bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E‐Government and Tax Evasion: Does the Free Press Connect the Dots?
Authors: Kuzey Cemil , Uyar Ali , Nimer Khalil 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThis study, for the first time, tests the moderating effect of press freedom on the association between e‐government and tax evasion. It aims to suggest policymaking better to combat tax evasion through e‐government and the press. The study sample covers the period between 2002 and 2017 and includes 2202 country‐year records affiliated with 138 countries. The time‐fixed effect was executed to test the proposed hypotheses. The conclusions drawn from the study are as follows. First, the study finds that e‐government practices with four proxies curtail tax evasion through a long‐term vision of public administration, governments' adaptability to change, delivering online services to the citizens by governments, and crafting a legal framework for digital business services. Second, the study finds that all three proxies of press freedom (i.e., legal, economic, and political) are significant predictors of tax evasion implying that tax evasion is curbed in countries where the press is free in terms of highlighted dimensions of media freedom. Third, the free press, with its all three proxies, moderates and strengthens the relationship between e‐government implementation and tax evasion. To fully realize the benefits obtained from e‐government implementations, states worldwide need to build a better institutional environment one dimension of which is the free press.
Why do people walk their dog where the wild things are? A qualitative content analysis from an urban nature reserve
Authors: Packer Jasmin , Kohler Mark , Dawson Dolly , Asad Nusrat , von der Borch Rosslyn , Chur‐Hansen Anna 
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Domestic dogs can have devastating impacts on threatened wildlife, but limiting their damage is challenging because it relies on changing the behaviour of people who bring dogs into natural areas and allow them to romp unrestrained.

Our study addressed the need to understand people and their behaviour when walking a dog on versus off‐leash in nature reserves protecting wildlife species such as endangered marti (bandicoot; Isoodon obesulus) in an Australian biodiversity hotspot. This research was Step 1 (Selecting behaviours) of community‐based social marketing to activate dog control behaviours that benefit dogs, people and wildlife in nature reserves. We investigated the specific target audience and behaviours through semi‐structured interviews of dog walkers within a nature reserve where dogs are legally required to be on lead, qualitative content analyses of the interview transcripts, and review of motivations and underlying values identified from this and past studies.

Our results indicate that personal motivations, the natural atmosphere and/or proximity to home, were the strongest drivers for dog walkers in visiting the reserve. Most people keep their dog on the lead at least some of the time, mainly for their dog's safety and to align with social norms.

Our findings provide insight into people's behaviours that are strongly motivated by social norms, rather than wildlife protection, in respecting dog control regulations within nature reserves.

