bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive analysis of MAPK gene family in upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) and functional characterization of GhMPK31 in regulating defense response to insect infestation
Authors: Wang Fuqiu , Liang Sijia , Wang Guanying , Wang Qiongqiong , Xu Zhongping , Li Bo , Fu Chunyang , Fan Yibo , Hu Tianyu , Alariqi Muna , Hussain Amjad , Cao Jinglin , Li Jian , Zhang Xianlong , Jin Shuangxia 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Key message
The transcriptomic, phenotypic and metabolomic analysis of transgenic plants overexpressing GhMPK31 in upland cotton revealed the regulation of H2O2 burst and the synthesis of defensive metabolites by GhMPK31.

Abstract
Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are a crucial class of protein kinases, which play an essential role in various biological processes in plants. Upland cotton (G. hirsutum) is the most widely cultivated cotton species with high economic value. To gain a better understanding of the role of the MAPK gene family, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of the MAPK gene family in cotton. In this study, a total of 55 GhMPK genes were identified from the whole genome of G. hirsutum. Through an investigation of the expression patterns under diverse stress conditions, we discovered that the majority of GhMPK family members demonstrated robust responses to abiotic stress, pathogen stress and pest stress. Furthermore, the overexpression of GhMPK31 in cotton leaves led to a hypersensitive response (HR)-like cell death phenotype and impaired the defense capability of cotton against herbivorous insects. Transcriptome and metabolomics data analysis showed that overexpression of GhMPK31 enhanced the expression of H2O2-related genes and reduced the accumulation of defensive related metabolites. The direct evidence of GhMPK31 interacting with GhRBOHB (H2O2-generating protein) were found by Y2H, BiFC, and LCI. Therefore, we propose that the increase of H2O2 content caused by overexpression of GhMPK31 resulted in HR-like cell death in cotton leaves while reducing the accumulation of defensive metabolites, ultimately leading to a decrease in the defense ability of cotton against herbivorous insects. This study provides valuable insights into the function of MAPK genes in plant resistance to herbivorous insects.
Transparency-enhancing technology allows the three-dimensional assessment of esophageal carcinoma obtained by endoscopic submucosal dissection
Authors: Asahina Yuichi , Hinata Munetoshi , Tanaka Asami , Oshio Kaori , Ogawa Haruki , Aihara Makoto , Onodera Hiroshi , Ushiku Tetsuo 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Background
Although much progress has been made in diagnosis of carcinomas, no established methods have been confirmed to elucidate their morphological features.

Methods
Three-dimensional structure of esophageal carcinomas was assessed using transparency-enhancing technology. Endoscopically resected esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was fluorescently stained, optically cleared using a transparency-enhancing reagent called LUCID, and visualized using laser scanning microscopy. The resulting microscope images were converted to virtual HE images for observation using ImageJ software.

Results
Microscopic observation and image editing enabled three-dimensional image reconstruction and conversion to virtual HE images. The structure of abnormal blood vessels in esophageal carcinoma recognized by endoscopy could be observed in the 3 dimensions. Squamous cell carcinoma and normal squamous epithelium could be distinguished in the virtual HE images.

