bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Sample pretreatment effects on isotopic compositions of oxygen and sulfur in BaSO4 derived from atmospheric sulfate
Authors: Kagawa Masako , Katsuta Nagayoshi , Naito Sayuri , Masuki Yuma , Yoshimizu Chikage , Chiba Hitoshi , Tayasu Ichiro 
Published: November 2023

RationalePreparation of BaSO4 from samples of atmospheric rain, snow, and aerosols has been used for δ18O and δ34S analyses. In the present study, we investigated the effect of various sample pretreatments on δ18O and δ34S values determined from a Na2SO4 reagent solution and samples of atmospheric precipitation to improve assay time and cost efficiency.MethodsBaSO4 was prepared from a Na2SO4 solution by (a) evaporative concentration, (b) evaporation to dryness, (c) evaporation to dryness after adding HCl, and (d) evaporation to concentration after adding HCl, followed by cooling and then precipitation using a BaCl2 solution. To analyze the atmospheric precipitation samples for δ18O, BaSO4 prepared from the samples was treated with diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and SO42− and separated chromatographically. The values of δ18O and δ34S were measured using a continuous‐flow elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope‐ratio mass spectrometer.ResultsThe δ34S values in BaSO4 precipitated from Na2SO4 solution determined by methods (a)–(c) were consistent within precisions of ±0.5‰. The δ18O values of methods (a) and (b) were consistent within ±0.2‰, whereas the δ18O values of methods (c) and (d) increased with increasing HCl concentrations. Similar results were obtained from samples of atmospheric precipitations. The δ18O values from DTPA‐treated BaSO4 were consistent with those obtained by chromatographic separation within ±0.5‰.ConclusionsWe found no significant differences in the effects of various pretreatments (acidification, heating, concentration, and drying) on δ18O and δ34S values in sulfate from samples of atmospheric precipitation and aerosols extracted as BaSO4 if HCl was not added to the sample before heating and BaSO4 was treated with DTPA for the δ18O analysis.
Cytotoxic Effects of Compounds with a Carbazole Scaffold on Human Brain, Gynecological, and Colon Cancer Cells
Authors: Yalazan Halise , Aydın Ali , Çelik Fatih , Ünver Yasemin , Kantekin Halit 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe effort to develop new anticancer agents with reduced side effects that can overcome chemotherapeutic resistance is one of the most important research areas of medicinal chemistry. In this study, the synthesis of compounds containing carbazole, one of such agents, and their effects on different types of cancer cell lines are presented. Carbazole compound containing alcohol group 1, its phthalonitrile derivative 2 and carbazole disubstituted axial silicon phthalocyanine compound 3 were synthesized for the first time. These compounds were evaluated for cell proliferation, cell cytotoxicity, cell morphology, cell migration, and cell apoptosis on brain cancer cells (A172 and C6), gynecological cancer cells (HeLa and A2780), colon cancer cells (SW620 and HT29), and normal cells (Beas2B, RPE, and HSF). The findings of the cytotoxic and anticancer effects of the compounds were evaluated together 1 was identified as a potent antiproliferative agent (IC50 values of 1 were 29.99–99.5 μg/mL for normal cells and 1.29–33.57 μg/mL for cancer cells) with mild cytotoxicity (% Cytotoxicity of 1 were 10.8–11.7 for normal cells and 13.8–15.9 for cancer cells). The action mechanism of the compounds was related to inhibiting cell migration and triggering cell apoptosis. Overall, 1 and 2 which appears to be an effective pharmaceutical agent, is a potential focus of further preclinical studies.
Patient-reported outcome measures more than fifteen years after treatment of sagittal or metopic craniosynostosis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Woerdeman Peter A. , Klieverik Vita M. , Cheong Alexander , Singhal Ash , Cochrane Douglas , Steinbok Paul 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
Purpose
To evaluate the long-term anthropometric measurements, cosmetic satisfaction, and other patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) of patients who underwent surgical treatment or observation only of sagittal or metopic single-suture craniosynostosis (SSC).

Methods
A prospective study was designed for all patients diagnosed with non-syndromic sagittal and metopic craniosynostosis at the British Columbia Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, Canada, in the period July 1986 to July 2006. After a minimum of 15 years post-diagnosis, all eligible patients were invited to fill out the Craniofacial Surgery Outcomes Questionnaire (CSO-Q) and to attend a scheduled follow-up appointment for the collection of anthropometric measurements. A descriptive analysis of the cosmetic results was performed. Statistical analyses compared the differences in anthropometric measurements between treated and non-treated patients.