Synthesis and applications. Land managers can use our framework to identify motivations and values among local dog walkers who keep their dog on lead. Policymakers can use our findings to better understand how community‐based social marketing can help understand dog walkers and explore the links between norms and behaviour as a powerful policy lever for people who want to walk their dog and protect wildlife in nature reserves.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Synthesis of Diethylamino End‐Modified Poly(Ethylene Glycol) With Imine Spacer to Form Mono‐Ion Complexes With pDNA
Authors: Oba Riku , Mori Amika , Asayama Shoichiro 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTThe concept of our pDNA mono‐ion complex (MIC) to minimize cationic cytotoxicity for pDNA delivery has been established by using the monocationic poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). In this study, the diethylamino end‐modified PEG with imine spacer (DEAP‐NC‐PEG) has been synthesized to enhance the MIC formation by the hydrophobic cation of a diethylamino group, which increase the hydrophobic environment around the site of electrostatic interaction with a phosphate anion of pDNA. Although our previous monocationic PEGs are necessary to form MICs with pDNA at large mixing positive/negative charge ratio, the synthesized monocationic DEAP‐NC‐PEG formed the MIC at a mixing charge ratio of 1. The resulting DEAP‐NC‐PEG/pDNA MIC was stable under aqueous conditions. Furthermore, the DEAP‐NC‐PEG formed the MIC with mRNA, offering a unique platform for nucleic acid delivery systems to minimize potential cationic cytotoxicity.
Association of Unmet Social Needs With Disease‐Related Outcomes in Pediatric Patients With Sickle Cell Disease
Authors: Sonenklar Molly , Marks Sarah , Donald Cerelia , Valrie Cecelia , Smith Wally , Sisler India 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundSocial determinants of health (SDoH) are socioeconomic factors that influence health and well‐being, though when unmet can greatly contribute to health disparities. Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) are at increased risk of mortality, disability, and healthcare utilization. However, there are limited data linking specific social needs with disease outcomes in this population. Therefore, we sought to identify the unmet needs in one institution and their association with healthcare utilization.MethodsChildren with SCD and their guardians answered demographic and SDoH questionnaires during routine Sickle Cell Clinic appointments. We defined an unmet social need as any positive answer to the SDoH questionnaire. Disease outcome variables were electronic health record (EHR)‐documented emergency department (ED) visits, hospitalizations, clinic appointment attendance, and guardian‐reported acute SCD events in the previous year.ResultsA total of 114 parent–guardian dyads participated, with 103 having complete data to analyze. In all, 52% of subjects reported at least one unmet social need with food insecurity (36%), trouble paying utility bills (28%), and unemployment (16%) being the most prevalent. Subjects with at least one unmet need had two times the rate of ED visits and/or hospitalizations and were 1.15 times more likely to have an SCD event in the past year. However, only the association with ED visits was statistically significant (p = 0.03).ConclusionOver half of subjects reported at least one unmet need; the most common being reliable access to food, which has the potential to impact health outcomes of sickle cell patients. Furthermore, unmet social needs are linked to healthcare utilization and SCD‐related complications, supporting routine screening for SDoH in this population.
Changes in the pharmacokinetics of lurasidone in a pregnant woman with schizophrenia
Authors: Kawai Mihoko , Aratake Ryosuke , Ogawa Tadashi 
Published: December 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe population of pregnant women with schizophrenia is increasing. Managing schizophrenia during pregnancy poses unique challenges due to the potential effects of second‐generation antipsychotics on maternal mental health and fetal development and changes in drug pharmacokinetics. Evidence on how physiological changes during pregnancy affect the levels of second‐generation antipsychotics, particularly lurasidone, is limited. There are no data on effectively managing medications and decreasing side‐effects during pregnancy.Case PresentationWe presented the case of a 34‐year‐old pregnant woman with schizophrenia who had a stable condition with lurasidone therapy before conception. However, she exhibited worsening psychiatric symptoms during the third trimester of pregnancy. Serial measurements of serum lurasidone levels were performed during late pregnancy. Despite maintaining the same dosage, her serum lurasidone levels significantly decreased during the third trimester (maximum decrease of ~65% compared with baseline) and rapidly increased during the postpartum period, coinciding with an improvement in psychiatric symptoms.ConclusionDecreased serum lurasidone levels during pregnancy may increase the risk of symptom worsening in patients with schizophrenia. Hence, clinicians should be knowledgeable about the risk of decreased drug levels and the need for therapeutic monitoring and dosage adjustments during pregnancy to maintain treatment efficacy and maternal and fetal health.
In Vitro Hepatic Metabolism Input Parameters Support Toxicokinetic Simulations for the Formation of Methoxy Propionic Acid From β‐Isomer Propylene Glycol Methyl Ether
Authors: Werner Sophie , Hegg Lucie , Hopf Nancy B. , Borgatta Myriam , Suter‐Dick Laura 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPropylene glycol ethers (PGEs) are organic solvents commonly found as technical grade on the commercial market, as mixtures of secondary (α‐isomer) and primary (β‐isomer, generally < 5%) alcohols. After handling products containing PGEs, they readily enter the human body where they are metabolized. The minor β‐isomer is oxidized by alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) followed by aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) to a potentially harmful metabolite. Although the enzymatic rate is needed to estimate both parent and metabolite internal exposures, kinetic data for many PGEs are still scarce. Therefore, we generated in vitro hepatic intrinsic clearance data for propylene glycol methyl ether β‐isomer (β‐PGME) and its metabolite methoxy propionic acid (2‐MPA) and integrated these data into an in silico toxicokinetic (TK) model. Hepatic clearance values for the model were generated using an established in vitro 3D culture of the human HepaRG cell line and human S9 liver fraction. Our results showed the presence of ADH and ALDH and consequently, the formation of 2‐MPA in the 3D HepaRG and S9 fraction, which was slow to medium. We integrated the hepatic clearance values into the TK model to predict urinary 2‐MPA concentrations. The simulated urinary 2‐MPA concentrations fitted well (within twofold error from observed experimental data) for both liver systems, showing that they were both able to reliably predict the hepatic clearance of β‐PGME. Although S9 is suitable for short‐term studies, 3D cell culture models maintain metabolic competence over days and weeks. This opens the opportunity for long‐term metabolism studies applying the 3D HepaRG model alone or in multi‐organ systems.
Comparison of Robot‐Assisted Laparoscopic Prostatectomy Using the Made‐in‐Japan Robotic System Hinotori Versus Da Vinci: A Propensity Score‐Matched Analysis
Authors: Tsujioka Hiroki , Setoguchi Kiyoshi , Nirazuka Asumi , Hasegawa Kintaro , Izumi Keita , Nakayama Akinori , Saito Kazutaka 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundWe compared the surgical outcomes of patients who underwent robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) using hinotori with those of patients who underwent RARP using da Vinci Xi through propensity score matching to evaluate the potential benefits and efficacy of hinotori.MethodsPerioperative data of patients who underwent RARP between 2017 and 2023 were retrospectively evaluated.ResultsAfter adjusting for preoperative risk factors, each group comprised 118 propensity score‐matched patients. Both median total operative time and median console time were significantly longer in the hinotori group (median differences, 26 and 23 min, respectively). Although the hinotori group had lower estimated blood loss, no significant differences were noted between the groups in postoperative complications, positive surgical margin rates, 12‐month biochemical recurrence rates, and urinary continence recovery rates.ConclusionsAlthough RARP requires more time with hinotori, our study demonstrated that RARP can be performed safely and effectively immediately after the installation of hinotori.
Event‐Triggered Fault‐Tolerant Control for Nonlinear Multilateral Teleoperation System With Unknown Environmental Forces
Authors: Li Ming , Chen YangJie , Li Jian‐Ning 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTIn this paper, an event‐triggered fuzzy adaptive fault‐tolerant control scheme is investigated to achieve displacement synchronization and force tracking for nonlinear multilateral teleoperation systems subject to actuator faults and communication network constraints. The time‐varying delays and network communication bandwidth limitations are incorporated into the communication network constraints, and the considered nonlinear systems are modeled by using T‐S fuzzy system theory. Then, a novel event‐triggered fuzzy adaptive fault‐tolerant control algorithm is designed to simultaneously estimate and compensate for possible actuator faults during system operation. Next, unlike many existing works, the unknown environmental forces are estimated by introducing radial basis function neural networks, and the estimated results are taken into account in the design of the event‐triggered mechanisms. Finally, a numerical simulation example is presented to illustrate the effectiveness of the designed algorithm.
Critically Engaged Language and Literacy Workshops as a Disruptive Pedagogy in Plurilingual Classrooms
Authors: Zaidi Rahat , Moura Gustavo da Cunha , Cruz Fabielle Rocha 
Published: December 2024

