bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linking key topics to environmental indicators in corporate social responsibility reports of construction companies
Authors: Chang Andrew S. , Paramosa Larissa S. , Tsai Calista Y. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractConsulting firms and contractors can mitigate the environmental effects of construction; however, they may disagree in their interpretations of how to address various environmental topics and the linkage between key topics and related indicators disclosed in corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports. This study investigated the linkage between key topics and performance indicators disclosed by the two types of companies in eight CSR reports. The present study identified and analyzed environmental material topics, indicator disclosures, and their relationships. The key topics (such as those concerning materials and energy) identified by consulting firms were not necessarily those regarded as important by the contractors. A strong correlation existed between the indicator disclosures of the companies. Emissions indicators were most frequently disclosed. The contribution of this study is proposing the importance of aligning topics and indicators. Companies that review this study can align their practices with its findings to improve CSR reporting quality.
Coulometric Anodic Stripping Voltammetry of Lead at Copper Column Electrode
Authors: Kasuno Megumi , Osuga Hitomi , Shina Katsuya , Yamazaki Takuya 
Published: March 2021

AbstractA flow coulometric electroanalytical system using a copper column electrode with a copper wire inserted into a Nafion tube was developed to determine Pb(II) content based on anodic stripping voltammetry. The electrolysis efficiency of 5 μM Pb(II) was evaluated to be 100.4±4.5 % (n=5) when the length of the copper wire and flow rate of the Pb(II) solution were 50 cm and 0.1 mL min−1, respectively. The amount of electricity due to the re‐oxidation of Pb electrodeposited at the copper column electrode was proportional to the concentration of Pb(II) in the range between 0.1 to 100 μM, and the limit of detection for Pb(II) was 0.8 μM for a deposition time of 15 min. Interference from the presence of Cd(II) could be avoided and the selective determination of Pb(II) was successfully achieved by adjustment of the electrodeposition potential.
Optimization of physicochemical, textural, and rheological properties of sour cherry jam containing stevioside by using response surface methodology
Authors: Nourmohammadi Ahmad , Ahmadi Ebrahim , Heshmati Ali 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe response surface method (RSM) was used to produce sour cherry jam containing stevia sweetener with favorable physicochemical, textural, and rheological properties. The experiments were designed based on RSM using a central composite design (CCD) with three independent variables: sugar, pectin, and stevia. Sample processing was performed at five levels of sucrose (10%–50%), pectin (0.1%–0.5%), and stevia (0.2%–0.6%) at a constant fruit weight of 300 g. To evaluate the jam, the physicochemical, textural, and rheological properties of the jam were determined and optimized. The concentrations of sucrose, pectin, and stevia had a significant effect on the textural and rheological properties of the jam. The results showed that increasing the concentration of sucrose is the main factor in increasing the soluble solids and the total sugar content of the jam. Pectin had a positive effect on textural characteristics such as hardness and adhesiveness of the jam, while the cohesiveness of the jam decreased with increasing pectin. Herschel–Bulkley model was appropriate for describing the rheological behavior of the stable state of sour cherry jam containing stevia. Decreasing sucrose concentration is accompanied by a decrease in yield stress and consistency index of jam samples due to the TSS reduction. Pectin also had a positive effect on the amount of yield stress and consistency index. Dynamic rheological tests indicated that the sour cherry jam is a weak gel. The predominant viscose behavior and the formation of a dilute solution were evident in the samples with 10% and 20% sucrose concentrations. The most favorable condition for the production of the jam was obtained at a 36.5% sugar, 0.277% pectin, and stevia 0.30%.
