bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of moisture/water absorption on mechanical and thermal properties of polyamide6/boric oxide composites
Authors: Randhawa Kawaljit Singh , Patel Ashwin 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the mechanical and thermal behavior, i.e. tensile strength, hardness, impact strength and glass transition temperatures of water-treated polyamide6/boric oxide (PA) composites.

Design/methodology/approach
The PA6 and PA6/boric oxide composites were exposed to an open environment and immersed in water for 15 days to analyze the effect of environmental humidity and frequent water immersion conditions on the composite’s mechanical and thermal properties. The tensile strength, elastic modulus, hardness and impact strength of materials were measured to identify the mechanical properties. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) characterizations were used to see the effect of humidity/water absorption on microstructure, crystallinity and glass transition temperatures.

Findings
The testing results revealed the loss in strength, elastic modulus and hardness, while the impact resistance was improved after exposure of materials to humidity/water. SEM images clearly show the formation of voids and XRD graphs revealed the loss in crystallinity after water immersion. The DSC plots of water immersed materials revealed the loss of glass transition temperatures up to 15°C.

Originality/value
The mechanical and thermal behavior of PA composites varies according to the surrounding atmosphere. Experiments were performed to investigate the influence of water treatment on the PA6/B2O3 composite’s mechanical and thermal properties. Water treatment resulted in the bonding between PA and water molecules, which generated voids in the materials. These voids generations are found the main reason for the low strength and hardness of water-treated materials.
Corporate social responsibility in the wake of COVID-19: multiple cases of social responsibility as an organizational value
Authors: Ahmed Jashim Uddin , Islam Quazi Tafsirul , Ahmed Asma , Faroque Anisur R. , Uddin Mohammad Jasim 
Published: July 2021

PurposeAlthough corporate social responsibility is a well-researched concept, very few studies have studied organizational social responsibility in the face of internal/external crises. Therefore, this paper aims to examine various firms' organizational social responses to COVID-19 as an external crisis, particularly in terms of the way organizations use their resources to address social problems and the real intention behind these, and the changing organizational drivers influencing such behaviors.Design/methodology/approachThe authors explore the initiatives of seven organizations from three different industries in several countries and their actions in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. A case study approach was taken to collect data and reach a conclusion. A combination of interviews, online communication using semi-structured questionnaires and documentary information available in the public domain was used to collect data and analyze and triangulate the events.FindingsSimilar internal resources and capacities of the seven organizations resulted in similar responses as they launched proactive initiatives to prepare sanitizers. This research indicates that these organizations pursued other goals besides economic one. When society needed help, these organizations responded quickly, using and reorganizing their resources to assist communities in need. Different organizations from different sectors all behaved in a similar manner, making genuine contributions to the pandemic as each was uniquely capable of doing. These organizations also used their unique capabilities to offer their resources to local communities and governments.Originality/valueDuring the COVID-19 pandemic, efforts by corporate entities to facilitate social reform and recovery have been seen around the globe. The findings could help in understanding the responses of organizations engaging in socially responsible behaviors to overcome external crises. This paper also identifies changing organizational values and their possible impact on society and overall industry philanthropy practices in the future.
Metabolic potential and survival strategies of microbial communities across extreme temperature gradients on Deception Island volcano, Antarctica
Authors: Bendia Amanda Gonçalves , Lemos Leandro Nascimento , Mendes Lucas William , Signori Camila Negrão , Bohannan Brendan J. M. , Pellizari Vivian Helena 
Published: July 2021

