bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing the influence ofESGwashing on bank reputational exposure: A cross‐country analysis
Authors: Venturelli Valeria , Pedrazzoli Alessia , Pennetta Daniela , De Novellis Gennaro 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThe study investigates the effects of ESG washing on banks' reputational exposure. We define ESG washing as a disparity between a bank's environmental and social disclosure level and the practical implementation of the relative measures. The analysis involves an international sample of 120 banks operating across 35 countries from 2014 to 2020. The results evidence a different effect based on the pillar considered: the higher the inconsistency on environmental issues, the higher a bank's reputational exposure. Conversely, higher levels of disclosure compared to performance on social issues appear to reduce reputational exposure. In addition, citizen movements and the country's legal system play a significant role in amplifying or mitigating a bank's reputational exposure. Our findings offer insight into the phenomenon of ESG washing in the banking industry, supporting the need for more verified information across countries and all economic sectors.
Overcoming socioeconomic adversity: Academic resilience in mathematics achievement among children and adolescents in Ireland
Authors: Sheehan Jillian , Hadfield Kristin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAlthough socioeconomic disadvantage is linked with academic underachievement, many children from low‐income backgrounds perform well in school. Which modifiable factors predict this academic resilience? We examine between‐ and within‐person predictors of one important academic metric – mathematics performance – across adolescence in 1715 (796 male, 919 female) youth living in poverty in Ireland, using data from three waves (9, 13, and 17/18 years) of the Growing Up in Ireland study. Using linear mixed models, math performance was worse when adolescents had more socioemotional and behavioural difficulties, more child–parent relationship conflict, parents had lower expectations of the adolescent's educational achievement, and when primary caregivers had less education. Adolescents who had better intellectual self‐concept and attended a non‐disadvantaged school had greater math performance. This research adds to the growing body of work suggesting academic resilience is dynamic and multisystemic; it provides potential targets at multiple levels to promote such resilience.
Blocking CXCR4–CARM1–YAP axis overcomes osteosarcoma doxorubicin resistance by suppressing aerobic glycolysis
Authors: Li Zihua , Lu Hengli , Zhang Yiwei , Lv Jiyang , Zhang Yi , Xu Tianyang , Yang Dong , Duan Zhengwei , Guan Yonghao , Jiang Zongrui , Liu Kaiyuan , Liao Yuxin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOsteosarcoma, recognized for its aggressiveness and resistance to chemotherapy, notably doxorubicin, poses significant treatment challenges. This comprehensive study investigated the CXCR4–CARM1–YAP signaling axis and its pivotal function in controlling aerobic glycolysis, which plays a crucial role in doxorubicin resistance. Detailed analysis of Dox‐resistant 143b/MG63‐DoxR cells has uncovered the overexpression of CXCR4. Utilizing a combination of molecular biology techniques including gene silencing, aerobic glycolysis assays such as Seahorse experiments, RNA sequencing, and immunofluorescence staining. The study provides insight into the mechanistic pathways involved. Results demonstrated that disrupting CXCR4 expression sensitizes cells to doxorubicin‐induced apoptosis and alters glycolytic activity. Further RNA sequencing revealed that CARM1 modulated this effect through its influence on glycolysis, with immunofluorescence of clinical samples confirming the overexpression of CXCR4 and CARM1 in drug‐resistant tumors. Chromatin immunoprecipitation studies further highlighted the role of CARM1, showing it to be regulated by methylation at the H3R17 site, which in turn affected YAP expression. Crucially, in vivo experiments illustrated that CARM1 overexpression could counteract the tumor growth suppression that resulted from CXCR4 inhibition. These insights revealed the intricate mechanisms at play in osteosarcoma resistance to doxorubicin and pointed toward potential new therapeutic strategies that could target this metabolic and signaling network to overcome drug resistance and improve patient outcomes.