Conclusions
The results suggested that transparency-enhancing technology and virtual HE images may be feasible for clinical application and represent a novel histopathological method for evaluating endoscopically resected specimens.
Granzyme B degrades extracellular matrix and promotes inflammation and choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Obasanmi Gideon , Uppal Manjosh , Cui Jing Z. , Xi Jeanne , Ju Myeong Jin , Song Jun , To Eleanor , Li Siqi , Khan Wania , Cheng Darian , Zhu John , Irani Lyden , Samad Isa , Zhu Julie , Yoo Hyung-Suk , Aubert Alexandre , Stoddard Jonathan , Neuringer Martha , Granville David J. , Matsubara Joanne A. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common retinal neurodegenerative disease among the elderly. Neovascular AMD (nAMD), a leading cause of AMD-related blindness, involves choroidal neovascularization (CNV), which can be suppressed by anti-angiogenic treatments. However, current CNV treatments do not work in all nAMD patients. Here we investigate a novel target for AMD. Granzyme B (GzmB) is a serine protease that promotes aging, chronic inflammation and vascular permeability through the degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and tight junctions. Extracellular GzmB is increased in retina pigment epithelium (RPE) and mast cells in the choroid of the healthy aging outer retina. It is further increased in donor eyes exhibiting features of nAMD and CNV. Here, we show in RPE-choroidal explant cultures that exogenous GzmB degrades the RPE-choroid ECM, promotes retinal/choroidal inflammation and angiogenesis while diminishing anti-angiogenic factor, thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1). The pharmacological inhibition of either GzmB or mast-cell degranulation significantly reduces choroidal angiogenesis. In line with our in vitro data, GzmB-deficiency reduces the extent of laser-induced CNV lesions and the age-related deterioration of electroretinogram (ERG) responses in mice. These findings suggest that targeting GzmB, a serine protease with no known endogenous inhibitors, may be a potential novel therapeutic approach to suppress CNV in nAMD.
Deep reinforcement learning based on balanced stratified prioritized experience replay for customer credit scoring in peer-to-peer lending
Authors: Wang Yadong , Jia Yanlin , Fan Sha , Xiao Jin 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn recent years, deep reinforcement learning (DRL) models have been successfully utilised to solve various classification problems. However, these models have never been applied to customer credit scoring in peer-to-peer (P2P) lending. Moreover, the imbalanced class distribution in experience replay, which may affect the performance of DRL models, has rarely been considered. Therefore, this article proposes a novel DRL model, namely a deep Q-network based on a balanced stratified prioritized experience replay (DQN-BSPER) model, for customer credit scoring in P2P lending. Firstly, customer credit scoring is formulated as a discrete-time finite-Markov decision process. Subsequently, a balanced stratified prioritized experience replay technology is presented to optimize the loss function of the deep Q-network model. This technology can not only balance the numbers of minority and majority experience samples in the mini-batch by using stratified sampling technology but also select more important experience samples for replay based on the priority principle. To verify the model performance, four evaluation measures are introduced for the empirical analysis of two real-world customer credit scoring datasets in P2P lending. The experimental results show that the DQN-BSPER model can outperform four benchmark DRL models and seven traditional benchmark classification models. In addition, the DQN-BSPER model with a discount factor γ of 0.1 has excellent credit scoring performance.
Gender Self-Identification: Opinions About Transgender Women from a National Online Survey in Taiwan
Authors: Chao Kuo-Yu , Chou Chih-Chiang , Chen Ching-I , Cheng Wei 
Published: March 2024

AbstractGender self-identification (transgender) is not permitted in most Asian countries. In Taiwan, individuals recognized as transgender must meet requirements mandated by the Gender Recognition Act. Currently, lifting the requirement for proof of sex-reassignment surgery is pending. The aim of this study was to survey a large sample of Taiwanese to gain a better understanding of the general population’s attitudes toward gender self-identification. A self-report survey, entitled “Opinions of Gender Self-Identification,” collected demographic information and responses (agree = 1, disagree = 0) to 14 statements about transgender women and women’s safety, personal rights, and the law; one statement discussed rights of transgender men to give birth; total scores ranged from 0 to 14. The online survey was distributed to non-government organizations across Taiwan and the Taiwanese islands and was available between April 16 and 30, 2022. Most of the 10,158 respondents were female (77.4%); ages of respondents ranged from 15 to > 65 years. The mean total score was 0.95 ± 2.27, indicating respondents strongly disagreed with support for transgender females; 91.56% disagreed with all statements. Although there were significant differences in scores between parents and non-parents, and those ≤ 35 years versus ≥ 36 years (p < .01), all strongly disagreed with gender self-identification. Given the majority of respondents were females, survey findings should be regarded with caution. Public acceptance of gender self-identification requires support from its residents. Our findings suggest that gender self-identification has not begun to approach even a moderate level of public support among survey respondents.
Soil liquefaction sites following the February 6, 2023, Kahramanmaraş-Türkiye earthquake sequence
Authors: Cetin Kemal Onder , Soylemez Berkan , Guzel Hayri , Cakir Elife 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSeismically induced soil liquefaction was listed as one of the major causes of damage observed in the natural and built environment during the 2023 Türkiye-Kahramanmaraş earthquake sequence. Reconnaissance field investigations were performed to collect perishable data and document the extent of damage immediately after the events. The sites with surface manifestations of seismic soil liquefaction in the form of soil ejecta, excessive foundation and ground deformations were identified and documented. The deformations were mapped, and samples from ejecta were retrieved. The ejecta samples were predominantly classified as sands with varying degrees of fines. Laboratory test results performed on liquefied soil ejecta revealed that the fines-containing liquefied ejecta samples are mostly classified as low plasticity clays (CL). Most of CL soil type ejecta were retrieved from Gölbaşı–Adıyaman region. The liquid limits of these samples varied in between 32 and 38%, their plasticity index values were estimated in the range of 16–23%. Surprisingly, two ejecta samples with plasticity indices higher than 30% were retrieved from Hatay airport, one of which was classified as high plasticity clay (CH). The majority of the fine-grained ejecta samples fall either on “Zone B: Testing Recommended” region of the Seed et al. (Keynote presentation, 26th Annual ASCE Los Angeles Geotechnical Spring Seminar, Long Beach, CA, 2003) susceptibility chart. Moreover, 12 out of 74 samples fall outside the susceptible limits defined by Seed et. These preliminary results suggest that clayey soils can produce liquefied ejecta when subjected to cyclic loading. Detailed site investigation and laboratory testing programs are ongoing to further investigate this rather unexpected response. Until their findings become available, the liquefaction susceptibility of silty-clayey soils’ mixtures is recommended to be assessed conservatively with caution.
Bi–axially loaded RC beam–column joints and haunch retrofit
Authors: Angelo Marchisella , Giovanni Muciaccia 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this study, seismic bi–axially loaded RC beam–column joints are investigated. An experimental campaign on shear–critical corner joints is presented, including two as–built specimens and one retrofitted using fully–fastened–haunches (FFHR). Bi–axial tests adopted hexagonal protocol which is essentially to apply load in one direction double with respect to the other. Results obtained for as–built condition were included in a database of corner joints tested bi–axially and discussed in the light of the impact of bi–axial load on joint’s shear strength. Further, non–linear finite elements were employed to thoroughly evaluate the bi–axial response. Haunch retrofit was capable to reduce both shear stresses and distortion at joint. Experimentally–derived internal forces were used to validate three–dimensional Strut-and-Tie model of the joints. Such design tool is recommended for practice cases adopting FFHR.
Response of functional diversity of fish communities to habitat alterations in small lowland rivers
Authors: Stefani Fabrizio , Fasola Emanuele , Marziali Laura , Tirozzi Pietro , Schiavon Alfredo , Bocchi Stefano , Gomarasca Stefano 
Published: March 2024