SummaryActive volcanoes in Antarctica have remarkable temperature and geochemical gradients that could select for a wide variety of microbial adaptive mechanisms and metabolic pathways. Deception Island is a stratovolcano flooded by the sea, resulting in contrasting ecosystems such as permanent glaciers and active fumaroles, which creates steep gradients that have been shown to affect microbial diversity. In this study, we used shotgun metagenomics and metagenome‐assembled genomes to explore the metabolic potentials and survival strategies of microbial communities along an extreme temperature gradient in fumarole and glacier sediments on Deception Island. We observed that communities from a 98 °C fumarole were significantly enriched in genes related to hyperthermophilic (e.g. reverse gyrase, GroEL/GroES and thermosome) and oxidative stress responses, as well as genes related to sulfate reduction, ammonification and carbon fixation. Communities from <80 °C fumaroles possessed more genes related osmotic, cold‐ and heat‐shock responses, and diverse metabolic potentials, such as those related to sulfur oxidation and denitrification, while glacier communities showed abundant metabolic potentials mainly related to heterotrophy. Through the reconstruction of genomes, we were able to reveal the metabolic potentials and different survival strategies of underrepresented taxonomic groups, especially those related to Nanoarchaeota, Pyrodictiaceae and thermophilic ammonia‐oxidizing archaeal lineages.
Responses of Clostridia to oxygen: from detoxification to adaptive strategies
Authors: Morvan Claire , Folgosa Filipe , Kint Nicolas , Teixeira Miguel , Martin‐Verstraete Isabelle 
Published: July 2021

SummaryClostridia comprise bacteria of environmental, biotechnological and medical interest and many commensals of the gut microbiota. Because of their strictly anaerobic lifestyle, oxygen is a major stress for Clostridia. However, recent data showed that these bacteria can cope with O2 better than expected for obligate anaerobes through their ability to scavenge, detoxify and consume O2. Upon O2 exposure, Clostridia redirect their central metabolism onto pathways less O2‐sensitive and induce the expression of genes encoding enzymes involved in O2‐reduction and in the repair of oxidized damaged molecules. While Faecalibacterium prausnitzii efficiently consumes O2 through a specific extracellular electron shuttling system requiring riboflavin, enzymes such as rubrerythrins and flavodiiron proteins with NAD(P)H‐dependent O2‐ and/or H2O2‐reductase activities are usually encoded in other Clostridia. These two classes of enzymes play indeed a pivotal role in O2 tolerance in Clostridioides difficile and Clostridium acetobutylicum. Two main signalling pathways triggering O2‐induced responses have been described so far in Clostridia. PerR acts as a key regulator of the O2‐ and/or reactive oxygen species–defence machinery while in C. difficile, σB, the sigma factor of the general stress response also plays a crucial role in O2 tolerance by controlling the expression of genes involved in O2 scavenging and repair systems.
The levonorgestrel intrauterine system versus endometrial ablation for heavy menstrual bleeding: a cost‐effectiveness analysis
Authors: van den Brink MJ , Beelen P , Herman MC , Geomini PM , Dekker JH , Vermeulen KM , Bongers MY , Berger MY 
Published: July 2021

ObjectiveTo evaluate the costs and non‐inferiority of a strategy starting with the levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG‐IUS) compared with endometrial ablation (EA) in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB).DesignCost‐effectiveness analysis from a societal perspective alongside a multicentre randomised non‐inferiority trial.SettingGeneral practices and gynaecology departments in the Netherlands.PopulationIn all, 270 women with HMB, aged ≥34 years old, without intracavitary pathology or wish for a future child.MethodsRandomisation to a strategy starting with the LNG‐IUS (n = 132) or EA (n = 138). The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was estimated.Main outcome measuresDirect medical costs and (in)direct non‐medical costs were calculated. The primary outcome was menstrual blood loss after 24 months, measured with the mean Pictorial Blood Assessment Chart (PBAC)‐score (non‐inferiority margin 25 points). A secondary outcome was successful blood loss reduction (PBAC‐score ≤75 points).ResultsTotal costs per patient were €2,285 in the LNG‐IUS strategy and €3,465 in the EA strategy (difference: €1,180). At 24 months, mean PBAC‐scores were 64.8 in the LNG‐IUS group (n = 115) and 14.2 in the EA group (n = 132); difference 50.5 points (95% CI 4.3–96.7). In the LNG‐IUS group, 87% of women had a PBAC‐score ≤75 points versus 94% in the EA group (relative risk [RR] 0.93, 95% CI 0.85–1.01). The ICER was €23 (95% CI €5–111) per PBAC‐point.ConclusionsA strategy starting with the LNG‐IUS was cheaper than starting with EA, but non‐inferiority could not be demonstrated. The LNG‐IUS is reversible and less invasive and can be a cost‐effective treatment option, depending on the success rate women are willing to accept.Tweetable abstractTreatment of heavy menstrual bleeding starting with LNG‐IUS is cheaper but slightly less effective than endometrial ablation.
Estetrol‐Drospirenone combination oral contraceptive: a clinical study of contraceptive efficacy, bleeding pattern and safety in Europe and Russia
Authors: Gemzell‐Danielsson K , Apter D , Zatik J , Weyers S , Piltonen T , Suturina L , Apolikhina I , Jost M , Creinin MD , Foidart J‐M 
Published: July 2021

