bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Industrial accidents: The mediating effect of corporate social responsibility and environmental policy measures
Authors: Caiazza Stefano , Galloppo Giuseppe , Lattanzio Gabriele
Published: November 2022

Using a novel hand‐collected sample including 159 industrial events that occurred between 2000 and 2020, we document that corporate social performance (CSP) generally acts as a halo effect mitigating the stock market drop following these events. These findings, robust to many alternative specifications, provide novel evidence shedding light on how corporate social capital acts as a mitigating device against the consequences of tail events. To the best of our knowledge, this is one of the first studies investigating the mitigation role of CSP in the aftermath of an industrial accident by analyzing a large global sample of industrial incidents. The practical and theoretical implications of our findings are at the bottom of that form of a socially normative corporate force embedded in social trust, smoothing managers' and stakeholders' interests together.
Implementation of class‐E/F3 power amplifiers based on the variations of the MOSFET grading coefficient, built‐in potential and output capacitance along with their roles in MOSFET selectivity
Authors: Abdipour Ashkan , Hayati Mohsen , Grebennikov Andrei
Published: November 2022

In this paper, a theoretical analysis of the class‐E/F3 power amplifier based on the variation of the grading coefficient m1 and its vital role in MOSFET selectivity to operate safely under given design specifications is presented while the nonlinearity of the drain‐to‐source capacitance is considered. Moreover, the importance of Vbi and Cjo in designing the class‐E/F3 amplifier is investigated. To clarify how the grading coefficient m1 and the other mentioned parameters can directly influence the power amplifier performance and also its elements, these MOSFET parameters are considered as the independent variables of the calculated equations and consequently define the horizontal axis of the obtained plots. Accordingly, as the grading coefficient increases, the maximum switch voltage increases and values of the output power and output power capability decline. Moreover, to prove the reliability of the carried‐out analysis in selecting proper MOSFETs, the performances of three amplifier samples utilizing IRF510, IRFZ24N, and 2SK2504 MOSFETs with different grading coefficient m1 and almost similar Vbi and Cjo are studied. Then, by comparing the results of amplifiers with three MOSFETs, IRF510, IRF530, and IRF540, with similar grading coefficient and different values of Vbi and Cjo, the significance of considering the values of Vbi and Cjo is investigated. Eventually, three amplifiers with 2SK2504, IRF510, and IRF530 MOSFETs have been simulated, implemented, and tested and measurement results agreed well with the theoretical and simulation results.
Research on the state of charge estimation method of lithium‐ion batteries based on novel limited memory multi‐innovation least squares method and SDE‐2‐RC equivalent model
Authors: Cao Jie , Wang Shunli , Xie Yanxin , Fernandez Carlos
Published: November 2022

Because of the common data redundancy phenomenon in the current least‐squares parameter identification algorithm and the complex offline parameter identification process, this research innovatively proposes a Limited Memory Multi‐Innovation Least Squares (LM‐MILS) ternary lithium‐ion battery (LIB) parameter identification algorithm that uses a limited set of data to estimate model parameters and attenuates the effects of old data. To improve the parameter fidelity of the equivalent circuit model (ECM) of the LIB, considering that the open‐circuit voltage of the lithium‐ion battery will gradually decrease with the self‐discharge when it is not in use, based on a large number of experiments, a model considering the self‐discharge of the LIB is constructed. The experimental results show that the self‐discharge effect‐2‐RC (SDE‐2‐RC) model can achieve higher accuracy in simulating the working state of the battery and the peak error of the simulated voltage is only 0.04342 V, and the accuracy can reach more than 98.966%. Using LM‐MILS and adaptive Kalman filtering algorithm (AEKF) for the state of charge (SOC) estimation, the results show that the algorithm has a fast convergence speed and strong tracking performance. The maximum SOC estimation errors in HPPC, DST, and BBDST three operating conditions are 0.00929, 0.01273, and 0.01002, respectively. The fluctuation range is small, and the maximum estimation error is less than 2%, which verifies that the improved parameter identification algorithm has good performance in improving the SOC estimation accuracy of LIB.
Hybrid 802.11p‐cellular architecture for NDN‐based VANET
Authors: Aboud Ahmed , Touati Haifa , Hnich Brahim
Published: November 2022

Vehicular network communications (VANET) face multiple challenges due to their intermittent connections and the rapid changes in their topologies. In recent years, several research efforts have explored the use of content‐centric approaches to alleviate some of these challenges. One of these promising network designs is Named Data Networking (NDN), which has become a valid solution to support VANET applications. However, in the NDN architecture, the main forwarding mechanism for the interest packets is flooding. This forwarding mechanism will result in excessive collisions, which will lead to the broadcast storm problem. In this paper, we propose VC‐NDN: a hybrid and hierarchical Named Data Networking architecture for VANETs. VC‐NDN improves content retrieval efficiency through an adapted NDN‐based communication model. VC‐NDN includes a new interest forwarding scheme to reduce packet collision in the network and an efficient mechanism to support push‐based traffic. Furthermore, to reduce communication costs, VC‐NDN uses two communication technologies in parallel, namely, IEEE 802.11p and cellular communications, while keeping the usage of the cellular network at a minimum level. Finally, to reduce the impact on vehicle mobility, VC‐NDN follows a hierarchical clustering architecture. Specifically, a density‐based clustering algorithm is designed to create and maintain stable clusters with multihop communication capability. Our performance study shows that VC‐NDN outperforms the basic VNDN solutions in terms of data retrieval delay and packet delivery ratio while minimizing the usage of the cellular network.
The relationship between Alzheimer's‐related brain atrophy patterns and sleep macro‐architecture
Authors: Weihs Antoine , Frenzel Stefan , Garvert Linda , Kühn Luise , Wittfeld Katharina , Ewert Ralf , Fietze Ingo , Penzel Thomas , Stubbe Beate , Szentkirályi András , Wulms Niklas , Völzke Henry , Grabe Hans J.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Sleep is increasingly recognized as a major risk factor for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Methods

