bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Going green: Environmental risk management, market value and performance
Authors: Dal Maso Lorenzo , Gianfagna Laura , Maglione Federico , Lattanzi Nicola 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the relationship between environmental performance and market values of firms exposed to environmental risk that manage effectively to reduce it. Using a sample of 8112 US firm‐year observations during 2012–2020, we document a positive relationship between firms' environmental performance and market‐to‐book value. Moreover, we show that this relationship holds primarily when firms are more vulnerable to environmental risk and proactively manage to reduce it. Our paper not only agrees with the previous literature showing that it pays to be good but, most importantly, shows that such an approach is reflected in higher valuation mostly when companies use sound environmental risk‐control strategies. Contributions and implications are discussed.
Foreign ownership, passive‐learning knowledge spillovers, and corporate social responsibility reporting in China
Authors: Li Xuan , Zhang Chi , Gao Wenliang , Geng Yanli , Sun Weizhang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAs there are many studies on the predictors of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, the influences of foreign direct investments (FDIs) knowledge spillovers (KSs) on CSR reporting in developing countries remain unclear. This paper introduces the passive‐learning KSs concept to explain whether, why, and how domestic firms learn CSR knowledge from their foreign counterparts. First, we investigate the relationship between foreign ownership and the quality of CSR reporting (CSRQ). Second, we test the moderating effect of three types of direct institutional pressures: the green development policy, the mandatory CSR reporting requirement, and CSR regulations issued by the State‐owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission. Third, we examine the moderating effect of board interlocks to explore the indirect impacts of institutional pressures. We run regressions on a sample of Chinese A‐share listed companies and the hypotheses are generally supported. This paper contributes to the literature on CSR reporting and FDIs KSs by adopting the passive‐learning KSs theory to explain CSR KSs in developing countries.
Reproducible reformation of a bilayer lipid membrane using microair bubbles
Authors: Hashimoto Izumi , Osaki Toshihisa , Sugiura Hirotaka , Mimura Hisatoshi , Takamori Sho , Miki Norihisa , Takeuchi Shoji 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPlanar bilayer lipid membranes (BLMs) are widely used as models for cell membranes in various applications, including drug discovery and biosensors. However, the nanometer‐thick bilayer structure, assembled through hydrophobic interactions of amphiphilic lipid molecules, makes such BLM systems mechanically and electrically unstable. In this study, we developed a device to reform BLMs using a microair bubble. The device consists of a double well divided by a separator with a microaperture, where a BLM was formed by infusing a lipid‐dispersed solvent and an aqueous droplet into each well in series. When the BLM ruptured, a microair bubble was injected from the bottom of the well to split the merged aqueous droplet at the microaperture, which resulted in the reformation of two lipid monolayers on the split droplets. By bringing the two droplets into contact, a new BLM was formed. An angled step design was introduced in the BLM device to guide the bubble and ensure the splitting of the merged droplet. We also elucidated the optimal bubble inflow rate for the reproducible BLM reformation. Using a 4‐channel parallel device, we demonstrated the individual and repeatable reformation of BLMs. Our approach will aid the development of automated and arrayed BLM systems.
A novel qPCR‐based technique for identifying avian sex: An illustration within embryonic craniofacial bone
Authors: Houchen Claire J. , Bergman‐Gonzalez Maria , Bumann Erin E. 
Published: June 2023

SummarySex is a biological variable important to consider in all biomedical experiments. However, doing so in avian embryos can be challenging as sex can be morphologically indistinguishable. Unlike humans, female birds are the heterogametic sex with Z and W sex chromosomes. The female‐specific W chromosome has previously been identified in chick using a species‐specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. We developed a novel reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT‐qPCR) technique that amplifies the W chromosome gene histidine triad nucleotide‐binding protein W (HINTW) in chick, quail, and duck. Accuracy of the HINTW RT‐qPCR primer set was confirmed in all three species using species‐specific PCR, including a novel quail‐specific HINTW PCR primer set. Bone development‐related gene expression was then analyzed by sex in embryonic lower jaws of duck and quail, as adult duck beak size is known to be sexually dimorphic while quail beak size is not. Trends toward sex differences were found in duck gene expression but not in quail, as expected. With these novel RT‐qPCR and PCR embryo sexing methods, sex of chick, quail, and duck embryos can now be assessed by either/both RNA and DNA, which facilitates analysis of sex as a biological variable in studies using these model organisms.
