bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Zombies ahead: Explaining the rise of low-quality election monitoring
Authors: Bush Sarah Sunn , Cottiero Christina , Prather Lauren 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe international election monitoring regime has become considerably more complex in the twenty-first century. Although the number of organizations engaged in high-quality election monitoring has plateaued, the number of low-quality monitors—commonly known as zombie monitors—has continued to grow. Low-quality election monitors threaten democracy because they validate flawed elections and undermine the legitimacy of the international election monitoring regime. This article argues that international politics have played a crucial role in the diffusion of low-quality election monitors. It hypothesizes that ties with autocratic powers that promote low-quality observers and membership in authoritarian regional organizations significantly increase the likelihood that a country will host low-quality monitors at its elections. To test the hypotheses, the article draws on original data on international election observation between 2000 and 2020 that identifies the most comprehensive set of groups of election monitors to-date. A statistical analysis of the dataset supports the argument.
Sticking in Shaft Furnace and Fluidized Bed Ironmaking Processes: A Comprehensive Review Focusing on the Effect of Coating Materials
Authors: Wang Rou , Purohit Suneeti , Paymooni Khadijeh , Honeyands Tom 
Published: July 2024

AbstractProduction of direct reduced iron (DRI), particularly with green hydrogen, is a key pathway to the decarbonization of the iron and steel industry. However, the sticking tendency during the production of DRI creates serious operational issues and limits production outputs. Coating inert materials on the surface of iron ores can act as a barrier to effectively prevent the bonding between newly formed iron surfaces, and can interfere with the formation of iron whiskers. However, the principle of coating has not been systematically studied. This review covers the mechanism of sticking in both shaft furnaces and fluidized bed-based gaseous DRI production. The factors that influence the reduction kinetics and morphology, including physical and chemical ore properties, pellet induration conditions, and reduction conditions are summarized as well. Understanding the relationship between these factors and morphology change is critical to eliminating the sticking issues of DRI. Findings from this study suggest that coating with inert additives (e.g., metal oxides) can successfully prevent sticking in both shaft furnaces and fluidized bed processes. The types of additives and coating methods, the stage of reduction where the coating is applied, and reduction temperature will dramatically affect the coating performance. The outlook is discussed as well given the need for further work to improve the performance of coating (methods, timing, and cheaper alternatives), to further de-risk DRI technologies.
The Tobin Coefficient: A Relevant Photodetector Performance Metric for IR Imaging
Authors: Gravrand Olivier , Kerlain Alexandre , Sam-Giao Diane , Soria Maxence , Rothman Johan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe well-known Rule07 is a simple thus efficient way to compare available technologies for IR imaging detectors in terms of dark current. The noise is then often estimated using a shot noise approximation on the dark current. Both II–VI and III–V communities use this rule of thumb as a reference for well-performing IR photodiodes. For HOT applications, a dark current close to this rule07 is considered a necessary condition but not a sufficient one to obtain a high-performance IR imager. Indeed, when limited by shot noise, rule07 describes well the noise behavior of the considered device. However, when considering low-frequency noise, it fails to describe the expected performances. In this paper, we focus on another figure-of-merit, dedicated to detector low-frequency noise rather than dark current. Systemic 1/f noise investigation in an IR detector was first reported by Tobin et al. in 1980. There is today a relative consensus on the fact that measured 1/f noise is proportional to the dark current. The ratio between the amplitude of the 1/f noise and the dark current of the same devices may therefore be used as a figure-of-merit for a given technology. This ratio (called the Tobin factor $${\alpha }_{\text{T}}$$

α
T

) therefore appears adequate to compare different technologies as a figure-of-merit qualifying 1/f noise properties. This dimensionless ratio can also be very useful for optimizing a particular technology or process. However, in order to be relevant, this figure-of-merit must be estimated carefully as it appears, for instance, pixel pitch-dependent. Different examples of Tobin coefficient extraction are presented in this paper. We show that, depending on the technologies, the values of the Tobin coefficient can spread over several orders of magnitude. However, only low values result in high-quality IR imagers. Today, the best results we obtained show that $${\alpha }_{\text{T}}={10}^{-5}$$

