bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Too little or too much? The curvilinear relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure and investment efficiency in BRICS economies
Authors: Gupta Jyotirani , Das Niladri 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis research article investigates the complex relationship between corporate social responsibility disclosure (CSRD) and investment efficiency in the BRICS economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). Through the lens of signaling theory, the study examines how CSRD serves as a signal to stakeholders and influences firms' investment decisions. A comprehensive dataset spanning 9240 firm‐year observations from 2011 to 2021 is analyzed to derive insights. The study reveals a multifaceted association between CSRD and investment efficiency. Initially, CSRD is found to increase signal costs, resulting in higher investment inefficiency. However, this effect is observed only up to a certain threshold. Beyond this point, CSRD starts reducing investment inefficiency, primarily due to improved signal benefits and perceived value. Additionally, the study introduces CSR assurance as a crucial moderator that influences the complex interplay between CSRD and investment efficiency. In summary, this research offers valuable insights into the strategic role of CSRD in BRICS economies, highlighting the significance of signal dynamics and the moderating impact of CSR assurance. Such insights can guide businesses and policymakers in these economies as they navigate the intricate landscape of CSR disclosure and its implications for efficient resource allocation.
Parthenogenomics: Insights on mutation rates and nucleotide diversity in parthenogenetic Panagrolaimus nematodes
Authors: Villegas Laura I. , Ferretti Luca , Wiehe Thomas , Waldvogel Ann‐Marie , Schiffer Philipp H. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAsexual reproduction is assumed to lead to the accumulation of deleterious mutations, and reduced heterozygosity due to the absence of recombination. Panagrolaimid nematode species display different modes of reproduction. Sexual reproduction with distinct males and females, asexual reproduction through parthenogenesis in the genus Panagrolaimus, and hermaphroditism in Propanagrolaimus. Here, we compared genomic features of free‐living nematodes in populations and species isolated from geographically distant regions to study diversity, and genome‐wide differentiation under different modes of reproduction. We firstly estimated genome‐wide spontaneous mutation rates in a triploid parthenogenetic Panagrolaimus, and a diploid hermaphroditic Propanagrolaimus via long‐term mutation accumulation lines. Secondly, we calculated population genetic parameters including nucleotide diversity, and fixation index (FST) between populations of asexually and sexually reproducing nematodes. Thirdly, we used phylogenetic network methods on sexually and asexually reproducing Panagrolaimus populations to understand evolutionary relationships between them. The estimated mutation rate was slightly lower for the asexual population, as expected for taxa with this reproductive mode. Natural polyploid asexual populations revealed higher nucleotide diversity. Despite their common ancestor, a gene network revealed a high level of genetic differentiation among asexual populations. The elevated heterozygosity found in the triploid parthenogens could be explained by the third genome copy. Given their tendentially lower mutation rates it can be hypothesized that this is part of the mechanism to evade Muller's ratchet. Our findings in parthenogenetic triploid nematode populations seem to challenge common expectations of evolution under asexuality.
How does parasite environmental transmission stage concentration change before, during, and after disease outbreaks?