Design of a flexible but robust setup for temperature‐dependent electrochemistry down to cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Fink Michael F. , Schönfeld Sophie , Schreck Constantin , Hörner Gerald , Weber Birgit 
Published: June 2023

AbstractElectrochemistry and its analytics are essential in a variety of scientific and technological fields where properties related to reduction‐oxidation reactions, so‐called redox properties, are to be explored. While methodological standards for experiments are well established at room temperature, this is still untrue at sub‐zero/cryogenic temperatures, the conditions required for the survey of (ultra−)rapid processes and their intermediates. Problems due to “hand‐waving” temperature regulation/conditioning and common usage of pseudo‐reference electrodes renders cryo‐electrochemistry a great challenge. Herein, we describe a robust setup for performing reliable cryo‐electrochemical experiments down to −80 °C. It combines highly stable but flexible temperature conditioning with gas‐tight sealing of the electrochemical cell setup. Modification of a commercial palladium hydride reference electrode (PdH RE) allows for rapid temperature cycling under cryogenic conditions in aprotic organic solvents. Validation of the setup with the well‐known Ferrocene|Ferrocenium (Fc|Fc+) redox couple gave good compliance with literature data at room temperature in a range of organic solvent‐based electrolytes. Evaluation of temperature‐dependent diffusion kinetic parameters, such as diffusion coefficients (D) and diffusional activation energies (Ea,D) from CVs at multiple potential scan‐rates and temperature levels emphasize the reliability of the presented cryo‐electrochemical setup.
Evaluating scaling of capillary photo‐biofilm reactors for high cell density cultivation of mixed trophies artificial microbial consortia
Authors: Kenkel Amelie , Karande Rohan , Bühler Katja 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCapillary biofilm reactors (CBRs) are attractive for growing photoautotrophic bacteria as they allow high cell‐density cultivation. Here, we evaluated the CBR system's suitability to grow an artificial consortium composed of Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803 and Pseudomonas sp. VBL120. The impact of reactor material, flow rate, pH, O2, and medium composition on biomass development and long‐term biofilm stability at different reactor scales was studied. Silicone was superior over other materials like glass or PVC due to its excellent O2 permeability. High flow rates of 520 μL min−1 prevented biofilm sloughing in 1 m capillary reactors, leading to a 54% higher biomass dry weight combined with the lowest O2 concentration inside the reactor compared to standard operating conditions. Further increase in reactor length to 5 m revealed a limitation in trace elements. Increasing trace elements by a factor of five allowed for complete surface coverage with a biomass dry weight of 36.8 g m−2 and, thus, a successful CBR scale‐up by a factor of 25.Practical application: Cyanobacteria use light energy to upgrade CO2, thereby holding the potential for carbon‐neutral production processes. One of the persisting challenges is low cell density due to light limitations and O2 accumulation often occurring in established flat panel or tubular photobioreactors. Compared to planktonic cultures, much higher cell densities (factor 10 to 100) can be obtained in cyanobacterial biofilms. The capillary biofilm reactor (CBR) offers good growth conditions for cyanobacterial biofilms, but its applicability has been shown only on the laboratory scale. Here, a first scale‐up study based on sizing up was performed, testing the feasibility of this system for large‐scale applications. We demonstrate that by optimizing nutrient supply and flow conditions, the system could be enlarged by factor 25 by enhancing the length of the reactor. This reactor concept, combined with cyanobacterial biofilms and numbering up, holds the potential to be applied as a flexible, carbon‐neutral production platform for value‐added compounds.
