bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Linking business sustainable development with entrepreneurial marketing practices: Evidence from small and medium enterprises in Ethiopia
Authors: Tolossa Abebe Techan , Singh Manjit , Gautam Raj Kumar 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBusiness sustainable development (BSD) refers to practices that meet current economic, environmental, and social needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In Ethiopia, prior studies overlooked this concept when studying entrepreneurial marketing practices (EMP) in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). This study aimed to investigate the effect of these practices on the BSD. Employing a mixed‐methods approach, primary and secondary data from 387 SMEs (selected via stratified and simple random sampling from 5765) are analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). Results demonstrate a significant, positive relationship between EMP such as innovativeness, opportunity focus, value creation, proactiveness, and sustainable development. The study underscores the necessity for SMEs to enhance marketing practices to ensure long‐term viability and competitiveness. It highlights stakeholder engagement: policymakers, local communities, and consumers as critical for aligning marketing efforts with sustainability goals. This engagement not only meets consumer expectations for ethically driven businesses but also enhances inclusive growth and community welfare. By promoting dialogue among stakeholders, SMEs drive sustainable development initiatives and advocate for policies supporting environmentally and socially responsible practices, contributing to a greener, socially conscious economy. Future research should explore mediating or moderating variables across different SME types and regions. This study's novelty lies in its insights into how EMP impact SME sustainable development within Ethiopia, offering valuable insights for strategic decision‐making and highlighting the pivotal role of entrepreneurial marketing (EM) in achieving long‐term success in dynamic markets.
Chlorine‐Modified Soluble Melem‐Based Graphitic Carbon Nitrite: Facile Synthesis, Catalytic Property and Ultrafast 2D IR Spectroscopic Characterization
Authors: Zhao Yueting , Yu Pengyun , Wang Jianping 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOn the basis of thermal etching bulk graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4), a mild hydrochloric acid treatment method was used in this work to produce g‐C3N4 nano‐sheets (CNNS) and further carbon nitride with chloride‐modification (CNCl). The latter has thinner layer and smaller particle size and exhibit greatly improved dispersibility and solubility in water, DMSO and other polar solvents. A typical photocatalytic reaction in solution driven by CNCl shows a significantly improved photocatalytic performance over bulk g‐C3N4 and CNNS. Steady‐state analytical tools including SEM, mass, UV‐Vis, and IR spectroscopies, and time‐resolved two‐dimensional infrared (2D IR) vibrational spectroscopy, were used together in this work. Better solubility, more flexible structure, smaller size, easier generation of free radicals and lower recombination rate of electron‐hole pair, are believed to be reasons for the superior photocatalytic performance of CNCl.
Genetic mapping and QTL analysis of multigenic resistance to powdery mildew (Podosphaera macularis) in hop (Humulus lupulus L.)
Authors: Henning John A. , Wiseman Michele S. , Gent David H. , Padgitt‐Cobb Lillian K. , Appiah‐Kubi Reginald , Hendrix David A. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractHop powdery mildew (PM) (Podosphaera macularis) causes substantial losses if left uncontrolled. Most resistant hop cultivars possess qualitative resistance based on R‐genes. One cultivar, Comet, has uncharacterized resistance that may be polygenic. This study focused on identifying genomic regions controlling PM resistance in Comet and ascertaining putative genetic mechanisms behind such resistance. A cross between Comet and susceptible male, USDA 64035M, was made. Offspring were screened for resistance under greenhouse conditions and genotyped using genotyping‐by‐sequencing. Genome‐wide analysis using mixed linear model analysis along with quantitative trait locus (QTL) analysis using either composite interval mapping or stepwise regression analyses was performed to identify QTLs. All analyses identified a region on chromosome 6 covering positions 308–314 Mb on the physical map. Analysis of the putative genes within this region identified 140 genes with 27 plant resistance‐like genes found in nine clusters. Six sulfur‐rich protein genes with homology to patatins, thionins, and agglutinins were identified in two clusters. Two glucan‐endo‐1,3‐beta‐glucosidase genes were identified bordering different R‐gene clusters. Finally, putative upregulators of transcription and stress‐response genes were identified. The 10 most highly associated single‐nucleotide polymorphisms for PM resistance were subsequently developed as KASP markers. The combination of R‐gene clusters, sulfur‐rich proteins, endo‐1,3‐beta‐glucosidase genes, and stress‐response genes may be responsible for resistance to PM in the cultivar Comet.
