bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Income inequality and carbon emissions in Asia: Does financial inclusion matter?
Authors: Rasheed Shahida , Adeneye Yusuf , Farooq Rafi 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe upsurge in the amount of carbon emissions in Asia has been potentially due to the increasing income disparities in the region. Meanwhile, with the increasing level of digital financial services, the digital approach to financial inclusion could complement the traditional approach. Therefore, we investigate the impact of income inequality on carbon emissions across 17 Asian countries for the period 2011 to 2022. We also investigate the effects of traditional and digital financial inclusions on the relationship between income inequality and CO2 emissions. This study employs the panel fixed‐effect estimator, Quantile regressions, and 2SLS to estimate the model specifications of the study. Findings reveal that income inequality has a positive and significant impact on CO2 emissions in both linear and non‐linear models. Findings also show that both traditional and digital financial inclusion significantly moderate the relationship between income inequality and CO2 emissions, with digital financial inclusion having a lesser impact. The study further finds that economic freedom is the transmission channel through which income inequality impacts CO2 emissions, suggesting that higher income disparities lower economic freedom, which further contributes to the amounts of CO2 emissions. Our findings theoretically support the marginal propensity to emit theory and the environmental Kuznets curve hypothesis. Our findings are robust to alternative measures of income inequality, CO2 emissions, and endogeneity concerns.
A regular screening for hepatitis delta virus among chronic hepatitis B carriers improves the diagnostic of this infection and of subsequent cirrhosis development
Authors: Weichselbaum Laura , Njimi Hassane , van den Wijngaert Sigi , Dahma Hafid , Nkuize Marcel , Van Gossum Marc , Eisendrath Pierre , Mulkay Jean‐Pierre , Sersté Thomas 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveThe prevalence of Hepatitis Delta Virus (HDV) is underestimated and the assessment of fibrosis is recommended for this infection. We tested the diagnostic impact of an annual screening for HDV serology in Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBs Ag) chronic carriers and followed the progression of fibrosis in these patients.MethodsBetween January 2014 and October 2021, we annually tested all chronic HBs Ag‐positive patients for HDV antibody (HDV Ab). Each HDV Ab positive patient underwent annually repeated elastometry. Patients with detectable HDV RNA levels (group 1) were compared to those with undetectable HDV RNA (group 2).ResultsWe identified 610 chronic HBs Ag‐positive patients, and repeated screening for HDV Ab was performed in 534 patients. Sixty (11%) patients were HDV Ab positive at baseline and were considered as “coinfected”. Seven cases of HDV superinfection were diagnosed through repeated screening. In co‐infected patients, cirrhosis was initially diagnosed in 12/60 patients and developed in six patients during follow‐up. HDV RNA PCR was performed in 57/67 patients and 27 had detectable levels (group 1). Cumulative incidence of cirrhosis at 7 years was 13.8% (95% CI 0–30) in group 1 and 0 (95% CI 0–0) in group 2 (p = 0.026).ConclusionA systematic screening for HDV in chronic HB Ag carriers revealed a high prevalence of HDV Ab. Repeated serological screening enables the diagnosis of superinfections in asymptomatic patients. Regular assessment of fibrosis using elastometry leads to the identification of incidental cirrhosis in patients with detectable HDV RNA.
Evaluation of the immune response of layer chickens to Newcastle disease virus vaccines using the new vaccination regimens
Authors: Geletu Abel Sorsa , Robi Dereje Tulu 
Published: March 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe study aimed to evaluate the immunological response of layer chickens to live Newcastle disease virus vaccine using a newly developed vaccine schedule administered via the ocular route, as well as assess the persistence of passive antibodies in layer chickens and the effectiveness of protection against strains of the virus.MethodsA total of 140‐day‐old Lohmann Brown chicks were randomly divided into seven groups, 20 chicks each. Groups 1–3 received a single eye instillation of the vaccine at ages 5, 26 and 54 days, respectively, whereas groups 4–6 received a double eye instillation. Group 7 served as non‐vaccinated control group. Ten days after immunization, samples were taken from hens that had received the vaccine at ages 15, 36 and 64, as well as from control chickens that had not received the vaccine at ages 5, 15, 21 and 31.ResultsA total of 10 serum samples from all chickens exhibited protective antibodies, and booster doses resulted in