Authors: Davenport Elizabeth S. , Dziuba Marcin K. , Jacobson Logan E. , Calhoun Siobhan K. , Monell Kira J. , Duffy Meghan A. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractOutbreaks of environmentally transmitted parasites require that susceptible hosts encounter transmission stages in the environment and become infected, but we also know that transmission stages can be in the environment without triggering disease outbreaks. One challenge in understanding the relationship between environmental transmission stages and disease outbreaks is that the distribution and abundance of transmission stages outside of their hosts have been difficult to quantify. Thus, we have limited data about how changes in transmission stage abundance influence disease dynamics; moreover, we do not know whether the relationship between transmission stages and outbreaks differs among parasite species. We used digital PCR to quantify the environmental transmission stages of five parasites in six lakes in southeastern Michigan every 2 weeks from June to November 2021. At the same time, we quantified infection prevalence in hosts and host density. Our study focused on eight zooplankton host species (Daphnia spp. and Ceriodaphnia dubia) and five of their parasites from diverse taxonomic groups (bacteria, yeast, microsporidia, and oomycete) with different infection mechanisms. We found that parasite transmission stage concentration increased prior to disease outbreaks for all parasites. However, parasites differed significantly in the relative timing of peaks in transmission stage concentration and infection outbreaks. The “continuous shedder” parasites had transmission stage peaks at the same time as or slightly after the outbreak peaks. In contrast, parasites relying on host death for transmission (“obligate killers”) had transmission stage peaks before outbreak peaks. For most parasites, lakes with outbreaks had higher spore concentrations than those without outbreaks, especially once an outbreak began; the exception was for a parasite, Pasteuria ramosa, with very strong genotypic specificity of infection. Overall, our results show that disease outbreaks are tightly linked to transmission stage concentration; outbreaks were preceded by increases in transmission stage concentration in the environment and then were fueled by the production of more transmission stages during the outbreak itself, with concentrations decreasing to pre‐outbreak levels as outbreaks waned. Thus, tracking transmission stages in the environment improves our understanding of the drivers of disease outbreaks and reveals how parasite traits may affect these dynamics.
Dietary therapy of the herbal porridge improves the symptoms of functional dyspepsia: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, clinical trial
Authors: Wang Xin , Liu Meng‐Ao , He Jia , Zhao Wen‐Zhi , Wang Yi‐Xuan , Yang Liu‐Qing , Wang Tian‐Yuan , Shi Han‐Ping , Rao Ben‐Qiang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study (ISRCTN17174559) aimed to explore the efficacy and safety of a kind of herbal porridge (Hou Gu Mi Xi) on the clinical symptoms of functional dyspepsia (FD). This was a single‐center, single‐dose, prospective, double‐blind, randomized controlled trial involving 64 participants with FD (35 cases and 29 controls) for 2 months of intervention and 1 month of follow‐up. The 7‐point Global Overall Symptom Scale (GOSS), 36‐Item Short Form Survey (SF‐36), and other indicators were assessed at baseline (day 0), at days 15, 30, and 60 of treatment, and at follow‐up 1 month after the end of the intervention. Many participants with FD achieved remission of their epigastric symptoms at follow‐up on the 90th day after treatment with herbal porridge compared to the placebo group (45.71% vs. 20.69%, p = .036). Furthermore, herbal porridge appeared to be effective in improving the quality of life of participants with FD, which was reflected in the rising SF‐36 scores for physical role, bodily pain, emotional role, and mental health. Although adverse events were reported, there was no overall difference in the number of adverse events between the two groups (p = .578). Herbal porridge is another effective and safe method for improving the symptoms and quality of life in patients with FD.
Impaired perceptual discrimination of complex objects in older adults at risk for dementia
Authors: Jiang Lydia , Robin Jessica , Shing Nathanael , Mazloum‐Farzaghi Negar , Ladyka‐Wojcik Natalia , Balakumar Niroja , Anderson Nicole D. , Ryan Jennifer D. , Barense Morgan D. , Olsen Rosanna K. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTau pathology accumulates in the perirhinal cortex (PRC) of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) during the earliest stages of the Alzheimer's disease (AD), appearing decades before clinical diagnosis. Here, we leveraged perceptual discrimination tasks that target PRC function to detect subtle cognitive impairment even in nominally healthy older adults. Older adults who did not have a clinical diagnosis or subjective memory complaints were categorized into “at‐risk” (score <26; n = 15) and “healthy” (score ≥26; n = 23) groups based on their performance on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. The task included two conditions known to recruit the PRC: faces and complex objects (greebles). A scene condition, known to recruit the hippocampus, and a size control condition that does not rely on the MTL were also included. Individuals in the at‐risk group were less accurate than those in the healthy group for discriminating greebles. Performance on either the face or size control condition did not predict group status above and beyond that of the greeble condition. Visual discrimination tasks that are sensitive to PRC function may detect early cognitive decline associated with AD.
