bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimentally induced active and quiet sleep engage non-overlapping transcriptional programs in Drosophila
Authors: Anthoney Niki , Tainton-Heap Lucy A.L. , Luong Hang , Notaras Eleni , Kewin Amber B. , Zhao Qiongyi , Perry Trent , Batterham Philip , Shaw Paul J. , van Swinderen Bruno
Published: October 2023

Sleep in mammals can be broadly classified into two different physiological categories: rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and slow wave sleep (SWS), and accordingly REM and SWS are thought to achieve a different set of functions. The fruit fly
Drosophila melanogaster
is increasingly being used as a model to understand sleep functions, although it remains unclear if the fly brain also engages in different kinds of sleep as well. Here, we compare two commonly used approaches for studying sleep experimentally in
Drosophila
: optogenetic activation of sleep-promoting neurons and provision of a sleep-promoting drug, Gaboxadol. We find that these different sleep-induction methods have similar effects on increasing sleep duration, but divergent effects on brain activity. Transcriptomic analysis reveals that drug-induced deep sleep (‘quiet’ sleep) mostly downregulates metabolism genes, whereas optogenetic ‘active’ sleep upregulates a wide range of genes relevant to normal waking functions. This suggests that optogenetics and pharmacological induction of sleep in
Drosophila
promote different features of sleep, which engage different sets of genes to achieve their respective functions.
Auditory confounds can drive online effects of transcranial ultrasonic stimulation in humans
Authors: Kop Benjamin R. , Oghli Yazan Shamli , Grippe Talyta C. , Nandi Tulika , Lefkes Judith , Meijer Sjoerd W. , Farboud Soha , Engels Marwan , Hamani Michelle , Null Melissa , Radetz Angela , Hassan Umair , Darmani Ghazaleh , Chetverikov Andrey , den Ouden Hanneke E.M. , Bergmann Til Ole , Chen Robert , Verhagen Lennart
Published: October 2023

Transcranial ultrasonic stimulation (TUS) is rapidly emerging as a promising non-invasive neuromodulation technique. TUS is already well-established in animal models, providing foundations to now optimize neuromodulatory efficacy for human applications. Across multiple studies, one promising protocol, pulsed at 1000 Hz, has consistently resulted in motor cortical inhibition in humans. At the same time, a parallel research line has highlighted the potentially confounding influence of peripheral auditory stimulation arising from TUS pulsing at audible frequencies.In this study, we disentangle direct neuromodulatory and indirect auditory contributions to motor inhibitory effects of TUS. To this end, we include tightly matched control conditions across four experiments, one preregistered, conducted independently at three institutions.We employed a combined transcranial ultrasonic and magnetic stimulation paradigm, where TMS-elicited motor-evoked potentials (MEPs) served as an index of corticospinal excitability.
Results:
We replicated motor inhibitory effects of TUS but showed through both tight controls and manipulation of stimulation intensity, duration, and auditory masking conditions that this inhibition was driven by peripheral auditory stimulation, not direct neuromodulation. Further, we consider neuromodulation beyond driving overall excitation/inhibition and show preliminary evidence of how TUS might interact with ongoing neural dynamics instead.This study highlights the substantial impact of the auditory confound, invites a reevaluation of prior findings, and calls for appropriate control conditions in future TUS studies. Only when direct effects are disentangled from those driven by peripheral confounds can TUS fully realize its potential for research and clinical applications.
An image segmentation method based on the spatial correlation coefficient of Local Moran’s I
Authors: Dávid Csaba , Giber Kristóf , Kerti-Szigeti Katalin , Kollo Mihaly , Nusser Zoltán , Acsády László
Published: October 2023

Unsupervised segmentation in biological and non-biological images is only partially resolved. Segmentation either requires arbitrary thresholds or large teaching datasets. Here we propose a spatial autocorrelation method based on Local Moran’s I coefficient to differentiate signal, background and noise in any type of image. The method, originally described for geoinformatics, does not require a predefined intensity threshold or teaching algorithm for image segmentation and allows quantitative comparison of samples obtained in different conditions. It utilizes relative intensity as well as spatial information of neighboring elements to select spatially contiguous groups of pixels. We demonstrate that Moran’s method outperforms threshold-based method (TBM) in both artificially generated as well as in natural images especially when background noise is substantial. This superior performance can be attributed to the exclusion of false positive pixels resulting from isolated, high intensity pixels in high noise conditions. To test the method’s power in real situation we used high power confocal images of the somatosensory thalamus immunostained for Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 (A-type) voltage gated potassium channels. Moran’s method identified high intensity Kv4.2 and Kv4.3 ion channel clusters in the thalamic neuropil. Spatial distribution of these clusters displayed strong correlation with large sensory axon terminals of subcortical origin. The unique association of the special presynaptic terminals and a postsynaptic voltage gated ion channel cluster was confirmed with electron microscopy. These data demonstrate that Moran’s method is a rapid, simple image segmentation method optimal for variable and high nose conditions.Most images of natural objects are noisy, especially when captured at the resolution limit of the optical devices. The simplest way of differentiating between pixels of objects and noise is to examine the neighboring pixels. Statistical evaluation of local spatial correlation highlights assemblies of non-random bright pixels representing tiny biological entities, e.g. potassium channel clusters. Local Moran’s I allows detecting borders of fuzzy objects therefore it can be a basis of a user independent image segmentation method. This straightforward method outperforms threshold based segmentation methods and does not require a tedious training of artificial intelligence. The method could identify a previously unknown association of specialized presynaptic terminal type with postsynaptic ion channel clusters.
Hypothalamic CRH Neurons Modulate Sevoflurane Anesthesia and The Post-anesthesia Stress Responses
Authors: Jiang Shan , Chen Lu , Qu Wei-Min , Huang Zhi-Li , Chen Chang-Rui
Published: October 2023

