bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How CEO social capital drives corporate social performance: The roles of stakeholders, and CEO tenure
Authors: Tran Mai Dong , Adomako Samuel 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis paper investigates the role of a chief executive officer's (CEO's) social capital on corporate social performance (CSP) through the mediating mechanism of stakeholder integration. Data were collected from 256 small and medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs). Results from the hierarchical regression analysis suggest that stakeholder integration mediates the relationship between CEO social capital and CSP. The results further reveal that the effect of CEO social capital on stakeholder integration is moderated by CEO tenure, such that the relationship is more significant for long‐tenured CEOs than short‐tenured CEOs. These findings extend the social capital and corporate social responsibility research and practice.
Social and environmental reporting, sustainable development and institutional voids: Evidence from a developing country
Authors: Alshbili Ibrahem , Elamer Ahmed A. , Moustafa Maha W. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThis study adopts the concept of institutional voids to examine the perceptions of managers and policymakers in developing markets with respect to the actual barriers that hinder social and environmental reporting (SER) towards sustainable development. The study uses in‐depth semi‐structured interviews with managers and decision‐makers and policymakers of the main oil and gas companies in weak institutional settings (Libya). The findings suggest that the absence of environment general authority's role, the absence of a clear legal requirement that refers to SER, the shortage of knowledge and awareness, the lack of motivation from the government, fear of change, and the absence of civil society organisations are perceived as the major barriers that hinder the development of SER. These findings contribute to the literature on institutional voids and sustainable development by providing evidence on SER barriers in the context of a developing country. Therefore, it could be useful to corporate regulators and policymakers to mitigate institutional voids to develop a more focussed SER agenda, when considering regulations for the disclosure and sustainable development.
Concordant geographic and genetic structure revealed by genotyping‐by‐sequencing in a New Zealand marine isopod
Authors: Pearman William S. , Wells Sarah J. , Silander Olin K. , Freed Nikki E. , Dale James 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPopulation genetic structure in the marine environment can be influenced by life‐history traits such as developmental mode (biphasic, with distinct adult and larval morphology, and direct development, in which larvae resemble adults) or habitat specificity, as well as geography and selection. Developmental mode is thought to significantly influence dispersal, with direct developers expected to have much lower dispersal potential. However, this prediction can be complicated by the presence of geophysical barriers to dispersal. In this study, we use a panel of 8,020 SNPs to investigate population structure and biogeography over multiple spatial scales for a direct‐developing species, the New Zealand endemic marine isopod Isocladus armatus. Because our sampling range is intersected by two well‐known biogeographic barriers (the East Cape and the Cook Strait), our study provides an opportunity to understand how such barriers influence dispersal in direct developers. On a small spatial scale (20 km), gene flow between locations is extremely high, suggestive of an island model of migration. However, over larger spatial scales (600 km), populations exhibit a clear pattern of isolation‐by‐distance. Our results indicate that I. armatus exhibits significant migration across the hypothesized barriers and suggest that large‐scale ocean currents associated with these locations do not present a barrier to dispersal. Interestingly, we find evidence of a north‐south population genetic break occurring between Māhia and Wellington. While no known geophysical barrier is apparent in this area, it coincides with the location of a proposed border between bioregions. Analysis of loci under selection revealed that both isolation‐by‐distance and adaption may be contributing to the degree of population structure we have observed here. We conclude that developmental life history largely predicts dispersal in the intertidal isopod I. armatus. However, localized biogeographic processes can disrupt this expectation, and this may explain the potential meta‐population detected in the Auckland region.