AbstractFunctional diversity has proven to be more responsive than traditional taxonomic diversity to alterations for a wide set of communities, especially in aquatic ecosystems. Habitat alterations are among the most relevant causes of biodiversity loss in freshwater ecosystems, nevertheless their effect on functional diversity has been scarcely investigated so far. In this study, functional diversity of fish communities in the River Po basin, north Italy, were related to habitat quality at different spatial scales. Land use and riparian vegetation were identified as the most influent factors on freshwater fish functional diversity. On the other hand, habitat descriptors at smaller scale did not influence functional diversity of fish. The evidenced responses were driven by the contribution of exotic species, which maximized ecological niche occupancy, either by exploiting increased habitat heterogeneity or by interaction with native species. Moreover, traits filtering, disadvantaging large predators such as salmonids, was also observed in the studied communities, but likely this effect was related to other factors than habitat alterations. Overall, this study confirms that land use changes can be considered as valid proxies for anthropogenic alterations. Moreover, possible effects at ecosystem level, also related to the spread of exotic species, could be hypothesized, giving that traits mostly influencing the observed patterns of diversity in communities were related to trophic niche, a factor that has been associated with crucial processes like nutrient cycling or energy transfer.
The Indirect Diversification Benefits of Investing in Japanese Firms: An Alternative Perspective
Authors: Chadha Pearlean , Berrill Jenny 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis paper examines the role of firm-level multinationality in equity portfolio diversification for Japanese firms from 1998 to 2015. We use a unique multinationality dataset for constituents of the Nikkei 225 based on two measures of sales and subsidiaries. We employ an extended version of the traditional Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) to analyse the exposure of firm returns to various geographical regions. There is evidence that firms are not influenced by the geographic regions where they report operations. The results also indicate that there are benefits from investing in Japanese multinationals but these benefits do not increase with increasing multinationality. A new category of firms is identified that may be beneficial to investors—firms that are influenced by a geographical region where they do not report sales or subsidiaries. This finding has far reaching implications for portfolio management. Investors must do more than analyse the international location of firm operations. They must analyse the geographical influences on firm returns. Existing studies fail to distinguish between these two criteria, assuming them to be the same. We find evidence to the contrary.
A Critical Exploration of Bargaining in Purchasing and Supply Management: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Kelly Stephen , Chicksand Daniel 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBargaining with suppliers is a key Purchasing and Supply Management (PSM) activity but there is considerable ambiguity over what bargaining entails and the concept currently lacks a systematic treatment, despite its significant interest to PSM professionals. The literature shows that bargaining can be seen as an adversarial approach to negotiation (in contrast to more integrative/collaborative ones) and also the back-and-forth discussion over price and other variables between buying and supplying organisations to reach an agreement. In addition, many will move between fundamentally distributive and integrative approaches as the discussions play out. A systematic literature review of the Scopus, ProQuest, ScienceDirect, JSTOR and Web of Science databases was undertaken to address this gap, identifying 427 relevant journal papers that were systematically analysed. First, descriptive techniques identified the trajectory of published papers, methods, theories and their industrial context. Second, content analysis identified the key constructs and associated operational measures/variables of bargaining. Third, the constructs have then been ordered temporally and by areas of location (organisational/departmental and individual levels) to generate a model and inform a series of practice-based recommendations at different stages of the bargaining process. The findings will allow future researchers to use the constructs either directly in developing focused hypotheses to test relationships or as a basis for refinement and extension in cumulative theory building and testing. In addition, a series of focused research gaps have been identified, such as addressing the current contradictory findings of the effect of purchasing volume or organisational size on bargaining power.
Pension funds and fossil fuel phase-out: historical developments and limitations of pension climate strategies
Authors: McDonnell Clara 
Published: March 2024

