bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Conventional versus organic olive farming: which has a better economic performance?
Authors: Martín-García Jaime , Gómez-Limón José A. , Arriaza Manuel 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe European Green Deal sets a target of at least 25% of the total EU agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. In the case of the Spanish olive sector, organic olive farming accounts for barely 10% of the national agricultural area dedicated to this crop. Within this context, this study compares the economic performance of Spanish conventional and organic olive farms in terms of productivity, profitability, viability, resilience, and independence. To do so, microdata provided by the Spanish Farm Accountancy Data Network have been used, and matching methods have been applied to conduct an unbiased comparative analysis of matched conventional and organic farms. Results show statistically significant differences in productivity, with conventional olive groves being more productive. However, CAP subsidies are shown to be an effective instrument for promoting the conversion to organic farming in olive groves since they cancel out the differences in profitability between these two production systems. There is also evidence of the greater resilience of organic farms. These results could contribute to a more efficient design of instruments promoting the ecological transition of agriculture in line with the aforementioned policy objective.
A bile-based microRNA signature for differentiating malignant from benign pancreaticobiliary disease
Authors: Mato Prado Mireia , Puik Jisce R. , Castellano Leandro , López-Jiménez Elena , Liu Daniel S. K. , Meijer Laura L. , Le Large Tessa Y. S. , Rees Eleanor , Funel Niccola , Sivakumar Shivan , Pereira Stephen P. , Kazemier Geert , Zonderhuis Babs M. , Erdmann Joris I. , Swijnenburg Rutger-Jan , Frilling Andrea , Jiao Long R. , Stebbing Justin , Giovannetti Elisa , Krell Jonathan , Frampton Adam E. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDifferentiating between pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is crucial for the appropriate course of treatment, especially with advancements in the role of neoadjuvant chemotherapies for PDAC, compared to CCA. Furthermore, benign pancreaticobiliary diseases can mimic malignant disease, and indeterminate lesions may require repeated investigations to achieve a diagnosis. As bile flows in close proximity to these lesions, we aimed to establish a bile-based microRNA (miRNA) signature to discriminate between malignant and benign pancreaticobiliary diseases. We performed miRNA discovery by global profiling of 800 miRNAs using the NanoString nCounter platform in prospectively collected bile samples from malignant (n = 43) and benign (n = 14) pancreaticobiliary disease. Differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by RT-qPCR and further assessed in an independent validation cohort of bile from malignant (n = 37) and benign (n = 38) pancreaticobiliary disease. MiR-148a-3p was identified as a discriminatory marker that effectively distinguished malignant from benign pancreaticobiliary disease in the discovery cohort (AUC = 0.797 [95% CI 0.68–0.92]), the validation cohort (AUC = 0.772 [95% CI 0.66–0.88]), and in the combined cohorts (AUC = 0.752 [95% CI 0.67–0.84]). We also established a two-miRNA signature (miR-125b-5p and miR-194-5p) that distinguished PDAC from CCA (validation: AUC = 0.815 [95% CI 0.67–0.96]; and combined cohorts: AUC = 0.814 [95% CI 0.70–0.93]). Our research stands as the largest, multicentric, global profiling study of miRNAs in the bile from patients with pancreaticobiliary disease. We demonstrated their potential as clinically useful diagnostic tools for the detection and differentiation of malignant pancreaticobiliary disease. These bile miRNA biomarkers could be developed to complement current approaches for diagnosing pancreaticobiliary cancers.
Graphical Abstract
Interregional and intraregional interaction of the Tianshanbeilu population in eastern Xinjiang from the perspective of pottery analysis
Authors: Zeng Baodong , Ma Tao , Wang Yongqiang , Zhang Jie , Zhang Liangren , Chang Xi’en 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
The beginning of human settlement in the Hami Basin, located in the eastern part of Xinjiang, has been a focal question for the academic community in China. In particular, the thesis that the immigrating population from the Hexi Corridor since the late Neolithic founded the Tianshanbeilu culture has riveted the attention of scholars. Pottery wares, abundantly discovered at the synonymous cemetery of this culture, have played a key role in extrapolating population migration and cultural interaction. This paper aims to test the thesis by characterizing the chemical composition, painting pigment, and carburizing technique of 70 pottery samples from the cemetery with various scientific methods. It shows that the chemical compositions of the coarse pottery in the three colors of red, yellow, and gray, painted and unpainted alike, are remarkably different from those of fine pottery in black and red, indicating that the raw materials for the coarse and fine pottery samples are possibly procured from different sources; the pigments of the red slip and black paint are derived from hematite, black manganese ore, and carbon black; carburizing and polishing techniques are further applied to the gray coarse pottery; In combination with the compositional data of pottery samples from the Yaer cemetery also in the Hami Basin and the Xichengyi settlement in the Hexi Corridor, this paper finds that some pottery wares of the Tianshanbeilu culture were exchanged within the Hami Basin, but each site had its own production facility. No direct exchange of pottery wares with Xichengyi is attested; the similar style of pottery wares between the two sites may have resulted from population migration and technological exchange.
New solidification simulation reveals the secret of the hidden metal cores in ancient Chinese bronzes
Authors: Yang Huan , Fang Minghui , Chang Yihang , Liu Ruiliang , Fang Zhao , Yang Junchang 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Regardless of the tremendous number of studies on ancient Chinese bronzes and fruitful understanding of the raw materials, technologies and their cultural significance, many related issues have still not been tackled. In particular, it has been known for decades that the legs of Shang and Zhou bronzes have metal cores, but their specific function remains ambiguous. In this work, the Finite Element Method is applied to simulate the pouring and solidification process of bronze cores of different sizes. The findings illustrate that throughout the casting process, the metal core not only maintains the uniformity of the bronze and reducing its’s wall thickness but also lowers the temperature of the surrounding alloy liquid, serving as a casting chill. Specifically, the metal core allows elimination of over 60% of casting defects. In comparison with more widespread clay cores, metal cores help produce less shrinkage porosity, therefore prevent cracking of the legs that is usually caused by different shrinkage rates between the clay core and the metal wall. In summary, the use of metal cores in ancient Chinese bronzes reveals a deep knowledge about the metal properties and the solidification process since the Chinese late Shang period (ca. 1250–1045 BC).
Family social and cultural capital: an analysis of effects on adolescents’ educational outcomes in China
Authors: Tan Gek Ling Claire , Fang Zheng 
Published: December 2023

