bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of the internal control system on the risk, profitability, and compliance of the U.S. banking sector: A quantitative approach
Authors: Koutoupis Andreas G. , Malisiovas Theodore 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis is strong quantitative research investigating whether and how the components of the internal control system affect the credit risk, profitability, and compliance of the U.S. banking sector. Based on the COSO Framework, Basel Committee Frameworks, and the literature, the components of the internal controls are quantified. This quantitative nature distinguishes this study from others in this field since most of the studies up to now have investigated these topics by theoretical approaches. Eleven independent variables are analysed in three different regression models, with credit risk, profitability, and compliance being the dependent variables in each model. After cleaning the data from outliers, several tests are performed, while a panel set of data is used comprising the 210 biggest U.S. bank holding companies. Fixed‐effects regression is applied in the three models, while the years under examination are the five fiscal years 2013–2017. Most of the data are taken from the proxy statements (DEF 14A) and the 10‐K statements because of their qualitative nature. The key results indicate that Risk Assessment, Control Activities, and Information and Communication components strongly affect credit risk. The first (Control Environment) and last (Monitoring) components have a significant effect on credit risk, though only from the perspective of the board's number and the expertise of the audit committee, respectively. In the same line, internal controls significantly affect the profitability and compliance of U.S. banks, except for the Risk Assessment component in the first case and the Control Environment component in the second case, respectively. Control Activities component and the Information and Communication component have a significant and positive relationship with the banks' profitability, while these two components are significantly and negatively correlated with the banks' compliance.
Future IoT tools for COVID‐19 contact tracing and prediction: A review of the state‐of‐the‐science
Authors: Jahmunah Vicnesh , Sudarshan Vidya K. , Oh Shu Lih , Gururajan Raj , Gururajan Rashmi , Zhou Xujuan , Tao Xiaohui , Faust Oliver , Ciaccio Edward J. , Ng Kwan Hoong , Acharya U. Rajendra 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn 2020 the world is facing unprecedented challenges due to COVID‐19. To address these challenges, many digital tools are being explored and developed to contain the spread of the disease. With the lack of availability of vaccines, there is an urgent need to avert resurgence of infections by putting some measures, such as contact tracing, in place. While digital tools, such as phone applications are advantageous, they also pose challenges and have limitations (eg, wireless coverage could be an issue in some cases). On the other hand, wearable devices, when coupled with the Internet of Things (IoT), are expected to influence lifestyle and healthcare directly, and they may be useful for health monitoring during the global pandemic and beyond. In this work, we conduct a literature review of contact tracing methods and applications. Based on the literature review, we found limitations in gathering health data, such as insufficient network coverage. To address these shortcomings, we propose a novel intelligent tool that will be useful for contact tracing and prediction of COVID‐19 clusters. The solution comprises a phone application combined with a wearable device, infused with unique intelligent IoT features (complex data analysis and intelligent data visualization) embedded within the system to aid in COVID‐19 analysis. Contact tracing applications must establish data collection and data interpretation. Intelligent data interpretation can assist epidemiological scientists in anticipating clusters, and can enable them to take necessary action in improving public health management. Our proposed tool could also be used to curb disease incidence in future global health crises.
Cutting edge: Metabolic immune reprogramming, reactive oxygen species, and cancer
Authors: Aria Hamid , Ghaedrahmati Farhoodeh , Ganjalikhani‐Hakemi Mazdak 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA recently proposed term “immunometabolism” points to the functional intracellular metabolic changes that occur within different immune cells. Recent findings suggest that immune responses can be determined by the metabolic status of immune cells and metabolic reprogramming is an important feature of immune cell activation. Metabolic reprogramming is also well known for cancer cells and has been suggested as a major sign of cancer progression. Metabolic reprogramming of immune cells is also seen in the tumor microenvironment. In the past decade, immunometabolism has progressively become an extraordinarily vibrant and productive area of study in immunology because of its importance for immunotherapy. Understanding the immunometabolic situation of T cells and other immune cells along with the metabolic behavior of cancer cells can help us design new therapeutic approaches against cancers. Here, we have the aim to review the cutting‐edge findings on the immunometabolic situation in immune and tumor cells. We discuss new findings on signaling pathways during metabolic reprogramming, its regulation, and the participation of reactive oxygen species in these processes.
Aquaporins and diseases pathogenesis: From trivial to undeniable involvements, a disease‐based point of view
Authors: Ala Moein , Mohammad Jafari Razieh , Hajiabbasi Asghar , Dehpour Ahmad Reza 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAquaporins (AQPs), as transmembrane proteins, were primarily identified as water channels with the ability of regulating the transmission of water, glycerol, urea, and other small‐sized molecules. The classic view of AQPs involvement in therapeutic plan restricted them and their regulators into managing only a narrow spectrum of the diseases such as diabetes insipidus and the syndrome of inappropriate ADH secretion. However, further investigations performed, especially in the third millennium, has found that their cooperation in water transmission control can be manipulated to handle other burden‐imposing diseases such as cirrhosis, heart failure, Meniere's disease, cancer, bullous pemphigoid, eczema, and Sjögren's syndrome.
Miniaturized active air sampling method for the analysis of tire rubber pollutants from indoor and outdoor places
Authors: Armada Daniel , Celeiro Maria , Martinez‐Fernandez Antia , Nurerk Piyaluk , Dagnac Thierry , Llompart Maria 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAn effective, quick, and sustainable air analysis method was developed to analyze 41 volatiles and semivolatile organic compounds present in tire rubber and crumb rubber materials. The proposed method, based on active sampling using a sorbent material followed by an ultrasound assisted extraction, was developed with the aim of obtaining a fast and simple procedure to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, plasticizers, antioxidants, and vulcanization agents in air. A small amount of sorbent (25 mg) was used, and the analytes were recovered in only 1 mL of solvent. An experimental design was applied to study the influence of main factors such as type of sorbent and type of solvent, extraction technique (ultrasound‐assisted extraction and vortex extraction), extraction time, as well as the factor interactions. Under optimal conditions, no breakthrough occurs in the studied interval (up to 4 m3). Linearity was demonstrated in a wide concentration range. Accuracy of the total sampling‐extraction analysis was evaluated obtaining satisfactory recoveries as well as good precision. The method was successfully applied to different outdoor and indoor air environments, including a recycled rubber synthetic turf football pitch.
Contrasting Patterns of Demography and Population Viability Among Gopher Tortoise Populations in Alabama
Authors: Folt Brian , Goessling Jeffrey M. , Tucker Anna , Guyer Craig , Hermann Sharon , Shelton‐Nix Ericha , McGowan Conor 
Published: February 2021