General anesthetics benefit patients undergoing surgeries without consciousness, but the undesired stress response associated with general anesthesia (GA) causes delayed recovery and even increased morbidity in the clinic. Here, a core hypothalamic ensemble, corticotropin-releasing hormone neurons in the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVH
CRH
neurons) is discovered, which regulates the anesthetic effects and post-anesthesia stress response of sevoflurane GA. Chemogenetic activation of these neurons delay the induction of and accelerated emergence from sevoflurane GA, whereas chemogenetic inhibition exert the opposite effects. Moreover, optogenetic stimulation of PVH
CRH
neurons induce rapid cortical activation during both the steady and deep sevoflurane GA state with burst-suppression oscillations. Interestingly, chemogenetic inhibition of PVH
CRH
neurons relieve the sevoflurane GA-elicited stress response (e.g., excessive self-grooming and elevated corticosterone level). These findings identify a common neural substrate integrating the anesthetic effect and post-anesthesia stress response of sevoflurane GA.
Estimating the true stability of the prehydrolytic outward-facing state in an ABC protein
Authors: Simon Márton A , Iordanov Iordan , Szollosi Andras , Csanády László
Published: October 2023

CFTR, the anion channel mutated in cystic fibrosis patients, is a model ABC protein whose ATP-driven conformational cycle is observable at single-molecule level in patch-clamp recordings. Bursts of CFTR pore openings are coupled to tight dimerization of its two nucleotide-binding domains (NBDs) and in wild-type (WT) channels are mostly terminated by ATP hydrolysis. The slow rate of non-hydrolytic closure – which determines how tightly bursts and ATP hydrolysis are coupled – is unknown, as burst durations of catalytic site mutants span a range of ~200-fold. Here, we show that Walker A mutation K1250A, Walker B mutation D1370N, and catalytic glutamate mutations E1371S and E1371Q all completely disrupt ATP hydrolysis. True non-hydrolytic closing rate of WT CFTR approximates that of K1250A and E1371S. That rate is slowed ~15-fold in E1371Q by a non-native inter-NBD H-bond, and accelerated ~15-fold in D1370N. These findings uncover unique features of the NBD interface in human CFTR.
Different patterns of foreground and background processing contribute to texture segregation in humans: an electrophysiological study
Authors: Zhang Baoqiang , Hu Saisai , Zhang Tingkang , Hai Min , Wang Yongchun , Li Ya , Wang Yonghui
Published: October 2023

Background

Figure-ground segregation is a necessary process for accurate visual recognition. Previous neurophysiological and human brain imaging studies have suggested that foreground-background segregation relies on both enhanced foreground representation and suppressed background representation. However, in humans, it is not known when and how foreground and background processing play a role in texture segregation.

Methods

To answer this question, it is crucial to extract and dissociate the neural signals elicited by the foreground and background of a figure texture with high temporal resolution. Here, we combined an electroencephalogram (EEG) recording and a temporal response function (TRF) approach to specifically track the neural responses to the foreground and background of a figure texture from the overall EEG recordings in the luminance-tracking TRF. A uniform texture was included as a neutral condition. The texture segregation visual evoked potential (tsVEP) was calculated by subtracting the uniform TRF from the foreground and background TRFs, respectively, to index the specific segregation activity.

Results

We found that the foreground and background of a figure texture were processed differently during texture segregation. In the posterior region of the brain, we found a negative component for the foreground tsVEP in the early stage of foreground-background segregation, and two negative components for the background tsVEP in the early and late stages. In the anterior region, we found a positive component for the foreground tsVEP in the late stage, and two positive components for the background tsVEP in the early and late stages of texture processing.

