bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Impact of Bank Riskiness on the Quality of ESG Disclosure: Empirical Evidence From European Banks
Authors: Manta Francesco , Boscia Vittorio , Conca Lavinia , Borgia Michele , Toma Pierluigi 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe present study aims to inquire into the relationship between bank risk profile and ESG disclosure score. A sample of 50 listed banks from 28 European countries was analyzed in the timespan 2012–2018. Results revealed a positive relationship between bank risk and ESG disclosure score, confirming the likelihood of predatory banks increasing their ESG disclosure to mitigate the impact of risk‐taking activities and improve their reputation toward customers. Theoretical and practical implications arose from the study, suggesting that greater attention should be given to bank risk management due to the relevance of financial institutions for the stability of the system and prevent them from assuming ESG misconduct.
‘A Light in the Whole Darkness of Zoom’: A Qualitative Examination of College Students' Experiences in an Online Mindfulness‐Based Intervention
Authors: MacDonald Helen Z. , Bradley Madeline , Neville Tracy 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundMindfulness‐Based Interventions (MBIs), including those administered online, have demonstrated efficacy in promoting mental health among college students. Few studies, however, have examined participants' lived experiences of engaging in these interventions when administered online.MethodThe current qualitative study investigated nine college students' experiences of participating in a randomised controlled trial of an online adaptation of mindfulness‐based stress reduction, a group intervention administered during the fall 2020 COVID‐19 pandemic lockdown. Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsTwo themes and eight subthemes were identified. The first theme centred on advantages of the intervention's online modality. The college student participants described greater comfort, a strong instructor, broadened social connections and enhanced community in the context of the online intervention. The second theme surrounded challenges of the intervention's online format, and subthemes included environmental distractions, impersonal modality, difficulty connecting with others and technology issues.ConclusionThe COVID‐19 pandemic underscored the need for health promotion programmes specifically targeting college students; online MBIs may increase access to these interventions. Promoting the strengths and addressing the limitations of online MBIs among this population are essential as this modality of treatment becomes more widely employed across college campuses.
Identification and Characterization of a Novel D‐branched‐chain Amino Acids Importer from Lactobacillus fermentum
Authors: Aoki Koichiro , Mutaguchi Yuta , Hemmi Hisashi , Yoshimura Tohru , Ito Tomokazu 
Published: February 2025

Various lactic acid bacteria synthesize D‐branched‐chain amino acids (D‐BCAA) during growth, but their physiological function remains largely elusive. The pyridoxal phosphate‐dependent enzyme isoleucine 2‐epimerase (ILEP) has been identified as the key enzyme responsible for D‐BCAA biosynthesis. Comparative genomic analyses revealed that genes encoding ILEP and an uncharacterized amino acid‐polyamine‐organocation (APC) family transporter are adjacent in several D‐BCAA‐producing bacteria, suggesting a functional link between these two proteins in D‐BCAA metabolism.
In this study, we investigated the function of the APC family transporter from Lactobacillus fermentum (LfAAP). Using heterologous expression systems in Escherichia coli and Lactococcus lactis, we demonstrated that LfAAP functions as a non‐stereospecific BCAA importer. Mutational analysis revealed that Ala119 and Met331 play critical roles in substrate recognition. Heterologous expression of LfAAP and/or LfILEP in a L. lactis strain, which lacks the ILEP‐AAP genes operon, revealed that ILEP functions as both synthetic and catabolic enzyme for D‐BCAA. Our findings suggest that the ILEP‐AAP system contribute to storage and subsequent utilization of BCAA in a form that is less accessible by other organisms, providing a potential competitive advantage in microbial environments.