Sodium Ion‐Conducting Electrolytes Based on Chloroaluminate Ionic Liquids and δ‐NaCl
Authors: Kumar Sumit , Raghupathy Rajesh , Vezzù Keti , Garaga Mounesha N. , Zhu Xiaoping , Greenbaum Steve , Di Noto Vito , Vittadello Michele 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSodium‐containing ionic liquids are very promising candidates as ion‐conducting materials in alternative to electrolytes based on lithium chemistry. Here we investigate a series of seven ionic liquids with formula (EMImCl/(AlCl3)1.5)/(δ‐NaCl)x (0≤x≤0.74). The salt is comprised of a disordered form of NaCl prepared by metalorganic synthesis, which assures faster dissolution in high concentration. The vibrational investigation carried out by FT‐IR spectroscopy in the medium IR region shed light on salt‐IL interactions. The ionic conductivity was investigated by Broadband Electric Spectroscopy. The direct current conductivity (σdc) profiles versus the reciprocal temperature exhibited a Vogel‐Tamman‐Fulcher behavior indicating the assistance of micro‐Brownian motions to ionic migration. The value of σdc at 25 °C for x=0.74 was found to be 1.2×10−2 S cm−1. Reversible deposition of Na and Al‐containing species take place with high Coulombic efficiency (up to 97 %) and a high Na+ cation transport number (up to 0.95). The understanding of ionic speciation was investigated in comparison with aqueous acid‐base systems exploring the benefits and limitations of such analogy. The role of a Grotthuss‐type mechanism facilitating the exchange of chlorides between acidic catenated chloroaluminate species in anionic domains of the ILs is considered.
An improved pixel circuit with low noise event rate and enhanced bright‐light sensitivity for dynamic vision sensor
Authors: Gao Zhiyuan , Zhang Ding , Shi Xiaopei , He Yanghao , Xu Jiangtao 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDynamic vision sensor (DVS) imaging quality is significantly affected by pixel noise and temporal contrast (TC), which is inversely proportional to sensitivity. To reduce the noise event rate and improve sensitivity in bright‐light conditions in the DVS pixel circuit, this paper proposes improvements to the conventional DVS pixel circuit. The proposed DVS pixel circuit adopts stacked medium‐threshold transistors instead of a single high‐threshold transistor in the photoreceptor and introduces a threshold switching circuit. Compared with the conventional DVS pixel circuit, this design increases event threshold normalized by root mean square (RMS) noise voltage, reducing the dim‐light noise bandwidth. Additionally, it achieves higher sensitivity in bright‐light conditions compared with dim‐light conditions. The proposed DVS pixel circuit is implemented in a 110‐nm complementary metal‐oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process. Post‐simulation results show that, for photocurrents between 5 fA and 100 pA, the proposed DVS pixel circuit achieves a 35 Hz peak event rate at 15% TC, which is reduced to 3.1% of the conventional structure. For photocurrents exceeding 30 pA, the proposed structure can switch TC from 15% to 5%, maintaining a noise event rate below 0.1 Hz.
