bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Does committees' gender diversity affect firms' environmental and social performance?
Authors: Boukattaya Sonia , Ftiti Zied , Jeriji Maher , Louhichi Waël 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThis study examines the relationship between gender diversity and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance of companies using a sample of 810 French firms from 2011 to 2019. We focus on specific dimensions of CSR. Specifically, we examine the presence of women on different board committees, which, unlike the board of directors, are not subject to regulations regarding the minimum representation of women. Overall, our results show that the presence of women on board committees positively impacts CSR performance, except for the environmental innovation subdimension. This finding implies that women on board committees could bring new insights to specific areas of CSR engagement. The negative impact on environmental innovation can be explained by the risk avoidance behavior of women in financial decision‐making. As green innovations are very risky investments requiring significant financial resources and take longer to deliver a return on investment, women board members are more unwilling to invest in them than their male counterparts. Our results provide evidence that women's representation on audit, nomination, and compensation committees more prominently impact CSR performance than their representation in CSR committees.
Curcumin inhibits propofol‐induced autophagy of MN9D cells via Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway
Authors: He Hongxia , Han Yuping , Wan Qiuyan , Yue Yao , Li Shurong , Su Bingyin , Li Jun 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe rapid rise in propofol dependency and abuse has highlighted limited resources for addressing substance abuse‐related cognitive impairment, prompting the development of novel therapies. Dysregulated autophagy flow accelerates neuronal cell death, and interventions countering this dysregulation offer an appealing strategy for neuronal protection. Curcumin, a potent natural polyphenol derived from turmeric rhizomes, is renowned for its robust antineurotoxic properties and enhanced cognitive function. Utilizing CCK‐8 and Ki67 fluorescent staining, our study revealed that curcumin treatment increased cell viability and proliferative potential in MN9D cells exposed to propofol‐induced neurotoxicity. Furthermore, enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay and western blot analysis demonstrated the partial restoration of dopamine synthesis, secretion levels, and TH expression in damaged MN9D cells treated with curcumin. Scanning electrode microscope images displayed reduced autolysosomes and phagosomes in curcumin‐treated cells compared to the propofol group. Immunoblotting revealed that curcumin mitigated the degradation of LC3I to LC3II and p62 induced by propofol stimulation, with green fluorescence expression of LC3 postcurcumin treatment resembling that following autophagy inhibitor HCQ treatment, indicating that modulating autophagy flow can alleviate propofol's toxic effects. Moreover, curcumin treatment upregulated the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway, suggesting that curcumin potentially curtails autophagy dysregulation in nerve cells by activating Akt/mTOR/p70S6K. In conclusion, our findings suggest that curcumin can ameliorate propofol abuse‐induced neurotoxicity, partially through autophagy regulation and Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling activation.
Effect of steam explosion treatment on structural and physicochemical properties, and potential application of soluble dietary fiber from grain and oil processing by‐products: A review
Authors: Tian Xin‐Yi , Liu Jian‐Fu , Wu Na‐Na , Tan Bin 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackground and ObjectivesGrain and oil processing by‐products contain dietary fiber with high quality, but most of them have not been utilized due to their high content of insoluble dietary fiber and coarse texture, which are detrimental to the quality improvement of cereal food.FindingsSteam explosion treatment can transfer dietary fiber from insoluble to water‐soluble resulting in a high content of water‐soluble dietary fiber. The content of soluble dietary fiber in cereal processing by‐products with steam explosion treatment is increased from 27.48% to 171% via optimal conditions of steam explosion treatment. The structure of dietary fiber from cereal processing by‐products is disrupted to a honeycomb porous shape, therefore, the physicochemical properties of dietary fiber are improved, such as hydration capacity, oil, cholesterol, and bile salts binding capacity, hypoglycemic capacity, and antioxidant activity.ConclusionsSteam explosion treatment is a rapidly developing and extremely promising pretreatment technology for physicochemical properties enhancement of dietary fiber from grain and oil processing by‐products.Significance and NoveltyThis review can provide some useful references for the properties improvement of soluble dietary fiber in grain and oil processing by‐products by steam explosion pretreatment. It may facilitate the application of soluble dietary fiber in the food industry.