AbstractThis study explored racialized newcomer student participants' experiences in a rural high school in Western Canada, and utilized critically engaged language and literacy workshops (CELLWs) as a means to authentically represent participants' interrelationships with and relatability to their school and community spaces. CELLWs are an important avenue for self‐reflection that fosters socially just, diverse, and equitable educational practices. Understanding the nuanced lived experiences of newcomers, and how these inform educational practices today, represents a pivotal need in the development of educational pedagogies that encompass past and present experiences reinforced within different places and spaces. The study was guided by the following question: To what extent can CELLWs afford multicultural and plurilingual identities to establish a disruptive pedagogy and re‐imagine classroom spaces? The researchers centered arts and walking methodologies within four CELLWs sessions to open up subjective practices and analyses that intersect equitable, inclusive, and diverse theories and participants' life experiences. Data was drawn from a qualitative and thematic analysis that was obtained from participants' artwork, written reflections, and individual/group interviews. The study revealed the importance of CELLWs in research and in‐classroom practices as practitioners and scholars become accountable when appropriating such activities to create spaces for meaning‐making processes that consider relevant personal experiences and feelings within schools and communities.
Goat and sheep manure based vermicompost and vermi‐leachate as a nutrient source in drip hydroponic tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) and Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris)
Authors: Mupambwa Hupenyu A. , Nyambe Given Isaka , Matomola Brendan , Handura Bethold , Howoses Veronica Amalia , Hausiku‐Ikechukwu Martha K. , Gawanab Werner 
Published: December 2024