Examining the distribution of Middle Paleolithic Nubian cores relative to chert quality in southern (Nejd, Dhofar) and south‐central (Duqm, Al Wusta) Oman
Authors: Eren Metin I. , Bebber Michelle R. , Singer David , Pearson Chloe , Ortiz Joseph D. , Buchanan Briggs , Beshkani Amir , Chlachula Dominik , Dellmour Rudolf , Garba Roman , Marks Anthony E. , Usyk Vitaly , Rose Jeffrey I. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLithic raw material properties are often invoked to explain the presence, absence, form, or ontogeny of Paleolithic stone tools. Here, we explore whether the frequency of the Middle Paleolithic Nubian core form and core‐reduction systems co‐varies with toolstone quality in two neighboring regions in Oman: the southern region of Nejd, Dhofar, and the south‐central region of Duqm, Al Wusta. Specifically, we predicted that if raw material differences were influencing the distribution of Nubian cores, the chert would be of higher quality in the southern region, where Nubian cores were frequent, and of lower quality in the south‐central region, where they were scarce. We tested this prediction by collecting 124 chert samples from 22 outcrops and then quantitatively assessed two geochemical variables that are widely thought to influence knapping: impurity amount and silica content. We also examined the mineralogical composition, and the crystallite size and lattice strain for quartz (crystalline α‐SiO2) of representative chert samples. Our results suggest that the cherts in the two regions are similar, which is not consistent with the hypothesis that lithic raw material quality contributed to Nubian core spatial distribution in Oman. We discuss potential alternative hypotheses to explain Nubian core geographic patterning, and provisionally suggest that the scarcity of Nubian cores in south‐central Oman may be due to a concomitant scarcity of toolmakers, given a lack of water availability.
The metacontrol of event segmentation—A neurophysiological and behavioral perspective
Authors: Zhou Xianzhen , Ghorbani Foroogh , Roessner Veit , Hommel Bernhard , Prochnow Astrid , Beste Christian 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDuring our everyday life, the constant flow of information is divided into discrete events, a process conceptualized in Event Segmentation Theory (EST). How people perform event segmentation and the resulting granularity of encapsulated segments likely depends on their metacontrol style. Yet, the underlying neural mechanisms remain undetermined. The current study examines how the metacontrol style affects event segmentation through the analysis of EEG data using multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) and source localization analysis. We instructed two groups of healthy participants to either segment a movie as fine‐grained as possible (fine‐grain group) or provided no such instruction (free‐segmentation group). The fine‐grain group showed more segments and a higher likelihood to set event boundaries upon scene changes, which supports the notion that cognitive control influences segmentation granularity. On a neural level, representational dynamics were decodable 400 ms prior to the decision to close a segment and open a new one, and especially fronto‐polar regions (BA10) were associated with this representational dynamic. Groups differed in their use of this representational dynamics to guide behavior and there was a higher sensitivity to incoming information in the Fine‐grain group. Moreover, a higher likelihood to set event boundaries was reflected by activity increases in the insular cortex suggesting an increased monitoring of potentially relevant upcoming events. The study connects the EST with the metacontrol framework and relates these to overarching neural concepts of prefrontal cortex function.
Analysis of image formation in optical palpation
Authors: Jones R. , Fang Q. , Kennedy B. F. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOptical palpation is an emerging elastography technique that generates two‐dimensional images of mechanical stress at the tissue surface, with clinical applications such as intraoperative cancer detection and scar assessment. It has been implemented using various imaging systems, however, an analysis of how deformation of the sample and layer influences image formation has not been performed. Here, an analysis framework is presented, which assesses performance independently of the imaging system used. Optical palpation of varying samples and layers is simulated using finite element analysis and validated with experiments on silicone phantoms, providing a characterization of detectability, feature resolution, and contrast ratio. Using our framework, we demonstrate that computational optical palpation, which incorporates realistic assumptions of layer deformation, improves the feature resolution up to a factor of four. This framework can guide the development of optical palpation and aid in the selection of appropriate imaging system and layer properties for a given application.