ABSTRACTPopulation viability analyses are useful tools to predict abundance and extinction risk for imperiled species. In southeastern North America, the federally threatened gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus) is a keystone species in the diverse and imperiled longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystem, and researchers have suggested that tortoise populations are declining and characterized by high extinction risk. We report results from a 30‐year demographic study of gopher tortoises in southern Alabama (1991–2020), where 3 populations have been stable and 3 others have declined. To better understand the demographic vital rates associated with stable and declining tortoise populations, we used a multi‐state hierarchical mark‐recapture model to estimate sex‐ and stage‐specific patterns of demographic vital rates at each population. We then built a predictive population model to project population dynamics and evaluate extinction risk in a population viability context. Population structure did not change significantly in stable populations, but juveniles became less abundant in declining populations over 30 years. Apparent survival varied by age, sex, and site; adults had higher survival than juveniles, but female survival was substantially lower in declining populations than in stable ones. Using simulations, we predicted that stable populations with high female survival would persist over the next 100 years but sites with lower female survival would decline, become male‐biased, and be at high risk of extirpation. Stable populations were most sensitive to changes in apparent survival of adult females. Because local populations varied greatly in vital rates, our analysis improves upon previous demographic models for northern populations of gopher tortoises by accounting for population‐level variation in demographic patterns and, counter to previous model predictions, suggests that small tortoise populations can persist when habitat is managed effectively. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.
Noncontrast assessment of blood–brain barrier permeability to water: Shorter acquisition, test–retest reproducibility, and comparison with contrast‐based method
Authors: Lin Zixuan , Jiang Dengrong , Liu Dapeng , Li Yang , Uh Jinsoo , Hou Xirui , Pillai Jay J. , Qin Qin , Ge Yulin , Lu Hanzhang 
Published: February 2021

PurposeAssessment of the blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability without the need for contrast agent is desirable, and the ability to measure the permeability to small molecules such as water may further increase the sensitivity in detecting diseases. This study proposed a time‐efficient, noncontrast method to measure BBB permeability to water, evaluated its test–retest reproducibility, and compared it with a contrast agent–based method.MethodsA single‐delay water extraction with phase‐contrast arterial spin tagging (WEPCAST) method was devised in which spatial profile of the signal along the superior sagittal sinus was used to estimate bolus arrival time, and the WEPCAST signal at the corresponding location was used to compute water extraction fraction, which was combined with global cerebral blood flow to estimate BBB permeability surface area product to water. The reliability of WEPCAST sequence was examined in terms of intrasession, intersession, and inter‐vendor (Philips [Ingenia, Best, the Netherlands] and Siemens [Prisma, Erlangen, Germany]) reproducibility. Finally, we compared this new technique to a contrast agent–based method.ResultsSingle‐delay WEPCAST reduced the scan duration from approximately 20 min to 5 min. Extract fraction values estimated from single‐delay WEPCAST showed good consistency with the multi‐delay method (R = 0.82, P = .004). Group‐averaged permeability surface area product values were found to be 137.5 ± 9.3 mL/100 g/min. Intrasession, intersession, and inter‐vendor coefficient of variation of the permeability surface area product values were 6.6 ± 4.5%, 6.9 ± 3.7%, and 8.9 ± 3.0%, respectively. Finally, permeability surface area product obtained from WEPCAST MRI showed a significant correlation with that from the contrast‐based method (R = .73, P = .02).ConclusionSingle‐delay WEPCAST MRI can measure BBB permeability to water within 5 min with an intrasession, intersession, and inter‐vendor test–retest reproducibility of 6% to 9%. This method may provide a useful marker of BBB breakdown in clinical studies.
Metal Assisted Synthesis of Cationic Sulfidobismuth Cubanes in Ionic Liquids
Authors: Knies Maximilian , Groh Matthias F. , Pietsch Tobias , Lê Anh Mai , Ruck Michael 
Published: February 2021