Eradication of hepatitis C virus infection in kidney transplant recipients using direct‐acting antiviral therapy: Qatar experience
Authors: Alkadi Mohamad M. , Abuhelaiqa Essa A. , Elshirbeny Mostafa F. , Hamdi Ahmed F. , Fituri Omar M. , Asim Muhammad , Alkaabi Saad R. , Derbala Moutaz F. , Jarman Mona E. , Ashour Adel M. , Nauman Awais , Al Maslamani Yousuf K. , Butt Adeel A. , Al‐Malki Hassan A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIntroductionHepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has detrimental effects on patient and graft survival after kidney transplantation. In the pre‐direct‐acting antiviral (DAA) era, treatment of HCV infection was associated with low response rates, poor tolerance, and increased risk of allograft rejection. However, DAAs have revolutionized HCV treatment. The aims of this study were to determine the impact of DAA on the sustained virologic response (SVR), renal function, and calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) levels and assess the tolerability to treatment in kidney transplant recipients with HCV infection in Qatar.MethodsThis retrospective study included the medical records of all kidney transplant recipients with confirmed HCV infection before January 1, 2020. All data were obtained from the patients’ electronic medical records; these included patient demographics; virologic responses to treatment; serum creatinine levels during treatment; urine protein to creatinine ratios and CNI levels before, during, and after treatment; and side effects related to DAA therapy.ResultsA total of 27 kidney transplant recipients with HCV were identified, 23 of whom received DAA therapy. The length of treatment ranged from 12 to 24 weeks, and 52% of patients had HCV genotype 1 infection. The median log10 HCV RNA was 6.6 copies per milliliter. None of the patients had liver cirrhosis, and all of them achieved SVR. There was no statistically significant difference in the glomerular filtration rate before, during, and after treatment. Most patients had stable CNI trough levels during treatment and did not require dose adjustment.ConclusionsHCV infection was successfully eradicated by DAA therapy in kidney transplant recipients, with a 100% SVR rate. Moreover, DAA therapy was well‐tolerated, and kidney function remained stable without an increased risk of rejection. These results are expected to drive the eradication of hepatitis C from the entire country.
Lung segmentation on chest X‐ray images in patients with severe abnormal findings using deep learning
Authors: Nishio Mizuho , Fujimoto Koji , Togashi Kaori 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSeveral studies have evaluated the usefulness of deep learning for lung segmentation using chest X‐ray (CXR) images with small‐ or medium‐sized abnormal findings. Here, we built a database including both CXR images with severe abnormalities and experts' lung segmentation results, and aimed to evaluate our network's efficacy in lung segmentation from these images. For lung segmentation, CXR images from the Japanese Society of Radiological Technology (JSRT, N = 247) and Montgomery databases (N = 138) were included, and 65 additional images depicting severe abnormalities from a public database were evaluated and annotated by a radiologist, thereby adding lung segmentation results to these images. U‐net was used to segment the lungs in images from the three databases. Subsequently, the U‐net network architecture was automatically optimized for lung segmentation from CXR images using Bayesian optimization. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) was calculated to confirm segmentation. Our results demonstrated that using baseline U‐net yielded poorer lung segmentation results in our database than those in the JSRT and Montgomery databases, implying that robust segmentation of lungs may be difficult because of severe abnormalities. The DSC values with baseline U‐net for the JSRT, Montgomery and our databases were 0.979, 0.941, and 0.889, respectively, and with optimized U‐net, 0.976, 0.973, and 0.932, respectively. For robust lung segmentation, the U‐net architecture was optimized via Bayesian optimization, and our results demonstrate that the optimized U‐net was more robust than baseline U‐net in lung segmentation from CXR images with large‐sized abnormalities.
The impact of internal and external factors of credit risk on businesses: An empirical study of Chinese commercial banks
Authors: Twum Angelina K. , ZhongMing Tan , Agyemang Andrew O. , Ayamba Emmanuel C. , Chibsah Rahmatu 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCredit risk has great impact on the banks' profitability as large chunk of banks' revenue and interest income comes from loans. Factors that affects credit risk can be classified into microeconomic and macroeconomic factors. These factors have an impact on credit risk levels. Using secondary data from 2005 to 2018 for listed commercial banks on the two stock exchanges in China mainland, the study explored the effect of both internal and external factors that influences credit risk in the banking industry. A positive relationship was found between bank solvency and credit risk. Similarly, the study revealed a positive correlation between credit risk and interest rate. On the contrary, operation efficiency and gross domestic product growth rate revealed an inverse relationship with credit risk. The findings will add up to existing literature and guide policy‐makers in implementing measures to control the influencing factors of credit risk in the banking industry.