Discussion

In this study we investigated the temporal profile of foreground and background processing during texture segregation in human participants at a high time resolution. The results demonstrated that the foreground and background jointly contribute to figure-ground segregation in both the early and late phases of texture processing. Our findings provide novel evidence for the neural correlates of foreground-background modulation during figure-ground segregation in humans.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of ABA receptor pyrabactin resistance 1-like protein (PYL) family in oat
Authors: Mi Wenbo , Liu Kaiqiang , Liang Guoling , Jia Zhifeng , Ma Xiang , Ju Zeliang , Liu Wenhui
Published: October 2023

Abscisic acid (ABA) is a phytohormone that plays an important role in plant growth and development. Meanwhile, ABA also plays a key role in the plant response to abiotic stressors such as drought and high salinity. The pyrabactin resistance 1-like (PYR/PYL) protein family of ABA receptors is involved in the initial step of ABA signal transduction. However, no systematic studies of the PYL family in “Avena sativa, a genus Avena in the grass family Poaceae,” have been conducted to date. Thus, in this study, we performed a genome-wide screening to identify PYL genes in oat and characterized their responses to drought stress. A total of 12 AsPYL genes distributed on nine chromosomes were identified. The phylogenetic analysis divided these AsPYLs into three subfamilies, based on structural and functional similarities. Gene and motif structure analysis of AsPYLs revealed that members of each subfamily share similar gene and motif structure. Segmental duplication appears to be the driving force for the expansion of PYLs, Furthermore, stress-responsive AsPYLs were detected through RNA-seq analysis. The qRT-PCR analysis of 10 AsPYL genes under drought, salt, and ABA stress revealed that AsPYL genes play an important role in stress response. These data provide a reference for further studies on the oat PYL gene family and its function.
SEM & FTIR Analysis of Rice Husk to Assess the Impact of Physiochemical Pretreatment
Authors: Bhatia Latika , Sahu Dilip Kumar
Published: October 2023

The objective of this research is to obtain FTIR and SEM profile of native and pulverized rice husk in order to understand its feasibility for further enzymatic digestion. Pretreatment is one of the pivotal processes in utilizing lignocellulosic biomass for producing bioethanol. An ecofriendly system only allows mild pretreatment strategies for industrial bioethanol production. The steam explosion pretreatment process is reported to be efficient using rice husk for these procedures with the use of mild acids or bases. In the current work, pretreatment method like steam explosion pretreatment method was used with NaOH and HNO3 to degrade the complex structures and release the sugars entrapped within lignin. The pretreatment effect on the matrix of husk cell-wall and its constituents are characterized microscopically and spectroscopically by scanning electron microscopy and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy respectively, in order to comprehend the future possibility of its digestion by cellulase. The crystallinity index of native substrate is very high (0.94 cm-1), which reduced significantly to -0.277 and -0.34 cm-1 when pretreated with 2% HNO3 and 10% HNO3 respectively. The steam explosion pretreatment does not support the degradation of the cellulosic fibrillar arrangement, but causes intense re-localization of lignin. The descriptions of scanning electron microscopy were in agreement with the findings of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy; the ordered structure generally found in native rice husk was missing, suggesting that the structure of the 2% HNO3 treated rice husk was more amorphous. The fractional removal of hemicelluloses and total removal of wax is the outcome of this research work. Results revealed that steam explosion pretreatment increases the possibility of digestion by enhancing cellulose accessibility through lignin re-localization and a partial elimination of hemicelluloses rather than by cell wall disruption.
Encounter Appropriateness Score for You Model: Development and Pilot Implementation of a Predictive Model to Identify Visits Appropriate for Telehealth in Rheumatology
Authors: Solomon Mary , Henao Ricardo , Economau‐Zavlanos Nicoleta , Smith Isaac , Adagarla Bhargav , Overton A. J. , Howe Catherine , Doss Jayanth , Clowse Megan , Leverenz David L.
Published: October 2023

Objective

We aimed to develop a decision‐making tool to predict telehealth appropriateness for future rheumatology visits and expand telehealth care access.

Methods

The model was developed using the Encounter Appropriateness Score for You (EASY) and electronic health record data at a single academic rheumatology practice from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2021. The EASY model is a logistic regression model that includes encounter characteristics, patient sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, and provider characteristics. The goal of pilot implementation was to determine if model recommendations align with provider preferences and influence telehealth scheduling. Four providers were presented with future encounters that the model identified as candidates for a change in encounter modality (true changes), along with an equal number of artificial (false) recommendations. Providers and patients could accept or reject proposed changes.

Results

The model performs well, with an area under the curve from 0.831 to 0.855 in 21,679 encounters across multiple validation sets. Covariates that contributed most to model performance were provider preference for and frequency of telehealth encounters. Other significant contributors included encounter characteristics (current scheduled encounter modality) and patient factors (age, Routine Assessment of Patient Index Data 3 scores, diagnoses, and medications). The pilot included 201 encounters. Providers were more likely to agree with true versus artificial recommendations (Cohen's κ = 0.45, P < 0.001), and the model increased the number of appropriate telehealth visits.

Conclusion

The EASY model accurately identifies future visits that are appropriate for telehealth. This tool can support shared decision‐making between patients and providers in deciding the most appropriate follow‐up encounter modality.
Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yang Jia‐Man , Li Cong‐Cong , Wang Yi , Li Jun‐Yi , Xu Jian‐Mei , Liang Man‐Guang , Ou Liang , Shen Zhen , Chen Ze‐Hua
Published: October 2023

Objective

The effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is still unclear. The objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tDCS in improving symptoms in patients with KOA.