The aspartate aminotransaminase/alanine aminotransaminase (De Ritis) ratio predicts sensitivity to radiotherapy in head and neck carcinoma patients
Authors: Sansa Aina , Venegas María del Prado , Valero Cristina , Pardo Laura , Avilés‐Jurado Francesc‐Xavier , Terra Ximena , Quer Miquel , León Xavier 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study is to evaluate the relationship between the aspartate aminotransaminase (AST) and alanine aminotransaminase (ALT) ratio and local disease control in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) treated with radiotherapy/chemoradiotherapy.MethodsWe calculated the pre‐treatment AST/ALT ratio in 670 patients with HNSCC treated with radiotherapy (n = 309, 46.1%) or chemoradiotherapy (n = 361, 53.9%).ResultsFive‐year local recurrence‐free survival for patients with a low AST/ALT ratio value (n = 529, 79.0%) was 75.0% (95% CI: 71.1–78.9), and for patients with a high value (n = 141, 21.0%) it was 53.4% (CI 95: 44.4–62.4) (p = 0.0001). In a multivariable analysis, patients with a high ratio had nearly twice the risk of having a local tumor recurrence (HR 1.97, 95% CI 1.42–2.75, p = 0.0001).ConclusionThe AST/ALT ratio was independently associated with the risk of local recurrence in patients with HNSCC treated with radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy.
IUBMB focused meeting/FEBS workshop: Crosstalk between nucleus and mitochondria in human disease (CrossMitoNus)
Authors: Díaz‐Moreno Irene , De la Rosa Miguel A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe IUBMB Focused Meeting/FEBS Workshop titled ‘Crosstalk between Nucleus and Mitochondria in Human Disease‘(CrossMitoNus) will take place on September 7–10, 2021 in Seville (Spain), with the support of both the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (IUBMB) and the Federation of European Biochemical Societies (FEBS). Mitochondria are key organelles that act as a hub for vital metabolic processes, for example, energy transduction by oxidative phosphorylation, intermediary metabolism, redox signaling, calcium and iron homeostasis, heme and steroid biosynthesis, metal homeostasis, programmed cell death, and innate immunity. Consequently, a wide assortment of diseases—including neurodegenerative disorders, diabetes, cancer, rare syndromes, and many others—relate to mitochondrial dysfunction. The high relevance of mitochondria in metabolism centers on the core of cell signaling pathways, including those involved in cell‐fate decisions. Critical metabolites synthesized in mitochondria are, for instance, key modulators of the sirtuin, AMPK, mTOR, and Hypoxia‐inducible Factor 1A pathways. Mitochondria are indeed the major source of reactive oxygen species, which in turn mediate several regulatory routes. Interestingly, multiple nuclear‐encoded factors control essential processes in mitochondrial dynamics, namely fusion (for instance, OPA1), fission (DNM1L), transport (RHOT1), and mitophagy (PINK1). The release of mitochondrial factors like cytochrome c to the cytoplasm is indeed key for the rapid onset of the intrinsic apoptotic pathway. The CrossMitoNus meeting aims to join efforts from diverse disciplines to unveil the mitochondrial and nuclear factors that are emerging as essential elements in mitochondria‐nucleus communication. Needless to say, the mechanisms regulating mitochondrial protein trafficking into and out of the nucleus and the role of these proteins in the nucleus remain to be elucidated.
Multivariate analysis of Brillouin imaging data by supervised and unsupervised learning
Authors: Xiang YuChen , Seow Kai Ling C. , Paterson Carl , Török Peter 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBrillouin imaging relies on the reliable extraction of subtle spectral information from hyperspectral datasets. To date, the mainstream practice has been to use line fitting of spectral features to retrieve the average peak shift and linewidth parameters. Good results, however, depend heavily on sufficient signal‐to‐noise ratio and may not be applicable in complex samples that consist of spectral mixtures. In this work, we thus propose the use of various multivariate algorithms that can be used to perform supervised or unsupervised analysis of the hyperspectral data, with which we explore advanced image analysis applications, namely unmixing, classification and segmentation in a phantom and live cells. The resulting images are shown to provide more contrast and detail, and obtained on a timescale ∼102 faster than fitting. The estimated spectral parameters are consistent with those calculated from pure fitting.