ObjectivesTo assess the contraceptive efficacy, bleeding pattern and safety of a combined oral contraceptive containing estetrol (E4) 15 mg and drospirenone (DRSP) 3 mg.DesignMulticenter, open‐label, phase 3 trial.SettingSixty‐nine sites in Europe and Russia.PopulationSexually active women aged 18–50 years with regular menstrual cycles and body mass index ≤35 kg/m2.MethodsE4/DRSP was administered in a 24 active/4 placebo regimen for up to 13 cycles. Visits were scheduled during Cycles 2, 4, 7 and 10 and after completing treatment during which adverse events (AEs) were collected. Participants recorded medication intake, vaginal bleeding/spotting, use of other contraceptive methods and sexual intercourse on a daily diary.Main outcome measuresPearl Index (PI) for women 18–35 years (overall and method‐failure), bleeding pattern and AEs.ResultsA total of 1553 women aged 18–50 years, including 1353 from 18 to 35 years old, received the study medication. PI was 0.47 pregnancies/100 woman‐years (95% CI 0.15–1.11); method failure PI was 0.29 pregnancies/100 woman‐years (95% CI 0.06–0.83). Scheduled bleeding/spotting occurred in 91.9–94.4% of women over Cycles 1 to 12 and lasted a median of 4–5 days per cycle. The percentage of women with unscheduled bleeding/spotting episodes decreased from 23.5% in Cycle 1 to <16% from Cycle 6 onwards. The most common AEs were headache (7.7%), metrorrhagia (5.5%), vaginal haemorrhage (4.8%) and acne (4.2%). One treatment‐related serious AE was reported, a lower extremity venous thromboembolism. One‐hundred and forty‐one (9.1%) women discontinued study participation because of treatment‐related adverse events.ConclusionE4/DRSP provides effective contraception, a predictable bleeding pattern and a favourable safety profile.Tweetable abstractA phase 3 trial with E4/DRSP shows high contraceptive efficacy, a predictable bleeding pattern and favourable safety profile.
Petrogenesis and Tectonic Implications of the Latest Cretaceous Intrusive Rocks from the Eastern Gangdese Belt, Southeast Tibet
Authors: CHEN Yanfei , CHEN Xuanhua , ZHANG Zeming , SHAO Zhaogang , TIAN Zuolin , DONG Xin , QIN Shengkai , YUAN Yuelei 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThe latest Cretaceous magmatic activity in the eastern segment of the Lhasa terrane provides important insights for tracking the magma source and geodynamic setting of the eastern Gangdese batholith, eastward of eastern Himalayan Syntaxis. Detailed petrological, geochemical and geochronological studies of the intrusive rocks (monzodiorites and granodiorites) of the eastern Gangdese batholith are presented with monzodiorites and granodiorites giving zircon U–Pb crystallization dates of 70–66 Ma and 71–66 Ma with εHf(t) values of –4.8 to +6.2 and –1.9 to +5.3, respectively. These rocks are metaluminous to weakly peraluminous I‐type granites showing geochemically arc‐related features of enrichment in LREEs and some LILEs, e.g., Rb, Th, and U, and depletion in HREEs and some HFSEs, e.g., Nb, Ta, and Ti. The rocks are interpreted to be derived from partial melting of mantle material and juvenile crust, respectively, which are proposed to be triggered by Neo‐Tethyan slab rollback during northward subduction, with both experiencing ancient crustal contamination. The studied intrusive rocks formed in a transitional geodynamic setting caused by Neo‐Tethyan oceanic flat subduction to slab rollback beneath the eastern Gangdese belt during the latest Cretaceous.
Rapid detection of temperate bacteriophage using a simple motility assay
Authors: Guo Yunxue , Lin Jianzhong , Wang Xiaoxue 
Published: July 2021

