bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gender gaps in the impact of the pandemic on the use of ICT in higher education
Authors: Vergara Diego , Antón‐Sancho Álvaro , Fernández‐Arias Pablo 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a process of digitalisation of higher education that has forced a change in the habits of use of information and communication technologies (ICT) among professors. The literature analyses this impact from different perspectives, but the gender gaps that may have occurred in this regard have not been studied so far. The main purpose is to analyse the gender gap in the self‐concept of digital competence of Latin American professors and the impact that the pandemic has had on the habits of use of ICT among them. For this purpose, this paper conducts quantitative research. A questionnaire designed by the authors has been answered by a sample of 1062 professors, and the responses have been statistically analysed. The results prove that the self‐concept of digital competence influences males more than females in terms of their assessment of the didactic use of ICT. The pandemic has caused the frequencies of ICT use in different teaching activities to homogenise. Females have increased their use of ICT more than males—a certain correction of the digital gender gap occurs in the region after the pandemic, within faculty. The use of ICT among faculty has increased after the pandemic more among females than males, but insufficient digital competence hinders full digitalisation in both cases. It is recommended that universities develop digital training plans aimed at facilitating an egalitarian process of ICT integration.
Realizing sustainable development goals in sub‐Saharan Africa: The role of industrialization on consumption‐based carbon emission
Authors: Wang Jian , Zhang Yuzhen , Twum Angelina Kissiwaa , Agyemang Andrew Osei 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe study analyzed the linkage among industrialization, trade openness, and consumption‐based carbon emissions in Sub‐Sahara Africa (SSA) to establish how Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 8 and 9 can be achieved without negatively affecting the climate—SDG 13. Based on insights drawn from the environmental governance and economic integration theories, we developed a model that connects industrialization, trade openness and consumption‐based carbon emission in SSA, as the region strives to balance development with climate protection. We used purposive sampling to select 30 out of 46 countries in SSA with readily available data on the International Energy Agency and the World Development Indicators databases from 2000 to 2021. The study utilized the dynamic common correlated effect and the pooled mean group estimators for the empirical analysis. The results revealed that industry growth has an affirmative link with consumption‐based carbon emissions. Similarly, urban growth recorded a positive association with carbon emission. Moreover, trade openness positively moderates the link between industry growth and carbon emissions. The findings affirm the need for strengthening policies and regulations to promote industry growth (SDG 9), while ensuring climate protection in SSA to achieve SDG 13.
Do green finance, green technology innovation, and institutional quality help achieve environmental sustainability? Evidence from the developing economies
Authors: Sethi Litu , Behera Biswanath , Sethi Narayan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOne possible way to achieve sustainable economic growth is by limiting carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. The developing countries, in particular, which significantly contribute to global carbon dioxide emissions, need a paradigm shift towards sustainable production and consumption to achieve economic growth while ensuring environmental sustainability. This study thus analyzes the role of green technology innovation, green finance, renewable energy use, institutional quality, and agricultural value added in attaining environmental sustainability by abating CO2 emissions for 25 select developing countries from 1998 to 2019. This study uses the Driscoll‐Kraay and two‐step SGMM estimators to assess the impact of independent variables on the response variable, acknowledging the endogeneity problem in the model. The empirical findings reveal that green finance, green technology innovation, and institutional quality induce CO2 emissions, whereas agricultural value‐added and renewable energy use are observed to have detrimental effects on CO2 emissions. Moreover, the moderation effect of green technology innovation and institutional quality with green finance is observed to have a weak and insignificant impact on CO2 emissions. The study thus recommends that developing countries enforce policies to promote investments and innovation in the clean energy sector to attain sustainable development goals by mitigating carbon emissions.
Impact of spirituality, culture, behaviour on sustainable consumption intentions
Authors: Saxena Noopur , Sharma Ruchika 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSustainable consumption is a growing area of research due to the climate change and environmental degradation. The present study examines a conceptual model by integrating spirituality with cultural values from Hofstede cultural dimensions theory and constructs from Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to determine sustainable consumption intention. The paper also examines the moderating role of gender. The data was gathered from 726 customers. Structural equation modelling was used to analyse the main variables influencing sustainable consumption intentions. Spirituality, collectivism and long‐term orientation were found to have a positive impact on attitudes that leads to sustainable consumption intention. Thus, this study helps to improve the predictive ability of the Theory of Planned Behaviour by incorporating spirituality as a behavioural belief and collectivism and long‐term orientation as cultural dimensions. The findings show that gender has no moderating effect. The study outlines the process for converting a person's cultural values, norms, and beliefs into a purchase intention. As a result, the research offers practitioners and decision‐makers insight into how to boost intention towards sustainable consumption.