AbstractInvited for this month's cover is the group of Michael Ruck at the Technische Universität Dresden (Germany). The cover picture shows the spiro‐dicubane Bi7S85+ in the center, accompanied by two Bi4S44+ hetero‐cubanes on both sides, which are shown along their threefold axis. These sulfidobismuth polycations were isolated in salts with [AlCl4]– and [S(AlCl3)3]2– anions. The starting material was Bi2S3, which is generally hard to dissolve but can easily be activated under ionothermal conditions. Moreover, the presence of noble metal ions, such as Ag+, Au+ or Pt2+, played a crucial role for the formation of those compounds. This research was performed in the framework of the Priority Program SPP 1708 “Material Synthesis Near Room Temperature” of the German Research Council (DFG). Read the full text of their Full Paper at
10.1002/open.202000246.
Virtual visits as long‐term follow‐up care for childhood cancer survivors: Patient and provider satisfaction during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Kenney Lisa B. , Vrooman Lynda M. , Lind Eileen Duffey , Brace‐O'Neill Jill , Mulder Jean E. , Nekhlyudov Larissa , Recklitis Christopher J. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractTelemedicine can potentially meet objectives of long‐term follow‐up care (LTFU) for childhood cancer survivors (CCS) while reducing barriers. We surveyed providers at our institution about their satisfaction with video‐conference virtual visits (VV) with 81 CCS during COVID‐19 restrictions. The same 81 CCS (or parent proxies) were surveyed about their experience, of which 47% responded. Providers and CCS were highly satisfied with VV (86% and 95% “completely/very satisfied,” respectively). CCS rated VV “as/nearly as” helpful as in‐person visits (66%) and 82% prefer VV remain an option postpandemic. High levels of survivor and provider satisfaction with VV support ongoing investigation into implementation for LTFU.
Circular Economy in Poland: Main Achievements and Future Prospects
Authors: Avdiushchenko Anna 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCircular economy (CE) is a new development strategy adopted by the European Union (EU) authorities in 2014, aiming to boost global competitiveness, foster sustainable economic growth, and generate new jobs. The CE approach maintains the added value in products for as long as possible and eliminates waste; moreover, it implies totally systemic change and innovation not only in technologies, but also in organization, society, finance methods, and policies. Such an approach leads to a new model of production and consumption and a new relationship between stakeholders at the local, regional, national, and EU levels. The first consideration of CE priorities in Poland started in 2016 when the Inter-ministerial Committee for Circular Economy was established. Representatives from nine ministries became committee members, and the chief document they prepared was the Roadmap for Circular Economy Transition. The document proposed an action plan for CE implementation and focused on increasing resource efficiency and waste reduction in Poland. Prepared with the active involvement of all possible stakeholders—businesses, NGOs, the academic and research community, and local and regional authorities—the Roadmap can be seen as a quick and effective guide. In addition to national government initiatives, there were numerous attempts to implement CE principles at the local and regional levels. The main goal of the current research was to examine the effectiveness of such national, regional, local, and business CE projects for influencing Poland’s CE transition during the past three years. This study reviews the main policy documents, reports, and expertise of national, international, regional, and local organizations and NGOs involved with CE in Poland. The research is also supported by a review of the relevant academic literature. As a result, it was possible to estimate the current level of achievement, as well as future prospects for CE in Poland. Moreover, this research identifies potential opportunities for updating existing planning policies and tools related to CE-based development in Poland.
Composite Dark Matter and a horizontal symmetry
Authors: Carvunis Alexandre , Guadagnoli Diego , Reboud Méril , Stangl Peter 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We present a model of composite Dark Matter (DM), in which a new QCD-like confining “hypercolor” sector generates naturally stable hyperbaryons as DM candidates and at the same time provides mass to new weakly coupled gauge bosons H that serve as DM mediators, coupling the hyperbaryons to the Standard Model (SM) fermions. By an appropriate choice of the H gauge symmetry as a horizontal SU(2)h SM flavor symmetry, we show how the H gauge bosons can be identified with the horizontal gauge bosons recently put forward as an explanation for discrepancies in rare B-meson decays. We find that the mass scale of the H gauge bosons suggested by the DM phenomenology intriguingly agrees with the one needed to explain the rare B-decay discrepancies.
Scrutinizing vacuum stability in IDM with Type-III inverse seesaw
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Priyotosh , Jangid Shilpa , Mitra Manimala 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
We consider the extension of the Standard Model (SM) with an inert Higgs doublet that also contains two or three sets of SU(2)L triplet fermions with hypercharge zero and analyze the stability of electroweak vacuum for the scenarios. The model represents a Type-III inverse seesaw mechanism for neutrino mass generation with a Dark matter candidate. An effective potential approach calculation with two-loop beta function have been carried out in deciding the fate of the electroweak vacuum. Weak gauge coupling g2 shows a different behaviour as compared to the Standard Model. The modified running of g2, along with the Higgs quartic coupling and Type-III Yukawa couplings become crucial in determining the stability of electroweak vacuum. The interplay between two and three generations of such triplet fermions reveals that extensions with two generations is favoured if we aspire for Planck scale stability. Bounds on the Higgs quartic couplings, Type-III Yukawa and number of triplet fermion generations are drawn for different mass scale of Type-III fermions. The phenomenologies of inert doublet and Type-III fermions at the LHC and other experiments are commented upon.
Constraints in models of production and cost via slack-based measures
Authors: Khan Caroline , Tsionas Mike G. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we propose the use of stochastic frontier models to impose theoretical regularity constraints (like monotonicity and concavity) on flexible functional forms. These constraints take the form of inequalities involving the data and the parameters of the model. We address a major concern when statistically endogenous variables are present in these inequalities. We present results with and without endogeneity in the inequality constraints. In the system case (e.g., cost-share equations) or more generally, in production function-first-order conditions case, we detect an econometric problem which we solve successfully. We provide an empirical application to US electric power generation plants during 1986–1997, previously used by several authors.
The intoxicated co-witness: effects of alcohol and dyadic discussion on memory conformity and event recall
Authors: Bartlett Georgina , Gawrylowicz Julie , Frings Daniel , Albery Ian P. 
Published: February 2021