First case of MPox in Pakistan: What can we learn from it?
Authors: Fareed Areeba , Hussain Aariz , Faraz Fatima , Siblini Rima 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsThis research paper discusses Pakistan's healthcare systems' challenges in managing the monkeypox outbreak in Pakistan. Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by the monkeypox virus. The World Health Organization declared it a global public health emergency due to the surge in cases worldwide. Pakistan reported its first verified case in April 2023, necessitating immediate response.BodyThis correspondence emphasizes on early detection, rapid diagnostic testing, and prompt treatment to limit the virus's transmission. Prevention strategies such as vaccination and travel restrictions on suspected cases are crucial for containment. Lessons from controlling the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic can inform strategies for monkeypox.ConclusionThe recent outbreak of monkeypox has presented challenges to healthcare systems. Therefore, a coordinated approach involving healthcare providers, government organizations, and the public is crucial in controlling the monkeypox outbreak. Further research is necessary to understand the virus and develop effective interventions for future outbreaks.
An integrative theory of resource discrepancies
Authors: Cannon Christopher , Goldsmith Kelly , Roux Caroline 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA great deal of work in consumer psychology has been devoted to understanding how individuals manage resource discrepancies. This includes tangible resources – such as money, food, and products – as well as intangible resources – such as time, skills, and social relationships. Resource discrepancies can either be positive – as in the case of having substantial wealth – or negative – as in the case of poverty. Several constructs across the behavioral sciences have been introduced to describe how consumers perceive their various resource discrepancies including, but not limited to, power, social status, scarcity, inequality, and social class. However, little guidance is provided to understand when and why these resource‐based constructs can produce both overlapping and opposing consequences. This conceptual article provides a resolution to this issue by introducing an integrative theory that situates these constructs within the same unifying framework based on two fundamental dimensions: high (vs. low) personal control and self‐ (vs. other‐) dependence. Based on this framework, we offer eight testable propositions and develop a research agenda for academics interested in studying resource discrepancies.
Clinical Value and Reliability of Quantitative Assessments of Lumbosacral Nerve Root Using Diffusion Tensor and Diffusion Weighted MR Imaging: A Systematic Review
Authors: Pesesse Pierre , Vanderthommen Marc , Durieux Nancy , Zubkov Mikhail , Demoulin Christophe 
Published: January 2024

BackgroundLumbosacral radicular pain diagnosis remains challenging. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) have potential to quantitatively evaluate symptomatic nerve root, which may facilitate diagnosis.PurposeTo determine the ability of DTI and DWI metrics, namely fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), to discriminate between healthy and symptomatic lumbosacral nerve roots, to evaluate the association between FA and ADC values and patient symptoms, and to determine FA and ADC reliability.Study TypeSystematic review.SubjectsEight hundred twelve patients with radicular pain with or without radiculopathy caused by musculoskeletal‐related compression or inflammation of a single, unilateral lumbosacral nerve root and 244 healthy controls from 29 studies.Field Strength/SequenceDiffusion weighted echo planar imaging sequence at 1.5 T or 3 T.AssessmentAn extensive systematic review of the literature was conducted in Embase, Scopus, and Medline databases. FA and ADC values in symptomatic and contralateral lumbosacral nerve roots were extracted and summarized, together with intra‐ and inter‐rater agreements. Where available, associations between DWI or DTI parameters and patient symptoms or symptom duration were extracted.Statistical TestsThe main results of the included studies are summarized. No additional statistical