bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Employee Board Representation and Capital Investment
Authors: Jin Qinglu , Ma Hui , Schmid Thomas , Zhang Guochang 
Published: November 2024

We examine how parity employee representation (PER) on corporate boards affects firms’ capital investments. In Germany, PER is legally mandated for firms with more than 2,000 domestic employees, but not for those below this threshold. Exploiting this discontinuity, we show that PER has heterogeneous effects on firms operating in diverse environments. For firms experiencing positive growth, PER increases their responsiveness to investment opportunities, suggesting that employee participation increases firms’ ability to exploit growth options. The effect through growth options is particularly salient in situations in which growth options are highly valuable. In contrast, for firms experiencing negative growth, PER reduces investment responsiveness, suggesting that employees resist the exercise of abandonment options. This effect is more pronounced in firms with high labor intensity, in which employees are likely to have a strong voice. Furthermore, operational risk moderates the effects of employee representation––the positive effect through growth options is attenuated in high-risk firms and the negative effect through abandonment options is exacerbated, thereby suggesting that employee board representatives are less interested in pursuing growth where businesses are relatively risky, and they protect their constituents more forcefully in high-risk environments. Moreover, the positive effect of PER on exploiting growth options is attenuated by collective bargaining agreements, while its effect through abandonment options is little affected. Evidence from stock price behavior further supports the viewpoint that employee representation affects capital investment. Our findings are relevant to policymakers as well as to firms’ various stakeholders. This paper was accepted by Eric So, accounting. Funding: This work was supported by China’s National Science Foundation [Grants 72032003, 72102166]; China’s Ministry of Education [111 Project (B18033)]; and China’s Ministry of Education (Project of Key Research Institutes of Humanities and Social Science in Universities [22JJD790094]). Supplemental Material: The online appendix and data files are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2023.03495 .
Tm3+-doped barium antimony germanate glass fibers for achieving 1.8–2  µm lasers
Authors: Wan Jie , Geng Xin , Song Xiangyang , Wang Weichao , Zhang Qinyuan 
Published: November 2024

Near- and mid-infrared fiber lasers at the ∼2µm wavelength range are essential for applications such as medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and military confrontation. However, developing materials that provide both anti-crystallization stability and high gain in this range remains challenging. This study presents the development of high-gain Tm3+-doped barium antimony germanate (BaO−Sb2O3−GeO2, abbreviated as BSG) glass fiber, designed to achieve laser emission at 1.8–2 µm. Based on the glass-forming region, the composition of BSG bulk glass is optimized, and it exhibits a high Tm3+ doping concentration (N=3.3×1020ions/cm3), excellent anti-crystallization stability (ΔT=250∘C), and a large emission cross-section (σ
e
=8.4×10−21cm2). Tm3+-doped BSG optical fibers are fabricated using a melting–quenching method with a large full width at half-maximum of up to 200 nm in their amplified spontaneous emission spectra. Such Tm3+-doped BSG fibers produced gain coefficients of 6.48 dB/cm at 1950 nm and 6.03 dB/cm at 1867 nm when pumped at 1570 nm, respectively. Furthermore, laser outputs of 1862 nm and 1964 nm are achieved using a 2 cm long Tm3+-doped BSG glass fiber, highlighting the potential of BSG glass fibers in near- and mid-infrared laser applications.
Decoding lymphangiogenesis in oral squamous cell carcinoma: Emphasis on clinical and histopathological determinants of regional metastasis
Authors: Tandon Ankita , Sandhya Kumari , Singh Narendra Nath , Gulati Nikita , Kumar Amit , Sethi Kanika 
Published: November 2024

Purpose
The growth and metastasis of solid epithelial tumors is lymphangiogenesis dependent. The most important lymphangiogenic inducers facilitating this progression is Vascular endothelial Growth Factor C (VEGF-C). The recent D2-40 (Podoplanin) antibody is specific for lymphatic epithelium and allows its objective assessment. Also, lymphovascular invasion (LVI) is a risk factor for lymph node metastases (LNM) and indicates a significant influx of tumor cells into the lymphatics, causing regional metastasis. Thus, the following study was conducted to assess and correlate VEGF-C and D2-40 immunoexpressions with clinical and histopathologic lymph node status in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC) cases and also to estimate the impact of intratumoral (ILVD) and peritumoral lymphatic vessel density (PLVD) in such cases.

