bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Corporate governance and wealth and income inequality
Authors: Brou Daniel , Chatterjee Aroop , Coakley Jerry , Girardone Claudia , Wood Geoffrey 
Published: July 2021

AbstractResearch Question/IssueThere has been growing concern about rising social inequality and its effects on general well‐being and the polity. Much of this rise can be traced to changes in the manner in which corporations or firms are governed and how this impacts on income and wealth dispersion. This study systematically reviews the most recent literature on external and internal corporate governance (CG) that deals with the issue of income and wealth inequality.Research Findings/InsightsExternal mechanisms such as institutional regime (defined in terms of varieties of capitalism—liberal or coordinated markets) and financialization reveal important insights, often implicitly, into what makes or sustains inequality. The rise of the platform business model raises explicit concerns about increasing wealth and wage inequality. This is because it is associated with a rapidly growing precariat of gig workers, Big Tech entrepreneurs with untrammeled levels of control and extreme levels of personal wealth, and widespread tax avoidance despite record profits. The literature on internal CG is somewhat constrained in its reliance on agency theory and a focus on shareholder primacy. This only provides limited insights on how internal CG mechanisms impact on inequality. However, in recent work, the issue of perverse incentives posed by CEO reward systems and their impact on organizational sustainability and wage dispersion are receiving increasing attention.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsSome studies do attempt to widen the lens, and we suggest a greater focus on theorizing codetermination and alternate forms of ownership, non‐monetary incentives, the power of the Big Tech companies, and those strands of comparative institutional analyses that explore the determinants of internal CG structures.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsThe study reasserts the importance of the firm as a central analytical paradigm in understanding income and wealth inequality and that, in seeking to ameliorate the latter's negative consequences, more attention needs to be accorded to the governance and regulation of firms.
Scenario modelling of carbon mineralization in 3D soil architecture at the microscale: Toward an accessibility coefficient of organic matter for bacteria
Authors: Mbé Bruno , Monga Olivier , Pot Valérie , Otten Wilfred , Hecht Frédéric , Raynaud Xavier , Nunan Naoise , Chenu Claire , Baveye Philippe C. , Garnier Patricia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe microscale physical characteristics of microbial habitats considerably affect the decomposition of organic matter in soils. One of the challenges is to identify microheterogeneities in soil that can explain the extent of carbon mineralization. The aim of this study was therefore to identify descriptors of μm‐scale soil heterogeneity that can explain CO2 fluxes obtained at the mm scale. A suite of methods and models that visualize soil heterogeneity at scales relevant to microorganisms has been developed over the last decade. Among the existing 3D models that simulate microbial activity in soils, Mosaic is able to simulate, within a short computation time, the microbial degradation of organic matter at the microhabitat scale in soil using real 3D images of soil porosity. Our approach was to generate scenarios of carbon mineralization for various microscale environmental conditions and determine how the descriptors of soil structure could explain CO2 evolution. First, we verified that the simulated diffusion of solutes in the soil samples obtained with Mosaic were the same as those obtained using the same parameter set from a robust 3D model based on a lattice Boltzmann approach. Then, we ran scenarios considering different soil pore architectures, water saturations and microorganism and organic matter placements. We found that the CO2 emissions simulated for the different scenarios could be explained by the distance between microorganisms and organic matter, the diffusion of the substrate and the concentration of the available substrate. For some of the scenarios, we proposed a descriptor of accessibility based on the geodesic distance between microorganisms and organic matter weighted by the amount of organic matter. This microscale descriptor is correlated to the simulated CO2 flux with a correlation coefficient of 0.69.Highlights
Does the microscopic soil organisation explain the macroscopic mineralisation fluxes ?
We present a new descriptor based on the geodesic distances between organic matter and microorganisms.
We found a correlation between the descriptor of μm‐heterogeneity and the mineralization fluxes.
Other scenarios should be carried out under wider environmental μm‐conditions to confirm our results.