α
T

=

10

-
5

is a state-of-art value to be compared with.
Responsibility for the Environmental Impact of Data-Intensive Research: An Exploration of UK Health Researchers
Authors: Samuel Gabrielle 
Published: July 2024

AbstractConcerns about research’s environmental impacts have been articulated in the research arena, but questions remain about what types of role responsibilities are appropriate to place on researchers, if any. The research question of this paper is: what are the views of UK health researchers who use data-intensive methods on their responsibilities to consider the environmental impacts of their research? Twenty-six interviews were conducted with UK health researchers using data-intensive methods. Participants expressed a desire to take responsibility for the environmental impacts of their research, however, they were unable to consolidate this because there were often obstacles that prevented them from taking such role responsibilities. They suggested strategies to address this, predominantly related to the need for regulation to monitor their own behaviour. This paper discusses the implications of adopting such a regulatory approach as a mechanism to promote researchers’ role responsibilities using a neo-liberal critique.
From Rust to High-Tech Hubs: FDI-Led Upgrading of Urban Economies in East Central Europe
Authors: Medve-Bálint Gergő 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
In the semi-peripheral-dependent market economies (DME) of East Central Europe (ECE), foreign investors are major contributors to economic growth and tend to establish low value-added operations. At the same time, they enjoy superior bargaining power over central governments. The domination of FDI constrains domestic agency in shaping economic outcomes, thereby locking DMEs into the semi-periphery. Moving to the sub-national level, this paper challenges these views by arguing that there is considerably more scope for local development agency in DMEs than the comparative political economy literature suggests. Moreover, FDI-led upgrading, defined as multinational companies engaging in high value-added activities, can take place at the local level even without the direct involvement of the state. The paper draws on fieldwork conducted in two formerly declining industrial cities in ECE (Cluj and Gdańsk) that have recently emerged as knowledge-intensive hubs targeted by high value-added FDI. The paper shows that FDI-led upgrading in Gdańsk occurred with the active contribution and cooperation of both local private and public economic actors, whereas in Cluj, upgrading took place with the contribution of local universities and through the forging of business links between foreign capital and local firms established by expatriates and local engineers.
Media’s role in (un)covering organised match-fixing in Brazil
Authors: Graeff Billy , Gutierrez Diego Monteiro , Tobar Felipe , Diverio Rafael Mano , Manoli Argyro Elisavet 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn this article, we address the subject of the recent appearance and exponential and uncontrollable growth that betting had in the Brazilian sports context, alongside numerous changes in the country’s legislation system. Against the backdrop of this growth, we explore the Operation Penalty Kick organised match-fixing scandal, which unravelled in the country, as the media detailed it. Using media sources and field notes from two actors immersed in the field, we analyse the key actors and the processes of the criminal activity while exploring the ways in which it was organised, drawing parallels with trade-type network structures. Through the analysis, we argue that media are to be questioned on their role in (un)covering details of the criminal activity and key actors, once focusing the narrative away from organised crime and its financing they assist in perpetuating the culture of unpunished corruption in the country.
Three times more than money: generativity, relational goods and life satisfaction
Authors: Becchetti Leonardo , Cermelli Massimo , De Rosa Dalila 
Published: July 2024