Effect of ferroptosis inhibitors in a murine model of acetaminophen‐induced liver injury
Authors: Adelusi Olamide B. , Etemadi Yasaman , Akakpo Jephte Y. , Ramachandran Anup , Jaeschke Hartmut 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLiver injury caused by acetaminophen (APAP) overdose is the leading cause of acute liver failure in western countries. The mode of APAP‐induced cell death has been controversially discussed with ferroptosis emerging as a more recent hypothesis. Ferroptosis is characterized by ferrous iron‐catalyzed lipid peroxidation (LPO) causing cell death, which can be prevented by the lipophilic antioxidants ferrostatin‐1 and UAMC‐3203. To assess the efficacy of these ferroptosis inhibitors, we used two murine models of APAP hepatotoxicity, APAP overdose alone or in combination with FeSO4 in fasted male C57BL/6J mice. APAP triggered severe liver injury in the absence of LPO measured as hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. In contrast, ferrous iron co‐treatment aggravated APAP‐induced liver injury and caused extensive LPO. Standard doses of ferrostatin‐1 did not affect MDA levels or the injury in both models. In contrast, UAMC‐3203 partially protected in both models and reduced LPO in the presence of ferrous iron. However, UAMC‐3203 attenuated the translocation of phospho‐JNK through downregulation of the mitochondrial anchor protein Sab resulting in reduced mitochondrial dysfunction and liver injury. Thus, APAP toxicity does not involve ferroptosis under normal conditions. The lack of effects of ferroptosis inhibitors in the pathophysiology indicates that ferroptosis signaling pathways are not relevant therapeutic targets.
Understanding futility in pancreaticoduodenectomy: Insights from a national cohort
Authors: Marcinak Clayton T. , Ahmed Kaleem S. , LoConte Noelle K. , Praska Corinne E. , Varley Patrick R. , Weber Sharon M. , Abbott Daniel E. , Ronnekleiv‐Kelly Sean M. , Kratz Jeremy D. , Lubner Sam J. , Minter Rebecca M. , Zafar Syed Nabeel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesPancreaticoduodenectomy (PD), the only surgical option for right‐sided pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), carries significant morbidity. Not all patients may be deriving a survival benefit from this operation. We sought to identify the rate of futile PD and its associated factors in a large national cohort.MethodsWe performed a retrospective analysis using the National Cancer Database (2004–2020), including all patients who underwent PD for non‐metastatic PDAC. The primary outcome was operative futility, which was defined as death within 12 months of diagnosis despite PD. Multivariable regression was used to identify factors associated with futility. We performed a subgroup analysis on patients who received neoadjuvant systemic therapy.ResultsData from 66 326 patients were analyzed, and 16 772 (25.3%) underwent PD that met criteria for futility. Macroscopically positive margins (odds ratio [OR]: 2.87; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.36–3.48), poor tumor differentiation (OR: 2.44; 95% CI: 2.25–2.65), and N2 nodal stage (OR: 2.09; 95% CI: 1.98–2.20) were associated with the greatest odds of futility. Meanwhile, receipt of any systemic therapy (OR: 0.33; 95% CI: 0.31–0.34), receipt of any radiation (OR: 0.60; 95% CI: 0.57–0.63), and receipt of neoadjuvant systemic therapy (OR: 0.62; 95% CI: 0.57–0.66) were associated with the lowest odds of futility. In the neoadjuvant subgroup, a longer diagnosis‐to‐surgery interval was associated with lower odds of futility.ConclusionPD was futile in about one quarter of patients. Futility was associated with higher age and worse tumor biology. Receipt of neoadjuvant therapy resulted in fewer futile operations.
Exploring the evolutionary patterns of urban tourist mobility within a day: A three‐step analysis framework
Authors: Huang Liyao , Li Mengling , Zheng Weimin , Gao Shengnan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractDespite the importance of tourist mobility for urban tourism, mechanisms as to how these tourist activities shift throughout the day remain scarcely explored. This study fills this gap by providing a three‐step analysis framework. First, aggregated trajectory data were transformed into a directed weighted network. Then, a new community detection method was proposed to capture the spatial interactions, and two approaches were employed to quantify the evolution patterns of tourist mobility. Finally, the capability of the framework and its potential applications were explored and implemented through a case study in Xiamen, China.