A metal‐free visible light promoted three‐component facile synthesis of 4‐oxo‐tetrahydroindoles in ethanol–water
Authors: Ansari Khursheed , Nazeef Mohd , Ali Shabir , Waseem Malik A. , Shah Wajaht A. , Ansari Saif , Siddiqui Ibadur R. , Singh Jagdamba 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA mild and efficient visible light–mediated one‐pot multicomponent tandem approach to construct 4‐oxo‐tetrahydroindoles in ethanol–water medium at room temperature has been described. The characteristics of reported methodology are the utilization of visible light, an ideal source of energy to generate CC and CN bonds from commercially available substrates namely dimedone, phenacyl bromides, and amines. The presented protocol is highly compatible for developing 4‐oxo‐tetrahydroindole derivatives with improved selectivity and high yields. Moreover, metal‐free synthesis, environmental friendly solvent, easy workup process, high atom economy, cost‐effectiveness, short reaction time, and broad substratescope are the major advantages of reported protocol.
Meta‐analysis as a system of springs
Authors: Papakonstantinou Theodoros , Nikolakopoulou Adriani , Egger Matthias , Salanti Georgia 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMeta‐analysis results are usually presented in forest plots, which show the individual study results and the summary effect along with their confidence intervals. In this paper, we propose a system of linear springs as a mechanical analogue of meta‐analysis that enables visualization and enhances intuition. The length of a spring corresponds to a study treatment effect and the stiffness of the spring corresponds to its inverse variance. To synthesize study springs we use two main operations: connection in parallel and connection in series. We show the equivalence between meta‐analysis and linear springs for fixed effect and random effects pairwise meta‐analysis and we also derive indirect treatment effects. We use examples to illustrate the different meta‐analytical schemes using the corresponding system of springs. The proposed visualization can serve as an educational tool, especially useful for researchers with no statistical background. The analogy between meta‐analysis and springs facilitates intuition for notions such as heterogeneity and the differences between fixed and random effects meta‐analysis.
Optimization and characterization of eco‐friendly antimicrobial nanocellulose sheet prepared using carbon dots of white mulberry (Morus alba L.)
Authors: Salimi Fatemeh , Moradi Mehran , Tajik Hossein , Molaei Rahim 
Published: December 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDCarbon dots (C‐dots) with antimicrobial activity were synthesized from the white mulberry extract with the aim of fabricating anti‐listeria nanopaper using bacterial nanocellulose (BNC). Highly dispersed synthesized C‐dots with a size smaller than 10 nm (approximately 4.9 nm) were impregnated into BNC by an ex situ coating method and then mechanical, morphological, UV‐protectant and antibacterial activity were assessed. Randomized response surface methodology using a central composite design was applied to investigate the optimized concentration of C‐dots in the BNC membrane.RESULTSAn optimized nanopaper including C‐dots at a concentration of 530 g L−1 and an impregnation time of 14 h at 30 °C with significant antimicrobial activity on Listeria monocytogenes was designed. The addition of C‐dots into BNC significantly increased ultimate tensile strength and decreased strain with respect to breaking BNC. A BNC sheet with high‐efficient UV‐blocking property was prepared using C‐dots.CONCLUSIONBased on the results, the designed nanopaper shows a substantial capacity with respect to the fabrication of antimicrobial/UV‐blocking sheets for food active packaging. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
A challenging choice of aptamer for the selective enrichment of ochratoxin A
Authors: Torabi Raheleh , Rezvanipour Abbas Ali , Heiat Mohammad 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn a recent study, the adenosine monophosphate‐specific aptamer has been applied for the rapid extraction of ochratoxin A. Although several publications have already reported the selection of adenosine monophosphate, adenosine triphosphate, and adenosine, there is no report on the detection of ochratoxin A using this aptamer. The data of the previous study are surprising since its aptamer‐based magnetic metal‐organic framework has shown a high selectivity with a very low detection limit for the selection of ochratoxin A. However, numerous studies have demonstrated that each aptamer can specifically bind to a target by folding into a unique structure and can differentiate molecules that differ by only one functional group. This study aimed to deal with the possibility of recognizing ochratoxin A and adenosine monophosphate by adenosine monophosphate‐specific aptamer. The procedure was performed by determining structural similarity and alignment, docking adenosine monophosphate and ochratoxin A on aptamer, and monitoring the interactions between ochratoxin A and adenosine monophosphate specific aptamer complex. The results indicated not only the lack of structural similarity between adenosine monophosphate and ochratoxin A but also the little possibility for strong bonds between the ochratoxin A and aptamer.