AbstractGenerativity and the quality of relational goods are two key drivers of subjective well-being traditionally neglected in the economic literature. By using two different data sources – the European Social Survey (ESS) and the European Statistics on Income and Living Conditions (EU-SILC) - we investigate their impact on life satisfaction of two large samples of Italian individuals. Our findings show that the effect is positive and significant and, in both estimates from the two different data sources, a change from the lowest to the highest level of relational life has an impact three times larger than the change from the lowest to the highest income decile.
A Polynomial System of Degree Four with an Invariant Square Containing At Least Five Limit Cycles
Authors: Grau Maite , Szántó Iván 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe consider a class of polynomial systems of degree four with four real invariant straight lines that form a square, called this an invariant square, and also that contains in its interior at least five small amplitude limit cycles for a certain choice of the parameters. Moreover, we will obtain the necessary and sufficient conditions for the critical point inside the square to be a center.
A novel cancer-associated fibroblast signature for kidney renal clear cell carcinoma via integrated analysis of single-cell and bulk RNA-sequencing
Authors: Lu Ling , Feng Huaguo , Dai Guohua , Liu Shuangquan , Feng Yi , Tan Haoyang , Zhang Xian , Hong Guoqing , Lai Xing 
Published: July 2024

AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), integral components of the tumor microenvironment, play a pivotal role in tumor proliferation, metastasis, and clinical outcomes. However, its specific roles in Kidney Renal Clear Cell Carcinoma (KIRC) remain poorly understood. Employing the established Seurat single-cell analysis pipeline, we identified 21 CAFs marker genes. Subsequently, a prognostic signature consisting of 6 CAFs marker genes (RGS5, PGF, TPM2, GJA4, SEPT4, and PLXDC1) was developed in a cohort through univariate and LASSO Cox regression analyses. The model’s efficacy was then validated in an external cohort, with a remarkable predictive performance in 1-, 3-, and 5-year. Patients in the high-risk group exhibited significantly inferior survival outcomes (p < 0.001), and the risk score was an independent prognostic factor (p < 0.05). Distinct differences in immune cell profiles and drug susceptibility were observed between the two risk groups. In KIRC, the PGF-VEGFR1 signaling pathway displayed a notable increase. PGF expression was significantly elevated in tumor tissues, as demonstrated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. In vitro, transwell assays and CCK8 revealed that recombinant-PGF could enhance the capability of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in 769P and 786-O cells. This study firstly developed a novel predictive model based on 6 CAFs genes for KIRC. Additionally, PGF may present a potential therapeutic target to enhance KIRC treatment.
Fast pyrolysis of the waste lignocellulosic phloem fraction of Quercus cerris bark in a twin-screw reactor
Authors: Sen Umut , Fonseca Frederico Gomes , Chi Yaxuan , Pereira Helena , Funke Axel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractTree bark is among the most important lignocellulosic waste materials with high ash, extractive, and lignin contents. These wastes may be valorized through thermochemical methods. The thermochemical conversion of tree bark via fast pyrolysis is usually not economic due to low bio-oil yields and the challenge to valorize biochar in current industrial installations. However, screw-reactor-based fast pyrolysis is a particularly suitable method for producing bio-oils from high ash-containing and heterogeneous lignocellulosic feedstocks. The lower carrier gas requirement and the efficient recovery of biochar make this method economically attractive for the bark of Turkey oak (Quercus cerris) which is composed largely of phloem tissues. Here we showed that the phloem of Q. cerris can be converted to value-added bio-oils and biochars using the screw reactor without operational problems. The yields of marketable organic liquids and biochars were 32% and 21%, respectively. A process modeling was developed with ASPEN plus software to evaluate the available excess process heat of the fast pyrolysis unit for integration into phloem separation or cork processing units. From an assumed feedstock capacity of 25 MW phloem, 6.8 MW excess heat and 1.5 MW power are supplied in addition to the produced bio-oil. This excess heat can be integrated into bark separation or cork processing operations to save energy and reduce CO2 emissions.
Investigating the Compositional Space of Gas-Phase Synthesized Fayalitic Model Slags Aiming at Cobalt Recovery
Authors: Vollbrecht Manuel , Pramanik Krishnanjan , Colombi Ciacchi Lucio , Mädler Lutz 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMetallurgical waste streams contain minor yet significant contents of valuable and scarce elements which are commonly lost due to their low concentrations. The necessity of developing efficient recycling methods of these chemically diverse material systems is constantly gaining both public and technological attention since resource demands of high-technology elements are expected to rise drastically in the future. A novel approach to recover diluted elements from slags is the concept of Engineered Artificial Minerals (EnAM) which aims at entrapping target elements in separable crystalline phases. In this study, slag synthesis through flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) and characterization experiments are combined with theoretical density functional theory (DFT) calculations to identify potential EnAM for Co recovery. Upon validating the viability of stoichiometric slag synthesis and the DFT framework, it is shown that the actual occurrence of flame-synthesized phases can be predicted considering their computed enthalpy of formation. The thus-defined compositional space, which is spanned by potentially forming slag compounds, is employed to identify promising additives for EnAM formation. Systematic analysis of the additive effect on crystallization revealed that Co crystallizes in a Fe–Mg-Co–O cubic spinel, making this phase a good EnAM candidate.