Methodology
A total of 128 OSCC cases, divided as Group I: Cases with clinically and histopathologically negative lymph nodes (n = 64) and Group II: Cases with clinically negative but histopathologically positive lymph nodes (n = 64) were immunoscored for VEGF-C (Anti VEGF-C antibody) (PA5-29772, Invitrogen) and D2-40 (Anti D2-40 antibody) (IR072/8072, Dako) using standard protocols. The data was statistically evaluated using STATA 18.0 with p≤0.05 considered statistically significant throughout the study.

Result
21.88% Group I cases and 40.62% Group II cases showed highest immuno-positivity for VEGF-C (p = 0.00). The mean D2-40 score for Intratumoral Lymphatic Vessel Density (ILVD) and Peritumoral Lymphatic Vessel Density (PLVD) was higher for group II cases (i.e., 41.5±13.73 and 35.95±8.27 respectively at 95% CI, p = 0.00) suggesting a direct correlation between Lymphatic Vessel Density (LVD) and LNM.

Conclusion
Lymphangiogenesis is a true determinant of the biologic potential of OSCC and obtaining an objective data in terms of LVD through D2-40 could be impactful in OSSC diagnosis and guiding treatment decisions by clinicians.
Effect of poor glycemic control on the prevalence and determinants of anemia and chronic kidney disease among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in Jordan: An observational cross-sectional study
Authors: Al-Dwairi Ahmed , Al-Shboul Othman , Al-U’datt Doa’a G. F. , Saadeh Rami , AlQudah Mohammad , Khassawneh Adi , Alfaqih Mahmoud , Albtoush Alhakam , Hweidi Aysam , Alnemer Abdulaziz 
Published: November 2024

Background and objectives
Anemia and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are common findings in diabetic patients. Lack of glycemic control is associated with increased risk of diabetic complications. This study aimed to determine the effect of poor glycemic control on the prevalence and determinants of anemia and CKD among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients in Jordan.

Methods
A cross-sectional study design was used in this research. T2DM patients with controlled diabetes (HbA1c ≤7.0%, n = 120) and age-, gender- and body mass index–matched uncontrolled diabetic patients (HbA1c >7.0%, n = 120) were recruited. Blood sample for HbA1c and serum insulin measurement were obtained. Complete blood count and kidney function test results were obtained from the patient’s medical records. Anemia was determined according to World Health Organization criteria. A binomial logistic regression was performed to ascertain the effects of age, gender, CKD and glycemic control on the likelihood that participants have anemia.

Results
The prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in the uncontrolled T2DM compared to controlled T2DM patients (40% vs 27.5%, OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.23, 3.71, P = 0.006). Female patients with uncontrolled T2DM had significantly greater prevalence of anemia compared to male patients with uncontrolled T2DM. The binomial logistic regression analysis showed that age, female gender, and CKD were positively associated with anemia in the multivariate model, while in the univariate model, lack of glycemic control increases the odds of anemia by 1.74 (95% CI: 1.01, 2.99, P = 0.046).

Conclusion
Anemia is commonly present among T2DM patients in Jordan and is associated with poor glycemic control especially in females. These results emphasize the necessity of including anemia screening in standard diabetes care to enable early detection and treatment of anemia and to enhance the overall care of diabetic patients.
The feasibility of combining greening schoolyards and nutrition education in primary schools: A qualitative study
Authors: van Wijk Geertje , Antwerpen Lisa van , Hoefnagels Femke A. , Staps Sjef J. J. M. , Battjes-Fries Marieke C. E. 
Published: November 2024

Objective
An increasing number of children in the Netherlands is overweight or obese, which is largely attributable to an unhealthy lifestyle and unhealthy living environment. Nutrition education and greening the schoolyard, for example with a vegetable garden, have independently been studied and are shown to be effective in teaching children a healthy lifestyle and providing a healthy living environment. However, the feasibility of combining nutrition education and greening the schoolyard has not been studied yet. Therefore, this study aimed to provide insight into primary schools’ vision on making this combination, and the feasibility of doing so.