Early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by threshold tracking and conventional transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Tankisi Hatice , Nielsen Christina S.‐Z. , Howells James , Cengiz Bülent , Samusyte Gintaute , Koltzenburg Martin , Blicher Jakob U. , Møller Anette T. , Pugdahl Kirsten , Fuglsang‐Frederiksen Anders , de Carvalho Mamede , Bostock Hugh 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackground and purposeShort‐interval intracortical inhibition by threshold tracking (T‐SICI) has been proposed as a diagnostic tool for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but has not been compared directly with conventional amplitude measurements (A‐SICI). This study compared A‐SICI and T‐SICI for sensitivity and clinical usefulness as biomarkers for ALS.MethodsIn all, 104 consecutive patients referred with suspicion of ALS were prospectively included and were subsequently divided into 62 patients with motor neuron disease (MND) and 42 patient controls (ALS mimics) by clinical follow‐up. T‐SICI and A‐SICI recorded in the first dorsal interosseus muscle (index test) were compared with recordings from 53 age‐matched healthy controls. The reference standard was the Awaji criteria. Clinical scorings, conventional nerve conduction studies and electromyography were also performed on the patients.ResultsMotor neuron disease patients had significantly reduced T‐SICI and A‐SICI compared with the healthy and patient control groups, which were similar. Sensitivity and specificity for discriminating MND patients from patient controls were high (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves 0.762 and 0.810 for T‐SICI and A‐SICI respectively at 1–3.5 ms). Paradoxically, T‐SICI was most reduced in MND patients with the fewest upper motor neuron (UMN) signs (Spearmanρ = 0.565,p = 4.3 × 10−6).ConclusionsAmplitude‐based measure of cortical inhibition and T‐SICI are both sensitive measures for the detection of cortical involvement in MND patients and may help early diagnosis of ALS, with T‐SICI most abnormal before UMN signs have developed. The gradation in T‐SICI from pathological facilitation in patients with minimal UMN signs to inhibition in those with the most UMN signs may be due to progressive degeneration of the subset of UMNs experiencing facilitation.
Ketogenic diet–mediated seizure reduction preserves CA1 cell numbers in epileptic Kcna1‐null mice: An unbiased stereological assessment
Authors: Simeone Kristina A. , Wilke Julianne C. , Matthews Stephanie A. , Simeone Timothy A. , Rho Jong M. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThere is growing evidence for the disease‐modifying potential of metabolic therapies, including the ketogenic diet (KD), which is used to treat medically intractable epilepsy. However, it remains unclear whether the KD exerts direct effects on histopathological changes in epileptic brain, or whether the changes are a consequence of diet‐induced reduction in seizure activity. Here, we used unbiased stereological techniques to quantify the seizure‐induced reduction in cell number in the CA1 region of the hippocampus of epileptic Kcna1‐null mice and compared the effects of the KD with that of phenobarbital (PB), a widely employed anti‐seizure drug. Our data suggest that the anti‐seizure activity of the KD or PB was similar. However, CA1 cell numbers of KD‐treated hippocampi were not significantly different from those seen in wild‐type (WT) mice, whereas CA1 cell counts in standard diet and PB‐treated Kcna1‐null mice were 23% and 31% lower than WT animals, respectively. These results support the notion that structural protection of cells may involve more than seizure attenuation, and that the KD engages mechanisms that also promote or restore hippocampal morphological integrity.
Numerical analyses of damage behavior of wire with inclusion in multipass drawing process
Authors: Ma Ao , Cheng Jiaxing , Wei Dasheng , Fang Feng , Li Zhaoxia 
Published: July 2021

AbstractInclusion is one of the main causes for unqualified wire. However, the forming mechanism of drawing fracture due to inclusions is still unclear. Therefore, it is significant to figure out the forming mechanism of wire drawing fracture with inclusions for designing and manufacturing high‐quality wires. In this paper, a physical model of wire with inclusion is established based on experimental observations. Multipass drawing is simulated by using finite element method (FEM) with the developed numerical damage modeling. Numerical results demonstrate that the damage increases with the development of drawing progress, and the damage caused by high elastic modulus of inclusion is greater than that of low elastic modulus. Pen‐tip shaped fracture of wire with inclusions is mainly caused by the superposition of core and external V‐shaped damage. Furthermore, the core V‐shaped crack will propagate along the external V‐shaped damage area.