Using an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)–based AD score based on clinical data from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative 1 (ADNI1) case‐control cohort, we investigated the associations between polysomnography‐based sleep macro‐architecture and AD‐related brain atrophy patterns in 712 pre‐symptomatic, healthy subjects from the population‐based Study of Health in Pomerania.

Results

We identified a robust inverse association between slow‐wave sleep and the AD marker (estimate: −0.019; 95% confidence interval: −0.03 to −0.0076; false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.0041), as well as with gray matter (GM) thicknesses in typical individual cortical AD‐signature regions. No effects were identified regarding rapid eye movement or non–rapid eye movement (NREM) stage 2 sleep, and NREM stage 1 was positively associated with GM thickness, mainly in the prefrontal cortical regions.

Discussion

There is a cross‐sectional relationship between AD‐related neurodegenerative patterns and the proportion of sleep spent in slow‐wave sleep.
Emotional characteristics of socially isolated older adults with MCI using tablet administered NIH toolbox: I‐CONECT study
Authors: Yu Kexin , Wild Katherine , Dowling N. Maritza , Kaye Jeffrey A. , Silbert Lisa C. , Dodge Hiroko H.
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Examining the emotional functioning of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could help describe their cognitive status and inform the development of interventions. This study compared the emotional characteristics of socially isolated older adults with and without MCI.

Methods

We used baseline data from the Internet‐based Conversational Engagement Clinical Trial. Emotional characteristics were assessed with the National Institutes of Health Toolbox Emotion Battery (NIHTB‐EB). MCI status was determined with a consensus clinical diagnosis.

Results

This study included 163 participants (mean age = 81.2 years, non‐Hispanic Black = 20.7%, MCI = 52.8%). MCI was associated with higher negative affect and lower psychological well‐being. Non‐Hispanic Black participants scored lower in sadness, higher in positive affect, and higher in meaning and purpose than non‐Hispanic White participants.

Conclusion

Older adults with MCI experience more negative emotions and worse psychological well‐being than those with normal cognition. The NIHTB‐EB appears to be a sensitive tool to detect emotional characteristics associated with cognitive decline.
Assessment of the effects of sex, age, and rearing condition on ultrasonic vocalizations elicited by pups during the maternal potentiation paradigm in C57BL/6J mice
Authors: Santana‐Coelho Danielle , Womble Paige D. , Blandin Katherine J. , Pilcher Jacob B. , O'Neill Grace M. , Douglas Leighton A. , Chilukuri Srikhar V. , Tran Doan L. K. , Wiley Taylor A. , Lugo Joaquin N.
Published: November 2022

Isolation‐induced ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are important to elicit parental retrieval. This behavior is critical for the animal's survival and can be altered in models of developmental disorders. The potentiation of vocalizations in response to reunion with the dam, also called maternal potentiation, has been extensively studied in rats. However, the assessment of this paradigm in mice is scarce. In rats, the potentiation of vocalizations is dependent on rearing conditions. Since mice are the main species used for genetic models of diseases, we aimed to investigate how different factors such as age, sex, and rearing conditions can affect the potentiation of vocalizations in the maternal potentiation paradigm in mice. We carried out experiments using biparental (dam and sire) or uniparental rearing (dam). Pups were tested on postnatal days (PD) 9 or 12. Pups showed increased potentiation in both sexes at PD9 with uniparental rearing. Both rearing conditions and ages changed the repertoire from the first to the second isolation. Spectral parameters were affected by sex, rearing condition and reunion at PD9. At PD12, only duration was altered by reunion. We conclude that the performance of the pups in the maternal potentiation paradigm is dependent on age, sex, and rearing condition.
Ecologically relevant moisture and temperature metrics for assessing dryland ecosystem dynamics
Authors: Chenoweth Damaris A. , Schlaepfer Daniel R. , Chambers Jeanne C. , Brown Jessi L. , Urza Alexandra K. , Hanberry Brice , Board David , Crist Michele , Bradford John B.
Published: November 2022