AbstractIntroductionSmall stock animal manures have the potential to be used in arid countries to produce vermi‐leachate or vermi‐teas that can be effectively utilised in the hydroponic production of both leafy and fruity vegetables.Materials & MethodsOur study evaluated the potential of sheep and goat manure vermicompost (SGMVC) as an amendment to cocopeat at varying levels, as well as sheep and goat manure vermi‐leachate (SGMVL) diluted at 5%, 10%, and 20%, on crop phytotoxicity, seedling growth, and crop growth and yield.ResultsThe 100% inorganic Hygrotech fertiliser and SGML showed consistently high values for relative root elongation (RRE) and germination index (GI), with values above 90% for most treatments. However, the treatments with less SGMVC incorporation showed phytotoxic effects, with cocopeat alone having the lowest GI and RRE values. However, for direct seed germination, all treatments showed germination percentages above 80% for Swiss chard and above 70% for tomato, including the cocopeat alone treatment, indicating the complementary effects of the SGMVL irrigation source. For Swiss chard, the use of 10% and 20% leachate alone resulted in a 141.8% and 137.5% lower leaf area, respectively, compared to the treatments irrigated with Hygrotech fertiliser. Similarly, for tomatoes, the use of 10% and 20% leachate alone resulted in 129.2% and 143.4% lower leaf areas, respectively, compared to the Hygrotech irrigated treatments. For Swiss chard, the application of 0% VC resulted in an overall 43% reduction in leaf yield, whereas in tomato, it resulted in an overall 44% reduction in tomato fruit yield. The increased yield under 50% VC clearly indicated increased nutrient availability and enhanced water holding capacity of the media compared to when no SGMVC was added.ConclusionThis study showed that Swiss chard and tomato have different nutrient requirements, and the use of SGMVC should not be based on blanket recommendations from one crop. In addition, the use of reduced inorganic soluble fertilisers in combination with SGMVC has no economic benefits, as this reduced yield is almost proportional to the level of soluble fertiliser reduction.
Towards Pharmaceutical Particle Imaging in Ultrathick Organic Films: 3D Visualization and Image Distortions Using Gas Cluster Bombardment Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Muramoto Shin 
Published: December 2024

ABSTRACTPolystyrene spheres ranging in diameter from 2, 5, 10, to 20 μm were embedded in five different types of thick organic films (> 50 μm) to serve as model systems to evaluate the use of time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry for the localization and particle sizing of pharmaceuticals in orodispersible drug delivery films. It was found that certain films, such as gelatin and ethyl cellulose, are prone to developing micron‐scale topography which can affect the linearity of the sputter yield, which can ultimately affect the maximum analyzable depth. Surprisingly, the sputter yield of the film was more of a determining factor for affecting the measurement of spheres. It was possible to more accurately extract the true dimensions of the buried spheres in faster sputtering films, while slower sputtering films were associated with matrix effects and sputtering artifacts that degraded the quality of the reconstructed image. Signal attenuation was also found to be problematic and quite significant for certain film chemistries, which placed a limit on the size of the particles that could be visualized. Overall, visualization of particles embedded in thick organic films is possible, but the extraction of quantitative data such as size and the amount of material is difficult given the influence of sample dependent sputtering artifacts.
Silica Supported Boric Acid (H3BO3‐SiO2): An Extravagant Catalyst for One‐Pot Transesterification‐Biginelli Reaction Under Solvent‐Free Condition
Authors: Das Kamal , Paul Bhaswati , Natarajan Ramalingam , Chakraborty Sourav , Majumdar Swapan 
Published: December 2024