the highest haemagglutination inhibition titre. No significant change in antibody production was observed among layer hens (p > 0.05). The study found that the La Sota (GMT ± SD: 6.71 ± 4.96), La Sota (GMT ± SD: 8.00 ± 0.00) and thermostable I2 (GMT ± SD: 7.60 ± 6.02), vaccination schedules provided the maximum immune response in single eye instillation, whereas the HB1 (GMT ± SD: 7.11 ± 4.77), La Sota (GMT ± SD: 7.83 ± 5.76) and La Sota (GMT ± SD: 7.60 ± 6.02), combination was the second‐best vaccination schedule in double eye instillation. Furthermore, maternally‐derived antibodies were maintained up to 31 days of age, indicating the level of passive immunity prior to vaccination. Characteristic lesions, such as edematous and diphtheria mucosal membranes of the trachea, along with petechial and necrotic haemorrhages of the proventriculus, were observed during the necropsy of the birds that died from the challenged virus.ConclusionThis study suggests that subsequent live virus vaccine by ocular route immunization is required to effectively protect against velogenic viscerotropic Newcastle disease infection. The results also highlight the importance of developing effective vaccination schedules and routes to enhance immunity against ND in layer chickens.
Addressing privacy concerns with wearable health monitoring technology
Authors: Sivakumar C. L. V. , Mone Varda , Abdumukhtor Rakhmanov 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe growing popularity of wearable health devices like fitness trackers and smartwatches enables continuous personal health monitoring but also raises significant privacy concerns due to the real‐time collection of sensitive data. Many users are unaware of vulnerabilities that could lead to unauthorized access or discrimination if health information is revealed without consent. However, even informed users may willingly share data despite understanding privacy risks. The recent implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in the EU and states taking initiatives to regulate privacy shows growing regulatory efforts to address these threats. This paper evaluates the key privacy threats posed specifically by consumer wearable devices. It provides a focused analysis of how health data could be exploited or shared without users' knowledge and the security flaws that enable such risks. Potential solutions including improving protections, empowering user control, enhancing transparency, and strengthening regulations are examined. However, it is argued that effective change requires balancing privacy risks with health benefits while also considering human decision‐making behaviors. The paper concludes by proposing a multifaceted approach to enable informed choices about wearable health data.This article is categorized under:
Application Areas > Health Care
Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Fairness in Data Mining
Commercial, Legal, and Ethical Issues > Legal Issues
Causal relationship of obesity and adiposity distribution on risk of ventral hernia
Authors: Shi Hekai , Wu Qian , Guo Nuojin , Liu Ligang , Widjaja Jason , Yang Jianjun , Gu Yan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractPurposeVentral hernia (VH) is a common surgical disease. Previous studies suggested that obesity is an important risk factor for VH. However, the causal relationship between fat distribution and the risk of VH is still unclear. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to evaluate their causal relationship.MethodsWe used the body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, and body fat mass to represent general obesity and utilized the volume of abdominal subcutaneous adiposity tissue, visceral adiposity tissue, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist‐to‐hip ratio to represent abdominal adiposity. The data were extracted from the large‐scale genome‐wide association study of European ancestry. We used two‐sample MR to infer causality, using multivariate MR to correct the effects of confounding factors.ResultsIncreased BMI, body fat percentage, body fat mass, visceral adiposity tissue, waist circumference, and hip circumference rather than subcutaneous adiposity tissue or waist‐to‐hip ratio, were causally associated with a higher risk of VH. The results of multivariate MR suggested that body fat percentage was causally associated with a higher risk of VH after adjusting for body mass index, diabetes, and smoking.ConclusionGeneral obesity, increased visceral adiposity tissue, waist circumference, and hip circumference rather than subcutaneous adiposity tissue or the waist‐to‐hip ratio were causally associated with a higher risk of VH. These findings provided a deeper understanding of the role that the distribution of adiposity plays in the mechanism of VH.
Fibre-Like Cylinders, Their Packings and Coverings in $$\widetilde{\textbf{S}\textbf{L}_2\textbf{R}}$$ Space
Authors: Szirmai Jenő 
Published: March 2024

