bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
ARPALData: an R package for retrieving and analyzing air quality and weather data from ARPA Lombardia (Italy)
Authors: Maranzano Paolo , Algieri Andrea 
Published: March 2024

AbstractWe present ARPALData, an package that can help international users retrieve, handle, and analyze air quality and weather data in the Lombardy region (Northern Italy). The software provides a user-friendly tool that directly inquires into the platform of the regional environmental protection agency and ensures real-time updating of information using standardized syntax. The software provides data in standard statistical formats. Eventually, all measurements, metadata, and subsequent analytical tools are provided to users in English, facilitating accessibility to international and domestic users. Data are collected from the open database of the Regional Agency for Environmental Protection of Lombardy, namely ARPA Lombardia. ARPALData returns measurements at several temporal frequencies (infra-hourly to yearly) collected through air quality and weather ground monitoring networks managed by ARPA Lombardia, as well as estimates of several pollutants at the municipal level. In addition to data download functions, ARPALData provides functions to explore, describe, analyze, and graphically represent air quality and weather data. In particular, users are provided with functions to compute key descriptive statistics and input data maps, temporally aggregate measurements, detect outliers, and study missing-value (gap length) patterns. Herein, we discuss purposes, goals, and functioning of the package, and present three guided examples and case studies in which the software is used to characterize air quality and meteorology in different settings. The examples are designed to provide a step-by-step guide for accomplished analyses using the most relevant tools included in ARPALData.
Efficient time domain response computation of massive wave power farms
Authors: Spanos Pol D. , Malara Giovanni , Arena Felice 
Published: March 2024

AbstractA potential future challenge in the wave energy sector will involve the design and construction of massive wave power farms. That is, collections of several (> 100) wave energy converters (WEC) operating in identical environmental conditions at a distance comparable with typical water wave lengths. In this context, the WECs are likely to be influenced by each another by radiation force effects that are associated with the radiated wave field propagated by WECs operating in the surrounding wave field. These effects are commonly captured by the Cummins’ equation, where the radiation force is expressed as a convolution integral depending on the past values of the WEC response. Due to this mathematical representation, the time domain computation of the wave farm response can become computationally daunting. This article proposes one approach for computing efficiently the wave farm response in the time domain. Specifically, it demonstrates that the values of the radiation force components can be determined at each time step from their previous values by approximating the retardation function matrix elements via the Prony method. A notable advantage of this approach with respect to the ones available in the open literature is that it does not require either the storage of past response values or additional differential equations. Instead, it uses simple algebraic expressions for updating at each time instant the radiation force values. Obviously, this feature can induce significant computational efficiency in analyzing an actual wave farm facility.The reliability and efficiency of the proposed algorithm are assessed vis-à-vis direct time domain comparisons and Monte Carlo data concerning a wave farm composed by an array of U-Oscillating Water Columns. Notably, the proposed methodology can be applied to any linear or nonlinear dynamics problem governed by differential equations involving memory effects.
A Lagrange interpolation with preprocessing to nearly eliminate oscillations
Authors: de la Calle Ysern Bernardo , Galán del Sastre Pedro 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis work is concerned with the interpolation of a function $$\varvec{f}$$

f

when using a low number of interpolation points, as required by the finite element method for solving PDEs numerically. The function $$\varvec{f}$$

f

is assumed to have a jump or a steep derivative, and our goal is to minimize the oscillations produced by the Gibbs phenomenon while preserving the approximation properties for smoother functions. This is achieved by interpolating the transform $$ \varvec{\hat{f} = g \circ f} $$

f
^

=
g
∘
f

using Lagrange polynomials, where $$\varvec{g}$$

g

is a rational transformation chosen by minimizing a suitable functional depending on the values of $$\varvec{f}$$