Review and comparison of different strategies to define earthquake design accelerations
Authors: Ordaz Mario , Salgado‐Gálvez Mario A. , Cardona Omar D. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIn the task of defining earthquake design accelerations, different approaches have been used worldwide and recent advances have led to changes in the rationale behind the choice of these coefficients. Considering that the two main objectives of earthquake engineering are to guarantee a certain level of earthquake safety while allowing designs to be feasible from an economic perspective, given the scarcity of resources, this paper reviews and compares different approaches that have been used to define the earthquake design coefficient, starting from the classic one, based on the selection of a fixed return period, and covering other more complex proposals that include, in one way or another, the physical vulnerability of the buildings. For each case, we assess how these two earthquake engineering objectives are addressed and review, from the coding perspective, their advantages and limitations. Our findings indicate that only one of these approaches, denoted as optimal design and proposed in 1976 by Rosenblueth, explicitly accounts for both earthquake safety and construction costs. We conclude that instead of aiming to have a uniform criterion to define the design accelerations (e.g., uniform return period or uniform collapse probabilities), an optimization criterion must be used, despite the challenges it presents from the perspective of building codes.
Unsupervised machine learning for detecting soil layer boundaries from cone penetration test data
Authors: Hudson Kenneth S. , Ulmer Kristin J. , Zimmaro Paolo , Kramer Steven L. , Stewart Jonathan P. , Brandenberg Scott J. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractCone penetration test (CPT) data contains detailed stratigraphic information that is useful in a wide variety of applications. Separating a CPT profile into discrete layers is an important part of many analyses such as critical layer selection in liquefaction triggering analysis, effective stress seismic ground response analysis, analysis of pile shaft and tip resistance, and soil‐pile interaction analysis. The discretization of the profile into layers is often done manually, relying on the judgment of the analyst. This manual approach is cumbersome for datasets that include large numbers of CPT profiles (such as the Next Generation Liquefaction [NGL] database and the New Zealand Geotechnical Database) and it may not be consistent or repeatable because different analysts may discretize a given CPT log in different ways. To overcome these difficulties, we present an approach to automatically divide a CPT profile into discrete layers. Automated layer detection is performed using an unsupervised machine learning technique called agglomerative clustering in combination with two cost functions to identify an optimal number of layers. The algorithm is illustrated using CPT profiles from the NGL database, where the approach is being used in the development of liquefaction triggering and manifestation models. Although the algorithm shows promise for replicating our judgment regarding layering, we recommend visual review of the layering produced by the algorithm to check for reasonableness given the site geology and intended use of the CPT data.
Classifying excessive exercise: Examining the relationship between compulsive exercise with obsessive‐compulsive disorder symptoms and disordered eating symptoms
Authors: Cosh Suzanne M. , Eshkevari Ertimiss , McNeil Dominic G. , Tully Phillip J. 
Published: June 2023

AbstractObjectiveThere remains a lack of consensus around nosology for compulsive exercise (CE). Although widely observed in eating disorders (ED), CE shares theoretical overlap with obsessive‐compulsive disorder (OCD), where exercise compulsions occur in response to obsessions. Yet, there is limited and mixed evidence of a relationship between CE with OCD. This study aims to explore the appropriate diagnostic classification of CE through examination of CE in relation to OCD, obsessional thinking, and ED symptoms.MethodTwo hundred and eighty one adults with mental health symptoms, dieting, and exercise behaviour completed measures of OCD, CE, and disordered eating symptoms. Regression and Receiver Operating Characteristic analyses examined relationships between dimensions of CE with OCD and ED symptoms, and the predictive ability of CE assessment for detecting threshold OCD and ED symptoms.ResultsCE assessment was poor at predicting threshold OCD symptoms, probable Anorexia Nervosa, and Binge Eating Disorder and moderate at detecting probable disordered eating and Bulimia Nervosa. Associations between CE and OCD symptoms were not significant after adjustment for ED symptoms. Obsessional thinking was associated only with lack of exercise enjoyment.ConclusionsResults indicate that excessive exercise might represent a distinct disorder, with some shared traits across CE, OCD and ED symptoms. Findings question the utility of adaptation of OCD diagnostic criteria for CE. Assessment and treatment implications are considered.