Mucoadhesive hyaluronic acid‐based films for vaginal delivery of metronidazole
Authors: Gerton Marina L. , Mann Brenda K. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBacterial vaginosis is a prevalent women's health issue that affects millions of women worldwide every year; however, current treatments are often messy, inconvenient, and ineffective. Therefore, we developed a new hyaluronic acid‐based film to deliver metronidazole that would be more effective, more convenient, and at a pH similar to that of the normal vaginal environment. Films were made by crosslinking modified hyaluronic acid to create a hydrogel, in which metronidazole or metronidazole benzoate and methylcellulose were incorporated, and the hydrogel was dried to a thin film. Through release testing, coupled with assessments of handleability, tensile strength, and mucoadhesion, it was determined that the films have the potential to remain in the vaginal environment for an extended time period and gradually release the drug for at least 6 days, which is a typical treatment length. As such, the films present a viable alternative to current treatment methods, allowing for both easy handling and a single treatment while eliminating the issues of pH and overall inconvenience.
Controllable wide temperature range and high damping polyurethane elastomer based on disulfide bond and dangling chain
Authors: Xiaolin Jiang , Rui Qin , Minhui Wang , Min Xu , Yeming Sheng , Xun Lu 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAiming at the common problems of weak controllability of damping temperature range and poor mechanical properties in damping elastomer materials. Herein, we design a polyurethane‐containing dynamic disulfide bonds and dangling chains to address this dilemma. The as‐prepared polyurethane exhibits an unprecedented damping range of 182°C (−62 to 120°C), and the tensile strength reaches 6.8 MPa, which is at the forefront of the same type of research. We innovatively introduce aromatic disulfides to the system, in which disulfide bonds can be spontaneously exchanged dynamically at room temperature, making the damping performance of the elastomer above room temperature improved, and a small amount of hydroxyl‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (OH‐PDMS) is used as a dangling chain to promote the damping property of the elastomer between the glass transition temperature and room temperature. The synergistic effect of disulfide bonds and dangling chains makes the controllability of polyurethane damping temperature range realized. Furthermore, polyurethane elastomer is equipped with good thermal stability duo to the introduction of OH‐PDMS. And, the high‐performance polyurethane elastomer has great potential in practical application.
Real‐world evidence to support regulatory decision making: New or expanded medical product indications
Authors: Franklin Jessica M. , Liaw Kai‐Li , Iyasu Solomon , Critchlow Cathy W. , Dreyer Nancy A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThere is increasing interest in utilizing real‐world data (RWD) to produce real‐world evidence (RWE) on the benefits and risks of medical products that could support regulatory approval decisions. The field of pharmacoepidemiology has a long history of focusing on data and evidence that would now be termed “real‐world,” including evidence from healthcare claims, registries, and electronic health records. However, several emerging trends over the past decade are converging to support the use of these and other RWD sources for approval decisions, and there are several recent examples and ongoing research that demonstrate how RWE may be used to support regulatory approval of new or expanded indications. The goal of this article is to review the current landscape and future directions of the use of RWE in this context. This manuscript is endorsed by the International Society for Pharmacoepidemiology (ISPE).