AbstractIn this paper we define the notion of infinite or bounded fibre-like geodesic cylinder in $$\widetilde{\textbf{S}\textbf{L}_2\textbf{R}}$$

S

L
2

R

~

space, develop a method to determine its volume and total surface area. We prove that the common part of the above congruent fibre-like cylinders with the base plane are Euclidean circles and determine their radii. Using the former classified infinite or bounded congruent regular prism tilings with generating groups $$\mathbf {pq2_1}$$

pq

2
1

we introduce the notions of cylinder packings, coverings and their densities. Moreover, we determine the densest packing, the thinnest covering cylinder arrangements in $$\widetilde{\textbf{S}\textbf{L}_2\textbf{R}}$$

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L
2

R

~

space, their densities, their connections with the extremal hyperbolic circle arrangements and with the extremal fibre-like cylinder arrangements in $$\textbf{H}^3$$

H
3

and $$\textbf{H}^2\!\times \!\textbf{R}$$

H
2

×

R

spaces. We prove that in these three previous Thurston geometries, the densities of the optimal fiber-like cylinder packings are equal and the same is true for optimal coverings. In our work we use the projective model of $$\widetilde{\textbf{S}\textbf{L}_2\textbf{R}}$$

S

L
2

R

~

introduced by Molnár (Beitr Algebra Geom 38(2):261–288, 1997).
Cost management and working capital management: ebony and ivory in perfect harmony?
Authors: Berg Terje , Gustafsson Emil , Wahlstrøm Ranik Raaen 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThe﻿ aim of this paper is to empirically investigate the potential association between a firm’s cost behavior, characterized as cost stickiness or anti-stickiness, and working capital management (WCM), as measured by the working capital to total assets ratio and the trade cycle measures net trade cycle and cash conversion cycle. We measure cost stickiness using four widely accepted models and a sample of non-financial firms sourced from Compustat. Our findings highlight the significant influence of WCM on cost behavior. Specifically, we observe an inverse relationship between a firm’s WCM aggressiveness and both its cost stickiness and degree of cost adjustment. These relationships are consistent for both operating costs and the costs of goods sold.
The role of enterprise risk management in enabling organisational resilience: a case study of the Swedish mining industry
Authors: Monazzam Aynaz , Crawford Jason 
Published: March 2024

AbstractThis study empirically examines the role of enterprise risk management (ERM) in developing and maintaining resilience resources and capabilities that are necessary for an organisation’s strategic transformation towards sustainability. Data was collected through 25 semi-structured interviews, one non-participant observation, and secondary sources in the context of a Swedish mining company undergoing a high-risk strategic transformation towards full decarbonisation. Following thetemporal bracketingapproach (Langley in Academy of Management Review 24:691–70, 1999) and employingthematic analysis(Gioia in Organizational Research Methods 16:15–31), the data was structured and analysed according to three phases from 2012 to 2023. The findings show: first, different ERM practices, such as risk governance frameworks, risk culture, risk artefacts, and risk awareness, influence resilience resources and capabilities. Second, the evolution of risk management practices from traditional risk management to ERM is an ongoing developmental process to ensure that risk management continues to be aligned with the company’s strategy. Third, in tandem with strategic changes, resilience in terms of resources and capabilities emerges over time and develops through a series of events, gradually enhancing the company’s ability to manage risks and uncertainties associated with multidimensional sustainability challenges. These results contribute to the ERM literature that follows the dynamic capability approach and also focuses on the relationship between ERM and strategy by adding more detailed empirical evidence from the risk management literature in relation to resilience resources and capabilities. Additionally, the results contribute to the resilience literature that follows a developmental perspective.
Stimulus mediation, specificity and impact of menthol in rats trained to discriminate puffs of nicotine e-cigarette aerosol from nicotine-free aerosol
Authors: Alkhlaif Yasmin , Shelton Keith L. 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
Rationale
It is unclear if e-cigarettes have reduced abuse liability relative to traditional cigarettes, especially when considering advanced devices which deliver nicotine more efficiently. Translatable and predictive animal models are needed to addresses this question.

Objectives
Our goal was to explore the subjective stimulus effects of e-cigarettes by training rats to discriminate puffs of nicotine aerosol from vehicle aerosol using an aerosol delivery system designed to model e-cigarette use patterns in humans.

Methods
Rats were trained to discriminate between ten, 10 s puffs of aerosol generated from 3 mg/ml nicotine e-liquid and nicotine-free e-liquid using a food-reinforced operant procedure. Following acquisition, tests were conducted to determine the specificity of the nicotine aerosol stimulus as well as the impact to the stimulus effects of nicotine resulting from the addition of menthol to e-liquid.

Results
Rats learned the nicotine aerosol puff vs vehicle puff discrimination in a mean of 25 training sessions. Injected nicotine fully substituted for the stimulus effects of nicotine aerosol. The stimulus effects of nicotine aerosol were blocked by the nicotinic receptor antagonist mecamylamine. The nicotinic receptor partial agonist, varenicline as well as the stimulant d-amphetamine substituted more robustly for nicotine aerosol puffs than did the NMDA antagonist, ketamine. Menthol enhanced the stimulus effects of nicotine aerosol without altering nicotine blood plasma levels.

Conclusions
Nicotine aerosol puffs can function as a training stimulus in rats. The stimulus effects were CNS-mediated and receptor specific. Menthol appears to enhance the stimulus effects of nicotine aerosol through a pharmacodynamic rather than pharmacokinetic mechanism.
Inorganic arsenic in seaweed: a fast HPLC-ICP-MS method without coelution of arsenosugars
Authors: Sim Rebecca , Weyer Marta , Pétursdóttir Ásta H. 
Published: March 2024