AbstractUsing a sample of 11,313 students in Grades 7 and 9 from the China Education Panel Survey, this study examines the effects of family social capital and family cultural capital on adolescents’ educational outcomes in the areas of academic effort, educational aspiration, and academic achievement. The results from structural equation modeling analyses showed that family social capital and family cultural capital had significant positive associations with adolescents’ educational aspirations. However, only family cultural capital had a significant positive association with academic effort, while family social capital showed a non-significant negative association, and both forms of family capital had significant negative associations with academic achievement.
Age-Markers on the Red Blood Cell Surface and Erythrocyte Microparticles may Constitute a Multi-parametric Strategy for Detection of Autologous Blood Transfusion
Authors: Biasini Giorgia M. , Botrè Francesco , de la Torre Xavier , Donati Francesco 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Autologous blood transfusion is one of the illicit strategies, banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, to increase the levels of hemoglobin, with a consequent improvement in the delivery of oxygen to tissues. At present, this practice is detectable exclusively by the individual, longitudinal monitoring of hematological biomarkers, as in the hematological module of the Athlete Biological Passport; but this indirect approach may suffer from different confounding factors. We are presenting a multi-parametric, analytical strategy to detect autologous blood transfusions by targeting the modification of the red blood cells during storage. We focused on the assessment of “storage lesions”, targeting (i) membrane proteins: Glycophorin-A and Band 3 complex, (ii) biomarkers of oxidative stress: Peroxiredoxin-2, (iii) biomarkers of senescence: CD47 and Phosphatidylserine, (iv) erythrocytes microparticles.