Import competition and sustainable development of global value chains: Evidence from China
Authors: Feng Zhenzhen , Tang Huimin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAs the largest developing country and the second largest importer, China provides meaningful research on import competition and the global value chain (GVC). This article uses theoretical models and empirical tests to explore whether and how import competition affects the sustainable development of Chinese firms' GVCs. Moreover, we utilize China's entry into the WTO as a quasi‐natural experiment for import competition to further test the robustness of our findings. Ultimately, we find that import competition reduces the sustainable development of GVCs by decreasing the quality of imported intermediate inputs, which inhibits technology spillover, and by increasing the substitution of foreign inputs for domestic materials. Heterogeneous analyses show that import competition negatively affects ordinary trade and mixed trade firms while having no significant impact on processing trade firms. Moreover, this negative effect is especially significant for firms in eastern and central regions.
Hierarchically Porous, N, P‐Co‐Doped Carbon Structures with Embedded Pt Particles as Effective Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Zhang Yixing , Zhao Jinyu , Lian Jie , Guo Siwen , Zhao Zhenxin , Wang Xiaomin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractThe proton exchange membrane fuel cell now ranks as one of the best alternatives to fossil fuels. Two optimization techniques that have stirred up a lot of controversy include reducing the amount of precious metal Pt catalysts and boosting the kinetics of the cathodic oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Herein, “template‐etching” method is used to create N−P co‐doped low‐Pt catalysts with hierarchical porous carbon nanospheres (Pt/NPC). The P atoms′ valence electrons, which serve to attach the Pt to the equally disseminated N atoms, further disperse the Pt inside the carbon nanospheres. As a result, the Pt is able to modify the electronic structure and alter the d‐band center, which raises the intrinsic ORR activity. The hierarchical porous structure of the carbon nanospheres, created by the phytic acid activation of the pores, can expose more active sites and efficiently enhance the transfer of oxygen and electrons, increasing the catalytic efficiency. The catalysts synthesized using this method had great stability, 9.87 wt % Pt concentration, and half‐wave potential of 0.832 V for acidic intermediates and 0.855 V for alkaline intermediates. Because of its entire pH ORR catalytic capabilities, this catalyst exhibits tremendous application potential for replacing conventional Pt/C catalysts.
Exploring the Potential of Vortioxetine Derivatives as Inhibitors of SARS‐CoV‐2 Main Protease: A Computational Study
Authors: Zhou Aizhen , Wang Li , Zou Jie , Ma Shuwei , Zhou Yahong , Wang Juan , Li Na , Cheng Bin 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn recent years, Vortioxetine derivatives have attracted much attention as main protease inhibitors of SARS‐CoV‐2. In this study, the structure‐activity relationship of 32 Vortioxetine derivatives was studied by CoMFA and CoMSIA models. The results show that CoMFA (q2=0.522, r2=0.996) and CoMSIA (q2=0.562, r2=0.934) have good estimation stability and prediction ability. Subsequently, through the analysis of 3D‐QSAR model, we designed four novel compounds, and verified that the pharmacokinetic properties of the new molecules were superior to compound 28 by ADMET, and verified the key amino acid action sites of the new molecule by molecular docking. Finally, the new molecules was compared with compound 28 by molecular dynamics simulation and MMPBSA, which further verified the efficacy of the new molecules, wherein the binding free energy N1 (ΔG=−161.38 kJ/mol)>N4 (ΔG=−154.19 kJ/mol)>C28 (ΔG=−129.13 kJ/mol), indicating that the newly designed drug molecules are more suitable for subsequent experimental verification. The findings presented herein can offer valuable guidance for the design and development of efficacious and innovative inhibitors targeting the SARS‐CoV‐2 main protease.
Designed Nanomaterials‐Assisted Proteomics and Metabolomics Analysis for In Vitro Diagnosis
Authors: Wang Yanhui , Li Rongxin , Shu Weikang , Chen Xiaonan , Lin Yingying , Wan Jingjing 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIn vitro diagnosis (IVD) is pivotal in modern medicine, enabling early disease detection and treatment optimization. Omics technologies, particularly proteomics and metabolomics, offer profound insights into IVD. Despite its significance, omics analyses for IVD face challenges, including low analyte concentrations and the complexity of biological environments. In addition, the direct omics analysis by mass spectrometry (MS) is often hampered by issues like large sample volume requirements and poor ionization efficiency. Through manipulating their size, surface charge, and functionalization, as well as the nanoparticle‐fluid incubation conditions, nanomaterials have emerged as a promising solution to extract biomolecules and enhance the desorption/ionization efficiency in MS detection. This review delves into the last five years of nanomaterial applications in omics, focusing on their role in the enrichment, separation, and ionization analysis of proteins and metabolites for IVD. It aims to provide a comprehensive update on nanomaterial design and application in omics, highlighting their potential to revolutionize IVD.