AbstractSeaweed is becoming increasingly popular in the Western diet as consumers opt for more sustainable food sources. However, seaweed is known to accumulate high levels of arsenic—which may be in the form of carcinogenic inorganic arsenic (iAs). Here we propose a fast method for the routine measurement of iAs in seaweed using HPLC-ICP-MS without coelution of arsenosugars that may complicate quantification. The developed method was optimised using design of experiments (DOE) and tested on a range of reference materials including TORT-3 (0.36 ± 0.03 mg kg−1), DORM-5 (0.02 ± 0.003 mg kg−1), and DOLT-5 (0.07 ± 0.007 mg kg−1). The use of nitric acid in the extraction solution allowed for the successful removal of interferences from arsenosugars by causing degradation to an unretained arsenosugar species, and a recovery of 99 ± 9% was obtained for iAs in Hijiki 7405-b when compared with the certified value. The method was found to be suitable for high-throughput analysis of iAs in a range of food and feed matrices including Asparagopsis taxiformis seaweed, grass silage, and insect proteins, and offers a cost-effective, fast, and robust option for routine analysis that requires minimal sample preparation. The method may be limited with regards to the quantification of dimethylarsenate (DMA) in seaweed, as the acidic extraction may lead to overestimation of this analyte by causing degradation of lipid species that are typically more abundant in seaweed than other marine matrices (i.e. arsenophospholipids). However, the concentrations of DMA quantified using this method may provide a better estimation with regard to exposure after ingestion and subsequent digestion of seaweed.
Polyhydroxyalkanoate involvement in stress-survival of two psychrophilic bacterial strains from the High Arctic
Authors: Grzesiak Jakub , Rogala Małgorzata Marta , Gawor Jan , Kouřilová Xenie , Obruča Stanislav 
Published: March 2024

Abstract
An ever-growing body of literature evidences the protective role of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) against a plethora of mostly physical stressors in prokaryotic cells. To date, most of the research done involved bacterial strains isolated from habitats not considered to be life-challenging or extremely impacted by abiotic environmental factors. Polar region microorganisms experience a multitude of damaging factors in combinations rarely seen in other of Earth’s environments. Therefore, the main objective of this investigation was to examine the role of PHAs in the adaptation of psychrophilic, Arctic-derived bacteria to stress conditions. Arctic PHA producers: Acidovorax sp. A1169 and Collimonas sp. A2191, were chosen and their genes involved in PHB metabolism were deactivated making them unable to accumulate PHAs (ΔphaC) or to utilize them (Δi-phaZ) as a carbon source. Varying stressors were applied to the wild-type and the prepared mutant strains and their survival rates were assessed based on CFU count. Wild-type strains with a functional PHA metabolism were best suited to survive the freeze–thaw cycle — a common feature of polar region habitats. However, the majority of stresses were best survived by the ΔphaC mutants, suggesting that the biochemical imbalance caused by the lack of PHAs induced a permanent cell-wide stress response thus causing them to better withstand the stressor application. Δi-phaZ mutants were superior in surviving UV irradiation, hinting that PHA granule presence in bacterial cells is beneficial despite it being biologically inaccessible. Obtained data suggests that the ability to metabolize PHA although important for survival, probably is not the most crucial mechanism in the stress-resistance strategies arsenal of cold-loving bacteria.

Key points
• PHA metabolism helps psychrophiles survive freezing
• PHA-lacking psychrophile mutants cope better with oxidative and heat stresses
• PHA granule presence enhances the UV resistance of psychrophiles
Wildlife Conservation on Private Land: A Social-Ecological Systems Study
Authors: Taylor Matthew , Brook Barry , Johnson Christopher , de Little Siobhan 
Published: March 2024

AbstractAs human activity accelerates the global crisis facing wildlife populations, private land conservation provides an example of wildlife management challenges in social-ecological systems. This study reports on the research phase of ‘WildTracker’ - a co-created citizen science project, involving 160 landholders across three Tasmanian regions. This was a transdisciplinary collaboration between an environmental organisation, university researchers, and local landholders. Focusing on mammal and bird species, the project integrated diverse data types and technologies: social surveys, quantitative ecology, motion sensor cameras, acoustic recorders, and advanced machine-learning analytics. An iterative analytical methodology encompassed Pearson and point-biserial correlation for interrelationships, Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) for clustering, and Random Forest machine learning for variable importance and prediction. Taken together, these analyses revealed complex relationships between wildlife populations and a suite of ecological, socio-economic, and land management variables. Both site-scale habitat characteristics and landscape-scale vegetation patterns were useful predictors of mammal and bird activity, but these relationships were different for mammals and birds. Four focal mammal species showed variation in their response to ecological and land management drivers. Unexpectedly, threatened species, such as the eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus), favoured locations where habitat was substantially modified by human activities. The research provides actionable insights for landowners, and highlights the importance of ‘messy,’ ecologically heterogeneous, mixed agricultural landscapes for wildlife conservation. The identification of thresholds in habitat fragmentation reinforced the importance of collaboration across private landscapes. Participatory research models such as WildTracker can complement efforts to address the wicked problem of wildlife conservation in the Anthropocene.