Graphical Abstract
Translocase of Outer Mitochondrial Membrane 40, as a Promising Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome and Pan-Cancer
Authors: Zhang Xin , Zhu Lin , Ma ChenHao , Zhao Shu-Ning , Zhao Chu-Yue , Sun Hui 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPolycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a metabolic disease that affects the reproductive system, and its pathogenesis remains unresolved. Through the application of bioinformatics and molecular biology techniques, this study has identified a significant association between translocase of outer mitochondrial membrane 40 (TOMM40) and both PCOS and pan-cancers. The selection of PCOS biomarkers included TOMM40, which we found to be significantly decreased in the PCOS group both in vitro and in vivo, using molecular biology methods such as Western Blot as well as immunohistochemistry. Over-expression TOMM40 can rescue the effect on apoptosis rate and proliferation suppression induced by DHEA in KGN cells. TOMM40 as a biomarker for the diagnosis of PCOS. The pan-cancer analysis revealed an association between elevated TOMM40 expression in Uterine Corpus Endometrial Carcinoma and an unfavorable prognosis, while increased TOMM40 expression in six tumor types was linked to a favorable prognosis. Therefore, TOMM40 can be regarded as a promising biomarker for diagnosing both PCOS and pan-cancer.
Maternal Body Mass Index, Myometrium Contractility and Uterotonic Receptor Expression in Pregnancy
Authors: Lammers Sydney M. , Peczkowski Kyra K. , Patel Niharika , Abdelwahab Mahmoud , Summerfield Taryn L. , Costantine Maged M. , Janssen Paul M. L. , Kniss Douglas A. , Frey Heather A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPregnant individuals with obesity (body mass index, BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2) are more likely to experience prolonged labor and have double the risk of cesarean compared with individuals with normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m2). The aim of this study was to evaluate whether obesity in pregnancy is associated with reduced spontaneous and oxytocin-stimulated myometrial contractile activity using ex vivo preparations. We also assessed the relationship between maternal BMI and the expression of oxytocin (OXTR) and prostaglandin (FP) receptors in the myometrial tissue. We enrolled 73 individuals with a singleton gestation undergoing scheduled cesarean delivery at term in a prospective cohort study. This included 49 individuals with a pre-pregnancy BMI ≥ 30 kg/m2 and 24 with BMI < 25.0 kg/m2. After delivery, a small strip of myometrium was excised from the upper edge of the hysterotomy. Baseline spontaneous and oxytocin stimulated myometrial contractile activity was measured using ex vivo preparations. Additionally, expression of oxytocin and prostaglandin receptors from myometrial samples were compared using qRT-PCR and western blot techniques. Spontaneous and oxytocin-stimulated contraction frequency, duration, and force were not significantly different in myometrial samples from the obese and normal-weight individuals. Myometrial OXTR gene and protein expression was also similar in the two groups. While FP gene expression was lower in the myometrial samples from the obese group, protein expression did not differ. These data help to address an important knowledge gap related to the biological mechanisms underlying the association between maternal obesity and dysfunctional labor.
Business readiness for dual transformation: an analysis of business capabilities for digital and sustainable transformation
Authors: del Socorro Encinas-Grijalva María , Olivieri-Sangiacomo Flavio Arturo , Galván-Vela Esthela , Ravina-Ripoll Rafael 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn a dynamic business environment, the convergence of Digital Transformation and Sustainable Transformation has emerged as a comprehensive strategy for companies seeking to thrive in the modern era. For this transformation to successfully develop, the appropriate conditions must be present to carry out a process of digitisation and sustainability. Therefore, this research aimed to identify the readiness level of companies established in the city of Tijuana, Mexico, to adopt a dual transformation process. An analysis of the different digital and sustainable transformation models was carried out, and a self-diagnosis model was designed. Then, a quantitative instrument was applied to a sample of 148 small, medium and large companies in Tijuana between 2022 and mid-2023. The analysis consisted of a descriptive analysis of the data and a correlation analysis. It concludes that the elements that most explain the dual transformation are strategy, culture, organisational and technical capabilities. Likewise, the related factors are definition and communication, alignment, and scope of the objectives within the strategy; change management, knowledge and collaboration in the culture; within the organisation: leadership, processes and organisational structure; and finally in the technical capabilities data management, training and systems integration. The results of this research allowed us to identify and propose strategies to implement the dual transformation and increase the scalability and competitiveness of the adopting companies.
First record of Diapterus brevirostris (Teleostei: Gerridae) in Atlantic European waters: a case of introduced species
Authors: Arronte Juan Carlos , Antolínez Ana , Bañón Rafael , Heredia José , de Carlos Alejandro 
Published: July 2024