Alcohol Septal Ablation for Left Ventricle Outflow Tract Obstruction Prevention Before Transcatheter Mitral Valve Replacement Procedure: Computed Tomography Analysis Series
Authors: Belfekih Ayoub , Masri Alaa , Veugeois Aurélie , Diakov Christelle , Mahmoudi Khalil , Ribeyrolles Sophie , Mami Zoheir , Roig Clemence , Amabile Nicolas , Caussin Christophe 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundLeft ventricle outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) is the main limitation of transcatheter mitral valve replacement (TMVR) procedure occurring in 7%−9% of cases and responsible of 25% TMVR screen failures.AimsWe aim to assess the alcohol septal ablation (ASA) effect on LVOTO risk before TMVR by multistage cardiac computed tomography (CT).MethodsPatients indicated for TMVR procedure using Sapiens 3 Prosthesis with high LVOTO risk were enrolled in the study. ASA was the first choice technique to reduce this risk based on multiple and staged cardiac CT screening.ResultsOut of 29 consecutive TMVR procedures conducted in our center between March 2021 and April 2023, nine patients presented high LVOTO risk and were enrolled in our study. The main risk factor retained was a reduced predicted NeoLVOT surface 89 mm2 [66−135] (< 170 mm2). Most procedures were valve in MAC and all patients underwent at least one ASA. CT control showed a significant increase by 95% in the predicted NeoLVOT surface: 174 mm2 [121−240]; p = 0.012 compared to the baseline value. There were no significant paraprosthesis leakage or LVOTO found on TTE according to the MVARC criteria. Cardiac CT showed a larger than predicted final NeoLVOT surface: 215 mm2 [175−317]; p = 0.018. One patient died after ASA, and two others during the first year of follow‐up. Survivors had significant symptom relief (p = 0.046) and a decreased PASP (38 mmHg [32−47] vs. 54 mmHg [46−62.5]; p = 0.028).ConclusionsMultistage CT analysis shows that ASA is effective in high LVOTO‐risk patients undergoing TMVR.
Biological Processes Underlying Genetic Adaptation of Larches to Cold and Dry Winter Conditions in Eastern Siberia
Authors: Meucci Stefano , Kruse Stefan , Haupt Sarah , Stoof‐Leichsenring Kathleen R. , Krutovsky Konstantin V. , Bernhardt Nadine , Harpke Dörte , Herzschuh Ulrike 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe boreal forests of central and eastern Siberia, dominated by larches, are challenged by increasingly harsher continental conditions and more frequent droughts. Despite the crucial ecosystem services provided by these Siberian boreal forests, the major stressors driving the selective factors as well as the genetic adaptation mechanisms of larches are still unknown. Here we present a landscape genomics study on 243 individuals of the dominant larch tree species, Larix gmelinii and L. cajanderi. We assessed genotype‐environment associations (GEAs) between genetic variation of individual markers based on genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) data and bioclimatic variables recorded at the sampling locations. We find that the cold and dry winter conditions of eastern Siberia are likely the main selective factor driving the genetic adaptation of larches. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis identified metabolic, transmembrane transport, and homeostatic, as well as developmental processes among the main biological processes underlying genetic adaptation driven by cold and dry winter conditions.
A Secure and Efficient Framework for Intelligent Transportation: Leveraging ISDF and Augmented Iot Algorithms
Authors: Rathee Geetanjali , Abdelaziz Kerrache Chaker , Cheriguene Anissa 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe Integrated Sensing Digital Framework (ISDF) serves as a transformative force for the Internet of Things (IoT) by facilitating data collection, execution, and computational services. Intelligent transportation, a key application of Cyber‐Physical Systems (CPS), modernizes vehicles through technologies such as GPS, alarms, trackers, and autonomous driving systems. Enhancing real‐time interactions among vehicles, pedestrians, and infrastructure requires advanced wireless communication technologies. While integrating ISDF with IoT offers many benefits, it also presents challenges in the reliability, security, and privacy of data transformation, location tracking, and analysis. This article proposes an efficient decision‐making framework employing augmented algorithms and n‐step bootstrapping learning schemes to identify legitimate devices within ISDF networks. The proposed mechanism is evaluated based on security and privacy metrics, including delivery ratio, accuracy, average trust value, and defense against DoS attacks, validated through simulations.
