty under Cournot competition. I consider licensing by an incumbent patent holder to one or two other competing firms that can obtain a patented technological improvement through technology transfer or imitation. Assuming that imitation is perfect, certain, instantaneous, and non-infringing, I analyze the effects of licensing on market structure, firms’ individual profits, and consumer surplus. This provides a theoretical framework that explains when technology licensing is superior to imitation for both firms and consumers, what is the optimal licensing choice for firms, and how imitation affects firms’ licensing behavior and competition in a highly concentrated industry. In particular, I show that licensing through a unit royalty is preferable to licensing through a fixed fee for a patent holder, while licensing through a fixed fee is at least as beneficial as licensing through a unit royalty for consumers. Moreover, the patent holder can use licensing to prevent imitation, but cannot use it selectively to affect competition, at least before the patent expires and when one of the competing firms can imitate. I contribute to the literature that considers the patent holder as a producer by showing how technology licensing can affect competition and improve consumer surplus in oligopolistic industries. This is important for policy makers to identify when technology licensing is used strategically to transfer surplus from consumers to producers.
Benchmarking Quantum Generative Learning: A Study on Scalability and Noise Resilience using QUARK
Authors: Kiwit Florian J. , Wolf Maximilian A. , Marso Marwa , Ross Philipp , Lorenz Jeanette M. , Riofrío Carlos A. , Luckow Andre 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Quantum computing promises a disruptive impact on machine learning algorithms, taking advantage of the exponentially large Hilbert space available. However, it is not clear how to scale quantum machine learning (QML) to industrial-level applications. This paper investigates the scalability and noise resilience of quantum generative learning applications. We consider the training performance in the presence of statistical noise due to finite-shot noise statistics and quantum noise due to decoherence to analyze the scalability of QML methods. We employ rigorous benchmarking techniques to track progress and identify challenges in scaling QML algorithms, and show how characterization of QML systems can be accelerated, simplified, and made reproducible when the QUARK framework is used. We show that QGANs are not as affected by the curse of dimensionality as QCBMs and to which extent QCBMs are resilient to noise.
Nanoporous carbons from hydrothermally pre-treated avocado waste: experimental design, hydrogen storage behavior, and energy distribution analysis
Authors: Mohale Lehlohonolo , Abdulsalam Jibril , Mulopo Jean 
Published: August 2024

AbstractAvocado waste, which includes the peel and seed, is a promising biomass source for highly porous materials crucial to establishing an economical and efficient hydrogen economy. Hydrothermally pre-treated avocado waste was explored as a precursor for biocarbon optimized for hydrogen storage, employing the design of experiment to vary activation temperature and impregnation ratio. The resulting optimized biocarbon, synthesized at 800 °C with a 1:3 impregnation ratio, exhibited appreciable hydrogen uptake at 77 K and 1 bar, surpassing some reported literature values. Notably, the optimized biocarbon (AC200), hydrothermally pretreated at 200 °C, demonstrated a remarkable 3.07 wt% hydrogen uptake, attributed to its narrower micropores facilitating extensive adsorption. The study employed a modified Langmuir model incorporating homotattic patch approximation for a universal isotherm model, providing insights into the surface characteristics of the optimized biocarbon in terms of adsorption site availability and energy distribution. The modeling offers insight into the heterogeneous surface characteristics, specifically regarding the availability of adsorption sites, elucidating the distinct behavior exhibited by each optimized biocarbon.
Fish consumption, cognitive impairment and dementia: an updated dose-response meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Godos Justyna , Micek Agnieszka , Currenti Walter , Franchi Carlotta , Poli Andrea , Battino Maurizio , Dolci Alberto , Ricci Cristian , Ungvari Zoltan , Grosso Giuseppe 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Background
Cognitive impairment is projected to affect a preponderant proportion of the aging population. Lifelong dietary habits have been hypothesized to play a role in preventing cognitive decline. Among the most studied dietary components, fish consumptionhas been extensively studied for its potential effects on the human brain.

