bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Friendship in Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Related to Diverse Developmental Changes Between Toddlerhood and Adolescence
Authors: Saban-Bezalel Ronit , Ben-Itzchak Esther , Zachor Ditza A. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
Follow-up studies of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in early childhood that focus on friendship formation during adolescence are scarce. The present study focused on exploring characteristics possibly related to the ability to establish friendships during adolescence among children diagnosed with ASD in toddlerhood.

Methods
The cohort included 43 participants who underwent comprehensive assessments during toddlerhood and adolescence. Participants were divided into two groups [Friendship(+)/Friendship(-)] based on (1) adolescent social insight as assessed by professionals and (2) parental and adolescent self-reports regarding having or not having friends. No differences in IQ, ASD symptoms, or adaptive behavior during early childhood were found between the two groups.

Results
Different and better changes in social communication, adaptive socialization, and daily living skills were observed for the Friendship(+) group. Adolescents with ASD in the Friendship(+) group exhibited greater social independence. Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder incidence, anxiety symptom severity, and placement in mainstream or special education classes did not differ between the two groups.

Conclusion
This long-term study highlights that for children with ASD, longitudinal growth in social communication and adaptive functioning is possible, highly important for and related to the development of the complex ability to establish friendship.
Parental Engagement in Identifying Information Needs After Newborn Screening for Families of Infants with Suspected Athymia
Authors: Howley Evey , Soomann Maarja , Kreins Alexandra Y. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractCongenital athymia is a rare T-lymphocytopaenic condition, which requires early corrective treatment with thymus transplantation (TT). Athymic patients are increasingly identified through newborn screening (NBS) for severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). Lack of relatable information resources contributes to challenging patient and family journeys during the diagnostic period following abnormal NBS results. Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activities, including parental involvement in paediatrics, are valuable initiatives to improve clinical communication and parental information strategies. Parents of infants with suspected athymia were therefore invited to discuss the information they received during the diagnostic period following NBS with the aim to identify parental information needs and targeted strategies to address these adequately. Parents reported that athymia was not considered with them as a possible differential diagnosis until weeks after initial NBS results. Whilst appropriate clinical information about athymia and TT was available upon referral to specialist immunology services, improved access to easy-to-understand information from reliable sources, including from clinical nurse specialists and peer support systems, remained desirable. A roadmap concept, with written or digital information, addressing parental needs in real time during a potentially complex diagnostic journey, was proposed and is transferrable to other inborn errors of immunity (IEI) and rare diseases. This PPIE activity provides insight into the information needs of parents of infants with suspected athymia who are identified through SCID NBS, and highlights the role for PPIE in promoting patient- and family-centred strategies to improve IEI care.
Fabrication of Luminescent Microtiterplate Using Terbium Complex for Phenol Screening in Seawater Samples
Authors: Kamel Rasha M. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTb(III)-2-aminoterphthalate complex Tb2-(ATPh)3 was synthesized and characterized using FT-IR, thermal analysis and elemental analysis. Tb2(ATPh)3 microtiter plate was fabricated through embedding Tb(III) complex in polyvinyl chloride membrane and used for environmental determination of phenol in sea water samples. The calculated detection (DL), quantification (QL) limits, and binding constant (KD) were 00.63 µmol L− 1, 2.10 µmol L− 1 and 1.32 × 104 mol− 1 L, respectively. The fabricated microtiter plates exhibited high selectivity towards phenol over other hydrocarbon compounds. Furthermore, AGREE metric tool was used to assess the method’s green nature as well as its practicability and applicability. These merit outcomes provide that the new method for phenol detection was environmentally benign and safe to humans. The prepared Tb2(ATPh)3 MTP was validated through using gas chromatography for monitoring phenol in Suez Bay water accurately with high precision. The obtained results encouraged using Tb2(ATPh)3 MTP for efficient, fast, selective, and direct screening of phenol in real samples.
Analysis of stress and deformation of an exponentially graded viscoelastic coated half plane under indentation by a rigid flat punch indenter tip
Authors: Çömez İsa 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper solves the dynamic contact problem when a rigid flat punch indents into an exponentially graded (FG) viscoelastic coated homogeneous half-plane. A harmonic vertical force is applied to the FG coating, and the solution is obtained for the stress and displacement for both the FG viscoelastic coating and the half-plane using the Helmholtz functions and the Fourier integral transform technique. By applying specific boundary conditions, the contact mechanics problem is converted into a singular integral equation of the first kind. This equation is then solved numerically using the Gauss-Chebyshev integration formulas. The analysis provides detailed insights into how various parameters—such as external excitation frequency, loss factor ratio, Young’s modulus ratio, density ratio, Poisson’s ratio, indentation load, and punch length—affect the dynamic contact stress and dynamic in-plane stress.
Health-related quality of life and associated risk factors in patients with Multiple Osteochondromas: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Boarini Manila , Tremosini Morena , Di Cecco Alessia , Gnoli Maria , Brizola Evelise , Mordenti Marina , Pedrini Elena , Locatelli Manuela , Lanza Marcella , Antonioli Diego , Gallone Giovanni , Rocca Gino , Staals Eric L. , Trisolino Giovanni , Sangiorgi Luca 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the health-related quality of life and associated risk factors for Multiple Osteochondromas patients.