Methods

The following electronic databases were searched for eligible randomized controlled trials (RCTs): PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library. The search was performed from the inception dates to April 30, 2023. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Standard mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for pooled data were calculated. A random‐effects model was used for the data analyses. The primary outcomes were pain and physical function. Secondary outcomes included stiffness, mobility performance, quality of life, pressure pain tolerance, and plasma levels of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF).

Results

This meta‐analysis included 13 RCTs. tDCS was significantly associated with pain decrease compared with sham tDCS (SMD = −0.62, 95% CI −0.87 to −0.37, P < 0.00001). When comparing tDCS plus other non‐tDCS with sham tDCS plus other non‐tDCS, there was no longer a significant association with pain decrease (SMD = −0.45, 95% CI −1.08 to 0.17, P = 0.16). The changes in physical function were not significantly different between the tDCS and sham tDCS groups (SMD = −0.09, 95% CI −0.56 to 0.38, P = 0.71). When comparing tDCS plus other non‐tDCS with sham tDCS plus other non‐tDCS, there was still no significant association with improvement in physical function (SMD = −0.66, 95% CI −1.63 to 0.30, P = 0.18). There was no significant difference with improvement in stiffness (SMD = −0.21, 95% CI −0.77 to 0.34, P = 0.45), mobility performance (SMD = 4.58, 95% CI −9.21 to 18.37, P = 0.51), quality of life (SMD = −7.01, 95% CI −22.61 to 8.59, P = 0.38), and pressure pain tolerance (SMD = 0.30, 95% CI −0.09 to 0.69, P = 0.13). There was a statistically significant reduction in plasma levels of BDNF (SMD = −13.57, 95% CI −24.23 to −2.92, P = 0.01).

Conclusion

In conclusion, tDCS could significantly alleviate pain, but it might have no efficacy in physical function, stiffness, mobility performance, quality of life, and pressure pain tolerance among patients with KOA.
Photo‐Responsive Dynamic Organic Room‐Temperature Phosphorescence Materials Based on a Functional Unit Combination Strategy
Authors: Yang Zhiqiang , Liu Haichao , Zhang Xiangyu , Lv Yingbo , Fu Zhiyuan , Zhao Shuaiqiang , Liu Meng , Zhang Shi‐Tong , Yang Bing
Published: October 2023

A rational molecular design strategy facilitates the development of a purely organic room‐temperature phosphorescence (RTP) material system with precisely regulated luminescence properties, which surely promotes its functional integration and intelligent application. Here, a functional unit combination strategy is proposed to design novel RTP molecules combining a folding unit with diverse luminescent cores. The different luminescent cores are mainly responsible for tunable RTP properties, while the folding unit contributes to the spin–orbit coupling (SOC) enhancement, which makes the RTP material design as workable as the building block principle. By this strategy, a series of color/lifetime‐tunable RTP materials is achieved with unique photo‐responsive RTP enhancement when subjected to UV irradiation, which expands their application scenarios in reusable privacy tags, advanced “4D” encryption, and phase separation analysis of blended polymers. This work suggests a simple and effective strategy to design purely organic RTP materials with tunable color and lifetime, and also provides new application options for photo‐responsive dynamic RTP materials.
“The most significant child welfare reform in a generation”: An examination of the strategies used by the Home Stretch campaign
Authors: Mendes Philip
Published: October 2023

For more than three decades, official and independent enquiries have documented the poor outcomes experienced by many young people transitioning from out‐of‐home care (OOHC) in Australia, known as care leavers. Yet, until 2017, most of the state and territory governments cut off financial support to these vulnerable young people at no later than 18 years of age and failed to provide them with the ongoing material and relationship assistance into early adulthood guaranteed to most of their non‐care peers. Australia was regarded internationally as a leaving care laggard. This paper examines the remarkably effective advocacy strategies used by the Home Stretch campaign, formed in 2016, to persuade all Australian jurisdictions to extend OOHC until 21 years. By the end of 2022, every state and territory had agreed to introduce some form of extended care, and Australia was recognised as a global leader in leaving care policy and programmes provision.
Getting more value from Australian Intergenerational Reports
Authors: Podger Andrew
Published: October 2023

This article highlights the lessons learned from a study of the 2021 Intergenerational Report hosted by the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia. That study, published in a book, More than Fiscal, (Podger et al., 2023, More than Fiscal, ANU Press), also advises how to improve future IGRs. The article includes a brief assessment of the extent to which the recently published 2023 IGR takes up the improvements suggested.
Isomer Effect on Energy Storage of π‐Extended S‐Shaped Double[6]Heterohelicene
Authors: Kumar Viksit , Bharathkumar H. J. , Dongre Sangram D. , Gonnade Rajesh , Krishnamoorthy Kothandam , Babu Sukumaran Santhosh
Published: October 2023