A Mollified Sharp‐Interface Direct Forcing Method for Suppressing Spurious Oscillations in Moving Immersed Body Simulations
Authors: Liu Pengcheng , Xie Zhihua , Han Xun , Lin Pengzhi 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe effects of complex boundary conditions on flows are represented by a volume force in the direct forcing method. This representation introduces spurious oscillations of the volume force in moving immersed body simulations. The present study focuses on the issues of spurious oscillations including pressure and force in the direct forcing method when encountering moving immersed body problems. In this study, the sources of the spurious pressure oscillations in the Cartesian fractional step framework are firstly analyzed theoretically, and then a novel smoothing method for the sharp‐interface direct forcing method is proposed, which could significantly suppress the spurious oscillations of the volume force and consequently the pressure field for simulating moving immersed body flow problems. Several canonical moving body flow cases are simulated as benchmarks to demonstrate the advantages of the present method for suppressing spurious pressure oscillations, while the results match remarkably well with previous experiments and numerical studies.
Oil Storage Capacity in Organic‐Rich Chang 7 Shale, Ordos Basin: Comparing Evaluation Methods and Controlling Factors
Authors: Dang Wei , Qian Menhui , Nie Haikuan , Liu Jun , Du Kefeng , Feng Yubo , Xue Yankai , Zhang Xin 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThis study examines the oil storage capacity and controlling factors of organic‐rich Chang 7 shale in the Ordos Basin, using multistep Rock‐Eval pyrolysis (MREP) and liquid hydrocarbon vapour adsorption (LHVA) techniques. The research evaluates the effectiveness of these techniques in determining oil content and identifies key geological and geochemical factors impacting free and adsorbed oil. Analyses of geochemical, mineralogical, and pore structure characteristics reveal that Chang 7 shale, with high total organic carbon (TOC) content and oil‐prone kerogen, along with moderate thermal maturity, is a high‐quality hydrocarbon source rock. A strong linear correlation between MREP and LHVA results demonstrate the reliability of both methods for assessing adsorbed oil content, though discrepancies emphasise the impact of hydrocarbon loss during sample preparation. Statistical analysis indicates TOC content (> 2%, with > 4% especially favourable) and thermal maturity (Ro = 0.7%–1.0%) as the critical factors for shale oil accumulation and key indicators for identifying sweet spots. These findings improve the understanding of oil occurrence processes in shale and offer practical insights for optimising shale oil exploration and development.
Factors Influencing Cervical Cancer Screening: A Cross‐Sectional Study Among Ethnically Diverse Women in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana
Authors: Abubakari Abdul‐K. , Gross Janet , Kwaku Ibrahim D. , Boateng Isaac K. 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundGlobally, Ghana is one of the countries with the greatest cervical cancer (CC) burdens and mortality rates. Available research has focused primarily on women's experiences in the general population neglecting factors that influence cervical cancer screening (CCS) among ethnically diverse populations in Ghana.AimThis study explored the factors influencing CCS among ethnically diverse women in the Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana.MethodFrom April to June 2023, a community‐based cross‐sectional study was carried out in the Aboabo and Asawase communities of the Ashanti Region. Binary and multivariable logistic regressions were employed to determine the relationships between the dependent and independent variables. Outcome variables with p‐values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant.ResultsHabits, knowledge, perceived benefits, and facilitating factors influenced CCS among ethnically diverse women. An overall self‐reported CCS rate of 7.2% (n = 32) with an early age of sexual initiation of 15–20 years was recorded. While habits (OR = 0.23, 95% CI 0.09, 0.58; p = 0.002), affect (OR = 0.00, 95% CI 0.00, 0.03; p < 0.001), and the perceived benefits of screening (OR = 3.07, 95% Cl 1.01, 10.8; p = 0.059) were associated with CCS. Norms (OR = 0.00, 95% CI 0.00, 20,948,726,859,075; p > 0.9), knowledge (OR = 1.27, 95% CI 0.61, 2.53; p = 0.5), and facilitating factors (OR = 1.02, 95% CI 0.51, 2.01; p > 0.9) were not statistically significant with CCS.ConclusionPoor knowledge, lower perceived benefits of CCS, and weak facilitating factors were identified as barriers to CCS. Implementing national CCS and vaccination campaigns to improve awareness, and screening to reduce women's risk is encouraged.
The role of charitable food assistance during times of crisis
Authors: Duncan Denvil , Navarro Luis , Suttles Shellye 
Published: February 2025

AbstractWe examine the role of charitable food assistance during periods of economic distress by looking at donations to a large Midwestern food bank. We explore the determinants of in‐kind food provisions and financial donations during the COVID‐19 pandemic and find that both types of assistance dramatically increased at the onset of the pandemic. However, these increases were not persistent. We argue that this is evidence that the charitable food system serves a critical role in facilitating the transmission of federal provisions and charitable donations to households in need during times of crisis.