SummaryPhage contamination is a common complication for the fermentation and pharmaceutical industries. The risk of bacteriophage contamination in laboratory processes increases with multiple rounds of genetic manipulation such as deletion and complementation. The contamination of temperate phages does not lead to immediate host cell lysis but could become a serious issue when the lytic cycle is activated under specific conditions. Our objective was to develop a quick and reliable detection method for checking possible temperate phage contamination. Here, using motility plates, we found that when the strain carries a newly acquired temperate phage, its presence can be easily detected by the formation of a clear ‘lysis zone’ when swimming against the original strain on the same swimming plates. Compared to the traditional double agar layer method and genomic sequencing‐based methods, the duration of the motility‐based assay is shorter and the procedure is simplified. More importantly, for the bacterial strains that already contain active prophages, this method can still easily detect the newly acquired phages without tedious phage identification procedure. These features make this method highly applicable to laboratory and industrial processes.
Single‐oocyte transcriptome analysis reveals aging‐associated effects influenced by life stage and calorie restriction
Authors: Mishina Tappei , Tabata Namine , Hayashi Tetsutaro , Yoshimura Mika , Umeda Mana , Mori Masashi , Ikawa Yayoi , Hamada Hiroshi , Nikaido Itoshi , Kitajima Tomoya S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractChromosome segregation errors in oocytes lead to the production of aneuploid eggs, which are the leading cause of pregnancy loss and of several congenital diseases such as Down syndrome. The frequency of chromosome segregation errors in oocytes increases with maternal age, especially at a late stage of reproductive life. How aging at various life stages affects oocytes differently remains poorly understood. In this study, we describe aging‐associated changes in the transcriptome profile of mouse oocytes throughout reproductive life. Our single‐oocyte comprehensive RNA sequencing using RamDA‐seq revealed that oocytes undergo transcriptome changes at a late reproductive stage, whereas their surrounding cumulus cells exhibit transcriptome changes at an earlier stage. Calorie restriction, a paradigm that reportedly prevents aging‐associated egg aneuploidy, promotes a transcriptome shift in oocytes with the up‐regulation of genes involved in chromosome segregation. This shift is accompanied by the improved maintenance of chromosomal cohesin, the loss of which is a hallmark of oocyte aging and causes chromosome segregation errors. These findings have implications for understanding how oocytes undergo aging‐associated functional decline throughout their reproductive life in a context‐dependent manner.
Telehealth in emergency medicine: A consensus conference to map the intersection of telehealth and emergency medicine
Authors: Hayden Emily M. , Davis Christopher , Clark Sunday , Joshi Aditi U. , Krupinski Elizabeth A. , Naik Neel , Ward Michael J. , Zachrison Kori S. , Olsen Erica , Chang Bernard P. , Burner Elizabeth , Yadav Kabir , Greenwald Peter W. , Chandra Shruti ,   the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine 2020 Consensus Conference
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionTelehealth has the potential to significantly change the specialty of emergency medicine (EM) and has rapidly expanded in EM during the COVID pandemic; however, it is unclear how EM should intersect with telehealth. The field lacks a unified research agenda with priorities for scientific questions on telehealth in EM.MethodsThrough the 2020 Society for Academic Emergency Medicine's annual consensus conference, experts in EM and telehealth created a research agenda for the topic. The multiyear process used a modified Delphi technique to develop research questions related to telehealth in EM. Research questions were excluded from the final research agenda if they did not meet a threshold of at least 80% of votes indicating “important” or “very important.”ResultsRound 1 of voting included 94 research questions, expanded to 103 questions in round 2 and refined to 36 questions for the final vote. Consensus occurred with a final set of 24 important