Reaching performance scale for stroke – Test‐retest reliability, measurement error, concurrent and discriminant validity
Authors: Subramanian Sandeep K. , Baniña Melanie C. , Turolla Andrea , Levin Mindy F. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionPost‐stroke upper limb motor improvement can be better quantified by describing movement patterns characterizing movement quality and use of compensations. Movement patterns can be described using both kinematic and clinical outcomes. One clinical outcome that assesses movement quality and compensations used for reaching a Close (18 points) and Far target (18 points) is the Reaching Performance Scale for Stroke (RPSS).ObjectiveTo estimate the pilot test‐retest reliability and validity (concurrent, discriminant) of the RPSS in individuals with chronic stroke.DesignRetrospective data analysis.SettingResearch laboratory.ParticipantsSeventy‐two individuals with upper limb hemiparesis ≥6 months prior to participation.InterventionNot applicable.Main Outcome MeasureRPSS Close and Far Target scores. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) helped assess pilot test‐retest reliability on a subset of 14 participants. Concurrent validity was assessed for individual RPSS items with corresponding kinematic outcomes (trunk displacement, shoulder flexion, shoulder horizontal adduction, elbow extension, trajectory straightness) using Pearson correlations. We also ran multiple regression analyses with the RPSS total scores and used kinematic outcomes as the criterion standard. Logistic regression analyses estimated discriminant validity. We divided participants into two groups based on the Fugl‐Meyer Assessment (FMA) scores (mild: ≥50/66; moderate‐to‐severe: ≤49/66).ResultsTest‐retest reliability was excellent for Close (ICC = 0.98, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.94–0.99) and Far targets (ICC = 0.98, 95% CI 0.95–0.99). Individual RPSS items for both targets were mildly to moderately correlated with corresponding kinematic values. A combination of trajectory straightness, elbow extension, and trunk displacement explained the majority of the variance in RPSS scores (47%) for both targets. The RPSS scores discriminated between individuals with mild and moderate‐to‐severe motor impairment for both Close (ExpB = 3.33, P < .001; 95% CI 1.70–6.52) and Far targets (ExpB = 2.59, P < .001, 95% CI 1.65–4.07). Cutoff points for transition between groups were 15.5 (Close target) and 14 (Far target).ConclusionThe RPSS is a valid clinical measure with excellent pilot results of test‐retest reliability for assessing movement patterns and compensations used for reaching.
Introduction to Transmedia in Asia and the Pacific
Authors: Gilardi Filippo , Lam Celia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe introduction reviews extant research on transmedia, with a focus on outlining definitions of the storytelling practice, as well as highlighting the main theoretical and industrial concerns of transmedia practices. The introduction describes the structure of the book focusing on the interplay between top-down and bottom-up transmedia practices. Top-down practices include government- and industry-driven practices and bottom-up focus on grassroots convergence, transcultural dialogue facilitated by transmedia activism among countries and communities from the region, and transmedia as a framework facilitating inclusiveness, formal and informal learning.
Teaching Transmedia in China: Complexity, Critical Thinking, and Digital Natives
Authors: Gilardi Filippo , Lam Celia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis chapter provides a reflection on our experience teaching a module on Transmedia Narratives and Digital Literacy to BA and MA students in the School of International Communications at the University of Nottingham Ningbo China. The chapter builds its reflection on the annotated syllabus on Transmedia Storytelling and Entertainment designed by Henry Jenkins (2010), published with the aim of generating “some new cultural exchange around the topic” (p. 9) of teaching transmedia storytelling. We will discuss our choice to try to be as inclusive as possible by giving students examples from different countries and underlining some of the challenges of this decision. This will allow us to share several examples that could be used by educators to make their curricula more inclusive.
Conclusions
Authors: Gilardi Filippo , Lam Celia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe conclusion highlights where Asia and Pacific transmedia reaffirm western practices and where they innovate and suggest directions for future studies on transmedia storytelling in the region and beyond. Future directions include studies from a comparative perspective; crossfield studies-politics, activism, sociology, gender; studies looking at transmedia audiences motivation, and studies focusing on transmedia education.