Transforming Growth Factor‐β Modulates Cancer Stem Cell Traits on CD44 Subpopulations in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Aguilar‐Chaparro Mario Alejandro , Rivera‐Pineda Sonia Andrea , Hernández‐Galdámez Hury Viridiana , Ríos‐Castro Emmanuel , Garibay‐Cerdenares Olga Lilia , Piña‐Vázquez Carolina , Villa‐Treviño Saúl 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a formidable malignancy, with growing interest in identifying cancer stem cells (CSCs) as potential therapeutic targets. CD44 isoforms have emerged as promising CSC markers in HCC, often associated with epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) induced by transforming growth factor‐beta (TGF‐β). However, the intricate relationship between CSC traits, CD44 isoforms, and TGF‐β effects on CD44 subpopulations in HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to clarify how TGF‐β influences proteomic changes and CSC traits in subpopulations expressing standard CD44 isoform (CD44std) and CD44 variant 9 (CD44v9). Treating SNU‐423 cells with TGF‐β lead to notable morphological changes, resembling a spindle‐like phenotype, along with reductions in CD44v9+ subpopulations and differential CD44std expression. Proteomic analysis highlighted significant alterations in signaling pathways, particularly the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. Validation experiments demonstrated upregulation in CD44std cells and downregulation in CD44v9 cells post‐TGF‐β treatment. Furthermore, TGF‐β exerted regulatory influence over Sox2 and Nanog expression, resulting in increased colony and spheroid formation in CD44std cells but decreased capabilities in CD44v9 cells. TGF‐β also enhanced the migratory and invasive properties of both subpopulations through EMT, alongside increased adhesive abilities in CD44v9 cells. These findings illuminate the dynamic interplay between TGF‐β and CD44std/CD44v9 subpopulations, emphasizing the role of MAPK signaling and modulation of CSC traits. This research contributes to understanding the dynamic interplay between CD44 isoforms and TGF‐β in HCC.
Nano Nutrient Foliar Application: Impacts on Yield, Quality, and Nutrient Efficiency in Dryland Finger Millet
Authors: Huq Ziya Ul , Vasanthi B. G. , Mudalagiriyappa  , Sneha M. A. , Harish M. C. , Devaraja K. , Latha H. S. , Gopinath K. A. , Visha Kumari V. , Singh Tarunendu , Krupashankar M. R. , Singh Vinod Kumar 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTBackgroundNitrogen and zinc are the most critical macro‐ and micronutrients that significantly determine the crop productivity. Foliar application of these nutrients is a proven technology to abate acute deficiency at any crop‐growing stage. Recent developments in the field of nanotechnology such as spraying of nano‐urea and nano zinc in combination with conventional fertilizers enhance crop growth and nutrient use efficiency (NUE) of crop.AimThis investigation assessed the impact of nano nutrient foliar sprays on the growth, yield, qualitative and quantitative traits, and nutrient utilization efficiency of finger millet.MethodsExperiment was conducted at AICRP for Dryland Agriculture, UAS, GKVK, Bengaluru during Kharif 2021 with finger millet as test crop. It comprises 12 treatments with different levels of nitrogen in combination with foliar application of nano nutrients at 35 and 55 DAS.ResultsFoliar application of nano‐N and nano‐Zn along with 100% RDN + recommended PK in finger millet significantly enhanced the growth, yield, and nutrient utilization efficiency of finger millet. Application of 100% RDF + foliar spray of nano‐N and nano‐Zn recorded the highest grain yield (3486 kg ha−1) and straw yield (4810 kg ha−1), significantly outperforming treatments with conventional fertilizers alone. This treatment also improved the qualitative attributes such as the number of ear heads (6.53), length of ear heads (6.95 cm), and dry weight per plant (146.80 g). Similar was the trend with antioxidant enzymes, namely, catalase and peroxidase activity, proximate composition of finger millet grain with higher crude protein (8.88%), crude fiber (2.90%), ash (2.40%), and fat (1.46%). Moreover, this treatment also recorded the highest economic returns, with gross returns of Rs. 108,192 ha−1 and net returns of Rs. 79,579 ha−1, making it the most effective and beneficial strategy for finger millet cultivation under dryland conditions.ConclusionThe productivity and NUE of finger millet were higher with foliar application of nano nutrients along with 75% RDN + recommended PK and were found to be cost‐effective compared to conventional fertilizers alone.