Abstract
Diapterus brevirostris (Sauvage, 1879) is a fish of the family Gerreidae, native to the tropical and subtropical waters of the Pacific coast of America. A specimen of this species was captured off the coast of Asturias, Spain. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first record of the genus Diapterus in the North Atlantic. Given its small size (6.4 cm), it is likely that the species was present in the area for a relatively short time. Although the introduction pathway is unknown, the species' native area and the proximity of a major port to the site of capture suggest that ship's ballast water is the most likely vector of introduction.
Sediment Resuspension Accelerates the Recycling of Terrestrial Organic Carbon at a Large River‐Coastal Ocean Interface
Authors: Sun Xueshi , Hu Limin , Fan Dejiang , Wang Houjie , Yang Zuosheng , Guo Zhigang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWidespread sediment resuspension and transport processes on continental margins can modify deposits and influence the preservation of particulate organic carbon (POC) in marine sediments. However, it remains unclear how post‐depositional processes interact with physical mineral protection to affect the transport and fate of terrestrial POC along the river‐estuary‐shelf paths. Here, we synthesized literature data and newly obtained results from multiple analyses of sedimentology, mineralogy, and inorganic and organic geochemical tracers. Our goal was to quantitatively evaluate the impact of sediment reworking on the redistribution and further transformations of terrestrial POC at the Yangtze River‐ocean interface. Our results reveal that sediment resuspension resulting from physical forces along with mineral protection of phyllosilicates plays a crucial role in regulating the recycling and fate of terrestrial POC during its transport across the coastal ocean continuum. Physical processes lead to the resuspension of sequestered POC from suboxic/anoxic muddy sediments into the overlying water column. Concurrently, the interplay of energetic forcing and elevated oxygen levels has the potential to disrupt the organo‐mineral associations. The decrease in mineral‐carbon stabilization increases the likelihood that reactive POC inclusion/aggregation with minerals becomes accessible to surrounding microorganisms, making it susceptible to microbial/oxidative degradation. Consequently, mostly phyllosilicate‐protected 14C‐depleted POC (primarily soil‐derived) in <63 μm suspended sediment (>90% of the total mass) remains available for export and reburial in continental shelf sediments. The lateral transport of resuspended sediments from estuaries, previously underestimated, represents a potential contributor to the remobilized millennial‐aged POC components involved in active biogeochemical cycling on continental margins.