Recently, chiral and nonplanar cutouts of graphene have been the favorites due to their unique optical, electronic, and redox properties and high solubility compared with their planar counterparts. Despite the remarkable progress in helicenes, π‐extended heterohelicenes have not been widely explored. As an anode in a lithium‐ion battery, the racemic mixture of π‐extended double heterohelical nanographene containing thienothiophene core exhibited a high lithium storage capability, attaining a specific capacity of 424 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 with excellent rate capability and superior long‐term cycling performance over 6000 cycles with negligible fade. As a first report, the π‐extended helicene isomer (PP and MM), with the more interlayer distance that helps faster diffusion of ions, has exhibited a high capacity of 300 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1 with long‐term cycling performance over 1500 cycles compared to the less performing MP and PM isomer and racemic mixture (150 mAh g−1 at 2 A g−1). As supported by single‐crystal X‐ray analysis, a unique molecular design of nanographenes with a fixed (helical) molecular geometry, avoiding restacking of the layers, renders better performance as an anode in lithium‐ion batteries. Interestingly, the recycled nanographene anode material displayed comparable performance.
Pyrazine‐linked Iron‐coordinated Tetrapyrrole Conjugated Organic Polymer Catalyst with Spatially Proximate Donor‐Acceptor Pairs for Oxygen Reduction in Fuel Cells
Authors: Wang Yang , Wang Minghao , Chen Ting , Yu Weisheng , Liu Hongfei , Cheng Han , Bi Wentuan , Zhou Min , Xie Yi , Wu Changzheng
Published: October 2023

Nitrogen‐coordinated iron (Fe−N4) materials represent the most promising non‐noble electrocatalysts for the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of fuel cells. However, molecular‐level structure design of Fe−N4 electrocatalyst remains a great challenge. In this study, we develop a novel Fe−N4 conjugated organic polymer (COP) electrocatalyst, which allows for precise design of the Fe−N4 structure, leading to unprecedented ORR performance. At the molecular level, we have successfully organized spatially proximate iron‐pyrrole/pyrazine (FePr/Pz) pairs into fully conjugated polymer networks, which in turn endows FePr sites with firmly covalent‐bonded matrix, strong d‐π electron coupling and highly dense distribution. The resulting pyrazine‐linked iron‐coordinated tetrapyrrole (Pz−FeTPr) COP electrocatalyst exhibits superior performance compared to most ORR electrocatalysts, with a half‐wave potential of 0.933 V and negligible activity decay after 40,000 cycles. When used as the cathode electrocatalyst in a hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell, the Pz−FeTPr COP achieves a peak power density of ≈210 mW cm−2. We anticipate the COP based Fe−N4 catalyst design could be an effective strategy to develop high‐performance catalyst for facilitating the progress of fuel cells.
Photocatalytic Enantioselective Hydrosulfonylation of α,β‐Unsaturated Carbonyls with Sulfonyl Chlorides
Authors: Cao Shi , Kim Doyoung , Lee Wooseok , Hong Sungwoo
Published: October 2023

This research explores the enantioselective hydrosulfonylation of various α,β‐unsaturated carbonyl compounds via the use of visible light and redox‐active chiral Ni‐catalysis, facilitating the synthesis of enantioenriched α‐chiral sulfones with remarkable enantioselectivity (exceeding 99 % ee). A significant challenge entails enhancing the reactivity between chiral metal‐coordinated carbonyl compounds and moderate electrophilic sulfonyl radicals, aiming to minimize the background reactions. The success of our approach stems from two distinctive attributes: 1) the Cl‐atom abstraction employed for sulfonyl radical generation from sulfonyl chlorides, and 2) the single‐electron reduction to produce a key enolate radical Ni‐complex. The latter process appears to enhance the feasibility of the sulfonyl radical's addition to the electron‐rich enolate radical. An in‐depth investigation into the reaction mechanism, supported by both experimental observations and theoretical analysis, offers insight into the intricate reaction process. Moreover, the versatility of our methodology is highlighted through its successful application in the late‐stage functionalization of complex bioactive molecules, demonstrating its practicality as a strategy for producing α‐chiral sulfones.
The impact of green innovation on sustainability and financial performance: Evidence from the Jordanian financial sector
Authors: Srouji Anan F. , Hamdallah Madher E. , Al‐Hamadeen Radhi , Al‐Okaily Manaf , Elamer Ahmed A.
Published: October 2023

The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between sustainability performance (SP) and financial performance (FP), based on performance disclosures (reporting) of the Jordanian financial sector for the period of 2017–2020. The study employs green innovation (GI) indicators as moderating and mediating variables; by using hierarchical regression; as means of unlocking and examining the relationship between SP and FP; through the lens of the stakeholder theory. The hierarchical regression findings suggest that GI indicators partially mediate the relationship between SP and FP, but do not demonstrate a moderating effect. As a main result, it is indicated that Jordanian financial institutions may use SP transparency indicators as an incentive variable, which could influence their overall FP. The research also contributes to the existing literature by adding insight into the use of GI indicators in a developing country and the potential impact on financial institutions markets. These findings lend empirical credence to the generally held belief that increase disclosure benefits for both internal and external users.
Can blockchain technologies enhance environmental sustainable development goals performance in manufacturing firms? Potential mediation of green supply chain management practices
Authors: Jan Amin , Salameh Anas A. , Rahman Haseeb Ur , Alasiri Mohanad M.
Published: October 2023