research questions spanning five breakout group topics. Each breakout group domain was represented in the final set of questions. Examples of the questions include: “Among underserved populations, what are mechanisms by which disparities in emergency care delivery may be exacerbated or ameliorated by telehealth” (health care access) and “In what situations should the quality and safety of telehealth be compared to in‐person care and in what situations should it be compared to no care” (quality and safety).ConclusionThe primary finding from the process was the breadth of gaps in the evidence for telehealth in EM and telehealth in general. Our consensus process identified priority research questions for the use of and evaluation of telehealth in EM to fill the current knowledge gaps. Support should be provided to answer the research questions to guide the evidenced‐based development of telehealth in EM.
Persistent attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder predicts socially oriented, but not physical/physiologically oriented, alcohol problems in early adulthood
Authors: Wang Frances L. , Pedersen Sarah L. , Kennedy Traci M. , Gnagy Elizabeth M. , Pelham William E. , Molina Brooke S.G. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundAlthough individuals with histories of childhood attention‐deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) report more alcohol‐related problems in adulthood than those without ADHD, it is unknown whether there are group differences in certain types of alcohol problems. We tested whether the nature of alcohol problems differed for individuals with and without childhood ADHD, as well as adulthood‐persistent ADHD, to facilitate a personalized medicine approach for alcohol problems in this high‐risk group.MethodsData were drawn from a prospective, observational study. Children diagnosed with ADHD and demographically similar individuals without childhood ADHD were followed prospectively through young adulthood (N = 453; 87.6% male). ADHD symptom persistence was assessed using self‐reports and parent reports. Alcohol problems and heavy drinking were assessed repeatedly from 18–30 years old to construct lifetime measures.ResultsFull‐sample confirmatory factor analyses identified 5 alcohol problem “types:” interpersonal problems/risky behaviors, occupational/academic impairment, impaired control/treatment seeking, tolerance/withdrawal, and drinking to blackout. Latent class analyses of items within each type yielded the best fit for 3‐class solutions for all sets of items except blackout drinking, for which 2 classes emerged. Children with ADHD were more likely than those without ADHD to belong to high‐risk latent classes for interpersonal problems/risky behaviors, occupational/academic problems, and impaired control (the high‐risk class that indexed treatment‐seeking behavior). These effects were driven by individuals whose ADHD symptoms persisted into adulthood. Few group differences emerged for tolerance/withdrawal and blackout drinking, except that individuals with only childhood ADHD (no persistence) were more likely to belong to the low‐risk groups than those with adulthood‐persistent ADHD and without ADHD.ConclusionsIndividuals with ADHD histories whose symptoms persist into adulthood may be more likely to experience socially oriented alcohol problems and impaired control/treatment seeking than individuals without an ADHD history and those with childhood ADHD only. Tailored alcohol prevention and treatment programs may benefit this high‐risk population.
Corporate vote trading in Australia
Authors: Li Tongxia , Ang Tze Chuan ‘Chewie’ 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis study finds that institutional investors in Australia recall loaned shares prior to shareholder meetings to exercise their voting rights as part of their effort to improve corporate governance. Recalls are increasingly common in larger firms, firms with more independent directors, and stocks with higher past returns in recent years. Recalls are associated with less support for resolutions at meetings, especially those related to the remuneration package in firms within the ASX100 and those with existing shareholder dissent. We deduce the value of votes (around 351 basis points (bps) per annum) from the incremental cost of borrowing shares with voting rights around shareholder meetings.