analyses were performed.ResultsThe DTI studies systematically found significant differences in FA values between the symptomatic and contralateral lumbosacral nerve root of patients suffering from radicular pain with or without radiculopathy. In contrast, identification of the symptomatic nerve root with ADC values was inconsistent for both DTI and DWI studies. FA values were moderately to strongly correlated with several symptoms (eg, disability, nerve dysfunction, and symptom duration). The inter‐ and intra‐rater reliability of DTI parameters were moderate to excellent. The methodological quality of included studies was very heterogeneous.Data ConclusionThis systematic review showed that DTI was a reliable and discriminative imaging technique for the assessment of symptomatic lumbosacral nerve root, which more consistently identified the symptomatic nerve root than DWI. Further studies of high quality are needed to confirm these results.Evidence LevelN/ATechnical EfficacyStage 2
Generation and characterization of a humanized ACE2 mouse model to study long‐term impacts of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection
Authors: Choi Chang‐Yong , Gadhave Kundlik , Villano Jason , Pekosz Andrew , Mao Xiaobo , Jia Hongpeng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAlthough the COVID‐19 pandemic has officially ended, the persistent challenge of long‐COVID or post‐acute COVID sequelae (PASC) continues to impact societies globally, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing research into its mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. Our team has recently developed a novel humanized ACE2 mouse model (hACE2ki) designed explicitly for long‐COVID/PASC research. This model exhibits human ACE2 expression in tissue and cell‐specific patterns akin to mouse Ace2. When we exposed young adult hACE2ki mice (6 weeks old) to various SARS‐CoV‐2 lineages, including WA, Delta, and Omicron, at a dose of 5 × 105 PFU/mouse via nasal instillation, the mice demonstrated distinctive phenotypes characterized by differences in viral load in the lung, trachea, and nasal turbinate, weight loss, and changes in pro‐inflammatory cytokines and immune cell profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Notably, no mortality was observed in this age group. Further, to assess the model's relevance for long‐COVID studies, we investigated tau protein pathologies, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease, in the brains of these mice post SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Our findings revealed the accumulation and longitudinal propagation of tau, confirming the potential of our hACE2ki mouse model for preclinical studies of long‐COVID.
Durability of humoral and cellular immunity six months after the BNT162b2 bivalent booster
Authors: Favresse Julien , Gillot Constant , Closset Mélanie , Cabo Julien , Wauthier Loris , David Clara , Elsen Marc , Dogné Jean‐Michel , Douxfils Jonathan 
Published: January 2024

AbstractStudies about the duration of the humoral and cellular response following the bivalent booster administration are still scarce. We aimed at assessing the humoral and cellular response in a cohort of healthcare workers that received this booster. Blood samples were collected before the administration of the bivalent booster from Pfizer‐BioNTech and after 14, 28, 90, and 180 days. Neutralizing antibodies against either the D614G strain, the delta variant, the BA.5 variant, or the XBB.1.5 subvariant were measured. The cellular response was assessed by measurement of the release of interferon gamma from T cells in response to an in vitro SARS‐CoV‐2 stimulation. A substantial waning of neutralizing antibodies was observed after 6 months (23.1‐fold decrease), especially considering the XBB.1.5 subvariant. The estimated T1/2 of neutralizing antibodies was 16.1 days (95% CI = 10.2–38.4 days). Although most participants still present a robust cellular response after 6 months (i.e., 95%), a significant decrease was also observed compared to the peak response (0.95 vs. 0.41 UI/L, p = 0.0083). A significant waning of the humoral and cellular response was observed after 6 months. These data can also help competent national authorities in their recommendation regarding the administration of an additional booster.