Tuning the Topology of Two‐Dimensional Covalent Organic Frameworks through Site‐Selective Synthetic Strategy
Authors: Wu Xueying , Tang Xihao , Zhang Kai , Harrod Chelsea , Li Rui , Wu Jialin , Yang Xi , Zheng Shengrun , Fan Jun , Zhang Weiguang , Li Xinle , Cai Songliang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractTuning the topology of two‐dimensional (2D) covalent organic frameworks (COFs) is of paramount scientific interest but remains largely unexplored. Herein, we present a site‐selective synthetic strategy that enables the tuning of 2D COF topology by simply adjusting the molar ratio of an amine‐functionalized dihydrazide monomer (NH2−Ah) and 4,4′,4′′‐(1,3,5‐triazine‐2,4,6‐triyl)tribenzaldehyde (Tz). This approach resulted in the formation of two distinct COFs: a clover‐like 2D COF with free amine groups (NH2−Ah−Tz) and a honeycomb‐like COF without amine groups (Ah−Tz). Both COFs exhibited good crystallinity and moderate porosity. Remarkably, the clover‐shaped NH2−Ah−Tz COF, with abundant free amine groups, displayed significantly enhanced adsorption capacities toward crystal violet (CV, 261 mg/g) and congo red (CR, 1560 mg/g) compared to the non‐functionalized honeycomb‐like Ah−Tz COF (123 mg/g for CV and 1340 mg/g for CR), underscoring the pivotal role of free amine functional groups in enhancing adsorption capacities for organic dyes. This work highlights that the site‐selective synthetic strategy paves a new avenue for manipulating 2D COF topology by adjusting the monomer feeding ratio, thereby modulating their adsorption performances toward organic dyes.
Gold‐Promoted Biocompatible Selenium Arylation of Small Molecules, Peptides and Proteins
Authors: Nakahata Douglas H. , Kanavos Ioannis , Zubiria‐Ulacia Maria , Inague Alex , Salassa Luca , Lobinski Ryszard , Miyamoto Sayuri , Matxain Jon Mattin , Ronga Luisa , de Paiva Raphael E. F. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA low pKa (5.2), high polarizable volume (3.8 Å), and proneness to oxidation under ambient conditions make selenocysteine (Sec, U) a unique, natural reactive handle present in most organisms across all domains of life. Sec modification still has untapped potential for site‐selective protein modification and probing. Herein we demonstrate the use of a cyclometalated gold(III) compound, [Au(bnpy)Cl2], in the arylation of diselenides of biological significance, with a scope covering small molecule models, peptides, and proteins using a combination of multinuclear NMR (including 77Se NMR), and LC–MS. Diphenyl diselenide (Ph−Se)2 and selenocystine, (Sec)2, were used for reaction optimization. This approach allowed us to demonstrate that an excess of diselenide (Au/Se−Se) and an increasing water percentage in the reaction media enhance both the conversion and kinetics of the C−Se coupling reaction, a combination that makes the reaction biocompatible. The C−Se coupling reaction was also shown to happen for the diselenide analogue of the cyclic peptide vasopressin ((Se−Se)‐AVP), and the Bos taurus glutathione peroxidase (GPx1) enzyme in ammonium acetate (2 mM, pH=7.0). The reaction mechanism, studied by DFT revealed a redox‐based mechanism where the C−Se coupling is enabled by the reductive elimination of the cyclometalated Au(III) species into Au(I).
Regenerativ erzeugter Wasserstoff – Perspektiven in chemischen Wertschöpfungsketten
Authors: Niquini Gabriela Rodrigues , Münzer Pia , Ebrahim-Moghaddam Mahsa , Warmuth Lucas , Herrera Delgado Karla , Pitter Stephan , Dahmen Nicolaus , Sauer Jörg 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWasserstoff wird zurzeit überwiegend aus Erdgas, Erdöl und Kohle hergestellt. Aktuell wird in der Forschung und der anwendungsnahen Entwicklung intensiv an neuen Verfahren für die Erzeugung und den Transport von regenerativ erzeugtem Wasserstoff gearbeitet. Für die chemische Industrie werden zudem neue Kohlenstoffquellen gesucht, wodurch sich die Wertschöpfungsketten auf dem Weg zur angestrebten Klimaneutralität drastisch verändern. Die vorliegende Arbeit zeigt, dass der Wasserstoffbedarf nur in den frühen Wertschöpfungsstufen erheblich zunehmen wird. Bei der Veredelung von Zwischenprodukten wird sich Bedarf nicht deutlich ändern, wenn davon ausgegangen wird, dass die heutigen Zwischenprodukte der industriellen organischen Industrie weitestgehend beibehalten werden. Für eine erfolgreiche Transformation der deutschen chemischen Industrie wäre es demnach von besonderer Bedeutung, eine optimale Balance zwischen dem Import regenerativ erzeugter Zwischenprodukte und der Bereitstellung von regenerativem Wasserstoff für die Veredelungsstufen zu den Endprodukten zu finden.