In drylands, water‐limited regions that cover ~40% of the global land surface, ecosystems are primarily controlled by access to soil moisture and exposure to simultaneously hot and dry conditions. Quantifying ecologically relevant environmental metrics is difficult in drylands because the response of vegetation to moisture and temperature conditions is not easily explained solely by climate‐based metrics. To address this knowledge gap, we developed and examined 27 climate and ecological drought metrics across dryland areas of the western United States. Included in the 27 metrics is a suite of 19 largely new “ecological drought metrics” that are designed to quantify multiple aspects of environmental limitation in drylands, including overall growing conditions, seasonal fluctuations, seasonal moisture timing, exposure to extreme drought and recruitment potential for perennial plants. To quantify these metrics, we simulated water balance pools and fluxes of daily soil moisture at multiple depths with historical weather from 1970 to 2010 using the SOILWAT2 ecosystem water balance model. We assessed the relationships among these metrics and their spatial and temporal patterns. We found that the inclusion of ecological drought metrics substantially increased the dimensionality of the climate metrics dataset; the number of independent variables needed to explain 90% of the variance in the dataset increased with the addition of ecological drought metrics. Spatial patterns in overall growing conditions represented well‐known differences among ecoregions, for example, high temperatures and low precipitation in the southwest and cool temperatures and greater precipitation in the northeast. Seasonal fluctuation in soil water availability (SWA) was greatest in the southwest (Mojave Desert), whereas fluctuation in climatic water deficit (CWD) was greatest in the northwest (northern Great Basin and Columbia Plateau). Seasonal timing of moisture also differed among metrics; the timing of wet degree days (WDD), the timing of SWA and the timing of CWD were only weakly related to seasonal timing of precipitation. Plant recruitment metrics varied strongly across western drylands. In the Great Plains, recruitment events occurred more frequently and lasted longer than in the intermountain regions, where recruitment events were comparatively rare and short. These ecological drought metrics provide new insight into patterns of soil moisture and temperature that shape the structure and function of dryland ecosystems. The metrics will be useful for assessing the potential impact of climate change on dryland ecosystems and developing adaptive resource management strategies to sustain dryland ecosystem services in a changing world.
Diabetic cardiomyopathy: a brief summary on lipid toxicity
Authors: Ke Jiahan , Pan Jianan , Lin Hao , Gu Jun
Published: November 2022

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a serious epidemic around the globe, and cardiovascular diseases account for the majority of deaths in patients with DM. Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is defined as a cardiac dysfunction derived from DM without the presence of coronary artery diseases and hypertension. Patients with either type 1 or type 2 DM are at high risk of developing DCM and even heart failure. Metabolic disorders of obesity and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic environments result in dyslipidaemia and subsequent lipid‐induced toxicity (lipotoxicity) in organs including the heart. Although various mechanisms have been proposed underlying DCM, it remains incompletely understood how lipotoxicity alters cardiac function and how DM induces clinical heart syndrome. With recent progress, we here summarize the latest discoveries on lipid‐induced cardiac toxicity in diabetic hearts and discuss the underlying therapies and controversies in clinical DCM.
Tissue adaptation of regulatory T cells in adipose tissue
Authors: Yu Yimeng , Bai Hongyu , Wu Fenglin , Chen Jieqiong , Li Bin , Li Yangyang
Published: November 2022

Foxp3+ regulatory T (Treg) cells critically suppress over‐activated immune responses and therefore maintain immune homeostasis. Adipose tissue‐resident Treg (AT Treg) cells are known for modulating immunity and metabolism in adipose tissue microenvironment through various physiological signals, as well as their heterogeneous subsets, which potentially play disparate roles in aging and obesity. Recent single‐cell studies of Treg cells have revealed specialized trajectories of their tissue adaptation and development in lymphoid tissues and at barrier sites. Here, we reviewed a T Cell Receptor (TCR)‐primed environmental cue‐boosted model of adipose Treg cells’ tissue adaptation, especially in response to IL‐33, IFN‐α, insulin, and androgen signals, which trigger sophisticated transcriptional cascades and ultimately establish unique transcriptional modules in adipose Treg cell subsets. In addition, we further discuss potential therapeutic strategies against aging and obesity by blocking detrimental environmental cues, strengthening the functions of specific AT Treg subsets and modifying the communications between AT Treg subsets and adipocytes.
Dithieno[2,3‐e:3′,2′‐g]isoindole‐7,9(8H)‐Dione and Dithieno[3′,2′:5,6;2″,3″:7,8]naphtho[2,3‐d]imidazol‐9(10H)‐One‐Based Wide Bandgap Copolymer for Efficient Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Keshtov Mukhamed L. , Shikin Dimitry Y. , Khokhlov Alexei R. , Ostapov Ilya E. , Alekseev Vladimir G. , Singh Manish K. , Sharma Ganesh D.
Published: November 2022

Two donor–acceptor (D–A) backbone copolymers with different fused ring acceptors, i.e., dithieno [2,3‐e:3′,2′‐g]isoindole‐7,9(8 H)‐dione (DTID) and dithieno[3′,2′:5,6;2″,3″:7,8]naphtho[2,3‐d]imidazol‐9(10 H)‐one (DTNID) and same benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′]dithiophene with alkylated aromatic side as side chains (BDTT) donor, denoted as P133 and P135 are synthesized and used as donor along with narrow bandgap nonfullerene Y6 acceptor for the preparation of polymer solar cells (PSCs). The dielectric constant of P135:Y6 is higher than that of P133:Y6 due to the strong electron deficient ability of DTNID compared to DTID, which fostered exciton dissociation and charge transport, constrained charge recombination, and ultimately boosted the power conversion efficiency of P135:Y6 to 15.11%, which is higher than P133:Y6 (10.24%). Therefore, these investigations confirm the pronounced potential of fused ring DTNID as an acceptor unit for emerging D–A copolymers for PSCs with high efficiency.
Facies analysis, depositional activity, and internal structure of sieve deposits on an active alluvial fan
Authors: Novak Andrej , Vrabec Marko , Popit Tomislav , Vižintin Goran , Šmuc Andrej
Published: November 2022

