bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Company ESG performance and institutional investor ownership preferences
Authors: Wei Li , Chengshu Wu 
Published: September 2023

AbstractHeterogeneous institutional investors' shareholding preferences have been driven to change by the deepening of ESG investment philosophy. Therefore, we examine the impact of corporate ESG performance on institutional investors' shareholding preferences and its mechanism of action. We conduct mixed OLS and mediation effect tests using data on ESG responsibility scores and institutional investors' shareholding ratios of A‐share listed companies in China from 2010 to 2020 as samples. We find that corporate ESG performance can significantly and robustly increase institutional investors' shareholdings; the mediation effect analysis shows that overall corporate ESG performance contributes to increases in corporate book and market values, thus encouraging institutional investors to increase their shareholdings. The heterogeneity analysis shows that independent institutional investors attach more importance to corporate ESG responsibility performance, and long‐term institutional investors attach more importance to corporate environmental performance; moreover, institutional investors have more significant ESG shareholding preferences for Chinese SOEs. Our study can strengthen the encouragement of institutional investors to integrate ESG investment concepts from multiple perspectives, such as research and analysis, portfolio management, risk control, and due diligence management, to design and develop targeted ESG investment tools, give full play to the role of shareholders and guide the sound development of listed companies from the perspective of investment strategy objectives.
Midwives' perceptions of and experiences with normal physiologic birth: A qualitative systematic review
Authors: Shorey Shefaly , Ng Esperanza Debby 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundNormal physiologic birth has been shown to result in optimal maternal–infant outcomes, but the concept of physiologic birth is continually evolving. Midwives play an important role in advocating for normal physiologic birth; however, their perceptions of what this approach entails have not been systematically appraised.ObjectiveIn this qualitative review, we aimed to examine midwives' perceived meanings of “normal physiologic birth” and to describe their experiences facilitating such births.MethodsFive electronic databases were searched, and 26 qualitative papers were included, representing a total of 433 midwives from different backgrounds (i.e., independent, home‐based, community‐based, and hospital‐based). Eligible papers were assessed for quality, and then data were coded and synthesized thematically.ResultsFour highly connected themes were generated: (1) the midwife: fundamental beliefs; (2) the woman: empowerment and advocacy; (3) the environment: ambience and culture; and (4) the team: need for institutional support and recognition. The fundamental beliefs of midwives, such as their perceived role and definition of normal physiologic birth and their self‐confidence, influence practice styles and contribute to personal and professional development. Midwives often advocate for a person‐centered approach that encouraged women's and other birthing person's autonomy and involvement in shared decision‐making. The midwife–client relationship is also central. Most importantly, a conducive birthing environment and an inclusive workplace culture that encourages interprofessional support, collaboration, and recognizes midwifery practices were identified as crucial in providing optimal conditions for the facilitation of physiologic birth.ConclusionsThis review provides healthcare policymakers and institutions fresh impetus to evaluate and revise as needed current workplace policies to be more inclusive and supportive of midwifery practices and physiologic birth.
Association between serum albumin to serum creatinine ratio and mortality risk in patients with heart failure
Authors: Li Shiyang , Xie Xiaoshuang , Zeng Xiaobin , Wang Shihai , Lan Jianjun 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum albumin to serum creatinine ratio (sACR) and the prognosis of heart failure (HF). In this single‐center prospective cohort study, a total of 2625 patients with HF were enrolled between March 2012 and June 2017. All patients were divided into three groups according to the tertiles of sACR. Of 2625 patients, the mean age was 57.0 ± 14.3 years. During a median follow‐up time of 23 months, 666 end point events occurred. Prognosis analysis indicated that the lowest sACR was significantly associated with higher mortality risk of HF (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.920, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.585–2.326, p < 0.001) when compared with the highest tertile. After adjusting for covariates including age, gender, diabetes, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL‐C, LDL‐C, white blood cell count, hemoglobin, glycosylated hemoglobin, and β‐blocker use, the HRs for mortality risk of HF was 1.513 (95% CI = 1.070–2.139, p = 0.019). Subgroup analysis indicated that the mortality risk of HF statistically significantly reduced with the rise in sACR in patients with no β‐blocker use, patients with serum creatine less than 97 μmol/L. However, stratification by age, sex, history of hypertension, diabetes, and smoking, level of glycosylated hemoglobin, and albumin have no obvious effect on the association between sACR and the prognosis of HF. Additionally, patients with lower sACR displayed reduced left ventricular ejection fraction and increased left ventricular end‐diastolic diameter. The discriminant power of sACR alone and in combination with age, gender, SBP, heart rate, and glycosylated hemoglobin were excellent with C statistic of 0.655 and 0.889, respectively. Lower sACR was an independent risk factor for mortality risk of HF.
Pre‐analytical effects on whole transcriptome and targeted RNA sequencing analysis in cytology: The effects of prolonged time in storage of effusion specimens prior to preservation
Authors: Sura Gloria H. , Tran Kevin , Fu Chunxiao , Du Lili , Marczyk Michał , Gould Rebekah E. , Chen Eveline , Tasto Amy M. , Tinnirello Agata A. , Symmans W. Fraser 
Published: September 2023