Results
All of the above markers were monitored, by immunological and flow cytofluorimetric methods, on samples of stored whole blood collected at different time intervals, and on fresh blood samples, collected for official doping control tests, mixed “ex vivo” to simulate an autotransfusion. Although anonymized before the delivery to the laboratory, it was possible to mix samples belonging to the same subject based on the “athlete biological passport” code. Our results showed that the irreversible alteration of RBCs morphology, the loss of membrane integrity, the occurrence of hemolysis phenomena, and, more in general, the “aging” of the erythrocytes during storage are closely related to: (i) the reduced concentration, on the erythrocyte membrane, of Band 3 protein (decrease of 19% and of 39% after 20 and 40 days of storage respectively) and of glycophorin A (− 47% and − 63% respectively); (ii) the externalization of phosphatidyl serine (with a five-fold increase after 20 days and a further 2× increase after 40 days); (iii) the reduced concentration of CD47; and (iv) increased levels of erythrocyte microparticles.

Conclusions
The most promising method to detect the presence of transfused blood in whole blood samples can be based on a multi-parametric strategy, considering jointly both protein expression on RBCs membranes and micro-vesiculation phenomena.
Bi-level stackelberg game-based distribution system expansion planning model considering long-term renewable energy contracts
Authors: Gao Hongjun , Wang Renjun , He Shuaijia , Wang Zeqi , Liu Junyong 
Published: December 2023

AbstractWith the deregulation of electricity market in distribution systems, renewable distributed generations (RDG) are being invested in by third-party social capital, such as distributed generations operators (DGOs) and load aggregators (LAs). However, their arbitrary RDG investment and electricity trading behavior can bring great challenges to distribution system planning. In this paper, to reduce distribution system investment, a distribution system expansion planning model based on a bi-level Stackelberg game is proposed for the distribution system operator (DSO) to guide this social capital to make suitable RDG investment. In the proposed model, DSO is the leader, while DGOs and LAs are the followers. In the upper level, the DSO determines the expansion planning scheme including investments in substations and lines, and optimizes the variables provided for followers, such as RDG locations and contract prices. In the lower level, DGOs determine the RDG capacity and electricity trading strategy based on the RDG locations and contract prices, while LAs determine the RDG capacity, demand response and electricity trading strategy based on contract prices. The capacity information of the DRG is sent to the DSO for decision-making on expansion planning. To reduce the cost and risk of multiple agents, two long-term renewable energy contracts are introduced for the electricity trading. Conditional value-at-risk method is used to quantify the RDG investment risk of DGOs and LAs with different risk preferences. The effectiveness of the proposed model and method is verified by studies using the Portugal 54-bus system.
Self S-RNase reduces the expression of two pollen-specific COBRA genes to inhibit pollen tube growth in pear
Authors: Wu Lei , Xu Ying , Qi Kaijie , Jiang Xueting , He Min , Cui Yanbo , Bao Jianping , Gu Chao , Zhang Shaoling 
Published: December 2023

AbstractDue to self-incompatibility (SI) prevents self-fertilization, natural or artificial cross-pollination has been conducted in many orchards to stabilize fruit yield. However, it is still puzzled which routes of self S-RNase arresting pollen tube growth. Herein, 17 COBRA genes were isolated from pear genome. Of these genes, the pollen-specifically expressed PbCOB.A.1 and PbCOB.A.2 positively mediates pollen tube growth. The promoters of PbCOB.A.1 and/or PbCOB.A.2 were bound and activated by PbABF.E.2 (an ABRE-binding factor) and PbC2H2.K16.2 (a C2H2-type zinc finger protein). Notably, the expressions of PbCOB.A.1, PbCOB.A.2, and PbC2H2.K16.2 were repressed by self S-RNase, suggesting that self S-RNase reduces the expression of PbCOB.A.1 and PbCOB.A.2 by decreasing the expression of their upstream factors, such as PbC2H2.K16.2, to arrest pollen tube growth. PbCOB.A.1 or PbCOB.A.2 accelerates the growth of pollen tubes treated by self S-RNase, but can hardly affect level of reactive oxygen species and deploymerization of actin cytoskeleton in pollen tubes and cannot physically interact with any reported proteins involved in SI. These results indicate that PbCOB.A.1 and PbCOB.A.2 may not relieve S-RNase toxicity in incompatible pollen tube. The information provides a new route to elucidate the arresting pollen tube growth during SI reaction.
Graphical Abstract
Pleural recurrence 21 years after complete resection of thymic mucoepidermoid carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Hayashi Shoko , Matsushima Keigo , Mikubo Masashi , Tochimoto Masataka , Ichinoe Masaaki , Satoh Yukitoshi 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Background
Thymic mucoepidermoid carcinomas (MECs) are extremely rare malignant neoplasms. We describe a rare case of a MEC with a high histological grade in a patient who survived for more than 20 years after the initial surgery, focusing on the clinical course and recurrence pattern.