f

. The mapping $$\varvec{g}$$

g

is monotonic and constructed to possess boundary layers that remove the Gibbs phenomenon. No previous knowledge of the location of the jump is required. The extension to functions of several variables is straightforward, of which we provide several examples. Finally, we show how the interpolation fits the finite element method and compare it with known strategies.
Novel laser-induced linear polarization for facile diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: El-Sharkawy Yasser H. , Elbasuney Sherif , Radwan Sara M. , Soula Moustafa A. , El-Sayyad Gharieb S. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cancer whose incidence is increasing globally. In spite of advances in medical and surgical therapies, its prognosis remains deprived. Developing methods for early diagnosis is essential for better treatment outcomes. In this pilot study, laser-induced linear polarization was adopted for the characterization of total RNA samples obtained from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients against healthy volunteers. Total RNA samples were illuminated with non-ionizing laser source of 632.8 nm; the scattered light signatures were captured and processed using hyperspectral camera. Scattered light signature was found to depend on polarizabiltiy, size, shape, and chemical structure of scattering macromolecules. DNA (control) demonstrated the highest scattered intensity; with intense fringes compared with RNA (control). Meanwhile RNA (HCC) demonstrated the lowest scattered intensity as well as the lowest fringe spacing compared with RNA (control). For instance, at 380 fringe spacing DNA (Control), RNA (Control), RNA (HCC) demonstrated scatted light intensity of 0.049, 0.039, and 0.034, respectively. Novel column mean calculation was conducted for hyperspectral images at 632.8 nm to assess scattered signal intensity and fringe spacing. The scattered RNA signal could secure characteristic finger-print fringes; that are candidate for facile HCC early diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time to report an optical methodology based on linear polarization for HCC facile diagnosis as a pilot study.
HGX: the anatomy of high growth exporters
Authors: Srhoj Stjepan , Coad Alex , Walde Janette 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPrevious work has found that a small number of export superstars contribute disproportionally to the economy’s overall exports. Differently from export superstars, this study is the first to define high growth exporters (HGXs) (that are not export superstars) as a new firm category. We provide their economic importance and depict their micro-level anatomy. By tracking HGXs in Croatia for over a quarter of a century, 44 out of 100 export superstars in 2019 were previously HGXs. HGXs represent only 0.5% of all firms and 18% of high growth firms (HGFs) in the economy, but are responsible for about 25% of new exports and 5% of new jobs. During their growth episode, HGXs hire more employees from technology intensive industries with previous experience in exporting. They often hire on a single year work contract, and more frequently send new employees to work abroad. HGX also increase their presence in more advanced markets, increase the number of new export products and decrease their reliance on the largest product or largest export market. We argue HGXs represent an under-researched category of firms.
Fostering intercultural interactions and outcomes for domestic graduate students through internationalization-at-home efforts
Authors: Dong Shengli , Bryant Caleb , Liu Lu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study examined the impacts of internationalization-at-home efforts on intercultural interactions and outcomes for domestic graduate students through a Cultural Partner Program. Ninety-seven participants were recruited from a public research university in the southeastern part of the U.S. Among them, 68 participated in an experimental group in which each of them was paired up with an incoming graduate-level international student to conduct intercultural activities over one semester. All participants took pre- and post-test surveys including psychosocial measures such as wellbeing, intercultural competency, stress, and perceived support. The regression analyses found a significant conditional difference between experimental and control groups in well-being but not other variables. Standardized mean difference analyses revealed improvements present between the experimental group and control group in perceived support and interaction attentiveness and stress. University campuses need to allocate greater lengths of time and resources for graduate students to be a part of intercultural interactions on campus throughout their study.
Innovative Drought Classification Matrix and Acceptable Time Period for Temporal Drought Evaluation
Authors: Abu Arra Ahmad , Şişman Eyüp 
Published: March 2024