AbstractDespite the decades of international climate negotiations and several landmark agreements, global efforts to date to restrict fossil fuel production in line with climate targets have been unsuccessful. As national and international policies continue to fall short of phasing out fossil fuels, increasing attention has been paid to non-state actors, like pension funds, as a potential source of more ambitious climate action. As major asset owners, large shareholders in fossil fuel companies, and historically activist investors, pension funds are theoretically well-placed to contribute to phasing out fossil fuels. Despite growing recognition of this potential role for pension funds and other major investors in climate change mitigation, there has been little attention to pension funds’ historical record on climate change, or to how their climate strategies have developed and changed over time. This paper examines how the climate strategies of the largest US and European pension funds have evolved in relation to key developments in international climate agreements and the extent to which these strategies contribute to restricting fossil fuel supply. Through an analysis of the annual, governance, and sustainability reports of 6 pension funds from 1997 to 2022, we examine the strategies pension funds have adopted to address both climate change and fossil fuels. Pension funds have demonstrated responsiveness to the signals of international climate agreements, adopting a range of strategies with respect to climate change (amongst others, integrating ESG principles, increasing their sustainable investments, and setting net zero goals). Their explicit attention to fossil fuels and contribution to supply-side interventions take the form of systematic shareholder engagement, (selective) divestment, and lobbying policymakers. While pension fund climate action is growing , the ambition of their strategies is not aligned with a rapid fossil fuel phaseout; their efforts are often focussed on improving disclosure and transparency and demonstrate complacency with minimal improvements from fossil fuel companies. If pension funds are to significantly contribute to phasing out fossil fuels, redefining pension fund responsibilities and the traditional shareholder role will likely be required.
Suspended filamentous algal cultures for wastewater treatment: A review
Authors: Sabatte F. , Baring R. , Fallowfield H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractMore than 50 years have passed since the first studies of microalgae treating effluents were published. Suspended growth of filamentous algae in wastewater ponds has been considered in several publications for over a decade. However, despite all the research efforts and the knowledge generated, the technology is far from being adopted. This review compiles all the publications identified in different databases, which used filamentous algal ponds to remediate varied wastewaters, with the aim of identifying the research needs to allow the technology’s application. The experimental methods and results obtained were extracted and compiled for comparison from 28 relevant studies, in which municipal wastewater and Oedogonium spp. were most used. Most of the studies were performed at a small laboratory scale and for short time periods. There was a remarkable use of effluents with a high degree of pretreatment and more studies focused on the biomass productivity than the treatment performance. It is recommended that future research use wastewater, with minimum intervention, rather than defined nutrient solutions, to assess the potential for wastewater treatment. Transitioning from laboratory to outdoor systems at scale should be a primary aim to further adopt this technology.
A comprehensive review of the effects of roads on salamanders
Authors: Ochs Alison E. , Swihart Robert K. , Saunders Mike R. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractContextRoad expansion has raised concerns regarding road effects on wildlife and ecosystems within the landscape. Salamanders, critical ecosystem components and bioindicators, are vulnerable to road impacts due to habitat loss, migrations, and reliance on stream health. Systemic reviews considering the effects of different road types on salamanders are lacking.ObjectivesWe summarize 155 studies of road effects on salamanders, including paved, unpaved, and logging roads, hiking trails, railroads, and powerlines. We examine trends in road type, study area, and impacts on salamanders; summarize current knowledge; and identify knowledge gaps.MethodsWe used Web of Science for literature searches, completed in January 2023. We reviewed and summarized papers and used Chi-squared tests to explore patterns in research efforts, research gaps, and impacts on salamanders.ReviewRoads had negative effects on salamanders through direct mortality, damaging habitat, and fragmenting populations. Traffic and wetland proximity increased negative impacts in some studies; abandoned logging roads showed negative effects. Positive effects were limited to habitat creation along roads. Habitat creation and under-road tunnels with drift fencing were effective mitigation strategies. Non-passenger vehicle roads were critically understudied, as were mitigation strategies such as bucket brigades and habitat creation along roads.ConclusionsWith road networks expanding and salamander populations declining, managers must account for road effects at landscape scales. The effects of non-paved roads on salamanders are poorly understood but critically important as such roads are frequently located in natural areas. Managers should incorporate mitigation strategies and work to reduce road impacts on vulnerable wildlife.