Effect of Machine Settings on Ultrasound Assessment of B‐lines
Authors: Matthias Isaac , Panebianco Nova L. , Maltenfort Mitchell G. , Dean Anthony J. , Baston Cameron 
Published: December 2020

ObjectivesB‐lines are a lung ultrasound (LUS) artifact that often indicate pathology. Little is known about the optimal ultrasound machine settings to assess B‐lines. We compared settings typically used to evaluate B‐lines at our institution with adjusted settings based on recent studies.MethodsIn order to determine typical settings for B‐line assessment, we retrospectively reviewed LUS images obtained at our institution. We then prospectively performed LUS with both typical and adjusted settings, using curvilinear and phased array probes, in 20 patients presenting to the emergency department with shortness of breath. The prospectively obtained clips were rated for quality and quantity of B‐lines by 14 clinicians with experience in LUS, with 1 assigned for typical settings “much greater,” 2 for typical settings “slightly greater,” 3 for both settings “similar,” 4 for adjusted settings “slightly greater,” and 5 for adjusted settings “much greater.”ResultsMean ratings and 95% confidence intervals significantly exceeded the null value of 3 for both B line quality (curvilinear probe: 4.68, 4.50–4.85; phased array probe: 4.02, 3.70–4.35) and B line quantity (curvilinear probe: 4.16, 3.84–4.49; phased array probe: 3.68, 3.41–3.96).ConclusionsB‐line quality and quantity were rated higher using adjusted settings based on recently published evidence than when using settings that are typically employed in our institution. Our findings suggest that B‐line assessment should be performed with focal zone at the level of the pleura, harmonics off, and gain increased in the far field.
Obesity as a Possible Risk Factor for Pediatric Sensorineural Hearing Loss
Authors: Bluher Andrew , Kawai Kosuke , Wang Alicia , Stiles Derek , Licameli Greg 
Published: December 2020

Objectives/HypothesisChildhood hearing loss impacts linguistic, academic, social, and psychologic development, and may have lasting implications for future workforce performance. Current evidence for obesity as a pediatric sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) risk factor is intriguing but equivocal. We hypothesized that obesity is associated with a higher risk of SNHL. We additionally examined whether underweight is associated with a higher risk of SNHL.Study DesignRetrospective database review.MethodsA single‐institution audiologic database from 2015 to 2020 was queried for audiograms with type‐A tympanograms from children aged 5 to 18 years old. Comorbidities known to be associated with hearing loss were excluded. We then examined both for sub‐clinical (≥15 dB) high‐ or low‐frequency hearing loss, and for clinical (≥21 dB) hearing loss, with the aim of examining the association between obesity and SNHL. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to adjust for age, gender, diabetes mellitus, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism.ResultsA total of 3,142 children were included. Obesity was not associated with risk of SNHL (adjusted OR 0.82; 95% CI: 0.60, 1.12). Underweight children had a higher risk of SNHL than normal weight children (adjusted OR 1.78; 95% CI: 1.08, 2.95). Autism was significantly associated with increased risk of sub‐clinical SNHL only (adjusted OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.34, 2.98).ConclusionsNo association was found between obesity and pediatric SNHL. Underweight children may represent a higher‐risk population for SNHL. There appears to be an increasing risk of SNHL as children approach adolescence. Further study of systemic risk factors for SNHL is indicated.Level of Evidence3 Laryngoscope, 131:1416–1419, 2021
Weed management in azuki bean with preplant incorporated herbicides