AbstractObjectivesTo investigate the pre‐analytics of the molecular testing of cytology specimens, we studied the effects of time in refrigerator storage (4°C) of malignant effusions on RNA sequencing (RNAseq) results.MethodsTen effusion specimens were stored in a refrigerator (4°C) for different durations (day 0, 1, 4, and 7). All specimens were prepared as cytospins fixed in either Carnoy's solution or 95% ethanol (EtOH) and in an RNA preservative for a fresh frozen (FF) high‐quality reference. Whole transcriptome (wt) and targeted (t)RNAseq of two multigene expression signatures were performed. We then compared transcript expression levels (including mutant allele fraction) according to pre‐analytical variables using a concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) and a mixed effect model.ResultsSequencing results were mostly stable over increasing time in storage. Cytospins fixed in Carnoy's solution were more concordant with FF samples than cytospins fixed in 95% EtOH at all timepoints. This finding was consistent for both wtRNAseq (averages: day 0 CCC = 0.98 vs 0.91; day 7 CCC = 0.88 vs 0.78) and tRNAseq methods (averages: day 0 CCC = 0.98 vs 0.81; day 7 CCC = 0.98 vs 0.90). Cytospins fixed in Carnoy's solution did not show significant changes in expression over timepoints or between expression signatures, whereas 95% EtOH did.ConclusionRNAseq can be accurately performed on effusion specimens after prolonged refrigerator storage. RNA extracted from scraped cytospin slides fixed in Carnoy's solution was marginally superior to 95% EtOH fixation, but either method had comparable analytic performance to high‐quality FF RNA samples.
A comparison of two widely used methods for estimating taxonomic and functional diversities of epigeal arthropods in some temperate grasslands
Authors: Amiar Dylan , Leandro Camila , Courtial Cyril , Pétillon Julien 
Published: September 2023

AbstractSuction sampling is increasingly being used to estimate abundance and diversity of epigeal arthropods, yet no study has quantified its efficiency to simultaneously assess diversity at different taxonomic and functional scales. Here, we evaluated the efficiency of this method (G‐Vac) relative to the pitfall (Barber) trap, which has been used for a long time, and their possible complementarity. To do that, we compared several diversity metrics of a wide range of arthropod taxa, with a particular focus on spiders (species level), and using functional traits such as trophic diet, hunting guild, and body size. Sampling took place in some coastal grasslands of Brittany (France) using a spatially paired design of vacuuming and unfenced pitfall trapping. In total, 21159 arthropods were identified to order or family levels, including 1018 adult spiders identified to species. Suction sampling was more efficient than pitfall trapping in collecting phytophagous arthropods, web‐builders, and small species living in the vegetation compared to detritivores, large‐bodied arthropods, and spiders living near the soil surface. We conclude that short‐term G‐Vac suction is more interesting than pitfall trapping to obtain a ‘snapshot’ of patterns in taxonomic richness. However, for assessing functional diversity, G‐Vac suction and pitfall trapping are complementary sampling methods.
Multifaceted framework for defining conservation units: An example from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) in Canada
Authors: Lehnert Sarah J. , Bradbury Ian R. , Wringe Brendan F. , Van Wyngaarden Mallory , Bentzen Paul 
Published: September 2023