BRAF/MEK inhibitor rechallenge in advanced melanoma patients
Authors: Van Not Olivier J. , van den Eertwegh Alfons J. M. , Haanen John B. , van Rijn Rozemarijn S. , Aarts Maureen J. B. , van den Berkmortel Franchette W. P. J. , Blank Christian U. , Boers‐Sonderen Marye J. , de Groot Jan Willem W. B. , Hospers Geke A. P. , Kapiteijn Ellen , Bloem Manja , Piersma Djura , Stevense‐den Boer Marion , Verheijden Rik J. , van der Veldt Astrid A. M. , Wouters Michel W. J. M. , Blokx Willeke A. M. , Suijkerbuijk Karijn P. M. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundEffectivity of BRAF(/MEK) inhibitor rechallenge has been described in prior studies. However, structured data are largely lacking.MethodsData from all advanced melanoma patients treated with BRAFi(/MEKi) rechallenge were retrieved from the Dutch Melanoma Treatment Registry. The authors analyzed objective response rate (ORR), progression‐free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) for both first treatment and rechallenge. They performed a multivariable logistic regression and a multivariable Cox proportional hazards model to assess factors associated with response and survival.ResultsThe authors included 468 patients in the largest cohort to date who underwent at least two treatment episodes of BRAFi(/MEKi). Following rechallenge, ORR was 43%, median PFS was 4.6 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 4.1–5.2), and median OS was 8.2 months (95% CI, 7.2–9.4). Median PFS after rechallenge for patients who discontinued first BRAFi(/MEKi) treatment due to progression was 3.1 months (95% CI, 2.7–4.0) versus 5.2 months (95% CI, 4.5–5.9) for patients who discontinued treatment for other reasons. Discontinuing first treatment due to progression and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels greater than two times the upper limit of normal were associated with lower odds of response and worse PFS and OS. Symptomatic brain metastases were associated with worse survival, whereas a longer treatment interval between first treatment and rechallenge was associated with better survival. Responding to the first BRAFi(/MEKi) treatment was not associated with response or survival.ConclusionsThis study confirms that patients benefit from rechallenge. Elevated LDH levels, symptomatic brain metastases, and discontinuing first BRAFi(/MEKi) treatment due to progression are associated with less benefit from rechallenge. A prolonged treatment interval is associated with more benefit from rechallenge.
Analysis of Influencing Factors on Silicon Epitaxial Growth in Horizontal Single‐Wafer Reactor through Orthogonal Test
Authors: Li Chaozhong , Li Chengshuai , Jiang Hang , Chen Hao , Fang Haisheng 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSilicon epitaxy is a crucial process used in semiconductor manufacturing to deposit high‐quality films of silicon. This technique is widely used in the production of integrated circuits, as it enables the fabrication of intricate electronic structures with enhanced performance characteristics. This study conducts numerical simulations on a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor to explore the impact of process parameters on the growth rate and non‐uniformity of silicon. The investigation encompasses both the gas and surface reactions of the trichlorosilane‐hydrogen (TCS‐H2) system. The distributions of gas flow velocity, temperature, and main components are systematically studied by varying the process parameters, including susceptor temperature, inlet gas velocity, susceptor rotating speed, inlet gas temperature, upper wall temperature, and TCS mole fraction. Furthermore, the orthogonal test method is introduced to assess the effect of all parameters on the growth non‐uniformity. The results reveal that the inlet gas velocity and susceptor temperature have a significant influence on the growth rate and non‐uniformity. The silicon growth rate is primarily influenced by the TCS mole fraction, whereas the rotation speed of the substrate primarily influences the growth non‐uniformity of growth. Finally, the optimal scheme is proposed as valuable guidance for enhancing silicon chemical vapor deposition processes in industrial applications.