Sieve lobes typically appear in gravel‐rich and matrix‐poor alluvial fans. Despite being extensively studied, the sieve‐lobe facies has been defined largely based on qualitative field observations without quantitative sedimentological analyses. Additionally, depositional activity of sieve lobes has not been monitored over extended periods (monthly to annually) and not directly associated with specific precipitation triggers. Furthermore, the internal geometry of sieve‐lobe built alluvial fans has not yet been imaged by subsurface methods. We performed a multi‐method analysis of sieve lobes in the Julian Alps (NW Slovenia) on an alpine alluvial fan composed of carbonate gravels. We performed a detailed textural and structural sedimentological analysis of 11 recent sieve lobes differing in size and age. A three‐year aerial survey of the alluvial fan surface with a small unmanned aircraft and photogrammetric modelling was used to detect active sieve‐lobe evolution. Detected sieve‐lobe formation events and volumetric surface changes were paired with triggering precipitation events. Ground‐penetrating radar (GPR) profiling depicted the geometry of the sieve‐lobe built alluvial fan. The sieve‐lobe facies consists of over 80% poorly sorted, open‐framework gravels and less than 2% mud. Lobes exhibit downward coarsening and increase in clast mean size. These textural and structural characteristics are present in all sieve lobes regardless of their age and size. Sieve lobes form with a sub‐annual frequency, usually following 24 h rainfall events exceeding 50 mm. Over 1000 m3 of sediment was deposited during these events. The GPR profiles confirm that the studied alluvial fan is formed predominantly by stacked sieve lobes. Quantitative sedimentary analysis of sieve lobes, monitoring of their recent evolution, and depiction of their subsurface geometry—demonstrated in this study—reinforce the challenged concept that sieve lobes are one of the main building blocks of alluvial fans. This work also demonstrates that, under specific conditions, sieving may become the dominant alluvial fan‐forming process.
Was the termination of the Jizera River meandering during the Late Holocene caused by anthropogenic or climatic forcing?
Authors: Elznicová Jitka , Kiss Timea , von Suchodoletz Hans , Bartyik Tamás , Sipos György , Lenďáková Zuzana , Fačevicová Kamila , Pavlů Ivana , Kovárník Jaromír , Matys Grygar Tomáš
Published: November 2022

The Jizera River in Czechia is a typical mid‐sized Central European watercourse. Its floodplain shows a morphological contrast between the laterally stable low‐sinuous current channel and preserved palaeomeanders. The aim of this paper was to date and explain the obvious metamorphosis of the channel pattern from meandering to low‐sinuous. We analysed the morphology of the lower river reach using a digital terrain model (DTM) and historical maps from the 1840s. Furthermore, the floodplain architecture was described based on the DTM, geophysical imaging (ground penetrating radar, GPR), sediment lithology and anthropogenic contamination using geochemical proxies, and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) dating. The geochemical proxies were processed using log‐ratio methods from the compositional data analysis toolbox. According to our results the Jizera River showed signs of systematic lateral floodplain reworking during the Late Holocene with only minor aggradation, although parts of the catchment are covered by easily erodible loess. Interestingly, vertical aggradation did not show a significant increase during the last millennium. In the main study area, this limited vertical aggradation resulted in the preservation of palaeomeander fragments and palaeochannel belts with 100–200 m mean width in the 300–600 m wide floodplain, which are recognisable in the topography and in subsurface GPR imaging. This channel meandering took place between around 4 and 1.2 ka, and the transition towards the laterally stable modern channel with low sinuosity occurred around 1.2 ka. This timing indicates a climatic rather than anthropogenic impact, which was rather weak around that time. One likely cause for this transition was the influx of material from ravines incised into the sandstone valley edges during past climatic extremes. Subsequently, the re‐establishment of a meandering pattern was possibly prevented by a combination of low fluvial activity and the construction of weirs that reduced stream power.
A 7000‐year record of environmental change: Evolution of Holocene environment and human activities in the Hangjiahu Plain, the lower Yangtze, China
Authors: Zhao Chengshuangping , Mo Duowen , Yuxiang Jin , lu Peng , Bin Liu , Wang Ningyuan , Chen Minghui , Liao Yinan , Zhan Peng , Zhuang Yijie
Published: November 2022