AbstractConservation units represent important components of intraspecific diversity that can aid in prioritizing and protecting at‐risk populations, while also safeguarding unique diversity that can contribute to species resilience. In Canada, identification and assessments of conservation units is done by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). COSEWIC can recognize conservation units below the species level (termed “designatable units”; DUs) if the unit has attributes that make it both discrete and evolutionarily significant. There are various ways in which a DU can meet criteria of discreteness and significance, and increasing access to “big data” is providing unprecedented information that can directly inform both criteria. Specifically, the incorporation of genomic data for an increasing number of non‐model species is informing more COSEWIC assessments; thus, a repeatable, robust framework is needed for integrating these data into DU characterization. Here, we develop a framework that uses a multifaceted, weight of evidence approach to incorporate multiple data types, including genetic and genomic data, to inform COSEWIC DUs. We apply this framework to delineate DUs of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, L.), an economically, culturally, and ecologically significant species, that is also characterized by complex hierarchical population structure. Specifically, we focus on an in‐depth example of how our approach was applied to a previously data limited region of northern Canada that was defined by a single large DU. Application of our framework with newly available genetic and genomic data led to subdividing this DU into three new DUs. Although our approach was developed to meet criteria of COSEWIC, it is widely applicable given similarities in the definitions of a conservation unit.
Stocking fish in inland waters: Opportunities and risks for sustainable food systems
Authors: Cowx Ian G. , Funge‐Smith Simon J. , Lynch Abigail J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractStocking is one of the foremost tools in the inland fisheries management toolbox, but it comes with both opportunities and risks. Stocking is often used as compensation for depleted wild populations, particularly where recruitment processes have been disrupted, but it can introduce disease, disrupt community structures, reduce genetic integrity, and cause conflicts between fishery stakeholders. Despite its widespread use, examples of effective stocking for food fisheries in inland waters are sparse in the peer‐reviewed literature. Nevertheless, it is well established that stocking is frequently used to maintain fish yield, so there is a need to conduct the practice in a robust manner that minimises the potential risks. This paper serves as the front matter for a special section ofFisheries Management and Ecologyfocused on fresh waters feeding the world, which resulted from two panel sessions, one focused on aquaculture and one focused on stocking, hosted by the international InFish research network (https://infish.org/). The paper highlights current practices of fish stock enhancement in inland waters for food, examines potential synergies and interactions of stock enhancement programmes with aquaculture, and provides an outline framework for responsible management of fish stock enhancement.
Fluvial geomorphic evolution and stream fish community trajectories in the Bayou Pierre, Mississippi, U.S.A.
Authors: Stearman Loren W. , Schaefer Jacob F. 
Published: September 2023

Abstract

Human activities have often altered sediment dynamics in rivers, leading to aquatic habitat degradation. The dominant paradigm in fish–sediment interactions focuses on excessive fine sediments as indicators of habitat and water quality degradation. In contrast, geomorphologists have provided frameworks linking altered sediment dynamics to much broader and more complex changes to channel morphology and stream habitats across spatial scales.

In this paper we use an interdisciplinary approach with historical and contemporary channel morphology and fish community datasets to examine how altered sediment dynamics have affected stream fish community evolution in the Bayou Pierre, Mississippi, U.S.A.