Media coverage of corporate wrongdoing: International evidence on the stock market reaction and the buffering effect of prior corporate social performance
Authors: Gutknecht Dominic 
Published: January 2024

AbstractUsing an international sample of 111,251 news published in print, online, and social media between 2007 and 2021 covering 3202 firms in 20 countries, I find that superior prior corporate social performance (CSP) buffers the adverse market reaction to media coverage of corporate social irresponsibility (CSI), indicating that stakeholders interpret the misbehaviour as an anomaly rather than a pattern. Generally, the magnitude of the negative market reaction to CSI news intensified over time, confirming increased social awareness of corporate responsibility. I complement existing literature by revealing a diminishing marginal benefit of prior CSP: the buffering effect is consistently positive while strongly flattening, suggesting that stakeholders are somewhat indifferent between good and excellent CSP but highly sensitive towards previous misbehaviour. The shareholder value loss and insurance‐like effect of prior CSP are enhanced for firms located in stakeholder‐oriented business cultures, indicating that societal culture shapes stakeholders' attitudes towards corporate responsibility.
Circulating 3‐hydroxy butyrate predicts mortality in patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
Authors: Christensen Kristian Hylleberg , Nielsen Roni R. , Schou Morten , Gustafsson Ida , Jorsal Anders , Flyvbjerg Allan , Tarnow Lise , Bøtker Hans Erik , Kistorp Caroline , Johannsen Mogens , Møller Niels , Wiggers Henrik 
Published: January 2024

AbstractAimsIn patients with chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), myocardial ketone metabolism is increased and short‐term treatment with the ketone body 3‐hydroxy butyrate (3‐OHB) has beneficial haemodynamic effects. In patients with HFrEF, we investigated whether the level of circulating 3‐OHB predicted all‐cause mortality and sought to identify correlations between patient characteristics and circulating 3‐OHB levels.Methods and resultsWe conducted a cohort study in 218 patients with HFrEF. Plasma 3‐OHB levels were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Data on all‐cause mortality were obtained by reviewing the patients' medical records, which are linked to the national ‘Central Person Registry’ that registers the timing of all deaths in the country. Mean left ventricular ejection fraction was 35 ± 8.6%, mean age was 67 ± 10 years, 54% were New York Heart Association II, and 27% had type 2 diabetes mellitus. Median follow‐up time was 7.3 (interquartile range 6.3–8.4) years. We observed large variations in 3‐OHB levels between patients (median 59 μM, range: 14–694 μM). Patients with 3‐OHB levels above the median displayed a markedly increased risk of death compared with those with low levels {hazard ratio [HR]: 2.1 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.3–3.5], P = 0.003}. In a multivariate analysis, 3‐OHB predicted mortality independently of known chronic heart failure risk factors [HR: 1.004 (95% CI: 1.001–1.007), P = 0.02] and with a similar statistical strength as N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) [HR: 1.0005 (95% CI: 1.000–1.001), P = 0.02]. For every 100 μmol increase in plasma 3‐OHB, the hazard of death increased by 49%. The following factors significantly predicted 3‐OHB levels in the univariate analysis: free fatty acids (FFAs) [β: 238 (95% CI: 185–292), P < 0.0001], age [β: 2.43 (95% CI: 1.14–3.72), P < 0.0001], plasma insulin {β: −0.28 [95% CI: −0.54–(−0.02)], P = 0.036}, body mass index {β: −3.15 [95% CI: −5.26–(−0.05)], P = 0.046}, diabetes [β: 44.49 (95% CI: 14.84–74.14), P = 0.003], glycosylated haemoglobin [β: 1.92 (95% CI: 0.24–3.59), P = 0.025], New York Heart Association class [β: 26.86 (95% CI: 5.99–47.72), P = 0.012], and NT‐proBNP [β: 0.03 (95% CI: 0.01–0.04), P = 0.001]. In a multivariate analysis, only FFAs predicted 3‐OHB levels [β: 216 (95% CI: 165–268), P > 0.001].ConclusionsIn patients with HFrEF, circulating 3‐OHB was a strong predictor of all‐cause mortality independently of NT‐proBNP. Circulating FFAs were the best predictor of 3‐OHB levels.