Sodium copper chlorophyllin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticle‐based photodynamic therapy for B16 melanoma cancer cells
Authors: Shinde Vinod Ravasaheb , Khatun Sajmina , Thanekar Ajinkya Madhukar , Bhattacharjee Basu , Rengan Aravind Kumar 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMelanoma is one of the most aggressive and fatal skin cancers owing to its ability to metastasize and develop resistance to chemotherapy. Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a minimally noninvasive treatment modality comprising photosensitizers (PSs), light sources, and endogenous molecular oxygen that exert a localized cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. The current study explores the therapeutic potential of sodium copper chlorophyllin‐loaded chitosan nanoparticles (CH‐SCC NPs) along with handheld laser‐based PDT on B16 cancer cells. A modified chlorophyll derivative identified as sodium copper chlorophyllin (SCC) is a dietary supplement that has anticancer properties. Herein, we have synthesized CH‐SCC NPs using the ionic gelation method to enhance the PS's bioavailability and efficiency. Chitosan nanoparticles exhibited high biocompatibility in a normal cell line L929, zebrafish, and chick embryos, and were successfully employed to deliver the SCC to cancer cells. CH‐SCC NPs showed an enhanced PDT effect that killed approximately 80%–85% of B16 cells. CH‐SCC NPs in combination with a handheld portable laser source showed significant therapeutic potential against the B16 skin cancer cell line. The experimental findings further strengthen our device‐repurposing strategy, which suggests that SCC nanoformulations along with handheld laser can be a suitable treatment for skin cancer even in remote areas where power source and treatment cost can be a limitation.
Cognitive characteristics of children with high mathematics achievement before they start formal schooling
Authors: Bakker Merel , Torbeyns Joke , Verschaffel Lieven , De Smedt Bert 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis 5‐year longitudinal study examined whether high mathematics achievers in primary school had cognitive advantages before entering formal education. High mathematics achievement was defined as performing above Pc 90 in Grades 1 and 3. The predominantly White sample (M
age in preschool: 64 months) included 31 high achievers (12 girls) and 114 average achievers (63 girls). We measured children's early numerical abilities, complex mathematical abilities, and general cognitive abilities in preschool (2017). High mathematics achievers had advantages on most tasks in preschool (ds > 0.62). Number order, numeral recognition, and proportional reasoning were unique predictors of belonging to the high‐achieving group in primary school. This study shows that the cognitive advantages of high mathematics achievement are already observed in preschool.
Elevated aqueous TNF‐α levels are associated with more severe functional and anatomic findings in eyes with diabetic macular oedema
Authors: Chew Sky , Tran Tuan , Sanfilippo Paul , Lim Lyndell L. , Sandhu Sukhpal S. , Wickremasinghe Sanjeewa 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundIntravitreal ranibizumab for diabetic macular oedema (DMO) has been recently shown to modulate levels of aqueous cytokines. This study investigates the associations between changes in aqueous cytokine levels following intravitreal ranibizumab therapy and the corresponding anatomical and functional changes in the eye.MethodsTwenty‐five patients comprising 30 eyes diagnosed with DMO were prospectively recruited. All eyes received three loading dose ranibizumab injections at baseline, week 4 and week 8, followed by pro re nata treatment based on best‐corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central macular thickness (CMT) up to week 48. Prior to ranibizumab administration, aqueous samples were collected from all eyes, and subsequent sampling was performed at week 8. Levels of 32 cytokines were assessed at baseline and at week 8.ResultsAt baseline, higher aqueous TNF‐α levels were associated with poorer BCVA (p = 0.033), greater macular volume (p = 0.017) and worse diabetic retinopathy (p = 0.047). Higher levels of IL‐7 were associated with poorer BCVA and greater macular volume (MV). Following treatment with ranibizumab there was a significant correlation with reduction of aqueous TNF‐α and improvements in BCVA and MV, both at 6 months (BCVA [r = −0.558, p = 0.001], MV [r = 0.410, p = 0.024]) and 12‐months (BCVA [r = −0.413, p = 0.023], MV [r = 0.482, p = 0.008]). The change in VEGF concentration following ranibizumab treatment did not correlate with either BCVA or MV improvements (p > 0.05).ConclusionsHigher levels of aqueous TNF‐α and IL‐7 correlated with worse DMO, both anatomically and functionally. Reductions in levels of aqueous TNF‐α, but not VEGF, post ranibizumab treatment were associated with improvement in BCVA and MV.