Methods
In this study a qualitative research design was used. The theoretical frameworks of Proctor et al. and Sekhon et al. were used to develop the interview guide. Twelve semi-structured interviews were conducted with members of school teams and school directors. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using the thematical analysis of Braun and Clarke.

Results
According to the interviewees, three facets are essential to make the combination of greening schoolyards and nutrition education feasible and successful. Firstly, the interviewees mentioned that the school team and school directors of schools must be able to see the connection between greening the schoolyard and nutrition education. Additionally, support is needed among the parents, school team, pupils and local community. Finally, the interviewees stated that schools must be able to integrate greening the schoolyard and nutrition education into their existing curriculum.

Conclusions
The results of this study showed that combining greening schoolyards and nutrition education in primary schools is feasible and successful when vision, support and integration are present. Future research should investigate the vision of the local community and parents on making the combination, and the effects of the combination on pupils and their environment.
Chord Painting
Authors: LI Xiaohong 
Published: November 2024

Music and painting are the most common chord phenomena, based on the physical and mathematical forms of chords, distributed as chord fields (quantum fields), respectively expressing time, space and their mirror relations, both of which are physical events and spiritual events.
Strings are the spatial (geometric) semantics of chords, and chords are the characteristic spectrum of strings: different chords contain different spatial semantics: major triads = closed chords (contour lines), minor triads = open chords (facet lines), proportional sequence chords = membrane chords (non-linear space), the three types of strings form a spatial field (spatial language) and produce all spatial states and interactions.
Painting is a chord space event, including the natural laws of space and physical and mathematical forms, and is also the observation basis and application field of string theory, which is the main content of this book.
The Influence of Organizational Culture, and Work Motivation on Employee Performance with Job Satisfaction as an Intervening Variable
Authors: Faturrahman Satria , Yuniawan Ahyar 
Published: November 2024

This study investigates the critical link between human capital and organizational success by examining the influence of organizational culture and work motivation on employee performance. We hypothesize that job satisfaction plays a mediating role in this interplay. Employing a quantitative approach with 90 respondents at Hotel Grandhika Pemuda Semarang, Indonesia, we analyze data using multiple linear regression. Our findings reveal a significant positive influence of both organizational culture and work motivation on job satisfaction. Furthermore, all three variables demonstrate a robust impact on employee performance. Notably, job satisfaction emerges as a significant mediator, underscoring its crucial role in translating positive organizational factors into improved performance. These findings highlight the multifaceted nature of human capital management. To optimize employee performance, organizations like Hotel Grandhika Pemuda Semarang should prioritize fostering a positive organizational culture, nurturing employee motivation, and cultivating a sense of job satisfaction among their workforce.
Seasonal variation in dietary intake and its association with obesity-related chronic diseases in northeast China
Authors: Wang Cheng , Li Zican , Guan Dongwei , Fu Hongxin , Feng Rennan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Objective
The objective of this study was to assess seasonal changes in dietary and nutrient intake of residents (18-75 years old) in Northeast China during summer and winter, and to explore the associations between fatty acids, phytosterols, and the prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases, particularly obesity, hyperlipidemia, and NAFLD.

Methods
A total of 4773 participants from the Internet-based Dietary Questionnaire for Chinese (IDQC) were included in this study. Dietary intake information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test was used to analyze continuous variables, while Chi-squared tests were used to compare categorical variables. Multivariable logistic regression was employed to assess the relationship between fatty acids, phytosterols, and obesity-related chronic diseases.