Diurnal variability in soil nitrous oxide emissions is a widespread phenomenon
Authors: Wu Yuk‐Faat , Whitaker Jeanette , Toet Sylvia , Bradley Amy , Davies Christian A. , McNamara Niall P. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractManual measurements of nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions with static chambers are commonly practised. However, they generally do not consider the diurnal variability of N2O flux, and little is known about the patterns and drivers of such variability. We systematically reviewed and analysed 286 diurnal data sets of N2O fluxes from published literature to (i) assess the prevalence and timing (day or night peaking) of diurnal N2O flux patterns in agricultural and forest soils, (ii) examine the relationship between N2O flux and soil temperature with different diurnal patterns, (iii) identify whether non‐diurnal factors (i.e. land management and soil properties) influence the occurrence of diurnal patterns and (iv) evaluate the accuracy of estimating cumulative N2O emissions with single‐daily flux measurements. Our synthesis demonstrates that diurnal N2O flux variability is a widespread phenomenon in agricultural and forest soils. Of the 286 data sets analysed, ~80% exhibited diurnal N2O patterns, with ~60% peaking during the day and ~20% at night. Contrary to many published observations, our analysis only found strong positive correlations (R > 0.7) between N2O flux and soil temperature in one‐third of the data sets. Soil drainage property, soil water‐filled pore space (WFPS) level and land use were also found to potentially influence the occurrence of certain diurnal patterns. Our work demonstrated that single‐daily flux measurements at mid‐morning yielded daily emission estimates with the smallest average bias compared to measurements made at other times of day, however, it could still lead to significant over‐ or underestimation due to inconsistent diurnal N2O patterns. This inconsistency also reflects the inaccuracy of using soil temperature to predict the time of daily average N2O flux. Future research should investigate the relationship between N2O flux and other diurnal parameters, such as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and root exudation, along with the consideration of the effects of soil moisture, drainage and land use on the diurnal patterns of N2O flux. The information could be incorporated in N2O emission prediction models to improve accuracy.
Exosome circCMTM3 promotes angiogenesis and tumorigenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma through miR‐3619‐5p/SOX9
Authors: Hu Ke , Li Nian‐Feng , Li Jia‐Rong , Chen Ze‐Guo , Wang Jian‐Hua , Sheng Lang‐Qing 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAimAs one of the most common and lethal carcinomas, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a global health concern and affects millions of people worldwide. Current treatments for HCC are very limited due to its unclear pathogenesis. Here, we aim to further investigate the role of circCMTM3/microRNA (miR)‐3619‐5p in HCC.MethodsHuman blood samples were collected from HCC patients and healthy people. Quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis were undertaken to measure levels of circCMTM3, miR‐3619‐5p, SOX9, and exosome markers. The MTT, colony formation, and Transwell assays were used to examine the viability, migration, and invasion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), respectively. Tube formation assay was used to assess angiogenesis. Dual luciferase assay was used to validate circCMTM3/miR‐3619‐5p and miR‐3619‐5p/SOX9 interactions. A nude mouse xenograft model was used to test the role of circCMTM3 in HCC in vivo.ResultsLevels of circCMTM3 in exosomes from HCC patients and cells were elevated. Knockdown of circCMTM3 greatly decreased viability, migration, and invasion of HUVECs, as well as angiogenesis. CircCMTM3 acted as a miR‐3619‐5p sponge and miR‐3619‐5p inhibitor reversed the effects of si‐circCMTM3 on angiogenesis. MiR‐3619‐5p directly targeted SOX9 and modulated angiogenesis through SOX9. Furthermore, knockdown of circCMTM3 suppressed angiogenesis and HCC tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionThe exosome circCMTM3/miR‐3619‐5p/SOX9 axis from HCC cells promotes angiogenesis and thus contributes to HCC tumorigenesis.