The Hangjiahu Plain in the lower Yangtze is one of the core areas that sustained the flourishment of the Liangzhu Civilization. This study reconstructed Holocene environmental change on the Hangjiahu Plain based on a sediment core collected from the Tangqi ZK‐3 location situated on the low‐lying Hangzhou‐Taihu region of the Yangtze Delta. We applied OSL dating, grain size analysis, pollen analysis, and magnetic susceptibility to reconstruct Holocene environmental change and compared our data with other published results. Our results showed that (i) before ~7.0 ka B.P., the ZK‐3 core recorded a strong hydrodynamic force, resulting in the widespread deposition of light grayish silt clay or clayey silt in the region. The climate was warm and humid, and the vegetation was mixed evergreen deciduous coniferous forest. (ii) Between 7.0 and 6.0 ka B.P., the hydrodynamic condition in ZK‐3 core became weaker, and the climate remained warm and humid. Although most of the Hangjiahu Plain were still covered by the light grayish silt clay or clayey silt, some higher grounds began to emerge as sea‐level rise slowed, which coincided with the development of the Majiabang culture. (iii) Between 6.0 and 4.5 ka B.P., the deposition of yellowish silty clay indicates a shallow‐water hydrological environment at ZK‐3, as the regional water level was dropping while more land was emerging, which provided a favorable physical environment for the prosperity of the Songze and Liangzhu cultures. The period experienced a drier and cooler climate, with evidence of deforestation. (iv) Between 4.5 and 3.0 ka B.P., the sediments in the ZK‐3 core were dominated by light grayish clay, indicative of a return to a deep‐water environment with a prolonged waterlogging condition. The climate remained dry and cool with further deforestation. However, the widely distributed yellowish silt clay suggests frequent floods in the region, resulting in a sharp reduction of settlement sites and the eventual decline of the Liangzhu Civilization.
Rare Holocene sediment deposits from Sodmein Playa (Eastern Desert, Egypt)—Stratigraphic assessment and environmental setting
Authors: Henselowsky Felix , Klasen Nicole , Timms Rhys , White Dustin , Lincoln Paul , Blockley Simon , Kindermann Karin , Bubenzer Olaf
Published: November 2022

Sodmein Playa is one of the rare Pleistocene open‐air sites in the Eastern Desert of Egypt. Based on the associated stone artefact material, it could be assigned to the Middle Stone Age/Last Interglacial. However, it has not yet been possible to clarify whether the sediments at the basin originated during the Pleistocene or later during Holocene wet phases. Our integrative approach combining Optically Stimulated Luminescence chronology, and cryptotephra analysis, allows us to link the environmental archive of Sodmein Playa with the site of Sodmein Cave. Sodmein Playa indicates wetter climate conditions starting around 9 ka with a (relative) maximum around 7 ka, in line with the general framework of the Holocene Humid Period in Northeast Africa. Despite the climatic similarity, regional environmental differences can still be identified and the effective available water around Sodmein Playa is reduced. The results are well integrated into the current archaeological knowledge with the change from hunter‐gatherers to herders during the Holocene in the area. Analyses of cryptotephra reveal a wide range of source regions, including Eastern and Central Anatolian, the Azores, and the Aegean, as well as those which remain uncorrelated. A tentative correlation with the Holocene cryptotephra record from Sodmein Cave is established.
Carbon and oxygen isotopes of the Lianglitage Formation in the Tazhong area, Tarim Basin: Implications for sea‐level changes and palaeomarine conditions
Authors: Tao Ye , Gao Da , He Youbin , Ngia Ngong Roger , Wang Mingmin , Sun Chunyan , Huang Xinmiao , Wu Jianwei
Published: November 2022

Carbon isotopes can be used to interpret sea‐level changes during deposition, but the accuracy of sea‐level changes indicated by shallow‐water carbonates remains unclear. We carried out sedimentary microfacies and stable isotope analysis of carbonate rocks in Upper Ordovician Lianglitage Formation in Tazhong area, Tarim Basin, to examine the response of isotopes to high‐frequency cycles of shallow‐water carbonate rocks. The Lianglitage limestones can be divided into four types of microfacies that were deposited in reef and shoal environments on a platform margin. A total of sixty‐one (61) selected limestone samples have the δ13C value varying from 0.5993‰ to 1.6228‰ (average 1.1364‰). The extremely low correlation coefficient of carbon and oxygen isotopes indicate that the samples can represent the deposition seawater, thus the estimated Z value and temperature show that the Lianglitage Formation was deposited in the normal marine environment in a tropical to subtropical zone. The Lianglitage Formation shows a clear deposition trend from tidal flat to reef shoal and then to an open platform. The sedimentary environment controls the difference in carbon and oxygen isotopes of shallow‐water carbonates through the rate of burial of organic carbon, and thus the δ13C tend to increase when sea level rise. Hence the carbon isotopic composition of shallow‐water carbonate rocks can reflect sea‐level changes. The δ13C of Lianglitage Formation in well TZ72 shows four sedimentary cycles (20–40‐meters‐thick) controlled by sea‐level changes, which were also recorded in this Formation from other parts of the Tarim Basin.
Transient natural convective heat transfer and fluid flow in an undulated cavity: Effects of localized heat sources
Authors: Choudhary Pankaj , Ray Rajendra K.
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this research work is to investigate two‐dimensional transient natural convective heat transfer and fluid flows in an undulated cavity by placing solid objects with isolated heated surfaces on the bottom wall. We discretize the coupled nonlinear transport equations using a higher‐order compact finite‐difference scheme. First, we test our scheme using existing experimental and numerical data. Then, we analyze the transient and steady‐state natural convective flow phenomena for distributed heat sources on corrugations on the lower wall for a range of the Rayleigh number  and Prandtl number . These simulated outcomes are presented in the form of central‐line velocity , local  and averaged  Nusselt numbers, streamlines , dispersion of isotherms , and so forth. It is found that the transient fluid flow behavior is more magnificent than the steady‐state solutions and shows the dominant behavior of the prominent primary cells over secondary cells, where it influences the heat transfer rates inside the entire enclosure. In steady states, at high Rayleigh numbers; convection dominates, formation of thermal boundary layers, compression of isotherms, and stratification of isotherms are significantly observed. Our results show many interesting flow phenomena that have not been analyzed previously.
The flow of a Jeffrey fluid in a composite horizontal channel partially filled with a deformable porous material
Authors: Kumaraswamy Naidu K. , Sreenadh S.
Published: November 2022

