bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preparation of carbon-based material with high water absorption capacity and its effect on the water retention characteristics of sandy soil
Authors: Yang Youming , Zhong Mingyang , Bian Xiuqi , You Yongjun , Li Fayong 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBiochar has the potential to provide a multitude of benefits when used in soil remediation and increasing soil organic matter enrichment. Nevertheless, the intricated, hydrophobic pores and groups weaken its water-holding capacity in dry, sandy soils in arid lands. In order to combat this issue, starch-carbon-based material (SB), sodium alginate-carbon-based material (SAB), and chitosan-carbon-based material (CB) have been successfully synthesized through the graft-polymerization of biochar (BC). A series of soil column simulations were used to scrutinize the microstructure of the carbon-based material and explore its water absorption properties and its effects on sandy soil water infiltration, water retention, and aggregation. The results indicated that SB, SAB, and CB achieved water maximum absorption rates of 155, 188, and 172 g g−1, respectively. Considering their impact on sandy soils, SB, SAB, and CB lengthened infiltration times by 1920, 3330, and 3880 min, respectively, whilst enhancing the water retention capabilities of the soil by 18%, 25%, and 23% in comparison to solely adding BC. The utilization of these innovative materials notably encouraged the formation of sandy soil aggregates ranging from 2.0 to 0.25 mm, endowing the aggregates with enhanced structural stability. Findings from potting experiments suggested that all three carbon-based materials were conducive to the growth of soybean seeds. Thus, it is evident that the carbon-based materials have been fabricated with success, and they have great potential not only to significantly augment the water retention capacities and structural robustness of sandy soils in arid areas, but also to bolster the development of soil aggregates and crop growth. These materials possess significant application potential for enhancing the quality of sandy soils in arid and semi-arid regions.
Graphical Abstract
Fight against cold: photosynthetic and antioxidant responses of different bell pepper cultivars (Capsicum annuum L.) to cold stress
Authors: Rácz A. , Czégény Gy. , Kutyáncsánin D. , Nagy N. , Hideg É. , Csepregi K. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe special metabolites of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) leaves can protect the plant under possibly damaging circumstances, such as high light, UV, unfavorable temperatures, or other environmental effects. In this study, we examined the cold stress tolerance of three different Hungarian pepper varieties (Darina, Édesalma, Rekord), focusing on the antioxidant and photosynthetic responses. The plants were developed in growth chambers under optimal temperature conditions (day/night 25 °C/20 °C) until the leaves on the fourth node became fully developed, then half of the plants received a cold treatment (day/night 15 °C/10 °C). Via a detailed pigment analysis, the PS II chlorophyll fluorescence responses, gas exchange parameters and total antioxidant capacities, leaf acclimation to low temperatures has been characterized. Our results display some of the developing physiological and antioxidant properties, which are among the main factors in monitoring the damaging effects of cold temperatures. Nevertheless, despite their differences, the tested pepper varieties did not show different cold responses.
Formalstyler: GPT-Based Model for Formal Style Transfer with Meaning Preservation
Authors: de Rivero Mariano , Tirado Cristhiam , Ugarte Willy 
Published: September 2023

AbstractStyle transfer is a natural language processing generation task, it consists of substituting one given writing style for another one. In this work, we seek to perform informal-to-formal style transfers in the English language by using a style transfer model that takes advantage of the GPT-2. This process is shown in our web interface where the user input a informal message by text or voice. Our target audience are students and professionals in the need to improve the quality of their work by formalizing their texts. A style transfer is considered successful when the original semantic meaning of the message is preserved after the independent style has been replaced with a formal one with a high degree of grammatical correctness. This task is hindered by the scarcity of training and evaluation datasets alongside the lack of metrics. To accomplish this task, we opted to utilize OpenAI’s GPT-2 Transformer-based pre-trained model. To adapt the GPT-2 to our research, we fine-tuned the model with a parallel corpus containing informal text entries paired with the equivalent formal ones. We evaluate the fine-tuned model results with two specific metrics, formality and meaning preservation. To further fine-tune the model, we integrate a human-based feedback system where the user selects the best formal sentence out of the ones generated by the model. The resulting evaluations of our solution exhibit similar to improved scores in formality and meaning preservation to state-of-the-art approaches.
Designing a Data Quality Management Framework for CRM Platform Delivery and Consultancy
Authors: Albrecht Renee , Overbeek Sietse , van de Weerd Inge 
Published: September 2023