A physical topology for optimizing partition tolerance in consortium blockchains to reach CAP guarantee bound
Authors: Wang Han , Li Hui , Ye Qiongwei , Lu Ping , Yang Yong , Chong Peter Han Joo , Chu Xiaoli , Lv Qi , Smahi Abla 
Published: June 2023

AbstractDecentralized cryptocurrency systems, known as blockchains, have shown promise as an infrastructure for mutually distrustful parties to securely agree on transactions. Nevertheless, blockchain systems are constrained by the CAP Trilemma. Due to performance degradation, it is impossible to address this issue by improving simply the consensus layer or the network layer. To alleviate the CAP constraint in consortium blockchains, we propose a topological construction method to optimize the physical layer based on multi‐dimensional hypercubes with excellent partition tolerance in probability. The basic topology has the advantage of solving the mismatch problem between the overlay network and the underlying network. It is further extended to hierarchical recursive topologies with more intermediate links or short links to balance the reliability requirement with the cost of building the physical network. We prove that the proposed hypercube topology has better partition tolerance than the regular rooted tree and ring lattice topologies, and effectively fits the upper‐layer protocols at the consensus and network layers. As a result, combined with suitable transmission and consensus protocols that satisfy strong consistency and availability, the proposed topology‐constructed blockchain can reach the CAP guarantee bound.
FarmTech: Regulating the use of digital technologies in the agricultural sector
Authors: Ibrahim Imad Antoine , Truby Jon Mark 
Published: June 2023

AbstractFarming relies on the accurate collection and processing of data. Algorithms utilizing artificial intelligence can predict patterns and spot problems, helping farmers make more informed decisions. Robotics, machine learning and the internet of things offer opportunities to improve farming methods and output. Emerging technologies provide significant opportunities for farms to maximize productivity but contain risks. This challenge requires a balance between ensuring that stakeholders are able to benefit from the opportunities while managing competing interests and technological complexities. This article examines legal developments in this field, highlighting the role of domestic and international regulations. The authors point out that several issues are not considered within current frameworks, initiatives and efforts affecting their effectiveness. Based on this, they will suggest a pragmatic solution considering recent European Union law.
Genotype by yield* trait (GYT) biplot analysis: A novel approach for phenotyping sunflower single cross hybrids based on multiple traits
Authors: Gholizadeh Amir , Ghaffari Mehdi 
Published: June 2023

AbstractSunflower is one of the most important oilseed plants in the world and its oil has nutritional and high economic value. Selection of high‐yielding hybrids is important in sunflower breeding. In this regard, 11 new hybrids along with four cultivars were evaluated in a randomized complete block design with four replications during the 2018–2020 growing seasons. The phenological and agronomic traits including days to flowering, days to ripening, plant height, stem diameter, head diameter, seed number per head, thousand‐seed weight, oil content, and seed yield were measured. In this study, the methods of genotype × trait (GT) and genotype × yield × trait biplot (GYT) were used to identify interrelationships between different traits and to select the best sunflower hybrids based on multiple traits. According to the results, GYT biplot method was more efficient compared to the GT biplot method. Considering both superiority index (SI) and GYT biplot, the genotypes G8, G11, G5, and G3 were superior in terms of agronomical attributes such as flowering and maturity times, stem and head diameter, plant height, thousand‐seed weight, and seed number per head in close relationship with grain yield. Oil content of the hybrids G8, G11, G5, and G3 was 47.9%, 46.4%, 45.8%, and 46.3%, respectively. The results indicated that there is a potential for simultaneous genetic improvement of the characteristics (i.e., plant height, thousand‐seed weight, seed number per head, early maturity) in sunflower. Overall, the GYT graphical biplot method provides a practical and efficient new approach for the identification of suitable hybrids according to the set of intended characteristics in sunflower improvement under multi‐years or multi‐locations.