The p75 neurotrophin receptor attenuates secondary thalamic damage after cortical infarction by promoting angiogenesis
Authors: Peng Linhui , Li Kongping , Li Dan , Zuo Xialin , Zhan Lixuan , Chen Meiyan , Gong Ming , Sun Weiwen , Xu En 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundAngiogenesis is crucial in neuroprotection of secondary thalamic injury after cortical infarction. The p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) plays a key role in activating angiogenesis. However, the effects of p75NTR on angiogenesis in the thalamus after cortical infarction are largely unknown. Herein we investigate whether p75NTR facilitates angiogenesis to attenuate secondary thalamic damage via activating hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α)/vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway mediated by Von Hippel–Lindau (VHL) after distal middle cerebral artery occlusion (dMCAO).MethodsThe male rat model of dMCAO was established. The effects of p75NTR on the angiogenesis was evaluated using RNA‐sequencing, immunohistochemistry, western blot, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction, magnetic resonance imaging, behavior tests, viral and pharmacological interventions.ResultsWe found that the p75NTR and vessel density were decreased in ipsilateral thalamus after dMCAO. The p75NTR‐VHL interaction was reduced, which promoted the ubiquitination degradation of HIF‐1α and reduced VEGF expression after dMCAO. Notably, p75NTR overexpression restrained the ubiquitination degradation of HIF‐1α by inhibiting VHL‐HIF‐1α interaction, further promoted angiogenesis, increased cerebral blood flow of ipsilateral thalamus and improved neurological function after dMCAO.ConclusionFor the first time, we highlighted that the enhancement of p75NTR‐VHL interaction promoted angiogenesis in attenuating secondary thalamic damage after dMCAO.
Insulin attenuates LPS‐induced cognitive impairment and ferroptosis through regulation of glucose metabolism in hippocampus
Authors: Sun Miao , Liu Min , Li Qingxiao , Liu Siyuan , Yang Huikai , Song Yuxiang , Qu Mengyao , Zhang Xiaoying , Ma Yulong , Mi Weidong 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimsNeuroinflammation is a recognized contributor to cognitive disorders like Alzheimer's disease, with ferroptosis emerging as a novel mechanism underlying cognitive dysfunction associated with neuroinflammation. Insulin, pivotal in the central nervous system, holds promise for cognitive function enhancement. This study aimed to establish a cognitive impairment model through intracerebroventricular injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and explore the impact of intracerebroventricular insulin injection on cognitive function in mice.MethodsWe employed diverse experimental techniques, including animal behavior testing, molecular assays, targeted metabolomics, nuclear medicine, and electron microscopy, to assess neurodegenerative changes, brain insulin resistance (IR), glucose uptake and metabolism, and ferroptosis. The model of cognitive impairment was induced via intracerebroventricular injection of LPS, followed by intracerebroventricular administration of insulin to evaluate its effects.ResultsInsulin treatment effectively mitigated LPS‐induced cognitive decline and safeguarded against neuronal degeneration. Furthermore, insulin alleviated LPS‐induced insulin resistance, enhanced glucose uptake in the hippocampus, and promoted the Pentose Phosphate Pathway (PPP) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) production. Additionally, insulin activated the glutathione (GSH)‐glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) pathway, reducing lipid peroxidation, and mitochondrial damage characteristic of LPS‐induced ferroptosis in the hippocampus.ConclusionOur findings underscore the therapeutic potential of insulin in alleviating LPS‐induced cognitive impairment and ferroptosis by modulating glucose metabolism. This study offers a promising avenue for future interventions targeting cognitive decline.