Methods
A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted from May to December 2022 during the routine visit to the referral center for rare skeletal disorders. All patients with Multiple Osteochondromas aged ≥ 3 years were included. EuroQol 5-dimension questionnaires, and demographic, clinical, and surgical history data were collected. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, One-sample t-test, Spearman’s correlation, and multiple linear and logistic regression were performed to analyze the data. Results are reported following STROBE guidelines.

Results
A total of 128 patients were included in the study, with a mean age of 14 [SD, 10] years. The mean EQ-5D Index Value was 0.863 [SD, 0.200] and the EQ-VAS was 84 [SD, 19] with a positive correlation between two scores [r = 0.541, p < 0.001]. Patients frequently referred problems in pain/discomfort [78.8%], anxiety/depression [50%], and usual activities [38.8%] dimensions. Increasing age was the common risk factor for health-related quality of life [p < 0.000], as well as Index Value and VAS scores were significantly lower in surgical patients [p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively].

Conclusion
Increasing age and surgical procedures were found highly associated with reduced health-related quality of life in Multiple Osteochondromas patients. Our findings provide relevant information to support the establishment of patient-centered healthcare pathways and pave the way for further research into medical and non-medical therapeutic strategies for these patients.
Two-tier board characteristics and expanded audit reporting: Evidence from China
Authors: Noureldeen Emad , Elsayed Mohamed , Elamer Ahmed A. , Ye Jianming 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper investigates the relationship between the characteristics of the two-tier board structure (board of directors and supervisory board) and the disclosure of key audit matters (KAMs) in the expanded audit report. Using a sample of 10,857 firm-year observations of Chinese listed firms spanning the 2017–2020 period, we offer two main results. First, with regard to the board of directors, we find that the auditor discloses a greater number and lengthier content of KAMs when there is a CEO duality and the board meetings are more frequent. Second, conversely, we find that the size and independence of the supervisory board are related to a lower number and length of KAMs disclosure. When we distinguish between account-level KAMs and entity-level KAMs, our further analysis shows that our results are principally associated with account-level KAMs rather than entity-level KAMs. Specifically, we find that CEO duality and the frequency of board of directors meetings are positively related to account-level KAMs. We also find that the size and independence of the supervisory board are negatively related to account-level KAMs. Our further analysis also shows evidence that these two-tier board structure characteristics are associated with the tone of KAMs disclosure in a consistent fashion. Our findings are robust and address endogeneity problems. Overall, our results suggest that the characteristics of the two-tier board structure drive KAMs disclosure, which should be of interest to regulatory bodies, policymakers, auditors, multinational firms, and users of financial reports.
Is Fucus a suitable biomonitoring organism for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination? A study from the Faroe Islands