Case presentation
A woman underwent surgical resection of a high-grade thymic MEC at another hospital 21 years ago. At the age of 79, she was referred to our hospital with an abnormal opacity incidentally found on her chest radiograph during a health check-up. After the percutaneous biopsy diagnosed thymic MEC, surgical resection was planned based on imaging findings, considering pulmonary metastasis. Intraoperatively, a large tumor and several nodules were detected within the parietal pleura; furthermore, pleural dissemination of the MEC was diagnosed by intraoperative rapid histological evaluation. We completed an exploratory thoracoscopic procedure without performing resection. She did not wish to undergo adjuvant therapy after surgery. Currently, the tumor is growing slowly, but the patient is asymptomatic and is being followed up without treatment intervention.

Conclusion
We encountered a rare case of pleural recurrence 21 years after complete resection of thymic MEC. Whether surgical resection, including volume reduction surgery, should be used as a treatment strategy for thymic carcinoma with dissemination requires further discussion.
The mental health impact of the 2023 earthquakes on the Syrian population: cross-sectional study
Authors: Soqia Jameel , Ghareeb Amjad , Hadakie Rana , Alsamara Kinda , Forbes David , Jawich Kenda , Al-Homsi Alaa , Kakaje Ameer 
Published: December 2023

Background
Natural disasters have a significant impact on the mental health of affected populations. The February 2023 earthquakes in Syria and Turkey caused widespread devastation.

Aims
To explore the mental health impact of the earthquakes in Syria on the population across areas differentially damaged by the disaster.

Method
This cross-sectional study conducted in Syria included 1406 adults recruited via social media platforms 1 month after the February 2023 earthquakes. Demographic information, earthquake exposure questions, the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5: for probable post-traumatic stress disorder, PTSD), the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9: for probable depression) and the seven-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale (GAD-7: for probable anxiety) were included to compare outcomes across areas severely, moderately and slightly damaged by the earthquakes.

Results
Probable PTSD and GAD rates were higher in the severely (57.9 and 57.3% respectively) and moderately damaged regions (55.4 and 56.3% respectively) than in the slightly damaged regions (44.6 and 48.3% respectively) (PTSD: P < 0.001, GAD: P = 0.005). More participants in severely damaged regions (60.6%) reported symptoms of depression compared with moderately (53.1%) and slightly damaged (50.8%) regions (P = 0.003). Poorer mental health outcomes were associated with being female, single, younger, having a damaged or destroyed house, seeing something tragic in person and hearing tragic stories. Seeing something tragic on social media was not statistically significant.