Results
Of the 253 eligible patients, 52 participants were willing to share patient data for use in the study. Of those 52 former patients, 36 (69.2%) filled out and returned the CSO-Q and 23 (44.2%) attended the follow-up appointment. The mean follow-up period between surgical treatment and the CSO-Q was 20.2 ± 2.5 years and between surgical treatment and the follow-up appointment was 20.9 ± 2.7 years. In patients with sagittal SSC, the mean cephalic index (CI) was significantly larger in treated than in non-treated patients (74.6 versus 69.1, p = 0.04), while the mean pupillary distance and forehead to back index were significantly smaller (pupillary distance 6.0 cm versus 6.7 cm [p = 0.04] and forehead to back index 19.6 cm versus 21.1 cm [p = 0.03]). Focusing more on the patient reported outcome measures, overall cosmetic satisfaction was found to be high (80.6%) and no differences were found between sagittal and metopic synostosis patients, nor between treated or non-treated craniosynostosis patients. Overall outcomes regarding self-esteem (RSES) and fear of negative evaluation (FNE) were comparable with population based outcomes.

Conclusion
This is the first prospective study of sagittal and metopic craniosynostosis patients regarding long-term anthropometric outcome and patient reported outcome measures, including patients who were treated surgically and those who received observation only. Although study participation two decades after initial diagnosis was difficult to obtain, our data provide a platform from which one can develop an inclusive and uniform approach to assess patients’ subjective cosmetic satisfaction using the CSO-Questionnaire and might be useful in preoperative counseling and psychosocial care for patients and their families.
Partitioning model uncertainty in multi-model ensemble river flow projections
Authors: Aitken Gordon , Beevers Lindsay , Parry Simon , Facer-Childs Katie 
Published: November 2023

AbstractFloods are the largest natural disaster currently facing the UK, whilst the incidents of droughts have increased in recent years. Floods and droughts can have devastating consequences on society, resulting in significant financial damage to the economy. Climate models suggest that precipitation and temperature changes will exacerbate future hydrological extremes (i.e., floods and droughts). Such events are likely to become more frequent and intense in the future; thus to develop adaptation plans climate model projections feed hydrological models to provide future water resource projections. ‘eFLaG’ is one set of future river flow projections produced for the UK driven by UKCP18 climate projections from the UK Met Office. The UKCP18-derived eFLaG dataset provides state-of-the-art projections for a single GCM driven by RCP 8.5 across the entire UK. A QE-ANOVA approach has been used to partition contributing sources of uncertainty for two flow quantiles (Q5 high flows and Q95 low flows), at near and far future time scales, for each of the 186 GB catchments in the eFLaG dataset. Results suggest a larger hydrological model uncertainty associated with low flows and greater regional climate model uncertainty for high flows which remains stationary between flow indicators. Total uncertainty increases from near to far future and highly uncertain catchments have been identified with a high concentration in South-East England.
Unlocking sustainable competitive advantage: exploring the impact of technological innovations on performance in Mexican SMEs within the tourism sector
Authors: León-Gómez Ana , Santos-Jaén José Manuel , Palacios-Manzano Mercedes , Garza-Sánchez Héctor Horacio 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
This research inquiry explores the interplay between environmentally sustainable practices, technological innovations and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) performance in Mexico's tourism sector. The tourism industry in Mexico holds immense economic significance, contributing significantly to employment and revenue generation. However, the sector also faces challenges related to environmental sustainability. Thus, the objective of this research is to assess how the integration of sustainable environmental practices influences the operational outcomes of SMEs. Furthermore, it also aims to conclude the role of technological innovation, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), digitalization and gender in this relationship. A structural equation modeling approach was applied to a sample of 797 Mexican SMEs in the tourism sector. Our findings provide evidence of several contributions: first, environmental sustainability practices improve performance; second, technological innovation, ICT and digitalization play a critical mediating role in specific relationships to foster performance; finally, incentives encourage sustainable practices related to environmental improvement, especially when the SME's CEO is a woman. The results of this study hold practical significance for the SME sector, as it demonstrates that by adopting sustainable practices, SMEs can strengthen their market position, improve technological innovativeness, minimize environmental impact and capitalize on emerging business prospects.
How Personality Traits Affect Peer Assessment in Distance Learning
Authors: Alves Tomás , Sousa Francisco , Gama Sandra , Jorge Joaquim , Gonçalves Daniel 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRecent research has leveraged peer assessment as a grading system tool where learners are involved in learning and evaluation. However, there is limited knowledge regarding individual differences, such as personality, in peer assessment tasks. We analyze how personality factors affect the peer assessment dynamics of a semester-long remote learning course. Specifically, we investigate how psychological constructs shape how people perceive user-generated content, interact with it, and assess their peers. Our results show that personality traits can predict how effective the peer assessment process will be and the scores and feedback that students provide to their peers. In conclusion, we contribute design guidelines based on personality constructs as valuable factors to include in the design pipeline of peer assessment systems.