Authors: Knøfler Ida Huusmann , Andersson Kirstine Evald , Becker Richard Leonard , Christiansen Sigurd , Nielsen Nikoline J. , Christensen Jan H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTo evaluate seaweed as a biomonitoring organism, Fucus was sampled in the Faroe Islands. Nineteen PAHs, including the EPA 16, and four groups of alkylated PAHs were quantified using GC–MS analysis of extracts obtained using a modified QuEchERS method with ultrasonication in acetonitrile, back-extraction into hexane, and Florisil® cleanup. Samples from the harbor of Tórshavn collected at high tide were the most polluted with PAH concentrations between 1.3 × 102 and 1.7 × 102 ng/g wet weight. All samples contained a factor 10 higher concentrations of alkylated PAHs compared to their parent compounds. These results suggest that Fucus might be suitable as a biomonitoring organism for PAH pollution. Differences between samples collected in close proximity and on different days were observed (same range of RSD 14–120% and 60–102%, respectively), suggesting that water exchange, tide levels, and direct exposure to surface diesel pollution have a strong influence on pollutant uptake in Fucus. The findings stress the need for further evaluation of the sampling strategy.
Method to measure tree-ring width, density, elemental composition, and stable carbon and oxygen isotopes using one sample
Authors: Xu Chenxi , Zhao Yaru , An Wenling , Zhao Qingyu , Liu Yucheng , Sano Masaki , Nakatsuka Takeshi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractTree-ring width (RW), density, elemental composition, and stable carbon and oxygen isotope (δ13C, δ18O) are widely used as proxies to assess climate change, ecology, and environmental pollution; however, a specific pretreatment has been needed for each proxy. Here, we developed a method by which each proxy can be measured in the same sample. First, the sample is polished for ring width measurement. After obtaining the ring width data, the sample is cut to form a 1-mm-thick wood plate. The sample is then mounted in a vertical sample holder, and gradually scanned by an X-ray beam. Simultaneously, the count rates of the fluorescent photons of elements (for chemical characterization) and a radiographic grayscale image (for wood density) are obtained, i.e. the density and the element content are obtained. Then, cellulose is isolated from the 1-mm wood plate by removal of lignin, and hemicellulose. After producing this cellulose plate, cellulose subsamples are separated by knife under the microscope for inter-annual and intra-annual stable carbon and oxygen isotope (δ13C, δ18O) analysis. Based on this method, RW, density, elemental composition, δ13C, and δ18O can be measured from the same sample, which reduces sample amount and treatment time, and is helpful for multi-proxy comparison and combination research.
Adolescent bariatric surgery—a survey of referring practitioners
Authors: Cromwell Paul , McCarthy Therese , Fearon Naomi , Heneghan Helen 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Recent guidelines, supported by large, well-designed studies, suggest that bariatric surgery is a safe and effective treatment for adolescents living with severe obesity to improve health and psychosocial functioning. The aim of this study was to assess the opinions and referral practices of general practitioners (GPs) and paediatricians in Ireland.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey was circulated online to practising paediatricians and GPs. The survey consisted of a short introduction about childhood obesity and 12 questions on adolescent bariatric surgery and obesity medications.

Results
There were 45 unique responses to the survey from 22 GPs (48%), 8 paediatricians (17%), and 15 others. Most GPs (72%) would not consider referring an adolescent for bariatric surgery. Paediatricians were significantly more likely to refer (72% vs. 28%, p = 0.034). A minimum BMI of 40 kg/m2 was the most common response, which GPs (45%) and paediatricians (37.5%) suggested should be a pre-requisite for surgery. There was strong support for family psychological assessment and a reported deficit in the community support needed to manage obesity. GPs were more likely than paediatricians to respond that anti-obesity medications should be made available to adolescents, specifically liraglutide (45% vs. 25%), semaglutide (45% vs. 37.5%), and orlistat (22% vs. 0%).