The nexus between manufacturing firms and the green environment is unavoidable. It is merely due to the huge waste generation and greenhouse gas emissions resulting from large‐scale production and complex supply chain management processes involved in manufacturing firms. Continuation of the traditional business practices during Industry 4.0 made it impossible for the manufacturing firm to commit to green environmental practices and comply with environmental SDGs. At odd, it requires novel business strategies to ensure compliance of manufacturing firms with environmental sustainable development goals (SDGs). Blockchain is an ideal technology for delivering green environmental‐related information because it offers real‐time, shareable, and entirely transparent data kept on an immutable ledger that is accessible to members of a network. These green environmental‐related information received in real‐time through blockchain technology help in the transformation of the traditional supply chain management practices into a more green supply chain management practice. This green transformation ensures business compliance with environmental SDGs and that compliance is shared with multiple stakeholders through blockchain technology in real‐time, thus approving a positive mediating role of green supply chain management practices between blockchain technology and environmental SDGs performance. The proposed strategic framework through various propositions development will mainly offer policy insights toward (a) identifying novel antecedents of blockchain technology, (b) offering insights toward upgrading the traditional supply chain management framework into a green supply chain management framework, and (c) illuminating novel mediating role of green supply chain management practices between blockchain technology and environmental SDGs performance.
Influence of scarcity and environmental consciousness on food waste behaviour
Authors: Jaiswal Jayshree , Aagja Jayesh
Published: October 2023

Household food waste is one of the major contributors of the food waste across the supply chain raising concerns over environmental, economic and social issues. Global forums like United Nations have targeted to bring down the amount of waste generated to at least half by 2030 through the implementation of sustainable solutions. Therefore, considering the importance of the topic, the present work aims to explore how an individual's food waste behaviour takes shape during the scarcity context in a crisis‐based situation like the recent COVID‐19 pandemic. We collected the data online from 398 individuals residing in India, an emerging market context. This study presents a new avenue that during resource scarcity people can show generous behaviour as opposed to self‐interestedness and make efforts to conserve food. This, in turn, also increases their environmental and societal tendency. Thus, we argue that scarcity bridges the gap between food chain responsibility and sustainable development. We also accounted for the influence of environmental consciousness as a moderator affecting the behaviour of an individual as it further intensifies responsible food behaviour. The insights from the findings can help practitioners, public policymakers and academicians exploring the phenomenon of food waste to devise effective strategies, favourable policies and future research directions.
Essential Oil Composition of Fruits of Eight Ferulago Species Growing in Türkiye and Multivariate Statistical Analyses
Authors: Kırcı Damla , Demirci Betül , Kılıç Ceyda S. , Gürbüz İlhan , Duman Hayri
Published: October 2023

In this study, the composition of the volatile oils obtained from the fruits of 8 Ferulago species (Ferulago cassia Boiss., F. isaurica Peşmen, F. humilis Boiss., F. macrosciadia Boiss. & Balansa, F. setifolia K.Koch, F. silaifolia (Boiss.) Boiss., F. syriaca Boiss., F. trojana Akalın & Pimenov) growing naturally in Türkiye were examined by means of GC/MS and GC‐FID and α‐pinene was determined to be present in the fruits of four species along with other monoterpenes as major components. Principal Component Analyses (PCA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) was performed, utilizing ten major components in the eight essential oils. Also, a Venn diagram was used to demonstrate chemotaxonomical variations in the composition of the essential oils of eight Ferulago species.
Selective Photocatalytic Reduction of 3‐Nitrophenol to 3‐Aminophenol by Anatase and Rutile TiO2 – What Stands Behind the Photoactivity?
Authors: Yaemsunthorn Kasidid , Adamowicz Wiktoria , Kobielusz Marcin , Macyk Wojciech
Published: October 2023

The photocatalytic selective reduction of 3‐nitrophenol to 3‐aminophenol was studied in the presence of titanium dioxide in the form of various anatase and rutile compositions. The reaction progress is altered by various parameters, which can be classified as intrinsic (depending on the chemical, structural, and electronic features) and extrinsic (depending on the reaction and conditions). The goal of the studies was to understand the influence of intrinsic factors and to compare the performance of anatase and rutile materials. The (photo)electrochemical analysis revealed unequivocally the differences in interfacial electron transfer, charge recombination, reduction driving force, and methanol photooxidation efficiency for titania polymorphs. It appeared that all mentioned processes were phase‐dependent, and they contributed unequally to overall photocatalytic activity. In particular, methanol oxidation was the most efficient at the rutile phase, which overcame the critical limitation of the oxidation pathway and facilitated the reduction of 3‐nitrophenol. On the other hand, the dark electron transfer efficiency was highest at the anatase phase, despite the lower driving force in this case. The presented thorough and systematic analysis of the discussed photocatalytic system (the photocatalyst and the reaction) should allow the rational design of efficient and selective photocatalysts.
Tuning the Solid State Luminescence of Benzofuran‐Cyanostilbenes by Functionalization with Electron Donors or Acceptors
Authors: Abdo Jihad , Ayoub Augustin , Ibrahim Nagham , Allain Magali , Frère Pierre
Published: October 2023