On the behavior of sub‐micrometer polystyrene particles subjected to AC insulator‐based dielectrophoresis
Authors: Bu Shulin , Sonker Mukul , Koh Domin , Ros Alexandra 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPolymer beads, especially polystyrene particles, have been extensively used as model species in insulator‐based dielectrophoresis (iDEP) studies. Their use in alternating current iDEP (AC‐iDEP) is less explored; however, an assessment in the low‐frequency regime (≤10 kHz) allows to link surface conduction effects with the surface properties of polymer particles. Here, we provide a case study for various experimental conditions assessing sub‐micrometer polystyrene particles with AC‐iDEP and link to accepted surface conduction theory to predict and experimentally verify the observed AC‐iDEP trapping behavior based on apparent zeta potential and solution conductivity. We find excellent agreement with the theoretical predictions, but also the occurrence of concentration polarization electroosmotic flow under the studied conditions, which have the potential to confound acting dielectrophoresis conditions. Furthermore, we study a case relevant to the assessment of microplastics in human and animal body fluids by mimicking the protein adsorption of high abundant proteins in blood by coating polystyrene beads with bovine serum albumin, a highly abundant protein in blood. Theoretical predictions and experimental observations confirm a difference in observed AC‐iDEP behavior between coated and non‐coated particles, which might be exploited for future studies of microplastics in blood to assess their exposure to humans and animals.
Effect of prepared barium phytate on thermal stability and combustion properties of flexible polyurethane foams
Authors: Zhang Xu , Li Renzhou , Sun Simiao , Wang Zhi , Xie Hua 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFlame retardant barium phytate (PABA) was prepared by phytic acid and barium carbonate. PABA was used to modify flexible polyurethane foam (FPUF) by “one‐step method” to obtain composite FPUF‐PABA. The effects of PABA on the thermal stability and combustion properties of FPUFs were studied by smoke density (Ds), cone calorimeter (CONE), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and pyrolysis kinetic analysis. The results indicated that the addition of PABA improved the flame‐retardant properties of the modified FPUFs. The CONE results showed that PABA significantly reduced the PHRR and total heat release (THR) of FPUF, and FPUF‐PABA15 had the lowest PHRR (44.69 kW/m2) and THR (2.49 MJ/m2). TGA showed that FPUF‐PABA15 had maximum residual masses of 27.14%, 26.99%, 28.61%, and 27.25% at four heating rates, respectively. Integral programmed decomposition temperature analysis found that FPUF‐PABA15 also had the highest decomposition temperature, 225.56, 210.54, 148.83, and 162.13°C at four different heating rates. At the same time, the computational activation energy of FPUF‐PABA15 was also the highest, at 133.30, 140.46, and 129.46 kJ/mol, respectively. Ds indicated that FPUF‐PABA15 had the best smoke suppression performance, Ds decreased by 2.47 and light transmittance increased by 2.33%. The current results provide a better formulation for bio‐based flame retardant‐modified FPUF.
Comparative genomics and fermentation flavor characterization of five selected lactic acid bacteria provide predictions for flavor biosynthesis metabolic pathways in fermented muskmelon puree
Authors: Yuan Lin , Li Meilun , Xu Xinxing , Shi Xun , Chen Guogang , Lao Fei , Wu Jihong 
Published: January 2024

AbstractFive species of plant‐derived lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including Pediococcus pentosaceus, Lactococcus garvieae, Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum, Weissella paramesenteroides, and Lactococcus lactis, were used for muskmelon fermentation to improve flavor characteristics. Comparative genomic analysis showed that a high proportion of annotated genes were related to carbohydrate metabolism and amino acid metabolism in all five strains. L. lactis P‐1 (Ll1) contained the highest proportion (2.02%) of genes from the glycoside hydrolase family associated with carbohydrate metabolism. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry results showed that 89 volatile compounds in muskmelon purees were identified; the largest number of volatile compounds was detected in fermented muskmelon puree (FMP) inoculated with W. paramesenteroides FL3, followed by L. paraplantarum FL‐8. A total of 25 key volatile compounds were screened in muskmelon puree, and some unique key volatile compounds (e.g., β‐damascenone, phenylacetaldehyde, and 3‐penten‐2‐one) and taste compounds (e.g., mannitol) were produced by different LAB strains. L. garvieae Pa‐2 and Ll1 were considered to have greater potential due to their ability to produce a greater category of pleasant key aromas. Based on the correlations of potential pathways analyzed using comparative genomics and detected flavor profiles, flavor synthesis pathways in FMP were predicted. Some carbohydrate, amino acid, and fatty acid metabolism pathways, including tricarboxylic acid cycle, glycolysis, and cysteine and methionine metabolism pathways, are common to all five LAB strains. Furthermore, differences in the predicted flavor biosynthesis metabolic pathways in monoterpenoid biosynthesis, phenylalanine metabolism, fatty acid biosynthesis, and fructose and mannose metabolism pathways explained the differences in volatile profiles produced by different strains.