Aims
To perform a meta-analysis of observational studies exploring the association between fish intake and cognitive impairment/decline and all types of dementia.

Methods
A systematic search of electronic databases was performed to identify observational studies providing quantitative data on fish consumption and outcomes of interest. Random effects models for meta-analyses using only extreme exposure categories, subgroup analyses, and dose-response analyses were performed to estimate cumulative risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results
The meta-analysis comprised 35 studies. Individuals reporting the highest vs. the lowest fish consumption were associated with a lower likelihood of cognitive impairment/decline (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.75, 0.90, I2 = 61.1%), dementia (RR = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73, 0.93, I2 = 38.7%), and Alzheimer’s disease (RR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67, 0.96, I2 = 20.3%). The dose-response relation revealed a significantly decreased risk of cognitive impairment/decline and all cognitive outcomes across higher levels of fish intake up to 30% for 150 g/d (RR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.52, 0.95). The results of this relation based on APOE ε4 allele status was mixed based on the outcome investigated.

Conclusions
Current findings suggest fish consumption is associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment/decline in a dose-response manner, while for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease there is a need for further studies to improve the strength of evidence.
Image-based quantitative probing of 3D heterogeneous pore structure in CBM reservoir and permeability estimation with pore network modeling
Authors: Liu Peng , Zhao Yulong , Zhao Zhengduo , Yang Huiming , Nie Baisheng , He Hengyi , Li Quangui , Bao Guangjie 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCoalbed methane (CBM) recovery is attracting global attention due to its huge reserve and low carbon burning benefits for the environment. Fully understanding the complex structure of coal and its transport properties is crucial for CBM development. This study describes the implementation of mercury intrusion and μ-CT techniques for quantitative analysis of 3D pore structure in two anthracite coals. It shows that the porosity is 7.04%–8.47% and 10.88%–12.11%, and the pore connectivity is 0.5422–0.6852 and 0.7948–0.9186 for coal samples 1 and 2, respectively. The fractal dimension and pore geometric tortuosity were calculated based on the data obtained from 3D pore structure. The results show that the pore structure of sample 2 is more complex and developed, with lower tortuosity, indicating the higher fluid deliverability of pore system in sample 2. The tortuosity in three-direction is significantly different, indicating that the pore structure of the studied coals has significant anisotropy. The equivalent pore network model (PNM) was extracted, and the anisotropic permeability was estimated by PNM gas flow simulation. The results show that the anisotropy of permeability is consistent with the slice surface porosity distribution in 3D pore structure. The permeability in the horizontal direction is much greater than that in the vertical direction, indicating that the dominant transportation channel is along the horizontal direction of the studied coals. The research results achieve the visualization of the 3D complex structure of coal and fully capture and quantify pore size, connectivity, curvature, permeability, and its anisotropic characteristics at micron-scale resolution. This provides a prerequisite for the study of mass transfer behaviors and associated transport mechanisms in real pore structures.
The Politics of Germany’s eco-social transformation
Authors: Finkeldey Jasper , Fischer Torben , Theine Hendrik , Bohnenberger Katharina 
Published: August 2024

AbstractIn Germany, at first glance there is general political agreement between the green-progressive camp and the capitalist-industrial centre-right on the need for the eco-social transformation. However, there are considerable gaps between ambitions to implement policies towards an eco-social transformation and its actual implementation. As this Special Issue (SI) shows, the acceptance of green welfare systems or adding social policies to the green transition projects is not matched by substantial policies. The Special Issue offers eight original research papers on ideas, actors and conflicts and multi-level governance of the “Politics of Germany’s eco-social transformation”. Current trends point to a deepening marketization of green policies, a reluctance in lifestyle changes and dissonance in the design of concrete eco-social policies. The authors contribute to a better understanding of the political affordances and challenges of the eco-social transformation in Germany.
The association between medication use and health-related quality of life in multimorbid older patients with polypharmacy
Authors: Falke Charlotte , Karapinar Fatma , Bouvy Marcel , Emmelot Mariëlle , Belitser Svetlana , Boland Benoit , O’Mahony Denis , Murphy Kevin D. , Haller Moa , Salari Paola , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Rodondi Nicolas , Egberts Toine , Knol Wilma 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To explore the association between medication use-related factors and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older hospitalised multimorbid patients with polypharmacy.