Electric‐assisted strategy enhances the photocatalytic performance of mixed‐dimensional CdS/MoS2 photocatalysts
Authors: Qiao Hui , Hu Rong , Huang Zongyu , Liu Shengqian , Qi Xiang 
Published: July 2021

AbstractAs an effective semiconductor catalyst, cadmium sulfide (CdS) is used in the field of split water hydrogen evolution because of its suitable band gap (~2.4 eV), good photocatalysis activity. However, the rapid recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs limits the application of CdS in the field of catalytic hydrogen evolution. Here, we synthesize a CdS/MoS2 mixed‐dimensional heterojunction by a simple hydrothermal method. In this process, CdS nanoparticles were supported on MoS2 nanosheets, where MoS2 acts as a loading platform and co‐catalyst to improve the photocatalytic performance of CdS. A series of characterizations confirmed that CdS nanoparticles with a size of approximately 130 nm were uniformly grown on the surface of MoS2 nanosheets. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) tests show that this CdS/MoS2 mixed‐dimensional heterojunction has enhanced photocatalysis hydrogen evolution activity, which is due to the CdS/MoS2 mixed‐dimensional heterojunction can promote the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and positive synergy of MoS2 nanosheets as a co‐catalyst. In addition, a new electrically assisted method is used to enhance the photocatalytic activity, and the photocatalytic performance of the CdS/MoS2 mixed‐dimensional heterojunction is improved by nearly four times when a voltage of 0.6 V is applied. This phenomenon is attributed to the fact that providing an appropriate voltage can further promote the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and rapid carrier mobility, thereby effectively improve the photocatalytic activity of the photocatalyst. This work provides a good guiding significance for the design and construction of high‐performance hydrogen evolution catalysts.
Efficient valuation of variable annuity portfolios with dynamic programming
Authors: Moenig Thorsten 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe valuation of variable annuity portfolios presents major challenges for US life insurers. Recent studies propose machine learning and metamodeling techniques based on selecting a few representative guarantees. However, these methods face a critical trade‐off between speed and accuracy. In contrast, I propose a recursive dynamic programming approach and demonstrate its ability to value a large and highly heterogeneous variable annuity portfolio with a high degree of accuracy and within a few seconds—even under stochastic interest rates and volatility—since the heavy computational burden can be fully front‐loaded (in a one‐time effort at the guarantee's pricing stage). This makes the dynamic programming approach ideally suited for all variable annuity applications, including the computation of reserves and capital requirements and to determine the insurer's hedging position. Moreover, dynamic programming can naturally incorporate optimal policyholder behavior into the insurer's valuation.
Relationship between pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index and post‐incision heart rate and pupillary diameter variation in children
Authors: Sabourdin Nada , Del Bove Loïc , Louvet Nicolas , Luzon‐Chetrit Sarah , Tavernier Benoît , Constant Isabelle 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe Pupillary Pain Index is a recent pupillometric index designed to assess the level of analgesia under general anesthesia in children and adults. If analgesia is inadequate, acute nociceptive stimuli such as skin incision may induce significant hemodynamic disturbances.AimsOur aim was to investigate the potential relationship between pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index and heart rate increase following skin incision in children.MethodsThis was a prospective, non‐randomized, registered pilot study. We included children undergoing surgery under general anesthesia. Pupillary Pain Index was assessed 2 min before skin incision. Then, heart rate maximal variation (ΔHR) and pupillary diameter maximal variation (ΔPD) in the minute following incision were recorded. Spearman coefficient was calculated to characterize the relationship between Pupillary Pain Index and ΔHR or ΔPD. Using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, we also studied the predictive value of pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index for heart rate and pupillary diameter reactivity.Results53 patients were included (10 ± 4 years, 40 ± 19 kg). There was a modest correlation between pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index and ΔHR (Spearman rs = 0.35 [0.05–0.57], p = .011), and between pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index and ΔPD (Spearman rs = 0.54 [0.33–0.71], p < .001). Regarding the predictive value of Pupillary Pain Index for heart rate or pupillary diameter reactivity, the corresponding areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves were 0.90 [0.82–0.99] and 0.78 [0.65–0.93], respectively. A threshold of Pupillary Pain Index <3 predicted the absence of heart rate reactivity at incision with a good performance (negative predictive value = 1).ConclusionsIn children, pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index was moderately correlated with post‐incision nociception. Pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index had good predictive performances for heart rate or pupillary diameter reactivity to skin incision. Pre‐incision Pupillary Pain Index <3 might predict the absence of heart rate reaction to incision.