Three series of linear extended benzofuran derivatives associating cyanovinyl unit and electron withdrawing systems such as paracyanophenyl (series 1) and pentafluorophenyl (series 2) units or the electron donor 3,4‐dimethoxyphenyl (series 3) moiety have been prepared. The donor character of the benzofuran part is adjusted either without modifying the conjugation by adding electron‐donating methoxy groups to positions 5 and 6 of the benzofuran (compounds BF2 and BF3) or by increasing the extension of the conjugation with the naphthofuran unit (BF4), and by the insertion of a furan ring between the benzofuran and the cyanovinylene bond (BF5). While most of the compounds show very low emission in solution, microcrystalline powders of almost all compounds show middle at strong emissions under excitation at 350–400 nm with emission colors ranging from blue – green to red. It is shown that this variation of the emission colors is essentially due to the type of stacking of the molecules in the solids for series 1 and 2. For series 3, it is above all the extension of the conjugation of the compounds which leads to the red shift.
Deoxygenation of Oxiranes by λ3σ3‐Phosphorus Reagents: A Computational, Mechanistic, and Stereochemical Study
Authors: Espinosa Ferao Arturo
Published: October 2023

The deoxygenation of parent and substituted oxiranes by λ3σ3‐phosphorus reagents has been explored in detail, therefore unveiling mechanistic aspects as well as regio‐ and stereochemical consequences. Attack to a ring C atom is almost always preferred over one‐step deoxygenation by direct P‐to‐O attack. In most cases a carbene transfer occurs as first step, leading to a phosphorane and a carbonyl unit that thereafter react in the usual Wittig fashion via the corresponding λ5σ5‐1,2‐oxaphosphetane intermediate. Betaines rarely constitute true minima after the first C‐attack to oxiranes, at least in the gas‐phase. Use of the heavier derivatives AsMe3 and SbMe3 as oxirane deoxygenating reagents was also mechanistically studied. The thermodynamic tendency of λ3σ3‐phosphorus reagents to act as oxygen (O‐attack) or carbene acceptors (C‐attack) was theoretically studied by means of the thermodynamic oxygen‐transfer potential (TOP) and the newly defined thermodynamic carbene‐transfer potential (TCP) parameters, that were explored in a wider context together with many other acceptor centres.
Can green innovation promote the financial performance of SMEs? Empirical evidence from China
Authors: Ji Huanyong , Zhou Siyuan , Wan Jun , Lan Chongfeng
Published: October 2023

This paper contributes to the existing knowledge on the correlation between green innovation and financial performance among small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). It examines the effects of two types of green innovation, specifically green product innovation and green process innovation, on the financial performance of SMEs. Additionally, it investigates the moderating role of economic support and predetermined targets, which are essential components of government subsidy programs, in relation to the aforementioned associations. Based on the panel dataset collected from Chinese manufacturing and energy industries covering the period of 2011–2021, the results show that (1) green product innovation may not positively impact the financial performance of SMEs; (2) green process innovation could enhance the financial performance of SMEs; (3) economic support may positively moderate the relationship between green process innovation and the financial performance of SMEs, while predetermined targets may negatively influence this relationship. These findings have considerable implications for practitioners, policymakers, and researchers in the industrial sector.
The effect of magnetic field on the electric breakdown trajectory of high‐voltage electric pulse rock breaking
Authors: Liu Weiji , Zhou Xin , Zhu Xiaohua
Published: October 2023

High‐voltage electric pulse drilling technology has the advantages of high rock‐breaking efficiency, low energy consumption for rock breaking, and good quality of well wall, which is a new and efficient potential rock‐breaking method. In this paper, we constructed a numerical simulation model of rock electric breakdown and realized the whole process of rock breaking and plasma channel generation by high‐voltage electric pulse. The results of the study showed that the change of magnetic field has a large influence on the formation of plasma channels inside the rock, and under the self‐magnetic field environment, the plasma channels inside the rock show branching, and the maximum penetration depth and maximum damage depth are higher than those under the non‐magnetic field environment. In the external magnetic field environment, the plasma channels gradually tend to develop “downward” (inside the rock), and the temperature distribution of the plasma channels inside the rock is more concentrated. In the presence of a magnetic field, the speed and degree of freedom of charged particles are limited. In an external magnetic field environment, the charged particles cause fewer particles to deviate, and the particles show a “downward” accumulation phenomenon. The research in this paper can provide certain theoretical and technical guidance for the development of electric pulse rock‐breaking technology and provide reference for the development and parameter optimization of electric pulse rock‐breaking tools.
Atypical function of auditory sensory gating in children with developmental dyslexia: Investigating its relationship with cognitive abilities
Authors: Panahi Rasool , Akbari Mehdi , Jarollahi Farnoush , Haghani Hamid , Kazemnezhad Leyli Ehsan , Zia Maryam
Published: October 2023