Methods
This cross-sectional study used the intervention arm data of the OPERAM trial (hospitalised patients ≥ 70 years with polypharmacy). HRQoL was assessed using the visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) and the EQ-5D index score of the EuroQol questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L). Lower or higher EQ-VAS/EQ-5D was based on the median of the study population. Medication use-related factors included hyperpolypharmacy (≥ 10 medications), anticholinergic and sedative burden, appropriateness of medication (STOPP/START criteria), high-risk medication for hospital (re)admission, medication complexity and adherence. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between medication use-related factors and HRQoL.

Results
A total of 955 patients were included (mean age 79 years, 46% female, median EQ-VAS of 60, median EQ-5D of 0.60). Opioids use was associated with lower EQ-5D and EQ-VAS (aOR EQ-5D: 2.10; 95% CI 1.34–3.32, EQ-VAS: 1.59; 1.11–2.30). Hyperpolypharmacy (aOR 1.37; 1.05–1.80), antibiotics (aOR 1.64; 1.01–2.68) and high medication complexity (aOR 1.53; 1.10–2.15) were associated with lower EQ-VAS. A high anticholinergic and sedative burden (aOR 1.73; 1.11–2.69), presence of multiple prescribing omissions (aOR 1.94; 1.19–3.17) and benzodiazepine use (aOR 2.01; 1.22–3.35) were associated with lower EQ-5D. Especially in hyperpolypharmacy patients, high anticholinergic and sedative burden and medication complexity were associated with a lower HRQoL.

Conclusion
Several medication use-related factors are significantly associated with a lower HRQoL in hospitalised older patients. Medication complexity is a novel factor, which should be considered when evaluating medication use of older patients with hyperpolypharmacy.
Microphysiological systems for realizing microenvironment that mimics human physiology—functional material and its standardization applied to microfluidics
Authors: Ito Y. , Kawauchi I. , Yanagita Y. , Sakai Y. , Nishikawa M. , Arakawa H. , Kadoguchi M. , Tamai I. , Esashika K. , Takahashi J. , Ando O. , Satoh T. , Imai I. , Adachi S. , Chiba D. , Arai K. , Shiota K. , Sawaguchi T. , Yoshioka T. , Fujimoto T. , Yoshikuni T. , Mizuno A. , Aihara T. , Sakura T. , Kimura H. , Nakae H. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractMicrophysiological systems (MPS), also known as Organ(s)-on-Chip (OoC), are in vitro cell culture platforms that reproduce the function of cells/tissues/organs in a microenvironment. To closely mimic in vivo physiological functions, MPS must allow the cells to attain three-dimensional arrangements and be supplied with adequate oxygen and growth factors (via microfluidic channels). Furthermore, as MPS are mostly used in cell-based drug development assays, they must ensure easy analysis and high usability. To make MPS which conform to these various requirements, it is crucial to select appropriate materials; oftentimes, MPS-appropriate materials have been developed. Here, we review the functions and properties of materials used to make MPSs and summarize the specifications, considerations, and selection methods employed in choosing appropriate materials and technologies to fabricate MPS that meet standard requirements. Where possible, we give specific examples to explain several important functions. The functions of the chosen material for MPS depend on the context of use (COU) in the drug development process. Because of the diverse COUs, the material selection strategies and the processes used to fabricate required material functionalities are complex. We also discuss the importance of standardizing MPS material and recent international efforts made in this direction.
Das Recht und intersektionale Konflikte in globalen Produktionsnetzwerken
Authors: Vestena Carolina A. , Scheper Christian 
Published: August 2024