QSPR in molecular spaces: ordering data, {de- & re-} constructing molecular similarity matrices, building their isometric vectors defining statistical-like momenta of molecular polyhedra, and analyzing the structure of a quantum QSPR operator
Authors: Carbó-Dorca Ramon 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA general review of quantum molecular similarity structure and applications is presented. The backbone of the discussion corresponds to the general problem of the data structure associated with the mathematical representation of a molecular set. How to standardize, and how to compare it to any other problem. This computational track describes the exact isometric vectors of the similarity matrix in a Minkowskian space. The further aim is to construct a set of origin-shifted vectors forming the vertices of a molecular polyhedron. From here, one can calculate a set of statistical-like momenta, providing a set of scalars that describe in a compact form the attached molecular set. Finally, the definition of a quantum QSPR operator permits building up a system of equations that can be further employed to determine the unknown properties of molecules in the original set. This last achievement leads to a quantum QSPR algorithm comparable with the classical QSPR counterpart but described in molecular space, not parameter space.
A survey of model compression strategies for object detection
Authors: Lyu Zonglei , Yu Tong , Pan Fuxi , Zhang Yilin , Luo Jia , Zhang Dan , Chen Yiren , Zhang Bo , Li Guangyao 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDeep neural networks (DNNs) have achieved great success in many object detection tasks. However, such DNNS-based large object detection models are generally computationally expensive and memory intensive. It is difficult to deploy them to devices with low memory resources or scenarios with high real-time requirements, which greatly limits their application and promotion. In recent years, many researchers have focused on compressing large object detection models without significantly degrading their performance, and have made great progress. Therefore, this paper presents a survey of object detection model compression techniques in recent years. Firstly, these compression techniques were divided into six categories: network pruning, lightweight network design, neural architecture search (NAS), low-rank decomposition, network quantization, and Knowledge distillation (KD) methods. For each category, we select some representative state-of-the-art methods and compare and analyze their performance on public datasets. After that, we discuss the application scenarios and future directions of model compression techniques. Finally, this paper is further concluded by analyzing the advantages and disadvantages of six types of model compression techniques.
Population growth and deforestation in Amazonas, Brazil, from 1985 to 2020
Authors: Martin Scot T. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAmazonas state represents 37% of the Amazônia biome in Brazil. Although Amazonas remains 98% forested, its contribution to annual biome deforestation increased substantially in the past ten years. Herein, the connections between population and deforestation in Amazonas are investigated from 1985 through 2020. Anthropogenic landcover fraction and population density varied spatially and temporally across the 62 municipalities of the state. The temporal variability had specific geographic patterns, and three microregions were identified. Economic development along the southern border, arising from agricultural activities in the pattern of classical deforestation in Amazônia, was characterized by large increases in anthropogenic landcover but only small changes in population. Economic development along the Amazon River, characterized by large increases in population and anthropogenic landcover, represented urbanization and the growth of industry and agriculture. Economic development along the western border, based on trade and commerce with Peru and Colombia, corresponded to increases in population without large increases in anthropogenic landcover. The three microregions were quantitatively characterized by different slopes between anthropogenic landcover fraction and population density. The connections between deforestation and population varied by a factor of 50 × among the different microregions, suggesting important considerations for the future forest preservation in Amazonas. That time is now given the increasing importance of this region, which twice approached 20% of the total annual deforestation in Amazônia over the past decade.
An endogenous intelligent architecture for wireless communication networks
Authors: He Shiwen 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe challenges posed by the future wireless communication network, which will be a huge system with more complex structures, diverse functions, and massive communication ends, will be addressed by intelligent wireless communication technologies. These technologies are playing an increasingly important role in network architecture, computing architecture, resource allocation algorithm design, etc., thanks to the rapid development of artificial intelligence technologies, particularly the deep learning technologies, and their extensive application in various domains. In this paper, an endogenous intelligent architecture is developed to effectively clarify and understand in-depth the relationship among the factors by constructing wireless knowledge graph for the air interface transmission, the core network, as well as the network environment, and so on. Furthermore, the knowledge graph simultaneously reveals the structure and operation mechanism of the whole wireless communication networks. Cause tracing, intelligent optimization, and performance evaluation are sequentially implemented based on the knowledge graph, thus forming a complete closed-loop for endogenous intelligent wireless communication networks.