AbstractCRM platforms heavily depend on high-quality data, where poor-quality data can negatively influence its adoption. Additionally, these platforms are increasingly interconnected and complex to meet the growing needs of customers. Hence, delivery and consultancy of CRM platforms becomes highly complex. In this study, we propose a CRM data quality management framework that supports CRM delivery and consultancy firms to improve data quality management practices within their CRM projects. We develop the framework by extracting best practices for CRM data quality management by means of a literature study on data quality definition and measurement, data quality challenges, and data quality management methods. In a case study at an IT consultancy company, we investigate how CRM delivery and consultancy projects can benefit from the incorporation of data quality management practices. The results translate into a framework that provides a high-level overview of data quality management practices incorporated in CRM delivery and consultancy projects. It includes the following components: Client profiling, project definition, preparation, migration/integration, data quality definition, assessment, and improvement. The framework is validated by means of confirmatory focus groups and a questionnaire.
Towards a Low-Carbon Plastic Waste Recycling in Finland: Evaluating the Impacts of Improvement Measures on GHG Emissions
Authors: Judl Jáchym , Horn Susanna , Karppinen Tiina K. M. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe use of plastics in products and packaging is growing. At the same time, the lifespan of packaging is short and consequently plastic waste volumes are growing in Finland and globally. Although separate collection and recycling of plastic packaging waste exists in Finland, it needs to be strengthened to reach the European Union’s targets. The separately collected plastic waste is mechanically recycled, but the recycling capacity is small, as is the process’s yield of secondary polymers. Hence, a large share of plastic packaging waste remains being recovered for energy. In our study, we first apply material flow analysis (MFA) to identify different routes of plastic packaging waste in Finland, and then we apply life cycle assessment (LCA) to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the current system and of alternative scenarios based on improvement measures. Domestic GHG emissions of the studied system were estimated to be 178 kt CO2e. Net GHG emissions including exports and credits from avoided production were estimated to be 155 kt CO2e. The results of the scenario assessment indicate that combining more measures offer significantly greater potential to reduce the system’s climate impacts, compared to individual measures. The results are complemented by a sensitivity analysis, helping with the interpretation of the results, understanding modelling challenges, and supporting robust decision-making. The study contributes to academic literature in two ways; it presents a robust, yet flexible way to integrate scenario-based, future-oriented modelling techniques into decision-making, and it assesses the various possibilities to improve the plastic recycling system to identify the quantitative improvement potential.
Surface engineering design on alleviating fretting wear: a review
Authors: Zhu Min-Hao , Fan Xiao-Qiang , Cai Zhen-bing , Peng Jin-Fang , Sun Qi 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper introduces the definition, classification, and running modes of fretting damage, as well as industrial phenomena of fretting damage cases. It is detail reviewed the progress of two-types fretting map theory (running condition fretting map-RCFM and material response fretting map-MRFM), and outlines the protection strategy of fretting wear according to the fretting map theory, i.e. eliminating the mixed fretting regime and slip regime, increasing the strength of the contact surface, reducing the coefficient of friction, and selecting and matching of materials. Several surface engineering techniques (such as PVD, laser surface modification technology, bonded solid lubricant coating, thermal spraying coating, and micro-arc oxidation coating) against fretting wear are reviewed, several mechanisms to alleviating fretting wear are proposed as well as a collection of practical examples of surface engineering designs to anti-fretting wear. Base on the review of previous studies, mechanisms of surface engineering technologies for alleviating fretting wear have been proposed. In addition, the content and process of surface engineering design are introduced in this paper. A quantitative evaluation method using polar coordinate diagram is applied to choose appropriate surface engineering technology. Finally, taking the locking pin of variable gauge train as an example, the process of surface engineering design is further expounded.
Adsorption and surface reactions of C2H2 and C2H4 on Co(0001)
Authors: Xu Lingshun , Wu Zongfang , Wang Haocheng , Shi Junjie , Li Zichen , Huang Weixin 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIn this paper we have studied adsorption and surface reactions of acetylene and ethylene on Co(0001) in detail by temperature desorption spectrum (TDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS). C2H4 adsorption at 130 and 300 K followed by subsequent heating mainly forms C2 clusters and graphitic carbon, respectively, while C2H4 decomposes at 400 and 500 K to form dominant graphitic carbon and carbon adatoms, respectively. C2H2 molecularly adsorbs at 130 K but exclusively dehydrogenates upon heating. The resulting C2H2(a) species at low coverages remains stable up to 400 K and then exclusively dehydrogenates into C2 clusters, while the resulting C2H2(a) species at high coverages remains stable up to 310 K and then majorly dehydrocyclizates into (C2H)n intermediates with ring structures at 340 K which further dehydrogenates into graphitic carbon, and minorly dehydrogenates into C2 clusters. Exposed at 370 K, C2H2 dehydrocyclizates into (C2H)n intermediates with ring structures. These temperature and coverage dependent surface reactions of C2H2 and C2H4 on Co(0001) greatly enrich our fundamental understanding of Co-catalyzed F-T synthesis reaction.
The relationship among posttraumatic stress disorder, posttraumatic growth, and suicidal ideation among Italian healthcare workers during the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Gesi Camilla , Cafaro Rita , Achilli Francesco , Boscacci Maria , Cerioli Matteo , Cirnigliaro Giovanna , Loupakis Fotios , Di Maio Massimo , Dell’Osso Bernardo 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectiveThe COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health across different groups, including healthcare workers (HWs). To date, few studies focused on potential positive aspects that may follow the exposure to the pandemic. We investigated the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in Italian HWs and whether posttraumatic growth (PTG) dimensions affected the risk of suicidal ideation (SI) during the first COVID-19 wave.MethodsAn online self-report survey was conducted between April and May 2020. Sociodemographic data, information about COVID-19-related stressful events, Impact of the Event Scale-revised, and Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGI-SF) scores were collected and compared between participants. Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores were also collected to assess SI through item 9. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess the relationship between PTGI and SI.ResultsAmong 948 HWs, 257 (27.0%) reported a provisional PTSD diagnosis. The median PTGI-SF score was 24. Participants reporting PTSD symptoms had higher scores in the Spiritual change, Appreciation of life, and New possibilities domains, and in the total PTG scale. A total of 100 HWs (10.8%) screened positive for SI. Improvements in Relating to others domain of PTGI-SF (odds ratioOR: .46; 95% confidence interval: .25–.85) were associated with lower odds of SI.ConclusionsCOVID-19 pandemic has been indicated as a risk factor for SI, also among HWs. PTG may have a protective role on suicide risk. Improvements in Relating to others domain reduced odds of SI, consistently with the role of loneliness and lack of connectedness with others in enhancing suicidal risk.
Personality Factors and Health Beliefs Related to Attitudes Toward	Wearing Face Masks During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Gallitto Elena , Leth-Steensen Craig 
Published: September 2023