Authors: Soltani Nader , Brown Lynette , Sikkema Peter H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThere are only two soil‐applied herbicides, pendimethalin and imazethapyr, registered for weed management in azuki bean production in Ontario, Canada. Three experiments were completed in Ontario over three consecutive years (2017, 2018, and 2019) to develop weed management programs in azuki bean with various preplant incorporated (PPI) herbicides. There was up to 6% azuki bean injury with the herbicide treatments evaluated. Pendimethalin + S‐metolachlor controlled redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, barnyard grass, and green foxtail at ≥99% but provided poor control of common ragweed and wild mustard. The two‐way mixtures of pendimethalin + imazethapyr and pendimethalin + halosulfuron, and the three‐way mixtures of pendimethalin + S‐metolachlor + imazethapyr and pendimethalin + S‐metolachlor + halosulfuron controlled redroot pigweed, common lambsquarters, wild mustard, barnyard grass, and green foxtail at ≥99% and common ragweed at >73%. Common ragweed control was consistently higher with tankmixes that contained halosulfuron. Metribuzin controlled redroot pigweed, common ragweed, common lambsquarters, wild mustard, barnyard grass, and green foxtail at >93%, 88%, 99%, 97%, 68%, and 50%, respectively. Weed density and aboveground biomass reductions were similar to those of weed control. Weed presence reduced azuki bean yield by 83%. Reduced weed presence with the herbicide treatments assessed resulted in azuki bean yield that was similar to that of the weed‐free control with the exception of pendimethalin, halosulfuron, and metribuzin (low rate); weed interference with the aforementioned herbicides decreased azuki bean yield by 50%, 56%, and 44%, respectively. Based on these results, pendimethalin, S‐metolachlor, halosulfuron, and imazethapyr applied PPI, applied alone, or in a two‐way or three‐way tankmixture can be used safely for the control of common annual grass and broadleaf weeds in Ontario, Canada.
Bulk Modification of Thermoplastic Polyurethanes for Self‐Sterilization of Trachea Intubation
Authors: Guo Yifan , Zhang Hongfa , Duan Shun , Ding Xiaokang , Hu Yang , Ding Xuejia , Xu Fu‐Jian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractImplantable medical devices are widely used, but biomaterial‐associated infections (BAIs) impose a huge economic burden and increase the mortality of patients. Therefore, BAIs are a serious concern that must be urgently resolved. Materials with antibacterial properties have become hotspots of current research and development. In the present work, quaternized chitosan (QCS) is used as an antibacterial agent and blended with thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) to create an antibacterial material for tracheal intubation tubes. The modified TPU material (QCS‐TPU) exhibited good mechanical properties and excellent long‐term antibacterial performance. Under in vitro hydrodynamic conditions, QCS‐TPU retained its strong antibacterial properties. QCS‐TPU also possessed a low hemolysis rate and cytotoxicity. The current work is expected to provide a facile and feasible strategy for the preparation of antibacterial catheters and aid in the discovery of promising clinical applications to prevent BAIs.
Catalytic Halogen Exchange in Supplementary Activator and Reducing Agent Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization for the Synthesis of Block Copolymers
Authors: De Bon Francesco , Abreu Carlos M. R. , Serra Arménio C. , Gennaro Armando , Coelho Jorge F. J. , Isse Abdirisak A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractSynthesis of block copolymers (BCPs) by catalytic halogen exchange (cHE) is reported, using supplemental activator and reducing agent Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization (SARA ATRP). The cHE mechanism is based on the use of a small amount of a copper catalyst in the presence of a suitable excess of halide ions, for the synthesis of block copolymers from macroinitiators with monomers of mismatching reactivity. cHE overcomes the problem of inefficient initiation in block copolymerizations in which the second monomer provides dormant species that are more reactive than the initiator. Model macroinitiators with low dispersity are prepared and extended to afford well‐defined block copolymers of various compositions. Combined cHE/SARA ATRP is therefore a simple and potent polymerization tool for the copolymerization of a wide range of monomers allowing the production of tailored block copolymers.