ZusammenfassungVerstärkt durch die Folgen der Covid-19-Pandemie werden zunehmend intersektionale Dimensionen von Arbeitskonflikten in transnationalen Unternehmen und globalen Produktionsnetzwerken (GPN) diskutiert. Wir betonen in unserem Beitrag, dass Gewalt und intersektionale Ungleichheit in der Ausbeutung von Arbeit im transnationalen Kontext keine Ausnahmen darstellen, sondern vielmehr die GPN strukturell prägen. Konflikte und Gewalt entfalten sich in der hierarchischen globalen Arbeitsteilung entlang mehrdimensionaler Diskriminierungsmerkmale. Während wir mit diesem Befund an bestehende GPN-Analysen anschließen, schlagen wir eine zusätzliche Erklärung für die Persistenz intersektionaler Gewalt vor: neben strukturellen Logiken der Kapitalakkumulation spielt auch das Recht eine wesentliche Rolle. Ausgehend von einer Vignette über die Arbeitsbedingungen in der globalen Kaffeeproduktion in Brasilien analysieren wir die Verflechtung mehrerer Konfliktdimensionen in GPN und schlagen eine Unterscheidung zwischen zwei Prozessen der Rechtsmobilisierung vor, um die rechtliche Dimension dieser Konflikte nachvollziehen zu können: Rechtliche Landnahme und Rechtskämpfe. Unser Beitrag zur Forschung besteht damit in der Identifikation sowohl der Machtverbundenheit als auch des stets konflikthaften Charakters des Rechts in GPN. Darüber hinaus möchten wir im Dialog mit der Friedens- und Konfliktforschung dazu beitragen, das Spannungsfeld zwischen intersektionalen Konflikten, transnationalen Unternehmen und dem Recht in GPN zu konzeptualisieren.
Reductive amination of bio-platform molecules to nitrogen-containing chemicals
Authors: Yan Longfei , Wang Guoyu , Xiang Dongsheng , Zhang Yu , Deng Weiping 
Published: August 2024

AbstractCatalytic transformation of renewable biomass into value-added chemicals is an appealing strategy to upgrade biomass resources. Due to the presence of abundant oxygen-containing groups such as hydroxyl and aldehyde, biomass and its derived platform molecules have been served as ideal starting feedstock to synthesize valuable N-containing chemicals through reductive amination. In this mini review, we overviewed the recent advances in the reductive amination of several key bio-platform molecules including hydroxyl carboxylic acids, furfural, 5-hydroxylmethyl furfural and levulinic acid, with a focus on the production of amino acids, furan amines and pyrrolidones using thermocatalysis, electrocatalysis or photocatalysis. Moreover, the functions of active sites and the reaction mechanisms in different catalytic systems are discussed to get insights into the key factors in the reductive amination of biomass resources.
Gamma-aminobutyric acid interactions with phytohormones and its role in modulating abiotic and biotic stress in plants
Authors: Islam Syed Nazar ul , Kouser Shaista , Hassan Parveena , Asgher Mohd , Shah Ali Asghar , Khan Nafees A. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractGamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a ubiquitous non-protein 4-carbon amino acid present in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms. It is conventionally recognized as a neurotransmitter in mammals and plays a crucial role in plants. The context of this review centers on the impact of GABA in mitigating abiotic stresses induced by climate change, such as drought, salinity, heat, and heavy metal exposure. Beyond its neurotransmitter role, GABA emerges as a key player in diverse metabolic processes, safeguarding plants against multifaceted abiotic as well as biotic challenges. This comprehensive exploration delves into the GABA biosynthetic pathway, its transport mechanisms, and its intricate interplay with various abiotic stresses. The discussion extends to the nuanced relationship between GABA and phytohormones during abiotic stress acclimation, offering insights into the strategic development of mitigation strategies against these stresses. The delineation of GABA's crosstalk with phytohormones underscores its pivotal role in formulating crucial strategies for abiotic stress alleviation in plants.
The Meanings of Home: The Case of the Vinan Refugee Families and the 1923 Greek-Turkish Population Exchange
Authors: Shahollari Lediona 
Published: August 2024