Abstract: Background: The COVID-19 virus is a worldwide pandemic health emergency. Although preventative measures have been put in place in an attempt to control its spread, their implementation has been met with resistance. Aims: To verify the nature of the health belief and personality factors associated with favorable attitudes toward face-mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada. Methods: A sample of N = 680 completed an online survey that included attitudes toward wearing face masks, measures of both malevolent (Machiavellianism, grandiose narcissism, and psychopathy) and benevolent (socially responsible) personality traits, along with a set of health beliefs surrounding COVID-19 (perceived severity and susceptibility, etc.) and the use of face masks (perceived benefits and barriers, cues to action, and self-efficacy). Results: Lower perceived susceptibility, lower perceived benefits, and higher perceived barriers to face-mask use, being more motivated by cues to action, being female, and lower levels of grandiose narcissism were uniquely related to more favorable attitudes toward wearing face masks. The relation between socially responsible personality and mask-wearing attitudes was moderated by perceived severity. Namely, higher levels of socially responsible personality predicted more favorable attitudes but only when perceived severity was also high (with the reverse being evident for those who perceived the severity as being low). Limitations: The data relies on self-reports obtained cross-sectionally from a sample of university students. Conclusions: This study sheds light on the link between pro-mask attitudes and both benevolent/malevolent personality traits and the social-contextual factors related to the enactment of preventative health behaviors.
First Online Observation of Aerosol Total Organic Nitrogen at an Urban Site: Insights Into the Emission Sources and Formation Pathways of Nitrogenous Organic Aerosols
Authors: Yu Xu , Zhou Min , Li Jinjian , Qiao Liping , Lou Shengrong , Han Wenye , Zhang Zijing , Huang Cheng , Yu Jian Zhen 
Published: September 2023