Results
The mean consumption of legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, dairy products, fish, condiments, energy, protein, fat, and carbohydrate differed significantly between summer and winter (P < 0.05). Significant inverse associations were found between both fatty acids and phytosterols and obesity-related chronic diseases in multivariate adjusted models. Summer polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) intake was negatively associated with the prevalence of hyperlipidemia (Q4, OR, 0.515; 95%CI, 0.283-0.921; P < 0.05) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) (Q4, OR, 0.331; 95%CI, 0.176-0.599; P < 0.001). Phytosterols intake was negatively associated with the prevalence of obesity (Q4, OR, 0.603; 95%CI, 0.414-0.873; P < 0.05), hyperlipidemia (Q4, OR, 0.420; 95%CI, 0.233-0.731; P < 0.001), and NAFLD (Q4, OR, 0.206; 95%CI, 0.111-0.360; P < 0.001) during the summer.

Conclusions
Higher PUFA intake was associated with a lower prevalence of obesity, hyperlipidemia, and NAFLD. Phytosterol intake was inversely associated with the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and NAFLD. These findings suggest that the associations between PUFA and phytosterols and the prevalence of obesity-related chronic diseases may be influenced by seasonal differences in food intake.
LCN2 aggravates diabetic cataracts by promoting ferroptosis in lens epithelial cells
Authors: Zhang Jiayue , Sun Liyao , Yu Xiaohan , Yang Chen , An Qi , Wei Chaoqun , Ge Hongyan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract

Background
Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness worldwide. Diabetic cataract (DC), a prevalent complication of diabetes mellitus, is characterized by its high occurrence, rapid progression, and severe impact. The prevalence of diabetes varies greatly between the northern and southern regions, with higher rates observed among northern residents. DC-induced lens opacity is mainly attributed to oxidative stress. However, it remains unclear whether ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death, occurs in crystalline epithelial cells during the pathogenesis, which may represent a novel mechanism contributing to DC.

Methods
Transmission electron microscopy, quantitative assays for iron levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS), real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), western blotting, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were used to detect ferroptosis. Gene editing techniques were utilized to study the regulatory relationships among lipocalin 2 (LCN2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), and ferritin heavy chain (FTH). Local knockdown of the LCN2 gene in B-3 cells and the eyes of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats was performed to verify and further explore the role and regulatory mechanisms of LCN2 in DC-associated ferroptosis.

Results
An in vitro model using high glucose levels and an in vivo model with streptozotocin-induced diabetes in SD rats were successfully established. Ferroptosis was observed in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. LCN2 protein was normally expressed in human and rat lens epithelial cells, but its expression significantly increased during ferroptosis. The ferroptosis inhibitor, ferrostatin-1 (Fer-1) effectively inhibited ferroptosis and reduced LCN2 protein expression. Notably, local knockdown of LCN2 via gene editing protected lens epithelial cells from ferroptosis in vitro and slowed the progression of DC in SD rats in vivo.