Erosional process regimes have advanced upstream consistent with models of knickpoint propagation and channel evolution, leaving most of the catchment in a state of increased sediment transport and local sediment deficits. Fish communities in modern samples have less α and β diversity and fewer habitat specialist taxa than in historical samples.

Whole‐community analysis via non‐metric multidimensional scaling found a strong gradient of homogenisation towards a fauna comprised of small‐bodied taxa adapted to large rivers.

Comparisons of community and geomorphic change on this gradient found that reaches that transitioned between process regimes had more community change, and that local habitat factors relating to advanced channel evolution were strongly positively related to total community change.

These results demonstrate that a catchment‐scale geomorphic analysis provided a strong tool for understanding fish community change on a decadal scale. Our findings further demonstrate concordant ecological responses to a complex sequence of disturbances and suggest that a broader view of sediment dynamics offers a rich toolkit for ecological analyses.
Novel application of a food ingredient based on soybean extruded‐expelled meal containing probiotics for improving gluten‐free bread quality
Authors: Castellanos‐Fuentes Adriana P. , Genevois Carolina E. , Flores Silvia K. , de Escalada Pla Marina F. 
Published: September 2023

SummaryThere is an increasing demand of alternatives to improve the nutritional and quality profiles of gluten‐free bread and to profit nutrients from vegetable by‐products. The effect of food ingredients based on soy by‐products containing Lacticaseibacillus casei (ATCC 393™), and iron sulphate salt addition on the physical, textural and nutritional properties of a gluten‐free bread formulation was studied. The system containing both, the food ingredient and the iron salt, showed the lowest pH (5.62 ± 0.01) and the highest specific volume (SV) (2.3 ± 0.2) cm3 g−1. In addition, a darker crumb (L* = 66.2 ± 0.6), higher aerated crumb area (110 ± 6) mm2 and iron bioaccessibility (85 ± 5) % were obtained compared with systems without this addition, while no effect was observed on the texture nor moisture. The acid lactic fermentation along with iron salt addition, improved SV, crumb colour and aeration as well as a nutritional profile of gluten‐free bread. These results improve gluten‐free bread quality and add value to soy by‐products.
Formulation and characterisation of phytonutrients‐rich traditional dehydrated snack prepared from skinned baby potatoes
Authors: Kaur Kamaljeet , Kaur Sukhpreet , Aggarwal Poonam , Kaur Navjot 
Published: September 2023

SummaryBaby potatoes are common by‐products of tuber size grading during potato processing which have high potential for valorisation due to rich bioactive profile. In this research, baby potatoes (Kufri Chipsona‐1 and Lady Rosette) were utilised for formulation of dehydrated traditional snack (papad). Five formulations were prepared utilising baby potatoes (with peel and without peel) and a table variety (Kufri Pukhraj; without peel) was taken as control. Compared to papads prepared from peeled potatoes, papads prepared from skinned potatoes showed higher protein, fibre, bioactives and minerals which were further confirmed using HPLC and FTIR analysis. However, papads prepared without peel were lighter in colour. Papads from K. Chipsona‐1 (with and without peel) were organoleptically more acceptable and selected for storage studies at room temperature. During storage, moisture content, water activity, total and reducing sugars increased while a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in phytochemicals were noticed. The product was found shelf stable for 6 months of storage.
Effects of redox active agents on cyanocobalamin stability in heated milk
Authors: Ding Yi , Lim Pei Jun , Goh Jayler , Lin Qi , Johns Paul W. 
Published: September 2023