AbstractNitrogen (N) is a constituent element of ambient organic aerosol; however, we have limited knowledge of the total quantity of organic N (ON) and its relative importance to aerosol N due to a lack of effective analytical methods for ON. Here, we report first online measurements of ON in particulate matter (PM2.5) in urban Shanghai in summer of 2021 using a newly developed aerosol nitrogen analyzer. ON accounted for an average of 25% of total aerosol N and varied in the range of 5%–64% on the hourly scale. Hourly variations identified four distinct types of ON episodes that occurred in different hours of a day. Analysis aided by concurrently measured source indicative pollutants revealed that vehicular emissions, nocturnal chemistry, daytime photochemistry or combined primary sources, and secondary chemistry could drive up ON under different day‐to‐day atmospheric conditions. Our results help bridge the knowledge gap in the emissions and formation of organic aerosol.
Cardiometabolic health in adults born with very low birth weight—a sibling study
Authors: Kaseva Nina , Kuula Juho , Sandboge Samuel , Hauta-alus Helena , Björkqvist Johan , Hovi Petteri , Eriksson Johan G. , Vihervaara Terhi , Pietiläinen Kirsi H. , Kajantie Eero 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Background
Preterm survivors have increased risk for impaired cardiometabolic health. We assessed glucose regulation and cardiometabolic biomarkers in adult very low birth weight (VLBW, <1500 g) survivors, using siblings as controls.

Methods
VLBW-participants were matched with term-born, same-sex siblings. At mean age 29.2 years (SD 3.9), 74 VLBW-adults and 70 siblings underwent a 2-h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test and blood tests for assessment of cardiometabolic biomarkers.

Results
Of participants, 23 (31%) VLBW and 11 (16%) sibling-controls met World Health Organization criteria for impaired glucose regulation (OR adjusted for age and sex 2.5, 95% CI: 1.1 to 5.8).
Adjusting for age and sex, VLBW-participants showed 9.2% higher 2-h glucose (95% CI: 0.4% to 18.8%) than their siblings. Also, fasting (13.4%, −0.3% to 29.0%) and 2-h free fatty acids (15.6%, −2.4% to 36.9%) were higher in VLBW-participants. These differences were statistically significant only after further adjusting for confounders. No statistically significant differences were found regarding other measured biomarkers, including insulin resistance, atherogenic lipid profiles or liver tests.

Conclusions
VLBW-adults showed more impaired fatty acid metabolism and glucose regulation. Differences in cardiometabolic biomarkers were smaller than in previous non-sibling studies. This may partly be explained by shared familial, genetic, or environmental factors.

Impact

At young adult age, odds for impaired glucose regulation were 3.4-fold in those born at very low birth weight, compared to same-sex term-born siblings.

Taking into consideration possible unmeasured, shared familial confounders, we compared cardiometabolic markers in adults born preterm at very low birth weight with term-born siblings.

Prematurity increased risk for impaired glucose regulation, unrelated to current participant characteristics, including body mass index.