AbstractEvaluating drought is paramount in water resources management and drought mitigation plans. Drought indices are essential tools in this evaluation, which mainly depends on the time period of the original datasets. Investigating the effects of time periods is critical for a comprehensive understanding and evaluation of drought. Also, It holds particular significance for regions facing data availability challenges. The existing literature reveals a gap in drought assessment and comparison analysis using conventional methods based on drought indices only. This research proposes an innovative drought classification matrix to compare drought indices and spatial and temporal scenarios; the proposed matrix depends on any drought classification for comparison procedure. Furthermore, it aims to investigate the differences between several time period scenarios based on the proposed matrix and several statistical metrics (R2, CC, RMSE, HH, and RB) and determine the acceptable/minimum time period. The application of the proposed matrix and selection of an acceptable/minimum time period is presented to three different climates: Durham station in the United Kingdom, Florya station in Türkiye, and Karapinar station in Türkiye. The results show that the time period scenarios are able to catch the reference time period (RTP) scenario reasonably, with strong correlation and negative relative bias. The 10-year time period is sufficient as an acceptable/minimum time period for short timescales, such as meteorological drought. Conversely, for longer timescales, such as hydrological drought, a 20-year time period is the acceptable/minimum time period. The proposed matrix demonstrates a robust and powerful framework for comparison, making it applicable to various drought assessment scenarios globally.
Binge Drinking and its Relationship with Suicidal Thoughts and Suicidal Attempts in University Students
Authors: Juan-Salvadores Pablo , de la Torre Fonseca Luis Mariano , Pérez Antía Lafuente , Veiga Cesar , González-Nóvoa José A. , Romo Andrés Iñiguez , Isorna Francisco Caamaño , Díaz Víctor Alfonso Jiménez 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBinge drinking, notably common among university students, poses health risks. Despite a significant global concern about suicide, especially among young people, research on the connection between binge drinking and suicide in university students is limited. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between binge drinking, suicidal attempts, and suicidal thoughts among university students from two institutions. Among the 2178 participants from public universities, 4.0% reported suicidal attempts, and 26.5% reported suicidal thoughts. Binge drinking did not show a significant association with suicidal attempts or suicidal thoughts. The results revealed that female gender (OR 1.62, 95% CI: 1.32–2.01; p < 0.001) and alcohol use disorder (OR 2.23, 95% CI: 1.49–3.55; p < 0.001] were independent predictive variables for suicidal behavior. These findings underscore the need for targeted interventions addressing alcohol-related behaviors and mental health, particularly among females and those with alcohol use disorder, to enhance the overall psychological well-being of university students.
Fishing for Phytophthora in watercourses of the highly urbanized Swiss Plateau
Authors: Schoebel Corine N. , Prospero Simone , Rigling Daniel , Ruffner Beat 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPhytophthora species are a cause for concern due to their invasive potential and the damage they can cause in agriculture, forestry, and natural ecosystems worldwide. Since water plays a crucial role in their dispersal, stream and river baiting is commonly used to survey risk areas for the presence of quarantine Phytophthora species. However, our understanding of the distribution and diversity of Phytophthora species in European watercourses remains incomplete. This study investigated the presence and diversity of Phytophthora species in Swiss watercourses, with a focus on the highly urbanized Swiss Plateau. Over the period 2012–2016, we sampled 32 watercourses, including major rivers and smaller streams. We isolated Phytophthora on selective media and sequenced the internal transcribed spacer region to identify the species. We recovered 241 Phytophthora isolates, representing 11 species from five major clades. Phytophthora clade 6 prevailed, with P. lacustris being the most common, found in 94.7% of the watercourses. The number of Phytophthora species per watercourse ranged from one to five, with no correlation to watercourse complexity. Our study reveals the presence of six previously unreported species in Switzerland, while known invasive species were not found. Watercourses appear less suited to detect invasive pathogenic Phytophthora species with a still limited distribution in the environment.
Jewish Ethics of Inmate Vaccines Against COVID-19
Authors: Rashi Tsuriel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeThe COVID-19 pandemic broke out at the end of 2019, and throughout 2020 there were intensive international efforts to find a vaccine for the disease, which had already led to the deaths of some five million people. In December 2020, several pharmaceutical companies announced that they had succeeded in producing an effective vaccine, and after approval by the various regulatory bodies, countries started to vaccinate their citizens. With the start of the global campaign to vaccinate the world’s population against COVID-19, debates over the prioritization of different sections of the population began around the world, but the prison population has generally been absent from these discussions.Approach and FindingsThis article presents the approach of Jewish ethics regarding this issue, that is, that there is a religious and a moral obligation to heal the other and to take care of his or her medical well-being and that this holds true even for a prisoner who has committed a serious crime. Hence, prisoners should be vaccinated according to the same priorities that govern the administration of the vaccine among the general public.OriginalityThe originality of the article is in a comprehensive and comparative reference between general ethics and Jewish ethics on a subject that has not yet received the proper attention.
Extracellular Vesicles and Exosomes in the Control of the Musculoskeletal Health
Authors: Penna Fabio , Garcia-Castillo Lorena , Costelli Paola 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Purpose of Review
The present review will highlight recent reports supporting the relevance of extracellular vesicles to the musculoskeletal system in health and disease.

Recent Findings
Preserving the health of the musculoskeletal system is important to maintain a good quality of life, and the bone-muscle crosstalk is crucial in this regard. This latter is largely mediated by extracellular vesicles released by the different cell populations residing in muscle and bone, which deliver cargoes, microRNAs, and proteins being the most relevant ones, to target cells. Extracellular vesicles could be exploited as therapeutic tools, in view of their resistance to destruction in the biological fluid and of the possibility to be functionalized according to the need.

Summary
Extracellular vesicles are recognized as crucial players in the bone-muscle cross-talk. Additional studies however are required to refine their use as biomarkers of early alterations of the musculoskeletal system, and as potential therapeutic tools.
Protective Effects of Plant-Derived Compounds Against Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Khayatan Danial , Razavi Seyed Mehrad , Arab Zahra Najafi , Khanahmadi Maryam , Samanian Amirreza , Momtaz Saeideh , Sukhorukov Vasily N. , Jamialahmadi Tannaz , Abdolghaffari Amir Hossein , Barreto George E. , Sahebkar Amirhossein 
Published: March 2024