Evaluation of zinc oxide nanocomposite with Aloe vera gel for packaging of chicken fillet against Salmonella typhi and Salmonella para typhi A
Authors: Soltan Dallal Mohammad Mehdi , Karimaei Samira , Hajighasem Maryam , Hashemi Seyed Jamal , Rahimi Foroushani Abbas , Ghazi‐Khansari Mahmoud , Partoazar Alireza 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe growing demand for high food quality has been encouraging researchers in the food industry to apply biodegradable nanocomposites, which provide new opportunities and challenges for the advance of nanomaterials in the food industry. The objective of this study was to estimate the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity effects of zinc oxide nanocomposite/zeolite (c/Zeo) with Aloe vera gel (AG) and its effect on the shelf life of chicken meat. The ZnONPs/Zeo was assessed using X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) analyses. The cytotoxicity effect of ZnONPs/Zeo was assessed by MTT assay. Then, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of ZnONPs/Zeo and ZnONPs/Zeo‐AG against Salmonella typhi and Salmonella para typhi A were investigated. Also, the preservative effect of nanocomposites on chicken fillets was evaluated. The results showed that these nanocomposites have the least cytotoxicity effect, resulting in good biocompatibility with the host. The MIC and MBC values of ZnONPs/Zeo‐AG were lower than the ZnONPs/Zeo against S. typhi and S. paratyphi A. Both ZnONPs/Zeo‐AG and ZnONPs/Zeo caused a significant decrease in the bacterial count of the chicken fillets. So, by spraying on meat, the number of bacteria presented a sharper decline as compared with the control group, resulting in an approximately 3.3 and 3‐log10 reduction over 48 h in the ZnONPs/Zeo‐AG and ZnONPs/Zeo treatment samples, respectively. In conclusion, antimicrobial packaging with ZnONPs containing A. vera is a beneficial solution for preserving and improving the quality, safety, and shelf life of fresh meat products.
A comparison of the nutritive value of perennial ryegrass, perennial ryegrass and white clover and multispecies‐based farmlet systems
Authors: Baker Shona , Lynch Mary B. , Godwin Fionnuala , Boland Tommy M. , Evans Alexander C. O. , Murphy Paul N. C. , Kelly Alan K. , Sheridan Helen 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundLimited information is available regarding the nutritive value and structural characteristics of multispecies swards when rotationally grazed.MethodsThree farmlet types were investigated in terms of their nutritive value: Lolium perenne (LP); L. perenne+Trifolium repens (LP+TR); and a multispecies sward containing grasses, legumes and herbs (MSS). Farmlets were stocked with beef steers (2.5 livestock units ha−1), grazed on a 1 ha scale to 6 cm (MSS) and 4 cm (LP and LP+TR) residuals.ResultsA greater ash concentration was found in MSS than LP (84 vs. 75 g kg−1 DM). Both LP+TR and MSS had higher crude protein and lower neutral detergent fibre concentrations than LP. The relative ranking of water soluble carbohydrate and dry matter (DM) concentration was LP > LP+TR > MSS. Despite the leaf component of the LP farmlet contributing more to herbage DM, the organic matter digestibilities of the swards were similar.ConclusionsThe MSS and LP+TR farmlets achieved similar forage quality under intensive grazing to LP. However, it is worth noting that MSS had a higher concentration of acid detergent lignin, which can negatively impact digestibility. Further investigation is needed to determine optimal grazing management practices that can minimise the effects of higher lignin concentration on digestibility in multispecies swards.