Hydroxylated transformation products obtained after UV irradiation of the current-use brominated flame retardants hexabromobenzene, pentabromotoluene, and pentabromoethylbenzene
Authors: Klimm Alexandra , Vetter Walter 
Published: November 2023

AbstractHexabromobenzene (HBB), pentabromotoluene (PBT), and pentabromoethylbenzene (PBEB) are current-use brominated flame retardants (cuBFRs) which have been repeatedly detected in environmental samples. Since information on hydroxylated transformation products (OH-TPs) was scarcely available, the three polybrominated compounds were UV irradiated for 10 min in benzotrifluoride. Fractionation on silica gel enabled the separate collection and identification of OH-TPs. For more insights, aliquots of the separated OH-TPs were UV irradiated for another 50 min (60 min total UV irradiation time). The present investigation of polar UV irradiation products of HBB, PBT, and PBEB was successful in each case. Altogether, eight bromophenols were detected in the case of HBB (three Br3-, four Br4-, and one Br5-isomer), and nine OH-TPs were observed in the case of PBT/PBEB (six Br3- and three Br4-congeners). In either case, Br➔OH exchange was more relevant than H➔OH exchange. Also, such exchange was most relevant in meta- and ortho-positions. As a further point, and in agreement with other studies, the transformation rate decreased with decreasing degree of bromination. UV irradiation of HBB additionally resulted in the formation of tri- and tetrabrominated dihydroxylated compounds (brominated diphenols) that were subsequently identified. These dihydroxylated transformation products were found to be more stable than OH-TPs.
Arsenic uptake and accumulation in bean and lettuce plants at different developmental stages
Authors: Sandil Sirat , Záray Gyula , Endrédi Anett , Füzy Anna , Takács Tünde , Óvári Mihály , Dobosy Péter 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe pattern of arsenic (As) uptake at different developmental stages in plants and its consequent influence on the growth of plants was investigated in bean and lettuce. Further, the human health risk from the consumption of these As-laced vegetables was determined. The irrigation water was contaminated with As at concentrations of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/L. The As concentration in the plant parts (root, stem, leaves, and flower/fruit) was determined in bean at the young, flowering, and fruiting stages and lettuce at the young and mature stages. At the different growth stages, As had an impact on the biomass of bean and lettuce plant parts, but none of the biomass changes were significant (p>0.05). The increase in As concentration of the irrigation water elevated the As concentration of plant parts of both plants at all growth stages, with the exception of the bean fruit. The As concentration in the developmental stages was in the order: lettuce (young>mature) and bean (fruiting>young>flowering). In lettuce, the transfer factor was higher at the young stage (0.09–0.19, in the control and 0.1 mg/L As treatment), while in bean, it was highest at the flowering stage (0.09–0.41, in all treatments). In the edible part, lettuce possessed substantially elevated As concentrations (0.30, 0.61, and 1.21 mg/kg DW) compared to bean (0.008, 0.005, and 0.022 mg/kg DW) at As treatments of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 mg/L, respectively, and posed significant health risks at all applied As concentrations.
The Spatial Dimension of Police Legitimacy: An Exploration of Two Pacific Island States
Authors: Cawthray Tyler , Bull Melissa 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe police legitimacy literature is grounded predominantly in studies from the Global North. In these contexts, technology and economic resources allow policing institutions to exercise significant reach in ways that mitigate the challenges to service delivery posed by distance and geography while the bureaucratic state relationally distances these same institutions from the public. This scholarship tends to take these governmental ‘fixes’ as given. In Global South contexts, these fixes are less reliable. The complexities of policing in dispersed states—rural, remote, and island—are frequently mentioned within scholarship. However, the question of how spatial relations impact police legitimacy and services largely remains a passing concern. In this paper, we argue that in the Global South, spatial relations are important elements contributing to police legitimacy. This argument is made by reframing the rural and remote policing literature to explore how spatial archipelagic features influence how policing by the state occurs. This work is used as our analytical scaffold in two case studies of the Solomon Islands and Tonga that illustrate how space influences local views of police. We argue that space is a key contextual characteristic that needs to be considered within future police legitimacy research and theorisation.
Pandemic Racism: Lessons on the Nature, Structures, and Trajectories of Racism During COVID-19
Authors: Elias A. , Ben J. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe COVID-19 pandemic has been one of the most acute global crises in recent history, which profoundly impacted the world across many dimensions. During this period, racism manifested in ways specifically related to the pandemic, including xenophobic sentiments, racial attacks, discriminatory policies, and disparate outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. This paper examines some of the pressing questions about pandemic racism and inequity. We review what research has revealed about the nature and manifestations of racism, the entrenchment of structural racism, and trajectories of racism during COVID-19.