Identifying biomarkers related to motor function in chronic stroke: A fNIRS and TMS study
Authors: Cai Guiyuan , Xu Jiayue , Zhang Cailing , Jiang Junbo , Chen Gengbin , Chen Jialin , Liu Quan , Xu Guangqing , Lan Yue 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundUpper limb motor impairment commonly occurs after stroke, impairing quality of life. Brain network reorganization likely differs between subgroups with differing impairment severity. This study explored differences in functional connectivity (FC) and corticospinal tract (CST) integrity between patients with mild/moderate versus severe hemiplegia poststroke to clarify the neural correlates underlying motor deficits.MethodSixty chronic stroke patients with upper limb motor impairment were categorized into mild/moderate and severe groups based on Fugl‐Meyer scores. Resting‐state FC was assessed using functional near‐infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to compare connectivity patterns between groups across motor regions. CST integrity was evaluated by inducing motor evoked potentials (MEP) via transcranial magnetic stimulation.ResultsCompared to the mild/moderate group, the severe group exhibited heightened premotor cortex–primary motor cortex (PMC–M1) connectivity (t = 4.56, p < 0.01). Absence of MEP was also more frequent in the severe group (χ2 = 12.31, p = 0.01). Bayesian models effectively distinguished subgroups and identified the PMC–M1 connection as highly contributory (accuracy = 91.30%, area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.86).ConclusionDistinct patterns of connectivity and corticospinal integrity exist between stroke subgroups with differing impairments. Strengthened connectivity potentially indicates recruitment of additional motor resources to compensate for damage. These findings elucidate the neural correlates underlying motor deficits poststroke and could guide personalized, network‐based therapies targeting predictive biomarkers to improve rehabilitation outcomes.
COVID vaccination and social norms
Authors: Cook Jonathan , Newberger Noah , Smalling Sami 
Published: July 2024

AbstractWe quantify the impact of county‐level vaccination rates on vaccine uptake. While the marginal effect at current vaccination rates is modest, the overall impact is large. Moving from a 0% to 15% vaccination rate in a county is associated with an increase in the daily uptake of over 10 fold. Our results shed light on the rise and decline of vaccine hesitancy and imply an externality of vaccination programs. For Ohio's Vax‐A‐Million lottery, a back‐of‐the‐envelope calculation finds that there were an additional 30,000 vaccinations immediately following the lottery as a result of the increased vaccinations from the lottery.
All at sea? Exploring key actors' understandings of the role of European Union policies for protecting marine nature
Authors: Gorjanc Sašo , Stojanovic Timothy A. , Warren Charles R. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAmbitious European Union (EU) policies are aiming to halt and reverse marine biodiversity loss in the current decade. However, EU environmental and conservation policies have so far fallen short of their targets. This study explores how the key actors in policy interpretation and implementation frame their understandings of these policy objectives, and how these framings influence the protection of marine biodiversity. The results of a Q‐methodological study undertaken with key actors from national, regional sea, and EU governance levels reveal the existence of two predominant frames. Key actors are divided between Environmental Protection and Sustainable Use‐focused understandings, with the first framing further partitioning into four distinct subframes. All the identified frames are internally coherent and are firmly held, therefore begging the question of how EU conservation policy should proceed, given that the same policy texts and the marine biodiversity crisis are perceived in distinctly different ways, with different actions prioritized. It is important to understand and reflect on the different positioning of key actors because these differences directly influence the achievement of marine biodiversity goals.
Mortality patterns in Dutch diabetes outpatients
Authors: Bak Jessica C. G. , de Vries Silvia A. G. , Serné Erik H. , Groenwold Rolf H. H. , de Valk Harold W. , Mul Dick , Sas Theo C. J. , Bizino Maurice , Nieuwdorp Max , Kramer Mark H. H. , Verheugt Carianne L. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractAimDiabetes mellitus is a major cause of death. Outpatients with diabetes have more complications than patients in general practice; mortality patterns have only been studied in the total diabetes population. This study aims to assess mortality, causes, and predictors in outpatients with diabetes.Materials and MethodsA cohort study, included people with diabetes mellitus from the nationwide Dutch Paediatric and Adult Registry of Diabetes (DPARD) visiting diabetes outpatient clinics in 2016‐2020. DPARD data were linked to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), comprising data on mortality, ethnicity and education. All‐cause and cardiovascular mortality rates were estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression.ResultsDuring a median follow‐up of 3.1 years among 12 992 people with diabetes, mortality rates per 10 000 person‐years were 67.7 in adult type 1 diabetes and 324.2 in type 2 diabetes. The major cause of non‐cardiovascular death was malignancy. During the pandemic years of influenza (2018) and COVID (2020), mortality rates peaked. Age, smoking and an estimated glomerular filtration rate of <60 ml/min were associated with all‐cause mortality. In type 2 diabetes, additional factors were male sex, body mass index <20 kg/m2, diabetes duration <1 year and hypertension.ConclusionsMortality among Dutch outpatients with diabetes is high. Smoking and renal failure were associated with mortality in both types. Further focus on early detection and treatment of mortality‐associated factors may improve clinical outcomes.