Conclusions
This study highlights the higher prevalence of probable mental disorders in areas with more severe earthquake damage, with over 50% of the population reporting probable PTSD, depression or anxiety. The study also suggests a significant cumulative effect of these earthquakes on an already trauma- and disaster-affected population.
Successful Treatment of Postprandial Hyperinsulinemic Hypoglycemia After Billroth-II Gastrojejunostomy Using Octreotide
Authors: Hasebe Masashi , Aizawa-Abe Megumi , Shibue Kimitaka , Hamasaki Akihiro 
Published: December 2023

Abstract
Postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia, although rare, is a well-documented complication that can manifest after upper gastrointestinal surgery. Despite its potential for severe morbidity, the underlying pathogenesis and optimal treatment strategies for this condition remain insufficiently understood. This report presents a compelling case of postprandial hypoglycemia following Billroth-II gastrojejunostomy, characterized by a marked increase in postprandial insulin levels, accompanied by the exaggerated response of incretin hormones. The incretin effect in this patient was found to be exceptionally high, measuring at approximately 90%. While nutritional interventions proved ineffective in alleviating the patient's symptoms, the administration of octreotide significantly attenuated the exaggerated postprandial insulin and incretin response, substantially ameliorating both the symptoms and postprandial hypoglycemia. Monthly subcutaneous injections of long-acting repeatable octreotide were initiated, resulting in the complete resolution of symptomatic postprandial hypoglycemia. Although the patient developed acalculous cholecystitis and gallstone cholangitis 2 years after commencing octreotide therapy, she has remained free from symptomatic postprandial hypoglycemia for more than 4 years. Our case underscores the efficacy of somatostatin analogs in the management of postprandial hyperinsulinemia after gastrointestinal surgery, shedding light on the potential involvement of incretin hormones in the pathophysiology of this condition.
Deep Imperial Time in Sinophone Poetics of History
Authors: Yeung Wayne C. F. 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThis article examines three Sinophone cultural texts to suggest that Sinophone studies can draw from its affinities with historical and linguistic studies to question the conceptual boundary of “premodern” imperial China. Through case studies of Hou Hsiao-hsien from Taiwan and Saisai (Xi Xi) and Wong Bik-wan from Hong Kong, the article proposes “deep imperial time” as a Sinophone historical poetics and cultural strategy of deimperialization. Artists turn their Sinophone sensibilities into a historiographical method that intervenes in nation-centric history and performs a capacious form of localization. Marginality from the normative nation-state and interimperial positionality compel them to enact decentered visions of historical Chineseness and imagine anti-imperial solidarities with the margins of different imperial formations across history. The article concludes that Sinophone studies can contribute to the conceptual enlargement of decoloniality by incorporating subaltern experiences in contesting non-Western empires.
The impact of microalbuminuria and insulin resistance as prognostic biomarker for nephropathy in obese persons: a systematic review
Authors: Jha Roshan Kumar , Dhok Archana , Shukla Samarth , Acharya Sourya , Anjankar Ashish 
Published: December 2023

Background: The progression of weight gain over the normal level is accompanied by an increase in renovascular damage markers, such as microalbuminuria. Microalbuminuria could be an indication of vascular disturbances caused by obesity. The global pandemic of renal disease has something to do with the link between obesity and type-2 diabetes. Furthermore, microalbuminuria can also be a possible factor for developing insulin resistance syndrome and high blood pressure. The goal of this research is to analyze the impact that insulin resistance, as well as microalbuminuria, play in predicting the severity of nephropathy among obese individuals and also look into these markers in identifying patients with this condition. Methods: The selected studies (updated to November 2022) were evaluated using the Electronic PubMed database. Based on our selection criteria only those that included high-quality investigations on the relevance of insulin resistance and microalbuminuria as markers of nephropathy in obese people were included. We evaluated this link using odds ratios with a confidence interval of 95%. Results: Overall, 15 studies, including over 10,000 obese individuals, were evaluated for this study. The summative results revealed that microalbuminuria and insulin may be strong indicators for the advancement of nephropathy in individuals with diabetes mellitus and obese individuals. In support of this, more studies need to be carried out on obese individuals with nephropathy in the absence of diabetes to confirm the relevance of these biomarkers as a prevention measure. Conclusions: Understanding the importance of the impact microalbuminuria and resistance to insulin play as biomarkers in the health of obese individuals may be very important to prevent nephropathy progression and premature death in both diagnosed and undiagnosed situations. A limitation of this review is that it didn't focus on other anomalies related to obesity such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.