Investigations on quality characteristics in gas tungsten arc welding process using artificial neural network integrated with genetic algorithm
Authors: Tomaz Italo do Valle , Colaço Fernando Henrique Gruber , Sarfraz Shoaib , Pimenov Danil Yu. , Gupta Munish Kumar , Pintaude Giuseppe 
Published: March 2021

AbstractGas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) technology is widely used in industry and has advantages, including high precision, excellent welding quality, and low equipment cost. However, the inclusion of a large number of process parameters hinders its application on a wider scale. Therefore, there is a need to implement the prediction and optimization models that effectively enhance the process performance of the GTAW process in different applications. In this study, a five-factor five-level central composite design (CCD) matrix was used to conduct GTAW experiments. AISI 1020 steel blank was used as a substrate; UTP AF Ledurit 60 and UTP AF Ledurit 68 were used as the materials of two tubular wires. Further, an artificial neural network (ANN) was used to simulate the GTAW process and then combined with a genetic algorithm (GA) to determine welding parameters that can provide an optimal weld. In welding experiments, five different welding current levels, welding speed, distance to the nozzle, angle of movement, and frequency of the wire feed pulses were used. Using GA, optimal welding parameters were determined: welding current = 222 A, welding speed = 25 cm/min, nozzle deflection distance = 8 mm, travel angle = 25°, wire feed pulse frequency = 8 Hz. The determination coefficient (R2) and RMSE value of all response parameters are satisfactory, and the R2 of all the data remained higher than 0.65.
Testing the binomial fixed effects logit model, with an application to female labour supply
Authors: Winkelmann Rainer , Xu Lin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractRegression models for proportions are frequently encountered in applied work. The conditional expectation function is bounded between 0 and 1 and therefore must be nonlinear, requiring nonstandard panel data extensions. One possible approach is the binomial panel logit model with fixed effects (Machado in J Econom 119:73–98, 2004). We propose a new and simple implementation of this conditional maximum likelihood estimator for standard software. We investigate the properties of the estimator under misspecification and derive a new test for overdispersion. Estimator and test are applied in a study of contracted working volumes, measured as proportion of full-time work, for women in Switzerland.
Perceptual-motor styles
Authors: Vidal Pierre-Paul , Lacquaniti Francesco 
Published: March 2021

AbstractEven for a stereotyped task, sensorimotor behavior is generally variable due to noise, redundancy, adaptability, learning or plasticity. The sources and significance of different kinds of behavioral variability have attracted considerable attention in recent years. However, the idea that part of this variability depends on unique individual strategies has been explored to a lesser extent. In particular, the notion of style recurs infrequently in the literature on sensorimotor behavior. In general use, style refers to a distinctive manner or custom of behaving oneself or of doing something, especially one that is typical of a person, group of people, place, context, or period. The application of the term to the domain of perceptual and motor phenomenology opens new perspectives on the nature of behavioral variability, perspectives that are complementary to those typically considered in the studies of sensorimotor variability. In particular, the concept of style may help toward the development of personalised physiology and medicine by providing markers of individual behaviour and response to different stimuli or treatments. Here, we cover some potential applications of the concept of perceptual-motor style to different areas of neuroscience, both in the healthy and the diseased. We prefer to be as general as possible in the types of applications we consider, even at the expense of running the risk of encompassing loosely related studies, given the relative novelty of the introduction of the term perceptual-motor style in neurosciences.
Numerical simulations of the polydisperse droplet size distribution of disperse blends in complex flow
Authors: Wong Wing-Hin B. , Janssen Pieter J. A. , Hulsen Martien A. , Anderson Patrick D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe blend morphology model developed by Wong et al. (Rheologica Acta, 2019), based on Peters et al. (J Rheol 45(3):659–689, 2001), is used to investigate the development of the polydispersity of the disperse polymer blend morphology in complex flow. First, the model is extended with additional morphological states. The extended model is tested for simple shear flow, where it is found that the droplet size distribution does not simply scale with the shear rate, because this scaling does not hold for coalescing droplets. Subsequently, the model is applied to Poiseuille flow, showing formation of distinct layers, which occurs in realistic pressure-driven flows. Finally, the model is applied on an eccentric cylinder flow, where histograms are made of the average droplet size throughout the domain. It is observed that outer cylinder rotation results in narrow distributions where the small droplets are relatively large, whereas inner cylinder rotation results in broad distributions where the small droplets are significantly smaller than in the case of outer cylinder rotation. Eccentricity seems to only have a minor effect if the maximum shear rate is held constant. The flow profile and history in combination with the maximum shear rate strongly determine how the polydisperse droplet size distribution develops.