The flow of a Jeffrey liquid in a composite deformable porous layer is examined. The Jeffrey model governs fluid flow in the free‐flow zone, while the theory of mixtures describes the fluid flow in the deformable porous region. The governing equations are transformed to dimensionless by using appropriate nondimensional quantities. The velocity field is achieved in both the clear flow and deformable porous regions. The displacement expression in the porous zone is also established. The results are discussed for various substantial parameters in detail. It is scrutinized that the flow rate accelerates with a rise in the Jeffrey parameter . Also, it is perceived that the flow rate is less for a Newtonian liquid than the non‐Newtonian Jeffrey liquid. The fluid momentum enhances by increasing the volume fraction of the fluid phase. It is found that the magnitude of skin friction at the clear flow region and porous region grows with an increase in the Jeffrey parameter . Furthermore, it is noticed that the wall shear stress is less for a Newtonian liquid when compared with non‐Newtonian Jeffrey liquid both in the free‐flow region as well as in the porous regions.
Forest stand complexity controls ecosystem‐scale evapotranspiration dynamics: Implications for landscape flux simulations
Authors: Leonard Rhoswen , Moore Paul , Krause Stefan , Chasmer Laura , Devito Kevin J. , Petrone Richard M. , Mendoza Carl , Waddington James Michael , Kettridge Nicholas
Published: November 2022

Open‐canopy forested systems are found across a range of terrestrial biomes. Forest structure and organization in open‐canopy systems exhibit substantial controls on system process dynamics such as evapotranspiration (ET). The energy reaching sub‐canopy forest layers is greater in open‐canopy systems compared to closed canopy systems, with high spatiotemporal variability in the distribution of energy that both drives ET and controls sub canopy species composition and organization. Yet the impact of their structural complexity and organization on whole system ET dynamics is poorly understood. Using the BETA+ model and measured eddy covariance‐based ET fluxes from a boreal treed peatland, we critically evaluate how stand compositional and organizational complexity influences ET dynamics. Model simulations iteratively increase complexity from a simple ‘big‐leaf’ model to a model representing spatial complexity of all system layers, demonstrating the effect of each complex system component on stand ET dynamics. We show that including forest stand complexity and associated canopy and radiation variability increases ET model estimates by ~26%. In addition to changes in the ET estimates, the inclusion of this spatial complexity is shown to induce temporal variations in the simulated ET that improves model performance by reducing unexplained variance between modelled and measured ET by 10% and reducing hysteresis in model results. These results have clear implications for flux modelling of forest systems and for larger scale climate models where open canopy systems such as this dominate the landscape. Demonstrating that whilst big leaf simulation can approximate ET fluxes, the inclusion of forest‐stand complexity and its influence on spatiotemporal radiation fluxes and ecohydrological processes are necessary to effectively represent ET dynamics within open canopies.
Corporate social responsibility disclosure and corporate creditworthiness: Evidence from the UK
Authors: Ftiti Zied , Jeriji Maher , Kammoun Sourour , Louhichi Waël , Zenaidi Amel
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the way in which corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices are perceived by the U.K. bond market. In this respect, we distinguish between the two ambiguous subdimensions – that is, CSR disclosure and CSR performance. We analysed the association between CSR disclosure and the cost of corporate bonds by means of a multi‐theoretical framework combining economics with social theories. We also examine the moderating effect of the CSR performance on this relationship. We estimate a random‐effects GLS regression and random‐effects ordered probit regression using a sample of companies belonging to the FTSE 100 index during the 2013–2017 period. We find that bondholders and credit rating agencies incorporate CSR disclosure into their assessment and evaluation of the firms' creditworthiness. Mainly, our results show that bondholders encourage and value CSR reporting primarily for companies with weak CSR performance, but stop doing so once the company reach a certain level of CSR performance. We further examined each CSR disclosure subdimension and aspects of corporate creditworthiness through a disaggregated analysis. Both environmental and community relations disclosures are significant in corporate creditworthiness, whereas only responsibility disclosure is related to credit ratings. Finally, results highlight that disclosure of CSR information is especially relevant to financially healthy firms. Our findings have several implications for academics, practitioners, and policymakers in understanding the consequences of CSR disclosure and CSR performance on bond markets and credit rating.
A case of mediastinal teratoma with malignant transformation into angiosarcoma and relapse with multiple bone metastases that was cured by a multidisciplinary treatment
Authors: Tani Masaru , Nagahara Akira , Takada Shingo , Fujita Kazutoshi , Fukuhara Shinichiro , Uemura Motohide , Kiuchi Hiroshi , Imamura Ryoichi , Nonomura Norio
Published: November 2022

Introduction

Complete resection is essential for the treatment of teratoma with malignant transformation, and if metastasis occurs, it will be difficult to cure. We report a case of primary mediastinal teratoma with differentiation into angiosarcoma that caused bone metastases but was cured by multidisciplinary treatment.