AbstractInflammation in the nervous system is one of the key features of many neurodegenerative diseases. It is increasingly being identified as a critical pathophysiological primitive mechanism associated with chronic neurodegenerative diseases following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Phytochemicals have a wide range of clinical properties due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. Currently, there are few drugs available for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases other than symptomatic relief. Numerous studies have shown that plant-derived compounds, in particular polyphenols, protect against various neurodegenerative diseases and are safe for consumption. Polyphenols exert protective effects on TBI via restoration of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), and Nod-like receptor family proteins (NLRPs) pathways. In addition, these phytochemicals and their derivatives upregulate the phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase/Protein Kinase B (PI3K/AKT) and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways, which have critical functions in modulating TBI symptoms. There is supporting evidence that medicinal plants and phytochemicals are protective in different TBI models, though future clinical trials are needed to clarify the precise mechanisms and functions of different polyphenolic compounds in TBI.
Diminished Adolescent Social Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Furlong Michael J. , Chan Mei-ki , Dowdy Erin , Nylund-Gibson Karen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractManaging the COVID-19 pandemic involved implementing public health policies that disrupted students’ lives, creating conditions that substantially influenced their mental health and well-being. Subsequently, research focused on the mental health sequelae of increased depression and anxiety, but the possible impacts on adolescents’ social well-being have been largely unexamined. Social well-being is essential to youth’s overall mental health and can be diminished even without symptoms of depression and anxiety. This report explored heterogeneities in changes in adolescents’ social well-being from pre-COVID-19 to post-restrictions using longitudinal data from adolescents attending middle and high schools in California (N = 1,299; 49.9% female). Data collection involved four observations. Participants completed a school-based mental health wellness survey annually from 2019 to 2022. A latent profile analysis identified five profiles demonstrating distinctive social well-being trajectories. Two ordered profiles included Stable-High (28%) and Stable-Low (26%) patterns. Three groups represented nonordered profiles labeled as Succumbing (20%), Languishing (14%), and Recovering (12%). Pervasive decreases in social well-being were observed, and a significant portion of the adolescents did not recover to their pre-COVID-19 level by 2022. Adolescents in the Stable-High and Recovering profiles showed better psychological well-being, optimism, and school connectedness and less distress than their counterparts in the other three profiles. Mental health professionals should be aware of the pandemic’s effects on adolescents’ social well-being. Lower levels of social well-being may be a risk factor for adolescents developing generally jaded attitudes about their social networks and diminishing their potential engagement with sources of social support.
The impact of different clinicopathologic factors and salvage therapies on cervical cancer patients with isolated para-aortic lymph node recurrence
Authors: Fang Chenyan , Zhu Yinfeng , Zhang Ping , Zhu Tao , Zhang Yingli 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Cervical cancer patients with isolated para-aortic lymph nodes (PALN) recurrence were mainly associated with treatment failure. For these patients, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery ± adjuvant therapy or chemoradiotherapy may be advised, however, no specific therapy has been proposed yet. This study aimed to explore factors influencing the prognosis of cervical cancer cases with isolated PALN recurrence and to find out an effective salvage therapy.

Methods
Cervical cancer cases with isolated PALN recurrence who received therapies in Zhejiang Cancer Hospital between January 2013 and June 2021 were analyzed retrospectively.

Results
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level > 10 ng/mL and positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) imaging method used to detect the recurrence were found to be associated with the local control rate. PALN (positive), squamous-cell carcinoma-antigen (SCC-Ag) level (> 10 ng/mL) upon initial diagnosis, and CEA level (> 10 ng/mL), number of metastatic lymph nodes (several) at recurrence were associated with worse survival. Compared with surgery ± adjuvant therapy, chemotherapy (CT) alone or sequential chemoradiotherapy (SCRT) was associated with worse PFS or OS. Concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) after PALN recurrence could reduce the risk of the second recurrence. 3-year OS of cases after surgery ± adjuvant therapy was the highest (65%), followed by CCRT (45.7%), SCRT (38.9%), radiotherapy (RT) (33.3%), and CT (20.6%).

Conclusion
In cervical cancer patients with isolated PALN recurrence, chemoradiotherapy or surgery ± adjuvant therapy may be preferred as the salvage treatment.
Dynamic monitoring of a masonry arch rail bridge using a distributed fiber optic sensing system
Authors: Cheng Liangliang , Cigada Alfredo , Zappa Emanuele , Gilbert Matthew , Lang Zi-Qiang 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMasonry arch bridges are an integral part of the European transportation infrastructure. Regular inspections are critical to ensure the safe operation of these bridges and also to preserve historical heritage. Despite recent advancements in assessment techniques, monitoring masonry arch bridges remains a difficult and important research topic. This paper describes a proof-of-concept study carried out on a masonry arch rail bridge in Gavirate, Italy, to investigate the dynamic responses of the bridge to train-induced moving loads. The dynamic measurements are obtained by a distributed fiber optic sensing system that enables a novel inspection of the integrity of masonry arch bridges. The focus of this field study is to quantify the dynamic strain induced by train moving loads and reveal the masonry arch bridge’s dynamic behaviors through the use of an innovative distributed fiber optical sensing-based technique. The results may provide a useful guideline for the application of distributed fiber optical sensing to monitoring masonry arch bridges.