Fatigue behavior of deep concrete beams with critical shear cracks
Authors: Fathalla Eissa , Mihaylov Boyan 
Published: November 2023

AbstractReinforced concrete deep beams in bridges and other critical infrastructure are subjected to millions of load cycles during their service life. At the same time, they typically work with high shear and develop critical diagonal cracks. The cyclic loading across the cracks results in fatigue damage of the shear‐resisting mechanisms, which needs to be taken into account in the assessment of existing structures, and in particular in members with small amount of shear reinforcement built according to early design codes. To aid the development of advanced assessment approaches for such structures, this paper presents five large‐scale fatigue tests of deep beams with a stirrup ratio of 0.134%. The beams are preloaded to develop complete diagonal cracks, and then are subjected to cycles with different minimum and maximum load. The focus is placed on detailed crack measurements, needed for the development of crack‐based assessment approaches. The crack data is analyzed with the help of the two‐parameter kinematic theory to quantify important deformations. It is shown that the fatigue across the shear cracks is associated mainly with degradation of aggregate interlock and progressive damage in the critical loading zones. It is also shown that as the maximum load is decreased, the fatigue life increases, and the failure mode can switch from shear to flexure.
Long‐term follow‐up of a diffuse cranial neurofibroma in a 4‐month‐old dog
Authors: Hidalgo Crespo Emma , Farré Mariné Alba , Pumarola i Batlle Martí , Luján Feliu‐Pascual Alejandro 
Published: November 2023

AbstractDiffuse neurofibroma affects skin and subcutaneous tissues of the head and neck of children and young adults. Fourteen cases have been described in dogs, but none infiltrating a puppy's cranial cavity. A 4‐month‐old, female entire Pitbull was referred with a 2‐month history of left facial nerve paralysis, difficulty swallowing and left head tilt suggesting multifocal neurolocalisation. Computed tomography revealed an extra‐axial mass occupying the left nasal cavity, extending caudally along the skull base and following multiple cranial nerves (optic, oculomotor, trochlear, trigeminal, abducens, facial, glossopharyngeal, vagus and hypoglossal) exiting the skull through their respective foramina and continuing across their peripheral pathways. A superficial facial nerve biopsy was obtained leading to a diagnosis of neurofibroma. Treatment with corticosteroids showed lack of response, so no long‐term treatment was prescribed. Twenty‐one months after diagnosis, the dog remains stable without treatment, suggesting a very slow growth with acceptable long‐term quality of life.
A study of the impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on equine veterinary care in the UK
Authors: Allen Sarah E. , O'Neill Daniel G. , Cardwell Jacqueline M. , Verheyen Kristien L. P. , Brodbelt David C. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundDuring the COVID‐19 pandemic, equine health care in the UK may have been adversely affected due to mandated changes in the delivery of veterinary healthcare and the potential for reduced health‐seeking behaviour.MethodsElectronic patient records (EPRs) were analysed to describe veterinary activity for all equids under the active care of 20 veterinary practices in the UK in the 12 months before and after the introduction of the first UK lockdown. Pre‐pandemic and pandemic levels of clinical activity were compared. Further comparisons of care, including immediate management and treatment, were made following a detailed review of EPRs from randomly selected subsets of equids under care in four time periods.ResultsAll measures of activity and face‐to‐face interaction were lower in the early pandemic period than in the equivalent pre‐pandemic period. Compared to pre‐pandemic, the early pandemic was associated with a decrease in prophylactic care and non‐urgent diagnostic imaging and an increase in systemic non‐steroid anti‐inflammatory prescription. Convenience sampling of veterinary practices may have limited the generalisability of the findings. The quality of EPRs was variable.ConclusionsWhile equine veterinary activity was significantly disrupted in the early pandemic period, there was a rapid return to pre‐pandemic levels of activity. Subsequent lockdowns appeared to have had little effect on veterinary care.
Monitoring soil elements for irrigation management using Internet of Things (IoT) sensors
Authors: Bouhachlaf Loubna , Benslimane Oumayma , El Hajjaji Souad 
Published: November 2023

AbstractSmart farming focuses on three crucial areas: soil quality, weather conditions, and crop health. Because of the significant impact of weather and irrigation factors, many smart farming solutions are tightly integrated with smart environment and smart water (pollution, turbidity, nutrients) systems for a holistic approach. The Internet of Things (IoT) is revolutionizing soil monitoring, giving farmers and growers the means to optimize yields, minimize disease risks, and rationalize resource use. Thanks to IoT sensors, it is possible to measure various parameters such as soil temperature, NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) levels, and soil moisture. The information collected by these IoT sensors is then transmitted to a central point or stored in the cloud server for in‐depth analysis, visual representation, and trend identification. The application of the IoT in agriculture is widely referred to as smart farming. The IoT is an essential pillar of precision agriculture, enabling more targeted and efficient management of resources. Smart sensor systems provide more information about water and crop water requirements. This information can be used to mechanically manage the water supply system and help farmers optimize their irrigation system. The information acquired by the first sensors is transferred to the cloud server. This article proposes and evaluates the concept of remote sensing systems. Three sites were selected to test the IoT system. At each site, five sensors were employed, specifically designed for soil and irrigation water analysis. The sensors dedicated to soil pH, moisture, and NPK demonstrated commendable accuracy; equally, the irrigation water pH and turbidity sensors exhibited notably precise measurements. The results were noteworthy, with an R2 value surpassing 90% across all sensor measurements. These IoT sensors could facilitate effective crop monitoring without excessive expenditures and serve to safeguard groundwater from nutrient contamination.