Uncertainties of the South China Sea summer monsoon and its relationship with sea surface temperature from different reanalysis datasets
Authors: Zhao Yuxuan , Tuo Ya , Yang Zihan , Wu Zhiwei , Gong Zhiqiang , Feng Guolin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) onset and withdrawal have critical impacts on the climate of East Asia. However, using different reanalysis data may lead to the uncertainty of the SCSSM. This study uses reanalysis datasets including JRA‐55, ERA5, NCEP‐NCAR NCEP‐1 and NCEP‐DOE NCEP‐2 to calculate onset and withdrawal dates and index of SCSSM from 1991 to 2020, analyses the uncertainty and figures out the possible reasons. Results reveal that the four reanalysis datasets have obvious uncertainty in calculating the withdrawal date of SCSSM, with the deviation being up to 3.4 pentads. Further analysis shows that large differences in thermal conditions and lead to the uncertainties. From the perspective of precipitation, Greater uncertainty exists in the relationship between monsoon retreat and September–October precipitation, NCEP1 and NCEP2 datasets show weak correlation in southern China and Indonesia. Moreover, the uncertainty can be also found in the correlations of SCSSM with global sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. JRA‐55 and ERA5 show a strong correlation of with SST in several areas, and exhibit a distinct Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) mode with monsoon onset, while NCEP‐1 and NCEP‐2 have a weaker correlation with SST anomalies than JRA‐55 or ERA5. Comparing multiple factors comprehensively, this paper concludes that JRA‐55 may be more representative in the monsoon study, followed by ERA data. In short, depending on the specific research questions, researchers can choose appropriate data sources to study the SCSSM based on the different aspects and the uncertainty also deserve our special attention when selecting the reanalysis datasets.
Unveiling climate change‐induced temperature‐based hotspots across India through multimodel future analysis from CMIP6
Authors: Sarkar Subharthi , Maity Rajib 
Published: January 2024

AbstractGlobal warming and associated climate change impacts have posed major threats to this 21st century's world, especially for developing countries like India, given various socio‐economic factors. Considering the extensive spatial diversity of this warming‐induced climate changes, suitable region‐specific strategies must be adopted to combat its potential implications. Therefore, it becomes crucial to identify the places most exposed to this changing scenario. This study attempts to shed some light towards this by identifying futuristic “temperature‐based hotspots” across India through a comprehensive multimodel multiscenario analysis at various spatiotemporal scales. A new and more informative index named “Temperature‐based Hotspot Index (THIn)” is proposed for this purpose, which encapsulates various attributes of changing temperature, including its mean, variability and extremes (magnitude, frequency and severity) into a single metric. Bias‐corrected future‐projected temperature data from 14 state‐of‐the‐art general circulation models (GCMs) have been considered for the analysis, which are participating in the coupled model intercomparison project version 6 (CMIP6). The overall analysis identifies temperature‐based hotspots to span predominantly in the west, north and northeast parts of the country. On the other hand, the southern and eastern part of India along the eastern coast are found to be comparatively less exposed to temperature changes in future. Overall, we expect the findings of this study to be beneficial to plan and adopt suitable region‐specific management strategies to combat the challenging future in sufficient advance.
Does Metacognition Matter in Creative Problem‐Solving? A Mixed‐Methods Analysis of Writing
Authors: Urban Marek , Urban Kamila 
Published: January 2024

ABSTRACTCreative problem‐solving skills are essential for navigating complex, non‐routine challenges, enabling individuals to create unique goals, execute innovative procedures and generate original outcomes. While the link between metacognitive skills and the creativity of outcomes was established only recently, further exploration is required to understand their interplay in complex problem‐solving. This explanatory sequential mixed‐methods study investigated the role of metacognition in solving two ill‐defined problem‐solving tasks: an experimental Product Improvement Task and an ecologically valid semestral essay. Seventeen undergraduates performed tasks and provided monitoring judgments. Based on the originality of outcomes and accuracy of judgments, three clusters of students were identified: skilled and unaware students underestimating high performance, unskilled and unaware overestimating low performance, and unskilled but aware accurately monitoring low performance. Subsequent in‐depth interviews investigated the essay writing process of each cluster. Skilled students effectively utilized metacognitive knowledge, created a unique problem representation, and gathered and synthesized new information to develop essay drafts that were debugged and evaluated. Unskilled and unaware students exhibited deficits in strategy knowledge and had poor metacognitive skills. Unskilled but aware students exhibited low self‐efficacy and motivation to perform. These findings emphasize the need for targeted metacognitive and motivational interventions for different clusters of students.