Envisioning the humanitarian‐development‐peace nexus in the Rohingya response in Bangladesh: Implementation challenges and suggestions for the future
Authors: Khan Abdul Kadir 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMotivationSince 2017, more than a million forcibly displaced Rohingya refugees from Myanmar have been heavily reliant on humanitarian assistance in Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh. The donors and humanitarian stakeholders involved, often drawing on OECD recommendations, are calling for a triple nexus design linking humanitarian, development, and peace pillars to increase effectiveness.PurposeTo further understanding of the issues involved and to provide recommendations for the implementation of a triple‐nexus programme, the article explores the main challenges relating to triple‐nexus implementation in Bangladesh.Approach and MethodsThematic analysis is conducted on 25 qualitative key informant interviews with selected government officials and international and national NGOs involved in the Rohingya humanitarian response in Cox's Bazar.FindingsThe study identifies five main challenges to triple‐nexus implementation, foregrounding the OECD guiding principles: (1) the “peace” component remains unaddressed and undefined; (2) the capacity of local organizations is undermined in the Rohingya response due to the dominance of international organizations; (3) the shrinkage of overall funding leads to ambiguities in multi‐year funding commitments and modalities; (4) there is a co‐ordination gap between the three nexus pillars; and (5) the Government of Bangladesh (GoB) is reluctant to design long‐term refugee policies for Rohingyas.Policy ImplicationsThe study suggests that adopting the triple nexus in the Rohingya response requires stronger political commitment on the part of the GoB and goal‐oriented national policy in accordance with OECD principles. The inclusion of a “peace” element is indispensable to enable the balance between humanitarian and development components, but requires a clearly defined conflict context to be entwined with the nexus programming. The findings also contribute to reappraising the impediments to operationalizing the nexus programme and refurbishing policy discussions in other major cases in forced migration, IDP, or refugee crises globally.
Platform economy and missing entrepreneurship: Evidence from E‐commerce development policy in China
Authors: Pan Sitong , Shi Qinghua , Zhang Yue 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis paper utilises the staggered county‐level rollout of China's E‐commerce entering villages policy to examine the effect of policy‐driven platform economy development on local entrepreneurship. Exploiting county‐level variations in yearly new business registration with a difference‐in‐differences strategy, we find that policy‐driven platform economy development decreased the number of new business registrations and business entry rates by approximately 4.6% and 0.6%, respectively. The reduction effect is more prominent in business registration in micro‐small scale, tertiary industries, eastern regions, and rural areas. Microfinance plays a positive role in this association. Mechanism analysis shows that the platform‐driven supply chain transformation could rule out entrepreneurial opportunities, and the platform‐enabled gig work opportunities could weaken entrepreneurial motivation. Loss of entrepreneurial opportunities and motivation leads to less entrepreneurship.
Can the improvements in human capital quality mitigate the negative impact of ageing on growth? Evidence from selected EU countries
Authors: Sobiech Pellegrini Izabela , Chmura Rafał , Sawulski Jakub , Mętrak Tymoteusz 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMost long‐term GDP projections in developed countries expect a substantial decline in GDP growth rates over time. The main factor behind it is demographic changes, especially the decreasing working‐age population. We argue that these projections do not consider improvements in the quality of the human capital, which may, at least to some extent, mitigate the effects of the negative demographic shock. We start with a simple observation—the skills of younger age cohorts are higher than of older cohorts. Assuming that the current level of skills will be obtained also by the generations which will enter the labour market in the future, the average level of skills among the working‐age population will increase. Trying to catch this effect, we use the Programme for the International Assessment of Adult Competencies standardised test results to create an aggregate human capital measure, the average skill level of the work force, for 18 European Union countries and project it until 2040. We show that on average at least one sixth of the negative impact of the shrinking of the working‐age population can be offset by the increase in the quality of human capital and that this number can increase to three quarters in a less conservative scenario.