Conclusion
Our findings underscore the significant role of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis of DC, suggesting that selectively targeting LCN2 activation and enhancing ferroptosis resistance may offer a novel therapeutic approach for treating DC.
Experimental research on mechanically and thermally activation of nano-kaolin to improve the properties of ultra-high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete
Authors: Althoey Fadi , Zaid Osama , Yasir Muhammad , Abuhussain Mohammed Awad , Dodo Yakubu , Mohamed Abdullah 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
The rising demand for ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) necessitates innovations in sustainable materials. This study explores the substitution of ordinary Portland cement (OPC) with thermally and mechanically activated nano-kaolin in varying proportions from 0.5 to 0.25%. A uniform quantity of double-hooked end steel fibers was added to all the mixes. Activated nano-kaolin variants showed significant enhancement in UHPC properties. Specifically, UHPC with 0.20% thermally activated kaolin (B3-TAK-20) exhibited a 21.6% increase in compressive strength and a 25.5% increase in modulus of elasticity at 90 days, with the modulus of rupture doubling compared to the reference mix. These improvements are attributed to the amorphous nature of thermally activated nano-kaolin, resulting in a denser concrete matrix and reduced porosity. Beyond the optimal 0.20% kaolin replacement, an increase to 0.25% diminished compressive strength. Durability tests showed enhanced acid resistance, with only a 6.7% mass loss for the thermally activated nano-kaolin mix and a consistent reduction in water absorption by 14.4% as kaolin proportions increased from 0.5 to 0.25%. The study also noted a decrease in water absorption by 22.9 and 12.3% at 56 and 90 days, respectively, indicating the thermally activated nano-kaolin’s enhanced performance. This research underscores the potential of activated kaolin as a viable alternative to OPC, paving the way for more sustainable UHPC production.
Soil organic carbon storage in different agroforestry systems associated with Coffee in Nariño, Colombia
Authors: Delgado-Vargas Ivan A. , Benavides Franco Natalia 
Published: November 2024

Introduction. Anthropogenic activities are one of the causes of the increase in global temperature, which affects agro-environmental, ecological and socioeconomic processes. The contributions of agricultural production systems in the capture and storage of greenhouse gases have been little studied. Still, the literature indicates that the inclusion of trees on farms is an option to capture and store some greenhouse gases. Objective. To evaluate the relationship between floristic and structural diversity of coffee production systems and soil organic carbon storage (SOC). Materials and methods. The study was carried out during the period 2019-2020, in three localities Sandoná, San Pablo and Buesaco, Nariño-Colombia. Twelve agroecosystems with coffee were visited, where Shannon-Weiner and Simpson indices, tree density and complete soil analysis with samples at 30 cm depth were evaluated. An analysis of variance and principal components was sufficient for the analysis of the information. Results. The SOC was not presented statistical differences (p>0.05), which ranged between 38.55 Mg ha-1 in the full sun coffee arrangement in Buesaco and 96.63 Mg ha-1 in the coffee arrangement with miscellaneous in the same municipality, which presented the highest species diversity. Conclusions. It was proved that the coffee harvest associated with agroforestal systems (T3 and T4) with higher diversity and abundance of species, is higher than carbon accumulated in the soil compared to the monoculture arrangement (80,43 Mg ha-1 vs 58,32 Mg ha-1, severally), this diversification give to the family and enviroment some services and goods, contributing to the mitigation of climate change.
Reactive powder concrete beam design using a mathematical software to reduce costs
Authors: Sultan Hussein Kareem 
Published: November 2024

AbstractReactive powder concrete is widely recognized for its remarkable mechanical characteristics and resilience, rendering it an ideal option for structural uses that include heavy loads. However, the intricate interaction of numerous material and geometric aspects makes constructing reactive powder concrete beams extremely difficult. By using MATLAB to provide an optimized design framework for beams, this research tackles these issues. Particle swarm optimization and evolutionary algorithms are two of the advanced techniques used in the study to solve the optimization problem. It also includes constraints other one as structural requirements and material limitations. Results demonstrate that MATLAB-based optimization facilitates effective design, lowering costs and material consumption, with potential for more applications in the building sector.
Influence of Additives on Crystallization of Calcium Phosphates from Prototypes of Blood Plasma
Authors: Golovanova OA 
Published: November 2024

The paper presents the results of studies on the effect of additives on crystallization in solutions simulating the composition of human blood plasma. Synthesis from prototypes of human blood plasma in the presence of organic and inorganic additives was carried out, and it was found that the obtained solid phases consisted of octacalcium phosphate, B-type carbonate hydroxyapatite, and vitlocite. The effect of additives (magnesium ions, alanine, and glycine) on the crystallization of calcium phosphates was studied. It was found that the presence of additives in the model solution reduces the crystallite size and the fraction of carbonate hydroxyapatite in the solid phase. The bioactivity of synthetic samples was studied, and kinetic characteristics were established. A study of thermal transformations.