Case presentation

A 31‐year‐old man with a primary mediastinal germ cell tumor underwent primary chemotherapy followed by post‐chemotherapy resection, with angiosarcoma due to malignant transformation found in the surgical specimen. Femoral diaphyseal metastasis was manifested, and he underwent femur curettage followed by radiation therapy of 60 Gy in parallel with 4 cycles of chemotherapy combining gemcitabine and docetaxel. Although thoracic vertebral bone metastasis emerged 5 months after treatment, intensity‐modulated radiation therapy was successful, and metastatic lesions have remained shrunken for 39 months after treatment.

Conclusion

Even if complete resection is difficult, teratoma with malignant transformation may be cured by multidisciplinary treatment based on histopathology.
Why addressing digital inequality should be a priority
Authors: Imran Ahmed
Published: November 2022

This article addresses the multifaceted and far‐reaching implications of digital inequality (DI), drawing upon emerging trends and examples. The aim is to sensitize policymakers, practitioners, and academics to issues surrounding DI and foster a common and deeper understanding among relevant stakeholders. While research has recognized digital inequality and its dimensions, it has not explicated its broader impact thoroughly, particularly in the current era of digital transformation. The information communication technology (ICT) domain has evolved significantly because of its strong interrelationship with many other sectors, encompassing critical issues such as ethics, inequality, leadership, social capital, governance, and management. There is still a considerable gap in understanding the complexities around digital inequality, which varies across different contexts. Reflecting on over 15 years of experience in information communication technology for development (ICT4D) as both a practitioner and researcher, the evolution of DI in terms of social transformation and its growing short‐ and long‐term implications are discussed. Strategies and pathways for the future are presented, grouped into six areas: a call for a renewed philosophical shift and campaign for digital equality, policy interventions, inclusive technology solutions and services, holistic human capacity building, the universities' role, and the need for a multi‐disciplinary approach to address DI.
Decentralized approaches for autonomous vehicles coordination
Authors: Gherardini Luca , Cabri Giacomo , Montangero Manuela
Published: November 2022

The coordination of autonomous vehicles is an open field that is addressed by different researches comprising many different techniques. In this paper we focus on decentralized approaches able to provide adaptability to different infrastructural and traffic conditions. We formalize an Emergent Behavior Approach that, as per our knowledge, has never been performed for this purpose, and a Decentralized Auction approach. We compare them against existing centralized negotiation approaches based on auctions and we determine under which conditions each approach is preferable to the others.
Fluorescence visualization of the neuropathic pain triad in trigeminal neuralgia
Authors: He Bin , Wang Wenlong , Zhang Runsen , Xu Yue , Wei Xiaoming , Yang Zhongmin , Cao Yang
Published: November 2022

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), an exemplary condition of neuropathic facial pain, seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients, becoming a major medical and social problem. So far, the mechanism of TN and its relation to neuronal activity remain unclear, largely limited by the spatial resolution of visualization methods. In the meanwhile, current therapeutic strategies targeting neurons have not achieved satisfactory outcome. Here, we investigate the neuropathic pain triad in TN by establishing an animal model of TN by chronic constriction injury of the unilateral infraorbital nerve (ION‐CCI) and leveraging the single‐cell resolution of confocal microscopy, including neuronal hyperexcitability, glial activation, and macrophage polarization. These results can broaden the understanding of TN pathogenesis from neurons to the neuropathic pain triad, and suggest that optical microscopy can provide new opportunities for understanding the complex pathogenesis of TN at single‐cell resolution, potentially contributing to the identification of more precise therapeutic targets and the development of more effective treatment modalities.
An in vitro comparison of human corneal epithelial cell activity and inflammatory response on differently designed ocular amniotic membranes and a clinical case study
Authors: Mao Yong , Protzman Nicole M. , John Nikita , Kuehn Adam , Long Desiree , Sivalenka Raja , Junka Radoslaw A. , Shah Anish U. , Gosiewska Anna , Hariri Robert J. , Brigido Stephen A.
Published: November 2022

Amniotic membrane (AM) is a naturally derived biomaterial with biological and mechanical properties important to Ophthalmology. The epithelial side of the AM promotes epithelialization, while the stromal side regulates inflammation. However, not all AMs are equal. AMs undergo different processing with resultant changes in cellular content and structure. This study evaluates the effects of sidedness and processing on human corneal epithelial cell (HCEC) activity, the effect of processing on HCEC inflammatory response, and then a case study is presented. Three differently processed, commercially available ocular AMs were selected: (1) Biovance®3L Ocular, a decellularized, dehydrated human AM (DDHAM), (2) AMBIO2®, a dehydrated human AM (DHAM), and (3) AmnioGraft®, a cryopreserved human AM (CHAM). HCECs were seeded onto the AMs and incubated for 1, 4 and 7 days. Cell adhesion and viability were evaluated using alamarBlue assay. HCEC migration was evaluated using a scratch wound assay. An inflammatory response was induced by TNF‐α treatment. The effect of AM on the expression of pro‐inflammatory genes in HCECs was compared using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Staining confirmed complete decellularization and the absence of nuclei in DDHAM. HCEC activity was best supported on the stromal side of DDHAM. Under inflammatory stimulation, DDHAM promoted a higher initial inflammatory response with a declining trend across time. Clinically, DDHAM was used to successfully treat anterior basement membrane dystrophy. Compared with DHAM and CHAM, DDHAM had significant positive effects on the cellular activities of HCECs in vitro, which may suggest greater ocular cell compatibility in vivo.
Osteoblastic STAT3 Is Crucial for Orthodontic Force Driving Alveolar Bone Remodeling and Tooth Movement
Authors: Gong Xinyi , Sun Siyuan , Yang Yiling , Huang Xiangru , Gao Xin , Jin Anting , Xu Hongyuan , Wang Xijun , Liu Yuanqi , Liu Jingyi , Dai Qinggang , Jiang Lingyong
Published: November 2022