AbstractPresent study aimed to develop an eco‐friendly protocol for the synthesis of diverse structure of 3,4‐dihydropyrimidin‐2(1H)‐one/thione via one‐pot transesterification–multicomponent reaction using silica‐supported boric acid (H3BO3‐SiO2) as catalyst. This one‐pot trans‐esterification of commercially available β‐ketoesters such as methyl or ethyl acetoacetate followed by multicomponent reactions with aldehydes and urea or thiourea under solvent‐free conditions at 100 °C afforded diverse structures of DHPM's. The catalyst used in the reaction can be recycled without significant loss of its activity which was verified by comparing SEM‐EDX micrographs of freshly prepared catalyst with the recycled one. The notable features of the present protocol are its ease‐of‐use, wide substrate scope, mild reaction conditions, most simplified work‐up process, less hazardous catalysts and so on. Thus, in our opinion, the present methodology is a superior and more practical greener route for the production of dihydropyrimidinones/thiones of biological importance.
Harnessing Cyclopropenium Salts in Phase‐Transfer Catalysis: A Cascade Reaction of Enaminones and Coumarins for the Construction of Functionalized Quinoline‐2,5‐Diones
Authors: Chen Lin , Ran Long‐Hao 
Published: December 2024

AbstractCyclopropenium salts, being the smallest class of aromatic compounds, have garnered extensive scientific interests across several realms of study. Herein, we report a phase‐transfer catalyzed cascade reaction of cyclohexane‐1,3‐dione‐derived enaminones and 3‐aromacyl coumarins utilizing triaminocyclopropenium salts. This reaction efficiently synthesized a diverse set of quinoline‐2,5‐diones in good yields (78%–92%) and notably exhibited excellent diastereoselectivities, often furnishing the products as a single diastereoisomer. The successful gram‐scale reaction and structural modifications of the product fully demonstrated the application potential of this protocol. Mechanistic studies implied that the triaminocyclopropenium ion transported the carbonate ion from the solid phase to the liquid phase to abstract protons, thus dramatically accelerating the reaction process.
Effective Promotion of Proline‐Catalyzed Aldol Reaction in Water by Bile Acid Salt Surfactants
Authors: Raglione Venanzio , Vetica Fabrizio , Cautela Jacopo , Galantini Luciano , D'Annibale Andrea 
Published: December 2024

AbstractProline‐catalyzed aldol reaction of aromatic aldehydes with cyclohexanone was successfully carried out in water without any cosolvent in presence of catalytic amounts of bile acid salt surfactants. The bile acid salts, acting as surfactants, facilitate the dispersion of nonpolar substrates, enabling efficient reaction conditions “in presence of water” which exploit the role of water beyond its simple characteristic as a solvent. While enantioselectivity is moderate, the high yields achieved reflect the potent synergy between proline and sodium deoxycholate (NaDC), underscoring the feasibility of water‐exclusive processes in synthetic organic chemistry.
Synergistic Doping Strategy with Novel Multi‐Carbonyl Conductive Polymer Enables Stable Self‐Powered Perovskite Photodetectors
Authors: Jiang Lixian , Tang Haoran , He Jiangshan , Liu Xiaobo , Liu Xiangyu , Du Jiuyao , Xiao Hai , Huang Fei , Ma Dongxin , Dong Guifang 
Published: December 2024

AbstractLead halide perovskites hold immense promise for optoelectronic applications but still suffer from instability caused by defects. The defects are mainly generated from the film fabrication processes and halide ion migration during long‐term storage. Here, a synergistic doping strategy is proposed to enhance the stability of perovskites. A novel multi‐carbonyl conductive polymer, poly(benzodifurandione) (PBFDO), is incorporated into the precursor solution to effectively passivate the unoccupied Pb2+ defects in perovskite films and promote the continuous growth of perovskites. An organic iodide, thiophene‐2‐ethylammonium iodide (TEAI), is doped in the transport layer to inhibit the halide ion migration and enhance the stability of perovskites synergistically. Self‐powered photodetectors are constructed with improved stability, maintaining ≈90% of their initial photocurrents after being stored for ≈87 days in a humid atmosphere with 60% relative humidity. The optimized photodetectors show a high detectivity of 8.1 × 1012 Jones at 680 nm wavelength, wide linear dynamic range of 121.9 dB, and fast response with a rise/fall time of 1.92/1.17 µs. A reflection‐mode perovskite photoplethysmography testing system is developed, achieving high heart rate testing capabilities. This work suggests the great potential of perovskite photodetectors for noninvasive medical monitoring applications.