Taxogenomic analysis of a novel yeast species isolated from soil, Pichia galeolata sp. nov.
Authors: Opulente Dana A. , Langdon Quinn K. , Jarzyna Martin , Buh Kelly V. , Haase Max A. B. , Groenewald Marizeth , Hittinger Chris Todd 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA novel budding yeast species was isolated from a soil sample collected in the United States of America. Phylogenetic analyses of multiple loci and phylogenomic analyses conclusively placed the species within the genus Pichia. Strain yHMH446 falls within a clade that includes Pichia norvegensis, Pichia pseudocactophila, Candida inconspicua, and Pichia cactophila. Whole genome sequence data were analyzed for the presence of genes known to be important for carbon and nitrogen metabolism, and the phenotypic data from the novel species were compared to all Pichia species with publicly available genomes. Across the genus, including the novel species candidate, we found that the inability to use many carbon and nitrogen sources correlated with the absence of metabolic genes. Based on these results, Pichia galeolata sp. nov. is proposed to accommodate yHMH446T (=NRRL Y‐64187 = CBS 16864). This study shows how integrated taxogenomic analysis can add mechanistic insight to species descriptions.
Transformational deformation models of continuous thin‐walled structural elements with support elements of finite sizes: Theoretical foundations, computational, and physical experiments
Authors: Paimushin Vitaly Nikolaevich , Firsov Vyacheslav Anatolievich , Shishkin Viktor Mikhailovich , Gazizullin Ruslan Kamilevich 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA method of experimental study of forced bending vibrations of unfixed spans of continuous thin‐walled structural element fixed on rigid support elements of finite dimensions has been developed using instrumental means for registration of vibration acceleration amplitudes. The technique is realized on beams with different types of their fixing under the loading of one of the beam section with an external force that varies in time according to a harmonic law. Experimental dependences of amplitude values of vibration accelerations in specific points of certain spans of the beam on the frequency of external load have been obtained. These results indicate the passage of vibrations through the fixed sections due to the transformation of bending vibration modes of the loaded section into longitudinal transverse‐shift vibrations of the fixed sections during the transition across the boundary from the unfixed section to the fixed one (from the fixed to the unfixed section). For the theoretical study of the described phenomenon a transformational model of the flat beam deformation is constructed on the basis of the refined Timoshenko model with additional account of the deformability of the section with fixation to a rigid support element of finite length on one of its face surfaces. The corresponding equations of motion of the unfixed and fixed sections are derived. The corresponding kinematic and force conditions of their conjugation are formulated. On their basis, analytical solutions of two specific problems are found in the linear approximation. One‐dimensional finite elements for modeling the dynamic response of continuous beam of the considered class are also constructed. Numerical experiments have been carried out for a flat beam made of aluminum alloys D16AT, AMg‐6 and unidirectional fiber reinforced plastic. The presence of a significant transformation of the stress‐strain state parameters of the considered beams at the transition across the boundary from unfixed to fixed sections and a significant increase in the level of transverse tangential stresses on the fixed section of the beam in the vicinity of the interface of the unfixed section with the fixed one have been revealed.
ALP-LEFT Interference and the Muon (g − 2)
Authors: Galda Anne Mareike , Neubert Matthias 
Published: November 2023

Abstract
The low-energy effective field theory (LEFT) provides the appropriate framework to describe particle interactions below the scale of electroweak symmetry breaking, μw ~ v. By matching the Standard Model onto the LEFT, non-zero Wilson coefficients of higher-dimensional operators are generated, suppressed by the corresponding power of 1/v. An axion or axion-like particle (ALP) with mass ma ≪ μw that interacts with the Standard Model via classically shift-invariant dimension-five operators would also contribute to the LEFT Wilson coefficients, since it can appear as a virtual particle in divergent Green’s functions and thus has an impact on the renormalization of the LEFT operators. We present the full set of one-loop ALP-induced source terms modifying the renormalization-group evolution equations of the LEFT Wilson coefficients up to dimension-six order. Our framework allows for model-independent ALP searches at low energies from current bounds on LEFT Wilson coefficients. As a concrete application, we present an improved prediction for ALP effects on the anomalous magnetic moment of the muon.