Utility of laryngeal electromyography for establishing prognosis and individualized treatment after laryngeal neuropathies
Authors: Smith Libby J. , Munin Michael C. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractLaryngeal electromyography (LEMG) is a technique used to characterize neuropathic injuries to the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) and superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). The RLN and SLN innervate the laryngeal muscles to produce vocal fold (VF) motion and elongation, respectively. VF motion deficiencies can affect voice, swallowing, and breathing, which can greatly affect a patient's quality of life. Neuropathy‐related VF motion deficiencies most often result from surgical interventions to the skull base, neck, or chest likely due to the circuitous route of the RLN. LEMG is ideally conducted by an electromyographer and an otolaryngologist using a team‐approach. LEMG is a powerful diagnostic tool to better characterize the extent of neuropathic injury and thus clarify the prognosis for VF motion recovery. This updated review discusses current techniques to improve the positive and negative predictive values of LEMG using laryngeal synkinesis and quantitative LEMG. Synkinesis can be diagnosed by comparing motor unit potential amplitude during vocalization and sniff maneuvers when recording within adductor muscles. Quantitative turns analysis can measure motor unit recruitment to avoid subjective descriptions of reduced depolarization during vocalization, and normal values are >400 turns/s. By integrating qualitative, quantitative, and synkinetic data, a robust prognosis can help clinicians determine if VF weakness will recover. Based on LEMG interpretation, patient‐centered treatment can be developed to include watchful waiting, temporary VF augmentation, or definitive medialization procedures and laryngeal reinnervation.
Impact of suppliers' risk aversions on information sharing in a hybrid E‐commerce supply chain
Authors: Chen Danna , Zhu Ying , Lin Xiaogang , Lin Qiang , Chen Ying‐Ju 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn practice, suppliers sell their products through online intermediaries who sell them to customers (reselling) or directly access customers via intermediaries by paying a proportional fee (agency selling). Unlike giant intermediaries, these suppliers have smaller scales and are more risk‐averse. Motivated by practical examples, this paper studies these intermediaries' incentives for vertical demand information sharing with their suppliers. We develop a game‐theoretic model to consider a hybrid e‐commerce supply chain with a risk‐neutral intermediary and two risk‐averse suppliers, where one supplier (agency supplier) adopts agency selling while the other supplier (reselling supplier) employs reselling. As a benchmark, we show that it is beneficial for the intermediary to share all (no) information with both risk‐neutral suppliers if the proportional fee is relatively high (low). However, we find that suppliers' risk aversion is a key factor leading to supply chain members' pricing decisions being influenced by the precision of the demand information. This influence impacts the double marginalization effect and further changes the intermediary's information‐sharing decisions. Specifically, the intermediary should disclose part rather than all of its information to both risk‐averse suppliers if the proportional fee is high (intermediate) in a weakly (highly) competitive market environment. Finally, when the reselling supplier's sensitivity to risk is sufficiently high (low) relative to the agency supplier's sensitivity to risk, we observe that the intermediary is less (more) willing to share information.
The association between lipoprotein(a) levels and ischemic stroke in children: A case–control study
Authors: de Boer Lotte M. , Wiegman Albert , van Gemert Robert L. A. , Hutten Barbara A. , Klaassen Irene L. M. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundPediatric arterial ischemic stroke (AIS) is a rare disorder, associated with severe morbidity. In adults, elevated lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)), a cholesterol‐like particle, is associated with ischemic stroke. However, data on Lp(a) and pediatric AIS are scarce. Therefore, we evaluated the association between Lp(a) levels and pediatric AIS.MethodsWe included children who suffered an AIS (≤18 years) and were treated in a tertiary center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Two groups of children with AIS were identified: (i) neonates and (ii) children older than 29 days. A case–control study was performed, with the latter group as cases and children without AIS as control group. Cases and controls were matched for age of Lp(a) testing and sex. Multivariable logistic regression models were used.ResultsThirteen neonates and 23 children were included. Mean (SD) age of AIS was 0.6 (2.0) days and 9.2 (6.3) years, respectively. Children with AIS were matched to 62 controls. Lp(a) levels of greater than 50 mg/dL were more prevalent in children with AIS compared to controls (21.7% vs. 3.2%, p = .02). A significant association was found between Lp(a) and AIS (odds ratio [OR] adjusted for age at Lp(a) testing, body mass index [BMI], measurement assay: 1.36 per 10 mg/dL increase of Lp(a), 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–1.82, p = .041).ConclusionsIn this study, Lp(a) levels were positively associated with the risk of AIS in children, suggesting that high Lp(a) might be an independent risk factor for AIS. This underlines the importance of Lp(a) measurement in children with AIS.