The application of health behavior theories to promote cervical cancer screening uptake
Authors: Dsouza Jyoshma Preema , Van den Broucke Stephan , Pattanshetty Sanjay , Dhoore William 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundWhile cervical cancer is a major cause of mortality, its progress and survival rate can be improved through screening. Yet despite their wide availability, women's participation in cervical cancer screening (CCS) programs is often suboptimal, especially in low‐ and middle‐income countries. Besides demographic and organizational characteristics, screening uptake is influenced by psychological factors, most of which are included in health behavior theories. This systematic review compared different health behavior theories in terms of their capacity to explain CCS uptake and inform CCS promotion campaigns.MethodsA comprehensive search and analysis of published intervention and non‐intervention (observational) studies that applied at least one health behavior theory to CCS participation.ResultsAfter quality screening, 48 observational and 21 intervention studies were identified that applied the Health Belief Model (HBM), Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA), Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB), Transtheoretical model (TTM), Social‐ecological Model (SEM), and/or Theory of Triadic Influence (TTI) to CCS. The HBM was most frequently used to explain behavior, whereas the TPB was better at explaining screening intentions. Tailored intervention studies focusing on all theoretical constructs were most effective in modifying perceptions and increasing CCS uptake.ConclusionsDespite their inconsistent use, health behavior theories can explain CCS intentions and behavior and contribute to the development of targeted interventions to promote screening uptake.
Characteristics of a Single Sensor Fiber-Coupled Three-Dimensional Particle Image Velocimetry for Reacting Flow-Fields
Authors: Rising Cal J. , Reyes Jonathan , Ahmed Kareem A. 
Published: July 2021

Abstract
Tomographic particle image velocimetry (Tomo-PIV) has become a standard tool for capturing a three-dimensional (3D) velocity fields in nonreacting flows. However, the diagnostic approach can become costly and challenging to implement when extended to applications which require high-speed cameras. This limitation has led to the use of fiber wound bundles to allow for multiple views to be captured on a single camera sensor. Additionally, employing this diagnostic approach on reacting flow-fields becomes more complex as the introduction of the flame causes additional luminosity and optical distortion which impacts the particle field reconstruction. This work seeks to validate and determine the limitations when utilizing a single sensor fiber-coupled approach for capturing Tomo-PIV data on a reacting flow-field. A premixed propane (C3H8) and air Bunsen burner flame is utilized to examine if the single sensor approach can meet the parameters for acceptable reconstruction based on previous research. The resulting velocity fields are then compared to a traditional PIV measurement to assess the deviation of the single sensor approach from a standard velocimetry measurement approach. It is demonstrated that there is strong agreement between the velocity and vorticity for the average flow-fields; however, when comparing the Reynolds shear stresses, a significant deviation is revealed. The deviation is attributed to strong velocity fluctuations occurring within the instantaneous Tomo-PIV data, which creates a significant divergence between the measurement techniques on an instantaneous basis. This demonstrates that while the approach can obtain reliable velocity and vorticity statistics, there are significant limitations in calculating second-order turbulence statistics. Thus, revealing that there is a tradeoff between the ability to extract the full velocity gradient tensor and the extent of the turbulence-related analysis which can be reliably performed.