In contrast to previous studies, differences in insulin resistance were not apparent, suggesting that insulin resistance may partially be explained by factors shared between siblings. Also, common cardiometabolic biomarkers were similar within sibling pairs.
Su(var)3-9 mediates age-dependent increase in H3K9 methylation on TDP-43 promoter triggering neurodegeneration
Authors: Marzullo Marta , Romano Giulia , Pellacani Claudia , Riccardi Federico , Ciapponi Laura , Feiguin Fabian 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAging progressively modifies the physiological balance of the organism increasing susceptibility to both genetic and sporadic neurodegenerative diseases. These changes include epigenetic chromatin remodeling events that may modify the transcription levels of disease-causing genes affecting neuronal survival. However, how these events interconnect is not well understood. Here, we found that Su(var)3-9 causes increased methylation of histone H3K9 in the promoter region of TDP-43, the most frequently altered factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), affecting the mRNA and protein expression levels of this gene through epigenetic modifications that appear to be conserved in agedDrosophilabrains, mouse, and human cells. Remarkably, augmented Su(var)3-9 activity causes a decrease in TDP-43 expression followed by early defects in locomotor activities. In contrast, decreasing Su(var)3-9 action promotes higher levels of TDP-43 expression, improving motility parameters in old flies. The data uncover a novel role of this enzyme in regulating TDP-43 expression and locomotor senescence and indicate conserved epigenetic mechanisms that may play a role in the pathogenesis of ALS.
S100A2 induces epithelial–mesenchymal transition and metastasis in pancreatic cancer by coordinating transforming growth factor β signaling in SMAD4-dependent manner
Authors: Chen Qinbo , Guo Hangcheng , Jiang Haojie , Hu Zujian , Yang Xuejia , Yuan Ziwei , Gao Yuanyuan , Zhang Ge , Bai Yongheng 
Published: September 2023

AbstractPancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive tumor and is associated with a poor prognosis. Treatment strategies for PDAC are largely ineffective primarily because of delay in its diagnosis and limited efficacy of systematic treatment. S100A2 is associated with the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of several tumors; however, its effects on PDAC and the associated molecular mechanisms remain to be explored. We studied the mechanisms underlying the effect of S100A2 on epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in PDAC cells. We found that the level of S100A2 remarkably increased and was associated with poor PDAC prognosis. The overexpression of S100A2 in PANC-1 cells also induced EMT, in addition to increasing the invasion and migration of PDAC cells, whereas the knockdown of S100A2 markedly inhibited cell metastasis. Furthermore, S100A2 was found to enhance metastatic abilities in vivo. The overexpression of S100A2 increased SMAD4 expression, whereas the knockdown of S100A2 reduced SMAD4 expression. SMAD4 overexpression could effectively rescue the effects of S100A2 knockdown on EMT. S100A2 mechanistically activated the transforming growth factor (TGF)-β/Smad2/3 signaling pathway, upregulated SMAD4 expression, induced EMT, and increased PANC-1 cell metastasis. In conclusion, the S100A2/SMAD4 axis modulates EMT to accelerate PDAC development. Our results supplement and enrich the understanding of the pathogenesis underlying PDAC and provide a new theoretical basis and strategy targeting S100A2 for the diagnosis and treatment of PDAC.
Revealing the closed pore formation of waste wood-derived hard carbon for advanced sodium-ion battery
Authors: Tang Zheng , Zhang Rui , Wang Haiyan , Zhou Siyu , Pan Zhiyi , Huang Yuancheng , Sun Dan , Tang Yougen , Ji Xiaobo , Amine Khalil , Shao Minhua 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAlthough the closed pore structure plays a key role in contributing low-voltage plateau capacity of hard carbon anode for sodium-ion batteries, the formation mechanism of closed pores is still under debate. Here, we employ waste wood-derived hard carbon as a template to systematically establish the formation mechanisms of closed pores and their effect on sodium storage performance. We find that the high crystallinity cellulose in nature wood decomposes to long-range carbon layers as the wall of closed pore, and the amorphous component can hinder the graphitization of carbon layer and induce the crispation of long-range carbon layers. The optimized sample demonstrates a high reversible capacity of 430 mAh g−1 at 20 mA g−1 (plateau capacity of 293 mAh g−1 for the second cycle), as well as good rate and stable cycling performances (85.4% after 400 cycles at 500 mA g−1). Deep insights into the closed pore formation will greatly forward the rational design of hard carbon anode with high capacity.