Discussion
There is a reluctance among GPs to refer adolescents with severe obesity for consideration of bariatric surgery. Concerns regarding the different obesity treatments held by medical professionals should be addressed through education and engagement and should be fundamental to the development of child and adolescent obesity services.
Firm failure prediction for small and medium-sized enterprises and new ventures
Authors: Wang Weiyu , Guedes Maria João 
Published: March 2024

AbstractNew ventures and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engines that drive the development of the economy, productivity, and business. However, they differ with respect to their natures, and that may affect their choices and success. This paper investigates the determinants of failure for SMEs and new ventures in Portugal by employing a logistic regression technique to develop the one-year prediction models individually over the period from 2010 to 2018. The results show that age and size always play significant roles in discriminating the failure risk of both types of firm, but the financial predictors selected in the final default prediction models for SMEs and new ventures vary. Moreover, based on financial, age, and size predictors, the SME model performs much better than that of the new venture in the classification accuracy reported. This indicates that separate treatment should be carried out while predicting the failure likelihood of SMEs and new ventures.
Osteocytes and Paget’s Disease of Bone
Authors: Tenshin Hirofumi , Delgado-Calle Jesus , Windle Jolene J. , Roodman G. David , Chirgwin John M. , Kurihara Noriyoshi 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
To describe the contributions of osteocytes to the lesions in Paget’s disease, which are characterized by locally overactive bone resorption and formation.

Recent Findings
Osteocytes, the most abundant cells in bone, are altered in Paget’s disease lesions, displaying increased size, decreased canalicular length, incomplete differentiation, and less sclerostin expression compared to controls in both patients and mouse models. Pagetic lesions show increased senescent osteocytes that express RANK ligand, which drives osteoclastic bone resorption. Abnormal osteoclasts in Paget’s disease secrete abundant IGF1, which enhances osteocyte senescence, contributing to lesion formation.

Summary
Recent data suggest that osteocytes contribute to lesion formation in Paget’s disease by responding to high local IGF1 released from abnormal osteoclasts. Here we describe the characteristics of osteocytes in Paget’s disease and their role in bone lesion formation based on recent results with mouse models and supported by patient data.
Bürgerbeteiligung in Deutschland – Wer beteiligt sich wofür mit welchen Auswirkungen?
Authors: Hübler Olaf 
Published: March 2024