Abstract
With drastic changes in borders and regimes in the post-World War I period, what meaning did home have for those on the ground? How can we understand different conceptualizations of “home” and “homeland”? The 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange enshrined a notion of “unmixing” that rested on a presumed overlap between religion and ethnicity: Orthodox Christians in Anatolia would be deported to Greece and Greek Muslim nationals would be deported to Turkey. The reduction of identity left other communities that necessarily did not understand themselves as “Turks” or “Greeks” vulnerable to deportation. This article examines the case of an Albanian-speaking Muslim village in Greece, Vinan (Vineni), and the people from there who were deported to Turkey as part of the exchange process. This case illuminates the ways refugees navigated consulates and new national regimes in an attempt to return to their original village. New migration pathways and concepts of home and homeland were negotiated through the process with and for the refugees. This article takes the 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange as an ongoing process of forging new migration pathways and conceptions of home, as opposed to understanding the 1923 Greek-Turkish population exchange as a singular event.
Quantification of Climate Footprints of Vibrio vulnificus in Coastal Human Communities of the United States Gulf Coast
Authors: Jamal Yusuf , Usmani Moiz , Brumfield Kyle D. , Singh Komalpreet , Huq Anwar , Nguyen Thanh Huong , Colwell Rita , Jutla Antarpreet 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe incidence of vibriosis is rising globally with evidence of climate variability influencing environmental processes that support growth of pathogenic Vibrio spp. The waterborne pathogen, Vibrio vulnificus can invade wounds and has one of the highest case fatality rates in humans. The bacterium cannot be eradicated from the aquatic environment, hence climate driven environmental conditions enhancing growth and dissemination of V. vulnificus need to be understood to provide preemptive assessment of its presence and distribution in aquatic systems. To achieve this objective, satellite remote sensing was employed to quantify the association of sea surface temperature (SST) and chlorophyll‐a (chl‐a) in locations with reported V. vulnificus infections. Monthly analysis was done in two populated regions of the Gulf of Mexico—Tampa Bay, Florida, and Galveston Bay, Texas. Results indicate warm water, characterized by a 2‐month lag in SST, high concentration of phytoplankton, proxied for zooplankton using 1 month lagged chl‐a values, was statistically linked to higher odds of V. vulnificus infection in the human population. Identification of climate and ecological processes thresholds is concluded to be useful for development of an heuristic prediction system designed to determine risk of infection for coastal populations.
Evaluating Auroral Forecasts Against Satellite Observations Under Different Levels of Geomagnetic Activity
Authors: Mooney M. K. , Forsyth C. , Marsh M. S. , Bradley L. , Finnigan T. , Forde F. , Garrigan F. , Mancini‐Tuffier C. , Mancini‐Tuffier T. , Roberts E. , Vessoni P. , Powell J. , Clark S. , Lao C. J. , Smith A. , Jackson D. R. , Bingham S. , Sharpe M. , Hughes T. , Chisham G. , Milan S. 
Published: August 2024

AbstractThe aurora and associated high energy particles and currents pose a space weather hazard to communication networks and ground‐based infrastructure. Forecasting the location of the auroral oval forms an integral component of daily space weather operations. We evaluate a version of the OVATION‐Prime 2013 auroral forecast model that was implemented for operational use at the UK Met Office Space Weather Operations Cent. Building on our earlier studies, we evaluate the ability of the OVATION‐Prime 2013 model to predict the location of the auroral oval in all latitude and local time sectors under different levels of geomagnetic activity, defined by Kp. We compare the model predictions against auroral boundaries determined from IMAGE FUV data. Our analysis shows that the model performs well at predicting the equatorward extent of the auroral oval, particularly as the equatorward auroral boundary expands to lower latitudes for increasing Kp levels. The model performance is reduced in the high latitude region near the poleward auroral boundary, particularly in the nightside sectors where the model does not accurately capture the expansion and contraction of the polar cap as the open flux content of the magnetosphere changes. For increasing levels of geomagnetic activity (Kp ≥ 3), the performance of the model decreases, with the poleward edge of the auroral oval typically observed at lower latitudes than forecast. As such, the forecast poleward edge of the auroral oval is less reliable during more active and hazardous intervals.