Impairments of auditory processing are among frequent findings in dyslexia. However, it is unclear how auditory signals are gated from brainstem to higher central processing stages in these individuals. The present study was done to investigate auditory sensory gating in children with developmental dyslexia (DD), and to determine whether sensory gating correlates with performance on behavioural tasks. Auditory sensory gating at P50, N1 and P2 waves was evaluated in two groups including 20 children with DD and 19 children with typical reading development (TRD). Behavioural tests were used to evaluate phonological working memory (PWM) and selective attention abilities. Sensory gating in children with DD was significantly less efficient than their peers at P50, N1 and P2 waves. Lower auditory evoked potential (AEP) amplitudes were found in the DD group. The children with TRD scored better in all the behavioural tests. Relationships were reported between sensory gating at P50, N1, P2 and behavioural performance in the two groups. Children with dyslexia had deficient sensory gating in comparison with controls. In addition, children with dyslexia experienced problems with PWM and selective attention tasks. The function of sensory gating was associated with attentional and PWM performances in this group.
Intrasexual aggression reduces mating success in field crickets
Authors: Tinsley Eleanor K. , Bailey Nathan W.
Published: October 2023

Aggressive behaviour is thought to have significant consequences for fitness, sexual selection and the evolution of social interactions, but studies measuring its expression across successive encounters—both intra‐ and intersexual—are limited. We used the field cricket Teleogryllus oceanicus to evaluate factors affecting repeatability of male aggression and its association with mating success. We quantified focal male aggression expressed towards partners and received from partners in three successive, paired trials, each involving a different male partner. We then measured a proxy of focal male fitness in mating trials with females. The likelihood and extent of aggressive behaviour varied across trials, but repeatability was negligible, and we found no evidence that patterns of focal aggression resulted from interacting partner identity or prior experience. Males who consistently experienced aggression in previous trials showed decreased male mating ‘efficiency’—determined by the number of females a male encountered before successfully mating, but the effect was weak and we found no other evidence that intrasexual aggression was associated with later mating success. During mating trials, however, we observed unexpected male aggression towards females, and this was associated with markedly decreased male mating efficiency and success. Our findings suggest that nonadaptive aggressive spillover in intersexual mating contexts could be an important but underappreciated factor influencing the evolution of intrasexual aggression.
Deep learning with citizen science data enables estimation of species diversity and composition at continental extents
Authors: Davis Courtney L. , Bai Yiwei , Chen Di , Robinson Orin , Ruiz‐Gutierrez Viviana , Gomes Carla P. , Fink Daniel
Published: October 2023

Effective solutions to conserve biodiversity require accurate community‐ and species‐level information at relevant, actionable scales and across entire species' distributions. However, data and methodological constraints have limited our ability to provide such information in robust ways. Herein we employ a Deep‐Reasoning Network implementation of the Deep Multivariate Probit Model (DMVP‐DRNets), an end‐to‐end deep neural network framework, to exploit large observational and environmental data sets together and estimate landscape‐scale species diversity and composition at continental extents. We present results from a novel year‐round analysis of North American avifauna using data from over nine million eBird checklists and 72 environmental covariates. We highlight the utility of our information by identifying critical areas of high species diversity for a single group of conservation concern, the North American wood warblers, while capturing spatiotemporal variation in species' environmental associations and interspecific interactions. In so doing, we demonstrate the type of accurate, high‐resolution information on biodiversity that deep learning approaches such as DMVP‐DRNets can provide and that is needed to inform ecological research and conservation decision‐making at multiple scales.
Progress on quantum dot photocatalysts for biomass valorization
Authors: Cao Weijing , Zhang Wenjun , Dong Lin , Ma Zhuang , Xu Jingsan , Gu Xiaoli , Chen Zupeng
Published: October 2023

Biomass with abundant reproducible carbon resource holds great promise as an intriguing substitute for fossil fuels in the manufacture of high‐value‐added chemicals and fuels. Photocatalytic biomass valorization using inexhaustible solar energy enables to accurately break desired chemical bonds or selectively functionalize particular groups, thus emerging as an extremely creative and low carbon cost strategy for relieving the dilemma of the global energy. Quantum dots (QDs) are an outstandingly dynamic class of semiconductor photocatalysts because of their unique properties, which have achieved significant successes in various photocatalytic applications including biomass valorization. In this review, the current development rational design for QDs photocatalytic biomass valorization effectively is highlighted, focusing on the principles of tuning their particle size, structure, and surface properties, with special emphasis on the effect of the ligands for selectively broken chemical bonds (C─O, C─C) of biomass. Finally, the present issues and possibilities within that exciting field are described.