Abstract
Rationale
Co-witness discussion is common and often witnesses are under the influence of alcohol. As such, it is important to understand how such factors may influence eyewitness testimony.

Objectives
We combined a co-witness memory paradigm with an alcohol administration paradigm to examine the influence of alcohol and dyadic discussion on remembering a mock crime.

Methods
Intoxicated and sober dyads discussed a previously seen video, whilst in a control condition sober and intoxicated individuals recalled the event on their own. Unknown to the dyads, each discussion partner saw a different version of the video including unique details not present in the other video version. All participants then engaged in a second individual recall attempt.

Results
Dyads were more likely to recall misleading details in their individual recall attempts compared to the control group. Intoxicated and sober dyads were equally likely to report misleading information. Alcohol intoxication had no negative impact on individuals’ ability to correctly identify the source of their responses. Intoxicated participants recalled fewer details under free recall conditions. Alcohol had a detrimental effect on participants’ confidence in their free recall accounts.

Conclusions
Possible alcohol-related and social-cognitive mechanisms are discussed which may contribute to the current findings as well as applied implications for interviewing intoxicated witnesses.
Real-time magnetic resonance imaging in pediatric radiology — new approach to movement and moving children
Authors: Hirsch Franz Wolfgang , Frahm Jens , Sorge Ina , Roth Christian , Voit Dirk , Gräfe Daniel 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThe recent development of highly undersampled radial gradient echo sequences in combination with nonlinear inverse image reconstruction now allows for MRI examinations in real time. Image acquisition times as short as 20 ms yield MRI videos with rates of up to 50 frames per second with spin density, T1- and T2-type contrast. The addition of an initial 180° inversion pulse achieves accurate T1 mapping within only 4 s. These technical advances promise specific advantages for studies of infants and young children by eliminating the need for sedation or anesthesia. Our preliminary data demonstrate new diagnostic opportunities ranging from dynamic studies of speech and swallowing processes and body movements to a rapid volumetric assessment of brain cerebrospinal fluid spaces in only few seconds. Real-time MRI of the heart and blood flow can be performed without electrocardiogram gating and under free breathing. The present findings support the idea that real-time MRI will complement existing methods by providing long-awaited diagnostic options for patients in early childhood. Major advantages are the avoidance of sedation or anesthesia and the yet unexplored potential to gain insights into arbitrary body functions.