SummaryReducing agents and oxidizing agents have been identified as contributors to vitamin B12 losses associated with food processing and/or storage. We evaluated the effects of redox active agents on cyanocobalamin stability in heat‐treated non‐fat milk and neutral pH buffers. The largest average cyanocobalamin losses occurred in the presence of an added thiol (glutathione, cysteine, dithiothreitol and the thiamine decomposition product 2‐methyl‐3‐furanthiol) or dithionite, whereas cyanocobalamin recoveries generally increased in the presence of an added oxidizing agent. Cyanocobalamin instability in the heat‐treated, non‐fat milk (~40% loss after 90 min at 100 °C) was attributed to a combination of heat, cystine/cysteine, oxygen and a low‐level presence of transition metals, a combination also found in many other foods for which B12 instability has been reported. The proposed cyanocobalamin decomposition pathway – complexation with heat‐exposed cysteine thiolate, cobalt reduction, hydrolysis of the complex, conversion to hydroxocobalamin and irreversible oxidation – follows the sequence described by others.
Performance improvement of iron chalcogenide films grown at high laser repetition rates by pulsed laser deposition
Authors: Mou Shaojing , Ye Jiachao , Zhu Rongji , Li Ruojie , Liu Linfei , Li Yijie 
Published: September 2023

AbstractFor mass production, a high deposition rate is necessary. A powerful approach is to deposit Fe(Se, Te) (FST) superconducting films at a high laser repetition rate by pulsed laser deposition. Hence, the FST films were grown on flexible metallic tapes using pulsed laser deposition at different laser repetition rates to explore the effect of laser repetition rate on the properties. It was found that as the laser repetition rate increases, the crystallinity and stoichiometry of FST films deteriorate, resulting in a degeneration in superconductivity. The critical temperature of the FST film deposited at a high repetition rate of 120 Hz dropped to 12.89 K. Furthermore, high‐performance FST film was successfully deposited at 120 Hz by increasing the substrate temperature with = 16.96 K and = 18.32 K. The self‐field critical current density can reach 1.3 MA/cm2 at 4.2 K. The analysis of the pinning mechanism reveals that normal surface pinning centers play a dominant part in the FST film and are independent of the temperature. The collective pinning theory states that the FST film exhibits δl pinning. The results may offer valuable information for rapid deposition of FST‐coated conductors for industrial production.
Geology constrains biomineralization expression and functional trait distribution in the Mountainsnails
Authors: Linscott T. Mason , Recla Nicole K. , Parent Christine E. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimGeographic variation in metabolic resources necessary for functional trait expression can set limits on species distributions. For species that need to produce and maintain biomineralized traits for survival, spatial variation in mineral macronutrients may constrain species distributions by limiting the expression of biomineralized traits. Here, we examine whether Oreohelix land snails that express heavily biomineralized shell ornaments are restricted to CaCO3 rock regions, if they incorporate greater amounts of CaCO3 rock carbon in their shell than less biomineralized smooth forms, and if ornamentation increases shell strength.LocationWestern United States.TaxonOreohelix land snails.MethodsWe used random forest classification models at multiple spatial resolutions to evaluate the contribution of topographic, vegetation, climate, and geologic variables in predicting the presence of heavily biomineralized shell ornaments across the range of Oreohelix. We then measured and compared shell biometric variables, 14C/12C ratios, and peak force for fracture for ornamented and smooth forms from calcareous and non‐calcareous substrates.ResultsDistance to CaCO3 rock was the most important variable in all models and closer proximity to CaCO3 rock was associated with greater probability of local ornamentation classification. Pairwise comparisons of 14C/12C ratios in closely occurring ornamented vs. smooth population pairs revealed ornamented forms incorporate greater CaCO3 rock carbon than smooth forms. Ornamented types measured in this study were generally heavier and required greater peak force for fracture than smooth forms, except when comparing ornamented forms to smooth forms sampled from CaCO3 rock.Main ConclusionsBiomineralization expression, species distribution, and trait function appear to be constrained by mineral supply in a highly diverse group of land snails. This trait‐environment relationship provides a basis for future investigations of CaCO3 macronutrient constraints on shell form and species distribution in other terrestrial molluscs and has a direct impact on the management of Oreohelix species.