Mechanical force is essential to shape the internal architecture and external form of the skeleton by regulating the bone remodeling process. However, the underlying mechanism of how the bone responds to mechanical force remains elusive. Here, we generated both orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) model in vivo and a cyclic stretch-loading model in vitro to investigate biomechanical regulation of the alveolar bone. In this study, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) was screened as one of the mechanosensitive proteins by protein array analysis of cyclic stretch-loaded bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and was also proven to be activated in osteoblasts in response to the mechanical force during OTM. With an inducible osteoblast linage-specific Stat3 knockout model, we found that Stat3 deletion decelerated the OTM rate and reduced orthodontic force-induced bone remodeling, as indicated by both decreased bone resorption and formation. Both genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of STAT3 in BMSCs directly inhibited mechanical force-induced osteoblast differentiation and impaired osteoclast formation via osteoblast–osteoclast cross-talk under mechanical force loading. According to RNA-seq analysis of Stat3-deleted BMSCs under mechanical force, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (Mmp3) was screened and predicted to be a downstream target of STAT3. The luciferase and ChIP assays identified that Stat3 could bind to the Mmp3 promotor and upregulate its transcription activity. Furthermore, STAT3-inhibitor decelerated tooth movement through inhibition of the bone resorption activity, as well as MMP3 expression. In summary, our study identified the mechanosensitive characteristics of STAT3 in osteoblasts and highlighted its critical role in force-induced bone remodeling during orthodontic tooth movement via osteoblast–osteoclast cross-talk. © 2022 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Triethanolamine‐modified montmorillonite clay as a new adsorbent for CO2 capture: Characterization, adsorption, and RSM modeling
Authors: Godarziani Hamed , Ramezanipour Penchah Hamid , Ghaemi Ahad
Published: November 2022

In this study, CO2 adsorption capacity was investigated by modified montmorillonite with triethanolamine due to its mechanical and chemical stability. The effect of operational parameters on CO2 adsorption capacity including temperature, pressure, and percentage triethanolamine was studied in the range of 30–70°C and 1–9 bar and 10–30%wt., respectively. Isothermal, kinetic, and thermodynamic analyses were performed by conventional method under equilibrium conditions. According to the R2 values from fitting the experimental data on the isothermal models, the Hill isotherm model was proposed for the unmodified and modified montmorillonite adsorbent. The results showed that the Elovich kinetic model provides the best fit for CO2 adsorption data for montmorillonite and triethanolamine‐modified montmorillonite. In the study of thermodynamic models, the positive slope of the Ln (Kd) diagram against 1/T indicates the thermal conductivity of the surface adsorption process. Optimal operating parameters were determined to obtain the highest adsorption capacity using the Design Expert software. For montmorillonite, the adsorption capacity obtained 219.86 mg/g at a temperature of 40°C and pressure of 7 bar, and for modified montmorillonite with triethanolamine, the optimal conditions for the input variables were 40°C, 7 bar, and 18.36%wt., respectively, and the adsorption capacity obtained was 248.55 mg/g.
Fibulin7 aggravates calcium oxalate‐induced acute kidney injury by binding to calcium oxalate crystals
Authors: Sugiura Hidekazu , Tsunezumi Jun , Yanagisawa Hiromi , Futaya Mayuko , Nitta Kosaku , Tsuchiya Ken
Published: November 2022

Fibulin7 (Fbln7) is a matricellular protein that is structurally similar to short fibulins but does not possess elastogenic abilities. Fbln7 is localized on the cell surface of the renal tubular epithelium in the adult kidney. We previously reported that Fbln7 binds artificial calcium phosphate particles in vitro, and that heparin counteracts this binding by releasing Fbln7 from the cell surface. Fbln7 gene (Fbln7) deletion in vivo decreased interstitial fibrosis and improved renal function in a high phosphate diet‐induced chronic kidney disease mouse model. However, the contribution of Fbln7 during acute injury response remains largely unknown. We hypothesized that Fbln7 serves as an exacerbating factor in acute kidney injury (AKI). We employed three AKI models in vivo and in vitro, including unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), cisplatin‐induced AKI, and calcium oxalate (CaOx)‐induced AKI. Here, we report that Fbln7KO mice were protected from kidney damage in a CaOx‐induced AKI model. Using HEK293T cells, we found that Fbln7 overexpression enhanced the CaOx‐induced upregulation of EGR1 and LAMB3, and that heparin treatment canceled this effect. Interestingly, the protective function observed in Fbln7KO kidneys was limited to the CaOx‐induced AKI model, while Fbln7KO mice were not protected against UUO‐induced renal fibrosis or cisplatin‐induced renal tubular damage. Taken together, our study indicates that Fbln7 mediates the local deposition of CaOx and damages the renal tubular epithelium. Releasing Fbln7 from the cell surface via heparin/heparin derivatives or Fbln7 inhibitory antibodies may provide a general strategy to mitigate calcium crystal‐induced kidney injuries.