Knowledge Management and Organizational Resilience in MSMEs: The Intervening Role of Innovation Orientation
Authors: Singh Kuldeep , Chatterjee Sheshadri , Chaudhuri Ranjan , Vrontis Demetris , Yildiz Helene 
Published: February 2025

ABSTRACTThe relationship between knowledge management (KM) and organization performance has been thoroughly studied. However, there is still a research gap to determine other factors that could influence this relationship. One significant component is innovation, and we need to consider the size and age of the organization to determine how innovation influences organizational resilience (OR). A few studies discussed innovation and knowledge management; however, they usually focus on large firms. This study is based on MSMEs in India. In this study, we analyzed how innovation can link between KM and OR. We examined three components of KM in our research: knowledge generation (KG), knowledge transfer (KT), and knowledge acquisition (KA). We obtained responses from 336 respondents who took part in this study. We used PLS‐SEM to analyze the data. The findings indicate that innovation plays an essential role in establishing a relationship between KM and OR. Firm age is found as a significant moderating factor of this relationship. It implies that, to be robust, older enterprises in MSMEs should prioritize both KM and innovation. This study can serve as a useful resource for MSMEs that wish to learn more about the role of innovation in utilizing KM and OR.
Self‐healing conducting composite electrodes derived from chemical recycling of PET plastic wastes for flexible supercapacitors
Authors: Wang Yan , Park Beom‐su , Vu Van‐Phu , Lee Soo‐Hyoung 
Published: February 2025

AbstractAs societal advancements and living standards rise, the consumption of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) beverage bottles is witnessing a sharp increase. However, the haphazard disposal of PET‐containing products leads to environmental degradation and loss of valuable resources. The development of economically viable methods for recycling waste PET is of paramount societal significance. Thus, we developed a conductive polymer composite through an innovative strategy rooted in self‐healing polyurethane (PU) derived from chemically recycled components of waste PET plastic. Through the glycolysis of PET with ethylene glycol (EG), we obtained a high yield of 97.1% of a pristine recycled feedstock known as bis(2‐hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), renowned for its distinctive functional groups and abundant hydrogen bond stacking domains. Leveraging these attributes, monomers of recycled BHET (r‐BHET) were used as building blocks for synthesizing high‐performance PU elastomers with good mechanical properties, high thermal stability, and remarkable self‐healing capabilities of the polymer matrix. By synergistically combining recycled BHET‐based self‐healing PU with an optimized hybrid carbon nanofiller content, we developed healing composites that exhibit high conductivity (>8.20 × 102 S m−1). These composites are ideal for use as supporting electrodes in flexible supercapacitor devices. The resulting device retains 94.3% of its initial capacitance after five cutting cycles and 95.1% after 1000 mechanical bending cycles. By harnessing principles of conductive self‐healing and employing eco‐friendly constituents derived from bio‐sourced, recycled materials, our composites represent a significant advance toward sustainable, renewable alternatives to traditional petroleum‐based polymer composites.Highlights
A sustainable PU elastomer from recycled PET with 97.1% BHET yield is developed.
Elastomers with Tg of −64.1°C self‐heal effectively via abundant hydrogen bonds.
Recycled elastomer and carbon nanofillers form conductive, durable electrodes.
Supercapacitors kept 94.3% capacitance after five healing and 95.1% after 1000 bends.
These polymer composites offer renewable alternatives to petroleum‐based polymers.
Front Cover Image
Authors: Wu Pengxiang , Xu Jiaqi , Fu Ruchen , Lin Qiaoling , Liu Chang , Wang Yanan 
Published: February 2025

The cover image is based on the article Psyllid‐mite interactions promote psyllid fecundity by selecting for a different life history by Pengxiang Wu et al., https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.8539.
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