ZusammenfassungBürgerbeteiligungen finden sich in nahezu allen Bereichen des öffentlichen Lebens. Häufig sind Unzufriedenheit mit öffentlichen Entscheidungen und Politikverdrossenheit dafür ausschlaggebend, dass es zu einem Engagement der Bürger außerhalb des Berufslebens kommt. Über Auswirkungen und Struktur von Bürgerinitiativen ist wenig bekannt. Empirische Untersuchungen beschränken sich häufig auf Einzelfallanalysen. Eine breitere Datenbasis unter Verwendung von statistisch-ökonometrischen Verfahren ist notwendig, um zu verallgemeinerbaren Aussagen zu gelangen. Welcher Typ Mensch ist bei über das Private hinausgehenden Angelegenheiten aktiv und beteiligt sich an diesen? Inwiefern wird er davon in seiner Einstellung und seinen Verhaltensweisen beeinflusst. Bürgerräte sind ein vergleichsweise neu entwickeltes Instrument zur Bürgerbeteiligung, zu dem aus statistischer Sicht noch eine Reihe an Informationen fehlt. Zufallsgesteuerte Auswahlverfahren sollen dazu beitragen, dass sich Politikempfehlungen und Politikentscheidungen stärker am Bevölkerungswillen orientieren. Welche persönlichen Merkmale sind für Bürgerratsmitglieder typisch? Entspricht die Verteilung dieser Merkmale der in der Gesamtbevölkerung?Die empirische Untersuchung zeigt, dass übliche demographische Merkmale nur beschränkt die Teilnahme an Bürgerinitiativen erklären können und dass eine wechselseitige Beziehung zur Beteiligung an Bürgerinitiativen besteht. Von zusätzlicher Bedeutung sind Big 5 Charakteristika und Beurteilungen, was als gerecht empfunden wird. Lebenszufriedenheit und Vertrauen in Politiker offenbaren sich bei Personen mit und ohne Erfahrung im Bereich der Bürgerinitiativen unterschiedlich. Insgesamt ist die Bedeutung von Bürgerbeteiligung geringer einzuschätzen als die anderer altruistisch orientierter Aktivitäten.
Evaluation of Low-Pressure Cold Plasma Effect on Phytonutrients, Drying and Microstructural Characteristics, and Changes in Microbial Load of Fresh and Hot-Air-Dried ‘Heidi’ Mango
Authors: Yanclo Loriane A. , Sigge Gunnar , Belay Zinash A. , Oyenihi Ayodeji B. , Caleb Oluwafemi J. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAlternative pre-treatment strategies before drying offer the prospect to minimize drying time, replacing the use of chemicals, and preserving quality of dried fresh products. This study explored the application of low-pressure atmospheric cold plasma (CP) for 5- and 10 min (CP5 and CP10) as pre-treatments prior to processing and hot air drying (60 °C) of ‘Heidi’ mango, while non-treated samples served as control. Changes in tissue microstructure and physicochemical properties, bioactive compounds, and microbial load were evaluated, and seven thin layer drying models were applied. Scanned electron microscope images showed that CP pre-treatments altered the tissue microstructure of dried mango slices compared to control. ‘Heidi’ mango slices with the initial moisture content of 80 ± 0.2% on a wet basis was reduced by 81% and 76% in dried CP5 and CP10 samples, respectively. Drying time was reduced by 20% for CP pre-treated samples in comparison to control samples, and the drying behavior of ‘Heidi’ mango slices was best described by the Logarithmic model (R2, 0.9999 and RMSE, 0.0122). Colour attributes were best retained by sodium metabisulphite (SMB) pre-treated samples, followed by CP5 pre-treated, which performed better than CP10 and control (p ≤ 0.05). Highest total flavanols (15.0 ± 0.4 mg CE 100 g−1) and higher total phenolics (1528.2 ± 23.6 mg GA 100 g−1) were found in CP5 pre-treated samples compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). Lowest antioxidant activities were found in CP10 pre-treated samples compared to the control (p ≤ 0.05). CP-pretreatment and drying resulted in ≥ 2 Log reduction in microbial load on mango slices. These results demonstrate to the role players in mango value addition chain, the potential of low-pressure CP pretreatment in enhancing/maintaining the bioactive compounds, reducing drying time and microbial load.
Epoxidized technical Kraft lignin as a particulate resin component for high-performance anticorrosive coatings
Authors: Truncali Alessio , Laxminarayan Tejasvi , Rajagopalan Narayanan , Weinell Claus Erik , Kiil Søren , Johansson Mats 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDeterioration of steel infrastructures is often caused by corrosive substances. In harsh conditions, the protection against corrosion is provided by high-performance coatings. The major challenge in this field is to find replacements for the fossil-based resins constituting anticorrosive coatings, due to increasing needs to synthesize new environmentally friendly materials. In this study, softwood Kraft lignin was epoxidized with the aim of obtaining a renewable resin for anticorrosive coatings. The reaction resulted in the formation of heterogeneous, solid, coarse agglomerates. Therefore, the synthetized lignin particles were mechanically ground and sieved to break up the agglomerates and obtain a fine powder. To reduce the use of fossil fuel-based epoxy novolac resins in commercial anticorrosive coatings, a series of formulations were prepared and cured on steel panels varying the content of epoxidized lignin resin. Epoxidized lignin-based coatings used in conjunction with conventional epoxy novolac resin demonstrated improved performance in terms of corrosion protection and adhesion properties, as measured by salt spray exposure and pull-off adhesion test, respectively. In addition, the importance of size fractionation for the homogeneity of the final coating formulations was highlighted. The findings from this study suggest a promising route to develop high-performing lignin-based anticorrosive coatings.